bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medial knee cartilage is unlikely to withstand a lifetime of running without positive adaptation: a theoretical biomechanical model of failure phenomena
Authors: Miller Ross H. , Krupenevich Rebecca L.
Published: August 2020

Runners on average do not have a high risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, even though running places very high loads on the knee joint. Here we used gait analysis, musculoskeletal modeling, and a discrete-element model of knee contact mechanics to estimate strains of the medial knee cartilage in walking and running in 22 young adults (age 23 ± 3 years). A phenomenological model of cartilage damage, repair, and adaptation in response to these strains then estimated the failure probability of the medial knee cartilage over an adult lifespan (age 23–83 years) for 6 km/day of walking vs. walking and running 3 km/day each. With no running, by age 55 the cumulative probability of medial knee cartilage failure averaged 36% without repair and 13% with repair, similar to reports on incidence of knee osteoarthritis in non-obese adults with no knee injuries, but the probability for running was very high without repair or adaptation (98%) and remained high after including repair (95%). Adaptation of the cartilage compressive modulus, cartilage thickness, and the tibiofemoral bone congruence in response to running (+1.15 standard deviations of their baseline values) was necessary for the failure probability of walking and running 3 km/day each to equal the failure probability of walking 6 km/day. The model results suggest two conclusions for further testing: (i) unlike previous findings on the load per unit distance, damage per unit distance on the medial knee cartilage is greater in running vs. walking, refuting the “cumulative load” hypothesis for long-term joint health; (ii) medial knee cartilage is unlikely to withstand a lifetime of mechanical loading from running without a natural adaptation process, supporting the “cartilage conditioning” hypothesis for long-term joint health.
Os desafios de equipes multiculturais de trabalho: da liderança e influência da cultura nacional ao processo de aprendizagem organizacional
Authors: Moraes Fernanda Vicente , Bueno Janaína Maria , Domingues Carlos Roberto
Published: August 2020

A formação de equipes multiculturais tem sido cada vez mais necessária e estimulada pelas organizações para construção de ambientes criativos e inovadores com intuito de responder a um contexto desafiador e em constante transformação (Bueno & Freitas, 2015). Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os desafios de três equipes multiculturais em subsidiárias de duas empresas multinacionais quanto às questões de liderança, cultura nacional e aprendizagem. Por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo descritiva, foi adotado o método de estudo de casos múltiplos, sendo a coleta de dados baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas. A partir de três categorias definidas a priori (Liderança; Influência da Cultura Nacional; e Aprendizagem Organizacional), identificou-se que a liderança das equipes é do tipo única e vertical, o que reflete o pouco tempo de existência dessas equipes aliado à dificuldade que alguns indivíduos (brasileiros) sentem em se expressar em ambientes culturalmente diversos reflexo de sua relação com traços culturais da gestão brasileira como distância do poder, postura de expectador, falta de planejamento e personalismo. As equipes aprenderam com base na interação cotidiana e troca de informações e opiniões, ressaltando a importância do ambiente multicultural e da adoção de algumas formas de registro do conhecimento que precisam ser aperfeiçoados e expandidos. Conclui-se que as equipes multiculturais estudadas foram responsáveis pela geração de novos conhecimentos para as empresas, obtiveram resultados além do esperado e ajudaram a projetar a carreira de seus membros, evidenciando que esta experiência pode ser enriquecedora para os profissionais envolvidos e para as organizações, sendo válido investir no amadurecimento do processo de liderança, entendimento das diferenças culturais e aperfeiçoamento do processo de aprendizagem organizacional.
A relação entre desempenho no Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio e o perfil socioeconômico: um estudo com os microdados de 2016
Authors: Lucena João Paulo Oliveira , Dos Santos Heric Nero Lisboa
Published: August 2020

