bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Weighted network measures reveal differences between dementia types: An EEG study
Authors: Mehraram Ramtin , Kaiser Marcus , Cromarty Ruth , Graziadio Sara , O'Brien John T. , Killen Alison , Taylor John‐Paul , Peraza Luis R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) versus Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be difficult especially early in the disease process. However, one inexpensive and non‐invasive biomarker which could help is electroencephalography (EEG). Previous studies have shown that the brain network architecture assessed by EEG is altered in AD patients compared with age‐matched healthy control people (HC). However, similar studies in Lewy body diseases, that is, DLB and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are still lacking. In this work, we (a) compared brain network connectivity patterns across conditions, AD, DLB and PDD, in order to infer EEG network biomarkers that differentiate between these conditions, and (b) tested whether opting for weighted matrices led to more reliable results by better preserving the topology of the network. Our results indicate that dementia groups present with reduced connectivity in the EEG α band, whereas DLB shows weaker posterior–anterior patterns within the β‐band and greater network segregation within the θ‐band compared with AD. Weighted network measures were more consistent across global thresholding levels, and the network properties reflected reduction in connectivity strength in the dementia groups. In conclusion, β‐ and θ‐band network measures may be suitable as biomarkers for discriminating DLB from AD, whereas the α‐band network is similarly affected in DLB and PDD compared with HC. These variations may reflect the impairment of attentional networks in Parkinsonian diseases such as DLB and PDD.
Photocontrolled Release of the Anticancer Drug Chlorambucil with Caged Harmonic Nanoparticles
Authors: Vuilleumier Jérémy , Gaulier Geoffrey , De Matos Raphaël , Mugnier Yannick , Campargue Gabriel , Wolf Jean‐Pierre , Bonacina Luigi , Gerber‐Lemaire Sandrine 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWhile chemotherapy is one of the most used treatments in oncology, the systemic administration of chemotherapeutics generally results in undesired damages to healthy tissues and cells, side effects such as severe nausea and leukopenia, and reduced efficacy due to multidrug resistance and poor target accessibility. The limitations of conventional chemotherapy formulation have prompted the development of alternative nanomaterials‐based strategies to achieve targeted and stimuli sensitive payload delivery to reach optimal local drug concentration at tumor sites. In this study, the anticancer drug chlorambucil (Clb) was conjugated to the surface of silica coated lithium niobate (LNO) harmonic nanoparticles (HNPs) using a photocaging tether based on coumarin‐4‐yl methyl derivative. Upon laser pulsed femtosecond irradiation at 790 nm, the second harmonic emission from the metal oxide core induced the efficient release of Clb, with concomitant contribution from the nonlinear absorption of the coumarin (CM)‐based moiety.
Predicting determinants of the intention to use digital currency in the UAE: An empirical study
Authors: Saif Almuraqab Nasser A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDigital currencies represent a new, innovative means of exchange, utilizing the internet to simplify and enhance online transactions, which brings a revolution to the economy. This research investigated the acceptance predictors of digital currency among the people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To achieve this goal, I surveyed a sample of 181 UAE residents, aiming to predict the intention to use digital currency. The researcher argues that perceived usefulness, perceived trust, social influence, and perceived ease of use are significant determinants of citizens' intention to use digital currency, and perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness mediate the relationship between awareness and intention to use. Also, this paper reveals the factors affecting digital currency acceptance in the UAE, representing differences and similarities regarding global acceptance. The results extend existing models of digital currency acceptance, providing governments, policymakers, and IT professionals with understanding of how acceptance is developed in this context.
