bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Antihyperlipidaemic Activities of Hydromethanolic Extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera
Authors: Chinko Bruno Chukwuemeka , Dapper Datonye Victor , Adienbo Olaghaguo Maestephen
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases (CHDs) with treatment ranging from dietary management and the use of antihyperlipidaemic drugs. The desire for anti-hyperlipidaemic drugs with less side effects has led to the screening of medical with anti-hyperlipidaemic properties.

Aim: The present study is aimed at evaluating the effects of hydromethanolic extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera on high fat diet, tyloxapol and dexamethasone induced hyperlipidaemia using Wistar rat models.

Methodology: Fifty five (55) adult male Wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were used for the study. Natural induction of hyperlipidaemia was done using a formulated High fat diet made from commercial rat chow and rendered cow fat while chemical induction of hyperlipidaemia was done using tyloxapol (200 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (20 mg/kg). The Wistar rats where divided into eleven (11) groups comprising four (5) control groups and seven (6) experimental groups. The extracts were used to treat the hyperlipidaemic rats at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg while Simvastatin was used as a standard. Blood samples of the animals were analyzed for Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High density lipoproteins (HDL), Low density lipoproteins (LDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and Serum glucose were determined by standard enzymatic methods.

Results: The results indicate that the hyperlipidaemic rats treated with extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera had significantly reduced TC, TG, LDL, VLDL and serum glucose compared with the control (untreated hyperlipidaemic rats) (P<0.05). In the same way, the HDL was found to be significantly higher among the treated hyperlipidaemic rats compared with the untreated controls.

Conclusion: The present study shows that hydromethanolic extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera has a possible antihyperlipidaemic potentials as demonstrated by its ability to significantly improve lipid profile and lower serum glucose levels in hyperlipidaemic rat models.
The Process of Education Policy for Refugees within a Schedule to Promote Democracy
Authors: Evaggelia Kalerante
Published: February 2020

The present paper is an attempt to delve into issues related to refugees’ presence in Greece. A variety of political perspectives are interconnected with refugee male and female students’ inclusion in the Greek society. Educational and theoretical patterns are being explored, as being directly correlated with implemented policies in formal education. The construction of educational theoretical discourse on refugee education is being illustrated, as it directly refers to corresponding adaptive educational choices. Political intentions are critically being explored, as they are correlated with legislative symbolic constructions and the implementation framework. Our conceptualization also includes the institutional framework of refugee education within the operational democratic prerequisites that bring the discussion back to refugee needs as well as their expressive, emotional orientations based on intercultural and inter-historical circumscriptions. Refugee education is being approached with reference to refugee policy. In this respect, democratic political codes are described, while conflicting discourse, reinforced within a conservative framework full of negative nationalistic narrations, racist behaviors and populist patterns is illustrated. Therefore, system needs, refugee interests and symbolic constructions of natives and refugees’ understanding, communication and interaction will contribute to reconstructing all education forms, beyond a piecemeal refugee education plan.
The long non‐coding RNA LOC285758 promotes invasion of acute myeloid leukemia cells by down‐regulating miR‐204‐5p
Authors: Xue Fangfang , Che Haiyan
Published: February 2020

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common type of leukemia worldwide. It was previously reported that expression of the long noncoding RNA LOC285758 is positively associated with AML cell proliferation, but the underlying mechanisms have not previously been reported. Here, we report that LOC285758 expression is higher in clinical AML blood samples and cultured AML cells. miR‐204‐5p was confirmed to be a target gene of LOC285758 by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay. LOC285758 overexpression promoted AML cell viability and invasion abilities, which were effectively inhibited by miR‐204‐5p overexpression; moreover, miR‐204‐5p overexpression also regulated the expression of E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin and Twist1. The data also showed that increased LOC285758 expression could effectively suppress the earlier effects of miR‐204‐5p on AML cells. Our findings suggest that targeting of miR‐204‐5p by LOC285758 promotes the cell viability and invasion of AML cells, and thus LOC285758 may have potential as a therapeutic target for AML treatment.
Effect of seeding date, environment and cultivar on soybean seed yield, yield components, and seed quality in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: MacMillan Kristen P. , Gulden Robert H.
Published: February 2020

Western Canada grows more than 25% of Canadian soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and is the new northern extent of the North American soybean‐growing region. Canada is the seventh largest soybean‐exporting country, yet little information on yield and quality in modern cultivars exists for that region. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of delayed seeding on soybean seed yield, yield components, maturity, and seed quality in Manitoba, located in the eastern northern Great Plains, and provide the first characterization of the relative influence of environment, seeding date and cultivar on those variables. Field studies were conducted from 2015 to 2017 at three locations in southern Manitoba to evaluate the performance of three soybean cultivars at three seeding dates from 24 May to 24 June. Up to 90% of total variation in the response variables was explained by environment, seeding date, cultivar and their interactions, with environment often consuming the majority of total sums of squares. Among environments, seed yield ranged from 1610 to 3590 kg ha−1, seed number from 1719 to 3828 seeds m−2, seed weight from 125 to 169 g 1000 seeds−1, oil concentration from 16.1 to 18.7% and protein concentration from 32.8 to 35.3%. Overall, very late seeding reduced yield, seed weight, and oil but did not affect protein. This study demonstrates that environmental conditions in Manitoba have a large influence on soybean performance compared to seeding date or pedigree and that protein concentration varies at a finer geographical scale than previously reported.
Modular Soft Robotics: Modular Units, Connection Mechanisms, and Applications
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhu Pingan , Lin Yangqiao , Jiao Zhongdong , Zou Jun
Published: February 2020