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar como as características socioeconômicas dos estudantes brasileiros podem influenciar a nota geral dos candidatos do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM). A pesquisa configura-se como descritiva, com uma abordagem quantitativa. O universo compreende os candidatos que prestaram o ENEM no ano de 2016. Os dados foram obtidos no Portal do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (INEP) e para a análise foi utilizada a regressão por meio da técnica dos Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários (MQO) robusta, no intuito de observar se as variáveis de interesse definidas influenciam na nota geral do ENEM do candidato. A nota geral do ENEM, que não estava disponível, foi criada por meio de uma média aritmética das notas e foi adotada como variável dependente. Também foram criadas variáveis dummies de informação qualitativas que foram utilizadas como variáveis independentes. Os resultados do trabalho apontam, em principal, que os candidatos com maior renda familiar, os candidatos que estudaram maior parte do ensino médio em escolas particulares, os candidatos que não trabalham e os candidatos de cor branca tendem a ter melhor desempenho na nota geral do ENEM. Esses resultados corroboram com estudos anteriores que abordaram este tipo de análise. Estudos futuros poderiam abordar como essas características se relacionam com o desempenho no ambiente do ensino superior, verificando se estas ainda continuam exercer influência.
Proximate Composition, Mineral Bioavailability and Functional Properties of Defatted and Undefatted Avocado Pear (Persia americana) Seed Flours
Authors: Emelike N. J. T. , Ujong A. E. , Achinewhu S. C.
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the proximate composition, mineral bioavailability and functional properties of defatted and undefatted avocado pear seed flours. Avocado pear seed was processed into flour and thereafter defatted using n-hexane. The proximate composition, total and extractable minerals and functional properties of the seed flours were determined using standard methods. Proximate analysis revealed that the defatted seed flour contained significantly (p<0.05) higher protein (11.90%) and ash (2.60%) than the undefatted sample (7.24% and 2.12%, respectively). The undefatted seed flour recorded higher values of moisture (4.84%), fat (3.28%), crude fibre (7.99%), carbohydrate (74.71%) and energy (406.08 kcal) than the defatted sample. Mineral composition of the seed flours also showed that undefatted sample contained significantly (p<0.05) higher contents of sodium (24.56 mg/100 g) and iron (9.05 mg/100 g) than the defatted while defatted sample was significantly (p<0.05) higher in potassium (103.15 mg/100 g), phosphorus (7.80 mg/100 g) and calcium (56.50 mg/100 g). Defatted seed flour gave the highest bioavailable sodium (53.88%), potassium (51.69%), iron (26.07%), phosphorus (47.12%) and calcium (43.47%) while undefatted seed flour had the lowest bioavailable sodium (51.41%), potassium (50.49%), iron (17.45%), phosphorus (45.35%) and calcium (36.35%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among these values. Results of the functional properties of the seed flours showed that the defatted seed flours were high in water and oil absorption capacities (1.87 g/g and 1.87 g/g, respectively), bulk density (0.85 g/ml) and swelling power (6.75 g/g). However, these values were significantly (p<0.05) similar except for bulk density. Least gelation concentration was 4% for both flours while solubilities were 14.57% and 14.63% for defatted and undefatted seed flour, respectively. The result from this study indicates that avocado pear seed flours may be useful in some food formulations. Defatted avocado pear seed is a good source of protein and can be incorporated into existing food products to provide a protein rich diet.
Toxicity Assay of Methanolic Extract of Caryota No Seed using Drosophila melanogaster Model
Authors: Maduagwuna Chinonye A. , Omale Simeon , Etuh Monday A. , Gyang Steven S.
Published: August 2020

Objectives: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Caryota no (CN) seeds in Drosophila melanogaster (DM) survival and life span.

Study Design: Experimental design.

Place and Duration: African Centre of Excellence for Phytomedicine Research and Development, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State Nigeria between June 2018 and February 2019.

Methods: The LC50 was determined by exposing 50 flies to concentrations ranging from 1 mg to 600 mg per 10 g diet and mortality of flies was scored every 24 hours for 14 days and from the results, five doses were chosen for the next assay. Survival assays were carried out by exposing 50 flies in each vial to the following concentrations: 300 mg, 350 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg and 600 mg of methanolic extract in 5 replicates for 28 days with daily recording of mortality              while the longevity assay continued from the survival until the last fly dies. All three experiments were done as three independent trials.                                                       

Results: The LC50 values of the methanolic extract was determined to be 6.533e+017 mg/10g food in D. melanogaster.  The result of the survival assay with methanolic extract of CN showed slight significant (P < .05) increase with the lowest two doses but no significant (P > .05) difference with other higher doses compared to the control. The longevity assay revealed that the extract significantly (P < .05) decreased longevity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Conclusion: The results obtained from evaluating the methanolic extract of Caryota no indicate that the plant is relatively non-toxic and maybe safe under acute and subacute exposures but may become deleterious during chronic exposure.
University Social Responsibility and Community Relations
Authors: Rojas H. Lamas , Lara V. Lamas , Meza D. Gómez
Published: August 2020

The responsibility of universities does not only consist on training responsible citizens, contributing to the economic, social and cultural development of our societies, or generating new knowledge through research and transmit it appropriately. Even being part of the content of its responsibility, each one of these actions must keep in mind the horizon of reference to which it must respond: a context of inequality, inequity, conflict and exclusion; It is also part of their responsibility to develop a clear transformative orientation towards the areas of social and economic vulnerability that is present in our societies. We develop one of its main models: Learning-service, as it is a methodology that allows students to learn better through integration of educational content with solidarity actions carried out in the community, facing a real need in society.
In vivo Antioxidant Effects of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Water Extract in Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Mba O. J. , Edward U. I. , Aja O. A. , Atiaetuk I. E. , Ndukwe M. K.
Published: August 2020

Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the invivo antioxidant effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera) water extract in wistar albino rats.

Methodology: Thirty (30) male wistar albino rats of mean weight 128 g were used for the study. The animals for the study were grouped into five (5) of six (6) rats each. Group 1 served as the normal control group that received feed and water only while groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 served as the test groups that were orally given 10 ml, 20 ml, 30 ml, and 40 ml of the coconut water extract for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed after 28 days and the blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. 

Results: From the result obtained there is a significant increase (p< 0.05) between the normal control group (group 1) and the test group (group 2) that received 20 ml of the coconut water extract for MDA. There is a significant increase (p< 0.05) between the normal control group (group 1) and the test groups (groups 2 and 5) that received 10 ml and 50 ml of the coconut water extract for SOD. Also, there is a significant increase (p< 0.05) between the normal control group (group 1) and the test groups (groups 2, 3 and 4) that received 20 ml, 30 ml and 40 ml of the coconut water extract for Catalase. For GSH and Vitamin C, there is a significant increase (p< 0.05) between the normal control group (group 1) and the test groups (groups 2, 3, 4 and 5) that were orally given 10 ml, 20 ml, 30 ml and 40 ml of the coconut water extract.

