bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enantioselective determination of cathinones in urine by high pressure in‐line SPE–CE
Authors: Pérez‐Alcaraz Albert , Borrull Francesc , Aguilar Carme , Calull Marta
Published: May 2019

This work presents a strategy based on the in‐line coupling of SPE and CE for the chiral determination of cathinones (R,S‐mephedrone, R,S‐4‐methylephedrine, and R,S‐ methylenedioxypyrovalerone) in urine samples, using a sample pretreatment based on liquid‐liquid extraction. The chiral separation of the compounds is achieved by adding a mixture of 8 mM 2‐hydroxypropil β‐CD and 5 mM β‐CD to the BGE, which consists of 70 mM of monosodium phosphate aqueous solution at pH 2.5. Oasis HLB was the selected sorbent for the in‐line SPE device, and to reduce analysis time and LODs, several parameters affecting the in‐line SPE system were evaluated, such as pressure and time of sample injection and dimensions of the SPE device. The highest preconcentration factors were achieved by using 3 bar of injection pressure for 20 min with an in‐line SPE device of 2 mm length and 150 µm of i.d. The developed method was applied to determine the presence of the compounds in spiked urine samples. The LODs obtained were between 3 and 8 ng/mL, and these levels were below the usual concentrations at which these drugs are present in urine from cathinone abusers. Thus, the optimized method has the potential to be applied for toxicological and forensic purposes.
Effect of thermal radiation on magnetohydrodynamic three‐dimensional motion of a nanofluid past a shrinking surface under the influence of a heat source
Authors: Sharma Ram Prakash , Seshadri Rajeswari , Mishra S. R. , Munjam Shankar Rao
Published: May 2019

An analytical technique known as the homotopy analysis method is used to acquire solutions for magnetohydrodynamic 3‐D motion of a viscous nanofluid over a saturated porous medium with a heat source and thermal radiation. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations are changed to ordinary differential equations employing appropriate transformations. Validation of the present result is done with the help of error analysis for flow and temperature. The influences of pertinent parameters on momentum, energy, and Nusselt number are studied and discussed. The major findings are: the velocity of the nanofluid is affected by the nanoparticle volume fraction and the thickness of the thermal boundary layer becomes thinner and thinner subject to sink, whereas the effect is revered in case of the source.
Detection of tumors with fluoromarker‐releasing bacteria
Authors: Panteli Jan T. , Van Dessel Nele , Forbes Neil S.
Published: May 2019

Combining the specificity of tumor‐targeting bacteria with the sensitivity of biomarker detection would create a screening method able to detect small tumors and metastases. To create this system, we genetically modified an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica to release a recombinant fluorescent biomarker (or fluoromarker). Salmonella expressing ZsGreen were intravenously administered to tumor‐bearing mice and fluoromarker production was induced after 48 hr. The quantities and locations of bacteria and ZsGreen were measured in tumors, livers and spleens by immunofluorescence, and the plasma concentration of ZsGreen was measured using single‐layer ELISA. In the plasma, the ZsGreen concentration was in the range of 0.5–1.5 ng/ml and was dependent on tumor mass (with a proportion of 0.81 ± 0.32 ng·ml−1·g−1). No adverse reaction to ZsGreen or bacteria was observed in any mice. ZsGreen was released at an average rate of 4.3 fg·CFU−1·hr−1 and cleared from the plasma with a rate constant of 0.259 hr−1. ZsGreen production was highest in viable tissue (7.6 fg·CFU−1·hr−1) and lowest in necrotic tissue (0.47 fg·CFU−1·hr−1). The mass transfer rate constant from tumor to blood was 0.0125 hr−1. Based on these measurements, this system has the capability to detect tumors as small as 0.12 g. These results demonstrate four essential mechanisms of this method: (i) preferential tumor colonization by bacteria, (ii) fluoromarker release in vivo, (iii) fluoromarker transport through tumor tissue and (iv) slow enough systemic clearance to enable measurement. This bacteria‐based blood test would be minimally invasive and has the potential to identify previously undetectable microscopic tumors.
Infant mental health home visiting in the context of an infant—toddler court team: Changes in parental responsiveness and reflective functioning
Authors: Stacks Ann M. , Barron Carla C. , Wong Kristyn
Published: May 2019

This article describes an infant–toddler court team in Michigan, the community‐based participatory research approach to the implementation evaluation, and the resulting changes in parenting. Like other court teams, Michigan's Baby Court is led by a science‐informed jurist, and all service providers are knowledgeable about the developmental needs of young children and engage in collaborative communication throughout the case. Relationship‐based treatment in the form of infant mental health home‐visiting was provided to families. Sixteen parents participated in pre‐ and posttest evaluation visits to assess changes in parents’ reflective functioning and interactions with their child. Findings suggest improvements in parents’ responsiveness, positive affect, and reflective functioning, with moderate effects. Higher risk parents demonstrated significant changes in reflective functioning, as compared to those at lower risk. These findings add to and support the limited literature on the effectiveness of infant–toddler court teams, which include relationship‐based and trauma‐informed services.
Whole‐brain microcirculation detection after ischemic stroke based on swept‐source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Liu Jian , Ding Ning , Yu Yao , Liu Lanxiang , Yuan Xincheng , Lv Hongyu , Zhao Yuqian , Ma Zhenhe
Published: May 2019

