bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
norHarmane containing ionic liquid matrices for low molecular weight MALDI‐MS carbohydrate analysis: The perfect couple with α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid
Authors: Schmidt De León Tobías , Salum María L. , Erra‐Balsells Rosa
Published: May 2019

Cinnamic acid derivatives, particularly α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (E‐α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid or (E)‐2‐cyano‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoate; CHCA), have been extensively used especially for protein and peptide analysis. Together with the introduction of ionic liquid MALDI matrix (ILM) started the study of applications of IL prepared with CHCA and a counter organic base (ie, aliphatic amines) in which CHCA moiety is the chromophore responsible of UV‐laser absorption. Despite the extensive studies of norharmane (9H‐pyrido[3,4‐b]indole; nHo) applications as matrix and its peculiar basic properties in the ground and electronic excited state, nHo containing ILM was never tested in MALDI‐MS experiments. This pyrido‐indole compound was introduced as MALDI matrix 22 years ago for different applications including low molecular weight (LMW) carbohydrates (neutral, acidic, and basic carbohydrates). These facts encouraged us to use it as a base, for the first time, for ILM preparation. As a rational design of new IL MALDI matrices, E‐α‐cyanocinnamic acid.nHo and E‐cinnamic acid.nHo were prepared and their properties as matrices studied. Their performance was compared with that of (a) the corresponding IL prepared with butylamine as basic component, (b) the corresponding crystalline E‐α‐cyanocinnamic and E‐cinnamic acid, and (c) the classical crystalline matrices (2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, DHB; nHo) used in the analysis of neutral/sulfated carbohydrates. The IL DHB.nHo was tested, too. Herein, we demonstrate the outstanding performance for the IL CHCA.nHo for LMW carbohydrate in positive and negative ion mode (linear and reflectron modes). Sulfated oligosaccharides were detected in negative ion mode, and although the dissociation of sulfate groups was not completely suppressed the relative intensity (RI) of [M − Na]− peak was quite high. Additionally, to better understand the quite different performance of each IL tested as matrix, the physical and morphological properties in solid state were studied (optical image; MS image).
Comparison of High‐Hydrostatic‐Pressure Decellularized Versus Freeze‐Thawed Porcine Menisci
Authors: Watanabe Naoto , Mizuno Mitsuru , Matsuda Junpei , Nakamura Naoko , Otabe Koji , Katano Hisako , Ozeki Nobutake , Kohno Yuji , Kimura Tsuyoshi , Tsuji Kunikazu , Koga Hideyuki , Kishida Akio , Sekiya Ichiro
Published: May 2019

The meniscus functions as a load distributor and secondary stabilizer in the knee, and the loss of the meniscus increases the risk of osteoarthritis. Freeze‐thawed menisci are used in clinical practice to replace defective menisci; however, the disadvantages of freeze‐thawed tissues include disease transmission and immune rejection. In this study, we decellularized menisci using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and compared the decellularized menisci with freeze‐thawed menisci. Porcine menisci were either pressurized at 1,000 MPa for 10 min and then washed with DNase solution or frozen at −80°C for 2 days and thawed. These menisci then underwent in vitro histological, biochemical, and biomechanical comparisons with native menisci. The HHP‐treated and freeze‐thawed menisci were also subcutaneously implanted in a pig, and later harvested for histological analysis. The numbers of histologically detected cells were significantly lower and the amount of biochemically detected DNA was approximately 100‐fold lower in HHP‐treated than in native and freeze‐thawed menisci. The compression strength of the HHP‐decellularized menisci was decreased after 1 and 50 cycles at 20% strain but was unchanged in the freeze‐thawed menisci. After implantation, the numbers of multinucleated giant cells were significantly lower around the HHP‐treated menisci than around the freeze‐thawed menisci. Recellularization of the HHP‐decellularized menisci was confirmed. Thus, although the HHP‐decellularized menisci were mechanically inferior to the freeze‐thawed meniscus in vitro, they were immunologically superior. Our study is the first to demonstrate the use of HHP for decellularization of the meniscus. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 37:2466–2475, 2019
Effect of the crystal size on the infrared and Raman spectra of bio hydroxyapatite of human, bovine, and porcine bones
Authors: Londoño‐Restrepo Sandra M. , Zubieta‐Otero Luis F. , Jeronimo‐Cruz Rodrigo , Mondragon Maria Antonieta , Rodriguez‐García Mario E.
Published: May 2019

The optical properties of hydroxyapatites (HAps) and bio HAps have been studied using Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies to describe their crystalline quality. However, the size of the HAp crystals and their crystalline order effects have not been considered yet. This paper focuses on the study of the effect of the change in the crystallites size have on the width of the IR and Raman spectra for defatted and deproteinized bones as well as incinerated biogenic HAp obtained from bovine, porcine, and human bones. Bone samples were analyzed through Raman and IR spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Raman and IR spectra for raw samples showed broad bands but, after calcination at 720 °C, became narrow and well defined. TEM images showed that all raw crystallites are ordered nanoplates contrary to the so far well‐established concept that biogenic HAps have low crystalline quality. XRD data confirmed that raw samples display broad peaks that correlated with the HRTEM images of ordered nanocrystals. This fact confirmed that the broad Raman and IR bands of raw clean bones come from nanocrystal plates. SEM analysis confirmed the increase in the crystal size after calcination from nanomicron to submicron dimensions due to a coalescence phenomenon. These results imply that the interpretation of Raman and IR spectra in the case of HAp nanoparticles has been erroneous. These results contribute to the design of biomaterials for tissue engineering based on biogenic HAp for bone regeneration.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy for successful probing of itraconazole within poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanoparticles
Authors: Ferreira Queila S. , da Silva Jaqueline R. , Silva Renata C. , Py‐Daniel Karen R. , Azevedo Ricardo B. , Morais Paulo C. , da Silva Sebastião W.
Published: May 2019

