bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Bridging Chiral p–tert‐Butylcalix[4]arenes with One and Two Carbamoyl Bridge‐Substituents through Anionic Ortho‐Fries Rearrangement
Authors: Ma Hao , Weng Xiu‐Fang , Ren Shan‐Shan , Tang Zi‐Ying , Peng Xin‐Bang , He Yong , Zheng Shuang , Wei‐LiDong  , Li Shao‐Yong
Published: June 2020

Bridging chiral p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arenes (p‐t‐Bu‐BCC's) with different N‐substituted carbamoyl bridge‐substituents (N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl, N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl and morpholinocarbonyl) were successfully prepared through anionic ortho‐Fries rearrangement from mono‐O‐carbamates of 1,3‐dipropyl‐p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene in 65–75% yield. In addition, p‐t‐Bu‐BCC with two N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl bridge‐substituents was produced by this method from mono‐O‐carbamate of p‐t‐Bu‐BCC with one N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl bridge‐substituent in 71% yield. However, the synthesis of p‐t‐Bu‐BCC with additional carbamoyl bridge‐substituents using this method could not be attempted, as the required rearrangement precursor failed to be synthesized. Finally, the racemic p‐t‐Bu‐BCC with morpholinocarbonyl bridge‐substituent was optically resolved into a pair of enantiomers, whose absolute configurations were determined through ROESY analysis and ECD comparison.
In Vitro Antioxidant and Insulin Mimetic Activities of Heteroleptic Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes with Thiosemicarbazones and Naproxen
Authors: Bharathi Sundaram , Mahendiran Dharmasivam , Senthil Kumar Raju , Kalilur Rahiman Aziz
Published: June 2020

Six heteroleptic oxovanadium(IV) complexes with general formula [VOL1–6(nap)], where, L1–3=2‐(1‐(4‐substitutedphenyl)ethylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide, L4–6=2‐(1‐(4‐substitutedphenyl)ethylidene)‐N‐methylhydrazinecarbothioamide and nap=naproxen, have been synthesized and characterized. FTIR spectra exhibit a strong band between 965 and 991 cm−1, characteristic of υ(V=O) stretching vibration. UV‐Vis and theoretical studies suggested distorted square‐pyramidal geometry and oxidation state of vanadium(IV) with d1 configuration was confirmed by EPR spectra. Cyclic voltammograms exhibit metal based irreversible redox peaks corresponding to one electron oxidation (+0.83 to +0.70 V) and reduction (−0.69 to −0.53 V) processes. In vitro antioxidant studies revealed that complexes containing electron donating substituent (−CH3) showed higher activity. In vitro antidiabetic activity of complexes with enzymes like α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and glucose‐6‐phosphatase made them better inhibitors of insulin, which is further supported by in silico studies, and complex 6 shows better in vitro insulin mimic activity against insulin responsive 3T3‐L1 adipocyte cells compared to insulin and metformin.
In Situ Formation of Nickel Nanoparticles from Nickel Formate for Preparation of Straight Silicon Nanowires by Molten Salt Electrolysis
Authors: Yu Zhanglong , Fang Sheng , Zhang Jie , Shi Bimeng , Shi Zhixia , Yang Juanyu
Published: June 2020

Water‐soluble nickel formate (Ni(HCOO)2), which can be dispersed uniformly in silica (SiO2), was used as the catalyst precursor for producing silicon nanowires (SiNWs) by molten salt electrolysis in this work. Ni(HCOO)2/SiO2 pellets were decomposed into Ni/SiO2 and NiO/SiO2 pellets in N2 and air atmosphere, respectively. The NiO particles could retain the initial size in molten salt due to their high melting point, while the Ni particles were always aggregated. Thus the NiO particles possessed a larger catalytic surface area than the Ni particles. After long time electrolysis of NiO/SiO2 pellets in a pilot‐plant, the obtained silicon presented a smooth and straight nanowire morphology and offered a delithiation capacity of 1995.5 mAh/g after 100 cycles when used as negative electrode material. These findings may have an important significance in mass production of straight SiNWs for lithium ion batteries.
Looking for respect? How prior TMT social comparisons affect executives' new TMT engagements
Authors: Aime Federico , Hill Aaron D. , Ridge Jason W.
Published: June 2020

Research summary

We extend social comparison theory and research in top management teams by showing that negative social comparisons in TMTs have implications for subsequent employment decisions after executive turnover. In a sample of 1,001 executive employment moves to new TMTs, our results show that executives with lower relative pay in the firms they exit join firms that improve their social comparison situation within the new TMT when compared to their previous experience—while not necessarily providing larger improvements in pay. These findings complement social comparison views on executive turnover by showing that executives' new employment decisions are guided by the correction of negative social comparisons in their new firms.

