bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermochemistry of calcium rare‐earth silicate oxyapatites
Authors: Costa Gustavo , Harder Bryan J. , Bansal Narottam P. , Kowalski Benjamin A. , Stokes Jamesa L.
Published: September 2019

The calcium rare‐earth (RE) silicate oxyapatite, Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2 (RE = Yb, Er, Y, Dy, Nd, Gd, and Sm), powders were synthesized by the solid‐state reaction method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and elemental composition analysis. The thermodynamic properties of the oxyapatites have been investigated using high‐temperature oxide melt calorimetry in molten 2PbO–B2O3 solvent at 805°C. The energetics of the oxyapatites related to ionic substitution on two crystallographic sites, M(1) and M(2), are discussed. The enthalpy of formation from the oxides becomes more exothermic as the ionic potential decreases or the ionic radius of the REs increases, which indicates increasing energetic stability in this order.
Is Managerial Myopia a Persistent Governance Problem?
Authors: Denis David J.
Published: September 2019

Critics of U.S. corporations have long argued that companies are overly focused on short‐term results and, as a consequence, sacrifice their own long‐run value and competitiveness. These criticisms have expanded in recent years to include those from prominent politicians, investors, consultants, and academics. If such criticisms have merit, they would imply a massive governance failure in which there has been decades of underinvestment with little adjustment on the part of managers, boards, or the market for corporate control.

This article evaluates the economic underpinnings of these criticisms and analyzes their implications in the context of empirical evidence produced by several decades of research on corporate investment policies, the outcomes of corporate control events, investor horizons, and the market pricing of companies with little if any earnings. In reviewing the findings of these studies, the author finds little evidence to support the view that U.S. companies sacrifice long‐run value and competitiveness by systematically underinvesting.

First, although U.S. companies have indeed cut back on tangible investments such as property, plant, and equipment, these cutbacks have been more than offset by the dramatic growth in investment in intangibles, such as spending on developing knowledge capital, brand‐building, and IT infrastructure. Second, when subjected to events that have the effect of reducing managerial control over investment policies and transferring control to outside investors—such as leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations, forced CEO dismissals, and shareholder activist campaigns—companies tend to reduce, not increase, investment spending. In fact, it is difficult to find any corporate control threats that have had the goal or effect of increasing investment. Third, and at the same time, the rising concentration of large institutional investors, including indexers such as BlackRock and Vanguard, suggests that investors have become, if anything, more long‐term oriented over time. Fourth, there is no evidence that the market shuns companies that have yet to report large (or indeed any) earnings. These findings suggest that curbing overinvestment, and not discouraging myopia and underinvestment, may well still be the larger corporate governance challenge facing investors when monitoring and attempting to influence the performance of U.S. companies.
Are Performance Shares Shareholder Friendly?
Authors: Hodak Marc
Published: September 2019

Performance shares, or PSUs, have become the largest element of pay for top executives in corporate America. Their spread was ignited by institutional investors looking for more “shareholder‐friendly” equity awards—as opposed to restricted stock and stock options, which have been characterized as “non‐performance” equity. Although that characterization has been challenged by many directors and compensation professionals, proxy advisers like Institutional Shareholder Services have continued to insist that the majority of stock be granted based on performance, compelling public companies to conform to that standard.

With over a decade of experience with PSUs, the evidence is in regarding their net effect:

PSUs greatly complicate long‐term incentives. Pay disclosures are dominated by discussion of PSUs, including metrics, goals, performance and vesting, and any differences in one grant year versus the next over three overlapping periods.

PSUs may be contributing to the increase in pay. Companies issuing a significant portion of their long‐term incentives in the form of PSUs have been granting about 35% more in value than companies granting only restricted stock and stock options.

Shareholders don't appear to be getting anything for that added complexity and cost. S&P 500 companies using PSUs have underperformed their sector peers, and companies using solely “non‐performance” equity have significantly outperformed their sector peers, and in every single year over the last decade.

Given these findings on PSUs, it is time for institutional investors and their proxy advisors to reconsider their view of these vehicles as “shareholder‐friendly,” and rethink their unqualified promotion of their use by the companies they invest in.
Role of cardiac progenitor cell‐derived exosome‐mediated microRNA‐210 in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Wang Lirong , Jia Qiujin , Xinnong Chen , Xie Yingyu , Yang Yaqian , Zhang Ao , Liu Runteng , Zhuo Yuan , Zhang Junping
Published: September 2019

Cardiac progenitor cells are considered to be one of the most promising stem cells for heart regeneration and repair. The cardiac protective effect of CPCs is mainly achieved by reducing tissue damage and/or promoting tissue repair through a paracrine mechanism. Exosome is a factor that plays a major role in the paracrine effect of CPCs. By delivering microRNAs to target cells and regulating their functions, exosomes have shown significant beneficial effects in slowing down cardiac injury and promoting cardiac repair. Among them, miRNA‐210 is an important anoxic‐related miRNA derived from CPCs exosomes, which has great cardiac protective effect of inhibiting myocardial cell apoptosis, promoting angiogenesis and improving cardiac function. In addition, circulating miR‐210 may be a useful biomarker for the prediction or diagnosis of related cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we briefly reviewed the mechanism of miR‐210 derived from CPCs exosomes in cardiac protection in recent years.
PCSK9 inhibitor improves cardiac function and reduces infarct size in rats with ischaemia/reperfusion injury: Benefits beyond lipid‐lowering effects
Authors: Palee Siripong , McSweeney Christian M. , Maneechote Chayodom , Moisescu Dalila M. , Jaiwongkam Thidarat , Kerdphoo Sasiwan , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: September 2019

