bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and Intent to Promote Exclusive Breastfeeding by Significant Others in Umuokanne Community Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Douglas O. I. , Ibe S. N. O. , Nwufo C. R. 
Published: January 2020

Perception and intent of significant others to promote exclusive breastfeeding is important in understanding their perceived behaviour and their state of mind toward exclusive breastfeeding practice. It also helps to identify what intentions this significant other had toward the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding practice (EBF). This study aimed to determine the perceptions and intentions of significant others to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Umuokanne Community, Imo State, Nigeria. The descriptive study design was employed to elicit information from 245 significant others (mothers of the nursing mother, mothers-in-law and husbands) within the six villages in Umuokanne Community. Instruments for data collection were structured on the questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). And finally, the reliability test was established (r = 0.68) between them. 20 significant others participated in the FGDs. Results of the study revealed that significant others had positive perceptions and indicate readiness towards the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. 120(80%) of grandmothers and 69(73%) of husbands had positive perceptions on the elements of EBF, 100(100%) of grandmothers and 74(78%) of husbands had positive perceptions of the essential roles to play in the promotion EBF, 75(50%) of grandmothers and 57(60%) of husbands had negatively perceived not giving of colostrum to an infant, early introduction of any feed in less than six months of an infant life, early introduction of fluid to an infant, giving off water and water mixed with medicinal herbs/roots, were not believed to be a barriers to EBF promotion. The description could be based on three key concepts namely, perceived insufficiency of breast milk, low income and cultural practices. Age, education, income and parity were also statistically significant (P = 0.05). However, 136(91%) of grandmothers and 78(82%) of husbands showed a positive intention towards the promotion of EBF practice. Hence, this study concluded that a positive perception shows the willingness to take action and a positive intention indicate readiness toward the promotion of EBF. Therefore, there is need to expand the current strategies employed in the promotion of EBF to include significant others and their cultural perspectives.
Wirebond Process Improvement with Enhanced Stand-off Bias Wire Clamp and Top Plate
Authors: C. Pulido Jonathan , Ray I. Gomez Frederick , Graycochea Jr. Edwin M. 
Published: January 2020

New design for a certain issue in semiconductor industry is another way to modify the standard configuration into specified limit or to make a possible solution of the problem. This paper presents a new modified design for wirebond top plate with a bias platform structure that will maintain a consistent second bond into a leadframe leads with half-etch configuration on quad-flat no-leads (QFN) packages especially in wirebond process. This paper used a side by side comparison to proof that the new design is better than the older design. With the new specialized wire clamp and top plate design, parts per million (PPM) level performances is improved by almost 90%.
Ameliorating Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Underlying Mechanisms of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fatima Qazi Abroo , Muhammad Shaikh Din 
Published: January 2020

Aims: The current study investigated the effects of polyunsaturated Omega-3-fatty acids on underlying mechanism linked with diabetes in streptozocin induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats.
Study Design: Experimental analytical Study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Isra University Hyderabad and Sindh Agricultural University, Tandojam between November 2016 and November 2018.
Methodology: Seventy-five Wistar rats were assorted to five groups (15 rats per group): negative control group A and positive control group B and experimental groups C, D and E. Rats within group B,C,D, and E were injected with streptozocin (65 mg/kg body weight) to induce diabetes. Experimental groups C, D and E received Omega-3-fatty acid supplemented food in 0.3 g, 0.4 g and 0.5 g/kg bodyweight dosage for 12 weeks, respectively.
Results: Omega-3-fatty acids treated rats showed significant decrease in blood glucose level and rise in serum insulin as compared to positive control group (p-value = 0.001). At the same time, they showed significantly increased expression of insulin gene along with transcription factors: PDX1 and NKX6.1 as compared to group A (p-value = 0.001).
Conclusion: It is concluded that O3FAs reduces insulin resistance in Streptozocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats by modulating the transcription factors essential for insulin gene expression.
