bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Pilot Study Comparing the Efficacy of a Therapist-Delivered Motivational Interview to a Brief Computer-Delivered Intervention
Authors: Hernandez Lynn , Cancilliere Mary Kathryn , Graves Hannah , Spirito Anthony
Published: November 2020

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the preliminary efficacy of a computer-assisted intervention (CAI), in which a computer-delivered intervention was immediately followed up with a brief therapist review session, to a therapist-delivered intervention (TDI) for adolescent substance use. Design, Setting, and Participants: Both conditions were examined in a pilot randomized clinical trial. All participants were recruited from a family court in the northeast United States. The sample included a total of 36 adolescents court-referred for an adolescent substance-related offense.Measures: Measures included adolescent alcohol and marijuana-use frequency, quantity, and problems as well as self-efficacy to resist the urge to use.Findings: While no significant time-by-condition differences were noted between the CAI and TDI conditions, significant time effects were found for both the TDI and CAI indicating a decrease in the total number of alcohol- or marijuana-use days over the six-month follow-up period.Conclusions: Given that CAIs are inexpensive, require minimal training, can be implemented with a high degree of fidelity, and are portable when compared to some TDIs, their use for decreasing substance use and related problems, particularly among adolescents with low access to substance-use interventions, seems promising. A fully powered trial of CAI efficacy is indicated.
Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol: Research Presented at Meetings of the Kettil Bruun Society between 1983 and 2017
Authors: Garretsen Henk , Van de Goor Ien , Roeg Diana , Van de Mheen Dike
Published: November 2020

Aims: The Kettil Bruun Society (KBS) is a leading international society, known in full as the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol. This paper aims to analyse research presented at KBS annual meetings and provide an overview of the developments in the research agenda in the field. In this way we try to gain insight into worldwide developments in the research agenda on social and epidemiological research on alcohol between 1983 and 2017.

Methods: For the period 1983–1992, all annual meetings were the object of study. For the period after 1993, three sample periods of the annual meetings were used. The current paper is the fourth overview paper in a series. All papers have been reviewed with regard to their content, the research methods used, the country of origin, and the gender of the presenting authors.

Results: The number of papers presented at the annual KBS meetings increased from 35 in 1983 to over 160 in the years after 2009. In the period 1983–2017, the percentage of papers on policy and prevention doubled. Surveys have been the most popular research method in the period reviewed here.

Conclusions: The KBS is the international society for this type of research, and developments within the KBS give an indication of the worldwide developments in the research agenda on social and epidemiological research on alcohol between 1983 and 2017.
A CRITICAL REVIEW ON HYPOTENSION AND ITS MANAGEMENT FROM AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Viswan Soumya P. , R Rashmi
Published: November 2020

Hypotension is a major health problem worldwide with a prevalence rate of 29.3% in older adults. It is associated with increased risk of falls, syncope, reduced quality of life and even death due to organ failure. Despite of its increasing incidence in general population and serious complications, hypotension is often neglected in clinical practice and in the field of research. The present article is an effort to learn the clinical significance, risk factors and co-morbidities of hypotension and understand the disease process and management aspects from Ayurvedic perspective. The sources of literary review were Ayurvedic classical text books, research articles published in indexed journals and electronic sources. Thorough literature review revealed that Hypotension should be considered as a condition caused due to Raktakshaya (depletion of blood tissue) and vyanavatakopa (vitiation of Vyana vata, a subtype of vata responsible for circulation and motor activities). Compound formulations found effective in Hypotension and their therapeutic actions are detailed in the management. Efficacy of Ayurveda in both acute and chronic conditions is elucidated here. This work also provides a framework for further studies on the neglected aspect of research on Hypotension.
Assessment of Patients’ Knowledge of Radiation Exposure during Medical Imaging Procedures at Private Medical Radiography Centres in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Adejumo Adedapo A. , Ugo U. Enebeli, , Bilewu Olaolu O.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Radiological examinations are commonly requested for patients to aid clinical diagnosis. However, many doctors do not realize how much radiation dosage their patients are exposed to during radiological aim. The main objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of radiation exposure and safety practices among patients undergoing medical imaging in Ado-Odo Local Government Area, in Ogun State of Nigeria.

Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was used for the study.