Managerial summary

We show that executives who experience negative social comparisons in pay in a TMT because of their lower relative rank in its pay structure select new employment in firms with more narrow pay differences within their TMT. In addition, we show that such executives improve their relative pay in comparison to others in the TMT in their new TMTs without necessarily experiencing abnormal improvements in pay. These findings show that social comparisons in pay between TMT members may not only drive executive turnover, as previously shown in the literature, but also directs executive decisions about new TMT engagements. Together, our findings imply that social comparisons are an important factor in executive employment decisions.
CEOdismissal: Consequences for the strategic risk taking of competitorCEOs
Authors: Connelly Brian L. , Li Qiang (John) , Shi Wei , Lee Kang‐Bok
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

We propose that CEO dismissal can change the strategic decision‐making of CEOs at competing firms. Competitor CEOs will experience an increase in job insecurity, which motivates them to refrain from strategic risk taking. We also identify two key boundary conditions that shape the influence of CEO dismissal on competitor CEOs' risk taking. We test our ideas on a sample of CEO dismissals among S&P 1500 firms using a novel synthetic control method approach to matching. We also test the underlying theoretical mechanism using a complementary experiment on top executives. Taken together, these studies advance CEO dismissal research by investigating the spillover effect of CEO dismissal on competitor CEOs' behaviors.

Managerial Summary

The position of CEO is more volatile today than ever. When it comes to pulling the trigger on CEO dismissal, companies have increasingly twitchy fingers. Therefore, it seems important to ask: when a company fires their CEO, what happens at all the other companies in the industry? We suggest the CEOs at those companies will start worrying about their job. This fear affects their strategic decision‐making. They dial back on risk and let opportunities for growth slip away. This is especially true for certain competitors. Firing a CEO, therefore, has ripple effects throughout the whole industry.
Product‐market competition and resource redeployment in multi‐business firms
Authors: Morandi Stagni Raffaele , Santaló Juan , Giarratana Marco S.
Published: June 2020

Research summary

This article investigates how diversified firms reallocate internal non‐scale free resources when one of their product business units (BUs) experiences increased exposure to international competition driven by a sharp decrease in trade tariffs. On average, firms tend to fight, by reallocating resources toward the BU affected by the trade shock and away from other BUs within the same firm. Two variables moderate this first‐order effect with opposite signs. The level of sunk costs of the assets allocated to the BU affected by the shock is a positive moderator of resource reallocation to it. The presence of technological synergies between the BU affected and the rest of BUs instead moderates the relationship negatively. This negative moderation seems to only take place when competition increases the value of technology as a competitive resource.

Managerial summary

An important question in the strategic decision‐making process of diversified firms is how to react to competitive threats that affect one business unit but not the others. Should managers allocate more resources to the affected business or should they instead reduce their commitment and use the same resources in the remaining operating sectors? In this article, we examine firms’ reallocation decisions following increases in foreign competition due to import tariff cuts. Our results show that firms tend to allocate more resources to the business affected by the tariff cut and less to the businesses unaffected. Furthermore, we find evidence that this behavior is positively associated with performance.
Adsorption‐Free Growth of Ultra‐Thin Molybdenum Membranes with a Low‐Symmetry Rectangular Lattice Structure
Authors: Si Jingjing , Zeng Mengqi , Ta Huy Q. , Zheng Shuting , Liao Jihai , Yang Xiaobao , Rümmeli Mark H. , Fu Lei
Published: June 2020

Although low‐symmetry lattice structure of 2D transition metals is highly anticipated for both fundamental research and potentially distinctive application, it still has not been experimentally realized, which greatly hinders the exploration of the unique properties. Here, ultra‐thin body‐centered‐cubic (bcc) phase molybdenum (Mo) membranes are successfully synthesized with a low‐symmetry rectangular (110) crystal face via an adsorption‐free reaction. Through experimental and density functional theory studies, no foreign atoms being adsorbed is shown to be a key factor for the successful preparation of the bcc phase 2D transition metal with (110) faces. The realization of 2D Mo(110) with a low‐symmetric rectangular lattice structure extends the scope of 2D structures and is also beneficial for the exploration and development of low‐symmetry rectangular lattice‐structured materials with unique properties.
Influence of different fibers on mechanical and durability performance of concrete with silica fume
Authors: Ali Babar , Raza Syed Safdar , Hussain Iqrar , Iqbal Maria
Published: June 2020

Durability and ductility of plain cement concrete (PC) can be upgraded by the simultaneous incorporation of fibers and supplementary cementitious materials. To this end, influence of different fibers such as steel fiber (SF), glass fiber (GF), carbon fiber (CF), and polypropylene fiber (PF) is studied on mechanical and durability properties of concrete with and without silica fume. Silica fume was used as 10% by mass replacement of ordinary Portland cement. Various mechanical and durability properties were studied such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, water absorption (WA), chloride penetration (CP), and acid attack resistance of concrete. The results of testing revealed that silica fume improved the efficiency of fibers in resisting the tensile and flexural loads. The composite effect of fiber and silica fume was more beneficial than the sum of the effects of their individual incorporation. Steel fiber‐reinforced concrete (SFRC) showed better mechanical performance at 28 days as compared to other FRCs but CFRC showed better performance at 180 days. PFRC and CFRC exhibited better durability performance than SFRC and GFRC. Silica fume helped in reducing the WA and CP of FRCs and improved their acid attack resistance.
Tracking Hurricanes Using GPS Atmospheric Precipitable Water Vapor Field
Authors: Ejigu Yohannes Getachew , Teferle Felix Norman , Klos Anna , Bogusz Janusz , Hunegnaw Addisu
Published: June 2020

