bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TiO2 film on copper: Effects of the temperature and the intermediate layer of nickel on adhesion and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Laamari Meriem , Ben Youssef Adel , Bousselmi Latifa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on copper (Cu) substrate was performed by electrophoresis in an aqueous medium. The samples obtained were then calcined at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 550°C with a pitch of 50°C. After calcinations at 500°C and 550°C, the TiO2 film blackened and detached from the substrate. The XRD analyzes confirmed the formation of copper oxide at 350°C. The photocatalytic test carried out with amido black 10B (AB) under ultraviolet (UV) radiations showed that the percentage of discoloration decreases by increasing the calcination temperature. Moreover, the results obtained by the scratch test demonstrated that the samples exhibited poor adhesion. In order to improve the film adhesion and to avoid the formation of copper oxide, we introduced a nickel (Ni) layer. Afterward, the TiO2/Ni/Cu sample was calcined at 550°C, which allowed eliminating the forms of copper oxide, on the one hand, and improving the adhesion of the film, on the other hand. The rate of AB discoloration with TiO2/Ni/Cu sample was 25.54%, which is close to that of TiO2/Cu calcined at 450°C.
Predicting the different progressions of early pressure injury by ultraviolet photography in rat models
Authors: Xu Huiwen , Wang Yanwei , Takashi En , Kamijo Akio , Miura Daiji , Karasawa Kunie , Kitayama Akio , Lu Jian , Zhang Lan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractEarly pressure injury (PI) can result in either spontaneous healing (SH) or deterioration into ulcer (DU). However, determining whether PI will progress into SH or DU on the basis of non‐blanchable erythema only is difficult. In this study, we constructed two animal PI models to mimic SH and DU injuries and observed haemorrhage by using ultraviolet (UV) photography to develop potential clinical indicators for predicting the progression of early PI. Macroscopy, UV photography, and skin temperature observations were obtained. In the SH group, macroscopic observation showed the erythema was obvious at 0.5 hours after decompression and faded gradually had almost disappeared at 72 hours. In the DU group, the erythema persisted, and an erosion appeared at 24 hours after decompression and expanded at 36 hours. The erythema developed into an obvious ulcer at 48 hours and enlarged at 72 hours. The obvious ulcer found at 48 hours through macroscopic observation was clearly visible at 36 hours with UV photography, and a significant difference in grey values between the two groups was found at as early as 18 hours (P < .05). This study provided evidence showing that UV photography can predict the different progression stages of early PI. Additionally, when combined with the transparent disc method, UV photography also can be used to identify the circulatory disorders of early PI, such as haemorrhage or hyperaemia and even congestion.
Exploration of solvent casting for designing engineered microstructures for biomedical and functional applications
Authors: Gupta Surojit , Javaid Sabah , Dey Maharshi , Matzke Caleb , Eades Erica , Ji Yun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of composites of bioplastics (Poly‐lactic Acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkaonate (PHA), and PLA‐PHA blends) filled with dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) by using a solvent casting process. Detailed microstructural, thermal, and mechanical characterization is presented in the text. At low concentrations of HAP (5–10 vol%) and DDGS (5–31 vol%) additions, the bioplastic films had mechanical integrity, but the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) decreased after the addition of DDGS and HAP reinforcements due to poor adhesion between the bioplastics and fillers. In the intermediate concentration, pre‐pregnated chips of DDGS (31–51 vol%)‐bioplastics and HAP (30–50 vol%)‐bioplastics with dichloromethane (DCM) were partially dried and then hot‐pressed to produce bulk samples (HPC‐process). The addition of bioplastics improved the plasticity of DDGS‐bioplastics composites. The HAP‐bioplastics composites showed polymer dependent response, for example the ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of 50%HAP‐PLA, and 30%HAP‐PLA were 77.6 ± 10.2 and 97.7 ± 5.9 MPa, respectively which are comparable to bone. The DDGS additions increased the hydrophilicity of PLA, PHA, and PLA‐PHA blend. For comparison, HAP increased the hydrophilicity of PHA and PLA‐PHA blends. At higher concentration (bioplastics with 70 vol% HAP additions), the films converted into microencapsulated HAP particles with bioplastics by a simple milling process thus eliminating the need for emulsions and/or surfactants during the microencapsulation process.