Results: More than half of the respondents 216(69.7%) were female, more than one-quarter 153(49.4) of the respondents were aged 20-29 years, More than half 186(60.0%) of the respondent are single. More than half 204(66.4%) of the respondents have heard about radiation exposure. Majority 232(74.8%) of the respondents agree that radiation hazard do come only from medical radiations. More than half 21(68.7%) of the respondents agree that they do take note of radiation warning sign, majority 236(76.1%) of the respondents agree that they know the wrong use of dose of ionizing radiation can lead to mortality, 217(70.0%) of the respondents agree that inappropriate safety measure on ionizing radiation can result into cancer

Conclusion: This study notes that majority of the literature on awareness and knowledge of the effects of ionizing radiation was carried out among health workers, whereas there is limited information from patients who undergo the procedure. This accounts for the paucity of local studies to compare our results with. In future, studies could compare the radiation awareness among patients presenting at health facilities from public and private, as well as differences in awareness levels of self-presenting and prescribed patients
Effect of Board Diversity on Organisation Performance, A Case of Kenya Ports Authority Mombasa, Kenya
Authors: Nyagilo Beatrice , Njeru Phelista
Published: November 2020

The global business landscape is increasingly becoming complex and unpredictable. For corporations to survive in these increasingly competitive markets, they have to be flexible and meet their customer requirements. It is on this basis that relation between strategic corporate governance and organisation performance has evoked much interest among scholars. This study investigated the impact of strategic corporate governance on organisation performance of Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa Kenya. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of board diversity on the performance of KPA. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design where 55 board of directors, general managers and head of division of KPA were targeted. The sample size was 48 and stratified sampling technique was employed to identify respondents that participated in the study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data using frequency tables, percentages, and measures of central tendency used included mode, median and mean. The inferential statistics used was multiple regression, which established whether there was a significant relationship between board size, board independence, board diversity and committee members’ competency on the performance of KPA. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and presented using tables and figure. The study found that 59.8 per cent of the organisation performance at KPA could be attributed to strategic corporate governance. The study also found out that board diversity had a statistically significant impact on the organisation performance of KPA. This study recommends KPA to strive and incorporate board diversity Competency in its strategic corporate governance objectives if it were to enhance its performance.
International Indexes
Authors: Ivaldi Enrico , Ciacci Andrea
Published: November 2020

International indexes are developed in order to monitor the conditions, under different sizes and from different perspectives, of different countries. For an index to be considered robust, it must strictly comply with the conditions defined and shared by the world's major statistical organizations. Compliance with certain parameters is essential if the index is to faithfully reflect a certain reality.

The scope of statistical methods used to construct indexes is wide. It is possible to identify multiple types of indexes with an international dimension, used to measure performance in geographical areas, countries, or regions. The main areas for which indexes are constructed include health, education and culture, agriculture and development, gender, environment, poverty and deprivation, science, technology and digital development, and democracy and freedom.

An analysis based on quantitative statistical tools is the starting point for the definition of public policies at various levels of government, as well as a valid way of monitoring the entire process of development and their impact in economic and social terms. Moreover, the indexes play a very important communicative role; the data, presented through suitable visual and tabular supports, is an effective vehicle of information to the public.
Monetizing Industry 4.0 and IoT Data for Marketing and Sales
Authors: Coleman Shirley Y. , Ahlemeyer‐Stubbe Andrea
Published: November 2020

Astute companies are well aware of the importance of data arising from
Industry 4.0
sensors that measure and record all aspects of production and service. They are able to develop new business models, initiate disruptive innovations, and open up new sources of revenue. At the same time, society is becoming more and more familiar with data from the so‐called
IoT
, the Internet of Things. The less‐technical areas of
marketing and sales
can also benefit from this mass of data, and it is this vital part of the business chain upon which this article focuses. The article explains some essential technologies, methods, and skills as well as critical success factors.
Monetizing Industry 4.0 and IoT Data for Marketing and Sales – Data Collected from Smart Homes and Wearables
Authors: Coleman Shirley Y. , Ahlemeyer‐Stubbe Andrea
Published: November 2020

In the new age of Industry 4.0, sensors measure and communicate all aspects of our everyday life. Smart companies are well aware of the importance of data arising from these sensors. They are able to develop new business models, initiate disruptive innovations, and open up new sources of revenue. At the same time, society is becoming more and more familiar with data from the so‐called IoT, the Internet of Things. The less‐technical areas of
marketing and sales
can also benefit from this mass of data, and it is this vital part of the business chain upon which this article focuses. This article discusses concrete examples from the area of smart homes and wearables. It describes the data which is generated and shows value creation opportunities for marketing and sales, both in large companies and small or medium
enterprises ( SMEs).
Possible‐Worlds Semantics for Pictures
Authors: Abusch Dorit
Published: November 2020

In the philosophy of language and linguistic semantics, there is an approach to semantics and pragmatics that proceeds by assigning semantic values to sentences, and then reasoning about pragmatics in terms of these semantic values. Classically, the semantic value of a sentence is a proposition, constructed as a set of possible worlds. This chapter looks at the application of the same scheme to the semantics of pictures, and to the semantics and pragmatics of narratives such as comics that are constructed as sequences of pictures. Section 2 explains a method for mapping pictures to propositions. Essentially, the semantic value of a picture is the set of worlds that project to the picture via a geometric projection procedure such as perspectival projection. Section 3 looks at the temporal interpretation of pictorial narratives. Another pragmatic aspect of pictorial narratives is anaphora or indexing across pictures in a sequence. Section 4 treats this via the syntactic introduction of discourse referents, and interpretation of the resulting representations in a dynamic semantic system. Section 5 reviews the semantics of sentences that describe pictures, and an argument based on such sentences that the semantic value of pictures should represent viewpoints along with worlds. Section 6 develops an analogy between ambiguous pictures such as Necker cubes and syntactic ambiguity in natural language. Section 7 reviews perceptual semantics for pictures, which considers the effect of pictures on viewers.
Semantics of English Intonation
Authors: Truckenbrodt Hubert
Published: November 2020