Tropical cyclones are one of the most powerful severe weather events that produce devastating socioeconomic and environmental impacts in the areas they strike. Therefore, monitoring and tracking of the arrival times and path of the tropical cyclones are extremely valuable in providing early warning to the public and governments. Hurricane Florence struck the East cost of USA in 2018 and offers an outstanding case study. We employed Global Positioning System (GPS) derived precipitable water vapor (PWV) data to track and investigate the characteristics of storm occurrences in their spatial and temporal distribution using a dense ground network of permanent GPS stations. Our findings indicate that a rise in GPS-derived PWV occurred several hours before Florence’s manifestation. Also, we compared the temporal distribution of the GPS-derived PWV content with the precipitation value for days when the storm appeared in the area under influence. The study will contribute to quantitative assessment of the complementary GPS tropospheric products in hurricane monitoring and tracking using GPS-derived water vapor evolution from a dense network of permanent GPS stations.
Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Seine River Basin: Overview of Recent Research
Authors: Labadie Pierre , Alligant Soline , Berthe Thierry , Budzinski Hélène , Bigot-Clivot Aurélie , Collard France , Dris Rachid , Gasperi Johnny , Guigon Elodie , Petit Fabienne , Rocher Vincent , Tassin Bruno , Tramoy Romain , Treilles Robin
Published: June 2020

For over 30 years, the sources and the transfer dynamics of micropollutants have been investigated in the PIREN-Seine programme. Recent works included a wide range of chemicals and biological contaminants of emerging concern (i.e. contaminants whose occurrence, fate and impact are scarcely documented). This chapter presents a brief overview of research recently conducted on contaminants as diverse as macro- and microplastics, poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pathogenic protozoa, antibiotics and the associated antibiotic resistance. The multiscalar study of plastics and PFASs at a large spatial scale is rare; the results produced in recent years on the Seine River catchment have provided an original contribution to the investigation of the dynamics of these contaminants in urban environments. The results also highlighted that pathogenic protozoa are ubiquitous in the Seine River basin and that the contamination of bivalves such as Dreissena polymorpha could reflect the ambient biological contamination of watercourses. The widespread occurrence of antibiotics in the Seine River was demonstrated, and it was shown that the resistome of biofilms in highly urbanised rivers constitutes a microenvironment where genetic support for antibiotic resistance (clinical integrons) and resistance genes for trace metals are concentrated.
Mass Balance of PAHs at the Scale of the Seine River Basin
Authors: Gateuille D. , Gasperi J. , Briand C. , Guigon E. , Alliot F. , Blanchard M. , Teil M.-J. , Chevreuil M. , Rocher V. , Azimi S. , Thevenot D. , Moilleron R. , Brignon J.-M. , Meybeck M. , Mouchel J.-M.
Published: June 2020

The Seine River basin (France) is representative of the large urbanised catchments (78,650 km2) located in Northwestern Europe. As such, it is highly impacted by anthropogenic activities and their associated emissions of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These compounds, originating from household heating and road traffic, are responsible for serious environmental issues across the basin. This study aims at establishing and using mass balance analyses of PAHs at the Seine River basin scale as an efficient tool for understanding PAH pathways in the environment. A dual-scale approach (urban vs. rural areas) was used successfully, and mass balances provided useful knowledge on the environmental fate of PAHs. In urban areas, runoff and domestic and industrial discharges contributed similarly to the PAH supply to the sewer system. During the wastewater treatment process, PAHs were mainly eliminated through sludge removal. At the basin scale, substantial amounts of PAHs were quantified in soils, and the limited annual inputs and outputs through atmospheric deposition and soil erosion, respectively, suggest that these compounds have long residence times within the basin. While wastewater and runoff discharges from urban areas account for a substantial part of PAH urban fluxes to the Seine River, soil erosion seems to be the predominant contributor at the basin scale. Overall, the PAH flux at the basin outlet was greater than supplies, suggesting that the Seine River system may currently be undergoing a decontamination phase.
Causal Dispositionalism and Evidence Based Healthcare
Authors: Kerry Roger
Published: June 2020

In this chapter, physiotherapist Roger Kerry explores the relationship between the principles of causal dispositionalism, presented in the first part of this book, and the practice of evidence based healthcare (EBHC) (previously evidence based medicine). EBHC is structured around a framework which, although alluding to the integration of multiple sources of evidence, firmly prioritises data from well-controlled population studies in both clinical and policy decision making, as we saw in Part I. In doing so, EBHC deemphasises the role of ‘lower quality’ information sources, such as observational studies, laboratory studies, clinical experience, etc. The rationale for such prioritisation lies in the way that the evidence based framework conceptualises causation. By examining the EBHC evidence hierarchy, a clear neo-Humean notion of causation is evident at the heart of EBHC. In the CauseHealth project, neo-Humeanism is seen as problematic for clinical practice and dispositionalism offers a causal theory which takes real-world complexity and context-sensitivity as its starting point. Can a new practice framework be offered which is based on evidence, yet underpinned by a dispositional ontology? If so, how would this look?
Dispositions and the Unique Patient
Authors: Anjum Rani Lill
Published: June 2020