Do directors have style? Board interlock and accounting properties
Authors: Karim Khondkar E. , Li Jiayan , Lin Karen Jingrong , Robin Ashok 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe use the setting of board interlock (i.e., firms sharing directors) to examine whether director style influences accounting properties. We find that board interlock is associated with greater similarity in accounting properties such as accounting conservatism and reporting timeliness. Building on this result, we find a stronger similarity when the board member creating the board interlock holds a key position or when a greater number of board members create the board interlock. This evidence provides construct validity to the result that directors influence accounting policy as reflected in accounting properties (i.e., accounting conservatism and reporting timeliness). As further evidence, we find that the convergence in accounting properties is attributable to the director‐destination firm and that the director‐source firms’ characteristics affect interlocking directors’ influence over the director‐destination firms. Overall, our evidence affirms that directors have style in the sense that their distinct influence or imprint is evident in data on accounting properties. Moreover, our study indicates an actual process through which individual directors put their stamp on accounting policy.
Changes in activity and content of messages of an Estonian Facebook group during transition to distance learning at the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Luik Piret , Lepp Marina 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus pandemic has affected education worldwide. Estonian schools moved to distance learning on March 16.ObjectivesThis paper outlines the stages of unexpected and temporary changes affecting different stakeholders based on activity and content of the messages in the Facebook group ‘Homeschooling with technology’. Also the applicability of the concerns‐based adoption model was explored to explain these changes.MethodsThe investigated timespan includes the week before the emergency situation and the weeks of the school term and school holidays during the emergency situation, with 52 days in total, divided into seven periods. The 872 messages were coded by two researchers and changes were examined.Results and ConclusionsFour stages were identified, from low exposure and involvement with the change to focusing on collaboration and skipping the consequence stage. Furthermore, the new changes in the educational system might focus people again on personal concerns.ImplicationsThe results help capture the changes in teaching and learning situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic in order to learn from these changes and be prepared for such situations in the future.
Exosomal transfer of miR‐106a‐5p contributes to cisplatin resistance and tumorigenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Li Jiaxing , Hu Chaoquan , Chao Hui , Zhang Yu , Li Yong , Hou Jing , Huang Limin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a subclass of cancers of the neck and head, is a predominant cause of cancer‐associated death worldwide. Hence, there is a critical need for research into NPC‐related treatment strategies. Cisplatin is a promising therapy option for NPCs and other cancers that is frequently utilized. Some patients acquire resistance to cisplatin therapy, which complicates the successful use of cisplatin treatment in NPCs. Although exosomal transfer of oncogenic miRNAs has been shown to improve recipient cell proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance, the molecular mechanism behind this effect on NPC has yet to be fully understood. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) from cisplatin‐resistant cells were identified as significant mediators of chemoresistance in NPC cells in this investigation. Initially, we found that exosomal miR‐106a‐5p levels in the serum of chemoresistant and last‐cycle patients were greater than in that of non‐resistant and first‐cycle patients. Also, exosomal miR‐106a‐5p enhanced the proliferative ability of NPC cells. Mechanistically, exosomal miR‐106a‐5p targets ARNT2, which further activates AKT phosphorylation, and thus promotes NPC cell proliferation, decreases apoptosis and in turn regulates tumorigenesis. We found similar results using in vivo NPC models, where exosomal miR‐106a‐5p through regulation of ARNT2 (aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2) promoted tumorigenesis. Taken together, these findings indicate that exosomal miR‐106a‐5p could be a promising diagnostic biomarker and drug target for patients with NPC.
Cytokine profile and cytoskeletal changes after herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in human trabecular meshwork cells
Authors: Choi Jin A. , Ju Hyun‐hee , Kim Ju‐Eun , Lee Jiyoung , Jee Donghyun , Park Chan Kee , Paik Soon‐young 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUveitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐1 is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the presence of anterior chamber inflammation. Despite their clinical significance, the pathogenic changes associated with HSV‐1 infection in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, the key cell type regulating IOP, have not been completely elucidated. In this study, cytokine array analyses showed a significant stepwise increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 expression upon HSV‐1 infection in TM cells (p < 0.05). HSV‐1 infection led to downregulation of fibrogenic molecules (fibronectin, α‐smooth muscle actin, connective tissue growth factor and TGF‐β1). Notably, HSV‐1 infection caused a significant increase in actin stress fibres, with a twofold increase in active RhoA, which was enhanced by treatment with TGF‐β1 and inhibited by treatment with the Rho‐kinase inhibitor, Y‐27632. TM cells treated with MCP‐1 exhibited a dose‐dependent increase in actin stress fibres compared to untreated TM cells. Our study suggests that HSV‐1 infection in TM cells increases cell contractile activity rather than fibrotic changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Taken together, these observations demonstrate the enhanced expression of MCP‐1 and TM cell contractile activity upon HSV‐1 infection and events with potential implications for the pathobiology of abrupt IOP elevation in HSV‐1 anterior uveitis.