Conclusion: The present investigation showed that the coconut water extract increased antioxidant properties in wistar albino rats and may also be used pharmacologically in the treatment of diseases implicated by free radicals.
Trend Analysis of Rainfall in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh State in India
Authors: Rani M. Satya Swarupa , Asha R. , Prasadarao G. M. V.
Published: August 2020

Globally, precipitation trend analysis in different space and time has great impact on crop-planning activities. To get accurate unbiased results a long-term climate analysis of a particular area required in large variability in both spatially, temporally. For sustainable crop production long term weather analysis act as vital role in alternation of existing cropping patterns. This study aimed at analysing the trend of rainfall events in Prakasam district of Andhra state of India the data consists of annual precipitation time series from 1991-2019. Initially study concerns with analysis of data base using descriptive statistics, later trend change was detected by using non parametric tests. The results indicate an increased trend in June and monsoon season, with a decreased trend in July and winter season at 5% level of significance.
A Review on Abatement of Nickel(II) from Aqueous Solution by Agricultural Biomass
Authors: Beulah S. Sophie , Muthukumaran K.
Published: August 2020

Levels of toxins has increased in water due to the spurge of industries. Nickel (II) is mostly used in industries because of its anticorrosion behaviour. Nickel (II) is present in the effluent of electroplating, plastics manufacturing, fertilizers and mining industries. It causes detrimental effect on the human health as well as environment because of its toxicity, non-biodegradability and bioaccumulation. Adsorption technique has been investigated in many researches as an effective method for not only detoxifying but also recovering precious heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. In this review various agricultural biomass based adsorbents used for removing Ni(II) from aqueous solution, optimum parameters employed and their removal efficiency from wastewater have been explored.
In silico Anti-malaria Activity of Quinolone Compounds against Plasmodium falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase (pfDHFR)
Authors: Balogun Toheeb A. , Omoboyowa Damilola A. , Saibu Oluwatosin A.
Published: August 2020

Chemotherapy remains the kernel of malaria control and the available antimalarial drugs are not only expensive but also parade heterogeneous levels of toxicity and may invoke poor compliance in patients. The present study focuses on the screening of quinolone compounds against Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (pfDHFR) for anti-malarial potential using Glide (Schrodinger maestro 2017-1). Computational tool using Glide was employed to investigate the therapeutic relevance of six (6) quinolone derivatives retrieved from PUBCHEM    via molecular docking against pfDHFR retrieved from protein data base. The results showed that, Lascufloxacin and moxifloxacin bind with higher affinity and lower free energy with catalytic domain of pfDHFR with glide score of -6.597 and -5.653 respectively compared to standard ligand (quinine) with glide score of -3.728. Lascufloxacin interacted with amino acid residue of the catalytic domain (SER 511, ARG 510, GLU 382) as evaluated by energy decomposition per residue lascufloxacin-pfDHFRcomplex. The results from this investigation, thus proposed quinolone derivatives as hit lead drug candidates which may be consider as potential inhibitor of pfDHFR.
Changes in Chlorophyll and Protein Contents of Vigna unguiculata, Glycine max, Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor Raised in Soil Incorporated with the Shoots of Tithonia rotundifolia
Authors: Ilori O. J. , Otusanya O. O.
Published: August 2020

Tithonia. rotundifolia is an allelopathic weed that grows in association with cultivated crops in Nigeria. Allelopathy is a phenomenon of plant releasing allelochemicals into the environment that can inhibit or stimulate the growth of other plants and microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil incorporated with the fresh shoots of T. rotundifolia on chlorophyll and protein accumulation of Vigna unguiculata L. Glycine max L., Zea mays L. and Sorghum bicolor L.  250 g of fresh shoots of T. rotundifolia were worked into each plot of 2 m2 dimension and the test crops were sown in the plots. Plots with no T. rotundifolia shoots were included as control plots. The experiment was performed in completely randomized block design (CRBD). The parameters measured were chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b total chlorophyll and protein content. The results showed a stimulation in chlorophyll contents in the test crops except inhibition in chl b and total chlorophyll in Zea mays L. Also, there was a stimulation of protein in Zea mays L. and Sorghum bicolor L. The study suggests that incorporation of shoots of Tithonia rotundifolia could imparts stimulatory allelopathic effects.
Intersubjectivity and Food Purchasing: Modeling the Intent to Buy
Authors: Alekhine Philippe Fauquet- , Pavlovskaia Elena Fauquet-Alekhine- , Erskine James A. K.
Published: August 2020

Aims: A previous study showed that Intersubjectivity Theory could explain how consumers could appreciate a food product when looking at the packaging and reading the brand. Two samples of subjects, English and French consumers, were individually presented first with a foreign language food product and then with a native language food product. Their reaction and perception were analyzed in the light of Intersubjectivity theory.

However, the main limitation of the previous study addressed the psychosocial value carried by the foreign products: the product presented to French subjects had a sexual connotation and not this for the English. The present study intended to analyze this potential bias.

