bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Students’ Personality and Learning Styles on Their Motivation for Using Blended Learning
Authors: Keshavarz Mohammad Hossein , Hulus Asegul
Published: May 2020

Blended learning is a revolutionary concept that embraces traditional classroom teaching and online/offline learning. Many studies have been conducted on blended learning; however, research on its effect on motivation with reference to personality and learning styles is scarce. Therefore, the present study set out to fill this niche. To this end, 33 university students from a private university in Northern Cyprus were randomly selected to participate in this study by filling out a questionnaire on the use of blended learning. The questionnaire was analyzed and frequencies of participants’ responses were calculated. To supplement the survey with qualitative data, an interview was conducted with ten of the participants on a voluntary basis. The results of both sets of data suggest that students’ personality and learning styles play a significant role in increasing their motivation for using blended-learning. Thus, based on these findings, it is suggested that in order to increase learners’ motivation, teaching materials and methods should be tailored according to their needs. The findings of the study are interpreted to have direct implications for syllabus designers and teachers.
Rhetorical structure in Problem Statement Section of Foreign Languages Undergraduate students’ Monographs
Authors: Salazar Obeso Wilmar
Published: May 2020

The Problem Statement (PS) section communicates the issue that targets a study. Having a clear understanding of its rhetorical moves facilitates its communication. However, undergraduate students are not generally worried about this important writing aspect. The purpose of this descriptive study intended to explore the rhetorical moves in Colombian FL undergraduate monographs. 20 samples of PS written in English by Foreign Languages (FL) Undergraduate students were analyzed following Swales’ (1990) Create-a-research-space (CARS) model. Findings revealed that the lack of knowledge about rhetorical aspects on the part of the students affects negatively the writing of the PS. The analysis also showed that some students did not communicate the problem due to an unbalanced frequency of moves and steps. Students’ awareness of the genre, its formal instruction, and frequent training might contribute to improve their academic writing.
Date Palm Pollen Grains as a Potential Manager for Male Sub-fertility: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Saeed Husamuldeen S. M. , Osman Bashier , El-Hadiyah Tarig Muhammed H. , Mohamed Mona S. , Osman Wadah J. A. , Abdoon Iman H. , Mothana Ramzi A.
Published: May 2020

Medicinal plants are identified and used throughout human history; it has a great economic value especially in drugs discovery. Date palm pollen (DPP) is used traditionally in Sudan for treating sub-fertile male patients. Male infertility is heterogeneous group of disorders, most of them are idiopathic. This study is aimed to investigate the role of pharmaceutical preparation of DPP in amelioration of male sub fertility with detection of any possible adverse effects on the major body system functions, through blood picture, liver enzymes and kidney function. This study is a single group pretest-posttest experimental prospective comparative self-control. Sub-fertile men with Idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia or azoospermia were received 500 mg capsules of  DPP  twice daily for three months after conducting their safety profiles to detect any toxic effects on hematological, hepatological and nephrological functions, Blood samples were taken from the patients for serum level of FSH (for azoospermic patients), FSH and Testosterone (for oligoasthenozoospermic patients). Finally, Semen sample have been obtained for computerized assisted semen analysis (CASA) report I and II. DPP administration induced significant increase (p≤0.001) in testosterone level (in oligoasthenozoospermic patients) and FSH level (in azoospermic patients). DPP induced significant changes (p≤0.001) towards improvement in the total and progressive sperm motility percentages measured in oligoasthenozoospermic patients by CASA dynamic analysis report I and II.  The toxicological studies for DPP approved their safety use in human.
Factors Responsible for Work Stress among Health Care Providers and Frequency of Antidepressant Medicine Use
Authors: Wilson Nasreen Rebecca , Memon Muhammad Akbar , Bajari Naseem , -Haque Zeeshan-UL , Rajar Ihsanullah
Published: May 2020

Objective: To assess the contributing factors of occupational stress and frequency of antidepressant medicine use among healthcare providers working at Isra University Hospital.

Study Setting: Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad Sind Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Materials and Methods: All the health care providers of Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad of either gender formed the sample of the study. A structured questionnaire in English language was designed to gather data on factors contributing to occupational stress. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.

Results: The impact of work stress on work performance was explored in 100 study participants. The results indicated that 87% of study sample affirmed that stress lead to poor performance. Out of all participants, 79% were female and 21% were males. The analysis of stress elevating factors showed that 56% study participants had stress due to low salary, 17% felt stress due to seniors ‘negative attitude’ and 15% due to low job satisfaction. Result showed that 27.0% subjects reduce stress by sharing with their friends, 25% by prayers, 21% use the music during stress, 19.0% share with family and 8% using the antidepressant medicine during stress.