During acute cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), an increased plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) level instigates inflammatory and oxidative processes within ventricular myocytes, resulting in cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, PCSK9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) might exert cardioprotection against I/R injury. However, the effects of PCSK9i on the heart during I/R injury have not been investigated. The effects of PCSK9i given at different time‐points during I/R injury on left ventricular (LV) function were investigated. Male Wistar rats were subjected to cardiac I/R injury and divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 10/group): pre‐ischaemia, during ischaemia and upon onset of reperfusion. The treatment groups received PCSK9i (Pep2‐8, 10 μg/kg) intravenously. A control group (n = 10) received saline solution. During the I/R protocol, arrhythmia scores and LV function were determined. Then, the infarct size, mitochondrial function, mitochondrial dynamics and level of apoptosis were determined. PCSK9i given prior to ischaemia exerted cardioprotection through protection of cardiac mitochondrial function, decreased infarct size and improved LV function, compared with control. PCSK9i administered during ischaemia and upon the onset of reperfusion did not provide any of those benefits. PCSK9i administered before ischaemia exerts cardioprotection, as demonstrated by the attenuation of infarct size and cardiac arrhythmia during cardiac I/R injury. The attenuation is associated with improved mitochondrial function and connexin43 phosphorylation, leading to improved LV function.
Preclinical evaluation of exemestane as a novel chemotherapy for gastric cancer
Authors: Yang Juan‐Cheng , Chang Ning , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Cheng Wei‐Chung , Chung Wei‐Min , Chang Wei‐Chun , Lei Fu‐Ju , Liu Chung‐Jung , Wu I‐Chen , Lai Hsueh‐Chou , Ma Wen‐Lung
Published: September 2019

CYP19A1/aromatase (Ar) is a prognostic biomarker of gastric cancer (GCa). Ar is a critical enzyme for converting androstenedione to oestradiol in the steroidogenesis cascade. For decades, Ar has been targeted with Ar inhibitors (ARIs) in gynaecologic malignancies; however, it is unexplored in GCa. A single‐cohort tissue microarray examination was conducted to study the association between Ar expression and disease outcome in Asian patients with GCa. The results revealed that Ar was a prognostic promoter. Bioinformatics analyses conducted on a Caucasian‐based cDNA microarray databank showed Ar to be positively associated with GCa prognosis for multiple clinical modalities, including surgery, 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) for adjuvant chemotherapy, or HER2 positivity. These findings imply that targeting Ar expression exhibits a potential for fulfilling unmet medical needs. Hence, Ar‐targeting compounds were tested, and the results showed that exemestane exhibited superior cancer‐suppressing efficacy to other ARIs. In addition, exemestane down‐regulated Ar expression. Ablating Ar abundance with short hairpin (sh)Ar could also suppress GCa cell growth, and adding 5‐FU could facilitate this effect. Notably, adding oestradiol could not prevent exemestane or shAr effects, implicating a nonenzymatic mechanism of Ar in cancer growth. Regarding translational research, treatment with exemestane alone exhibited tumour suppression efficacy in a dose‐dependent manner. Combining subminimal doses of 5‐FU and exemestane exerted an excellent tumour suppression effect without influencing bodyweight. This study validated the therapeutic potentials of exemestane in GCa. Combination of metronomic 5‐FU and exemestane for GCa therapy is recommended.
LINC01133 inhibits breast cancer invasion and metastasis by negatively regulating SOX4 expression through EZH2
Authors: Song Zhiwang , Zhang Xia , Lin Yun , Wei Youzhen , Liang Shujing , Dong Chunyan
Published: September 2019

Mounting evidence highlights long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as crucial regulators in multiple types of biological processes and contributing to tumourigenesis. LINC01133, located in chromosome 1q23.2, was a recently identified novel lncRNA with a length of 1154nt. It was involved in the development of colorectal cancer and non‐small cell lung cancer. However, its clinical relevance, biological functions and potential molecular mechanism in breast cancer are still unclear. In this study, we found that the LINC01133 expression was significantly down‐regulated in breast cancer samples and was associated with progression and poor prognosis of breast cancer. Further experiments demonstrated that overexpression of LINC01133 inhibited invasion and metastasis in breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that LINC01133 repressed SOX4 expression by recruiting EZH2 to SOX4 promoter. Moreover, rescue experiments further confirmed that LINC01133 functional acted as an anti‐oncogene, at least partly, via repressing SOX4 in breast cancer. Taken together, these findings imply that LINC01133 could serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.
ALPK1 regulates streptozotocin‐induced nephropathy through CCL2 and CCL5 expressions
Authors: Lee Chi‐Pin , Nithiyanantham Srinivasan , Hsu Hui‐Ting , Yeh Kun‐Tu , Kuo Tzer‐Min , Ko Ying‐Chin
Published: September 2019