Central elements of the system of intonational meanings in English are discussed. The H* pitch accent (which can be part of a fall) marks a proposition as to be added to the common knowledge of speaker and addressee. The H‐ edge tone (which can be part of a rise) marks a proposition as being put up for question. Intonational meanings operate on salient propositions. In interrogatives, this often turns out to be the implicature that there is a true answer. In echo questions, the rise is a signal that a preceding assertion has not succeeded. Intonational meanings are defined in terms of the utterance context.
Logical Omniscience
Authors: Égré Paul
Published: November 2020

The problem of logical omniscience is the fact thatbelieveand other attitude verbs in possible‐worlds semantics are predicted to be closed under logical consequence, in ways that appear implausibly strong, both relative to how beliefs are represented and relative to how they are ascribed in ordinary language. This chapter explains the problem and surveys four main strategies that have been proposed to deal with it, by means of primitive propositions, of impossible worlds, of structured meanings, and ofde rebelief relativized to acquaintance relations. Two further aspects of the problem of logical omniscience are examined, which concern the representation of unawareness and the treatment of fragmented beliefs.
Questions and Interrogatives
Authors: Hagstrom Paul
Published: November 2020

In his dissertation, Stephen Berman observed thatwh‐words in questions embedded under certain verbs seem to inherit their quantificational force from adverbs of quantification in the higher clause. The knowledge inI mostly know who leftis interpreted to correspond to most of the leavers. Berman argued that this serves as a counterexample to proposals such as Groenendijk and Stokhof's that make strong exhaustivity a definitional property of the semantic representation of questions. This chapter reviews the restrictions on where the quantificational variability effect (QVE) is observed, and assesses the impact of these observations on the various major accounts of question semantics. The existence of QVE opens a window into the internal structure of questions/answers, potentially providing insight into what components of a question might be being quantified over in such cases.
Discourse Particles
Authors: Grosz Patrick G.
Published: November 2020

This chapter aims to provide an overview of core questions concerning the nature of so‐calleddiscourse particles, such as Germanjaanddoch. It starts by exploring the similarity between discourse particles and sentence adverbs, which raises nontrivial questions such as: which properties do the two types of elements share? and what are the differences between them? Subsequently, it is shown that discourse particles can be subclassified, at least into a set of particles that interact with epistemic modality and a set of particles that interact with priority modality (i.e., non‐dynamic root modality). A case study of the German particlejahighlights the complexities that are involved in establishing the lexical entries for discourse particles. This case study confirms thatja(p)has an uncontroversiality component (“pis uncontroversial”), but questions the widespread assumption that it also has a factuality component (“pis true”). The remainder of the paper is dedicated to discussing three approaches to the very type of (non‐truth‐conditional) meaning that discourse particles encode: a syntactic force‐based approach, a presuppositional approach, and a use‐conditional approach. In comparing these three approaches, we see that a presuppositional approach and a use‐conditional approach fare equally well. By contrast, it is shown that one of the main arguments for a syntactic force‐based approach cannot be confirmed, namely, that it predicts the distribution of discourse particles in embedded clauses. Notably, all three approaches have means to deal with the frequently discussed sentence‐type and speech‐act sensitivity of discourse particles, which thus cannot be used to decide between the approaches.
Nominal vs Adverbial Quantification
Authors: Hinterwimmer Stefan
Published: November 2020

The chapter gives an overview of the similarities as well as the differences between determiner quantifiers (D‐quantifiers) and adverbial quantifiers (A‐quantifiers). While both types of quantifiers have in common that they express relations between sets of elements, they differ in at least two crucial respects. First, the syntax–semantics mapping is rather strict in the case of D‐quantifiers, while it is much more flexible in the case of A‐quantifiers. Second, the domains of quantification are different. D‐quantifiers quantify over whatever set of elements is denoted by the NP they combine with, which is usually, but not necessarily, a set of individuals. Concerning A‐quantifiers, there are good reasons to assume that the members of one class of A‐quantifiers, namely frequency adverbs, quantify over eventualities or situations exclusively. Adverbs of quantity, in contrast, are free to take entities of any kind as their first argument that can naturally be decomposed into parts.
Negative Polarity
Authors: Homer Vincent
Published: November 2020