The present study reports on successful use of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy to investigate itraconazole (ITZ) molecule loaded within poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs). SER spectra were recorded by depositing samples onto a nanostructured silver film, which was fabricated via electrolyte deposition of silver NPs onto silver substrate. Transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to support our analyses. While compared with normal Raman spectrum of ITZ powder, changes observed in the SER spectra of the samples comprising ITZ‐loaded PLGA‐NPs (sample ITZ@PLGA‐NPs) and ITZ mixed with PLGA‐NPs (sample ITZ+PLGA‐NPs) provided insights regarding the interaction between the ITZ molecule and both the silver film's surface and the PLGA‐NPs. We found spectral evidences that free ITZ molecule (sample ITZ+PLGA‐NPs) interacts with the silver film's surface via the nitrogen heterocyclic closest to the ITZ's phenyl rings. In this condition, it was verified that the ITZ molecules are more likely oriented parallel to the silver film's surface. Additionally, the ITZ molecule in the ITZ@PLGA‐NPs sample is not adsorbed onto the silver film's surface likely due to steric hindrance provided by the PLGA template. Nevertheless, the SER spectrum of the ITZ@PLGA‐NPs sample shows the signature of the ITZ molecule (likely via the electromagnetic mechanism) and the PLGA template (via the surface adsorption mechanism). Moreover, the SER spectrum recorded from the ITZ@PLGA‐NPs sample indicates weak interaction between the loaded ITZ and the PLGA template. We anticipate that the pioneering approach herein introduced can be successfully used to investigate a wide variety of bioactive molecules encapsulated within polymeric templates, thus providing a very promising, sensitive, and robust analytical tool not yet explored in this regard.
An evaluation model for island tourism competitiveness: Empirical study on Penghu Islands
Authors: Fu Yan‐Kai , Chen Yi‐Ju
Published: May 2019

The main purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual evaluation model for island tourism competitiveness, using fuzzy set theory to integrate expert opinions and provide relevant units with guidelines for resource allocation and tourism development. Three steps are involved in this study procedure. In the first step, the fuzzy Delphi method was used to summarize expert opinions and establish a hierarchical framework for island tourism competitiveness evaluations. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process was used to perform weight comparison and rank the evaluation criteria, whereas the Kruskal–Wallis test was used in the third step to compare the differences among the industry, government, and academic sectors in terms of the various evaluation criteria. The study found out that the top 5 key criteria such as natural resources, historical culture, entertainment activities, transportation industry, and hotel industry have effectively enhanced the island tourism competitiveness. The Kruskal–Wallis test found out significant differences in the emphasis on local food, transportation industry, and tourism planning by industry, government, and academic sectors. Finally, the study presents several important research findings, discussions, and recommendations for future work.
Seasonal variability and regulation of bacterial production in a shallow eutrophic lake
Authors: Tsuchiya Kenji , Sano Tomoharu , Tomioka Noriko , Kohzu Ayato , Komatsu Kazuhiro , Shinohara Ryuichiro , Takamura Noriko , Nakagawa Megumi , Sugai Youta , Kuwahara Victor S. , Toda Tatsuki , Fukuda Hideki , Imai Akio
Published: May 2019

The seasonal variation of bacterial production (BP) in a shallow, eutrophic Lake Kasumigaura was clarified from 2012 to 2016. During the studied period, BP fluctuated from 1.9 to 138 μg C L−1 d−1. There were no significant correlations between BP and bacterial abundance in any season, suggesting a strong top‐down regulation on BP throughout the year. On the other hand, BP was also related to bottom‐up regulation factors such as water temperature, phosphorus, and primary production (PP) annually. During winter, BP was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, suggesting that autochthonous substrates were relatively important for BP. Moreover, BP was positively correlated with heterotrophic nanoflagellates, ciliates, and copepods, suggesting higher availability of substrates for BP. In summer, although there was no significant correlation between BP and PP, rainfall amount showed significant negative correlations with both BP and PP, suggesting depressed PP from relatively lower solar irradiance coupled with unfavorable weather conditions that decreased the substrate supply for bacteria. These results suggest that temporal variation of BP was regulated not by allochthonous, but by autochthonous substrates during both the highest (summer) and lowest (winter) productive seasons, even in a shallow, eutrophic lake. PP in autumn was approximately half that of spring due to lower solar irradiance, although water temperatures during both seasons were similar and nutrient concentrations during autumn were higher. On the other hand, BP in autumn was comparable with that in spring, and the bacterial carbon demand (= BP + bacterial respiration; 1.12 ± 0.79 g C m−2 d−1) was comparable to PP (1.16 ± 0.53 g C m−2 d−1), suggesting the relative importance of higher allochthonous substrates relative to other seasons.
Impact of a Prohibitive Versus Restrictive Tobacco Policy on Liver Transplant Candidate Outcomes
Authors: Likhitsup Alisa , Hassan Ammar , Mellinger Jessica , Askari Frederick , Winder Gerald S. , Saeed Naba , Sonnenday Christopher J. , Sharma Pratima , Fontana Robert J.
Published: May 2019

