bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensitization of SnO2 Single Crystals with Multidentate‐Ligand‐Capped PbS Colloid Quantum Dots to Enhance the Photocurrent Stability
Authors: Li Guobao , Yang Qian , Kubie Lenore , Stecher Joshua T. , Galazka Zbigniew , Uecker Reinhard , Parkinson Bruce A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA PbS quantum dot (QD) sensitized SnO2 solar cell has the advantage of producing photocurrent from near‐infrared to the ultraviolet that covers much of the higher energy solar spectrum. However, the long‐chain ligands, that are frequently used to cap as‐synthesized QDs, inhibit the charge transfer ability to the sensitized substrate, decreasing the photovoltaic efficiency in the device. Herein, we present a fast and efficient ligand‐exchange strategy for the replacement of synthetically convenient hydrophobic oleic acid (OA) ligands with short‐chain multidentate hydrophilic ligands such as meso‐2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) that increase the electronic coupling to the SnO2 substrate. Results from ultraviolet‐visible‐near‐infrared (UV‐Vis‐NIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) micrographs verify that this ligand‐exchange method produces no significant QD size or crystal‐structure changes. X‐ray photon spectra (XPS) results suggest that thiol groups from DMSA are likely bound to the PbS QDs compared to other bifunctional ligands. The PbS QDs sensitized SnO2 single crystals were characterized with atomic force microscopy (AFM), and with incident photon current efficiency (IPCE) spectra. Furthermore, it was shown that the IPCE of DMSA‐capped PbS QDs sensitized SnO2 single crystals retains >80% of its initial value after >7 hours of illumination within an electrolyte containing a high concentration of NaI whereas other ligand capped PbS QDs degraded much more rapidly.
mTOR pathway somatic variants and the molecular pathogenesis of hemimegalencephaly
Authors: Garcia Camila A. B. , Carvalho Simone C. S. , Yang Xiaoxu , Ball Laurel L. , George Renee D. , James Kiely N. , Stanley Valentina , Breuss Martin W. , Thomé Ursula , Santos Marcelo V. , Saggioro Fabiano P. , Neder Serafini Luciano , Silva Wilson A. , Gleeson Joseph G. , Machado Hélio R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesRecently, defects in the protein kinase mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and its associated pathway have been correlated with hemimegalencephaly (HME). mTOR acts as a central regulator of important physiological cellular functions such as growth and proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, death, and survival. This study was aimed at identifying specific variants in mTOR signaling pathway genes in patients diagnosed with HME.MethodsUsing amplicon and whole exome sequencing (WES) of resected brain and paired blood samples from five HME patients, we were able to identify pathogenic mosaic variants in the mTOR pathway genes MTOR, PIK3CA, and DEPDC5.ResultsThese results strengthen the hypothesis that somatic variants in PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway genes contribute to HME. We also describe one patient presenting with a pathogenic variant on DEPDC5 gene, which reinforces the role of DEPDC5 on cortical structural changes due to mTORC1 hyperactivation. These findings also provide insights into when in brain development these variants occurred. An early developmental variant is expected to affect a larger number of cells and to result in a larger malformation, whereas the same variant occurring later in development would cause a minor malformation.SignificanceIn the future, numerous somatic variants in known or new genes will undoubtedly be revealed in resected brain samples, making it possible to draw correlations between genotypes and phenotypes and allow for a genetic clinical diagnosis that may help to predict a given patient's outcome.
Outage analysis of partial relay selection based on shadowing side information in hybrid satellite‐terrestrial relay networks
Authors: Ruan Yuhan , Wang Yumeng , Li Yongzhao , Zhang Rui , Li Tao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEnabling to increase the data rate and reliability of satellite‐terrestrial communication, hybrid satellite‐terrestrial relay network (HSTRN) has attracted wide attention recently. In the HSTRN, traditional partial relay selection (PRS) schemes are mainly based on complete channel state information (CSI) of the satellite‐relay links, which may be outdated and thus deteriorate the system performance. To reduce the feedback overhead of CSI as well as guarantee the communication performance of HSTRN, we firstly propose a PRS scheme only based on shadowing side information of the composite satellite‐relay links. Then, we derive accurate outage probability expressions to theoretically analyze system performance of HSTRN with PRS based on shadowing side information, where the satellite‐relay and relay‐destination links are modeled as composite generalized‐K fading and Nakagami‐m fading, respectively. In addition, in order to understand the diversity gain of the HSTRN more clearly, we analyze the asymptotic results at high signal‐to‐noise ratio region. Simulation results show that our proposed scheme is robust to outdated CSI and can achieve approximate performance as the traditional complete CSI‐based PRS scheme under a better channel environment. Moreover, the accuracy of exact outage probability and asymptotic OP analyses are validated.
