bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CSR perception and financial performance: Evidences from Italian and UK asset management companies
Authors: Sciarelli Mauro , Tani Mario , Landi Giovanni , Turriziani Lorenzo
Published: September 2019

This work fits into a stream of research dealing with the role of the Internet and social networks as effective disclosure tools. We argue that the asset management company's (AMC) self‐presentation, its product disclosure, and how it communicates in the social media can be positively associated to its performance. In this paper we have studied these relationships on 21 Italian and UK AMCs in the EUROSIF Panel by adopting an experimental study asking business ethics course university students to evaluate the AMCs' ethical commitment. Our research shows that a high corporate social performance (CSP) disclosure through Web and social media is positively associated to AMCs' economic performance. Even a high perceived coherency between AMCs' self‐presentation and ethical financial product communication can enhance AMCs' financial success. In reverse, a high perceived coherency between financial products and corporate social responsibility communication through Web and social media networks does not seem to improve AMCs' economic performance.
Improving the Understanding of the Redox Properties of Fluoranil Derivatives for Cathodes in Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jung Ku Hyun , Jeong Gyeong Seok , Joo Ji Bong , Kim Ki Chul
Published: September 2019

Despite the potential of organic cathodes in sodium‐ion batteries, their redox properties still need to be explored. In this study, a density functional theory modeling approach is employed to comprehensively investigate the redox properties and theoretical performance parameters for a selected set of fluoranil derivatives as cathode materials. The redox properties are further correlated with various characteristics including structural variations, electronic properties, and solvation. Three primary conclusions are drawn. First, the incorporation of bulky trifluoromethyl functional group(s) into fluoranil increases its redox potential but significantly decreases its gravimetric charge capacity. This suggests that the trifluoromethyl functional group(s) would be detrimental to the design of high‐performance batteries. Second, fluoranil exhibits significant enhancements in terms of redox properties and theoretical performance compared with its hydrogenated form, benzoquinone, suggesting a desired strategy for designing high‐performance batteries. Third, the redox properties of fluoranil derivatives would strongly rely not only on structural variations (e.g., bulkiness) and electronic properties (e.g., functionality) but also on solvation energy. It is further verified that cathodic deactivation could be completed by solvation energy. The new understanding will provide us with guidelines for an efficient design of promising organic cathode materials.
Estimation of the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy
Authors: Okkelman Irina A. , Papkovsky Dmitri B. , Dmitriev Ruslan I.
Published: September 2019

Monitoring of cell metabolism represents an important application area for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). In particular, assessment of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in complex three‐dimensional multicellular in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models would enable improved segmentation and functional discrimination of cell types, directly report on the mitochondrial function and complement the quenched‐phosphorescence detection of cellular O2 and two‐photon excited FLIM of endogenous NAD(P)H. Here, we report the green and orange‐emitting fluorescent dyes SYTO and tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) as potential FLIM probes for MMP. In addition to nuclear, SYTO 16 and 24 dyes also display mitochondrial accumulation. FLIM with the culture of human colon cancer HCT116 cells allowed observation of the heterogeneity of mitochondrial polarization during the cell cycle progression. The dyes also demonstrated good performance with 3D cultures of Lgr5‐GFP mouse intestinal organoids, providing efficient and quick cell staining and compatibility with two‐photon excitation. Multiplexed imaging of Lgr5‐GFP, proliferating cells (Hoechst 33342‐aided FLIM), and TMRM‐FLIM allowed us to identify the population of metabolically active cells in stem cell niche. TMRM‐FLIM enabled to visualize the differences in membrane potential between Lgr5‐positive and other proliferating and differentiated cell types. Altogether, SYTO 24 and TMRM dyes represent promising markers for advanced FLIM‐based studies of cell bioenergetics with complex 3D and in vivo models. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
e‐LiteSense: Self‐adaptive energy‐aware data sensing in WSN environments
Authors: Silva João Marco , Carvalho Paulo , Bispo Kalil Araujo , Rito Lima Solange
Published: September 2019

Currently deployed in a wide variety of applicational scenarios, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are typically a resource‐constrained infrastructure. Consequently, characteristics such as WSN adaptability, low‐overhead, and low‐energy consumption are particularly relevant in dynamic and autonomous sensing environments where the measuring requirements change and human intervention is not viable. To tackle this issue, this article proposes e‐LiteSense as an adaptive, energy‐aware sensing solution for WSNs, capable of auto‐regulate how data are sensed, adjusting it to each applicational scenario. The proposed adaptive scheme is able to maintain the sensing accuracy of the physical phenomena, while reducing the overall process overhead. In this way, the adaptive algorithm relies on low‐complexity rules to establish the sensing frequency weighting the recent drifts of the physical parameter and the levels of remaining energy in the sensor. Using datasets from WSN operational scenarios, we prove e‐LiteSense effectiveness in self‐regulating data sensing accurately through a low‐overhead process where the WSN energy levels are preserved. This constitutes a step‐forward for implementing self‐adaptive energy‐aware data sensing in dynamic WSN environments.
Optimal handover scheme for device‐to‐device communication in highly mobile LTE HetNets
Authors: C.G. Balaji , Varghese Nidhia , K. Murugan
Published: September 2019

