bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of veneered wood flour/polyvinyl chloride composites
Authors: Zong Guanggong , Hao Jianxiu , Hao Xiaolong , Fang Yiqun , Song Yongming , Wang Haigang , OU Rongxian , Wang Qingwen
Published: October 2019

A wood flour/polyvinyl chloride (WF/PVC) composite with poplar veneer as the surface layer (veneered WF/PVC composites) was prepared by hot pressing. To improve the flame retardancy of the veneered WF/PVC composites, a self‐developed flame retardant of wood (FRW, composed of guanylurea phosphate [GPU], boric acid and few additives) was impregnated in the poplar veneer, and zinc oxide (ZnO) was incorporated into the WF/PVC composites. Properties of the composites, including thermal decomposition, flame retardancy, interface adhension strength, impact strength and flexural properties, were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the FRW and ZnO accelerated the pyrolysis of the composites in the first stage and had a positive effect on thermal performance at high temperature. Cone calorimetry showed that the FRW and ZnO promoted the rapid formation of carbon and had a positive effect on the flame retardancy and smoke inhibition properties. The mechanical results showed that a strong interface adhension strength was formed between the surface poplar veneer and PVC composite board substrates. The poplar veneer significantly improved the impact and flexural properties of the WF/PVC composites.
Genomic analysis reveals rich genetic variation and potential targets of selection during domestication of castor bean from perennial woody tree to annual semi‐woody crop
Authors: Xu Wei , Yang Tianquan , Qiu Lijun , Chapman Mark A. , Li De‐Zhu , Liu Aizhong
Published: October 2019

Relatively, little is known about the genetic variation of woody trees during domestication. Castor bean (Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae) is a commercially important nonedible annual oilseed crop and differs from its wild progenitors that have a perennial woody habit. Although castor bean is one of the oldest cultivated crops, its domestication origin, genomic variation, and potential targets of selection underlying domestication traits remain unknown. Here, we performed a phylogenetic analysis, which suggests that the wild accessions were distinctively separated from the cultivated accessions. Genome sequencing of three accessions (one each wild, landrace, and cultivar) showed a large number of genetic variants between wild and cultivated castor bean (ZB306 or Hale), and relatively few variants between cultivar ZB306 and Hale. Comparative genome analysis revealed many candidate genes of selection and key pathways potentially involved in the transition from a perennial woody tree to annual crop. Interestingly, among 16 oil‐related genes only three showed evidence of selection and the remainder showed low genetic variation at the population level, suggesting strong purifying selection in both the wild and domesticated gene pools. These results extend our understanding of the origin, genomic variation, and domestication, and provide a valuable resource for future gene–trait associations and castor bean breeding.
Radiative decay channel assessment to understand the sensing mechanism of a fluorescent turn‐on Al3+ chemosensor
Authors: Treto‐Suárez Manuel A. , Hidalgo‐Rosa Yoan , Schott Eduardo , Zarate Ximena , Páez‐Hernández Dayan
Published: October 2019

The turn‐on luminescent chemosensor [2‐Hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde‐(2‐pyridyl) hydrazone] (L), selective to Al3+ ions, was studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent‐DFT quantum mechanics calculations. The UV‐Vis absorption and the radiative channel from the adiabatic S1 excited state were assessed in order to elucidate the selective sensing mechanism of L to Al3+ ions. We found that twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and photoelectron transfer (PET), which alter the emissive state, are responsible for the luminescence quenching in L. After coordination with Al3+, the TICT is blocked, and PET is no longer possible. So, the emission of the coordination complex is activated, and a fluorescence effect enhanced by chelation is observed. For compounds with Zn2+ and Cd2+, the luminescence quenching is caused by PET, while for Ni2+, ligand to metal charge transfer is the prominent mechanism. To go into more detail, the metal‐ligand interaction was analyzed via the Morokuma‐Ziegler energy decomposition scheme and the natural orbital of chemical valence.
Zooplankton sampling in large riverine systems: A gear comparison
Authors: Appel Douglas S. , Gerrish Gretchen A. , Fisher Elista J. , Fritts Mark W.
Published: October 2019

Large river systems create challenges when sampling zooplankton. The dynamics of large rivers, spatial heterogeneity of biota, and behaviours of zooplankton can all contribute to large variation in estimation. The gear utilized for zooplankton collections may also be a factor, and there is not a well‐studied gear, nor industry standard, for collection in riverine systems. The lack of consistent sampling methods makes it difficult to compare zooplankton within and across systems. A standard method for zooplankton collection would be valuable for comparison among studies. To optimize zooplankton assessment in large river habitats, we tested how community estimations varied between four common zooplankton sampling devices across three river habitat types. We tested four gears: the Schindler–Patalas trap, integrated tube sampler, powered water pump, and horizontal tow net. Each device was used to collect samples in thalweg, channel border, and backwater river habitats within Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River in June, July, and August of 2017. Our results support that there are qualitative and quantitative differences in zooplankton estimates among gear in different habitats. The powered pump most often yielded highest abundances of total and individual zooplankton taxa allowing for more reliable community comparisons. With some modification, the pump is recommended as the most appropriate sampling gear when performing quantitative studies of zooplankton composition and abundance in large river habitats.
Evaluating futility of a binary clinical endpoint using early read‐outs
Authors: Van Lancker Kelly , Vandebosch An , Vansteelandt Stijn , De Ridder Filip
Published: October 2019