Detection of Oxacillin (Methicillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from a Tertiary-care Hospital, Georgetown, Guyana
Authors: Cheddie Paul , Seepersaud Drovashti , Ramlochan Tereasia 
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylocccus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a major problem globally. Previous data had suggested that the prevalence of MRSA infections in the tertiary hospital setting was 51%. The aim of this study was to conduct a point prevalence survey of MRSA infections occurring at a tertiary-care hospital in Georgetown, Guyana, and to determine to what extent methicillin-resistance was occurring among Staphylococcus aureus isolates utilising the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data.
Study Design: This study was based on a prospective, analytical design.
Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology department, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and Department of Medical Technology, University of Guyana, between May 2019 and July 2019.
Methodology: A total of 101 consecutive, non-repetitive, laboratory-identified MRSA and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were tested using an oxacillin broth microdilution method.
Results: We found that 65.4% of Staphylococcus aureus were oxacillin (methicillin) resistant with a majority of the isolates being high level oxacillin resistant strains (i.e., MICs > 256 μg/ml) (84.85%). Most of the resistant isolates were collected from patients admitted to medical and surgical wards. Conclusion: Methicillin-resistance continues to be a major problem in the hospital setting and conventional techniques are unlikely to identify all of the potentially resistant isolates.
Benzothiazole amphiphiles promote RasGRF1‐associated dendritic spine formation in human stem cell‐derived neurons
Authors: Cifelli Jessica L. , Berg Kyle R. , Yang Jerry 
Published: January 2020

Synaptic dysfunction has been implicated as an early cause of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods to slow down or reverse the loss of functional synapses, therefore, represent a promising avenue to explore for treating NDDs. We have previously reported the development of a class of benzothiazole amphiphiles (BAMs) that exhibited the capability to improve memory and learning both in wild‐type mice and in an AD rodent model, putatively through promoting RasGRF1‐associated formation of dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons. While these results represent a good first step in exploring a new approach to treating NDDs, the capability of these compounds to increase spine density has not been previously examined in a human neuronal model. Here, we found that neurons derived from differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells exhibited both an increase in RasGRF1 expression and a phenotypic increase in the density of postsynaptic density protein 95‐positive puncta (which we use to provide an estimate of dendritic spine density) in BAM‐treated vs. control neurons. These results demonstrate that the previously observed spinogenic effects of BAMs in rodent neurons can be recapitulated in a human neuronal model, which further supports the potential utility of BAM agents for treating human diseases associated with spine deficits such as AD or other NDDs.
Cross‐cultural differences in eyewitness memory reports
Authors: Anakwah Nkansah , Horselenberg Robert , Hope Lorraine , Amankwah‐Poku Margaret , van Koppen Peter J. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryIncreasingly, investigators conduct interviews with eyewitnesses from different cultures. The culture in which people have been socialised can impact the way they encode, remember, and report information about their experiences. We examined whether eyewitness memory reports of mock witnesses from collectivistic (sub‐Saharan Africa) and individualistic (Northern Europe) cultures differed regarding quantity and quality of central and background details reported. Mock witnesses (total N = 200) from rural Ghana, urban Ghana, and the Netherlands were shown stimuli scenes of crimes in Dutch and Ghanaian settings and provided free and cued recalls. Individualistic culture mock witnesses reported the most details, irrespective of detail type. For each cultural group, mock witnesses reported more correct central details when crime was witnessed in their own native setting than a non‐native setting, though for different recall domains. The findings provide insight for legal and investigative professionals as well as immigration officials eliciting memory reports in cross‐cultural contexts.