The occurrence and development of ischemic stroke are closely related to cerebral blood flow. Real‐time monitoring of cerebral perfusion level is very useful for understanding the mechanisms of the disease. A wide field of view (FOV) is conducive to capturing lesions and observing the progression of the disease. In this paper, we attempt to monitor the whole‐brain microcirculation in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats over time using a wide FOV swept‐source OCT (SS‐OCT) system. A constrained image registration algorithm is used to remove motion artifacts that are prone to occur in a wide FOV angiography. During ischemia, cerebral perfusion levels in the left and right hemispheres, as well as in the whole brain were quantified and compared. Changes in the shape and location of blood vessels were also recorded. The results showed that the trend in cerebral perfusion levels of both hemispheres was highly consistent during MCAO, and the position of the blood vessels varied over time. This work will provide new insights of ischemic stroke and is helpful to assess the effectiveness of potential treatment strategies.
A prognostic 11 long noncoding RNA expression signature for breast invasive carcinoma
Authors: He Yuting , Li Xingsong , Meng Yuhuan , Fu Shuying , Cui Ying , Shi Yong , Du Hongli
Published: May 2019

Breast cancer, the most common cancer in women worldwide, is associated with high mortality. The long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with a little capacity of coding proteins is playing an increasingly important role in the cancer paradigm. Accumulating evidences demonstrate that lncRNAs have crucial connections with breast cancer prognosis while the studies of lncRNAs in breast cancer are still in its primary stage. In this study, we collected 1052 clinical patient samples, a comparatively large sample size, including 13 159 lncRNA expression profiles of breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) from The Cancer Genome Atlas database to identify prognosis‐related lncRNAs. We randomly separated all of these clinical patient samples into training and testing sets. In the training set, we performed univariable Cox regression analysis for primary screening and played the model for Robust likelihood‐based survival for 1000 times. Then 11 lncRNAs with a frequency more than 600 were selected for prediction of the prognosis of BRCA. Using the analysis of multivariate Cox regression, we established a signature risk‐score formula for 11 lncRNA to identify the relationship between lncRNA signatures and overall survival. The 11 lncRNA signature was validated both in the testing and the complete set and could effectively classify the high‐/low‐risk group with different OS. We also verified our results in different stages. Moreover, we analyzed the connection between the 11 lncRNAs and the genes of ESR1, PGR, and Her2, of which protein products (ESR, PGR, and HER2) were used to classify the breast cancer subtypes widely. The results indicated correlations between 11 lncRNAs and the gene of PGR and ESR1. Thus, a prognostic model for 11 lncRNA expression was developed to classify the BRAC clinical patient samples, providing new avenues in understanding the potential therapeutic methods of breast cancer.
The helix‐inversion mechanism in double‐stranded helical oligomers bridged by rotary cyclic boronate esters
Authors: Hayashi Taku , Lee Ka Hung , Iida Hiroki , Yashima Eiji , Irle Stephan , Hijikata Yuh
Published: May 2019

Attracted by the numerous regulatory functions of double‐helical biopolymers such as DNA, many researchers have synthesized various double‐helical systems. A recently synthesized double‐stranded helical oligomer covalently bridged by rotary boronate esters (BBDD) was shown to undergo helix‐inversion that might serve as platform to design rotor systems. However, the detailed helix‐inversion mechanism could not be investigated experimentally. Direct molecular dynamics simulations based on density‐functional tight‐binding energies and gradients computed on‐the‐fly reveal that disentanglement to the unraveled form and following exchange of the twisted terminal trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups are prerequisites for the observed helix‐inversion. The potential of mean force confirms that the originally assumed “concurrent” rotation of the boronate esters and the helix‐inversion involves shorter time scale “step‐wise” processes, triggered by the disentanglement and exchange of the TMS groups. These results indicate that inversion dynamics of double‐helical molecules such as BBDD may be controllable by chemical fine‐tuning of the terminal groups. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variability, morphometrics, and co‐variation of the os lacrimale in Cervidae
Authors: Schilling Ann‐Marie , Calderón‐Capote María C. , Rössner Gertrud E.
Published: May 2019