A state‐of‐the‐art review of the modular soft robots (MSRs) is presented, with an outlook on the challenges and future directions of intelligent MSRs. In contrast to conventional robots composed of rigid materials, soft robots made from soft materials offer remarkable advantages in achieving various adaptive locomotion, manipulating delicate objects, providing safe human–robot interaction and adapting to confined environments due to their excellent compliance and adaptability, which have the potential to be widely used in numerous applications such as medical, exploration and rescue devices, etc. Unlike ﬁxed‐morphology soft robots, modularization of soft robots is a low‐cost and rapid strategy that enables them to adapt to changing tasks and environments by rearranging the connectivity of module units and attain complex functionalities such as self‐assembly, self‐repair, or self‐replication. Although MSRs exhibit many advantages, they are still in the nascent stage with plenty of challenges. Herein, first the materials, fabrication, actuation, sensor, and control of various modular units in MSRs are introduced. Then, some main connection methods between modular units are summarized. Finally, the applications, challenges, and developing directions of intelligent MSRs are discussed.
Recent Progress in Synaptic Devices Based on 2D Materials
Authors: Sun Linfeng , Wang Wei , Yang Heejun
Published: February 2020

Diverse synaptic plasticity with a wide range of timescales in biological synapses plays an important role in memory, learning, and various signal processing with exceptionally low power consumption. Emulating biological synaptic functions by electric devices for neuromorphic computation has been considered as a way to overcome the traditional von Neumann architecture in which separated memory and information processing units require high power consumption for their functions. Synaptic devices are expected to conduct complex signal processing such as image classification, decision‐making, and pattern recognition in artificial neural networks. Among various materials and device architectures for synaptic devices, 2D materials and their van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have been attracting tremendous attention from researchers based on their capacity to mimic unique synaptic plasticity for neuromorphic computing. Herein, the basic operations of biological synapses and physical properties of 2D materials are discussed, and then 2D materials and their vdW heterostructures for advanced synaptic operations with novel working mechanisms are reviewed. In particular, there is a focus on how to design synaptic devices with the vdW structures in terms of critical 2D materials and their limitations, providing insight into the emerging synaptic device systems and artificial neural networks with 2D materials.
Catechol‐Functionalized Polyolefins
Authors: Na Yinna , Chen Changle
Published: February 2020

The incorporation of comonomers during ethylene polymerization can efficiently modulate important material properties of the polyolefins. Utilizing bioresourced comonomers for the generation of high‐performance polyolefin materials is attractive from a sustainability point of view. In this contribution, bioresourced eugenol and related comonomers were incorporated into polyolefins through palladium‐catalyzed copolymerization and terpolymerization reactions. Importantly, high‐molecular‐weight catechol‐functionalized polyolefins can be generated. The introduction of different metal ions induces efficient interactions with the incorporated catechol groups, leading to enhanced mechanical properties and self‐healing properties. Moreover, the catechol functionality can greatly improve other properties such as surface properties, adhesion properties, and compatibilizing properties. The catechol‐functionalized polyolefin was demonstrated as a versatile platform polymer for accessing various materials with dramatically different properties.
Molten‐Salt‐Mediated Synthesis of an Atomic Nickel Co‐catalyst on TiO2 for Improved Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Xiao Mu , Zhang Lei , Luo Bin , Lyu Miaoqiang , Wang Zhiliang , Huang Hengming , Wang Songcan , Du Aijun , Wang Lianzhou
Published: February 2020

Atomic co‐catalysts offer high potential to improve the photocatalytic performance, of which the preparation with earth‐abundant elements is challenging. Here, a new molten salt method (MSM) is designed to prepare atomic Ni co‐catalyst on widely studied TiO2 nanoparticles. The liquid environment and space confinement effect of the molten salt leads to atomic dispersion of Ni ions on TiO2, while the strong polarizing force provided by the molten salt promotes formation of strong Ni−O bonds. Interestingly, Ni atoms are found to facilitate the formation of oxygen vacancies (OV) on TiO2 during the MSM process, which benefits the charge transfer and hydrogen evolution reaction. The synergy of atomic Ni co‐catalyst and OV results in 4‐time increase in H2 evolution rate compared to that of the Ni co‐catalyst on TiO2 prepared by an impregnation method. This work provides a new strategy of controlling atomic co‐catalyst together with defects for efficient photocatalytic water splitting.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Aggregation‐Induced Emission Enhancement Controlled by Optical Manipulation
Authors: Wang Shun‐Fa , Lin Jhao‐Rong , Ishiwari Fumitaka , Fukushima Takanori , Masuhara Hiroshi , Sugiyama Teruki
Published: February 2020