ALPK1 is associated with chronic kidney disease, gout and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Raised renal ALPK1 level in patients with diabetes was reported. Accelerated fibrotic nephropathies were observed in hyperglycaemic mice with up‐regulated ALPK1. The aim of this study was to identify the mediators contributing to ALPK1 effect involving in nephropathies induction. The haematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical analysis of ALPK1, NFkB, CCL2 and CCL5 were performed in the mice kidney. Cytokine antibody array analysis was performed in streptozotocin‐treated wild‐type mice (WT‐STZ) and streptozotocin‐treated ALPK1 transgenic mice (TG‐STZ). The ALPK1 levels were measured in mice kidney and in cultured cells. We found that the higher levels of renal CCL2/MCP‐1, CCL5/Rantes and G‐CSF expression in TG‐STZ compared with the WT‐STZ. Glucose increased ALPK1 expressions in monocytic THP1 and human kidney‐2 cells. The protein expression of ALPK1, NFkB and lectin was up‐regulated in glucose‐treated HK‐2 cells. Knockdown of ALPK1 reduced CCL2 and CCL5 mRNA levels, whereas overexpressed ALPK1 increased CCL2 and CCL5 in cultured kidney cells. Taken together, these results show that high glucose increases ALPK1 and chemokine levels in the kidney. Elevated ALPK1 expression enhances renal CCL2 and CCL5 expressions in vivo and in vitro. ALPK1 is a mediator for CCL2 and CCL5 chemokine up‐regulation involving in diabetic nephropathies induction.
Mitofusin2, a rising star in acute‐on‐chronic liver failure, triggers macroautophagy via the mTOR signalling pathway
Authors: Xue Ran , Zhu Xuemin , Jia Lin , Wu Jing , Yang Jing , Zhu Yueke , Meng Qinghua
Published: September 2019

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a life‐threatening syndrome with poor prognosis. Several studies have begun to prove that mitochondria play a crucial role in liver failure. Mitofusin2 (Mfn2) plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial morphology and function. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of Mfn2 on cell autophagy of ACLF remain unclear. Our aim was to explore the effect of Mfn2 on several biological functions involving cell autophagy in ACLF. In this study, we constructed an ACLF animal model and a hepatocyte autophagy model, using adenovirus and lentivirus to deliver Mfn2 to liver cells, in order to assess the effect of Mfn2 on autophagy and apoptosis in ACLF. Furthermore, we explored the biological mechanism of Mfn2‐induced autophagy of ACLF using Western blotting, RT‐PCR and electron microscopy. We found that Mfn2 significantly attenuated ACLF, characterized by ameliorated gross appearance and microscopic histopathology of liver, and reduced serum AST, ALT, and TBIL levels. Mfn2 improved the expressions of LC3‐II, Atg5 and Bcl‐2 and down‐regulated the expression of P62 and Bax in ACLF. Like rapamycin, Mfn2 also significantly inhibited the expressions of p‐PI3K, p‐Akt and p‐mTOR in ACLF. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Mfn2 influences multiple biological functions of ACLF via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. This study will provide a reliable theoretical basis for the application of Mfn2 as an effective target for ACLF treatment, reversing or delaying the process of ACLF.
Down‐regulation of interferon regulatory factor 2 binding protein 2 suppresses gastric cancer progression by negatively regulating connective tissue growth factor
Authors: Yao Yangyang , Wang Yi , Li Li , Xiang Xiaojun , Li Junhe , Chen Jun , Liu Zhen , Huang Shanshan , Xiong Jianping , Deng Jun
Published: September 2019

Interferon regulatory factor 2 binding protein 2 (IRF2BP2) is a transcriptional repressor involved in regulating gene expression and other biological processes, including tumorigenesis. However, the clinical significance and roles of IRF2BP2 in human gastric cancer (GC) remain uncertain. Clinical GC tissues were obtained from GC patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to detect the IRF2BP2 protein in clinical paraffin specimens. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated by MTT, colony formation assays and transwell assays. Co‐immunoprecipitation was conducted to detect the interaction between TEA domain family members 4 (TEAD4) and vestigial‐like family member 4 (VGLL4) or Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1). Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the binding of miR‐101‐3p to the 3′‐UTR. The expression of IRF2BP2 was significantly higher in GC tissues than in normal tissues. Patients with higher IRF2BP2 protein expression had lower survival. IRF2BP2 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in GC cells. IRF2BP2 knockdown decreased the mRNA and protein levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The interaction between IRF2BP2 and VGLL4 increased the binding of TEAD4 to YAP1, resulting in the transcriptional coactivation of CTGF. In addition, miR‐101‐3p suppressed the expression of CTGF by directly targeting the 3′‐UTR of IRF2BP2. Taken together, these findings provide a model for the role of miR‐101‐3p‐IRF2BP2‐CTGF signalling axis in GC and a novel insight into the mechanism of GC progression and metastasis.
Evaluation of student use of videos to support learning in a simulation laboratory course: A perception and analytics approach
Authors: Botelho Michael G.
Published: September 2019

Aim

This paper evaluates the use of online video learning materials used for a simulation laboratory course for 2 consecutive cohorts of students using an evaluation and analytics approach.