In this chapter we argue that a genuine revision of the norms and practices in clinical work needs to start from a revision of the way we think about the world, and in particular the way we think about the most foundational concepts, such as causality. We present the dispositionalist theory of causality and explain why this theory is better suited for the clinic than the orthodox Humean theory which motivated the EBM framework. We argue that causality ought to be understood as something singular and intrinsic rather than as a pattern of regularity across different contexts. From a dispositionalist perspective, causal knowledge ought to start from the single case. In the clinic, this means that the more we know about the multiple dispositions that are involved and how they interact in this specific context, the better equipped we will be to make good and relevant explanations, predictions and decisions for the individual seeking care.
Nostalgic Nationalism, Welfare Chauvinism, and Migration Anxieties in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Cinpoeş Radu , Norocel Ov Cristian
Published: June 2020

This contribution examines, in the Central and Eastern European context, the interplay between ideals of national specificity, welfare chauvinist appeals, and emerging politics of migration, for the purpose of providing welfare provision to a narrowly defined ethnic group, as promoted by right-wing populist parties in the region. We suggest a comparative framework to account the various positions that such parties occupy in the mainstream political systems in Central and Eastern Europe. Our study deals with the case of a right-wing populist party becoming the main governing force, such as the Law and Justice Party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, PiS) in Poland; the case of a right-wing populist party as key opposition force, such as the Movement for a Better Hungary (Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom, Jobbik) in Hungary; and thirdly, the case of an unsuccessful right-wing populist party, such as the United Romania Party (Partidul România Unită, PRU). For our qualitative analysis we are drawing on the official discourses of these parties as articulated from 2015 onwards, since it marks the beginning of what has come to be referred to as the European refugee crisis. The aim of this chapter is to map out the various electoral strategies employed, with varying degrees of success, which juxtapose cultural protectionist appeals to welfare chauvinist proposals, and consequently shed light on the culture and welfare nexus in the Central and Eastern European context.
What Makes Turkey and Turkish Immigrants a Cultural Polarization Issue in Europe? Evidence from European Right-Wing Populist Politics
Authors: Özerim Gokay , Öner Selcen
Published: June 2020

In spite of Turkey’s long history of candidacy to European Union (EU) membership, intense trade relations with European countries and the presence of Turks as one of the largest minority ethnic groups in Europe, Turkey and Turkish immigrants have still been instrumentalized as politically polarizing issues in European societies. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of this instrumentalization process in European politics by asking how Turkish immigrants and Turkey are presented as a culturally polarizing issue within the framework of “cultural security” by right-wing populist political discourse. In this regard, three specific cases are analyzed by focusing on the instrumentalization of Turkish immigrants and Turkey’s accession to the EU. The first case is the Brexit referendum process in the United Kingdom (UK), especially the Vote Leave campaign. The second case is the Austrian domestic politics, in the aftermath of the “refugee (reception) crisis” and eve of the 2016 Austrian Presidential elections. The third case is the rise of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany and its entrance to German federal parliament.
Invented Nostalgia: The Search for Identity Among the Hungarian Far-Right
Authors: Kondor Katherine , Littler Mark
Published: June 2020

In a country where welfare chauvinism and anti-migrant rhetoric is commonplace among citizens, and the norm in the political sphere, it is no wonder that far-right protest organizations and movements thrive as they do. This chapter looks at several Hungarian far-right organizations, including those of the more traditional far-right movement, and the Hungarian chapter of the identitarian organization network Generation Identity, with their heavily anti-immigrant rhetoric. Common among the traditional Hungarian far-right movement is a nostalgia for a time when Hungarians were “pure”, before closer interaction and integration with their European neighbors. This nostalgia is simultaneously combined with the seemingly contradictory belief in the importance of Christianity and Christian values. This chapter explores the attitudes and identities of organizations in the Hungarian nationalist movement, and presents data from interviews with far-right activists from the Hungarian Defense Movement (Magyar Önvédelmi Mozgalom), to gain an understanding of the politics of culture among Hungarian far-right movement activists.
Loneliness in Children Adapting to Dual Family Life
Authors: Pasteels Inge , Bastaits Kim
Published: June 2020

Children often live in two households after their parents break up, which may affect their development. We investigate feelings of loneliness among children of separated parents using two alternative hypotheses. The first assumes that children experience “dual family life” as offering opportunities or a richer source of support because of the increased number of close relatives involved in their life, which leads to reduced feelings of loneliness. The alternative hypothesis assumes that children experience stronger feelings of loneliness because of a decrease of intimacy in their personal relationships caused by their dual family life. Our results show that the feelings of loneliness children experience are not explained by their living arrangements, but are influenced by the number of post-divorce relationships their father has and by the presence of a new partner in their mother’s household.
Heterogeneous Effects of Family Complexity in Childhood on Mental Health: Testing the “Good Divorce” and the “Good Stepparent” Hypotheses
Authors: Ivanova Katya , Kalmijn Matthijs
Published: June 2020

