bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Civil Servants Involved in Their Work? An Investigation of Emotional Intelligence and Gender
Authors: Anazor Chinenye S. , Joe-Akunne Chiamaka O. , Nnaebue Collins I.
Published: April 2020

The study examined emotional intelligence and gender as predictors of job involvement among civil servants in Anambra State. A total of 267 participants comprising of 140 males and 127 females aged 25-58 years with the mean age of 40.14 years and a standard deviation of 8.05 were used in the study. Two sets of instrument were used for the study: self-rated emotional intelligence questionnaire (SREIS) and job involvement scale (JIS). Two hypotheses were tested in the study, the first hypothesis which stated that emotional intelligence will significantly predict employee job involvement was accepted at r = (0.143) at p < 0.05. The second hypothesis which stated that gender will significantly predict job involvement among civil servants was also accepted at r (-.279) at p < 0.05. This means that males and females differed significantly, hence being a male or female determines how involved a worker will be in his or her job among civil servants in Awka, Anambra State. The study recommends that employers should consider employees who have high emotional intelligence to ensure effectiveness.
Enhanced Biogas and Biofertilizer Production from Anaerobic Codigestion of Harvest Residues and Goat Manure
Authors: Ndubuisi-Nnaji Uduak U. , Ofon Utibe A. , Asamudo Naomi U. , Ekong Victoria M.
Published: April 2020

Comparative assays were conducted to assess the biogas and biofertilizer production efficiency from anaerobically codigested goat manure (GM) and harvest residues: corn stover (CS) and rice straw (RS). All digesters were operated simultaneously under mesophilic temperature of 40°C and notable phosphate solubilizing and nitrogen fixing bacterial populations indicated qualitative biofertilizer quality of the digestates. Codigestion of the substrates significantly increased biogas yield (p < 0.05) compared to monodigestion, and the highest cumulative yield of 573 ml/g VS was obtained from codigested rice straw (RS) and goat manure (GM). With a significant decimation in number of pathogens (p < 0.05), a 2 – 3 fold increase in populations of plant growth promoting bacteria (Bacillus and Pseudomonas species) was observed in digestate from codigestion assays when compared to monodigestion (control) and were identified as Clostridium sp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens including methanogens: Methanothrix sp., Methanobacterium sp. and Methanosarcina sp. On the average, codigestion assays resulted in enhanced biogas yield and biofertilizer quality that was 2.3 – 4.1 times higher than single substrate digestion and generally improved the efficiency of biogas and biofertilizer production.
Novel C‐terminal heat shock protein 90 inhibitors target breast cancer stem cells and block migration, self‐renewal, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Subramanian Chitra , Grogan Patrick T. , Wang Ton , Bazzill Joseph , Zuo Ang , White Peter T. , Kalidindi Avinaash , Kuszynski Dawn , Wang Grace , Blagg Brian S. J. , Cohen Mark S.
Published: April 2020

In patients with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), evidence suggests that tumor‐initiating cells (TIC) have stem cell‐like properties, leading to invasion and metastasis. HSP90 plays a critical role in the conformational maintenance of many client proteins in TIC development. Therefore, we hypothesize that the novel C‐terminal HSP90 inhibitors KU711 and KU758 can target TIC and represent a promising strategy for overcoming metastasis. Human breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐468LN, MDA‐MB‐231) treated with the HSP90 inhibitors KU711, KU758, and 17‐AAG showed a 50–80% decrease in TIC markers CD44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase (P < 0.01) as assessed by flow cytometry. A decrease in sphere formation, which was used to assess self‐renewal, was observed after the treatment of TNBC cells starting at 2.5 µm KU711 and 0.31 µm KU758. KU compounds also blocked the invasion and migration of TNBC cells in a dose‐dependent manner. The knockdown of HSP90 clients was observed without any change in prosurvival HSP70 levels. In vivo, in a murine orthotopic breast cancer model, treatment with KU758 and KU711 yielded an approximately twofold and a fourfold reduction in tumor volumes versus control, respectively, without demonstrated toxicity. In conclusion, C‐terminal HSP90 inhibitors are potent novel therapeutics against TNBC in vitro and in vivo as they target TICs and block invasion, EMT transition, and self‐renewal.
Understanding Temperature‐Dependent Charge Extraction and Trapping in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhou Qian , Wang Boxing , Meng Rui , Zhou Jiyu , Xie Shenkun , Zhang Xuning , Wang Jianqiu , Yue Shengli , Qin Bing , Zhou Huiqiong , Zhang Yuan
Published: April 2020

Understanding the factors that limit the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be enriched by detailed temperature (T)‐dependent studies. Based on p‐i‐n type PSCs with prototype methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) perovskite absorbers, T‐dependent photovoltaic properties are explored and negative T‐coefficients for the three device parameters (VOC, JSC, and FF) are observed within a wide low T‐range, leading to a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.4% with an impressive fill factor (FF) approaching 82% at 220 K. These T‐behaviors are explained by the enhanced interfacial charge transfer, reduced charge trapping with suppressed nonradiative recombination and narrowed optical bandgap at lower T. By comparing the T‐dependent device behaviors based on MAPbI3 devices containing a PASP passivation layer, enhanced PCE at room temperature is observed but different tendencies showing attenuating T‐dependencies of JSC and FF, which eventually leads to nearly T‐invariable PCEs. These results indicate that charge extraction with the utilized all‐organic charge transporting layers is not a limiting factor for low‐T device operation, meanwhile the trap passivation layer of choice can play a role in the T‐dependent photovoltaic properties and thus needs to be considered for PSCs operating in a temperature‐variable environment.
Chirality‐Enriched Carbon Nanotubes for Next‐Generation Computing
Authors: Gaviria Rojas William A. , Hersam Mark C.
Published: April 2020

