bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Body–Mind–Spirit Well-Being and the Possibility of Relapse Intention in Adults Who Have a History of Substance Use in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Chu-Yun , Chiang Chun-Ying , Yao YuChun , Sun Fan-Ko
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND: Substance use is a global mental health issue. There has been limited research exploring the relationships among body, mind, and spirit well-being and the possibility of relapse across different categories of substance users. AIMS: The purpose of the current path analysis was to examine the relationship between body–mind–spirit well-being and the possibility of relapse intention as well as other relevant predictors in people who had a history of substance use. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used. Participants were recruited in Southern Taiwan between December 2015 and June 2016. Data were collected from 467 participants who had a history of using controlled substances. RESULTS: Path analysis results revealed that body–mind–spirit well-being was negatively predictive of the possibility of relapse intention. Out of several predictors, stress influence and duration of substance use had direct effects on body–mind–spirit well-being and the possibility of relapse intention, respectively. Stress influence and duration of substance use were associated with decreased body–mind–spirit well-being and increased relapse intention scores. In addition, no history of health problems and male gender were associated with increased body–mind–spirit well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Stress management and the duration of substance use play an important role in body–mind–spirit well-being and relapse intention in people with a history of substance use. Health care professionals could teach substance users coping strategies to address their stress and problems, which may improve their health and reduce the possibility of relapse intention.
The Guilt of Success: Looking at Latino First-Generation College Students’ Experience of Leaving Home
Authors: Moreno Rosean
Published: May 2019

This study looked at the experiences of six participants and their feelings of guilt. The findings revealed that guilt was caused when the participants put their needs before the needs of their family and attended college. Institutions of higher education may not know or understand the importance family plays for these students and may not foster parent participation, therefore potentially increasing these feelings of guilt.
Clinical Correlation of Prostatic Calculi With Semen Parameters in Adult Men With Fertility Intention
Authors: Chen Tong , Tian Linlin , Bai Gang , Ma Gang , Tang Rong , Liu Jiaolong , Pang Qingyang , Wang Xianlong , Lu Jiaju
Published: May 2019

To investigate the correlation of prostatic calculi (PC) with semen parameters in men with fertility intention, this retrospective case–control study enrolled 1,303 participants ranging from 20 to 59 years old; 725 were diagnosed with PC using abdominal ultrasonography. Patients with PC were classified into the type A calculi group (discrete and small echoes) and type B calculi group (coarse and large masses of multiple echoes). Five hundred and seventy-eight men without PC were recruited for the control group. The clinical data of each group were collected and analyzed. The total motility was significantly lower for subjects with type B calculi (41.84% ± 17.50%) than for subjects in the type A calculi (51.78% ± 20.84%; p < .001) and control (54.47% ± 20.74%; p < .001) groups. The percentage of progressively motile was significantly lower for the type B calculi (31.66% ± 14.68%) group than the type A calculi (40.17% ± 17.09%; p < .001) and control (41.83% ± 17.05%; p < .001) groups. The results of the hypo-osmotic swelling test yielded significantly lower percentages in the type B calculi group (59.88% ± 17.13%) than the type A calculi (65.28 ± 14.43%; p = .005) and control (66.92 ± 16.12%; p < .001) groups. The type B calculi group had a significantly higher percentage of round cell concentration than control (4.5% vs. 1.0%; p = .007) did. Small and discrete PC may not influence semen quality among adult men with fertility intention, but larger and coarser PC are associated with decreased sperm motility.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Temtem Tsega , Whitworth John , Bagga Bindiya
Published: May 2019

According to current recommendations, in addition to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) series, all children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) aged ≥2 years, with planned or current immunosuppression, should receive pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). The primary aim was to determine the PPSV23 immunization rates in our pediatric IBD patients. The secondary aim was to determine the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in these patients. The IBD database at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital was retrospectively reviewed to identify all cases diagnosed from 2003 to 2015. Out of 190 IBD patients, 106 on immunosuppressive drugs, whose immunization records could be obtained from the state database, were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed to determine infections seen in these patients from the time of diagnosis to date. IBD patients in our study ranged from age 2 to 18 years. Only 4 of 106 (3.7%) patients had received PPSV23 vaccine. Only 1 patient (0.9%) had probable pneumococcal disease and none with invasive pneumococcal disease. Clostridium difficile (11 patients) and Cytomegalovirus colitis (4 patients) were more commonly encountered. All our patients received the recommended PCV13 vaccine. The majority of our pediatric IBD patients did not receive PPSV23 vaccine. Fortunately, we did not see a high rate of invasive pneumococcal disease in our patients suggesting that they may be protected by the primary PCV13 vaccine series. Non-pneumococcal infections were more common in this population.
Plasmin-mediated fibrinolysis enables macrophage migration in a murine model of inflammation
Authors: Silva Lakmali Munasinghage , Lum Andrew Gary , Tran Collin , Shaw Molly W. , Gao Zhen , Flick Matthew J. , Moutsopoulos Niki M. , Bugge Thomas H. , Mullins Eric S.
Published: May 2019