Levels of legitimacy development in internationalization: Multinational enterprise and civil society interplay in institutional void
Authors: Rana Mohammad B. , Sørensen Olav J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractResearch SummaryTypically, studies on subsidiary legitimation take the perspectives of compliance and isomorphism to examine multinational enterprises (MNEs') legitimacy; our study considers both isomorphism and institutional innovation perspectives to examine how subsidiaries, in collaboration with civil society actors, co‐develop various levels (degrees) of legitimacy in an institutional void. The study finds four overlapping levels of legitimacy—“acceptance,” “image,” “endorsement,” and “synergy” (a combination of acceptance and efficiency)—that subsidiaries co‐develop throughout the internationalization process. We bring new insight into legitimation: that an isomorphism perspective of legitimacy alone cannot explain the complexity of subsidiary legitimation in an institutional void because subsidiaries not only earn acceptance by compliance, but also create/co‐create image, endorsement, and synergy as outputs of institutional innovation. We contribute to the global strategic management in emerging economies.Managerial SummaryWe investigate how MNE‐civil society interplay co‐develops different levels of legitimacy in an institutional void, as opposed to only the “acceptance” level. The study combines both rule‐accepting and rule‐changing perspectives, revealing that MNEs' strategic endeavors yield overlapping, yet increasing, levels of legitimacy—“acceptance,” “image,” “endorsement,” and “synergy”—in internationalization. These levels are not necessarily derived from a firm's strategic initiatives using an isomorphism perspective; instead, the firm appears as an institutional entrepreneur and co‐develops new institutions, which creates synergy (legitimacy + efficiency) for the firm's operation. Although it is difficult to separate the increasing levels of legitimacy, managers can use the insights to design specific strategies for each level of legitimacy and develop partnerships with local actors in legitimation in an institutional void.
Postimplantation radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients: Literature review
Authors: Koudougou Carine , Bertin Hélios , Lecaplain Bastien , Badran Zahi , Longis Julie , Corre Pierre , Hoornaert Alain 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThere is no recommendation regarding the timing for implant surgery in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who require postoperative radiation therapy (RT). This systematic review focused on the literature about the outcomes of implants placed during ablative surgery in patients with HNC who underwent postoperative RT. Implants placed after radiation therapy and implants placed in reconstructed jaws were excluded. Four comparative studies involving 755 native mandible primary implants were analyzed. The survival rate with postimplantation RT was 89.6% vs 98.6% in patients with no additional radiation. The overall success of implant‐retained overdenture in patients with RT performed postimplantation was 67.4% vs 93.1% in patients with implant surgery that was carried out 1 year after the completion of radiation therapy. Only five cases of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw were reported. The outcomes for implant survival rates appear to be positive for irradiated implants.
Political tension and stock markets in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Al‐Maadid Alanoud , Maria Caporale Guglielmo , Spagnolo Fabio , Spagnolo Nicola 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis note investigates the effects of the recent political tensions in the Arabian peninsula on the linkages between the stock markets of the leading Gulf Cooperation Council countries by estimating a VAR‐GARCH(1,1) model at a weekly frequency. The results indicate that the June 2017 crisis lowered stock market returns and generally led to greater volatility spillovers within the region. This evidence supports the need for further financial integration and suggests fewer portfolio diversification opportunities for investors in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
Therapeutic plasma exchange may adjust IL‐6 and TGF‐β signals in relapsed MS patients peripheral blood
Authors: Jamshidian Azam , Abd‐Nikfarjam Bahareh , Khademi Zahra , Shaygannejad Vahid , Salehi Mansoor 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveEffects of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on immune cells and their cytokine production in MS, are unknown. Since interleukine‐6 and tumor growth factor‐β have critical roles in MS immunopathogenesis, the impacts of TPE on the expression of these cytokines and their receptors on the surface of CD4+ T lymphocytes, were investigated.MethodsBlood cells were obtained from 30 Relapsing‐Remitting (RR) MS patients, before and after a complete TPE course. Cytokines mRNA and their receptor expression on the CD4+ T cells surface were assessed using real‐time PCR and flowcytometry, respectively.ResultsTPE reduced symptom severity (P= .01) and the relief was higher in males than in females (P= .039). TPE also increased TGF‐β mRNA and decreased IL‐6 receptor expressing cells frequency (P= .009 andP= .028, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of CD4+IL6R+ T cells was positively correlated with disease severity (P= .001).ConclusionTPE impacts simultaneously on the TGF‐β mRNA and IL‐6 receptor expression, and this may be a mechanism of improvement in MS relapse symptoms induced by the TPE.
Examining Perceived Multicultural Counseling Competence and Negative Attitudes Toward the Arab American Population
Authors: Basma Dareen , Gibbons Melinda M. , Kronick Robert F. 
