bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curing behavior, thermal, and mechanical properties of epoxy/polyamic acid based on 4,4′‐biphtalic dianhydride and 3,3′‐dihydroxybenzidine
Authors: Amini Majd Armin , Mortezaei Mehrzad , Amiri Amraei Iraj
Published: June 2020

Different synthesis routes were studied to obtain 4,4′‐biphtalic dianhydride/3,3′‐dihydroxybenzidine polyimide precursors (polyamic acids [PAAs]) with different inherent viscosities (IVs) and imidization degrees. The synthesized PAAs were introduced as a thermoplastic modifier into an epoxy (EP) resin. Different loadings of PAA were used to investigate the curing behavior, heat resistance, and mechanical properties. The onset curing temperature of the EP by adding 20 wt% PAA diminished by around 15°C. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the initial and 10 wt% weight loss temperature for EP with 5 wt% PAA improved by 13°C and 7.7%, respectively. Further, the results of tensile and plane‐strain fracture toughness tests indicated that as the amount of PAA increased, the strength and toughness of EP decreased. These improvements were due to the high heat resistance and mechanical properties of PI precursor introduced into the EP, which formed a three‐dimensional structure together. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the system experienced a reduction; however, after adding 2 phr nanosilica to the system containing PAA with average IV and imidization degree, ILSS showed 4.4% increment.
Proteomimetic zinc finger domains with modified metal‐binding β‐turns
Authors: Rao Shilpa R. , Horne W. Seth
Published: June 2020

The mimicry of protein tertiary folds by chains artificial in backbone chemical composition leads to proteomimetic analogues with potential utility as bioactive agents and as tools, to shed light on biomacromolecule behavior. Notable successes toward such molecules have been achieved; however, as protein structural diversity is vast, design principles must be continually honed as they are applied to new prototype folding patterns. One specific structure where a gap remains in understanding how to effectively generate modified backbone analogues is the metal‐binding β‐turn found in zinc finger domains. The literature precedent suggests several factors that may act in concert, including the artificial moiety used to modify the turn, the sequence in which it is applied, and modifications present elsewhere in the domain. Here, we report efforts to gain insights into these issues and leverage these insights to construct a zinc finger mimetic with backbone modifications throughout its constituent secondary structures. We first conduct a systematic comparison of four turn mimetics in a common host sequence, quantifying relative efficacy for use in a metal‐binding context. We go on to construct a proteomimetic zinc finger domain in which the helix, strands, and turn are simultaneously modified, resulting in a variant with 23% artificial residues, a tertiary fold indistinguishable from the prototype, and a folded stability comparable to the natural backbone on which the variant is based. Collectively, the results reported provide new insights into the effects of backbone modification on the structure and stability of metal‐binding domains and help inform the design of metalloprotein mimetics.
Polystyrene latex particles bearing primary amine groups via soap‐free emulsion polymerization
Authors: Marmey Pascal , Lebaz Noureddine , Eissa Mohamed , Delair Thierry , Elaissari Abdelhamid
Published: June 2020

Polystyrene latexes were prepared in the presence of an amino‐containing functional comonomer, N‐(3‐aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMH), via soap‐free batch emulsion polymerization initiated by the cationic initiator 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. These latexes were characterized by studying the influence of the ionic comonomers on the polymerization kinetics, particle size, surface charge density and colloidal properties. The synthesized latexes were monodisperse with a final size between 100 and 600 nm depending on the APMH concentration. The initial polymerization rate and the particle number increased in accordance with the Smith–Ewart theory for soap‐free styrene emulsion polymerization with a hydrophilic functional comonomer. The final functionalization rate of the particles has been particularly studied with the intention of fitting the prepared latexes to be used in the immobilization of biological molecules for biological sample preparation and diagnostic applications. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/PVDF‐g‐polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/TiO2 mixed matrix nanofiltration membranes: preparation and characterization
Authors: Mahdavi Hossein , Mazinani Nouriyeh , Heidari Ali Akbar
Published: June 2020

In this paper, the effect of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐g‐polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and nano‐TiO2, as organic and inorganic additives, respectively, on the antifouling properties of PVDF nanofiltration membranes was studied. PVDF‐g‐PVP/TiO2 mixed matrix membranes were prepared using the phase inversion method. The PVDF‐g‐PVP was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization technique and characterized using 1H NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and TGA. The characterization of prepared membranes was carried out using SEM, field emission scanning electron microscopy, FTIR and contact angle analyses; and porosity, pure water flux, bovine serum albumin solution filtration and antifouling experiments were also studied. According to the results, the membranes could be successfully modified by using PVDF‐g‐PVP and nano‐TiO2 additives. The hydrophilicity of the modified membranes increased, leading to a decrease in contact angle values and an increase in water flux, pore size and porosity of the membranes. Furthermore, compared with neat PVDF membranes, the modified membranes showed high rejection (95.35%) of bovine serum albumin solution. The water flux recovery ratio of the modified membranes also reached 87.64%, indicating a considerable improvement in antifouling properties in comparison with the neat membrane. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Priorities for service improvement in personality disorder in Australia: Perspectives of consumers, carers and clinicians
Authors: Ng Fiona , Townsend Michelle L. , Jewell Mahlie , Marceau Ely M. , Grenyer Brin F.S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Improvements to service provision for personality disorder has been predominately explored through the perspectives of clinicians, with limited understanding of the views of consumers and carers. The aim of the present study was to understand the priorities for service improvement through multiple perspectives.