A Circulating Bioreactor Reprograms Cancer Cells Toward a More Mesenchymal Niche
Authors: Calamak Semih , Ermis Menekse , Sun Han , Islam Saiful , Sikora Michael , Nguyen Michelle , Hasirci Vasif , Steinmetz Lars M. , Demirci Utkan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease, and cancer cells dynamically interact with the mechanical microenvironment such as hydrostatic pressure, fluid shear, and interstitial flow. These factors play an essential role in cell fate and circulating tumor cell heterogeneity, and can influence the cellular phenotype. In this study, a peristaltic continuous flow reactor is designed and applied to HCT‐116 colorectal carcinoma cells to mimic the fluid dynamics of circulation. With this intervention, a CD44/CD24‐cell subpopulation emerges, and 100 genes are significantly regulated. The expression of cells at 4 h in the flow reactor is very similar to TGF‐ß treatment, which is an inducer of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. ATF3 and SERPINE1 are significantly upregulated in these groups, suggesting that the mesenchymal transition is induced through this signaling pathway. This flow reactor model is satisfactory on its own to reprogram colorectal cancer cells toward a more mesenchymal niche mimicking circulation of the blood.
Nanoparticle‐Shelled Catalytic Bubble Micromotor
Authors: Adams Laura L. A. , Lee Daeyeon , Mei Yongfeng , Weitz David A. , Solovev Alexander A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNanoparticle‐shelled bubbles, prepared with glass capillary microfluidics, are functionalized to produce catalytic micromotors that exhibit novel assembly and disassembly behaviors. Stable microbubble rafts are assembled at an air–solvent interface of nonaqueous propylene carbonate (PC) solvent by creating a meniscus using a glass capillary. Upon the addition of hydrogen peroxide fuel, catalytic microbubbles quickly break free from the bubble raft by repelling from each other and self‐propelling at the air–fuel interface (a mixture of PC and aqueous hydrogen peroxide). While most of micromotors generate oxygen bubbles on the outer catalytic shell, some micromotors contain cracks and eject bubbles from the hollow shells containing air. Nanoparticle‐shelled bubbles with a high buoyancy force are particularly attractive for studying novel propulsion modes and interactions between catalytic bubble micromotors at air–fuel interfaces.
Bioinspired Unidirectional Liquid Spreading Channel–Principle, Design, and Manufacture
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Wang Dongyue , Zhang Yixuan , Zhang Deyuan , Li Zeming , Liu Hao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLiquid unidirectional spreading without energy input has attracted worldwide attentions owing to its potential applications in various fields. The liquid transfer between the adjacent microcavities on the peristome of Nepenthes alata provides great inspiration in that the concave curvature edge structure has the possibility to induce liquid directional spreading. Herein, the effect of concave curvature edge on liquid spreading is found to be different from that of the solid edge described by the Gibbs inequality condition. In this condition, there exist two liquid transfer states, namely conduction and resistance. Taking the advantages of the concave curvature edge, a new unidirectional liquid spreading channel is designed and fabricated by the traditional machining method, and its liquid directional spreading function is validated. This article provides a theoretical and technical support for the design and fabrication of liquid unidirectional spreading channel without an external energy input.
Nonvolatile Resistive Switching in Nanocrystalline Molybdenum Disulfide with Ion‐Based Plasticity
Authors: Belete Melkamu , Kataria Satender , Turfanda Aykut , Vaziri Sam , Wahlbrink Thorsten , Engström Olof , Lemme Max C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNon‐volatile resistive switching is demonstrated in memristors with nanocrystalline molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as the active material. The vertical heterostructures consist of silicon (Si), vertically aligned MoS2, and chrome/gold metal electrodes. Electrical characterizations reveal a bipolar and forming‐free switching process with stable retention for at least 2500 s. Controlled experiments carried out in ambient and vacuum conditions suggest that the observed resistive switching is based on hydroxyl ions (OH−). These originate from catalytic splitting of adsorbed water molecules by MoS2. Experimental results in combination with analytical simulations further suggest that electric field driven movement of the mobile OH− ions along the vertical MoS2 layers influences the energy barrier at the Si/MoS2 interface. The scalable and semiconductor production compatible device fabrication process used in this work offers the opportunity to integrate such memristors into existing Si technology for future neuromorphic applications. The observed ion‐based plasticity may be exploited in ionic‐electronic devices based on transition metal dichalcogenides and other 2D materials for memristive applications.