Interim analyses are routinely used to monitor accumulating data in clinical trials. When the objective of the interim analysis is to stop the trial if the trial is deemed futile, it must ideally be conducted as early as possible. In trials where the clinical endpoint of interest is only observed after a long follow‐up, many enrolled patients may therefore have no information on the primary endpoint available at the time of the interim analysis. To facilitate earlier decision‐making, one may incorporate early response data that are predictive for the primary endpoint (eg, an assessment of the primary endpoint at an earlier time) in the interim analysis. Most attention so far has been given to the development of interim test statistics that include such short‐term endpoints, but not to decision procedures. Existing tests moreover perform poorly when the information is scarce, eg, due to rare events, when the cohort of patients with observed primary endpoint data is small, or when the short‐term endpoint is a strong but imperfect predictor. In view of this, we develop an interim decision procedure based on the conditional power approach that utilizes the short‐term and long‐term binary endpoints in a framework that is expected to provide reliable inferences, even when the primary endpoint is only available for a few patients, and has the added advantage that it allows the use of historical information. The operational characteristics of the proposed procedure are evaluated for the phase III clinical trial that motivated this approach, using simulation studies.
Analysis of network interventions with an application to hospital‐acquired infections
Authors: Sewell Daniel K. ,   for the CDC MInD‐Healthcare Program
Published: October 2019

Regional interventions to prevent the spread of hospital‐acquired infections, vaccination campaigns, and information dissemination strategies are examples of treatment interventions applied to members of a network with the intent of effecting a network‐wide change. In designing clinical trials or determining policy changes, it may not be cost effective or otherwise possible to treat all actors of a network. There is a notable lack of study designs and statistical frameworks with which to plan a network‐wide intervention in this context and analyze the resulting data. This paper builds off of the network autocorrelation model in order to provide such a framework for a pre‐post study design. We derive key quantitative measures of the network‐wide treatment effect, exact formulas for power analyses of these measures, and extensions for the context in which the network is unknown. As the treatment assignation is part of the network‐wide treatment, we provide methods for determining the assignation which optimizes the overall treatment effect over all members of the network subject to any arbitrary set of implementation costs and cost constraint. We implement these methods on Clostridioides difficile data for the state of California, where the hospitals are linked through patient sharing.
Retracted: A New Mixed‐Ligand Coordination Polymer: Crystal Structure, Molecular Docking and Alleviating Effect on Myocarditis by Inhibiting the NLRP3‐Caspase‐1 Pathway in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Li Xiaozheng , Jin Xiaowan , Li Baoyi , Dong Fengquan , Li Haiying
Published: October 2019

A new mixed‐ligand coordination polymer {[Co(Hbidc)(2,2′‐bpy)(H2O)2]⋅1.5H2O}n (1) has been successfully prepared by the reaction of Co(NO3)2⋅6H2O, 2, 2′‐bipyridine (2,2′‐bpy) as well as benzimidazole‐5, 6‐dicarboxylic acid (H3bidc) in the mixed solvent of water and DMA under solvothermal conditions. Furthermore, a mechanical grinding method was used to produce the nanostructure 1 with the average size of 263 nm. The integrity of H9 C2 cardiomyocytes cell membrane after nano 1 treatment was detected by LDH detection. After nano 1 incubation, the inflammatory level in the H9 C2 cardiomyocytes was evaluated by western blot and ELISA measurement. In addition, the ROS accumulation in H9 C2 cardiomyocytes after nano 1 treatment was determined by H2DCFDA detection assay. Finally, possible interactions between the studied complex 1 and protein has been probed using molecular docking simulation.
Novel Nanostructured Na+, Cu2+(Zn2+),CO32−‐HAP/Alginate Composite Scaffold: Fabrication, Characterization and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Strutynska Nataliia , Livitska Oksana , Vovchenko Lyudmyla , Zhuravkov Alexander , Prylutskyy Yuriy , Slobodyanik Nikolai
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the novel Alginate (Alg)/Na+,Cu2+(Zn2+),CO32−‐containing apatite nanocomposite scaffolds, as well as to investigate their mechanical characteristics. During first stage, synthesized Na+,CO32− ‐ containing apatite‐type calcium phosphate was used as initial matrix for sorption of Cu2+ and Zn2+ from solutions with different molar concentrations. Then, the prepared Na+,Cu2+/Zn2+,CO32− ‐ containing apatite was used for creation of Alg/phosphate composites and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Results showed that all samples have a high Young's modulus ((370‐747) MPa), and their compressive strength is in the range of (233‐255) MPa. All Alg/phosphate composites are characterized by large plastic deformation when compressed.
Destabilization of β‐Hemocyanin from Helix pomatia in Presence of Choline Amino Acids Results in Improved Cell Specificity and Cytotoxicity against Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Guncheva Maya H. , Todinova Svetla J. , Uzunova Veselina P. , Idakieva Krasimira N. , Raynova Yuliana M. , Ossowicz Paula , Janus Ewa , Tzoneva Rumiana D.
Published: October 2019