Method

Twelve roundtables, with a total of 53 consumers, clinicians and carers, discussed how organizations could improve service provision for people with personality disorder and completed a questionnaire on current and optimal service provision. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify the priorities for service improvement, and we aimed to identify differences between what participants currently receive and what they believe to be optimal.

Results

Four priorities were identified: (1) increasing consumer, carer and peer involvement in care, (2) re‐orienting approaches to service provision, (3) improving access and accessibility of treatment and (4) building the capacity of services. Participants were more likely to receive individual or group treatment alone, yet believed combined individual and group treatment to be optimal. Significantly, more participants believed that long‐term treatment was optimal.

Conclusion

A shift in focus from establishing a consistent approach to servicing, to focusing on holistic care that involves consumers and carers in care, is required. © 2020 The Authors Personality and Mental Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
The many faces and outcomes of pulmonary vein stenosis in early childhood
Authors: Humpl Tilman , Fineman Jeffrey , Qureshi Athar M.
Published: June 2020

Pulmonary vein stenosis is a rare and poorly understood condition causing obstruction of the large pulmonary veins and of blood flow from the lungs to the left atrium. This results in elevated pulmonary venous pressure and pulmonary edema, pulmonary hypertension, potentially cardiac failure, and death. Clinical signs of the disease include failure to thrive, increasingly severe dyspnea, hemoptysis, respiratory difficulty, recurrent respiratory tract infections/pneumonia, cyanosis, and subcostal retractions. On chest radiograph, the most frequent finding is increased interstitial, ground‐glass and/or reticular opacity. Transthoracic echocardiography with pulsed Doppler delineates the stenosis, magnetic resonance imaging and multislice computerized tomography are used for further evaluation. Interventional cardiac catherization, surgical techniques, and medical therapies have been used with varying success as treatment options.
Solanum palinacanthum: broad‐spectrum resistance to root‐knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
Authors: Murata Gaku , Uesugi Kenta , Uehara Taketo , Kumaishi Kie , Ichihashi Yasunori , Saito Takeo , Shinmura Yoshimi
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Root‐knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.) are harmful phytophagous pests of Solanum spp. Some RKN species are becoming worldwide problems because of their virulence to RKN‐resistant Solanum species. A new Solanum species carrying broad‐spectrum resistance to Meloidogyne spp. is required for the effective management of this pest. Here we sought to determine the host suitability of RKN to Solanum palinacanthum, a wild Solanum species, and to evaluate its potential effectiveness in RKN management.

RESULTS

We identified an RKN‐resistant Solanum species, S. palinacanthum, by screening Solanum accessions. We tested its spectrum of resistance to common Meloidogyne spp. in Japan. In pot tests inoculated with second‐stage juveniles, S. palinacanthum showed poor host suitability for Melidogyne incognita, M. arenaria genotypes A2‐J and A2‐O, M. javanica and M. hapla, indicating broad‐spectrum resistance to RKN. The development of M. incognita within S. palinacanthum roots was significantly poorer than that in susceptible S. melongena and S. lycopersicum at 10 and 21 days after inoculation. Microplot tests confirmed that the number of second‐stage juveniles in plots where S. palinacanthum grew and root galling of the root system were significantly lower than those of susceptible S. melongena, suggesting that the resistance could be used to manage RKN under field conditions.

CONCLUSION

S. palinacanthum showed poor host suitability to all Meloidogyne spp. tested in this study, and it thus has the potential to be used as a genetic resource with broad‐spectrum RKN resistance, and it could be effective against multiple RKN species in a field. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Review: amino acid biosynthesis as a target for herbicide development
Authors: Hall Cody J , Mackie Emily RR , Gendall Anthony R , Perugini Matthew A , Soares da Costa Tatiana P
Published: June 2020

