bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of machine learning classification algorithms for land cover change in a coastal area affected by the 2010 Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile
Authors: Volke Matias I. , Abarca-Del-Rio Rodrigo
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Earthquakes and tsunamis are the natural events that generate subsequent geomorphological land cover changes. The damage is usually of such importance and of such a diverse nature that it is imperative to have tools that allow quick and precise monitoring. Thus, know which classification methods have the best potential to obtain greater precision will improve natural disaster management. We analyze Tubul locality (37.21º S; 73.43º O) in Biobío region, Chile, in which greatest geomorphological changes were documented after the earthquake and tsunami occurred 27/February/2010. These changes can be analyzed using different machine learning methods. We investigate the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), versus the Maximum Likelihood (ML) classification method of Landsat TM and ASTER satellite images. The comparison of the performance of the classifiers and certifying accuracy improvement shows that machine learning algorithms are superior to traditional classification methods in terms of overall accuracy and robustness. The general classification accuracy was approximately 97 %. We also visualize the land cover transformations, showing that 26 % of the region was altered. The results of performance testing of machine learning methodologies was consistent with other studies and presents a valid application in the visualization of land cover changes in areas of natural disasters.
Instrument Validation on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice in Palliative Care for People with Cutaneous Malignant Tumor Wound
Authors: Agra Glenda , Formiga Nilton Soares , Oliveira Simone Helena Santos , Sousa Alana Tamar Oliveira , Soares Maria Júlia Guimarães Oliveira , Lopes Costa Marta Miriam
Published: March 2020

Objective: to present the construction and validation process of an instrument to evaluate the knowledge and practice of nurses in palliative care toward the person with cutaneous malignant tumor wound. Materials and Methods: methodological, quantitative study with applying the Delphi technique, conducted in two stages. The first was carried out with 30 judges and the second with 17. The analysis used the Lambda 2 Guttmann coefficient, Kappa index, and Content Validity Index (CVI). Results: of the 112 items of the original instrument, 28 were excluded, given that the percentiles of Lambda 2 Guttmann, Kappa, and CVI had indicators lower than acceptable; thus, the second version of the instrument resulted with 84 items, which presented 100 % acceptance in the Delphi 2 phase. Conclusions: from the evaluation by the judges, a version of the instrument was defined with adequate content validity and concordance indices, which could contribute to the evaluation of knowledge and practice of nurses in palliative care toward the person with cutaneous malignant tumor wound.
Influence of Sexuality on the Health of the Elderly in Process of Dementia: Integrative Review
Authors: Souza Júnior Edison Vitório de , Silva Cristiane dos Santos , Lapa Poliana Souza , Trindade Laís Emily Souza , Filho Benedito Fernandes da Silva , Sawada Namie Okino
Published: March 2020

Objective: this work sought to inquire on the influence of sexuality on the health of the elderly during dementia. Materials and Methods: this was an integrative review. A careful search was conducted in nine databases; however, only five databases provided articles fulfilling the scope of the study: Medline, Lilacs, BDENF, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS). The health science descriptors (DeCS) were adopted: “sexualidad”, “demencia” and “anciano”, and the descriptors cataloged in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): “sexuality”, “dementia” and “aged”. After applying the inclusion criteria, eight articles were selected to comprise the study sample. Results: the practice of sexuality influences upon the health of the elderly with dementia with some beneficial effects, given that it provides, especially, better perception of quality of life and wellbeing. Nevertheless, it cannot be generalized due to methodological insufficiency evidenced in the studies found to construct this review. Conclusions: due to the limitation of studies addressing the theme and the methodological insufficiency of those included in this review, it is necessary to conduct research that shows in depth the influence of sexuality on this population, given that it can be constituted as another approach for the promotion and protection of health in the elderly with dementia.
Nursing Interventions Aimed at Persons with Venous Ulcers: an Integrative Review
Authors: Cifuentes Rodriguez Johana Enyd , Guerrero Gamboa Sandra
Published: March 2020

Objectives: This work sought to identify and describe the theoretical foundations, components, duration, delivery mode, and results of the nursing interventions aimed at persons with venous ulcers as available in the literature.

Materials and method: Integrative review between 2000 and 2018 in the Pubmed, Ovidnursing, and EBSCOhost electronic databases.

Results: This review includes 16 articles. Most of the interventions were of educational nature; three were developed in the community (through the Leg Club model) and the other ones were delivered by a nursing professional, face to face. The minimum time of duration for these was eight weeks, with telephone follow up. The most-common result variables were venous ulcer healing and reduction of the wound area.

