bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflections of Food Policy Evolution over the Last Three Decades
Authors: Fan Shenggen
Published: July 2020

For the last three decades, food policy in developing countries has evolved rapidly from a singular focus on producing more food to broader focus on protecting natural resources, reducing poverty and malnutrition, and promoting climate adaptation and mitigation. Since receiving my PhD in the late 1980s, I have dedicated most of my research and research management to these policy issues. After 35 years aboard, I returned to my home country in 2020, where I work with my colleagues at China Agricultural University and continue to conduct policy research on transforming food systems for human and planetary health. This paper is my reflection of policy evolution over the last three decades.
Resident‐Led Neighborhood Development to Support Health: Identifying Strategies Using CBPR
Authors: Foell Andrew , Purnell Jason Q. , Barth Rachel , Witthaus Michelle , Murphy‐Watson Timetria , Martinez Sal , Foley Mike
Published: July 2020

Evidence suggests that where people live, learn, work, and play affects a range of health outcomes for children and adults. Differential access to social, economic, and environmental supports puts some community members at greater risk, leading to disparities in health and well‐being. The 2014 release of the For the Sake of All report highlighted persistent health disparities for African Americans in St. Louis, Missouri, and their social and economic impacts on the St. Louis region. This study extends this work by developing partnerships with community organizations and neighborhood residents to address health disparities. Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) methods were utilized to engage partners in a 10‐month research process to address community concerns that impact health. Seven community residents, neighborhood researchers, engaged in workshops to learn about the research process and used techniques to gather information to implement action strategies. Neighborhood researchers selected 14 vacant lots to implement their action plan, which included visions for repurposing the land into a community park, produced a report for dissemination, and organized a community action forum to communicate their findings. This study highlights a promising approach to promote healthy communities and health equity by empowering neighborhood residents using participatory methodologies.
Elevated mucus interleukin‐17A levels are associated with increased prior sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Chapurin Nikita , Li Ping , Chandra Rakesh K. , Turner Justin H. , Chowdhury Naweed I.
Published: July 2020

Background

Recent advances in molecular biology have enabled the identification of potential inflammatory endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), with prior work suggesting differential short‐term surgical outcome trajectories based on cytokine signatures. However, there is a paucity of data assessing long‐term treatment failure and need for revision surgery based on inflammatory biomarkers.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected cross‐sectional data from 231 patients electing surgical therapy for CRS. Intraoperative mucus specimens were quantitatively sampled for inflammatory cytokines using a multiplex flow cytometric bead assay. Univariate Spearman correlations between cytokine levels and prior number of surgeries were assessed. A stepwise adjusted multivariate Poisson regression analysis was used to model patient‐reported prior sinus surgery counts as a function of cytokine levels.

Results

Several cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐13, IL‐17A, tumor necrosis factor α [TNF‐α], interferon γ [IFN‐γ], and eotaxin) demonstrated significant positive correlations with number of prior surgeries. However, only higher IL‐17A levels were independently associated with a higher number of prior sinus surgeries (β = 0.345, p = 0.0003) after adjusting for the significant covariates of age (β = 0.018, p = 0.0036), Lund‐Mackay score (β = –0.046, p = 0.02), history of aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (β = 1.01, p < 0.0001) and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (β = 1.08, p < 0.0001). Higher levels of regulated on activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were conversely associated with a lower number of prior surgeries (β = –0.17, p = 0.048).

Conclusion

An IL‐17A–predominant cytokine profile is linked to an increased number of prior sinus surgeries. Thus, type 3 inflammatory markers may indicate a particularly difficult‐to‐treat, recalcitrant CRS endotype.
Regiodivergente C‐H‐ und decarboxylierende C‐C‐Alkylierung mittels Rutheniumkatalyse: ortho‐ versus meta‐Regioselektivität
Authors: Korvorapun Korkit , Moselage Marc , Struwe Julia , Rogge Torben , Messinis Antonis M. , Ackermann Lutz
Published: July 2020

Ruthenium(II)biscarboxylat‐Komplexe ermöglichten eine selektive Alkylierung von C‐H‐ und C‐C‐Bindungen in der ortho‐ und der meta‐Position. ortho‐C‐H‐Alkyierungen wurden dabei mit 4‐, 5‐ sowie 6‐gliedrigen Halocycloalkanen erzielt. Darüber hinaus erlaubte eine wohlüberlegte Wahl der dirigierenden Gruppe eine volle Kontrolle über die ortho‐/meta‐Selektivität. Detaillierte mechanistische Studien durch Experimente und Berechnungen wurden durchgeführt und lieferten Hinweise für einen Verlauf über oxidative Addition/reduktive Eliminierung für ortho‐Alkylierungen, während eine homolytische C‐X‐Spaltung für die meta‐selektiven Reaktionen ablief.
Through‐Space Charge‐Transfer Polynorbornenes with Fixed and Controllable Spatial Alignment of Donor and Acceptor for High‐Efficiency Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence
Authors: Li Qiang , Hu Jun , Lv Jianhong , Wang Xingdong , Shao Shiyang , Wang Lixiang , Jing Xiabin , Wang Fosong
Published: July 2020