There are three amino acid biosynthesis pathways that are targeted by current herbicides, namely those leading to the production of aromatic amino acids, branched chain amino acids and glutamine. However, their efficacy is diminishing as a result of the increasing number of resistant weeds. Indeed, resistance to most classes of herbicides is on the rise, posing a significant threat to the utility of current herbicides to sustain effective weed management. This review provides an overview of potential herbicide targets within amino acid biosynthesis that remain unexploited commercially, and recent inhibitor discovery efforts. Despite contemporary approaches to herbicide discovery, such as chemical repurposing and the use of omics technologies, there have been no new products introduced to the market that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis over the past three decades. This highlights the chasm that exists between identifying a potent inhibitor and introducing a commercial herbicide. The unpredictability of a mode of action at the systemic level, as well as poor physicochemical properties, often contribute to a lack of progression beyond the target inhibition stage. Nevertheless, it will be important to overcome these obstacles for the development of new herbicides to protect our agricultural industry and ensure food security for an increasing world population. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Mini‐review: recent advances in the identification and application of sex pheromones of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Xu Liu , Xie Yong , Na Risong , Li Qing X
Published: June 2020

Most gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are cryptic agricultural pests. These tiny insects are prone to lurk in cargoes and spread over long distances. Their larvae feed in plant tissues, so their infestations are imperceptible until crop damage and economic loss appear. The application of sex pheromones is an efficient method with which to monitor and manage gall midges. The present review focuses on recent advances in the accurate identification of gall midge sex pheromones based on rapidly evolving analytical techniques and their use in field trials in integrated pest management. To date, sex pheromones from 19 species of gall midges have been identified and reported, and sex pheromone‐based monitoring systems have been developed and commercialized for at least ten gall midge species. All monitoring systems were tested in various experiments with a modicum of success. In addition to further studies of sex pheromones, identification of plant‐derived volatiles may offer potentials for the manipulation of behavioral response of gall midges, which can be used in dispensers for surveillance and control purposes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of physiological and biochemical effects of two Sophora alopecuroides alkaloids on pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Ma Ting , Shi Xiaoling , Ma Shujie , Ma Zhiqing , Zhang Xing
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Sophora alopecuroides alkaloids are the main constituents for the broad bioactivities on insect pests, especially on aphids. However, the aphicidal mode of action of S. alopecuroides alkaloids remains unclear. To clarify the aphicidal action, avermectin was selected as a positive control, and matrine, sophocarpine were chosen as the representative alkaloids to determine the physiological and biochemical effects on pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum).

RESULTS

The aphids treated by matrine and sophocarpine developed the intoxication symptoms of convulsions, paralysis, and death. However, avermectin showed no convulsions. Moreover, the two alkaloids had a significant inducing effect on glutamic acid decarboxylase, and the specific enzyme activity was 1.14–1.22 times of the control group. In the meanwhile, both matrine and sophocarpine possessed a dose‐response and time‐response inhibitory effect on alanine aminotransferase in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the glutamate content in pea aphids treated with the two alkaloids increased significantly with time, which was about 1.5–2.0 times that of the control group. Similarly, the GABA content elevated significantly, with an increase of 1.0–1.3 times. In addition, all the treatments, except avermectin, presented inhibitory effects on Na+, K+‐ATPase, Ca2+ and Mg2+‐ATPase, with dose‐response and time‐response effect. However, the three treatments had no significant effect on acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine content.

CONCLUSION

The toxicological action of matrine and sophocarpine is related to the regulation on glutamate and γ‐aminobutyric acid systems and has certain similarities to that of avermectin. These findings would provide a basis for further mechanism elucidation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Inheritance of polygenic but stable pyriproxyfen resistance in a bio‐control agent Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): cross‐resistance and realized heritability
Authors: Mansoor Muhammad Mudassir , Shad Sarfraz Ali
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a voracious predator frequently used in biological control programs to suppress pest populations of economic importance. However, it performs its duty in a challenging environment where various stress factors such as non‐target effects of insecticides limit expected outcomes. A study providing details of genetics, cross‐resistance, realized heritability, and stability of insect growth regulators (IGRs) resistance such as pyriproxyfen in this bio‐control agent is essential.

RESULTS

Selection with pyriproxyfen, an IGR, resulted in 3092.10‐fold and 39.60‐fold resistance when judged against Susceptible and Field Pop, respectively. Very low cross‐resistance to buprofezin while no cross‐resistance to acetamiprid and spinosad was observed. Incompletely dominant, autosomal and polygenic resistance was also associated with high realized heritability (h2 = 0.35). Furthermore, resistance to pyriproxyfen was stable in this bio‐control agent.

