bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Social and Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in the Middle East and North Africa Region: Do Islamic Institutions Outperform Conventional Institutions?
Authors: Berguiga I. , Said Y.Ben , Adair P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) is analysed over 2004–2015 on a sample of 67 MFIs in the Middle East and North Africa regions. It includes a subsample of 18 Islamic MFIs (IMFIs), whereof Solebusiness grant exclusively Islamic financial services, and Window provide both Islamic and conventional services. A model of simultaneous equations with interacting variables tests seven hypotheses addressing financial performance, social performance and the social and financial performance relationship. Conventional MFIs experience higher financial performance than IMFIs, and Window experience higher financial performance than Solebusiness. IMFIs do not experience higher social performance than conventional MFIs; whether conventional or Islamic, MFIs face a financial vs. social performance trade‐off. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of morphine, codeine, and thebaine in corona discharge–ion mobility spectrometry: Protonation, ammonium attachment, and carbocation formation
Authors: Valadbeigi Younes , Ilbeigi Vahideh , Mirsharifi Maryam S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAtmospheric pressure chemical ionizations (APCIs) of morphine, codeine, and thebaine were studied in a corona discharge ion source using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) at temperature range of 100°C–200°C. Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) and M062X/6‐311++G(d,p) levels of theory were used to interpret the experimental data. It was found that in the presence of H3O+ as reactant ion (RI), ionization of morphine and codeine proceeds via both the protonation and carbocation formation, whereas thebaine participates only in protonation. Carbocation formation (fragmentation) was diminished with decrease in the temperature. At lower temperatures, proton‐bound dimers of the compounds were also formed. Ammonia was used as a dopant to produce NH4+ as an alternative RI. In the presence of NH4+, proton transfer from ammonium ion to morphine, codeine, and thebaine was the dominant mechanism of ionization. However, small amount of ammonium attachment was also observed. The theoretical calculations showed that nitrogen atom of the molecules is the most favorable proton acceptor site while the oxygen atoms participate in ammonium attachment. Furthermore, formation of the carbocations is because of the water elimination from the protonated forms of morphine and codeine.
Exhaled breath analysis using on‐line preconcentration mass spectrometry for gastric cancer diagnosis
Authors: Hong Yi , Che Xinxin , Su Haibo , Mai Zebin , Huang Zhengxu , Huang Weibin , Chen Wei , Liu Shulin , Gao Wei , Zhou Zhen , Tan Guobin , Li Xue 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBreath volatile biomarkers are capable of distinguishing patients with various cancers. However, high throughput analytical technology is a prerequisite to a large‐cohort study intended to discover reliable breath biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Single‐photon ionization (SPI) is a universal ionization technology, and SPI‐mass spectrometry (SPI‐MS) shows a remarkable advantage in the comprehensive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in particular, nonpolar compounds. In this study, we have introduced SPI‐MS coupled with on‐line thermal desorption (TD‐SPI‐MS) to demonstrate nontarget analysis of breath VOCs for gastric cancer patients. The breath fingerprints of the gastric cancer patients were significantly distinct from that of the control group. Acetone, isoprene, 1,3‐dioxolan‐2‐one, phenol, meta‐xylene, 1,2,3‐trimethylbenzene, and phenyl acetate showed higher relative peak intensities in the breath profiles of gastric cancer patients. A diagnostic prediction model was further developed by using a training set (121 samples) and validated with a test set (53 samples). The predication accuracy of the developed model was 96.2%, and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.997, indicating a satisfactory prediction ability of the developed model. Thus, by taking gastric cancer as an example, we have shown that TD‐SPI‐MS will be a promising tool for high throughput analysis of breath samples to discover characteristic VOCs in patients with various cancers.
Rapid Diagnosis of Altered Mental Status in Home Parenteral Nutrition Patient
Authors: Byerly Saskya , Lee Eugenia E. , Byers Patricia , Yeh Daniel Dante 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis report describes the application of a routine lab test to confirm a diagnosis of hypernatremia suspected to be secondary to an error in parenteral nutrition compounding. The novel aspect of this case is the use of the “urine electrolytes” laboratory test to verify that the electrolyte concentration of the mixture is consistent with what was printed on the bag label.
Immunohistochemical analysis of protein expression in formalin fixed paraffin embedded human intervertebral disc tissues
Authors: Binch Abbie , Snuggs Joseph , Le Maitre Christine L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractImmunohistochemistry (IHC) is a useful technique for the localization and semiquantification of protein expression within tissues. Adult human intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues contain a large amount of auto‐fluorescence which often makes immunofluorescence techniques inappropriate on tissue samples but can be applied to isolated cell samples. Thus, IHC remains one of, if not the most common application for protein detection within IVD tissue. Immunostaining localizes antigen expression through specific epitope‐antibody interactions. Within the field of IVD research, IHC is commonly used on fresh frozen and paraffin embedded tissues to elucidate the expression of antigens. Here, we discuss the principles of IHC applied to formalin fixed paraffin embedded IVD tissue and supply optimized protocols for antibodies used within our group to guide research within the IVD field.