Through‐space charge transfer polynorbornenes with fixed and controllable spatial alignment of donor and acceptor in edge‐to‐face/face‐to‐face stacking patterns are developed for achieving high‐efficiency blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). The alignment is realized by using the cis, exo‐configuration of norbornene to confine donor and acceptor in close proximity, and utilizing orthogonal and dendritic structures of donors to provide either perpendicular or parallel stacking motif relative to acceptors. Compared to edge‐to‐face counterparts, polynorbornenes with face‐to‐face aligned donor and acceptor exhibit much larger oscillator strength and higher photoluminescence quantum yield. The resulting polymers exhibit deep blue (422 nm) to sky blue (482 nm) emission and TADF effect with reverse intersystem crossing rates of 0.4–5.9×106 s−1, giving the maximum external quantum efficiency of 18.8 % for non‐doped blue organic light‐emitting diodes by solution process.
Catalytic Oxidation of CO on a Curved Pt(111) Surface: Simultaneous Ignition at All Facets through a Transient CO‐O Complex**
Authors: Garcia‐Martinez Fernando , García‐Fernández Carlos , Simonovis Juan Pablo , Hunt Adrian , Walter Andrew , Waluyo Iradwikanari , Bertram Florian , Merte Lindsay R. , Shipilin Mikhail , Pfaff Sebastian , Blomberg Sara , Zetterberg Johan , Gustafson Johan , Lundgren Edvin , Sánchez‐Portal Daniel , Schiller Frederik , Ortega J. Enrique
Published: July 2020

The catalytic oxidation of CO on transition metals, such as Pt, is commonly viewed as a sharp transition from the CO‐inhibited surface to the active metal, covered with O. However, we find that minor amounts of O are present in the CO‐poisoned layer that explain why, surprisingly, CO desorbs at stepped and flat Pt crystal planes at once, regardless of the reaction conditions. Using near‐ambient pressure X‐ray photoemission and a curved Pt(111) crystal we probe the chemical composition at surfaces with variable step density during the CO oxidation reaction. Analysis of C and O core levels across the curved crystal reveals that, right before light‐off, subsurface O builds up within (111) terraces. This is key to trigger the simultaneous ignition of the catalytic reaction at different Pt surfaces: a CO‐Pt‐O complex is formed that equals the CO chemisorption energy at terraces and steps, leading to the abrupt desorption of poisoning CO from all crystal facets at the same temperature.
Cooperative NHC and Photoredox Catalysis for the Synthesis of β‐Trifluoromethylated Alkyl Aryl Ketones
Authors: Meng Qing‐Yuan , Döben Nadine , Studer Armido
Published: July 2020

Despite the great potential of radical chemistry in organic synthesis, N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed reactions involving radical intermediates are not well explored. This communication reports the three‐component coupling of aroyl fluorides, styrenes and the Langlois reagent (CF3SO2Na) to give various β‐trifluoromethylated alkyl aryl ketones with good functional group tolerance in moderate to high yields by cooperative photoredox/NHC catalysis. The alkene acyltrifluoromethylation proceeds via radical/radical cross coupling of ketyl radicals with benzylic C‐radicals. The ketyl radicals are generated via SET reduction of in situ formed acylazolium ions whereas the benzylic radicals derive from trifluoromethyl radical addition onto styrenes.
Optimum liquid filling capacity and explosion limits of naphthalene gravity heat pipes
Authors: Yan Dawei , Li Meng , Zou Linjiang , Gu Mingyan , Liu Miaomiao , Wang Mingming , Zhu Bencheng , Wang Fulin
Published: July 2020

In this study, naphthalene heat pipes were produced and filled with different materials to test the heat transfer performance. The relationship between the pipes' diameters, liquid content, wall temperature distribution, and transmission power was studied. An explosion test was designed to assess the operating temperature limit of the naphthalene heat pipes. The results demonstrated an optimum filling amount to optimize the pipes' heat transfer performance. In practical applications, it is very important to strictly control the wall temperature of naphthalene heat pipes. When the wall temperature of the evaporation section reaches approximately 600°C, they can easily explode.
Conjectures on optimal nested generalized group testing algorithm
Authors: Malinovsky Yaakov
Published: July 2020

Consider a finite population of N items, where item i has a probability pi to be defective. The goal is to identify all items by means of group testing. This is the generalized group testing problem (hereafter GGTP). In the case of p1 = … = pN = p, Yao and Hwang (1990) proved that the pairwise testing algorithm is the optimal nested algorithm, with respect to the expected number of tests, for all N if and only if (R‐range hereafter) (an optimal at the boundary values). In this note, we present a result that helps to define the generalized pairwise testing algorithm (hereafter GPTA) for the GGTP. We present two conjectures: (a) when all pi,i = 1,…,N belong to the R‐range, GPTA is the optimal procedure among nested procedures applied to pi of nondecreasing order; and (b) if all pi,i = 1,…,N belong to the R‐range, GPTA is the optimal nested procedure, that is, minimizes the expected total number of tests with respect to all possible testing orders in the class of nested procedures. Although these conjectures are logically reasonable, we were only able to empirically verify the first one up to a particular level of N. We also provide a short survey of GGTP.
Maternal risk associated with theVACTERLassociation: A case–control study
Authors: van de Putte Romy , de Walle Hermien E. K. , van Hooijdonk Kirsten J. M. , de Blaauw Ivo , Marcelis Carlo L. M. , van Heijst Arno , Giltay Jacques C. , Renkema Kirsten Y. , Broens Paul M. A. , Brosens Erwin , Sloots Cornelius E. J. , Bergman Jorieke E. H. , Roeleveld Nel , van Rooij Iris A. L. M.
Published: July 2020