Conclusions: Diversity existed in relation with the components of the interventions and the results expected. Report of the interventions must be reinforced, along with the use of nursing theories that support their design.
Regulatory patterns in international pork trade and similarity with the EU SPS/TBT standards
Authors: Peci Jurgen , Sanjuán Ana I.
Published: March 2020

Aim of study: With the increasing protagonism of non-tariff measures (NTMs) in trade policy, better indexes are needed to depict the prevalence and similarity of NTMs across countries for further use in trade impact assessments.Area of study: Worldwide, with special focus on the European Union (EU)Material and methods: Using the TRAINS database on NTMs, we calculated and proposed some indicators, stressing both regulatory intensity and diversity, as well as similarity of regulatory patterns between trade partners. Our application focuses on pork trade and main importers, amongst which, the EU is singled out.Main results: We found a high level of heterogeneity in NTMs’ application, both, in the number and variety of measures. The bilateral similarity was relatively low, such as only 30% of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and 20% of technical barriers to trade were shared, providing ground and incentive for discussing trade policy harmonization. Our analysis suggests that SPS regulations prevail in those sectors and countries more engaged in trade, while a negative correlation with tariffs raises protectionism concerns. Our bilateral indicators rank country pairs according to the similarity of their regulatory patterns. The EU, for instance, is closer in SPS regulations to China or USA than to Canada or New Zealand, which will require actions in the context of the bilateral trade agreements in course.Research highlights: The low similarity of regulatory patterns evidence the challenges faced by policy makers to streamline technical regulations. For an accurate representation of regulatory patterns and their impact on trade, both uni- and bilateral indicators need to be considered.
De nabijheidsrechter en maatschappelijk effectieve rechtspraak
Authors: Bauw Eddy , Voet Stefaan , van Dongen Emanuel , van Mourik Jim , Simon Thomas Marc
Published: March 2020

De nabijheidsrechter en maatschappelijk effectieve rechtspraak

De wens om te komen tot maatschappelijk effectieve(re) rechtspraak domineert de agenda voor de (civiele) rechtspleging. Er wordt door de gerechten volop geëxperimenteerd met varianten die hiertoe kunnen bijdragen. In een onderzoek van het Montaigne Centrum van de Universiteit Utrecht en de KU Leuven is de praktijk van de vrederechter in Frankrijk en België in kaart gebracht. In deze bijdrage geven de onderzoekers een samenvatting van het onderzoek en de resultaten. Zij zien mogelijkheden de toegankelijkheid en laagdrempeligheid van de eerstelijnsrechtspraak in Nederland te verbeteren: organiseer rechtspraak dichter bij de burger en laat de kantonrechter de rol van nabijheidsrechter vervullen.
Mutual Shaping of a CMS for Social Journalism in a Hierarchical News Organization
Authors: Poepsel Mark Anthony
Published: March 2020

This article presents a case study of a news organization examined when it was introducing a proprietary content management system (CMS) for social journalism. The CMS enables users to publish, form groups, and follow one another to create personalized local health news feeds. Applying the mutual shaping of technology (MST) construct in analysis organized according to the hierarchy of influences model, this article examines how the CMS influenced the news organization and vice versa. Even in an organization with a great deal of control over a small innovation, the predominant perception was that the CMS was a technological incursion rather than a tool to be molded. Instead of asserting professional norms over the technology as social shapers, journalists focused on managing changes in routines and organizational structures and on managing perceptions about the “experiment.” The project has stagnated. This article discusses why, and it addresses the usefulness of the MST construct for examining innovation iterations in news organizations.
Constructive Journalism: An Introduction and Practical Guide for Applying Positive Psychology Techniques to News Production
Authors: McIntyre Karen , Gyldensted Cathrine
Published: March 2020

We propose to expand the boundaries of the news process by introducing, defining and subsequently coining the interdisciplinary concept of constructive journalism as an emerging form of journalism that involves applying positive psychology techniques to news processes and production in an effort to create productive and engaging coverage, while holding true to journalism’s core functions. First, we review the critical issues in journalism that highlight the need for this approach. Next, we coin constructive journalism and situate the concept in the field. Finally, we outline techniques by which constructive journalism can be practiced, including the psychological frameworks supporting these applications. Overall, this essay suggests a needed direction for journalism by means of constructive reporting which aims to positively impact journalism’s diminished reputation and weary news audiences.
How journalists innovate in the newsroom. Proposing a model of the diffusion of innovations in media outlets
Authors: García-Avilés Jose Alberto , Carvajal-Prieto Miguel , Arias Félix , De Lara-González Alicia
Published: March 2020

This paper explores how innovation emerges in the media through the views of journalists who are leading the process of newsroom change in Spain. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 20 journalists working in some of the most innovative outlets, according to the 2014 Index of Journalism Innovation in Spain (García-Avilés, Carvajal-Prieto, De Lara-González, & Arias-Robles, 2018). The results highlight the importance of innovations in content production, internal organization, distribution, and commercialization as the drivers of change in the media industry. Our study also reveals several factors that shape both the practice and implementation of innovations in newsrooms. We draw on these factors to outline a model of diffusion of media innovation.
Community Management and Water Service Delivery in Africa
Authors: Okeyo Obosi Joseph
Published: March 2020