CONCLUSION

These findings make Chrysoperla carnea an ideal fit in integrated pest management (IPM) programs where biological control approaches are employed in combination with IGRs sprays to control various insect pests especially Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Releasing pyriproxyfen‐resistant Chrysoperla carnea in a multi‐sprayed cropping environment would help to keep pest population below economic threshold level. It would also minimize risk of insecticide resistance development in pests surviving even after several insecticide applications. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Time‐Resolved Electroluminescence Study for the Effect of Charge Traps on the Luminescence Properties of Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Kang Jooyoun , Son Jung Bae , Kim Gyeong Woo , Bae Sohyeon , Min Kyung Suk , Sul Soohwan , Jeon Woo Sung , Jang Jaeduck , Park Gyeong-Su , Shin Jai Kwang , Kwon Jang Hyuk , Kim Seong Keun
Published: June 2020

The electroluminescence characteristics of pristine and degraded organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) devices are studied using the time‐resolved electroluminescence (TREL) technique. It is found that materials degradation results in notable changes in the temporal profile of TREL curve, which involves a shorter onset time, a longer rise time, and a longer decay time of electroluminescence. It is found that these temporal characteristics are affected by trapped charges formed during the OLED operation. More detailed analysis reveals that there are two types of charge traps. The longer decay time is found to be due to the excitons produced by weakly bound charges trapped in the organic layer that are released by thermal energy even without applying the voltage pulse. In contrast, the shorter onset time of electroluminescence is due to the excitons from strongly bound charges that can be released only when a voltage pulse is applied. It is demonstrated that TREL can be used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of OLED degradation. The presence of different types of charge traps found in this study may prove useful for more elaborate design of OLED devices toward enhanced durability against degradation and higher duty cycle of device operation.
Revisiting the relation between momentum and scalar roughness lengths of urban surfaces
Authors: Li Qi , Bou‐Zeid Elie , Grimmond Sue , Zilitinkevich Sergej , Katul Gabriel
Published: June 2020

Large‐Eddy Simulations (LESs) of neutral flow over regular arrays of cuboids are conducted to explore connections between momentum (z0m) and scalar (z0s) roughness lengths in urban environments, and how they are influenced by surface geometry. As LES resolves the obstacles but not the micro‐scale boundary layers attached to them, the aforementioned roughness lengths are analyzed at two distinct spatial scales. At the micro‐scale (roughness of individual facets, e.g., roofs), it is assumed that both momentum and scalar transfer are governed by accepted arguments for smooth walls that form the basis for the LES wall‐model. At the macro‐scale, the roughness lengths are representative of the aggregate effects of momentum and scalar transfer over the resolved roughness elements of the whole surface, and hence they are directly computed from the LES. The results indicate that morphologically based parametrizations for macro‐scale z0m are adequate overall. The relation between the momentum and scalar macro‐roughness values, as conventionally represented by and assumed to scale with (where Re∗ is a roughness Reynolds number), is then interpreted using surface renewal theory (SRT). SRT predicts n = 1/4 when only Kolmogorov‐scale eddies dominate the scalar exchange, whereas n = 1/2 is predicted when large eddies limit the renewal dynamics. The latter is found to better capture the LES results. However, both scaling relations indicate that z0s decreases when z0m increases for typical urban geometries and scales. This is opposite to how their relation is usually modelled for urban canopies (i.e., z0s/z0m is a fixed value smaller than unity).
A compatible finite‐element discretisation for the moist compressible Euler equations
Authors: Bendall Thomas M. , Gibson Thomas H. , Shipton Jemma , Cotter Colin J. , Shipway Ben
Published: June 2020

A promising development of the last decade in the numerical modelling of geophysical fluids has been the compatible finite‐element framework. Indeed, this will form the basis for the next‐generation dynamical core of the Met Office. For this framework to be useful for numerical weather prediction models, it must be able to handle descriptions of unresolved and diabatic processes. These processes offer a challenging test for any numerical discretisation, and have not yet been described within the compatible finite‐element framework. The main contribution of this article is to extend a discretisation using this new framework to include moist thermodynamics. Our results demonstrate that discretisations within the compatible finite‐element framework can be robust enough also to describe moist atmospheric processes.

We describe our discretisation strategy, including treatment of moist processes, and present two configurations of the model using different sets of function spaces with different degrees of finite element. The performance of the model is demonstrated through several test cases. Two of these test cases are new cloudy‐atmosphere variants of existing test cases: inertia–gravity waves in a two‐dimensional vertical slice and a three‐dimensional rising thermal.
User decisions, and how these could guide developments in probabilistic forecasting
Authors: Rodwell M. J. , Hammond J. , Thornton S. , Richardson D. S.
Published: June 2020