For the past half century, silicon has served as the primary material platform for integrated circuit technology. However, the recent proliferation of nontraditional electronics, such as wearables, embedded systems, and low‐power portable devices, has led to increasingly complex mechanical and electrical performance requirements. Among emerging electronic materials, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising candidates for next‐generation computing as a result of their superlative electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. Moreover, their chirality‐dependent properties enable a wide range of emerging electronic applications including sub‐10 nm complementary field‐effect transistors, optoelectronic integrated circuits, and enantiomer‐recognition sensors. Here, recent progress in SWCNT‐based computing devices is reviewed, with an emphasis on the relationship between chirality enrichment and electronic functionality. In particular, after highlighting chirality‐dependent SWCNT properties and chirality enrichment methods, the range of computing applications that have been demonstrated using chirality‐enriched SWCNTs are summarized. By identifying remaining challenges and opportunities, this work provides a roadmap for next‐generation SWCNT‐based computing.
Hip displacement in Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome: Report on three cases and review of associated musculoskeletal pathologies
Authors: Buddhdev Pranai K. , Sabir Ataf , Kokkinakis Michailis , Irving Melita , Norman‐Taylor Fabian
Published: April 2020

Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome is a rare genetic disease caused by a chromosomal deletion of the distal short arm of Chromosome 4. It is associated with multisystem abnormalities, including delayed growth, characteristic facial features, epilepsy, and skeletal abnormalities. We report three patients who developed hip displacement, and describe the occurrence of delayed and nonunion in patients who underwent corrective proximal femoral osteotomy for hip displacement. We also performed a literature review identifying common musculoskeletal presentations associated with the condition. Patients with Wolf–Hirschhorn Syndrome are at risk of hip displacement (subluxation), and we would advocate annual hip surveillance in this patient group.
Die Huisgen‐Reaktion: Meilensteine der 1,3‐dipolaren Cycloaddition
Authors: Breugst Martin , Reißig Hans‐Ulrich
Published: April 2020

Rolf Huisgen hat vor 60 Jahren das Konzept der 1,3‐dipolaren Cycloaddition vorgestellt und dabei bis dahin unbekannte reaktive Zwischenstufen, wie z. B. Azomethinylide, in die organische Chemie eingeführt. Danach entwickelten sich die (3+2)‐Cycloadditionen von 1,3‐Dipolen an Mehrfachbindungssysteme (Huisgen‐Reaktion) zu einer der vielseitigsten Synthesemethoden in der Heterocyclenchemie. In diesem Aufsatz gehen wir auf die geschichtliche Entwicklung dieses Arbeitsgebietes ein, führen die relevanten Vorläuferarbeiten auf und schildern das Entstehen des Konzeptes und seine Weiterentwicklung. Die wichtigsten mechanistischen und präparativen Befunde werden diskutiert. Quantenmechanische Berechnungen stützen den von R. Huisgen immer favorisierten konzertierten Reaktionsmechanismus, aber in Extremfällen können auch Zwischenstufen durchlaufen werden. Die Bedeutung der 1,3‐dipolaren Cycloaddition für das Click‐Chemie‐Konzept von K. B. Sharpless wird ebenfalls diskutiert.
Predicting Absolute Rate Constants for Huisgen Reactions of Unsaturated Iminium Ions with Diazoalkanes
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Chen Quan , Mayer Robert J. , Yang Jin‐Dong , Ofial Armin R. , Cheng Jin‐Pei , Mayr Herbert
Published: April 2020

The kinetics and stereochemistry of the reactions of iminium ions derived from cinnamaldehydes and MacMillan's imidazolidinones with diphenyldiazomethane and aryldiazomethanes were investigated experimentally and with DFT calculations. The reactions of diphenyldiazomethane with iminium ions derived from MacMillan's second‐generation catalysts gave 3‐aryl‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanecarbaldehydes with yields >90 % and enantiomeric ratios of ≥90:10. Predominantly 2:1 products were obtained from the corresponding reactions with monoaryldiazomethanes. The measured rate constants are in good agreement with the rate constants derived from the one‐center nucleophilicity parameters N and sN of diazomethanes and the one‐center electrophilicity parameters E of iminium ions as well as with quantum chemically calculated activation energies.
Analysis of bubble formation during injection molding of polymeric foams by computational fluid dynamics simulations
Authors: Díaz‐Ovalle Christian O. , Castrejón‐González Edgar Omar , González‐Núñez Rubén , Ramos‐Ojeda Erika , Herrera‐Pérez Gabriel
Published: April 2020

Foam injection molding processes have received special attention in polymer industry. The size distribution of bubbles is an important parameter on the molding piece, which depends on the characteristics of the blowing process. This work proposes a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology to analyze the formation and distribution of bubbles in a foamed polymer piece. The birth, coalescence, and breakup of bubbles during the filling process were included and related to the azodicarbonamide (ACA) decomposition. The results agree with experimental data and allow the prediction of shape, location, and predominant size of bubbles. The proposed methodology could also be used to study arrangements of bubbles in more complex geometries, which are directly related to the mechanical properties of the piece.
Modification and ionic stimulation of hollow fiber membrane by electric field for water treatment
Authors: Awad Abouelata Ahmed M. , Abdallah S. M. Aly , Sorour Mohamed H. , Shawky Nourhan A. , Abdel‐Fatah Mona A.
Published: April 2020

Hollow fiber membrane (HF) is considered one of the prevalent materials for water treatment; its effectiveness is controlled by permeation and mechanical characteristics. In this study, HF membrane surface was stimulated using electrochemical technique, where binary system of stainless steel cylinder and graphite rod electrodes was used into electrolytic solution of sodium acetate 0.1 M as electrolyte. Two pH of acidic medium (pH = 3.5) and alkaline medium (pH = 8.5) were prepared and different potential between 2 and 10 V were applied. EDX analysis of HF membrane surface revealed the formation of sodium ions on the surface of HF membrane with maximum content of Na+ ions 1.84%. Also, HF membrane surface showed variation of roughness (R
a) as, HF membrane surface may undergo distortion by using aggressive conditions of high electric potential (7.5–10 V), The measured raw HF membrane (R
a) was 34.8 nm, while, after electrochemical modification in alkaline medium R
a showed higher values 36, 37, and 41 nm using 2, 2.5, and 5 V, respectively. While, after electrochemical modification in acidic medium (R
a) showed 35, 39, 42, 49, 52 nm for 2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 V, respectively. Moreover, tensile strength Young's modulus, break stress and break strain were measured after electrochemical modification in both acidic and alkaline mediums and maximum porosity value 76.84% was observed after 30 min in acidic medium.
Citrulline Not a Major Determinant in the Recognition of Peptidylarginine Deiminase 2 and 4 by Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Darrah Erika , Davis Ryan L. , Curran Ashley M. , Naik Pooja , Chen Ruiqiang , Na Chan Hyun , Giles Jon T. , Andrade Felipe
Published: April 2020

Objective

Citrullinated proteins are hallmark targets of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study was undertaken to determine the effect of autocitrullination on the recognition of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) 2 and 4 by autoantibodies in RA.

Methods

Autocitrullination sites in PAD2 and PAD4 were determined by mass spectrometry and literature review. Antibodies against native and autocitrullinated PADs in 184 patients with RA were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Linear regression analysis, outlier calculations, and competition assays were performed to evaluate antibody reactivity to native and citrullinated PADs.

Results

Autocitrullination of PAD2 and PAD4 was detected in 16 (48%) of 33 arginine residues and 7 (26%) of 27 arginine residues, respectively. Despite robust autocitrullination, autoantibodies bound similarly to native and citrullinated PAD2 or PAD4 (ρ = 0.927 and ρ = 0.903, respectively; each P < 0.0001). Although subsets of anti‐PAD–positive sera were identified as exhibiting preferential recognition of native or citrullinated PAD2 (40.5% or 4.8%, respectively) or PAD4 (11.7% or 10.4%, respectively), competition assays confirmed that the majority of anti‐PAD reactivity was attributed to a pool of autoantibodies that bound irrespective of citrullination status.

Conclusion

Autocitrullination does not affect autoantibody reactivity to PADs in the majority of patients with RA, demonstrating that anti‐PAD antibodies are distinct from anti–citrullinated protein antibodies in their dependence on citrullination for binding.
Central Arkansas Water's Lead Service Line Replacement Program: Investigation, Communication, Implementation
Authors: Sweeney Sharon
Published: April 2020

Key Takeaways

News coverage of elevated lead levels has caused widespread concern among consumers about lead in their drinking water.

In 2016, a multidisciplinary team of Central Arkansas Water (CAW) employees developed a lead service replacement program to improve public health protection.

In a concerted effort that included stakeholder engagement, transparent communication with customers, and a deliberate inventory and replacement process, CAW effectively reduced customers’ exposure to lead in drinking water.
Highland games: A benchmarking exercise in predicting biophysical and drug properties of monoclonal antibodies from amino acid sequences
Authors: Coffman Jonathan , Marques Bruno , Orozco Raquel , Aswath Minni , Mohammad Hasan , Zimmermann Eike , Khouri Joelle , Griesbach Jan , Izadi Saeed , Williams Ambrose , Sankar Kannan , Walters Benjamin , Lin Jasper , Hepbildikler Stefan , Schiel John , Welsh John , Ferreira Gisela , Delmar Jared , Mody Neil , Afdahl Christopher , Cui Tingting , Khalaf Rushd , Hanke Alexander , Pampel Lars , Parimal Siddharth , Hong Xuan , Patil Ujwal , Pollard Jennifer , Insaidoo Francis , Robinson Julie , Chandra Divya , Blanco Marco , Panchal Jainik , Soundararajan Soundara , Roush David , Tugcu Nihal , Cramer Steven , Haynes Charles , Willson Richard C.
Published: April 2020

Biopharmaceutical product and process development do not yet take advantage of predictive computational modeling to nearly the degree seen in industries based on smaller molecules. To assess and advance progress in this area, spirited coopetition (mutually beneficial collaboration between competitors) was successfully used to motivate industrial scientists to develop, share, and compare data and methods which would normally have remained confidential. The first “Highland Games” competition was held in conjunction with the October 2018 Recovery of Biological Products Conference in Ashville, NC, with the goal of benchmarking and assessment of the ability to predict development‐related properties of six antibodies from their amino acid sequences alone. Predictions included purification‐influencing properties such as isoelectric point and protein A elution pH, and biophysical properties such as stability and viscosity at very high concentrations. Essential contributions were made by a large variety of individuals, including companies which consented to provide antibody amino acid sequences and test materials, volunteers who undertook the preparation and experimental characterization of these materials, and prediction teams who attempted to predict antibody properties from sequence alone. Best practices were identified and shared, and areas in which the community excels at making predictions were identified, as well as areas presenting opportunities for considerable improvement. Predictions of isoelectric point and protein A elution pH were especially good with all‐prediction average errors of 0.2 and 1.6 pH unit, respectively, while predictions of some other properties were notably less good. This manuscript presents the events, methods, and results of the competition, and can serve as a tutorial and as a reference for in‐house benchmarking by others. Organizations vary in their policies concerning disclosure of methods, but most managements were very cooperative with the Highland Games exercise, and considerable insight into common and best practices is available from the contributed methods. The accumulated data set will serve as a benchmarking tool for further development of in silico prediction tools.
Optimal treatment strategy with nilotinib for patients with newly diagnosed chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia based on early achievement of deep molecular response (MR4.5): The phase 2, multicenter N‐Road study
Authors: Nishiwaki Kaichi , Sugimoto Kei‐ji , Tamaki Shigehisa , Hisatake Junichi , Yokoyama Hisayuki , Igarashi Tadahiko , Shinagawa Atsushi , Sugawara Takeaki , Hara Satoru , Fujikawa Kazuhisa , Shimizu Seiichi , Yujiri Toshiaki , Tojo Arinobu , Wakita Hisashi
Published: April 2020

For patients who have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), one of the primary treatment options is administration of nilotinib 300 mg twice daily (BID). In previous studies which compared outcomes associated with nilotinib or imatinib treatment, nilotinib achieved a higher rate of deep molecular response (MR). We conducted a phase II, open‐label, multicenter study to investigate an intrapatient nilotinib dose‐escalation strategy for patients with newly diagnosed chronic‐phase (CP) CML based on early MR4.5 achievement. The primary study endpoint was achievement of MR4.5 by 24 months following the initiation of nilotinib 300 mg BID. Fifty‐three patients were enrolled, 51 received nilotinib, and 37 completed the treatment. An increase in the nilotinib dose (to 400 mg BID) was allowed when patients satisfied our criteria for no optimal response at any time point. The median (range) dose intensity was 600 (207‐736) mg/day. Of 46 evaluable patients, 18 achieved an optimal response and 28 did not. Of the latter, nine patients underwent dose escalation to 400 mg BID, and none achieved MR4.5. The remaining 19 patients could not undergo dose escalation, 12 (63%) because of adverse events (AEs), and 7 (37%) for non‐AE related reasons. Four of these patients achieved MR4.5. The MR4.5 rate by 24 months was 45.7%. The progression‐free, overall and event‐free survival were each 97.6%. No new safety concerns were observed. Our findings support the use of continuous nilotinib at a dose of 300 mg BID for newly diagnosed patients with CML‐CP.
Junctional ectopic tachycardia in neonatal enterovirus myocarditis
Authors: Weickmann Johannes , Gebauer Roman Antonin , Paech Christian
Published: April 2020

Differential diagnosis is challenging in poor conditioned neonates referred to the emergency room. Infectious disease is common, yet tachycardia should alert the clinician to look for cardiac arrhythmia and comprise. Tachycardia can lead to cardiomyopathy and should warrant further diagnostics for myocarditis, especially in rare or unusual combination of arrhythmias.
Temperature‐Dependent and pH‐Responsive Pillar[5]arene‐Based Complexes and Hydrogen‐Bond‐Based Supramolecular Pentagonal Boxes in Water
Authors: Hadar Maya , Kaizerman‐Kane Dana , Zafrani Yossi , Cohen Yoram
Published: April 2020

Supramolecular systems in water are of paramount importance and those based on hydrogen bonds are both intriguing and scarce. Here, after studying the peculiar host–guest complexes formed between per‐dimethylamino‐pillar[5]arene (1) and the bis‐sulfonates 2 a–c, we describe the formation of the first hydrogen‐bond‐based supramolecular pentagonal boxes (SPBs), which are stable in water. These pH‐responsive SPBs are constructed from 1 as a body, benzene polycarboxylic acids 3 a,b as lid compounds, and 2 a–c as guests. We demonstrate that encapsulation of 2 a–c in pillar[5]arene 1 and in the highly stable water‐soluble SPBs, that is, 1(3 a)2 and 1(3 b)2, is both temperature and pH dependent and, quite interestingly, depends, on the nature of the lid compounds used for capping the boxes even at high pH. We also highlight the difference in the 1H NMR characteristics of 2 b and 2 c in the cavity of 1 and the SPBs.
Perceptions of the taste of colors in children and adults
Authors: Fateminia Mehran , Ghotbabadi Talayeh Dehghani , Azad Kamran Mohammadi
Published: April 2020

Taste is an acquired phenomenon. The tastes of colors are related to people's perceptions and assumptions, as well as their personal experiences. In other words, there is a meaningful correlation between taste and color. However, this correlation requires extensive investigation before general patterns of taste perceptions can be determined. In addition, multiple studies of a range of different populations are necessary. This study investigated the responses of 56 male and 56 female Iranian participants aged 2 to 6 years to 11 colors commonly used in food and food packaging. Data analysis revealed significant correlations between perceptions of the taste of colors and the relationships between primary and secondary colors in Itten's color wheel. The data were also compared with data from an earlier and identical survey of the taste perceptions of adult Iranians. Participants in both groups perceived the taste of secondary colors as the taste common to their two constituent primary colors. In addition, the basic color rules set out in Itten's color wheel in relation to secondary and achromatic colors also affected how the taste of each color was perceived.
Randomized, Double‐Blind, Single‐Dose, Placebo‐Controlled Crossover Study to Evaluate the Effects of Esaxerenone on QTc Interval in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Mendell Jeanne , Kobayashi Fumiaki , Shimizu Takako
Published: April 2020

This phase 1 single‐center, single‐dose, double‐dummy, placebo‐controlled, 4‐period and 4‐sequence crossover study assessed the potential of esaxerenone, a novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor blocker used to treat hypertension, to affect cardiac repolarization. In this double‐blind study, 55 subjects were randomized to single doses of 10 mg esaxerenone (therapeutic dose), 40 mg esaxerenone (supratherapeutic dose), 400 mg moxifloxacin, or placebo. Serial electrocardiograms and pharmacokinetics (PK) were obtained over 24 and 168 hours, respectively. The primary end point was Fridericia‐corrected QT interval (QTcF). Secondary end points included safety and PK. Assay sensitivity was confirmed as the lower limit of 90% confidence interval (90%CIs) for placebo‐corrected change from baseline QTcF (∆∆QTcF) for moxifloxacin was >5 milliseconds at the prespecified times; mean ∆∆QTcF was 12.5 milliseconds at 3 and 4 hours postdose. The upper 90%CI limits of ∆∆QTcF were ≤0 milliseconds at all times for both doses of esaxerenone. No concentration‐QTc relationship was identified. Therefore, esaxerenone had no potential to inhibit cardiac repolarization. No deaths or serious adverse events (AEs) occurred; 1 subject discontinued the study because of a treatment‐emergent AE unrelated to esaxerenone. This clinical evaluation showed that esaxerenone has no QTc prolongation potential.
Serum uric acid level and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction: a community‐based cohort study
Authors: Nakanishi Koki , Daimon Masao , Yoshida Yuriko , Ishiwata Jumpei , Sawada Naoko , Hirokawa Megumi , Kaneko Hidehiro , Nakao Tomoko , Mizuno Yoshiko , Morita Hiroyuki , Di Tullio Marco R. , Homma Shunichi , Komuro Issei
Published: April 2020

Aims

Although serum uric acid (SUA) level is correlated with oxidative stress and serves as a marker of poor prognosis in heart failure patients, its possible association with subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the association between SUA and subclinical LV dysfunction in a sample of a general population without overt cardiac disease.

Methods and results

We examined 1175 participants who underwent extensive cardiovascular health check‐up including laboratory tests and speckle‐tracking echocardiography to assess LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). The association of SUA concentration, as a continuous variable and a categorical variable using quartiles, with the presence of abnormal LVGLS was assessed. Mean age was 62 ± 12 years, and 656 (56%) were male participants. Mean SUA was 5.6 ± 1.3 mg/dL (25th–75th percentile, 4.6–6.5 mg/dL). The prevalence of abnormal LVGLS (greater than –18.6%) was greatest in the upper quartile of SUA. In multivariable analysis, SUA as a continuous variable was significantly associated with abnormal LVGLS [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.26 per 1 mg/dL; P = 0.008] independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, pertinent laboratory parameters and echocardiographic measures, and medications. In the categorical analysis, the upper quartile of SUA was independently associated with abnormal LVGLS in a fully adjusted model (adjusted OR, 2.28 vs. lowest quartile; P = 0.020).

Conclusions

In a sample of the general population, an elevated SUA was independently associated with subclinical LV dysfunction. Assessment of LVGLS may add important prognostic information in individuals with elevated SUA, even in the absence of overt cardiac disease.
Cooperative H–X Bond Activation by Electron‐Precise Aluminium and Gallium Compounds Incorporating β‐Diketiminate Ligands
Authors: Hitzfeld Patrick S. , Kretschmer Robert
Published: April 2020

The reaction pathways of the cooperative activation of protic, hydridic, and apolar H–X bonds by electron‐precise Al and Ga β‐diketiminates have been probed by means of DFT calculations. Different mechanistic scenarios have been identified and range from concerted bimolecular to associative termolecular mechanisms depending on the nature of the H–X bond. The importance of distortion in the transition‐state structure for catalyst design is emphasised.
Nickel(II) Catalyzed Hydroboration: A Route to Selective Reduction of Aldehydes and N‐Allylimines
Authors: Hossain Istiak , Schmidt Joseph A. R.
Published: April 2020

A cationic [(iminophosphine)nickel(allyl)]+ complex was found to be sufficiently electrophilic to activate aldehydes and N‐allylimines to undergo hydroboration with pinacolborane (HBpin) under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst displayed excellent selectivity toward aldehydes in the presence of ketones. A wide variety of functional groups were tolerated, including halogens, NO2, CN, OMe, and alkenes for both aldehydes and imines. Electron‐rich substrates were found to be significantly more reactive than their electron poor counterparts, a feature that was correlated to their enhanced ability to coordinate to the Lewis acidic nickel center.
Phosphorescent Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes Bearing Ethynyl‐Extended 2‐(2'‐Hydroxyphenyl) Benzoxazole Ancillary Ligands
Authors: Massue Julien , Ulrich Gilles , Monti Filippo , Barbieri Andrea
Published: April 2020

This article describes the synthesis and full photophysical studies at room and low temperature of a series of iridium(III) complexes incorporating an ethynyl‐extended benzoxazole‐based ancillary ligand. The electronic nature of the terminal end‐group of the ancillary ligand was modulated by the simple introduction of electron‐donating (Me, NBu2) or ‐withdrawing (CN) groups. For all complexes, TD‐DFT calculations showed that the lowest‐lying transition was ligand‐centered and that the nature of the first triplet state was very sensitive to electronic parameters leading to a charge transfer (CT) or locally excited (LE) excited state, always centered on the ancillary ligand. Singlet oxygen sensitization studies were performed on all compounds, showing that iridium(III) complexes containing cyano‐functionalized ligands feature sensitization parameters, making them attractive candidates for photodynamic therapy.
Efficient stochastic finite element methods for flow in heterogeneous porous media. Part 2: Random lognormal permeability
Authors: Traverso Luca , Phillips Timothy Nigel
Published: April 2020

Efficient and robust iterative methods are developed for solving the linear systems of equations arising from stochastic finite element methods for single phase fluid flow in porous media. Permeability is assumed to vary randomly in space according to some given correlation function. In the companion paper, herein referred to as Part 1, permeability was approximated using a truncated Karhunen‐Loève expansion (KLE). The stochastic variability of permeability is modeled using lognormal random fields and the truncated KLE is projected onto a polynomial chaos basis. This results in a stochastic nonlinear problem since the random fields are represented using polynomial chaos containing terms that are generally nonlinear in the random variables. Symmetric block Gauss‐Seidel used as a preconditioner for CG is shown to be efficient and robust for stochastic finite element method.
Experimental Studies on the Performances of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell with a Novel Integrated Ultrasonic Atomization Fuel Feeder
Authors: Wu C. , Gong S. , Hu S. , Ye Z.
Published: April 2020

With the advantages of high energy density and low operating temperature, direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been rated as the most promising portable energy device to replace the traditional lithium cell. However, the development of DMFC is limited by methanol crossover (MCO) and catalyst poisoning. To alleviate MCO, a DMFC with an integrated ultrasonic atomization fuel feeder is proposed in the present research. The open circuit voltage (OCV) and the polarization curves of the cell under a series of conditions are analyzed. The performances of the proposed DMFC are evaluated at different methanol concentrations and fuel feed rates. The mechanism of MCO is discussed from above experiments. Compared with liquid feed style, atomization feed style can reduce characteristic response time (CRT) and greatly alleviate MCO because the DMFC obtains a larger OCV value. It can be found from our experiments that atomization feed style can effectively improve cell performance and energy density. Moreover, atomization feed style under different methanol concentrations can obtain the best cell performance by adjusting feed rate. When the feed rate is 0.24 mL min−1 and 0.6 mL min−1, the best cell performance is obtained at 8M and 4M, respectively.
Performance analysis of classifiers for colon cancer detection from dimensionality reduced microarray gene data
Authors: Nirmalakumari K. , Rajaguru Harikumar , Rajkumar P.
Published: April 2020

Cancer disease is accountable for many deaths that are over 9.6 million in 2018 and roughly one out of six deaths occur because of cancer worldwide. The colon cancer is the second prominent source of death of around 1.8 million cases. This research is inclined to detect the colon cancer from microarray dataset. It will aids the experts to distinguish the cancer cells from normal cells for appropriate determination and treatment of cancer at earlier stages that leads to increase the survival rate of the patients. The high dimensionality in microarray dataset with less samples and more attributes creates lag in the detection capability of the classifier. Hence there is a need for dimensionality reduction techniques to preserve the significant genes that are prominent in the disease classification. In this article, at first ANOVA method used to select the best genes and then principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy C‐means clustering (FCM) techniques are further employed to choose relevant genes. The PCA and FCM features are classified using model, discriminant, regression, hybrid, and heuristic‐based classifiers. The attained results show that the heuristic classifier with PCA features is encapsulated an average classification accuracy of 97.92% for classifying both the colon cancer and normal samples. Also, for FCM features, the Heuristic classifier is maintained at an average classification accuracy of 99.48% and 97.92% for classifying the colon cancer and normal samples, respectively. The Heuristic classifier outperforms with high accuracy than all other classifiers in the classification of colon cancer.
A state of emergency: Dominant cultural narratives on homelessness in Hawai‘i
Authors: Pruitt Anna S. , McKinsey Eva , Barile John P.
Published: April 2020

This exploratory study aimed to identify the dominant cultural narratives on homelessness in Hawai‘i—an area of the United States that has seen a precipitous increase in homelessness amid overall national decline. Because media is a primary way in which these narratives are created, solidified, and perpetuated, this study sought to understand the role the local media played in constructing homelessness narratives during this homelessness “crisis.” This study used thematic content analysis of a random sample of 648 articles of Hawai‘i media coverage between 2012 and 2017. The analysis found that media coverage of homelessness in Hawai‘i emphasized structural‐level causes and solutions, while simultaneously relying on stereotypes and stigmatizing characteristics. However, coverage became more complex over time and was open to revision based on new information. This study suggests that media could be a viable target of interventions seeking to produce healthy and accurate narratives.
Trace determination of parabens in cosmetics and personal care products using fabric‐phase sorptive extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection
Authors: Kaur Ramandeep , Heena  , Kaur Ripneel , Grover Aman , Rani Susheela , Malik Ashok Kumar , Kabir Abuzar , Furton Kenneth G.
Published: April 2020

A simple, fast, and sensitive analytical protocol using fabric‐phase sorptive extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection has been developed and validated for the extraction of five parabens including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben. In the present work, sol‐gel polyethylene glycol coated fabric‐phase sorptive extraction membrane is used for the preconcentration of parabens (polar) from complex matrices. The use of fabric‐phase sorptive extraction membrane provides a high surface area which offers high sorbent loading, shortened equilibrium time, and overall decrease in the sample preparation time. Various factors affecting the performance of fabric‐phase sorptive extraction, including extraction time, eluting solvent, elution time, and pH of the sample matrix, were optimized. Separation was performed using a mobile phase consisting of water:acetonitrile (63:37; v/v) at an isocratic elution mode at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min with wavelength at 254 nm. The calibration curves of the target analytes were prepared with good correlation coefficient values (r2 > 0.9955). The limit of detection values range from 0.252 to 0.580 ng/mL. Finally, the method was successfully applied to various cosmetics and personal care product samples such as rose water, deodorant, hair serum, and cream with extraction recoveries ranged between 88 and 122% with relative standard deviation <5%.
Knockdown of ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 13 inhibits cell growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing c‐Myc expression
Authors: Huang Jing , Gu Zhen‐Lin , Chen Wei , Xu Ying‐Ying , Chen Ming
Published: April 2020

Ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 13 (USP13) has been reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis of several tumors, but its function in tumors is still controversial. In this study, the function of USP13 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated, and we found that USP13 was significantly upregulated in both of primary HCC tumor tissues and cell lines. And HCC patients with high USP13 expression had a shorter overall survival or relapse‐free survival than patients with low USP13 expression. In HCC cell lines, knockdown of USP13 by shRNAs markedly decreased HCC cell growth, and mechanistic investigations revealed that USP13 knockdown could markedly downregulate the expression levels of c‐Myc. Moreover, overexpression of c‐Myc could significantly attenuate the effects of shUSP13 on HCC cell growth inhibition. In addition, in vivo experiments showed that knockdown of USP13 could significantly inhibit xenograft tumor growth of HCC. Taken together, our present study provided the first evidence that USP13 acted as a novel driver in HCC tumorigenesis by regulating c‐Myc expression, and targeting USP13 could be a promising strategy for HCC therapy.
Spleen Oxylipin and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Profiles are Altered by Dietary Source of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid and by Sex
Authors: Pauls Samantha D. , Ragheb Mariam , Winter Tanja , Leng Shan , Taylor Carla G. , Zahradka Peter , Aukema Harold M.
Published: April 2020

As the largest secondary lymphoid organ, the spleen plays an important role in immune responses. The role of arachidonic acid (ARA) and its 20‐carbon eicosanoids in modulating immune function has long been of interest. However, recent advances have enabled the identification of numerous other n‐6 and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)‐derived oxylipins. Here, we investigate the effects of diet and sex on the spleen nonesterified oxylipin profiles and phospholipid and neutral lipid PUFA composition in Sprague–Dawley rats supplemented with oils rich in α‐linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or linoleic acid. Dietary ALA, EPA, and DHA resulted in lower levels of ARA and ARA oxylipins. Oxylipins derived from other n‐6 PUFA were also reduced despite no or opposite effect on their PUFA levels. Each diet also resulted in higher levels of oxylipins almost exclusively derived from the supplemented PUFA, despite PUFA in the same biosynthetic pathway also often being increased. Further, while oxylipin differences often reflected changes to phospholipid PUFA, there were instances where they corresponded more closely to changes in neutral lipid PUFA. With respect to sex effects, >50% of lipoxygenase ARA‐derived oxylipins were higher in males in at least one diet group, while multiple DHA oxylipins were lower in males only in rats provided the DHA diet. This fundamental description of oxylipin composition in the spleen, including the influence of diet and sex and the relationship to PUFA composition, will help inform future studies examining the functions of these oxylipins under physiological and pathological conditions.
Lipid Profiles of Five Essential Phospholipid Preparations for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Comparative Study
Authors: Lüchtenborg Christian , Niederhaus Birgit , Brügger Britta , Popovic Branko , Fricker Gert
Published: April 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an imbalance in fatty acid composition and can progress from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Essential phospholipids (EPL), which contain high levels of 1,2‐dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine, can be used to treat NAFLD. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) preparations are external, commercially available EPL products. The lipid composition of five commercially available PPC preparations, including Essentiale Forte, Fortifikat, Hepatoprotect Regenerator, Fortifikat Forte, and Esentin Forte were compared, the outcome of which may impact physician choice in the treatment of NAFLD. Following lipid extraction, a comparative analysis of key lipid content was performed using a QTRAP6500+ triple quadruple ion trap hybrid mass spectrometer (Sciex) in nanoelectrospray ionization mode. The glycerophospholipid composition of each PPC was determined, including levels of phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) species, as well as PtdCho:PtdEtn ratio. Of the five preparations analyzed, Essentiale Forte contained the highest PtdCho levels (61.9 mol%) and lowest PtdEtn levels (4.9 mol%). PtdCho 36:4 levels, a polyunsaturated species of PtdCho, were highest in Esentin Forte (39.3 mol%) and Essentiale Forte (38.3 mol%) compared with other PPCs (28.7–35.8 mol%). Levels of lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylglycerol were low in all five preparations. Lipid composition was consistent between the preparations. The high PtdCho:PtdEtn ratio composition of Essentiale Forte compared with the other PPC analyzed, as well as the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, suggest it could be the most clinically beneficial commercially available hepatoprotective product in the treatment of NAFLD.
Dietary Alcohol and Fat Differentially Affect Plasma Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Activity and Triglycerides in Normo‐ and Hypertriglyceridemic Subjects
Authors: Gaubatz John W. , Gillard Baiba K. , Rosales Corina , Pownall Henry J.
Published: April 2020

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with increased plasma high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol concentrations and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity (CETA) mediates the exchange of HDL‐cholesteryl ester (CE) for the triacylglycerol (TAG) of very‐low‐density lipoproteins. We compared the effects of oral challenges of Alcohol, saturated fat (SAT), and (Alcohol + SAT) on plasma CETA, cholesterol, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and TAG among normo‐triglyceridemic (NTG) and mildly hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) volunteers having a range of plasma TAG concentrations. The major changes were (1) CETA increased more after ingestion of SAT and (Alcohol + SAT) in the HTG group versus the NTG group; (2) after all three challenges, elevation of plasma TAG concentration persisted longer in the HTG versus NTG group. Plasma cholesterol was not affected by the three dietary challenges, while Alcohol increased NEFA more in the HTG group than the NTG group. Plasma TAG best predicted plasma CETA, suggesting that intestinally derived lipoproteins are acceptors of HDL‐CE. Unexpectedly, ingestion of (Alcohol + SAT) reduced the strength of the correlation between plasma TAG and CETA, that is the effects of (SAT and Alcohol) on plasma CETA are not synergistic nor additive but rather mutually suppressive. The alcohol‐mediated inhibition of CE‐transfer to chylomicrons maintains a higher plasma HDL‐cholesterol concentration, which is athero‐protective, although the suppressive metabolite underlying this correlation could be acetate, the terminal alcohol metabolite, other factors, including CETA inhibitors, are also likely important.
A nonsmooth frictional contact formulation for multibody system dynamics
Authors: Galvez Javier , Cavalieri Federico J. , Cosimo Alejandro , Brüls Olivier , Cardona Alberto
Published: April 2020

We present a new node‐to‐face frictional contact element for the simulation of the nonsmooth dynamics of systems composed of rigid and flexible bodies connected by kinematic joints. The equations of motion are integrated using a nonsmooth generalized‐α time integration scheme and the frictional contact problem is formulated using a mixed approach, based on an augmented Lagrangian technique and a Coulomb friction law. The numerical results are independent of any user‐defined penalty parameter for the normal or tangential component of the forces and, the bilateral and the unilateral constraints are exactly fulfilled both at position and velocity levels. Finally, the robustness and the performance of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated by solving several numerical examples of nonsmooth mechanical systems involving frictional contact.
Analyzing the Dynamics of the Laser Beam Cutting Process
Authors: Arntz‐Schroeder Dennis , Petring Dirk
Published: April 2020

Instabilities of the melt flow dynamics at the laser cutting front lead to quality losses, due to the formation of striations at the resulting cut flank. The application of high‐speed video diagnosis has turned out to be very instructive for a well‐founded process analysis. In this way, it was found out for the first time that the melt film dynamics at the cutting front reveal characteristic frequencies that are nearly independent of process parameters. Interestingly, their local appearance correlates with the area of lowest roughness on the resulting cut flanks. This observation suggests the amplification of the characteristic frequencies in order to obtain a reduced roughness over the complete cut depth. Comprehensible rules for optimized laser beam and gas flow parameters can be determined based on the physical understanding of the origin of the characteristic frequencies.
Lattice‐Optimized GaAsSb/InP Heterojunction Toward Both Efficient Carrier Confinement and Thermal Dissipation
Authors: Liu Yingmei , Chu Yuanyuan , Lu Yue , Li Ying , Li Shengjuan , Jin Chuan , Chen Jianxin , Wang Xingjun
Published: April 2020

High‐quality lattice‐matched and mismatched GaAs1–xSbx (0.37 < x < 0.57) epilayers are grown on InP by molecular beam epitaxy. The localized states are confirmed by the S‐shape behavior of the temperature‐dependent photoluminescence (PL). With the help of a model based on a redistribution process of localized excitons, the degree of carrier localization is estimated quantitatively. It is found that the degree of carrier localization reaches a maximum for the lattice‐matched sample with Sb = 47.7%, indicating that carrier localization effects are mainly due to compositional fluctuations. This result is corroborated by the power‐dependent PL. In addition, power‐dependent Raman measurements give a hint that the thermal conductivity of the lattice‐matched sample is ≈50% higher than that of lattice‐mismatched samples with Sb = 37.9% and 56.2%. Thus the abnormal S‐shape behavior (blue–redshift) that occurs in the power‐dependent PL from the lattice‐mismatched GaAsSb samples is attributed to both the lower degree of carrier localization and the enhanced laser heating effect caused by their smaller thermal conductivity.