Device‐to‐device (D2D) communication was primarily proposed as a new concept to improve the cellular network performance by allowing direct communications among user equipment (UE). Because of the mobile nature of the UE, the D2D link tends to fail more often. In order to guarantee seamless proximity service (ProSe) continuity for the mobile devices, a competent mobility management technique is necessary. In this work, an optimal D2D handover (HO) scheme in LTE heterogeneous network is proposed for guaranteeing seamless ProSe continuity for the UE in D2D communication. The proposed optimal D2D HO scheme tries to improve the duration of D2D communication by not only considering the signal quality between the D2D UE pairs but also the distance between them. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme improves the D2D mode duration, even in high mobility, thereby reducing frequent HO of the D2D UE, which is in D2D communication.
Vitexin ameliorates preeclampsia phenotypes by inhibiting TFPI‐2 and HIF‐1α/VEGF in a l‐NAME induced rat model
Authors: Zheng Lili , Huang Jing , Su Yuan , Wang Fang , Kong Hongfang , Xin Hong
Published: September 2019

Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality with few safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutics. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenic imbalance have been reported to contribute to PE pathogenesis. Vitexin (VI) possesses various pharmacological activities including the potent regulation of the above biological processes in different conditions. This study aims to investigate whether VI has therapeutic potential to PE and the underlying mechanisms. Sprague–Dawley pregnant rats pretreated with or without VI were fed with l‐NAME‐containing water to induce experimental PE. Results showed that VI decreased high systolic blood pressure and urinary protein in PE rats time‐ and dose‐dependently. Meanwhile, VI of higher dosage (45, 60 mg/kg) corrected abnormal pregnancy outcomes, including low pup weight and low pups/placenta ratio. In addition, VI of high dosage (60 mg/kg) decreased sFlt‐1, increased PlGF and alleviated oxidative stress both in blood and placental samples compared with nontreated PE group. Furthermore, VI alleviated placental TFPI‐2, HIF 1α, and VEGF in PE rats. In short, the present study suggests that the inhibition of placental TFPI‐2 and HIF‐1α/VEGF might be one of the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of VI to experimental PE induced by l‐NAME.
Pharmacokinetics and absolute oral bioavailability of stemazole by UPLC–MS/MS and its bio‐distribution through tritium labeling
Authors: Li Huajun , Tan Qi , Zhang Yubo , Zhang Jing , Zhao Chaoran , Lu Shuai , Qiao Jinping , Han Mei
Published: September 2019

The small molecule, stemazole, has significant therapeutic effects on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), due to its neuroprotective effects and remarkable survival‐promoting activity in stem cells. However, pharmacokinetic properties of stemazole were unclear. In this study, a rapid and effective ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC−MS/MS) method was developed to detect stemazole. The detector was operated in the positive‐ion mode with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC® BEH C18 column with gradient elution. Stemazole was extracted from plasma following a one‐step protein precipitation method. The method was fully validated for its selectivity, specificity, and sensitivity. The calibration curve range of 5–1125 ng/mL showed good linearity for stemazole. Intra‐day and inter‐day precision rates were less than 10%, and accuracy ranged from 95.87% to 105.23%. The pharmacokinetic profiles were illustrated through the newly developed method for the first time. The absolute oral bioavailability of stemazole is 32.10%. Therefore, it is feasible as an oral medication, which greatly facilitates its broad application. The biological distribution of tritium‐labeled stemazole in mice was studied, and the results showed that stemazole was absorbed rapidly and distributed widely, mainly in the liver and kidneys. A specific amount was also detected in the brain, which provides a prerequisite for the use of stemazole to treat neurodegenerative diseases. This work represents first description of the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and tissue distribution of stemazole and will lay the foundation for further investigation and drug development.
Selection on multiple sexual signals in two Central and Eastern European populations of the barn swallow
Authors: Pap Péter L. , Fülöp Attila , Adamkova Marie , Cepak Jaroslav , Michalkova Romana , Safran Rebecca J. , Stermin Alexandru N. , Tomasek Oldrich , Vágási Csongor I. , Vincze Orsolya , Wilkins Matthew R. , Albrecht Tomas
Published: September 2019