In Ruminantia, the lacrimal bone forms a considerable part of the facial skeleton, and the morphology of its facial facet is highly variable when compared to other mammals. In this study, we quantify the species‐specific variability in size and shape of the lacrimal facial facet in species of Cervidae (deer) and relate it to systematics and various aspects of their ecology and behavior. We sampled 143 skull specimens from 10 genera; 12 Moschus and 3 Tragulus specimens were used as outgroups. We find that size and shape of the lacrimal facial facet allow differentiating most species analyzed here, except for Mazama gouazoubira and Capreolus capreolus. Size and shape of the lacrimal facial facet vary widely across Cervidae regardless of their systematic relationships, ecology or behavior. Thus, we could not detect a unique signature of adaptational criteria in lacrimal morphology. Our data indicate that the lacrimal facial facet scales allometrically with skull size, in particular, the lacrimojugal length scales positively and the lacrimomaxillar length scales negatively. However, correlation analyses did not reveal any differences in the integration of the lacrimal bone with any specific skull module in any of the species compared. Lastly, we could not ascertain any correlation between the size and position of the preorbital depression with the size and shape of the lacrimal facial facet. We conclude that the lacrimal facial facet is highly flexible and may rapidly adjust to its surrounding bones. Its allometric growth appears to be an example of exaptation: changes in size and shape in the context of the increase of the skull length provide lacrimal contacts, in particular, a lacrimojugal one, which may serve to reduce mechanical loads resulting from increasingly larger antlers in large cervids.
Effects of sound therapy on resting‐state functional brain networks in patients with tinnitus: A graph‐theoretical‐based study
Authors: Han Lv , Yawen Liu , Hao Wang , Chunli Liu , Pengfei Zhao , Zhengyu Zhang , Zhaodi Wang , Zhenghan Yang , Shusheng Gong , Zhenchang Wang
Published: May 2019

Background

Tinnitus is considered to be triggered by aberrant neural activity in the brain. Sound therapy is regarded as a reasonable management option for tinnitus treatment and has been applied in the clinical setting for decades.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that sound therapy, a commonly used tinnitus treatment method, would alter the functional connectivity (FC) of brain regions in tinnitus models.

Study Type

Longitudinal.

Population

Resting‐state functional MRI data were collected from 27 tinnitus patients before and after 12 weeks of sound therapy. Twenty‐seven age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were also longitudinally scanned at the 12‐week timepoint.

Field Strength

3.0T MRI system and echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence, 3D brain volume imaging (BRAVO) sequence.

Assessment

Functional connectivity strength (FCS), a graph‐theoretical‐based analytic method, was applied to analyze the FC features in the whole brain.

Statistical Tests

Student's t‐test and chi‐square test were used for analyses between two groups. A two‐way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) followed by post‐hoc analyses was performed to determine differences of FC.

Results

The interaction effect between the two groups and two scans on FCS was observed in the bilateral thalami and left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The fitted FCS values in the bilateral thalami were significantly higher in tinnitus patients at baseline and decreased to a relatively normal range after sound therapy compared with healthy controls. Conversely, the fitted FCS values in the left ACC were within the normal range, but increased after treatment (1.08 ± 0.29, P < 0.02); however, there was no change in the control group. Importantly, significant correlations were observed between the FCS changes in the right thalamus (P = 0.028), the FC of the right thalamus‐right inferior frontal gyrus (P = 0.015), and symptomatic improvement.

Data Conclusion

Sound therapy may modulate the brain network by altering the gating function of the thalamus as well as enhancing the tinnitus‐canceling system.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy Stage: 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1731–1741.
Synthesis and Aggregation Behavior of Trisiloxane Ionic Liquids in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Tan Jinglin , Xiong Xiaomei , Yan Ping
Published: May 2019

Trisiloxane ionic liquids with polyether groups (Si3pyCl‐EO3) were synthesized via thiol‐ene reaction between 1‐methyl‐1‐[bis(vinyldimethylsiloxy)methyl]silylpropylpyrrolidinium chloride (Vi‐Si3pyCl) and tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether thiol. The aggregation behavior of the trisiloxane ionic liquids, Si3pyCl‐EO3 and Vi‐Si3pyCl, in aqueous solution was investigated using surface tension, electrical conductivity, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The structures of trisiloxane ionic liquids can obviously influence their aggregation behavior. Vi‐Si3pyCl has excellent surface activity (22.3 mN m−1). However, Si3pyCl‐EO3 can only reduce the surface tension of water to 33.5 mN m−1. In comparison with Vi‐Si3PyCl, Si3PyCl‐EO3 has a bulkier hydrophobic group and a higher Αmin value (127.8 Å2) caused by the introduction of the tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether groups by thiol‐ene reaction. The micellization of Vi‐Si3PyCl is entropy driven, while the aggregation process of Si3PyCl‐EO3 in aqueous solution is enthalpy driven.
Annulus fibrosus cell sheets limit disc degeneration in a rat annulus fibrosus injury model
Authors: Nukaga Tadashi , Sakai Daisuke , Schol Jordy , Sato Masato , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: May 2019

