bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Xylylenes Isomerize in Pyrolysis?
Authors: Hirsch Florian , Pachner Kai , Fischer Ingo , Issler Kevin , Petersen Jens , Mitric Roland , Bakels Sjors , Rijs Anouk M.
Published: June 2020

We report infrared spectra of xylylene isomers in the gas phase, using free electron laser (FEL) radiation. All xylylenes were generated by flash pyrolysis. The IR spectra were obtained by monitoring the ion dip signal, using a IR/UV double resonance scheme. A gas phase IR spectrum of para‐xylylene  was recorded, whereas ortho‐ and meta‐xylylene were found to partially rearrange to benzocyclobutene and styrene. Computations of the UV oscillator strength  for all molecules were carried out and provde an explanation for the observation of the isomerization products.
From Rare Reagents to Rare Products: Regiospecific Silver‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Aryl‐, Alkyl‐ and Aminosulfonyl Diazomethanes with Arenediazonium Tosylates
Authors: Levashova Ekaterina , Bakulina Olga , Dar'in Dmitry , Bubyrev Andrey , Chuprun Sergey , Krasavin Mikhail
Published: June 2020

The scope of silver nitrate‐catalyzed cycloaddition of arenediazonium salts has been expanded to include aryl‐ and alkylsulfonyl diazomethanes as well as the recently introduced diazomethyl sulfonamides. The reliance on these two classes of diazo compounds led to a new synthetic approach to the rare 2‐aryltetrazol‐5‐yl sulfones as well as to the synthesis of hitherto not described 2‐aryltetrazol‐5‐yl sulfonamides.
The emulsifying and foaming properties of Amuniacum gum (Dorema ammoniacum) in comparison with gum Arabic
Authors: Ebrahimi Behzad , Homayouni Rad Aziz , Ghanbarzadeh Babak , Torbati Mohammadali , Falcone Pasquale M.
Published: June 2020

In this study, the emulsifying and foaming properties of a novel exudate gum from Dorema ammoniacum (AMG) were assessed in comparison with the well‐known gum Arabic from Acacia tree (GAC). The sunflower oil‐based emulsion (10% v/v) containing various concentrations (5%–15% w/v) of AMG and GAC was prepared. At all concentrations, AMG showed higher surface and interface activity than GAC. Increasing in AMG and GAC concentrations caused to increase and decrease in Z average, respectively. Overall, the GAC‐stabilized emulsion showed lower Z average and PDI value than the AMG‐stabilized emulsion during storage time. The sample containing AMG showed higher emulsion capacity and lower emulsion stability in comparison with the one containing GAC at all concentrations. The storage stability decreased and increased with increasing in AMG and GAC concentrations, respectively. After two‐week storage, the emulsions containing 10 and 15% AMG showed higher phase separation than those containing GAC; however, this was opposite about sample containing 5% AMG. At thermal, centrifuge, and freezing conditions, the emulsion containing 5% AMG indicated significantly higher stability than GAC samples; however, at higher concentration, opposite effect could be observed. The foaming capacity of the samples containing AMG increased from 81% to 93% by increasing gum concentration from 5% to 15%. The solutions containing AMG showed higher foam capacity than control samples (without gum) and those containing GAC at all concentrations. Increasing in AMG and GAC concentrations slightly improved foam stability, and the highest value (92%) belonged to 15% AMG solution.
Geochemistry of sands from the Huatabampo and Altata beaches, Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Madhavaraju Jayagopal , Armstrong‐Altrin John S. , Pillai Rahul B. , Pi‐Puig Teresa
Published: June 2020

Grain size, heavy minerals, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses were undertaken on the sand samples from Huatabampo (HB) and Altata (AA) beaches to infer palaeoweathering conditions and source rock characteristics. The mean grain size of HB and AA sands is fine‐grained and fine‐ to medium‐grained, respectively. Magnetite and hypersthene are the common heavy minerals identified in HB sands, whereas magnetite and ilmenite are the dominant heavy minerals in AA sands. HB sands have a high proportion of quartz and plagioclase followed by K‐feldspar and zeolite. Quartz is the dominant mineral in the AA sands, followed by plagioclase and K‐feldspar. Geochemically, the sand samples from HB are classified as wacke, whereas AA sands are classified as wacke and arkose. In chondrite‐normalised REE plot, HB and AA sands show LREE enriched and HREE depleted pattern with negative Eu anomaly. Chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) values and Th/U ratios of HB and AA sands suggest a low intensity of chemical weathering in the source area. The tectonic discriminant function diagram suggestsan arc setting for HB sands, whereas a rift setting for AA sands. The chondrite‐normalised REE patterns, Eu anomaly, Al2O3/TiO2 ratio, trace elemental ratios, discriminant function, and ternary diagrams suggest that the HB and AA sands were dominantly derived from felsic source rocks. The comparison of REE patterns of HB and AA sands with the source rocks exposed near to the study area suggest that the central granites of Laramide plutonic rocks exposed in Sonora were contributing sediments to the HB beach, whereas AA sands received sediments mainly from the felsic Francisco gneiss in the western Sonobari Complex of Sinaloa.
Application of the matching law to Mixed Martial Arts
Authors: Seniuk Holly A. , Vu Janie P. , Nosik Melissa R.
Published: June 2020