We investigate how users combine objective probabilities with their own subjective feelings when deciding how to act on weather forecast information. Results are based on two scenarios investigated at a Live Science event held by the Royal Meteorological Society. When deciding whether to go to the beach with the possibility of warm, dry weather, we find that users attempt to identify their ‘Bayes Action’: the one which minimises their expected negative feeling or utility. Key factors are the ‘thrill’ of a nice day at the beach and the ‘pain’ of coping with, for example, children in wet weather, and the costs of travel. The users' threshold probabilities for deciding to go to the beach thus approximately define their distribution of cost/loss ratios. This is used to calculate a ‘User Brier Score’ (UBS): a measure of the overall utility to society, and which could be used to guide forecast system development. When applied to operational ensemble forecasts issued by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) over the period 1995–2018, the UBS tends to be higher (i.e., worse) than the Brier Score, largely because users tended not to exhibit high cost/loss ratios. When deciding whether to leave a campsite in the face of potentially dangerous gales, users try to find a balance between the ‘regret’ of serious injury and the ‘pain’ of spoiling an enjoyable holiday. Some users decide to stay even at high probabilities of serious consequences – partly due to a lack of experience. On the other hand, forecasts suffer from ‘complete misses’ – where probabilities of zero are accompanied by non‐negligible outcome frequencies. These dominate the overall Brier Score. The frequency of complete misses halved over the period 1995–2018: a welcome improvement for users who do wish to avoid danger at low probabilities.
Local energy decomposition of coupled‐cluster interaction energies: Interpretation, benchmarks, and comparison with symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory
Authors: Altun Ahmet , Izsák Róbert , Bistoni Giovanni
Published: June 2020

Local energy decomposition analysis provides a breakdown of the domain‐based local pair natural orbital CCSD(T) [DLPNO‐CCSD(T)] energy into additive contributions representing the interaction between pairs of user‐defined fragments. Each of these fragment‐pairwise components can be further decomposed into a sum of physically meaningful terms, such as electrostatics, dispersion, and exchange. In this study, the dependence of such energy terms on the basis set size, the approximations used for the two‐electron integrals, and the localization scheme used for the virtual orbitals have been carefully evaluated on the interaction energies of the S66 benchmark set. A comparison with the energy components obtained at the SAPT2 + (3)δMP2 level of Symmetry‐Adapted Perturbation Theory is also provided.
Increased tumour burden alters skeletal muscle properties in the KPC mouse model of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Vohra Ravneet , Campbell Matthew D. , Park Joshua , Whang Stella , Gravelle Kayla , Wang Yak‐Nam , Hwang Joo‐Ha , Marcinek David J. , Lee Donghoon
Published: June 2020

Background

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial wasting syndrome that is characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and weakness, which compromises physical function, reduces quality of life, and ultimately can lead to mortality. Experimental models of cancer cachexia have recapitulated this skeletal muscle atrophy and consequent decline in muscle force‐generating capacity. We address these issues in a novel transgenic mouse model Kras, Trp53, and Pdx‐1‐Cre (KPC) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using multi‐parametric magnetic resonance measures.

Methods

KPC mice (n = 10) were divided equally into two groups (n = 5 per group) depending on the size of the tumour, that is, tumour size <250 and >250 mm3. Using multi‐parametric magnetic resonance measures, we demonstrated the changes in the gastrocnemius muscle at the microstructural level. In addition, we evaluated skeletal muscle contractile function in KPC mice using an in vivo approach.

Results

Increase in tumour size resulted in decrease in gastrocnemius maximum cross‐sectional area, decrease in T2 relaxation time, increase in magnetization transfer ratio, decrease in mean diffusivity, and decrease in radial diffusivity of water across the muscle fibres. Finally, we detected significant decrease in absolute and specific force production of gastrocnemius muscle with increase in tumour size.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that increase in tumour size may cause alterations in structural and functional parameters of skeletal muscles and that MR parameters may be used as sensitive biomarkers to non‐invasively detect structural changes in cachectic muscles.
Computer‐aided porous implant design for cranio‐maxillofacial defect restoration
Authors: Wang Enpeng , Shi Haochen , Sun Yi , Politis Constantinus , Lan Lin , Chen Xiaojun
Published: June 2020

The porous structure of the implant contributes significantly to prosthetic osseointegration in cranio‐maxillofacial defect repair surgeries. This study establishes a system called EasyImplant that can easily and efficiently design customized cranio‐maxillofacial implant with porous structure. Healthy side of the skull model is used to obtain the initial implant model on defective side by mirroring method. According to the curvature of undamaged surface, the initial model can be adjusted and repaired. Based on the initial implant model, porous implant structure can be generated efficiently using create sample points, distance Field and marching Cube algorithms. Finally, the connection plate is obtained through surface extruding and model merging. With EasyImplant, a complete porous implant model can be designed in a short time. The proposed methods can contribute to shorten the period of facial implant designing and reduce the incidence of surgical infection.
Every planar graph with the Liouville property is amenable
Authors: Carmesin Johannes , Georgakopoulos Agelos
Published: June 2020

We introduce a strengthening of the notion of transience for planar maps in order to relax the standard condition of bounded degree appearing in various results, in particular, the existence of Dirichlet harmonic function s proved by Benjamini and Schramm. As a corollary we obtain that every planar nonamenable graph admits nonconstant Dirichlet harmonic function s27.
Embodied value: Wealth‐in‐people
Authors: Kusimba Sibel
Published: June 2020

