bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low vision rehabilitation over the course of a year: The experiences and feelings of elderly people with visual impairments
Authors: Siira Heidi J. , Falck Aura A.K. , Kyngäs Helvi A.
Published: April 2019

Background/Objective: Low vision rehabilitation (LVR) services aim to help people of all ages with visual impairment (VI) to maintain and improve their quality of life and well-being. However, knowledge about elderly people’s subjective experiences of the usefulness as well as their expectations of LVR is very limited. The aim of this study was therefore to produce new knowledge that can be utilized in the development and improvement of LVR processes and services in order to better support well-being and quality of life, and encourage the ‘active aging’ of elderly people with VI.Methods: Qualitative research methods were used. The data was collected from elderly people with VI (n = 35) by unstructured telephone interviews one year after the onset of individual LVR. The data was analyzed by inductive content analysis.Results: Numerous and varied expectations were expressed for LVR, showing mainly hopes for vision improvement and the need for services and support. The impact of medical care on vision outcome was mentioned in relation to the perceived benefits of LVR. LVR was generally considered useful in terms of overall well-being and quality of life, the main practical benefits being the provision of different visual aids and assistive devices.Conclusions: The results proved the concept, process and multi-sided nature of LVR to be incompletely perceived by the participants in the study. In light of this, we argue that there is a need for improved communication between people with VI and medical staff when discussing the nature and the realistic possibilities of LVR; care should be taken to distinguish it from medical care. The benefits of LVR in enabling independence in daily tasks were commonly recognized, however.
Practice of College English Teaching Reform Based on Online Open Course
Authors: Kong Shan
Published: April 2019

Online open course has a significant impact on college English teaching, which brings about huge changes in college English teaching concepts, teaching modes, and teaching evaluations. This paper introduces and discusses the construction and application of college English online open course in a vocational college in China. And it also points out the clear goals of college English online open course in the future.
Lithuania’s foreign policy in the public policy cycle: efficient evaluation is still missing
Authors: Česnakas Giedrius , Jakštaitė Gerda
Published: April 2019

The Activity Report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania for 2017 declares that Lithuania’s foreign policy is effective and claims that public opinion is the most important criteria for measuring its effectiveness. The article analyses Lithuania’s foreign public policy cycle, with the focus on its formation and evaluation peculiarities. It argues that the cycle of Lithuanian foreign public policy is stagnating since its evaluation stage lacks efficiency and misses critical evaluations. The lack of strategic documents does not allow defining core foreign policy goals and in this matter to evaluate their achievement. The ambiguous goals in lower level documents prevent critical evaluation because of political interests. Lithuanian foreign policy is the outcome of close cooperation between President’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs which limits criticism between institutions. The Seimas provides greater criticism only when initiative is showed by the opposition. Foreign policy remains the sphere of responsibility of the political elite which has broad consensus and has differences in their views on a tactical level. Media and experts, for the most part, avoid critical evaluations of foreign policy as they want to remain in the dominating discourse and keep close contacts with state institutions. The current evaluation environment and tools are not sufficient to make changes at the agenda-setting stage of foreign policy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ppaa.18.1.23125
Design, Characterization and Geospatial Analysis of Physical and Socio-economic Indicators of Anthropogenic Pressures on Protected Areas in Africa
Authors: Ntiranyibagira Elysée , Naramabuye Francois Xavier , Uwilingiyimana Thacienne , Muhirwa Fabien , Kibogo Andrew , Umuziranenge Gloriose , Kayumba Isaac , Nsengumuremyi Concorde
Published: April 2019

In Africa, the important agro-pastoral activity and poverty in rural areas lead to strong anthropogenic pressures on protected areas and to their quick degradation. Therefore the efficient conservation and sustainable exploitation of protected areas require adaptive and dynamic management that integrates peripheral interactions with regard to their changing spatial and temporal dimensions. They call for the deployment of appropriate management indicators capable of translating all the issues raised into concrete and practical terms. To this end, a new conceptual and analytical approach to assess pressure indicators is needed to take into account the spatio-temporal oscillation or mobility of the area of ​​socio-economic dependence that must henceforth provide the basis for sustainable management in the context of adaptation to climate change. The study responds to this concern through rigorous conceptualization, characterization and validation of original peripheral pressure indicators focused on a global and dynamic socio-economic framework. The method used consisted of an interpretative analysis of theoretical bibliographic data, measurements and field observations using GPS, ArcGIS 10.1 and Envi 4.5 and semi-structured interviews for the characterization of defined pressure indicators and their field validation. The five pressure indicators designed and applied on the basis of the criteria of direct dependence on protected areas are the coefficient of asymmetry (Kc), the periphery (Ψ), the dependent population (Dπ), the distance-access time (DAT) and the field daily working time (FDWT). The approach and pressure indicators were successfully applied to the Rusizi National Park (Burundi) for the period 1984-2015. The results showed that the park has a coefficient of asymmetry of 2.64 which represents a three times higher level than its circular equivalent, a periphery of 13.23 km radius composed of 35 localities characterized by distance-access times comprise between 0 to 2 h 30 and field daily working times ranging from 7 to 11 hours. They revealed that nearly 70% of peripheral populations are concentrated within 6 km from the boundaries and have distance-access times of less than one hour. The peripheral dependence on Rusizi Park reaches 100% for woody resources, 97% for livestock products, 88% for agricultural resources and 83% for animal protein products. The modeling of potential pressures and               field observations showed that peripheral localities are the more threatening that they are         more dependent, more populated and closer to the park. As a consequence, the important anthropogenic pressures led to a very significant degradation of the park during the study     period.
Neurofilament as a potential biomarker for spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Darras Basil T. , Crawford Thomas O. , Finkel Richard S. , Mercuri Eugenio , De Vivo Darryl C. , Oskoui Maryam , Tizzano Eduardo F. , Ryan Monique M. , Muntoni Francesco , Zhao Guolin , Staropoli John , McCampbell Alexander , Petrillo Marco , Stebbins Christopher , Fradette Stephanie , Farwell Wildon , Sumner Charlotte J.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate plasma phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNF‐H) as a biomarker in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Methods