Conclusion: It was concluded that low job satisfaction, lesser pay and seniors’ attitude are common contributing stress factors. Sharing with family and friends, music, prayers and use of the antidepressant medicine were the common methods of stress reduction.
Structural analysis of the meiosis‐related protein MS5 reveals non‐canonical papain enhancement by cystatin‐like folds
Authors: Wang Xiang , Gao Yupeng , Guan Zeyuan , Xie Zhaoqi , Zhang Delin , Yin Ping , Yang Guangsheng , Hong Dengfeng , Xin Qiang
Published: May 2020

MS5 is a meiosis‐related protein belonging to the Brassicaceae‐specific domain of unknown function family and characterized by the MS5 superfamily domain (MSD). In this study, we elucidated the three‐dimensional crystal structure and potential biochemical function of the MSD. It was observed that the MSD adopts a cystatin‐like fold, mainly consisting of a central α‐helix and four‐ or five‐stranded antiparallel β‐sheets that wrap around it. However, unlike cystatins, which inhibit cysteine proteases, the MSD displayed allosteric activation of papain. We believe that our study provides insight into novel mechanisms of proteolytic enzyme regulation and may serve as a basis for functional studies of the MS5 family proteins in plants.
OFDM
‐Based Multicarrier Transmission
Authors: Chen‐Hu Kun , Céspedes Máximo M. , Armada Ana G.
Published: May 2020

Orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) is one of the most well‐known multicarrier modulation (MCM) schemes. It has been adopted in several wideband digital communication systems and is the selected waveform for the New Radio (NR) in 5G. In this article, we provide a general overview of this MCM, describing the OFDM signal generation and the associated parameters. We provide some practical details related to channel estimation, OFM variants and its combination with MIMO, or the MU operation. Finally, we show the details of two examples of how the OFDM signal is implemented in LTE and the 5G NR.
Filtered Multicarrier Transmission
Authors: Yli‐Kaakinen Juha , Renfors Markku , Kofidis Eleftherios
Published: May 2020

Orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) has been adopted as the waveform of choice in the existing and emerging broadband wireless communication systems for a number of advantages it can offer. Nevertheless, investigations of more advanced multicarrier transmission schemes have continued with the aim of eliminating or mitigating its essential limitations. This article discusses multicarrier schemes with enhanced spectrum localization, which manage to reduce the spectral sidelobes of plain OFDM that are problematic in various advanced communication scenarios. These include schemes for enhancing the OFDM waveform characteristics through additional signal processing as well as filter‐bank multicarrier (FBMC) waveforms utilizing frequency‐selective filter banks instead of plain (inverse) discrete Fourier transform processing for waveform generation and demodulation.
HybridARQSchemes
Authors: Mukherjee Amitav
Published: May 2020

Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) is a fundamental feature of modern mobile broadband networks such as fourth‐generation Long‐Term Evolution (LTE) and fifth‐generation New Radio (NR). HARQ schemes leverage a combination of error‐correction coding, error detection, and coherent combining of time‐domain repetitions to ensure reliable and robust delivery of data packets. This article provides an overview of general HARQ principles. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the HARQ mechanisms in LTE and NR and how HARQ feedback is generated and transmitted on uplink control channels.
Adaptive Modulation and Coding
Authors: Aguayo‐Torres Mari C. , Gomez‐Paredes Gerardo , Ramiro Juan , Entrambasaguas José T.
Published: May 2020

Adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) denotes the ability to adapt the modulation scheme and the coding rate to the instantaneous quality of the radio link: as channel conditions worsen, a more robust modulation and coding scheme (MCS) is employed, whereas a highly efficient MCS is used if channel conditions are good. In this article, some background is given on AMC. First, AMC is described under flat fading channels; secondly, the impact of frequency selectivity and multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) techniques are addressed, including how block errors can be modeled to enable the prediction of the most appropriate MCS.

In 3GPP 5G NR as well as in previous LTE technology, AMC is a key technology. A summary of how 5G NR allows link adaptation, including how channel sounding is carried out, is briefly provided. In addition, some insights are given on how current technology copes with errors at the channel state estimation. A widely used algorithm termed outer loop link adaptation (OLLA) is described and its relation to a suboptimal AMC procedure unveiled. The description of some open issues and the suggestion of using machine learning as a new approach to AMC finishes the article.
Beamforming and Precoding Techniques
Authors: Darsena Donatella , Gelli Giacinto , Verde Francesco
Published: May 2020

Beamforming and precoding/combining are techniques aimed at processing multiantenna signals at the transmitter and/or at the receiver of a wireless communication system. While they have been routinely used to improve performance in current and previous generations of mobile communications systems, they are expected to play a more fundamental role in 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) cellular systems, whose functionalities have been defined in the first phase of 3GPP 5G standardization process. Besides operating in traditional cellular sub‐6 GHz frequency band, 5G NR has been natively designed to work in the higher millimeter‐wave (MMW) band. At lower frequencies, multiantenna techniques for 5G NR are mainly refinements of those originally designed for 4G Long‐Term Evolution (LTE). On the contrary, to cope with the peculiarities of MMW scenarios, such as the larger number of antenna elements, the more directional transmission, and the higher path loss values, new dynamic, user‐specific, and computationally efficient multiantenna solutions and procedures have been incorporated in 5G NR specifications. In particular, since multiantenna techniques for 5G NR generally need detailed channel state information (CSI), a complete redesign of the set of reference signals and procedures used for CSI acquisition and reporting was carried out. 5G NR is continuously evolving and new features will be added, while the existing ones will be enhanced in the second phase of 5G standardization, with particular emphasis on beam management operations, reduction of CSI overhead, unconventional transmission methods, robustness against spatial correlation among channels, and software‐based reconfigurable antennas.
Random Access Protocols
Authors: Garrido‐Martin Aaron , Pérez‐Leal Raquel
Published: May 2020