Development of highly reliable SERS‐active photonic crystal fiber probe and its application in the detection of ovarian cancer biomarker in cyst fluid
Authors: Beffara Flavien , Perumal Jayakumar , Puteri Mahyuddin Aniza , Choolani Mahesh , Khan Saif A. , Auguste Jean‐Louis , Vedraine Sylvain , Humbert Georges , Dinish U. S. , Olivo Malini 
Published: December 2019

AbstractConventionally Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is realized by adsorbing analytes onto nano‐roughened planar substrate coated with noble metals (silver or gold) or their colloidal nanoparticles (NPs). Nanoscale irregularities in such substrates/NPs could lead to SERS sensors with poor reproducibility and repeatability. Herein, we demonstrate a suspended core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) based SERS sensor with extremely high reproducibility and repeatability in measurement with a relative SD of only 1.5% and 4.6%, respectively, which makes it more reliable than any existing SERS sensor platforms. In addition, our platform could improve the detection sensitivity owing to the increased interaction area between the guided light and the analyte, which is incorporated into the holes that runs along the length of the PCF. Numerical calculation established the significance of the interplay between light coupling efficiency and evanescent field distribution, which could eventually determine the sensitivity and reliability of the developed SERS active‐PCF sensor. As a proof of concept, using this sensor, we demonstrated the detection of haptoglobin, a biomarker for ovarian cancer, contained within the ovarian cyst fluid, which facilitated in differentiating the stages of cancer. We envision that with necessary refinements, this platform could potentially be translated as a next‐generation highly sensitive SERS‐active opto‐fluidic biopsy needle for the detection of biomarkers in body fluids.
The European Union's endorsement of Amendments to International Financial Reporting Standard 4: An unprecedented “top up”
Authors: Dobler Michael 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) must pass a formal endorsement process to become binding for companies based in the European Union (EU). In an unparalleled instance, the EU recently endorsed “Amendments to IFRS 4” with a modification labeled as “top up” by allowing European financial conglomerates to defer the application of IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” in their insurance sectors. This paper explains the background of this decision, identifies the “top up” as an unprecedented case of carve‐in, and discusses the key implications for regulation and practice.
Prognostic relevance of telomere length and telomerase reverse transcriptase variant (rs2242652) on the multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Aref Salah , Al Saeed Alshaimaa , El Menshawy Nadia , Abdalla Doaa , El Ashery Mohamed 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe search for enhancement of multiple myeloma prognostic tools is an area of current research. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological impact of telomere length and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) polymorphic variant, rs2242652, on multiple myeloma (MM) patients.MethodsFifty MM patients and 50 healthy controls were included. Relative telomere length (RTL) and rs2242652 genotype polymorphic variants of TERT were analyzed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MM patients' group was categorized into stage I (n = 16); stage II (n = 12), and stage III (n = 22).ResultsThe median telomere length was significantly longer in MM patients' group (0.78) as compared to controls (0.43) (P = .001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that MM patients with RTL < 0.5 had significant poor response for induction remission therapy with odds ratio 26.45. On the other hand, TERT genotyping analysis of rs2242652 revealed insignificant difference between cases and controls (P = .234), regarding to induction remission response. Survival analysis using Kaplan‐Meier curve revealed that patients with shorter telomere length and those with TERT genotype GA had shorter overall survival.ConclusionTelomere length and TERT rs2242652 genotype polymorphism could be used for refining risk stratification of MM patients.
Family Readiness Groups: Helping deployed Army National Guard soldiers and their families
Authors: Griffith James 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMany have espoused the benefits of Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) for families of deployed soldiers. These include fostering family well‐being (main effect) and buffering the family against the negative effects of stressful life events (moderating effect). Yet, few published studies have tested these hypothesized relationships. Survey responses gathered from returning deployed Army National Guard soldiers (N = 4,568 soldiers in 50 company‐sized units) gave the opportunity to test hypothesized benefits of FRGs, both main and buffering effects. Half the sample of soldiers reported their families as having used FRGs. Two‐thirds of the soldiers reported FRGs as being helpful to their families. On the whole, results supported hypotheses: More effective coping among family members was associated with FRG use (main effect), and FRGs appeared most beneficial to spouses who experienced more stressful events (buffering effect). FRG use and its associations with helpfulness to family and with family coping suggest FRGs are important resources for families of deployed soldiers, in particular, for families of reservists. Future directions for research and practice are proposed.