Levels of pNF‐H were measured using the ProteinSimple® platform in plasma samples from infants with SMA enrolled in ENDEAR (NCT02193074) and infants/children without neurological disease.

Results

Median pNF‐H plasma level was 167.0 pg/mL (7.46–7,030; n = 34) in children without SMA (aged 7 weeks–18 years) and was higher in those aged < 1 versus 1–18 years (P = 0.0002). In ENDEAR participants with infantile‐onset SMA, median baseline pNF‐H level (15,400 pg/mL; 2390–50,100; n = 117) was ~10‐fold higher than that of age‐matched infants without SMA (P < 0.0001) and ~90‐fold higher than children without SMA (P < 0.0001). Higher pretreatment pNF‐H levels in infants with SMA were associated with younger age at symptom onset, diagnosis, and first dose; lower baseline Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders score; and lower peroneal compound muscle potential amplitude. Nusinersen treatment was associated with a rapid and greater decline in pNF‐H levels: nusinersen‐treated infants experienced a steep 71.9% decline at 2 months to 90.1% decline at 10 months; sham control–treated infants declined steadily by 16.2% at 2 months and 60.3% at 10 months.

Interpretation

Plasma pNF‐H levels are elevated in infants with SMA. Levels inversely correlate with age at first dose and several markers of disease severity. Nusinersen treatment is associated with a significant decline in pNF‐H levels followed by relative stabilization. Together these data suggest plasma pNF‐H is a promising marker of disease activity/treatment response in infants with SMA.
Long‐Term Heat Treatment of Phase Separating Sodium Borosilicate Glass
Authors: Sander Stephan A. H. , Weiss Michael , Denecke Reinhard , Enke Dirk , Roggendorf Hans
Published: April 2019

The kinetics of spinodal decomposition of glasses with a composition of (in mol%) 8 Na2O, 26 B2O3, and 66 SiO2, are investigated as a function of time (up to 64 d) and temperature (between 630 and 750 °C) of heat after leaching in diluted HCl and NaOH solution to generate porosity. The glasses as well as porous materials are analyzed by dilatometry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, nitrogen sorption, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, helium pycnometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The development of microstructure parameters like pore sizes are evaluated to characterize the kinetics of microstructure formation. Two different growth stages are identified via their size growth kinetics and the analysis of the obtained microstructures. In both stages the pore sizes follow size time laws dp ∝ tβ with an exponent β of 0.33 or 0.5. Both processes are running parallel in the second stage. This lead to the conclusion that the dominating mechanism of microstructure formation in the first identified stage is Ostwald ripening. This process is followed by a new stage which is concluded to be diffusion limited with a calculated activation energy of 220 ± 10 kJ mol−1. The observed size time laws do not limit the pore sizes.
Surface Charge‐Reversible Tubular Micromotors for Extraction of Nucleic Acids in Microsystems
Authors: Luo Ming , Jiang Yuzhou , Su Jingbei , Deng Zhuoyi , Mou Fangzhi , Xu Leilei , Guan Jianguo
Published: April 2019

Extraction of nucleic acids in microsystems is of significance for biomedical applications, but the current extraction methods generally require sophisticated microchannels and external equipment, hindering their practical applications. In this work, we have demonstrated a simple, versatile and efficient approach to extract nucleic acids in microsystems by developing cationic branched polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐functionalized tubular micromotors. The as‐developed tubular micromotors are fabricated by a two‐step process combining the template‐assisted electrodeposition and carbodiimide chemistry, and contain an inner catalytic Pt layer, a middle magnetic Ni layer and an outer cationic PEI layer. They exhibit autonomous bubble‐propelled motion in aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions, which can be guided by an external magnetic field, and the surface charges can be reversibly modulated by changing the pH value of the solution. Consequently, the as‐developed tubular micromotors can selectively absorb nucleic acids from acidic solutions and desorb them into alkaline solutions, leading to the extraction of nucleic acids with high efficiency without external stirring. Furthermore, they can be operated in a microchannel chip without the aid of a pumping system. Our results indicate that this PEI‐functionalized tubular micromotor platform provides a novel, simple and versatile microsystem nucleic acid extraction technology, holding considerable promise for important practical applications.
Ruthenium(II)‐Chitosan, an Enantioselective Catalyst for the Transfer Hydrogenation of N‐Heterocyclic Ketones
Authors: Kolcsár Vanessza Judit , Fülöp Ferenc , Szőllősi György
Published: April 2019