Access to affordable and clean water has remained a challenge globally. Most states in Africa states have championed the provision of water to its citizens through state driven approaches. Despite the evidence that community water supply has contributed positively more than any other single approach to provision of water supply in Africa, it is still regarded as an informal approach. Most states in Africa still prefer other conventional approaches like Concession and Affermage in Francophone Africa and Commercialization through Management contracts in Anglophone Africa at the expense of the community water management. Either the state has not used the right approach or has neglected the community. Using evidence from Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Ghana and Nigeria, the paper has argued that the failure by the governments to acknowledge the disconnect between the community needs and state priorities has been responsible for the poor state of water provision in Africa.
Funes el Memorioso navštěvuje muzeum aneb Vzpomínky na budoucnost
Authors: Šlesingerová Eva
Published: March 2020

S využitím skvělé povídky Jorge Borgese a její postavy jménem Funes el Memorioso tento text popisuje mimořádnost a zvláštnost problému memorizačních procesů a jejich sociální reprezentace, zvláště jejich konstruování uvnitř životního světa. Akty pamatování a zapomínání jsou ukázány jako specifické klasifikující, interpretativní hermeneutické intersubjektivní aktivity. Hlavní argumenty textu se odvíjejí od analýzy muzeí jako institucionálních, materiálních, vědeckých a na budoucnost orientovaných míst paměti. Ve světle antropologické reflexe západní konceptualizace času text analyzuje Mendelovo muzeum genetiky a dědičnosti. Vedle toho je reprezentace západního modernistického času zkoumána jako specifické kontinuum, navzájem propojující ideje minulosti, přítomnosti a budoucnosti.
Ethics and Microcredit
Authors: Duran Jane ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2020

An analysis of the specific yogurt and phone microcredit schemes in Bangladesh is made along three lines of argument. It is important to note that these schemes are pulled together by NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) to assist women and children in developing areas to attain financial independence—the first line employs leftist criticism of the corporate constructs, and an additional line of inquiry compares some of the programs to those in other nations. A final line of argument analyzes the specific cultural views of Bengali Islam and the long tradition of Bengali literacy. It is concluded that, despite areas of difficulty, the programs are in general beneficial.
Analysis of the Legal State of Ground Communities
Authors: Kwartnik-Pruc Anita , Mączyńska Aneta
Published: March 2020

There are over 5,000 land communities in Poland that own real estate with an area of over 100,000 hectares. In 2009, the Supreme Audit Office (SAO, in Polish the Najwyższa Izba Kontroli) carried out an audit of the factual and legal status of State Treasury property and municipal property. The inspection also included properties belonging to land communities and showed numerous irregularities in their functioning throughout Poland. The result of the audit was large changes to the Law regulating the operation of land communities, i.e. the Law of June 29, 1963 on the Development of Land Communities. The amended act was intended to facilitate the regulation of the legal status of many properties in Poland.This article presents an analysis of the legal status of real estate of land communities made on the basis of the audit carried out in 2009 by the Supreme Audit Office. The article presents the procedure of regulating the legal status of real estate according to the provisions of the amended Law on the management of land communities. Furthermore, it contains the analysis of administrative proceedings concerning land community in selected counties located in the Masovian Voivodeship (i.e. the district of Ostrołęka and the district of Przysucha) to check whether the amended law helped to regulate the legal status of community lands and land communities.
Monoubiquitination by the human Fanconi anemia core complex clamps FANCI:FANCD2 on DNA in filamentous arrays
Authors: Tan Winnie , van Twest Sylvie , Leis Andrew , Bythell-Douglas Rohan , Murphy Vincent J , Sharp Michael , Parker Michael W , Crismani Wayne , Deans Andrew J
Published: March 2020

FANCI:FANCD2 monoubiquitination is a critical event for replication fork stabilization by the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway. It has been proposed that at stalled replication forks, monoubiquitinated-FANCD2 serves to recruit DNA repair proteins that contain ubiquitin-binding motifs. Here, we have reconstituted the FA pathway in vitro to study functional consequences of FANCI:FANCD2 monoubiquitination. We report that monoubiquitination does not promote any specific exogenous protein:protein interactions, but instead stabilizes FANCI:FANCD2 heterodimers on dsDNA. This clamping requires monoubiquitination of only the FANCD2 subunit. We further show using electron microscopy that purified monoubiquitinated FANCI:FANCD2 forms filament-like arrays on long dsDNA. Our results reveal how monoubiquitinated FANCI:FANCD2, defective in many cancer types and all cases of FA, is activated upon DNA binding.
Agonist-mediated switching of ion selectivity in TPC2 differentially promotes lysosomal function
Authors: Gerndt Susanne , Chen Cheng-Chang , Chao Yu-Kai , Yuan Yu , Burgstaller Sandra , Scotto Rosato Anna , Krogsaeter Einar , Urban Nicole , Jacob Katharina , Nguyen Ong Nam Phuong , Miller Meghan T , Keller Marco , Vollmar Angelika M , Gudermann Thomas , Zierler Susanna , Schredelseker Johann , Schaefer Michael , Biel Martin , Malli Roland , Wahl-Schott Christian , Bracher Franz , Patel Sandip , Grimm Christian
Published: March 2020