In recent years, studies have explored novel approaches for cell transplantation to enable annulus fibrosus (AF) regeneration of the intervertebral disc in particular for lumbar disc herniation. Nevertheless, successful engraftment of cells is structurally challenging, and no definitive method has yet been established. This study investigated the potential of cell sheet technology to facilitate cell engraftment for AF repair. AF injury was induced by a 1 × 1 mm defect in rat tails after which AF cell sheets were transplanted. Its regenerative effects were compared to a nondegenerated and degeneration only conditions. Degenerative changes of the entire intervertebral disc were examined by disc height measurements, histology, and immunohistochemistry for 4‐, 8‐, and 12‐weeks post‐transplantation. Cell engraftment was confirmed by tracing PKH26 fluorescent dyed AF cells. In the transplant group, disc degeneration was significantly suppressed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks when compared with the degenerative group, as indicated by histological scoring and DHI observations. At 2 and 4 weeks after transplant, PKH26 positive cells could be detected in defect region and surrounding AF. The results suggest cell engraftment into AF tissue could be established by the cell sheet technology without additional scaffolding or adhesives. In short, AF cell sheets appear to be an effective and accessible tool for AF repair and to support intervertebral disc regeneration.
Signalling effects on symbolic status and travellers' well‐being in the luxury cruise industry
Authors: Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , Japutra Arnold , Kwun David
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this research is to examine the role of signalling effects of reputation and credibility on luxury cruise travellers' well‐being and the mediating role of symbolic status (i.e., prestige and authentic pride). This study also explores the moderation effects of socio‐economic status and past experiences. The results demonstrate noteworthy effects of reputation on prestige, authentic pride, and, subsequently, on travellers' well‐being. The results also reveal the moderating role of socio‐economic status between authentic pride and well‐being. In addition, the results find significant differences between low‐ and high‐experience groups in three relationships: reputation and prestige, credibility and prestige, and reputation and authentic pride.
Correlation of quantitative conductivity mapping and total tissue sodium concentration at 3T/4T
Authors: Liao Yupeng , Lechea Nazim , Magill Arthur W. , Worthoff Wieland A. , Gras Vincent , Shah N. Jon
Published: May 2019

Purpose

To investigate the correlation between electrical conductivity and sodium concentration, both measured in vivo, in the human brain.

Methods

Conductivity measurements were performed on samples with different sodium (Na+) and agarose concentrations using a dielectric probe, and the correlation between conductivity and Na+ content was evaluated. Subsequently, brain conductivity and total Na+ content maps were measured in 8 healthy subjects using phase‐based MREPT and sodium MRI, respectively. After co‐registration and spatial normalization to the 1 mm 152 MNI brain atlas, the relationship between conductivity and tissue sodium concentration (TSC) was examined within different brain regions.

Results

The conductivities of agarose gels increased linearly with NaCl concentration, while remaining almost independent of agarose content. When measured in healthy subjects, conductivities showed positive correlation with total tissue sodium concentration (R = 0.39, P < 0.005). The same trend was found in gray matter (R = 0.36, P < 0.005) and in white matter (R = 0.28, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Tissue conductivity shows a positive correlation with total sodium concentration. Conductivity might serve as a novel technique to visualize the total tissue electrolyte concentration, although refinements in the consideration of e.g., tissue water content, would be necessary to improve the quantitative value.
Development of an algorithm to identify inpatient opioid‐related overdoses and oversedation using electronic data
Authors: Green Carla A. , Hazlehurst Brian , Brandes John , Sapp Daniel S. , Janoff Shannon L. , Coplan Paul M. , DeVeaugh‐Geiss Angela
Published: May 2019

Purpose

To facilitate surveillance and evaluate interventions addressing opioid‐related overdoses, algorithms are needed for use in large health care databases to identify and differentiate community‐occurring opioid‐related overdoses from inpatient‐occurring opioid‐related overdose/oversedation.

Methods

Data were from Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW), a large integrated health plan. We iteratively developed and evaluated an algorithm for electronically identifying inpatient overdose/oversedation in KPNW hospitals from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014. Chart audits assessed accuracy; data sources included administrative and clinical records.

Results

The best‐performing algorithm used these rules: (1) Include events with opioids administered in an inpatient setting (including emergency department/urgent care) followed by naloxone administration within 275 hours of continuous inpatient stay; (2) exclude events with electroconvulsive therapy procedure codes; and (3) exclude events in which an opioid was administered prior to hospital discharge and followed by readmission with subsequent naloxone administration. Using this algorithm, we identified 870 suspect inpatient overdose/oversedation events and chart audited a random sample of 235. Of the random sample, 185 (78.7%) were deemed overdoses/oversedation, 37 (15.5%) were not, and 13 (5.5%) were possible cases. The number of hours between time of opioid and naloxone administration did not affect algorithm accuracy. When “possible” overdoses/oversedations were included with confirmed events, overall positive predictive value (PPV) was very good (PPV = 84.0%). Additionally, PPV was reasonable when evaluated specifically for hospital stays with emergency/urgent care admissions (PPV = 77.0%) and excellent for elective surgery admissions (PPV = 97.0%).

Conclusions

Algorithm performance was reasonable for identifying inpatient overdose/oversedation with best performance among elective surgery patients.
Emergent Upconversion Sustainable Micro‐Optical Trapping Device
Authors: Lin Kuan Bo , Shen Ting Wei , Su Yen Hsun
Published: May 2019

Ultrathin‐thickness single‐junction Si‐based solar cells can be developed to enhance photoelectric conversion efficiency (PECE) approaching to Shockley–Queisser limit. However, loss of short circuit current is a crucial factor that dramatically affects PECE improvement. Even though many studies have focused on rare reflector architecture for facilitating near‐infrared radiation absorption, PECE is still constraint due to its fabrication cost. Herein, an upconversion sustainable micro‐optical trapping device is reported. Using a systematic procedure, a high upconversion performance core–shell‐nanoparticles (CSNPs) structure is synthesized. Accordingly, silica diatom microporous frustule is a good electromagnetic field localization chamber, upon which CSNPs are embedded through a microassemble synthesis. This emerging device can be support on ultrathin‐thickness single‐junction Si‐based solar cells as a rare absorber with its low preparation cost. In the experiment, CSNPs upconversion optical density by surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticle's enhancement can be increased five‐time greater than NaYF4 without SiO2 coating. A finite difference time domain simulation and real color luminescence images in this study are also demonstrated.
Chimeric dihydrofolate reductases display properties of modularity and biophysical diversity
Authors: Rodrigues João V. , Ogbunugafor C. Brandon , Hartl Daniel L. , Shakhnovich Eugene I.
Published: May 2019

While reverse genetics and functional genomics have long affirmed the role of individual mutations in determining protein function, there have been fewer studies addressing how large‐scale changes in protein sequences, such as in entire modular segments, influence protein function and evolution. Given how recombination can reassort protein sequences, these types of changes may play an underappreciated role in how novel protein functions evolve in nature. Such studies could aid our understanding of whether certain organismal phenotypes related to protein function—such as growth in the presence or absence of an antibiotic—are robust with respect to the identity of certain modular segments. In this study, we combine molecular genetics with biochemical and biophysical methods to gain a better understanding of protein modularity in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme target of antibiotics also widely used as a model for protein evolution. We replace an integral α‐helical segment of Escherichia coli DHFR with segments from a number of different organisms (many nonmicrobial) and examine how these chimeric enzymes affect organismal phenotypes (e.g., resistance to an antibiotic) as well as biophysical properties of the enzyme (e.g., thermostability). We find that organismal phenotypes and enzyme properties are highly sensitive to the identity of DHFR modules, and that this chimeric approach can create enzymes with diverse biophysical characteristics.
Cross‐Lagged Relations Among Linguistic Skills in European Portuguese: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Santos Sandra , Cadime Irene , Viana Fernanda Leopoldina , Ribeiro Iolanda
Published: May 2019

Research has widely demonstrated the contribution of word reading, listening comprehension skills, and oral reading fluency to reading comprehension performance. However, the existence of reciprocal relations among these skills has been investigated less frequently. The authors examined the directionality of the relations among reading comprehension, listening comprehension, word reading, and oral reading fluency in Portuguese elementary school students from second to fourth grade by using a longitudinal cross‐lagged design. The sample was composed of 261 students assessed at the end of grades 2, 3, and 4. The results indicated that there is a reciprocal relation between listening comprehension and reading comprehension in every grade and that oral reading fluency and reading comprehension have a reciprocal relation only in the initial years of schooling, similar to the observed relation between oral reading fluency and word reading. The results are discussed considering their potential impact and the limitations of the study.
3D Interdigitated Microsupercapacitors with Record Areal Cell Capacitance
Authors: Ferris Anaïs , Bourrier David , Garbarino Sébastien , Guay Daniel , Pech David
Published: May 2019

Due to their high‐power density and long lifetime, microsupercapacitors have been considered as an efficient energy supply/storage solution for the operation of small electronic devices. However, their fabrication remains confined to 2D thin‐film microdevices with limited areal energy. In this study, the integration of all‐solid‐state 3D interdigitated microsupercapacitors on 4 in. silicon wafers with record energy density is demonstrated. The device electrodes are composed of a pseudocapacitive hydrated ruthenium dioxide RuO2 deposited onto highly porous current collectors. The encapsulated devices exhibit cell capacitance of 812 mF cm−2 per footprint area at an energy density of 329 mJ cm−2, which is the highest value ever reported for planar configuration. These components achieve one of the highest surface energy/power density trade‐offs and address the issue of electrical energy storage of modern electronics.
Bone Defect Model Dependent Optimal Pore Sizes of 3D‐Plotted Beta‐Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Diao Jingjing , Ding Huanwen , Huang Minqiang , Fu Xiaoling , Zou Fen , Li Tianjie , Zhao Naru , Mao Chuanbin , Wang Yingjun
Published: May 2019

Bones such as long bone and flat bone vary physiologically and anatomically. How pore sizes affect bone regeneration in different bone defects and its mechanisms are not well studied. Herein, typical long bone (tibia) defect model and flat bone (calvarial) defect model are applied to investigate their bone regeneration capacity and the underlying mechanism mediated by the pore sizes. Pore sizes (100, 250, and 400 µm) of the beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds are strictly controlled utilizing a 3D plotting method. Bone regeneration capability in vivo by these pore sizes is related to the defect models (tibial defects and calvarial defects). Among the three pore sizes being studied, 100 µm pore size is most efficient in inducing bone formation in repairing flat bone defects, which is owing to the enhanced osteoblast differentiation in the intramembranous ossification. Differently, the scaffolds with a pore size of 400 µm display the best ability of bone formation for repairing long bone defects, which is speculated to be related to the accelerated formation of cartilage templates and ossification centers in endochondral ossification. This study suggests that bone defect type should be concerned in the design of the porous structure of an artificial material.
Numerical Modeling of the Effect of Mechanical Vibration on 10 kg C45 Steel Ingot Solidification
Authors: Niu Shuai , Senk Dieter , Rezende Joao Luiz Lopes
Published: May 2019