Analysis of the Local Mobility of RAFT Mediated Poly(acrylic acid) Networks via Low Field 1H‐NMR Techniques for Investigation of the Network Topology
Authors: Cavalli Federica , Pfeifer Christoph , Arens Lukas , Barner Leonie , Wilhelm Manfred 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAn in‐depth investigation of the network topology for a series of sodium acrylate hydrogels synthesized via conventional free radical polymerization (FRP) and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is conducted. The role of the RAFT agent on the crosslinking process is demonstrated on a model system upon analysis of the reaction mixture via size‐exclusion chromatography before the gelation point. For a comprehensive study, both the impact of the amount of RAFT agent and of the degree of crosslinking on the microstructure of the final product are systematically investigated. In addition to swelling experiments and oscillatory shear rheology measurements, the resulting networks are analyzed via low‐field proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) techniques such as transverse relaxation and double‐quantum coherence to evaluate the network mobility, which is then correlated to structural inhomogeneity. A broader mobility distribution is observed for the RAFT mediated networks compared to the FRP samples, which can be assigned to a higher content of dangling ends in the former case. The results are further elaborated to propose a mechanism for network formation in presence of a RAFT agent.
Segmented diffusion imaging with iterative motion‐corrected reconstruction (SEDIMENT) for brain echo‐planar imaging
Authors: Steinhoff Malte , Nehrke Kay , Mertins Alfred , Börnert Peter 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMulti‐shot techniques offer improved resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio for diffusion‐ weighted imaging, but make the acquisition vulnerable to shot‐specific phase variations and inter‐shot macroscopic motion. Several model‐based reconstruction approaches with iterative phase correction have been proposed, but robust macroscopic motion estimation is still challenging. Segmented diffusion imaging with iterative motion‐corrected reconstruction (SEDIMENT) uses iteratively refined data‐driven shot navigators based on sensitivity encoding to cure phase and rigid in‐plane motion artifacts. The iterative scheme is compared in simulations and in vivo with a non‐iterative reference algorithm for echo‐planar imaging with up to sixfold segmentation. The SEDIMENT framework supports partial Fourier acquisitions and furthermore includes options for data rejection and learning‐based modules to improve robustness and convergence.
What is the optimal schedule for multiparametric MRS? A magnetic resonance fingerprinting perspective
Authors: Kulpanovich Alexey , Tal Assaf 
Published: December 2019

AbstractClinical magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) mainly concerns itself with the quantification of metabolite concentrations. Metabolite relaxation values, which reflect the microscopic state of specific cellular and sub‐cellular environments, could potentially hold additional valuable information, but are rarely acquired within clinical scan times. By varying the flip angle, repetition time and echo time in a preset way (termed a schedule), and matching the resulting signals to a pre‐generated dictionary – an approach dubbed magnetic resonance fingerprinting – it is possible to encode the spins' relaxation times into the acquired signal, simultaneously quantifying multiple tissue parameters for each metabolite. Herein, we optimized the schedule to minimize the averaged root mean square error (RMSE) across all estimated parameters: concentrations, longitudinal and transverse relaxation time, and transmitter inhomogeneity. The optimal schedules were validated in phantoms and, subsequently, in a cohort of healthy volunteers, in a 4.5 mL parietal white matter single voxel and an acquisition time under 5 minutes. The average intra‐subject, inter‐scan coefficients of variation (CVs) for metabolite concentrations, T1 and T2 relaxation times were found to be 3.4%, 4.6% and 4.7% in‐vivo, respectively, averaged over all major singlets. Coupled metabolites were quantified using the short echo time schedule entries and spectral fitting, and reliable estimates of glutamate+glutamine, glutathione and myo‐inositol were obtained.
How did we get here? The career paths of higher education fundraisers
Authors: Farwell Megan M. , Gaughan Maren , Handy Femida 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUniversity‐based fundraisers have career paths that are unique in that most do not come to their careers through traditional training programs that are available to other professions, which may impact their expectations of and experiences in their work. Using the conceptual framework of person‐in‐environment fit, this study uses qualitative data from semistructured interviews of 44 higher education fundraisers to understand factors influencing their career trajectories. While formal educational backgrounds do not necessarily provide specific skills necessary for a fundraising career, findings show that many rely on on‐the‐job training, which was at times inadequate. Findings also counter common reports of fundraisers as “falling into the profession” when choosing to join the fundraising field and demonstrate how organizational factors can influence recruitment and retention.