The present study aimed at extending the applicability of a recently developed stereoselective catalytic system to the preparation of optically enriched N‐heterocyclic alcohols. Chiral ruthenium catalyst formed in situ using the chitosan biopolymer as ligand, which provided good results in the transfer hydrogenation of heterobicyclic compounds, such as 4‐chromanone and 4‐thiochromanone, was used in reactions of various N‐containing prochiral ketones. High enantioselectivities were reached in transfer hydrogenations of bicyclic compounds bearing nitrogen either in aromatic or cycloaliphatic moieties, provided that the amino group was protected or shielded by a nearby substituent. Results were rationalized by interactions of the nitrogen with the metal and/or ligand. N‐containing bicyclic compounds having heteroatoms in both rings were also prepared and tested. The detrimental effect of the pyridyl moiety was compensated by the beneficial influence of the heteroatom in the cycloaliphatic ring, as indicated by high rates and good enantioselectivities obtained in reactions of these compounds. Preparation of several N‐heterocyclic alcohols, in good yields and high optical purities was achieved using Ru(II)‐chitosan complex.
Development of laser‐based remote sensing technique for detecting defects of concrete lining
Authors: Shimada Yoshinori , Kotyaev Oleg , Kurahashi Shinri , Yasuda Naotoshi , Misaki Norikazu , Takayama Yoshihisa , Soga Toshitaka
Published: April 2019

Laser‐based remote sensing system (LRSS) for detecting defects of concrete lining has been developed. This system can move a central passage in Shin‐kansen tunnel and detected the concrete defects. We have developed automatic positioning and focusing system of impact and detection lasers. It was confirmed that this system inspected concrete defects with remote and high speed and soundness could be judged.
A controlled study of an integrated prevention program for improving disordered eating and body image among Mexican university students: A 3‐month follow‐up
Authors: Castillo Iraís , Solano Santos , Sepúlveda Ana R.
Published: April 2019

Obesity and eating disorders are currently two significant health problems in Mexico. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an integrated prevention program on university students through an exploratory controlled study that targeted specific predisposing factors of disordered eating and obesity related to healthy eating, physical activity, body image satisfaction and perceived pressure to be thin. A total of 388 university students participated (264 females and 124 males) and were assigned either to an intervention condition or one of the two control conditions (study skills vs. nonintervention); each comprised of a total of eight workshops lasting 90 min. The program did not have any effect on the male students. In contrast, there was an interaction effect for time and group in thin‐ideal internalization (η2 = 0.04) and in disordered eating attitudes/behaviours (η2 = 0.03); both showed improvements over time only among the female sample. Though, the effect size was insignificant, which means that the effectiveness of this integrated prevention program was limited. Integrated prevention approaches to eating and weight‐related problems are still nascent in Mexico, and further research in this field is warranted so as to fine tune future prevention programs.
Geochemistry of the Palaeoproterozoic quartzites of Lower Cuddapah Supergroup, South India: Implications for the palaeoweathering, provenance, and crustal evolution
Authors: Khan Tavheed , Sarma D. Srinivasa , Somasekhar V. , Ramanaiah S. , Reddy N. Ramakrishna
Published: April 2019

The lower part of the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin exposes three quartzite sequences, namely, Gulcheru, Pulivendla, and Gandikota formations. Gulcheru Quartzites show angular to subangular texture, whereas Pulivendla and Gandikota quartzites contain rounded to subrounded detrital grains. Mineralogically, all quartzites are predominantly composed of quartz with subordinate amount of feldspar, mica, and heavy minerals. Clay and silt are present as a matrix while silica and carbonate act as a cementing material. Based on detrital modes and major element geochemistry, these sediments are classified as arkose to subarkose. The petrological and geochemical attributes of the basal formations of the Cuddapah quartzite indicate cyclic weathering under variable humid subtropical climate. The CIA values of these quartzites suggest moderate to intense chemical weathering for the Gulcheru and Gandikota quartzites and low to moderate chemical weathering for Pulivendla Quartzites. The major element ratios (SiO2/Al2O, K2O/Na2O), trace element ratios, chondrite‐normalised REE patterns and UCC normalised multi element diagrams suggest that these quartzites were predominantly derived from the felsic sources, with subordinate contribution from mafic sources. Provenance studies and mixing models, in conjunction with palaeocurrent data suggest that these quartzites of the Lower Cuddapah Supergroup received sediments from various sources including Eastern Dharwar Craton as well as from more juvenile crust.
Annual Award for an Essay by an Early‐Career Scholar
Authors: Solomon Mildred Z.
Published: April 2019