Efficient migration of macrophages to sites of inflammation requires cell surface–bound plasmin(ogen). Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the deficits of plasmin(ogen)-mediated macrophage migration in 2 models: murine thioglycollate-induced peritonitis and in vitro macrophage migration. As previously reported, macrophage migration into the peritoneal cavity of mice in response to thioglycollate was significantly impaired in the absence of plasminogen. Fibrin(ogen) deposition was noted in the peritoneal cavity in response to thioglycollate, with a significant increase in fibrin(ogen) in the plasminogen-deficient mice. Interestingly, macrophage migration was restored in plasminogen-deficient mice by simultaneous imposition of fibrinogen deficiency. Consistent with this in vivo finding, chemotactic migration of cultured macrophages through a fibrin matrix did not occur in the absence of plasminogen. The macrophage requirement for plasmin-mediated fibrinolysis, both in vivo and in vitro, was negated by deletion of the major myeloid integrin αMβ2-binding motif on the γ chain of fibrin(ogen). The study identifies a critical role of fibrinolysis in macrophage migration, presumably through the alleviation of migratory constraints imposed by the interaction of leukocytes with fibrin(ogen) through the integrin αMβ2 receptor.
Rhizosphere microbiomes diverge among Populus trichocarpa plant-host genotypes and chemotypes, but it depends on soil origin
Authors: Veach Allison M. , Morris Reese , Yip Daniel Z. , Yang Zamin K. , Engle Nancy L. , Cregger Melissa A. , Tschaplinski Timothy J. , Schadt Christopher W.
Published: May 2019

Background

Plants have developed defense strategies for phytopathogen and herbivore protection via coordinated metabolic mechanisms. Low-molecular weight metabolites produced within plant tissues, such as salicylic acid, represent one such mechanism which likely mediates plant – microbe interactions above and below ground. Salicylic acid is a ubiquitous phytohormone at low levels in most plants, yet are concentrated defense compounds in Populus, likely acting as a selective filter for rhizosphere microbiomes. We propagated twelve Populus trichocarpa genotypes which varied an order of magnitude in salicylic acid (SA)-related secondary metabolites, in contrasting soils from two different origins. After four months of growth, plant properties (leaf growth, chlorophyll content, and net photosynthetic rate) and plant root metabolomics specifically targeting SA metabolites were measured via GC-MS. In addition, rhizosphere microbiome composition was measured via Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S and ITS2 rRNA-genes.

Results

Soil origin was the primary filter causing divergence in bacterial/archaeal and fungal communities with plant genotype secondarily influential. Both bacterial/archaeal and fungal evenness varied between soil origins and bacterial/archaeal diversity and evenness correlated with at least one SA metabolite (diversity: populin; evenness: total phenolics). The production of individual salicylic acid derivatives that varied by host genotype resulted in compositional differences for bacteria /archaea (tremuloidin) and fungi (salicylic acid) within one soil origin (Clatskanie) whereas soils from Corvallis did not illicit microbial compositional changes due to salicylic acid derivatives. Several dominant bacterial (e.g., Betaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadete, Firmicutes) and one fungal phyla (Mortierellomycota) also correlated with specific SA secondary metabolites; bacterial phyla exhibited more negative interactions (declining abundance with increasing metabolite concentration) than positive interactions.

Conclusions

These results indicate microbial communities diverge most among soil origin. However, within a soil origin, bacterial/archaeal communities are responsive to plant SA production within greenhouse-based rhizosphere microbiomes. Fungal microbiomes are impacted by root SA-metabolites, but overall to a lesser degree within this experimental context. These results suggest plant defense strategies, such as SA and its secondary metabolites, may partially drive patterns of both bacterial/archaeal and fungal taxa-specific colonization and assembly.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated With Altered Glycemic Patterns in Pregnant Women With Obesity
Authors: Farabi Sarah S , Barbour Linda A , Heiss Kristy , Hirsch Nicole M , Dunn Emily , Hernandez Teri L
Published: May 2019

Objective

Often unrecognized, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) worsens over pregnancy and is associated with poorer perinatal outcomes. The association between OSA in late pregnancy and metabolic biomarkers remains poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that OSA in pregnant women with obesity is positively correlated with 24-hour patterns of glycemia and IR despite controlling for diet.

Design

Pregnant women (32 to 34 weeks’ gestation; body mass index, 30 to 40 kg/m2) wore a continuous glucose monitor for 3 days. OSA was measured in-home by WatchPAT 200™ [apnea hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI; number per hour)]. Fasting blood was collected followed by a 2-hour, 75-g, oral glucose tolerance test to measure IR. Association between AHI and 24-hour glucose area under the curve (AUC) was the powered outcome.