Random Access protocols deal with the access to the transmission medium in communication networks, as part of the medium access control layer. In most current networks, the number of nodes is quite higher than the available network resources, so when some terminals want to access to the network resources at the same time, they will interfere each other generating a collision. If a collision occurs, the nodes have to retransmit their information, so collisions are translated to poor network performance in terms of connection delays, network resources wasting, and energy wasting. This problem becomes especially critical when the transmissions coming from the nodes are not scheduled following a random behavior, and when the nodes generate the bursty traffic. The two main Random Access protocol families are ALOHA and Carrier Sense Multiple Access protocols (CSMA). Despite these protocols appeared more than 40 years ago and several improvements have been done since its appearance, they have kept as the core of the Random Access protocols for most of the wireless networks. This article explains both ALOHA and CSMA protocols, introducing the problems related to the Random Access in wireless networks, and the proposed solutions to mitigate its effects. After reading this article, the reader will be able to understand the importance of the Random Access, the key concepts behind it, and why there is not a unique Random Access solution that optimizes the performance of all the networks.
Smart Antenna Designs
Authors: Tian Shuncheng , Li Long , Luo Zhangjie , Cheng Qiang , Jun Cui Tie
Published: May 2020

Smart antenna technologies are vital candidates to advance fifth generation (5G) wireless communication system owing to their merits of large capacity, big signal range, strong anti‐interference ability, flexible beam‐scanning control, and easy accessibility of point‐to‐point communications. By adopting smart signal processing algorithms, smart antennas are advantageous over others with electronically alterable radiation patterns and convenient beam‐scanning as required. Generally speaking, a smart antenna system consists of three components: the antenna, the beamforming network, and the signal processing unit with related beamforming algorithms. The purpose of this article is to review and summarize the existing works in these three parts. In the first part, the basic principles, the types, and the advantages of smart antennas are introduced. The recent development of smart antenna systems and related intelligent algorithms are presented in the second part. The third part includes the application of artificial intelligence in the design of smart antennas, the metamaterial‐based smart antennas, and the future of smart antennas. Judging from the current level in this field, it is believed that smart antennas will play a crucial role in driving the realization of the smart home and city, promoting the future communication systems, the Internet of things, the autonomous vehicles, etc.
Major Changes in
5G
Architecture and Related Expectations
Authors: Trossen Dirk
Published: May 2020

5G has brought about major changes to the radio interface, which are directly experienced by end‐users through increased speed and lower latency. But 5G also brings about dramatic changes to the underlying system and network architecture, aiming at the many promises for 5G, most notably flexibility in addressing the many vertical industries seen entering the 5G space and efficiency in accommodating those new use cases and industries at sustainable costs. In this article, we outline the main trends and concepts that drive those changes in 5G architecture and how we see them coming together to fulfill the expectations in 5G deployments foreseen in the next years.
Autonomous Unmanned Techniques for Enhancing Network Serviceability in the5GEra
Authors: Mohamed Boucadair
Published: May 2020

Drone technology has been around for quite some time. Initially used by the military, it has now become a mass‐market technology that can be used for many applications: from aerial picturing to site monitoring, drone technology has many attractive, multipurpose and now cost‐effective features. There is now a growing interest from the telecom operator community to use these unmanned flying machines for specific, sometimes rudimentary purposes such as site monitoring. This article aims to detail how drone technology can be further extended with automated and autonomous behaviors to improve the network serviceability, especially whenever network failures or attacks occur that may affect the service quality, if not disrupt the whole services. The usage of unmanned techniques for communication services is likely to be fostered by the introduction of 5G infrastructures and the necessary update of existing regulations.
Privacy in the5GWorld: TheGDPRin a Datafied Society
Authors: Teatini Sebastiao , Matinmikko‐Blue Marja
Published: May 2020

The datafication of society is likely to increase in the upcoming 5G world and legal safeguards are necessary to ensure our privacy rights are protected. The purpose of this chapter is to analyze some of the unique characteristics of 5G and how the EU General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) stands as the last legal guardian against unwanted personal data violations. With the increase of data transfer speed and reliability comes the risk of privacy deterioration as 5G interlaces with ubiquitous computing creating a socio‐technical all‐encompassing global web of personal digital data extraction, storage, and transfer that will directly impact the way society organizes itself. The focus of this article is on identifying and understanding the possible threats to privacy protection that may be encountered in the deployment of 5G. Due to its low latency, reliability, high capacity, energy efficiency, and speedy data transmissions, 5G will directly impact the way we interact, communicate, work, and participate in society. For this breakthrough to take place a new generation of communication infrastructure is being designed, created, and implemented in many urban areas in Europe, North East Asia, North America, and other regions of the world. In addition, more intangible elements, such as software, protocols, and standards are being put in place. Not only the volume, velocity, and variety of digital data will increase in the 5G world, but also the value. However, in the fast approaching datafied world, privacy is rapidly becoming a cherished commodity rather than an inherited human right.
Heterogeneous Network Architecture and Device‐to‐Device Communications in5GCellular Networks
Authors: Kaliski Rafael D.
Published: May 2020

Device‐to‐device (D2D) and heterogeneous networks are key to the success of 5G networks. Heterogeneous networks are comprised of fixed location base stations/small cells, each of which may have a different range and connection type to the mobile network operator (MNO). D2D networks, on the other hand, are mobile ad hoc networks and can act as relays to heterogeneous networks. Together they form a fundamental part of the 5G ecosystem.