Negative polarity items (NPIs), for example the indefinitesany,kanenas(in Greek),quoi que ce soit(in French), minimizers (e.g.,lift a finger), the adverbyet, and so forth have a limited distribution; they appear to stand in a licensing relationship to other expressions, such as negation, in the same sentence. This chapter offers an overview of some of the empirical challenges and theoretical issues raised by NPIs. It retraces a line of research that started out as an investigation of the right “licensing condition(s)” of NPIs: it sought to characterize licensing operators and used some semantic property (affectivity, downward‐entailingness and variants thereof, or non‐veridicality) to do so. It gradually shifted to exploring the very sources of polarity sensitivity: current theories no longer view NPIs as being in “need” of licensing, and instead hold that their contribution to meaning leads to semantic or pragmatic deviance in certain environments, from which they are thus barred. We first present the so‐called Fauconnier–Ladusaw approach to NPI‐licensing, and its licensing condition based on the notion of downward‐entailingness. This condition proves to be both too strong and too weak: it is too strong because NPIs can be licensed in the absence of a downward‐entailing operator, and it is too weak, in view of intervention effects caused by certain scope‐taking elements. We explore two ways of weakening the original condition: replacing downward‐entailingness with another semantic property, non‐veridicality; and Strawson downward‐entailingness. The upshot of this discussion is that NPIs are not licensed byoperators, but rather need to fit into certainenvironments. Finally, we show how the restrictions on the distribution of NPIs (specifically indefinites) can be explained by the interaction between certain features of the meaning of NPIs and semantic properties of their environment.
Dimensions of Meaning
Authors: Gutzmann Daniel
Published: November 2020

The idea that there may be more than one dimension of meaning is not a new one (going back at least to Frege), and several proposals of how to equip a simple semantic framework with additional meaning dimensions in order to cope with various phenomena have been made along these lines. This chapter discusses a selection of phenomena for which multidimensional semantic frameworks have been employed.
Ambiguity
Authors: Poesio Massimo
Published: November 2020

Ambiguity is one of the most important aspects of natural language, but one of the most difficult to define and distinguish from related (and unrelated) phenomena. In this chapter, ambiguity is first differentiated from other sources of indeterminacy, such as unspecificity, and other sources of indefiniteness, such as vagueness. Different types of ambiguity – in particular homonymy and polysemy – are then discussed, starting with data about lexical ambiguity, and characterized using both linguistic and cognitive evidence; but it is emphasized that the distinction is not always obvious. Several non‐lexical types of ambiguity are then discussed, including referential, scopal, and collective/distributive/cumulative ambiguity. The preliminary definition of ambiguity is then supplemented in order to account for these distinctions, arguing for an approach in which the distinction between the types of ambiguity is based in part on pragmatic considerations. Finally, the extent to which speakers and listeners adhere to Grice's “Avoid Ambiguity” maxim is questioned, on the basis of evidence about deliberate ambiguity and “good enough” interpretations.
Count Nouns vs Mass Nouns
Authors: Rothstein Susan
Published: November 2020

This chapter reviews foundational issues in the semantics of the mass/count distinction, and recent empirical data which have impacted the discussion of foundational issues fundamentally. I review four basic semantic proposals about the count/mass distinction: (i) that mass nouns and count nouns have their denotations in different domains; (ii) that mass nouns are inherently plural; (iii) that vagueness is at the root of the count/mass distinction; and (iv) that the count/mass distinction is related to operations of counting and measuring. I present recent work on object mass nouns, on crosslinguistic variation, and on mass‐to‐count and count‐to‐mass shifts, and discuss its relevance for the foundational issues. Finally I mention some recent developments in mass/count research.
The Semantics and Pragmatics of Appositives
Authors: Schlenker Philippe
Published: November 2020

Appositives have been argued to provide a powerful argument in favor of a multidimensional semantics, one in which certain expressions fail to interact scopally with various operators because their meaning is located in a separate semantic dimension (as argued by Potts). On this view, appositive relative clauses and nominals have an unexceptional syntax but a semantics that radically differs from that of superficially related constructions (restrictive modifiers on the one hand, presupposition‐triggering expressions on the other) – hence the development of new semantic tools. An older line of research (due in particular to McCawley) posited instead that appositives have an unexceptional (and conjunctive) semantics, but a very nonstandard syntax; in a nutshell, the view was that even when appositives appear to be deeply embedded, they can be attached to higher propositional nodes than meets the eye. This chapter reviews the phenomenological differences between appositives and superficially similar constructions, notably restrictive modifiers, presupposition triggers, and parentheticals. It introduces accounts based on a rich semantics, in particular Potts' bidimensional framework and more recent accounts in terms of “post‐suppositions.” It revisits arguments in favor of a syntactic approach to some “wide scope” phenomena, following work by McCawley, and discusses various phenomena that have been taken to suggest that in other cases appositives can have genuinely narrow scope. It also lays out some data that suggest that sometimes the content of appositives “projects” in a nontrivial way, possibly reminiscent of presupposition projection. While the issues continue to be the object of vigorous debates, they offer a particularly interesting case study in the division of labor between syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
Sequence of Tense
Authors: Sharvit Yael
Published: November 2020