In the contemporary behavior‐analytic literature, athletic performance (e.g.,choice of shot or movement) across multiple team sports has been found to correspond with predictions of the generalized matching equation. However, the research in this area has focused primarily on team sports. In the current study the Generalized Matching Equation (GME) was applied to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) performance by examining strike selection as a function of landing significant strikes among fighters from various weight classes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The results suggest that the GME is a good descriptor of strike selection in MMA, an individual sport that is dynamic and fast paced where responding results in immediate feedback from an opponent.
Evaluating preference for and reinforcing efficacy of a therapy dog to increase verbal statements
Authors: Jorgenson Courtney D. , Clay Casey J. , Kahng SungWoo
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate preference for and reinforcing efficacy of a therapy dog to increase verbal statements across different contingencies. Five children with autism spectrum disorder ages 3‐8 years participated. Alternating treatments and reversal designs were used to compare conditions in which (a) a therapy dog was not present, (b) access to a therapy dog was noncontingent, (c) access to a therapy dog was contingent on interacting with a therapist, and (d) access to another preferred item was contingent on interacting with a therapist. Results varied across participants. Noncontingent access to the therapy dog slightly increased verbal statements for 1 participant. Contingent access to the therapy dog increased social interactions for 2 participants; however, this was the most effective intervention for only 1 participant. Practitioners should be aware that some clients may be better suited for interventions including therapy dogs than others.
Stimulus presentation versus stimulus removal in the Good Behavior Game
Authors: Silva Erika , Wiskow Katie M.
Published: June 2020

The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is an effective intervention to reduce disruptive behavior. The GBG typically involves immediate stimulus presentation (e.g.., delivery of a token) following disruptions; however, experimenters have also removed tokens contingent upon disruptions. In the present study, we compared the effects of the GBG‐stimulus presentation (P) and GBG‐stimulus removal (R) on levels of disruptions in a 2nd‐grade general education classroom. In addition, we measured student prompts, teacher praise and correctives, and student and teacher preference. The GBG‐P and GBG‐R versions of the game were similarly effective in reducing disruptions. However, the teacher chose to implement the GBG‐R and the majority of students reported a preference for the GBG‐R.
Treating food selectivity as resistance to change in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Crowley Jaime G. , Peterson Kathryn M. , Fisher Wayne W. , Piazza Cathleen C.
Published: June 2020

Change‐resistant behavior, such as rigid and selective food consumption, is a core symptom of autism that can have significant negative consequences for the child (Flygare Wallén et al., 2018; Levy et al., 2019). In the current study, we used a matching‐law‐based intervention (Fisher et al., 2019) to treat the change‐resistant feeding behavior of 7 young children with autism. The feeder gave the participant a choice between a change‐resistant and an alternative food during free‐ and asymmetrical‐choice conditions. Alternative‐food consumption increased for 2 participants during asymmetrical choice when the feeder provided a preferred item for consuming the alternative food and no programmed consequence for consuming the change‐resistant food. Alternative‐food consumption increased for the other 5 participants after the feeder exposed at least 1 food to single choice in which the feeder guided the participant to put the bite of alternative food in his or her mouth if he or she did not do so within 8 s of presentation. Effects of the single‐choice contingencies maintained during reversals and generalized to other alternative foods the feeder did not expose to single choice. These results are important because participants consumed alternative foods even when their change‐resistant foods were present, which is similar to typical mealtime contexts in which children have choices among foods.
Functional analysis and operant treatment of food guarding in a pet dog
Authors: Mehrkam Lindsay R. , Perez Brandon C. , Self Victoria N. , Vollmer Timothy R. , Dorey Nicole R.
Published: June 2020

The present study extended functional analysis (FA) methodology to human‐directed resource guarding in a dog in an in‐home setting. The subject underwent four conditions including control, attention, escape, and tangible, arranged in a modified FA. The results indicated multiply controlled resource guarding (i.e., escape, attention, and tangible functions). The experimenter then conducted a treatment evaluation involving three function‐based treatments in a concurrent multiple baseline design. Resource guarding decreased to zero levels in treatments for each maintaining contingency. Treatment effects were maintained when the subject was tested with an owner, with an untrained handler, a highly preferred treat, in an untrained setting, as well as after 2 weeks in the absence of training. Behavior analytic techniques may hold promise for lasting behavior change for resource guarding in domestic dogs, and should be examined in other populations and with other canine problem behavior.
In Vivo 1H MR Spectroscopy of Biliary Components of Human Gallbladder at 7T
Authors: Gajdošík Martin , Chmelík Marek , Halilbasic Emina , Pfleger Lorenz , Klepochová Radka , Trauner Michael , Trattnig Siegfried , Krššák Martin
Published: June 2020

Background

Previous in vivo proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) studies have demonstrated the possibility of quantifying amide groups of conjugated bile acids (NHCBA), olefinic lipids and cholesterol (OLC), choline‐containing phospholipids (CCPLs), taurine and glycine conjugated bile acids (TCBA, GCBA), methylene group of lipids (ML), and methyl groups of bile acids, lipids, and cholesterol (BALC1.0, BALC0.9, and TBAC) in the gallbladder, which may be useful for the study of cholestatic diseases and cholangiopathies. However, these studies were performed at 1.5T and 3T, and higher magnetic fields may offer improved spectral resolution and signal intensity.

