bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Creditworthiness risk over years: The evolution of credit rating standards
Authors: Cafarelli Alessandro 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe last financial crisis has increased the attention into the business of credit rating agencies. In this paper, I investigate the evolution of credit rating standards to measure if rating agencies have moved to different standards over years. First, I present a rating regression model where I employ specific explanatory variables to measure how they impact on ratings outcome. Next, I examine long term issuer credit rating from 1985 to 2013 to analyze how the credit rating agencies have modified their standards over years. I focus on the dynamics of the time variable and I find credit rating agencies strengthen their standards over years since they assign more conservative issuer ratings, holding the companies stable characteristics.
Laboratory verification of an RT‐PCR assay for SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Wu Yingping , Xu Wei , Zhu Zhiqiang , Xia Xiaoping 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundReverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) is an extremely common clinical method for detecting pathogens, particularly for emerging infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Currently, detection of the RNA from the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 is the gold standard for establishing a COVID‐19 diagnosis. This study evaluates the characteristic performance of the analytical system in a clinical laboratory.MethodsA commercial SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA RT‐PCR Kit used in a clinical laboratory is assessed based on ISO 15189 verification requirements. A multiple real‐time RT‐PCR assay for the RdRP, N, and E genes in SARS‐CoV‐2 is verified.ResultsThe analytical system exhibits good analytical sensitivity (1000 copies/mL) and specificity (100%); however, the values of 86.7% and 100% for analytical accuracy deserved attention, compared with two other types of methods. Overall, the kit is potentially useful for SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnostic testing and meets the verification requirements.ConclusionCompliance with international standards, such as ISO 15189, is valuable for clinical laboratories and for improving laboratory medicine quality and safety. Normalization is essential for obtaining reliable results from the SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA RT‐PCR assay. This study aims to develop an improved SARS‐CoV‐2 verification framework compared with traditional molecular diagnostic methods, given the urgency of implementing new assays in clinical laboratories.
Synthesis and characterization of microbial mediated cadmium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Asghar Mehrina , Habib Sadaf , Zaman Wajid , Hussain Sajjad , Ali Huma , Saqib Saddam 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMicrobial mediated synthesis of metallic nanoparticles constitutes as effective and promising approach for the development of antibacterial materials in the field of bioengineering and biomedicine. We prepared Cadmium oxide nanoaprticles (CdO NPs) utilizingPenicillium oxalicum, and cadmium acetate solution via coprecipitate method. The elemental composition and morphology of these synthesized CdO NPs were examined through X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, we evaluated the bactericidal potential of prepared CdO NPs usingEscherichia coli(E.coli),Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus),Bacillus cereus(B.cereus), andPseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa). Dimethyl sulfoxide was used as negative control while erythromycin was used as positive control. The XRD spectrum revealed cubic crystalline nanoparticles with 22.94 nm size and UV showed absorbance peak at 297 nm with 2.5 eV band gap energy. FTIR depicted O─H and carboxylic groups along with CdO stretching vibration. EDS showed the presence of organic compounds on Cd and O over NPs surface. SEM results revealed the spherical shape of the CdO NPs. The synthesized NPs exhibited highly potent bactericidal activity against selected strains and demonstrated less optical density of 0.086 after 24 hr. Owing to the significant antibacterial activity of CdO NPs, the broad application prospects of these nanoparticles CdO NPs in extensive biomedical applications is indicated.
Deconstructing the long‐standing a priori assumption that serial homology generally involves ancestral similarity followed by anatomical divergence
Authors: Siomava Natalia , Fuentes Jose S. M. , Diogo Rui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIt has long been assumed that serial homologues are ancestrally similar—polysomerism resulting from a “duplication” or “repetition” of forms—and then often diverge—anisomerism, for example, as they become adapted to perform different tasks as is the case with the forelimb and hind limbs of humans. However, such an assumption, with crucial implications for comparative, evolutionary, and developmental biology, and for evolutionary developmental biology, has in general not really been tested by a broad analysis of the available empirical data. Perhaps not surprisingly, more recent anatomical comparisons, as well as molecular knowledge of how, for example, serial appendicular structures are patterned along with different anteroposterior regions of the body axis of bilateral animals, and how “homologous” patterning domains do not necessarily mark “homologous” morphological domains, are putting in question this paradigm. In fact, apart from showing that many so‐called “serial homologues” might not be similar at all, recent works have shown that in at least some cases some “serial” structures are indeed more similar to each other in derived taxa than in phylogenetically more ancestral ones, as pointed out by authors such as Owen. In this article, we are taking a step back to question whether such assumptions are actually correct at all, in the first place. In particular, we review other cases of so‐called “serial homologues” such as insect wings, arthropod walking appendages, Dipteran thoracic bristles, and the vertebrae, ribs, teeth, myomeres, feathers, and hairs of chordate animals. We show that: (a) there are almost never cases of true ancestral similarity; (b) in evolution, such structures—for example, vertebra—and/or their subparts—for example, “transverse processes”—many times display trends toward less similarity while in many others display trends toward more similarity, that is, one cannot say that there is a clear, overall trend to anisomerism.
Quantifying Thermoswitchable Carbohydrate‐Mediated Interactions via Soft Colloidal Probe Adhesion Studies
Authors: Strzelczyk Alexander Klaus , Paul Tanja Janine , Schmidt Stephan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThermosensitive polymers enable externally controllable biomolecular interactions but hysteresis effects hamper the reversibility and repeated use of these materials. To quantify the temperature‐dependent interactions and hysteresis effects, an optical adhesion assay based on poly(ethylene glycol) microgels (soft colloidal probes, SCPs) with mannose binding concanavalin A surfaces is used. A series of thermoresponsive glycopolymers is synthesized varying the carbohydrate type, their density, and linker type, and then grafted to the SCPs. The carbohydrate‐mediated adhesion is influenced by the density of sugar ligands and increased above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the glycopolymer. Importantly, a strong hysteresis is observed, i.e., cooling back below the LCST does not reduce the adhesion back to the initial value before heating. The hysteresis is stronger for hydrophobic linkers and for low carbohydrate functionalization degrees suggesting insufficient reswelling of the polymers due to hydrophobic interactions. The results are confirmed by studying the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the SCPs, where an enhanced capture of the bacteria is observed above the LCST while the detachment upon cooling is not possible. Overall, the quantitative data on the switchable adhesion of specifically binding polymers may provide potential avenues for the design of the next‐generation interactive biomaterials.
Technical and dosimetric realization of in vivo x‐ray microbeam irradiations at the Munich Compact Light Source
Authors: Burger Karin , Urban Theresa , Dombrowsky Annique C. , Dierolf Martin , Günther Benedikt , Bartzsch Stefan , Achterhold Klaus , Combs Stephanie E. , Schmid Thomas E. , Wilkens Jan J. , Pfeiffer Franz 
Published: August 2020