We present spatiotemporal control of aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) of a protonated tetraphenylethene derivative by optical manipulation. A single submicrometer‐sized aggregate is initially confined by laser irradiation when its fluorescence is hardly detectable. The continuous irradiation of the formed aggregate leads to sudden and rapid growth, resulting in bright yellow fluorescence emission. The fluorescence intensity at the peak wavelength of 540 nm is tremendously enhanced with growth, meaning that AIEE is activated by optical manipulation. Amazingly, the switching on/off of the activation of AIEE is arbitrarily controlled by alternating the laser power. This result means that optical manipulation increases the local concentration, which overcomes the electrostatic repulsion between the protonated molecules, namely, optical manipulation changes the aggregate structure. The dynamics and mechanism in AIEE controlled by optical manipulation will be discussed from the viewpoint of molecular conformation and association depending on the laser power.
“Arbequina” Olive Oil Composition Is Affected by the Application of Regulated Deficit Irrigation during Pit Hardening Stage
Authors: Sánchez‐Rodríguez Lucía , Kranjac Marina , Marijanović Zvonimir , Jerković Igor , Pérez‐López David , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A. , Hernández Francisca , Sendra Esther
Published: February 2020

Three new regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments were applied to “Arbequina” olive orchards during pit hardening. Oil quality was determined by measuring analytical parameters for olive oil grading, antioxidant activity, total phenol content, fatty acid profile, volatile compounds profile, and sensory analysis. Oils from RDI were classified as “extra virgin olive oil” and their quality was improved due to their higher antioxidant potential (ABTS+ [increased ~75%] and DPPH˙ [increased ~25%] assays) and phenols (increased ~53%) than control. Concentration of total volatile compounds decreased (~27%) but RDI olive oils showed a more balanced profile (alcohols, aldehydes, and esters). Monounsaturated fatty acid content increased (~5%) and atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes decreased (~8.5%) in RDI olive oil. Regarding sensory analysis, RDI provided more balanced oils with higher fruit aroma than control. Other benefits of RDI olive oil, when compared with oil from full irrigated orchards are reduced use of water and improved functional and sensory quality.
Effects of Crosslinker Concentration in Poly(Acrylic Acid)‐KOH Gel Electrolyte on Performance of Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Tran Thuy Nguyen Thanh , Clark Michael P. , Chung Hyun‐Joong , Ivey Douglas G.
Published: February 2020

Zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) using gel polymer electrolytes suffer from low energy efficiency and poor cyclability. This issue is not only associated with the air electrode, as early failure of the battery is often due to the Zn electrode. Here, the cycle life of ZABs using alkaline poly(acrylic acid) (PAA‐KOH) as the electrolyte is shown to vary by changing its crosslinking density. For ZABs using hydrogel electrolytes, understanding the failure mechanism and optimization of the hydrogel composition are key to achieving better utilization of the Zn electrode and battery rechargeability. In addition, the effects of crosslinker concentration on rheological properties, sol‐gel fraction, ionic conductivity, and water retention ability of the hydrogel are discussed. PAA‐KOH gels with lower crosslinking concentrations are weaker, but they have higher conductivity and better water retention, whereas gels with higher crosslinking concentrations affect the diffusion of zincate ions and facilitate passivation of the Zn electrode, resulting in early failure of the battery.
Ermüdungsverhalten von Carbonbeton unter Zugschwellbelastung
Authors: Wagner Juliane , Spelter Arne , Hegger Josef , Curbach Manfred
Published: February 2020

Seit einigen Jahren werden vermehrt Brücken aus und mit Carbonbeton gebaut und verstärkt. Somit gewinnt dessen Zugtragverhalten unter Ermüdungsbelastung immer mehr an Relevanz. Systematische Untersuchungen hierzu liegen bislang nicht vor. Nachfolgend werden Ermüdungsuntersuchungen an zwei unterschiedlichen Materialkombinationen mit epoxid‐ bzw. polyachrylatgetränkten Carbontextilien in Dehnkörperversuchen vorgestellt. Diese wurden unter Zugschwellbelastung an den Instituten für Massivbau der RWTH Aachen und der TU Dresden getestet. Mithilfe der Versuchsergebnisse konnten für beide Carbonbewehrungen Spannungs‐Schwingspiel(S‐N)‐Kurven erstellt und Aussagen zur Dauerschwingfestigkeit getroffen werden. Auch wenn sich beide Materialkombinationen sehr unterschiedlich verhalten, können die erzielten Ergebnisse durchaus positiv bewertet werden.
Process intensification for production of Streptococcus pneumoniae whole‐cell vaccine
Authors: Campos Ivana B. , Cardoso Celso P. , Fratelli Fernando , Herd Muriel , Moffitt Kristin L. , Lu Ying‐Jie , Malley Richard , Leite Luciana C. C. , Gonçalves Viviane M.
Published: February 2020