Methods

100 online video clips were created to support students’ learning before, during and after the scheduled simulation laboratory teaching sessions in a fixed prosthodontics course. Videoed online presentations included screen‐captured PowerPoint presentations, simulation laboratory psychomotor and clinical skills demonstrations, individual student case consultations and whole‐class worksheet debriefings. Data files and access data were analyzed for 2 consecutive cohorts of 4th year students. An evaluation questionnaire was administered on the 2015 cohort.

Results

Feedback on learning resources were strongly positive. 100% of students reported that the videos helped in their learning, preparation for simulation laboratory classes, to refresh their memory prior to clinical care, prepare for the clinical competency test and prepare for examinations. In total, 4689 videos were accessed, 35% by class 2015 and 65% by 2016. 73% of these were watched during the simulation laboratory course, 13% were watched 2‐3 weeks before examinations and 14% during the remainder of the year.

Conclusion

Videos were reported to support student learning and were valued for a range of learning needs. However, significant differences between student consumption and strategies need to be designed to engage low consumers.
Clinical outcomes of patients with bilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction and erosive change of the temporomandibular joint after performance of unilateral arthrocentesis and stabilisation splint therapy
Authors: Heo Hyun‐A , Yoon Hyun‐Joong
Published: September 2019

The efficacy of a combination treatment of arthrocentesis and stabilisation splint for patients with bilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWoR) and erosive change of the TMJ remains controversial. To evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with ADDWoR and erosive change of the TMJ after performance of unilateral arthrocentesis and stabilisation splint therapy. A retrospective study of 44 patients (37 females, 7 males, mean age of 34 years) with bilateral ADDWoR and erosive change of the TMJ were included in this study. Their clinical outcomes before and after arthrocentesis and stabilisation splint therapy were compared. Evaluation criteria were as follows: (a) Maximal mouth opening (MMO); (b) Right and left maximal lateral movement (RLM, LLM) and maximal protrusive movement (PM); (c) Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score during MMO, RLM, LLM and PM; and (d) VAS pain score during palpation of masticatory muscles. Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, Mc Nemar test and paired t test were used for statistical analysis. Differences in VAS pain score between arthrocentesis and non‐arthrocentesis sites were not statistically significant except MMO and LLM (P < .05) after 6 months. Differences in mean VAS pain scores for all variables between before arthrocentesis and 6 months follow‐up in the arthrocentesis site were statistically significant. (P < .01). Unilateral arthrocentesis on more symptomatic TMJ and subsequent stabilisation splint therapy was highly successful for pain and achievement of normal range of mandibular movements in patients with both ADDWoR and bony change.
Effect of Screw Channel Angulation on Reverse Torque Values of Dental Implant Abutment Screws
Authors: Hu Eric , Petrich Anton , Imamura Glen , Hamlin Christopher
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To compare the reverse torque values (RTVs) of abutment screws tightened from three different angles.

Materials and Methods

Implant abutment screws (n = 48), abutments (3), and regular platform implant analogs (3) were divided into three angulation groups (n = 16/group). Custom guides of 0°, 10°, and 20° were fabricated to verify driver angulation. The implant components for each group were assembled and all screws torqued to 35 Ncm using a universal screwdriver in a manual torque wrench at the appropriate angle. Torque was reapplied 10 minutes after initial torque. A digital gauge was then used to measure reverse torque at a position parallel (0°) to the implant analog. RTVs were recorded and compared using one‐way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post‐hoc comparisons (α = 0.05).

Results

All mean RTVs fell below the targeted torque value of 35Ncm, with some values in each angulation group 10% below of the target value. Mean RTVs in descending order from targeted torque value were: 10° group = 32.07 ± 0.97 Ncm, 0° group = 31.16 ± 1.12 Ncm, and 20° group = 30.08 ± 0.88 Ncm. One‐way ANOVA revealed significant differences between angulation groups (F = 15.954, p < 0.001). Tukey HSD post hoc comparisons revealed that the mean RTVs of the three angulation groups were significantly different from each other (0° vs. 10°: p = 0.033; 0° vs. 20°: p = 0.011; 10° vs. 20°: p < 0.001).

Conclusions

All RTVs did not reach the targeted torque value of 35 Ncm. Mean screw RTVs were significantly influenced by screwdriver insertion angulation.
Evaluation of benazepril in cats with heart disease in a prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: King Jonathan N. , Martin Mike , Chetboul Valérie , Ferasin Luca , French Anne T. , Strehlau Günther , Seewald Wolfgang , Smith Sarah G. W. , Swift Simon T. , Roberts Susan L. , Harvey Andrea M. , Little Christopher J. L. , Caney Sarah M. A. , Simpson Kerry E. , Sparkes Andrew H. , Mardell Eleanor J. , Bomassi Eric , Muller Claude , Sauvage John P. , Diquélou Armelle , Schneider Matthias A. , Brown Laurence J. , Clarke David D. , Rousselot Jean‐Francois
Published: September 2019

Background

Heart disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cats, but there is limited evidence of the benefit of any medication.