Results

Of 18 women (29.4 ± 1.4 years of age [mean ± SEM]), 12 (67%) had an AHI ≥5 (mild OSA). AHI and ODI were correlated with 24-hour glucose AUC (r = 0.50 to 0.54; P ≤ 0.03) and mean 24-hour glucose (r = 0.55 to 0.59; P ≤ 0.02). AHI and ODI were correlated with estimated hepatic IR (r = 0.59 to 0.74; P < 0.01), fasting free fatty acids (fFFAs; r = 0.53 to 0.56; P < 0.05), and waking cortisol (r = 0.49 to 0.64; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Mild OSA is common in pregnant women with obesity and correlated with increased glycemic profiles, fFFAs, and estimates of hepatic IR. OSA is a potentially treatable target to optimize maternal glycemia and metabolism, fetal fuel supply, and pregnancy outcomes.
Association of Herpes Simplex Virus Testing with Hospital Length of Stay for Infants ≤60 Days of Age Undergoing Evaluation for Meningitis
Authors: Aronson Paul L , Cruz Andrea T , Freedman Stephen B , Balamuth Fran , Grether‐Jones Kendra L , Lyons Todd W , Fleming Alesia H , Louie Jeffrey , Mistry Rakesh D , Garro Aris C , Shah Samir S , Nigrovic Lise E ,   Pediatric Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Network (PEM CRC) Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Study Group
Published: May 2019

Although neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes significant morbidity, utilization of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test remains variable. Our objective was to examine the association of CSF HSV PCR testing with length of stay (LOS) in a 20‐center retrospective cohort of hospitalized infants aged ≤60 days undergoing evaluation for meningitis after adjustment for patient‐level factors and clustering by center. Of 20,496 eligible infants, 7,399 (36.1%) had a CSF HSV PCR test performed, and 46 (0.6% of those tested) had a positive test. Infants who had a CSF HSV PCR test performed had a 23% longer hospital LOS (incident rate ratio 1.23; 95% CI: 1.14‐1.33). Targeted CSF HSV PCR testing may mitigate the impact on LOS for low‐risk infants.
Retrospective Cohort Study of the Prevalence of Off‐label Gabapentinoid Prescriptions in Hospitalized Medical Patients
Authors: Gingras Marc‐Alexandre , Lieu Anthony , Papillon‐Ferland Louise , Lee Todd C , McDonald Emily G
Published: May 2019

Gabapentinoid prescriptions are increasing in North America, with frequent off‐label use despite limited proven efficacy. This retrospective cohort study describes prescribing trends among hospitalized patients with a focus on dosing and deprescribing. We examined consecutive inpatients between December 2013 and July 2017 on a 52‐bed medical unit in Montréal, Canada. Prevalence of off‐label use, median doses prescribed, and deprescribing trends were analyzed over time. Of 4,103 hospitalized patients, 550 (13.4%) were prescribed gabapentinoids preadmission, with two patients being coprescribed gabapentin and pregabalin (total 552 prescriptions). A minority (94/552, or 17%) were for approved indications. Although it was uncommon for gabapentinoids to be newly prescribed in hospital, preadmission gabapentinoids were also seldom deprescribed (65/495 patients discharged alive, or 13%). Given a high prevalence of use, limited efficacy, and potential harms, gabapentinoids may represent an ideal target for re‐evaluation of indication and effectiveness in hospitalized adults, with consideration given to deprescribing.
Preventing Delirium Takes a Village: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Delirium Preventive Models of Care
Authors: Khan Ariba , Boukrina Olga , Oh‐Park Mooyeon , Flanagan Nina A , Singh Maharaj , Oldham Mark
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Each hospital day of delirium incurs greater healthcare costs, higher levels of care, greater staff burden, and higher complication rates. Accordingly, administrators are incentivized to identify models of care that reduce delirium rates and associated costs.

PURPOSE

We present a systematic review and meta‐analysis of delirium prevention models of care.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, and PsycINFO.

STUDY SELECTION

Eligible models of care were defined as provider‐oriented interventions involving revision of professional roles, multidisciplinary teams, and service integration. Included studies implemented multidomain, multicomponent interventions, used a validated delirium instrument, and enrolled a control group to evaluate efficacy or effectiveness.

DATA EXTRACTION

We extracted data on study design; Population, model of care, outcomes, and results.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 15 studies were included. All but two studies reported reduction in delirium or its duration, and 11 studies reported statistically significant improvements. Using random effects models, the pooled odds ratios of delirium incidence were 0.56 (95% CI: 0.37‐0.85) from three randomized controlled trials, 0.63 (95% CI 0.37‐1.07) from four pre–post intervention studies, and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.46‐1.37) from three additional nonrandomized studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Several models of care can prevent delirium. In general, higher quality studies were more likely to demonstrate statistical significance of an effect. The diverse models of care included here explored interventions adapted to specific care settings, especially by addressing setting‐specific delirium risk factors. These care models illustrate a range of promising strategies that deserve growing recognition, refinement, and implementation.
Only When Others Are Watching: The Contingent Efforts of High Status Group Members
Authors: Lount Robert B. , Doyle Sarah P. , Brion Sebastien , Pettit Nathan C.
Published: May 2019

This research examines how an individual’s place in the status hierarchy affects their willingness to expend effort on group tasks, why this occurs, and a contingency governing this relationship. Among firefighter teams (Study 1), MBA student workgroups (Study 2), and undergraduates in the laboratory (Study 3), we find that the relationship between status and effort, through performance expectations, is contingent on the perceived visibility of one’s efforts (i.e., task visibility). When task visibility is high, greater status leads to higher performance expectations. When task visibility is low or absent, this relationship was not present. Overall, our findings help paint a more complete picture of the relationship between status, performance expectations, and effort in workgroups while also furthering our understanding of the psychological experience of status.

Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2018.3103 .

This paper was accepted by Greta Hsu, organizations.
Responsive Pricing of Fashion Products: The Effects of Demand Learning and Strategic Consumer Behavior
Authors: Aviv Yossi , Wei Mike Mingcheng , Zhang Fuqiang
Published: May 2019

This paper studies the potential benefits of responsive pricing and demand learning to sellers of seasonal fashion goods. As typical in such markets, demand uncertainty is high at the beginning of a season, but there is a potential opportunity to learn about demand via early sales observations. Additionally, although the consumers have general preference for purchasing a fashion product earlier rather than later in the season, they may exhibit strategic behavior—contemplating the benefits of postponing their purchase in anticipation of end-of-season discounts. Our results demonstrate that the benefits of responsive pricing, in comparison with a benchmark case of a fixed-price policy, depend sharply on the nature of the consumers’ behavior. Interestingly, in stark contrast to markets of myopic consumers, when the consumers are all strategic, the benefits of responsive pricing tend to worsen when there is a higher potential for learning. We explain this counterintuitive outcome by pointing to two phenomena: the spread effect and information shaping. For example, sellers of fashion products that consider upgrading their pricing systems to incorporate “accurate response” strategies (i.e., integrating learning and responsive pricing) should be aware of the possibility that such action might lead them to a new and potentially worse equilibrium, particularly when there is a higher opportunity to learn. Despite the fact that price commitment completely eliminates the seller’s ability to learn, it appears to increasingly dominate responsive pricing as the portion of strategic consumers in the market increases. But, although performing better than responsive pricing, a price-commitment policy is typically limited in performing effective discrimination. Finally, we studied the potential benefits of quick response strategies—ones that embed both dynamic pricing and quick inventory replenishment during the sales season—and found that they are particularly significant under strategic consumer behavior. We explain this result by arguing that quick response provides the seller with a real option that serves as an effective implicit threat to the consumers: encouraging them to buy earlier at premium prices rather than wait for discounts at the end of the season.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2018.3114 .

This paper was accepted by Martin Lariviere, operations management.
Complementarity of Performance Pay and Task Allocation
Authors: Hong Bryan , Kueng Lorenz , Yang Mu-Jeung
Published: May 2019

Complementarity between performance pay and other organizational design elements has been argued to be one potential explanation for stark differences in the observed productivity gains from performance pay adoption. Using detailed data on internal organization for a nationally representative sample of firms, we empirically test for the existence of complementarity between performance pay incentives and decentralization of decision-making authority for tasks. To address endogeneity concerns, we exploit regional variation in income tax progressivity as an instrument for the adoption of performance pay. We find systematic evidence of complementarity between performance pay and decentralization of decision making from principals to employees. However, adopting performance pay also leads to centralization of decision-making authority from nonmanagerial to managerial employees. The findings suggest that performance pay adoption leads to a concentration of decision-making control at the managerial employee level, as opposed to a general movement toward more decentralization throughout the organization.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Constrained Submodular Maximization via a Nonsymmetric Technique
Authors: Buchbinder Niv , Feldman Moran
Published: May 2019

The study of combinatorial optimization problems with submodular objectives has attracted much attention in recent years. Such problems are important in both theory and practice because their objective functions are very general. Obtaining further improvements for many submodular maximization problems boils down to finding better algorithms for optimizing a relaxation of them known as the multilinear extension. In this work, we present an algorithm for optimizing the multilinear relaxation whose guarantee improves over the guarantee of the best previous algorithm (by Ene and Nguyen). Moreover, our algorithm is based on a new technique that is, arguably, simpler and more natural for the problem at hand. In a nutshell, previous algorithms for this problem rely on symmetry properties that are natural only in the absence of a constraint. Our technique avoids the need to resort to such properties, and thus seems to be a better fit for constrained problems.
An Integrative Perspective of Organizational Responses: Routines, Heuristics, and Improvisations in a Mount Everest Expedition
Authors: Suarez Fernando F. , Montes Juan S.
Published: May 2019

Understanding how organizations operate in different environments has been at the core of organizational research for decades. Three distinct bodies of literature have emerged, with limited cross-pollination among them: routines, heuristics, and improvisation. We add to the existing literature by studying these three types of organizational responses simultaneously via an in-depth longitudinal study of an organization that encountered increasing levels of environmental dynamism. We pay particular attention to explaining how and why routines broke down, prompting the emergence of heuristics or improvisations, as well as when these three responses were used in tandem and when they interacted with each other. Our theoretical model identifies the triggers of heuristics and improvisations and the focal context that led to routines breaking down. We define “focal context” as a constructed temporary reality that encompasses both the objective traits of the environment experienced by the organization at a particular point in time, as well as the subjective perceptions that organizational members had of that reality. We also identify the mechanisms of cognitive search and social convergence that led to the creation of nonroutine responses. Finally, we use our insights to clarify the existing overlaps in the conceptualization of the three organizational responses. Our field study is based on a mountaineering expedition to climb one of the most difficult sides of Mount Everest, the Kangshung face, an archetypical case that is particularly well suited to the development of a new theory in which rich data are required to study the phenomena.
The Static Bike Sharing Rebalancing Problem with Forbidden Temporary Operations
Authors: Bruck Bruno P. , Cruz Fábio , Iori Manuel , Subramanian Anand
Published: May 2019

This paper introduces and solves the static bike rebalancing problem with forbidden temporary operations. In this problem, one aims at finding a minimum cost route in which a vehicle performs a series of pickup and delivery operations while satisfying demand and capacity constraints. In addition, a vehicle can visit stations multiple times but cannot use them to temporarily store or provide bikes. Apart from bike rebalancing, the problem also models courier service transportation and repositioning of inventory between retail stores, where temporary operations are frequently disliked because they require additional manual work and service time. We present some theoretical results concerning problem complexity and worst-case analysis, and then propose three exact algorithms based on different mathematical formulations. Extensive computational results on instances involving up to 80 stations show that an exact algorithm based on a minimal extended network produces the best average results.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0859 .
Emergence of MicroRNAs as Key Players in Cancer Cell Metabolism
Authors: Subramaniam Sugarniya , Jeet Varinder , Clements Judith A , Gunter Jennifer H , Batra Jyotsna
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to regulate cancer metabolism by regulating genes involved in metabolic pathways. Understanding this layer of complexity could lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

CONTENT

miRNAs are noncoding RNAs that have been implicated as master regulators of gene expression. Studies have revealed the role of miRNAs in the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, with several miRNAs both positively and negatively regulating multiple metabolic genes. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, aerobic glycolysis, de novo fatty acid synthesis, and altered autophagy allow tumor cells to survive under adverse conditions. In addition, major signaling molecules, hypoxia-inducible factor, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/phosphatase and tensin homolog, and insulin signaling pathways facilitate metabolic adaptation in tumor cells and are all regulated by miRNAs. Accumulating evidence suggests that miRNA mimics or inhibitors could be used to modulate the activity of miRNAs that drive tumor progression via altering their metabolism. Currently, several clinical trials investigating the role of miRNA-based therapy for cancer have been launched that may lead to novel therapeutic interventions in the future.

In this review, we summarize cancer-related metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and other metabolism-related oncogenic signaling pathways, and their regulation by miRNAs that are known to lead to tumorigenesis. Further, we discuss the current state of miRNA therapeutics in the clinic and their future potential.
Uso do aplicativo PhotoMetrix no monitoramento da concentração de flúor em sistemas alternativos de abastecimento de água
Authors: Baumann Luiza , Librelotto Marcia , Pappis Cristiane , Santos Ronaldo Bastos dos , Santos Roberta Oliveira , Helfer Gilson Augusto , Lobo Eduardo Alexis , Costa Adilson Ben da
Published: May 2019

A ingestão frequente de água contendo concentração de flúor acima do limite estabelecido pela legislação brasileira causa uma doença chamada fluorose dentária. Atualmente, o monitoramento do nível de flúor na água para consumo humano é realizado utilizando métodos potenciométricos, cromatográficos ou colorimétricos, que são relativamente caros e utilizam equipamentos de difícil deslocamento para análises de campo. Portanto, surge a necessidade de desenvolver métodos alternativos, visando rapidez, praticidade, mobilidade e redução do custo das análises. O aplicativo para smartphone PhotoMetrix® é um software livre de análise de imagens digitais utilizando modelos matemáticos univariados e multivariados. A captura de imagens pode ser feita através do próprio smartphone ou com uma câmera USB externa. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso do PhotoMetrix® no monitoramento da concentração de flúor em águas de abastecimento. Dois métodos de referência foram utilizados para comparação dos resultados: o método espectrofotométrico e o eletrodo de íon seletivos. Os resultados indicaram concordância entre os métodos, mostrando um coeficiente de determinação (R2) de 0,995 e erro de predição RMSEP (Root Mean Square Error of Prediction) de aproximadamente 0,05 mg L-1. Então, o PhotoMetrix® é um método satisfatório para a determinação de flúor, podendo se tornar uma alternativa viável para o monitoramento da qualidade da água, especialmente para sistemas alternativos de abastecimento.
Seedling Morphology of some selected members of Commelinaceae and its bearing in taxonomic studies
Authors: Bose Animesh , Paria Nandadulal
Published: May 2019

Seedling morphology of eight species from four genera of the family Commelinaceae viz. Commelina appendiculata C.B. Clarke, C. benghalensis L., C. caroliniana Walter, C. paludosa Blume, Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don ex Sweet, C. cristata (L.) D. Don, Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan and Tradescantia spathacea Sw. are investigated using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The seedling morphological features explored include germination pattern, seed shape, surface and hilum, root system, cotyledon type, cotyledonary hyperphyll (apocole), cotyledonary hypophyll (cotyledonary sheath), hypocotyl, first leaf and subsequent leaves. All taxa studied had hypogeal and remote tubular cotyledons. However, differences in cotyledon structure (apocole, cotyledonary sheath), seed, hypocotyl, internodes, first leaf and subsequent leaves were observed. Variations of those characters were used to prepare an identification key for the investigated taxa. Commelina spp. and Murdannia nudiflora of the tribe Commelineae were found to differ from Cyanotis spp. and Tradescantia spathacea of tribe Tradescantieae in the petiolate first leaf with papillate margins on upper surface with 6-celled stomata and the glabrous epicotyl. The presence of an elongated cotyledonary sheath, long apocole and extended periblast region appear to be synapomorphies for Commelina spp. and T. spathacea. The affinity of the investigated taxa as revealed through multivariate analysis supports some of the relationships inferred by pollen morphology, floral morphology and DNA (rbc-L, 5S NTS, trnL-trnF) data stated by previous authors.
The metaphor and the iconic attitude
Authors: Lenninger Sara
Published: May 2019

This paper discusses visual metaphors and aspects of similarity in relation to metaphors. The concept of metaphor should here be understood as a semiotic unit that is also a sign (cf. Ricœur, P. 1986.The Rule of Metaphor: Multi-Disciplinary Studies of the Creation of Meaning in Language. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.). This implies that not all semiotic units are signs, but also that not all signs are typical metaphors. The metaphor is a particular kind of sign because of its making use of the openness present in similarity relations. Metaphorical meaning making is related to a quality of vagueness in iconic sign relations. Furthermore, a notion of iconic attitude is proposed as a designation of subjective and intersubjective perspectives that might be taken on meanings founded on similarity. The iconic attitude mirrors the flexibility of thought and responds to the potentiality of vagueness in iconic sign relations; but, at the same time, the iconic attitude works as a stabilizing factor for meaning. Moreover, this attitude is crucial for the specification of the similarity relation in an actual sign experience with an iconic ground.
A Study of Key Indicators of Development for University-Based Entrepreneurship Ecosystems in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Ru-Mei , Kelley Donna
Published: May 2019

Theoretical concepts related to entrepreneurial ecosystems are currently in the initial stages of development and components of university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems (U-BEEs) are yet to be clarified or defined. This study identifies elements of U-BEEs and employs an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to analyze university-based venture development organizations (VDOs) as research subjects. This study extracted six elements: namely policy, finance, culture, support, human capital, and market, comprising 31 evaluation indicators. The results of this study indicated that “market” was considered the most crucial of the six elements in Taiwan. Finally, this paper provides theoretical and practical implications based on the aforementioned findings.
Double perovskites REBaCo2−xMxO6−δ (RE=La, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Y; M=Fe, Mn) as energy-related materials: an overview
Authors: Tsvetkov Dmitry S. , Ivanov Ivan L. , Malyshkin Dmitry A. , Sednev Anton L. , Sereda Vladimir V. , Zuev Andrey Yu.
Published: May 2019

This work, based on the experimental and theoretical research carried out by the authors during the last decade, presents an overview of formation, stability and defect thermodynamics, crystal structure, oxygen nonstoichiometry, chemical strain and transport properties of the double perovskites REBaCo2−xMxO6−δ (RE = La, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Y; M = Fe, Mn). These mixed-conducting oxides are widely regarded as promising materials for various energy conversion and storage devices. Attention is focused on (i) thermodynamics of formation and disordering, oxygen nonstoichiometry, crystal and defect structure of the double perovskites REBaCo2−xMxO6−δ, as well as their thermodynamic stability and the homogeneity ranges of solid solutions, (ii) their overall conductivity and Seebeck coefficient as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure and (iii) the anisotropic chemical strain of their crystal lattice. The relationships between the peculiarities of the defect structure and related properties of the double perovskites are analysed.
Synthesis and reactivity/stability study of double-functionalizable strained trans-cyclooctenes for tetrazine bioorthogonal reactions
Authors: Ravasco João M. J. M. , Coelho Jaime A. S. , Trindade Alexandre F. , Afonso Carlos A. M.
Published: May 2019

The unique ability of the bioorthogonal pairs to withstand and unaffect biological processes while maintaining high selectivity towards each other sparked the interest in better probing and controlling biological functions. In early years, trans-cyclooctene (TCO)/tetrazine ligation readily standed out by encompassing most of the bioorthogonal criteria such as its excellent biocompatibility, selectivity and efficiency, and as a result of high HOMO-LUMO gap. Modifications on the TCO scaffold such as cyclopropanation render bicyclononene-based TCOs with high enhancement of its reactivity, whereas other modifications focused on improving the solubility, stability, or enabling the scaffold to act as click-to-release drug delivery system. The implementation of facile methods to enhance its versatility is essential for potentiating drug-delivery strategies and expanding the dynamic range of bioorthogonal on/off control. Considering the remarkable properties of bicyclononene-based TCOs we envisioned that the incorporation of an additional vector for functionalization at the cyclopropane moiety could allow access to more complex and double-functionalized TCO probes. Herein we report the synthesis and study of a double-functionalizable strained trans-cyclooctenes for tetrazine bioorthogonal reactions.
The Complex Process of Mis/Understanding Spatial Deixis in Face-To-Face Interaction
Authors: Bazzanella Carla
Published: May 2019

In general, understanding requires cognitive and linguistic skills, encompasses cultural, social, contextual and individual aspects, and is characterised by gradualness and dynamicity.

In this study, the intertwined set of relevant components involved in the complex process of understanding space deixis will be analysed in the specific context of face-to-face interaction. In everyday conversation, this process is unavoidably mutual and may include misunderstanding (which often opens up a way to understanding), repairs, reformulations and negotiation cycles, all of which eventually lead to understanding and mutual comprehension or to communication failure. Many scholars have already pointed out several elements that influence interactants’ understanding in a positive or negative way: on the one hand, shared physical context, cotext, common ground, shared knowledge and avoidance devices; on the other, ambiguity, speakers’ failures, and interactants’ asymmetric features with regard to language and culture. The interactional context, the cotext and the use of multimodal resources (resorted to as co-speech or to substitute language) play a significant role in the dynamic process of understanding spatial deixis, often helping to overcome the difficulties related to peripheral cases of spatial deictics and other causes of misunderstandings, which can either work as a starting point for understanding or lead to communication failure.
Proposal for a New Quantum Theory of Gravity
Authors: Singh Tejinder P.
Published: May 2019

We recall a classical theory of torsion gravity with an asymmetric metric, sourced by a Nambu–Goto + Kalb–Ramond string [R. T. Hammond, Rep. Prog. Phys. 65, 599 (2002)]. We explain why this is a significant gravitational theory and in what sense classical general relativity is an approximation to it. We propose that a noncommutative generalisation of this theory (in the sense of Connes’ noncommutative geometry and Adler’s trace dynamics) is a “quantum theory of gravity.” The theory is in fact a classical matrix dynamics with only two fundamental constants – the square of the Planck length and the speed of light, along with the two string tensions as parameters. The guiding symmetry principle is that the theory should be covariant under general coordinate transformations of noncommuting coordinates. The action for this noncommutative torsion gravity can be elegantly expressed as an invariant area integral and represents an atom of space–time–matter. The statistical thermodynamics of a large number of such atoms yields the laws of quantum gravity and quantum field theory, at thermodynamic equilibrium. Spontaneous localisation caused by large fluctuations away from equilibrium is responsible for the emergence of classical space–time and the field equations of classical general relativity. The resolution of the quantum measurement problem by spontaneous collapse is an inevitable consequence of this process. Quantum theory and general relativity are both seen as emergent phenomena, resulting from coarse graining of the underlying noncommutative geometry. We explain the profound role played by entanglement in this theory: entanglement describes interaction between the atoms of space–time–matter, and indeed entanglement appears to be more fundamental than quantum theory or space–time. We also comment on possible implications for black hole entropy and evaporation and for cosmology. We list the intermediate mathematical analysis that remains to be done to complete this programme.
Synthesis and investigation of 3,5-bis-linear and macrocyclic tripeptidopyridine candidates by using l-valine, N,N′-(3,5-pyridinediyldicarbonyl)bis-dimethyl ester as synthon
Authors: Amr Abd El-Galil E. , Naglah Ahmed M. , Sabry Nermien M. , Ibrahim Alhussein A. , Elsayed Elsayed A. , Attar Abeer
Published: May 2019

Interest in the synthesis of heterocyclic organic molecules with peptide moieties has gained attention due to their potential biological activities. The current work aimed at synthesizing new macrocyclic tripeptide imides and evaluating their possible antimicrobial activities. A series of 11 derivatives were prepared from dimethyl 3,5-pyridinevalinyl ester either by NaOH or NH2NH2 treatment, followed by cyclization and further reaction with NaOH or NH2NH2. The majority of synthesized derivatives showed promising antibacterial and antifungal activities in comparison to standard known antibiotics. Compounds 5a and 7b showed the most potential antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activities against Candida albicans, respectively.
Ferromagnetic interactions in a dicyanamide-bridged multinuclear metal-organic framework [Pr3NH]+ [Mn(dca)3]−·H2O
Authors: Huang Yuan , Yu Xiu-feng , Rong Zhen , Ai Yi-chun , Qian Kun , Yang Jie
Published: May 2019

A new complex [Pr3NH]+ [Mn(dca)3]− · H2O (dicyanamide = dca−) was synthesized, in which the Mn2+ cations are bridged by end-to-end dca anions to form three-dimensional [Mn(dca)3]
n
n

− networks and tripropylammonium cations reside in the cavities of these networks. The complex has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and magnetic measurements. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate ferromagnetic interactions among the MnII ions.
A heterometallic Cd/Ag/Se complex incorporating 3-ferrocenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolato (fcpp) ligands: synthesis and structure of [Cd2{Ag(SePh)}2(μ3-OH2)2(μ2,η3-fcpp)4]·2C3H6O
Authors: Qian Zhe , Jia Ai-Quan , Hu Feng , Zhang Cai-Xia , Zhang Qian-Feng
Published: May 2019

A self-assembly reaction of Cd(NO3)2 · 4H2O, 3-ferrocenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-pyrazole (Hfcpp), [Ag(SePh)]
n
, and Et3N in a mixed acetone-water solvent resulted in the formation of a heterometallic complex [Cd2{Ag(SePh)}2 (μ
3-OH2)2(μ
2,η
3-fcpp)4] · 2C3H6O (1) with a phenylselenolate ligand. The two cadmium and two silver centers are linked by four [μ
2,η
3-fcpp]− ligands and two μ
3-OH2 water molecules. Each Cd atom is in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment, while each Ag atom shows a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry, which is composed of two pyrazolyl nitrogen atoms, one selenium atom, and one oxygen atom.
Infrared Thermal Imaging for Intelligent Leakage Detection in Underground Integrated Pipe Corridors
Authors: Pan Ning , Jiang Shengchuan , Du Yuchuan , Hu Zhipeng
Published: May 2019

Water leakage is a major problem in underground integrated corridors. Research on damage detection in pipelines using automatic techniques has yielded considerably high detection accuracy. Many proposals in this domain show the presence of leakage only when a certain degree of damage occurs. However, in practical scenarios, the corridor managers of a governing body need to take effective action as soon as a leak is detected. This study makes three contributions to relevant research. First, a state-of-the-art intelligent leakage detection method is proposed for underground integrated corridors using infrared thermal imaging. Considering the difference in terms of specific heat capacity between water and the material of the pipe, when slightly heated, cracks in the loose water-pipe interface can be identified in two-dimensional infrared images. The crack-causing leakage can be extracted via the temperature difference between the leak and the ambient field through image processing based on the grayscale threshold segmentation technique and fractal feature theory. Finally, experiments show that the proposed method can achieve an accuracy of up to 90 %, and compensates well for deficiencies in the traditional method. It can implement intelligent leakage detection in underground integrated corridors at low cost with high efficiency.
Design of Multiple Dependent State Repetitive Group Sampling Plans Based on Exponentiated Exponential Distribution
Authors: Loganathan A. , Gunasekaran M.
Published: May 2019

This article attempts to design a multiple dependent state repetitive group sampling plan under a hybrid censoring scheme by assuming that the lifetime of the product follows an exponentiated exponential distribution. Exponentiated exponential distribution, an alternative to Weibull and gamma distributions, has found applications in reliability and life testing. Also, an attempt is made to study the efficiency of this plan in comparison with a single sampling plan. The efficiencies of these two kinds of sampling plans are analyzed with respect to sample size and sampling risks. Plan parameters are obtained using binomial probabilities protecting the interests of both producers as well as consumers. The selection of a sampling plan for given requirements is illustrated with a numerical example.
Residual Stresses, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of EB-Welded 90-mm-Thick UNS S41500 Martensitic Stainless Steel after PWHT
Authors: Sarafan Sheida , Wanjara Priti , Lévesque Jean-Benoît , Gholipour Javad , Champliaud Henri , Mathieu Louis
Published: May 2019

UNS S41500 is a grade of 13Cr-4Ni martensitic stainless steel utilized in hydroelectric turbine products. In this study, the microstructural characteristics, mechanical properties, and through-thickness residual stresses of electron-beam (EB) welded butt joints in 90-mm-thick UNS S41500, assembled using a single pass autogenous process, were evaluated after post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). The results of the longitudinal residual stresses, measured using the contour method, indicated that the applied PWHT was effective in stress relieving and reducing the hardness of the weldment through tempering of the “fresh” martensite present in the microstructure after EB welding. The static tensile properties that were evaluated in the directions transverse and longitudinal to the weld seam demonstrated high performance of the joints with conformance to the requirements of not only ASME Section IX, ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code–Section IX: Qualification Standard for Welding and Brazing Procedures, Welders, Brazers, and Welding and Brazing Operators, but also ASTM A240, Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications, for unwelded UNS S41500. The Charpy impact energies indicated that the toughness of the welds greatly surpassed the minimum acceptance criteria specified in ASME Section VIII, ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code–Section VIII: Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. Also, bend testing of transverse weld cross sections displayed no discontinuities on the tension side of the bent joints. These results provide the essential data for validating a manufacturing process for assembly of high-performance joints in an important hydroelectric turbine material.