Mud‐associated organic matter and its direct and indirect role in marsh organic matter accumulation and vertical accretion
Authors: Mariotti G. , Elsey‐Quirk T. , Bruno G. , Valentine K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn situ plant production is often assumed to be the major contributor to organic matter (OM) accumulation and vertical accretion in tidal marshes. Here, we evaluate the contribution of mud‐associated OM in salt and brackish marshes in Louisiana. Based on 14 soil cores, the OM content of the mud fraction—i.e., any material smaller than 64 μm—was 17% ± 7% for the salt marshes and 28% ± 14% for the brackish marshes. This remains nearly uniform over the top 35 cm depth, suggesting that this material is deposited contemporaneously with the mud. The dry bulk density of the mud (300–450 kg m−3) is also much lower than what was estimated using a previously proposed two‐constituent mixing model (1990 kg m−3). To reconcile this discrepancy, we developed a modified mixing model that includes mud OM and differentiates sand as a separate constituent with its high dry bulk density. The model estimates that mud contributes to ~ 60% of the total marsh vertical accretion in Louisiana, considerably higher than the ~ 14% estimated with the two‐constituent mixing model. The result, which is a direct consequence of the relatively high porosity of mud, highlights that mud deposition is crucial for the accretion of microtidal marshes. Further, the model estimates that the mud OM constitutes ~ 60% of the total soil OM, emphasizing that in situ plant production is not the only—and, in minerogenic marshes, not the major—contributor to OM accumulation.
Dietary Fiber from Oat and Rye Brans Ameliorate Western Diet–Induced Body Weight Gain and Hepatic Inflammation by the Modulation of Short‐Chain Fatty Acids, Bile Acids, and Tryptophan Metabolism
Authors: Kundi Zuzanna Maria , Lee Jetty Chung‐Yung , Pihlajamäki Jussi , Chan Chi Bun , Leung Kin Sum , So Stephanie Sik Yu , Nordlund Emilia , Kolehmainen Marjukka , El‐Nezami Hani 
Published: June 2020

ScopeDietary fiber (DF) induces changes in gut microbiota function and thus modulates the gut environment. How this modulation is associated with metabolic pathways related to the gut is largely unclear. This study aims to investigate differences in metabolites produced by the gut microbiota and their interactions with host metabolism in response to supplementation with two bran fibers.Methods and ResultsMale C57BL/6N mice are fed a western diet (WD) for 17 weeks. Two groups of mice received a diet enriched with 10% w/w of either oat or rye bran, with each bran containing 50% DF. Microbial metabolites are assessed by measuring cecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), ileal and fecal bile acids (BAs), and the expression of genes related to tryptophan (TRP) metabolism. Both brans lowered body weight gain and ameliorated WD‐induced impaired glucose responses, hepatic inflammation, liver enzymes, and gut integrity markers associated with SCFA production, altered BA metabolism, and TRP diversion from the serotonin synthesis pathway to microbial indole production.ConclusionsBoth brans develop a favorable environment in the gut by altering the composition of microbes and modulating produced metabolites. Changes induced in the gut environment by a fiber‐enriched diet may explain the amelioration of metabolic disturbances related to WD.
University student views of local versus global environmental issues
Authors: Mahler Robert L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis purpose of this study was to (a) understand how students view similar issues from a local vs. a global perspective, and (b) to document how a science‐based class can change opinion about environmental issues. A total of 8,523 students provided opinions to three paired statements about deforestation, over‐population, and pollution at the beginning (Week 1) and end (Week 15) of the course. The first portion of each paired question dealt with the issue from a global perspective, and the second portion of each paired question dealt with the same or similar issue from a local perspective. Students believed that tropical forests (global issue) should be protected regardless of costs; however, a majority of these same students did not support the protection of old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest (local issue). More than 70% of students agreed that over‐population is one of the world's most pressing environmental issues (global issue), but it was a less important local issue. Greater than three‐quarters of students agreed that, on a worldwide basis, pollution has become worse in the last 25 years (global issue), but it was not an important local issue. Student opinion shift was measured by comparing student opinion at the first and last week of the semester. Student opinion significantly changed for all of the six survey statements. By the end of the class, student opinions were more aligned with the science associated with each issue.
Finite element theory on curved domains with applications to discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods
Authors: Kawecki Ellya L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this paper we provide key estimates used in the stability and error analysis of discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods (DGFEMs) on domains with curved boundaries. In particular, we review trace estimates, inverse estimates, discrete Poincaré–Friedrichs' inequalities, and optimal interpolation estimates in noninteger Hilbert–Sobolev norms, that are well known in the case of polytopal domains. We also prove curvature bounds for curved simplices, which does not seem to be present in the existing literature, even in the polytopal setting, since polytopal domains have piecewise zero curvature. We demonstrate the value of these estimates, by analyzing the IPDG method for the Poisson problem, introduced by Douglas and Dupont, and by analyzing a variant of the hp‐DGFEM for the biharmonic problem introduced by Mozolevski and Süli. In both cases we prove stability estimates and optimal a priori error estimates. Numerical results are provided, validating the proven error estimates.
Differences in entheseal changes in the phalanges between ecotypes of Fennoscandian reindeer
Authors: Hull Emily , Niinimäki Sirpa , Salmi Anna‐Kaisa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe identification and life histories of the different subspecies and ecotypes ofRangifer tarandus(reindeer) in Fennoscandia are of great interest to zooarchaeologists, as this species is a keystone animal of the North. The barrengroundRangifer tarandus tarandushas historically had closer bonds with humans as a herded and domestic animal. By contrast, the borealRangifer tarandus fennicushas been a prey animal with a more fraught relationship with humans. Identifying which of these ecotypes were present and interacting with humans at different points in history provides information not only of human economies and subsistence strategies but also of the life histories and behavioural patterns of the reindeer themselves. This study uses scoring of entheseal changes on the phalanges of these animals to investigate different mobility, foraging and limb‐use patterns between ecotypes. Our studies found both interesting differences in hoof use patterns betweenR.t. tarandusandR.t. fennicus, which show that these ecotypes are both using their hooves differently, but in different patterns of forelimb versus hindlimb use.
Efficient targeted mutagenesis in allotetraploid sweet basil by CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Navet Natasha , Tian Miaoying 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an economically important herb and its global production is threatened by basil downy mildew caused by the obligate biotrophic oomycete Peronospora belbahrii. Effective tools are required for functional understanding of its genes involved in synthesis of valuable secondary metabolites in essential oil and disease resistance, and breeding for varieties with improved traits. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 gene editing technology has revolutionized crop breeding and functional genomics. The applicability and efficacy of this genomic tool in the allotetraploid sweet basil were tested by editing a potential susceptibility (S) gene ObDMR1, the basil homolog of Arabidopsis DMR1 (Downy Mildew Resistant 1) whose mutations conferred nearly complete resistance against Arabidopsis downy mildew pathogen, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Two single guide RNAs targeting two different sites of the ObDMR1 coding sequence were designed. A total of 56 transgenic lines were obtained via Agrobacterium‐mediated stable transformation. Mutational analysis of 54 T0 transgenic lines identified 92.6% lines carrying mutations at target 1 site, while a very low mutation frequency was detected at target 2 site. Deep sequencing of six T0 lines revealed various mutations at target 1 site, with a complete knockout of all alleles in one line. ObDMR1 homozygous mutant plants with some being transgene free were identified from T1 segregating populations. T2 homozygous mutant plants with 1‐bp frameshift mutations exhibited a dwarf phenotype at young seedling stage. In summary, this study established a highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing system for targeted mutagenesis in sweet basil. This system has the capacity to generate complete knockout mutants in this allotetraploid species at the first generation of transgenic plants and transgene‐free homozygous mutants in the second generation. The establishment of this system is expected to accelerate basil functional genomics and breeding.
Assessment of climate models in relation to the low‐level clouds over the southern Indian Ocean
Authors: Roy Kumar , Mukhopadhyay P. , Krishna R. P. M. , Ganai Malay , Mahakur M. , Rao T. N. , Nair Anish Kumar M. , Ramakrishna S. S. V. S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAgainst the backdrop of limited fidelity of climate models in capturing low‐level cloud variability, the representation of the southern Indian Ocean (SIO) marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds and their transition from low to deep cloud have been investigated in this study. A historical run of 26 models, that featured in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)'s Climate Forecast System version 2.0 (CFSv2) models have been analysed along with different observational and reanalysis products. Observations clearly show the prominent occurrence of MBL low‐level clouds over the SIO in a 30–10°S latitudinal and 80–100°E longitudinal belt. Furthermore, there is a gradual transition from low to deep cloud towards the north of the Equator. The results reveal that the CMIP5 models were hardly able to capture the MBL low‐level clouds due to inaccurate temperature inversion and lower‐tropospheric stability (LTS) simulations. As compared to observations, the CMIP5 models show limited fidelity in capturing the transition from low to deep cloud at the north of the Equator. In this study, evaluation of one version of the CFS in which the convective parameterization is changed to the revised simplified Arakawa–Schubert (RSAS) scheme is carried out. In another CFS version (CFSR) with a more physically based cloud scheme (WRF Single‐Moment 6‐Class microphysics scheme; WSM6), comparisons are made with the default CFSv2 (CTRL) and RSAS. Only very few models, such as the MPI‐ESM‐LR, MRI, HadGEM, and NorESM models from among the 26 CMIP5 suites, and CFSCR from among the CFS suites, showed some fidelity in capturing the low‐level clouds over the SIO. This highlights that significant improvement is needed in climate models to improve the representation of the MBL over the SIO.
Evidence-Based Policy Development: National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN)
Authors: Onyeneke Robert Ugochukwu , Nwajiuba Chinedum Uzoma , Tegler Brent , Nwajiuba Chinyere Augusta 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEvidence-based policies are recommended for the enhanced chances of efficacy in achieving policy goals. Achieving this in the policy development process may however require approaches that are not as simple especially in less developed countries, where the research-policy linkage is not commonly the case. This chapter provides a guide to a practical approach that could assist policy makers in similar societies based on the steps adopted in the development of the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change (NASPA-CCN) for Nigeria. The NASPA–CCN has been acknowledged as among the models of climate change policy development that other countries could aim for. It is therefore positioned to offer lessons on policy development in a less developed country environment. The focus in this chapter however is not so much on the subject of climate change but the practical experiences and lessons learnt from the process involved in developing the NASPA-CCN providing lessons learned to mainstream climate change research evidence into policy.
Special Kähler structures, cubic differentials and hyperbolic metrics
Authors: Haydys Andriy , Xu Bin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe obtain necessary conditions for the existence of special Kähler structures with isolated singularities on compact Riemann surfaces. We prove that these conditions are also sufficient in the case of the Riemann sphere and, moreover, we determine the whole moduli space of special Kähler structures with fixed singularities. The tool we develop for this aim is a correspondence between special Kähler structures and pairs consisting of a cubic differential and a hyperbolic metric.
Affect Recall Bias: Being Resilient by Distorting Reality
Authors: Colombo Desirée , Suso-Ribera Carlos , Fernández-Álvarez Javier , Cipresso Pietro , Garcia-Palacios Azucena , Riva Giuseppe , Botella Cristina 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
According to a growing body of literature, people are quite inaccurate in recalling past affective experiences. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying this recall bias (i.e., the tendency to overestimate and/or underestimate positive or negative past emotional experiences) remains unclear, and its association with mental health has not been studied yet.

Methods
We adopted a smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment to monitor daily affect (n = 92) and investigate the association between affect recall bias, mental health and resilience.

Results
While the tendency to overestimate negative affective experiences was observed in participants reporting mild depressive symptoms, positive affect (PA) overestimation as compared to PA underestimation was associated with better mental health (i.e. higher psychological well-being and lower depressive and anxiety symptoms) through the enhancement of resilience. Furthermore, positively biased participants (i.e. PA over estimators) benefited from greater well-being, even when compared to accurate individuals.

Conclusions
While people appear to use retrospective PA overestimation as a strategy to enhance well-being and resilience, they are not likely to underestimate past negative experiences to feel better. Accordingly, owning an optimistic vision of the past may represent an adaptive “distortion” of reality that fosters people’s mental health. The clinical implications of cultivating PA and learning strategies to regulate both negative and positive emotions are discussed.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of B-cell lymphoma 2 homology 3 mimetic gossypol combined with docetaxel and cisplatin for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with high expression of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1
Authors: Wang Yuxiao , Li Xuemei , Zhang Liang , Li Mengxia , Dai Nan , Luo Hao , Shan Jinlu , Yang Xueqin , Xu Mingfang , Feng Yan , Xu Chengxiong , Qian Chengyuan , Wang Dong 
Published: June 2020

SummaryBackground Overexpression of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is an important cause of poor chemotherapeutic efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Gossypol, a new inhibitor of APE1, in combination with docetaxel and cisplatin is believed to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC with high APE1 expression. Methods Sixty-two patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Thirty-one patients in the experimental group received 75 mg/m2 docetaxel and 75 mg/m2 cisplatin on day 1 with gossypol administered at 20 mg once daily on days 1 to 14 every 21 days. The control group received placebo with the same docetaxel and cisplatin regimen. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), response rate, and toxicity. Results There were no significant differences in PFS and OS between the experimental group and the control group. The median PFS (mPFS) in the experimental and control groups was 7.43 and 4.9 months, respectively (HR = 0.54; p = 0.06), and the median OS (mOS) was 18.37 and 14.7 months, respectively (HR = 0.68; p = 0.27). No significant differences in response rate and serious adverse events were found between the groups. Conclusion The experimental group had a better mPFS and mOS than did the control group, though no significant difference was observed. Because the regimen of gossypol combined with docetaxel and cisplatin was well tolerated, future studies with larger sample sizes should be performed.