bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing Quality Assessment Is Fundamental to Guarantee Optimal Nutrition Therapy
Authors: Gomes Mel Mariá Assunção , da Silva Jessica Moreira , Silva Ferreira Álida Rosária , de Vasconcelos Generoso Simone , Correia Maria Isabel Toulson Davisson
Published: May 2019

Introduction

The implementation of quality assessment in nutrition therapy (NT) is an important strategy, with the potential to contribute to the reduction of malnutrition and improve the cost‐effectiveness of NT. Studies on this subject are scarce in the world. Our objective was to evaluate the practice of NT in hospitals located in the third‐most‐developed state of Brazil.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study, using data collected through interviews with members of the clinical staff/interdisciplinary NT team (NTT) and audits of clinical protocols and medical records, was carried out. Both non–probability and probability sampling techniques were used to select the hospitals.

Results

Thirty‐three hospitals were included (10 public, 10 philanthropic, 9 private, and 4 university). Twenty‐six institutions reported to have an NTT. There was no statistically significant difference in the existence and performance of the teams or in the presence of protocols and quality indicators between the types of hospitals. However, the inspection of 172 medical records showed that essential items for the nutrition care of the patient were not fully in agreement with the previous provided information, and this varied according to the type of hospital.

Conclusion

The majority of hospitals had an NTT as well as protocols and quality indicators. However, patient records were not in accordance with the essential items to guarantee NT quality and safety, indicating a gap between theory and practice.
Patient‐reported auditory handicap measures following mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Knoll Renata M. , Herman Seth D. , Lubner Rory J. , Babu Ashwin N. , Wong Kevin , Sethi Rosh K. V. , Chen Jenny X. , Rauch Steven D. , Remenschneider Aaron K. , Jung David H. , Kozin Elliott D.
Published: May 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Few studies have specifically addressed auditory complaints in patients with nonblast mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Herein, we aimed to investigate auditory symptoms in patients following mTBI using patient‐reported outcome measures.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a tertiary‐care hospital.

Methods

The patients included those with mTBI (cases) and those without mTBI (controls). Individuals (≥18 years old) with and without mTBI were screened. Exclusion criteria included history of otologic disorders, blast injury, or occupational noise exposure. Primary outcomes included the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). Secondary outcomes included subjective auditory complaints.

Results

From September 2017 to September 2018, 52 patients with mTBI and 55 controls met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean time between mTBI and survey intake was 70.6 months. The mean age and gender were 51.5 years old and 73% female in the mTBI group, and 46.1 years old and 56.3% female in the control group (P = .112 and P = .105, respectively). Patients with mTBI reported hyperacusis (67.3% of all mTBI patients), hearing loss (61.5%), and tinnitus (61.5%), compared to 8.3%, 12.7%, and 16.4%, respectively, for control subjects (P < .0001). The mean HHIA score in the mTBI group was 38.3 versus 8.5 in controls (P = .002). The mean THI score was 27.4 in the mTBI group and 3.1 in controls (P < .0001). The mean HQ score was 26.5 in mTBI group and 7.3 in controls (P = .001).

Conclusions

Auditory symptoms and associated handicap were common in patients with nonblast mTBI compared to age‐matched controls. Findings have implications for the pathophysiology and management of symptoms in this patient population.

Level of Evidence

3

Laryngoscope, 130:761–767, 2020
A New Strategy to Synthesize α,ω‐Dihydroxy Multiblock Copolymers via [CpRu(CH3CN)3]PF6/Quinaldic Acid Catalyst
Authors: Zhu Xiuzhong , Wang Zichao , Liu Jie , Min Xin , Wang Tong , Fan Xiaodong
Published: May 2019

In this study, a new strategy to synthesize random and alternating multiblock copolymers (MBCs) by the polycondensation of macromonomers’ terminal hydroxyl groups with [CpRu(CH3CN)3]PF6/quinaldic acid as the catalyst is reported, which is often used for the preparation of a variety of biological small molecules via the reaction of allyl ethers. The degrees of hydroxyl functionality (Fn) of the MBCs are assessed by titration, and the presence of hydroxyl on both the ends of MBCs is also confirmed by a chain‐extension experiment of the ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide.
Maternal High‐Sucrose Diet Accelerates Vascular Stiffness in Aged Offspring via Suppressing Cav1.2 and Contractile Phenotype of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Feng Xueqin , Li Xiang , Yang Chunli , Ren Qinggui , Zhang Wenna , Li Na , Zhang Meng , Zhang Bo , Zhang Lubo , Zhou Xiuwen , Xu Zhice
Published: May 2019

Scope

The fetal programming in response to over‐nutrition during pregnancy is involved in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases later in life. The authors’ previous work reported that prenatal high‐sucrose (HS) diet impaired functions of large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (BK) in mesenteric arteries in the adolescent offspring rats. This study determines whether prenatal HS has a long‐term impact on resistance vasculature in the aged offspring rats.

Methods and results

Pregnant rats are fed with a high‐sucrose diet until delivery. Aged offspring from prenatal HS exhibit elevated fasting insulin level, insulin resistance index, and diastolic pressure. Both pressure‐induced myogenic responses and phenylephrine‐stimulated contraction of mesenteric arteries in HS are weakened. Electrophysiological tests and western blot indicate that BK and L‐type calcium channels (Cav1.2) are impaired in HS group. On the other hand, expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 of mesenteric arteries is reduced in HS group while expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase is increased, indicating that extra cellular matrix (ECM) is remodeled. Furthermore, expression of α‐smooth muscle actin is decreased, and insulin/insulin receptor/phosphoinositide3‐kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is downregulated.

Conclusion

The results suggest that prenatal HS induced stiffness of mesenteric arteries in aged offspring by inhibiting Cav1.2 function and PI3K‐associated contractile phenotype of VSMCs.
Metamaterial‐inspired low‐profile high‐gain slot antenna
Authors: Pandit Soumen , Mohan Akhilesh , Ray Priyadip
Published: May 2019

This article presents a novel polarization‐independent metamaterial (MTM) which is used for the design of a low‐profile high‐gain magnetic dipole antenna operating at 9.8 GHz. The MTM is alike star‐shape and shows low impedance property around the frequency 9.8 GHz. The reference antenna, which is the SIW‐based slot antenna acts as a magnetic dipole antenna and it has peak gain of 3 dBi. The metamaterial‐inspired slot antenna has low‐profile, that is, 0.133 λ0 at the frequency 9.8 GHz, and peak gain of 8.24 dBi. At the resonance frequency, more than 5 dB gain improvement is achieved in the proposed design. These results are verified with the fabrication of a prototype antenna and measurements. The cross‐polarized radiation is negligibly altered by this gain enhancement method. The proposed antenna can be used in wireless power transfer and LoS communications.
Characterizing Angler Preferences for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye Fisheries in Wisconsin
Authors: Tingley Ralph W. , Hansen Jonathan F. , Isermann Daniel A. , Fulton David C. , Musch Andrea , Paukert Craig P.
Published: May 2019

Managing recreational fisheries in lake-rich landscapes with diverse fish communities and anglers alike presents a social and biological challenge for managers. Understanding angler preferences is central to navigating these challenges and can aid in predicting shifts in angler behavior in response to management actions or changing fish populations. Species-specific angler surveys do not incorporate tradeoffs inherent in multispecies fisheries, thus limiting their application to real-world management issues. To better understand angler preferences in relation to realistic tradeoffs among different fishing opportunities, we conducted a survey of Wisconsin anglers in 2013–2014 that included questions requiring anglers to choose between fisheries providing different outcomes. We used stated-preference modeling to quantify angler preferences associated with Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, and Walleye Sander vitreus fisheries. Next, we conducted a latent class analysis using survey responses to classify anglers into subgroups. Finally, we assessed the sensitivity of angler choice to changes in fishing opportunities. Results of the stated-preference models indicated that both residents and nonresidents largely prefer “quality” (i.e., moderate catch rate and size structure) over “action” or “trophy” Bluegill fisheries and that characteristics of Largemouth Bass fisheries have more value to nonresidents than to residents. Aspects of the Bluegill fishery were most important in choosing among hypothetical lakes for resident respondents. Five angler subgroups were identified that show the importance of Bluegill and Walleye but shed additional light on anglers’ commitment level and nonresidents’ preference for Largemouth Bass. In addition, simulations of changes in Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill fisheries indicated that maintenance of quality Bluegill fisheries is important to ensuring continued angler participation, while the retention of high-yield Walleye fisheries is likely paramount to a subgroup of anglers. Our results offer insight into angler preferences across the lake-rich landscape of Wisconsin and demonstrate how angler behavior may shift in response to transitions in fishing opportunities.
Sleep Duration and Adiposity in Children and Adults: Observational and Mendelian Randomization Studies
Authors: Wang Jiao , Li Albert M. , Lam Hugh S. Hung San , Leung Gabriel M. , Schooling C. Mary
Published: May 2019

Objective

This study used two complementary designs, an observational and a Mendelian randomization (MR) study, to assess whether sleep duration causes adiposity in children and adults.

Methods

In Hong Kong's “Children of 1997” birth cohort, the adjusted cross‐sectional associations of sleep duration with BMI z score and obesity and overweight were assessed at ~11 years of age. Generalized estimating equations were also used to examine longitudinal associations of sleep duration at ~11 years with annual BMI z score and obesity and overweight at about 11 to 16 years of age. Using MR, this study assessed the association of genetically predicted sleep duration, based on 54 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, applied to genetic studies of adiposity in children (n = 35,668), men (n = 152,893), and women (n = 171,977).

Results

Longer sleep was cross‐sectionally associated with lower BMI z score at ~11 years of age (−0.13 per category, 95% CI: −0.22 to −0.04) and at about 11 to 16 years of age longitudinally in girls (−0.39, 95% CI: −0.66 to −0.13). Using MR, sleep duration was inversely associated with BMI in children (−0.29 SD per hour, 95% CI: −0.54 to −0.04), but was not clearly associated with BMI in adults, particularly for women.

Conclusions

A small beneficial effect of sleep on BMI in children cannot be ruled out.
Identification of critical success factors for public–private partnership projects
Authors: Sehgal Reetika , Dubey Ashish Mohan
Published: May 2019

Public–private partnership (PPP) is one of the popular mechanisms for the development of infrastructure worldwide; governments across the globe are engaged in discovering a range of PPP policies and strategies for growth of infrastructure.

The growth of infrastructure is imperative of the sustainable development of an economy. Therefore, it is pertinent to identify key success factors for the development of infrastructure through PPP model. The current paper aims to explore significant factors for successful execution and completion of PPP projects in infrastructure. A total of 517 employees who had hand‐on experience on PPP projects located in India were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis yielded 14 components as a significant factor for the success of PPP in infrastructure. This study highlights that the development of infrastructure would be rapid through PPP if government considers these factors in the implementation phase.
AYA testis cancer: The unmet challenge
Authors: Stoneham Sara , Murray Matthew , Thomas Benjamin , Williamson Max , Sweeney Christopher , Frazier Lindsay
Published: May 2019

Testis cancer is considered a rare‐incidence cancer but comprises the third most common cancer diagnosed within the adolescent and young adult (AYA) years (15–39 years). Most testis cancer patients can anticipate a survival outcome in excess of 95%. However, there are subgroups of AYA patients where outcomes are considerably worse, including younger adolescents, patients with certain histological subtypes, or from certain ethnic backgrounds. For those cured with chemotherapy, the toxicity of treatment and burden of late effects is significant. Newer germ cell tumor–specific biomarkers may identify patients who do not require further treatment interventions or may detect early recurrence, potentially reducing the burden of treatment required for cure. An international collaboration for this rare tumor is creating the forum for trial design, where these biomarker research questions are embedded. Going forward, AYA testis cancer patients could benefit from having a more personalized treatment plan, tailored to risk, that minimizes the overall burden of late effects.
Interference of bone marrow CD56+ mesenchymal stromal cells in minimal residual disease investigation of neuroblastoma and other CD45−/CD56+ pediatric malignancies using flow cytometry
Authors: Theodorakos Ioannis , Paterakis Georgios , Papadakis Vassilios , Vicha Ales , Topakas Georgios , Jencova Pavla , Karchilaki Eirini , Taparkou Anna , Tsagarakis Nikolaos J. , Polychronopoulou Sophia
Published: May 2019

Background

Bone marrow (BM) samples obtained from minimal residual disease (MRD)‐negative children with B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) were used in our laboratory as negative biological controls for the development of a neuroblastoma (NBL) flow‐cytometric (FC) protocol. The accidental, but systematic, identification of rare cell populations (RCP) mimicking NBL cells (CD45−/CD56+) in these samples indicated the need for their thorough immunophenotypic identification, in order to elucidate their possible interference in NBL‐MRD assessment.

Procedure

RCP observed in BM samples from 14 children recovering from BM aplasia due to intensive chemotherapy for B‐ALL were investigated with the following markers: CD81, CD200, CD24, GD2, CD73, CD13, CD90, CD146, CD9, CD117, CD10, CD99, and NG2. BM samples from six newly diagnosed patients with NBL and an NBL cell line were simultaneously investigated as positive controls.

Results

The frequency of RCP in B‐ALL BM samples was < 1/1 × 104 cells (bulky lysis), and their immunophenotypic profile was indicative of CD56+ mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) (CD45−, CD90+, CD146+, CD73+). Also, RCP expressed CD81 and CD200, simulating NBL cells. The most useful discriminative markers for CD56+ MSCs were CD13 and CD73. An appropriate protocol consisting of two tubes with seven color combinations was further proposed: SYTO‐16, GD2 (first tube) or CD73 (second tube)‐PE, CD24‐ECD, CD13‐PC5.5, CD45‐PC7, CD81‐APC, and CD56‐APC700.

Conclusions

RCP that were immunophenotypically similar to NBL were identified as CD56+ MSCs. As these cells might pose an obstacle to accurate NBL disease assessment by FC, especially MRD, an enhanced NBL‐FC protocol is proposed for prospective evaluation.
Peer attachment and grit in adolescence and emerging adulthood
Authors: Lan Xiaoyu
Published: May 2019

This study examined the moderating role of developmental stage (adolescence vs. emerging adulthood) in the association between peer attachment and two facets of grit in a sample of 964 participants. The results revealed that peer attachment contributes more to consistency of interests in adolescence and to perseverance of effort in emerging adulthood.
Predicting Unbound Phenytoin Concentrations: Effects of Albumin Concentration and Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Montgomery Margaret C. , Chou Jennifer W. , McPharlin Thomas O. , Baird Geoffrey S. , Anderson Gail D.
Published: May 2019

Study Objective

Several methods are available to predict unbound (free) phenytoin concentrations in patients with hypoalbuminemia; however, predictive methods have not been evaluated in patients with concurrent hypoalbuminemia and kidney dysfunction or in patients with mild to moderate (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 30‐90 ml/min/1.73 m2) kidney dysfunction alone. Thus the objective was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of predictive methods to estimate free phenytoin concentrations in patients with varying albumin concentrations and/or kidney dysfunction.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Large academic medical center.