As part of the celebrations of The Hastings Center’s fiftieth anniversary, we are launching an annual prize, The David Roscoe Award for an Early‐Career Scholar’s Essay on Science, Ethics, and Society. The award is named in honor of David Roscoe, an accomplished essayist and recent past chair of the Hastings board. The award is intended to highlight the good scholarship that will take the field of bioethics forward into the next fifty years. It will recognize an early‐career scholar—someone who either is currently pursuing a relevant academic degree or has earned one within the last six years—for a published essay on the social and ethical implications of advances in science and technology. More information about the award, along with online submission forms, is available on The Hastings Center’s website.
Conscience and Religious Freedom Division Marks Its First Anniversary with Action
Authors: Johnson Sandra H.
Published: April 2019

In January 2018, the Trump administration established the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights with the explicit goal of intensifying legal protection of religious and conscience objections in health care. The establishment of OCR’s new division illustrates the significant powers of administrative agencies to mold the substance of law without seeking legislative action. The mere formation of a division dedicated to protecting conscience rights is already having a significant impact; it is causing health care entities, including hospitals, research organizations, and clinics, to change policies and practices to comply with the declared enforcement strategy. Administrative agencies also shape the law in what they decide not to pursue. For example, OCR has suspended enforcement of the Affordable Care Act prohibition against gender‐identity discrimination.
Changing the Question
Authors: Brudney Daniel
Published: April 2019

Jack, who is seventy‐five years old, is in the hospital with a terminal condition that has undermined his cognitive faculties. He has left no advance directive and has never had a conversation in which he made his treatment wishes remotely clear. Yet now, a treatment decision must be made, and in modern American medicine, the treatment decision for Jack is supposed to be made by a surrogate decision‐maker, who is supposed to use a decision‐making standard known as “substituted judgment.” According to the substituted judgment standard, Jack’s surrogate decision‐maker, his wife, is supposed to decide on his treatment by determining what Jack would do if he did have decisional capacity. That is, she is supposed to answer the question, what would the patient choose? I will argue that this is the wrong question to ask because when the question has a determinate answer, that answer is sometimes not sufficiently connected to the value that is supposed to make the question morally salient, and because sometimes, perhaps often, there is no determinate answer to the question of what the patient would choose. Jointly, these two problems suggest the need for a different question.
Rawls and Social Value in Research
Authors: Holzer Felicitas Sofia
Published: April 2019

The writer responds to the article “The Social Value Requirement in Research: From the Transactional to the Basic Structure Model of Stakeholder Obligations,” by Danielle M. Wenner, in the January‐February 2019 issue of the Hastings Center Report.
Coupling tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand to iron oxide nanoparticles increases its apoptotic activity on HCT116 and HepG2 malignant cells: effect of magnetic core size
Authors: Belkahla Hanene , Haque Amranul , Revzin Alexander , Gharbi Tijani , Constantinescu Andrei Alexandru , Micheau Olivier , Hémadi Miryana , Ammar Souad
Published: April 2019

Tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been considered as a potential anticancer agent owing to its selectivity for malignant cells. However, its clinical use remains limited because of its poor efficacy. Attempts to increase its antitumor activity include, among others, its functionalization by nanoparticles (NPs). In the present study, TRAIL was grafted onto magnetic spinel iron oxide NPs of defined core size, 10 and 100 nm on average, to see whether the size of the resulting nanovectors, NV10 and NV100, respectively, might affect TRAIL efficacy and selectivity. Apoptosis induced by NV10 and NV100 was higher than by TRAIL alone in both HCT116 and HepG2 cells. At equimolar concentrations, neither the nanovectors nor the corresponding NPs displayed cytotoxicity towards normal primary hepatocytes or TRAIL receptor‐deficient HCT116 cells. NV100 exhibited superior proapoptotic activity than NV10, as evidenced by methylene blue and annexin V staining. Consistently, both caspase activation and TRAIL death‐induced signaling complex formation, as assessed by immunoblot analysis, were found to be increased in cells treated with NV100 as compared with NV10 or TRAIL alone. These results suggest that the size of NPs is important when TRAIL is vectorized for cancer therapy.
Associations of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 rs5498 polymorphism with ischemic stroke: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Gao Hua , Zhang Xinhua
Published: April 2019

Background

Recently, associations between intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) rs5498 polymorphism and ischemic stroke (IS) were investigated by several pilot studies, but with inconsistent results. In this study, a meta‐analysis was performed to better assess the relationship between ICAM‐1rs5498 polymorphism and IS.

Methods

PubMed, Medline, Embase, and CNKI were searched for eligible studies. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate associations between ICAM‐1 rs5498 polymorphism and IS.