We address two key research questions. First, is there an association between parental separation and living with a stepparent in childhood and maladjustment in adulthood? Second, we examine the role conflict plays in these associations. We study whether parental union dissolution is only detrimental in cases of heightened post-divorce interparental conflict. We build upon this “good divorce” hypothesis by considering whether the possible association between living in a stepfamily and depressive symptomatology is only present in cases of high stepparent-child conflict (a “good stepparent” hypothesis). Using data from the OKiN survey (Parents and Children in the Netherlands), we analyze the self-reported depressive feelings of Dutch adults aged 25–35. Of our sample, 2233 adults experienced parental separation in childhood (on average, 22 years before data collection); of those, n = 1665 had lived with a stepparent. Our findings clearly indicate that having experienced parental divorce is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms only for those adults who were exposed to heightened post-divorce interparental conflict. Similarly, living with a stepparent is linked to maladjustment only in cases of high stepparent-child conflict. Importantly, we find evidence that a low-conflict stepfather-child tie could even buffer against maladjustment (which is not the case for a low-conflict stepmother-child tie).
Changes in Mothers’ Earnings Around the Time of Divorce
Authors: Radenacker Anke
Published: June 2020

This chapter examines the earnings trajectories of divorced mothers in Germany. It explores earnings changes around the time of divorce, and investigates how the gendered division of work and employment patterns during marriage affects the post-divorce earnings of women with children. The data come from the German Statutory Pension Register, which provides monthly employment and earnings histories as of age 14, as well as complete fertility biographies and marriage histories for the divorced women we study. The analytical sample of this study contains 6850 women with minor children who entered the divorce process between 1992 and 2013. The analysis shows that the mothers’ earnings increased around the time of divorce, and that the mothers of the most recent divorce cohort had higher earnings than the mothers of the earlier divorce cohorts. Despite these increases, the divorced mothers earned only 40% of average earnings. The mothers’ earnings patterns during marriage and the ages of their children explain a large share of these earnings patterns after divorce.
Is Cultural Localization Education Necessary in Epoch of Globalization?
Authors: Chiang Tien-Hui
Published: June 2020

As neo-liberalism has become a new world value, globalization is fusing more countries into an interlocking body than ever. This fusion indicates that the volume of international trade has enlarged significantly and, thus, contains a considerable amount of capitalist profit. Consequently, the many countries that want to gain such profit need to comply with the new rules of this global market. It is argued that such authority has flowed to international institutions that are controlled by the USA. This situation has assisted America to gain a predominant position, allowing it to export its hegemonic cultures to other countries. It is argued that such exportation will replace the cultures of importing countries and, thus, jeopardize their citizens’ national identity. This is because cultures function as the basis for developing identity. In order to diminish this political crisis, the strategy of cultural localization will be employed. In this case, schools are responsible for implementing this national assignment. However, this argument tends to adopt a static approach to defining state sovereignty and, thus, contains considerable weaknesses.
Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice in a ‘Post-truth’ Society
Authors: Whitty Geoff , Wisby Emma
Published: June 2020

Particularly since the British vote to leave the European Union (otherwise known as Brexit) and the election of Donald Trump in the USA, there has been much talk of our living in a ‘post-truth’ society, where ‘alternative truths’ compete with each other and where ‘experts’ are often derided and ‘common sense’ celebrated even where it seems to be contradicted by ‘evidence’ (d’Ancona 2017). Calcutt (2016) has suggested that the origins of ‘post-truth’ lay with academics espousing ‘post-modernism’ and other ‘left-leaning, self-confessed liberals’ who sought freedom from state-sponsored truth and started to discredit ‘truth’ as one of the ‘grand narratives’ that needed to be replaced with ‘truths’—‘always plural, frequently personalised, inevitably relativised’. Although both the political and academic versions of ‘post-truth’ may be criticised for undermining any sense of certainty about how we should proceed in educational policy and practice, we suggest in this article that exaggerated claims about the possibility of establishing consensual answers on the basis of research evidence are equally suspect and to be resisted.
Education Policy: Development and Enactment—The Case of Human Capital
Authors: Bell Leslie A.
Published: June 2020

Education is always implicitly or explicitly a political issue (Bell and Stevenson 2013). What is taught, what is not taught, how students are taught and how educational institutions are organized are fundamentally political questions. Education cannot be disconnected from wider views about the society in which it is located. Thus reproducing and reinforcing what exists are implicitly political but no less so than explicitly mobilizing for radical change. The extent to which the focus of policy is on conserving or changing is largely determined by political responses to the prevailing dominant discourses. It is such education policy that frames much of what happens in individual educational institutions and that shapes the experiences of those who study or work in educational institutions. However, it is important to understand more precisely what is meant by policy.
AdS5 black hole entropy near the BPS limit
Authors: Larsen Finn , Nian Jun , Zeng Yangwenxiao
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We analyze AdS5 black holes that are nearly supersymmetric. They depart from the BPS limit in two distinct ways: a temperature takes them above extremality and a potential maintains extremality but violates a certain constraint. We study the thermodynamics of these deformations and their interplay in detail. We discuss recent microscopic computations of BPS black hole entropy in

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 SYM and generalize the arguments to the nearBPS regime by relaxing constraints imposed by supersymmetry. Our methods recover gravitational results from microscopic theory also for nearBPS black holes.
On the ATLAS top mass measurements and the potential for stealth stop contamination
Authors: Cohen Timothy , Majewski Stephanie , Ostdiek Bryan , Zheng Peter
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The discovery of the stop — the Supersymmetric partner of the top quark — is a key goal of the physics program enabled by the Large Hadron Collider. Although much of the accessible parameter space has already been probed, all current searches assume the top mass is known. This is relevant for the “stealth stop” regime, which is characterized by decay kinematics that force the final state top quark off its mass shell; such decays would contaminate the top mass measurements. We investigate the resulting bias imparted to the template method based ATLAS approach. A careful recasting of these results shows that effect can be as large as 2.0 GeV, comparable to the current quoted uncertainty on the top mass. Thus, a robust exploration of the stealth stop splinter requires the simultaneous consideration of the impact on the top mass. Additionally, we explore the robustness of the template technique, and point out a simple strategy for improving the methodology implemented for the semi-leptonic channel.
Changes of lipoxin levels during pregnancy and the monthly-cycle, condition the normal course of pregnancy or pathology
Authors: Szczuko Małgorzata , Palma Joanna , Kikut Justyna , Komorniak Natalia , Ziętek Maciej
Published: June 2020

Objective and Design

The purpose of the review was to gather information on the role and possibilities of using lipoxin in the treatment of infertility and maintaining a normal pregnancy. Ovulation, menstruation, embryo implantation, and childbirth are reactions representing short-term inflammatory events involving lipoxin activities. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is an arachidonic acid metabolite, and in cooperation with its positional isomer lipoxin B4 (LXB4), it is a major lipoxin in mammals. Biosynthesis process occurs in two stages: in the first step, the donor cell releases the eicosanoid intermediate; secondarily, the acceptor cell gets and converts the intermediate product into LXA4 (leukocyte/platelet interaction).

Results

Generating lipoxin synthesis may also be triggered by salicylic acid, which acetylates cyclooxygenase-2. Lipoxin A4 and its analogues are considered as specialized pro-resolving mediators. LXA4 is an important component for a proper menstrual cycle, embryo implantation, pregnancy, and delivery. Its level in the luteal phase is high, while in the follicular phase, it decreases, which coincides with an increase in estradiol concentration with which it competes for the receptor. LXA4 inhibits the progression of endometriosis. However, during the peri-implantation period, before pregnancy is confirmed clinically, high levels of LXA4 can contribute to early pregnancy loss and may cause miscarriage. After implantation, insufficient LXA4 levels contribute to incorrect maternal vessel remodeling; decreased, shallow trophoblastic invasion; and the immuno-energetic abnormality of the placenta, which negatively affects fetal growth and the maintenance of pregnancy. Moreover, the level of LXA4 increases in the final stages of pregnancy, allowing vessel remodeling and placental separation.

Methods

The review evaluates the literature published in the PubMed and Embase database up to 31 December 2019. The passwords were checked on terms: lipoxin and pregnancy with combined endometriosis, menstrual cycle, implantation, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm labor.

Conclusions

Although no human studies have been performed so far, the cell and animal model study results suggest that LXA4 will be used in obstetrics and gynecology soon.
Simple, sensitive and specific quantification of diamine oxidase activity in complex matrices using newly discovered fluorophores derived from natural substrates
Authors: Boehm Thomas , Karer Matthias , Gludovacz Elisabeth , Petroczi Karin , Resch Marlene , Schuetzenberger Kornelia , Klavins Kristaps , Borth Nicole , Jilma Bernd
Published: June 2020

Objective

To measure diamine oxidase (DAO) activity with high sensitivity in complex matrices like plasma or tissue extracts radioactive putrescine or horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) coupling must be used. The use of radioactive material should be avoided and HRP/H2O2 coupling is compromised by antioxidants.

Methods and results

Condensation of ortho-aminobenzaldehyde (oABA) with delta-1-pyrroline and delta-1-piperideine, the autocyclization products of the DAO-oxidized natural substrates putrescine and cadaverine, generates new quinazoline fluorophores with absorption and excitation maxima of 430 and 460 nm, respectively, and peak emission at 620 nm. Fluorescent-based detection limits are 20–40 times lower compared to absorption measurements. This assay can be used to measure DAO activity in human plasma after spiking recombinant human (rh)DAO, in rat plasma after intravenous rhDAO administration, in pregnancy plasma and in tissue extracts of DAO wild-type and knock-out mice. Using rat plasma the correlation between rhDAO activity and ELISA data is 99%. Human and rat plasma without DAO spiking and tissue extracts from DAO knock-out mice showed stable and low fluorescence in the presence of high substrate concentrations.