Background

The VACTERL association (VACTERL) includes at least three of these congenital anomalies: vertebral, anal, cardiac, trachea‐esophageal, renal, and limb anomalies. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART), pregestational diabetes mellitus, and chronic lower obstructive pulmonary disorders (CLOPD) have been associated with VACTERL. We aimed to replicate these findings and were interested in additional maternal risk factors.

Methods

A case–control study using self‐administered questionnaires was performed including 142 VACTERL cases and 2,135 population‐based healthy controls. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate confounder adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

Parents who used invasive ART had an increased risk of VACTERL in offspring (aOR 4.4 [95%CI 2.1–8.8]), whereas the increased risk for mothers with CLOPD could not be replicated. None of the case mothers had pregestational diabetes mellitus. Primiparity (1.5 [1.1–2.1]) and maternal pregestational overweight and obesity (1.8 [1.2–2.8] and 1.8 [1.0–3.4]) were associated with VACTERL. Consistent folic acid supplement use during the advised periconceptional period may reduce the risk of VACTERL (0.5 [0.3–1.0]). Maternal smoking resulted in an almost twofold increased risk of VACTERL.

Conclusion

We identified invasive ART, primiparity, pregestational overweight and obesity, lack of folic acid supplement use, and smoking as risk factors for VACTERL.
Investigating challenges with scattering and inner filter effects in front‐face fluorescence by PARAFAC
Authors: Bevilacqua Marta , Rinnan Åsmund , Lund Marianne N.
Published: July 2020

The use of front‐face fluorescence spectroscopy, and three‐way chemometric analysis (like PARAllel FACtor analysis, PARAFAC), has been successfully applied for the analysis of unpretreated samples in the fields of food and environmental analysis. It would be desirable to evaluate the potential of this approach for the analysis of any real sample in any field of research. Even in the simplest of the real samples acquired with front‐face, the presence of scattering and inner filter effects will occur, potentially hampering the subsequent data analysis due to deviations from Beer‐Lambert's law. This paper addresses these concerns in practice, proposing a strategy of spectral preprocessing to mitigate these effects. This is done by measuring several data sets with different levels of scattering and inner filter effects by fluorescence in excitation‐emission mode. The results show that the occurrence of these interferents (sometimes neglected with front‐face mode) affects the fluorescence signal and interferes with any traditional analysis on these data, as much as they hamper the successful use of methods like PARAFAC. The proposed preprocessing strategy is based on one of the most traditional correction for the inner filter effect with right‐angle mode. However, we suggest applying a tunable factor, b, that will account for the degree of deviation from linearity between concentration of a given analyte and its fluorescence signal. It is demonstrated that by choosing a proper b‐value, this correction helps in finding an acceptable solution for the PARAFAC algorithm, in line with Beer‐Lambert's law.
Hybrid White‐Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells Based on a Blue Cationic Iridium(III) Complex and Red Quantum Dots
Authors: Tang Ya‐Han , Chiu Yi‐Chan , Luo Dian , Lien Jiun‐Yi , Yi Rong‐Huei , Lin Ching‐Hsuan , Yang Zu‐Po , Lu Chin‐Wei , Su Hai‐Ching
Published: July 2020

Solid‐state white light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) show promising advantages of simple solution fabrication processes, low operation voltage, and compatibility with air‐stable cathode metals, which are required for lighting applications. To date, white LECs based on ionic transition metal complexes (iTMCs) have shown higher device efficiencies than white LECs employing other types of materials. However, lower emission efficiencies of red iTMCs limit further improvement in device performance. As an alternative, efficient red CdZnSeS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots were integrated with a blue iTMC to form a hybrid white LEC in this work. By achieving good carrier balance in an appropriate device architecture, a peak external quantum efficiency and power efficiency of 11.2 % and 15.1 lm W−1, respectively, were reached. Such device efficiency is indeed higher than those of the reported white LECs based on host–guest iTMCs. Time‐ and voltage‐dependent electroluminescence (EL) characteristics of the hybrid white LECs were studied by means of the temporal evolution of the emission‐zone position extracted by fitting the simulated and measured EL spectra. The working principle of the hybrid white LECs was clarified, and the high device efficiency makes potential new white‐emitting devices suitable for solid‐state lighting technology possible.
Light‐Activated Carbon Monoxide Prodrugs Based on Bipyridyl Dicarbonyl Ruthenium(II) Complexes
Authors: Geri Stepan , Krunclova Tereza , Janouskova Olga , Panek Jiri , Hruby Martin , Hernández‐Valdés Daniel , Probst Benjamin , Alberto Roger A. , Mamat Constantin , Kubeil Manja , Stephan Holger
Published: July 2020