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between professional counselors’ general multicultural competence and negative attitudes held toward Arab Americans. Participants (N = 124) completed a survey, and a series of correlational, stepwise, and multiple regression analyses was conducted. Results indicated that counselors displayed higher levels of multicultural awareness than of multicultural knowledge. Furthermore, general multicultural awareness and specific knowledge of Arabs related significantly to negative attitudes held toward Arabs.El propósito de este estudio cuantitativo fue investigar la relación entre la competencia multicultural general de consejeros profesionales y las actitudes negativas mantenidas hacia personas estadounidenses de origen árabe. Los participantes (N = 124) completaron una encuesta, y se llevó a cabo una serie de análisis correlacionales, por pasos y de regresión múltiple. Los resultados indicaron que los consejeros mostraron niveles de conciencia multicultural mayores que los niveles de conocimiento multicultural. Además, la conciencia multicultural general y el conocimiento específico acerca de las personas árabes estuvieron significativamente relacionados con actitudes negativas mantenidas hacia personas árabes.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Parentification Inventory–Swahili Version With Kenyan Adults: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity
Authors: Hooper Lisa M. , Mugoya George C. T. , Burton Shelby , Tomek Sara 
Published: January 2020

The immediate concerns and aftereffects of parentification in the United States are well documented. However, the correlates of parentification in international communities are less known. This psychometric study explored the validity of a Swahili version of the Parentification Inventory (PI; Hooper, 2009) with a sample of 279 Kenyan adults. Factor analysis produced a 3‐factor structure, but with fewer items (N = 17) than in the original PI (N = 22). Recommendations for using the PI–Swahili Version are discussed.Las preocupaciones inmediatas y las secuelas de la parentificación en los Estados Unidos están bien documentadas. Sin embargo, las correlaciones de la parentificación en comunidades internacionales son menos conocidas. Este estudio psicométrico exploró la validez de una versión en suajili del Inventario de Parentificación (PI, por sus siglas en inglés; Hooper, 2009) en una muestra de 279 kenianos adultos. El análisis factorial produjo una estructura de 3 factores, pero con menos elementos (N = 17) que en el PI original (N = 22). Se discuten recomendaciones para el uso de la versión en suajili del PI.
Testing adults by questionnaire for social and communication disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, in an adult mental health service population
Authors: Brugha Traolach , Tyrer Freya , Leaver Andrew , Lewis Samantha , Seaton Sarah , Morgan Zoe , Tromans Samuel , van Rensburg Kobus 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesAutism is difficult to identify in adults due to lack of validated self‐report questionnaires. We compared the effectiveness of the autism‐spectrum quotient (AQ) and the Ritvo autism–Asperger's diagnostic scale‐revised (RAADS‐R) questionnaires in adult mental health services in two English counties.MethodsA subsample of adults who completed the AQ and RAADS‐R were invited to take part in an autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS Module 4) assessment with probability of selection weighted by scores on the questionnaires.ResultsThere were 364 men and 374 women who consented to take part. Recorded diagnoses were most commonly mood disorders (44%) and mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol/substance misuse (19%), and 4.8% (95% CI [2.9, 7.5]) were identified with autism (ADOS Module 4 10+). One had a pre‐existing diagnosis of autism; five (26%) had borderline personality disorders (all female) and three (17%) had mood disorders. The AQ and RAADS‐R had fair test accuracy (area under receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve 0.77 and 0.79, respectively). AQ sensitivity was 0.79 (95% CI [0.54, 0.94]) and specificity was 0.77 (95% CI [0.65, 0.86]); RAADS‐R sensitivity was 0.75 (95% CI [0.48, 0.93]) and specificity was 0.71 (95% CI [0.60, 0.81]).ConclusionsThe AQ and RAADS‐R can guide decisions to refer adults in mental health services to autism diagnostic services.
The utility of a single simple question in the evaluation of patients with nondiabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Abraham Alon , Lovblom Leif E. , Bril Vera 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionA single and simple question, namely “What percentage of normal (PoNL) do you feel regarding your disease?” is feasible and valid in myasthenia gravis. In this study, we aimed to determine the validity of this question in patients with nondiabetic polyneuropathy.MethodsClinical, electrophysiological, and functional and disability assessments were performed in 151 patients with nondiabetic polyneuropathy. One hundred forty patient answers were recorded for the PoNL question, and these were included in the current study.ResultsThe PoNL correlated moderately with functional and disability scales.Discussion“What PoNL do you feel?” is a simple, quick, and valid question, which correlates moderately with functional and disability scales in nondiabetic polyneuropathy, and it may be incorporated in polyneuropathy assessment.