Purpose

To develop a method for gallbladder MRS at 7T.

Study Type

Retrospective, technical development.

Population

Ten healthy subjects (five males and five females), two patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) (one male and one female), and one patient with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (female).

Field Strength/Sequence

Free‐breathing single‐voxel MRS with a modified stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence at 7T.

Assessment

Postprocessing was based on the T2 relaxation of water in the gallbladder and in the liver. Concentrations of biliary components were calculated using water signal. All data were corrected for T2 relaxation times measured in healthy subjects.

Statistical Tests

The range of T2 relaxation time and concentration per bile component, and the resulting mean and standard deviation, were calculated.

Results

The concentrations of gallbladder components in healthy subjects were: NHCBA: 93 ± 66 mM, OLC: 154 ± 124 mM, CCPL: 42 ± 17 mM, TCBA: 48 ± 35 mM, GCBA: 67 ± 32 mM, ML: 740 ± 391 mM, BALC1.0: 175 ± 92 mM, BALC0.9: 260 ± 138 mM, and TBAC: 153 ± 90 mM. Mean concentrations of all bile components were found to be lower in patients.

Data Conclusion

This work provides a protocol for designing future MRS investigations of the bile system in vivo.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

1
A comparative study on the time to achieve negative nucleic acid testing and hospital stays between danoprevir and lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Zhang Zhicheng , Wang Shumei , Tu Xianglin , Peng Xuping , Huang Yanxia , Wang Li , Ju Weihua , Rao Jianfeng , Li Xue , Zhu Donghong , Sun Huabao , Chen Hongyi
Published: June 2020

In late December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) first broke out in Wuhan, China, and has now become a global pandemic. However, there is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID‐19. This study enrolled 33 COVID‐19 patients in the nineth hospital of Nanchang from 27th January to 24th February 2020. Clinical indexes of patients upon admission/discharge were examined. Patients were divided into two groups according to different treatment plans (danoprevir and lopinavir/ritonavir). The days to achieve negative nucleic acid testing and the days of hospital stays were counted and statistically analyzed. COVID‐19 patients treated with danoprevir or lopinavir/ritonavir were all improved and discharged. Indexes like blood routine, inflammation and immune‐related indexes were significantly recovered after treatment. Additionally, under the circumstance that there was no significant difference in patients' general information between the two groups, we found that the mean time to achieve both negative nucleic acid testing and hospital stays of patients treated with danoprevir were significantly shorter than those of patients with lopinavir/ritonavir. Collectively, applying danoprevir is a good treatment plan for COVID‐19 patients.
Application of the simple atrial fibrillation better care pathway for integrated care management in frail patients with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Yang Pil‐Sung , Sung Jung‐Hoon , Jang Eunsun , Yu Hee Tae , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Joung Boyoung
Published: June 2020

Background

The benefit of integrated care management was unknown in frail atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. This study evaluated whether compliance with the atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway for integrated care management would improve clinical outcomes in frail AF patients.

Methods

From the Korea National Health Insurance Service database, 262,987 nonvalvular AF patients were enrolled between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015. For each patient, the Hospital Frailty Risk Score and category were calculated retrospectively using all available ICD‐10 diagnostic codes. Patients were divided into three frailty‐based risk categories: low (<5 points, n = 221,542), intermediate (5‐15 points, n = 37,341), and high risk (>15 points, n = 4,104).

Results

Over a mean follow‐up of 5.9 (interquartile range 3.2, 9.4) years, in high frailty risk patients, the ABC group had lower rates of all‐cause death (6.5 vs 17.5 per 100 person‐years, P < .001; hazard ratio [HR] 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56‐0.97) but was nonsignificant for the composite outcome (10.5 vs 26.0 per 100 person‐years, P = .101; HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.59‐1.05) compared with the Non‐ABC group. When the three frailty categories were compared, the greatest benefit on mortality was seen in the high frailty group (pint < 0.001), but for the composite outcome, there was no statistical interaction for the three frailty categories (pint = 0.063).

Conclusions

Compliance with the simple ABC pathway is associated with improved outcomes in AF patients with high frailty risk. Given the high healthcare burden associated with frail AF patients, integrated AF management should be implemented to improve outcomes in these patients.
Changes in the relationship between Indian Ocean dipole and Indian summer monsoon rainfall in early and recent multidecadal epochs during different phases of monsoon
Authors: Hrudya Palakkal Puthan Veedu Haridas , Varikoden Hamza , Vishnu Rajagopalan Nair
Published: June 2020