The available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines provide protection against only those serotypes that are included in the vaccine, which leads to a selective pressure and serotype replacement in the population. An alternative low‐cost, safe and serotype‐independent vaccine was developed based on a nonencapsulated pneumococcus strain. This study evaluates process intensification to improve biomass production and shows for the first time the use of perfusion‐batch with cell recycling for bacterial vaccine production. Batch, fed‐batch, and perfusion‐batch were performed at 10 L scale using a complex animal component‐free culture medium. Cells were harvested at the highest optical density, concentrated and washed using microfiltration or centrifugation to compare cell separation methods. Higher biomass was achieved using perfusion‐batch, which removes lactate while retaining cells. The biomass produced in perfusion‐batch would represent at least a fourfold greater number of doses per cultivation than in the previously described batch process. Each strategy yielded similar vaccines in terms of quality as evaluated by western blot and animal immunization assays, indicating that so far, perfusion‐batch is the best strategy for the intensification of pneumococcal whole‐cell vaccine production, as it can be integrated to the cell separation process keeping the same vaccine quality.
LncRNA growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 targets miR‐21 gene and regulates bladder cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis through PTEN
Authors: Chen Dong , Guo Yihong , Chen Yaqiu , Guo Qiaonan , Chen Junyi , Li Yining , Zheng Qiuping , Jiang Minyao , Xi Ming , Cheng Lu
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 (GAS5) regulates bladder cancer cells. Bladder cancer samples were collected and tested for experiment. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the downstream target genes for GAS5 and miR‐21. The expression level of GAS5 was decreased and that of miR‐21 was increased, indicating a negative correlation between the two. Patients with high GAS5 level and low miR‐21 level had relatively longer survival rates. GAS5 inhibited bladder cancer cells proliferation and promoted apoptosis, and miR‐21 had the opposite effects. MiR‐21 was a direct target for GAS5, whereas phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was a direct target gene of miR‐21. Low expression of miR‐21 could reverse the proliferative and antiapoptotic effects caused by GAS5 silencing. High levels of GAS5 and low levels of miR‐21 might be associated with a higher survival rate in bladder cancer patients. GAS5 could exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on bladder cancer cells through miR‐21 and PTEN.
Anti‐leukemic effect of PI3K inhibition on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells: shedding new light on the mitigating effect of c‐Myc and autophagy on BKM120 cytotoxicity
Authors: Shiri Heris Reza , Safaroghli‐Azar Ava , Yousefi Amir‐Mohammad , Hamidpour Mohsen , Bashash Davood
Published: February 2020

The success in the identification of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase role in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) went as far as to find a path to cure this leukemia; however, compensatory activation of leukomogenic signals get across the message that the small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic pathways, along with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, might be a beneficial approach in CML treatment. The results of the present study showed that the abrogation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway using pan‐PI3K inhibitor BKM120 exerted a cytotoxic effect against CML‐derived K562 cells through both the induction of p21‐mediated G2/M arrest and the stimulation of apoptosis. Notably, the apoptotic effect of the inhibitor was further confirmed by the molecular analysis showing that BKM120 significantly increased the expression of pro‐apoptotic genes. To the best of our knowledge, the involvement of autophagy in resistance to BKM120 has not been yet described and our study suggests for the first time that the elevation of autophagy‐related genes might serve as a compensatory pathway to cease the anti‐leukemic effect of BKM120 in K562; since we found a reinforced anti‐survival event when the cells were treated with BKM120 in combination with autophagy inhibitor. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that the abrogation of PI3K using BKM120 might be a befitting approach in CML treatment, either as a single agent or in a combined‐modal strategy; however, further evaluations including clinical trials and in vivo investigations are demanded to ascertain the safety and the efficacy of the inhibitor in treatment strategies.
Preprocedure Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade: Has its time come and gone?
Authors: Yildiz Mehmet , Henry Timothy D.
Published: February 2020

Key Points

Preprocedure TIMI flow grade has been an important predictor of clinical outcomes including mortality in patients with STEMI.

Results from a substudy of the ATLANTIC trial indicate that while the unadjusted preprocedure TIMI flow grade was related to composite ischemic events at 30 days, it was an independent predictor of only stent thrombosis.

TIMI flow grade is a simple but incomplete measure of coronary perfusion in STEMI patients. TIMI frame count, TIMI myocardial perfusion grade, and the index of microvascular resistance provide more complete insight into myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients.
Long‐term effectiveness of biodegradable patent foramen ovale closure: Are we there yet?
Authors: Parikh Puja B. , Reilly John P.
Published: February 2020

Key Points

Given increasing performance of left‐sided structural heart interventions, transseptal puncture following prior patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure can be challenging.

The biodegradable BioSTAR, an attractive alternative to permanent PFO closure devices, demonstrated comparable long‐term closure rates compared to the Amplatzer PFO device.

Long‐term peri‐device left‐to‐right shunt and nitinol strut protrusion with the BioSTAR must be taken into account in design of future PFO devices with biodegradable capabilities.
Ready for PRIME time: What we can learn from the Wyoming and friends experience
Authors: Patel Nachiket J. , Heuser Richard R.
Published: February 2020

Key Points

If a major amputation occurs in patients with critical limb ischemia the 30‐day mortality is 10–12%

The tibio‐pedal arterial minimally invasive (TAMI) technique was used more often with re‐interventions in this series

The TAMI approach seems to result in the best outcome in this large series of patients from the PRIME registry.
Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide on Co−Ce‐Modified ZSM‐5 Zeolites: Impact of Mixed Oxo‐Species
Authors: Shilina Marina , Udalova Olga , Krotova Irina , Ivanin Igor , Boichenko Anton
Published: February 2020

The main idea of the present work is the creation of new types of redox active sites by using zeolite as a matrix. Structure and catalytic activity in CO oxidation were studied for catalysts based on Co−Ce‐modified ZSM‐5 synthesized by sequential incipient wetness impregnation. Synergy of action of the two additives is observed. The most active is the catalyst with the ratio Co : Ce=3 : 1. According to TEM, XPS, UV‐vis‐DRS, DRIFTS and in situ CO‐reduction studies, the interaction of metals occurs in the channels of the zeolite with the formation of previously unknown joint structures in which CoIII and CeIII are stabilized. Apparently, these structures are represented by mixed Co−Ce oxo‐cations [CoxCeOy]n+. A new absorption band at 2179 cm−1 appearing in the DRIFT spectra of adsorbed CO is associated with mixed species. The catalytic activity in the oxidation of CO correlates with amount of these structures.
Solid‐state synthesis of cyclo LD‐diphenylalanine: A chiral phase built from achiral subunits
Authors: Pérez‐Mellor Ariel , Le Barbu‐Debus Katia , Zehnacker Anne
Published: February 2020

The solid‐state structure of LL/DD or LD/DL diphenylalanine diluted in KBr pellets is studied by infrared (IR) absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. The structure depends on the absolute configuration of the residues. The natural LL diphenylalanine exists as a mixture of neutral and zwitterionic structures, depending on the humidity of the sample, while mostly the zwitterion is observed for LD diphenylalanine whatever the experimental conditions. The system undergoes spontaneous cyclization upon heating at 125°C, resulting to the formation of a diketopiperazine (DKP) dipeptide as the only product. The reaction is faster for LD than for LL diphenylalanine. As expected, LL and DD diphenylalanine react to form the LL and DD enantiomers of cyclo diphenylalanine. Interestingly, the DKP dipeptides formed from the LD or DL diphenylalanine show unexpected optical activity, with opposite VCD spectra for the products formed from the LD and DL reagents. This is explained in terms of chirality synchronization between the monomers within the crystal, which retain the symmetry of the reagent, resulting to the formation of a new chiral phase made from transiently chiral molecules.
Revisiting the relationship between corporate social responsibility and organizational performance: The mediating role of team outcomes
Authors: Latif Khawaja Fawad , Sajjad Aymen , Bashir Rabia , Shaukat Muhammad Bilal , Khan Muhammad Bilal , Sahibzada Umar Farooq
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of team outcomes on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance. The study utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the direct and mediation effect based on 225 employees from the cement sector. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to identify the causal recipes leading to higher organizational performance. The results revealed a significant direct effect of CSR on performance, whereas team performance mediated the relationship; the mediating role of team identity and team efficacy was partially significant. fsQCA showed that a varied combination of CSR and team outcomes can lead to improved organizational performance. Our results contribute to the earlier studies that have predominantly examined the direct relationship between CSR and organizational performance by demonstrating that team outcomes mediate the relationship between CSR and organizational performance.
Enhanced fair earliest due date first scheduling strategy for multimedia applications in LTE downlink framework
Authors: Elhadad Mohamad I. , El‐Shafai Walid , El‐Rabaie El‐Sayed M. , Abd‐Elnaby Mohammed , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: February 2020

Guaranteeing a certain delay threshold for delay‐sensitive applications in long term evolution (LTE) cellular communication system is a very challenging mission. By implementing an optimal scheduling strategy, this mission will be achieved. In this article, a novel scheduler is introduced in order to meet a predefined level of service quality by guaranteeing a specific delay threshold for delay‐sensitive applications in LTE cellular systems. The proposed scheduler assigns the available resource blocks (RBs) to active user equipments (UEs) tacking into consideration several attributes. The expiration date of each packet, the channel quality, the average data rate previously achieved by each UE, and the number of dropped packets for each UE compared with the average number of packets totally dropped are all considered in the proposed scheduler working mechanism. Consequently, the proposed scheduling strategy reduces the number of packets dropped for multimedia applications, and at the same time maximizes the overall throughput of the network. Simulation results are provided to study and evaluate the performance of the proposed scheduling strategy. A comparative study is presented between the proposed strategy and the most recent scheduling techniques. The obtained results prove that the proposed scheduling strategy has considerably acceptable and appreciated results compared with the results of the state‐of‐the‐art scheduling techniques.
The triad macrosomia, obesity, and hypertriglyceridemia in gestational diabetes
Authors: Gorban de Lapertosa Silvia , Alvariñas Jorge , Elgart Jorge F. , Salzberg Susana , Gagliardino Juan J. ,   the EduGest group
Published: February 2020

Aims

Offspring of women with gestational diabetes (GD) have more macrosomia than newborns of normal mothers. We studied macrosomia frequency, possible pathogenesis, and main predictors of its appearance at different gestational ages.

Materials and Methods

A total of 1870 pregnant women with GD were recruited in primary care centres and maternity hospitals in the Argentine provinces of Corrientes, Chaco, Buenos Aires, and in Buenos Aires City; 1088 completed gestation and delivered an infant. We collected clinical and metabolic data, personal and obstetric history, and gestational and delivery characteristics. Presence of macrosomia was analysed in the whole population, the entire pregnancy, and in each trimester of gestation. Data were statistically analysed and values were expressed as mean ± SD and percentages. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee and all participants signed informed consent.

Results

Macrosomia was found in 12.9% of newborns and obesity in all mothers with no significant differences between mothers with/without macrosomic offspring. In early pregnancy, the main significant indicators of macrosomia were: history of dyslipidaemia (5.6% vs 1.2%, respectively) and macrosomia in previous pregnancies (27% vs 13%, respectively). However, the third trimester showed a significant combination of higher BMI, FBG, and triglycerides.

Conclusions

Offspring of women with GD presented macrosomia in 12.9% of cases, maternal history of dyslipidaemia and macrosomia in previous pregnancies being early predictors. The combination of maternal obesity, FBG, and hypertriglyceridemia became significant during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Rhodocenium Monocarboxylic Acid Hexafluoridophosphate and Its Derivatives: Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Structure, and Electrochemistry
Authors: Jochriem Markus , Casper Larissa A. , Vanicek Stefan , Petersen Dirk , Kopacka Holger , Wurst Klaus , Müller Thomas , Winter Rainer F. , Bildstein Benno
Published: February 2020

As an extension of our continuing work in metallocenium chemistry, we report here on new functionalized rhodocenium salts. In contrast to isoelectronic cobaltocenium compounds, rhodium as a 4d metal allows synthetic routes via prefunctionalized cyclopentadienyl half‐sandwich precursors, thereby facilitating access to monofunctionalized rhodocenium salts containing substituents comprising methyl, trimethylsilyl, carboxylate and carboxylate ester as well as amide derivatives. Synthetic aspects, scope and limitations, as well as spectroscopic (1H/13C‐NMR, IR, HR‐MS), and structural (XRD) properties are reported. Like the parent rhodocenium ion, all new derivatives undergo two chemically consecutive reductions at potentials that depend on the respective ring substituent. The second reduction competes with a rapid reaction of the corresponding rhodocenes to their 18 VE dimers. Rate constants for this process range from 2 × 103 s–1 to 2.5 × 105 s–1 as estimated from digital simulations of experimental voltammograms. Rhodocenium carboxylic acid (8) constitutes a special case in that proton instead of metal reduction is observed at Pt or Au electrodes.
Simultaneous Measurement of the Emission Quantum Yield and Local Temperature: The Illustrative Example of SrF2:Yb3+/Er3+ Single Crystals
Authors: Brites Carlos D. S. , Kuznetsov Sergey V. , Konyushkin Vasilii A. , Nakladov Andrey N. , Fedorov Pavel P. , Carlos Luís D.
Published: February 2020

The emission quantum yield is one of the key figures of merit to evaluate the photoluminescence performance of luminescent materials. The emission quantum yield of upconverting materials is still not widely reported due to technical difficulties and intricate dependence on the excitation power density that is mirrored in a temperature increase. This work describes the simultaneous determination of the emission quantum yield (for both downshifting and upconverting processes) and of the temperature by using the output of a commercial integrating sphere. The temperature is calculated by primary luminescence thermometry through the Boltzmann equation, analyzing the intensity ratio between the 2H11/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 transitions. The procedure is illustrated using of SrF2: Yb3+/Er3+ single crystals with distinct Yb3+ compositions and the effect of the Yb3+ content on the emission quantum yield and the temperature increase of the sample.
Unravelling a Devonian–Triassic seamount chain in the South Tianshan high‐pressure/ultrahigh‐pressure accretionary complex in the Atbashi area (Kyrgyzstan)
Authors: Sang Miao , Xiao Wenjiao , Windley Brian F.
Published: February 2020

Seamounts are common occurrences on the extant oceanic floors of the earth, and accreted single seamounts are also widely distributed on the modern active margins, but recognition of single seamounts is an uneasy job in the ancient orogens, and the detection of a chain of accreted seamounts is even harder, therefore understanding the multiple accretion of ancient seamounts is nearly negligible. A combined analysis of geochronology and geochemistry was conducted on the basic eclogitic rocks from the Atbashi Accretionary Complex in the Kyrgyz South Tianshan, in a bid to unravel the accretion process of a chain of seamounts in the Paleo‐Asian Ocean in the southern Altaids. A set of reliable U–Pb zircon ages of 397.6 ± 8 Ma age for a basaltic andesite, 353 ± 8 Ma for a gabbro, and 317.1 ± 9 Ma for a diorite were obtained in this study. Both unmetamorphosed basic rocks and eclogites carry geochemical signatures of plume‐derived seamounts that were influenced by their respective mantle source. Taken together with previously published age data, the spatial and temporal features of these Atbashi rocks indicate the timing and sequence of formation, subduction, and extrusion of the South Tianshan oceanic remnants in the Early/Middle Devonian to Late Triassic. The integrated data indicate the existence of a seamount chain composed of Early/Middle Devonian–Late Triassic seamounts in the Atbashi Complex. The paleogeographic pattern and analysis of these fragments derived from the ocean‐type seamounts enable the reconstruction of tectonic models of that portray, magmatism, mantle‐derived plumes, subduction and exhumation of this Devonian–Triassic ocean floor.
Thermo‐tectonic history of the Northeast Sichuan Basin, Southwest China, using apatite fission‐track analysis, vitrinite reflectance, and basin modelling: Implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity
Authors: Issoufou Aboubacar Mahaman Salifou , Zhongxian Cai , Harouna Moussa , Yakubu Yahaya
Published: February 2020

Analysis of apatite fission‐track and vitrinite reflectance combined with 1‐D basin modelling was used to reconstruct the thermo‐tectonic history of the northeast Sichuan Basin, China. The study indicates that the basin has evolved through multi‐phase tectonic regimes involving a series of subsidence and tectonic uplift phases exerting significant control on the thermal history. Heating and cooling processes were largely related to deep burial and intense exhumation, respectively. Exhumation that extended from 122 to 2.5 Ma has resulted in at least 4 km of sedimentary removal. The rate of exhumation and removal (denudation) was found to have reached 58 and 35 m/Myr, respectively. The results show that the denudation magnitude is significantly higher in the eastern part reaching 5.5 km, compared with 2.2 km in the western part of the study area. The fission‐track ages demonstrate the occurrence of three cooling phases: initial‐gradually increasing (~120–70 Ma), stagnant (70–15 Ma), and rapid (15 Ma to present). This suggests that cooling was associated with different compressive thermo‐structural events that began in the mid‐Lower Cretaceous (~122 Ma) marking the subsidence climax period. With the sedimentary section approximating 8‐km thickness by the time of maximum burial, the modelled average maximum temperature and vitrinite reflectivity coefficient reached roughly 232°C, and 3.5% for the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation (T1f1), thus indicating the conditions of dry gas generation. The Meso‐Cenozoic thermo‐structural evolution that postdated the onset of hydrocarbon generation has been critical for the evolution of the petroleum play, including the Feixianguan Formation in the marine carbonates of the Early Triassic and the Xujiahe Formation in the non‐marine sandstones of the Upper Triassic. This resulted in the modification of primary hydrocarbon accumulations, mostly in the lower petroleum play, and development of secondary accumulation in the newly formed structural traps in the upper petroleum play. Therefore, accurate thermo‐tectonic history reconstruction is valuable for understanding the geological history and hydrocarbon prospectivity.
Patient Welfare and Trust
Authors: Haupt Laura
Published: February 2020

This January‐February 2020 issue marks the start of the Hastings Center Report's fiftieth volume. The issue introduces the column Looking Back, Looking Forward, which we plan to run in this volume only. Conceived by Hastings Center fellows Douglas Diekema and Lainie Friedman Ross, the column will explore the significance of landmark publications from the first fifty years of bioethics. For the first installment, Diekema looks at the unconventional moral position Hans Jonas took in his 1969 essay “Philosophical Reflections on Experimenting with Human Subjects.” In the lead article, “Trust, Risk, and Race in American Medicine,” Laura Specker Sullivan contextualizes patient mistrust within a history of racism in general and in the nation's biomedical research and clinical institutions specifically. Specker Sullivan proposes ways for individual clinicians to improve relationships with distrustful patients and their families. Two commentaries provide additional insights and recommendations about the work of earning patient trust.
“Do we have to replace the balloon pump when it fails?”
Authors: Bibler Trevor M. , Crist Jamie M. , Malek Janet , Childress Andrew M.
Published: February 2020

Mrs. Duong had coronary artery disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and mildly altered mental status when her case was presented before an advanced heart therapy medical review board. She was accepted for left ventricular assist device placement pending additional insight into her cognitive state. Before the LVAD could be implanted, however, Mrs. Duong went into cardiogenic shock, and her heart failure team placed an intra‐aortic balloon pump in her subclavian artery. Within two weeks, Mrs. Duong became IABP dependent and deconditioned. The attending deemed her as lacking capacity to make complex medical decisions, and the medical review board officially declined her for LVAD placement. The heart failure and CICU teams feel that Mrs. Duong is not being helped by the care they are giving her. They recommend terminal weaning of the IABP and initiation of comfort care. Her family disagrees, pointing to activities like continued eating and interacting with family. At an impasse after yet another family meeting, the attending for the heart failure team asks the clinical ethics consultant, “Do we have to replace the balloon pump when it fails?”
Medically Assisted Dying and Suicide: How Are They Different, and How Are They Similar?
Authors: Friesen Phoebe
Published: February 2020

The practice of medically assisted dying has long been contentious, and the question of what to call it has become increasingly contentious as well. Particularly among U.S. proponents of legalizing the practice, there has been a growing push away from calling it “physician‐assisted suicide,” with assertions that medically assisted dying is fundamentally different from suicide. Digging deeper into this claim about difference leads to an examination of the difference between two kinds of suffering—suffering from physical conditions and suffering from psychological conditions—and therefore leads also toward an examination of whether requests for medical assistance in dying by those suffering from psychological conditions and those suffering from physical conditions should be painted with the same brush.

In this article, I aim both to illuminate some of the considerations that ought to be included in discussions related to medically assisted dying and to shed light on what the indirect effects of such discussions can be. I consider some of the reasons commonly given for holding that suicide and medically assisted dying differ fundamentally and then whether the conclusion that medically assisted dying should not be called “suicide” follows from the premises. I ask what else might justify the conclusion that the two acts ought to be called by different names, and I examine possible justifications for accepting this premise, as well as what justifications might exist for emphasizing how the acts are alike. Finally, I argue that we should be cautious before concluding that medically assisted dying should not be called “suicide.” We need more evidence either that the two acts are fundamentally different or that emphasizing differences between them is not likely to do more harm than good.
Silencing of long noncoding RNA LEF1‐AS1 prevents the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via the crosstalk with microRNA‐136‐5p/WNK1
Authors: Dong Hui , Jian Peng , Yu Mengchu , Wang Lixin
Published: February 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as cancer‐associated biological molecules, favoring hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. This study was conducted to elucidate the effects lncRNA lymphoid enhancer‐binding Factor 1 antisense RNA (LEF1‐AS1) on the pathological development of HCC, along with the crosstalk involving microRNA‐136‐5p (miR‐136‐5p) and with‐no‐K (lysine) kinase 1 (WNK1). The study recruited primary HCC tissues and their corresponding nonneoplastic liver tissues. The gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies were performed in HCC cells HuH‐7 and tumor xenografts in nude mice. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay system, RNA pull‐down, and radioimmunoprecipitation assays were applied to detect their interactions among lncRNA LEF1‐AS1, miR‐136‐5p, and WNK1. 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine staining, scratch test, Transwell assays, and in vitro tube formation assays were conducted to examine HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and HUVEC angiogenesis. HCC tissues and cells contained high lncRNA LEF1‐AS1 expression. LncRNA LEF1‐AS1 upregulation triggered markedly increased HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and human umbilical vein endothelial cell angiogenesis. In vivo silencing lncRNA LEF1‐AS1 resulted in reduced tumor cell vitality and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and the vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Additionally, the role of lncRNA LEF1‐AS1 was found to be largely dependent on WNK1. Association of lncRNA LEF1‐AS1 with WNK1 blocked the inhibitory effect of miR‐136‐5p on WNK1, which was confirmed by in vivo experiments. Altogether, our results revealed an important role of lncRNA LEF1‐AS1 in regulating the HCC progression by regulating WNK1, providing a potential biomarker for the therapeutic modalities regarding HCC.
Phosphorus fractionation and protein content control chemical phosphorus removal from corn biorefinery streams
Authors: Aguiar Samuel , Yang Linhan , Zhang Manying , Sharma Navneet , Singh Vijay , Cusick Roland D.
Published: February 2020

The economic viability of corn biorefineries depends heavily on the sale of coproducts as animal feeds, but elevated phosphorus (P) contents can exacerbate manure management issues. Phosphorus removal from light steep water and thin stillage, two concentrated in‐process aqueous streams at wet milling and dry‐grind corn biorefineries, could simultaneously generate concentrated fertilizer and low‐P animal feeds, but little is known regarding how differences in stream composition affect removal. To address this data gap, we show that the solubility of P in light steep filtrate (LSF) and thin stillage filtrate (TSF) exhibits distinct sensitivity to calcium (Ca) and base addition due to differences in P fractionation and protein abundance. In LSF, P was primarily organic, and near‐complete removal of P (96%) was observed at pH 8 and a Ca/total P (TP) ratio of 2. In TSF, TP removal was lower (81%), and there was more equal distribution of organic and orthophosphate, indicating that the Ca requirements of inorganic P precipitation were a limiting factor. The C/H/N ratio, elemental characterization, and crude protein analysis of the precipitated solids indicated that coprecipitation of amorphous solids containing Ca, Mg, and K with soluble proteins facilitated removal of P, particularly in LSF. Although the removal mechanisms and solubility limits differed, these results highlighted the magnitude (40–70 mM) and efficacy (80–96%) of P recovery from two biorefinery streams.
Spectrophotometric study of ketoconazole binding with citrate capped silver nanoparticles and its monitoring in human plasma samples
Authors: Pashazadeh‐Panahi Paria , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Eivazzadeh‐Keihan Reza
Published: February 2020

Ketoconazole or Nizoral is an antifungal medication used to treat various type of fungal infections. It has been reported that this antifungal agent is able to induce a variety of heart function side effects, such as long‐QT syndrome, and ventricular arrhythmias. Hence, prescribing, identifying and controlling the side effects of medications such as ketoconazole is essential for human safety. In this study, a distinct and fast colorimetric probe based on citrate capped silver nanoparticles (Cit‐AgNPs) was introduced for determination of trace amounts of ketoconazole. Cit‐AgNPs were synthesized trough a novel method and applied for the quantification of ketoconazole in human plasma samples. Ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microcopy, dynamic light scattering, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis, have been utilized for characterization of Cit‐AgNPs. It was revealed that in the presence of ketoconazole, the absorption intensity of Cit‐AgNPs was decreased by increasing the ketoconazole concentration. Moreover, this reaction is accompanied by a color change from shiny yellow to brown/red in acidic pH. Under acidic pH and optimum condition, the calibration graph of the assay was linear in the range of 0.1 to 0.8 μM. According to the obtained results Cit‐AgNPs can be used as a novel probe for the sensitive and specific detection and determination of similar drugs in clinical samples. Also, this method open a new way to biomedical analyses of pharmaceutical samples which is necessary in TDM.