Hypothesis

The angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor benazepril would delay the time to treatment failure in cats with heart disease of various etiologies.

Animals

One hundred fifty‐one client‐owned cats.

Methods

Cats with heart disease, confirmed by echocardiography, with or without clinical signs of congestive heart failure, were recruited between 2002 and 2005 and randomized to benazepril or placebo in a prospective, multicenter, parallel‐group, blinded clinical trial. Benazepril (0.5‐1.0 mg/kg) or placebo was administered PO once daily for up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was treatment failure. Analyses were conducted separately for all‐cause treatment failure (main analysis) and heart disease‐related treatment failure (supportive analysis).

Results

No benefit of benazepril versus placebo was detected for time to all‐cause treatment failure (P= .42) or time to treatment failure related to heart disease (P= .21). Hazard ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) from multivariate analysis for benazepril compared with placebo were 1.00 (0.57‐1.74) for all‐cause failure, and 0.99 (0.50‐1.94) for forward selection and 0.93 (0.48‐1.81) for bidirectional selection models for heart disease‐related failure. There were no significant differences between groups over time after administration of the test articles in left atrium diameter, left ventricle wall thickness, quality of life scores, adverse events, or plasma biochemistry or hematology variables.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Benazepril was tolerated well in cats with heart disease, but no evidence of benefit was detected.
Responses of peatland vegetation to 15‐year water level drawdown as mediated by fertility level
Authors: Kokkonen Nicola A. K. , Laine Anna Maria , Laine Jukka , Vasander Harri , Kurki Kirsi , Gong Jinnan , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina
Published: September 2019

Questions

Peatland ecosystems are a globally important carbon storage that is predicted to turn into a carbon source due to water level drawdown (WLD) associated with climate change. The predictions assume stable plant communities but how realistic is this assumption? If the vegetation is not stable, what are the nature and rate of changes?

Location

Peatland complex in Southern Finland.

Methods

We conducted a water level drawdown (WLD of ~10 cm) experiment over 17 years in three peatland types differing in their fertility. On each peatland type, we included an adjacent forestry drained (FD, with water table ca. 40 cm lower than in control) area for comparison.

Results

Peatland type had a clear impact on the response to WLD: at the ecosystem level, the two minerotrophic fens underwent rapid species turnover, while the vegetation in nutrient‐poor bog was more resilient to change. In nutrient‐rich sites, WLD initiated tree canopy development and created understorey conditions that strengthened impact of WLD. In nutrient‐poor site, tree establishment was seen only in the FD area. In addition to high nutrient level, high wetness accelerated change at the plant community level, where we found three types of responses: accelerating change, decelerating change, and stability. Succession resulted in an overall loss of community heterogeneity.

Conclusions

Interaction between hydrology, nutrient availability, and biological factors in boreal peatlands is important: the drop in water table required to achieve the shift from open peatland to forested system is inversely proportional to the nutrient level of the system. The results suggest that predictive models of peatland functions under climate change should consider compositional change for fens and their diverse plant communities but are more realistic for bogs. The response of bog vegetation to climate change may, however, be more dependent on changes in rainfall regime and therefore needs to be further addressed.
Reimagining the relationship between food sovereignty and intellectual property for plants: Lessons from Ecuador and Nepal
Authors: Jefferson David J. , Adhikari Kamalesh
Published: September 2019

The concept of food sovereignty is regularly conceived as one side of a binary. Thus, scholars frequently juxtapose food sovereignty—as embodied in small‐scale, customary, or peasant agriculture—against large‐scale, industrial, and global modes of food production. The logic of this dichotomy suggests that the realization of food sovereignty is incompatible with the recognition of intellectual property for plants and seeds. In contrast, we argue that food sovereignty and intellectual property are not necessarily mutually exclusive concepts. Instead, food sovereignty activists and lawmakers alike are reimagining intellectual property to move beyond a focus on exclusive ownership, thus deploying it in novel ways. Our argument draws on extensive fieldwork, based on which we relate the experiences of two case study countries, namely Ecuador and Nepal. We describe how these countries recently embedded rights related to food sovereignty in reformed constitutional frameworks. We also evaluate how these novel constitutional food sovereignty rights shaped the making of other national laws in Ecuador and Nepal, including frameworks whose purpose is to protect plant varieties as intellectual property. Throughout the article, we demonstrate that countries can both promote food sovereignty and protect plant varieties as intellectual property. One way that governments can achieve this goal is to ensure that all relevant laws and policies—including those which relate to intellectual property for plant varieties, seed certification, and commercialization, and access and use of native genetic resources—are tailored to the realities of local food and seed systems.
Assessing student expectations and perceptions of a short‐term international service‐learning experience
Authors: Knecht Linda D’Appolonia , Wilson Kristi Jo , Linton Mary Elizabeth , Koonmen Jamie M. , Johns Edgar F.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Despite nursing students’ need for cultural education, few studies have measured what students expect from international service‐learning experiences and how their perceptions of the actual experience compare to these expectations. To increase understanding of global nursing experiences, the purpose of this study was to examine the similarities and differences between nursing students’ anticipated (pre‐travel) personal and professional developmental expectations and reported (posttravel) personal and developmental outcomes.