Results

Totally 16 studies with 2,596 cases and 11,800 controls were analyzed. A significant association with IS was observed for rs5498 polymorphism in GG versus AA + AG (recessive model, p = 0.009, OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.13–2.32, I2 = 76%) in overall population. Further subgroup analyses showed that rs5498 polymorphism was significantly associated with IS in Caucasians in AA versus AG + GG (dominant model, p = 0.03, OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.95, I2 = 72%), GG versus AA + AG (recessive model, p < 0.0001, OR = 2.98, 95% CI 2.05–4.31, I2 = 19%), and A versus G (allele model, p = 0.005, OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.31–0.81, I2 = 81%). However, no any positive findings were detected for Asians.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that rs5498 polymorphism was significantly associated with individual susceptibility to IS in Caucasians, but not in Asians.
Positron Scattering: Total Elastic and Grand Total Cross Sections for Molecules of Astrophysical Importance
Authors: Sinha Nidhi , Patel Durgesini , Antony Bobby
Published: April 2019

Spherical complex optical potential (SCOP) method, appropriately modified by our group for positron scattering, is employed to compute total elastic and grand total cross sections for astrophysical molecules. The cross sections for the present targets, viz. H2O, NH3, HCl, OCS and SO2 are reported for a wide energy range, spanning from 1 eV to 5000 eV. The elastic cross sections for HCl and OCS are reported for the first time. In the intermediate to high energy regime, results of most of the targets studied compare fairly well with the recent measurements, wherever available. Present cross sections would be useful for modelling astrophysical systems.
Surfactant‐Assisted Electrodeposition of Nickel Nanostructures and Their Electrocatalytic Activities Toward Oxidation of Sodium Borohydride, Ethanol, and Methanol
Authors: Zolfaghari Mahdieh , Arab Ali , Asghari Alireza
Published: April 2019

Different Ni nanostructures were electrodeposited from the Watts bath in the presence of different concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) using the pulse reverse current technique on the copper substrate. The concentration of SDS was lower than the critical micelle concentration (CMC), equal to CMC and higher than CMC for electrodeposition of Ni‐1, Ni‐2, and Ni‐3 samples respectively. The electrodeposited samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of samples for oxidation of sodium borohydride, ethanol, and methanol was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). For borohydride oxidation, one oxidation peak, as well as one semicircle, observed respectively in the cyclic voltammograms and Nyquist diagrams confirmed that only one reaction happened on the surface of samples. It was observed that at high overpotentials, Ni‐1 sample was more reactive for NaBH4 oxidation compared to the Ni‐2 and Ni‐3 samples.
An Efficient Ultrasound Promoted Three‐Component and Regioselective Synthesis of Indenoquinoxaline Compounds Containing Pyrrolopyrimidine Skeleton
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Ghasemzadeh Hossein , Roosta Atefeh , Halvagar Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2019

A series of new indeno[1,2‐b]quinoxaline compounds containing pyrrolopyrimidine skeleton have been synthesized in excellent yields using an improved and efficient synthetic methodology under ultrasonic irradiation in the absence of any added catalyst. The reactions were carried out under both thermal and ultrasonic irradiation condition. In general, obvious improvement in reaction time and milder conditions were observed when reactions were carried out under sonication compared with conventional silent conditions.
Optimization of N‐alkylation in the Synthesis of Methotrexate and Pteridine‐based Derivatives Under Microwave‐Irradiation
Authors: Quotadamo Antonio , Linciano Pasquale , Costi Maria Paola , Venturelli Alberto
Published: April 2019

Methotrexate (MTX) and its pteridine‐based derivatives represent an attractive chemotype for the development of bioactive molecules. However, the synthesis of pteridines suffers from several drawbacks. Here we describe a new efficient and improved microwave‐assisted lab‐scale process for the preparation of MTX and congeners. Starting from the commercially available 2,4‐diamino‐6‐(hydroxymethyl)pteridine (Pt‐OH), MTX was obtained with an overall 94% yield through a three steps procedure. The crucial yield‐limiting and time‐consuming step of SN2 substitution between halogenated pteridine and nucleophilic aromatic amine was taken. The innovative process, conducted under microwave irradiation, improved yield and purity, and in particular reduced the reaction time from days to 20 minutes. The optimized protocol was successfully applied to the synthesis of diverse pteridine‐based derivatives and to the preparation in gram‐scale of antiparasitic MTX derivatives for in vivo studies. This new optimized synthetic procedure therefore represents a worthy alternative to the current protocols for the preparation of pteridine‐based derivatives.
8‐Hydroxyquinoline‐2‐Carboxanilides as Antiviral Agents Against Avian Influenza Virus
Authors: Kos Jiri , Ku Chuen Fai , Kapustikova Iva , Oravec Michal , Zhang Hong‐Jie , Jampilek Josef
Published: April 2019

Series of thirty‐two mono‐, di‐ and tri‐substituted 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carboxanilides were prepared by microwave‐assisted synthesis. The compounds were characterized, and their lipophilicity was experimentally determined. Primary in vitro screening of the cytotoxicity of all the synthesized compounds was performed using adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549), and determined nontoxic compounds were then tested for their activity against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. 8‐Hydroxy‐N‐(3,4,5‐trichlorophenyl)quinoline‐2‐carboxamide, N‐(3‐chloro‐2‐fluorophenyl)‐8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carboxamide and N‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carboxamide demonstrated the highest activity within the investigated series (IC50 = 11.3, 21.2 and 31.2 μM, respectively), while N‐(4‐chloro‐2‐fluorophenyl)‐8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carboxamide expressed the highest cytotoxic effect (CC50 = 31.6 μM). In general, the inhibitory activity of the compounds depends on the position of halogen substituents on the anilide ring and is also affected by the lipophilicity and electron properties of individual substituents of the anilide part of the molecule. The structure‐activity relationships are discussed.
Optical Design in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Deng Kaimo , Li Liang
Published: April 2019