Numerical modeling of the solidification structure evolution has been performed to predict the structure development during the solidification of a 10 kg C45 steel ingot. The model consists of two schemes: The Finite Difference method (FD) for the macroscopic heat transport of the unsteady two‐dimensional temperature field in solidifying metal and the Cellular Automaton (CA) method for simulating the evolution of as‐cast structures. The effect of mechanical vibration (MV) is evaluated from the aspects of increasing the apparent thermal conductivity of the liquid and the nucleation probability. An increased effective thermal conductivity by MV is assumed in the liquid phase. A 10% larger nucleation probability is also assumed to introduce the increased nucleation sites due to dendrite fragmentation caused by the imposition of MV. The simulation results are validated by the hot model experiments regarding the grain morphology and the temperature profile. The results of numerical modeling agree well with the experimental results and can be used for predicting the solidification structure evolution under various conditions.
Host a Lavender Graduation to honor LGBTQ graduates
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2019

At commencement time, events beyond the main ceremony show appreciation for graduates and their contributions to the community. If your institution doesn't host a Lavender Graduation, consider adding one to honor your LGBTQ graduates.
Pseudo Halide Chemistry in Ionic Liquids with Decomposable Anions
Authors: Harloff Jörg , Schulz Axel , Stoer Philip , Villinger Alexander
Published: May 2019

Several pseudohalide containing ionic liquids with quarternary ammonium counter cations of the general formula [R3MeN]X [R = ethyl (1X), n‐butyl (2X) with X– = CN–, N3–, OCN–, and SCN–] were synthesized by decomposition of the corresponding trialkylammonium methylcarbonate in the reaction with Me3Si–X. We also treated 2CN with OP(OMe)3, yielding [nBu3MeN][O2P(OMe)2] and acetonitrile (Me‐CN). The double salt [nBu3MeN]2{[B(OMe)3(CN)](CN)} was obtained from the reaction of 2CN with B(OMe)3, featuring the formation of the monocyanotrimethoxyborate anion, [B(OMe)3(CN)]–, co‐crystallized with [nBu3MeN]CN. [nBu3MeN]2{[B(OMe)3(CN)](CN)} was fully characterized including structure elucidation.
Decoupling from Moral Responsibility for CSR: Employees' Visionary Procrastination at a SME
Authors: Sendlhofer Tina
Published: May 2019

Most studies of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have focused on the organisational level, while the individual level of analysis has been treated as a ‘black box’ when researching antecedents of CSR engagement or disengagement. This article offers insights into a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) that is recognised as a pioneer in CSR. Although the extant literature suggests that the owner-manager is crucial in the implementation of CSR, this study reveals that employees drive CSR. The employees in the focal firm voluntarily joined forces based on their shared perception of moral responsibility for CSR and they developed strict targets to be achieved by 2030. Despite their strong ethical and moral perspective when enacting CSR, they disengaged from their moral responsibility for CSR in various contexts. This paper contributes to the theory of moral decoupling by uncovering a novel context of disengagement—‘visionary procrastination’. Visionary procrastination is suggested to be a particularly relevant context of disengagement when individuals perceive moral responsibility for CSR. Moreover, by delivering insights into the antecedents of employee-initiated CSR on the organisational level, this study adds to the growing body of literature on the micro-foundations of CSR.
Computational enactivism under the free energy principle
Authors: Korbak Tomasz
Published: May 2019

In this paper, I argue that enactivism and computationalism—two seemingly incompatible research traditions in modern cognitive science—can be fruitfully reconciled under the framework of the free energy principle (FEP). FEP holds that cognitive systems encode generative models of their niches and cognition can be understood in terms of minimizing the free energy of these models. There are two philosophical interpretations of this picture. A computationalist will argue that as FEP claims that Bayesian inference underpins both perception and action, it entails a concept of cognition as a computational process. An enactivist, on the other hand, will point out that FEP explains cognitive systems as constantly self-organizing to non-equilibrium steady-state. My claim is that these two interpretations are both true at the same time and that they enlighten each other.
Modeling Dependence Structures for Response Times in a Bayesian Framework
Authors: Klotzke Konrad , Fox Jean-Paul
Published: May 2019

A multivariate generalization of the log-normal model for response times is proposed within an innovative Bayesian modeling framework. A novel Bayesian Covariance Structure Model (BCSM) is proposed, where the inclusion of random-effect variables is avoided, while their implied dependencies are modeled directly through an additive covariance structure. This makes it possible to jointly model complex dependencies due to for instance the test format (e.g., testlets, complex constructs), time limits, or features of digitally based assessments. A class of conjugate priors is proposed for the random-effect variance parameters in the BCSM framework. They give support to testing the presence of random effects, reduce boundary effects by allowing non-positive (co)variance parameters, and support accurate estimation even for very small true variance parameters. The conjugate priors under the BCSM lead to efficient posterior computation. Bayes factors and the Bayesian Information Criterion are discussed for the purpose of model selection in the new framework. In two simulation studies, a satisfying performance of the MCMC algorithm and of the Bayes factor is shown. In comparison with parameter expansion through a half-Cauchy prior, estimates of variance parameters close to zero show no bias and undercoverage of credible intervals is avoided. An empirical example showcases the utility of the BCSM for response times to test the influence of item presentation formats on the test performance of students in a Latin square experimental design.
Use of an e‑portfolio mapping tool: connecting experiences, analysis and action by learners
Authors: Heeneman Sylvia , Driessen Erik , Durning Steven J. , Torre Dario
Published: May 2019