Design

This study employed a mixed descriptive research design. Quantitative data was secured through survey methodology. Written responses to open‐ended questions provided qualitative data for analysis.

Sample

Between 2012 and 2017, 43 undergraduate and graduate nursing students at a Midwestern university completed surveys and narratives about their participation in an international service‐learning course in Kenya.

Results

Students’ anticipated learning was achieved through their international experiences. Participants also experienced personal growth, professional development, cultural competency enhancement, and transformation from the educational experience. They also described how their experiences would change their personal and professional lives.

Conclusion

The depth and breadth of the growth and learning described by students is consistent with the expectations of high‐impact educational practices.
DermaTOP Blue and Antera 3D as methods to assess cosmetic solutions targeting eyelid sagging
Authors: Hurley Sarah , Messaraa Cyril , O’Connor Carla , Metois Adeline , Walsh Melissa , Mc Namee Deirdre , Mansfield Anna , Robertson Nicola , Doyle Leah , Mavon Alain
Published: September 2019

Background

As the eye contour ages, the skin on the lid becomes lax often causing a voluminous protrusion where the superior palpebral sulcus begins to sag onto the upper eyelid. This sagging feature may present a novel anti‐ageing target for cosmetic products when treating the eye area. A quantitative method to evaluate the volume of this sagging feature has not been previously established. We investigate the use of the DermaTOP fringe projector and Antera 3D Camera to this end.

Methods

Eyelid topographic measurements were collected on 20 female volunteers aged 50‐75 years with the DermaTOP and Antera 3D. The DermaTOP and Antera 3D measurements were assessed for reproducibility and product effect detection capabilities.

Results

The DermaTOP and Antera 3D successfully measured sagging feature volume, demonstrated reproducibility of measurement and furthermore were suitably sensitive to allow for detection of sagging feature volume reduction after a single application of aqueous tightening serum. DermaTOP parameters were found to moderately correlated with the Antera 3D parameters.

Conclusion

Both the DermaTOP and Antera 3D allow for quantitative measurement of eyelid sagging feature volume and in‐turn permit evaluation of anti‐ageing cosmetic preparations targeting the eyelid.
Structure–function analysis of ZAR1 immune receptor reveals key molecular interactions for activity
Authors: Baudin Maël , Schreiber Karl J. , Martin Eliza C. , Petrescu Andrei J. , Lewis Jennifer D.
Published: September 2019

NLR (nucleotide‐binding [NB] leucine‐rich repeat [LRR] receptor) proteins are critical for inducing immune responses in response to pathogen proteins, and must be tightly modulated to prevent spurious activation in the absence of a pathogen. The ZAR1 NLR recognizes diverse effector proteins from Pseudomonas syringae, including HopZ1a, and Xanthomonas species. Receptor‐like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) such as ZED1, interact with ZAR1 and provide specificity for different effector proteins, such as HopZ1a. We previously developed a transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana that allowed us to demonstrate that ZAR1 function is conserved from the Brassicaceae to the Solanaceae. Here, we combined structural modelling of ZAR1, with molecular and functional assays in our transient system, to show that multiple intramolecular and intermolecular interactions modulate ZAR1 activity. We identified determinants required for the formation of the ZARCC oligomer and its activity. Lastly, we characterized intramolecular interactions between ZAR1 subdomains that participate in keeping ZAR1 immune complexes inactive. This work identifies molecular constraints on immune receptor function and activation.
JAZ4 is involved in plant defense, growth, and development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Oblessuc Paula R. , Obulareddy Nisita , DeMott Logan , Matiolli Cleverson C. , Thompson Blaine K. , Melotto Maeli
Published: September 2019