In this study, we explored the changes in the Indian Ocean Dipole‐Indian summer monsoon rainfall (IOD‐ISMR) relationship from early (1951–1980) to recent (1986–2015) multidecades during onset (June), peak (July–August) and withdrawal (September) phases of Indian summer monsoon. The analyses indicate that the IOD‐ISMR relationship is strengthening (weakening) during withdrawal (onset) phases over most of the Indian regions in the recent decades. During the peak phase, the relationship changes from out‐of‐phase (negative correlation) to in‐phase (positive correlation) in most of the Indian subcontinent. During positive IOD (pIOD) events, an increase in rainfall during all the phases is observed over the Indian region in the recent decades. Conversely, a general decrease in rainfall is observed over the Indian subcontinent during negative IOD (nIOD) events, except for the onset phase. The changes in sea surface temperature (SST), low level circulation and moisture transport over the equatorial Indian Ocean are linked to the changes in rainfall during both the positive and negative IOD events in the recent decades. However, most noticeable changes are observed during the peak and withdrawal phases. In the recent decades, during all the phases, a relatively strengthened low level jet (LLJ) with respect to the early decades is observed over the equatorial Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea associated with pIOD events. It causes a zone of moisture convergence over the northeast regions of India, which is conducive for above normal rainfall conditions in the monsoon trough zone and central Indian regions. In the case of nIOD events, the relatively weakened (strengthened) LLJ with respect to the early decades suppresses (enhances) the transport of moisture to the Indian region during the peak and withdrawal (onset) phases and cause reduced (enhanced) rainfall conditions. The observed results are more robust during the peak and withdrawal phases than that during the onset phase.
Assessment of impacts of potential climate change on meteorological drought characteristics at regional scales
Authors: Samantaray Alok Kumar , Ramadas Meenu , Panda Rabindra Kumar
Published: June 2020

Drought patterns are better understood by analysing the joint dependence among long‐term drought characteristics: severity, duration, and frequency. Changes in these drought characteristics are also likely due to potential climate change, for instance, increased drought severity and duration, increased frequency of drought events, and increased spatial extent of drought impacts. In this study, we performed a regional‐scale analysis of potential changes in meteorological drought characteristics in a tropical region in India under a warming future climate scenario. The meteorological drought characteristics were computed using the Standardized Precipitation Index. The Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment South Asia Regional Climate Model future precipitation simulation under the RCP 4.5 scenario was bias‐corrected and utilized for future drought frequency analysis. Regionalization of meteorological drought characteristics was performed using the simple k‐means clustering technique to identify the homogeneous regions for baseline and future periods. Bivariate copula was utilized to model the dependence among the drought characteristics in order to develop the S‐D‐F curves. The changes in regionalization and regional S‐D‐F curves under future potential climate change were then investigated. The results of the study suggest an increase in drought severity by 2–3% for long‐term droughts (duration more than 5 months) in the future as indicated by upward shift and changes in the slope of the regional S‐D‐F curves. There is a projected increase in the occurrence of long‐term droughts in the future when compared to short‐term (duration of 1 to 3 months) droughts. We also observed a considerable spatial shift of drought hotspots, the severe drought‐prone regions lie in the eastern part of the study region in the future. Future projections of regional S‐D‐F curves and Spatio‐temporal drought characteristics obtained from the proposed framework may be utilized for devising drought mitigation strategies.
An assessment of the viability of the smart parking system: The case of a smart city initiative in Malaysia
Authors: Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Ching Sock Lee
Published: June 2020

Society in general, and emerging economies in particular, face several challenges related to the rapid rate of technological change, increasing urbanization, and the degradation of the quality of life that results from air and noise pollution caused by road traffic. The apparently simple task of finding a parking space is one of the prime causes of pollution and congestion in inner‐city areas. The so‐called intelligent traffic systems and smart parking systems are believed to be one answer to alleviating this problem. This article evaluates the effectiveness of a smart parking system introduced by the state of Penang in Malaysia. It offers a review of smart parking systems and provides data from a survey of 646 Penang residents concerning the recently launched Penang Smart Parking system. The findings provide new insights and knowledge for the Malaysian government and could be used to identify critical success factors for smart parking systems in other cities.
Metastatic patterns do not provide additional prognostic information for patients with FIGO stage IV high‐grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Feng Zheng , Wen Hao , Ju Xingzhu , Bi Rui , Chen Xiaojun , Yang Wentao , Wu Xiaohua
Published: June 2020

Background

The aim of our study was to investigate whether metastatic patterns were associated with the prognosis of patients with FIGO stage IV high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC).

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 83 consecutive patients with FIGO stage IV HGSC who underwent primary surgery between April 2005 and June 2013 at our institution. Metastatic patterns were defined as pleural effusion (stage IVA), parenchymal metastases (stage IVB), and extra‐abdominal lymph node metastases (stage IVB). Correlations of clinical characteristics and prognosis with metastatic patterns were analyzed.

Results

Forty‐two (50.6%) patients were stage IVA with pleural effusion. Among the remaining stage IVB patients, 19 (22.9%) patients had parenchymal metastases and 22 (26.5%) had extra‐abdominal lymph node metastases. FIGO IVA and IVB subclassification did not have a prognostic impact on progression‐free survival (PFS) (P = .361). In addition, no differences in PFS were observed among patients presenting the three metastatic patterns (P = .506). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rates of patients with stage IVA and IVB diseases were 35.2% and 34.3%, respectively, (P = .856). In addition, metastatic patterns did not provide additional prognostic information for OS (P = .292).