Study Design: For the present study, a new sample of English subjects were individually presented with a foreign language food product having a sexual connotation. Reactions and perceptions were analyzed applying the protocol of the previous study and results were compared in order to analyze the aforementioned potential bias.

Place and Duration of Study: Subjects were individually met in London in 2019 for the experiment.

Methodology: Subjects were selected as in the previous study: volunteer, healthy adults, native English language (N=20, 60% male, average age: 35 years old, middle class). Their spontaneous reaction was observed and they had to fill in the questionnaire addressing intersubjective perspectives regarding the product. Answers were ticked on a Likert scale and data were compared with that of the previous study.

Results: The results confirmed the previous study: the comparison of the percentage of responses per questions and of the mean scores showed no significant difference between previous and current studies. This showed that no bias was induced by the psychosocial value carried by the foreign product.

Conclusion: The model developed on the basis of Intersubjectivity Theory explains the process of intent to buy in terms of positive coherence between the intersubjective dimensions. It also shows that analyzing the consumers’ direct perception of the product does not predict their intent to buy. These findings are of great importance for food producers and marketers.
Financial Education and Consumer Financial Planning: Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Fuzhong , Zhang Tianyi , Ma Jin’ge
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of financial education on consumer financial planning. Using data from the 2012 Household Consumer Finance in China’s Urban Residents, this study conducts logistic regression to investigate the associations between financial education and consumer financial planning. The results indicate that financial education is positively associated with consumer financial planning. Moreover, the money and time input in financial education has also been proven to have positive effects on consumer financial planning. The findings suggest that the money input in financial education has played a more vital role in improving consumer financial planning than the time input in financial education. The results imply that the improvement of financial education is conducive to improving consumer financial planning. Furthermore, the results also have implications for policymakers to take measures in enhancing financial support for consumer financial education.
PERAN WORK LIFE BALANCE TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN MELALUI KOMITMEN AFEKTIF SEBAGAI VARIABEL MEDIASI PADA KARYAWAN HOTEL BERBINTANG TIGA DI MAKASSAR, SULAWESI SELATAN
Authors: Foanto Evelyn Felicia , Tunarso Eugiena Brigitta , Kartika Endo Wijaya
Published: August 2020

Industri perhotelan merupakan salah satu industri yang menerapkan jam kerja operasional 24 jam yang dapat memberikan dampak pada ketidakseimbangan pada kehidupan pribadi karyawan. Ketidakseimbangan antara pekerjaan dan kehidupan pribadi akan berdampak kepada komitmen organisasional karyawan terhadap organisasinya dan kemudian juga akan berdampak terhadap kinerja karyawan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan secara empiris tentang peran work life balance terhadap komitmen afektif dan kinerja karyawan dalam konteks industri perhotelan di Indonesia. Sampel pada penelitian ini adalah 180 orang karyawan pada hotel berbintang tiga di kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan. Pengujian statistik menggunakan software SmartPLS 2.0, dan hasil penelitian membuktikan bahwa work life balance berpengaruh tetapi tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan, work life balance berpengaruh signifikan terhadap komitmen afektif, dan komitmen afektif berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan
DESTINATION BRANDING OF TERAS CIKAPUNDUNG: A MODEL OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Authors: Rozalena Agustin , Saidah Iis
Published: August 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengontruksi model strategi komunikasi merek merupakan penelitian dengan objek komunikasi merek kota dengan subjek penelitian para informan yang berkaitan dengan terbangunnya Teras Cikapundung di sekitar bantaran dan sempadan Sungai Cikapundung. Penelitian ini bersifat kualitatif dengan paradigma kontruksi serta analisis studi kasus. Peneliti menggunakan teknik depth interviewing, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), observasi, analisis dokumenserta teknik analisis data menggunakan model interaktif. Hasil penelitian menyatakan  1) proses pembentukan komunikasi merek wisata kota buatan Teras Cikapundung melalui elaborasi Model MESSAGE dan destination branding strategy; 2)  adanya strategi wisata buatan Teras Cikapundung berdasarkan tiga unsur penguatan melalui lokasi karyawisata, kesadaran komunitas dan kebersihan lingkungan, Kliatchko’s Model of Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) dan Strategic Management of Teras Cikapundung’s Brand Communication Programmes; 3) Model strategi komunikasi merek wisata kota buatan Teras Cikapundung yang menunjukkan urutan aktivitas kontruksi strategi yang dilakukan oleh pihak komunikator
PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI PENINGKATAN KAPITAL SPIRITUAL
Authors: Sugianto Helena Anggraeni Tjondro , Vasantan Priska
Published: August 2020

