bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La precaria enseñanza de la economía
Authors: Berzosa Alonso-Martínez Carlos
Published: August 2019

La economía, tal como se enseña actualmente en la mayor parte de las universidades del mundo, es objeto de controversia. La formación económica que se recibe en las facultades y escuelas superiores es cuestionada desde determinados grupos de estudiantes y profesores. La crítica que se efectúa se ha intensificado con la crisis, pero ya se habían producido diversos brotes de protesta con anterioridad.

El sistema es cíclico, las crisis son inevitables y no son cosa del pasado, como el pensamiento dominante en economía había llegado a creer e infundir. La economía neoclásica, al desenvolverse con modelos de equilibrio, no es capaz de entender los procesos dinámicos de la economía, por lo que sus insuficiencias no se deben solamente a la incapacidad de predecir una crisis, sino también la de proporcionar las herramientas necesarias para la comprensión del funcionamiento de la economía.

La economía neoclásica no debe ser la única teoría actualmente en vigor, lo que no quiere decir que no se estudie el modelo IS/LM, pero hay que poner de manifiesto sus limitaciones, restricciones, además de que, como modelo de equilibrio, no responde a lo que sucede en la realidad, que es el desequilibrio y la vulnerabilidad. Por esto es necesario tener en cuenta otras aportaciones, como la marxista, keynesiana, schumpeteriana, institucionalista y poskeynesiana.
Elisenda Paluzie: «No podemos seguir enseñando economía como si en los últimos veinte años no hubiera pasado nada»
Authors: Hintzmann Carolina , Gomis Joan Miquel
Published: August 2019

En esta entrevista, Elisenda Paluzie analiza los orígenes del denominado movimiento Post-Crash en Cataluña y cuáles han sido los efectos sobre una institución referente como la que dirige: la Facultad de Economía y Empresa de la Universidad de Barcelona (UB). Paluzie considera que este movimiento crítico iniciado tras el inicio de la última crisis económica se fundamenta básicamente en la falta de pluralidad en la enseñanza a partir de tres elementos: el teórico, el metodológico y el interdisciplinario. En este texto comenta cómo son tratados estos tres factores en su facultad y concluye la necesidad de evolucionar en la docencia en la economía. En este sentido destaca el proyecto The core Project, una iniciativa que tiene por objeto replantear la enseñanza de la economía con nuevos manuales, ya que considera que los dominantes actualmente siguen planteando las cuestiones como si los últimos veinte años no hubieran existido.
Dirección de personas basada en evidencias. ¿Qué es, por qué importa, cómo implementarla?
Authors: Rimbau-Gilabert Eva
Published: August 2019

La dirección de personas basada en evidencias es una aproximación a la profesión y la práctica de la dirección de personas que se centra en aumentar el uso del pensamiento crítico y el uso de las mejores evidencias disponibles para tomar decisiones. Este artículo sugiere varias razones por las que los profesionales de la dirección de personas no adoptan un enfoque más basado en las evidencias y señala la utilidad que este enfoque puede tener para las organizaciones. Se presenta un proceso en siete etapas para tomar decisiones que hagan un mejor uso de las evidencias: identificar, preguntar, obtener, valorar, agregar, aplicar y evaluar. Existen cuatro fuentes de evidencias que pueden mejorar la calidad de las decisiones en dirección de personas: evidencia científica, datos de la organización, experiencia profesional y aportaciones de los stakeholders. Finalmente, se ofrecen sugerencias prácticas para la implementación de este enfoque en las organizaciones y se comentan las principales objeciones al mismo que suelen presentar los directivos.
Climate-smart Agricultural Practices in Agro-climatic Zones of Meghalaya: A Social Network Analysis
Authors: Dympep Alethea , Singh R. J. , Hemochandra L. , Singh R.
Published: August 2019

Aims: To understand the flow of information of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices among the farmers, the factors that impede this flow and the impact of the social network on adapting CSA practices.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in hilly state, Meghalaya, India between August 2016 and April 2017.

Methodology: A sample of 120 farmers was selected from agriculturally vulnerable villages to climate change by snowball sampling. The villages were selected from two Agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of the state, Meghalaya. UCINET software was utilised for analysing the Social Network Analysis (SNA) of the community with the performance index used to measure the impact in adopting CSA practices.

Results: The network centralization index obtained in Tropical ACZ was relatively high (0.63) depicting a fragile social network as farmers relied on certain central actors for information and if these actors were to be removed, many farmers would be left isolated. However, in Sub-tropical ACZ, a low index (0.37) was attained implying that farmers had maximum connections in the network. Very low cohesion density measures (<0.05) was obtained in both the ACZs portraying a slow rate of diffusion of information on CSA in the farming community. Further, the homophily index of SNA indicated that the farmers tend to associate more with other farmers having similar socio-economic characteristics. The impact of the social networks in both of the ACZs were highest (68.30%) under low, and (63.30%) under the medium adoption levels of CSA practices in Tropical and Sub-tropical ACZs.