In a world of social inequality, health disparities, and poverty, the economic value of people remains unrecognized, undervalued, and exploited. Recently, the ongoing conflict between capitalist markets and human value came to the fore again during the coronavirus pandemic, when many health systems were unprepared. In the United States, business and government leaders feared that quarantines would damage the economy. Their public statements urging the reopening of stores and public spaces pitted market value against the value of human lives. How can anthropology bring the value of people to light? How have varied societies valued human lives, qualities, and works? The articles in this special issue develop the 2019 Society for Economic Anthropology conference theme “Wealth‐in‐People.” Inspired by ethnographies of certain African societies, the wealth‐in‐people literature has moved from politics and demography to inequality and marginalization to the pricing of life, and has settled on wealth‐in‐people as a collective that assembles individuals with diverse and complementary qualities. Collectives of wealth‐in‐people build on these qualities, including knowledge, skill, beauty, emotional and distributive labor, and artistic expression. They become more than the sum of their parts. Seen from our current moment, wealth‐in‐people as a theory of value takes us beyond false choices between the economy and people. By illuminating forms of economic life from the ground up, the wealth‐in‐people approach, like similar recent concepts, including the human economy and social worth, can catalyze a more democratic economy.
Flexible And Recyclable PPy‐TiO2@WO3 Photocatalyst Supported By Cellulose Aerogel Beads
Authors: Wu Keliang , Li Bingke , Dong Xuejun , Wu Pengcheng , Sun Kenan , Yang Shengchao , Wu Jianning , Hou Juan , Liu Zhiyong , Guo Xuhong
Published: June 2020

Polypyrrole (PPy)‐TiO2@WO3 catalyst supposed by cellulose aerogel beads was synthesized using inverse suspension crosslinking approach. The resulting particles were small and well‐crystallized according to scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The efficiency of the resulting photocatalysis was tested relative to degradation of tetraethylated rhodamine (RhB), which was judged by solution discoloration and also by RhB content decrease. Excellent photocatalytic activity of cellulose aerogel (CE)‐PPy‐TiO2@WO3 beads was attributed to the synergy between TiO2 and WO3, which widened material absorption bandedge and improved migration efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. Presence of black PPy widened absorption band edge further promoting photogenerated electron and hole separation. More importantly, presence of macro‐porous CE increased optical absorption of this composite photocatalyst and helped photocatalyst to retain its structural integrity during repeated recycling. If needed, photocatalyst can be easily removed from the reaction solution to prevent secondary pollution. Our complex CE‐PPy‐TiO2@WO3 bead‐like photocatalyst also demonstrated good mechanical strength and excellent flexibility, which allowed it to be folded and bent. We proposed photocatalytic mechanisms responsible for processes involving CE‐PPy‐TiO2@WO3 beads, understanding of which will help to improve the photocatalytic performance of this material even further. Catalysts based on CE‐PPy‐TiO2@WO3 beads can be used in complex environments and small spaces because of their flexibility and recyclability. It might be especially useful for applications in difficult‐to‐reach places (for example sandy places or narrow openings), in which it is difficult to place or recover a catalyst.
Metal‐Organic Framework Based on an Anthracene Tetracarboxylate Ligand and Cadmium or Cobalt: Synthesis, Structure Analysis, Stability and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Aleksovska Angela , Zaake‐Hertling Haldor , Lönnecke Peter , Schwarze Benedikt , Gräsing Daniel , Matysik Jörg , Blömer Laura , Kersting Berthold , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: June 2020

Metal‐organic frameworks, a class of porous polymeric materials, are presenting a development on the interface between molecular coordination chemistry and materials science and are becoming one of the hottest research topics in chemistry. Two new metal‐organic frameworks, [M’2{Co3(ACTBA)2}]n (1; M’=monocation) and [(NH2Et2)2{Cd3(ACTBA)2}]n (2) (H4ACTBA=2,6,9,10‐tetrakis(p‐carboxyphenyl)anthracene), composed of trinuclear Co or Cd moieties connected by anthracene tetracarboxylate ligands are presented here, which are highly stable on removal of solvent inside the pores. The synthesis, X‐ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy (for 2), chemical and thermal stability, and magnetic properties (for 1) are discussed.
Catalyst‐ and Additive‐free Synthesis of α‐Pyrrolyl Amides upon Treatment of α‐Keto Amides with 4‐Hydroxy‐L‐proline
Authors: Liu Guyue , Hao Feiyue , He Xiaoyu , Xu Yan , Jin Zhengneng , Jiang Huajiang , Wu Jiashou
Published: June 2020

A catalyst‐ and additive‐free synthesis of α‐pyrrolyl amides was easily achieved upon treatment of 4‐hydroxy‐L‐proline with α‐keto amides. Broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and operational simplicity are the notable advantages of this protocol. Furthermore, gram‐scale synthesis and further transformation of the resultant products into newly functionalized compounds definitely demonstrated the synthetic utility of this method.
Effect of Tantalum on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of M2 High‐Speed Steel Prepared by Laser Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Wang Jiale , Chen Changjun , Zhang Min
Published: June 2020