Many hemocyanins, the oxygen‐transporting proteins in some invertebrates, are studied in depth in view of their immunostimulatory and vaccine adjuvant properties. However, their direct cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cell lines is poorly investigated. Here, we evaluated the effect of native β‐hemocyanin from Helix pomatia (β‐HpH) and its complexes with choline amino acids ([Chol][AA]) on the viability and morphology of estrogen‐dependent (MCF‐7) and estrogen‐independent (MDA‐MB‐231) breast cancer cells. In the tested concentration range, the native ß‐HpH has no effect on the cytotoxicity and migratory capacity of the two tested cell lines. [Chol][AA] induce rearrangement in the ß‐HpH molecule. The complexes characterize with decreased thermal stability and altered cytotoxicity. Their cytotoxicity toward MDA‐MB‐231 cells is preserved or enhanced. At the highest assayed concentration, β‐HpH‐[Chol][Trp] produced the same cytotoxic effect against MDA‐MB‐231 cells as that reported for doxorubicin. Oppositely, the native ß‐HpH, significantly stabilizes MCF‐7 cells and their metastatic potential was enhanced.
Dichlorination of Alkenes Using 1,3‐Dichloro‐5,5‐Dimethylhydantoin and ZnCl2
Authors: Ángel Alix Y. Bastidas , Bragança Emanuella F. , Alberto Eduardo E.
Published: October 2019

Electron‐deficient and electron‐rich alkenes can be efficiently converted to vicinal dichlorides employing a mixture of 1,3‐dichloro‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin (DCDMH) and zinc chloride. This straightforward protocol offers an easier to handle and safer alternative to the use of chlorine gas or other common chlorinating agents. Experimental evidences suggest that the solubility of the chloride salt is essential for the formation of a chlorine/trichloride anion as the effective chlorinating agent.
Unique Processing of Grape Wine Residue and Its Biosynthetic Platinum Nanoparticles for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Yuan Zhen , Xu Zhipeng , Wang Yimin , Liu Hua , Zhang Zhengguo , Liu Hai , Ke Yihu
Published: October 2019

Platinum is one of the most effective catalysts in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this work, platinum nanoparticles(PNPs) biosynthesized by the agricultural waste: grape wine residue(GWR) were introduced into dye eosin Y (EY) sensitized photocatalytic hydrogen evolution system by one‐pot method. Results revealed that the amount of hydrogen produced with GWR was 4.8 times higher than that without GWR. Characterizations showed that the excellent effect was due not only to smaller and more dispersed PNPs (4.30 ± 0.67 nm) synthesized by the reductive and protective effect of GWR, but also to the effectiveness of GWR in accelerating the electron transport rate, inhibiting the return of the excited EY to the ground state, and prolonging the lifetime of EY. In addition, polyphenols and flavonoids in GWR were the main active ingredients in the preparation of PNPs, polyphenols were the main active ingredient in hydrogen production.
Ethylene Glycol‐Assisted Sol‐Gel Method for Preparing LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 as Cathode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries with Excellent Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Zhu Limin , Yang Guang , Liu Jianping , Bao Chenguang , Xie Lingling , Cao Xiaoyu
Published: October 2019

Ethylene glycol‐assisted sol‐gel method is employed for preparing LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 used as cathode material in lithium‐ion batteries. The prepared material has higher c/a value and lower cationic mixing degree of Li+/Ni2+, illuminating a more orderly structure, smaller particle size and more regular particle shape, which shorten the diffusion length for Li+ ions and allow the rapid kinetics of Li+ ions diffusion. Sure enough, the as‐prepared LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 material displays the first discharge capacity of 208 mAh g−1 and keeps 133 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles between 2.5 and 4.5 V at 0.2 C. In addition, it demonstrates excellent rate capacity of 143 mAh g−1 at 2 C. The results show that LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 prepared by this method has high discharge capacity, admirable rate capability and exceptional cycle stability, which provides significant insights into the synthesis of other layered oxides as cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries.
General Synthesis of 3,4‐Dinitrophenyl α‐Glycopyranosides
Authors: Wallace Michael D. , Stubbs Keith A.
Published: October 2019

A generalised simple method for the synthesis of 3,4‐dinitrophenyl α‐glycosides is described. The nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 1‐fluoro‐3,4‐dinitrobenzene can be achieved with a suite of partially protected sugar hemiacetals, under basic conditions.
Bidirectional Transport of Nanoparticles and Cells with a Bio‐Conveyor Belt
Authors: Liu Xiaoshuai , Wu You , Xu Xiaohao , Li Yuchao , Zhang Yao , Li Baojun
Published: October 2019

