bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The development of microfinance in Cameroon: Focus on regulation
Authors: Singhe Steffi Sandra , Louche Céline 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWhile the microfinance regulations in Cameroon have a positive influence in professionalizing the microfinance sector, it seems to have also created hurdles for MFIs to fulfill their social mission of financial inclusion. The evolution of activities of the microfinance sector over the years led to changes in the regulatory environment through the establishment of new regulations that progressively professionalize the sector and controlled certain derives. Financial inclusion has been hindered by insufficient supervision and tight regulations in terms of board members' qualifications, loan documentation requirements, and provisioning and liquidity requirements. Regulations still need to reflect more the specificities of the microfinance sector and be matched with adequate supervision in order to achieve its dual role of financial inclusion and safeguarding the financial system.
Women's entrepreneurship and social capital: Exploring the link between the domestic sphere and the marketplace in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Muhammad Salman 
Published: May 2020

AbstractResearch on the social capital of women entrepreneurs in contexts characterized by gender segregation between men's and women's trading spaces is underdeveloped. The literature on women's entrepreneurship and the marketplace in Pakistan is one such example. This article contributes to the literature on the social capital of female entrepreneurs from a critical perspective by drawing on an exploratory case study of women's entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial networks in the Malakand District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Women's social capital was found to play a crucial role in the survival and expansion of their business activities by facilitating access to the men's trading sphere of the marketplace. It was also found that women exercise active agency in developing cross‐gender economic networks but do so in ways that do not overtly challenge social norms.
Women on audit committees and the relationship between related party transactions and earnings management
Authors: Jalan Akanksha , Badrinath S. G. , Al‐Gamrh Bakr 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOur results indicate a negative relationship between related‐party transactions (RPT) and earnings management, but a significantly positive relationship between discretionary accruals and the presence of a woman chairing the audit committee. While we observe a positive relationship between RPT volume and earnings quality, we fail to find any relationship between other audit committee characteristics and the latter. One significant result in the article is the positive relation between promoter presence on the audit committee and poor earnings quality. This article documents, for the first time, such a relationship from the perspective of an audit committee, at least in the Indian context.
An exclusive kinetic model for the methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation over alumina‐supported Pt catalysts
Authors: Akram Muhammad S. , Aslam Rabya , Alhumaidan Faisal S. , Usman Muhammad R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe experimental data of six different types of Pt‐containing alumina catalysts are used to study the detailed and rigorous kinetics of the methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation reaction. A large number of kinetic rate equations were formulated using the power law kinetics and the Langmuir‐Hinshelwood‐Hougen‐Watson (LHHW) kinetics, which were tested against the experimental data. For each catalyst, the elementary reaction step “the loss of first molecular hydrogen” in the LHHW single‐site surface reaction mechanism was observed to be the rate‐determining step. The form of the kinetic rate model developed in the study is believed to be applicable to any Pt‐loaded alumina catalyst.
Regional variation in δ13C of coral reef macroalgae
Authors: Lovelock Catherine E. , Reef Ruth , Raven John A. , Pandolfi John M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMacroalgae are important components on coral reefs that underpin food webs but are also indicators of declines in coral reef condition. The sensitivity of macroalgal communities to environmental factors, including climate and pollutants from the land, is important for the future state of coral reefs. We assessed regional variation in the photosynthetic physiology of macroalgae on the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, using δ13C, tissue chemistry, and metabolic indicators over broad environmental gradients from six sites spanning 13° of latitude and varying distance from shore. Our data set included 568 samples from 54 genera and 19 macroalgal orders. The δ13C of tissues had a strong taxonomic basis (explaining 66% of the variation in δ13C), varying significantly among algal orders. Particularly low values of δ13C, indicating direct use of CO2(aq) in photosynthesis, were mainly associated with lineages within the Rhodophyta. We observed declines in δ13C with increasing depth (inshore only) and latitude, from offshore to inshore sites and with increasing tissue N and N : P ratio. Variation in δ13C of tissues among macroalgal lineages suggests evolution of a range of CO2 acquisition pathways. Patterns in δ13C availability are most consistent with higher availability of CO2(aq) in cooler water and inshore sites. δ13C in macroalgae could provide an important tool for monitoring changes in CO2(aq) with increasing atmospheric CO2, with changes in ocean circulation and with changes to runoff from the land to the coastal oceans.
