bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of carborane acrylate and flame retardant modification on silk fabric via graft copolymerization with phosphate‐containing acrylate
Authors: Wu You , Liu Anqi , Li Wulong , Li Zhanxiong
Published: July 2019

A novel carborane acrylate monomer (1‐acryloyloxyethyl carborane) was synthesized by addition reaction, hydrolysis, and esterification and characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) analysis. Subsequently, the carborane monomer and a phosphate‐containing methacrylate monomer were applied on the modification of a silk fabric. The heat resistance and flame retardancy of the silk fabric before and after modification were compared. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS) and FT‐IR showed that carborane monomer and phosphate‐containing methacrylate were grafted onto the surface of the fibers. The cross‐sectional morphology of silk fabrics after burning was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the flame‐retardant mechanism was analyzed. Thermal‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that the thermal stability of the modified silk increased with the increase of the grafting yield. The MCC‐2 microcalorimeter (MCC) test showed that, when using 1‐acryloyloxyethyl carborane as monomer and blending with phosphate‐containing methacrylate, the maximum heat release rate (PHRR) of the modified silk fabric decreased from 97.6 W/g (before grafting) to 51.3 and 45.8 W/g, respectively, and the total heat release (THR) decreased from 10.2 kJ/g (before grafting) to 5.9 and 5.2 kJ/g, respectively. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) test revealed that using 1‐acryloyloxyethyl carborane and phosphate‐containing methacrylate as mixed monomers to modify the silk fabric obtained good flame retardancy, whose LOI value reached 29.8%.
Coral reef ecosystem functioning: eight core processes and the role of biodiversity
Authors: Brandl Simon J , Rasher Douglas B , Côté Isabelle M , Casey Jordan M , Darling Emily S , Lefcheck Jonathan S , Duffy J Emmett
Published: July 2019

Coral reefs are in global decline. Reversing this trend is a primary management objective but doing so depends on understanding what keeps reefs in desirable states (ie “functional”). Although there is evidence that coral reefs thrive under certain conditions (eg moderate water temperatures, limited fishing pressure), the dynamic processes that promote ecosystem functioning and its internal drivers (ie community structure) are poorly defined and explored. Specifically, despite decades of research suggesting a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across biomes, few studies have explored this relationship in coral reef systems. We propose a practical definition of coral reef functioning, centered on eight complementary ecological processes: calcium carbonate production and bioerosion, primary production and herbivory, secondary production and predation, and nutrient uptake and release. Connecting research on species niches, functional diversity of communities, and rates of the eight key processes can provide a novel, quantitative understanding of reef functioning and its dependence on coral reef communities that will chart the transition of coral reefs in the Anthropocene. This will contribute urgently needed guidance for the management of these important ecosystems.
Smarte Filter
Authors: Wessling Matthias
Published: July 2019

Synthetische Membranen bieten eine wesentliche technologische Grundlage, um Wasser zu reinigen und aufzubereiten. Jetzt werden physikalische Modelle auch mit künstlicher Intelligenz gekoppelt. Das eröffnet auch der Trinkwasserversorgung neue Möglichkeiten.
Bomb Radiocarbon Age Validation of Warsaw Grouper and Snowy Grouper
Authors: Sanchez Phillip J , Pinsky Jeffrey P , Rooker Jay R
Published: July 2019

Current stock assessments for both the Warsaw Grouper Hyporthodus nigritus and the Snowy Grouper H. niveatus are based on age-structured population models determined using traditional otolith-based aging techniques. However, recent studies using bomb radiocarbon validation have shown that many deepwater fishes live much longer than previously estimated when relying on conventional age determination methods. In this study, we conducted bomb radiocarbon age validations of Warsaw Grouper and Snowy Grouper from the Gulf of Mexico. Radiocarbon age validation supported annual growth increment formation for all Warsaw Grouper size classes and medium-sized Snowy Grouper. Conversely, ages of larger, older Snowy Grouper were greatly underestimated due to difficulty in discriminating annuli. This bomb radiocarbon analysis validates a minimum 56-year longevity for both Warsaw Grouper and Snowy Grouper, increasing the currently published longevities of 41 and 54 years, respectively.
Development of ternary nanoadsorbent composites of graphene oxide, activated carbon, and zero‐valent iron nanoparticles for food applications
Authors: Bagheri Mahsa , Jafari Seid Mahdi , Eikani Mohammad H.
Published: July 2019