Two approaches to embedded tense are discussed. One approach recognizes underlying representations with present‐in‐non‐present‐disguise; the other does not. Both approaches attempt to explain the fact that, often, a tense does not make the same semantic contribution in embedded and non‐embedded positions.
Matrix and Embedded Presuppositions
Authors: Singh Raj
Published: November 2020

The presuppositions of embedded constituents tend to become presuppositions of the matrix sentence in which they are contained. Different approaches to presupposition projection provide different resources for describing and explaining this (and related) generalizations. An important architectural distinction that divides frameworks is whether the projection mechanism can filter presuppositions such that embedded presuppositions appear in modified form at the root. Theories that can filter a presupposition need a mechanism for “unfiltering” it to account for the generalization that embedded presuppositions tend to be inherited at the root, even when the projection component delivers a filtered presupposition to the root. Theories that cannot filter a presupposition can account for the generalization but not for the observation that presuppositions can be filtered. We propose a synthesis that generally allows presuppositions to be filtered, and that connects unfiltering with accommodation mechanisms that keep track of the presuppositions of sentences bounded by the matrix sentence and embedded triggering sentence.
Manufacturing Fe–TiC Composite Powder via Inert Gas Atomization by Forming Reinforcement Phase In Situ
Authors: Perminov Anton , Bartzsch Gert , Franke Armin , Biermann Horst , Volkova Olena
Published: November 2020

Fe–TiC metal matrix composite powder is manufactured applying vacuum inert gas atomization technique. The TiC reinforcement phase forms in situ within spraying of the Fe‐based molten metal preliminary alloyed with 1 wt% [C] and 4 wt% [Ti]. Alloying strategy, homogenization time, and spraying temperature are varied for three conducted atomization experiments in this study. Medium particle size (d50) lies in a range of 41–55 μm for obtained spherical powders. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping of powder cross‐section samples reveal well‐dispersed submicron TiC precipitates of two different morphologies—primary‐blocky and eutectic‐plate‐shape carbides. The amount of precipitates and their morphology depend on the particle size. Namely, coarser powder particles tend to have more primary carbides that are presumably formed already in liquid droplets. Meanwhile, TiC precipitation in finer particles up to ≈25 μm is completely suppressed due to an extremely high cooling rate. Difficulties of the Fe–Ti–C melt atomization (e.g., formation of a semiliquid slag layer, loss of TiC forming elements, the presence of large precipitates in a powder) are discussed considering the thermodynamic analysis of this system and Fe–TiC remelting experiments conducted on a hot stage microscope.
Ultraelastic Yarns from Curcumin‐Assisted ELD toward Wearable Human–Machine Interface Textiles
Authors: Zhu Chuang , Li Ruohao , Chen Xue , Chalmers Evelyn , Liu Xiaoteng , Wang Yuqi , Xu Ben Bin , Liu Xuqing
Published: November 2020

Intelligent human–machine interfaces (HMIs) integrated wearable electronics are essential to promote the Internet of Things (IoT). Herein, a curcumin‐assisted electroless deposition technology is developed for the first time to achieve stretchable strain sensing yarns (SSSYs) with high conductivity (0.2 Ω cm−1) and ultralight weight (1.5 mg cm−1). The isotropically deposited structural yarns can bear high uniaxial elongation (>>1100%) and still retain low resistivity after 5000 continuous stretching–releasing cycles under 50% strain. Apart from the high flexibility enabled by helical loaded structure, a precise strain sensing function can be facilitated under external forces with metal‐coated conductive layers. Based on the mechanics analysis, the strain sensing responses are scaled with the dependences on structural variables and show good agreements with the experimental results. The application of interfacial enhanced yarns as wearable logic HMIs to remotely control the robotic hand and manipulate the color switching of light on the basis of gesture recognition is demonstrated. It is hoped that the SSSYs strategy can shed an extra light in future HMIs development and incoming IoT and artificial intelligence technologies.
Deficiency of STING Signaling in Embryonic Cerebral Cortex Leads to Neurogenic Abnormalities and Autistic‐Like Behaviors
Authors: Zhang Dongming , Liu Chang , Li Hong , Jiao Jianwei
Published: November 2020

STING is known as a central adaptor for sensing cytosolic DNA sensing. Recent studies have provided evidence that STING response is divergent among different cell types. Here, this work demonstrates that STING controls neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by sensing DNA damage in NPCs. The deletion of STING reduces neuronal differentiation and increases proliferation of mouse and human NPCs. Furthermore, STINGcKO mice display autistic‐like behaviors. In NPCs, STING specifically recruits IKKβ and activates nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) through phosphorylation. NF‐κB binds to ALX4 promoter and triggers ALX4 transcription. In addition, tumor necrosis factor α, an activator of NF‐κB, can rescue some phenotypes caused by STING deletion in mice. Together, the findings show that STING signaling is essential for neuronal gene expression program and has profound consequences on brain function.
Using the Thiyl Radical for Aliphatic Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer: Thiolation of Unactivated C−H Bonds
Authors: Panferova Liubov I. , Zubkov Mikhail O. , Kokorekin Vladimir A. , Levin Vitalij V. , Dilman Alexander D.
Published: November 2020