Program pengabdian masyarakat ini berangkat dari keprihatinan munculnya fenomena masyarakat sebuah dusun yang tidak terlalu peduli dengan kepentingan bersama. Tiap keluarga terkesan hanya memikirkan kepentingan diri sendiri saja sehingga kesejahteraan bersama sulit dicapai. Program ini dilakukan dengan menanamkan nilai-nilai spiritual yang dapat menyadarkan masyarakat untuk mau saling peduli dan bekerja sama sehingga kesejahteraan bersama dapat diraih dan dinikmati. Dalam hal ini pemberdayaan masyarakat terjadi melalui peningkatan kapital spiritual dengan menanamkan nilai-nilai luhur. Penanaman nilai-nilai ini dilakukan melalui pembinaan spiritual yang rutin diadakan selama satu semester bagi anak-anak, remaja, dan orang dewasa. Program ini dapat dikatakan berhasil dengan mulainya masyarakat bersedia bekerja sama untuk membuat tempat sampah bersama, membuat kebun sayur organik dan pupuk cair organik bersama yang dapat meningkatkan perekonomian rumah tangga, serta kerja bakti membersihkan lingkungan.This program departs from the concern of the phenomenon of a village community that is not too care about the common interest. Each family seems to care about their own interests so that shared prosperity is difficult to be achieved. This program is carried out by instilling spiritual values that can awaken the public to care for one another and work together so that shared prosperity can be achieved and enjoyed. In this case, community empowerment occurs through increasing spiritual capital by instilling good values. The inculcation of these values is done through spiritual coaching which is routinely held for one semester for children, adolescents, and adults. This program can be asummed to be successful with the commencement of the community's willingness to work together to create a shared waste bin, create an organic vegetable garden and an organic liquid fertilizer that can improve the household economy, as well as working together to clean the environment.
PEMETAAN KEBUTUHAN SISTEM INFORMASI MANAJEMEN TERPADU SINODE GEREJA-GEREJA KRISTEN JAWA
Authors: Proboyekti Umi , Susanto Budi , Virginia Gloria , Restyandito Restyandito
Published: August 2020

Pemetaan kebutuhan untuk mengembangkan MIS terpadu untuk gereja-gereja Kristen Jawa merupakan langkah berikut setelah penyusunan perencanaan strategis. Pemetaan ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan profil gereja. Profil ini terdiri dari sumber daya manusia, infrastruktur yang didukung untuk TI, teknologi informasi terapan. Teknik elisitasi data yang digunakan adalah FGD dan kuesioner. Kuisioner online memiliki respons rendah karena kesenjangan teknologi dan ketidakbiasaan. Kuesioner berbasis kertas dikirim untuk menjangkau sebagian besar gereja. Sementara gereja-gereja menyelesaikan dan mengirimkan kembali kuesioner, tim memutuskan untuk mulai bekerja pada sistem informasi untuk Sinode dengan menjadwalkan FGD untuk elisitasi persyaratan. Tim belajar bahwa karakteristik organisasi memainkan peran penting dalam mengembangkan SIM terintegrasi.Requirement mapping for developing integrated MIS for Javanese Christian churches is the next step after composing the strategic planning. The mapping is aimed to get the profile of churches. The profile comprises human resources, supported infrastructure for IT, applied information technology. Data elicitation technique used was FGD and questionnaire. The online questionnaire had low responses due to the technology gap and unfamiliarity. Paper based questionnaire was sent to reach most of the churches. While the churches completing and sending back the questionnaires, the team decided to start working on the information system for Synod by scheduling a FGD for requirement elicitation. The team learned that the characteristic of the organization played a significant role in developing the integrated MIS.
Trauma as an Entry Point to the Health Care System
Authors: Spruce Marguerite W. , Thomas Debi M. , Anderson Jamie E. , Ortega Joanna C. , Mortazavi Kevin , Galante Joseph M.
Published: August 2020

This study examines unmanaged chronic medical and psychiatric conditions in hospitalized trauma patients.
IntuitivePlan inverse planning performance evaluation for Gamma Knife radiosurgery of AVMs
Authors: Paddick Ian , Grishchuk Diana , Dimitriadis Alexis
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To compare planning indices achieved using manual and inverse planning approaches for Gamma Knife radiosurgery of arterio‐venous malformations (AVMs).

Methods and materials

For a series of consecutive AVM patients, treatment plans were manually created by expert planners using Leksell GammaPlan (LGP). Patients were re‐planned using a new commercially released inverse planning system, IntuitivePlan. Plan quality metrics were calculated for both groups of plans and compared.

Results

Overall, IntuitivePlan created treatment plans of similar quality to expert planners. For some plan quality metrics statistically significant higher scores were achieved for the inversely generated plans (Coverage 96.8% vs 96.3%, P = 0.027; PCI 0.855 vs 0.824, P = 0.042), but others did not show statistically significant differences (Selectivity 0.884 vs 0.856, P = 0.071; GI 2.85 vs 2.76, P = 0.096; Efficiency Index 47.0% vs 48.1%, P = 0.242; Normal Brain V12(cc) 5.81 vs 5.79, P = 0.497). Automatic inverse planning demonstrated significantly shorter planning times over manual planning (3.79 vs 11.58 min, P < 10−6) and greater numbers of isocentres (40.4 vs 10.8, P < 10−6), with an associated cost of longer treatment times (57.97 vs 49.52 min, P = 0.009). When planning and treatment time were combined, there was no significant difference in the overall time between the two methods (61.76 vs 61.10, P = 0.433).

Conclusions

IntuitivePlan can offer savings on the labor of treatment planning. In many cases, it achieves higher quality indices than those achieved by an “expert planner”.
Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Jin Yinzhu , Chen Sarah K. , Liu Jun , Kim Seoyoung C.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To examine the risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) versus the risk among 4 different comparison cohorts.

Methods

Using a large US commercial insurance database, Optum Clinformatics Data Mart (2005–2017), we identified patients with RA based on ≥2 diagnoses for RA and use of ≥1 disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug. We selected 4 comparison cohorts with ≥2 disease‐specific diagnoses and ≥1 dispensing of disease‐specific drugs: 1) general non‐RA patients, 2) patients with hypertension, 3) patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and 4) patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The index date was the disease‐specific drug dispensing date. Patients with RA were matched to the comparator cohorts (except PsA) for age as of the index date, sex, and index date. The primary outcome was incident type 2 DM, defined as a new diagnosis of type 2 DM plus a new dispensing of antidiabetic drugs. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model estimated hazard ratios of incident type 2 DM among RA versus each of the comparison cohorts, accounting for >40 baseline covariates.

Results

A total of 449,327 RA, general non‐RA, hypertension, OA, or PsA patients were selected. During the median of 1.6 (range 0.6–3.3) years of follow‐up, the incidence rate of type 2 DM was the lowest in the RA cohort (7.0 per 1,000 person‐years) and highest (12.3 per 1,000 person‐years) in the hypertension cohort. After adjusting for >40 baseline covariates, we found that RA was associated with a 24–35% lower risk of incident type 2 DM compared to 4 comparison groups.

Conclusion

In this large population‐based cohort study, patients with RA had a lower rate of incident type 2 DM compared to the general non‐RA, hypertension, OA, and PsA cohorts.
Interval functional observers for time‐delay systems with additive disturbances
Authors: Cong Huong Dinh , Thanh Huynh Van , Trinh Hieu
Published: August 2020

This article considers the design of interval functional observers to estimate a linear function of the state vector of time‐delay systems subject to both input and output additive disturbances. Two novel functional observers are proposed and designed such that they bound the set of all admissible values of a linear function of the state vector at each instant of time. By contrast to interval observers currently available in the literature, both observers proposed in this article utilize multiple delayed output measurement and have a more general structure. This trade‐off feature overcomes some drawbacks in previous work and enables interval functional observers to be designed for a wider class of time‐delay systems. Conditions for the existence of interval functional observers are derived and an effective design algorithm for computing unknown observer matrices is provided. Two illustrative examples are given to show the advantages and effectiveness of our design method.
Sequence‐Defined Peptoids with OH and COOH Groups As Binders to Reduce Cracks of Si Nanoparticles of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Qianyu , Zhang Chaofeng , Luo Wenwei , Cui Lifeng , Wang Yan‐Jie , Jian Tengyue , Li Xiaolin , Yan Qizhang , Liu Haodong , Ouyang Chuying , Chen Yulin , Chen Chun‐Long , Zhang Jiujun
Published: August 2020

Silicone (Si) is one type of anode materials with intriguingly high theoretical capacity. However, the severe volume change associated with the repeated lithiation and delithiation processes hampers the mechanical/electrical integrity of Si anodes and hence reduces the battery's cycle‐life. To address this issue, sequence‐defined peptoids are designed and fabricated with two tailored functional groups, “OH” and “COOH”, as cross‐linkable polymeric binders for Si anodes of LIBs. Experimental results show that both the capacity and stability of such peptoids‐bound Si anodes can be significantly improved due to the decreased cracks of Si nanoparticles. Particularly, the 15‐mer peptoid binder in Si anode can result in a much higher reversible capacity (ca. 3110 mAh g−1) after 500 cycles at 1.0 A g−1 compared to other reported binders in literature. According to the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is the functional groups presented on the side chains of peptoids that facilitate the formation of Si−O binding efficiency and robustness, and then maintain the integrity of the Si anode. The sequence‐designed polymers can act as a new platform for understanding the interactions between binders and Si anode materials, and promote the realization of high‐performance batteries.
Nanoparticles (NPs)‐Meditated LncRNA AFAP1‐AS1 Silencing to Block Wnt/β‐Catenin Signaling Pathway for Synergistic Reversal of Radioresistance and Effective Cancer Radiotherapy
Authors: Bi Zhuofei , Li Qingjian , Dinglin Xiaoxiao , Xu Ying , You Kaiyun , Hong Huangming , Hu Qian , Zhang Wei , Li Chenchen , Tan Yujie , Xie Ning , Ren Wei , Li Chuping , Liu Yimin , Hu Hai , Xu Xiaoding , Yao Herui
Published: August 2020

Resistance to radiotherapy is frequently encountered in clinic, leading to poor prognosis of cancer patients. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the development of radioresistance due to their functions in regulating the expression of target genes at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Exploring key lncRNAs and elucidating the mechanisms contributing to radioresistance are crucial for the development of effective strategies to reverse radioresistance, which however remains challenging. Here, actin filament‐associated protein 1 antisense RNA1 (lncAFAP1‐AS1) is identified as a key factor in inducing radioresistance of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) via activating the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Considering the generation of a high concentration of reduction agent glutathione (GSH) under radiation, a reduction‐responsive nanoparticle (NP) platform is engineered for effective lncAFAP1‐AS1 siRNA (siAFAP1‐AS1) delivery. Systemic delivery of siAFAP1‐AS1 with the reduction‐responsive NPs can synergistically reverse radioresistance by silencing lncAFAP1‐AS1 expression and scavenging intracellular GSH, leading to a dramatically enhanced radiotherapy effect in both xenograft and metastatic TNBC tumor models. The findings indicate that lncAFAP1‐AS1 can be used to predict the outcome of TNBC radiotherapy and combination of systemic siAFAP1‐AS1 delivery with radiotherapy can be applied for the treatment of recurrent TNBC patients.
Excite Spoof Surface Plasmons with Tailored Wavefronts Using High‐Efficiency Terahertz Metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Li Shiqing , Zhang Xueqian , Feng Xi , Wang Qingwei , Han Jiaguang , He Qiong , Zhang Weili , Sun Shulin , Zhou Lei
Published: August 2020

Spoof surface plasmons (SSPs) play crucial roles in terahertz (THz) near‐field photonics. However, both high‐efficiency excitation and wavefront engineering of SSPs remain great challenges, which hinder their wide applications in practice. Here, a scheme is proposed to simultaneously achieve these two goals efficiently using a single ultracompact device. First, it is shown that a gradient meta‐coupler constructed by high‐efficiency Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) meta‐atoms can convert circularly polarized (CP) THz beams into SSPs with absolute efficiency up to 60%. Encoding a parabolic phase profile into the meta‐coupler based on the PB mechanism, it is demonstrated that the device can covert CP beams into SSPs with focusing or defocusing wavefronts, dictated by the chirality of the incident wave. Finally, two distinct chirality‐dependent phase distributions are encoded into the meta‐coupler design by combining the PB and resonance phase mechanisms, and it is demonstrated that the resulting meta‐device can achieve SSP excitations with chirality‐delinked bifunctional wavefront engineering. THz near‐field experiments are performed to characterize all three devices, in excellent agreement with full‐wave simulations. The results pave the road to realize ultracompact devices integrating different functionalities on near‐field manipulations, which can find many applications (e.g., optical sensing, imaging, on‐chip photonics, etc.) in different frequency domains.
SETD8C302R Mutation Revealed from Myofibroblastoma‐Discordant Monozygotic Twins Leads to p53/p21 Deficit and WEE1 Inhibitor Sensitivity
Authors: Li Miao , Wang Hongwu , Liao Hongwei , Shen Jiaxin , Wu Yinfang , Wu Yanping , Weng Qingyu , Zhu Chen , Geng Xinwei , Lan Fen , Xia Yang , Zhang Bin , Zou Hang , Zhang Nan , Zhou Yunzhi , Chen Zhihua , Shen Huahao , Ying Songmin , Li Wen
Published: August 2020

High‐throughput gene sequencing has identified various genetic variants as the culprits for some common hereditary cancers. However, the heritability of a substantial proportion of cancers remains unexplained, which may result from rare deleterious mutations hidden in a myriad of nonsense genetic variations. This poses a great challenge to the understanding of the pathology and thus the rational design of effective treatments for affected patients. Here, whole genome sequencing is employed in a representative case in which one monozygotic twin is discordant for lung inflammatory myofibroblastoma to disclose rare tumor‐related mutations. A missense single nucleotide variation rs61955126 T>C in the lysine methyltransferase SETD8 (accession: NM_020382, SETD8C302R) is exposed. It is shown that SETD8 is vital for genomic integrity by promoting faithful DNA replication, and its C302R mutation downregulates the p53/p21 pathway. Importantly, the SETD8C302R mutation significantly increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to WEE1 inhibition. Given that WEE1 inhibitors have shown great promise for clinical approval, these results impart a potential therapeutic approach using WEE1 inhibitor for cancer patients carrying the same mutation, and indicate that genome sequencing and genetic functional studies can be integrated into individualized therapies.
Temporal biological nitrogen fixation pattern in soybean inoculated with Bradyrhizobium
Authors: Pitumpe Arachchige Pavithra S. , Rosso Luiz H. Moro , Hansel Fernando D. , Ramundo Bruce , Torres Adalgisa R. , Asebedo Ray , Ciampitti Ignacio A. , Jagadish S.V. Krishna
Published: August 2020

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plays an important role in sustainable agriculture, reducing the limitations associated with other sources of N such as fertilizers and soils. Our major objective was to evaluate the weekly pattern of BNF in soybean influenced by nodule formation, using three different laboratory‐cultured Bradyrhizobium strains. Plants were grown in 1‐m polyvinyl chloride (PVC) columns for 17 week in a greenhouse and BNF was determined using an integrated approach by assessing nodule formation, stem ureide‐N, and N partitioning in plant parts. Bradyrhizobium strains showed overall similar plant performance and N2−fixation capacity. During the beginning of flowering/full bloom (R1/R2) growth stages, nodule formation significantly increased and reached a maximum at pod‐filling (R4) stage. Stem ureide‐N was detected at early growth stages even with fewer small nodules, which significantly increased after the beginning of pod formation (R3). Peak N2−fixing rate (g N kg−1 d−1) started to decline after the onset of seed filling (R5.5). Relationship between BNF and nodule parameters (nodule number [R2 = .65] and nodule weight [R2 = .62]) suggested that they can be used as predictors of BNF.
Plasmon‐induced photothermal effect of sub‐10‐nm Cu nanoparticles enables boosted full‐spectrum solar H2 production
Authors: Song Rui , Liu Maochang , Luo Bing , Geng Jiafeng , Jing Dengwei
Published: August 2020