Herein, M2 high‐speed steel (HSS) samples with different Ta contents are prepared on #45 steel substrates by a laser additive manufacturing process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples are systematically studied under five different Ta contents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses show that the microstructures of the samples comprise equiaxed crystals, cellular dendritic structures, and reticular eutectic carbides. The samples are mainly composed of supersaturated martensite, retained austenite, and MxCy‐type carbides. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the samples are greatly affected by Ta alloying. After the M2 HSS is alloyed with 1 and 2 wt% Ta, obvious grain refinement occurs and the amount of retained austenite decreases; as a result of these microscale changes, the microhardness increases by 2.9% and 7.2%, the impact toughness increases by 12.4% and 17.4%, and the wear resistance increases by 75.74% and 25%.
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications of Native and Modified Starch: A Review
Authors: Garcia Maria Aparecida Vieira Teixeira , Garcia Cleverson Fernando , Faraco André Augusto Gomes
Published: June 2020

Starch is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable polymer produced by many plants as a source of stored energy. The structural and functional diversity of starches makes them suitable for different applications. Various physical, chemical, and enzymatic modifications can change and improve functional properties of starch to facilitate its use for different pharmaceutical purposes. Currently, some types of starches—for example, native starch, sodium starch glycolate (chemically modified starch), and pregelatinized starch (physically modified starch)—are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use either as an isolated excipient or as a matrix for drug delivery systems in granules, capsules, tablets, suppositories, implants, stents, transdermal, and ophthalmic systems. However, the increasing number of drug moieties with varying physicochemical and stability properties along with the development of new drug production processes and drug delivery systems exert pressure on formulators to search for new excipients that achieve the desired set of functionalities. This paper offers a clear overview of native and modified starches and their use in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, either as excipients or as drug delivery systems. In addition, some drug release mechanisms, which include encapsulants, micro/nanoparticles hydrogels and scaffolds, are discussed.
Pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids for disease modeling and development of therapies
Authors: Kruczek Kamil , Swaroop Anand
Published: June 2020

Retinal diseases constitute a genetically and phenotypically diverse group of clinical conditions leading to vision impairment or blindness with limited treatment options. Advances in reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells and generation of three-dimensional organoids resembling the native retina offer promising tools to interrogate disease mechanisms and evaluate potential therapies for currently incurable retinal neurodegeneration. Next-generation sequencing, single-cell analysis, advanced electrophysiology, and high-throughput screening approaches are expected to greatly expand the utility of stem cell-derived retinal cells and organoids for developing personalized treatments. In this review, we discuss the current status and future potential of combining retinal organoids as human models with recent technologies to advance the development of gene, cell, and drug therapies for retinopathies.
ROS‐mediated PERK‐eIF2α‐ATF4 pathway plays an important role in arsenite‐induced L‐02 cells apoptosis via regulating CHOP‐DR5 signaling
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Zhang Aihua
Published: June 2020

Chronic exposure to arsenic remains a worldwide environmental health issue, affecting hundreds of millions of people. Although, arsenic‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis have been determined, the underlying apoptosis mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. Oxidative stress integrated‐ER stress plays an important role in Life‐and‐Death decision of cells. The current study was to investigate whether NaAsO2 utilizes oxidative stress integrated‐ER stress signaling to exert pro‐apoptotic activity in L‐02 cells. Results showed that death receptor 5 (DR5) was a mediator of NaAsO2‐induced apoptosis by enhancing construction of the death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC). NaAsO2‐sensitized DR5 elevation required maintainable transcription and its transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Further results showed that NaAsO2 increased expression in biomarker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activated the protein kinase R‐like ER kinase (PERK)‐eukaryotic translation initiation 2α (eIF2α)‐activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway. PERK inhibitor and ATF4 siRNA significantly attenuated NaAsO2‐induced CHOP and DR5 expressions. In addition, the antioxidant N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) treatment led to amelioration of NaAsO2‐induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and some ER stress‐ and apoptosis‐ related protein levels and cell viability. Taken together, the results indicate that ROS‐mediated PERK‐eIF2α‐ATF4 pathway activated by NaAsO2 is the critical upstream event for subsequent apoptosis induction via regulating CHOP‐DR5 signaling in L‐02 cells when chronic exposure to arsenic, and support that antioxidants might be potential therapeutic agents for preventing or delaying the onset and progress of arsenic‐induced hepatotoxicity.
The design, evaluation, and reporting on non‐pharmacological, cognition‐oriented treatments for older adults: Results of a survey of experts
Authors: Simon Sharon Sanz , Castellani Mary , Belleville Sylvie , Dwolatzky Tzvi , Hampstead Benjamin M. , Bahar‐Fuchs Alex
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Cognitive decline and dementia significantly affect independence and quality of life in older adults; therefore, it is critical to identify effective cognition‐oriented treatments (COTs; eg, cognitive training, rehabilitation) that can help maintain or enhance cognitive functioning in older adults, as well as reduce dementia risk or alleviate symptoms associated with pathological processes.