A metal‐ and catalyst‐free thiyl‐radical‐mediated activation of alkanes is described. Tetrafluoropyridinyl disulfide is used to perform thiolation of the C−H bonds under irradiation with 400 nm light‐emitting diodes. The key C−H activation step is believed to proceed via hydrogen‐atom abstraction effected by the fluorinated thiyl radical. Secondary, tertiary, and heteroatom‐substituted C−H bonds can be involved in the thiolation reaction. The resulting sulfides have wide potential as photoredox‐active radical precursors in reactions with alkenes and heteroarenes.
Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity at Room Temperature in Cu4TiSe4
Authors: Koley Biplab , Lakshan Achintya , Raghuvanshi Parul R. , Singh Charanpreet , Bhattacharya Amrita , Jana Partha P.
Published: November 2020

Ultralow thermal conductivity draws great attention in a variety of fields of applications such as thermoelectrics and thermal barrier coatings. Herein, the crystal structure and transport properties of Cu4TiSe4 are reported. Cu4TiSe4 is a unique example of a non‐toxic and low‐cost material that exhibits a lattice ultra‐low thermal conductivity of 0.19 Wm−1 K−1 at room temperature. The main contribution to the unusually low thermal conductivity is connected with the atomic lattice and its dynamics. This ultralow value of lattice thermal conductivity (kL) can be attributed to the presence of the localized modes of Cu, which partially hybridize with the Se atoms, which in turn leads to avoidance of crossing of acoustic phonon modes that reach the zone boundary with a reduced frequency. Like a phonon glass electron crystal, Cu4TiSe4 could also open a route to efficient thermoelectric materials, even, with chalcogenides of relatively high electrical resistivity and a large band gap, provided that their structures offer a sublattice with lightly bound cations.
Biosafety, Functionalities, and Applications of Biomedical Micro/nanomotors
Authors: Wan Mimi , Li Ting , Chen Huan , Mao Chun , Shen Jian
Published: November 2020

Due to their unique ability to actively move, micro/nanomotors offer the possibility of breaking through the limitations of traditional passive drug delivery systems for the treatment of many diseases, and have attracted the increasing attention of researchers. However, at present, the realization of many advantages of micro/nanomotors in disease treatment in vivo is still in its infancy, because of the complexity and particularity of diseases in different parts of human body. In this Minireview, we first focus on the biosafety and functionality of micro/nanomotors as a biomedical treatment system. Then, we address the treatment difficulties of various diseases in vivo (such as ophthalmic disease, orthopedic disease, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer), and then review the research progress of biomedical micro/nanomotors in the past 20 years, Finally, we propose the challenges in this field and possible future development directions
Process‐structure‐property relationship of meltblown poly (styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene) nonwovens
Authors: Yu Yang , Shim Eunkyoung
Published: November 2020

With the advance of the thermoplastic plastic elastomer (TPE) technology, there are growing interest and needs for using these materials in the meltblowing process where benefits of small fiber diameters of meltblowns can be combined with rubber‐like elastic properties of elastomers. Performances and utilities of wide ranges of meltblown products such as facemask, medical barrier, wound‐care, diaper can be drastically improved with additions of TPE. In this study, a new elastomeric meltblown fabric was successfully made with the styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene (SEBS) block copolymer, and the relationship among structure, tensile properties, and meltblowing process parameters are studied. We found that median fiber diameter increases with the polymer mass throughout and decreases with air pressure, and fabric solidity has significantly influenced by die collector distance (DCD). The pore sizes of the fabrics are directly influenced by fiber diameters at the given DCD, but higher DCD increases the pore size due to their open structures. All SEBS nonwovens exhibit high strain at break, larger than 400%. Processing parameters significantly affect tensile properties, and this can be attributed to the fabric structure changes. The reduction of fiber diameter tends to increase the tensile strength of the fabric as it created more fiber‐to‐fiber bond points.
Association of Race and Ethnicity With COVID‐19 Outcomes in Rheumatic Disease: Data From the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Physician Registry
Authors: Gianfrancesco Milena A. , Leykina Liza A. , Izadi Zara , Taylor Tiffany , Sparks Jeffrey A. , Harrison Carly , Trupin Laura , Rush Stephanie , Schmajuk Gabriela , Katz Patricia , Jacobsohn Lindsay , Hsu Tiffany Y. , D’Silva Kristin M. , Serling‐Boyd Naomi , Wallwork Rachel , Todd Derrick J. , Bhana Suleman , Costello Wendy , Grainger Rebecca , Hausmann Jonathan S. , Liew Jean W. , Sirotich Emily , Sufka Paul , Wallace Zachary S. , Machado Pedro M. , Robinson Philip C. , Yazdany Jinoos ,   the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance
Published: November 2020

Objective

Racial/ethnic minorities experience more severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in the general US population. This study was undertaken to examine the association between race/ethnicity and COVID‐19 hospitalization, ventilation status, and mortality in people with rheumatic disease.