Conclusion

Neither the subclassification into FIGO IVA and IVB stages nor metastatic patterns of FIGO stage IV provided additional prognostic information.
Impact of land management practices on water use strategy for a dryland tree plantation and subsequent responses to drought
Authors: Gao Xiaodong , Li Hongchen , Zhao Xining
Published: June 2020

Extreme droughts, of increased frequency due to climate change, are threatening the sustainability of dryland plantations worldwide by exacerbating water scarcity. Here we aim to disentangle the impacts of combinations of terracing and mulching on water use strategy and their response to extreme droughts in a rainfed jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) plantation on the semiarid Loess Plateau of China, using 3‐year in situ field observations. Pruned jujube branches and maize straw were mulched on half‐moon terraces to form two combined treatments, referred to as JBT and MST, respectively. The efficacy of these two combinations on the water use strategy of jujube trees was compared with terracing alone (SHT) and control (no terrace). We found that under extreme drought there was clearly reduced soil water storage (SWS) for different treatments. However, the combined treatments showed significantly (p < .05) higher SWS than the SHT and control. Furthermore, the combined treatments enhanced soil water use in deep layers during both normal and drought years, thus helping jujube trees to resist droughts. Moreover, under extreme drought there was greatly reduced transpiration whereas for moderate drought increased transpiration at both seasonal and annual scales. Nonetheless, the combined treatments were associated with enhanced transpiration compared to the SHT and control during drought periods. Finally, jujube trees exhibited isohydric behavior which also helped them to cope with prolonged droughts. Overall, the findings here may provide insights into land management of dryland plantations worldwide under climate change.
Germline whole genome sequencing in pediatric oncology in Denmark—Practitioner perspectives
Authors: Byrjalsen Anna , Stoltze Ulrik K. , Castor Anders , Wahlberg Ayo
Published: June 2020

Background

With the implementation of a research project providing whole genome sequencing (WGS) to all pediatric cancer patients in Denmark (2016–2019), we sought to investigate healthcare professionals' views on WGS as it was actively being implemented in pediatric oncology.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were carried out with pediatric oncologists, clinical geneticists, and research coordinating nurses (N = 17), followed by content analysis of transcribed interviews. Interviews were supplemented by ethnographic observations on Danish pediatric oncology wards. Additionally, questionnaires were distributed to healthcare professionals concerning when they found it appropriate to approach families regarding WGS. The response rate was 74%.

Results

Healthcare professionals see imbalances in doctor–patient relationship, especially the double role doctors have as clinicians and researchers. Some were concerned that it might not be possible to obtain meaningful informed consent from all families following diagnosis. Still, 94% of respondents found it acceptable to approach families during the first 4 weeks from the child's diagnosis. Views on the utility of WGS, treatment adaptation, and surveillance differed among interviewees.

Conclusion

Overall, healthcare professionals see dilemmas arising from WGS in the pediatric oncology clinic, and some advocate for further educational sessions with families and healthcare professionals. Despite concerns, healthcare professionals overwhelmingly supported early approach of families regarding WGS. Interviewees disagree on the benefits of surveillance based on genetic findings.
Health orientation and individual tendencies of a sample of Italian genetic testing consumers
Authors: Oliveri Serena , Durosini Ilaria , Cutica Ilaria , Cincidda Clizia , Spinella Francesca , Baldi Marina , Gorini Alessandra , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: June 2020

Background

Over the last decade, genetic testing (GT) had markedly spread in European countries and struggled the debate concerning the psychological effects on the population. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual tendencies of GT consumers in a sample of Italian citizens.

Methods

A total of 152 Italian clients from GenomaLab, a private genetic company, were enrolled from February 2016 to September 2018 and completed an ad hoc survey.

Results

Results showed that GT consumers were motivated to preserve their well‐being, they felt responsible for their health, they were neither pessimistic nor optimistic toward negative occurrences, and poorly inclined to take high risks in their lives. Participants who had suffered from a disease in the past appear to be less tolerant to the uncertainty for future negative events.

Conclusion

Our results depict Italian GT consumers as health‐oriented, focused on prevention, who do not have a pessimistic perception of their condition but do not like to “bet” on their health, and probably their intention (and belief) is to acquire genetic information in order to reduce uncertainty and increase their decision‐making “power” related to their health. Taken together, all these results contribute to describe the population of GT users in European countries, to regulate the provision of GT results and to entail the communication of genetic risk information based on a consumers’ personal profile.
Measuring quality for human service improvement: How nonprofits meet the quality requirements of public authorities
Authors: Pfiffner Roger
Published: June 2020

The growing pressure for service quality has led to an increase in the dissemination of quality models in nonprofit human service organizations. In spite of this, little is known about their implementation. The present study therefore examines how quality management directives imposed by public authorities affect the adoption and use of quality measurement systems under different sets of conditions. Key findings, based on survey data from 536 human service nonprofits in Switzerland, suggest that external quality requirements foster the adoption of measurement systems to the greatest degree, but simultaneously reduce their actual utilization for service improvement. The strength of these effects is contingent on the organizations' resources and the quality of indicators. Managers' commitment to quality measurement shows the strongest effect on the use of quality measurement systems. These findings and the implications for future research and practice will be discussed.
Charting service ecosystems flexibility: A museum setting
Authors: Brozovic Danilo , Tregua Marco
Published: June 2020

The service ecosystems perspective has rarely been applied in literature tackling the nonprofit and voluntary sectors. Service ecosystems are defined as self‐adjusting systems of resource‐integrating actors connected by shared institutional arrangements and mutual value creation. By addressing service ecosystems flexibility (i.e., the ability of service ecosystems to adjust to changes), this article seeks to provide a framework that charts service ecosystems flexibility and explains its pillars, as well as the ways in which new technologies affect visitors and arts. The study focuses on service ecosystems changes initiated by technology, visitors, and organizers, aimed at increasing the level of museum visitors' experience. The study is performed in a service ecosystem comprising a sculpture arts exhibition and its online extensions in the form of Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. Collected data consist of interviews with the exhibition visitors and organizers, participative observations performed in the exhibition context, and online posts and media coverage related to the exhibition. The research process is iterative and abductive, continuously combining insights that emerge from the literature and the analyzed data through triangulation. The main findings emphasize organizers' pivotal role as the actor that orchestrates value cocreation in the service ecosystem by steering this process based on emerging changes. Additionally, the findings flesh out the role of technology in a service ecosystem and offer a more comprehensive view of service ecosystems flexibility.
Horseradish peroxidase‐based hybrid nanoflowers with enhanced catalytical activities for polymerization reactions of phenol derivatives
Authors: Gokturk Ersen , Ocsoy Ismail , Turac Ersen , Sahmetlioglu Ertugrul
Published: June 2020

Catalytic activity and stability of HRP‐Cu2+ hybrid nanoflowers (hCu‐NFs) in the polymerization reactions of phenol derivatives was investigated. It was observed that the catalytic activity and stability of hybrid nanoflowers on the polymerization of the phenol derivatives was considerably higher compared to free Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. The hCu‐NFs effectively polymerized phenolic compounds as a novel nanobiocatalyst and led to polymers having quite high yields, molecular weights, and thermal stabilities compared to free HRP enzyme. The hCu‐NFs provide substantial repeated use and showed some degree of catalytic activity even after fourth cycle experiment in the polymerization reactions.
Can overnight portable pulse oximetry be used to stratify obstructive sleep apnea risk in infants? A correlation analysis
Authors: Ehsan Zarmina , He Shan , Huang Guixia , Hossain Md M. , Simakajornboon Narong
Published: June 2020

Introduction

There is limited evidence on the accuracy of oximetry in the evaluation of infant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to determine the utility of overnight oximetry to stratify infants at risk for OSA, to determine urgency for definitive screening with an overnight in‐laboratory polysomnogram (PSG).

Methods

Retrospective single‐institution cohort study of infants undergoing PSG and a separate overnight oximetry over an 8‐year period. Correlations, using oximetry in both in‐hospital (attended) or at‐home (unattended) settings, for ODI410 (decrease in oxygen saturation ≥ 4% from baseline, duration ≥ 10 seconds) and ODI40 (duration > 0 second) with the obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (AHIo) were obtained. The area under the curve was calculated, and sensitivity and specificity values have been presented as receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Thirty‐eight infants were included. The mean (SD) age (months) was 5.7 (3.9) at diagnostic PSG and 5.5 (3.7) at the time of oximetry. The mean AHIo for the entire cohort was 6.7 (6.2). The mean (SD) ODI40 was 8.6 (9.0) and the mean (SD) ODI410 was 5.4 (5.1).The correlation between ODI and AHIo was statistically significant for the cohort (ODI40 vs. AHIo [r = .59, P < .001] and ODI410 vs AHIo [r = .55, P = .0003]). Using an ODI40 cutoff of 3, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value for diagnosing OSA was: 86%, 40%, 50%, and 80% respectively for an AHIo greater than 2, and 100%, 35%, 100%, and 58% respectively for an AHIo greater than or equal to 5.

Conclusion

There is a significant positive correlation between the ODI4 obtained from oximetry and the AHIo obtained from PSG in infants at risk for OSA. An ODI40 greater than 3 may be useful to stratify infants at risk for moderate to severe OSA when used in attended (in‐hospital) or unattended (in‐home) settings.
Relevance of physicochemical properties and functional pharmacology data to predict the clinical safety profile of direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Ferro Charles J. , Solkhon Fay , Jalal Zahraa , Al‐Hamid Abdullah M. , Jones Alan M.
Published: June 2020

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have rapidly become the drug class of choice for anticoagulation therapy in secondary care. It is known that gastrointestinal hemorrhage are potential side effects of the DOAC drug class. In this study we have investigated the relevance of molecular structure and on/off‐target pharmacology as a predictor of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for the DOAC drug class. Use of the Reaxys MedChem module allowed for data mining of all possible reported off‐target effects of the DOAC class members. For the first time, the MHRA Yellow card database in combination with prescribing rates in the United Kingdom (data for n = 30 566 936 DOAC Rx (up to 2017) and ADR data n = 22 275 (up to 2018)) were used for our data comparison of DOACs. From the underlying reported data, we were able to rank the DOACs in terms of the likely adverse events we would expect to observe. We identified potential risks of ADRs based on the DOACs pharmacology including the expected GI hemorrhage, but also the unexpected risk of stroke, pulmonary embolism and kidney injury. Statistically significant (P < .001) differences were found between all DOACs and their total number of ADRs. Although the risks are small, strong statistical correlation between observed pharmacology and national ADR data is observed in three out of the five areas of concern.
Estimation of Equipotent Doses for Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Prednisolone and AZD9567, an Oral Selective Nonsteroidal Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator
Authors: Almquist Joachim , Sadiq Muhammad Waqas , Eriksson Ulf G. , Hegelund Myrbäck Tove , Prothon Susanne , Leander Jacob
Published: June 2020

AZD9567 is a potent and selective nonsteroidal oral glucocorticoid receptor modulator. It is developed as an anti‐inflammatory drug with improved safety profile compared with steroids like prednisolone. Throughout the clinical development of AZD9567, dose selection and data interpretation require a method for determining doses with the same anti‐inflammatory effect as prednisolone. Equipotent doses of AZD9567 and prednisolone were defined by the same average inhibition of TNFα release, a biomarker of anti‐inflammatory effect, measured in a lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated whole bloodex vivoassay. Based on pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic models, TNFα dose‐response relationships for AZD9567 and prednisolone were established. A comparison of the dose‐response curves enabled estimation of an equipotency relationship. Specifically, 20 mg prednisolone was estimated to be equipotent to 40 mg AZD9567 (95% confidence interval: 29–54 mg). Static concentration‐response analyses showed that the relative potencies for inhibition of TNFα release of AZD9567 and prednisolone were well aligned with several other pro‐inflammatory cytokines.
Topological Phase Transition in 2D 1T′‐WSTe
Authors: Li Jiabin , Zhou Pan , Zou Zhengchun , Tan Rui , Sun Lizhong , Zhang Kaiwang
Published: June 2020

The topological phase transition between normal and topological insulators is essential in topological mechanism analysis and search for new topological materials. Herein, on the basis of the well‐known monolayer 2D topological insulator 1T′‐WTe2, a new 2D material 1T′‐WSTe is constructed. It is a typical central inversion asymmetric 2D topological insulator. The fascinating feature of this material is that its low‐energy electronic structure is very similar to the inversion broken topological phase transition point. The first‐principles calculations reveal that the ±4% uniaxial strain can effectively turn the 2D material into topological insulator or normal insulator phases.
Recent upgrades to the Met Office convective‐scale ensemble: An hourly time‐lagged 5‐day ensemble
Authors: Porson Aurore N. , Carr Joanne M. , Hagelin Susanna , Darvell Rob , North Rachel , Walters David , Mylne Kenneth R. , Mittermaier Marion P. , Willington Steve , Macpherson Bruce
Published: June 2020

In this article, we introduce a new configuration of the Met Office convective‐scale ensemble for numerical weather prediction, for the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System over the United Kingdom (MOGREPS‐UK). The new version, which became operational in March 2019, uses an hourly time‐lagged configuration to take advantage of the hourly 4D‐Var data assimilation run in the deterministic UK model with variable horizontal resolution, the UKV. An 18‐member ensemble is created by running three members every hour and time‐lagging these over a 6 hr window. This configuration is compared against the previous operational configuration, a 6‐hourly convective‐scale ensemble running 12 members. The main benefits of the time‐lagged ensemble are to increase the ensemble size, to add small‐scale uncertainties in the initial conditions and to generate more timely forecasts. The time‐lagged configuration is shown to objectively improve the forecast at all lead times, with larger improvements in the first few hours. The improvement is seen in the ranked probability scores and is mainly associated with the improvements in the spread of the ensemble with an increase of about 5 to 10% in both summer and winter seasons. A larger ensemble size is necessary in the time‐lagged configuration for it to outperform or maintain as good a performance against the previous 6‐hourly configuration for all lead times. Alongside the update to an hourly configuration, the forecast length is more than doubled to 120 hr. Objective verification shows that the time‐lagged configuration performs better than the high‐resolution deterministic, UKV, and the global ensemble, MOGREPS‐G, up to T + 120 hr. Increasing the size of the time‐lagged ensemble through lagging over additional cycles leads to small but significant improvements, larger in most cases than those that can be obtained through neighbourhood processing.
Comparison of confirmed COVID‐19 with SARS and MERS cases ‐ Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiographic signs and outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pormohammad Ali , Ghorbani Saied , Khatami Alireza , Farzi Rana , Baradaran Behzad , Turner Diana L. , Turner Raymond J. , Bahr Nathan C. , Idrovo Juan‐Pablo
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Within this large‐scale study, we compared clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, radiographic signs, and outcomes of COVID‐19, SARS, and MERS to find unique features.

Method

We searched all relevant literature published up to February 28, 2020. Depending on the heterogeneity test, we used either random or fixed‐effect models to analyze the appropriateness of the pooled results. Study has been registered in the PROSPERO database (ID 176106).

Result

Overall 114 articles included in this study; 52 251 COVID‐19 confirmed patients (20 studies), 10 037 SARS (51 studies), and 8139 MERS patients (43 studies) were included. The most common symptom was fever; COVID‐19 (85.6%, P < .001), SARS (96%, P < .001), and MERS (74%, P < .001), respectively. Analysis showed that 84% of Covid‐19 patients, 86% of SARS patients, and 74.7% of MERS patients had an abnormal chest X‐ray. The mortality rate in COVID‐19 (5.6%, P < .001) was lower than SARS (13%, P < .001) and MERS (35%, P < .001) between all confirmed patients.

Conclusions

At the time of submission, the mortality rate in COVID‐19 confirmed cases is lower than in SARS‐ and MERS‐infected patients. Clinical outcomes and findings would be biased by reporting only confirmed cases, and this should be considered when interpreting the data.
Sustainable development of heritage conservation and tourism: A Hong Kong case study on colonial heritage
Authors: Lai Lawrence W.C.
Published: June 2020

This paper uses primary economic concepts to discuss, with reference to Hong Kong colonial heritage sites, the possible, but not deterministic, convivial, and antagonistic relationships between heritage conservation and heritage tourism as economic activities recognized by the state. Depending on the level of use, the enabling institutional framework and mechanism, and the mindset of stakeholders, both activities can be mutually exclusive, compatible, interdependent, or codeveloping. Absence of institutional support, notwithstanding government grading, tends to result in a trade‐off with an increase in ordinary tourists. While conservation, through signaling, can promote tourism, a certain degree of sustained tourism input is required to promote conservation not just in terms of funding but also in terms of actual conservation. Whether or not heritage conservation and tourism are complementary goods or, better still, able to codevelop depends on the institutional design.
Novel Ni‐Mn Bi‐oxides Doped Active Coke Catalysts for NH3‐SCR De‐NOx at Low Temperature
Authors: Wang Chengzhi , Sani Zaharaddeen , Tang Xiaolong , Wang Yuhe , Yi Honghong , Gao Fengyu
Published: June 2020

Various Ni−Mn bi‐oxides doped active coke catalysts were investigated by traditional impregnation method (IM), deposition precipitation (DP), hydrothermal synthesis (HS) and oxidation reduction (OR) method for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 at low temperature. Compared with the four preparation methods to synthesize MnOx/AC−N catalyst, the test shows that MnOx/AC−N (DP) achieved NOx conversion above 80 % at 200–250 °C and MnOx/AC−N (HS) gave its > 70 % SCR activity at > 225 °C. MnOx/AC−N (IM) achieves 63 % NO conversion at 200 °C. It is worth noting that MnOx/AC−N (OR) exhibits less than 50 % NOx conversion over temperature range. Therefore, the activity of Co‐modified MnOx/AC−N prepared by IM, DP and HS methods was tested. The SCR activities at 200 °C was in the order of Mn2NiOx/AC−N (DP, 97 %) > Mn2NiOx/AC−N (IM, 94 %)≈Mn2NiOx/AC−N (HS, 93 %). The activity test results indicate that Ni‐modification has a clear promoting effects on the SCR activity and resistance to SO2, which might be attributed to more (Mn3++Mn4+), high contents of Mn3+/Mn4+ and Ni3+/Ni2+. These catalysis were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectra (Raman), Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD and Raman results indicated those samples showed the NiMn2O4 spinel and MnO2 phases, Mn2NiOx/AC−N (DP) might present the highly uniform dispersion, and Mn2NiOx/AC−N (HS) has the strong interaction between carbon supports and surface active components. Importantly, Mn2NiOx/AC−N (HS) catalyst has the great advantages of high selectivity to N2 and good resistance to SO2 (with the lowest loss proportion of NOx conversion). The spinel‐structured NiMn2O4 probably configured by [Ni2+Mn4+]tet[Ni2+Ni3+Mn3+Mn4+]octO4 might be one important reason for their good activity and high resistance to SO2, in which the Mn3+ and Ni3+ ions might be filled into the inside spinel‐crystal wrapped by a large number of outside Ni2+ and Mn4+. It was suggested that this configstruct was highly conducive to protect active sites from the sulfurization poisoning, benefiting from the efficient electronic interactions between Mn and Ni in VI‐octahedral sites expressed as Ni3++Mn3+↔Ni2++Mn4+. This electronic transfers might be closely related to the activation of NO and NH3 during SCR reaction.
Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous HKUST‐1 MOF: Use of C14‐6‐14, a Cationic Gemini Surfactant, as Soft‐Template †
Authors: Ghosh Rajesh , Alagarsamy Thirumurugan
Published: June 2020

Presence of hierarchical connectivity between the meso‐ and micro‐ scale pores in a material, greatly facilitate the use of available active sites in the porous space for many important applications. Here, we present a strategy of using a soft template based assemblies of a gemini surfactant, C14‐6‐14, to introduce mesopores in one of the well‐known metal organic framework (MOF), HKUST‐1. A combination of certain synthetic parameters are adopted in this work, to induce variations in the nucleation and crystal growth conditions that are crucial to achieve a wide range of hierarchical porosity (HP). We demonstrate the presence of HP, through N2 gas sorption, TEM and a dye uptake study. The soft‐templation mechanism, has been probed through DLS, zeta potential and confocal imaging studies. The observed HP structure, where the mesoporous channels separate the embedded MOF clusters from the surrounding MOF matrix, is unique due to the formation of vesicle like assembly of C14‐6‐14 and their utilization as soft templates. For our prepared samples, we have calculated hierarchy factor (HF), a value that can be used to assess and compare the HP quantitatively.