Tobacco use has been associated with poorer outcomes after liver transplantation (LT). Our study examined the effect on LT listing outcomes of a newly implemented policy prohibiting the use of all tobacco products compared with a prior restrictive policy. Medical records of consecutive adult patients evaluated for LT from January 2010 to July 2013 (era 1, n = 1344) and August 2013 to March 2017 (era 2, n = 1350) were reviewed. The proportion of LT candidates listed was the primary outcome. The mean age of the 2694 LT candidates was 54 ± 11 years, 60% were male, and the mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 15 ± 7. Although the proportion of LT candidates who were smokers was significantly higher in era 2 (33% versus 23%; P < 0.005), the proportion of smokers listed for LT remained stable (13% versus 17%; P = 0.25). However, there were more smokers excluded for ongoing tobacco use in era 2 compared with era 1 (9.6% versus 4.4%; P = 0.001). Factors independently associated with LT listing included a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, being married, private insurance, absence of psychiatry comorbidity, and absence of tobacco, marijuana, or opiate use but evaluation during era 2 was not associated with LT listing. However, the median time to listing significantly increased over time, especially in smokers (from 65 to 122 days; P = 0.001), and this trend was independently associated with evaluation during era 2, a lower MELD score, not having children, and a lower level of education (P < 0.05). In conclusion, despite an increasing incidence of active smokers being referred for LT evaluation, the proportion of smoker candidates listed for LT was unchanged after instituting our prohibitive tobacco use policy. However, the time to get on the waiting list for smokers who were eventually listed was significantly longer due to the need to achieve complete tobacco cessation.
Thermal Fluctuations Lead to Cumulative Disorder and Enhance Charge Transport in Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Zhang Wenlin , Bombile Joel H. , Weisen Albree R. , Xie Renxuan , Colby Ralph H. , Janik Michael J. , Milner Scott T. , Gomez Enrique D.
Published: May 2019

All conjugated polymers examined to date exhibit significant cumulative lattice disorder, although the origin of this disorder remains unclear. Using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the detailed structures for single crystals of a commonly studied conjugated polymer, poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT) are obtained. It is shown that thermal fluctuations of thiophene rings lead to cumulative disorder of the lattice with an effective paracrystallinity of about 0.05 in the π–π stacking direction. The thermal‐fluctuation‐induced lattice disorder can in turn limit the apparent coherence length that can be observed in diffraction experiments. Calculating mobilities from simulated crystal structures demonstrates that thermal‐fluctuation‐induced lattice disorder even enhances charge transport in P3HT. The mean inter‐chain charge transfer integral is enhanced with increasing cumulative lattice disorder, which in turn leads to pathways for fast charge transport through crystals.
Molecular and immune targets for Merkel cell carcinoma therapy and prevention
Authors: Cohen Leah , Tsai Kenneth Y.
Published: May 2019

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, for which the exact mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain unknown. Therapeutic options for this highly aggressive malignancy have historically been limited in both their initial response and response durability. Recent improvements in our understanding of MCC tumor biology have expanded therapeutic options for these patients, namely through the use of immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Further elucidation of the tumor mutational landscape has identified molecular targets for therapies, which have demonstrated success in other cancer types. In this review, we discuss both current and investigational immune and molecular targets of therapy for MCC.
Exome sequencing revealed a novel loss‐of‐function variant in the GLI3 transcriptional activator 2 domain underlies nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Wasif Naveed , Albalawi Alia M. , Ramzan Khushnooda , Alfadhel Majid , Ahmad Wasim , Basit Sulman
Published: May 2019

Background

Polydactyly is a common genetic limb deformity characterized by the presence of extra fingers or toes. This anomaly may occur in isolation (nonsyndromic) or as part of a syndrome. The disease is broadly divided into preaxial polydactyly (PPD; duplication of thumb), mesoaxial polydactyly (complex polydactyly), and postaxial polydactyly (PAP: duplication of the fifth finger). The extra digits may be present in one or both the limbs. Heterozygous variants in the GLI3, ZRS/SHH, and PITX1 have been associated with autosomal dominant polydactyly, while homozygous variants in the ZNF141, IQCE, GLI1, and FAM92A have been associated with autosomal recessive polydactyly. Pathogenic mutations in the GLI3 gene (glioma‐associated oncogene family zinc finger 3) have been associated with both nonsyndromic and syndromic polydactyly.

Methods

Here, we report an extended five generation kindred having 12 affected individuals exhibiting nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly type A condition. Whole‐exome sequencing followed by variant prioritization, bioinformatic studies, Sanger validation, and segregation analysis was performed.