In this article, we first present the basic types of wireless networks, how resource allocation differs between them, and transmission modes. Then we proceed to discuss 5G New Radio (NR), 4G/LTE core networks, radio access networks, small cell and D2D architectures, D2D User Equipment (UE) protocols, and 5G heterogeneous networks. We then present several current issues and ongoing research topics involving heterogeneous networks and D2D.
Millimeter‐Wave Meets D2D: A Survey
Authors: Arribas Edgar , Mancuso Vincenzo
Published: May 2020

Device‐to‐device (D2D) and millimeter‐wave (mmW) communications play an important role in the design of future wireless communication systems since they are mature and resource‐efficient technologies. Integrating both technologies while retaining the benefit they offer in isolation is challenging. In this article, we review the literature on mmW‐based D2D proposals to enable network applications and service extensions that span from network‐controlled use cases to opportunistic solutions for direct data exchange, caching, and relay. The survey unveils that, although a large effort has been devoted to the study of D2D with mmW, we are still far from a full analytical and experimental characterization of the system. More effort is needed in view of 5G and beyond, to consider the integration of network computing elements and to protect mmW‐based D2D against security threats
5G
User Plane Advances
Authors: Rommer Stefan , Bolle Aldo
Published: May 2020

The explosive increase in the use of data in mobile networks has driven the introduction of a network architecture separating the Control Plane (CP) functions, handling the signaling between control functions in the network, and the User Plane (UP) functions, handling the user data packets. This journey started in 4G/EPS and has continued in 5G, fueled by a large variety of targeted use cases beyond traditional mobile broadband (MBB), such as IoT and vertical industry scenarios. Addressing these scenarios has resulted in advances of the 3GPP 5G System in respect to flexible Session Management and to mechanisms providing efficient UP paths such as differentiated session continuity modes, traffic breakout options, and enablers for Edge Computing. In addition, the 5G Quality of Service (QoS) model has been improved compared to previous generations of 3GPP systems to provide increased flexibility and reduced CP signaling. These User Plane advances, as well as enhancements and optimizations for small and infrequent data for massive IoT and for ultra‐reliable and low‐latency services, are presented in this article.
5G AI
‐Enabled Automation
Authors: Soldani David , Illingworth Sally A.
Published: May 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been investigated for more than 60 years. With the development of computing power, innovative algorithms, and gathering of massive data, AI will be rejuvenated in the next decade and become one of the most important enabling technologies for 5G automation. How to use the powerful analysis, judgment, and prediction capabilities provided by the AI algorithms to enable 5G equipment, networks and service systems, and combine them with the planning, construction, maintenance, operation, and optimization of carriers' networks become an important topic in the ICT industry. Based on deep understanding, accumulated experience in telecom field, and long‐term investment in AI strategies, many organizations have been introducing AI technology to telecom networks and contributing to development of standards essential for improving the quality and security of AI products and services, ensuring user safety and creating a fair and open industry ecosystem. 5G networks can be automatically deployed (automatic service deployment and automatic running) with the introduction of AI based on application scenarios. AI algorithms can also be used for self‐healing (automatic fault recovery), self‐optimization (network self‐optimization) and creating autonomous 5G systems (self‐evolving networks), which continuously improve network efficiency and reduce OPEX.

This article aims at presenting the most relevant use cases, prominent research outcomes, latest standard developments and related standardization gaps, examples of AI strategy interpretation, AI solutions – including communication intelligent platform, AI model service, and deployment solution – and typical application scenarios. As a part of this framework, this article introduces the most important aspects of AI security, in terms of protecting the integrity and confidentiality of AI models and data, and thus preventing attackers from changing the inference results or stealing data.
Abolishing spontaneous epileptiform activity in human brain tissue through AMPA receptor inhibition
Authors: Wright Sukhvir K. , Wilson Max A. , Walsh Richard , Lo William B. , Mundil Nilesh , Agrawal Shakti , Philip Sunny , Seri Stefano , Greenhill Stuart D. , Woodhall Gavin L.
Published: May 2020

Objective

The amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic target in drug‐refractory pediatric epilepsy. Perampanel (PER) is a non‐competitive AMPAR antagonist, and pre‐clinical studies have shown the AMPAR‐mediated anticonvulsant effects of decanoic acid (DEC), a major medium‐chain fatty acid provided in the medium‐chain triglyceride ketogenic diet.