Methods

US patients with rheumatic disease and COVID‐19 were entered into the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry between March 24, 2020 and August 26, 2020 were included. Race/ethnicity was defined as White, African American, Latinx, Asian, or other/mixed race. Outcome measures included hospitalization, requirement for ventilatory support, and death. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, rheumatic disease diagnosis, comorbidities, medication use prior to infection, and rheumatic disease activity.

Results

A total of 1,324 patients were included, of whom 36% were hospitalized and 6% died; 26% of hospitalized patients required mechanical ventilation. In multivariable models, African American patients (OR 2.74 [95% CI 1.90–3.95]), Latinx patients (OR 1.71 [95% CI 1.18–2.49]), and Asian patients (OR 2.69 [95% CI 1.16–6.24]) had higher odds of hospitalization compared to White patients. Latinx patients also had 3‐fold increased odds of requiring ventilatory support (OR 3.25 [95% CI 1.75–6.05]). No differences in mortality based on race/ethnicity were found, though power to detect associations may have been limited.

Conclusion

Similar to findings in the general US population, racial/ethnic minorities with rheumatic disease and COVID‐19 had increased odds of hospitalization and ventilatory support. These results illustrate significant health disparities related to COVID‐19 in people with rheumatic diseases. The rheumatology community should proactively address the needs of patients currently experiencing inequitable health outcomes during the pandemic.
Genome engineering and synthetic biology for biofuels: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Dai Yexin , Wang Zhipeng A. , Li Yang , Wang Jiao , Ren Jun , Zhang Pingping , Liu Xianhua
Published: November 2020

Genome engineering and synthetic biology as an emerging interdisciplinary tool have opened a new era for energy research as well as life science. In this study, bibliometric and content analysis were conducted to clarify research characteristics and research trends in this field. Our result revealed that USA, China, UK, Germany, and France were the main contributing countries, and USA was in a leading position in international cooperation. The CRISPR‐Cas9 system has been manipulated to develop microorganisms with improved characteristics and tolerance, and is at the forefront of research and practice. In addition, design and construction of synthetic microbial communities and optimization of ecological models to meet industrial demands will become the next hotspot. Meanwhile, effective process configurations that can promote commercial‐scale biofuel production should also be developed. Genome engineering and synthetic biology are expected to continue playing an important role in promoting the development of sustainable energy production.
The influence of breast cancer subtype on survival after palliative radiation for osseous metastases
Authors: Abdelhakiem Mohamed K. , Johnstone Candice , Bergom Carmen , Currey Adam , Robbins Jared R.
Published: November 2020

Background

Among patients with osseous metastases, breast cancer (BC) patients typically have the best prognosis. In the palliative setting, BC is often considered a single disease, but based on receptor status there are four distinct subtypes: luminal A (LA), luminal B (LB), triple negative (TN), and HER2‐enriched (HER2). We hypothesize that survival and palliative outcomes following palliative RT for osseous metastases correlate with breast cancer subtype (BCS).

Methods

We identified 3,895 BC patients with known receptor status who received palliative RT for osseous metastases from 2004–2013 in the National Cancer Database. Kaplan–Meier method with log‐rank testing and univariate/multivariate Cox‐regression was used to identify survival factors. Incomplete radiation courses, 30‐day mortality rate, and percentage remaining life spent receiving RT (PRLSRT) were calculated.

Results

Subtypes were 54% LA, 33% LB, 8% TN, and 5% HER2 with median survival of 34.1, 28.2, 5.3, and 15.7 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall 82% of patients received ≥10 fractions. Although BCS had limited effect on radiation regimens, TN received nearly twice as many single or hypofractionated (≤5 fractions) treatments, but the overall rate of these fraction schemes was low at 3.7 and 13.7%, respectively. Compared to LA and LB, TN and HER2 patients had worse palliative outcomes; higher rates of incomplete courses at 18.8% and 18.3% versus 12.7%–14.4%; higher 30‐day mortality post‐radiotherapy at 21.5% and 16.0% versus 6.3%–7.9%, and higher median PRLSRT of 7.7% and 3.7% versus 2.2%–2.4% for LA and LB. On multivariate analysis, BCS was associated with overall survival with TN (HR 3.7), HER2 (HR 1.75), and LB (HR 1.28) fairing worse than LA (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

BCS correlated with survival and palliative outcome following radiation to osseous metastases. BCS should be considered by physicians when planning palliative RT to maximize quality‐of‐life, avoid unnecessary treatment, and ensure palliative benefits.
Evaluation of the DNA Alkylation Properties of a Chlorambucil‐Conjugated Cyclic Pyrrole‐Imidazole Polyamide
Authors: Hirose Yuki , Hashiya Kaori , Bando Toshikazu , Sugiyama Hiroshi
Published: November 2020