Reflective practice is an important characteristic of a knowledgeable health professional. Reflection is needed to maintain professional competence, practice-based learning, and an improvement focused attitude. Yet, learners struggle with reflective practice activities as they are perceived as challenging and time consuming. We used the idea of concept mapping to design an e‑portfolio tool that supports learners with their reflective practice activities. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the design and rationale of e‑portfolio mapping and how this tool could be used to support reflective practice activities.

Following the stepwise approach typical for the reflective cycle, two types of maps were designed, a trigger map and a competency map. In a trigger map, the learner reflects on a concrete learning or feedback experience. In a competency map the learner interprets and synthesizes several previous trigger maps which ultimately leads to the formulation of new learning objectives. The e‑portfolio mapping tool can be a useful and supportive tool to foster learners’ reflective skills and provide mentors with in-depth insight into the students’ learning and reflection processes.
Being a scalpel holder might make you its victim; a series of 4 cases
Authors: Yaldo Fitoon F. , Baram Aram , Kakamad Fahmi , Allaf Rebwar A. , Kareem Shokha S. , Aziz Luqman M. , Kareem Awrin R.
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Scalpel blades and suture needles are the two most perilous nonhollow-bore gadgets causing percutaneous injuries in hospitals. The prevalence of these injuries and type of injuries in the Kurdistan federal region is not known.

Patients and methods:

a retrospective, multicenter study, enrolling four medical personnel suffering from significant blade injuries necessitating surgical intervention.

Results:

This study reports a series of four cases who had critical injuries caused by surgical blades. These injuries occurred in the femoral artery, radial artery, index figure and thumb. Surgical intervention was performed under general anesthesia in three cases and under local anesthesia in one case. The injuries left long term sequelae in two cases.

Conclusion:

Accidental scalpel injury is a continuous and neglected threat to health care staffs especially surgeons and could be tragic and both time consuming and financially exhausting. Elucidating the circumstances and risk factors resulting in such injuries is important in order to develop preventive guidelines and to increase awareness about this relatively hidden yet tragic event.

Highlights:
Erectile Dysfunction Predicts Cardiovascular Events as an Independent Risk Factor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Binghao , Hong Zhengdong , Wei Yiping , Yu Dongliang , Xu Jianjun , Zhang Wenxiong
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Previous studies demonstrating that erectile dysfunction (ED) predicts the risk of further cardiovascular events (CV) events are insufficient to make recommendations for cardiologists, diabetologists, urologists, and more, and the association between CV events and ED degree is unclear.

Aim

To assess whether ED was a risk factor for CV events in a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Medline, and the Web of Science were searched for eligible studies. The protocol for this meta-analysis is available from PROSPERO (CRD42018086138).

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcomes included cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and all-cause mortality. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to detect potential bias.

Results

25 eligible studies involving 154,794 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with those of men without ED, the CVD risk of ED patients was significantly increased by 43% (relative risk [RR] =1.43; P < .001), CHD was increased by 59% (RR = 1.59; P < .001), stroke was increased by 34% (RR = 1.34; P < .001), and all-cause mortality was increased by 33% (RR = 1.33; P < .001). Older individuals with ED (≥55 years), those with ED of a shorter duration (<7 years), and those with higher rates of diabetes (≥20%) and smoking (≥40%) were more prone to develop CVD. Additionally, severe ED was proven to predict higher CVD and all-cause mortality risk. The standardized model proposed here can be properly applied for screening early CV events.

Clinical Implications

The evidence prompts the diligent observation of at-risk men and reinforces the importance of early treatment to prevent CV events.

Strengths & Limitations

Larger sample sizes from recent prospective cohort studies were included to provide more up-to-date, reliable, and comprehensive results. Moreover, the results were robust regarding consistency across sensitivity and subgroup analyses and remained consistent; even pre-excluded retrospective or cross-sectional studies were included. We constructed a standardized model that addresses the study’s innovations and implications for the first time. However, not all included studies were randomized controlled trials, which might downgrade this evidence.

Conclusions

Risk of total CVD, CHD, stroke, and all-cause mortality was significantly increased in populations with ED, and severe ED is of particular concern. The evidence suggests the need for diligent observation of at-risk men and reinforces the importance of early treatment to prevent CV events.
Visual priming and framing of the 2016 GOP and Democratic Party presidential primary debates
Authors: Stewart Patrick A. , Eubanks Austin D. , Miller Jason
Published: May 2019

