bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ke stereotypu zobrazování Turka ve starší české literatuře
Authors: Hashemi Michaela
Published: January 2020

The text is a reflection of a well-researched professional publication by Tomáš Rataj České země ve stínu půlměsíce (Czech Lands in the Shadow of the Crescent, 2002). After a multilateral acknowledgement of the book, the author fills in relevant items written by some of the staff of the Faculty of Arts MU, some of which were published only after the publication of Rataj’s work. Additionally, she refines, with reference to the study of Jan Kumpera (1994), the existence of a translation of the Bible into Turkish initiated by Comenius, namely its printing in the 19th century. At the end, the author mentions her personal teaching activities on the topic in the context of the honoured person of Jan Zouhar’s personality as a pedagogical ideal.
Morava jako multietnický organismus: problémy jazyka a identity v letech 1848–1918
Authors: Malíř Jiří
Published: January 2020

The study deals with the development of linguistic, ethnic and international relationships in Moravia in 1848–1918 and their specific features. The focus is mainly on the complex relationships between Czech-speaking and German-speaking inhabitants of Moravia and the aspects that played a key role in them. These included a complicated settlement situation given by the mixing of Czech and German inhabitants (the numerous ‘German linguistic islands’), the economic influence of Jewish inhabitants on international relations in linguistically diverse cities, the impact of social and economic status of various groups of inhabitants on their voting and political participation, the unevenness in the promotion of national identity and the effects of Czech-German international compromise of 1905. The application of the principle of personal autonomy led to alleviation of international tensions as well as an increased demand for legal determination of nationality.
Husserlův Platón
Authors: Blecha Ivan
Published: January 2020

Unlike Martin Heidegger, who was always critical of Plato’s role in the history of philosophy, and Jan Patočka, who was more charitable but still had serious misgivings about Plato, Edmund Husserl saw Plato truly positively. However, his view resulted from the fact that he had simplified Plato’s theory substantially and adapted it to his own view of philosophy. According to Husserl, Plato was an inspirational figure as a founder of philosophical ‘theory of science’, and because he sought abstract knowledge of the Forms, he could serve as a useful contrast to the one-sided philosophy of modern empiricism. This paper attempts to present Husserl’s position in a greater detail and assess it.
Prométheus například. Moc mýtu, distance a přihlížení podle Hanse Blumenberga
Authors: Horyna Břetislav
Published: January 2020

The Study Prometheus, for example loosely follows up the central theme of Hans Blumenberg’s theory of myth and mythology, the character of Prometheus and Promethean conceptions in scientific as well as imaginative literature (poetry and drama). The aim is not an elaborate reflection of all the variations on Promethean themes that were summarized in Blumenberg’s epochal book Work on Myth (1979). The author rather selects some themes from the works on the myth about Prometheus in Classical Greek literature (Hesiod, Aeschylus) and, at the turn of modernism, in German movement Sturm und Drang (Goethe). Most attention is paid to a fictional figure known as actio per distans (action at distance, with keeping a distance) and its variations from the distance between people and gods through the distance between people to the distance of an ageing poet from spirit of the age (Zeitgeist), to which he no longer belongs.
Jméno Jan v průběhu 12.–21. století na území dnešní České republiky
Authors: Pleskalová Jana
Published: January 2020

The author investigates the first name Jan (John), its modifications and usage on the territory of today’s Czech Republic. On the basis of rich anthroponymic sources she has proved that the name Jan has belonged among the most frequently used names in the Czech lands since the 12th century and has kept this status to the present day. Numerous hypocoristic modifications of this name have served the purpose of distinguishing individuals bearing the same official name. Today, they still exist as both surnames (Janáček, Janda) and hypocoristic forms of first names (Jenda, Honzík) used in informal contexts
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION IN HOTEL INDUSTRY: THE CASE OF HOTEL RADAN IN PROLOM BANJA
Authors: Perić Goran , Dramićanin Sandra , Sančanin Branislav
Published: January 2020

Employees or human resources play a central role in the hotel industry. The quality of hotel employees’ work depends primarily on their job satisfaction. This has directed the subject of the research in this paper to examine the key factors of employee satisfaction in the hotel industry. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire-based test method at the Radan Hotel in Prolom Banja, on a sample of 75 subjects. The most important finding of the research relates to the identification of key factors of employee satisfaction, the most important of which are the working environment of employees, interpersonal relations and communication of management with employees, as well as to the fact that there is not statistically significant influence between demographic variables of respondents and factors of employee satisfaction. Implications, research limitations and suggestions for future research are presented.
WHY DO (NOT) WOMAN ENTREPRENEURS JUMP INTO TECHNOLOGY BASED BUSINESS?
Authors: Suhaeli Dahli , Bachtiar Nia Kurniati
Published: January 2020

This paper investigated reasons behind the lack of woman entrepreneurs contribution in starting technology based business in Indonesia and what assistance needed to increase its number. Our major goal was to maximize the advantages of technology in business especially to woman owned business by setting a framework to simplify them to enter this sector. The basic idea of this paper was to increase number of woman entrepreneurs in technology based business in Indonesia by answering the research questions and setting a extended framework from Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to be suited for woman entrepreneurs.
CONDUCTING PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECKS THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: THE NEW ROLE OF HR PROFESSIONALS
Authors: Hosain Md Sajjad , Liu Ping
Published: January 2020

The paper aims at identifying the role of social networking information on pre-employment background check practices with the help of existing literature. As the HR professionals are central in hiring process, they need to be aware of the practices and policies regarding this issue. Using social media information in background checking process is a fairly new practice and there is not enough evidence on what to do and how to do. This paper is expected to fill that gap to some extent. At the end of the paper, some policy recommendations have been provided for HR professionals involved with pre-employment background checking process which will help the recruiters or HR professionals to avoid any unexpected consequences.
THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY IN SERBIA
Authors: Savanović Nikola , Sokić Miro , Subotić Slađana
Published: January 2020

The development and deployment of high technology is a key driver of economic growth, a source of competitiveness, high value-added creation and the creation of well-paying jobs, both in developed countries and in countries in different stages of development. With this in mind, the paper follows the implementation of the sectoral approach followed by the High-technology industry to measure economic performance and the current contribution of the High-technology industry to economic development in Serbia. First, the economic importance of the high-tech industry in the European Union is explored, and then the development of the high-tech industry in Serbia from a development perspective in the future. The concluding part of the paper outlines the measures of active economic policy that must be implemented in order to accelerate the development of the domestic High-technology industry and to make it really the basis for the economic and overall social development of Serbia in the coming decades.
Deflighting zoo birds and its welfare considerations
Authors: Reese L , Ladwig-Wiegard M , von Fersen L , Haase G , Will H , Merle R , Encke D , Maegdefrau H , Baumgartner K , Thöne-Reineke C
Published: January 2020

For over a century the practice of deflighting has taken place in zoological collections in order to ensure birds remain in open-topped enclosures. Over time, efforts have been made to improve or develop new (surgical) techniques, reduce risk of complications during deflighting and minimise stress and pain during the procedure. However, increased public interest in issues of animal welfare has coincided with a questioning of the practice of removing a bird's ability to fly. The ensuing debate, which continues to progress among a variety of differing stakeholders, has led to various legislative adjustments across a number of countries. Despite significant legislation, the dialogue has been both subjective and highly emotive. A plethora of opinions exist as to why deflighting should be outlawed, why it is necessary, or how it has the potential to improve a bird's living conditions. However, most are based on assumption or issues unrelated to welfare. To the authors’ knowledge, to date, no scientific data have been published on the welfare implications of deflighting for the commonly deflighted bird species, such as waterfowl, flamingos (Phoenicopteridae), pelicans (Pelecanidae), storks (Ciconiidae), cranes (Gruidae) and herons (Ardeidae). The aim of this study is to present an overview of the relevance of deflighting to zoo husbandry, the species primarily affected, the techniques currently in use, the legality in differing countries and the extent of scientific knowledge as regards potential ethological and welfare concerns. An urgent need for evidence-based studies is highlighted, to further inform this practice at a species-specific level.
Negative attitudes of Danish dairy farmers to their livestock correlates negatively with animal welfare
Authors: Andreasen SN , Sandøe P , Waiblinger S , Forkman B
Published: January 2020

Positive stockperson attitudes to his or her animals is associated with a positive behavioural response in the animals and in other indicators assumed to reflect a high level of welfare as well as increased productivity, eg in milk yield. Conversely, negative attitudes have been found to have the opposite effect. However, so far, no attempt has been made to link the attitudes of stockpersons to outcomes of comprehensive protocols assessing animal welfare at farm level. In the study reported here, attitudes of Danish dairy farmers are compared with the on-farm welfare of dairy cows as assessed by the Welfare Quality ® (WQ) protocol. In 35 dairy herds the welfare was assessed, and the farmers filled in a self-report questionnaire on their attitudes to dairy cows and how they should be handled. The farmers on the farms with the lowest total welfare score could, according to the self-report questionnaire, be characterised as those with a negative attitude to the handling of cows (eg less strongly disliked to kick a cow or use a stick, when necessary). As expected, farmer behavioural attitudes regarding different situations correlated: for example, farmers who liked more to work with and have positive interactions with the cows also agreed more on patient handling and the importance of regular positive contact. Furthermore, farms where farmers gave cows a positive characteristic were found to score highly on the WQ principle ‘Appropriate behaviour’.
Mucocele salivar em bovino
Authors: Link Angélica , Anghinoni Gabriela , Mira Anabella , Meirelles Ciro , Frigotto Tiago Andre
Published: January 2020

Mucocele é o acúmulo de saliva no tecido subcutâneo adjacente a uma glândula ou ducto salivar, ocasionando uma obstrução ou ruptura. Tal enfermidade é considerada rara na clínica médica de ruminantes, tendo poucos relatos na literatura. Esse trabalho tem por objetivo relatar um caso de mucocele salivar de glândula sublingual direita em um bovino, macho, mestiço, 1,5 anos, 250 kg, escore de condição corporal 2 (1 a 5). A queixa principal descrita pelo proprietário no atendimento clínico era de um aumento de volume no espaço intermandibular e sublingual, o qual dificultava a alimentação do animal há seis meses, resultando em emagrecimento progressivo. Após exame clínico e complementar, o diagnóstico definitivo foi de mucocele da glândula sublingual direita. O tratamento desta foi por meio da técnica cirúrgica de marsupialização da rânula, usualmente realizada em pequenos animais (cães e gatos), a qual objetivou drenar o acúmulo de saliva e evitar que se acumulasse novamente. O procedimento cirúrgico realizado teve sucesso e não houve recidiva até o animal ter sido destinado ao abate.
Endometrite subclínica associada à Klebsiella sp. em doadora de embrião da raça Quarto de Milha
Authors: Delchiaro Sofia Botsaris , Oliveira Pedro Victor De Luna Freire , E Silva Camila Bizarro , Morotti Fábio
Published: January 2020

O presente relato tem por objetivo reportar o caso de endometrite bacteriana em uma doadora de embrião da raça Quarto de Milha com 12 anos de idade, sem sinal clínico evidente, mas com histórico de falhas reprodutivas há 2 anos. Após tentativas de inseminação artificial com sêmen refrigerado e ausência de gestação, a égua foi submetida a exame ginecológico, seguido de citologia uterina, cultura bacteriana e antibiograma, indicando um quadro de endometrite por Klebsiella sp. sensível à enrofloxacina e ceftiofur. Diante do diagnóstico, iniciou-se tratamento para endometrite bacteriana, o qual se mostrou eficiente, sendo possível a recuperação de um embrião viável que foi transferido com êxito para uma receptora, resultando em prenhez. O presente caso reporta o sucesso no diagnóstico e tratamento de uma égua com infertilidade ocasionada por endometrite subclínica. Destaca-se que, para eficiência terapêutica nas endometrites bacterianas, é fundamental conhecer o patógeno e a sensibilidade aos principais antibióticos. Alguns sinais como acúmulo de líquido intrauterino, presença de edema e secreções vaginais frequentemente acompanham os casos de endometrite, no entanto, a ausência destes sinais não descarta a ocorrência da enfermidade, sendo necessária maior investigação diagnóstica frente ao histórico de infertilidade.
БРОЈАЛИЦЕ У ФУНКЦИЈИ РАЗВОЈА ГОВОРА И ГОВОРНОГ ИЗРАЖАВАЊА
Authors: Милијевић Светозар
Published: January 2020

У предшколским и основношкол-ским активностима оспособљавамодјецу и ученике да усмено квалитет-но, лијепо и прецизно изложе својемисли и стечена знања. Говор као ус-мено казивање у доброј мјери показујекакво је схватање, разумијевање изакључивање дјетета и ученика. Тосе процјењује јасноћом и логиком го-вора, прецизношћу и љепотом израза,течношћу и брзином излагања, бо-гатством, разноврсношћу и правил-ним именовањем одређених појмова.Зато говор треба стално његовати усвим васпитно-образовним подручји-ма и на свим степенима образовања.То се чини у свим слободним и усмје-реним активностима, центрима заучење, те свим наставнимпредме-тима и кроз све наставне ситуације.Aко дијете или ученик говориразум-но, разложно, природно, јасно, лијепо,полетно, са одређеним темпом, ин-тонацијом, ритмом, наглашавањем,то је, у првом реду, заслуга планскоги систематског рада васпитача и до-бро вођене основношколске наставе.Нема сумње да су бројалице у функ-цији развоја говора и говорног изра-жавања. Наставници их не би треба-ли гурати у страну јер су оне значајносредство у развоју говора и говорногизражавања, нарочито предшколацаи ученика раног школског узраста.Њихова употреба убрзава прелазакиз егоцентричног у социјализованиговор, брже претвара активни у па-сивни рјечник и доприноси развијањуправилног и логички повезаног говора.Њиховавриједност још је наглаше-нија у опажању, обликовању, артику-лацији и правилном изговарању гласо-ва. У сваком случају, бројалицетреба раздвојитиод брзалица, руга-лица и ређалица, јер се оне, мада судоста сличне, суштински,појмовно исадржајно разликују.
ZAGONETNE PRIČE I PITANJA U RADU SA PREDŠKOLSKOM DJECOM
Authors: Šindić Aleksandra , Suzić Nenad , Petrović Uroš , Rajović Ranko
Published: January 2020

Prilikom korištenja NTC programau radu sa predškolskom djecom najmanjese primjenjujenjegova treća faza.Problem ovog empirijskog eksperimentalnogistraživanja je testiranje primjenezagonetnih pitanja i priča u vaspitno-obrazovnom radu. Polazeći od saznanjada su osnovni pokazatelji uspješnostirealiziranja vaspitno-obrazovnog rada spredškolcima njihova aktivnost, interesovanjei pozitivna emocionalna klima,na uzorku od 300 predškolaca banjalučkihvrtića ispitivana je djelotvornost dvijeinteraktivne aktivnosti: jedna čija suosnova svakodnevna pitanja i druga čijasu osnova zagonetna pitanja. Izračunatit-omjeri aritmetičkih sredina za različitedječije emocije koje se nalaze u osnovimotivacijskih procesa, za angažiranostdjece, za dužinu trajanja aktivnosti i pažnjetokom NTC i za klasičnu aktivnost,statistički su značajni u korist NTC aktivnostii ukazuju da ovaj sistem dajeznačajno bolje rezultate nego klasičnorealizovane aktivnosti na analognim sadržajima.Odsustvo dosade i naglašenapažnja djece prediktori su uspješnosti idjelotvornosti zagonetnih pitanja, pokazalaje multipla regresija.
Modulation of the Erwinia ligand-gated ion channel (ELIC) and the 5-HT3 receptor via a common vestibule site
Authors: Brams Marijke , Govaerts Cedric , Kambara Kumiko , Price Kerry L , Spurny Radovan , Gharpure Anant , Pardon Els , Evans Genevieve L , Bertrand Daniel , Lummis Sarah CR , Hibbs Ryan E , Steyaert Jan , Ulens Chris
Published: January 2020

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) or Cys-loop receptors are involved in fast synaptic signaling in the nervous system. Allosteric modulators bind to sites that are remote from the neurotransmitter binding site, but modify coupling of ligand binding to channel opening. In this study, we developed nanobodies (single domain antibodies), which are functionally active as allosteric modulators, and solved co-crystal structures of the prokaryote (Erwinia) channel ELIC bound either to a positive or a negative allosteric modulator. The allosteric nanobody binding sites partially overlap with those of small molecule modulators, including a vestibule binding site that is not accessible in some pLGICs. Using mutagenesis, we extrapolate the functional importance of the vestibule binding site to the human 5-HT3 receptor, suggesting a common mechanism of modulation in this protein and ELIC. Thus we identify key elements of allosteric binding sites, and extend drug design possibilities in pLGICs with an accessible vestibule site.
Learning improves decoding of odor identity with phase-referenced oscillations in the olfactory bulb
Authors: Losacco Justin , Ramirez-Gordillo Daniel , Gilmer Jesse , Restrepo Diego
Published: January 2020

Local field potential oscillations reflect temporally coordinated neuronal ensembles—coupling distant brain regions, gating processing windows, and providing a reference for spike timing-based codes. In phase amplitude coupling (PAC), the amplitude of the envelope of a faster oscillation is larger within a phase window of a slower carrier wave. Here, we characterized PAC, and the related theta phase-referenced high gamma and beta power (PRP), in the olfactory bulb of mice learning to discriminate odorants. PAC changes throughout learning, and odorant-elicited changes in PRP increase for rewarded and decrease for unrewarded odorants. Contextual odorant identity (is the odorant rewarded?) can be decoded from peak PRP in animals proficient in odorant discrimination, but not in naïve mice. As the animal learns to discriminate the odorants the dimensionality of PRP decreases. Therefore, modulation of phase-referenced chunking of information in the course of learning plays a role in early sensory processing in olfaction.
Guanidine hydrochloride reactivates an ancient septin hetero-oligomer assembly pathway in budding yeast
Authors: Johnson Courtney R , Steingesser Marc G , Weems Andrew D , Khan Anum , Gladfelter Amy , Bertin Aurélie , McMurray Michael A
Published: January 2020

Septin proteins evolved from ancestral GTPases and co-assemble into hetero-oligomers and cytoskeletal filaments. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, five septins comprise two species of hetero-octamers, Cdc11/Shs1–Cdc12–Cdc3–Cdc10–Cdc10–Cdc3–Cdc12–Cdc11/Shs1. Slow GTPase activity by Cdc12 directs the choice of incorporation of Cdc11 vs Shs1, but many septins, including Cdc3, lack GTPase activity. We serendipitously discovered that guanidine hydrochloride rescues septin function in cdc10 mutants by promoting assembly of non-native Cdc11/Shs1–Cdc12–Cdc3–Cdc3–Cdc12–Cdc11/Shs1 hexamers. We provide evidence that in S. cerevisiae Cdc3 guanidinium occupies the site of a ‘missing’ Arg side chain found in other fungal species where (i) the Cdc3 subunit is an active GTPase and (ii) Cdc10-less hexamers natively co-exist with octamers. We propose that guanidinium reactivates a latent septin assembly pathway that was suppressed during fungal evolution in order to restrict assembly to octamers. Since homodimerization by a GTPase-active human septin also creates hexamers that exclude Cdc10-like central subunits, our new mechanistic insights likely apply throughout phylogeny.
An Arabic translation of Susan Glaspell's play, "Trifles"
Authors: Brashi Abbas
Published: January 2020

This is an Arabic translation of “Trifles”, a famous play by prominent American playwright Susan Glaspell (1876-1948). Glaspell was one of the founders of the Playwright’s Theatre, formerly recognized as the Provincetown Players in the United States of America. She wrote ten novels, twenty plays, and more than forty short stories. “Trifles” is a one-act play written in 1916.2 It is considered to be one of Susan Glaspell’s major works. “Trifles” is a play that is frequently anthologized in American literature textbooks. The play was based on the murder case of the sixty-year-old farmer, John Hossack, which was covered widely by Susan Glaspell while she was working as a journalist with the Des Moines Daily News immediately after her graduation from Drake University. Accordingly, “Trifles” presents the murder of an oppressive husband by his emotionally abused wife. It is an attempt to re-address the John Hossack case from the point of view of women who might not have a similar viewpoint of the nature of marital disagreement and domestic unhappiness.3 The murder happened in a period where women had insufficient protection from domestic abuse, and had not yet obtained the right to vote. The main characters of the play are: 1- The Sheriff, Mr. Henry Peters; 2- Mrs. Peters(wife of the Sheriff); 3- Mr. Lewis Hale (a neighbour of Mr. and Mrs. Wright); 4- Mrs. Hale (wife of Mr. Hale); and 5- The County Attorney, Mr. George Henderson. The off-stage characters are: 1- Mr. John Write (the victim); 2-Mrs. Minnie Write (the victim’s wife); 3- Frank (Deputy Sheriff); 4- Harry (a helper of Mr.Lewis Hale); 5- Dr. Lloyd (the coroner). The play addressed the life of Mrs. Wright who becameenraged and took the life of her abusive and violent husband after he killed her bird. The motivefor murder was the killing of the canary because it represented freedom for her. Mrs. Wright, theprotagonist, lived through a series of emotions, such as rage, shock, lack of feeling, rejection,and deep sadness, mainly because the loss of her bird was sudden, surprising and unforeseen.4 She considered the death of her bird as a great calamity, as she lost something extremely crucialin her life. Susan Glaspell chose the title of the play from a line stated by one of the characters inthe play, Mr. Lewis Hale, when he says: “Well, women are used to worrying about trifles.” The title demonstrates irony when Mrs. Minnie Wright seemed to be more concerned about triflesthan she is about being under arrest for murder. This English play, “Trifles,” was chosen to betranslated into Arabic because of its significance and association to the Arab culture. For thesake of wide readability, it was translated into Modern Standard Arabic (formal Arabic), as it isquite the same in all Arab countries.
Teenage sleep and technology engagement across the week
Authors: Orben Amy , Przybylski Andrew K.
Published: January 2020

Background

Throughout the developed world, adolescents are growing up with increased access to and engagement with a range of screen-based technologies, allowing them to encounter ideas and people on a global scale from the intimacy of their bedroom. The concerns about digital technologies negatively influencing sleep are therefore especially noteworthy, as sleep has been proven to greatly affect both cognitive and emotional well-being. The associations between digital engagement and adolescent sleep should therefore be carefully investigated in research adhering to the highest methodological standards. This understood, studies published to date have not often done so and have instead focused mainly on data derived from general retrospective self-report questionnaires. The value of this work has been called into question by recent research showing that retrospective questionnaires might fail to accurately measure these variables of interest. Novel and diverse approaches to measurement are therefore necessary for academic study to progress.

Methods

This study analyses data from 11,884 adolescents included in the UK Millennium Cohort Study to examine the association between digital engagement and adolescent sleep, comparing the relative effects of retrospective self-report vs. time-use diary measures of technology use. By doing so, it provides an empirical lens to understand the effects of digital engagement both throughout the day and before bedtime and adds nuance to a research area primarily relying on retrospective self-report.

Results

The study finds that there is a small negative association relating digital engagement to adolescent sleep both on weekdays and weekend days (median standardized association βweekday = −0.06 and βweekend = −0.03). There is a more negative association between digital engagement and total sleep time on weekdays compared to weekend days (median standardized βweekday = −0.08, median standardized βweekend = −0.02), while there is no such difference when examining adolescents’ bedtime. Surprisingly, and contrary to our expectations, digital technology use before bedtime is not substantively associated with the amount of sleep and the tardiness of bedtime in adolescents.

Conclusions

Results derived from the use of transparent Specification Curve Analysis methods show that the negative associations in evidence are mainly driven by retrospective technology use measures and measures of total time spent on digital devices during the day. The effects are overall very small: for example, an additional hour of digital screen time per day was only related to a 9 min decrease in total time spent sleeping on weekdays and a 3 min decrease on weekends. Using digital screens 30 min before bed led to a 1 min decrease in total time spent sleeping on weekdays and weekends. The study shows that more work should be done examining how to measure digital screen time before interventions are designed.
Highly efficient gene silencing in mouse brain by overhanging‐duplex oligonucleotides via intraventricular route
Authors: Lei Mon Su Su , Yoshioka Kotaro , Jia Chunyan , Kunieda Taiki , Asami Yutaro , Yoshida‐Tanaka Kie , Piao Wenying , Kuwahara Hiroya , Nishina Kazutaka , Nagata Tetsuya , Yokota Takanori
Published: January 2020

Gapmer‐type antisense oligonucleotides have not yet been approved for the treatment of central nervous system diseases, whereas steric‐blocking‐type antisense oligonucleotides have been well‐developed for clinical use. We here characterize a new type of double‐stranded oligonucleotides, overhanging‐duplex oligonucleotides, which are composed of the parent gapmer and its extended complementary RNA. By intracerebroventricular injection, overhanging oligonucleotides show greater silencing potency with more efficient delivery into mouse brains than the parent single‐stranded gapmer. Structure–activity relationship analyses reveal that the potency enhancement requires 13‐mer or more overhanging oligonucleotides with a phosphorothioate backbone. Overhanging oligonucleotides provide a new platform of therapeutic oligonucleotides for gene modulation in the central nervous system.
Mussel‐Inspired Dual‐Superlyophobic Biomass Membranes for Selective Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Mai Van Cuong , Das Paramita , Zhou Jiajing , Lim Teik Thye , Duan Hongwei
Published: January 2020

Dual‐superlyophobic membranes that exhibit underwater superoleophobicity and underoil superhydrophobicity concurrently have gained considerable attention for oil/water separation. To effectively treat oily wastewater, consistent efforts have been made to develop fast and simple methodologies with low cost, environmentally friendly materials. Here, the dual‐superlyophobic membranes are obtained based on one‐step tailored growth of mussel‐inspired polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles on the surfaces of biomass membranes. The results demonstrate that the universal adhesion of PDA allows the modification of biomass fibers of different surface hydrophobicity. The oxidation polymerization of dopamine leads to the rapid growth of PDA nanostructures, which form stable coatings of high roughness instead of homogeneous conformal coatings generated in the conventional synthesis of PDA. The amphiphilic nature of PDA and the rough surfaces imparted by the PDA nanostructures collectively lead to dual‐superlyophobic properties. Membranes of the coated biomass fibers prewetted by either water or oil become impermeable to the counterpart liquids, giving rise to efficient oil–water separation in a broad spectrum of mixtures. In particular, the membranes derived from cotton or kapok fibers show oil/water separation efficiencies of above 99.98%, fluxes ranging from 4000 to 22 200 L m−2 h−1, and robust performance for regeneration and repeated uses.
Harnessing the Intrinsic Reactivity of 2‐Cyano‐Substituted Heteroarenes to Achieve Programmable Double Alkylation
Authors: Sun Zhuming , Zhao Jichen , Deng Huiwen , Tian Li , Tang Bingqing , Liu Kevin K.‐C. , Zhu Hugh Y.
Published: January 2020

Herein, we report our study of tertiary radicals, generated through visible light decarboxylation, alkylating 2‐cyanoarenes through radical cross‐coupling at the ipso‐ or the para‐ positions of the cyano groups. Synthesis of a variety of α‐tertiary amines containing quaternary centers is described. The approach enables regioselective sequential double alkylation on either 2‐cyanopyridine or 2‐cyanopyrimidine with high efficiency. Our report illustrates the synthetic utility of α‐heteroatom‐substituted tertiary radicals in the synthesis of substituted heteroarenes.

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Retrospective tillage differentiation using the Landsat‐5 TM archive with discriminant analysis
Authors: Sharma Sonisa , Dhakal Kundan , Wagle Pradeep , Kilic Ayse
Published: January 2020

Accurate and site‐specific information on tillage practice is vital to understand the impacts of crop management on water quality, soil conservation, and soil carbon sequestration. Remote sensing is a cost‐effective technique for surveillance and rapid assessment of tillage practice over large areas. A new empirical approach for accurately predicting tillage class using discriminant analysis (DA) on historical multi‐temporal Landsat‐TM 5 imagery has been developed. Ground truth data were obtained from the USDA‐NRCS at 48 locations (20 conventional till [CT] and 28 conservation tillage or no‐till [NT]). Classification accuracies were obtained for the DA models using reflectance values of Landsat‐5 TM bands and Normalized Difference Tillage Index (NDTI) values. The performance of the DA models was compared with Logistic Regression (LR) models. On the basis of classification accuracy and kappa (κ) value, our results showed that the DA models performed better in tillage classification than the LR models. However, using NDTI values, both the DA and LR models performed similarly in tillage class discrimination. Model performance improved when a subset of locations rather than years was used. The results indicated broad‐scale mapping of tillage practices is feasible using historical Landsat‐5 TM imagery and DA‐based classification.
Effects of fertilizer management strategies on maize yield and nitrogen use efficiencies under different densities
Authors: Li Guanghao , Wang Longfei , Li Long , Lu Dalei , Lu Weiping
Published: January 2020

Rational plant density and fertilizer management are important practices to improve maize (Zea mays L.) yield and nutrient use efficiency. Previous research indicated that plant density and fertilization had positive interaction on maize yield and N utilization. The research studied on the interactive effects of slow‐released fertilizer (added amino acid polymer biological preparation) and density on maize yield and nitrogen use efficiencies (NUEs). A 2‐yr field experiment with varieties Suyu29 (SY29) or Suyu30 (SY30) was conducted using a split‐split plot design. Three densities (6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 × 104 plants per ha) and three fertilization modes (0F‐no fertilizer, SF‐one‐time application of slow‐released fertilizer, and CF‐twice application of conventional fertilizer) were assigned. Results indicated that grain yields and NUEs of SF under 7.5 × 104 plants per ha were the highest both in SY29 and SY30. Compared with CF under 7.5 × 104 plants per ha, SF could improve pre‐ and post‐silking N uptake and promote N translocation from stalk and leaf into grain, which increased its contribution efficiency to grain N content and obtained higher NUE. The average N partial productivity, N agronomic efficiency, N recovery efficiency, and N absorption efficiency of SF were 5.3, 9.9, 20.1, and 11.4% higher than CF under 7.5 plants × 104 plants per ha. Increasing plant density, the grain yield, total N accumulation, and NUEs initially increased and then decreased both in SF and CF. These results suggest that one‐time application of SF combined with appropriate density could increase maize yield and NUE under our experiment condition.
Semaphorin 7A: A novel marker of disease activity in Gaucher disease
Authors: Franco Mélanie , Reihani Nelly , Dupuis Lucie , Collec Emmanuel , Billette de Villemeur Thierry , de Person Marine , Moussa Fathi , Berger Marc G. , Belmatoug Nadia , Le Van Kim Caroline
Published: January 2020

Gaucher disease (GD) is a recessively inherited lysosomal storage disorder in which sphingolipids accumulates in the macrophages that transform into Gaucher cells. A growing body of evidence indicates that red blood cells (RBCs) represent important actors in GD pathophysiology. We previously demonstrated that altered RBC properties including increased Lyso‐GL1 levels, dyserythropoiesis, and iron metabolism defect in GD patients contribute to anemia and hyperferritinemia. Since RBC defects also correlated well with markers of GD severity and were normalized under enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), the identification of molecules that are deregulated in GD RBCs represents an important issue in the search of pertinent markers of the disease. Here, we found a decreased expression of the GPI‐anchored cell surface protein Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A) in RBCs from untreated GD (GD UT) patients, in parallel with increased levels of the soluble form in the plasma. Sema7A plays a role in neural guidance, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory diseases and represents a promigratory cue in physiological and pathological conditions. We showed that the decreased expression of Sema7A in RBCs correlated with their abnormal properties and with markers of GD activity. Interestingly, ERT restored the level of Sema7A to normal values both in RBCs and in plasma from GD patients. We then proposed that SemaA7A represents a simple and pertinent marker of inflammation in GD. Finally, because Sema7A is known to regulate the activity of immune cells, the increased level of soluble Sema7A in GD patients could propagate inflammation in several tissues.
Are good governance principles institutionalised with policy transfer? An examination of public–private partnerships policy promotion in China
Authors: Chen Cheng , Man Caixia
Published: January 2020

This article explores the following question: To what extent are good governance principles being institutionalised in China as a result of public–private partnerships (PPP) policy transfer? Since 2013, China has been pursuing PPP and applying aspects of related good governance drawing from Western experience despite its radically different fragmented authoritarian regime. This makes China a unique case to observe the extent to which good governance principles can be institutionalised in very different contexts. This article assesses the degree of institutionalisation of three good governance principles that guide PPP policy elsewhere: transparency and accountability, willingness to collaborate and equity between partners. It argues that while the PPP policies have been applied extensively in recent years, these good governance principles have been institutionalised to varying degrees as they have had to be adapted and compromised to fit with existing power relations in authoritarian China. The findings aim to add value to the literature regarding PPP policy transfer and good governance, by revealing the challenges of institutionalising good governance principles through PPP policy transfer in an alien context.
Validation of an analytical method using UPLC–MS/MS to quantify four bioactive components in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study of traditional and dispensing granules decoction of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen
Authors: Chen Yan , Jiang Enci , Yan Jizhong , Tao Yi
Published: January 2020

A rapid and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was established for the simultaneous quantification of 6′′′‐feruloylspinosin, spinosin, jujuboside A, and jujuboside B in rat plasma after the oral administration of traditional and dispensing granules (DG) decoction of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS). The four components were separated using 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as a mobile phase by gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min equipped with a C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm particle size, Acquity BEH C18). The mass spectrometer was operated under multiple reaction monitoring mode. An aliquot of 100 μL rat plasma was deproteinized by 300 μL methanol. The supernatant was injected into the UPLC–MS/MS system for analysis. The calibration curves displayed good linearity. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions (RSD) were less than 7.3%. The accuracies ranged from −1.3 to 6.1%. The extraction recoveries ranged from 95.8 to 101.9%, and the matrix effects were satisfactory. For DG, half‐life values (t1/2) of 6′′′‐feruloylspinosin and Cmax of jujuboside A were elevated remarkably. MRT0–t of jujuboside B was significantly increased. No significant variation was observed for the pharmacokinetic parameters of spinosin. The results could provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of traditional and DG decoction of ZSS.
Frontal variant of Alzheimer's disease with asymmetric presentation mimicking frontotemporal dementia: Case report and literature review
Authors: Li Cheng‐Hsuan , Fan Sung‐Pin , Chen Ta‐Fu , Chiu Ming‐Jang , Yen Ruoh‐Fang , Lin Chin‐Hsien
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Frontal variant of Alzheimer's disease (fvAD) is a rare nonamnestic syndrome of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Differentiating it from behavior variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), which has implications for treatment responses and prognosis, remains a clinical challenge.

Methods

Molecular neuroimaging and biofluid markers were performed for the index patient for accurate premortem diagnosis of fvAD. The clinical, neuroimaging, and biofluid characteristics of the patient were compared to those reported in previous studies of fvAD from 1999 to 2019.

Results

A 66‐year‐old man presented with progressive executive dysfunction, personality and behavioral changes, and memory decline since age 59. He had no family history of neurodegenerative disorders. A stimulus‐sensitive myoclonus was noted over his left upper extremity. Neuropsychological assessment revealed moderate dementia with a Mini‐Mental State Exam score of 10/30 and compromised executive and memory performance. Brain imaging showed asymmetrical atrophy and hypometabolism over the right frontal and temporal areas, mimicking bvFTD. However, we observed increased tau depositions based on 18F‐labeled T807 Tau PET in these areas and diffusely increased amyloid deposition based on 11C‐labeled Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography (PET). Plasma biomarker measures indicated an AD profile with increased Aβ1‐42 (18.66 pg/ml; cutoff: 16.42 pg/ml), Aβ1‐42/Aβ1‐40 ratio (0.45; cutoff: 0.30), total tau (29.78 pg/ml; cutoff: 23.89 pg/ml), and phosphorylated tau (4.11 pg/ml; cutoff: 3.08 pg/ml). These results supported a diagnosis of fvAD.

Conclusions

Our results with asymmetrical presentations extend current knowledge about this rare AD variant. Application of biofluid and molecular imaging markers could assist in early, accurate diagnosis.
Validation of the Lithuanian version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 in a student sample
Authors: Baceviciene Migle , Balciuniene Vaiva , Jankauskiene Rasa
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives

The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 (EDE‐Q 6.0) is one of the most broadly used self‐report tools that assesses attitudes and behaviors associated with eating disorders (EDs). The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Lithuanian version of the EDE‐Q 6.0 (LT‐EDE‐Q 6.0) in a nonclinical student sample.

Materials and Methods

A sample of 382 students (mean age 24.0 ± 6.4) participated in the study. The students completed a self‐report questionnaire measuring the risk of EDs (LT‐EDE‐Q 6.0), body image (LT‐MBSRQ‐AS), quality of life (LT‐WHOQOL‐BREF), and self‐esteem (RSES). Cronbach's alpha assessed the internal consistency of the EDE‐Q 6.0. Pearson's correlations were used for the analyses of the construct and concurrent validity with the subscales of LT‐MBSRQ‐AS, LT‐WHOQOL‐BREF, and RSES. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for assessing test‐retest reliability.

Results

The mean score of the LT‐EDE‐Q 6.0 in the mixed sample was 1.5 ± 1.02. For women and men, the general mean scores were higher than in the majority of the samples of Western Europe but lower than in the United States. Acceptable internal consistency for the four subscales (0.75–0.88) and the LT‐EDE‐Q 6.0 general score (0.94) was obtained. Test‐retest reliability was good to excellent for all subscales (0.66–0.91) and for the items that assessed essential behavioral features of EDs (0.84–0.90, except item 14 ICC = 0.4). The LT‐EDE‐Q 6.0 scores had adequate concurrent validity. However, the original 4‐factor structure or other proposed models of EDE‐Q were not obtained by CFA.

Conclusions

The results of the current study support the applicability, validity, and reliability of the LT‐EDE‐Q 6.0 in a nonclinical Lithuanian student sample. However, we recommend assessing the general scale score without the application of the subscales. The Lithuanian version of this instrument should be further investigated with clinical samples to identify clinically diagnosed cases.
Impact of airport green atmospherics on mental health value, image, and loyalty among visitors and workers
Authors: Han Heesup , Olya Hossein G.T. , Untaru Elena‐Nicoleta , Ispas Ana , Kim Jinkyung Jenny , Kim Wansoo
Published: January 2020

Nature‐based solutions (NBS) are becoming increasingly crucial as NBS brings diverse health‐related benefits to travelers and workers in the tourism business sector. This research explored the influence of green atmospherics as NBS on airport occupants' mental health value, image, and loyalty generation processes. A quantitative approach with a field survey method was employed. A structural equation modeling and metric invariance test were used as data analysis technique. Our empirical result revealed that green atmospherics as NBS significantly improve the occupants' mental health value and image of the airport, and these variables contribute to their loyalty enhancement for the airport. The effect of green spaces and natural surroundings on loyalty was maximized through mental health value and image. In addition, the linkages from natural surroundings to mental health value and image were stronger in the visitor group whereas the mental health value—loyalty relation was stronger in the worker group.
Nitric oxide restores peripheral blood mononuclear cell adhesion against hypoxia via NO‐cGMP signalling
Authors: Behera Jyotirmaya , Nagarajan Shunmugam , Saran Uttara , Kumar Ravi , Keshri Gaurav K. , Suryakumar Geetha , Chatterjee Suvro
Published: January 2020

Hypoxia is the most detrimental threat to humans residing at high altitudes, affecting multifaceted cellular responses that are crucial for normal homeostasis. Inhalation of nitric oxide has been successfully implemented to combat the hypoxia effect in the high altitude patients. We hypothesize that nitric oxide (NO) restores the peripheral blood mononuclear cell‐matrix deadhesion during hypoxia. In the present study, we investigate the cellular action of exogenous NO in the hypoxia‐mediated diminution of cell‐matrix adhesion of PBMNC and NO bioavailability in vitro. The result showed that NO level and cell‐matrix adhesion of PBMNC were significantly reduced in hypoxia as compared with normoxia, as assessed by the DAF‐FM and cell adhesion assay, respectively. In contrast, cellular oxidative damage response was indeed upregulated in hypoxic PBMNC. Further, gene expression analysis revealed that mRNA transcripts of cell adhesion molecules (Integrin α5 and β1) and eNOS expressions were significantly downregulated. The mechanistic study revealed that administration of NO and 8‐Br‐cGMP and overexpression of eNOS‐GFP restored the basal NO level and recovers cell‐matrix adhesion in PBMNC via cGMP‐dependent protein kinase I (PKG I) signalling. In conclusion, NO‐cGMP/PKG signalling may constitute a novel target to recover high altitude–afflicted cellular deadhesion.

Significance of this study

Cellular adhesion is a complex multistep process. The ability of cells to adhere to extracellular matrix is an essential physiological process for normal homeostasis and function. Hypoxia exposure in the PBMNC culture has been proposed to induce oxidative damage and cellular deadhesion and is generally believed to be the key factor in the reduction of NO bioavailability. In the present study, we demonstrated that NO donor or overexpression of eNOS‐GFP has a protective effect against hypoxia‐induced cellular deadhesion and greatly improves the redox balance by inhibiting the oxidative stress. Furthermore, this protective effect of NO is mediated by the NO‐cGMP/PKG signal pathway, which may provide a potential strategy against hypoxia.