Freeze–thawing damage evaluation of vegetables with two cutting orientations
Authors: Silva Laurita , Ramirez Karla , Gavidia Francisco , Miano Alberto Claudio 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTThis work aimed to evaluate how cut orientation of squash, eggplant, and turnip affects the damage of tissues due to freeze/thawing process. For that, cylinders of 2 cm diameter and 0.5 cm height were cut in two orientations according to vascular tissues: longitudinal and transversal. Then, they were frozen at −20°C for 53 hr and thawed at 6.1°C for 12 hr. After that, two indirect methods to measure tissue damage were analyzed: by electrical conductivity of drip loss and by mass transfer during drying of samples before and after freeze/thawing process. As results, cut orientation showed significant effect on eggplant damage, finding approximately 143% more drip loss using transversal cut, than longitudinal cut. Regarding, turnip and squash, they did not show damage differences by freeze/thawing process using different cut orientations. In addition, measuring drip loss electrical conductivity demonstrated to be a more suitable method to assess freeze damage than mass transfer evaluation. This work concludes that cut orientation is an approach that cannot be ignored during freeze/thawing processes evaluation.Practical ApplicationsThis work demonstrated that the orientation how vegetables are cut can affect the freeze–thawing process. This simple consideration should be considered to avoid obtaining low quality vegetables after thawed them. Despite this could not be observed during industrial process, consumers, who are not used to apply controlled conditions, can note food damages after product thawing.
Synaptophysin‐dependent synaptobrevin‐2 trafficking at the presynapse‐Mechanism and function
Authors: Cousin Michael A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSynaptobrevin‐2 (Syb2) is a soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) that is essential for neurotransmitter release. It is the most numerous protein on a synaptic vesicle (SV) and drives SV fusion via interactions with its cognate SNARE partners on the presynaptic plasma membrane. Synaptophysin (Syp) is the second most abundant protein on SVs; however, in contrast to Syb2, it has no obligatory role in neurotransmission. Syp interacts with Syb2 on SVs, and the molecular nature of its interaction with Syb2 and its physiological role has been debated for decades. However, recent studies have revealed that the sole physiological role of Syp at the presynapse is to ensure the efficient retrieval of Syb2 during SV endocytosis. In this review, current theories surrounding the role of Syp in Syb2 trafficking will be discussed, in addition to the debate regarding the molecular nature of their interaction. A unifying model is presented that describes how Syp controls Syb2 function as part of an integrated mechanism involving key molecular players such as intersectin‐1 and AP180/CALM. Finally, key future questions surrounding the role of Syp‐dependent Syb2 trafficking will be posed, with respect to brain function in health and disease.
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‘From Expert to Novice’, Perceptions of General Ward Nurses on Deployment to Outbreak Intensive Care Units during the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Tang Charmaine Jinxiu , Lin Yongxing Patrick , Chan Ee‐Yuee 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAims and objectivesThis study aimed to explore the perceived preparedness and psychosocial well‐being of general ward nurses prior to their deployment into the outbreak intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.BackgroundWith the surge in COVID‐19 cases requiring ICU care, non‐ICU nurses maybe deployed into the ICUs. Having experienced through SARS, hospitals in Singapore instituted upskilling programs to secure general ward nurses’ competency in providing critical care nursing. However, no studies have explored the perceptions of general ward nurses on deployment into the ICUs during the COVID‐19 pandemic.DesignQualitative descriptive study.MethodsThe study was conducted at Singapore’s epicentre of COVID‐19 management. Five focus groups were conducted following purposive sampling of 30 general ward nurses identified for outbreak ICU deployment. Focus groups were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and data thematically analysed. This study was conducted and reported in accordance with the COREQ checklist.ResultsThree salient themes arose, exemplifying the transition from clinical experts in the general wards to practising novices in the outbreak ICUs. Firstly, ‘Into the deep end of the pool’ described general ward nurses’ feelings of anxiety and stress associated with higher exposure risk and expanded responsibilities to nurse critically ill patients. Secondly, ‘Preparing for “war”’ illustrated deployed nurses’ need for clear communication and essential critical care nursing training. Lastly, ‘Call of duty’ affirmed the nurses’ personal and professional commitment to embrace this transition into the ICUs, and their desire for greater psychosocial support.ConclusionThe study findings highlight that though general ward nurses perceived their impending ICU deployment positively, they require ongoing support to facilitate a smoother transition.Relevance to clinical practiceFindings provided an evidence base to improve the preparedness of general ward nurses deployed into the ICUs during the COVID‐19 pandemic within key areas of training, information dissemination and psychosocial resilience.
Use of electronic health records to manage tobacco screening and treatment in rural primary care
Authors: Talbot Jean A. , Ziller Erika C. , Milkowski Carly M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPurposeElectronic health records (EHRs) can facilitate primary care providers’ (PCPs) use of best practices in addressing tobacco dependence. It is unknown whether rural PCPs reap the same benefits as their urban counterparts when employing EHRs for this purpose. Our study examines this issue.MethodsThis cross‐sectional investigation based on the 2012–2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey used chi‐square tests and adjusted logistic regression models to explore how rurality and use of tobacco‐related EHR functions were related to smoking status documentation (SSD) and cessation treatment at adult primary care visits.FindingsSSD rates were similar in visits to rural‐ and urban‐based PCPs (88.2% rural‐based vs 81.1% urban‐based, P = .5819). Use of EHRs for SSD was associated with higher SSD odds at visits to both rural‐ and urban‐based PCPs, but this increase was greater for visits to rural‐based PCPs (428% vs 220% urban‐based, P = .0443). Rates of cessation treatment at smokers’ visits were low in rural and urban contexts (19.3% rural vs 19.6% urban, P = .9430). Odds of cessation treatment were 68% higher where EHRs were used to remind PCPs of treatment guidelines (P = .001), with no rural‐urban difference in the size of the increase. Access to EHRs with tobacco‐related functions was similar across rural and urban practices.ConclusionsRural‐based PCPs were at least as successful as urban‐based PCPs in leveraging EHRs to enhance tobacco‐related services. Even where EHRs are used, opportunities exist to expand cessation treatment in rural primary care.
Barriers and facilitators associated with establishment of emergency department‐initiated buprenorphine for opioid use disorder in rural Maine
Authors: Rosenberg Noah K. , Hill Alexander B. , Johnsky Lily , Wiegn David , Merchant Roland C. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPurposeThe opioid epidemic in the United States continues to grow, particularly impacting rural communities served by critical access hospitals (CAHs) in Maine. Buprenorphine is an effective medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) that can be successfully initiated in the emergency department (ED). However, many EDs have not implemented programs to initiate buprenorphine. This study sought to identify barriers and facilitators to successful implementation of buprenorphine programs inCAH EDs.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with ED directors of Maine CAHs regarding barriers and facilitators to developing programs for ED‐initiated buprenorphine. Seventeen Maine CAH EDs exist and 11 of their directors agreed to participate and completed interviews, which were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic approach.ResultsFour themes and 11 subthemes were identified, including (1) compelled to act—directors’ personal experiences with patients facilitated the development of buprenorphine programs in their EDs; (2) leadership and mentorship—peer mentorship from other CAH ED directors facilitated, and senior hospital administrators facilitated, or created a barrier in some cases; (3) stigma—fear that EDs would be overcrowded by drug‐seeking patients was a common barrier; and (4) follow‐up—finding appropriate outpatient follow‐up for OUD patients created the greatest logistical barrier.DiscussionED directors’ clinical experience with OUD patients, supportive hospital leadership, and peer mentorship facilitated ED‐initiated buprenorphine programs in rural Maine CAH EDs. Overcoming stigma, developing community outreach, and appropriate follow‐up were the greatest barriers. Future research should focus on enhancing peer mentorship, administrative support, community outreach, and staff education.
Solitary osseous plasmacytomas in dogs: 13 cases (2004–2019)
Authors: Reising A. J. , Donnelly L. L. , Flesner B. K. , Maitz C. A. , Bryan J. N. 
Published: September 2021

ObjectivesTo further characterise solitary osseous plasmacytoma in dogs, an extremely rare disease. To describe diagnosis, disease progression and treatment outcomes in dogs with solitary osseous plasmacytoma.Materials and MethodsRetrospective review of dogs with solitary osseous plasmacytomas that were diagnosed and treated at a single institution from 2005 to 2019. Kaplan–Meier single group survival analysis was used to estimate median survival time and progression‐free interval.ResultsThirteen dogs met the inclusion criteria for the study, and of those, 11 were treated. The median age at diagnosis was 8 years (range 4 to 11). Most solitary osseous plasmacytomas occurred in the vertebrae (n=8). Other sites included the maxilla (n=2), the mandible (n=1), the tibia (n=1) and the carpus (n=1). The median survival time for all dogs with solitary osseous plasmacytoma was 912 days (range 5 to 2179), and the progression‐free interval for treated dogs was 310 days (range 22 to 2179). Most dogs were treated with radiation therapy (n=10) with nine of 10 receiving a definitive, daily fractionated protocol and with five of ten having had neoadjuvant surgery. Seven dogs received chemotherapy, which was initiated after progressive disease in five dogs. The median survival time for dogs that completed radiation therapy (n=9) was 1166 days (range 545 to 2179). While five dogs developed lesions at other sites, no dogs progressed to multiple myeloma.Clinical SignificanceCanine solitary osseous plasmacytomas can be managed long term with appropriate local therapy. This observation reflects the biologic behaviour observed in humans.