Hairpin pyrrole‐imidazole polyamides (hPIPs) and their chlorambucil (Chb) conjugates (hPIP‐Chbs) can alkylate DNA in a sequence‐specific manner, and have been studied as anticancer drugs. Here, we conjugated Chb to a cyclic PIP (cPIP), which is known to have a higher binding affinity than the corresponding hPIP, and investigated the DNA alkylation properties of the resulting cPIP‐Chb using the optimized capillary electrophoresis method and conventional HPLC product analysis. cPIP‐Chb conjugate 3 showed higher alkylation activity at its binding sites than did hPIP‐Chb conjugates 1 and 2. Subsequent HPLC analysis revealed that the alkylation site of conjugate 3, which was identified by capillary electrophoresis, was reliable and that conjugate 3 alkylates the N3 position of adenine as do hPIP‐Chbs. Moreover, conjugate 3 showed higher cytotoxicity against LNCaP prostate cancer cells than did conjugate 1 and cytotoxicity comparable to that of conjugate 2. These results suggest that cPIP‐Chbs could be novel DNA alkylating anticancer drugs.
Aromatic Helical Foldamers as Nucleophilic Catalysts for the Regioselective Acetylation of Octyl β‐d‐Glucopyranoside
Authors: Song Geunmoo , Jeong Kyu‐Sung
Published: November 2020

Two indolocarbazole‐naphthyridine foldamers 2 and 3 that fold into helical conformations were prepared. The 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) moiety was introduced at one end of the foldamer strands to develop foldamer‐based catalysts for the site‐selective acylation of polyols. These foldamers adopt helical conformations containing internal cavities capable of binding octyl β‐d‐glucopyranoside. The association constants were determined to be 1.9 (±0.1)×105 M−1 for 2 and 2.1 (±0.1)×105 M−1 for 3 in CH2Cl2 at 25 °C. In the presence of DMAP, 2 or 3 as the catalysts, octyl β‐d‐glucopyranoside was subjected to acetylation under identical reaction conditions. The DMAP‐catalysed reaction afforded the random distribution of the monoacetylates (6‐OAc : 4‐OAc : 3‐OAc : 2‐OAc=33 : 24 : 41 : 2). In contrast, foldamers 2 and 3 led to the predominant formation of 6‐OAc. The relative distributions were estimated to be 6‐OAc : 4‐OAc : 3‐OAc=88 : 4 : 6 : ∼0 with 2 and 6‐OAc : 4‐OAc : 3‐OAc : 2‐OAc=90 : 3 : 6 : 1 with 3.
Trends in the dynamic evolution of board gender diversity and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Amorelli María‐Florencia , García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María
Published: November 2020

A bibliometric and bibliographic review was carried out to determine the effect that gender diversity in a board of directors has on the level of business commitment to sustainable development and stakeholder engagement through the dissemination of social and environmental information. The review included 89 articles published in the 66 most prestigious journals on business, management, ethics and environmental sciences according to the journal citation reports on the ISI Web of Knowledge. There has been spectacular growth in this line of research since 2016, led by Spanish and American researchers. There is currently a paradigm shift in the theoretical frameworks that support these investigations in examining the organisational and institutional environments that favour the advantages associated with the presence of women in bodies responsible for business strategy. However, the latest papers are based on the use of the Critical mass theory and moderating factors in order to explaining the divergence of results.
Comparative Performance Assessment of 300 MW Solar‐Coal Hybrid Power Generation System Under Different Integration Mechanisms
Authors: Shagdar Enkhbayar , Shuai Yong , Lougou Bachirou Guene , Jagvanjav Tseyen-Oidov , Wang Fuqiang , Tan Heping
Published: November 2020

Solar−coal hybrid power generation (SCHPG) system is one of the interesting solutions for solar power generation. This research aims to find a more viable integration mechanism of solar energy into a coal‐fired thermal power plant in terms of techno‐economic and ecology perspective. Performance of the 300 MW SCHPG system in the nominal and part‐load condition is analyzed under three different integration mechanisms. Numerical simulation of 300 MW SCHPG system is investigated under four different cases using a thermal balance approach. Operation modes of fuel‐saving (FS) and power‐boosting (PB) are considered for each case. Among the proposed cases, Case 4 is obtained as a good operation performance, which is recommended as the main case. The solar energy in Case 4 is used for evaporating feedwater and steam superheating, and steam reheating. Results show that the optimal aperture area of the heliostat solar field is 330 330 m2, and the minimum levelized cost of electricity is 0.1847 USD kWh−1. In Case 4, thermal efficiency is increased by 7.19% with standard coal consumption reduced by 45.3 g kWh−1 compared to a reference power plant. In the SCHPG system, coal consumption is reduced by 26.8 tons h−1 in FS mode, whereas power output is increased 30 MW h−1 in PB mode.