Methods

Using brain tissue resected from children with intractable epilepsy, we recorded the effects of PER and DEC in vitro.

Results

We found resected pediatric epilepsy tissue exhibits spontaneous epileptic activity in vitro, and showed that DEC and PER inhibit this epileptiform activity in local field potential recordings as well as excitatory synaptic transmission.

Interpretation

This study confirms AMPAR antagonists inhibit epileptiform discharges in brain tissue resected in a wide range of pediatric epilepsies.
Miniaturization of Artificial Lungs toward Portability
Authors: Dabaghi Mohammadhossein , Rochow Niels , Saraei Neda , Mahendran Rupesh Kumar , Fusch Gerhard , Chan Anthony K. C. , Brash John L. , Fusch Christoph , Selvaganapathy Ponnambalam Ravi
Published: May 2020

Artificial lungs support patients undergoing open‐heart surgery, organ transplantation, and in serious lung injury by providing oxygenation support through an extracorporeal circuit. Some patients require partial support for durations of a few weeks or months even after the surgery. Therefore, a portable or wearable lung assist device which can be operated for several weeks with minimum maintenance would be ideal. Miniaturization of blood oxygenators, using microfluidic technology, is a promising avenue for the realization of such portable artificial lungs. The microfluidic blood oxygenators (MBOs) are also suitable for neonates with respiratory failure due to their low priming volume and pressure drop. Herein, the history of microfluidic oxygenator development and recent progress in miniaturized artificial lungs are discussed. The MBOs have made significant advances in 1) reducing device size, 2) providing biomimetic blood flow paths, 3) enabling operation in room air, and 4) operating without the need of an external pump. Recent work has demonstrated throughput of up to 150 mL min‐1 of blood and oxygen transfer rate of 60 mL O2 per L of blood. The challenges faced by this technology in practical applications as well as future improvements to meet the requirements for older neonates and even adults are also presented.
Novel de novo TRIP12 mutation reveals variable phenotypic presentation while emphasizing core features of TRIP12 variations
Authors: Donoghue Tess , Garrity Lauren , Ziolkowski Andrew , McPhillips Mary , Buckman Melissa , Goel Himanshu
Published: May 2020

Intellectual disability (ID) is a complicated and multifactorial condition often with an unclear cause. Advancements in diagnostic techniques have identified genetic causes in a significant proportion. Pathogenic variants in TRIP12, encoding for an E3 ligand in the ubiquitin‐protease pathway, have previously been identified as a cause of ID with autistic behavior and dysmorphic features. We report two unrelated patients with de novo mutations in TRIP12 and diagnoses of global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder and dysmorphic features, as well as a range of other characteristics. Exome sequencing was utilized as part of an extensive genetic workup for both individuals. The genotypic and phenotypic data for both patients has been collated with previously reported data. Epilepsy was noted in about 20% published cases. One of our patents had epilepsy. These cases highlight the variable phenotypic presentations of TRIP12 variations while emphasizing the core features of ID and speech delay, with or without autistic features and epilepsy.
In Vivo Imaging of the Tumor‐Associated Enzyme NCEH1 with a Covalent PET Probe
Authors: Chang Jae Won , Bhuiyan Mohammed , Tsai Hsiu‐Ming , Zhang Hannah J. , Li Gang , Fathi Shaghayegh , McCutcheon David C. , Leoni Lara , Freifelder Richard , Chen Chin‐Tu , Moellering Raymond E.
Published: May 2020

Herein, we report the development of an 18F‐labeled, activity‐based small‐molecule probe targeting the cancer‐associated serine hydrolase NCEH1. We undertook a focused medicinal chemistry campaign to simultaneously preserve potent and specific NCEH1 labeling in live cells and animals, while permitting facile 18F radionuclide incorporation required for PET imaging. The resulting molecule, [18F]JW199, labels active NCEH1 in live cells at nanomolar concentrations and greater than 1000‐fold selectivity relative to other serine hydrolases. [18F]JW199 displays rapid, NCEH1‐dependent accumulation in mouse tissues. Finally, we demonstrate that [18F]JW199 labels aggressive cancer tumor cells in vivo, which uncovered localized NCEH1 activity at the leading edge of triple‐negative breast cancer tumors, suggesting roles for NCEH1 in tumor aggressiveness and metastasis.
Direct Catalytic Conversion of Ethanol to C5+ Ketones: Role of Pd–Zn Alloy on Catalytic Activity and Stability
Authors: Subramaniam Senthil , Guo Mond F. , Bathena Tanmayi , Gray Michel , Zhang Xiao , Martinez Abraham , Kovarik Libor , Goulas Konstantinos A. , Ramasamy Karthikeyan K.
Published: May 2020