Ion selectivity is a defining feature of a given ion channel and is considered immutable. Here we show that ion selectivity of the lysosomal ion channel TPC2, which is hotly debated (Calcraft et al., 2009; Guo et al., 2017; Jha et al., 2014; Ruas et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2012), depends on the activating ligand. A high-throughput screen identified two structurally distinct TPC2 agonists. One of these evoked robust Ca2+-signals and non-selective cation currents, the other weaker Ca2+-signals and Na+-selective currents. These properties were mirrored by the Ca2+-mobilizing messenger, NAADP and the phosphoinositide, PI(3,5)P2, respectively. Agonist action was differentially inhibited by mutation of a single TPC2 residue and coupled to opposing changes in lysosomal pH and exocytosis. Our findings resolve conflicting reports on the permeability and gating properties of TPC2 and they establish a new paradigm whereby a single ion channel mediates distinct, functionally-relevant ionic signatures on demand.
It is time to get real when trying to predict educational performance
Authors: Janssens Cecile
Published: March 2020

A study of 3,500 children in the UK shows that data on socioeconomic background and previous educational achievements can better predict how students will perform at school than genetic data.
miRNA‐765 mediates multidrug resistance via targeting BATF2 in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Lin Wan , Miao Yu , Meng Xiangkun , Huang Ying , Zhao Wanli , Ruan Jigang
Published: March 2020

Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying multidrug resistance (MDR) is required to ensure the efficacy of chemotherapy against gastric cancer (GC). To investigate this issue, here we identified that microRNA‐765 (miRNA‐765) is up‐regulated both in MDR GC cell lines and in specimens from patients who are not responding to chemotherapy. In addition, down‐regulation of miRNA‐765 increased the sensitivity of GC cells to anticancer drugs, whereas its overexpression had the opposite effect. Moreover, miRNA‐765 suppressed drug‐induced apoptosis and positively regulated the expression of MDR‐related genes. Finally, we showed that the basic leucine zipper ATF‐like transcription factor 2, a tumor suppressor gene, is the functional target of miRNA‐765. In summary, these results suggest that miRNA‐765 may promote MDR via basic leucine zipper ATF‐like transcription factor 2 in GC cells.
Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry in Analysis of Chemicals Related to the Chemical Weapons Convention
Authors: Oyler Jonathan , Maistros Kathleen , Oyler Benjamin , Kilgour David
Published: March 2020

Liquid chromatography (LC) directly interfaced with mass spectrometry (MS) provides a highly specific and sensitive analytical technique for a wide range of target analytes ranging from small, semi‐volatile chemicals to large biopolymers like proteins, DNA, polar lipids, and carbohydrates. This makes it an important technique in the analysis of biomedical and environmental samples for chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and biological toxins. In LC, like gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), target analytes can be separated from other complex matrix components through chromatographic mechanisms prior to being introduced into a mass spectrometer for unequivocal identification and quantification. The advent of electrospray and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization made it possible to introduce molecules efficiently from the liquid or solid phase into the gas phase for mass spectrometric analysis. The advantage of LC over gas chromatography (GC) is that polar CWA degradation products and metabolites, protein toxins and biomarker adducts like organophosphate nerve agent (OPNA)‐protein adducts and sulfur mustard‐protein and DNA adducts can be readily resolved and isolated from complex matrices for mass spectrometric identification and quantification. The disadvantage to LC for this analysis is that there are many more variables involved in the efficient and robust chromatography, volatilization, and ionization of target analytes prior to introduction into the MS as compared to GC/MS, and there is, generally, a wider range of mass spectrometer types with differing capabilities directly interfaced with LC systems currently in use in laboratories making the establishment of reliable spectral libraries more difficult for these systems; individual laboratories can establish their own libraries based on specific instrumentation and specific method parameters provided they have authentic analytical standards for the target analytes of interest. That said, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSMS) are a very important technique that every laboratory involved in the analysis of samples for CWAs, their degradation products and metabolites, and toxins should have in their arsenal in order to successfully address and complete this analytical mission. This article briefly describes method theory and recent method applications to the analysis of these compounds in biomedical and environmental samples which remain important to the international community because of their potential use as terrorist and warfare threats.
Distances and Similarity Measures in Chemometrics and Chemoinformatics
Authors: Todeschini Roberto , Ballabio Davide , Consonni Viviana
Published: March 2020

Several similarity/diversity measures for data mining, chemometrics, and chemoinformatics are presented and discussed toward the different data they are applied to. After a short presentation of the axioms for dissimilarity and similarity functions, their relationships and the required data pretreatment, the theoretical definitions and formulas of distance and similarity measures for real‐valued, binary, ranked, frequency, and mixed‐type data are provided along with the main concepts on distances between sets and meta‐distances. Simple examples of calculation are given and extended comparisons are performed on the distances defined for real valued and binary data.
Medical Applications of Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Paidi Santosh K. , Pandey Rishikesh , Barman Ishan
Published: March 2020

In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has emerged as an important tool for label‐free characterization of biological samples due to its ability to probe water‐containing samples using visible and near‐infrared (NIR) frequencies with high chemical specificity. The innovation and advancements in instrumentation such as compact lasers, sensitive detectors, and miniature fiber‐optic Raman probes have enabled their use for medical applications. Several applications such as disease diagnosis, in vivo biopsy guidance, endoscopy, and surgical margin assessment have been explored by taking advantage of these developments. One of the major impediments to the clinical translation of Raman spectroscopy has been the poor sensitivity due to the scarcity of Raman scattered photons. To tackle this limitation, several variants such as surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), stimulated Raman Spectroscopy (SRS), and coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) have been proposed for obtaining signal enhancement. In addition, a range of multivariate data analysis techniques have been used to exploit the latent information from Raman spectra obtained from complex biological specimen. In addition to the development of diagnostic algorithms for disease detection and real‐time guidance, these methods facilitate the identification of disease‐specific spectral markers in medical applications. This encyclopedia article provides a glimpse of the modern biomedical Raman instrumentation, data analysis frameworks, current progress in medical applications for clinical translation, and future research directions.
Potential for Major Therapeutic Changes to Produce Significant Clinical Response Across a Broad Range of Disease Activity: An Observational Study of US Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Sauer Brian C. , Chen Wei , Shen Jincheng , Accortt Neil A. , Collier David H. , Cannon Grant W.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To examine the impact of major therapeutic change (MTC) on clinical response across a broad range of disease activity in US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

This historical cohort analysis evaluated patient visits from the Veterans Affairs RA registry between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2017. Eligible patient visits were a rheumatology visit with 3 disease activity measures, including the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, the Clinical Disease Activity Index, and the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3; the follow‐up visit for all 3 disease activity measures was 2–6 months later. The full population and a subset of patients with active disease (≥6 tender joints, ≥6 swollen joints) were evaluated. Clinical outcome was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20% improvement in disease activity (ACR20). The effect of MTC on ACR20 response was presented as crude descriptive statistics and evaluated using standardized regression for population‐ and disease activity–level conditional effects.

Results

The full population comprised 1,208 patients (6,138 visits) and the active disease subpopulation included 383 patients (1,109 visits). Overall, visits with MTC were associated with increased likelihood of ACR20 response across all disease activity measures for the full population. Risk ratios for overall risk of ACR20 response for visits with MTC versus those without MTC ranged from 1.67 to 2.22 across disease activity measures among the full population and from 1.51 to 1.60 for the subpopulation with active disease.

Conclusion

MTC was associated with clinical improvement, even among patients with longstanding RA who had received multiple prior therapies, which emphasizes the utility of therapy modifications for patients with established and active RA.
Microrobots Derived from Variety Plant Pollen Grains for Efficient Environmental Clean Up and as an Anti‐Cancer Drug Carrier
Authors: Maric Tijana , Nasir Muhammad Zafir Mohamad , Rosli Nur Farhanah , Budanović Maja , Webster Richard D. , Cho Nam‐Joon , Pumera Martin
Published: March 2020

The production of large quantities of micromachines and microrobots is limited by fabrication methods and the use of synthetic templates. Pollen is one of the most stable structures in the world, capable of surviving harsh treatment and for millions of years. Pollen grains are available in large variety of shapes and sizes. The use of a wide variety of naturally abundant, nontoxic pollen grains for the efficient fabrication of platinum‐pollen (Pt‐pollen) hybrid microrobots capable of fast propulsion for environmental and biomedical applications is demonstrated. Nine different pollen grains are selected and modified (dandelion, pine, lotus, sunflower, poppy, camellia, lycopodium, cattail, and galla) to demonstrate the robustness of different types of pollen grains for potential applications in environmental remediation. The efficient mobility rendered by the fabricated microrobots enhances their performance in the removal of heavy metals in aqueous medium. Furthermore, they can be used as doxorubicin carriers.
Interactively Full‐Color Changeable Electronic Fiber Sensor with High Stretchability and Rapid Response
Authors: Wang Yunpeng , Niu Wenbin , Lo Chiao‐Yueh , Zhao Yusen , He Ximin , Zhang Guorui , Wu Suli , Ju Benzhi , Zhang Shufen
Published: March 2020

Smart interactive electronic devices can dynamically respond to and visualize environmental stimuli. Inspired by the rapid color changes of natural creatures, an interactive electronic fiber sensor with high stretchability and tunable coloration is presented. It is based on an ingenious multi‐sheath design on a piezoresistive electronic fiber coupled with a mechanochromic photonic crystal microtubule. It has the unique capabilities of sensing and visualizing its deformation simultaneously, by reconstructing conductive paths and regulating the lattice spacing of the photonic sheath. In particular, it exhibits dynamic color switching spanning the full visible region (from red to blue), fast optical/electrical response (≈80 ms), and a large working range (0–200%), allowing its application as a user‐interactive sensor for dynamically monitoring large joint movements and muscle microvibrations of the human body in real time. This investigation provides a general platform for emerging interactive devices, which are promising for applications in wearable electronics, human–machine interactions, and intelligent robots.
Self‐Assembled NiO Nanocrystal Arrays as Memristive Elements
Authors: Kurnia Fran , Liu Chunli , Raveendra Nallagatla , Jung Chang Uk , Vasudevan Rama K. , Valanoor Nagarajan
Published: March 2020

Memristive switching, a nonlinear current–voltage (I–V) characteristic, has seen a tremendous surge in interest as an approach to achieve implementation of synaptic functions. The memristive switching behavior of self‐assembled NiO nanocrystals is investigated via scanning probe microscopy, based on first‐order reversal curve current–voltage spectroscopy. Synaptic switching is clearly observed as a direct consequence of filament growth (i.e., gradually increased conductance) in the nanocrystals. A spatial dependency of the conduction in the nanocrystals suggests that there is a localization of the switching filament. The current understanding of this localization ignores features related to local lateral variation current, which can generate an excessive local heat and temperature such as electrical dissipation. The observation of low electrical dissipation at the edge of the nanocrystals shows that less energy is wasted as heat such that the bias applied can be utilized more efficiently to assist the nucleation of the filament and thus reduces the power consumption. Electrical power dissipation is also found to scale with nanocrystal height and has spatial dependence within the nanocrystals. The combination of synaptic switching and high density of the nanocrystals demonstrate that it is feasible to exploit them to create a basic architecture for neuromorphic memory devices.
Occupational differences in workers' compensation indemnity claims among direct care workers in Minnesota nursing homes, 2005‐2016
Authors: Rosebush Christina E. , Zaidman Brian , Schofield Katherine E. , Erickson Darin J. , Ramirez Marizen , Tschida Breca , McGovern Patricia M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Nursing assistants have one of the highest injury rates in the U.S., but few population‐based studies assess differential injury risk by occupation in nursing homes. This statewide study assessed differences in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and patient handling injuries among direct care workers in Minnesota nursing homes.

Methods

Indemnity claims from the Minnesota workers' compensation database were matched to time at risk from the Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card to estimate 2005 to 2016 injury and illness claim rates for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Associations between occupation and claim characteristics were assessed using multivariable regression modeling.

Results

Indemnity claim rates were 3.68, 1.38, and 0.69 per 100 full‐time equivalent workers for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, respectively. Patient handling injuries comprised 62% of claims. Compared to RNs, CNAs had higher odds of an indemnity claim resulting from an MSD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31‐2.14) or patient handling injury (OR = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.47‐2.45) as opposed to another type of injury or illness. CNAs had lower odds of receiving temporary and permanent partial disability benefits and higher odds of receiving a stipulation settlement.

Conclusions

CNAs in Minnesota nursing homes are at heightened risk for lost time MSDs and patient handling injuries. Claims filed by CNAs are more frequently settled outside the regular workers' compensation benefit structure, an indication that the workers' compensation system is not providing adequate and timely benefits to these workers.
Extending the Sensitivity of CEST NMR Spectroscopy to Micro‐to‐Millisecond Dynamics in Nucleic Acids Using High‐Power Radio‐Frequency Fields
Authors: Rangadurai Atul , Shi Honglue , Al‐Hashimi Hashim M.
Published: March 2020

Biomolecules undergo motions on the micro‐to‐millisecond timescale to adopt low‐populated transient states that play important roles in folding, recognition, and catalysis. NMR techniques, such as Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG), chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST), and R1ρ are the most commonly used methods for characterizing such transitions at atomic resolution under solution conditions. CPMG and CEST are most effective at characterizing motions on the millisecond timescale. While some implementations of the R1ρ experiment are more broadly sensitive to motions on the micro‐to‐millisecond timescale, they entail the use of selective irradiation schemes and inefficient 1D data acquisition methods. Herein, we show that high‐power radio‐frequency fields can be used in CEST experiments to extend the sensitivity to faster motions on the micro‐to‐millisecond timescale. Given the ease of implementing high‐power fields in CEST, this should make it easier to characterize micro‐to‐millisecond dynamics in biomolecules.
Triple‐Gaussian distributed activation energy model for the thermal degradation of coal and coal chars under a CO2 atmosphere
Authors: Wang Haopeng , Ti Shuguang
Published: March 2020

Coal and coal char thermal degradation in a CO2 atmosphere is particularly important to understand and model as a rate‐determining step in the gasification process. The work presented here aims to provide a global kinetic model that accurately represents the thermal degradation of Sanxing (SX) coal and coal char under a CO2 atmosphere and to determine the kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation. In the work presented, a novel approach has been used that involves a triple‐Gaussian DAEM that simultaneously considers the primary pyrolysis, secondary pyrolysis, and the process of newly generated char gasified by CO2. The result of the model shows accurate reproduction of the thermal degradation behavior of SX coal and chars and provides significant information about the relative occurrence of the three steps. For SX coal and Char500, the residual error of the triple‐Gaussian DAEM is approximately 0.35 to 0.22 times that of the double Gaussian DAEM. For Char850, the ratio is lower, approximately 0.12 times that of the double Gaussian DAEM. This indicates that the triple‐Gaussian DAEM is more suitable for describing the thermal degradation of chars acquired at high temperatures (500–850°C) under a CO2 atmosphere.
Flexible poly(styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene) hybrid nanofibers for bioengineering and water filtration applications
Authors: Avci Huseyin , Akkulak Esra , Gergeroglu Hazal , Ghorbanpoor Hamed , Uysal Onur , Eker Sariboyaci Ayla , Demir Bahar , Soykan Merve Nur , Pat Suat , Mohammadigharehbagh Reza , Özel Ceren , Cabuk Ahmet , Doğan Güzel Fatma
Published: March 2020

Among the thermoplastic elastomers that play important roles in the polymer industry due to their superior properties, styrene‐based species and polyurethane block copolymers are of great interest. Poly(styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene) (SEBS) as a triblock copolymer seems to have the potential to meet many demands in different applications due to various industrial requirements where durability, biocompatibility, breaking elongation, and interfacial adhesion are important. In this study, the SEBS triblock copolymer was functionalized with natural (Satureja hortensis, SH) and synthetic (nanopowder, TiO2) agents to obtain composite nanofibers by electrospinning and electrospraying methods for use in biomedical and water filtration applications. The results were compared with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite nanofibers, which are commonly used in these fields. Here, functionalized SEBS nanofibers exhibited antibacterial effect while at the same time improving cell viability. In addition, because of successful water filtration by using the SEBS composite nanofibers, the material may have a good potential to be used comparably to TPU for the application.
Ultra‐high compression and wear resistant hybrid filled polyimide composite: Synergistic effect of Fe2O3 decorated RGO
Authors: Liu Hong , Jia Yongfeng , Wang Hongding , Duan Chunjian , Wang Tingmei , Wang Qihua
Published: March 2020

Herein, the tribological performance, thermal and compression resistance behavior of polyimide (PI) reinforced by Fe2O3 decorated reduced graphene is systematically investigated. The remarkable synergistic effect of Fe2O3 decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is demonstrated in its PI wear resistance, and PI/RGO/Fe2O3 composites show good thermal stability and much higher compression resistant ability than PI, PI/RGO, and PI/Fe2O3 composites when the filling contents are same. Additionally, the PI/RGO/Fe2O3 composites also exhibited ultra‐wear‐resistant properties under high load condition, and the lowest wear rate is 3.18 × 10−8 mm3N−1 m−1, which is an order of magnitude lower than that of pure PI. The investigation of its tribological mechanism also showed strong synergistic effect and interface force of Fe2O3 decorated RGO, which contribute to its high‐performance friction‐reducing behaviors. These findings give an inside view to Fe2O3 decorated RGO and its polyimide composites, and open an avenue for the graphene oxide (GO) based composite to act as compression wear‐resisting solid fillers and lubricants when polymer composite with excellent compressive, thermal and tribological properties is required.
Segmental relaxations and other insights into filler‐mediated interactions for carbon black‐filled polybutadiene rubber
Authors: Zhang Yuanhong , Zhou Hongbin
Published: March 2020

The role of interaction with filler particles in modifying segmental relaxations of elastomers is still not fully clear. This work examines the glass and melting transition of unvulcanized and vulcanized polybutadiene rubber filled with carbon black. It is found that for uncured rubbers, the calorimetric glass and melting transition temperatures are unaffected by the presence of carbon black, without invoking the concept of restricted chains near filler. In quenched vulcanizates, the increment in segmental relaxation with filler loading is detected, which is attributed to the reduction in chemical crosslink density caused by filler agglomeration. On the other hand, the crystalline part constrains the molecular motion in amorphous regions such that the glass transition temperature is raised when the crystallinity is large. This study reveals that the only effect of carbon black is to influence chemical crosslinks through filler networking and then change in segmental relaxations is detectable.
Coextrusion and biaxial orientation of multi‐microlayer films
Authors: Chiu Hsien‐Tang , Yu Chin‐Yang , Huang Chang‐Min , Lin Bang‐Shuan
Published: March 2020

In this study, the multi‐microlayer films (MMFs) prepared by the coextrusion of the corresponding polymers using a feed block design are reported. The alternating layers of the linear low‐density poly(ethylene) and ethylene vinyl alcohol polymers are used to produce the 3‐layered and 100‐layered MMFs with the total thickness of around 640 μm. The MMFs are going through biaxial orientation and heat treatment which can change the morphologies and physical properties and reduce the thickness of the films to several micrometers. The differences in crystallinity, melting temperature, interface physical properties, tensile strength, and water vapor transmission rate of the MMFs are fully investigated. The intermolecular interaction of the 100‐layered MMFs is much higher than that of the 3‐layered MMFs possibly due to the tightly bonded layers which lead to the disappearance of the interface layers following by orientation. The MMFs are successfully prepared by coextrusion following by biaxial orientation and heat treatment of two or more different kinds of polymers with very different intrinsic properties. This MMFs exhibit excellent compatibility, mechanical property and water resistance characteristics which have potential uses in the composite materials for food and electronic packaging applications.
Development of microsatellite markers for the perennial plant Tofieldia calyculata
Authors: Vlasta Tomáš , Jarošová Andrea , Šurinová Maria , Münzbergová Zuzana
Published: March 2020

Premise

Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed to study genetic diversity and genetic structure of populations of the locally endangered species Tofieldia calyculata (Tofieldiaceae).

Methods and Results

Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using DNA‐enriched libraries sequenced by Ilumina technology and were then used to genotype 101 individuals from five populations from Austria, Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Of the markers tested, 68% were polymorphic in four of the five investigated populations, with one marker polymorphic in all populations. The number of alleles per locus in the populations ranged from one to 11. Levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.75 and from 0.00 to 0.84, respectively. Moreover, six of the 19 loci amplified when tested in the congeneric species T. pusilla.

Conclusions

The 19 newly developed microsatellite markers can be used to describe genetic diversity and population structure of populations of T. calyculata.
A patient‐derived xenograft and a cell line derived from it form a useful preclinical model for small bowel adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yamano Tomoki , Kubo Shuji , Tomita Naohiro
Published: March 2020

Basic and clinical studies on small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) are limited due to the rare nature of this cancer. We established a patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) model from the tumor tissue of an advanced SBA patient with liver and peritoneal metastasis, and a cell line from the PDX. In the PDX model, compared to the control group, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) treatment resulted in statistically significant tumor growth inhibition (TGI), while oxaliplatin (OHP) and irinotecan had no significant inhibitory effects. In combination with 5‐FU, OHP showed the highest rate of TGI. The IC50 for OHP was significantly lower than those for paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and trifluorothymidine in the PDX‐derived cell line when compared to in HT29, a colon cancer cell line. Genetic analysis of the patient tumor, PDX tumor, and the cell line demonstrated consistency in the microsatellite status and mutations in TP53, APC, HRAS, CSF1R, FGFR3, FLT3, PDGFRA, and RET genes. However, the PDX tumor alone had additional mutations, indicating that the PDX‐derived cell line may support the unstable genetic status of the PDX. Our findings confirmed the effectiveness of the combination of OHP and 5‐FU, which is a common treatment for advanced SBA and advanced colorectal cancer, in a preclinical model. This preclinical model of SBA can help in further understanding the biology of SBA.
Dental manifestations of hypophosphatasia in children and the effects of enzyme replacement therapy on dental status: A series of clinical cases
Authors: Kiselnikova Larisa , Vislobokova Elena , Voinova Victoria
Published: March 2020

The most frequent dental signs of hypophosphatasia in children are premature loss of primary teeth, decrease in height of alveolar bone, and malocclusions. Enzyme replacement therapy with Asfotase alfa might be associated with stabilization of dental status.
Harvest interval effects on the persistence and productivity of alfalfa grown as a monoculture or in mixtures in the southeastern United States
Authors: Quinby Marcia P. , Nave Renata L. G. , Bates Gary E. , McIntosh David
Published: March 2020

For alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to be profitable in the southeastern United States, enhanced persistence is required. However, studies assessing alfalfa's persistence in monoculture or mixtures in the region are limited. We aimed to determine the persistence and productivity of alfalfa and alfalfa–grass mixtures subjected to different harvest intervals. Three species combinations were established in 2015: alfalfa (A), alfalfa–tall fescue [Schenodorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort] (ATF), and alfalfa–bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] (AB). These were subjected to four harvest intervals (21, 28, 35, and 42 d) during the 2016, 2017, and 2018 growing seasons. Total forage accumulation (FA) was quantified during 2017 and 2018 and nutritive value and stem density were measured at the first and last harvests in those years. Forage accumulation decreased in all species combinations after 2 yr of management (A: 21 d, –63%; 28 d, –66%; 35 d, –50%; 42 d, –31%; AB: 21 d, –22%; 28 d, –59%; 35 d, –34%; 42 d, –19%; ATF: 21 d, –41%; 28 d, –62%; 35 d, –64%; 42 d, –41%), reflecting decreased alfalfa stem density, especially for A and AB. The differences in alfalfa stem density between the first and last harvests depended on the species. No differences were observed in ATF mixtures but for AB and A, longer harvest intervals had up to 90% fewer stems, thus decreasing alfalfa's persistence in the field. Lower stem density was observed for the 21‐d harvest interval; therefore, longer intervals could result in better field performance.
Identification and Nanomechanical Characterization of the HIV Tat‐Amyloid β Peptide Multifibrillar Structures
Authors: Feng Qiying , Hong Yue , Pradeep Nidamanuri Naga , Yang Chuanxu , Li Qiang , Dong Mingdong
Published: March 2020

HIV transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein could interact with amyloid β (Aβ) peptide which cause the growth of Aβ plaques in the brain and result in Alzheimer's disease in HIV‐infected patients. Herein, we employ high‐resolution atomic force microscopy and quantitative nanomechanical mapping to investigate the effects of Tat protein in Aβ peptide aggregation. Our results demonstrate that the Tat protein could bind to the Aβ fibril surfaces and result in the formation of Tat‐Aβ multifibrillar structures. The resultant Tat‐Aβ multifibrillar aggregates represent an increase in stiffness compared with Aβ fibrils due to the increase in β‐sheet formation. The identification and characterization of the Tat‐Aβ intermediate aggregates is important to understanding the interactions between Tat protein and Aβ peptide, and the development of novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease‐like disorder in HIV infected individuals.