The bidirectional transport of nanoparticles and biological cells is of great significance in efficient biological assays and precision cell screening, and can be achieved with optical conveyor belts in a noncontact and noninvasive manner. However, implantation of these belts into biological systems can present significant challenges owing to the incompatibility of the artificial materials. In this work, an optical conveyor belt assembled from natural biological cells is proposed. The diameter of the belt (500 nm) is smaller than the laser wavelength (980 nm) and, therefore, the evanescent wave stably traps the nanoparticles and cells on the belt surface. By adjusting the relative power of the lasers injected into the belt, the particles or cells can be bidirectionally transported along the bio‐conveyor belt. The experimental results are numerically interpreted and the transport velocities are investigated based on simulations. Further experiments show that the bio‐conveyor belt can also be assembled with mammalian cells and then applied to dynamic cell transport in vivo. The bio‐conveyor belt might provide a noninvasive and biocompatible tool for biomedical assays, drug delivery, and biological nanoarchitectonics.
Bacterium, Fungus, and Virus Microorganisms for Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Shen Shenghui , Zhou Rongfan , Li Yahao , Liu Bo , Pan Guoxiang , Liu Qi , Xiong Qinqin , Wang Xiuli , Xia Xinhui , Tu Jiangping
Published: October 2019

Since rapidly increasing energy demands have aroused tremendous research activities on energy storage and conversion, microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, and viruses) have played significant roles in developing high‐performance electrodes due to their strong abilities of fast reproduction, biomineralization, gene modification, and self‐assembly. Recently, a large quantity of bacteria and fungi has been utilized as the precursors to produce heteroatom–doped carbons or as the biofactories and templates to biomineralize the metal ions to form carbon‐based composites. In addition, in virtue of easy genetic modification, nanoscale viruses with functional groups are directly used as biotemplates for the self‐assembly of the active materials. In this review, a detailed introduction on the microorganisms and their unique abilities as well as the mechanisms behind their operations are discussed. Moreover, recent progress on bacteria‐ and fungi‐derived carbon materials and their composites, as well as the virus‐templated bio‐materials as the electrodes in electrochemical fields, including batteries and electrocatalysts, are further summarized. Finally, challenges and perspectives on the development of the microorganism derivations in electrochemical fields are also provided. This review offers guidance for the rational design of advanced electrode materials from microorganisms and extend the energy systems from the man‐made to biofabrication.
Development of New Synthetic Strategies, Tactics and their Applications
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Meshram Milind
Published: October 2019

This account covers our work related to the development of various synthetic methodologies since 1994. We summarized our strategies and their application to design various functional molecules. In this regard, we also report the utility of our methodologies in others research work. These methods we report here are simple and efficient for the synthesis of a wide variety of intricate molecules such as heterocycles, polycycles, unusual α‐amino acids, star‐shaped molecules, and modified peptides. For this purpose, we used various transition metal‐based reagents and catalysts. Various popular reactions such as metathesis, Suzuki coupling, [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization were used to assemble these targets. Moreover, rongalite has been used to expand the Diels‐Alder chemistry.
Mesoporous silica induces hippocampal neurons cell autophagy through AMPK/mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Na , Zhi Xiaoyu , Zhao Ji , Wei Jinglin , Li Jiangping , Yang Huifang
Published: October 2019

Mesoporous silica is a drug carrier with strong targeting, large loading capacity, and easy modification of its surface while its toxicity draws increasing attention recently. In this study, we evaluated the impact of SBA‐15 nanomaterials on hippocampal neurons. We found that SBA‐15 induces oxidative damage to hippocampal neurons HT22, which further activates autophagy. Treatment with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor AZD8055, the phosphorylation level of mTOR and P70S6K reduced and increased levels of p‐AMPK meaning that the adenosine‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR/P70S6K pathway is involved in SBA‐15 induced autophagy of HT22. These results suggested that mesoporous silica material SBA‐15 might affect central nervous cells via oxidative stress activation of the AMPK/mTOR/P70S6K pathway, which provides a theoretical basis for safe administration of such materials in patients.
Climate change and disasters: The ethics of leadership
Authors: Crosweller Mark , Tschakert Petra
Published: October 2019

Climate change, extreme events, and related disasters pose significant challenges not only for the poorest and most vulnerable populations, but also for leaders in disaster and emergency management. Effective leadership entails preparing for and responding to increasing intensities and frequencies of extreme natural hazard events while managing and justifying suffering and loss that communities and individuals experience in case of failed protection. Insight is provided into this double challenge and how it is compounded by the concomitant ways modern societies engage with risk and construct vulnerability and resilience. A conceptual framework is used to show how the rise of modernity, today's risk society, neoliberalism, and governmentality as found in many western democracies, converge to constrain disaster leadership and management, illustrating how interpretations of responsibility and potential loss and suffering have shifted from organizations to individual actors, exacerbating the leadership dilemma in managing hazard‐driven crises. This includes ways that neoliberal governmentality warp understandings of vulnerability and resilience by understating one and overstating the other. Through a heuristic, we explain mounting leadership challenges with increasing levels of disaster intensity and consequence, drawing upon natural hazard examples from Australia. Although recent literature on ethical and responsible leadership in disasters points toward tangible ways to overcome aspects of the leadership dilemma, preparing for and responding to increasing disaster intensity require additional leadership qualities. This review ends by outlining relevant aspects from relational leadership ethics, feminist care ethics, and the philosophy and ethics of compassion to advance knowledge toward an ethics of disaster leadership.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Governance > Private Governance of Climate Change

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change
From stars to stripes: RNA‐directed shaping of plant viral protein templates—structural synthetic virology for smart biohybrid nanostructures
Authors: Wege Christina , Koch Claudia
Published: October 2019

The self‐assembly of viral building blocks bears exciting prospects for fabricating new types of bionanoparticles with multivalent protein shells. These enable a spatially controlled immobilization of functionalities at highest surface densities—an increasing demand worldwide for applications from vaccination to tissue engineering, biocatalysis, and sensing. Certain plant viruses hold particular promise because they are sustainably available, biodegradable, nonpathogenic for mammals, and amenable to in vitro self‐organization of virus‐like particles. This offers great opportunities for their redesign into novel “green” carrier systems by spatial and structural synthetic biology approaches, as worked out here for the robust nanotubular tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as prime example. Natural TMV of 300 x 18 nm is built from more than 2,100 identical coat proteins (CPs) helically arranged around a 6,395 nucleotides ssRNA. In vitro, TMV‐like particles (TLPs) may self‐assemble also from modified CPs and RNAs if the latter contain an Origin of Assembly structure, which initiates a bidirectional encapsidation. By way of tailored RNA, the process can be reprogrammed to yield uncommon shapes such as branched nanoobjects. The nonsymmetric mechanism also proceeds on 3'‐terminally immobilized RNA and can integrate distinct CP types in blends or serially. Other emerging plant virus‐deduced systems include the usually isometric cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) with further strikingly altered structures up to “cherrybombs” with protruding nucleic acids. Cartoon strips and pictorial descriptions of major RNA‐based strategies induct the reader into a rare field of nanoconstruction that can give rise to utile soft‐matter architectures for complex tasks.

This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid‐Based Structures
Introduction
Authors: McLean Mora L.
Published: October 2019

Whether they reside in the Global North or the Global South, young people who live in poverty and are African-born or members of the racialized Black African Diaspora in other parts of the world, especially including the United States, are disproportionately burdened by income and structural inequality. Comparative research that explores the range of attitudes, behaviors, and experiences of West African-born and African Diasporan youth in the United States—especially in U.S. cities where West African immigrant populations are increasing—makes sense based on shared history and for heuristic reasons. Black youth on either side of the Atlantic would be well served by comparative research that illuminates how and why their life experiences and trajectories converge or diverge, and how ameliorative interventions might be mutually informed and better conceived to maximally support their well being.
Education for All: The Case of Out-of-School Migrants in Ghana
Authors: Kyereko Daniel Owusu
Published: October 2019

Despite the high number of migrants involved in intra-West African migration, the work on education for marginalized groups pays little or no attention to the children of migrants. This study involving qualitative research into the factors keeping migrant children and youth out of school in Ghana is a step toward filling this gap. The research highlights the role that economic factors, the conflict between opposing value systems, the nature of migration, and the age at migration played in serving as barriers for out-of-school migrants. The findings mark an important starting point for considering educational access for migrants in Ghana and understanding the limitations that confront them.
Untold Stories: Newark’s Burgeoning West African Population and the In-School Experiences of African Immigrant Youth
Authors: Simmons Michael , Etta Mahako
Published: October 2019

Although Africans have become the fastest-growing migrant group in both the United States and New Jersey, there has not been a commensurate level of research or policy attention to their experiences, particularly the experiences of adolescent African immigrants. This chapter aims to spark further research that deepens the understanding of the contemporary West African experience in urban cities in connection to the social, educational, and workforce systems. The authors briefly provide historical context to explain the exponential growth of the African immigrant population, quantify and document the neighborhood resettlement patterns of African immigrants in Newark, New Jersey, and conduct interviews with one Newark-based high school to highlight the challenges faced by the educational sector in addressing the needs of West African immigrant youth.
The Limits of Individual-Level Factors for Ghanaian and South African Girls’ Learning
Authors: Nuamah Sally A.
Published: October 2019