Results

Using exome sequencing in the three affected individuals, we identified a novel heterozygous frameshift variant (c.3567_3568insG; p.Ala1190Glyfs*57) in the transcriptional activator (TA2) domain of the GLI3 encoding gene.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports on the first familial case of nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly due to the GLI3 variant in Pakistani population. Our study also demonstrated the important role of GLI3 in causing nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly.
Clinical and molecular characterization of an 18‐month‐old infant with autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1C due to a novel LTBP4 pathogenic variant, and literature review
Authors: Ritelli Marco , Cammarata‐Scalisi Francisco , Cinquina Valeria , Colombi Marina
Published: May 2019

Background

Cutis laxa (CL) is a group of rare connective tissue disorders mainly characterized by wrinkled, redundant, inelastic, and sagging skin. Besides skin anomalies, in most CL forms multiple organs are involved, leading to severe multisystem disorders involving skeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous systems. CL might be challenging to diagnose because of its different inheritance patterns, extensive phenotypic variability, and genetic heterogeneity. Herein, we report the clinical and molecular characterization of an 18‐month‐old infant with signs suggestive of recessive cutis laxa type 1C (ARCL1C), although with a relatively mild presentation.

Methods

To confirm the clinical suspicion, mutational screening of all the exons and intron‐flanking regions of the latent transforming growth factor‐beta binding protein 4 gene (LTBP4) was performed by Sanger sequencing on an ABI3130XL Genetic Analyzer.

Results

Apart from the presence of the dermatological hallmark, the reported patient did not show pulmonary emphysema, which is the most common and discriminative finding of ARCL1C together with gastrointestinal and urinary involvement. Indeed, pulmonary involvement only included episodes of respiratory distress and diaphragmatic eventration; intestinal dilation and tortuosity and hydronephrosis were also present. Molecular analysis disclosed the novel homozygous c.1450del (p.Arg484Glyfs*290) pathogenic variant in exon 12 of LTBP4, thus leading to the diagnosis of ARCL1C.

Conclusion

Our findings expand both the knowledge of the clinical phenotype and the allelic repertoire of ARCL1C. The comparison of the patient's features with those of the other patients reported up to now offers future perspectives for clinical research in this field.
The meaning of dignity when the patients' bodies are falling apart
Authors: Bruun Lorentsen Vibeke , Nåden Dagfinn , Sæteren Berit
Published: May 2019

Background

People with advanced cancer disease experience great bodily changes due to disease or treatment. They tend to feel ashamed when their bodies are subjected to such changes and they feel their dignity is threatened.

Aim

To explore the patients' experiences of the bodily changes in relation to dignity.

Design

The study has a hermeneutic qualitative design.

Method

Individual in‐depth interviews and participant observations were conducted with 13 patients with advanced cancer disease at a hospice inpatient unit in Norway. Gadamer's ontological hermeneutics inspired the interpretation.

Results and conclusion

The patients' unpredictable, sick bodies forced the patients, or gave them the opportunity, to relate to their bodies in an honest way. The patients, living in interaction between suffering and health, strove to find dignity. The patients had a will to live and they experienced a love in their unruly bodies that both helped alleviate their suffering and give them an experience of enhanced dignity. It is important that nurses have insight into the consequences of bodily changes for the patients' experiences of dignity in health and suffering to provide good, dignified care.
Variants in BMI‐Associated Genes and Adrenergic Genes are not Associated with Gestational Weight Trajectory
Authors: Kawai Vivian K. , Nwosu Samuel K. , Kurnik Daniel , Harrell Frank E. , Stein C. Michael
Published: May 2019

Objective

The aim of this study is to define the association between a genetic risk score (GRS) that combined the effect of multiple BMI‐associated variants and gestational weight trajectory. Because pregnancy is a state of sympathetic activation, the association between gestational weight trajectory and variants in adrenergic pathways previously associated with weight was examined.

Methods

In a previously defined cohort of pregnant women with (n = 1,504) and without gestational diabetes (GDM) (n = 435), weight trajectory was calculated using all weights during pregnancy. A GRS for BMI (GRSBMI) was calculated using 31 common variants associated with BMI, and 10 variants in the adrenergic pathways were genotyped. Clinical and genetic factors were studied using generalized linear models.

Results

Prepregnancy BMI was associated with the GRSBMI (P = 9.3 × 10−11) and parity (P = 4.54 × 10−17). The GRSBMI was associated with gestational weight trajectory in women with and without GDM (P = 0.041 and P < 0.0001, respectively); however, when prepregnancy BMI was included in the models, the associations disappeared (P > 0.05). Variants in adrenergic genes were not associated with gestational weight trajectory.

Conclusions

A GRS for BMI was associated with prepregnancy BMI but was not independently associated with gestational weight trajectory in women with and without GDM. Selected variants in adrenergic genes were not associated with gestational weight trajectory.
HILIC HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS identification and quantification of the alkaloids from the genus Equisetum
Authors: Tipke Isabel , Bücker Luise , Middelstaedt Johanna , Winterhalter Peter , Lubienski Marcus , Beuerle Till
Published: May 2019

Introduction

The plant family Equisetaceae (Equisetopsida, Monilophyta; common name: horsetails) is part of an ancient group of spore producing plants. Today, Equisetum is the only surviving genus comprising 15 species in two subgenera (Equisetum and Hippochaete). Several unique alkaloids are described to occur in this genus, so far there is very little data on the occurrence and the amount of those alkaloids for the different species.

Objective

To establish an extraction method and an analytical method to detect and quantify the relevant Equisetum‐type alkaloids and to create a quantitative data set on the alkaloid content of all Equisetum species worldwide.

Methodology

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC HPLC‐MS/MS) in electrospray ionisation (ESI) positive mode was used to analyse and quantify the alkaloid content of 68 Equisetum samples.

Results

The presence of nicotine in at least one sample of each Equisetum species could be demonstrated. The total nicotine amount rarely exceeded 250 μg/kg and 50 μg/kg for the subgenus Equisetum and Hippochaete, respectively. Besides nicotine, Equisetum‐type alkaloids (mainly palustrine and palustridiene) were only detected in three species, namely E. palustre, E. bogotense and E. giganteum. For E. giganteum, palustridiene was detected at levels around the limit od detection (LoD) (25 μg/kg), whereas in E. palustre and E. bogotense, both alkaloids (palustrine and palustridiene) were detected at much higher levels (20–800 mg/kg).

Conclusions

All Equisetum species occurring worldwide were successfully subjected to a detailed qualitative and quantitative alkaloid analysis using a newly developed HILIC‐HPLC‐ESIpos‐MS/MS approach. The data set can be used to distinguish different Equisetum‐chemotypes.
Solution‐processed copper (I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) for highly efficient CdSe/CdTe thin‐film solar cells
Authors: Montgomery Angelique , Guo Liping , Grice Corey , Awni Rasha A. , Saurav Swapnil , Li Lin , Yan Yanfa , Yan Feng
Published: May 2019

Solution‐processed CuSCN serving as hole transport, electron reflecting layer (HTL, ERL) and Cu dopant source for CdSe/CdTe thin‐film solar has demonstrated high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ~17%. Two types of solvent, diethyl sulfide (DES) and aqueous ammonia (NH4OH), are explored to deposit CuSCN on CdTe, and both can enhance the performance of CdSe/CdTe solar cells. However, NH4OH solvent is less toxicity, leading to a smoother surface than DES solvent, enabling the deposition of ultra‐thin CuSCN layer and avoiding the high cost of DES. Temperature‐dependent current‐voltage (J‐V‐T) and capacitance‐voltage (C‐V‐T) measurements reveal that the use of CuSCN HTL increases hole concentration in CdTe absorber and significantly reduces back‐contact barrier height. High power conversion efficiency is achievable with the optimal thickness of the CuSCN layer. Our results demonstrate solution‐processed CuSCN HTL for enhancing the efficiency and reducing the cost of CdTe thin‐film solar cells.
The importance of staying connected: Mediating and moderating effects of social group memberships on psychological well‐being after brain tumor
Authors: Cubis Lee , Ownsworth Tamara , Pinkham Mark B. , Foote Matthew , Legg Melissa , Chambers Suzanne
Published: May 2019

Objective

Functional impairments can lower psychological well‐being after brain tumor. Changes in social groups and confidence in support potentially impact this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social group memberships (SGMs) on the relationship between perceived cognitive and physical impairment and psychological well‐being.

Methods

Seventy adults (60% female) with primary brain tumor (46% benign; 18% low grade; 36% high grade) aged 22 to 75 years undertook a brief cognitive test (Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone) then completed self‐report measures of cognitive and physical impairment (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy), social groups (Exeter Identity Transition Scale), confidence in social support (Self‐Efficacy Scale), depression (depression scale of the 21‐item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scale), and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale). The mediating and moderating effects of SGMs were tested using a bootstrapping method and PROCESS macro.

Results

Greater perceived cognitive and physical impairments were significantly related to poorer psychological well‐being. Mediation analyses indicated significant indirect effects of social group loss for depression and anxiety (P < .05), whereby the relationship between perceived functional impairment and depression and anxiety was partly accounted for by loss of SGMs. Confidence in social groups was a moderator for depression and anxiety (P < .001), such that those perceiving high levels of physical and cognitive impairments who were more confident in their social groups reported lower depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

Functional impairment is in part related to higher levels of depression and anxiety through loss of social groups. However, greater confidence in social support can buffer the effects of functional impairment on psychological well‐being after brain tumor. Interventions focusing on ways to maintain social participation and supportive relationships may be beneficial.
Exploring the effect of different coumarin donors on the optical and photovoltaic properties of azo‐bridged push‐pull systems: A theoretical approach
Authors: Manzoor Taniya , Niaz Saba , Pandith Altaf Hussain
Published: May 2019