PurposeX‐ray microbeam radiation therapy is a preclinical concept for tumor treatment promising tissue sparing and enhanced tumor control. With its spatially separated, periodic micrometer‐sized pattern, this method requires a high dose rate and a collimated beam typically available at large synchrotron radiation facilities. To treat small animals with microbeams in a laboratory‐sized environment, we developed a dedicated irradiation system at the Munich Compact Light Source (MuCLS).MethodsA specially made beam collimation optic allows to increase x‐ray fluence rate at the position of the target. Monte Carlo simulations and measurements were conducted for accurate microbeam dosimetry. The dose during irradiation is determined by a calibrated flux monitoring system. Moreover, a positioning system including mouse monitoring was built.ResultsWe successfully commissioned the in vivo microbeam irradiation system for an exemplary xenograft tumor model in the mouse ear. By beam collimation, a dose rate of up to 5.3 Gy/min at 25 keV was achieved. Microbeam irradiations using a tungsten collimator with 50 μm slit size and 350 μm center‐to‐center spacing were performed at a mean dose rate of 0.6 Gy/min showing a high peak‐to‐valley dose ratio of about 200 in the mouse ear. The maximum circular field size of 3.5 mm in diameter can be enlarged using field patching.ConclusionsThis study shows that we can perform in vivo microbeam experiments at the MuCLS with a dedicated dosimetry and positioning system to advance this promising radiation therapy method at commercially available compact microbeam sources. Peak doses of up to 100 Gy per treatment seem feasible considering a recent upgrade for higher photon flux. The system can be adapted for tumor treatment in different animal models, for example, in the hind leg.
Universal nonselective excitation and refocusing pulses with improved robustness to off‐resonance for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla with parallel transmission
Authors: Van Damme L. , Mauconduit F. , Chambrion T. , Boulant N. , Gras V. 
Published: August 2020

PurposeIn MRI at ultra‐high field, the

‐point and spiral nonselective (SPINS) pulse design techniques can be advantageously combined with the parallel transmission (pTX) and universal pulse techniques to create uniform excitation in a calibration‐free manner. However, in these approaches, pulse duration is typically increased as compared to standard hard pulses, and excitation quality in regions exhibiting large resonance frequency offsets often suffer. This limitation is inherent to structure of

‐point or SPINS pulse, and likely can be mitigated using parameterization‐free pulse design approaches.MethodsThe Gradient Ascent Pulse Engineering (GRAPE) algorithm was used to design parameterization‐free RF and magnetic field gradient (MFG) waveforms for creating

excitation, up to

scalable refocusing and inversion, nonselectively across the brain. Simulations were performed to provide flip angle normalized root‐mean‐squares error (FA‐NRMSE) estimations for the

and the

‐point, SPINS, and GRAPE pulses. GRAPE pulses were tested experimentally with anatomical head scans at 7T.ResultsAs compared to

‐points and SPINS, GRAPE provided substantial improvement of excitation, refocusing, and inversion quality at off‐resonance while at least preserving the same global FA‐NRMSE performance. As compared to

‐points, GRAPE allowed for a substantial reduction of the pulse duration for the

excitation and the

refocusing.ConclusionsParameterization‐free universal nonselective pTX‐pulses were successfully computed using GRAPE. Performance gains as compared to