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have undergone an unprecedented development in the past few years and their power conversion efficiency (PCE) has reached over 23%. The conversion from light to electricity in the photovoltaic device has an intimate connection with the light absorption and charge dynamics. To further improve the PCE, it is necessary to optimize the device architecture and maximize the light absorption of the active materials, so that more photoexcited carriers can be generated and collected. The optical properties can also affect the device stability, especially for the long‐term exposure under UV light. Herein, recent progress of optical designs in PSCs toward better device performance and wider applications are summarized. The design strategies from the perspective of optical properties may further boost the development of PSCs.
How Spatial Patterns of Soil Moisture Dynamics Can Explain Field‐Scale Soil Moisture Variability: Observations From a Sodic Landscape
Authors: Peterson A. M. , Helgason W. H. , Ireson A. M.
Published: April 2019

Root‐zone soil moisture (0–110 cm) was monitored at 21 sites within a cold‐region semiarid prairie grazing pasture over multiple growing seasons. There were large differences in the moisture dynamics for different sites, which was related to local‐scale impacts of sodium‐induced clay dispersion. Sites with high exchangeable sodium percentages, indicative of sodic soils, were characterized by small changes in soil moisture storage. The sites with the largest soil moisture changes had negligible exchangeable sodium percentage. We used this difference to divide the area into sites that participate in the field‐scale water balance and those that do not. As a result of this heterogeneity, a unique soil moisture variability‐mean relationship was observed; the spatial variability of root‐zone soil moisture was lowest during intermediate wetness conditions and highest for wet and dry conditions. Furthermore, the shape of the variability‐mean relationship depended on the depth over which soil moisture was integrated. The persistent differences in soil moisture dynamics were also responsible for the presence of two distinct spatial patterns of root‐zone soil moisture, representing early and late growing season (i.e., wet and dry conditions). The participating versus nonparticipating framework may be applicable broadly to sodic soils and to other soil types and has practical implications for parameterizing the water balance in hydrological models and for designing representative soil moisture monitoring networks in such environments.
Looking for Climate Solutions Down in the Dirt
Authors: den Hond Bas
Published: April 2019

Geoengineering is more than orbiting mirrors and stratospheric aerosols. Innovative modeling considers the impact of no-till farming and radical irrigation.
Effect of Adding Carbon Nanotubes on Corrosion Rates and Steel-Concrete Bond
Authors: Hassan Ahmed , Elkady Hala , Shaaban Ibrahim G.
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a continuation of the evaluation of utilizing Nano Carbon Tubes (CNTs) in reinforced concrete (CNT-CRETE). The compressive, tensile and bond strengths of the samples with and without CNTs were investigated. Scanning Electron Microscope (SME) was utilized to study the microstructure of the prepared samples. In addition, the corrosion resistance of CNT-CRETE, was measured and compared to traditional concrete. Four mixes were prepared, with 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.03%, CNTs by weight of cement, along with a control mix without CNTs. The results of the experimental work showed that adding CNTs led to an increase in the compressive, tensile and bond strengths of specimens compared to those of the control specimen. SEM examination for control and CNTs specimens showed that CNTs specimen were well structured compared with the control specimen and this affirms that CNTs act as bridges across micro cracks, which explains the improvement in mechanical properties. The diameter of steel bars played a significant role in failure mechanism for pull-out testing and corrosion resistance. In general, adding CNTs to the concrete mix increased the rate of corrosion for steel bars within the low risk limits. Benefits from using CNTs were limited to moderate. Mineral/chemical admixtures or fibers provide better improvements in the mechanical properties of concrete without the problems associated with dispersing CNTs and the health hazard of handling a Nano material.
Selective edge etching to improve the rate capability of Prussian blue analogues for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Zhu Youhuan , Wang Bingxue , Gan Qingmeng , Wang Yanfang , Wang Zhengyu , Xie Jiwei , Gu Shuai , Li Zhiqiang , Li Yingzhi , Ji Zong-Wei , Cheng Hua , Lu Zhouguang
Published: April 2019

Prussian blue analogues prefer to be etched along the edge in HCl solution, resulting in much enhanced ionic diffusions and thus rate capability.
An efficient approach to access 1,1,2-triarylethanes enabled by the organo-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative addition reaction
Authors: Guo Jing , Huang Gong-Bin , Wu Qiao-Lei , Xie Ying , Weng Jiang , Lu Gui
Published: April 2019

An efficient approach to access 1,1,2-triarylethanes enabled by organo-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative 1,6-conjugate addition of carboxylic acids to p-QMs.
Radical addition of ketones and cyanide to olefinsviaacid catalyzed formation of intermediate alkenyl peroxides
Authors: Shao Wen , Lux Marcel , Breugst Martin , Klussmann Martin
Published: April 2019