Distinguishing the contributions from localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)induced photothermal effect is a significant challenge in the study of solar hydrogen production. Herein, a well‐defined one‐dimensional Cu/TiO2 heterostructure with Cu size of 3–6 nm is designed to address such issue. Cu nanoparticles present notable LSPR absorption from visible to near‐infrared light, while no hydrogen is produced in the presence of simulated light with λ ≥ 700 nm. Interestingly, a remarkable improvement of hydrogen evolution under full‐spectrum light was observed which is almost twice of that under only ultraviolet–visible light irradiation, implying the critical yet auxiliary role of LSPR‐induced photothermal effect in promoting photocatalytic performance. Significantly, a notable reduction of the apparent activation energy and strengthened charge separation efficiency are observed due to the increased local temperature of catalyst surface caused by the plasmon‐induced photothermal effect. The kinetic and thermodynamic changes should be responsible for the enhanced hydrogen production.
Influence of particle size and glassy carbon content on the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties ofPHBV/glassy carbon composites
Authors: de Souza Vieira Leonardo , Montagna Larissa Stieven , Marini Juliano , Passador Fabio Roberto
Published: August 2020

Glassy carbon (GC) constitutes a promising carbonaceous material that can be employed as an antistatic agent in the development of antistatic packaging used in the electronics industry. Thus, the present work aims at developing biodegradable and antistatic packaging from poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) reinforced with different GC contents (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 wt%) and different GC particle size (<45 μm and > 75 μm) using extrusion processing. differential scanning calorimetry analysis shows that the addition of GC decreases the degree of crystallinity (Xc) of PHBV, which can explain the reduction of its stiffness. Impedance spectroscopy results reveal that the use of GC contents greater than 2.5 wt% (GC > 75 μm) makes possible the obtainment of a material with an electrical resistivity small enough to be used in antistatic packaging. It can be concluded that GC is an interesting alternative of antistatic agent for electrically dissipative packaging.
Multi‐Tissue Epigenetic and Gene Expression Analysis Combined With Epigenome Modulation Identifies RWDD2B as a Target of Osteoarthritis Susceptibility
Authors: Parker Eleanor , Hofer Ines M. J. , Rice Sarah J. , Earl Lucy , Anjum Sami A. , Deehan David J. , Loughlin John
Published: August 2020

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is polygenic, with more than 90 risk loci currently mapped, including at the single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs6516886. Previous analysis of OA cartilage DNA identified 6 CpG dinucleotides whose methylation levels correlated with the rs6516886 genotype, forming methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTLs). We undertook this study to investigate these mQTLs and to map expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) across joint tissues in order to prioritize a particular gene as a target of the rs6516886 association effect.

Methods

Nucleic acids were extracted from the cartilage, fat pad, synovium, and peripheral blood from OA patients. Methylation of CpGs and allelic expression imbalance of potential target genes were assessed by pyrosequencing. A chondrocyte cell line expressing deactivated Cas9 (dCas9)–TET1 was used to directly alter CpG methylation levels, with effects on gene expression quantified by polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Multiple mQTLs were detected, with effects strongest in joint tissues and with methylation at CpG cg20220242 correlating most significantly with the rs6516886 genotype. CpG cg20220242 is located upstream of RWDD2B. Significant rs6516886 eQTLs were observed for this gene, with the OA risk–conferring allele of rs6516886 correlating with reduced expression CpG methylation also correlated with allelic expression of RWDD2B, forming methylation–expression QTLs (meQTLs). Deactivated Cas9–TET1 reduction in the methylation of cg20220242 increased expression of RWDD2B.

Conclusion

The rs6516886 association signal is a multi‐tissue meQTL involving cg20220242 and acting on RWDD2B. Modulating CpG methylation reverses the impact of the risk allele. RWDD2B codes for a protein about which little is currently known. Its further analysis as a target of OA genetic risk will provide novel insight into this complex disease.
Options on constant proportion portfolio insurance with guaranteed minimum equity exposure
Authors: Di Persio Luca , Oliva Immacolata , Wallbaum Kai
Published: August 2020

In the present paper we study a new exotic option offering participation in a dynamic asset allocation strategy, which is an extension of the well‐known Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance (CPPI) strategy. Our novel approach consists in assuming that the percentage of wealth invested in stocks cannot go under a fixed level, called guaranteed minimum equity exposure (GMEE). In particular, our proposal ensures to overcome the so‐called cash‐in risk, typically related to a standard CPPI technique, simultaneously guaranteeing the equity market participation. We look deeper into the valuation of call and put options linked to this new CPPI‐GMEE strategy. A particular attention is devoted to the analysis of key parameters' value as to gain a better understanding of the sensitivities of the option prices, when changing, for example, the embedded guarantee level. To show the effectiveness of our proposal we provide a detailed computational analysis within the Heston‐Vasicek framework, numerically comparing the evaluation of the price of European plain vanilla options when the underlying is either a purely risky asset, a standard CPPI portfolio and a CPPI with GMEE.