Methods

The Cognitive Intervention Design Evaluation and Reporting (CIDER), a working group from the Non‐Pharmacological Interventions Professional Interest Area (NPI‐PIA) of the Alzheimer's Association conducted as survey in 2017 with experts in COTs worldwide. The survey's aims were three‐fold: (1) determine the common attitudes, beliefs, and practices of experts involved in the COTs research targeting older people; (2) identify areas of relative agreement and disagreement among experts in the field; and (3) offer a critical review of the literature, including recommendations for future research.

Results

The survey identified several areas of agreements among experts on critical features of COTs, and on study design and outcome measures. Nevertheless, there were some areas with relative disagreement. Critically, expert opinions were not always supported by scientific evidence, suggesting that methodologic improvements are needed regarding design, implementation, and reporting of COTs. There was a clear consensus that COTs provide benefits and should be offered to cognitively unimpaired older adults, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild dementia, but opinions differed for moderate and severe dementia. In addition, there is no consensus on the potential role of COTs in dementia prevention, indicating that future research should prioritize this aspect.

Discussion

Evidence of COTs in older adults is encouraging, but additional evidence is needed to enhance dementia prevention. Consensus building and guidelines in the field are critical to improve and accelerate the development of high‐quality evidence for COTs in cognitively unimpaired older adults, and those with MCI and dementia.
On porous‐elastic system with a time‐varying delay term in the internal feedbacks
Authors: Borges Filho E. , Santos M. L.
Published: June 2020

In this article, we consider the one‐dimensional equations of an homogeneous and isotropic porous‐elastic solid with interior time‐dependent delay term feedbacks. First, using the variable norm technique of T. Kato, we prove that the system is well‐posed under some hypothesis adopted. Then, via a suitable Lyapunov functional, we show that the system is exponentially stable.
Effects of a recurring late‐night event on the behavior and welfare of a population of zoo‐housed gorillas
Authors: Bastian Meredith L. , Glendinning David R. , Brown Janine L. , Boisseau Nicole P. , Edwards Katie L.
Published: June 2020

The impact of visitors on the well‐being of captive animals presents both positive and potentially negative consequences. While some amount of novelty through visitor stimulation offers the opportunity for a more complex captive environment, anecdotal evidence from primate staff observations at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute suggested that gorillas exhibited increased restlessness during the annual month‐long late night ZooLights (ZL) event than before it. The current study compared activity budgets, aggression (interactions involving contact between conspecifics and displays toward visitors), and abnormal behaviors in two groups of socially housed gorillas for 1‐month periods before, during, and after the 2015 ZL event. We also compared the fecal glucocorticoid metabolite profiles of all six gorillas across these same observation periods. Physiologically, most individuals appeared to cope appropriately with the increased visitor presence during the event. We saw little difference in contact aggression; however, abnormal behavior was observed in some gorillas during and after the event, which highlights the importance of individual analysis and data interpretation. As predicted, we found that the majority of gorillas rested less during ZL than during other observation periods, particularly adult females in the mixed sex troop. Preliminary results of this study aided the decision of zoo management to close initially the Great Ape House and subsequently most animal buildings during future ZL events to avoid the potential disruption of normal activity patterns. While the findings of this study were mixed as to the impact of the event on these gorillas, the results suggest that zoos should carefully consider the possible ramifications of keeping great ape buildings open for lengthy multi‐night events.
Cultural Competence and the Higher Education Sector: A Journey in the Academy
Authors: Frawley Jack , Russell Gabrielle , Sherwood Juanita
Published: June 2020

Although cultural competence in higher education is a worthwhile starting point for teaching, learning, research and leadership in the higher education sector, it has been argued that it is the journey and not the destination that is important (Clutton in One size fits few: from cultural incompetence to contextual sensitivity in health policy development in Australia and Canada. (Unpublished doctoral thesis), Australian National University, Canberra, 2017).
Embedding Cultural Competence in Faculty: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of an Applied Indigenous Proficiency Workshop
Authors: Doyle Kerrie E. , Zarb Lauren , Wilkey Kyar , Sale Kayla , Pitt Chris , Vindigni Dein
Published: June 2020

One of the most pressing issues in Australian society is the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health and life expectancies.
On the Critical, Morally Driven, Self-reflective Agents of Change and Transformation: A Literature Review on Culturally Competent Leadership in Higher Education
Authors: Pecci Alessandra , Frawley Jack , Nguyen Tran
Published: June 2020

Cultural competence philosophyand praxis was born out of healthcare provision in the 1980s. As such, the essence of care cannot be separated from cultural competence practice.