A Desch–Schappacher perturbation theorem for bi‐continuous semigroups
Authors: Budde Christian , Farkas Bálint 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe prove a Desch–Schappacher type perturbation theorem for one‐parameter semigroups on Banach spaces which are not strongly continuous for the norm, but possess a weaker continuity property. In this paper we chose to work in the framework of bi‐continuous semigroups. This choice has the advantage that we can treat in a unified manner two important classes of semigroups: implemented semigroups on the Banach algebra of bounded, linear operators on a Banach space E, and semigroups on the space of bounded and continuous functions over a Polish space induced by jointly continuous semiflows. For both of these classes we present an application of our abstract perturbation theorem.
A novel on water environment monitoring method based on millimeter wave radiometric characteristics
Authors: Li Shan , Zhang Guang‐Feng , Gao Yuan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAiming at the increasingly serious water pollution problem, this article proposes a floating waste monitoring method based on the characteristics of millimeter wave radiation. The method is based on the basic principles of microwave radiation and the radiometric characteristics of floating wastes. In this method, we establish a multilayer media model of floating wastes and get the radiometric temperature of different pollutants. The database of wastes based on radiometric temperature of water surface has been proposed and established. Simulation and experimental show that there is a significant difference between the floating wastes and the surface water radiometric temperature, which can be distinguished different pollutants through contrast and achieved the purpose of environmental monitoring.
NMR spectroscopy goes mobile: Using NMR as process analytical technology at the fume hood
Authors: Lee William G. , Zell Mark T. , Ouchi Takashi , Milton Mark J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is potentially a very powerful process analytical technology (PAT) tool as it gives an atomic resolution picture of the reaction mixture without the need for chromatography. NMR is well suited for interrogating transient intermediates, providing kinetic information via NMR active nuclei, and most importantly provides universally quantitative information for all species in solution. This contrasts with commonly used PAT instruments, such as Raman or Flow‐infrared (IR), which requires a separate calibration curve for every component of the reaction mixture. To date, the large footprint of high‐field (≥400 MHz) NMR spectrometers and the immobility of superconducting magnets, coupled with strict requirements for the architecture for the room it is to be installed, have been a major obstacle to using this technology right next to fume hoods where chemists perform synthetic work. Here, we describe the use of a small, lightweight 60 MHz Benchtop NMR system (Nanalysis Pro‐60) located on a mobile platform, that was used to monitor both small and intermediate scale Grignard formation and coupling reactions. We also show how low field NMR can provide a deceptively simple yes/no answer (for a system that would otherwise require laborious off‐line testing) in the enrichment of one component versus another in a kilogram scale distillation. Benchtop NMR was also used to derive molecule specific information from Flow‐IR, a technology found in most manufacturing sites, and compare the ease at which the concentrations of the reaction mixtures can be derived by NMR versus IR.
The effects of concentric and eccentric training in murine models of dysferlin‐associated muscular dystrophy
Authors: Begam Morium , Roche Renuka , Hass Joshua J. , Basel Chantel A. , Blackmer Jacob M. , Konja Jasmine T. , Samojedny Amber L. , Collier Alyssa F. , Galen Sujay S. , Roche Joseph A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionDysferlin‐deficient murine muscle sustains severe damage after repeated eccentric contractions.MethodsWith a robotic dynamometer, we studied the response of dysferlin‐sufficient and dysferlin‐deficient mice to 12 weeks of concentrically or eccentrically biased contractions. We also studied whether concentric contractions before or after eccentric contractions reduced muscle damage in dysferlin‐deficient mice.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of concentric training, there was no net gain in contractile force in dysferlin‐sufficient or dysferlin‐deficient mice, whereas eccentric training produced a net gain in force in both mouse strains. However, eccentric training induced more muscle damage in dysferlin‐deficient vs dysferlin‐sufficient mice. Although concentric training produced minimal muscle damage in dysferlin‐deficient mice, it still led to a prominent increase in centrally nucleated fibers. Previous exposure to concentric contractions conferred slight protection on dysferlin‐deficient muscle against damage from subsequent injurious eccentric contractions.DiscussionConcentric contractions may help dysferlin‐deficient muscle derive the benefits of exercise without inducing damage.