In an on-demand media environment, the 2016 presidential primary debates provided a ratings and economic boost to host networks surpassing all prior primary debates and even major sporting events in viewership. In turn, millions of viewers were exposed to and subtly influenced by the ways in which these candidates were visually presented. We analyze how the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates were presented in their initial two debates (Fox News and CNN; CNN and CBS, respectively). Candidates are considered in terms of visual priming through aggregate camera time and average camera fixation time and how contenders were visually framed through the proportion of different camera shot types used (solo, split screen, side by side, multiple candidate, and audience reaction). Findings suggest that while the front-runners from both political parties benefited from preferential visual coverage, Donald Trump stood out in terms of the visual priming and framing that presented him as a serious contender.
Does being socially responsible buffer reputation loss in a product crisis? The moderating role of lay theory of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Li Dongmei , Li Chenchen , Chiu Chi-yue , Peng Siqing
Published: May 2019

A company’s emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) signals its concern with benefits for society, whereas a company’s emphasis on corporate ability (CA) signals its expertise in delivering good quality products. Product-harm crises often put companies at serious risk. Would a company’s prior emphasis on CSR versus CA mitigate the potential reputation damage of a product-harm crisis? In an experiment, we found that when a product-harm crisis occurred, having a CSR focus softened the public’s negative evaluation of the focal company, but this protective function of CSR was found only among people who had the lay theory that CSR and CA are compatible. The joint effect of CSR focus and the lay theory was mediated by the tendency to exonerate the focal company for the causal responsibility of the crisis.
Mare Nostrum: A New International Law of the Sea
Authors: Allott Philip
Published: May 2019

That Princes may have an exclusive property in the Soveraigntie of the severall parts of the Sea, and in the passage, fishing and shores thereof, is so evidently true by way of fact, as no man that is not desperately impudent can deny it.

Sir John Boroughs

Using the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 as a root stock, it is possible to generate a fundamentally new international law of the sea. This regeneration will not be the product of yet another diplomatic negotiation among the representatives of the governments of states. It will be brought about by a much more direct and efficient method. It requires nothing more nor less than a reconceiving of the theoretical basis of the law of the sea.
Levi's Elevation to the Priesthood in Second Temple Writings
Authors: Kugel James
Published: May 2019

In ancient Israel, the tribe of Levi was deemed to have a special connection with the service of God. Numerous biblical texts speak of the Levites asthepriestly tribe or attribute to them certain special functions connected with cultic worship. But why exactly had the Levites been selected for such honors, and how did their selection come about? Several biblical narratives appear to have been designed in order to answer this question. Thus, the selection of the Levites is at one point connected with their zealousness following the Golden Calf incident (Exod 32:25–29), while elsewhere God's choice of the Levites seems to follow as a natural consequence after the death of the Levite Aaron (see Deut 10:8) or, possibly, to be the result of Moses' words in his final blessing of this tribe before his death (Deut 33:8– 10).
Women In Roman Baths
Authors: Ward Roy Bowen
Published: May 2019

In 177 CE Christians in Lugdunum and Vienna in Gaul were persecuted, and some were martyred. The survivors sent a letter by Irenaeus to the churches in Asia and Phrygia describing what happened. Among other things, they complained that they were excluded from the baths (βαλανεῖα). Later in hisAdversus haereses(ca. 190 CE) Irenaeus referred to a story he claimed stemmed from Polycarp of Smyrna, who died ca. 156 CE, about John the disciple going to the public baths (βαλανεῖον) in Ephesus where he saw Cerinthus. Tertullian of Carthage in hisApologeticum(197 CE) claimed that the Christians were no different from other people: they went to the forum, the food market, and the baths (balneia). These three passages, among the earliest references to Roman baths by Christians, suggest no ethical reservations about going to the baths. An interesting question arises: Were there women in these baths?
“In Our Nature”: The Kenotic Christology of Charles Chauncy
Authors: Gibbs Norman B. , Gibbs Lee W.
Published: May 2019

Charles Chauncy (1705–1787), for more than sixty years the pastor of the influential First (“Old Brick”) Church in Boston, was a leading participant in many of the greatest controversies of his century. Best known for his opposition both to Jonathan Edwards and to what he regarded as the emotional excesses of the Great Awakening, he is also well remembered for his vigorous protest against Anglican efforts to establish bishops in America. He became such an ardent champion of the colonists in their struggle for a free and independent nation that above all others he deserves the title “theologian of the American Revolution.”
Effects of Sc-0224 and Glyphosate On Free Amino Acids, Soluble Protein, and Protein Synthesis in Inflated Duckweed (Lemna Gibba)
Authors: Cooley William E. , Foy Chester L.
Published: May 2019

Effects of the herbicides SC-0224 and glyphosate on the pool levels of free amino acids, soluble protein, and protein synthesis in inflated duckweed were compared. SC-0224 caused larger increases than glyphosate in the pool levels of amino acids; the increases caused by SC-0224 were similar, however, to those caused by trimethylsulfonium iodide (TMS-I). Expressed on a per gram fresh weight basis, none of the treatments changed soluble protein or the incorporation of14C-leucine into soluble protein. On a per flask basis (allowing for decreased growth in treated flasks), both herbicides and TMS-I decreased soluble protein and14C-leucine incorporation. Decreases in soluble protein and14C-leucine incorporation were equal for SC-0224 and TMS-I but larger than for glyphosate. These data indicate that differences in the phytotoxicity of SC-0224 and glyphosate may be due to the action of the trimethylsulfonium portion of the SC-0224 structure.