Towards ecosystem accounts for Rwanda: Tracking 25 years of change in flows and potential supply of ecosystem services
Authors: Bagstad Kenneth J. , Ingram Jane Carter , Lange Glenn‐Marie , Masozera Michel , Ancona Zachary H. , Bana Mediatrice , Kagabo Desire , Musana Bernard , Nabahungu Nsharwasi Leon , Rukundo Emmanuel , Rutebuka Evariste , Polasky Stephen , Rugege Denis , Uwera Claudine 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Rwanda, a small but rapidly developing central African nation, has undertaken development of natural capital accounts to better inform its economic development through the World Bank's Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES) Partnership. In this paper, we develop ecosystem service (ES) models to quantify ecosystem condition and physical supply components of ecosystem accounts in Rwanda from 1990 to 2015.

We applied the InVEST carbon storage, sediment delivery ratio, nutrient delivery ratio, and annual and seasonal water yield models to map changes in potential ES supply nationwide. We also quantified flows of sediment, water and nutrients to 96 hydroelectric dam, irrigation dam and water treatment plant sites.

Over a 25‐year period, we found declines in all ES, which were most strongly driven by conversion of forests to cropland. Declines were most pronounced from 1990 to 2000 and 2010 to 2015; ES were relatively stable from 2000 to 2010 (with the exception of nutrient exports to water bodies, which jumped most sharply from 2000 to 2010). From 2010 to 2015, over 42% of Rwanda's water‐use sites (representing 9% of the nation's hydroelectric generation capacity and 59% of its water treatment capacity) had upstream increases in sediment export and quick flow greater than the national average. Half of Rwanda's water treatment plants had upstream phosphorus exports greater than the national average.

Our results quantify nation‐wide ES trends, their implications for key water‐dependent industries, and the importance of protected areas in safeguarding ES flows and potential supply in Rwanda. They also provide data that can be integrated with existing land, water and economic accounts for Rwanda, as well as a baseline to inform development strategies that better link economic and environmental goals.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Endothelial cell malignancies in infants, children and adolescents: Treatment results of three Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry
Authors: Sparber‐Sauer Monika , Koscielniak Ewa , Vokuhl Christian , Schmid Irene , Bien Ewa , Seitz Guido , Hallmen Erika , von Kalle Thekla , Scheer Monika , Münter Marc , Bielack Stefan S. , Niggli Felix , Ljungman Gustaf , Fuchs Joerg , Hettmer Simone , Rössler Jochen , Klingebiel Thomas ,   on behalf of the CWS Study Group
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundEndothelial cell malignancies are extremely rare in childhood. New identification of genetic abnormalities (WWTR1:CAMTA1 translocation) helps to recognize potential therapeutic targets. Little is known about treatment and outcome of these patients.MethodsClinical course, treatment, and outcome in patients with endothelial cell malignancies treated within the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials CWS‐91, ‐96, ‐2002P, and the Soft‐Tissue Sarcoma Registry (SoTiSaR) were analyzed (1991‐2019).ResultsPatients had angiosarcoma (AS) (n = 12), malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) (n = 16), and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) (n = 13). The median age was 5.39 years (range, 0.8‐17.34); 33 patients had localized disease (LD), and 8 patients had metastatic disease. Therapy consisted of chemotherapy (CHT) (AS n = 8, EHE n = 9, KHE n = 5), interferon or new agent therapy (EHE n = 5, 2 KHE n = 2), microscopically or macroscopically complete resection (AS n = 3, EHE n = 6, KHE n = 3), and radiotherapy (AS n = 6, EHE n = 2, KHE n = 1). Two patients (KHE) had watch‐and‐wait strategy resulting in stable disease. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in AS (10/12; 83%), EHE (10/16; 63%), and KHE (5/13; 38%). The five‐year EFS and OS for patients with AS was 64% (± 29 CI 95%) and 80% (± 25, CI 95%), with EHE 62% (± 24, CI 95%) and 78% (± 23, CI 95%), with KHE 33% (± 34, CI 95%) and 92% (± 15, CI 95%), respectively. Complete resection was a significant prognostic factor for AS, LD for EHE.ConclusionsEndothelial cell malignancies in childhood have a fair outcome with multimodal treatment. New treatment options are needed for metastic disease.