In this study, a ternary nanocomposite comprising graphene oxide and carbon loaded with zero‐valent iron nanoparticles was developed as a promising nanoadsorbent, especially for polyphenols available in food industry by‐products. The fabricated nanoadsorbents were characterized in terms of structural, morphological, and chemical attributes. Zero‐valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) were produced by a modified method leading to the formation of nanoparticles below 50 nm. Also, active carbon was transformed to a needle‐like shape instead of its native shape so that the active surface area was drastically increased which favors the higher adsorption process. Moreover, the space between graphene oxide sheets was enhanced by ultrasonication so that more active carbon and nZVIs could be oriented between these sheets. Finally, the FTIR and Raman data demonstrated the formation of O‐H stretching groups and a D/G value of 0.85 corresponding to the maintenance of a desired structure of the graphene oxide sheets, respectively. To summarize, the developed nanocomposites can be employed as a promising tool for the adsorbance of food and beverage industry by‐products, especially polyphenols.
Geochemistry and U–Pb geochronology of K‐bentonites from the Pingliang Formation of the Upper Ordovician in Gansu, North China, and their tectonic implications
Authors: Xu Junjie , Wu Huaichun , Chu Zhuyin , Fang Qiang , Zhang Shihong , Yang Tianshui , Li Haiyan
Published: July 2019

The Late Ordovician Pingliang Formation in the Guanzhuang section, located in the south‐western Ordos Basin, North China, contains several K‐bentonite layers, which are important for understanding the tectonic evolution of the south‐western Ordos Basin. This study provides new geochemical and SIMS U–Pb geochronological data for the K‐bentonites to establish the Ordovician high‐resolution chronostratigraphic framework for the Ordos Basin and to provide temporal constraints of major volcanic–magmatic activity. K‐bentonites in the succession yield U–Pb zircon ages of 457.6 ± 3.8 Ma and 454.8 ± 3.8 Ma (2σ analytical uncertainty), showing a depositional age in the Sandbian Stage (Late Ordovician). The result is consistent with the biostratigraphic and astrochronologic framework, achieving the intercalibration of different dating methods. The discrimination diagrams of whole‐rock Na2O+K2O against SiO2 and Zr/TiO2 against Nb/Y and Th/Yb against Nb/Yb and Th‐Hf‐Ta indicate that the K‐bentonites have obvious arc affinities. Based on the geological background, we conclude that the K‐bentonites in the south‐western Ordos Basin were mainly deposited during the development of the North Qilian‐North Qinling volcanic arc in the Sandbian.
Integrating clinical, morphological, and molecular data to assess prognosis in patients with primary myelofibrosis at diagnosis: A practical approach
Authors: Iurlo Alessandra , Elli Elena Maria , Palandri Francesca , Cattaneo Daniele , Bossi Anna , Cortinovis Ivan , Bucelli Cristina , Orofino Nicola , Brioschi Filippo , Auteri Giuseppe , Bianchi Paola , Fabris Sonia , Isimbaldi Giuseppe , Sabattini Elena , Baldini Luca , Gianelli Umberto
Published: July 2019

Currently available prognostic scoring systems in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) do not integrate clinical, histological, and molecular data, or they also required information on “other” mutations that are available in the clinical practice only in a very limited number of laboratories. In the present multicenter study, including 401 PMF patients, an integrated International Prognostic Scoring System (I‐IPSS) was developed by combining IPSS, grade of bone marrow fibrosis (GBMF), and driver mutations molecular status (MS) to define PMF prognosis at diagnosis. Four prognostic categories were identified: I‐IPSS–low risk (113 patients), I‐IPSS–intermediate‐1 risk (56 patients), I‐IPSS–intermediate‐2 risk (154 patients), and I‐IPSS–high risk (78 patients). Median overall survival was 26.7 years in I‐IPSS–intermediate‐1, 10.8 in I‐IPSS–intermediate‐2, and 6.4 in I‐IPSS‐high‐risk patients (log‐rank test <0.0001); instead, it was not reached in the I‐IPSS–low‐risk cohort because of the extremely low number of registered deaths. The addition of GBMF and MS to IPSS improved the efficacy for predicting the risk of death. Indeed, the sensitivity of I‐IPSS was significantly higher (P < .05) than that of IPSS, considering both total deaths and 5‐ and 10‐year mortality. This comprehensive approach allows clinicians to evaluate mutual interactions between IPSS, GBMF, and MS and identify high‐risk patients with poor prognosis who may benefit from aggressive treatments. More importantly, this integrated score can be easily applicable worldwide as it only required information that represent the good clinical practice in the management of PMF patients.
Impact of improved primary care on patient satisfaction: Results of a pilot study in the University of the Philippines
Authors: De Mesa Regine Ynez H. , Galingana Cara Lois T. , Marfori Jose Rafael A. , Rey Mia P. , Sundiang Nannette B. , Celeste Jayson T. , Dans Leonila F. , Dans Antonio Miguel L. , Catabui Jesusa T.
Published: July 2019

Primary care is generally perceived by the public as an inefficient, low‐quality source of health care in the Philippines. Taking a toll on local health policies, the repercussions of these views warrant a more holistic approach in understanding patient experience. This paper evaluates the impact of strengthening primary care services on patient satisfaction at the University of the Philippines Health Service (UPHS). A prevalidated 16‐item, 5‐scale questionnaire was distributed to 200 eligible patients at the start of the study in 2016 and then again in 2017. A significant increase of highly satisfied patients in 13 of 16 questionnaire items was recorded after primary care services in the facility were strengthened. The highest satisfaction scores were reported for overall wait times, coordination of care, and health advice. Our findings suggest that improvements in primary care services through digitalizing health records, financing laboratory and pharmaceutical services, and retraining staff accounts for significant improvements in patient satisfaction. This ultimately bears potential for better clinical outcomes in form of patient retention and long‐term care.
Transforming I into we in organizational knowledge creation: A case study
Authors: Ahn Jisun , Hong Ah Jeong
Published: July 2019

This study examined the process by which individual knowledge is transformed into organizational knowledge by clarifying the sensemaking process. Although several earlier studies on organizational learning have argued that knowledge sharing among members is important, research detailing the development of the knowledge‐sharing process is relatively rare. The current study addresses this gap by using a qualitative case study of a Korean government‐funded organization to examine the organizational knowledge‐sharing process. The findings suggest that learning for organizational knowledge generation depends on participation and communication and requires voluntary, dynamic interactions based on intersubjectivity among the organization's members. This study has important theoretical and practical implications for future research on organizational knowledge sharing and provides a new theoretical framework for the field of human resource development.
Experience on horizontal‐tube falling‐film evaporation simulation by lattice‐Boltzmann method
Authors: Bajalan Sima , Kouhikamali Ramin , Rahimian Mohammad Hassan
Published: July 2019

Complex heat and mass transfers through falling‐film or spray‐film evaporation are widely used in chemical, refrigeration, petroleum refining, desalination, and food industries. Considering that microscopic effects, like surface tension, flow, mass, and heat transfers, are interdependent phenomena, the high‐precision simulation of falling‐film evaporation through a mesoscopic method is of great importance. In the current study, the lattice‐Boltzmann method and the phase‐field model with a proper source term are used for evaporation simulation in a horizontal‐tube falling film. Here, the curvature of the tube is captured by appropriate boundary conditions. Nondimensional numbers and the geometry of the model are determined in a range of practical values. By comparing the film thickness, mass, and heat transfer with valid references in the literature, an acceptable agreement is observed, which reveals the effectiveness of this method in understanding the details and predictions. Overall, the time evolution of temperature contours and streamlines during falling‐film evaporation approves the superiority of this method in keeping details along with lower difficulty and cost compared with the classical methods.
Does maternal warmth moderate longitudinal associations between infant attention control and children's inhibitory control?
Authors: Cioffi Camille C. , Leve Leslie D. , Natsuaki Misaki N. , Shaw Daniel S. , Reiss David , Neiderhiser Jenae M.
Published: July 2019

Attention control (AC) is thought to play an important role in the development of inhibitory control (IC) in children, yet there are few longitudinal studies of this association. This study used a prospective parent–child adoption design (N = 361 children) to examine whether maternal warmth at child age 27 months moderated the link between AC during infancy and IC during childhood. Tobit regression analyses indicated that low levels of infant AC at 9 months predicted low levels of IC at 6 years, controlling for birth parent IC, prenatal risk, infant distress to limitations, child sex, and openness of adoption. Adoptive mother warmth at 27 months moderated this association. In the context of higher levels of maternal warmth, the longitudinal association between low AC and low IC was attenuated. Thus, high levels of early maternal warmth may help diminish the effects of extant risk for IC deficits.

Highlights

The study examined associations between infant attention control, maternal warmth, and children's inhibitory control.

Using a parent–child adoption design, we found that maternal warmth moderated the association between infant attention control and school‐age inhibitory control.

Children with early risk for inhibitory control deficits may benefit from parental involvement in interventions that facilitate high maternal warmth during toddlerhood.
The transaction avoidance regime in the recast European insolvency regulation: Limits and prospects
Authors: Casasola Oriana
Published: July 2019

In the last decade, transaction avoidance in insolvency law has been in the limelight of the academic discussions. In particular, the scholarship has highlighted how the European Insolvency Regulation gives rise to several private international law issues. Moreover, the scholarship has explored solutions to these issues and proposed to harmonise the regime of transaction avoidance at European Union level. However, the recent legislative developments on the cross‐border insolvency law seem resistant to the proposed harmonisation. This article focuses on the transaction avoidance regime in the Recast European Insolvency Regulation. In particular, it seeks to evaluate whether the Recast has solved the issues arising within the original European Insolvency Regulation in relation to transaction avoidance. Secondly, it questions the suitability of the private international law approach to transaction avoidance in cross‐border insolvency within the European Union framework. The research suggests that the efforts required to the private international law framework to deal efficiently with transaction avoidance make the harmonisation of the regime of transaction avoidance at the European Union level a more appealing option.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women who had vaccination against HPV
Authors: Bogani Giorgio , Serati Maurizio , Leone Roberti Maggiore Umberto , Ditto Antonino , Gardella Barbara , Ferrero Simone , Spinillo Arsenio , Ghezzi Fabio , Raspagliesi Francesco
Published: July 2019

Objective

To investigate the characteristics of women developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia who had had a vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was carried out of women diagnosed with moderate or severe cervical dysplasia (CIN2+) in four Italian centers between 2015 and 2017. All women included had had previous bivalent or quadrivalent vaccination against HPV.

Results

The present study included 43 patients affected by CIN2+. The median age was 28 (range, 21–41) years. Ten (23.3%) patients did not have a diagnosis of specific HPV type(s) involved: high‐risk HPV was detected in 7 (16.3%) women while HPV testing was negative in 3 (6.9%) women. Lesions related to HPV16 were found in two patients. HPV types covered by nonavalent vaccination were diagnosed in 27/33 (81.8%) women. HPV types not covered by nonavalent vaccination were diagnosed in 6 (18.2%) women. Co‐infections are most commonly detected in women with HPVs other than those included in the nonavalent vaccination (P=0.024).

Conclusion

Cervical dysplasia occurring after HPV vaccination is a rare condition. Theoretically, nonavalent vaccination should improve protection against more than 80% of HPV‐related lesions compared to other vaccines.
Trolox prevents high glucose‐induced apoptosis in rat myocardial H9c2 cells by regulating GLUT‐4 and antioxidant defense mechanism
Authors: Davargaon Ravichandra Shivalingappa , Sambe Asha Devi , Muthangi V V Subramanyam
Published: July 2019

Redox imbalance due to hyperglycemia is a causative factor for an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and the release of cytochrome‐c. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the functional role of oxidative stress (OS) in the induction of apoptosis in H9c2 cells in the hyperglycemic state through glucose transporter‐4 (GLUT‐4) regulation and antioxidant status. H9c2 cells were incubated with 15, 24, and 33 mM glucose for 24, 48, and 72 hr to induce hyperglycemic stress. Hyperglycemic episodes have significantly influenced GLUT‐4 mRNA regulation, depleted glutathione (GSH) and its associated enzymes, reduced cellular antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), caused nuclear condensation, and induced apoptosis by activating caspase‐9 and 3 and annexin V binding in a concentration and duration‐dependent manner. Trolox pretreatment significantly enhanced the GLUT‐4 mRNA and antioxidant defense mechanism, suppressed nuclear condensation, and prevented cytochrome‐c release, thereby reducing mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis. The present study shows that the toxic effect of high glucose is significantly regulated and that OS induction can be prevented through a water‐soluble vitamin E analog “Trolox” treatment.
Theoretical insights into excited‐state process for the novel 2,3‐bis[(4‐diethylamino‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino]but‐2‐enedinitrile system
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Tianjie , Yang Dapeng , Zhang Qiaoli
Published: July 2019

In this present work, we clarify the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism for 2,3‐bis[(4‐diethylamino‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino]but‐2‐enedinitrile (BDABE) system. We present the fact that excited‐state single proton transfer can occur along with one hydrogen bond, even though BDABE form consists of two intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Based on the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we theoretically investigate and elaborate the excited‐state intramolecular dual hydrogen‐bonding interactions. By simulating the electrostatic potential surface, we verify the formation of dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds for BDABE molecule in the S0 state. Furthermore, comparing the primary bond lengths and bond angles as well as the infrared vibrational spectra, we find that the double hydrogen bonds should be strengthened in the S1 state. When it comes to photoexcitation process, we discover the charge redistribution around hydrogen bonding moieties. The increased electronic density around proton acceptor plays the important roles in strengthening hydrogen bonds and in facilitating ESIPT reaction. In view of the possible ESIPT reaction paths (i.e., stepwise and synchronization double proton transfer) for BDABE molecule, we explored the S0‐state and S1‐state potential energy curves. This work explains experimental results and further clarifies the excited‐state behaviors for BDABE system.
Revisit of trinickel metal string complexes [Ni3L4X2] (L = dipyridylamido, diazaphenoxazine; X = NCS, CN) for quantum transport
Authors: Lin Geng‐Min , Cheng Ming‐Chuan , Liou Shun‐Jie , Tsao Ho‐Sung , Lin Chih‐Hsun , Lin Yi R. , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Chen Chun‐hsien , Peng Shie‐Ming
Published: July 2019

Metal string complexes contain a linear metal‐atom chain in which the metal centers are coordinated by four equatorial and two axial ligands. With a variety of transition‐metal elements and ligands, the structural framework drives the flourishing of molecular design and properties. The one‐dimensional configuration makes the compounds suitable for the studies of quantum transport across molecular junctions. In this study, we report the conductance measurements and transmission spectra of three trinickel metal strings, [Ni3(dpa)4(NCS)2] (1), [Ni3(dzp)4(NCS)2] (2), and [Ni3(dpa)4(CN)2] (3) (Hdpa = dipyridylamine, Hdzp, diazaphenoxazine) in which 1 is a prototypical compound, dzp of 2 represents an equatorial ligand more rigid than dpa of 1, and ─CN is an axial ligand with a ligand‐field effect stronger than ─NCS of 1. Measurement results of molecular junctions for 1, 2, and 3 are 2.69, 3.24, and 17.4 MΩ, respectively. The highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gaps calculated by density functional theory in the gas phase for 1, 2, and 3 are about 2.65, 2.34, and 3.85 eV, respectively. Zero‐bias transmission spectra of 1–3 show that transmission peaks lie just above EFermi (the Fermi energy of the gold electrode), suggesting LUMO‐dominant transport pathways. The transmission peaks at EFermi are associated with LUMO+2 found in the gas phase. LUMOs in the free space are located at nearly 1 eV below EFermi. The shift of molecular orbitals from their isolated form and the alignment of LUMO+2 with the electrode Fermi level manifest the importance and significant of the electrodes' self‐energy on electron transport.
Design, Regiospecific Green Synthesis, Chemical Computational Analysis, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Phthalazine Heterocycles
Authors: Rizk Sameh A. , Abdelwahab Salwa S. , El‐Badawy Azza A.
Published: July 2019

Phthalazines have received considerable attention for their wide antimicrobial activity. Regiospecific nucleophilic attack of 4‐benzylphthalazin‐1‐ol by the 1‐oxo rather than the aza group on different alkyl halides gave novel phthalazine heterocyclic derivatives. Moreover, a variety of nucleosides bonded to electron‐withdrawing groups were synthesized using 4‐benzylphthalazine‐1‐ol. The density functional theory has been used to investigate the electronic structure of the synthesized compounds. All of the synthesized derivatives showed remarkable activity when tested against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. The reactivity of these nucleosides was expected to arise from their bonding with the lone pair of N‐atom of the macromolecules of bacteria. These bonding were expected to inhibit the enzyme by forming highly stable complex with lower highest occupied molecular orbital energy. The structures of these synthesized derivatives were established by Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopic evidence.
A novel approach for modelling pattern and spatial dependence structures between climate variables by combining mixture models with copula models
Authors: Khan Firdos , Spöck Gunter , Pilz Jürgen
Published: July 2019

Spatiotemporal dependence structures play a pivotal role in understanding the meteorological characteristics of a basin or subbasin. This further affects the hydrological conditions and, consequently, will provide misleading results if these structures are not taken into account properly. In this study, we modelled the spatial dependence structure of three climate variables, maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation, throughout the Monsoon‐dominated zone of Pakistan. For temperature, six meteorological stations have been considered, for precipitation we used the results of four meteorological stations. For modelling the dependence structure between temperature and precipitation at multiple sites, we utilized C‐Vine, D‐Vine and student t‐copula models. For temperature, multivariate mixture normal distributions, and for precipitation, the gamma distribution, have been used as marginals under the copula models. The models were calibrated by utilizing the 20 years daily data from 1981 to 2000, and for validation, we used the data for 10‐year period from 2001 to 2010. The simulations were performed for each variable separately, conditioned on spatial neighbours. A comparison was made between the different copula models, on the basis of observational and simulated patterns and spatial dependence structures, the performance was evaluated for the validation period. The results show that all copula models performed well; however, there are subtle differences between them. The copula models captured the patterns and spatial dependence structures between climate variables, however, the t‐copula showed poor performance in reproducing the dependence structure with respect to magnitude. It was observed that important statistics of observed data have been closely approximated except a few maximum values for maximum temperature and minimum values for minimum temperature. Probability density functions of simulated data follow closely the pattern of observational data. These methods can be combined with statistical downscaling models to improve their performance, particularly in modelling the dependence structure between climate variables at multiple sites.
Periodontal condition, changes in salivary biochemical parameters, and oral health‐related quality of life in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa
Authors: Chiba Fernando Y. , Sumida Doris H. , Moimaz Suzely A.S. , Chaves Neto Antônio H. , Nakamune Ana C.M.S. , Garbin Artênio J.I. , Garbin Cléa A.S.
Published: July 2019

Background

Anorexia and bulimia nervosa can have significant effects on oral health. Assessment of enzyme concentrations in saliva can be useful for obtaining information on molecular biomarkers for the prevention, monitoring, and diagnosis of oral diseases. This study investigated the periodontal condition, changes in salivary biochemical parameters, and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

Methods

The study comprised 60 women patients who attended a Brazilian medical school. Participants were divided into two groups: patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa (ABN; n = 30) and control patients (CN; n = 30). Oral clinical examinations were carried out to evaluate the periodontal condition by Community Periodontal Index, and interviews using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) were conducted to assess OHRQoL. Saliva samples were collected for the evaluation of salivary concentrations of total protein, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and salivary flow rate.

Results

Periodontal condition in the ABN group was significantly worse than that in the CN group. The ABN group showed significantly higher salivary concentrations of total protein, AST, ALT, and LDH than the CN group. There was no significant difference in the salivary concentrations of TBARS among the groups. The OHIP‐14 score was higher in the ABN group than in the CN group.

Conclusion

Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are associated with poor periodontal condition, elevated salivary concentrations of total protein, AST, ALT, and LDH, decreased salivary flow rate and a significant adverse impact on OHRQoL.
Red bat fatality: Geographic extents through deuterium and niche models
Authors: Murtaugh Rachael A. , Capparella Angelo P. , Kostelnick John C. , Johnson Greg D.
Published: July 2019

Bat fatality at wind energy facilities is a conservation issue, but its effect on bat populations is difficult to estimate. We have little understanding of wind turbine effects on bat population persistence, in part because we have poor knowledge of bat migration pathways and hence the source populations for individual fatalities. We used deuterium ratio analysis combined with genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction and the web‐based isoscapes modeling, analysis, and prediction in a geographic information system environment as a novel approach. Our objectives were to explore the utility of these methods together and map the geographic extents of eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) specimens salvaged in 2008–2010 from a single, 92‐km2 wind energy facility in Illinois, USA. Results indicate that combining these methods can be successful and support their use with species where ranges may be less well defined. Because of the migratory nature of this species and the range of deuterium values of pixels in our isotope model, we predicted that 18% and 82% of the specimens would have isotope results inside and outside of the wind facility's isocline respectively. We concluded that 71.4% of the specimens had isotope signatures placing them outside the wind facility's isocline. It could be argued that the wide distribution of bat fatalities dilutes the overall effect of those fatalities on the bat species; however, if other facilities show a similar pattern, each facility could have cumulative and far reaching population‐level effects. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Biadhesive Peptides for Assembling Stainless Steel and Compound Loaded Micro‐Containers
Authors: Apitius Lina , Buschmann Sven , Bergs Christian , Schönauer David , Jakob Felix , Pich Andrij , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: July 2019

Biadhesive peptides (peptesives) are an attractive tool for assembling two chemically different materials—for example, stainless steel and polycaprolactone (PCL). Stainless steel is used in medical stents and PCL is used as a biodegradable polymer for fabrication of tissue growth scaffolds and drug delivering micro‐containers. Biadhesive peptides are composed of two domains (e.g., dermaseptin S1 and LCI) with different material‐binding properties that are separated through a stiff peptide‐spacer. The peptesive dermaseptin S1‐domain Z‐LCI immobilizes antibiotic‐loaded PCL micro‐containers on stainless steel surfaces. Immobilization is visualized by microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis and released antibiotic from the micro‐containers is confirmed through growth inhibition of Escherichia coli cells.
Progress and Current Trends in the Synthesis of Novel Polymers with Enhanced Mucoadhesive Properties
Authors: Brannigan Ruairí P. , Khutoryanskiy Vitaliy V.
Published: July 2019

Mucoadhesion is defined as the adherence of a synthetic or natural polymer to a mucosal membrane via physical or chemical interactions. Mucoadhesive materials are widely used to develop dosage forms for transmucosal drug delivery via ocular, nasal, esophageal, oral, vaginal, rectal, and intravesical routes of administration. This review will discuss some of the most prominent and recent synthetic methodologies employed to modify polymeric materials in order to enhance their mucoadhesive properties. This includes chemical conjugation of polymers with molecules bearing thiol‐, catechol‐, boronate‐, acrylate‐, methacrylate‐, maleimide‐, and N‐hydroxy(sulfo)succinimide ester‐ groups.
Mussel‐Inspired, Surface‐Attachable Initiator for Grafting of Antimicrobial and Antifouling Hydrogels
Authors: Su Yajuan , Feng Tao , Feng Wei , Pei Yangyang , Li Ziyue , Huo Jingjing , Xie Chao , Qu Xue , Li Peng , Huang Wei
Published: July 2019

In this work, a novel biomimetic surface‐attachable initiator is successfully synthesized by the conjugation of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and thermal 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamide) dihydrochloride (V‐50). The synthesized initiator (DOPV) can adhere to various material surfaces in a mussel‐inspired way and initiate the surface grafting polymerization. Hydrogel coatings are facilely prepared by the thermal‐initiated radical copolymerization of antimicrobial polyhexamethylene guanidine and antifouling polyethylene glycol oligomers. The developed hydrogel coatings not only show antimicrobial activity toward gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria but also demonstrate protein resistance, antibiofilm efficacy, hemocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity in vitro. Most importantly, the hydrogel coatings reveal excellent antimicrobial efficacy with a log reduction above 5 in a rodent subcutaneous infection model. These results demonstrate the potential fabrication of bio‐functional coatings for biomedical devices or implants through an inexpensive, facile, and environmentally friendly mussel‐inspired technique.
Multilevel, multiplayer R&D investment decisions: Cooperation or competition?
Authors: Ben Brahim Mouna , Ben Abdelaziz Fouad
Published: July 2019

Our paper studies multilevel strategic R&D investment decisions. We distinguish between exogenous and endogenous knowledge transfers and focus the relationship between optimal market structure and technological progress. In general, R&D cooperation leads to high levels of R&D investment when firms are supposed to be symmetrical. However, the relaxation of the symmetry hypothesis, considering multiplayer models (innovators and free‐riders), contradicts previous findings. We show how absorptive capacity concepts explain the incentives and mechanisms of R&D investment. We attempt to answer, through our survey, to the central question: Should firms cooperate or compete in industrial markets?
Blood–brain barrier opening with focused ultrasound in experimental models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Karakatsani Maria Eleni , Blesa Javier , Konofagou Elisa Evgenia
Published: July 2019

Parkinson's disease has many symptomatic treatments, but there is no neuroprotective therapy currently available. The evolution of this disease is inexorably progressive, and halting or stopping the neurodegenerative process is a major unmet need. Parkinson's disease motor features at onset are typically limited to 1 body segment, that is, focal signs, and the nigrostriatal degeneration is highly asymmetrical and mainly present in the caudal putamen. Thus, clinically and neurobiologically the process is fairly limited early in its evolution. Tentatively, this would allow the possibility of intervening to halt neurodegeneration at the most vulnerable site. The recent use of new technologies such as focused ultrasound provides interesting prospects. In particular, the possibility of transiently opening the blood–brain barrier to facilitate penetrance of putative neuroprotective agents is a highly attractive approach that could be readily applied to Parkinson's disease. However, because there are currently effective treatments available (ie, dopaminergic pharmacological therapy), more experimental evidence is needed to construct a feasible and practical therapeutic approach to be tested early in the evolution of Parkinson's disease patients. In this review, we provide the current evidence for the application of blood–brain barrier opening in experimental models of Parkinson's disease and discuss its potential clinical applicability. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Stability analysis of a coupled system of nonlinear implicit fractional anti‐periodic boundary value problem
Authors: Wang JinRong , Zada Akbar , Waheed Hira
Published: July 2019

In this article, we study the existence and uniqueness of solution for a coupled system of nonlinear implicit fractional anti‐periodic boundary value problem. Further, we investigate different kinds of stability such as Ulam‐Hyers stability, generalized Ulam‐Hyers stability, Ulam‐Hyers‐Rassias stability, and generalized Ulam‐Hyers‐Rassias stability. We develop conditions for existence and uniqueness by using the classical fixed point theorem. Also, two examples are provided to illustrate the obtained results.
Performance of the cone beam computed tomography‐based patient positioning system on the Gamma Knife Icon™
Authors: Xu Andy Y. , Wang Yi‐Fang , Wang Tony J. C. , Cheng Simon K. , Elliston Carl D. , Savacool Michelle K. , Dona Lemus Olga , Sisti Michael B. , Wuu Cheng‐Shie
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging has been implemented on the Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™ for assessing patient positioning in mask‐based Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the CBCT‐based patient positioning system as a tool for frameless Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Methods

Daily quality assurance (QA) CBCT precision test results from a 12‐month period were analyzed for the geometric accuracy and the stability of the imager. The performance of the image acquisition module and the image registration algorithm was evaluated using an anthropomorphic head phantom (CIRS Inc., Norfolk, VA) and a XYZR axis manual positioning stage (TOAUTO Inc., Guangdong, China). The head phantom was fixed on a mask adaptor and manually translated in the X, Y, Z directions or rotated around the X, Y, Z axes in the range of ±10 mm or ±10º. A CBCT scan was performed after each manual position setup followed by an image registration to the reference scan. To assess the overall setup uncertainties in fractionated treatment, two cylindrical Presage phantoms (Heuris Inc., Skillman, NJ) of 15 cm diameter and 10 cm height were irradiated with identical prescription dose and shot placement following standard mask‐based treatment workflow according to two different fraction schedules: a single fraction treatment of 7.5 Gy and a 5‐fraction treatment with 1.5 Gy per fraction.

Results

The averaged vector deviations of the four marks from their preset values are 0.087, 0.085, 0.095, and 0.079 mm from the 212 daily QA tests. The averaged displacements in the X, Y, Z coordinates and the pitch, yaw, roll angles from the image registration tests are 0.23, 0.27, 0.14, 0.32º, 0.19º, 0.31º from the manual setup. The corresponding maximum differences are 0.41, 0.33, 0.29 mm, 0.45º, 0.31º, and 0.43º, respectively. Compared to the treatment plan using the 2% & 1 mm criteria, the averaged 2D Gamma passing rate is 98.25% for the measured dose distribution from the Presage phantom with 1‐fraction irradiation and 95.12% for the 5‐fraction irradiation. The averaged Gamma passing rates are 99.53% and 98.16% for the 1‐fraction and 5‐fraction irradiations using the 2% & 2 mm criteria.

Conclusions

The CBCT imager and the image registration algorithm can reproduce phantom position with <0.5 mm/0.5º uncertainty. A systematic contribution from the interfraction phantom repositioning procedure was observed in the Gamma analysis over the irradiated volumes of two end‐to‐end test phantoms.
Ultrasound therapy adds no benefit to splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Jothi Kamalakannan P. , Bland Jeremy D. P.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Therapeutic ultrasound has been suggested as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but existing trial evidence is of poor quality and inconclusive.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of therapeutic ultrasound in mild to moderate CTS. Forty patients were treated with wrist splints plus either real or sham therapeutic ultrasound and followed for 1 year posttreatment. The primary outcome was change in symptom severity scale score. Secondary outcomes were functional status scale score, nerve conduction studies, and ultrasound imaging of the median nerve.

Results

Both groups showed significant clinical and neurophysiological improvement at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline. There were no significant differences between groups at any time. In a multivariate analysis, the only independently significant predictors of the primary outcome were pretreatment symptom severity and additional treatments during follow‐up.

Discussion

We found no clinically significant benefit from ultrasound treatment for CTS.
Adaptive denoising for chemical exchange saturation transfer MR imaging
Authors: Breitling Johannes , Deshmane Anagha , Goerke Steffen , Korzowski Andreas , Herz Kai , Ladd Mark E. , Scheffler Klaus , Bachert Peter , Zaiss Moritz
Published: July 2019

High image signal–to–noise ratio (SNR) is required to reliably detect the inherently small chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) effects in vivo. In this study, it was demonstrated that identifying spectral redundancies of CEST data by principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with an appropriate data–driven extraction of relevant information can be used for an effective and robust denoising of CEST spectra. The relationship between the number of relevant principal components and SNR was studied on fitted in vivo Z–spectra with artificially introduced noise. Three different data–driven criteria to automatically determine the optimal number of necessary components were investigated. In addition, these criteria facilitate straightforward assessment of data quality that could provide guidance for CEST MR protocols in terms of SNR. Insights were applied to achieve a robust denoising of highly sampled low power Z–spectra of the human brain at 3 and 7 T. The median criterion provided the best estimation for the optimal number of components consistently for all three investigated artificial noise levels. Application of the denoising technique to in vivo data revealed a considerable increase in image quality for the amide and rNOE contrast with a considerable SNR gain. At 7 T the denoising capability was quantified to be comparable or even superior to an averaging of six measurements. The proposed denoising algorithm enables an efficient and robust denoising of CEST data by combining PCA with appropriate data–driven truncation criteria. With this generally applicable technique at hand, small CEST effects can be reliably detected without the need for repeated measurements.
Assembly of (l+d)‐Tryptophan Derivatives Containing an Imidazole Group Selectively Forms a Rare Purple Ni2+‐Hydrogel
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Juan , Wei Chuan‐Wan , Gao Shu‐Qin , He Bo , Lin Ying‐Wu
Published: July 2019

Design of metal‐selective hydrogels is attractive due to potential applications in materials and biological sciences. Although much progress has been made, assembly of both l‐ and d‐amino acid derivatives was less explored for design of metallohydrogels. In this study, we synthesized a facile and small tryptophan derivative containing an imidazole ligand with both l‐ and d‐ configurations (denoted as l/d‐ImW). Intriguingly, the assembly of (l+d)‐ImW gelators was found to selectively form a Ni2+‐hydrogel in aqueous medium at room temperature, which shows a rare purple color and exhibits excellent multi‐responsiveness. In addition to insights into the gelation mechanism, this study provides a novel approach to the design of metallohydrogels, by the assembly of (l+d)‐amino acid derivatives containing both aromatic rings and multiple metal coordination sites.
Child Poverty and Gender and Location Disparities in Zimbabwe: A Multidimensional Deprivation Approach
Authors: Musiwa Anthony S.
Published: July 2019

Despite global progress in the last 20 years in measuring multidimensional child poverty, most studies have focused on all children generally. This approach distorts how poverty affects differently aged and situated children. By measuring multidimensional child poverty among children ages five years and below in Zimbabwe (N = 6,418) and analyzing how this problem is correlated with gender and location, respectively, this article attempts to address such knowledge gaps. Using a rights‐based deprivation approach, 14 deprivation variables are selected from Zimbabwe’s 2015 Demographic and Health Survey secondary data. The items are tested for validity, reliability, and additivity, and deprivation estimates are established for those which are valid, reliable, and additive. Thereafter, their correlations with gender and location, separately, are computed. Analysis demonstrates that the most common deprivation forms among the children are early childhood development (78 percent), water (46 percent), health care (44 percent), sanitation (40 percent), shelter (30 percent), and nutrition (13 percent), separately. While there are quite negligible share differences between deprived boys and girls, all deprivations are highest in rural areas. Although all deprivations have largely insignificant correlations with gender, most are significantly correlated with location. Ultimately, the article highlights key disparity areas for effective antichild poverty interventions and future child poverty research.
From Unidimensional to Multidimensional Measurement of Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago: The Latent Class Analysis of Poverty Measurement as an Alternative to the Financial Deprivation Model
Authors: Moonansingh Candace A. , Wallace Wendell C. , Dialsingh Isaac
Published: July 2019

Nonmonetary indicators of poverty are increasingly being used by themselves or in conjunction with monetary indicators to measure poverty levels as previous constructs based solely on monetary indicators are being deconstructed. This is predicated on the notion that low income by itself is insufficient to measure poverty. Despite this general move away from using financial indices as a sole measure of poverty, Trinidad and Tobago continues to use this approach to distinguish the poor from the non‐poor. The current effort examines the unidimensional measurement of poverty in Trinidad and Tobago and proposes an alternative measure, the latent class analysis (LCA) model, to measure poverty on the island. The authors propose the usage of a latent class model (a multidimensional construct) to analyze the nonmonetary indicators associated with two dimensions of poverty—the housing domain and the consumption domain.