γ-Cyanoketones are formed by double radical addition from olefins, ketones and sulfonyl cyanidesviareactive alkenyl peroxide intermediates.
Parameter estimation based on factor graph in wide‐band OFDM systems
Authors: Ma Lili , Jiang Wei , Xiang Haige
Published: April 2019

The channel estimation in a wide‐band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system is different from the narrow‐band system, for the estimation parameters should include the Doppler scale factor, which is a particular parameter of the wide‐band system. The underwater acoustic OFDM system is a typical wide‐band system, and its channel has more than one scale factor usually. For this multi‐scale case, the common estimation method is a factor‐by‐factor process with repeated calculation of the reproduced waveform. This article proposes a factor‐graph‐based estimation method, which fully uses the restriction relationship among the parameters, and estimates the parameters simultaneously. To reduce the computation load, the modified Bayesian propagation (BP) algorithm is proposed. Comparing to the common BP algorithm, the modified BP algorithm simplifies the calculation of the condition probability in the summation. The simulation results of the mean squared error show that the proposed method is an effective estimation method for the multi‐scale wide‐band system. The bit error rate performance of the proposed method is very close to the result of the known channel‐state‐information, and outperforms the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) and the modified particle swarm optimisation (MPSO) methods for well channel condition.
Comparing Three Different Contrast Sensitivity Tests in Adults and in Children with and without Amblyopia
Authors: Ulrich Kerstin , Palmowski-Wolfe Anja
Published: April 2019

Background Tests of contrast sensitivity (CS) are not routinely performed in the clinic, although CS is reduced in many conditions, such as amblyopia or glaucoma. This may be due to perceived time constraints or unaffordability of equipment.

Patients and Methods Monocular CS functions obtained with the FACT, CSV 1000E, and Lea Symbols were compared in 19 healthy subjects aged 24 – 78 years and 24 subjects aged 5 – 16 years, 9 of whom had amblyopia.

Results CS functions could be obtained with all three tests. The tests were equally comfortable for young and adult patients, and took less than 5 minutes to perform (one eye). All measured CSs at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (cpd), but the FACT included 1.5 cpd.

Linear mixed effect models were performed. While there was no significant difference at low spatial frequencies, the Lea CS test showed a ceiling effect in that range, while the FACT showed a floor effect at high spatial frequencies. CS in amblyopic children did not differ between the contralateral and the amblyopic eye. Overall, amblyopic eyes had lower CS values than the control eyes and CS did not correlate significantly to visual acuity at distance.

Conclusion All three CS tests could be usefully applied in the clinic in adults as well as children over the age of 4 years. Only the CSV 1000E exhibited neither a ceiling nor a floor effect. This was also the fastest test. In children with amblyopia, CS testing offers additional information on visual function. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find that the CSV and FACT are interchangeable.
Bovine dilatative Kardiomyopathie beim Rind: nach wie vor
ein Thema
Authors: Magner Regina
Published: April 2019

Riedi AK, Drögemüller C, Gurtner C et al. Bovine dilatative Kardiomyopathie:
Altbekannt und dennoch gegenwärtig. SAT 2018; 160 (5): 289–293

Herzerkrankungen beim Rind sind medizinisch herausfordernd, sowohl
diagnostisch als auch therapeutisch. Dass eine genaue Diagnostik trotzdem
sinnvoll ist, zeigt die bovine dilatative Kardiomyopathie (BDCMP), die immer
noch mit 2 % in der Schweizer Rinderpopulation vorkommt. Dieser Gendefekt
kam besonders Ende der 1970er Jahre bei Kühen der Rasse Swiss Fleckvieh zur
Ausprägung und lässt sich auf den 1946 geborenen Stier „Reflection
Sovereign“ zurückführen. Durch zuchthygienische Maßnahmen konnte die
Prävalenz deutlich gesenkt werden, doch immer wieder fallen Tiere mit
Leistungseinbußen und Rechtsherzinsuffizienz auf, bei denen die
Verdachtsdiagnose BDCMP gestellt werden kann. Im Folgenden werden drei
Fallberichte besprochen.
Incidence, Causes, and Timing of 30-Day Readmission following Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Curtis Gannon L. , Jawad Michael , Samuel Linsen T. , Higuera-Rueda Carlos A. , Little Bryan E. , Darwiche Hussein L.
Published: April 2019