Conclusion: Hence improving access to climate information is an important step to improve the livelihood of people in such variable conditions. With a better understanding of the social factors that influence the flow of knowledge and the adoption of CSA practices in the agricultural sector, researchers and policy makers could be able to identify and reduce barriers to technology diffusion and adoption.
Lifestyle Impact on Glycemic Control in Patients Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Barranco-Cuevas Irma Aide , Zavaleta-García Beatriz Hitayatzy , Rodríguez-Chávez María Del Consuelo , García-Galicia Arturo , Gutierrez-Gabriel Itzel , González-López Akihiki Mizuki , Gaytán-Fernández Suemmy
Published: August 2019

Objective: To determine the association lifestyle and glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Study Design: This is a descriptive, cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Family Medicine Unit Number 55 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Puebla, Mexico during January to June in 2016.

Methodology: A total of 275 patients in whom the lifestyle and glycemic control were correlated. A questionnaire in which the variables included gender, age, level of education, occupation, marital status, lifestyle, glycemic control and number of years since they were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 was used. Descriptive statistics and X2 was used.

Results: 275 patients were included who met the inclusion criteria. Their average age was 59.7 years, the female gender prevailed with 64%. A result of X2=3.611 and P=0.05 was obtained; therefore the study was considered statistically significant, since value of P= .05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: There is an association between the patient’s lifestyle and glycemic control.
Ecological Survey of Pests and Natural Enemies in the Sour Passion Fruit Progenies
Authors: Silva Rosado Luciana Domiciano , Horst Bruckner Claudio , Sebastião dos Reis Diarly , Silva Assunção Natalia , Da Silva Ézio Marques , Dos Santos Carlos Eduardo Magalhães
Published: August 2019

Aims: This experiment was to identify the major pests, natural enemies and verify the regarding the incidence of insect pests of progenies of Passiflora edulis to pests.

Study Design: Experimental design was completely randomized blocks with twenty-three progenies and three replicates with four plants per plot.

Place and Duration of Study: Experimental evaluations of the Federal University of Viçosa/Rio Paranaíba University Campus, Rio Paranaíba county, Minas Gerais, Brazil from May to September 2011.

Methodology: The population fluctuation of insects, for characterization of their occurrence and identification of progenies with respect to their degree of resistance.

Results: Among the monitored pests stood out, A. vanillae vanillae, D. juno juno e Dasiops sp. The correlation between the amount of Dione juno juno and the attacked leaf had a higher magnitude of occurrence in relation Agraulis vanillae vanillae.

Conclusion: It was found that there were no differences between the sour passion fruit progenies and resistance to pests, and to verify that ants are important predators of pests of sour passion fruit.
Impact of Oil Price Changes on Selected Macroeconomic Variables in Nigeria
Authors: Florence Ifeyinwa Harbor , Chioma Oleka Dorathy
Published: August 2019

In this study, the impact of oil price changes on selected variables in Nigeria within the period, 1981-2016 had been evaluated. Adopting the ex-post facto research design with annual time series and using The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model; the results revealed that the change in oil price had a positive and significant impact on government revenue and government expenditure, but had no positive and significant impact on the domestic price level.  It is therefore recommended that the monocultural economy should be omitted through well-planned and implementation diversification.
Interest Rate Management and the Nigerian Economy (1986 — 2018)
Authors: Uko Kalu Kalu, , Mike Anyanwaokoro
Published: August 2019

This study sought to examine the impact of interest rate on the Nigeria’s economy during the pre and post Regulation periods (1986 – 2013). It also investigated the joint influence of Inflation, Investment, Exchange Rate, Money Supply and Monetary Policy Rate individually on the Gross domestic Product which was used a proxy for output as well as the causality between all the factors combined and gross domestic product. Ex post facto method was adopted In order to test the hypothesis, the researcher adopted Augmented Dickey Fuller, ARDL, Bound Test and Error Correction Model. The result showed that no significant relationship exists between Gross Domestic Product and Investment, Exchange Rate and Money Supply while still affirming that a significant relationship exist between Gross Domestic Product, Monetary Policy Rate and inflation. The eye of the authorities should be on Inflation at all times, Prudent management of our Oil earnings, adequate savings (Foreign Reserve) and investments as these will help stabilize the fluctuating exchange rate  with its consequent influence on interest rate and economic growth.
Neuroendocrine regulation of fat metabolism by autophagy gene atg‐18 in C. elegans dauer larvae
Authors: Jia Ray , Zhang Jiuli , Jia Kailiang
Published: August 2019

In environments with limited food and high population density, Caenorhabditis elegans larvae may enter the dauer stage, in which metabolism is shifted to fat accumulation to allow larvae to survive for months without food. Mutations in the insulin‐like receptor gene daf‐2 force C. elegans to constitutively form dauer larva at higher temperature. It has been reported that autophagy is required for fat accumulation in daf‐2 dauer larva. However, the mechanism underlying this process remains unknown. Here, we report that autophagy gene atg‐18 acts in a cell nonautonomous manner in neurons and intestinal cells to mediate the influence of daf‐2 signaling on fat metabolism. Moreover, ATG‐18 in chemosensory neurons plays a vital role in this metabolic process. Finally, we report that neuronal ATG‐18 functions through neurotransmitters to control fat storage in daf‐2 dauers, which suggests an essential role of autophagy in the neuroendocrine regulation of fat metabolism by insulin‐like signaling.
Methylformiat (Ameisensäuremethylester) [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: August 2019

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value), the Pregnancy Risk Group and the germ cell mutagenicity of formic acid methyl ester [
107‐31‐3
].