Ethanol can be used as a platform molecule for synthesizing valuable chemicals and fuel precursors. Direct synthesis of C5+ ketones, building blocks for lubricants and hydrocarbon fuels, from ethanol was achieved over a stable Pd‐promoted ZnO‐ZrO2 catalyst. The sequence of reaction steps involved in the C5+ ketone formation from ethanol was determined. The key reaction steps were found to be the in situ generation of the acetone intermediate and the cross‐aldol condensation between the reaction intermediates acetaldehyde and acetone. The formation of a Pd–Zn alloy in situ was identified to be the critical factor in maintaining high yield to the C5+ ketones and the stability of the catalyst. A yield of >70 % to C5+ ketones was achieved over a 0.1 % Pd‐ZnO‐ZrO2 mixed oxide catalyst, and the catalyst was demonstrated to be stable beyond 2000 hours on stream without any catalyst deactivation.
A Porous Organic Polymer Nanotrap for Efficient Extraction of Palladium
Authors: Aguila Briana , Sun Qi , Cassady Harper C. , Shan Chuan , Liang Zhiqiang , Al‐Enizic Abdullah M. , Nafadyc Ayman , Wright Joshua T. , Meulenberg Robert W. , Ma Shengqian
Published: May 2020

To offset the environmental impact of platinum‐group element (PGE) mining, recycling techniques are being explored. Porous organic polymers (POPs) have shown significant promise owing to their selectivity and ability to withstand harsh conditions. A series of pyridine‐based POP nanotraps, POP‐Py, POP‐pNH2‐Py, and POP‐oNH2‐Py, have been designed and systematically explored for the capture of palladium, one of the most utilized PGEs. All of the POP nanotraps demonstrated record uptakes and rapid capture, with the amino group shown to be vital in improving performance. Further testing on the POP nanotrap regeneration and selectivity found that POP‐oNH2‐Py outperformed POP‐pNH2‐Py. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis indicated that POP‐oNH2‐Py provided a stronger complex compared to POP‐pNH2‐Py owing to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the amino group and coordinated chlorine molecules. These results demonstrate how slight modifications to adsorbents can maximize their performance.
Computational investigation of the strategy of DNA/RNA stabilization through the study of the conjugation of an oligonucleotide with silver and gold nanoparticles
Authors: Aali Elahe , Shokuhi Rad Ali , Esfahanian Mehri
Published: May 2020

This research deals with the potential of metallic nanoparticles in DNA/RNA stabilization. In this regard, the interaction of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) as a representative of the nucleotide family was theoretically investigated through density functional theory. AMP is a short form of DNA or RNA macromolecules that can interact with gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The literature represents the thiolation of oligonucleotides as a suitable way for DNA/RNA adsorption on the stated nanoparticles. In this study, the role of different solvents on the thiolation of AMP is scrutinized. The results showed that acetonitrile is the best solvent for the thiolation of AMP with reaction enthalpy (ΔH) of −66.3 kJ/mol. The adsorption of thiolated adenosine monophosphate (TAMP) on the surface of Ag/Au nanoparticles (Ag/AuNP) was studied in different solvents, and in the gas phase. Our results revealed the interaction of TAMP with adsorption energies of −65.3 and −74.1 kJ/mol (gas phase), −54.8 and −62.5 kJ/mol (acetonitrile), and −59.2 and −70.6 kJ/mol (water) on AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. AuNPs have a shorter bond distance in adsorption of TAMP compared to AgNPs (2.61 vs. 2.78 Å). For all systems, the frontier molecular orbital, the electronic charge passed through the nanoparticles, the density of states, and the molecular electrostatic potential were investigated. The results confirm the suitability of these nanoparticles as carriers for nucleotides that may be useful in gen delivery applications.
Coordination chemistry of H‐spirophosphorane ligands towards pentacarbonylchlororhenium(I) – synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of complexes
Authors: Skarżyńska Anna , Siczek Miłosz , Gawryszewska Paula , Chaczko Karolina
Published: May 2020

Synthesis of a group of carbonyl rhenium coordination compounds with hydrospirophosphorane ligands was carried out and described. Different symmetrical HP(OCH2CH2NH)2L1, HP(OCH2CMe2NH)2L2, HP(OC6H4NH)2L3, and unsymmetrical ligands HP (OCMe2CMe2O)(OC6H4NH) L4 were found to coordinate to the rhenium center as bidentate P,N donor ligands yielding fac‐[ReCl (CO)3Ln], where n = 1–4. Furthermore, monodentate coordination was also observed in some cases, as was clearly presented in the case of [ReCl(CO)2(L4‐κ2P,N)(L4‐κP)] complex. All of the complexes were characterized using optical spectroscopy. Single‐crystalX‐ray diffraction was also performed in the case of fac‐[ReCl(CO)3L3], fac‐[ReCl(CO)3L4], [Re(CO)2(L2)2]Cl and [ReCl (CO)2(L4‐κ2P,N)(L4‐κP)] samples. Complexes [ReCl(CO)3L3] and [ReCl (CO)3L4], both bearing rings of conjugated double bonds within hydrospirophosphorane ligands, exhibited luminescence. Catalytic properties of rhenium complexes were assessed using the representative fac‐[ReCl (CO)3L2] complex in the dimerization reaction of terminal alkynes. An efficient and selective procedure for synthesis of the E‐enynes was developed. Coupling of (2‐chlorophenyl)acetylene was mediated by [ReCl (CO)3L2]/TBAF system with a 100% conversion rate. Different substituents within aromatic alkynes were tolerated and the resulting products were dependent on the nature of the substituents.
Binuclear titanium complexes coordinated by rigid p‐phenylene linked bis‐β‐carbonylenamine: Synthesis, structure, ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1,5‐hexadiene
Authors: Li Jian , Wang Liwei , Qin Yawen , You Qingliang , Li Tingcheng , Sun Lang , Li Xiangdan , Xie Guangyong
Published: May 2020