Exploring perceptions and practices of cancer care among caregivers and care recipients of breast cancer in India
Authors: Parsekar Shradha S. , Bailey Ajay , V. S. Binu , Nair Suma 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveCancer care is physically and psychologically challenging for both care recipients and caregivers. Caregiving in cancer is an area that needs urgent attention in India. Much of caregiving literature in India is limited to mental illnesses. This study thus examines the perceptions and practices of psychological caregiving among caregivers and care recipients of breast cancer in India.MethodsParticipants were interviewed with the aid of a semistructured qualitative interview guide. Participants included 39 caregivers and 35 care recipients in different breast cancer stages. Interviews were transcribed, translated to English, and coded, and themes were derived for further analysis. Informed consent from participants and ethical clearance and permission from a tertiary hospital were obtained prior to data collection.ResultsPsychological caregiving as perceived by the participants included actions such as encouraging, convincing care recipients, companionship, and maintaining a stress‐free environment. Caregivers in particular felt that psychological caregiving meant reacting calmly to sensitive queries of nonfamily members, providing emotional support to other family members, and involvement in religious activities. Taking on such diverse responsibilities gave rise to several unmet psychological needs such as motivation and support in decision making from other family members.ConclusionsIrrespective of the status (caregiver or care recipient), participants in this study felt the need for structured counselling services to be incorporated into the standard care protocol. This is an area that needs to be further explored in the context of the breast cancer caregiver and care recipient dyad.
Adaptive parameter estimation for a general dynamical system with unknown states
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Ding Feng 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThis paper is concerned with the design of a state filter for a time‐delay state‐space system with unknown parameters from noisy observation information. The key is to investigate new identification algorithms for interactive state and parameter estimation of the considered system. Firstly, an observability canonical state‐space model is derived from the original model by linear transformation for the purpose of simplifying the model structure. Secondly, a direct state filter is formulated by minimizing the state estimation error covariance matrix on the basis of the Kalman filtering principle. Thirdly, once the unknown states are estimated, a state filter–based recursive least squares algorithm is proposed for parameter estimation using the least squares principle. Then, a state filter–based hierarchical least squares algorithm is derived by decomposing the original system into several subsystems for improving the computational efficiency. Finally, the numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithms.
Iodine‐Rich Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles for CT/Fluorescence Dual‐Modal Imaging‐Guided Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhou Wen , Chen Ying , Zhang Yutao , Xin Xiaoyan , Li Rutian , Xie Chen , Fan Quli 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising technique for cancer therapy, providing good therapeutic efficacy with minimized side effect. However, the lack of oxygen supply in the hypoxic tumor site obviously restricts the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2), thus limiting the efficacy of PDT. So far, the strategies to improve PDT efficacy usually rely on complicated nanosystems, which require sophisticated design or complex synthetic procedure. Herein, iodine‐rich semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPN‐I) for enhanced PDT, using iodine‐induced intermolecular heavy‐atom effect to elevate the 1O2 generation, are designed and prepared. The nanoparticles are composed of a near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing semiconducting polymer (PCPDTBT) serving as the photosensitizer and source of fluorescence signal, and an iodine‐grafted amphiphilic diblock copolymer (PEG‐PHEMA‐I) serving as the 1O2 generation enhancer and nanocarrier. Compared with SPN composed of PEG‐b‐PPG‐b‐PEG and PCPDTBT (SPN‐P), SPN‐I can enhance the 1O2 generation by 1.5‐fold. In addition, SPN‐I have high X‐ray attenuation coefficient because of the high density of iodine in PEG‐PHEMA‐I, providing SPN‐I the ability of use with computed tomography (CT) and fluorescence dual‐modal imaging. The study thus provides a simple nanotheranostic platform composed of two components for efficient CT/fluorescence dual‐modal imaging‐guided enhanced PDT.
Enlightened Developments? Inter-imperial Organizations and the Issue of Colonial Education in Africa (1945–1957)
Authors: Jerónimo Miguel Bandeira , Dores Hugo Gonçalves 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
After the Second World War, development and welfare abounded in the political imagination of European colonial empires. Efforts to rejuvenate their colonial projects entailed the redefinition of “native policies” on health, labor, and education. In relation to these, imperial states and colonial administrations sought varying levels of cooperation, recuperating some initiatives from past decades. This chapter studies how one of the institutional expressions of the will to collaborate through the circulation of ideas, plans, and experts, the Commission for Technical Cooperation in Africa South of the Sahara (CCTA), an inter-imperial organization created in 1950, addressed the problem of colonial education (focused on “native” communities). Colonial “native” education was used to foster forms of “enlightened neo-colonialism,” sustaining the language and repertoires of late colonial developmentalism and arguments legitimizing colonial rule. This text shows how this was done by focusing on a particular moment: the 1957 Inter-African Conference on Industrial, Commercial and Agricultural Education, in Luanda (Angola).