‐points were validated numerically and experimentally for three imaging protocols. In its current implementation, the computational burden of GRAPE limits its use to applications where pulse computations are not subject to time constraints.
Electronic Self-Reporting: Angler Attitudes and Behaviors in the Recreational Red Snapper Fishery
Authors: Midway Stephen R. , Adriance Jason , Banks Patrick , Haukebo Sepp , Caffey Rex 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Managing large multiuser fisheries involves large amounts of data and information, including information directly from anglers. Angler-provided information may come in the form of attitudinal and behavior surveys, in addition to voluntary reporting of catch information. In this study, we wanted to better understand anglers fishing for Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus in the Gulf of Mexico. Toward this end, we conducted an in-season attitudinal survey in 2018 to collect angler opinions in five areas: (1). interests, motivations, and barriers to electronic catch reporting, (2). important aspects of the Red Snapper fishery, (3). reasons why anglers report catch, (4). dockside reporting compared with electronic reporting, and (5). perceptions of fishery management agencies. Concurrently in the summer of 2018, an electronic smartphone app was made available for recreational anglers to voluntarily report their catch. We had 3,016 survey results that represented an 18% reporting rate. The survey results suggested that 84% of respondents already use a variety of smartphone apps in relation to fishing and that at least 80% reported that they were willing to electronically report their catch. Despite this high reported willingness to electronically report their catch, data from electronic reports showed that only about 1% of respondents actually reported. The development and use of electronic reporting applications (i.e., smartphone apps) holds promise to provide a wide variety of timely data to fishery managers; however, as in our study and others, usage rates remain low and challenges remain if self-reporting and other nonprobabilistic sampling methods are to be useful to fishery managers.
Italian electronic personal assessment questionnaire‐pelvic floor (I.ePAQ‐PF): Psychometric validation of the urinary section
Authors: Soligo Marco , Nelva Stellio Leonardo , De Ponti Elena , Turri Alice , Del Popolo Giulio , Finazzi Agrò Enrico , on behalf of the publication committee of the Italian Urodyn  
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimTools for remote clinical assessment have become increasingly important. Patient‐reported outcome questionnaires are increasingly being considered as the keystones of pelvic floor disorder assessment. An innovative English language multidisciplinary electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire (ePAQ‐PF) was psychometrically validated in 2006. A certified Italian version (I.ePAQ‐PF) has been recently made available by the Italian Society of Urodynamics. In this study, we aimed to test the psychometric properties to validate the urinary dimension of the I.ePAQ‐PF.MethodsWomen complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled. After providing informed consent, women filled in the I.ePAQ‐PF via a dedicated touch‐screen display (T0), together with concurrent questionnaires: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short form, Urgency Severity Scale, Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Patient Global Impression of Improvement. Cronbach's α and Spearman's correlation coefficients were adopted (validity). A test‐retest was performed in 47 cases (reliability), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed. I.ePAQ‐PF was also administered after treatment (T1) and compared with baseline data via a Wilcoxon's test and Cohen's effect‐size tests (responsiveness).ResultsNinety‐three women were included. Internal consistency was confirmed (Cronbach's α >.7). A Spearman's correlation test showed a good correlation (>0.6) between I.ePAQ‐PF and conceptually similar questionnaires. I.ePAQ‐PF seems to be highly reproducible in all domains (ICC >0.86). The questionnaire scored significantly differently (Wilcoxon test P < .003) in all domains after the treatment. Responsiveness was further confirmed by Cohen's effect size of more than 30%.ConclusionsThe Italian ePAQ‐PF (urinary domain) fully satisfies the psychometric properties of validity, reliability, and responsiveness and is ready for clinical application in Italian clinical settings.
Are current clinical guidelines on the use of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula for blood draws supported by evidence? An organizational case study
Authors: Jacob Alycia , Coventry Linda , Davies Hugh , Jacob Elisabeth 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimTo examine the quality of evidence used to inform health policies. Policies on peripheral intravenous cannulas were used as exemplars.DesignAn organizational case study design was used, using the STROBE reporting guidelines.MethodsPolicy guidelines were sourced between June and September 2018 from health departments in Australia. Seven documents were compared regarding intravenous cannula dwell times and blood collection use. Evidence used in the documents was critiqued using assessment guideline from the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine.ResultsLarge variations exist between policies regarding blood sampling and dwell time. Evidence used a variety of sources. Few references received an A evidence rating and policies differed in their interpretation of evidence.
Interprofessional learning in social and health care—Learning experiences from large‐group simulation in Finland
Authors: Saaranen Terhi , Silén‐Lipponen Marja , Palkolahti Maria , Mönkkönen Kaarina , Tiihonen Miia , Sormunen Marjorita 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThis study aimed to describe the learning experiences of social and healthcare students and professionals of an interprofessional large‐group simulation. A simulation on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was organized in collaboration between a Finnish university, university hospital and university of applied sciences.DesignA case study.MethodsThe research data were collected at the large‐group simulation with a questionnaire containing variables on a five‐point Likert scale and open questions. The questionnaire was filled out by 350 students and professionals participating in the simulation. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods and the open‐ended questions by inductive content analysis.ResultsThe large‐group simulation proved to be a valid teaching and learning method for collaborating with other professionals and interacting with clients and the method can be considered as cost‐effective compared with small‐group simulations. The produced knowledge can be used in planning simulations in basic and in‐service training.
Electroencephalographic characteristics of word finding during phonological and semantic verbal fluency tasks
Authors: Mousavi Najva , Nazari Mohammad Ali , Babapour Jalil , Jahan Ali 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimsVerbal Fluency is sensitive to brain damage and is employed to assess language abilities like the size of vocabulary and the semantic‐lexical networks’ integrity and executive functioning abilities particularly inhibition, working memory, and self‐monitoring. Various studies revealed oscillatory changes related to word retrieval during different tasks. However, there are not enough studies on electroencephalographic characteristics of word retrieval routes (phonological or semantic pathway) during free recall. The purpose of our study was to investigate electroencephalography power relationship with semantic and phonological word finding routes during verbal fluency.MethodsIn this within‐subject study, the electroencephalography of 20 healthy participants was recorded during written category and letter fluency tasks and compared with the rest state. Absolute power of the signals in delta (1‐3.5 Hz), theta (4‐7.5 Hz), alpha (8‐12 Hz), and beta (12.5‐30 Hz) was calculated in three lobes (frontal, parietal, and temporal).ResultsA repeated measures ANOVA showed significant interaction of condition × lobe × frequency × side (P < .001). Post hoc test for each lobe showed significant changes in the absolute power of delta, theta and beta for frontal, delta and theta for parietal, and theta and beta for temporal lobes (P‐values < .05).ConclusionSearching the words by phonological entries is associated with decreased beta and increased theta in left frontal lobe. These changes are not necessary for semantic word retrieval strategy.
Targeted values: The relevance of classical Chinese philosophy for illegal wildlife demand reduction campaigns
Authors: Thomas‐Walters Laura , Cheung Hubert , Lee Tien Ming , Wan Anita Kar Yan , Wang Yifu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