Mechanical, water uptake properties, and biodegradability of polystyrene‐coated sisal fiber‐reinforced high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Abdel‐Hakim Ahmed , Mourad Reda M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this study, composites of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with uncoated sisal fibers (UF) and that coated (CF) with polystyrene (PS) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) copolymers (PSV) were fabricated. The prepared copolymers containing 2.5% VTMS (PSa) and 5% VTMS (PSb) were used to coat the sisal fiber with a thin layer of hydrophobic polymer to make coated fibers CFa and CFb, respectively. The coating process was verified by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The mechanical, water absorption, morphology, and biodegradation properties of HDPE and its composites with UF (HUF) and CF (HCF) composites were evaluated. The tensile strength and flexural strength were improved by 19.5% and 34% after addition of 5% CFb to HDPE compared to HDPE composite which contains 5% UF. The results manifested significant reduction in the amount of water absorbed by CF and HCF composites compared to UF and HUF composites. Additionally, scanning electron micrographs indicated that the coating of sisal fibers with PSV improved the compatibility between sisal fibers and HDPE polymeric matrix. Also, the composites containing CF exhibited a lower rate of degradation than those containing UF.
Effect of crossing film among glass fibers on blanket performance
Authors: Wu Cao , Chen Zhaofeng , Wang Fei , Ye Xinli , Li Shun , Zhang Duanyin , Yang Lixia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAn effective film construction was provided as a noise‐reducing materials based on self‐assembled polymer film supported by ultralight glass fiber blanket (UGFB) skeleton. The synthesized polymer film enhanced UGFB structure shows about 60% improvement over a broad frequencies compared to neat UGFB. The sound transmission loss has a remarkably increasing of 16.59 dB at 4 kHz. The reinforced acoustic performances was created by the structural optimization of UGFB/UMPR‐film, owing to the observably enhanced tortuosity in sound waves transmission and reinforced surface area, which can induce more viscous and thermal losses when the acoustic wave consumes in the semiopen pore construction. Moreover, the UGFB/UMPR‐film demonstrates 7.4 times increasing in breaking strength (width direction) and the degrees of uniformity lower than 0.0771. The manufacture of this new acoustic damping materials is low cost, structural controllable, and easy to large‐scale preparation, making it can be applied in multitudinous applications.
Neurogranin Regulates Alcohol Sensitivity through AKT Pathway in the Nucleus Accumbens
Authors: Nam Hyung W. , Grant Caleb A. , Jorgensen Ashton N. , Holtz‐Heppelmann Carrie J. , Trutschl Marjan , Cvek Urska 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDysfunction of glutamate neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorders (AUD). Neurogranin (Ng) is exclusively expressed in the brain and mediates N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypo‐function by regulating the intracellular calcium‐calmodulin (Ca2+‐CaM) pathway. Ng null mice (Ng–/– mice) demonstrate increased alcohol drinking compared to wild‐type mice, while also showing less tolerance to the effect of alcohol. To identify the molecular mechanism related to alcohol seeking, both in vivo microdialysis and label‐free quantification proteomics comparing Ng genotype and effects of alcohol treatment on the NAc are utilized. There is significant difference in glutamate and gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission between genotypes; however, alcohol administration normalizes both glutamate and GABA levels in the NAc. Using label‐free proteomics, 427 protein expression changes are identified against alcohol treatment in the NAc among 4347 total proteins detected. Bioinformatics analyses reveal significant molecular differences in Ng null mice in response to acute alcohol treatment. Ingenuity pathway analysis found that the AKT network is altered significantly between genotypes, which may increase the sensitivity of alcohol in Ng null mice. The pharmacoproteomics results presented here illustrate a possible molecular basis of the alcohol sensitivity through Ng signaling in the NAc.