Two photoactivatable dicarbonyl ruthenium(II) complexes based on an amide‐functionalised bipyridine scaffold (4‐position) equipped with an alkyne functionality or a green‐fluorescent BODIPY (boron‐dipyrromethene) dye have been prepared and used to investigate their light‐induced decarbonylation. UV/Vis, FTIR and13C NMR spectroscopies as well as gas chromatography and multivariate curve resolution alternating least‐squares analysis (MCR‐ALS) were used to elucidate the mechanism of the decarbonylation process. Release of the first CO molecule occurs very quickly, while release of the second CO molecule proceeds more slowly. In vitro studies using two cell lines A431 (human squamous carcinoma) and HEK293 (human embryonic kidney cells) have been carried out in order to characterise the anti‐proliferative and anti‐apoptotic activities. The BODIPY‐labelled compound allows for monitoring the cellular uptake, showing fast internalisation kinetics and accumulation at the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.
Harnessing emerging paradigms in chemical engineering to accelerate the development of pharmaceutical products
Authors: Raghavan Adhithi R. , Yadav Vikramaditya G.
Published: July 2020

We advanced the concept of biosynthonics five years ago as a solution for resuscitating the productivity of small‐molecule drug pipelines across the pharmaceutical industry. Biosynthonics employs metagenomics and metabolic engineering to mine pharmacoactive structures that are otherwise beyond the reach of synthesis platforms that are currently utilized for drug discovery and lead optimization. Biosynthonics can be harnessed to generate unprecedented quantities of truly novel pharmacoactive structures, which, in turn, can have a game changing effect on the productivity and success rate of drug discovery and early clinical testing in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the impact of biosynthonics on the productivity and cost of product development is somewhat constrained owing to pervading inefficiencies in other parts of the drug discovery and development workflow. Herein, we update our vision for improving the productivity and diminishing the cost of drug discovery and development. Although biosynthonics remains a key piece in our strategy, we discuss how its integration with emerging paradigms in chemical engineering such as information science and materials science, as well as innovations in pharmaceutical manufacturing will drive the next generation of projects in the pharmaceutical industry. In many regards, our updated vision is more pragmatic and leverages the competencies of the pharmaceutical industry more effectively. We have already implemented this vision in our laboratory and early results have been very encouraging. Some of these examples have been detailed in the current work.
An intrusion detection algorithm based on bag representation with ensemble support vector machine in cloud computing
Authors: Wei Jinxia , Long Chun , Li Jiawei , Zhao Jing
Published: July 2020

The increase of security incidents brings a challenge to the cloud computing security. Intrusion detection technologies have been applied to protect information in cloud from being compromised, and complicated learning‐based detection methods have been used to improve the performance of intrusion detection systems. Higher quality and well‐formed samples are crucial to the performance of detection algorithm. Therefore, we mainly study the intrusion detection model based on data optimization processing. In this article, we establish an intrusion detection algorithm based on ensemble support vector machine with bag representation. Specifically, the sample flows are divided into bags, where the sample flows in each bag are related to each other. Each bag contains multiple related data flows that can accurately reflect intrusion behavior, especially persistent intrusion. What's more, ensemble algorithm is applied to detection model, which greatly optimizes the performance of detection algorithm. The experimental results on open access datasets show that the proposed model detects the persistent attack with 90.58% recall.
Socially responsible investing worldwide: Do markets value corporate social responsibility?
Authors: Badía Guillermo , Cortez Maria C. , Ferruz Luis
Published: July 2020

This study examines the performance of socially responsible stock portfolios based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings in four regions: North America, Europe, Japan, and Asia Pacific. Our findings reveal that the financial impact of socially responsible investing is geographically dependent, varies over time, and relies on the screening dimension considered. Our results support the errors‐in‐expectations hypothesis in the European and Japanese markets, but any mispricing of socially responsible stocks faded over time as markets become aware of the financial implications of corporate social responsibility. In the Asia Pacific market, the results are consistent with the shunned‐stock hypothesis. Furthermore, the results suggest that ESG value‐relevant information is properly valued in North America. Overall, we conclude that different markets have gone through different stages with regard to their understanding of the impact of sustainable practices on firm valuations.
Social determinants of sustainability: The imprinting effect of social class background on corporate environmental responsibility
Authors: Niu Zhiyong , Zhou Xiaoyan , Pei Hongzhou
Published: July 2020

Using a large sample of 10,668 small‐ and medium‐sized private Chinese enterprises over the 2006–2014 period, this study investigates the effect of the social class background of entrepreneurs on firm corporate environmental responsibility (CER) activities. The research question is developed using the concepts of imprinting theory. We measure the social class background of entrepreneurs as the level of occupational prestige held by the individual prior to starting a business. Results show that entrepreneurs drawn from the upper and lower social classes show a preference for the pursuit of environmental governance investment strategies. Moderating influences based on political capital and institutional environment are also explored. The theory and findings highlight that the social class background of entrepreneurs has a lasting and varying impact on the CER activities of a firm. The results are robust to a variety of sensitivity tests. The study extends our understanding of how and why enterprise CER behaviour varies, particularly in the context of Chinese private firms, and offers important implications for the task of sustainable development by enterprises.
Metal‐free Photocatalytic Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of C−C Bonds in 1,2‐Diols
Authors: Zhu Rui , Zhou Gongyu , Teng Jia‐nan , Li Xinglong , Fu Yao
Published: July 2020

