bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Del museo al aula: propuesta para la creación de prácticas artístico-didácticas entre iguales
Authors: Peña-Zabala Miriam , Porcel-Ziarsolo Alazne
Published: January 2020

Respondiendo a la necesidad de acercar y dar a conocer las cualidades didácticas del Arte Contemporáneo como posible generador de conocimiento, haciendo uso del museo como recurso, se plantea una metodología docente entre iguales en la que se desarrolla una práctica artística aplicable al aula del Grado universitario de Educación Primaria.El alumnado diseña una práctica fuera del espacio normativo del aula de la Facultad de Educación de Bilbao UPV/EHU, y la ejecuta en el propio marco de una asignatura vinculada a la educación artística impartida en el grado.En la metodología docente, la figura del docente universitario pasa a un segundo plano y es el alumnado el responsable de ejecutar, dar a conocer e implementar su proyecto artístico intercambiando los roles docente-discente con los compañeros/as del aula.Los resultados evidencian la potencialidad del uso de las colecciones de los museos contemporáneos como herramientas veraces en la búsqueda de referentes, así como el potencial de la visibilización de las experiencias implementadas por el alumnado. Por último, se pone el acento en el potencial de las relaciones pedagógicas generadas durante el proceso de diseño y de ejecución de la propuesta.Las conclusiones evidencian la necesidad de continuar trabajando en esta línea, donde propuestas vinculadas al Arte Contemporáneo reflexionadas entre iguales, reivindiquen su potencial constructor de significados y empodere a los futuros/as docentes en la generación de un discurso reflexivo propio.
Asociación entre clima motivacional, ajuste escolar y funcionalidad familiar en adolescentes
Authors: Castro-Sánchez Manuel , Zurita-Ortega Félix , García-Marmol Eduardo , Chacón-Cuberos Ramón
Published: January 2020

El presente estudio pretende definir y contrastar un modelo explicativo sobre el clima motivacional, el ajuste escolar y la funcionalidad familiar, y analizar las asociaciones existentes entre las mencionadas variables mediante un análisis de ecuaciones estructurales en una muestra de 2.134 adolescentes de 15 a 18 años de la provincia de Granada, analizando el clima motivacional (PMCSQ-2), el ajuste escolar (EBAE-10) y la funcionalidad familiar (APGAR). Se utiliza un diseño de tipo descriptivo y corte transversal, empleando AMOS 23.0 para realizar un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales multigrupo que se ajustó de forma correcta (χ2 = 241,34; gl = 17; p < ,001; CFI = ,953; NFI = ,950; IFI = ,953; RMSEA = ,079). Este estudio revela como los climas motivacionales orientados hacia la tarea generan mayores niveles de ajuste escolar en el alumnado. De hecho, este mismo clima motivacional se asocia directamente con la funcionalidad familiar, considerándose variables positivas para el buen clima en el aula de educación física. Por otro lado, el clima motivacional orientado al ego estuvo inversamente relacionado con el ajuste escolar, sin vincularse con la funcionalidad familiar. Todo ello revela la importancia de promover motivaciones más autodeterminadas en las aulas, que fomenten la cooperación entre los miembros del grupo, el esfuerzo y la superación personal.
Auga dos Cebros (Pontevedra, Galicia): Un barco del Bronce Final II en la fachada atlántica de la Peníncula Ibérica (1325-1050 a. C.)
Authors: Mederos Martin Alfredo
Published: January 2020

En Auga dos Cebros (Oia, Pontevedra, Galicia), se han localizado tres grabados rupestres de barcos, de los cuales el primero tiene una representación más detallada. Parece ser una embarcación con casco de madera, de unos 16 remeros, que cuenta con un mástil en posicion central, con proa y popa elevadas. Parece tratarse de un barco con cubierta superficial, los cuales comienzan a partir del Heládico Final IIIB, 1325-1185 a.C., o Chipriota Final IIC, 1300-1190 a.C. en el Egeo. Este tipo de barco no debería sobrepasar el inicio del Bronce Final IIIA o el Protogeométrico en el Egeo, a partir del 1050 a.C., cuando ya eran habituales galeras con numerosos remeros y un tajamar desarrollado.
Xaquín G.V.
Authors: Giménez Ferran , Guerrero David
Published: January 2020

Xaquín G.V. es editor de Gráficos en The New York Times. En esta entrevista, destaca el papel de la infografía como un plus de calidad en los medios de comunicación y defiende la importancia del contenido por encima de la forma, con la interactividad necesaria para acceder a la información sin dificultades.
Malofiej 17 (Premios Internacionales de Infografía) – Parte II
Authors: Córcoles César
Published: January 2020

Multimedia en el New York Times Gabriel Dance ostenta el cargo de ‘senior multimedia producer’ en el diario neoyorquino. Uno de los puntos más interesantes de su charla, Producing Multimedia for the New York Times, es, quizá, su propio perfil académico: Dance se graduó en Informática y Periodismo Técnico en la Universidad de Colorado.
Decreasing human body temperature in the United States since the Industrial Revolution
Authors: Protsiv Myroslava , Ley Catherine , Lankester Joanna , Hastie Trevor , Parsonnet Julie
Published: January 2020

In the US, the normal, oral temperature of adults is, on average, lower than the canonical 37°C established in the 19th century. We postulated that body temperature has decreased over time. Using measurements from three cohorts—the Union Army Veterans of the Civil War (N = 23,710; measurement years 1860–1940), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (N = 15,301; 1971–1975), and the Stanford Translational Research Integrated Database Environment (N = 150,280; 2007–2017)—we determined that mean body temperature in men and women, after adjusting for age, height, weight and, in some models date and time of day, has decreased monotonically by 0.03°C per birth decade. A similar decline within the Union Army cohort as between cohorts, makes measurement error an unlikely explanation. This substantive and continuing shift in body temperature—a marker for metabolic rate—provides a framework for understanding changes in human health and longevity over 157 years.
Nucleotide inhibition of the pancreatic ATP-sensitive K+ channel explored with patch-clamp fluorometry
Authors: Usher Samuel G , Ashcroft Frances M , Puljung Michael C
Published: January 2020

Pancreatic ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) comprise four inward rectifier subunits (Kir6.2), each associated with a sulphonylurea receptor (SUR1). ATP/ADP binding to Kir6.2 shuts KATP. Mg-nucleotide binding to SUR1 stimulates KATP. In the absence of Mg2+, SUR1 increases the apparent affinity for nucleotide inhibition at Kir6.2 by an unknown mechanism. We simultaneously measured channel currents and nucleotide binding to Kir6.2. Fits to combined data sets suggest that KATP closes with only one nucleotide molecule bound. A Kir6.2 mutation (C166S) that increases channel activity did not affect nucleotide binding, but greatly perturbed the ability of bound nucleotide to inhibit KATP. Mutations at position K205 in SUR1 affected both nucleotide affinity and the ability of bound nucleotide to inhibit KATP. This suggests a dual role for SUR1 in KATP inhibition, both in directly contributing to nucleotide binding and in stabilising the nucleotide-bound closed state.
The challenges of maintaining genetic privacy
Authors: Carmi Shai
Published: January 2020

Two studies suggest that a determined adversary may be able to obtain genetic information without permission from some genealogy databases.
Feasibility of assessing ultra-short-term pulse rate variability from video recordings
Authors: Finžgar Miha , Podržaj Primož
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) is a promising non-contact measurement technique for assessing numerous physiological parameters: pulse rate, pulse rate variability (PRV), respiratory rate, pulse wave velocity, blood saturation, blood pressure, etc. To justify its use in ultra-short-term (UST) PRV analysis, which is of great benefit for several healthcare applications, the agreement between rPPG- and PPG-derived UST-PRV metrics was studied.

Approach

Three time-domain metrics—standard deviation of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive NN interval differences (RMSSD), and the percentage of adjacent NN intervals that differ from each other by more than 50 ms (pNN50)—were extracted from 56 video recordings in a publicly available data set. The selected metrics were calculated on the basis of three groups of 10 s recordings and their average, two groups of 30 s recordings and their average, and a group of 60 s recordings taken from the full-length recordings and then compared with metrics derived from the corresponding reference (PPG) pulse waveform signals by using correlation and effect size parameters, and Bland–Altman plots.

Main results

The results show there is stronger agreement as the recording length increases for SDNN and RMSSD, yet there is no significant change for pNN50. The agreement parameters reach r = 0.841 (p < 0.001), r = 0.529 (p < 0.001), and r = 0.657 (p < 0.001), estimated median bias −1.52, −2.28 ms and −1.95% and a small effect size for SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50 derived from the 60 s recordings, respectively.

Significance

Remote photoplethysmography-derived UST-PRV metrics manage to capture UST-PRV metrics derived from reference (PPG) recordings well. This feature is highly desirable in numerous applications for the assessment of one’s health and well-being. In future research, the validity of rPPG-derived UST-PRV metrics compared to the gold standard electrocardiography recordings is to be assessed.
Malaria Preventive Practices among Pregnant Women in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria
Authors: Kasso T. , Oboro I. L. , Maduka O. , Awopeju A. T. O. , Paul N. I. , Yaguo-Ide L. E. , Chijioke-Nwauche I. N. , Ogoro M. , Otto G. , Nwauche C. A.
Published: January 2020

Background: Malaria is a serious public health problem in developing countries with Africa bearing most of its burden. Pregnant women are more susceptible to malaria and it is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality/morbidity. Use of effective malaria preventive measures during pregnancy reduces its burden and complications.

Aim: This was to determine malaria preventive practices used by pregnant women in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study of pregnant women attending public and private health facilities in Akwa Ibom state. An informed written consent was obtained from the participants. Stratified sampling method was used in selecting the health facilities and the study participants. Information was obtained with pretested questionnaires by trained personnel with the aid of Open Data Kit (ODK) on android phones. Data was managed with SPSS 22.0 and P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There were 935 participants in the study. Their mean age was 28.52 ± 5.09 years with 879 (94.0%) being married. Most had secondary and tertiary degrees: 451(48.2%) and 440(47.1%). Majority of them were traders/business women and self-employed (58.2%) while 7% were unemployed. Malaria preventive practices were use of window net, bed net and insecticides accounting for 659(71%), 447(48.2%) and 207(22.3%) respectively. There were 612 (65.5%) participants that received malaria drugs for prevention with 452(73.9%) receiving Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP). Only 296 (31.7%) of them slept under bed nets the night before the interview.

Conclusion: Common preventive practices employed by pregnant women were IPTp with SP, window nets, ITNs and modified IRS. Majority of the women utilized widow nets, though not as effective as ITNs. Efforts should be intensified concerning awareness creation about the benefits of ITN use during pregnancy.
When You Think of a Global IR Theory, Think Uhuru Na Ujamaa?
Authors: Bentil Shadrack
Published: January 2020

“A nation which refuses to learn from foreign cultures is nothing but a nation of idiots and lunatics. Mankind could not progress at all if we all refused to learn from each other. But [this] …does not mean we should abandon our own [to embrace others.] The sort of learning from which we can benefit is the kind which can help us to perfect and broaden our own culture” [43]. The question, “Is there a Global International Relations (IR) theory?” remains an important discourse in the world today especially, when ideas have no boundaries and societies are not static. Several scholars, Acharya and Buzan in contemporary literature have argued for the broadening and departure from western centric construction of the world to give the discipline of IR a global perspective. Thus, the paper argued that Nyerere’s Ujamaa holds in it, insights that can better the theorising process in the IR discipline. These insights exude the principles and values of African Communitarianism, African re-conceptualization of sovereignty, the concept of developmental state model, national unity and cohesion, and the contribution to pedagogical discourse of liberation which are often shallowly constructed by dominant western ideas. On this account, the paper relies predominantly on secondary data in a semblance of systematic literature review present what is out there, and to situate the discussion in ongoing debate. The paper concludes that there should be a multiple but overlapping discussions on global IR theorising, such that various theoretical and epistemological strands of knowledge and inquiry are appreciated (Ujamaa in this case).
Truncus Arteriosus with Anomalous Origin and Intramural Course of the Right Coronary Arterie: A Surgical Challenge
Authors: Vollroth Marcel , Weidenbach Michael , Dähnert Ingo , Kostelka Martin , Wagner Robert
Published: January 2020

The truncus arteriosus communis is a very complex congenital cardiac malformation occurring in less than 1% of all congenital heart disease patients. Early repair remains one of the most challenging procedures in congenital cardiac surgery. Due to improvement in surgical reconstruction strategies over the past years, there is an acceptable short and long-term survival for those patients. However, each new case represents a “high mountain to climb” in ambition to achieve physiological repair with acceptable hemodynamic and a good long-term survival. We therefore present a very special case with anomalous origin and intramural course of the right coronary artery.
Additive Trees
Authors: Corter James E.
Published: January 2020

Additive trees are models for the analysis of proximity data. In such analyses, the data dissimilarities are represented by path‐length distances in the additive tree graph. The additive tree may be characterized as a weighted acyclic graph, in which the weights correspond to the arc lengths. An additive tree may be displayed in rooted or unrooted form. The choice of a root for an additive tree can affect its interpretation in terms of clusters. A number of effective heuristic algorithms have been developed for least‐squares fitting of additive trees to proximities.
TheJITAICode: A Primer on Just‐In‐Time‐Adaptive Interventions
Authors: El‐Toukhy Sherine , Nahum‐Shani Inbal
Published: January 2020

This chapter is a primer on just‐in‐time adaptive interventions (JITAIs), an intervention design concerned with using ongoing information about the individual and her environment to inform the effective and timely delivery of treatment. JITAIs are motivated by the necessity of intervening on risk and/or protective factors that occur frequently and unpredictably in one's natural environment. JITAIs' goal of providing the right treatment whenever and wherever needed is made possible by recent advances in mobile and wearable technologies. The goal of this chapter is to provide a brief introduction to JITAIs. This includes discussing the motivation underlying this intervention design, highlighting its key elements, and discussing opportunities and challenges relating to the construction of empirically based JITAIs. Throughout, we refer readers to additional reading for in‐depth discussion of these topics.
Metropolis Jumping Rules
Authors: Liu Jun S. , Dai Chenguang
Published: January 2020

We review the cornerstone of the Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, the Metropolis jumping rules, upon which we can generate samples to approximate an arbitrary target distribution known up to a normalizing constant. After introducing the basics of the Metropolis jumping rule along with the Hastings generalization, we describe three widely used proposal functions for constructing the rule. The reversible jumping rule is then introduced to serve as a general principle to guide the chain jumping across spaces with different dimensionalities. Based on these building blocks, we discuss three more delicate jumping rules, the multiple‐try Metropolis, dynamic weighting, and the Wang–Landau algorithm.
2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee
Authors: Kolasinski Sharon L. , Neogi Tuhina , Hochberg Marc C. , Oatis Carol , Guyatt Gordon , Block Joel , Callahan Leigh , Copenhaver Cindy , Dodge Carole , Felson David , Gellar Kathleen , Harvey William F. , Hawker Gillian , Herzig Edward , Kwoh C. Kent , Nelson Amanda E. , Samuels Jonathan , Scanzello Carla , White Daniel , Wise Barton , Altman Roy D. , DiRenzo Dana , Fontanarosa Joann , Giradi Gina , Ishimori Mariko , Misra Devyani , Shah Amit Aakash , Shmagel Anna K. , Thoma Louise M. , Turgunbaev Marat , Turner Amy S. , Reston James
Published: January 2020

Objective

To develop an evidence‐based guideline for the comprehensive management of osteoarthritis (OA) as a collaboration between the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation, updating the 2012 ACR recommendations for the management of hand, hip, and knee OA.

Methods

We identified clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, outcomes questions and critical outcomes in OA. A Literature Review Team performed a systematic literature review to summarize evidence supporting the benefits and harms of available educational, behavioral, psychosocial, physical, mind‐body, and pharmacologic therapies for OA. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to rate the quality of the evidence. A Voting Panel, including rheumatologists, an internist, physical and occupational therapists, and patients, achieved consensus on the recommendations.

Results

Based on the available evidence, either strong or conditional recommendations were made for or against the approaches evaluated. Strong recommendations were made for exercise, weight loss in patients with knee and/or hip OA who are overweight or obese, self‐efficacy and self‐management programs, tai chi, cane use, hand orthoses for first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint OA, tibiofemoral bracing for tibiofemoral knee OA, topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for knee OA, oral NSAIDs, and intraarticular glucocorticoid injections for knee OA. Conditional recommendations were made for balance exercises, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, kinesiotaping for first CMC OA, orthoses for hand joints other than the first CMC joint, patellofemoral bracing for patellofemoral knee OA, acupuncture, thermal modalities, radiofrequency ablation for knee OA, topical NSAIDs, intraarticular steroid injections and chondroitin sulfate for hand OA, topical capsaicin for knee OA, acetaminophen, duloxetine, and tramadol.

Conclusion

This guideline provides direction for clinicians and patients making treatment decisions for the management of OA. Clinicians and patients should engage in shared decision‐making that accounts for patients’ values, preferences, and comorbidities. These recommendations should not be used to limit or deny access to therapies.
Modified cassava starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend films plasticized by glycerol: Structure and properties
Authors: Boonsuk Phetdaphat , Sukolrat Apinya , Kaewtatip Kaewta , Chantarak Sirinya , Kelarakis Antonios , Chaibundit Chiraphon
Published: January 2020

We report a systematic investigation on the structure–property relationships in glycerol‐plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/cassava starch blends prepared via solution casting. In particular, PVA mixed with native, low‐oxidized, high‐oxidized, and pregelatinized cassava starches were characterized by means of SEM, XRD, FTIR, thermal analysis and mechanical testing and the immiscible systems were received. Burial tests over a period of several days suggested the preferential degradation of the starch and glycerol component (as indicated by the absence of FTIR signatures of those components) and the amorphous phase of PVA (as indicated by the enhanced crystallinity index of the degraded samples). The rheological properties of the blends seem to dictate their morphological characteristics that, in turn, have a profound impact on their mechanical properties. In that sense, the study highlights promising strategies for the development of a new family of polymeric materials that combine their biodegradable nature within superior mechanical properties. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48848.
A New Way to Discover IRESs in Pathology or Stress Conditions? Harnessing Latest High‐Throughput Technologies
Authors: Wang Lei‐Yun , Cui Jia‐Jia , Guo Cheng‐Xian , Yin Ji‐Ye
Published: January 2020

The cellular internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) is one of the most important elements to mediate cap‐independent translational initiation, especially under conditions of stress and pathology. However, a high‐throughput method to discover IRESs in these conditions is still lacking. Here, a possible way IRES long‐read sequencing based on the latest high‐throughput technologies is proposed to solve this problem. Based on this design, diversity and integrity of the transcriptome from original samples can be kept. The micro‐environment that stimulates or inhibits IRES activity can also be mimicked. By using long read‐length sequencing technology, additional experiments that are essential for ruling out the cryptic promoters or splicing events in routine IRES identification processes can be circumvented. It is hoped that this proposed methodology may be adopted for IRES element discovery, hence uncovering the full extent of the role of IRESs in disease, development, and stress. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/JuWBbMzWXS8
Interactions among variants in P53 apoptotic pathway genes are associated with neurologic deterioration and functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Yi Xingyang , Zhou Qiang , Sui Guo , Ren Gaoping , Tan Lili , Li Jie , Lin Jing , Bao Shaozhi
Published: January 2020

Objective

Neurologic deterioration (ND) and functional outcome after ischemic stroke (IS) are not accurately predicted by clinical pictures on admission. The aim of present study was to investigate the association of variants in P53 apoptotic pathway genes with ND and functional outcome after IS.

Methods

Genotypes of nine variants in apoptosis‐relevant genes were measured in patients with acute IS. Gene–gene interactions were analyzed by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR). The primary outcome was ND. ND was diagnosed in patients who worsened ≥2 points (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score) within the first 10 days of stroke onset. The secondary outcome was functional status at 90 days after IS as measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score.

Results

A total of 705 enrolled patients, ND occurred in 174 (24.7%) patients, and 184 (26.1%) patients were poor functional outcome (mRS score > 2). Although the nine variants were not significantly associated with ND and functional outcome by univariate analysis, there was a gene–gene interaction among P53rs1042522, MDM‐2rs2279744, and MMP‐9 rs3918242 using GMDR analysis. The high‐risk interaction among the three variants was independently associated with higher risk of ND (HR, 2.04, 95% CI: 1.22–5.64, p = .018) and poor functional outcome (OR, 2.68, 95% CI: 1.68–7.86, p = .004) after adjusting for the covariates.

Conclusion

The interactions among P53 rs1042522, MDM‐2 rs2279744, and MMP‐9 rs3918242 may increase the risk of ND and poor functional outcome and may be considered as a genetic marker of predicting ND and poor functional outcome after stroke.
Tyrosine nitration as a key event of signal transduction that regulates functional state of the cell
Authors: Sabadashka Mariya , Nagalievska Mariia , Sybirna Nataliia
Published: January 2020

This review is dedicated to the role of nitration of proteins by tyrosine residues in physiological and pathological conditions. First of all, we analyze the biochemical evidence of peroxynitrite formation and reactions that lead to its formation, types of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) induced by reactive nitrogen species, as well as three biological pathways of tyrosine nitration. Then, we describe two possible mechanisms of protein nitration that are involved in intracellular signal transduction, as well as its interconnection with phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of tyrosine. Next part of the review is dedicated to the role of proteins nitration in different pathological conditions. In this section, special attention is devoted to the role of nitration in changes of functional properties of actin—protein that undergoes PTMs both in normal and pathological conditions. Overall, this review is devoted to the main features of protein nitration by tyrosine residue and the role of this process in intracellular signal transduction in basal and pathological conditions.
Ligand Taxonomy for Bioinorganic Modeling of Dioxygen‐Activating Non‐Heme Iron Enzymes
Authors: Park Hyunchang , Lee Dongwhan
Published: January 2020

Novel functions emerge from novel structures. To develop efficient catalytic systems for challenging chemical transformations, chemists often seek inspirations from enzymatic catalysis. A large number of iron complexes supported by nitrogen‐rich multidentate ligands have thus been developed to mimic oxo‐transfer reactivity of dioxygen‐activating metalloenzymes. Such efforts have significantly advanced our understanding of the reaction mechanisms by trapping key intermediates and elucidating their geometric and electronic properties. Critical to the success of this biomimetic approach is the design and synthesis of elaborate ligand systems to balance the thermodynamic stability, structural adaptability, and chemical reactivity. In this Concept article, representative design strategies for biomimetic atom‐transfer chemistry are discussed from the perspectives of “ligand builders”. Emphasis is placed on how the primary coordination sphere is constructed, and how it can be elaborated further by rational design for desired functions.
Halogen–C2H2 Binding in Ultramicroporous Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Benchmark C2H2/CO2 Separation Selectivity
Authors: Mukherjee Soumya , He Yonghe , Franz Douglas , Wang Shi‐Qiang , Xian Wan‐Ru , Bezrukov Andrey A. , Space Brian , Xu Zhengtao , He Jun , Zaworotko Michael J.
Published: January 2020

Acetylene (C2H2) capture is a step in a number of industrial processes, but it comes with a high‐energy footprint. Although physisorbents have the potential to reduce this energy footprint, they are handicapped by generally poor selectivity versus other relevant gases, such as CO2 and C2H4. In the case of CO2, the respective physicochemical properties are so similar that traditional physisorbents, such as zeolites, silica, and activated carbons cannot differentiate well between CO2 and C2H2. Herein, we report that a family of three isostructural, ultramicroporous (<7 Å) diamondoid metal–organic frameworks, [Cu(TMBP)X] (TMBP=3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole), TCuX (X=Cl, Br, I), offer new benchmark C2H2/CO2 separation selectivity at ambient temperature and pressure. We attribute this performance to a new type of strong binding site for C2H2. Specifically, halogen⋅⋅⋅HC interactions coupled with other noncovalent in a tight binding site is C2H2 specific versus CO2. The binding site is distinct from those found in previous benchmark sorbents, which are based on open metal sites or electrostatic interactions enabled by inorganic fluoro or oxo anions.
Circulating epigenetic biomarkers for detection of recurrent colorectal cancer
Authors: Symonds Erin L. , Pedersen Susanne K. , Murray David , Byrne Susan E. , Roy Amitesh , Karapetis Christos , Hollington Paul , Rabbitt Philippa , Jones Frederick S. , LaPointe Lawrence , Segelov Eva , Young Graeme P.
Published: January 2020

Background

The sensitive detection of recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC) by the measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) might improve the chance of a cure. This study compared a quantitative methylated ctDNA test with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the setting of surveillance for recurrence.

Methods

Blood samples collected either during surveillance or within 12 months of the confirmation of recurrence were assayed for ctDNA (methylated branched‐chain amino acid transaminase 1 [BCAT1]/Ikaros family zinc‐finger 1 protein [IKZF1]) and CEA. The optimal ctDNA threshold was determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis, and the test performance for the detection of recurrence was compared with CEA (5 ng/mL threshold).

Results

The study cohort comprised 144 eligible patients and included 50 recurrence events. The sensitivity of the methylated ctDNA test for recurrence was 66.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.1%‐69.3%), which was significantly higher than the sensitivity of CEA (31.9%; 95% CI, 22.8%‐36.6%; P < .001). The sensitivity for resectable recurrence (n = 20) was also higher (ctDNA, 60.0%; CEA, 20.0%; P = .01). The specificity did not differ between the tests (ctDNA, 97.9%; 95% CI, 93.2%‐99.6%; CEA, 96.4%; 95% CI, 91.4%‐99.0%). When adjustments were made for other predictors of the presence of recurrence, a positive ctDNA test was an independent predictor (odds ratio, 155.7; 95% CI, 17.9‐1360.6; P < .001), whereas CEA was not (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 0.3‐20.6; P = .407).

Conclusions

The quantitative ctDNA test showed superior sensitivity in comparison with CEA without a difference in the specificity for detecting recurrent CRC. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further assess the utility (specifically the survival benefit) of methylated BCAT1/IKZF1 ctDNA in the surveillance of patients with CRC.
Ownership structure, stakeholder engagement, and corporate social responsibility policies: The moderating effect of board independence
Authors: Zaid Mohammad A. A. , Abuhijleh Sara T. F. , Pucheta‐Martínez María Consuelo
Published: January 2020

This study primarily purposes to empirically examine the impact of stakeholder engagement mechanism in the form of professional shareholders on the corporate social responsibility (hereafter CSR) disclosure and how the previous nexus is shaped and moderated by the level of board independence within a dynamic framework. An agency theory framework is adopted to understand the extent to which professional shareholders, such as government, institutional, and foreign, influence the firm's CSR reporting. To the best of our knowledge, most of the prior studies in the CSR field have not yet provided a profound analysis of the moderating effect of board independence on the relationship between ownership structure and CSR disclosure. Hence, working on this sensitive issue merits our attention and deserves our recognition. Due to endogeneity bias, our reported results vary in their significance level across the three econometric models: pooled ordinary least square, fixed effects, and two‐step system generalized method of moments. The findings unveiled that the effect of government, institutional, and foreign investors on CSR disclosure is more positive under conditions of the high level of board independence. The study sheds new light onto the paradoxical empirical findings of the prior research that has tried to link ownership structure to CSR disclosure directly by analyzing the significant role of independent directors on the aforementioned nexus. Further, this study pays rigorous attention to provide multidimensional insights for responsible parties to support the notion of stakeholder engagement mechanism beyond the current boundaries.
Differentiation during fig ontogeny suggests opposing selection by mutualists
Authors: Lomáscolo Silvia B. , Levey Douglas J.
Published: January 2020

Dioecy allows separation of female and male functions and therefore facilitates separate co‐evolutionary pathways with pollinators and seed dispersers. In monoecious figs, pollinators' offspring develop inside the syconium by consuming some of the seeds. Flower‐stage syconia must attract pollinators, then ripen and attract seed dispersers. In dioecious figs, male (“gall”) figs produce pollen but not viable seeds, as the pollinators' larvae eat all seeds, while female (“seed”) figs produce mostly viable seeds, as pollinators cannot oviposit in the ovules. Hence, gall and seed figs are under selection to attract pollinators, but only seed figs must attract seed dispersers. We test the hypothesis that seed and gall syconia at the flower stage will be similar, while at the fruiting stage they will differ. Likewise, monoecious syconia will be more similar to seed than gall figs because they must attract both pollinators and seed dispersers. We quantified syconium characteristics for 24 dioecious and 11 monoecious fig species and recorded frugivore visits. We show that seed and gall syconia are similar at the flower stage but differ at the fruit stage; monoecious syconia are more similar to seed syconia than they are to gall syconia; seed and gall syconia differentiate through their ontogeny from flower to fruit stages; and frugivores visit more monoecious and seed syconia than gall syconia. We suggest that similarity at the flower stage likely enhances pollination in both seed and gall figs and that differentiation after pollination likely enhances attractiveness to seed dispersers of syconia containing viable seeds. These ontogenetic differences between monoecious and dioecious species provide evidence of divergent responses to selection by pollinators and seed dispersers.
Prognostic impact over time of ischaemic heart disease vs. non‐ischaemic heart disease in heart failure
Authors: Silverdal Jonas , Sjöland Helen , Bollano Entela , Pivodic Aldina , Dahlström Ulf , Fu Michael
Published: January 2020

Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic impact of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in heart failure (HF) and its association to age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and HF duration, and furthermore, to evaluate if the impact of IHD has changed over time, in light of improved therapy.

Methods and results

We studied 30 946 patients with non‐valvular HF, by accessing the Swedish Heart Failure Registry, from years 2000 to 2012. The mortality in 17 778 patients with clinical IHD was compared with 13 168 patients without IHD (non‐IHD). There was a significantly worse outcome in IHD, with the crude mortality of 41.1% and the event rate per 100 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 14.8 (14.4–15.1), compared with 28.2% and 9.7 (9.4–10.0) in non‐IHD. After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) for mortality, IHD vs. non‐IHD, was 1.16 (1.11–1.22; P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed significantly increased mortality in IHD, in all age subgroups, in all subgroups with EF < 50%, in both men and women, and regardless of heart failure duration more or less than 6 months. Analyses for the combination of age and EF showed the highest HR for time to death in the youngest with the lowest EF, HR (95% CI) 2.05 (1.59–2.64) for patients <60 years of age with EF < 30%. Although a numerical reduction of the HR for mortality was seen over time, the risk for mortality in IHD, compared with the non‐IHD group, was greater throughout the study period.

Conclusions

In non‐valvular heart failure, IHD was associated with significantly increased mortality, compared with non‐IHD, in groups of EF below 50%, in all age groups, and regardless of sex or HF duration. The risk increase associated with EF reduction diminished with increasing age. The mortality in IHD, compared with non‐IHD, remained significantly higher throughout the 13 year study period.
Functional mitral regurgitation and left atrial myopathy in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Tamargo Maria , Obokata Masaru , Reddy Yogesh N.V. , Pislaru Sorin V. , Lin Grace , Egbe Alexander C. , Nishimura Rick A. , Borlaug Barry A.
Published: January 2020

Aims

Mild to moderate functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is common in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) where it is usually considered as an innocent bystander. We hypothesized that MR in HFpEF reflects greater left atrial (LA) myopathy, leading to more adverse haemodynamics and poorer exercise reserve.

Methods and results

Patients with HFpEF (n = 280) with and without MR underwent echocardiography, invasive haemodynamic exercise testing, and expired gas analysis. As compared to non‐MR‐HFpEF (n = 163), patients with MR‐HFpEF (n = 117; 78 mild and 39 moderate, central jet in 90%) were older, more likely female, with lower body mass and higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). HFpEF patients with MR displayed greater LA volume, reduced LA strain and compliance, and greater mitral annular dilatation, which was strongly correlated with LA dilatation (r = 0.63, P < 0.0001) but was only weakly related to left ventricular remodelling (r = 0.37). Patients with MR‐HFpEF displayed worse biventricular function, more adverse pulmonary haemodynamics, impaired pulmonary vasodilatation, blunted right ventricular reserve, and reduced cardiac output with exercise as compared to non‐MR‐HFpEF. Importantly, these findings were maintained after excluding patients with HFpEF and AF, suggesting a role for LA myopathy in contributing to MR in HFpEF, independent of rhythm.

Conclusions

Functional MR in patients with HFpEF reflects LA myopathy, even in the absence of AF, and is associated with greater haemodynamic severity of disease and poorer functional capacity. Further study is required to better define causal mechanisms and potential treatments for MR and LA dysfunction in patients with HFpEF.
Tuning the NIR Absorption Properties of 1,3,4,6,9b‐Pentaazaphenalene Derivatives Through the Spatially Separated Frontier Molecular Orbitals
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Ochi Junki , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: January 2020

Strategical modulation of energy levels of molecular electronic orbitals and resulting near‐infrared (NIR) absorption properties of 2,5,7,9‐tetrasubstituted 1,3,4,6,9b‐pentaazaphenalene (5AP) derivatives are reported. Recent reports on NIR‐absorbing materials mainly rely on donor–acceptor electronic interactions or macrocyclic π‐conjugated systems. We achieved the narrow HOMO–LUMO gap based on spatially separated frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of 5APs. The FMOs of 5APs enabled us to selectively tune either their HOMO or LUMO by choosing the position of the substituent.
Experimental studies on sodium methoxide supported bentonite catalyst for biodiesel preparation from waste sunflower oil
Authors: Naik Bukke Devaraj , Meivelu Udayakumar
Published: January 2020

Clays are abundantly available support material used for the preparation of green heterogeneous catalysts to produce biodiesel. In the present study, bentonite clay supported on sodium methoxide catalyst was prepared by impregnation process. The catalyst characterization was done by powder X‐ray diffraction, brunauer–emmett–teller analysis, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and Hammett indicator techniques. The study for determination of optimal parameters in biodiesel production was carried out using response surface methodology. A biodiesel yield of 94.33% was achieved with 2 wt% catalyst amount, 12:1 M ratio of methanol to oil, 70 min reaction time at 55°C. It was observed that the prepared catalyst has good catalytic activity. An additional significance of the synthesized catalyst was that it could be easily recovered and used in consecutive cycles without any substantial loss of catalytic activity. The physical and chemical fuel properties were determined and met the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard.
Anticyanobacterial process and action mechanism of Streptomyces sp. HJC‐D1 on Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Kong Yun , Wang Qing , Chen Yijun , Xu Xiangyang , Zhu Liang , Yao Huaming , Pan Hongzhong
Published: January 2020

Eutrophication of environmental waters and occurrence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms have drawn much attention all over the world. For controlling cyanobacteria overgrowth, biological control methods such as anticyanobacterial process by microorganisms have been recently explored. In this study, a Streptomyces strain named HJC‐D1 is isolated from an eutrophic pond in China, which exhibited anticyanobacterial activity against a representative bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Based on its morphology and 16S rRNA sequence, the isolated strain is identified as Streptomyces sp. Results show that the M. aeruginosa is biodegraded by the isolated strain HJC‐D1, and the Chl a removal efficiency is 53.5 ± 4.3%–62.6 ± 3.3% at the initial Chl a concentration of 0.2713–0.6375 mg L−1. The anticyanobacterial mechanism of Streptomyces sp. on M. aeruginosa is that the growth of cyanobacterial cell is destroyed by the active substances secreted by strain HJC‐D1, and TEM results demonstrate the degradation processes are divided into three steps: cell breakage, organelle release, and cell death. The isolated microorganism may be a potential environment‐friendly strain and provides a possible approach for Microcystis bloom control in lakes and reservoirs.
Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Cobalt to Freshwater Organisms: Using a Species Sensitivity Distribution Approach to Establish International Water Quality Standards
Authors: Stubblefield William A. , Van Genderen Eric , Cardwell Allison S. , Heijerick Dagobert G. , Janssen Colin R. , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C.
Published: January 2020

Water quality standards for cobalt (Co) have not been developed for the European Union or United States. The objective of the present study was to produce freshwater Co toxicity data that could be used by both the European Union and the United States to develop appropriate regulatory standards (i.e., environmental quality standards or predicted-no-effect concentrations in Europe and ambient water quality criteria or state water quality standards in the United States). Eleven species, including algae, an aquatic plant, and several invertebrate and fish species, were used in the performance of acute and chronic Co toxicity tests. Acute median lethal or median effective concentration (LC50 or EC50) values ranged from 90.1 µg Co/L for duckweed (Lemna minor) to 157 000 µg Co/L for midges (Chironomus tentans). Chronic 10% effect concentration (EC10) values ranged from 4.9 µg Co/L for duckweed to 2170 µg Co/L for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Chronic 20% effect concentration (EC20) values ranged from 11.1 µg Co/L for water flea (Ceriodaphnia dubia) to 2495 µg Co/L for O. mykiss. Results indicated that invertebrate and algae/plant species are more sensitive to chronic Co exposures than fish. Acute-to-chronic ratios (derived as acute LC50s divided by chronic EC20s) were lowest for juvenile O. mykiss (0.6) and highest for the snail Lymnaea stagnalis (2670). Following the European-based approach and using EC10 values, species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) were developed and a median hazardous concentration for 5% of the organisms of 1.80 µg Co/L was derived. Chronic EC20 values were used, also in an SSD approach, to derive a US Environmental Protection Agency–style final chronic value of 7.13 µg Co/L. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:799–811. © 2020 SETAC
Amygdala and nucleus accumbens involvement in appetitive extinction
Authors: Kruse Onno , Klein Sanja , Tapia León Isabell , Stark Rudolf , Klucken Tim
Published: January 2020

Extinction of appetitive conditioning is regarded as an important model for the treatment of psychiatric disorders like addiction. However, very few studies have investigated its neural correlates. Therefore, we investigated neural correlates of appetitive extinction in a large human sample including all genders (N = 76, 40 females) to replicate and extend results from a previous study. During differential appetitive conditioning, one stimulus (CS+) was paired with the chance to win a monetary reward, whereas another stimulus (CS−) was not. During appetitive extinction on the next day, neither the CS+ nor the CS− were reinforced. After successful acquisition of appetitive conditioning, the extinction phase elicited significant reductions of valence and arousal ratings toward the CS+ and a significant reduction in skin conductance responses to the CS+ from early to late extinction. On a neural level, early extinction showed significant differential (CS+ − CS−) activation in dACC and hippocampus, whereas involvement of the vACC and caudate nucleus did not replicate. The differential activation of amygdala and nucleus accumbens during late extinction was replicated, with the amygdala displaying significantly higher differential activation during the late phase of extinction as compared to the early phase of extinction. We show discernible signals for reward learning and extinction in subregions of amygdala and nucleus accumbens after extinction learning. This successful replication underlines the role of nucleus accumbens and amygdala in neural models of appetitive extinction in humans that was previously only based on animal findings.
The effect of health insurance on crime: Evidence from the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion
Authors: He Qiwei , Barkowski Scott
Published: January 2020

Little evidence exists on the effect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on criminal behavior, a gap in the literature that this paper seeks to address. Using a simple model, we argue we should anticipate a decrease in time devoted to criminal activities in response to the expansion, because the availability of the ACA Medicaid coverage raises the opportunity cost of crime. This prediction is particularly relevant for the ACA expansion because it primarily affects childless adults, a population likely to contain individuals who engage in criminal behavior. We validate this forecast empirically using a difference‐in‐differences framework, estimating the expansion's effects on panel datasets of state‐ and county‐level crime rates. Our estimates suggest that the ACA Medicaid expansion was negatively associated with burglary, vehicle theft, homicide, robbery, and assault. These crime‐reduction spillover effects represent an important offset to the government's cost burden for the ACA Medicaid expansion.
High resolution, label‐free photoacoustic imaging of live chicken embryo developing in bioengineered eggshell
Authors: Sharma Arunima , Ishak Noreen , Swee‐Hin Teoh , Pramanik Manojit
Published: January 2020

Chicken embryos have been proven to be an attractive vertebrate model for biomedical research. They have helped in making significant contributions for advancements in various fields like developmental biology, cancer research and cardiovascular studies. However, a non‐invasive, label‐free method of imaging live chicken embryo at high resolution still needs to be developed and optimized. In this work, we have shown the potential of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) for imaging live chicken embryos cultured in bioengineered eggshells. Laser pulses at wavelengths of 532 and 740 nm were used for attaining cross‐sectional images of chicken embryos at different developmental stages. Cross‐sections along different depths were imaged to gain knowledge of the relative depth of different vessels and organs. Due to high optical absorption of vasculature and embryonic eye, images with good optical contrast could be acquired using this method. We have thus reported a label‐free method of performing cross‐sectional imaging of chicken embryos at high resolution demonstrating the capacity of PAT as a promising tool for avian embryo imaging.