Unplanned readmissions are associated with increased financial burdens. It is important to understand why they occur and how to reduce them. This study identifies incidences, trends, causes, and timing of 30-day readmissions after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Primary THA cases from 2012 to 2016 in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database were identified (n = 122,451). Fractures (n = 3,990), nonelective surgery (n = 1,715), and bilateral THA (n = 730) were excluded, leaving 116,016 cases. Linear regression analysis determined readmission trends overtime. The readmission rate after THA from 2012 to 16 was 3.32%, which significantly decreased during this time (p = 0.022). The top five causes of readmission included musculoskeletal complications (14.8%), deep surgical site infections (SSI; 11.1%), non-SSI infections (10.8%), gastrointestinal complications (GI; 7.5%), and cardiovascular complications (CV; 7.0%). The most common cause of readmission during week 1 was non-SSI infections (13.0%), week 2 was musculoskeletal complications (16%), week 3 was deep SSI (18.4%), and week 4 was deep SSI (18.6%). Causes of readmission that significantly decreased (p < 0.05) from week 1 to 4 include CV complications, GI complications, non-SSI infections, pain, and respiratory complications. In contrast, causes that significantly increased during this time included deep SSI, prosthesis complications, superficial SSI, and wound complications. Readmissions following THA significantly declined from 2012 to 2016. The most common causes of readmission were musculoskeletal complications, deep SSI, non-SSI infections, GI complications, and CV complications. Interestingly, the most common causes of readmission changed from week to week. These findings may help to develop policies to prevent readmissions following THA.
Laboratory automation impact on antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Murray Patrick R
Published: April 2019

Antibiotic resistance in common bacterial pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, has significantly limited the therapeutic options available for management of infectious diseases. While the indiscriminant use of broad spectrum antibiotics is a significant contributing factor, a more fundamental problem exists. Diagnostic microbiology test results have historically been available too late to be useful. This is, in part, due to the nature of the test methods and in part due to workflow practices in the laboratory. Thus, patients remain on empiric treatments that are frequently ineffective or unnecessarily too broad spectrum1,2. Microscopy and bacterial cultures are mainstays in the microbiology lab, using techniques developed more than 100 years ago. Although microbiologists speak with pride about the ‘art' of their science, the clinical value of the diagnostic tests is frequently lost because of the delays in reporting results with these ‘traditional' approaches. Fortunately, the practice of clinical microbiology is undergoing a dramatic transformation with the introduction of molecular diagnostics, primarily for rapid diagnosis of infections caused by viruses and difficult to grow bacteria, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for identification of bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi, and automation of all practices in bacteriology.
RAPID COMMUNICATION: Multi-breed validation study unraveled genomic regions associated with puberty traits segregating across tropically adapted breeds1
Authors: Melo Thaise P , Fortes Marina R S , Fernandes Junior Gerardo A , Albuquerque Lucia G , Carvalheiro Roberto
Published: April 2019

An efficient strategy to improve QTL detection power is performing across-breed validation studies. Variants segregating across breeds are expected to be in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with causal mutations affecting economically important traits. The aim of this study was to validate, in a Tropical Composite cattle (TC) population, QTL associations identified for sexual precocity traits in a Nellore and Brahman meta-analysis genome-wide association study. In total, 2,816 TC, 8,001 Nellore, and 2,210 Brahman animals were available for the analysis. For that, genomic regions significantly associated with puberty traits in the meta-analysis study were validated for the following sexual precocity traits in TC: age at first corpus luteum (AGECL), first postpartum anestrus interval (PPAI), and scrotal circumference at 18 months of age (SC). We considered validated QTL those underpinned by significant markers from the Nellore and Brahman meta-analysis (P ≤ 10–4) that were also significant for a TC trait, i.e., presenting a P-value of ≤10–3 for AGECL, PPAI, or SC. We also considered as validated QTL those regions where significant markers in the reference population were at ±250 kb from significant markers in the validation population. Using this criteria, 49 SNP were validated for AGECL, 4 for PPAI, and 14 for SC, from which 5 were in common with AGECL, totaling 62 validated SNP for these traits and 30 candidate genes surrounding them. Considering just candidate genes closest to the top SNP of each chromosome, for AGECL 8 candidate genes were identified: COL8A1, PENK, ENSBTAG00000047425, BPNT1, ADAMTS17, CCHCR1, SUFU, and ENSBTAG00000046374. For PPAI, 3 genes emerged as candidates (PCBP3, KCNK10, and MRPS5), and for SC 8 candidate genes were identified (SNORA70, TRAC, ASS1, BPNT1, LRRK1, PKHD1, PTPRM, and ENSBTAG00000045690). Several candidate regions presented here were previously associated with puberty traits in cattle. The majority of emerging candidate genes are related to biological processes involved in reproductive events, such as maintenance of gestation, and some are known to be expressed in reproductive tissues. Our results suggested that some QTL controlling early puberty seem to be segregating across cattle breeds adapted to tropical conditions.
Developing a Management Strategy for Little Cherry Disease: The Case of Washington State
Authors: Galinato Suzette P. , Gallardo R. Karina , Beers Elizabeth H. , Bixby-Brosi Andrea J.
Published: April 2019

Little cherry disease (LCD) threatens the long-term economic sustainability of the Pacific Northwest sweet cherry (Prunus avium) industry. Results from a series of partial budget analyses indicate that additional investments in monitoring, testing, spraying to control for insect vectors, and removing infected trees are lower than the reduced profit losses compared with the do-nothing scenario. Also, management can prevent or lessen the negative impacts of higher little cherry virus (Velarivirus little cherry virus 1, Ampelovirus little cherry virus 2) spread rates. Our findings illustrate the importance of prevention, correct identification, and controlling for insect vectors in preventing the dissemination of LCD, for which the only known treatment is tree removal.