The preparation of carbonyl compounds by the aerobic oxidative cleavage of C−C bonds in 1,2‐diols under mild reaction conditions is a very significant reaction and is widely employed in various scenarios. Avoiding the use of harmful stoichiometric oxidants and adopting a greener chemical process remain a challenge for this reaction to date. In this manuscript, a heterogeneous metal‐free photocatalytic strategy without any additive was developed for aerobic oxidative cleavage of C−C bonds in 1,2‐diols at ambient conditions with visible light. The reaction mechanism was further studied through a series of control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, the catalytic system showed a broad substrates scope, including aliphatic (linear or cyclic) 1,2‐diols, benzylic, alkenyl 1,2‐diols, and α‐hydroxy acids (such as lactic acid). Thus, this strategy could serve as a method for the transformation of 1,2‐diols to corresponding carbonyl compounds by the aerobic oxidative cleavage of C−C bonds.
Body Trust, agitation, and suicidal ideation in a clinical eating disorder sample
Authors: Duffy Mary E. , Lieberman Amy , Siegfried Nicole , Henretty Jennifer R. , Bass Garrett , Cox Shelbi A. , Joiner Thomas E.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Research has established pairwise relationships between suicidal ideation (SI), low Body Trust, elevated agitation, and eating disorders, but knowledge of how these aspects relate in a single model is lacking. This study tested an indirect pathway with low Body Trust relating to severity of SI via agitation in a clinical eating disorder sample.

Method

Participants (N = 319; 92.8% female; 93.4% Caucasian; mean age 21.8 years) were adults currently receiving specialized eating disorder treatment (44.3% intensive outpatient or higher level‐of‐care) who completed online self‐report measures of study variables. The PROCESS macro was utilized to test proposed pathways.

Results

Low Body Trust was significantly directly associated with increased severity of current SI, both before (B = −.89, p < .001) and after (B = −.51, p = .001) accounting for the indirect effect through agitation, also significant (B = −.37, SE = .06, CI −.52 to −.26).

Discussion

Perception of the body as unsafe may be related to agitation, and this intolerable sensation of trapped arousal could contribute to a desire to die. Future work should investigate these relationships prospectively to determine the relevance of Body Trust for assessment and treatment of suicide‐related factors among individuals with eating disorders.
Factors influencing productivity of eastern wild turkeys in northeastern South Dakota
Authors: Tyl Reina M. , Rota Christopher T. , Lehman Chadwick P.
Published: July 2020

Population growth is highly sensitive to changes in reproductive rates for many avian species. Understanding how reproductive rates are related to environmental conditions can give managers insight into factors contributing to population change. Harvest trends of eastern wild turkey in northeastern South Dakota suggest a decline in abundance. We investigated factors influencing reproductive success of this important game bird to identify potential factors contributing to the decline. We monitored nesting rate, nest survival, renesting rate, clutch size, hatchability, and poult survival of 116 eastern wild turkey hens using VHF radio transmitters during the springs and summers of 2017 and 2018. Heavier hens were more likely to attempt to nest than lighter hens, and adult hens were more likely to renest than yearling hens. Nest survival probability was lowest in agricultural fields relative to all other cover types and positively related to horizontal visual obstruction and distance to the nearest road. Daily nest survival probability demonstrated an interaction between temperature and precipitation, such that nest survival probability was lower on warm, wet days, but lowest on dry days. Egg predation was the leading cause of nest failure, followed by haying of the nest bowl and death of the incubating hen. Poults reared by adult hens had a greater probability of survival than poults reared by yearling hens. Our estimate of survival probability of poults raised by yearling hens was low relative to other studies, which may be contributing to the apparent regional population decline. However, there is little managers can do to influence poult survival in yearling hens. Alternatively, we found nest survival probability was lowest for nests initiated in agricultural fields. Wildlife‐friendly harvesting practices such as delayed haying or installation of flushing bars could help increase productivity of eastern wild turkey in northeastern South Dakota.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of the Polymeric Encapsulation of a Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Complex with Pluronic F‐127/Poloxamer‐407 for Photodynamic Therapy Applications
Authors: Karges Johannes , Chao Hui , Gasser Gilles
Published: July 2020

The therapy of cancer remains a major challenge for modern medicine. Complementary to classical treatments, the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received increasing attention over the last decades. Among the classes of PDT photosensitizers (PSs) investigated, RuII polypyridine complexes are currently considered as a valuable option. To improve the water solubility of these lipophilic compounds and generate a drug delivery system, these complexes can be encapsulated with polymers. Herein, the physical encapsulation of the photoactive [Ru((E,E')‐4,4'‐bis[p‐methoxystyryl]‐2,2'‐bipyridine)3][PF6]2 complex with the polymer Pluronic F‐127/Poloxamer‐407 is presented. The resulting spherical particles were found to have a toxic effect in the micromolar range in human cervical carcinoma cells upon light irradiation (500 nm).
One‐Pot Two‐Step Synthesis of Isochromene‐Fused CF3‐Substituted Pyrazoles
Authors: Nikolić Andrea M. , Živković Filip , Selaković Života , Wipf Peter , Opsenica Igor M.
Published: July 2020

An efficient one‐pot, two step method for fusing two biologically active motifs, CF3‐substituted pyrazoles and isochromenes, was developed. Selective O‐benzylation of CF3‐substituted pyrazolones and subsequent Pd‐catalyzed direct C–H arylation generate a fused tricycle. For the synthesized compounds through‐space 13C–19F spin–spin coupling was revealed. In addition, the synthesis of three thioisochromene analogues, and one isocoumarin derivative, was accomplished.
Responding to Ecosystem Transformation: Resist, Accept, or Direct?
Authors: Thompson Laura M , Lynch Abigail J , Beever Erik A , Engman Augustin C , Falke Jeffrey A , Jackson Stephen T , Krabbenhoft Trevor J , Lawrence David J , Limpinsel Douglas , Magill Robert T , Melvin Tracy A , Morton John M , Newman Robert A , Peterson Jay O , Porath Mark T , Rahel Frank J , Sethi Suresh A , Wilkening Jennifer L
Published: July 2020

Ecosystem transformation can be defined as the emergence of a self-organizing, self-sustaining, ecological or social–ecological system that deviates from prior ecosystem structure and function. These transformations are occurring across the globe; consequently, a static view of ecosystem processes is likely no longer sufficient for managing fish, wildlife, and other species. We present a framework that encompasses three strategies for fish and wildlife managers dealing with ecosystems vulnerable to transformation. Specifically, managers can resist change and strive to maintain existing ecosystem composition, structure, and function; accept transformation when it is not feasible to resist change or when changes are deemed socially acceptable; or direct change to a future ecosystem configuration that would yield desirable outcomes. Choice of a particular option likely hinges on anticipating future change, while also acknowledging that temporal and spatial scales, recent history and current state of the system, and magnitude of change can factor into the decision. This suite of management strategies can be implemented using a structured approach of learning and adapting as ecosystems change.
Penalized variance components for association of multiple genes with traits
Authors: Schaid Daniel J. , Sinnwell Jason P. , Larson Nicholas B. , Chen Jun
Published: July 2020

Variance component models have gained popularity for genetic analyses, driven by their flexibility to simultaneously analyze multiple genetic variants in a gene by kernel statistics, and their ability to account for population stratification via genomic relationship matrices. For exploratory analyses with modest sample sizes and a potentially large number of variance components, it can be challenging to use standard maximum‐likelihood or restricted maximum‐likelihood methods to estimate variance components, because these iterative methods often fail to converge when likelihood surfaces are fairly flat, and standard‐likelihood ratio statistical tests are not adequate. To overcome these limitations, we developed a penalized‐likelihood model, whereby the penalty function follows the popular elastic‐net approach, applying both L1 and L2 penalties to the variance components. By simulations, we demonstrate the potential gain in power by using both L1 and L2 penalties, and results from our simulations suggest that assigning 80% of the penalty parameter to the L1 penalty and 20% to the L2 penalty provides a reasonable balance between false‐positive and false‐negative results. Larger sample size improves the properties of our methods, at the cost of longer computation time. Application of our methods to a study of the influence of DNA methylation on levels of cortisol in reaction to stress testing shows how our method can be used to prioritize findings for further functional studies.
Extrapolative expectations and macroeconomic dynamics: Evidence from an estimated DSGE model
Authors: Bask Mikael , Madeira João
Published: July 2020

We outline a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model with extrapolative expectations in asset pricing and fit the model to 50 years of quarterly U.S. macroeconomic time series data with Bayesian techniques. We conclude that extrapolative expectations in asset pricing are statistically significant, quantitatively relevant and result in a substantial improvement in the model's fit to the data. In particular, extrapolative expectations in asset pricing lead to more pronounced hump‐shaped responses in the asset price and investment to shocks, and the model matches the degree of persistence observed in the asset price data significantly better than the alternative DSGE models considered here, which are the Smets and Wouters (2007; American Economic Review, 97, 586–606) model, including a variant of the model with pre‐determined investment expenditures, and the Gilchrist, Ortiz, and Zakrajsek (2009; Credit risk and the macroeconomy: Evidence from an estimated DSGE model. Mimeo) financial frictions model. Our findings are confirmed by numerous robustness exercises, including different prior assumptions, different sample periods and different time series variables, both excluding asset price data and the use of different asset price measures.
Which measure of systematic risk should we use? An empirical study on systematical risk and Treynor measure using the economic index of riskiness and operational measure of riskiness
Authors: Lu Richard , Cheung Adrian (Wai Kong) , Hoang Vu T. , Islam Sardar M. N.
Published: July 2020