Binuclear complexes for olefin polymerization have attracted great attention due to their unique catalytic properties compared with their mononuclear counterparts. Here a series of p‐phenylene‐bridgedbis‐β‐carbonylenamine ligands and their binuclear Ti complexes Ti2L1–Ti2L3 were prepared and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The binuclear complex Ti2L3 bearing an octylthio sidearm was further investigated by single‐crystalX‐ray diffraction, which revealed that the ligand was of β‐imino enol form, with one titanium atom ligated with six other atoms, forming a deformed octahedral configuration. Furthermore, the ligand in Ti2L3 adopted a cis configuration, which was different from the trans configuration of its m‐phenylene‐bridged derivatives. These binuclear complexes (Ti2L1–Ti2L3) could catalyze ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1,5‐hexadiene(1,5‐HD) efficiently under modified methylaluminoxane activation. Compared with the mononuclear complex TiL5, the binuclear catalysts were thermally more stable and showed higher activity for ethylene polymerization at higher temperatures. The activity of these titanium complexes for the copolymerization of ethylene with 1,5‐HD were over 106 g/mol Ti.h.atm, almost twice as high as for homopolymerization. Compared with the mononuclear analogue TiL5 and the m‐substituted binuclear derivative Ti2L4, binuclear catalyst Ti2L2 showed higher activity and insertion rate of the comonomer. The activity of Ti2L2 was two to three times higher than that of TiL5 and Ti2L4, indicating that p‐substituted binuclear catalysts generate clear bimetallic synergistic effect for the copolymerization of ethylene and 1,5‐HD. Meanwhile, 1,5‐HD takes 1,3‐cyclopentyl form in the polymer by 1,3‐insertion. The copolymer prepared by binuclear catalysts had higher molecular weight and wider molecular weight distribution than that prepared by the mononuclear catalyst.
Quotas and ballots: The impact of positive action policies on women's representation in Indonesia
Authors: Perdana Aditya , Hillman Ben
Published: May 2020

This article examines the impact of the legal candidate quota for women in Indonesia following the 2019 general elections. It argues that the legal candidate quota is working to increase women's numerical representation, even if progress is gradual and hard won. Second, it has become clear that the position of candidates on party lists is critical for electoral success. Awareness of this issue empowers women candidates and activists to lobby political parties to improve women's positions on party lists as a demonstration of political parties' commitment to gender equality. A third observation is that the turnover of women parliamentarians remains high, which means women still struggle to build careers as legislators and to effect legislative change in the interests of women. The article also addresses the role of political parties in selecting and promoting a minimum of 30% women candidates and argues that party structures are an obstacle, especially party organisations that purport to promote women's issues. Findings from this study suggest that Indonesia does not need major electoral reform to strengthen women's numerical representation in parliament. However, women candidates will need more support from political parties if they are to win and retain more seats.
Stress testing network reconstruction via graphical causal model
Authors: Rojas Helder , Dias David
Published: May 2020

An resilience optimal evaluation of financial portfolios implies having plausible hypotheses about the multiple interconnections between the macroeconomic variables and the risk parameters. In this article, we propose a graphical model for the reconstruction of the causal structure that links the multiple macroeconomic variables and the assessed risk parameters, it is this structure that we call stress testing network. In this model, the relationships between the macroeconomic variables and the risk parameter define a “relational graph” among their time‐series, where related time‐series are connected by an edge. Our proposal is based on the temporal causal models, but unlike, we incorporate specific conditions in the structure which correspond to intrinsic characteristics this type of networks. Using the proposed model and given the high‐dimensional nature of the problem, we used regularization methods to efficiently detect causality in the time‐series and reconstruct the underlying causal structure. In addition, we illustrate the use of model in credit risk data of a portfolio. Finally, we discuss its uses and practical benefits in stress testing.
Authority and ethics: A case for estrangement in educational research and research education
Authors: Dowling Paul , Whiteman Natasha
Published: May 2020

This article focuses attention on an underexamined issue in the literature on educational research ethics: how ethical authority is established in educational research. We address this from a perspective that disrupts naturalised approaches to ethics, arguing that rather than seeking ‘rights’ or ‘wrongs’, researchers are always tasked with constructing ethical stances. Attention can then be placed on the array of embodied and objectified resources that might be recruited in establishing these. Through an engagement with published academic accounts of ethical reflection and decision‐making, the article explores the ways that educational researchers achieve or sometimes question their ethical security in respect of their research activity. The analysis we present draws out the referential strategies that constitute ethical subjectivity and maps the diversity of anchoring points that might be recruited in this action. We also draw attention to the process of recontextualisation that is inevitable when one activity (or aspect of an activity) regards another, introducing necessary incoherence into ethical practice. The case we present celebrates rather than seeking to conceal or repair such disruption.
Reading versus Seeing? Winckelmann's Excerpting Practice and the Genealogy of Art History
Authors: Décultot Elisabeth
Published: May 2020