No neurobehavioral effects were observed in subjects exposed to 100 ml/m
3
for 8 hours at rest. After taking the increased respiratory volume at the workplace into account because the blood:air partition coefficient of formic acid methyl ester is > 5 (see Sections I b and I c of the List of MAK and BAT Values), the MAK value of 50 ml/m
3
has been retained.

Since a systemic effect is critical, Peak Limitation Category II is retained. As it is unclear whether the metabolites methanol and formic acid or formic acid methyl ester itself are responsible for the effects, the excursion factor has been set to the default value of 2 for substances with systemic effects.

There are no developmental toxicity studies with formic acid methyl ester. Taking into consideration the data for the metabolites formic acid and methanol, damage to the embryo and foetus is unlikely if the MAK value for formic acid methyl ester is not exceeded. Therefore, formic acid methyl ester remains classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C.

Formic acid methyl ester is not mutagenic in bacteria. No clastogenic effects were observed in vivo.

Uptake via the skin can lead to systemic effects and formic acid methyl ester remains designated with “H”. There are no clinical results for sensitization in humans and no sensitization tests in animals.
Methanol [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: August 2019

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of methanol [
67‐56‐1
] of 200 ml/m
3
, considering all toxicity endpoints. Available publications and unpublished study reports are described in detail.

Uptake of larger amounts of methanol depresses the central nervous system and leads to developmental toxicity as direct effects of methanol followed by metabolic acidosis and ocular toxicity as formate effects.

No neurobehavioral effects were observed in subjects exposed 4 hours to 200 ml/m
3
at rest leading to a concentration of 6.5 mg methanol/l blood. The steady state concentration of methanol after exposure to 100 ml/m
3
with physical activity is calculated to be 6 mg methanol/l blood and is reached after 8 hours. Therefore, taking into account the increased respiratory volume at the workplace (see List of MAK‐ and BAT Values, Sections I b and I c), the MAK value has been lowered to 100 ml/m
3
. Due to the half‐life for methanol of 1.4 hours in humans, no accumulation of methanol is expected during the work week.

Since a systemic effect is critical, Peak Limitation Category II is retained. As the half‐life in humans is 1.4 hours, the excursion factor has been set to 2. No irritation was observed in volunteers at 200 ml/m
3
, the permissible peak concentration.

Taking into consideration the data for methanol and the metabolite formate, damage to the embryo and fetus is unlikely when the MAK value for methanol is not exceeded. Therefore, methanol remains classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C.

Methanol is not genotoxic in vitro at concentrations which are not cytotoxic. No clastogenic effects were observed in vivo. No increased tumour incidence occurred in long‐term inhalation studies in mice and rats as well as in a long‐term study in rats with administration in the drinking water.

Uptake via the skin can lead to systemic effects and methanol remains designated with “H”.
Zirkonium und seine Verbindungen (außer Zirkoniumdioxid) [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: August 2019

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) for zirconium and its compounds. No new data are available that would be relevant for the derivation of a MAK value for zirconium compounds, with the exception of zirconium dioxide (see documentation “Zirconium dioxide”, to be published in 2019). Therefore, zirconium and its compounds (except zirconium dioxide) are listed in Section II b of the List of MAK and BAT Values. Based on the new human and animal data, zirconium and its compounds (except zirconium dioxide) are not regarded as sensitizers. Dermal absorption does not contribute to systemic toxicity.
Methanthiol [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: August 2019

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the work place (MAK value) of methyl mercaptan [
74‐93‐1
]. Available publications and unpublished study reports are described in detail. No new data are available that would be relevant for the derivation of a MAK value for methyl mercaptan. Therefore, the MAK value of 0.5 ml/m
3
is retained based on slight behavioural changes at 2 ml/m
3
in a 90‐day inhalation study in rats. The MAK value of 0.5 ml/m
3
for methyl mercaptan is supported by a limited inhalation study with 3 volunteers exposed to ethanethiol, showing irritation and other symptoms after repeated exposure to ethanethiol in a concentration of 3.9 ml/m
3
, but not after 0.39 ml/m
3
. The behavioural changes in rats exposed to methyl mercaptan are interpreted as a result of the odour nuisance or the local irritation. Therefore, methyl mercaptan is classified in Peak Limitation Category I with an excursion factor of 1 as no studies in humans are available. In a screening study for repeated exposure and reproductive toxicity with sodium methanethiolate no foetotoxic effects were observed up to the highest dose tested of 45 mg/kg body weight, however, the teratogenicity was not examined. Methyl mercaptan remains assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group D. Skin contact is not expected to contribute significantly to systemic toxicity. There are no data on sensitization. Methyl mercaptan and sodium methanethiolate are neither mutagenic nor clastogenic.
Ethylenoxid [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: August 2019

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated ethylene oxide [75‐21‐8] considering all toxicological endpoints.