Missense variants in the Arg206 residue of HNRNPH2: Further evidence of causality and expansion of the phenotype
Authors: Peron Angela , Novara Francesca , La Briola Francesca , Merati Elisabetta , Giannusa Emanuela , Segalini Elena , Anniballi Gloria , Vignoli Aglaia , Ciccone Roberto , Canevini Maria Paola 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMissense variants in HNRNPH2 cause Bain type syndromic X‐linked intellectual disability (XLID). To date, only six affected females and three affected males have been reported in the literature, and the phenotype has yet to be delineated in detail. Here, we report on a 35‐year‐old female with a novel de novo variant in HNRNPH2, providing further evidence that missense changes in the nuclear localization sequence cause Bain type XLID and that aminoacid 206 likely represents a mutational hotspot. We expand the phenotype of Bain type XLID to include breathing, sleep and movement disorders, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, stereotypies, and hypersensitivity to noise. Our data indicate that the phenotype may be broader and more variable than initially reported, and suggest Rett syndrome as a possible differential diagnosis.
Chimeric LuxR Transcription Factors Rewire Natural Product Regulation
Authors: Mukherji Ruchira , Zhang Shuaibing , Chowdhury Somak , Stallforth Pierre 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLuxR‐type transcriptional activator proteins frequently regulate the expression of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). With only a fraction of bacterial BGCs being expressed under standard culturing conditions, modulation of LuxRs would provide a powerful approach to activate silent clusters. We show that by exploiting the modular nature of LuxR proteins, it is possible to construct functional chimeric LuxRs, which enables both the rewiring of quorum sensing systems and the activation of silent BGCs. Importantly, our strategy allowed us to identify the novel natural product pseudomonol from a bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas.
Unprecedented Sequence Control and Sequence‐Driven Properties in a Series of AB‐Alternating Copolymers Consisting Solely of Acrylamide Units
Authors: Kametani Yuki , Tournilhac François , Sawamoto Mitsuo , Ouchi Makoto 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHerein, we report a method to synthesize a series of alternating copolymers that consist exclusively of acrylamide units. Crucial to realizing this polymer synthesis is the design of a divinyl monomer that contains acrylate and acrylamide moieties connected by two activated ester bonds. This design, which is based on the reactivity ratio of the embedded vinyl groups, allows a “selective” cyclopolymerization, wherein the intramolecular and intermolecular propagation are repeated alternately under dilute conditions. The addition of an amine to the resulting cyclopolymers afforded two different acryl amide units, i.e., an amine‐substituted acryl amide and a 2‐hydroxy‐ethyl‐substituted acryl amide in alternating sequence. Using this method, we could furnish ten types of alternating copolymers; some of these exhibit unique properties in solution and in the bulk, which are different from those of the corresponding random copolymers, and we attributed the differences to the alternating sequence.
Stable Prenucleation Calcium Carbonate Clusters Define Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation
Authors: Avaro Jonathan T. , Wolf Stefan L. P. , Hauser Karin , Gebauer Denis 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLiquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is an intermediate step during the precipitation of calcium carbonate, and is assumed to play a key role in biomineralization processes. Here, we have developed a model where ion association thermodynamics in homogeneous phases determine the liquid–liquid miscibility gap of the aqueous calcium carbonate system, verified experimentally using potentiometric titrations, and kinetic studies based on stopped‐flow ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. The proposed mechanism explains the variable solubilities of solid amorphous calcium carbonates, reconciling previously inconsistent literature values. Accounting for liquid–liquid amorphous polymorphism, the model also provides clues to the mechanism of polymorph selection. It is general and should be tested for systems other than calcium carbonate to provide a new perspective on the physical chemistry of LLPS mechanisms based on stable prenucleation clusters rather than un‐/metastable fluctuations in biomineralization, and beyond.
An Air‐Stable Heterobimetallic Si2M2 Tetrahedral Cluster
Authors: Dübek Gizem , Hanusch Franziska , Munz Dominik , Inoue Shigeyoshi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAir‐ and moisture‐stable heterobimetallic tetrahedral clusters [Cp(CO)2MSiR]2 (M=Mo or W; R=SitBu3) were isolated from the reaction of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized silyl(silylidene) metal complexes Cp(CO)2M=Si(SitBu3)NHC with a mild Lewis acid (BPh3). Alternatively, treatment of the NHC‐stabilized silylidene complex Cp(CO)2W=Si(SitBu3)NHC with stronger Lewis acids such as AlCl3 or B(C6F5)3 resulted in the reversible coordination of the Lewis acid to one of the carbonyl ligands. Computational investigations revealed that the dimerization of the intermediate metal silylidyne (M≡Si) complex to a tetrahedral cluster instead of a planar four‐membered ring is due to steric bulk.
Influence of two‐phase behavior of ethylene ionomers on diffusion of water
Authors: Nagayama Kei , Kapur Jane , Morris Barry A. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTIn this study, diffusion of water into ethylene ionomers neutralized with sodium or zinc cations (Na‐ionomer and Zn‐ionomer, respectively) was studied by in situ Fourier transform near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Water ingress was measured by NIR from the edge of the laminated glass toward the center and the measured water concentration profiles were analyzed by Fick's second law or the modified Jacobs–Jones model, which describes diffusion into a two‐phase system of different density and polarity. It was found that the modified Jacobs–Jones model agrees well with the measured water concentration profiles of ionomers, while the Fickian model fits well to the poly(vinyl‐butyral) (PVB) results. The modified Jacobs–Jones model was also confirmed to apply to water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) data of another sodium ionomer (Na‐ionomer‐HTM) with a higher melting temperature than Na‐ionomer. The water diffusion coefficient for Na‐ionomer, Zn‐ionomer, and PVB are compared, and the diffusion parameters are discussed considering the higher‐ordered structures of ionomers studied by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). Simulating conditions that PV modules encounter in field applications, model projections show that Zn‐ionomer and Na‐ionomer‐HTM give significantly lower water permeation than PVB, and due to its low diffusion coefficient, Na‐ionomer will have significantly less water ingress than PVB. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48929.
Flame resistant properties of LDPE/PLA blends containing halogen‐free flame retardant
Authors: Arslan Figen , Dilsiz Nursel 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTIn this study, mixing petroleum‐based low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) with biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is used as polymer matrix. Boron compounds, metal hydroxides, melamine (MLM), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and pentaerythritol (PER) were used as reinforcement materials to improve flame resistance of polymer matrix. The composite materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical test, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The LOI analysis showed that for samples, which included MLM, APP, and PER, the LOI values were dramatically improved. Especially, the LOI value of sample Q (LDPE80/PLA20/APP30/PER15/MLM15/ZB3) was enhanced about 95.17% compared to polymer mixing. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48960.
Reduced‐order extended state observer based event‐triggered sliding mode control for DC‐DC buck converter system With parameter perturbation
Authors: Wang Junxiao , Rong Jiayi , Yu Li 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAiming to reduce the influence of system model parameter uncertainties for the DC‐DC buck converter control system with high performance requirement, a reduced‐order extended state observer based event‐triggered sliding mode control method (RESO‐ESMC) is proposed in this paper. First, a reduced‐order extended state observer is designed to estimate the system state and total disturbances, including load resistance disturbance and input voltage variation. Then, based on the estimation, the novel event triggered sliding mode controller is constructed for the DC‐DC buck converter system, aiming for the event triggered mechanism to avoid unnecessary computation. In addition, it should be noted that, unlike the extended state observer based sliding mode control method (ESO‐SMC) presented in [1], the proposed method in this paper uses a reduced‐order extended state observer, that is simple to implement and does not require the current sensor, which reduces the cost in practical applications. The stability of the closed‐loop system is also analyzed using Lyapunov stability theorem. Compared with re‐designed ESO‐SMC, which is also in current sensor‐less mode, simulation and experimental results show that the proposed control method performs better in transient and disturbance rejection, but the steady state performance is sacrificed.