Conclusions

Incubation of DAO with the natural substrates putrescine and cadaverine and oABA generates novel fluorophores increasing the detection limit compared to absorption measurements at least tenfold. This simple, sensitive and specific assay allows the non-radioactive quantification of DAO activity in complex matrices like plasma and tissue extracts without interference by antioxidants.
Spectral Determinants and an Ambarzumian Type Theorem on Graphs
Authors: Kiss Márton
Published: June 2020

We consider an inverse problem for Schrödinger operators on connected equilateral graphs with standard matching conditions. We calculate the spectral determinant and prove that the asymptotic distribution of a subset of its zeros can be described by the roots of a polynomial. We verify that one of the roots is equal to the mean value of the potential and apply it to prove an Ambarzumian type result, i.e., if a specific part of the spectrum is the same as in the case of zero potential, then the potential has to be zero.
Impact of β-glycerophosphate on the bioenergetic profile of vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Alesutan Ioana , Moritz Franco , Haider Tatjana , Shouxuan Sun , Gollmann-Tepeköylü Can , Holfeld Johannes , Pieske Burkert , Lang Florian , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Heinzmann Silke Sophie , Voelkl Jakob
Published: June 2020

In chronic kidney disease, hyperphosphatemia is a key pathological factor promoting medial vascular calcification, a common complication associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. This active pathophysiological process involves osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via complex intracellular mechanisms that are still incompletely understood. Little is known about the effects of phosphate on the bioenergetic profile of VSMCs during the onset of this process. Therefore, the present study explored the effects of the phosphate donor β-glycerophosphate on cellular bioenergetics of VSMCs. Mitochondrial and glycolytic functions were determined utilizing extracellular flux analysis in primary human aortic VSMCs following exposure to β-glycerophosphate. In VSMCs, β-glycerophosphate increased basal respiration, mitochondrial ATP production as well as proton leak and decreased spare respiratory capacity and coupling efficiency, but did not modify non-mitochondrial or maximal respiration. β-Glycerophosphate-treated VSMCs had higher ability to increase mitochondrial glutamine and long-chain fatty acid usage as oxidation substrates to meet their energy demand. β-Glycerophosphate did not modify glycolytic function or basal and glycolytic proton efflux rate. In contrast, β-glycerophosphate increased non-glycolytic acidification. β-Glycerophosphate-treated VSMCs had a more oxidative and less glycolytic phenotype, but a reduced ability to respond to stressed conditions via mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, compounds targeting components of mitochondrial respiration modulated β-glycerophosphate-induced oxidative stress, osteo-/chondrogenic signalling and mineralization of VSMCs. In conclusion, β-glycerophosphate modifies key parameters of mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics in VSMCs that may contribute to the onset of phenotypical transdifferentiation and calcification. These observations advance the understanding of the role of energy metabolism in VSMC physiology and pathophysiology of vascular calcification during hyperphosphatemia.

Key messages

β-Glycerophosphate modifies key parameters of mitochondrial respiration in VSMCs.

β-Glycerophosphate induces changes in mitochondrial fuel choice in VSMCs.

β-Glycerophosphate promotes a more oxidative and less glycolytic phenotype of VSMCs.

β-Glycerophosphate triggers mitochondrial-dependent oxidative stress in VSMCs.

Bioenergetics impact β-glycerophosphate-induced VSMC calcification.
Adults with early-onset type 2 diabetes (aged 18–39 years) are severely underrepresented in diabetes clinical research trials
Authors: Sargeant Jack A. , Brady Emer M. , Zaccardi Francesco , Tippins Frances , Webb David R. , Aroda Vanita R. , Gregg Edward W. , Khunti Kamlesh , Davies Melanie J.
Published: June 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Early-onset adult type 2 diabetes (diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 years) is increasingly prevalent and associated with poor long-term outcomes. We hypothesised that individuals with early-onset adult type 2 diabetes were underrepresented in the prominent research trials that underpin type 2 diabetes management guidelines.

Methods

We reviewed the mean age of the study populations recruited to 90 prominent trials in type 2 diabetes, including 37 cardio-renal outcomes trials across a range of pharmacological, non-pharmacological and multifactorial interventions, 28 trials from the phase III programmes of three representative glucose-lowering therapies used routinely in clinical practice (empagliflozin, liraglutide and sitagliptin) and 25 prominent trials of diabetes self-management education and support or intensive lifestyle interventions (diet or supervised exercise training). We then estimated the number of individuals within these trials who were aged between 18 and 39 years.

Results

Across all 90 trials, the mean age of 268,978 participants was 63 years (range 51–69 years in individual trials). In 73 trials (81%), <5% of participants were estimated to be aged 18–39 years, despite this age group representing ~15–20% of the adult type 2 diabetes population. Twenty-nine of these trials (32%; total 164,953 participants) excluded individuals below 40 years of age altogether.