Utilizing interviews from South Africa and targeted surveys from Ghana, this chapter examines how confidence and socioeconomic background work together to shape the learning of girls across these various contexts. The point of this chapter is to show why noncognitive skills emphasized in the existing literature on the education of youth are by themselves insufficient. Rather, girls in these contexts need strategies to respond to challenges as well as institutions that seek to create environments that eliminate the gendered barriers that they face.
Anomaly free Froggatt-Nielsen models of flavor
Authors: Smolkovič Aleks , Tammaro Michele , Zupan Jure
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We introduce two anomaly free versions of Froggatt-Nielsen (FN) models, based on either GFN = U(1)3 or GFN = U(1) horizontal symmetries, that generate the SM quark and lepton flavor structures. The structure of these “inverted” FN models is motivated by the clockwork mechanism: the chiral fields, singlets under GFN, are supplemented by chains of vector-like fermions charged under GFN. Unlike the traditional FN models the hierarchy of quark and lepton masses is obtained as an expansion in M/〈ϕ〉, where M is the typical vector-like fermion mass, and 〈ϕ〉 the flavon vacuum expectation value. The models can be searched for through deviations in flavor observables such as $$ K-\overline{K} $$
K
−

K
¯

mixing, μ → e conversion, etc., where the present bounds restrict the masses of vector-like fermions to be above $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(107 GeV). If GFN is gauged, the models can also be probed by searching for the flavorful Z′ gauge bosons. In principle, the Z′s can be very light, and can be searched for using precision flavor, astrophysics, and beam dump experiments.
Eighty-three sublattices and planarity
Authors: Czédli Gábor
Published: October 2019

LetLbe a finiten-element lattice. We prove that ifLhas at least$$83\cdot 2^{n-8}$$83·2n-8sublattices, thenLis planar. For$$n>8$$n>8, this result is sharp since there is a non-planar lattice with exactly$$83\cdot 2^{n-8}-1$$83·2n-8-1sublattices.
MicroRNA in localized scleroderma: a review of literature
Authors: Wolska-Gawron Katarzyna , Bartosińska Joanna , Krasowska Dorota
Published: October 2019

Localized scleroderma (LoSc) is rare connective tissue disease that manifests with inflammation and fibrosis of the skin. Depending on the LoSc subtype, adjacent structures such as subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscles, bones may be affected. The hallmark of fibrosis is tissue remodelling with excess deposition of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM), principally collagens. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that consist of 19–24 nucleotides and act as negative regulators of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Based on the current articles, approximately 40 microRNAs have been linked to fibrosis in different organs and diseases. The majority of these molecules promote or inhibit fibrosis by targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), extracellular matrix proteins, TGF-β pathway and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway. Further, particular microRNAs regulate fibrogenesis by altering epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or activating proliferation of myofibroblasts. MiRNAs are relatively stable, detectable in tissues and body fluids (serum, plasma) which suggest that they may serve as beneficial biomarkers to monitor the course of the disease and response to treatment. Herein, we report the present state of knowledge on microRNA expression in localized scleroderma.
Experiences and satisfaction of children, young people and their parents with alternative mental health models to inpatient settings: a systematic review
Authors: Vusio Frane , Thompson Andrew , Birchwood Max , Clarke Latoya
Published: October 2019

Community-based mental health services for children and young people (CYP) can offer alternatives to inpatient settings and treat CYP in less restrictive environments. However, there has been limited implementation of such alternative models, and their efficacy is still inconclusive. Notably, little is known of the experiences of CYP and their parents with these alternative models and their level of satisfaction with the care provided. Therefore, the main aim of this review was to understand those experiences of the accessibility of alternative models to inpatient care, as well as overall CYP/parental satisfaction. A searching strategy of peer-reviewed articles was conducted from January 1990 to December 2018, with updated searches conducted in June 2019. The initial search resulted in 495 articles, of which 19 were included in this review. A narrative synthesis grouped the studies according to emerging themes: alternative models, tele-psychiatry and interventions applied to crisis, and experiences and satisfaction with crisis provision. The identified articles highlighted increased satisfaction in CYP with alternative models in comparison with care as usual. However, the parental experiential data identified high levels of parental burden and a range of complex emotional reactions associated with engagement with crisis services. Furthermore, we identified a number of interventions, telepsychiatric and mobile solutions that may be effective when applied to urgent and emergency care for CYP experiencing a mental health crisis. Lastly, both parental and CYP experiences highlighted a number of perceived barriers associated with help-seeking from crisis services.
Assessing disease severity in bio-naïve patients with RA on treatment with csDMARDs: insights from the Corrona Registry
Authors: Harrold Leslie R. , Patel Pankaj A. , Griffith Jenny , Litman Heather J. , Feng Hua , Schlacher Casey A. , Kremer Joel M.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

This study aimed to characterize disease burden among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with moderate-to-high disease activity who had received conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (csDMARD) monotherapy for ≥ 6 months but had not advanced to a biologic therapy.

Methods

Patients enrolled in the US Corrona RA Registry between June 1, 2014, and January 30, 2018, with 6 months of continuous csDMARD monotherapy, with moderate-to-high disease activity, who remained biologic naive, and who had ≥ 1 follow-up visit were identified. Disease activity was assessed among patients with a 6-month follow-up visit (± 3 months). Descriptive statistics were used to compare demographics and disease characteristics between patients with or without treatment advancement.