Ethylene oxide is an alkylating agent that is mutagenic and carcinogenic in animals. A number of epidemiological studies have indicated a carcinogenic potential, but others showed no excess cancer risk upon exposure to ethylene oxide. Re‐evaluation has shown that a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) cannot be derived. Accordingly, ethylene oxide remains classified in Carcinogen Category 2.

Nevertheless, the Commission has derived an excess risk of lymphoid tumours for both men and women. Forty‐year exposure to 0.1 ml/m3ethylene oxide at the workplace thus results in a risk of 1.4 or 4 per 100 000.

Ethylene oxide is a mutagen in vitro and in vivo and a known germ cell mutagen. Accordingly, it remains classified in Germ Cell Mutagen Category 2. Ethylene oxide can be taken up via the skin in toxicologically relevant amounts. Therefore, the designation “H” is retained. The published reports do not indicate a relevant potential for sensitization of skin and airways in humans.
A Biodegradable Multifunctional Graphene Oxide Platform for Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Martín Cristina , Ruiz Amalia , Keshavan Sandeep , Reina Giacomo , Murera Diane , Nishina Yuta , Fadeel Bengt , Bianco Alberto
Published: August 2019

The design of multifunctional materials able to both selectively deliver a drug into cells in a targeted manner and display an enhanced propensity for biodegradation is an important goal. Here, graphene oxide (GO) is functionalized with the chemotactic peptide N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP) known to interact with the formyl peptide receptor, which is expressed in different cancer cells, including cervical carcinoma cells. This study highlights the ability of GOfMLP for targeted drug delivery and cancer cell killing and the subsequent degradation capacity of the hybrid. Biodegradation is assessed via Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that GOfMLP is susceptible to faster myeloperoxidase‐mediated degradation. The hybrid material, but not GO, is capable of inducing neutrophil degranulation with subsequent degradation, being the first study showing inducible neutrophil degradation by the nanomaterial itself with no prior activation of the cells. In addition, confocal imaging and flow cytometry using HeLa cells demonstrate that GOfMLP is able to deliver the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin faster into cells, inducing higher levels of apoptosis, when compared to nonfunctionalized GO. The results reveal that GOfMLP is a promising carrier able to efficiently deliver anticancer drugs, being endowed with the ability to induce its own biodegradation.
Confined Transformation of UiO‐66 Nanocrystals to Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia with Hierarchical Pore Structures for Catalytic Applications
Authors: Qin Runze , Zeng Hua Chun
Published: August 2019

Solid acids as a substitution for hazardous liquid acids (e.g., HF and H2SO4) can promote many important reactions in the industry, such as carbon cracking, to proceed in a more sustainable way. Starting from a zirconium‐based metal‐organic framework (UiO‐66 nanocrystals), herein a transformative method is reported to prepare micro/mesoporous yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) encapsulated inside a mesoporous silica shell. It is then further demonstrated that the resultant reactor‐like catalysts can be used for a wide range of catalytic reactions. The acidity of the YSZ phase is found with rich accessible Lewis acid and Brønsted acid sites and they display superior performances for esterification (acetic acid and ethanol) and Friedel‐Crafts alkylation (benzylation of toluene). After being loaded with different noble metals, furthermore, hydrogenation of CO2 and a one‐pot cascade reaction (nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde to N‐benzylaniline) are used as model reactions to prove the versatility and stability of catalysts. Based on the findings of this work, it is believed that this class of reactor‐like catalysts can meet future challenges in the development of new catalyst technology for greener heterogeneous catalysis.
Side‐Chain Engineering on Dopant‐Free Hole‐Transporting Polymers toward Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells (20.19%)
Authors: Zhang Luozheng , Liu Chang , Wang Xingzhu , Tian Yanqing , Jen Alex K. Y. , Xu Baomin
Published: August 2019

A variety of dopant‐free hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) is developed to serve as alternatives to the typical dopant‐treated ones; however, their photovoltaic performance still falls far behind. In this work, the side chain of a polymeric HTM is engineered by partially introducing diethylene glycol (DEG) groups in order to simultaneously optimize the properties of both the bulk of the HTM layer and the HTM/perovskite interface. The intermolecular π–π stacking interaction in the HTM layer is unexpectedly weakened after the incorporation of DEG groups, whereas the lamellar packing interaction is strengthened. A doubled hole mobility is obtained when 3% of the DEG groups replace the original alkyl side chains, and a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.19% (certified: 20.10%) is then achieved, which is the first report of values over 20% for dopant‐free organic HTMs. The device maintains 92.25% of its initial PCE after storing at ambient atmosphere for 30 d, which should be due to the enhanced hydrophobicity of the HTM film.
Whirling‐Folded Triboelectric Nanogenerator with High Average Power for Water Wave Energy Harvesting
Authors: An Jie , Wang Zi Ming , Jiang Tao , Liang Xi , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: August 2019

Ocean wave energy, as one of the most abundant resources on the earth, is a promising energy source for large‐scale applications. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) provide a new strategy for water wave energy harvesting; however, its average performance in realistic water wave conditions is still not high. In this work, a whirling‐folded TENG (WF‐TENG) with maximized space utilization and minimized electrostatic shielding is constructed by 3D printing and printed circuit board technologies. The flexible vortex structure responds easily to multiform wave excitation with improved oscillation frequency. A standard water wave tank is established to generate controllable water waves to characterize the device performance. It is found to be determined by wave conditions and internal structure, which is also revealed by a theoretical dynamical analysis. The WF‐TENG can produce a maximum peak power of 6.5 mW and average power of 0.28 mW, which can power a digital thermometer to operate constantly and realize self‐powered monitoring on the TENG network to prevent possible damage in severe environments. Moreover, a self‐charge‐supplement WF‐TENG network is proposed to improve the output performance and stability. This study provides an effective strategy for improving the average power and characterizing the performance of spherical TENG towards large‐scale blue energy.
Tumor Targeting Strategies of Smart Fluorescent Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: He Jiuyang , Li Chenchen , Ding Lin , Huang Yanan , Yin Xuelian , Zhang Junfeng , Zhang Jian , Yao Chenjie , Liang Minmin , Pirraco Rogério P. , Chen Jie , Lu Quan , Baldridge Ryan , Zhang Yong , Wu Minghong , Reis Rui L. , Wang Yanli
Published: August 2019

Advantages such as strong signal strength, resistance to photobleaching, tunable fluorescence emissions, high sensitivity, and biocompatibility are the driving forces for the application of fluorescent nanoparticles (FNPs) in cancer diagnosis and therapy. In addition, the large surface area and easy modification of FNPs provide a platform for the design of multifunctional nanoparticles (MFNPs) for tumor targeting, diagnosis, and treatment. In order to obtain better targeting and therapeutic effects, it is necessary to understand the properties and targeting mechanisms of FNPs, which are the foundation and play a key role in the targeting design of nanoparticles (NPs). Widely accepted and applied targeting mechanisms such as enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, active targeting, and tumor microenvironment (TME) targeting are summarized here. Additionally, a freshly discovered targeting mechanism is introduced, termed cell membrane permeability targeting (CMPT), which improves the tumor‐targeting rate from less than 5% of the EPR effect to more than 50%. A new design strategy is also summarized, which is promising for future clinical targeting NPs/nanomedicines design. The targeting mechanism and design strategy will inspire new insights and thoughts on targeting design and will speed up precision medicine and contribute to cancer therapy and early diagnosis.
Extremely Broadband Topological Surface States in a Photonic Topological Metamaterial
Authors: Kim Minkyung , Gao Wenlong , Lee Dasol , Ha Taewoo , Kim Teun‐Teun , Zhang Shuang , Rho Junsuk
Published: August 2019

Metamaterials, artificially engineered materials consisting of subwavelength unit cells, have shown potentials in light manipulation with their extraordinary optical properties. Especially, photonic topological metamaterials possessing topologically protected surface states enable extremely robust control of light. Here, an extremely broadband topological phase in photonic topological metamaterials is demonstrated. In particular, topological surface states are observed for all the frequencies below a certain cut‐off, originating from a double Weyl point at zero frequency. The extreme bandwidth and robustness of the photonic topological metamaterial are beneficial for practical applications such as one‐way waveguide and photonic integrated systems but also advantageous in design and fabrication since the only necessary condition is to satisfy the effective hyperbolic and chiral properties, without entailing strict periodic arrangement.
Visualizing the Fate of Intra‐Articular Injected Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vivo in the Second Near‐Infrared Window for the Effective Treatment of Supraspinatus Tendon Tears
Authors: Yang Yimeng , Chen Jun , Shang Xiliang , Feng Zhujun , Chen Chen , Lu Jingyi , Cai Jiangyu , Chen Yuzhou , Zhang Jian , Hao Yuefeng , Yang Xing , Li Yunxia , Chen Shiyi
Published: August 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of exerting strong therapeutic potential for the treatment of supraspinatus tendon tear. However, MSC therapy remains underutilized and perhaps underrated due to the limited evidence of dynamic visualization of cellular behavior in vivo. Here, second near‐infrared fluorescence imaging with biocompatible PbS quantum dots (QDs) provides a cellular migration map and information on the biodistribution and clearance processes of three densities of intra‐articularly injected, labeled MSCs to treat supraspinatus tendon tear in mice. Intra‐articular injection avoids entrapment of MSCs by filter organs and reduces the QD‐induced organ toxicity. Notably, the MSCs share a similar migration direction, but the moderate density group is somewhat more efficient, showing the longest residence time and highest cell retention rate around the footprint during the repair stage. Furthermore, quantitative kinetic investigation demonstrates that labeled MSCs are cleared by feces and urine. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrates that the moderate density group achieves maximum therapeutic effect and labeled MSCs do not induce any injury or inflammation to major organs, which suggests that administration of too many or few MSCs may decrease their effectiveness. Such an imaging approach provides spatiotemporal evidence for response to MSC therapy in vivo, facilitating the optimization of MSC therapy.
Optical Shading Induces an In‐Plane Potential Gradient in a Semiartificial Photosynthetic System Bringing Photoelectric Synergy
Authors: Ravi Sai Kishore , Zhang Yaoxin , Wang Yanan , Nandakumar Dilip Krishna , Sun Wanxin , Jones Michael R. , Tan Swee Ching
Published: August 2019

Semiartificial photosynthetic systems have opened up new avenues for harvesting solar energy using natural photosynthetic materials in combination with synthetic components. This work reports a new, semiartificial system for solar energy conversion that synergistically combines photoreactions in a purple bacterial photosynthetic membrane with those in three types of transition metal–semiconductor Schottky junctions. A transparent film of a common transition metal interfaced with an n‐doped silicon semiconductor exhibits an in‐plane potential gradient when a light‐penetration variance is established on its surface by optical shading of photoabsorbing photosynthetic membranes. The in‐plane potential gradients (0.08–0.3 V) enable a directional charge transport between the synthetic and natural photoelectric systems, which is further enhanced in a device setting by a biocompatible thixotropic gel electrolyte that permeates the membrane multilayer, facilitating a strong and steady photoelectric current as high as 1.3 mA cm−2, the highest achieved so far with any anoxygenic photosynthetic system.
Youth Needs at Intake into Trauma‐Informed Group Homes and Response to Services: An Examination of Trauma Exposure, Symptoms, and Clinical Impression
Authors: Tyler Patrick M. , Patwardan Irina , Ringle Jay L. , Chmelka Mary B. , Mason W. Alex
Published: August 2019

Highlights

Trauma symptoms were related to emotional problems & self‐injurious incidents.

High and low trauma groups both showed decreases in behavioral incidents and psychopathology.

Youth deemed by clinicians to have lower trauma had greater decrease in emotional problems.

Trauma symptoms and exposure should both be assessed when determining services.
Serum levels of stress hormones in Albanian patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Lokaj‐Berisha Violeta , Gacaferri‐Lumezi Besa , Berisha Naser
Published: August 2019

Background

The integration of the immune and endocrine systems through a network of signaling molecules—including cytokines and hormones—produces a consequent modulatory effect on immune function. In this study we aimed to comparatively evaluate the serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) and cortisol in patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy control subjects.

Methods

Morning fasting blood samples were obtained from 96 participants, including 66 patients with allergic rhinitis (mean age, 28 ± 10.7 years; range, 11‐59 years) and 30 healthy control subjects (mean age, 32.4 ± 11.1 years; range, 14‐57 years). Total immunoglobulin E (IgE), DHEA‐S, and cortisol concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results

Female patients with allergic rhinitis exhibited lower DHEA‐S levels than male patients and control subjects (p < 0.001). Although no intergroup differences were observed in the morning:evening cortisol ratio, the DHEA‐S:cortisol ratio was the highest among female patients with allergic rhinitis (1:11). Total IgE levels were significantly higher among patients of both sexes (p < 0.05) than among the control subjects. There was a positive correlation between body mass index and age among all groups of participants (male and female patients: r = 0.6 and 0.7, respectively; male and female controls: r = 0.6 and 0.4, respectively) and a negative correlation between DHEA‐S level and age among females (patients and controls: r = −0.4 and −0.5, respectively) and healthy male subjects (r = −0.7).

Conclusion

In this study, female patients with allergic rhinitis exhibited significantly lower DHEA‐S levels than their healthy counterparts and male patients. These results should be confirmed in a larger group of participants.
Experimental and theoretical evaluation of two benzimidazole derivatives for steel corrosion protection in HCl
Authors: Zafari Sakineh , Sarabi Ali Asghar , Movassagh Barahman
Published: August 2019

The introduction of two new benzimidazole derivatives, 2‐nonyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole (NB) and 2‐benzyl‐1‐hexyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole (HB), as corrosion inhibitors for steel is presented, and their activities are compared with 1H‐benzo[d]imidazole (B). The experimental performance of these molecules was evaluated by electrochemical techniques, surface observations, and contact angle measurement. The results showed the prominent action with inhibition efficiencies of 98.8% and 99.3% for 3 mM of NB and HB, respectively, at 303K. They are adsorbed on the metal surface base on Langmuir isotherm. It is noteworthy to note that increment of environment acidity causes more efficiency for both molecules so that the order of inhibitive activity in different pHs is pH = 2>pH = 1>pH = 0.1. Additionally, HB provides little better protection than NB. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify influential factors on the efficiency of HB and NB. A general factorial model in the main effect order was used by design of experiment 7 software. Analysis of variance resulted in acceptable R2 values of 99% and 98% and significance of the applied model. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to find the optimum structure, molecular parameters, and local reactive sites in gas and solution phase. Calculations exhibited a planar structure for 1‐hexyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole and 2‐nonyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole that is  the reason of their high efficiencies.
Microscopic morphology, rheological behavior, and mechanical properties of polymers: Recycled acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene/polybutylene terephthalate blends
Authors: He Hezhi , Zhan Zhiming , Zhu Zhiwen , Xue Bin , Li Jiqian , Chen Ming , Wang Guozhen
Published: August 2019

In this study, styrene‐acrylonitrile‐glycidyl methacrylate (SAG) series copolymers were specially designed for producing the recycled acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (rABS)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/SAG blends, which were prepared through the process of continuous melt blending and batch feeding. The effects of viscosity composition, SAG chemical composition, and SAG content on the morphology, and rheological and mechanical properties of the blends have been investigated. As demonstrated by morphological observation, the variety of viscosity composition of the blends affects the size of dispersed PBT droplets. Moreover, high viscosity of rABS matrix seems to facilitate the formation of smaller dispersed phase size of blends. Various SAG chemical compositions have different stabilities on the morphology of the blends, which affects the deformation, fragmentation, and coalescence of dispersed phase droplets. In addition, a finer phase morphology can be achieved when the density distribution of epoxy group is optimal in SAG copolymer. Rheological characterization manifested that the rheological properties of the blends depends strongly on its composition and structure, while the crosslinking degree is associated with the concentration of reactive groups and extent of reaction. Thereby, the rheological behavior of the blends during processing can be controlled by changing the reactive sequence and adding the quantity of epoxy group. The test on mechanical properties verified that a recycled product with excellent performance can be obtained by altering processing methods and the blends formula, which may be further applied to the 3D printing materials required by fused deposition modeling technology. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 48310.
Development of porous fabric‐hydrogel composite membranes with enhanced ion permeability for microalgal cultivation in the ocean
Authors: Kim Jongmin Q. , Choi Younghoon , Kim Youngtae , Lee Jin‐Kyun , Lee Jin Hyun , Park Hanwool , Lim Sang‐Min , Lee Choul‐Gyun , Lee Dae Sung , Na Yang‐Ho
Published: August 2019

This article presents a strategy to develop the porous fabric‐hydrogel composite membranes (PFHCMs) with high nitrate ion (NO3−, a source of a main nutrient, nitrogen) permeability and sufficient mechanical strength required for microalgal cultivation in the ocean. The porous structure in the PFHCMs is generated by using three different types of porogens: water‐soluble macromolecules, surfactant micelles, and CaCO3 microparticles. Various PFHCMs, composed mainly of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels and cotton fabric, are prepared with varying the content of monomer, initiator, and crosslinker and the type and content of porogen. Their morphological, physical, and mechanical properties are characterized for variables. Among three porogens, the surfactant micelles with a large enough amount produce the optimal PFHCMs with NO3− ion permeability coefficient (5.49 × 10−8 m2 min−1, approximately 5 and 20 times higher than those of the fabric‐hydrogel composite membranes, synthesized without any porogen in a previous work, and the commercial cellulose acetate membranes, respectively). Their mechanical strength (i.e., the ultimate stress is 9.37 MPa) is high enough for practical uses. Therefore, these PFHCMs are good candidate membranes in microalgal cultivation for biorefinery and other biomedical applications, including wound dressings. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48324.
Lanthanide‐Based Layer‐Type Two‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers Featuring Slow Magnetic Relaxation, Magnetocaloric Effect and Proton Conductivity
Authors: Bera Siba Prasad , Mondal Arpan , Konar Sanjit
Published: August 2019

Three lanthanide‐based two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers (CPs), [Ln(L)(H2O)2]n, {H3L=(HO)2P(O)CH2CO2H; Ln=Dy3+ (CP 1), Er3+ (CP 2)} and [{Gd2(L)2(H2O)3}.H2O]n, (CP 3) were hydrothermally synthesized using phosphonoacetic acid as a linker. Structural features revealed that the dinuclear Ln3+ nodes were present in the 2D sheet of CP 1 and CP 2 while in the case of CP 3, nodes were further connected to each other forming a chain‐type arrangement throughout the network. The magnetic studies show field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation property in CP 1 and CP 2 with Ueff values of 72 K (relaxation time, τ0=3.05×10−7 s) and 38.42 K (relaxation time, τ0=4.60×10−8 s) respectively. Ab‐initio calculations suggest that the g tensor of Kramers doublet of the lanthanide ion (Dy3+ and Er3+) is strongly axial in nature which reflects in the slow magnetic relaxation behavior of both CPs. CP 3 exhibits a significant magnetocaloric effect with −ΔSm=49.29 J kg−1 K−1, one of the highest value among the reported 2D CPs. Moreover, impedance analysis of all the CPs show high proton conductivity with values of 1.13×10−6 S cm−1, 2.73×10−3 S cm−1 and 2, 6.27×10−6 S cm−1 for CPs 1–3, respectively, at high temperature (>75 °C) and maximum 95 % relative humidity (RH).
Variable sampling interval Shewhart control charts for monitoring the multivariate coefficient of variation
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Thong , Tran Kim Phuc , Heuchenne Henri L. , Nguyen Thi Hien , Nguyen Huu Du
Published: August 2019

In many industrial manufacturing processes, the ratio of the variance to the mean of a quantity of interest is an important characteristic to ensure the quality of the processes. This ratio is called the coefficient of variation (CV). A lot of control charts have been designed for monitoring the CV of univariate quantity in the literature. However, the CV control charts for multivariate quantity have not received much attention yet. In this paper, we investigate a variable sampling interval (VSI) Shewhart control chart for monitoring multivariate CV. The time between two consecutive samples is allowed to vary according to the previous value of the multivariate CV, which will help the chart to detect the process shifts faster. The comparison with the fixed sampling interval Shewhart chart is implemented to highlight the advantage of the VSI method. Finally, an illustrative example is demonstrated on real data.
Qualitative study of clinician and patient perspectives on the mode of anaesthesia for emergency surgery
Authors: Dooley J , Armstrong R A , Jepson M , Squire Y , Hinchliffe R J , Mouton R
Published: August 2019

Background

Although delivering a chosen mode of anaesthesia for certain emergency surgery procedures is potentially beneficial to patients, it is a complex intervention to evaluate. This qualitative study explored clinician and patient perspectives about mode of anaesthesia for emergency surgery.

Methods

Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants from eight National Health Service Trusts that cover the following three emergency surgery settings: ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, hip fractures and inguinal hernias. A qualitative researcher conducted interviews with clinicians and patients. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts.

Results

Interviews were conducted with 21 anaesthetists, 21 surgeons, 14 operating theatre staff and 23 patients. There were two main themes. The first, impact of mode of anaesthesia in emergency surgery, had four subthemes assessing clinician and patient ideas about: context and the ‘best’ mode of anaesthesia; balance in choosing it over others; change and developments in anaesthesia; and the importance of mode of anaesthesia in emergency surgery. The second, tensions in decision-making about mode of anaesthesia, comprised four subthemes: clinical autonomy and guidelines in anaesthesia; conforming to norms in mode of anaesthesia; the relationship between expertise, preference and patient involvement; and team dynamics in emergency surgery. The results highlight several interlinking factors affecting decision-making, including expertise, preference, habit, practicalities, norms and policies.

Conclusion

There is variation in practice in choosing the mode of anaesthesia for surgery, alongside debate as to whether anaesthetic autonomy is necessary or results in a lack of willingness to change.
Using GPU to accelerate the pairwise structural RNA alignment with base pair probabilities
Authors: Sundfeld Daniel , Teodoro George , Havgaard Jakob H. , Gorodkin Jan , Melo Alba C. M. A.
Published: August 2019

Structural alignments of Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences solved by the Sankoff algorithm are computationally expensive and often require constraints to be used in practice. Modern Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) contain more than 1000 cores, which compute in parallel to speed up applications. Here, we present a GPU‐based solution to the RNA structural alignment problem that makes use of precalculated base pair probabilities on the individual sequences. We designed and developed an unconstrained version of the Sankoff algorithm, obtaining the optimal result and calculating the entire four‐dimension dynamic programming matrix (4D DP). Our approach uses a two‐level wavefront strategy to exploit parallelism. The 4D DP matrix is divided in one external matrix (EM) and several internal matrices (IM). We applied wavefront strategies on the EM and IMs in a two‐level hierarchical way. At the first level, the wavefront is applied to the EM, calculating the cells that belong to the same diagonal in parallel. In the second level, since each cell in the EM is itself an IM matrix, the cells that belong to the same IM diagonal are calculated in parallel. The results obtained with real RNA sequences show that our GPU version is capable of outperforming a multicore CPU version of the unconstrained version of the Sankoff algorithm. Compared with the CPU‐based version running on 32 cores, our approach is able to achieve a speedup of 7.81x on the NVidia Tesla P100. In this case, the execution time was reduced from 6 hours and 18 minutes (32 cores) to 48 minutes and 20 seconds (GPU).
Epilepsy analysis using open source EDF tools for information science and data analytics
Authors: Gurumoorthy Sasikumar , Muppalaneni Naresh Babu , Sekhar Chandra , Sandhya Kumari Golla
Published: August 2019

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the signals that measure the electrical variances of brain using metal electrodes. We observe the EEG signals by using European Data Format (EDF) BROWSER and EEG STUDIO. By using EDF BROWSER, we can get the mean and frequency from the filtered output signal using band‐pass filter. Using EDF BROWSER, we can also perform Root Mean Square (RMS) and signal samples. Using EEG STUDIO, we can analyze the average frequency and standard deviation. Epileptic seizure prediction and detection are done by spike detection, frequency domain analysis, and nonlinear methods. EEG signal contains different artifacts like electrooculography (EOG), EKG, and electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG signals are produced by heart. EOG signals are produced by eyes. EMG signals are produced by muscle coordination.
The effects of individual nonheritable variation on fitness estimation and coexistence
Authors: Gomes M. Gabriela M. , King Jessica G. , Nunes Ana , Colegrave Nick , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: August 2019

Demographic theory and data have emphasized that nonheritable variation in individual frailty enables selection within cohorts, affecting the dynamics of a population while being invisible to its evolution. Here, we include the component of individual variation in longevity or viability which is nonheritable in simple bacterial growth models and explore its ecological and evolutionary impacts. First, we find that this variation produces consistent trends in longevity differences between bacterial genotypes when measured across stress gradients. Given that direct measurements of longevity are inevitably biased due to the presence of this variation and ongoing selection, we propose the use of the trend itself for obtaining more exact inferences of genotypic fitness. Second, we show how species or strain coexistence can be enabled by nonheritable variation in longevity or viability. These general conclusions are likely to extend beyond bacterial systems.