Conclusions/interpretation

Guidelines for early-onset adult type 2 diabetes are extrapolated predominantly from evidence in older individuals. Strategies to support the participation of individuals with early-onset adult type 2 diabetes in future research are imperative to ensure guidelines for these high-risk individuals are evidence-based.
Foundations of Fully Dynamic Group Signatures
Authors: Bootle Jonathan , Cerulli Andrea , Chaidos Pyrros , Ghadafi Essam , Groth Jens
Published: June 2020

Group signatures allow members of a group to anonymously sign on behalf of the group. Membership is administered by a designated group manager. The group manager can also reveal the identity of a signer if and when needed to enforce accountability and deter abuse. For group signatures to be applicable in practice, they need to support fully dynamic groups, i.e., users may join and leave at any time. Existing security definitions for fully dynamic group signatures are informal, have shortcomings, and are mutually incompatible. We fill the gap by providing a formal rigorous security model for fully dynamic group signatures. Our model is general and is not tailored toward a specific design paradigm and can therefore, as we show, be used to argue about the security of different existing constructions following different design paradigms. Our definitions are stringent and when possible incorporate protection against maliciously chosen keys. We consider both the case where the group management and tracing signatures are administered by the same authority, i.e., a single group manager, and also the case where those roles are administered by two separate authorities, i.e., a group manager and an opening authority. We also show that a specialization of our model captures existing models for static and partially dynamic schemes. In the process, we identify a subtle gap in the security achieved by group signatures using revocation lists. We show that in such schemes new members achieve a slightly weaker notion of traceability. The flexibility of our security model allows to capture such relaxation of traceability.
FT-IR versus EC-QCL spectroscopy for biopharmaceutical quality assessment with focus on insulin—total protein assay and secondary structure analysis using attenuated total reflection
Authors: Delbeck Sven , Heise H. Michael
Published: June 2020

For the quality control of biopharmaceutical products, which contain proteins as the most important active ingredients, shelf life may be limited due to inappropriate storage conditions or mechanical stress. For insulins as representatives of life-saving pharmaceuticals, analytical methods are needed, which are providing additional information than obtained by assays for total protein quantification. Despite sophisticated formulations, the chemical stability may be challenged by temperatures deviating from recommended conditions or shear rate exposure under storage, leading to misfolding, nucleation, and subsequent fibril formation, accompanied by a decrease in bioactivity. A reliable method for insulin quantification and determination of secondary structure changes has been developed by attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of insulin formulations by a silver halide fiber-coupled diamond probe with subsequent dry-film preparation. A special emphasis has been placed on the protein amide I band evaluation, for which spectral band analysis provides unique information on secondary structure fractions for intact and misfolded insulins. Quantitative measurements are possible down to concentrations of less than 0.5 mg/ml, whereas the dry-film preparation delivers high signal-to-noise ratios due to the prior water evaporation, thus allowing a reliable determination of secondary structure information.
Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: efficacy, safety and preoperative management in patients presenting with anticoagulation therapy
Authors: Deuker Marina , Rührup Jessica , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Welte Maria , Kluth Luis A. , Banek Severine , Roos Frederik C. , Mandel Philipp , Chun Felix K.-H. , Becker Andreas
Published: June 2020

Purpose

We evaluated efficacy and safety profile of patients with anticoagulation therapy (AT) undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Methods

Within our prospective institutional database (11/2017 to 11/2019), we analyzed functional outcomes and 30-day complication rates of HoLEP patients according to Clavien–Dindo classification (CLD), stratified according to specific AT vs. no AT. Further analyses consisted of uni- and multivariate logistic regression models (LRM) predicting complications.

Results

Of 268 patients undergoing HoLEP, 104 (38.8%) received AT: 25.7% were treated with platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAI), 8.2% with new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) and 4.9% with AT-combinations or coumarins bridged with low molecular weight heparins (LMWH/combination). Patients receiving AT were significantly more comorbid (p < 0.01). Pre- and postoperative maximal flow rates, residual void urine and IPSS at 3 months after surgery were invariably improved after HoLEP for patients with/ without AT. Overall complication rate was 19.5% in patients with no AT vs. 26.1% vs. 27.3 vs. 46.2%, respectively, in patients with PAI, NOAC and LMWH/combination (p < 0.01). Major complications (CLD ≥ 3b) occurred in 6.1% of no AT patients vs. 4.3% vs. 4.5 vs. 0% in patients with PAI, NOAC and LMWH/combination, respectively (p < 0.01). In multivariate LRM, AT was not significantly associated with higher complication rates, whereas high ASA status (OR 2.2, p = 0.04), age (OR 1.04, p = 0.02) and bioptical or incidental prostate cancer (OR 2.5, p = 0.01) represented independent risk factors.

Conclusion

Despite higher overall complication rates in AT patients, major complications were not more frequent in AT patients. HoLEP is safe and effective in anticoagulated patients.