Jasmonate zim‐domain (JAZ) proteins comprise a family of transcriptional repressors that modulate jasmonate (JA) responses. JAZ proteins form a co‐receptor complex with the F‐box protein coronatine insensitive1 (COI1) that recognizes both jasmonoyl‐l‐isoleucine (JA‐Ile) and the bacterial‐produced phytotoxin coronatine (COR). Although several JAZ family members have been placed in this pathway, the role of JAZ4 in this model remains elusive. In this study, we observed that the jaz4‐1 mutant of Arabidopsis is hyper‐susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000, while Arabidopsis lines overexpressing a JAZ4 protein lacking the Jas domain (JAZ4∆Jas) have enhanced resistance to this bacterium. Our results show that the Jas domain of JAZ4 is required for its physical interaction with COI1, MYC2 or MYC3, but not with the repressor complex adaptor protein NINJA. Furthermore, JAZ4 degradation is induced by COR in a proteasome‐ and Jas domain‐dependent manner. Phenotypic evaluations revealed that expression of JAZ4∆Jas results in early flowering and increased length of root, hypocotyl, and petiole when compared with Col‐0 and jaz4‐1 plants, although JAZ4∆Jas lines remain sensitive to MeJA‐ and COR‐induced root and hypocotyl growth inhibition. Additionally, jaz4‐1 mutant plants have increased anthocyanin accumulation and late flowering compared with Col‐0, while JAZ4∆Jas lines showed no alteration in anthocyanin production. These findings suggest that JAZ4 participates in the canonical JA signaling pathway leading to plant defense response in addition to COI1/MYC‐independent functions in plant growth and development, supporting the notion that JAZ4‐mediated signaling may have distinct branches.
Towards compulsive geographies
Authors: Beljaars Diana
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a spatial imagining of compulsivity. Deconstructing its medicalised conceptualisation and its rendition through the diagnostic system, the paper offers a performative analysis of compulsive body–world formation. It does so by introducing compulsivity as urging the performance of acts that are unwanted, purposeless, and meaningless, and that nevertheless enlace the corporeal with and through the extracorporeal on unchosen terms. This analysis of compulsions not only develops the dimension of urgency to non‐representational theory in cultural geography. It also develops the critical performative understanding of medicalised phenomena in disability and health geography by considering compulsivity as a more‐than‐human condition. Indeed, reporting on interviews, participant observations, and mobile eye‐tracking sessions with 15 people diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, compulsions seem to emerge from particularly volatile compositions of bodies, objects, and spaces. The paper then conceives of compulsivity as articulating the material sensibilities emerging with the body's unfolding situation, and propels it beyond the diagnosable in a broader humanity engaging in material interactions that are felt, rather than known. In addition to a geography of compulsivity, a geographical rendering and ontological centring of compulsions creates a compulsive geography. Ultimately, it situates geographical analysis as crucial to understanding this medicalised performance and as potentially generative of therapeutic outcomes.
Cooling of Particulate Solids and Fluid in a Moving Bed Heat Exchanger
Authors: Turkyilmazoglu Mustafa
Published: September 2019

The current technical brief is to analytically solve the coupled energy equations governing the thermal phenomenon of particulate solids and cooling fluid present inside moving bed heat exchangers constructed via a parallel plate system. The prime concern is to analytically evaluate the cooling effects of a heat sink (absorbent) placed within the media on the particulate and fluid and hence to obtain the relevant temperature fields for the latter. In the absence of such a source term, the solutions collapse onto the recent literature. Results clearly demonstrate how an effective cooling can be achieved with a heat sink mounted on industrial moving bed heat exchangers. Particularly, the existence of an energy sink results in cooler solid particles as compared to the flowing fluid.
Organizational Failure Analysis for Industrial Safety
Authors: Robert Taylor J.
Published: September 2019

Organizational and management errors and failures represent a very significant causal influence in industrial accidents. A method, organizational failure analysis (OFA) is described for in-depth identification of organizational deficiencies and failures that can lead to accidents. The method was developed on the basis of an extensive data collection from safety management audits, accident and incident investigations, and emergency training exercises led by the author over a period of 26 years. From these data, a number of models of organizational performance and management behavior are derived. The models allow a semi-automated application of the method, which is important for the application to large organizations. The method is described with examples, and the results of several studies aimed at validating the method are given.
Adaptive Control of Microgas Turbine for Engine Degradation Compensation
Authors: Zaccaria Valentina , Ferrari Mario L. , Kyprianidis Konstantinos
Published: September 2019

Microgas turbine (MGT) engines in the range of 1–100 kW are playing a key role in distributed generation applications, due to the high reliability and quick load following that favor their integration with intermittent renewable sources. Micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems based on gas turbine technology are obtaining a higher share in the market and are aiming at reducing the costs and increasing energy conversion efficiency. An effective control of system operating parameters during the whole engine lifetime is essential to maintain desired performance and at the same time guarantee safe operations. Because of the necessity to reduce the costs, fewer sensors are usually available than in standard industrial gas turbines, limiting the choice of control parameters. This aspect is aggravated by engine aging and deterioration phenomena that change operating performance from the expected one. In this situation, a control architecture designed for healthy operations may not be adequate anymore, because the relationship between measured parameters and unmeasured variables (e.g., turbine inlet temperature (TIT) or efficiency) varies depending on the level of engine deterioration. In this work, an adaptive control scheme is proposed to compensate the effects of engine degradation over the lifetime. Component degradation level is monitored by a diagnostic tool that estimates performance variations from the available measurements; then, the information on the gas turbine health condition is used by an observer-based model predictive controller to maintain the machine in a safe range of operation and limit the reduction in system efficiency.
A Methodology to Assess Subregional Geometric Complexity for Tetralogy of Fallot Patients
Authors: Louvelle Leslie M. , Doyle Matthew G. , Van Arsdell Glen S. , Amon Cristina H.
Published: September 2019