Results

The study included 409 patients with a disease activity assessment at 6 months (mean (SD) age 65.9 (12.6) years; mean duration of csDMARD therapy 407 (221) days). Of those patients, more than half (54%, n = 219) remained in moderate-to-high disease activity. Patients remaining in moderate-to-high vs. remission-to-low disease activity had higher baseline swollen (6.1) and tender joint counts (6.8). Over the 6-month period, treatment advancement occurred in 29% of patients. Those who advanced treatment (n = 118) vs. did not advance treatment (n = 291) were younger, had a shorter duration of RA, had higher disease activity, and reported higher levels of pain and fatigue.

Conclusions

The substantial number of patients with persistent moderate-to-high disease on csDMARDs over a 6-month period and who did not advance treatment indicates that there is considerable need for a treat-to-target approach to care for patients with RA.

Key Points•For patients with RA and an inadequate response to treatment with initial csDMARD monotherapy, guidelines recommend treatment advancement; however, this may not be occurring in real-world clinical settings.•In the current study, a substantial proportion of patients (54%) on csDMARDs had persistent moderate-to-severe disease activity at the 6-month (± 3 months) follow-up visit; however, only 29% of patients had their medication treatment advanced, indicating that there is considerable need for a treat-to-target approach to care for patients with RA.•Patients with younger age, shorter RA duration, and higher disease activity were more likely to have their medication treatment advanced, which suggests that potentially more aggressive treatment of disease activity is needed across the whole RA population.
Advantageous conditions of saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels generation via fermentation processes
Authors: Kucharska Karolina , Słupek Edyta , Cieśliński Hubert , Kamiński Marian
Published: October 2019

Processing of lignocellulosic biomass includes four major unit operations: pre-treatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and product purification prior to biofuel generation via anaerobic digestion. The microorganisms involved in the fermentation metabolize only simple molecules, i.e., monosugars which can be obtained by carrying out the degradation of complex polymers, the main component of lignocellulosic biomass. The object of this paper was to evaluate the saccharification conditions and identify the process parameters that should be applied to improve the saccharification efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass, defined as the simple sugars concentration, which was considered as a crucial parameter for hydrogen generation via dark fermentation. Drawing global conclusions about the occurring changes in the biomass requires learning about the nature of the biomass structure and composition at different stages of the process. Therefore, techniques for analysis, as FTIR, HPLC and SEM were applied. The experiment was planned employing Box–Behnken design. The advantageous operating conditions and the composition of saccharification enzymatic cocktail were identified and their values occurred similar in the applied border conditions for all tested biomass types. Analysis of the intermediate solid and liquid streams generated during the pre-treatment procedure revealed several structural and compositional changes in the biomass.
Customer satisfaction prediction with Michigan-style learning classifier system
Authors: Borna Keivan , Hoseini Shokoofeh , Aghaei Mohammad Ali Mehdi
Published: October 2019

Many different classification algorithms can be use in order to analyze, classify and predict data. Learning classifier system (LCS) which is known as a genetic base machine learning system, combines the machine learning with evolutionary computing and other heuristics to produce an adaptive system that learns to solve a particular problem. This paper uses the Michigan style LCS, in the context of bank customer satisfaction to classify customers into two different groups: unsatisfied/satisfied customers. Three different Rule Compaction strategies are used to compare the rule population’s accuracy and micro/macro population size. The result specifies features that mostly influence prediction.
A Descriptive and Longitudinal Analysis of Pain During Intercourse in Pregnancy
Authors: Rossi Meghan A. , Mooney Kayla M. , Binik Yitzchak M. , Rosen Natalie O.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Pain during vaginal intercourse in pregnancy has largely been ignored despite physiological and psychological components of pregnancy that may be associated with its onset and persistence.

Aim

The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of clinically significant pain during intercourse in the second (18−24 weeks) and third (32−36 weeks) trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods

Pregnant women (N = 501) recruited from a local women’s hospital completed an online survey in the second and third trimesters of their pregnancy regarding the presence, intensity, and characteristics of pain during intercourse. Women with clinically significant pain (ie, pain greater than or equal to 4 of 10 on a numerical rating scale) were grouped according to whether the pain was resolved, persistent, or new onset across the 2 pregnancy time points. Following guidelines outlined by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT), we conducted a descriptive analysis assessing the intensity and characteristics (eg, quality, onset, degree of improvement over time, and treatment strategies utilized) of clinically significant pain during intercourse.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measures in this study were the prevalence, intensity, and characteristics of clinically significant pain during intercourse.

Results

Overall, 21% of pregnant women (106/501) reported clinically significant pain during intercourse. We found that 22% (N = 16/106) of women who had this pain at 20 weeks reported that it had resolved at 34 weeks, 33% (40/106) reported persistent pain at both time points, and 46% (50/106) reported new onset of pain during intercourse at 34 weeks. The majority of women across all pain groups reported that the pain began during pregnancy and remained at the same intensity. Most women reported not using any pain management strategies to cope with their pain.