From his arrival in Italy in 1755, Winckelmann's work is infused throughout by a fundamental antinomy: reading versus seeing. This antinomy possesses for him a decidedly epistemological significance: it allows him to present himself as the father of a discipline deserving of its name, i.e., the history of art. In Geschichte der Kunst des Alterthums (1764), he claims to break with a long tradition of art discourse which had been primarily supported by ancient texts, basing his book instead on the direct observation of the artworks. The aim of this paper is to critically examine this antinomy. How does seeing relate to reading in his working method? What relationship does art history, in the empirical dimension Winckelmann wanted to give it, have to book knowledge? Winckelmann's excerpts collection provides valuable answers to these questions. Following an old scholarly tradition, Winckelmann used to write down passages of his readings, constituting a vast handwritten library of excerpts which never left him. The result of this intense excerpting practice consists in some 7,500 pages, which allow to better define the share of empirical observation and book‐based knowledge in his approach to ancient art.
How to Start Your Strategic Planning Session Off on the Right Foot
Authors: Jarboe Cynthia
Published: May 2020

Cynthia Jarboe is chief financial officer at the Emergency Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps corporations make emergency hardship grants for their employees when they face unexpected and unavoidable financial hardships or disasters. In this article, Jarboe details how board members can start their strategic planning sessions off on the right foot.
Publishing your educational research
Authors: Craig Paul A.
Published: May 2020

Publishing has always been a part of academic tradition and there is increasing pressure on faculty to publish, even those who carry heavy teaching loads. This article, based on a presentation at the IUBMB 2019 Education Conference session on Publishing in Education, contains suggestions on how to conduct educational research with an eye toward publishing your findings.
Metabolomic characterization of semen from asthenozoospermic patients using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Li , Hao Xinrui , Chen Hua , Wang Liyuan , Chen Aolei , Song Xiaotian , Hu Zhiyan , Su Ying , Lin Han , Fan Pei
Published: May 2020

Asthenozoospermia (AS) is a common factor of male infertility, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential seminal plasma metabolic pattern in asthenozoospermic men and to identify potential biomarkers in relation to spermatogenic dysfunction using sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem quadruple time‐of‐flight MS (UHPLC–Q‐TOF/MS). The samples of seminal plasma from patients with AS (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) were checked and differentiated by UHPLC–Q‐TOF/MS. Compared with the control group, the AS group showed a total of nine significantly different metabolites, including increases in creatinine, uric acid, N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), uridine, and taurine and decreases in carnitine, nicotinamide, N‐acetylputrescine and l‐palmitoylcarnitine. By analyzing the correlation among these metabolites and clinical computer‐assisted semen analysis reports, we found that m6A is significantly correlated with not only the four decreased metabolites but also with sperm count, motility, and curvilinear velocity. Furthermore, nicotinamide was shown to correlate with other identified metabolites, indicating its important role in the metabolic pathway of AS. Current results implied that sensitive untargeted seminal plasma metabolomics could identify distinct metabolic patterns of AS and would help clinicians by offering novel cues for discovering the pathogenesis of male infertility.
Validation of a sensitive and specific LC–MS/MS method and application to evaluate the systemic exposure and bioavailability of glycopyrrolate via different drug delivery approaches/devices
Authors: Shi Lei , Ngounou Wetie Armand Gatien , Wang Weimin , Chen Yu‐Luan
Published: May 2020

A specific and sensitive LC–MS/MS method using d3‐glycopyrrolate as the internal standard (IS) was developed for the quantitative determination of glycopyrrolate (GLY) in human plasma over a concentration range of 4.00–2000 pg/ml. The GLY and IS were extracted using a solid‐phase extraction cartridge, then eluted with 0.5% formic acid in 70:30 acetonitrile–water. The eluate was directly injected into an Agilent Pursuit 5PFP column for analysis using an isocratic mobile phase of 50:50 A:B at a flow‐rate of 0.500 ml/min (A, 10 mm ammonium acetate in 1% formic acid; B, methanol). The MS detection was in positive mode by monitoring m/z 318.3 → 116.1 (GLY) and 321.3 → 119.1 (IS). The method validation showed the linearity of r2 ≥ 0.9960, intra‐/inter‐run precisions of ≤11.1% coefficient of variation and accuracies ranging from −2.5 to 12.8% relative error for all levels of quality control samples. This method was successfully employed to support a clinical study to compare absorption and bioavailability of GLY administered by a Magnair® eFlow nebulizer to a Seebri® Breezhaler® with/without a charcoal blockade of gastric absorption. By comparison with intravenous administration, respective bioavailabilities of ~15% for GLY/Magnair and ~22% for the Seebri Breezhaler were found. The bioanalytical reliability was also demonstrated by satisfactory incurred sample reanalysis performance.