The illegal wildlife trade is a global conservation priority, prompting a rise in interventions aimed at reducing the demand for wildlife products. Research shows that designing campaigns to target the values held by a specific audience is an effective way to alter their behaviour. However, many demand reduction campaigns are grounded in the perspective of Western morality. This is problematic when the recipients of these campaigns frequently reside in East Asia, where they are exposed to the historical and cultural praxis of Confucianism and Daoism.

This paper examines some of the central concepts of classical Chinese philosophy to see how they could be used by practitioners to design effective behaviour change campaigns in the future. Acknowledging that the East Asian cultural sphere has a long history of consumptive wildlife use, reflecting an instrumentalist and anthropocentric approach to wildlife, we still find potential for appealing to a relational ethic. There is a fundamental metaphysics that all of nature is unified, interconnected and interpenetrating. Qi is the vital force of the universe that links inorganic, organic and human life‐forms, creating the basis for a profound reciprocity between humans and the natural world.

We also consider some of the key virtues in Chinese philosophy, and how they could be interpreted through the lens of demand reduction for illegal wildlife products. This includes li, ritual propriety, and ren, the inner moral force which keeps us in balance. Finally, we cover influential scriptures, identifying many historical verses that are relevant to modern conservationists.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Mechanical, ballistic impact, and water absorption behavior of luffa/graphene reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: K. G. Ashok , K. Kalaichelvan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe mechanical, ballistic, and moisture intake properties of luffa fiber reinforced with graphene‐modified epoxy composites were experimentally investigated. The nanofiller graphene particles were modified with a matrix using the mechanical stirring process. The filler (graphene) of size 20 nm is modified with the matrix of different weight percentages 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The samples for various testings were prepared with different compositions using a hand layup technique followed by compression molding. The results show that tensile, impact, and flexural strength were enhanced with the modification of the filler graphene up to 2 wt%. The ballistic impact results show that energy absorption increases with nanofiller modification. Minimum water intake behavior is observed for the composite samples incorporated with fillers. Failure mechanisms were studied on tensile tested specimens using a scanning electron microscopy. The morphological images showed defects like interfacial behavior, fiber pull out, voids, and internal cracks on the tested specimens.