Variation in intensity and targets of sexual selection on multiple traits has been suggested to play a major role in promoting phenotypic differentiation between populations, although the divergence in selection may depend on year, local conditions or age. In this study, we quantified sexual selection for two putative sexual signals across two Central and East European barn swallow (Hirundo rustica rustica) populations from Czech Republic and Romania over multiple years. We then related these differences in selection to variation in sexual characters among barn swallow populations. Our results show that tail length and ventral coloration vary between populations, sexes, and age classes (first‐time breeders vs. experienced birds). We found that selection on tail length was stronger in first‐time breeders than in experienced birds and in males than in females in the Romanian population, while these differences between age groups and sexes were weak in Czech birds. We suggest that the populational difference in selection on tail length might be related to the differences in breeding conditions. Our results show that ventral coloration is darker (i.e., has lower brightness) in the Romanian than in the Czech population, and in experienced birds and males compared with first‐time breeders and females, respectively. The sexual difference in ventral coloration may suggest sexual selection on this trait, which is supported by the significant directional selection of ventral coloration in first‐time breeding males on laying date. However, after controlling for the confounding effect of wing length and tarsus length, the partial directional selection gradient on this trait turned nonsignificant, suggesting that the advantage of dark ventral coloration in early breeding birds is determined by the correlated traits of body size. These findings show that ventral coloration may be advantageous over the breeding season, but the underlying mechanism of this relationship is not clarified.
How relatedness between mates influences reproductive success: An experimental analysis of self‐fertilization and biparental inbreeding in a marine bryozoan
Authors: Burgess Scott C. , Sander Lisa , Bueno Marília
Published: September 2019

Kin associations increase the potential for inbreeding. The potential for inbreeding does not, however, make inbreeding inevitable. Numerous factors influence whether inbreeding preference, avoidance, or tolerance evolves, and, in hermaphrodites where both self‐fertilization and biparental inbreeding are possible, it remains particularly difficult to predict how selection acts on the overall inbreeding strategy, and to distinguish the type of inbreeding when making inferences from genetic markers. Therefore, we undertook an empirical analysis on an understudied type of mating system (spermcast mating in the marine bryozoan, Bugula neritina) that provides numerous opportunities for inbreeding preference, avoidance, and tolerance. We created experimental crosses, containing three generations from two populations to estimate how parental reproductive success varies across parental relatedness, ranging from self, siblings, and nonsiblings from within the same population. We found that the production of viable selfed offspring was extremely rare (only one colony produced three selfed offspring) and biparental inbreeding more common. Paternity analysis using 16 microsatellite markers confirmed outcrossing. The production of juveniles was lower for sib mating compared with nonsib mating. We found little evidence for consistent inbreeding, in terms of nonrandom mating, in adult samples collected from three populations, using multiple population genetic inferences. Our results suggest several testable hypotheses that potentially explain the overall mating and dispersal strategy in this species, including early inbreeding depression, inbreeding avoidance through cryptic mate choice, and differential dispersal distances of sperm and larvae.
Diagnostic performance of imaging investigations in detecting and differentiating cardiac amyloidosis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Brownrigg Jack , Lorenzini Massimiliano , Lumley Matthew , Elliott Perry
Published: September 2019

Aims

The study aims to systematically assess the diagnostic performance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and nuclear scintigraphy (index tests) for the diagnosis and differentiation of subtypes of cardiac amyloidosis.

Methods and results

MEDLINE and Embase electronic databases were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of CMR or nuclear scintigraphy in detecting cardiac amyloidosis and subsequently in differentiating transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) from immunoglobulin light‐chain (AL) amyloidosis. In this meta‐analysis, histopathological examination of tissue from endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) or extra‐cardiac organs were reference standards. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were calculated, and a random effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate diagnostic odds ratios. Methodological quality was assessed using a validated instrument. Of the 2947 studies identified, 27 met the criteria for inclusion. Sensitivity and specificity of CMR in diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis was 85.7% and 92.0% against EMB reference and 78.9% and 93.9% with any organ histology reference. Corresponding sensitivity and specificity of nuclear scintigraphy was 88.4% and 87.2% against EMB reference and 82.0% and 98.8% with histology from any organ. CMR was unable to reliably differentiate ATTR from AL amyloidosis (sensitivity 28.1–99.0% and specificity 11.0–60.0%). Sensitivity and specificity of nuclear scintigraphy in the differentiation of ATTR from AL amyloidosis ranged from 90.9% to 91.5% and from 88.6% to 97.1%. Pooled negative likelihood ratio and positive likelihood ratio for scintigraphy in this setting were 0.1 and 8, with EMB reference standard. Study quality assessed by QUADAS‐2 was generally poor with evidence of bias.

Conclusions

Cardiac magnetic resonance is a useful test for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis but is not reliable in further classifying the disease. Nuclear scintigraphy offers strong diagnostic performance in both the detection of cardiac amyloidosis and differentiating ATTR from AL amyloidosis. Our findings support the use of both imaging modalities in a non‐invasive diagnostic algorithm that also tests for the presence of monoclonal protein.
Effective production of lactosucrose using β‐fructofuranosidase and glucose oxidase co‐immobilized by sol–gel encapsulation
Authors: Long Jie , Pan Ting , Xie Zhengjun , Xu Xueming , Jin Zhengyu
Published: September 2019

The production of lactosucrose is hampered by the costly use of β‐fructofuranosidase, which shows poor stability and a low efficiency in transfructosylation activity. Immobilization could improve enzyme stability and realize the cyclic utilization at a reduced cost. In order to eliminate the by‐product inhibition and improve the transfructosylation efficiency, β‐fructofuranosidase and glucose oxidase were co‐immobilized by sol–gel encapsulation and the subsequent production efficiency of lactosucrose was investigated. The as‐prepared immobilized bi‐enzymes retained 85.39% of their initial activity at an enzyme concentration of 1.47 mg/g·sol during immobilization and showed great operational stability (maintaining 78.5% of their initial activity) after 15 consecutive reuses. The yield of lactosucrose synthesized by immobilized bi‐enzymes reached 160.8 g/L under the optimized conditions, which was relatively higher than previous reported results. Moreover, the yield of lactosucrose synthesized by immobilized bi‐enzymes was significantly improved as compared to that synthesized by immobilized β‐fructofuranosidase. HPLC and NMR spectrum results confirmed the presence of lactosucrose during immobilized bi‐enzymes catalysis. Furthermore, a relatively high purity of lactosucrose was obtained (87.4% determined by HPLC) after separation with Diaion UBK535 calcium ester resin, and the optimal conditions for separation of lactosucrose were investigated. These results indicated that the co‐immobilization of β‐fructofuranosidase‐glucose oxidase was helpful to improve the production of lactosucrose with low costs, which can be used in continuous lactosucrose production in food industry in advantages of high stability and reusability. And the as‐prepared lactosucrose with high purity can be applied to many kinds of food as functional additives.
Osmotic Pressure Compensated Solute Ectoine Improves Salt Tolerance of Microbial Cells in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Tan F. X. , Zhang L. H. , Liu W. F. , Zhu Y. M.
Published: September 2019

In the technology of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for simultaneous electricity production and wastewater purification, the electricity production of MFCs decreases when the salt concentration in the wastewater is high. Increasing the electricity production of MFCs under high salt conditions is a great challenge. This paper studies the reasons for the decline of electricity production of MFCs under high salt conditions and develops ways to increase the electricity generation. The results show that high salt inhibits the growth of electrogenic microorganisms on the anode of MFCs, thereby reducing the electricity production. Addition of ectoine, an osmotic pressure compensated solute, can increase the salt tolerance of electrogenic microorganisms, thereby increasing the electricity generation of MFCs. With the addition of 1 mmol L−1 ectoine to the substrate, the average voltage output of the MFCs based on mixed microbial flora anode was increased by 60.4% (±3.9%). Under this condition, microbial diversity analysis showed that the dominant growth and electricity production genus Acinetobacter accounted for 38.9% in the microbial community of anode biofilm.
Identification method and distribution of palaeovolcanoes in Mulei Depression in the Junggar Basin, Western China
Authors: Yang Xiaoguang , Guo Shaobin , Liu Zhen
Published: September 2019

The Mulei Depression is a secondary structural unit in the south‐eastern part of the Junggar Basin in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. As in other parts of the Junggar Basin, it experienced large‐scale volcanic activity in the Carboniferous. However, due to the seismic data, quality of this area is poor, and the drilling data is less early, the Carboniferous volcanic activity is difficult to identify and explain. In the case of minimal well information available, we identify the volcanoes of the Upper Carboniferous Bashan Formation of the Mulei Depression and clarify its distribution characteristics. Through frequency decomposition and a reconstruction of seismic data, the seismic reflection characteristics of the ancient volcanic cone become prominent and easy to identify, and even the period of some stacked volcanic cones can be divided. According to the geological model put forward, the seismic reflection characteristics of the ancient volcanic cone and its surrounding volcanic rocks are clarified. The volcanic cones are characterized by mound‐clutter and weak‐blank amplitude reflection. The internal clutter mainly have resulted from rapid changes in lithology and complex secondary faults. Away from the crater direction, the energy of a seismic event is gradually enhanced, and the volcanic sediments from other sources will be superimposed above the previously formed volcanoes. It is found that the volcanic channel with a short‐axis continuous illusion is often developed at the bottom. The volcanic channel which can be identified in seismic mainly affects the development of large volcanoes. Finally, 27 volcanic cones and seven volcanic channels were identified via establishing the three‐dimensional (3D) model of the volcano and the amplitude of the root mean square of seismic data after reconstruction, as well as interpreting deep faults. The volcanic development in the Mulei Depression has the characteristics of an NE spread along deep faults and northern more than southern.
Diagnostic diversity among patients with cognitive complaints: A 3‐year follow‐up study in a memory clinic
Authors: Kao Sheng‐Lun , Chen Shu‐Cin , Li Yu‐Ying , Lo Raymond Y.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To describe the distribution and estimate the mortality risks of degenerative dementias and nondegenerative conditions in a memory clinic.

Methods

We enrolled 727 consecutive patients with cognitive complaints who visited the memory clinic in Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital during 2013 to 2016. Three main diagnostic groups were defined: pure type dementia, in which only one type of dementia was diagnosed, such as Alzheimer disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), Parkinson disease with dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD); mixed type dementia; and nondegenerative conditions. We described the frequency of different diagnoses and employed Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the mortality risks for each diagnostic group after adjusting for age, sex, education, and cognitive status. All patients alive on or after September 30, 2018, were censored in the analysis.

Results

Two‐thirds of patients (n = 496, 68.2%) were diagnosed with degenerative dementias. Pure type to mixed type dementia ratio was about 2: 1. AD remained the most common pure dementia subtype, followed by VaD and PDD. Among all nondegenerative conditions, depression/anxiety and subjective cognitive decline were the most common diagnoses. During a mean follow‐up of 3.4 years, 150 deaths were documented, and the mortality risk was 61 deaths/1000 person‐years. Mortality risks were associated with age, sex, education, and cognitive function at diagnosis but did not differ by diagnostic group.

Conclusions

Clinical diagnoses for patients with cognitive complaints are diverse, and nearly one‐third are of nondegenerative conditions. Baseline cognitive function is a stronger predictor for survival than clinical diagnosis.
A pilot study of the pan‐class I PI3K inhibitor buparlisib in combination with cetuximab in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer
Authors: Brisson Ryan J. , Kochanny Sara , Arshad Saba , Dekker Allison , DeSouza Jonas A. , Saloura Vassiliki , Vokes Everett E. , Seiwert Tanguy Y.
Published: September 2019

Background

This study assessed the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the PI3K inhibitor buparlisib given concurrently with cetuximab in recurrent and metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Twelve patients with R/M HNSCC were enrolled. Patients were given oral buparlisib starting day 7 and daily thereafter. The dose of buparlisib was escalated in a 3 + 3 design followed by a dose expansion cohort of 6 patients. The MTD of buparlisib per protocol was 100 mg daily with cetuximab given intravenously every 14 days starting day 0.

Results

Ten patients had ≥2 previous treatment regimens (11 with prior cetuximab). There were no dose limiting toxicities observed during dose escalation. One patient achieved a partial response and 4 achieved stable disease.

Conclusion

Based on this pilot study, buparlisib at 100 mg daily plus cetuximab proved to be well‐tolerated. Patients previously treated with cetuximab monotherapy showed benefit from this combination.
Public‐private partnerships in non‐profit hospitals: Case study of China
Authors: Wang Kun , Ke Yongjian , Sankaran Shankar
Published: September 2019

The gap between supply and demand for health care services is expanding rapidly in China. In order to resolve this problem, the government has implemented supply‐side reforms in the health care sector by inviting private capital to increase supply quantity and improve quality. However, health care institutions have high complexity and particular needs, while non‐profit hospitals have very strong public interests. This gives rise to complications in the implementation of public‐private partnerships (PPPs) for health care services. In this paper, the authors have selected one case each from three different models of non‐profit hospital PPP projects in the national PPP project database, operated by the Ministry of Finance, and compared how these projects were operated to identify the differences among them. A content analysis of the vital project documents is the primary analysis technique used for this comparison. Key issues investigated include reasons for model selection, requirements for private sectors and market competition level in different models, risk identification and sharing, design of payment mechanism, operation supervision, and performance appraisal of the project. Based on the comparison, some key lessons and recommendations are discussed to act as a useful reference for future non‐profit hospital PPP projects in China.
Maternal perinatal mental health: Associations with bonding, mindfulness, and self‐criticism at 18 months’ postpartum
Authors: Brassel Alexandra , Townsend Michelle L. , Pickard Judy A. , Grenyer Brin F. S.
Published: September 2019

The perinatal period is a time of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal mental health from pregnancy to 18 months’ postpartum. This study specifically analyzes maternal self‐criticism and mindfulness during pregnancy and at 18 months’ postpartum, and their associations with bonding. A longitudinal study (30 weeks’ gestation–18 months’ postpartum) assessed 32 mother–infant dyads, examining changes in maternal depression, anxiety, self‐criticism, and mindfulness. In addition, associations between maternal variables during pregnancy and bonding were investigated. Maternal depression and self‐criticism significantly increased from pregnancy to postpartum. Maternal anxiety, self‐criticism, and facets of mindfulness during pregnancy were also associated with mother–infant bonding at 18 months. Maternal mental health during pregnancy is subject to change postchildbirth. The lack of control and autonomy accompanying motherhood may result in an increase in self‐criticism during this period. Such feelings may elevate a woman's vulnerability to postpartum depression and have consequences for later maternal bonding. Early identification of at‐risk mothers is important to increase likelihood of positive outcomes.
A comparison of displacement and reinforcer potency for typically developing children
Authors: Carter Adam B. , Zonneveld Kimberley L. M.
Published: September 2019

Previous researchers found that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities tend to prefer edible over leisure stimuli, although leisure stimuli may still function as reinforcers. We replicated and extended previous research in a 2‐part experiment with typically developing children. In Experiment 1, we evaluated 15 children's preference for leisure and edible stimuli. Five of 15 participants preferred edible over leisure stimuli, 3 of 15 participants preferred leisure over edible stimuli, and the remaining 7 of 15 participants did not show a preference for a stimulus class. In Experiment 2, we compared the reinforcer potency of the top‐ranked stimulus from each class with 7 of the 8 participants who showed displacement of one stimulus class. Four of 7 participants allocated more responding to the task associated with the top‐ranked stimulus and 3 of 7 participants showed no differences in responding to the task regardless of the stimulus rank.
Cost‐Effectiveness of Sequential Teriparatide/Alendronate Versus Alendronate‐Alone Strategies in High‐Risk Osteoporotic Women in the US: Analyzing the Impact of Generic/Biosimilar Teriparatide
Authors: Mori Takahiro , Crandall Carolyn J , Ganz David A
Published: September 2019

Teriparatide, currently only available in brand form in the United States, is a costly drug approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporotic women who are at high risk of fracture. Because market exclusivity for brand teriparatide expired in August 2019 in the US, we sought to understand the potential health economic impact of the availability of generic or biosimilar (generic/biosimilar) teriparatide. We examined the cost‐effectiveness of daily teriparatide for 2 years followed by weekly alendronate for 10 years (ie, sequential teriparatide/alendronate) compared with alendronate alone for 10 years in community‐dwelling white osteoporotic women with prior vertebral fracture at ages 65, 70, 75, and 80. Using an updated version of previously validated Markov microsimulation models, we obtained incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) (dollars [$] per quality‐adjusted life year [QALY]) with a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) of $150,000 per QALY from a societal perspective with a lifelong time horizon. In the base case, we estimated the annual cost of teriparatide to be $20,161, based on the assumption of 10% brand usage (at a cost of $27,618) and 90% generic/biosimilar usage (priced 30% lower than brand). The ICERs of sequential teriparatide/alendronate compared with alendronate alone were greater than $280,000 per QALY at all ages examined. In deterministic sensitivity analyses, results were sensitive to teriparatide's cost, with the cost of a generic/biosimilar product needing to be 65% to 85% lower than brand for sequential teriparatide/alendronate to be cost‐effective. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, under the assumption that the annual cost of teriparatide was $20,161, the probabilities of sequential teriparatide/alendronate being cost‐effective were less than 4% at a WTP of $150,000 per QALY. In conclusion, among community‐dwelling older osteoporotic women with prior vertebral fracture in the US, even with the potential availability of generic/biosimilar teriparatide, sequential teriparatide/alendronate would not be cost‐effective unless the cost of generic/biosimilar teriparatide were heavily discounted with respect to the current brand cost. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Leukocytapheresis in nonmobilized donors for cellular therapy protocols: Evaluation of factors affecting collection efficiency of cells
Authors: Cid Joan , Carbassé Gloria , Alba Cristina , Perea Dolores , Lozano Miquel
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Collection efficiency (CE1) of cells refers to the number of cells that are collected from the total number of cells processed by the apheresis device. Limited data are available about the CE1 of cells when performing leukocytapheresis in nonmobilized donors for cellular therapy purposes. The aim of our study was to evaluate donor‐ and procedure‐related characteristics that might influence the CE1 of cells.

Material and Methods

Variables that predicted the CE1 of cells were analyzed by longitudinal linear regression in a series of 1071 leukocytapheresis procedures on 249 nonmobilized donors. Donor‐related characteristics considered were gender, age, total blood volume, and complete blood count (CBC) data. Procedure‐related characteristics considered were vascular access and device used.

Results

Older donor age was associated with a decrease in the CE1 of leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and mononuclear cells (MNCs; sum of leukocytes and monocytes) and with an increase in the CE1 of platelets (P < .05). Preprocedure CBC data (leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets) were associated with either a statistically significant increase or decrease in the CE1 of cells. Central line used as vascular access was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the CE1 of MNCs (P = .02).

Conclusion

Donor's age, preprocedure CBC data as well as central line used as vascular access were factors associated with CE1 of cells. Knowing these characteristics is helpful in the apheresis unit when designing cellular therapy protocols in order to maximize the CE1 of the desired cell and to personalize collection variables for each donor.
Potential toxicity and implication of halogenated byproducts generated in MBR online‐cleaning with hypochlorite
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyuan , Liu Yu
Published: September 2019

Online chemical cleaning of membrane bioreactor (MBR) with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) has been extensively applied for membrane fouling mitigation. However, it was recently revealed that residual NaClO from the online cleaning of MBR caused serious microbial lysis with the subsequent formation of dissolved organic matter (DOM), in which a substantial level of halogenated byproducts was detected. Different from those generated in potable water chlorination, most of the halogenated byproducts generated during MBR online cleaning with hypochlorite belonged to the haloaromatic family, which were apparently more toxic than aliphatic compounds. It was shown that a substantial amount of the generated halogenated byproducts passed through the microfiltration membrane and entered the surface waters through the discharge of MBR permeate. As such, the concentration of halogenated byproducts might likely reach an alarming level via bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. This emerging situation indeed poses serious concerns for the aquatic environment, water supply and public health due to significantly high toxicity of haloaromatic compounds produced. Unfortunately, the potential halogenated byproducts‐associated environmental risks have not been carefully and systematically assessed towards the establishment of relevant regulations. Therefore, this review attempted to fill up such a gap by providing the insights into the potential environmental impacts of halogenated byproducts in the MBR permeate. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Monitoring of the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons by bioaugmented activated sludge
Authors: Vural Caner , Vural Cansu , Ozdemir Guven
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

The petrochemical industry wastewater contains many organic compounds that are difficult to degrade. The activated sludge system reinforced by bioaugmentation technology represents a more effective alternative to treat industrial wastewater. In this study, bioaugmented activated sludge water demonstrated high efficiency in removing five tested hydrocarbons.

RESULTS

Optimized degradation rates were obtained upon inoculation of a continuous bioreactor system with degradative bacteria (Acinetobacter sp., Aeromonas sp., Arthrobacter nicotianae, Burkholderia cepacia, Chryseobacterium sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Micrococcus luteus and Raoultella planticola). The addition of a hydrocarbon mixture (terephthalic acid, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, and pyrene) into the bioaugmented sludge resulted in degradation rates equivalent to 97.90%, 99.87%, 98.89%, 97.28%, and 94.55% respectively after 24–48 h incubation. Molecular biomonitoring was performed with real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). According to the obtained results, the numbers of copy DNA of the degradative bacteria increased by 0.36–1.13 log at the end of the degradation process. The presence of some oxygenase genes (Nah, NidA, Pah Rhd Gr(+), Pah Rhd Gr(−) and C23O), that catabolize aromatic hydrocarbons in activated sludge, were detected by specific primers.

CONCLUSION

Bioaugmentation represents a potent and eco‐friendly approach that can effectively remove the drastic increase in the concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in industrial wastewaters. Molecular biomonitoring during degradation can be considered a rapid and an effective in situ method that quantifies the active microbial population in wastewater. The method provides beneficial information about the composition of microbial community and sustainability of the degradation process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Lipase‐catalyzed aza‐Michael addition of amines to acrylates in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Ciduo , Wang Chunyu , Shang Wei , Xiao Bao , Duan Songhan , Li Fengxi , Wang Lei , Chen Peng
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

Aza‐Michael addition, a powerful method for the synthesis of β‐amino carbonyl derivatives, has been extensively studied in organic chemistry. In this study, the efficient and chemoselective aza‐Michael addition of amines to acrylates catalyzed by lipase in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was reported for the first time.

RESULTS

Under the optimal conditions [amine (1 mmol), acrylate (1 mmol), novozym 435 (20 mg), 40 °C, scCO2 (25 mL, 10 MPa)], the corresponding Michael adducts of amines to acrylates were exclusively obtained in high yields (60–93%) for a short reaction time (1 h). No aminolysis was observed when scCO2 was used as reaction medium. Moreover, novozym 435 showed high reusability in scCO2 for aza‐Michael addition.

CONCLUSION

The excellent chemoselectivity and reusability of novozym 435 in scCO2 indicate the method's great potential for practical application. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Learning from the experiences of Navajo engineers: Looking toward the development of a culturally responsive engineering curriculum
Authors: Jordan Shawn S. , Foster Chrissy H. , Anderson Ieshya K. , Betoney Courtney A. , Pangan Tyrine Jamella D.
Published: September 2019

Background

Diverse perspectives, including those of Native Americans, are needed to drive innovation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Tribes such as the Navajo Nation are seeking to strengthen their communities, create economic opportunities, and improve the lives of their peoples by encouraging members of their tribe to become engineers. Research investigating how Navajo engineers experience and understand engineering design and practice in the context of their culture and community can provide insight into how to engage Navajo students in pathways to careers in STEM.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of the study was to identify and investigate the ways in which Navajo engineers experience, understand, and apply engineering design and practice in the context of their culture and community.

Design/Method

A phenomenographic approach was used to explore the ways that Navajo engineers experience and understand the phenomena of engineering design and practice in the context of their culture and community. A total of 20 Navajo engineers were interviewed for this study.

Results

Four qualitatively distinct lenses on how Navajo engineers experience and understand engineering design and practice embedded in the culture of the Navajo community were identified as (a) Navajo‐centered behavior, (b) Navajo‐centered purpose, (c) Navajo‐centered strategy, and (d) Navajo‐centered application.

Conclusions

The results of the study provide a deeper understanding of how Navajo engineers experience similarities and differences between Navajo culture and engineering design and practice, and provide a foundation for the development of culturally responsive engineering design curricula for classrooms in the Navajo Nation.
Representation of the rain shadow effect in Patagonia using an orographic‐derived regional climate model
Authors: Damseaux Adrien , Fettweis Xavier , Lambert Marius , Cornet Yves
Published: September 2019

This study focuses on Patagonia, where Foehn events observed in the lee of the Andes mountains are not yet well simulated by state‐of‐the‐art climate models. It has been agreed that one source of this shortcoming is related to the poor relief representation in models. To resolve this need, a common method used is to enhance the spatial resolution of the model to retrieve a more complex surface elevation, at the expense of calculation time or surface area covered. This paper tackles the problem from a different angle by addressing the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generalization, that is, the altitudes generalization from a high‐resolution DEM to a coarser resolution grid model. Most current climate models use DEM generalization methods that smooth the relief, a key controlling factor in Foehn events modelling. The aim of this study is to compare three original methods of DEM generalization (percentile 90 [P90], envelope maximum [EM], and thalweg and crests [TC]) and to evaluate their impact on simulated precipitation and temperature fields on the eastern part of Patagonia, where warm and dry air masses are expected. Thanks to MAR, a Regional Climate Model, we validate the models at 10 and 5 km resolutions against the Climate Research Unit and perform three sensitivity experiments involving a change in the DEM generalization. Our results show that (a) a finer spatial resolution can slightly improve the temperature biases, however, it cannot resolve the precipitation biases and (b) a more appropriate use of DEM generalization induces a significant decrease in precipitation for the P90 and EM methods and an increase in mean temperature for all three methods in the study area. This study serves as a recommendation for a better use of DEM generalization in climate models performing in Patagonia, but also regions sharing the same orographic features as the Patagonian relief.
Occlusal trauma inhibits osteoblast differentiation and bone formation through IKK‐NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Xu Weizhe , Lu Ying , Yue Junli , Lu Wanlu , Zhou Wei , Zhou Xuedong , Ye Ling , Zheng Qinghua , Zhang Lan , Huang Dingming
Published: September 2019

Background

Occlusal trauma is an important factor promoting bone loss caused by periodontal diseases. Although there are reports of traumatic force promoting bone resorption in periodontal diseases, no studies examining the inhibition of bone formation by traumatic force and the underlying mechanism have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism whereby traumatic force inhibits bone formation.

Methods

MC3T3‐E1 cells were induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation and subjected to cyclic uniaxial compressive stress with or without stimulation with Pg. LPS. The expression of osteoblast markers and the activation of IKK‐NF‐κB signaling were evaluated in vitro. Then, MC3T3‐E1 cells were induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation and subjected to cyclic uniaxial compressive stress with or without IKK‐2 Inhibitor VI. The expression of osteoblast markers was determined. Then, the classic Wnt signaling pathway (β‐catenin, Gsk3β, p‐Gsk3β, and Dkk1) was further evaluated in vitro. Finally, occlusal trauma was induced in Wistar rats with or without the injection of IKK‐2 Inhibitor VI, to evaluate changes in bone mass and IKK‐NF‐κB and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in vivo.

Results

After stimulation with Pg. LPS and traumatic force, IKK‐NF‐κB signaling was significantly activated in vitro. The expression of osteoblast markers and the activity of alkaline phosphatase in MC3T3‐E1 cells declined after traumatic force loading and were rescued when IKK‐NF‐κB signaling was blocked. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling was accordingly inhibited upon force loading, but this inhibition was reversed when IKK‐NF‐κB was antagonized in vitro. X‐ray and Micro‐CT analysis of the mandibles of the rats as well as HE and TRAP staining showed that bone loss induced by occlusal trauma declined after IKK‐NF‐κB was inhibited. The expression of p65 and IκBα was increased when occlusal trauma was induced in Wistar rats, whereas β‐catenin, OCN, and Runx2 levels were decreased. After blocking IKK‐NF‐κB, significant upregulation of β‐catenin, OCN, and Runx2 was observed in rats suffering from occlusal trauma.

Conclusions

IKK‐NF‐κB signaling could be activated by traumatic force or occlusal trauma. Its activation promoted the degradation of β‐catenin, ultimately inhibiting osteogenic differentiation in vitro and bone formation in vivo.