This paper empirically studies the differences among the systematic risks of three asset pricing models, namely; the mean–variance capital asset pricing model (MV‐CAPM), AS‐CAPM and FH‐CAPM. The last two are derived by replacing variance with the Aumann‐Serrano (AS) index and the Foster‐Hart (FH) as the risk measure in MV‐CAPM. We use the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index as a proxy for the market portfolio, and its component stocks to check if the systematic risks and the Treynor measures are different. The monthly return data from January 1997 to October 2017 are used for empirical estimations. The results show that the three systematic risks are highly correlated. Similarly, high correlation is also found for the three Treynor measures. It seems that even though they are derived under different risk measures, they produce almost the same systematic risk and performance measure for individual stocks. Therefore the findings of the present study suggest that any of the above measures can be used in empirical finance in the area of risk management. As this finding is different from those of other studies in the existing literature in this area, this study makes a contribution to the finance literature.
Therisk‐takingchannel in theUnited States: AGVARapproach
Authors: Alzuabi Raslan , Caglayan Mustafa , Mouratidis Kostas
Published: July 2020

Using a panel of large U.S. banks, we examine banks' risk‐taking behaviour in response to monetary policy shocks. Our investigation provides support for the presence of a risk‐taking channel: banks' non‐performing loans increase in the medium to long‐run following an expansionary monetary policy shock. We also find that banks' capital structure plays an important role in explaining bank's risk‐taking appetite. Impulse response analysis shows that shocks emanating from larger banks spill over to the rest of the sector but no such effect is observed for smaller banks. These findings are confirmed for banks' Z‐score.
The asymmetric effects of industry specific volatility in momentum returns
Authors: Badreddine Sina , Clark Ephraim
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we look specifically at the effect of industry volatility on momentum returns, a phenomenon that has been overlooked in previous studies. We find that industry volatility has asymmetric effects on the winner and loser portfolios. The cross‐sectional variation in the returns of high and low‐volatility winners is driven primarily by industry volatility. It disappears after controlling for the effect of industry volatility on total firm volatility. However, for firms in the loser portfolios, the differential return between high and low volatile stocks remains even after adjusting for industry volatility. This implies that momentum returns are mainly induced by industry specific news at the winners' level and firm‐specific factors at the losers' level. The results are robust even after controlling for different levels of liquidity.
Use of interactive instructional tools in virtual 3D planning
Authors: Mitov Gergo , Alevizakos Vasilios , Bryk Christoph , Draenert Florian , Vassileva Zvetelina , von See Constantin
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of screencast training videos for users from different professional backgrounds on the basis of the quality and quantity of virtual 3D implant planning as evaluated using assessment software.

Methods

Participants in the study were dental students (n = 21), dental technicians (n = 16), or practicing dentists (n = 16) with no knowledge of the implant planning software CoDiagnostiX or any experience in virtual implant planning. They were randomly divided into 2 groups: The participants of the control group were presented training videos on CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) and implant planning, additional to the traditional software manual. The participants of the experimental group received, additionally, a training video on the planning software, produced in the form of a screencast. Then 3 implant planning procedures were performed by all participants. The quality of implant planning was assessed using the Treatment Evaluation Tool software, and time for planning was measured.

Results

Paired sample tests showed significantly shorter planning times for the experimental groups consisting of dentists and students (P < 0.001). A comparison of the results of the individual groups reveals that students and dental technicians who had not received prior screencast training were significantly less precise in their planning (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests a promising outcome for the future use of screencasts in the acquisition of software skills for dental software. There is a need for tools for objective self‐assessment of effectiveness in software training.
Global climatology of rainfall rates and lifetime accumulated rainfall in tropical cyclones: Influence of cyclone basin, cyclone intensity and cyclone size
Authors: Lavender Sally L. , McBride John L.
Published: July 2020

Seventeen years of 3‐hr, 0.25° resolution, precipitation data from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) multi‐satellite precipitation analysis (TMPA) product are used to develop a global climatology of precipitation in tropical cyclones (TCs). Due to very large SDs for rainfall in each stratification by intensity class or cyclone basin, our methodology concentrates on frequency distributions and percentage representation in different rainfall rate categories. The stratifications reveal that the TC rainfall climatologies are dependent on three inter‐related factors: TC intensity, TC size and TC basin. The interdependence of the three is examined. The distributions of TC intensity classes in the different basins are not a significant contributor to the fact that certain basins (Northwest Pacific, North Atlantic) have higher TC rainfall rates than other basins (Northeast Pacific, South Indian). In contrast to this, the distributions of TC size classes between basins are a significant contributor to why some basins are wetter than others. A climatology is also presented of lifetime accumulated rainfall (LAR) in TCs. The record LAR belongs to hurricane Ivan in 2004, with 300 km3 of rain over the 0–350 km radius, and 432 km3 over 0–500 km. The largest LAR values occur almost exclusively in two cyclone basins: The Northwest Pacific and the North Atlantic. Not unexpectedly, LAR is determined primarily by TC duration, which accounts for around 70% of the variance. Examination of the full 17‐year dataset reveals a decreasing trend in both median and extreme TC rainfall rates in all basins except the Northeast Pacific. However, mechanisms responsible for this decrease are yet to be identified and may be primarily due to the sample size or data inhomogeneities. The difference between the trends and those expected from physical principles is a concern which we hope will be taken up by other investigators.
Ultrasonography and Other Nutrition Assessment Methods to Monitor the Nutrition Status of Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Rodrigues Camila Neves , Ribeiro Henrique Jessimara , Ferreira Álida Rosária SIlva , Correia Maria Isabel Toulson Davisson
Published: July 2020