Methanol erschnüffeln
Authors: van den Broek Jan , Güntner Andreas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBisher gab es keine praktikable Methode, eine Methanolvergiftung in Minutenschnelle zu diagnostizieren. Ein kürzlich entwickelter Gassensor erlaubt dies nun mit einem einzigen Atemstoß. Der Detektor passt auf eine Handfläche und erkennt Methanol auch in gepanschtem Schnaps.
Kupferspuren im Gletscher
Authors: Eichler Anja , Kellerhals Thomas , Schwikowski Margit 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGletschereis speichert Stoffe aus der Luft über Jahrtausende. Die Analyse der Eisbohrkerne aus den Anden hilft dabei, den Beginn der Kupferverhüttung in Südamerika zu enträtseln.
Von der Rohware zum Riegel: Bitter ist nicht nur die Bohne
Authors: Leusmann Eliza 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSeit Anfang des Jahres 2019 ist geregelt, wie viel Cadmium Kakaoprodukte enthalten dürfen. Aber woher kommt das Cadmium eigentlich? Was Kakaobauern tun können und ob das neue Gesetz ein Problem für Schokoladenhersteller ist.
Trendbericht Physikalische Chemie: Kalte Reaktionsdynamik unter Kontrolle
Authors: Osterwalder Andreas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMit Molekularstrahlexperimenten lassen sich einige der grundlegendsten Fragen der Chemie beantworten, nämlich ob und wie sich die exakte Konformation eines reaktiven Molekülpaars auf den Ausgang der Reaktion auswirkt.
Von den Lahnbergen zum Hönggerberg …
Authors: Wagner Mona 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn Marburg ist Mona Wagner in die Welt der Chemie eingetaucht. Nach ihrem Studium ist sie im Jahr 2015 zum Promovieren an die ETH Zürich gewechselt – und dort läuft vieles anders, als sie es aus Deutschland kannte.
Reindeer feeding ecology and hunting strategies by Magdalenians from Pincevent (Paris Basin, France): New insights from dental microwear textural analyses
Authors: Catz Natacha , Bignon‐Lau Olivier , Merceron Gildas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn Pincevent (Paris Basin), archeaozoologists have observed a variation of hunting strategies between Magdalenian levels IV0 and IV20. Previous works on human‐prey interaction showed that hunters modelled their behaviour on their prey; therefore, reconstructing animal behaviour in order to reconstruct human strategies could enable better interpretation of these levels. This study aims to contribute to a global understanding of the variation between these level's hunting strategies using microwear texture analysis. This proxy, which can be used to reconstruct diet, will enable to detect changes in the behaviour pattern of the prey. The decision was made to focus this study on reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) as it was one of the two most exploited resources on this site, alongside horses. The enamel surface of teeth from two populations of reindeer, hunted and found in levels IV0 and IV20, showed a variation of diet between levels. Environmental and ecological matters are discussed with an aim to understanding this variation of behaviour in reindeer populations and highlight a change of strategic behaviour among hunters.