Clinical Implications

One in 5 women experienced clinically significant pain during intercourse in pregnancy, with the majority of women not seeking treatment.

Strengths & Limitations

This study is the first to comprehensively assess and describe the prevalence and characteristics of clinically significant pain during intercourse across 2 time points in pregnancy using IMMPACT guidelines. Small sample sizes in our pain groups may limit the generalizability of pain characteristics.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that many pregnant women in this study experienced significant pain during intercourse in pregnancy. Understanding the characteristics of this pain may improve its identification by health care providers and inform better prevention and treatment recommendations.
Neo-extractivism in Latin America
Authors: Svampa Maristella
Published: October 2019

This Element analyses the political dynamics of neo-extractivism in Latin America. It discusses the critical concepts of neo-extractivism and the commodity consensus and the various phases of socio-environmental conflict, proposing an eco-territorial approach that uncovers the escalation of extractive violence. It also presents horizontal concepts and debates theories that explore the language of Latin American socio-environmental movements, such as Buen Vivir and Derechos de la Naturaleza. In concluding, it proposes an explanation for the end of the progressive era, analyzing its ambiguities and limitations in the dawn of a new political cycle marked by the strengthening of the political rights.
Understanding Australian Community ABI Therapists’ Preferences for Training in and Implementing Behaviour Interventions: A Focus on Positive Behaviour Support
Authors: Carmichael Jai Jason , Gould Kate Rachel , Hicks Amelia J. , Feeney Timothy J. , Ponsford Jennie Louise
Published: October 2019

Objective:

Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) may experience persistent and distressing challenging behaviours (CB), and therefore, effective delivery of behaviour interventions is crucial. This study aimed to investigate community ABI therapists’ experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions with a focus on Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).

Methods:

A sample of Australian community ABI therapists (n = 136) completed an online survey about their experiences with behaviour interventions, including PBS. Data from open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis. Frequency and descriptive statistics were computed, and a multiple regression was performed to determine factors predicting readiness to learn and implement new behaviour interventions. Rank-based non-parametric tests were conducted to investigate the influence of clinical role on experiences with behaviour interventions and training preferences.

Results:

Consistent with PBS, participants indicated that the following were important in addressing CB: teamwork and collaboration, person-centred practice, working with antecedents, environmental modification, improving quality of life and skill-building. Despite a high level of desire and readiness, 80% of participants reported facing barriers to learning and implementing new behaviour interventions (e.g., lack of time). Participants’ confidence in using behaviour interventions (β = 0.31; p = 0.002) and the number of barriers faced (β = −0.30; p = 0.002) predicted their readiness to learn and implement new behaviour interventions. Confidence, duration of past training in behaviour interventions and preferred duration of future training did not differ based on clinical role.

Conclusion:

Implications for the development of training in behaviour interventions such as PBS and implementation into community practice are discussed.
Military techno-vision: Technologies between visual ambiguity and the desire for security facts
Authors: Saugmann Rune
Published: October 2019

Military applications of technologies for enhancing or producing vision play a key role in composing contemporary security, as such technologies are deployed to make security sense of everyday sociality, of battlefields, and of much in between these extremes. In this article, I set out to recompose militarised techno-vision through the public detritus left by its heterogenous development, use, and appropriation. I argue that as an heterogenous and amalgamated object, military techno-vision can be composed by speaking the stories of its leftovers, and that this composition is characterised by and in turn characterises a longstanding dilemma between fact and vision – between the ambiguity that is constitutive of the human practices of visual perception and image-making, and the desire for machines that can produce visual ‘actionable intelligence’ that can underpin security decisions. Discourses, practices, and regimes of visibility are deployed alongside technologies to occlude the ambiguity of technological vision and sustain the imaginary of technologically altered vision as neutral production of military or security facts.
Security compositions
Authors: Austin Jonathan Luke
Published: October 2019

This article argues that security politics is constituted through the ways in which its contours are ‘made sensible’ (perceivable to our senses) through material, aesthetic, or affective mechanisms. To make this argument, the article introduces the theoretical scaffolding for what it terms a compositional ontology. A compositional approach to security identifies, theorises, and studies the perceptual base of security politics in order to ask how – say – the sight of a single photograph, sound of a security announcement, or smell of tear gas, can frequently be the direct (efficient) cause of international security policy, discourse, and decision. To theorise the deep political impact of such fleeting moments of local sensory experience, the article lays out a compositional ontology comprised of a synthesis of poststructuralist and new-realist philosophy, as well as the empirical sensibilities of pragmatist sociology. Combined with a focus on sensibility, it is shown that these approaches can produce an ontology of security that more effectively explains contingency, fluidity, and change in world politics. Having laid out the theoretical frame for a compositional ontology, the article discusses its political and methodological implications, suggesting it demands that security studies shift towards a more postcritical, experimental, and collaborative ethos.