Patients

A total of 344 patients with free and total phenytoin, albumin, and serum creatinine concentrations obtained between November 2012 and May 2017.

Measurements and Main Results

Free phenytoin concentrations were estimated in patients without kidney dysfunction using the Winter‐Tozer, Anderson, Kane, and Cheng equations. For the analysis in patients with eGFR lower than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, free phenytoin concentrations were estimated using the Shiner‐Tozer derivation with adjusted affinity coefficients (C = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30). For both analyses, accuracy of predictive methods was evaluated by P20, the proportion of estimations within 20% of the measured free phenytoin concentration. In 158 patients with normal kidney function/normal albumin concentrations, 73 with normal kidney function/hypoalbuminemia, or 47 with mild kidney dysfunction/normal albumin concentrations, the Anderson method had the highest accuracy (86%, 82%, and 92%, respectively) and highest precision compared with the other methods. In 47 patients with normal albumin concentrations and mild kidney dysfunction or 13 with moderate kidney dysfunction, the free fraction was unchanged, and total phenytoin concentrations accurately reflected free concentrations. In 17 patients with hypoalbuminemia and mild or 17 with moderate kidney dysfunction, the Winter‐Tozer (67% and 50%, respectively) and the Anderson (56% and 67%, respectively) methods had the highest accuracy compared with other methods with significantly lower accuracy compared with patients with normal kidney function. In the 14 patients with severe kidney dysfunction and hypoalbuminemia, none of the coefficients had a P20 accuracy greater than 45%.

Conclusion

In patients with normal albumin concentrations, with or without mild or moderate kidney dysfunction and not receiving a protein‐binding displacer, the free fraction of phenytoin is unchanged, and it is not necessary to measure a free phenytoin concentration. Free phenytoin concentrations should be measured directly in patients with hypoalbuminemia and kidney dysfunction.
Effect of neighboring groups on the pH responsive adsorption/desorption behaviors of carboxylate functionalized hollow polymer particles
Authors: Luo Tianjing , Liang Hao , Chen Dong , Ma Yuhong , Yang Wantai
Published: May 2019

In this article, a serial of bi‐functionalized hollow polymer particles (BF‐HPPs), containing both carboxylate and different amide/amine groups [HPP‐NH2, HPP‐ethylenediamine (EDA), and HPP‐diethylenetriamine (DETA)], were specially designed and synthesized to investigate the effect of neighboring amino groups on their adsorption/desorption behavior. Due to the high density of carboxylate groups, these BF‐HPPs can serve as efficient adsorbents for selective removal of positively charged methylene blue (b‐MB). With increasing chain length of the neighboring amino groups, the maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) at pH 7 decrease dramatically from 606.1 mg g−1 for HPP‐NH2, to 404.9 mg g−1 for HPP‐EDA, and 332.2 mg g−1 for HPP‐DETA, due to increasing steric hindrance. Significantly, the equilibrium adsorption can be achieved within 15 min for HPP‐EDA and HPP‐DETA, while it takes more than 720 min for HPP‐NH2. Moreover, the qmax of HPP‐DETA exhibits remarkable pH‐sensitive property, which decreases sharply to 32.7 mg g−1 at pH 3 due to strong electrostatic repulsion between positively charged ammonium groups and b‐MB molecules. Accordingly, the desorption efficiency of HPP‐DETA reached up to 94% after one desorption step, which is much higher than that of HPP‐EDA (78%) and HPP‐NH2 (60%). The absorbed b‐MB can be facilely desorbed and the adsorption capacity of the regenerated HPP‐DETA keeps above 95% after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1404–1413
Silyl glyoxylates as high‐performance photoinitiators for cationic and hybrid polymerizations: Towards better polymer mechanical properties
Authors: Kirschner Julie , Bouzrati‐Zerelli Mariem , Fouassier Jean Pierre , Becht Jean‐Michel , Klee Joachim E. , Lalevée Jacques
Published: May 2019

Silyl glyoxylates are proposed here as high‐performance photoinitiators (PIs) for the hybrid polymerization of cationic and radical monomers. Recently, silyl glyoxylates were reported as a new class of high‐performance Type I photoinitiators for free radical polymerization under air upon exposure to different near‐UV and blue LEDs. In this article, we report this new class of photoinitiators to initiate cationic polymerization in combination with an iodonium salt. This system can also be used to initiate simultaneously free radical and cationic polymerizations, for example, for the free radical/cationic hybrid polymerization and for the synthesis of interpenetrating polymer networks. The system silyl glyoxylate/iodonium exhibits excellent polymerization performances and exceptional bleaching properties compared to other well established photoinitiators (e.g., camphorquinone). Furthermore, a hybrid monomer is also introduced in this article (2‐vinyloxyethoxyethyl methacrylate [VEEM]) leading to a huge improvement of the mechanical properties of the final polymer through hybrid polymerization. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1420–1429
Ignition Delays of Mixtures of the Non‐Hypergolic Energetic Ionic Liquid Hydroxyethylhydrazinium Nitrate Blended with Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine
Authors: Swami Umakant , Senapathi Krishnamachary , Srinivasulu Krishna Mohan , Desingu Jayaraman , Chowdhury Arindrajit
Published: May 2019

The study deals with the investigation of energetic ionic liquids capable of serving as both monopropellants and bipropellants on a single mission. Various blends of the monopropellant hydroxyethylhydrazinium nitrate (HEHN), which was found to be non‐hypergolic with red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) and white fuming nitric acid (WFNA) under ambient conditions, were formulated with known hypergols to impart hypergolicity and to reduce the viscosity and surface tension of pure HEHN. Considering the miscibility and the ignition delays of the chosen hypergols, unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) was chosen as the candidate for combustion characterization through measurement of ignition delays. UDMH‐HEHN blends containing a minimum of 30 % and 40 % UDMH by weight were found to be hypergolic with RFNA and WFNA, respectively. Meticulous experiments were conducted to measure the ignition delays in a drop test setup, equipped sequentially with a high‐speed camera, which was primarily utilized to observe the physico‐chemical events governing ignition, as well as an optoelectronic diagnostic setup, which was utilized to segregate the physical and chemical ignition delays. Standard hypergolic propellants were chosen to compare the veracity of the data from the optoelectronic diagnostics setup with those obtained using a high‐speed camera. The hypergolic blend containing 60 % UDMH was found to be the best candidate, owing to its low ignition delay of 5.8 ms with RFNA, 80 % lower vapor pressure compared to UDMH, and 30 g‐s/cm3 higher predicted vacuum density specific impulse than UDMH with IRFNA.
Self‐Powered X‐Ray Detector Based on All‐Inorganic Perovskite Thick Film with High Sensitivity Under Low Dose Rate
Authors: Gou Zongyan , Huanglong Sibo , Ke Wenjun , Sun Hui , Tian Haibo , Gao Xiuying , Zhu Xinghua , Yang Dingyu , Wangyang Peihua
Published: May 2019

Hybrid perovskite materials have been one of the brightest spotlights in the radiation detection research fields due to their higher carrier mobility and lower trap state density in recent years. In this paper, the CsPbBr3 microcrystal thick film is successfully prepared using a low‐cost facile solution synthesis method. The properties of samples are characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV‐vis DRS). In addition, X‐ray detectors based on the CsPbBr3 microcrystal thick film are fabricated and the photoelectric properties of the detectors are further improved through the multiple‐times dissolution–recrystallization method. An improved sensitivity of 470 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 is obtained for X‐ray photodetector based on recrystallized CsPbBr3 microcrystal thick film at zero bias under a remarkably low dose rate (0.053 µGyair s−1). This sensitivity is over 20 times higher than that of α‐Se X‐ray detectors working at a much higher field of 10 V µm−1. The current investigation can provide an efficient low‐cost and facile method to fabricate self‐powered X‐ray detectors based on CsPbBr3 microcrystal thick film that work normally at low radiation dose rate.
Acacetin‐induced cell apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells: Evidence for the role of muscarinic M3 receptor
Authors: Sun Fenglin , Li Duo , Wang Cong , Peng Caixia , Zheng Hong , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: May 2019

Aacacetin, a plant flavone has shown antitumor efficacy recently. However, its associated mechanisms are poorly known. We hypothesized that the muscarinic M3 receptor (M3R), which is highly expressed in some cancer tissue, is related to the antitumor effect of acacetin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. Our results showed that 12.5‐ to 200‐μM acacetin inhibited cell viability in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners in HNSCC cells, but a relative higher concentration was needed for oral adenoid cystic carcinoma cells. M3R expression level was higher in HNSCC cells than that in adenoid cystic carcinoma cells. Flow cytometry and electron microscopy confirmed acacetin‐induced cell apoptosis in 22B cells, a HNSCC cell line. Acacetin promoted mitochondrial cytochromecrelease and caspase 9, 3 processing. Knocking down of M3R expression by specific siRNA significantly prevented the acacetin‐induced cell viability damage, cell apoptosis, and caspase 3 activation. Besides, M3R was also involved in acacetin‐induced elevation of reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). These data indicate that acacetin‐induced cell apoptosis in HNSCC cells may through M3R related calcium signaling and caspase 3 activation. Acacetin is a potent natural antitumor reagent especially for the tumor cells, which highly expressed M3R.
The SPRT control chart for process dispersion
Authors: Godase Dadasaheb G. , Mahadik Shashibhushan B.
Published: May 2019

This paper investigates the statistical performance of a sequential probability ratio test control chart for monitoring the dispersion of a normally distributed process. The expressions for statistical performance measures of the chart are derived using a Markov chain approach. It is shown through numerical comparisons that the overall statistical performance of this chart is superior to that of the existing competitor charts for dispersion. An example illustrating an application of the chart in practice is provided.
The complementarity of strategic orientations: A meta‐analytic synthesis and theory extension
Authors: Schweiger Simone A. , Stettler Tatiana R. , Baldauf Artur , Zamudio César
Published: May 2019

Research Summary

A firm's strategic orientation has long been of interest in management and strategy research. In particular, entrepreneurial, market, and learning orientations have received thorough theoretical and empirical research attention. In this meta‐analysis, we compare the direct and combined performance effects of these orientations, explore their interrelatedness, and provide a theoretical foundation for complementarity between the three. Building on prior empirical findings from 210 samples and using structural equation modeling and seemingly unrelated regression techniques, we extend the knowledge base on strategic orientations. Our results provide evidence for interrelatedness and complementarity among strategic orientations, indicating that superior firm performance emerges from its capability to align entrepreneurial, market, and learning orientations.

Managerial Summary

Managers might be tempted to divide rather than combine their attention on various aspects of strategy, such as entrepreneurial, market, and learning orientations. Similarly, organizational culture might inhibit or promote collaboration between distinct organizational functions. We synthesize a vast body of research on firm‐level strategy making and reveal that while each strategic orientation is beneficial on its own, together, the three strategic orientations create synergies that surpass the effects of individual strategic orientations. Therefore, to achieve superior performance, firms need to align their strategy making efforts to (a) monitoring changes in customer needs and competitor moves, (b) engaging in creative processes, and (c) assimilating the extensive knowledge gained from these activities.
Surface Modified MXene‐Based Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Yu Hong , Wang Yonghui , Jing Yao , Ma Jianmin , Du Cheng‐Feng , Yan Qingyu
Published: May 2019

In recent years, the rapidly growing attention on MXenes makes the material a rising star in the 2D materials family. Although most researchers' interests are still focused on the properties of bare MXenes, little attention has been paid to the surface chemistry of MXenes and MXene‐based nanocomposites. To this end, this Review offers a comprehensive discussion on surface modified MXene‐based nanocomposites for energy conversion and storage (ECS) applications. Based on the structure and reaction mechanism, the related synthesis methods toward MXenes are briefly summarized. After the discussion of existing surface modification techniques, the surface modified MXene‐based nanocomposites and their inherent chemical principles are presented. Finally, the application of these surface modified nanocomposites for supercapacitors (SCs), lithium/sodium–ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs), and electrocatalytic water splitting is discussed. The challenges and prospects of MXene‐based nanocomposites for future ECS applications are also presented.
Systems, transfer, and fields: Evaluating a new approach to energy instruction
Authors: Fortus David , Kubsch Marcus , Bielik Tom , Krajcik Joseph , Lehavi Yaron , Neumann Knut , Nordine Jeffrey , Opitz Sebastian , Touitou Israel
Published: May 2019

Energy is a central concept in science in every discipline and also an essential player in many of the issues facing people everywhere on the globe. However, studies have shown that by the end of K‐12 schooling, most students do not reach the level of understanding required to be able to use energy to make sense of a wide range of phenomena. Many researchers have questioned whether the conceptual foundations of traditional approaches to energy instruction may be responsible for students' difficulties. In response to these concerns, we developed and tested a novel approach to middle school physical science energy instruction that was informed by the recommendations of the Framework for K‐12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012a) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) (NGSS Lead States, 2013). This new approach differs substantially from more traditional approaches to energy instruction in that it does not require energy forms and it emphasizes connections between energy, systems, and fields that mediate interaction‐at‐a‐distance. We investigated student learning during this novel approach and contrasted it with student learning within a comparable unit based on a more traditional approach to energy instruction. Our findings indicate that students who learned in the new approach outperformed students who learned in the traditional approach in every quantitative and qualitative aspect considered in this study, irrespective of their prior knowledge of energy. They developed more parsimonious knowledge networks in relation to energy that focused primarily around the concept of energy transfer. This study warrants further investigation into the value of this new approach to energy instruction in both middle and high school.
Pheretima aspergillum extract attenuates high‐KCl‐induced mitochondrial injury and pro‐fibrotic events in cardiomyoblast cells
Authors: Huang Pei‐Chen , Shibu Marthandam Asokan , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Han Chien‐Kuo , Chen Yueh‐Sheng , Lo Feng‐Yueh , Li Heng , Viswanadha Vijaya Padma , Lai Chao‐Hung , Li Xudong , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: May 2019

Hyperkalemia is often associated with cardiac dysfunction. In this study an earthworm extract (dilong) was prepared from dried Pheretima aspergillum powder and its effect against high‐KCl challenge was determined in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. H9c2 cells pre‐treated with dilong (31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/mL) for 24 hours, where challenged with different doses of KCl treatment for 3 hours to determine the protective mechanisms of dilong against cardiac fibrosis. High‐KCl administration induced mitochondrial injury and elevated the levels of pro‐apoptotic proteins. The mediators of fibrosis such as ERK, uPA, SP1, and CTGF were also found to be upregulated in high‐KCl condition. However, dilong treatment enhanced IGF1R/PI3k/Akt activation which is associated with cell survival. In addition, dilong also reversed high‐KCl induced cardiac fibrosis related events in H9c2 cells and displayed a strong cardio‐protective effect. Therefore, dilong is a potential agent to overcome cardiac events associated with high‐KCl toxicity.
Connecting Student Employment and Leadership Development
Authors: Peck Adam , Callahan Kathleen
Published: May 2019

This chapter will provide an understanding of the concepts of leadership development and student employment used in the volume. Current data and research is explained to establish the need for dialogue and support of leadership development through student employment on and off campus.
The Complex Identities of Latvians Abroad: What Shapes a Migrant’s Sense of Belonging?
Authors: Koroļeva Ilze
Published: May 2019

Building on the data from The Emigrant Communities of Latvia survey, this chapter aims to reveal and describe the complex nature of the sense of geographic and social belonging of those who became emigrants. It will explore the factors affecting the maintenance of their identity and consider transformation processes among migrants. The starting point of this chapter is the assumption that the ‘sense of belonging’ is affected by a variety of different objective and subjective factors, and that identity is multi-faceted. Instead of facing a trade-off between feeling close to the home country or host country, or developing a supranational identity, different combinations of types of a ‘sense of belonging’ can be distinguished among Latvian migrants. Using cluster analysis, the author distinguishes four separate groups of emigrants based on their attitudes and self-identification. Among the findings is that most respondents feel closer to Latvia than their host country. However, people who left Latvia during the years of the Great Recession and its aftermath, and who left for economic reasons, are the most alienated from their home country. Among the factors important in shaping this sense of belonging are subjective life satisfaction and having friends and family back at home.
Latvian Migrants in Great Britain: ‘The Great Departure’, Transnational Identity and Long Distance Belonging
Authors: Kaprāns Mārtiņš
Published: May 2019

This chapter explores the transnational aspects of identity and the long distance belonging of Latvian migrants in Great Britain. In particular, it focuses on the discourses and practices of long distance belonging to Latvia. The article is based on a comparative analysis of The Emigrant Communities of Latvia survey data as well as semi-structured interviews with Latvian migrants in Great Britain. The analytical sections are organised so as to discuss the three main analytical contexts of long distance belonging: ethno-cultural, political and social. In the ethno-cultural context, migrants who identify themselves as ethnic Latvians rediscover and strengthen their links to the Latvian cultural space, its traditions and its ways of collective self-understanding. Conversely, the absence of this cultural capital among Russian-speaking migrants from Latvia advances their faster assimilation into British society. The political context of long distance belonging reveals high levels of distrust of the Latvian government and the migrants’ overall disappointment with Latvia’s political elite, as well as political apathy. Nevertheless, Latvian migrants in the United Kingdom are discovering new motivation and fresh opportunities to influence the political reality in Latvia and that has increased participation in Latvian national elections. The social context of long distance belonging, in turn, enables new forms of allegiance towards Latvia. These are manifested in philanthropic initiatives, in participation in various interest groups and in regular interest in what is happening in Latvia. The social context does not put the migrants’ activities into ethno-cultural or political frameworks, but encourages moral responsibility towards the people of Latvia.
Growing Up to Belong Transnationally: Parent Perceptions on Identity Formation Among Latvian Emigrant Children in England
Authors: Kamerāde Daiga , Skubiņa Ieva
Published: May 2019

As a result of the wide availability of social media, cheap flights and free intra-EU movement it has become considerably easier to maintain links with the country of origin than it was only a generation ago. Therefore, the language and identity formation among children of recent migrants might be significantly different from the experiences of children of the previous generations. The aim of this paper is to examine the perceptions of parents on the formation of national and transnational identity among the ‘1.5 generation migrant children’ – the children born in Latvia but growing up in England and the factors affecting them. In particular, this article seeks to understand whether 1.5 generation migrant children from Latvia construct strong transnational identities by maintaining equally strong ties with their country of origin and mother tongue and, at the same time, intensively creating networks, learning and using the language of the new home country. The results of 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews with the parents of these children reveal that the 1.5 generation Latvian migrants are on a path of becoming English-dominant bilinguals. So far there is little evidence of the development of a strong transnational identity among 1.5 generation migrant children from Latvia. Instead, this study observed a tendency towards an active integration and assimilation into the new host country facilitated by their parents or occurring despite their parents’ efforts to maintain ties with Latvia. These findings suggest that rather than the national identity of the country of origin being supplemented with a new additional national identity – that of the country of settlement – the identity of the country of origin becomes dominated by it instead.
Manoeuvring in Between: Mapping Out the Transnational Identity of Russian-Speaking Latvians in Sweden and Great Britain
Authors: Jurkane-Hobein Iveta , Kļave Evija
Published: May 2019

The proportion of the Russian-speaking population in Latvia increased dramatically during the Soviet period from 12% in 1935 to 42% in 1990 due to organised labour migration within the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, especially since the end of the 1990s, many Russian-speaking Latvians have migrated to Western countries. Very little is known about the national identities of these Russian-speaking Latvians. By analysing 30 life histories of Russian-speaking migrants from Latvia in Sweden and Great Britain, this study aims to analyse the transnational identities of Russian-speaking Latvians abroad. The analysis shows that the migrants’ own migration patterns in addition to the migration history of their families create interlinked and sometimes conflicting layers of transnational identity. Drawing on the interviews, three main processes in the identity formation were distinguished: aspiring to a Latvian identity, claiming an unrecognised Russian-speaking Latvian identity and developing transnational ‘non-belonging’.
Cultural and Media Identity Among Latvian Migrants in Germany
Authors: Sūna Laura
Published: May 2019

This chapter explores how transnational media and culture impacts on the identity formation of recent Latvian migrants in Germany. In the context of the EU, Germany opened its labour market to the new EU countries rather late, when compared to other ‘old’ EU countries. This has had an effect on the composition of the group of Latvian migrants going to Germany, and their identities. In the light of this, this chapter examines how Latvian migrants in Germany feel and experience their belonging to Latvia and its culture. It analyses the social and communicative practices crucial for the development of belonging, including the rootedness in the country where they live and the cultural references that are important for them. The evidence for the analysis in this chapter comes from in-depth interviews, open media diaries and network maps of Latvian migrants in Germany. The chapter situates the description of evidence in the framework of cultural identity concepts and discusses the role of culture and media in the process of building migrant identity. The chapter argues that culture is shaping the transnational self-perception of Latvian migrants in Germany – as it provides collective narratives of imagined common frames of references, and confirms feelings of belonging and distinction.
Reducible contributions to quantum electrodynamics in external fields
Authors: Ahmadiniaz Naser , Edwards James P. , Ilderton Anton
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We consider one-particle reducible (1PR) contributions to QED and scalar QED processes in external fields, at one-loop and two-loop order. We investigate three cases in detail: constant crossed fields, constant magnetic fields, and plane waves. We find that 1PR tadpole contributions in plane waves and constant crossed fields are non-zero, but contribute only divergences to be renormalised away. In constant magnetic fields, on the other hand, tadpole contributions give physical corrections to processes at one loop and beyond. Our calculations are exact in the external fields and we give strong and weak field expansions in the magnetic case.
Enhancement of C-phycocyanin productivity by Arthrospira platensis when growing on palm oil mill effluent in a two-stage semi-continuous cultivation mode
Authors: Nur M. M. Azimatun , Garcia G. M. , Boelen P. , Buma A. G. J.
Published: May 2019

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is well known as agricultural wastewater that has a high potential as a medium for microalgal growth due to its high macro- and micronutrient content. The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis is considered as a species with a high C-phycocyanin (C-PC) content which is important for fine chemical and pharmaceutical applications. However, cultivation of A. platensis on POME to produce economically feasible amounts of C-PC has not been well explored. For this, environmental, nutritional, and cultivation modes (batch, semi-continuous) were varied to optimize C-PC productivity when cultivated at various POME concentrations. Arthrospira platensis was found to grow well on POME. Highest biomass and C-PC concentrations were found on 30–100% POME. Central composite rotatable design (CCRD) response surface methodology demonstrated that C-PC productivity was influenced by urea addition at the optimum salinity. The highest C-PC productivity was found on 100% POME during semi-continuous cultivation, while the addition of phosphorus and urea did not significantly improve C-PC productivity. By applying semi-continuous cultivation with 50% POME at the first stage and 100% POME at the second stage, a similarly high C-PC productivity (4.08 ± 1.3 mg L−1 day−1) was achieved as compared with (artificial) Zarrouk medium during batch cultivation. We conclude that, when using a two-stage semi-continuous cultivation process, A. platensis can produce economically feasible amounts of C-PC when cultivated on 100% POME.
The Effects of E-Commerce on Franchising: Practical Implications and Models
Authors: Kremez Zhanna , Frazer Lorelle , Thaichon Park
Published: May 2019

This study investigates the current state of e-commerce in franchising and how this area is affecting franchisee-franchisor relationships. Its main purpose is to investigate and identify viable e-commerce strategies that franchise networks can successfully implement and maintain. The data were gathered through a two-stage process that involved (1) semi-structured interviews with franchisors and (2) a moderated industry forum, where franchisors and industry experts openly discussed their strategies and concerns with respect to e-commerce. This was implemented through three-level coding using NVivo software. The first theme identified was the participation of franchisees in developing and executing the e-commerce strategy, the second was a broad theme around franchisee opinions and fears, and the third involved introducing and implementing an e-commerce strategy within an existing franchising model. Finally, an overarching model was created where all key concepts are interrelated and avenues for further research are explored.