Risk of incident dementia following metformin initiation compared with noninitiation or delay of antidiabetic medication therapy
Authors: Salas Joanne , Morley John E. , Scherrer Jeffrey F. , Floyd James S. , Farr Susan A. , Zubatsky Max , Barthold Doug , Dublin Sascha 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPurposeEmerging evidence suggests metformin compared with sulfonylurea is associated with an 8% to 10% lower risk for dementia. Guidelines recommend metformin as initial diabetes treatment, but there is still the question of treatment timing. Thus, the risk of dementia associated with initiating metformin compared with not initiating or delaying treatment was examined.MethodsA retrospective cohort study (1996 to 2015) was conducted with electronic health records from Veteran Health Affairs (VHA; n = 112 845) and Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPW; n = 14 333) healthcare systems. Patients were aged ≥50 years, had a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between 6.5 and <9.5 mg/dL, and did not have dementia or fills for antidiabetic medications before cohort entry. Initiators started metformin monotherapy and noninitiators used no antidiabetic medications in the 6 months after the first qualifying HbA1c. The primary outcome was incident dementia. Propensity scores and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) controlled for confounding in Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 6.2 years in VHA and 6.8 years in KPW, there were 7547 new dementia cases in VHA and 1090 in KPW. After IPTW, there was no association between initiation of metformin (vs no initial treatment) and incident dementia in VHA (HR = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95‐1.13) or KPW (HR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.51‐1.28). Results did not differ by age, baseline HbA1c, or race.ConclusionsResults do not support initiating metformin earlier to prevent cognitive decline and, thus, may dampen enthusiasm for metformin as a potential antidementia drug. Randomized clinical trials could help clarify the relationship between metformin and cognitive decline.
Sleep‐disordered breathing and markers of morbidity in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Barbosa Roberta Ribeiro Batista , Liberato Fernanda Mayrink Gonçalves , de Freitas Coelho Pitiguara , Vidal Pâmela dos Reis , de Carvalho Roberta Barcellos Couto Olimpio , Donadio Márcio Vinícius Fagundes 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundStudies have shown that sleep disorders occur in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and may be present before daytime clinical manifestations.ObjectivesTo evaluate the presence of sleep disorders among children and adolescents with CF, attempting to identify associations with pulmonary function, nutritional status, days in hospital, and days taking antibiotics.MethodsIndividuals with a diagnosis of CF aged between 6 and 18 years were included. Information on sociodemographic, clinical profile, history of hospitalizations, and use of antibiotics in the last year were collected. Spirometry, bioimpedance, and polysomnography were performed. The presence of nocturnal hypoxemia and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were evaluated and participants divided according to their presence.ResultsThirty‐one patients were included. The prevalence of OSAS was 32.3% and nocturnal hypoxemia was 29.0%. Average nocturnal peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) correlated (P < .001) with forced vital capacity (r = .55) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (r = .62). The higher the percentage of total sleep time (TST) with SpO2 less than 90%, the lower the pulmonary function. Individuals with OSAS and nocturnal hypoxemia had lower spirometric values compared to patients without these disorders, but the nocturnal hypoxemia group also had lower Shwachman‐Kulczycki score, longer hospitalization time and antibiotic use. TST with SpO2 less than 90% was associated with length of hospitalization (r2 = .53).ConclusionChildren and adolescents with CF have sleep disorders, including OSAS (32.3%) and nocturnal hypoxemia (29%). Individuals with nocturnal hypoxemia presented lower lung function, worse clinical score, and higher morbidity. TST with SpO2 less than 90% was associated with length of hospitalization.
The Influence of Blood Collection Tubes in Biomarkers’ Screening by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Siyuan , Zhao Zixuan , Duan Wenjing , li Zhaoxin , Nan Zhuhui , Du Hanzhi , Wang Mengchang , Yang Juan , Huang Chen 
Published: May 2020

PurposeMass spectrometry is one of the rapidly developing bio‐analytical techniques in recent years, and it shows that the results of biomarkers’ screening can be influenced by pre‐analytical process. The selection of the blood collection tubes is one of the most significant steps of pre‐analytical process which is often neglected by researchers. So, it is urgent to define the influence of blood collection tubes clearly in biomarkers’ screening.Experimental DesignTwo types of blood collection tubes, non‐additive tubes and coagulant activator tubes, are used to collect serum samples from patients and healthy controls. All samples are analyzed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrum in this study.ResultsThe serum protein profile changes while using coagulant tubes whether for patients or healthy controls. It is found that the effect of coagulant on serum protein of patients is smaller than that of control group. There are 27 significantly different peaks between the control group and the control coagulant group. However, between patient group and patient coagulant group, only one differential peak is obtained. Coagulant changes the expression differences between patients and healthy controls, making the differences expand, shrink or reverse, and most of the polypeptides are small molecule, which will change the results of biomarker's screening.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThis research suggested that different types of blood collection tubes would influence the final laboratory results. So it's important for clinicians to choose the proper tubes to detect biomarkers and make correct diagnoses.
Interaction between prostate cancer cells and prostate fibroblasts promotes accumulation and proteolytic processing of basement membrane proteins
Authors: Ojalill Marjaana , Virtanen Noora , Rappu Pekka , Siljamäki Elina , Taimen Pekka , Heino Jyrki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundTumor microenvironment or stroma has the potency to regulate the behavior of malignant cells. Fibroblast‐like cells are abundant in tumor stroma and they are also responsible for the synthesis of many extracellular matrix components. Fibroblast‐cancer cell interplay can modify the functions of both cell types.MethodsWe applied mass spectrometry and proteomics to unveil the matrisome in 3D spheroids formed by DU145 prostate cancer cells, PC3 prostate cancer cells, or prostate‐derived fibroblasts. Similarly, DU145/fibroblast and PC3/fibroblast coculture spheroids were also analyzed. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were used to confirm the presence of specific proteins in spheroids. Cancer dissemination was studied by utilizing “out of spheroids” migration and invasion assays.ResultsIn the spheroid model cancer cell‐fibroblast interplay caused remarkable changes in the extracellular matrix and accelerated the invasion of DU145 cells. Fibroblasts produced structural matrix proteins, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteinases. In cancer cell/fibroblast cocultures basement membrane components, including laminins (α3, α5, β2, and β3), heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG2 gene product), and collagen XVIII accumulated in a prominent manner when compared with spheroids that contained fibroblasts or cancer cells only. Furthermore, collagen XVIII was intensively processed to different endostatin‐containing isoforms by cancer cell‐derived cathepsin L.ConclusionsFibroblasts can promote carcinoma cell dissemination by several different mechanisms. Extracellular matrix and basement membrane proteins provide attachment sites for cell locomotion promoting adhesion receptors. Growth factors and metalloproteinases are known to accelerate cell invasion. In addition, cancer cell‐fibroblast interplay generates biologically active fragments of basement membrane proteins, such as endostatin.
The effect of synbiotic supplementation on anthropometric indices, appetite, and constipation in people with hypothyroidism: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Talebi Sepide , Karimifar Mozhgan , Heidari Zahra , Mohammadi Hamed , Asbaghi Omid , Hadi Amir , Marx Wolfgang , Askari Gholamreza 
Published: May 2020

AbstarctHypothyroidism and obesity are two highly prevalent conditions that appear to be closely related. Hypothyroidism is correlated with weight gain, loss of appetite, constipation, and a higher incidence of obesity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of synbiotic supplementation on anthropometric indices, appetite, and constipation in subjects with hypothyroidism. Sixty subjects with hypothyroidism were assigned into two groups to receive either 500 mg/day of synbiotic (n = 30) or a placebo (n = 30) per day for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, appetite, and constipation were assessed at study baseline and end of the trial. At the end of trial, waist‐to‐hip ratio was significantly decreased in the synbiotic group (p = .030), whereas there were no significant differences between groups. We did not observe any statistically significant change in appetite or other anthropometric indices (p > .05). Compared with the placebo synbiotic supplementation led to a significant reduction in constipation (p = .048). The results of the present trial indicated that synbiotic supplementation may have favorable results in constipation among subjects with hypothyroidism for 8 weeks. Further studies with larger sample size and longer duration are needed to confirm our findings.