We report the theoretical modeling of various azo‐bridged coumarin‐purpurin systems. The effect of varying the donor (coumarin) part of this D‐π‐D‐π‐A system was analyzed in terms of opto‐electronic and photovoltaic parameters such as HOMO, LUMO, HOMO‐LUMO energy gap, λmax, light harvesting efficiency, charge injection efficiency, open voltage, reorganization energy by employing density functional theory as incorporated in Gaussian 03 set of codes. The dye‐TiO2 adsorbed systems were also studied using the same level of theory. It was found that just by varying the donor, although of same nature, there is a marked effect on the efficiency parameters of the dye sensitized solar cells based on such dyes. Also, the dye molecules were found to be good sensitizers for TiO2 semiconductors.
Robust adaptive prescribed performance control for a class of nonlinear pure‐feedback systems
Authors: Jia Fujin , Wang Xuhuan , Zhou Xingyu
Published: May 2019

An adaptive prescribed performance control design procedure for a class of nonlinear pure‐feedback systems with both unknown vector parameters and unmodeled dynamics is presented. The unmodeled dynamics lie within some bounded functions, which are assumed to be partially known. A state transformation and an auxiliary system are proposed to avoid using the cumbersome formula to handle the nonaffine structure. Simultaneously, a parameter‐type Lyapunov function and L function are designed to ensure the prescribed performance of the pure‐feedback system. As illustrated by examples, the proposed adaptive prescribed performance control scheme is shown to guarantee global uniform ultimate boundedness. At the same time, this method not only guarantees the prescribed performance of the system but also makes the tracking error asymptotically close to a certain value or stable.
How does microfinance prosper? An analysis of environmental, social, and governance context
Authors: Tanin Tauhidul Islam , Mobin Mohammad Ashraful , Ng Adam , Dewandaru Ginanjar , Salim Kinan , Nkoba Malik Abdulrahman , Abdul Razak Lutfi
Published: May 2019

The spotlight of this study is to examine whether environmental, social, and governance performance affects the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The topic has been of much interest to researchers and policymakers due to increased awareness among stakeholders on the adverse social and environmental impacts of business actions. Using a dataset covering 5 years for 62 MFIs across 34 countries, we find that environmental and governance performance has no impact on the financial performance of MFIs. As for the social–financial performance nexus, our results reveal a positive relationship using the depth of outreach as proxy of social performance. However, when women empowerment is used as a proxy for social performance, evidence suggest presence of negative relationship. The study contributes to the literature by providing new evidence on the relationship between environmental, social, and governance and financial performance from microfinance industry. Our results are robust to a variety of econometric specifications and have significant policy implications for donors, investors, MFIs, and regulators.
Strong Electrochemiluminescence Emission from Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Wang Ruina , Wu Haishan , Chen Rui , Chi Yuwu
Published: May 2019

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as well‐known nanomaterials are extensively studied and widely applied in various fields. Nitric acid (HNO3) is often used to treat CNTs for purification purposes and preparing oxidized CNTs for various applications. However, too little attention is paid to investigating the effect of HNO3 treatment on the optical properties of CNTs. In this work, it is observed for the first time that HNO3‐oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ox‐MWCNTs) have strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) activity, which enables ox‐MWCNTs to become new and good ECL carbon nanomaterials after carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Various characterization technologies, such as transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy, are used to reveal the relationship between ECL activity and surface states. The ECL behaviors of ox‐MWCNTs are investigated in detail and a possible ECL mechanism is proposed. Finally, the new ECL nanomaterials of ox‐MWCNTs are envisioned to have promising applications in sensitive ECL sensing and in the study of CNT‐based catalysts.
Geographical indications and territorial development: A soft‐system methodology analysis of the Serro Case
Authors: de Lima Medeiros Mirna , Terra Leonardo Augusto Amaral , Passador João Luiz
Published: May 2019

The present work aims at understanding the system (components and inter‐relations) of the indication of provenance type of geographical indication for territorial development. A case study of a Brazilian region that has a cheese indication of provenance, Serro, was performed with a systemic approach based on the soft system methodology. Data were collected through document analysis, direct observation, and interviews (with 15 subjects) and analysed through content analysis. Results indicate that the registration itself does not generate all aspects of territorial development. The recognition of a geographical indication can stimulate the process, but its success depends on actors' Weltanschauung and the systems' interconnections. Thereby, leaderships assume a fundamental role in modelling this type of structure. This opens possibilities for government policy linked to development, which can benefit from a systemic perspective, because it involves complex demands, ambiguous relations, conflicts of interests, and interconnected solutions involving multiple institutions.
Experiencing Stigma and Exclusion: The Influence of Neoliberal Perspectives, Practices, and Policies on Living with Chronic Illness and Disability
Authors: Charmaz Kathy
Published: May 2019

Neoliberal perspectives, policies, and practices increasingly affect chronically ill and disabled people's embodied experiences of stigma and exclusion. Neoliberalism emphasizes individual responsibility and self‐sufficiency, a limited social safety net, and narrow governmental accountability. Examining pivotal experiences of chronically ill people shows how neoliberalism can frame their alternatives, interactions, and actions. This examination prompts reconsidering Goffman's concept of stigma to include how larger social policies and practices affect experiencing stigma and exclusion and, also, illuminates temporal features of receiving a diagnosis, disclosing illness, and dealing with disabilities and unpredictable bodies. The analysis derives from an ethnographic story and published and unpublished personal accounts from first‐hand and library research over the course of my career.
Seismic behavior of double steel concrete composite walls
Authors: Ma Kaize , Ma Yudong , Liu Boquan
Published: May 2019

An innovative double steel concrete (DSC) composite walls were developed to enhance constructability and lateral load resistance of buildings. In order to research the seismic behavior of DSC composite walls, experimental study was carried out. The high‐strength concrete and high axial load were considered. The failure mode, hysteresis behavior, lateral load‐carrying capacity, deformation, and energy dissipation of the composite walls under different testing parameters were observed. All specimens failed in a flexure behavior, with steel plate buckling and concrete compressive crushing in the bottom of composite walls. The pinching behavior was not significant for hysteresis loops of composite walls. Moreover, the lateral load‐carrying capacity and ductility coefficients increased significantly with spacing of constraining bolts and stiffeners decreased. In addition, the calculation method of the lateral load‐carrying capacity of DSC composite walls was proposed, with the consideration of force equilibrium and moment equilibrium. The finite element (FE) method was performed to analyze the failure process of the specimens with the cyclic load. The concrete damage plastic model was selected to simulate the damage progress of concrete. Validation of the FE models against the experimental results showed good agreement. The effect of different parameters was analyzed with FE models.
High‐dimensional covariance estimation for Gaussian directed acyclic graph models with given order
Authors: Taylor Jerome , Khare Kshitij
Published: May 2019

The covariance matrix is a fundamental quantity that helps us understand the nature of relationships among variables in a multivariate data set. Estimating the covariance matrix can be challenging in modern applications where the number of variables is often larger than the number of samples. In this paper, we review methods which tackle this challenge by inducing sparsity in the Cholesky parameter of the inverse covariance matrix.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Numerical Methods

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Multivariate Analysis

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Analysis of High Dimensional Data
Baryogenesis, dark matter, and flavor structure in non-thermal moduli cosmology
Authors: Chen Mu-Chun , Takhistov Volodymyr
Published: May 2019

Abstract

The appearance of scalar/moduli fields in the early universe, as motivated by string theory, naturally leads to non-thermal “moduli cosmology”. Such cosmology provides a consistent framework where the generation of radiation, baryons, and dark matter can occur while maintaining successful Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and avoiding the cosmological moduli problem. We present a relatively economical construction with moduli cosmology, building on a variety of string-inspired components (e.g. supersymmetry, discrete symmetries, Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation). We address a range of outstanding problems of particle physics and cosmology simultaneously, including the fermion mass hierarchy and flavor puzzle, the smallness of neutrino masses, baryogenesis and dark matter. Our setup, based on discrete ℤ
12

R

symmetry and anomalous U(1)
A
, is void of the usual issues plaguing the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, i.e. the μ-problem and the overly-rapid proton decay due to dimension-4,-5 operators. The model is compatible with SU(5) Grand Unification. The smallness of Dirac neutrino masses is automatically established by requiring the cancellation of mixed gravitational-gauge anomalies. The decay of the moduli field provides a common origin for the baryon number and dark matter abundance, explaining the observed cosmic coincidences, Ω
B
∼ Ω
DM
.
Structural insights into dehydratase substrate selection for the borrelidin and fluvirucin polyketide synthases
Authors: Barajas Jesus F , McAndrew Ryan P , Thompson Mitchell G , Backman Tyler W H , Pang Bo , de Rond Tristan , Pereira Jose H , Benites Veronica T , Martín Héctor García , Baidoo Edward E K , Hillson Nathan J , Adams Paul D , Keasling Jay D
Published: May 2019

Engineered polyketide synthases (PKSs) are promising synthetic biology platforms for the production of chemicals with diverse applications. The dehydratase (DH) domain within modular type I PKSs generates an α,β-unsaturated bond in nascent polyketide intermediates through a dehydration reaction. Several crystal structures of DH domains have been solved, providing important structural insights into substrate selection and dehydration. Here, we present two DH domain structures from two chemically diverse PKSs. The first DH domain, isolated from the third module in the borrelidin PKS, is specific towards a trans-cyclopentane-carboxylate-containing polyketide substrate. The second DH domain, isolated from the first module in the fluvirucin B1 PKS, accepts an amide-containing polyketide intermediate. Sequence-structure analysis of these domains, in addition to previously published DH structures, display many significant similarities and key differences pertaining to substrate selection. The two major differences between BorA DH M3, FluA DH M1 and other DH domains are found in regions of unmodeled residues or residues containing high B-factors. These two regions are located between α3–β11 and β7–α2. From the catalytic Asp located in α3 to a conserved Pro in β11, the residues between them form part of the bottom of the substrate-binding cavity responsible for binding to acyl-ACP intermediates.
Experimental Description of the Al-Cu Binary Phase Diagram
Authors: Zobac Ondrej , Kroupa Ales , Zemanova Adela , Richter Klaus W.
Published: May 2019

The phase diagram of the Al-Cu binary system was reinvestigated experimentally. The current study was designed to contribute to a better description of those parts of the phase diagram which are disputed in the current scientific literature, and in addition, to study the phase equilibria at 300 °C. The melting behavior of the θ-phase was confirmed to be peritectic. A metastable congruent solidification of the θ-phase was observed from the microstructural examination of as-cast samples. The location of the liquidus curve in this region of the phase diagram was more accurately defined using DSC measurements taken at slow-heating rates (1 °C min−1). The temperature stability of the ζ-phase was reevaluated and was found to lie in the range 373–597 °C. The phase boundaries of the γ′ + ε′ two-phase field were experimentally defined. Difficulties in defining the γ′/δ transition were addressed by a combined EDX/XRD investigation of more than ten samples that had been annealed in the temperature range of 500 to 750 °C. The (γ′ + δ) two-phase field was postulated from XRD studies of quenched samples. The temperature of the ordering reaction γ ↔ γ′ within the γ(γ′) + β phase field was experimentally determined to be 779.6 °C. All other parts of the Al-Cu phase diagram studied here were found to be in very good agreement with the most recent previous descriptions.
Hot Tearing Susceptibility of AA3000 Aluminum Alloy Containing Cu, Ti, and Zr
Authors: Razaz Ghadir , Carlberg Torbjörn
Published: May 2019

Severe hot tearing has been observed during DC casting of modified AA3000 alloys with additions of Cu, Ti, and Zr, although these alloys are regarded as rather easy to cast. Extensive studies have been performed on both synthetic and industrial AA2000, AA6000, and AA7000 alloys, but less data are available for AA3000 alloys. This work was thus initiated to investigate the hot tearing susceptibility of AA3000 alloys with varying alloy element content using constrained rod casting molds. The results showed that the Cu and Fe content have a major impact on hot tearing resistance, while the effects of Zr and Ti are minor. Cu in a range from 0.3 to 1.2 wt pct significantly increased the hot tearing tendency. This is due to the existence of high eutectic fractions at low temperatures, as well as porosity formation associated with bad feeding at the end of solidification. A strong cracking tendency was observed below an Fe content 0.2 wt pct owing to decreased precipitation of the Al6(Mn, Fe) phase. It was found that primary Al6(Mn, Fe) phases lead to early bridging between the grains, which reinforces the alloy during the vulnerable temperature range for hot tearing. Zr and Ti additions weakly enhanced or reduced hot tearing severity, respectively.
Web attacks: defeating monetisation attempts
Authors: Nguyen Van-Linh , Lin Po-Ching , Hwang Ren-Hung
Published: May 2019

According to Internet Live Stat, the total number of online websites has already soared over 1.9 billion and is steadily increasing. 1 The most popular content management systems (CMS) installed on such websites are PHP-based frameworks such as Wordpress and Joomla, which account for (as of December 2018) 59% and 6% of market share. 2,3 A large number of those websites belong to small companies and individuals that may have few motivations to pay thousands of dollars for security maintenance services. Also, due to development costs, the owners – even the developers they hire – may prefer an off-the-shelf CMS such as Joomla to accelerate deployment.

A large proportion of the nearly two billion websites now on the Internet are run by individuals and organisations without the skills or resources to make them secure.

These sites are targets for cyber criminals looking to exploit weaknesses to ‘monetise’ them. Van-Linh Nguyen, Po-Ching Lin and Ren-Hung Hwang of the National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan, examine the tactics employed by criminals and present a framework for preventing such attacks, while acknowledging that this is a battle that is likely to continue.
Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeologists: Part 1 of 3
Authors: Romanowska Iza , Crabtree Stefani A. , Harris Kathryn , Davies Benjamin
Published: May 2019

Formal models of past human societies informed by archaeological research have a high potential for shaping some of the most topical current debates. Agent-based models, which emphasize how actions by individuals combine to produce global patterns, provide a convenient framework for developing quantitative models of historical social processes. However, being derived from computer science, the method remains largely specialized in archaeology. In this paper and the associated tutorial, we provide a jargon-free introduction to the technique, its potential and limits as well as its diverse applications in archaeology and beyond. We discuss the epistemological rationale of using computational modeling and simulation, classify types of models, and give an overview of the main concepts behind agent-based modeling.
Nudging à la carte: a field experiment on climate-friendly food choice
Authors: GRAVERT CHRISTINA , KURZ VERENA
Published: May 2019

Global food consumption threatens climate stability and ecosystem resilience. Because hard regulation of food choice through taxes and bans is politically difficult, behavioral approaches provide a promising alternative, given that they influence food choice to a meaningful extent. We test the effect of framing of a menu on the choice of ordering climate-friendly dishes in a randomized controlled experiment. Rearranging the menu in favor of vegetarian food has a large and significant effect on the willingness to order a vegetarian dish instead of meat. Our results demonstrate that small, inexpensive interventions can be used toward decreasing carbon emissions from food consumption.
Design thinking, fast and slow: A framework for Kahneman’s dual-system theory in design
Authors: Kannengiesser Udo , Gero John S.
Published: May 2019

In his book Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman presented a model of human cognition based on two modes or ‘systems’ of thinking: system 1 thinking that is fast and intuitive and system 2 thinking that is slow and tedious. This paper proposes a framework for applying Kahneman’s model to designing based on the function–behaviour–structure ontology. It casts four instances of designing in this framework: design fixation, case-based design, pattern-language-based design and brainstorming.