During surgical repair of tetralogy of fallot (TOF), pulmonary valve preservation (preservative repair) has demonstrated improved long-term outcomes compared to repairs that incise into the valve annulus (nonpreservative repair). Given the influence of geometry on hemodynamics, the success of preservative repair may be linked to the suitability of the preoperative patient geometry. However, the specific patient anatomies that may be predisposed to successful preservative repair are unknown due to significant interpatient variability in right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and pulmonary artery geometries, as well as the limitations in current methods of subregional geometric analysis. As a first step toward understanding the link between geometry and hemodynamics in TOF patients at a subregion level, we characterize the TOF geometry from the right ventricular infundibulum (INF) to the left and right pulmonary arteries. Our process consists of segmentation of magnetic resonance (MR) images and analysis of cross-sectional slices of the geometries along the centerlines. For the INF, main, left, and right pulmonary arteries individually, we quantify geometric parameters important in determining hemodynamic characteristics such as flow separation and recirculation, which can influence the degree of regurgitation. Specifically, we calculate the diameter along the subregion length, the average diameter, length, and tortuosity for each segment, as well as the bifurcation, left pulmonary artery (LPA) and right pulmonary artery (RPA) branch angles. This approach enables direct geometric comparisons within and among patients and allows for observation of the range in anatomic presentation. We have applied this approach to a dataset of 11 postoperative TOF patients, repaired with both preservative and nonpreservative surgical techniques.
Effect of Gas Flow Rates on Quality of Aerosol Jet Printed Traces With Nanoparticle Conducting Ink
Authors: Dalal Neil , Gu Yuan , Chen Guang , Hines Daniel R. , Dasgupta Abhijit , Das Siddhartha
Published: September 2019

This paper focuses on the influence of carrier gas flow rate (CGFR) and sheath gas flow rate (SGFR) on the quality of conductive traces printed with nanoparticle inks using aerosol jet printing (AJP). This investigation was motivated by previous results of two AJP specimens that were printed at different gas flow rates and yielded significantly different thermal cycling durability lifetimes. A parametric sensitivity study was executed by printing and examining serpentine trace structures at 15 different combinations of CGFRs and SGFRs. The analysis included quantifying the trace's macroscale geometry, electrical properties, and micromorphological features. Interesting macroscale results include an increase in effective conductivity with increasing CGFR. At the microscale, image processing of high magnification scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the printed traces revealed that agglomerations of silver clusters on the surface of traces became coarser at higher CGFR and also that agglomerates in the bulk were finer than those on the surface. Crystalline silver deposits were observed at all flow rates. In addition, cross sectioning of the printed traces showed higher incidences of buried cohesive cracking at higher gas flow rates. These cohesive cracks reduce the robustness of the traces but may not always be visible from the surface. The degree of cohesive cracking was seen to be broadly correlated with the coarseness of the surface agglomerates, thus suggesting that the coarseness of surface agglomerates may provide a visible surrogate measure of the print quality. The results of this study suggest that print quality may degrade as gas flow rates increase.
Layers of Learning in Coach Developers’ Practice-Theories, Preparation and Delivery
Authors: Stodter Anna , Cushion Christopher J.
Published: September 2019

Despite the centrality of coach developers to formal coach education settings, only a handful of studies have begun to touch upon the role they play in mediating quality learning, while links between different layers of learning and impact on coach learners remains underexplored. This research explored English coach developers’ understanding of learning, and the learning frameworks taught to them, through unstructured interviews and participant observation of a generic coach developer training course. Three coach developers were observed delivering formal coach education, to elucidate how understanding was applied in practice. Supporting interviews with 16 coaches attending the course gave an indication of reactions to developers’ practice. Combined layers of data were analysed using a three-phase integrated analytic process. In the absence of pertinent evidence-informed coach developer training course design and delivery, implicit ‘practice-theories’, based on participants’ experiences as coaches and coach developers, appeared to inform understanding and practices. Despite acknowledging ‘learner centred’ learning principles, coach developers experienced challenges implementing these in practice and coach learners perceived confusion and contradictions. Findings are discussed in relation to contemporary ideas around coaches’ and coach developers’ learning, to highlight potential ways that coach developers could be more effectively prepared and supported.
Exploring the Use of E-Portfolios in Higher Education Coaching Programs
Authors: Dray Katie , Howells Kristy
Published: September 2019

The contribution of higher education to the development of the coaching workforce worldwide has been most recently emphasised by the development of the ICCE’s Coaching Degree Standards (2016). These standards recognise the increasing value of learning technologies, suggesting that the use of technology in such coaching programs should aim to a) “enhance the learning experience of the student-coach” and b) “gain relevant theoretical and practical knowledge to make the most of technology whilst coaching” (p. 23). This article presents one coach developer’s experience of using e-portfolios with undergraduate students on a BSc. Sport Coaching Science undergraduate program that represents an effort to address both of these aims simultaneously. Drawing from a broader field of education research and through the provision of examples, it is suggested that e-portfolios might afford the coach learner a number of benefits including their accessibility, the role they play in developing meta-cognition, and their ability to provide a space that can bring together the different communities that influence the learner. Lastly, the benefits and challenges are presented through the eyes of the academic tutor and the relevance for coach education contexts outside of HE are discussed.