Background

This study aims to evaluate the use of ultrasonography (US) as an instrument to assess the quadriceps muscles in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), comparing the evolution of US‐assessed mass muscle to other nutrition methods.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study of adult patients aged ≥18 years admitted to an ICU of the Hospital das Clínicas in Brazil. Quadriceps muscle measurements were performed by US, and adductor pollicis muscle thickness and arm, calf, and thigh circumferences were measured at admission and every 2 days within the first week. Nutrition status was assessed at baseline by using the Subjective Global Assessment and the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Mechanical ventilation time, length of hospital and ICU stay, and mortality were recorded.

Results

Sixty patients were included. Reductions in quadriceps thickness and rectus femoris cross‐sectional area were observed at landmarks two‐thirds reduction of both measurements from days 1 and 3 to days 5 and 7 (P = .017 and P = .000, respectively). The mid arm circumference (MAC) was reduced. Malnourished patients had lower initial muscle mass. However, muscle mass loss was similar between nourished and malnourished individuals (P > .005). Clinical outcomes were not impacted by muscle loss.

Conclusions

US muscle mass assessment was able to detect short‐term changes in critically ill patients but must be used with caution. MAC was also identified as a useful follow‐up tool.
Synthesis, Surface Activity, and Biological Activities of Phosphonium and Metronidazole Salts
Authors: Lukáč Miloš , Pisárčik Martin , Garajová Mária , Mrva Martin , Dušeková Aneta , Vrták Andrej , Horáková Renáta , Horváth Branislav , Devínsky Ferdinand
Published: July 2020

A series of phosphonium amphiphilic compounds was synthesized. Cationic parts of molecules contain triphenylphosphonium moieties. Lipophilic parts of compounds are represented by straight alkyl chain or the alkyl chains which are ornamented by benzyl or metronidazole. The physicochemical properties of phosphonium amphiphilic compounds were investigated by the measurements of surface tension and conductivity. The critical micelle concentration (cmc), the surface tension value at the cmc (γcmc), the surface area at the surface saturation per head group (Acmc) were determined. The lowest cmc value was determined for phosphonium salts with straight dodecyl alkyl chain. Its value was 1.5 × 10−3 mol dm−3. Surface tension at the cmc decreases with the addition of bulky moieties (benzyl, radical from metronidazol) at the end of alkyl chains. Biological activities of compounds were studied on human erythrocytes and strains of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis and Acanthamoeba quina. Dodecyltriphenylphosphonium bromide showed the highest activity against Acanthamoeba. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first compound of the group of phosphonium amphiphiles, which exhibited high activity against Acanthamoeba. The determined structure–activity relationship indicated nonspecific trophocidal and hemolytic activity that depends on physicochemical properties of the studied compounds.
Fusion and secretory expression of an exo‐inulinase and a d‐allulose 3‐epimerase to produce d‐allulose syrup from inulin
Authors: Huang Yueyuan , Li Liangfei , Chi Yaowei , Sha Yuanyuan , Wang Rui , Xu Zheng , Xu Xiaoqi , Li Sha , Gao Zhen , Xu Hong
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

This study developed a feasible catalytic method for d‐allulose syrup production using a fusion enzyme, either in free or immobilized form, through hydrolysis of inulin extracted from Jerusalem artichoke tubers.

RESULTS

d‐Allulose 3‐epimerase (DAE) was actively expressed in secretory form by fusing with the extracellular exo‐inulinase CSCA in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The best linker ligating the two enzymes was a flexible peptide containing 12 residues (GSAGSAAGSGEF). At 55 °C and pH 8.0, and as with the addition of 1 mmol L−1 Mn2+, the CSCA‐linkerE‐DAE fusion enzyme obtained through high cell‐density cultivation displayed a maximal exo‐inulinase activity of 21.8 U mg−1 and resulted in a yield of 6.3 g L−1 d‐allulose and 39.2 g L−1 d‐fructose using 60 g L−1 inulin as the raw material. Catechol‐modified alginate with titanium ions (Alg(Ti)PDA) was found to be a promising immobilization material for the fusion enzyme. After conversion for 8 days, the Alg(Ti)PDA‐immobilized CSCA‐linkerE‐DAE (8 U g−1) completed 24 reaction cycles and retained over 80% of its original activity. Each reaction obtained an average of 19.8 g L−1 d‐allulose and 32.7 g L−1 D‐fructose from 60 g L−1 inulin.

CONCLUSION

This study shed light on a feasible and cost‐effective approach for the production of syrup containing d‐allulose and D‐fructose with inulin as the raw material via the use of a CSCA and DAE fusion enzyme. This syrup is of added value as a functional sweetener. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry