bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enabling coping in people living with cancer and severe mental illness
Authors:   , Charlesworth Laura Anne
Published: August 2024

People with severe mental illness and cancer experience worse cancer outcomes compared to those without mental illness, however there is a gap in the literature investigating the perception of needs from the perspective of those with lived experience. The aim of this research was to provide theoretical analysis of the perception of needs of people with a pre-existing severe mental illness who receive a diagnosis of and treatment for cancer. This research was underpinned by a relativist ontological stance and a constructivist epistemological position and adopted a constructivist grounded theory methodology. The research was undertaken in England and data were generated through in depth one-to-one interviews with people with lived experience of severe mental illness and cancer. Grounded theory coding methods of initial, focused, and theoretical coding were adopted alongside constant comparative methods and memoing. People living with severe mental illness and cancer perceived their needs to be focused on a set of interconnected factors that affected their ability to cope. These factors were formed from their personal circumstances and experiences, their encounters within the health system, their experiences of stigma in the health and care setting, and their ability to stay in balance with their mental health. People in this study explained their needs when being diagnosed with cancer and subsequently living with both severe mental illness and cancer. Four main categories of: staying resilient, foundational needs from healthcare, avoiding stigma and keeping in balance were connected by a central category of coping. This resulted in the substantive theory: enabling coping in people living with severe mental illness and cancer. This theory offers new insight into how people experiencing severe mental illness and cancer perceive their needs in order to cope with comorbidity.
Retours méthodologiques sur la recherche à distance entre Covid-19 et conflits nationaux au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord
Authors: Marzo Pietro
Published: August 2024

Effectuer des recherches de terrain dans les pays du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique du Nord a toujours posé certains défis majeurs aux chercheurs en sciences sociales. La pandémie de Covid-19 a exacerbé le problème d’accès au terrain et aux données, limitant les mouvements des personnes et restreignant encore davantage les possibilités d’interactions avec les individus à l’échelle locale. Cet article aborde la méthodologie utilisée lors de deux projets de recherche en sciences sociales qui se sont déroulés à distance lors de la pandémie. La première recherche a été menée dans sept municipalités de Libye, dans un contexte déjà plombé par un conflit national qui impose de sévères limites aux chercheurs étrangers. La deuxième recherche visait à évaluer les besoins des jeunes et de la société civile dans treize pays de la région du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique du Nord (MOAN). L’article offre des réflexions sur le potentiel d’une collaboration étroite entre chercheurs étrangers et chercheurs locaux dans toutes les phases d’un projet de recherche. Les stratégies méthodologiques adoptées pour mener à bien ces deux projets apportent des suggestions pour repenser la coopération entre chercheurs du Nord et du Sud dans une perspective d’avancement des connaissances.
Leçons apprises d’une recherche partenariale sur les politiques sociales transformatrices et genrées en Afrique post Covid-19
Authors: Fall Marie , Sylla Almamy , Sarr Ndèye Faty , Sadio Adama , Wagué Ousmane , Rivest Jessica
Published: August 2024

La recherche partenariale internationale a subi de profondes mutations au cours de la pandémie de Covid-19 qui a imposé aux équipes de recherche internationales des choix méthodologiques et stratégiques adaptés pour assurer la continuité des projets. Dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche sur les politiques sociales transformatrices et genrées en Afrique post Covid-19, une équipe formée de deux chercheuses du Canada et de la France et de trois chercheurs du Mali, de la Mauritanie et du Sénégal a réalisé une recherche partenariale durant la pandémie de Covid-19. La présence effective des chercheurs dans les trois pays ouest africains ciblés par le projet a permis de finaliser la recherche malgré les contraintes liées à la mobilité. Au final, les leçons apprises de cette collaboration Nord-Sud se focalisent sur les interactions entre les membres de l’équipe, démontrant ainsi la nécessité de reconnaître et valoriser les compétences mutuelles des parties prenantes des projets de développement international.
Pourquoi la France est-elle attaquée ?
Authors: Varaine Simon , Magni-Berton Raul , Egger Clara
Published: August 2024

Un épineux débat persiste quant aux causes des attentats ayant touché la France depuis 2015. Une première thèse stipule que la France est attaquée en raison des valeurs libérales qu’elle incarne. D’après une seconde thèse, la France est attaquée en réponse à sa politique étrangère interventionniste. Notre contribution propose de répondre à ce débat au moyen d’une approche comportementale, statistique et comparative des attentats au nom de l’État islamique dans le monde de 2013 à 2019. Nos analyses révèlent que les pays présentant des valeurs libérales (droit au blasphème, tradition de caricature de la presse et tolérance à l’égard de l’homosexualité) ne font en moyenne pas l’objet d’un nombre accru d’attentats. À l’inverse, les pays impliqués dans des frappes aériennes en Irak ou en Syrie sont significativement plus touchés. Une analyse temporelle confirme l’effet causal des frappes militaires sur les attentats, et non l’effet inverse.
Spatial and temporal distribution of ribosomes in single cells reveals aging differences between old and new daughters of Escherichia coli
Authors: Chao Lin , Chan Chun Kuen , Shi Chao , Rang Camilla U
Published: August 2024

Lineages of rod-shaped bacteria such as
Escherichia coli
exhibit a temporal decline in elongation rate in a manner comparable to cellular or biological aging. The effect results from the production of asymmetrical daughters, one with a lower elongation rate, by the division of a mother cell. The slower daughter compared to the faster daughter, denoted respectively as the old and new daughters, has more aggregates of damaged proteins and fewer expressed gene products. We have examined further the degree of asymmetry by measuring the density of ribosomes between old and new daughters and between their poles. We found that ribosomes were denser in the new daughter and also in the new pole of the daughters. These ribosome patterns match the ones we previously found for expressed gene products. This outcome suggests that the asymmetry is not likely to result from properties unique to the gene expressed in our previous study, but rather from a more fundamental upstream process affecting distribution of ribosomal abundance. Because damage aggregates and ribosomes are both more abundant at the poles of
E. coli
cells, we suggest that competition for space between the two could explain the reduced ribosomal density in old daughters. Using published values for aggregate sizes and the relationship between ribosomal number and elongation rates, we show that the aggregate volumes could in principle displace quantitatively the amount of ribosomes needed to reduce the elongation rate of the old daughters.
Levels of biomarkers associated with subconcussive head hits in mixed martial arts fighters
Authors: de Lima Filho Nelson Marinho , Fernandes Sabrina Gabrielle Gomes , Costa Valeria , Araujo Daline , Godeiro Jr Clecio , Guerra Gerlane , Guerra Ricardo Oliveira , Ribeiro Karyna Figueiredo
Published: August 2024

Background

Concussion and the damage resulting from this event related to brain function have been widely studied; however, little is known about subconcussive impacts, especially in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, which is a combat and full contact sport in which most blows are aimed at the head.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the biomarker levels associated with subconcussive hits to the head in MMA fighters.

Methods

This is an exploratory study in which 30 male subjects (10 MMA fighters, 10 healthy individuals who practice muscle training, and 10 healthy sedentary individuals) aged between 18 and 32 years (25.4 ± 3.8) were evaluated. These individuals underwent blood collection to assess their Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels before, immediately after and 72 hours after the sparring session (for the fighters) and were compared between groups.

Results

Significant differences were found at baseline between active and healthy fighters in BDNF levels (p = 0.03). A significant reduction of BDNF levels were also observed between the post-immediate and 72h after the sparring session (p = 0.03). No differences were observed in the number or severity of symptoms reported by the fighters.

Conclusion

Despite the exploratory approach, the findings of this study may help to understand the influence of repeated subconcussive hits to the head in MMA fighters, as well as to propose preventive interventions which can minimize the effects of the impact of hits, preserving fighters’ neuronal integrity and function.
Evolution of gene regulatory networks by means of selection and random genetic drift
Authors: Papadadonakis Stefanos , Kioukis Antonios , Karageorgiou Charikleia , Pavlidis Pavlos
Published: August 2024

The evolution of a population by means of genetic drift and natural selection operating on a gene regulatory network (GRN) of an individual has not been scrutinized in depth. Thus, the relative importance of various evolutionary forces and processes on shaping genetic variability in GRNs is understudied. In this study, we implemented a simulation framework, called EvoNET, that simulates forward-in-time the evolution of GRNs in a population. The fitness effect of mutations is not constant, rather fitness of each individual is evaluated on the phenotypic level, by measuring its distance from an optimal phenotype. Each individual goes through a maturation period, where its GRN may reach an equilibrium, thus deciding its phenotype. Afterwards, individuals compete to produce the next generation. We examine properties of the GRN evolution, such as robustness against the deleterious effect of mutations and the role of genetic drift. We are able to confirm previous hypotheses regarding the effect of mutations and we provide new insights on the interplay between random genetic drift and natural selection.
Assessing the opportunity for selection to impact morphological traits in crosses between two Solanum species
Authors: Burch Jorja , Nava Crystal , Blackmon Heath
Published: August 2024

Within biology, there have been long-standing goals to understand how traits impact fitness, determine the degree of adaptation, and predict responses to selection. One key step in answering these questions is to study the mode of gene action or genetic architecture of traits. The genetic architecture underlying a trait will ultimately determine whether selection can lead to a change in the phenotype. Theoretical and empirical research have shown that additive architectures are most responsive to selection. The genus Solanum offers a unique system to quantify the genetic architecture of traits. Crosses between Solanum pennellii and S. lycopersicum, which have evolved unique adaptive traits for very different environments, offer an opportunity to investigate the genetic architecture of a variety of morphological traits that often are not variable within species. We generated cohorts between strains of these two Solanum species and collected phenotypic data for eight morphological traits. The genetic architectures underlying these traits were estimated using an information-theoretic approach to line cross analysis. By estimating the genetic architectures of these traits, we were able to show a key role for maternal and epistatic effects and infer the accessibility of these traits to selection.
Intervention effect of exercise on working memory in patients with depression: a systematic review
Authors: Liu Cong , Chen Rao , Yun So Mang , Wang Xing
Published: August 2024

Background

This article aims to systematically evaluate the intervention effect of exercise on working memory in patients with depression.

Methods

Six Chinese and English databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about exercise on working memory in patients with depression. PEDro scale was adopted to evaluate the methodological quality of the included articles, GRADEpro scale was employed to evaluate the level of evidence for outcomes, and the Metafor Package in R 4.4.1 was used to analyze the combined effect size, subgroup analyses and publication bias.

Results

A total of 15 studies were included. The meta-analysis indicated that exercise had a statistically significant effect on working memory in patients with depression, with an effect size of 0.16 (95% CI [0.03–0.28], p = 0.02). Exercise type (F(3,34) = 1.99, p = 0.13), intervention content (F(1,36) = 1.60, p = 0.22), and exercise duration (F(1,36) = 0.05, p = 0.83) did not moderate the effect, whereas exercise intensity showed a moderating effect (F(2,35) = 8.83, p < 0.01). There was evidence of publication bias in the study results (t = 2.52, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Exercise can improve the working memory of patients with depression, and its moderating effect is the best when having low-intensity and moderate-intensity. Research plan was registered in international system evaluation platform PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/) (CRD42023475325).
Performance evaluation of Alccofine stabilised Marine clay as subgrade
Authors: Tania Rose Jelton  , Elba Helen George
Published: August 2024

Soil stabilization is a remedial measure that reduces permeability and compressibility, increases bearing capacity and shear strength of soil mass, which helps in reducing the settlement of structures. Marine clay is one of the major regional soil deposits in India, widely found in offshore and coastal areas. This is a type of low strength soft clay which majorly causes failure in pavements and foundation structures due to high settlements and low strength characteristics. The scope of this project is to improve the strength of marine clay by stabilizing it with alccofine. The work includes determination of index properties of marine clay by Hydrometer method, Atterberg’s test, Specific Gravity test, Free Swell test. The engineering properties of both virgin soil and soil stabilized with 3%, 6%, and 9% of alccofine are determined by various tests such as Standard Proctor test, California Bearing Ratio test. On the basis of CBR test, the optimum percentage of alccofine in marine clay is found out to be 6%.
Implementation of real-time construction worker posture analysis during flooring in construction
Authors: Aleena Josey  , Nazneen Niyas  , Ameer Suhail M S  , Sahimol Eldhose
Published: August 2024

Construction industry is one of the highly risky industries with more number of accident and injuries. The increasing number of injuries caused by repetitive motion, excessive force and awkward postures, ergonomics has become a critical factor in workplace safety. The postures related to the corresponding works are finding out by taking their live images during their work using the Software POSTUREZONE. For more accuracy the same worker’s posture from different sides are find out and after that angles obtained is collected for assessing risk using REBA worksheet. In this project risk is analyzed using work sampling observation area made on workers involved in the task. The hazards are then evaluated using flooring. REBA Score is then developed to describe the posture, repetition of work and the level of risk. In this method ergonomic risk factors are identified based on checklist or score. It can provide comprehensive results in determining a good work position and it can minimize the risk of work accidents for operators when working.
Evaluating Seed Viability and Germination Enhancement through Plant Growth Hormones in Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. exDC.) Wall. Ex Guill. & Perr.
Authors: Giri Varsha , Bohra Naveen Kumar
Published: August 2024

Aims: To evaluate the seed viability and enhancing germination percentage through plant growth hormones in Anogeissus latifolia.
Study Design: A randomized complete block design was used to conduct the investigation.
Place & Duration of Study: Plant nursery, ICFRE- AFRI, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India; between Feb 2023 and June 2023.
Methodology: The viability test was analyzed using a 1% Tetrazolium chloride solution (TZ). About 50g seeds were pre-treated with Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA) and hormones of concentrations 500, 750, and 1000 ppm each. 1000 pre-treated seeds of each treatment were sowed in the mother bed of the nursery and germination was recorded for up to 15 days. Further germination indices such as germination percentage, germination speed, mean germination time, root length, shoot length, allometric coefficient, and vigor index were calculated.
Results: A. latifolia contained around 33.74±6.561% viable seeds, according to a viability analysis using a 1% TZ solution. An analysis of variance in the data revealed a substantial (P≤.001) impact of PGRs and their interaction with the indices under investigation. The best treatment overall was demonstrated by GA3 750 ppm concentration followed by GA3 1000 ppm and IBA 750 ppm concentrations. IBA 1000 ppm, however, showed a decreased effect on germination studies.
Conclusion: Gibberellic acid overall had a beneficial effect on germination and all the studied indices. These hormonal treatments can be used to propagate the plant species for plantation, afforestation, or conservation purposes.
The Relationship between Teachers Motivation Factors and Sustainable Management of School Projects: A Case Study of Secondary Schools in Sumbawanga Municipality
Authors: Haule Jordan Nicholaus , Mkude Daniel, J. , Wandela Eugenia
Published: August 2024

The study on the relationship between teacher’s motivation factors and sustainable management of school projects based on ground of both research approaches which were qualitative and quantitative approaches.  Hierarchy of Needs theory by Abraham Maslow in 1954 was used to guide the study. The study was on examining the role of teacher’s motivation on the sustainable management of the school projects in secondary schools. Specifically the study was conducted around by two specific objectives which were; firstly was to identify teacher’s motivation factors for sustainable management of school and secondly was to identify the relationship between factors for teacher’s motivation and the school sustainable management of the school projects. The study took place in Rukwa region in Sumbawanga Municipal council. Twelve public secondary schools were involved in the study.
This study employed a survey research design. The sample size of the study included 234 respondents in which, 12 heads of schools out of 19 and 222 teachers out of 563, in public secondary schools in Sumbawanga Municipality. The sample size of this study was obtained by using purposive random sampling for head of schools and random sampling for teachers Sumbawanga Municipality. Interview, questionnaire and observation methods were used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed basing on both quantitative and qualitative information. Quantitative data were analyzed by percentage distribution and presented using table while qualitative data were analyzed by developing categories and subcategories.
The findings of the study identified two major aspects that answer the purpose of the study firstly the finding revealed teacher’s motivation factors for sustainable management of school project in Sumbawanga municipality; and secondly the findings revealed the existing relationship between teacher’s motivation factors and the sustainable management of the school projects in Sumbawanga municipality. Basing on the study findings, the study recommended that, teacher’s motivation is very important in maintaining teachers working spirits in teaching and managing school projects sustainably.
A GIS-Based Approach for Assessing Urban Development Potential in Federal Capital Territory Nigeria
Authors: E.C. Igbokwe, , S. Musa, , K. Anienwe, , A.O. Oliha , P.C. Anyadiegwu,
Published: August 2024

Urban development potential assessment is essential for guiding the spatial expansion of cities, optimizing land use, and ensuring sustainable urban growth. In the context of rapidly urbanizing regions, such as Nigeria, understanding development potential helps mitigate the challenges of urban sprawl, infrastructure strain, and environmental degradation, hence, this study is aimed at a GIS based approach for assessing urban development potential in federal capital territory Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to: identify and categorize the key factors influencing urban development in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria; assess the reliability of the identified factors using consistency index and sensitivity analysis; determine the potential areas for urban development in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria using analytical hierarchical process; and produce an urban development potential map defining the extent of urban development potential across the urban landscape of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The study employed the assessment of relative priorities in modelling and mapping urban development potential in Federal Capital Territory Nigeria. This assessment was based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including slope, elevation, proximity to road network, population density and proximity to developed areas. The Analytical Hierarchical Process was utilized to compare and establish the relative importance of these criteria by means of matrix comparisons. Subsequently, these criteria were assigned relative weights. Weighted Overlay technique was applied to generate the final development potential map. The study revealed that Abuja Municipal Area had the highest potential development area, covering an area 851.40 km2, with Bwari and Kuje Area Councils as having the second and third highest development potential with an area coverage of 312.40 km2 and 279.69 km2 respectively. Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils were ranked fourth and fifth with a developable area coverage of 180.20 km2 and 127.60 km2 respectively, while Abaji Area Council was ranked the least with developable area coverage of 40.27 km2. The study successfully integrated an approach to investigate development potential within the Federal Capital Territory. This evaluation approach, is hereby recommended to be used as tool for planning and decision making in urban development in the study area.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Primary Health Care Setting: The Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in Health Centers under the Primary Health Care Corporation PHCC, Qatar
Authors: Ngwu Faith Amarachi , Valisto Maria Nina Brenda , Hashem Ahmed Abd Elhamid , Elawad Khalid Hamid , Innes Rachel
Published: August 2024

Wrong utilization of antimicrobial agents is the greatest cause of developing antibiotics resistance organisms in the human system. Also, hospital acquired infections are known to contribute to illness and earth that can arise from the resistance of organisms towards antimicrobials designed to kill these organism.
Our study looked at samples (n=1,522) which were confirmed in the laboratory to be resistance to one or more antimicrobials between year 2019-2021. The research team obtained an ethical approval from the ethics committee before the commencement of this research. The data extracted was carefully cleaned and verified by multiple research team members  to ensure accurate data is utilized for the study.
The result of this study has revealed a prevalence of (1.35%) with the most implicated organism being the E.coli(87.5%) mostly resistance to the ESBL antibiotics group. Majority of the MDRO cases could be seen in adults between the age of 25 years to 29 years. Moreso, the females had the burden of MDROs when compared to the males visiting the same  medical facilities(Female:87% : Male:13%).
With a significance prevalence of organisms’ resistance to one or  more antibiotics group has been found in people receiving care at the PHCC health centers. There is need to evaluate and enhance the existing policies and guidelines surrounding the antibiotic prescription and administration. Additionally, the enhancement of the public health awareness regarding this condition should be intensified to reach the populations from the grassroot to the top. This strategies will give the community a good understanding of the cause and preventative measures against this rising trend and to avert the consequences that come with it.
Exploring the Challenges and Unveiling the Glass Ceiling Effect on Career Progression among Turkish Women in 3 to 5 Star Hotels
Authors: Saghaei Mojgan , Nair Sree Kala Kunju Raman
Published: August 2024

Purpose: Despite the significant growth in women’s participation in the hotel industry workforce, Turkish women continue to encounter limited access to senior management positions. This study investigates the obstacles faced by Turkish women in their pursuit of top managerial roles within the hotel industry and explores potential strategies to break through the glass ceiling. The purpose of this study is to investigate challenges and unveil the effect of the glass ceiling on the career development of Turkish women in 3-to-5-star hotels. The research endeavors to examine the experiences and challenges stemming from gender perceptions encountered by individuals within the hotel industry. Additionally, it seeks to discern the underlying social, organizational, and individual factors contributing to the disparity in leadership or senior positions held by women within this sector.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study utilizes a qualitative research approach, employing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with employees from 3 to 5-star hotels in Antalya, conducting an inductive thematic analysis approach the research aims to investigate the challenges faced by women in advancing their careers within the hotel industry and the diverse factors influencing their workplace performance. The statistical sample of the research includes people who have different viewpoints on the subject of the research.
Findings: Twelve women working within the hospitality industry were interviewed. A thematic analysis revealed three interconnected barriers contributing to the glass ceiling faced by Turkish women: cultural and social obstacles, organizational challenges, and personal hindrances. These primary barriers encompass sub-barriers that collectively reinforce the glass ceiling, impeding numerous women from attaining senior positions. This research demonstrates that overcoming the barriers—especially organizational ones—can empower Turkish women to break through the glass ceiling and realize their leadership aspirations. Additionally, the study explores the implications for policymakers, academics, and practitioners regarding the impactful contributions of Turkish women to the hotel labor market."
Practical Implications: This research showed evidence that there are real barriers for these women and the findings from this study offer implications that overcoming these barriers, particularly cultural and social barriers, could help Turkish women to crack the glass ceiling and achieve their dream of leadership.
Originality/Value: The Hotel industry faces a worldwide shortage of Women in Leadership positions. This study aims to explore the challenges faced by the hotel sector in retaining highly skilled female employees who aspire to pursue managerial career trajectories. In addition, this research can add value to revealing gender inequality problems faced by Muslim women employees in the hospitality industry.
Silver Nanoparticles Supported on Diamond Nanoparticles as a Highly Efficient Photocatalyst for the Fenton Reaction under Natural Sunlight Irradiation
Authors: Espinosa Juan C. , Navalón Sergio , Álvaro Mercedes , García Hermenegildo
Published: August 2015

Diamond nanoparticles (NPs) purified conveniently by Fenton oxidation and modified by a subsequent H2 annealing reduction (D3) are an adequate support for small Ag NPs that are highly active as a (photo‐)Fenton catalyst for phenol degradation. The efficiency of the reaction is accelerated upon exposure to natural sunlight. Ag/D3 is fairly stable under the reaction conditions and could be reused eight times with a marginal decrease in activity to reach an accumulated turnover number of 472 000. Upon sunlight illumination, Ag/D3 can be active even at quasineutral pH values, although an increase of the phenol degradation rate is observed if the initial pH value decreases to 4. Ag/D3 was more efficient than Ag NPs supported on graphite, active carbon, or TiO2 and similar to Au/D3. Thus, it seems that Ag/D3 is one of most efficient heterogeneous (photo‐)Fenton catalysts ever reported.
Ni‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Fluoroarenes via [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Involving α‐Fluorine Elimination
Authors: Fujita Takeshi , Watabe Yota , Ichitsuka Tomohiro , Ichikawa Junji
Published: August 2015

A method for direct synthesis of tetrasubstituted fluoroarenes via nickel‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is presented. The reaction combines one molecule of 1,1‐difluoroethylene with two molecules of alkynes and involves sequential cleavage of the CF and CH bonds in difluoroethylene. The catalytic cycle is established by reduction of the intermediary NiII fluoride with a triethylborane‐based borate.
Differences in Dynamics between Crosslinked and Non‐Crosslinked Hyaluronates Measured by using Fast Field‐Cycling Relaxometry
Authors: Ravera Enrico , Fragai Marco , Parigi Giacomo , Luchinat Claudio
Published: August 2015

The dynamic properties of water molecules in gels containing linear and crosslinked hyaluronic acid polymers are investigated by using an integrated approach that includes relaxometry, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A model‐free analysis of field‐dependent nuclear relaxation is applied to obtain information on mobility and the population of different pools of water molecules in the gels. Differences between linear and crosslinked hyaluronic acid polymers are observed, indicating that crosslinking increases both the fraction and the correlation time of water molecules with slow dynamics.
A Noble‐Metal‐Free Nickel(II) Polypyridyl Catalyst for Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production from Water
Authors: Yuan Yong‐Jun , Lu Hong‐Wei , Tu Ji‐Ren , Fang Yong , Yu Zhen‐Tao , Fan Xiao‐Xing , Zou Zhi‐Gang
Published: August 2015

The complex [Ni(bpy)3]2+ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) is an active catalyst for visible‐light‐driven H2 production from water when employed with [Ir(dfppy)2(Hdcbpy)] [dfppy=2‐(3,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine, Hdcbpy=4‐carboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐4′‐carboxylate] as the photosensitizer and triethanolamine as the sacrificial electron donor. The highest turnover number of 520 with respect to the nickel(II) catalyst is obtained in a 8:2 acetonitrile/water solution at pH 9. The H2‐evolution system is more stable after the addition of an extra free bpy ligand, owing to faster catalyst regeneration. The photocatalytic results demonstrate that the nickel(II) polypyridyl catalyst can act as a more effective catalyst than the commonly utilized [Co(bpy)3]2+. This study may offer a new paradigm for constructing simple and noble‐metal‐free catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production.
Hierarchical Nanohexagon Ceramic Sheet Layers as Platform Adsorbents for Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Insecticides from Agricultural Wastewater
Authors: Derbalah Aly , El‐Safty Sherif A. , Shenashen Mohamed A. , Khairy Mohamed
Published: August 2015

Hierarchical mesoporous and macroporous nanohexagon NiO sheets were fabricated via a hydrothermal‐guided synthesis route. This approach provided uniformly nanohexagonal ceramic sheets (with sizes of approximately 250–300 nm) having NiO active sites throughout the interior/exterior. The ceramic sheets with well‐dispersed pore windows serve as significant platform‐like adsorbents for the adsorption and recovery of a wide range of insecticides. A nanohexagon sheet adsorbent can accommodate insecticide molecules into the pore cavities or between the layer matrices which are directly accessible. The heterogeneous processing efficiency of insecticide adsorption was examined with a single ceramic sheet of the adsorbent at neutral pH and described in terms of the amount of uptake, removal of the multiple insecticide contaminants, and reusability. Experimental findings indicated that the platform‐like adsorbent effectively removed >95 % of the insecticide toxins in a one‐step batch adsorption process. Significantly, the complete recovery of multiple insecticide toxins from water sources could be achieved while maintaining the hierarchical hexagon sheet layered structures, thereby indicating its applicability for more than 20 reuse cycles. These nanohexagon sheet adsorbents can potentially satisfy the increasing need for the removal of hydrophilic and hydrophobic insecticides such as carbamates and organochlorines, respectively, from agriculture wastewater.
The development of an online database for interventions tested in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Egan K. J. , Vesterinen H. M. , McCann S. K. , Sena E. S. , MacLeod M. R.
Published: August 2015

Despite many efforts by the research community, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still an incurable neurodegenerative condition that affects an estimated 44 million individuals worldwide and this figure is expected to increase to 135 million by the year 2050. As the research community currently reflects on previous endeavours, it is essential that we maximize the use of existing knowledge to inform future trials in the field. This article describes the development of a systematically identified data set relating to over 300 interventions tested in over 10,000 animals. The data set includes cohort‐level information for six structural outcomes and six behavioural assessments. We encourage others to use this dataset to inform the design of future animal experiments modelling AD and to promote effective translation to human health.
Investigation of Oxytocin Secretion in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: Relationships to Temperament Personality Dimensions
Authors: Monteleone Alessio Maria , Scognamiglio Pasquale , Volpe Umberto , Di Maso Virginia , Monteleone Palmiero
Published: August 2015

Published studies suggested an implication of oxytocin in some temperament characteristics of personality. Therefore, we measured oxytocin secretion in 23 women with anorexia nervosa (AN), 27 with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 19 healthy controls and explored the relationships between circulating oxytocin and patients' personality traits. Plasma oxytocin levels were significantly reduced in AN women but not in BN ones. In healthy women, the attachment subscale scores of the reward dependence temperament and the harm avoidance (HA) scores explained 82% of the variability in circulating oxytocin. In BN patients, plasma oxytocin resulted to be negatively correlated with HA, whereas no significant correlations emerged in AN patients. These findings confirm a dysregulation of oxytocin production in AN but not in BN and show, for the first time, a disruption of the associations between hormone levels and patients' temperament traits, which may have a role in certain deranged behaviours of eating disorder patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The clinical utility of naturalistic action test in differentiating mild cognitive impairment from early dementia in memory clinic
Authors: Bruce Irene , Ntlholang Ontefetse , Crosby Lisa , Cunningham Conal , Lawlor Brian
Published: August 2015

Objective

This study aimed to examine the validity of the Naturalistic Action Test in differentiating Mild Cognitive Impairment from early dementia compared to clinical diagnosis and ascertain Naturalistic Action Test cut‐off points.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 70 consecutive patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment attending the memory clinic in St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Patients with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment who attended for routine annual assessment were asked to participate in the study. The Naturalistic Action Test was carried out after the patient had completed their routine assessment in the clinic.

Results

The Area under the Curve, AUC ± SE was 0.808 ± 0.058, p < 0.001 with 95% CI (0.695–0.922). There was concordance in 40 and discrepancy in 30 patients between the NAT and the gold standard consensus diagnosis (PPV 38%, NPV 96%, sensitivity 94%, specificity 46% and accuracy 59%) using cut‐off point of ≥14 for normal function on Naturalistic Action Test. The difference was not related to age, sex, level of education or informant. Using the Youden index, we determined a Naturalistic Action Test cut‐off score of ≥11 for Mild Cognitive Impairment in our study (PPV 50%, NPV 91%, sensitivity 78%, specificity 73% and accuracy of 74%). There was discrepancy in 18 patients using the new cut‐off point (≥11 for Mild Cognitive Impairment vs ≤10 for dementia).

Conclusion

The Naturalistic Action Test is a useful tool that can increase diagnostic accuracy in differentiating Mild Cognitive Impairment from early dementia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finance and Accounting's Glaring Omission
Authors: Pryor Tom
Published: August 2015

By omitting the monetary value of human capital from the balance sheet, Finance and Accounting professions are significantly understating the asset valuation of publicly traded and private firms. The author in this article makes a case for treating human capital as an asset. Failure to do so distorts certain financial ratios and value representations in balance sheets. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autophagy‐Induced Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells by a Novel Digitoxin Analog
Authors: Kulkarni Yogesh M. , Kaushik Vivek , Azad Neelam , Wright Clayton , Rojanasakul Yon , O'Doherty George , Iyer Anand Krishnan V.
Published: August 2015

We have synthesized a novel derivative of Digitoxin, termed “MonoD”, which demonstrates cytotoxic effects in lung cancer cells with much higher potency as compared to Digitoxin. Our data show that within 1 h of MonoD treatment, H460 cells showed increased oxidative stress, increased formation of autophagic vacuoles, and increased expression of pro‐autophagic markers Beclin‐1 and LC3‐II. Cells pretreated with MnTBAP, a superoxide scavenger not only lowered superoxide production, but also had lower levels of LC3‐II and Beclin‐1. Prolonged treatment with MonoD‐induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells. We investigated MonoD‐dependent regulation of Akt and Bcl2, proteins that are known regulators of both autophagy and apoptosis. Molecular and pharmacologic inhibitors of Bcl2 and Akt, when combined with MonoD, led to higher expression of LC3‐II and Beclin‐1 as compared to MonoD alone, suggesting a repressive effect for these proteins in MonoD‐dependent autophagy. Pretreatment of cells with an autophagy inhibitor repressed the apoptotic potential of MonoD, confirming that early autophagic flux is important to drive apoptosis. Therapeutic entities such as MonoD that target multiple pathways such as autophagy and apoptosis may prove advantageous over current therapies that have unimodal basis for action and may drive sustained tumor regression, which is highly desirable. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 817–828, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Enaminones: A Facile Synthesis of Thiophene and 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Derivatives Incorporating a Thiazole Moiety
Authors: Dawood Kamal M. , Sayed Samia M.
Published: August 2015

Several new heterocyclic compounds such as thiophene derivatives have been synthesized by the reactions of the versatile unreported 3‐mercapto‐2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐(tosylamino)thiazole‐5‐carbonyl)‐3‐phenylaminopropenal (7) with chloroacetonitrile, ethyl 2‐bromoacetate, and 1‐aryl‐2‐bromoethanone derivatives. Reaction of potassium salt intermediate 6 with hydrazonyl halides (14a, 14b, 14c) to afford 1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives incorporating a thiazole moiety has been described. All newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by considering the data of both elemental and spectral analysis.
Cross‐modal Interactions between Color and Texture of Food
Authors: Chylinski Mathew , Northey Gavin , Ngo Liem Viet
Published: August 2015

Color has a profound influence on human perception. Not only does it cause changes in physiological or emotional states, it can shape what is perceived in other sensory modalities. However, the body of research on these “cross‐modal” experiences has predominantly examined color's influence on taste and smell. As such, the aim of this study was to identify the cross‐modal influence of color on the sense of touch. In four experiments involving food products, the cross‐modal interaction between color and texture was found to be automatic, unlearned, and a moderating effect on perceived texture. Furthermore, results indicate a person's haptic predisposition, or “need for touch,” influences their sensitivity to these cross‐modal effects. This research builds on current theory involving color, presents a number of areas for future research, and discusses managerial implications of color–texture cross‐modal interactions.
Two state particles, mixing entropy and negative temperatures revisited
Authors: Hoffmann H.‐J.
Published: August 2015

The interrelation of thermodynamics and statistical properties of quantum systems can be demonstrated with comparatively little mathematical effort using two state systems (or two state particles). Basic results are summarized for this model system. The entropy can be interpreted as the entropy of mixing particles in their low and high energy state. Thus, an apparent single component system can be considered as a two component system with variable particle numbers. This result has recently been generalized for elementary bosonic and fermionic systems or particles with many different excited states. In this case, one has to take into account as many components as different internal states of the particles are available. The numbers of particles of each component, however, are not constant but depend on the temperature at thermal equilibrium according to statistical principles.

In the literature, the concept of negative internal temperatures was previously introduced to characterize and describe special inverted occupation probabilities out of thermal equilibrium. This interpretation of inverted occupation numbers is revisited explicitly for nuclear spin systems. The interpretation of inverted occupancy by negative temperature is based on ignoring athermal contributions to the internal energy due to the inversion procedure. Accordingly, negative temperatures are not justified in the case of systems out of thermal equilibrium but seem to be misleading and confusing. Instead, the different states of the particles represent distinctive components possessing different chemical potentials, magnetic moments or other properties. The present paper intends to remove the confusion about negative temperatures. It shows how processes out of thermal equilibrium are described and understood without difficulties by balancing the different kinds of particles together with their energy and production of entropy within the framework of thermodynamics.
Diffusion imaging of nigral alterations in early Parkinson's disease with dopaminergic deficits
Authors: Schuff Norbert , Wu I‐Wei , Buckley Shannon , Foster Eric D. , Coffey Christopher S. , Gitelman Darren R. , Mendick Susan , Seibyl John , Simuni Tanya , Zhang Yu , Jankovic Joseph , Hunter Christine , Tanner Caroline M. , Rees Linda , Factor Stewart , Berg Daniela , Wurster Isabel , Gauss Katharina , Sprenger Fabienne , Seppi Klaus , Poewe Werner , Mollenhauer Brit , Knake Susanne , Mari Zoltan , McCoy Arita , Ranola Madelaine , Marek Kenneth
Published: August 2015

Background

This study reports the baseline characteristics of diffusion tensor imaging data in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and healthy control subjects from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. The main goals were to replicate previous findings of abnormal diffusion imaging values from the substantia nigra. in a large multicenter cohort and determine whether nigral diffusion alterations are associated with dopamine deficits.

Methods

Two hundred twenty subjects (PD = 153; control = 67) from 10 imaging sites were included. All subjects had a full neurological exam, a (123I)ioflupane dopamine transporter (DAT) single‐photon emission computer tomography scan, and diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy as well as radial and axial diffusivity was computed within multiple regions across the substantia nigra.

Results

A repeated‐measures analysis of variance found a marginally nonsignificant interaction between regional fractional anisotropy of the substantia nigra and disease status (P = 0.08), conflicting with an earlier study. However, a linear mixed model that included control regions in addition to the nigral regions revealed a significant interaction between regions and disease status (P = 0.002), implying a characteristic distribution of reduced fractional anisotropy across the substantia nigra in PD. Reduced fractional anisotropy in PD was also associated with diminished DAT binding ratios. Both axial and radial diffusivity were also abnormal in PD.

Conclusions

Although routine nigral measurements of fractional anisotropy are clinically not helpful, the findings in this study suggest that more‐sophisticated diffusion imaging protocols should be used when exploring the clinical utility of this imaging modality. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Improving diabetes outcomes through lifestyle change – A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Delahanty Linda M. , Dalton Kristen M. , Porneala Bianca , Chang Yuchiao , Goldman Valerie M. , Levy Douglas , Nathan David M. , Wexler Deborah J.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To compare a diabetes group lifestyle intervention (GLI) with dietitian referral for medical nutrition therapy (RD) for weight loss in the usual care setting.

Methods

Randomized clinical trial was conducted with 57 primary care patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 who received either a dietitian‐led 19‐week GLI adapted from the Look AHEAD study or RD. Outcome measures include 6‐month and 1‐year weight loss, changes in medications, glycemic control, cardiac risk factors, and cost analysis.

Results

Patients were mean age 61, 59% male, and 32% non‐white, and they weighed 97 kg with mean HbA1c 8.2%. At 6 months, 46% of GLI vs. 21% of RD lost ≥5% body weight (P = 0.04), with mean weight loss 6.6 (SD 7.0) kg with GLI and 2.1 (3.5) kg in RD (P = 0.004). HbA1c improved by 0.70 (1.13) vs. 0.39 (1.51) in GLI vs. RD (P = 0.4), respectively, and 82% vs. 38% stopped or reduced diabetes medications (P < 0.001). Weight loss remained significantly greater in GLI compared to RD at 1 year. GLI program cost was $578 per participant.

Conclusions

An affordable GLI achieved significantly more weight loss and medication reduction than RD in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes.