bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The urethra in continence and sensation: Neural aspects of urethral function
Authors: Ferreira Ana , Duarte Cruz Célia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsTraditionally, the urethra has been considered a mere conduit to guide urine from the bladder to the external side of the body. Building evidence indicates that the urethra may directly influence bladder function via mechanisms restricted to the lower urinary tract (LUT).MethodsHere, we discuss the tissue arrangement of the urethra and addressed the contribution of new paraneuronal cells to LUT function. We also briefly reviewed two frequent LUT pathologies associated with urethral dysfunction.ResultsContinence depends on an intact and functional urethral sphincter, composed of smooth, and striated muscle fibers and regulated by somatic and autonomic fibers. Recent studies suggest the existence of an urethro‐vesical reflex that also contributes to normal LUT function. Indeed, the urethral lumen is lined by a specialized epithelium, the urothelium, in the proximal urethra. In this region, recent evidence demonstrates the presence of specific paraneuronal cells, expressing the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin. These cells are in close proximity of nerve fibers coursing in the lamina propria and are able to release neurotransmitters and rapidly induce detrusor contractions, supporting the existence of an urethro‐vesical crosstalk.ConclusionThe mechanism underlying the fast communication between the urethra and thebladder are beginning to be understood and should involve the interaction between specificepithelial cells and fibres innervating the urethral wall. It is likely that this reflex should bealtered in pathological conditions, becoming an attractive therapeutic target.
Capital structure determinants for arts nonprofits
Authors: Charles Cleopatra , Sloan Margaret F. , Butler John S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNonprofit leaders use various strategies when making financial decisions and balancing current mission fulfillment with long‐term financial stability is a delicate act for nonprofit organizations. From a financial management perspective, nonprofit managers and executives looking to sustain a healthy organization must successfully manage the tension between pursuing the mission and preserving organizational and financial viability. This study explores potential factors that influence nonprofit arts organizations' decisions to issue financial debt and determine whether these organizations balance financial obligations by exercising pecking order or static trade‐off decisions. We use the DataArts database and investigate whether donor‐restricted endowments have an impact on financial debt of arts nonprofit organizations. Model estimates show that organizations with a donor‐restricted endowment are less likely to issue debt and have lower debt ratios on average. This study finds support for both pecking order theory and static trade‐off theory, which indicates that there is no one‐dominant capital structure theory to explain the capital structure of arts nonprofits.
Nursing physical workload and mental workload in intensive care units: Are they related?
Authors: Nasirizad Moghadam Kolsoom , Chehrzad Minoo Mitra , Reza Masouleh Shademan , Maleki Maryam , Mardani Abbas , Atharyan Shahaboddin , Harding Celia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimIn order to ensure patient safety and quality of care, it is important to consider factors which may impact on nursing workloads. This study aimed to investigate the simultaneous physical and mental workload and any relationships between these concepts on nurses working in intensive care units.DesignA cross‐sectional design was undertaken.MethodParticipants were nurses (N = 105) recruited from six adult intensive care units which met the inclusion criteria. Nursing Activities Score (NAS) to measure physical workload and NASA Task Load Index (NASA‐TLX) to measure mental workload were used. Data were collected for each participating nurse in three shifts (morning, evening and night). Data were analysed using bivariate correlation and multivariable linear regression analysis.ResultsThe mean (SD) of nurses' physical and mental workload was 72.84% (22.07%) and 70.21 (12.36), respectively. A significant relationship between physical and mental workload (p <.001) was identified.
Prioritized multi‐objective model predictive control without terminal constraints and its applications to nonlinear processes
Authors: He Defeng , Zhang Yongda , Yu Shiming 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMany process control problems encapsulate multiple and often conflicting objective criteria spanning different levels of relative importance. In this paper, we consider a class of multi‐objective receding horizon optimal control problems and propose a novel multi‐objective model predictive control (MO‐MPC) scheme for nonlinear systems subject to constraints and several prioritized (economic) criteria. Combining the lexicographic optimization and the receding horizon principle, a prioritized MO‐MPC scheme without terminal constraints is presented to solve economically optimal control problems of the constrained nonlinear system. The results on recursive feasibility and stability of the MO‐MPC are established in the context of economy optimization and no terminal constraints. Particularly, for the systems without state constraints, the computational burden of the MO‐MPC is reduced due to the removal of terminal constraints. Using an intuitive optimizaiton, the feasible set of initial states is offline estimated to move out the initial feasibility condition. The proposed MO‐MPC strategy is verified by the multiple control problems of a coupled‐tank system and a six‐order fluidized bed combustion process.
Fabrication of Porous Polyimide Membrane with Through‐Hole via Multiple Solvent Displacement Method
Authors: Hirai Sho , Phanthong Patchiya , Wakabayashi Tsubasa , Yao Shigeru 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPorous polyimide (PI) membranes are widely used in separation processes because of their excellent thermal and mechanical properties. However, the applications of porous PI membranes are limited in the nanofiltration range. In this study, porous PI membranes with through‐holes have been successfully fabricated by the novel multiple solvent displacement method. This new method requires only a porous polyamic acid (PAA) membrane, which was prepared by immersing PAA film in N‐methylpyrrolidoneebk; (NMP) prior to immersing it in a mixed solvent consisting of NMP and a poor solvent, followed by immersion only in poor solvent. The pore size, morphology, porosity, and air permeability demonstrated that the fabricated PI membranes had a uniformly porous structure with through‐holes over their surface. This new method enabled control of pore size (3–11 μm) by selecting a suitable poor solvent. This multiple solvent displacement method is highly versatile and promising for the fabrication of porous PI membranes.
Oxygen Evolution and Reduction Reaction Activity Investigations on Fe, Co or Ni embedded Tetragonal Graphene by A Thermodynamical Full‐Landscape Searching Scheme
Authors: Gai Yanqin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSingle transition metal (TM) atoms such as Fe, Co and Ni occupying a carbon divacancy in tetragonal graphene (TG) and bonded with four nitrogen atoms (TM@N4TG) as electrocatalysts are investigated by means of first‐principles calculations. To consider the effect of solvent species on the local configuration of the active single metal, a thermodynamical full‐landscape searching (TFLS) scheme is employed. The calculated thermodynamic overpotentials (ηtd) from our TFLS indicate that Co@N4TG displays high catalytic activity toward both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and reduction reaction (ORR), with ηtdOER and ηtdORR as 0.397 and 0.357 V, respectively. Its OER potential cannot be captured if only one four electron reaction loop (FERL) is considered. The actual active pathways do not always turn out to be the reactions starting from the bare site. Our findings demonstrate that TG is a promising support and TM confined TD can be used to design effective and cheap multifunctional electrocatalysts.
Preparation, structure, and performance of poly(lactic acid)/vermiculite‐poly(lactic acid)‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex nanocomposites
Authors: Li Hao , Li Ke , Zhen Weijun , Luo Dawei , Zhao Ling 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) inclusion complexes (PLA‐ICs) were synthesized by ultrasonic coprecipitation with β‐CD and PLA. Furthermore, vermiculite‐PLA‐ICs (VMT‐PLA‐ICs) were synthesized with VMT and PLA‐ICs by a coupling method. Orthogonal experimental analysis exhibited that the optimum preparation conditions of VMT‐PLA‐ICs were as follows: reaction temperature of 60°C, reaction time of 3 h, dosage of coupling agent of 2 wt%, and a mass ratio of VMT and PLA‐ICs of 1:6. PLA/VMT‐PLA‐ICs nanocomposites were prepared with PLA and VMT‐PLA‐ICs by melt blending. Compared with pure PLA, the tensile strength, impact strength, and elongation at break of PLA/VMT‐PLA‐ICs (0.3 wt%) nanocomposites were increased by 8.67%, 54.90%, and 25.67%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetric curves showed that the addition of VMT‐PLA‐ICs (0.3 wt%) increased the crystallinity of PLA to 34.46% compared with the crystallinity of pure PLA (4.67%). Due to the addition of VMT‐PLA‐ICs, the creep resistance and dimensional stability of PLA/VMT‐PLA‐ICs nanocomposites were improved, and the creep recovery deformation of PLA4 reached from 4.66% to 10.31%.
In vivo anti‐inflammatory activity of Fabaceae species extracts screened by a new ex vivo assay using human whole blood
Authors: Rosa Welton , da Silva Domingos Olívia , de Oliveira Salem Paula Pio , Caldas Ivo Santana , Murgu Michael , Lago João Henrique Ghilardi , Sartorelli Patricia , Dias Danielle Ferreira , Chagas‐Paula Daniela Aparecida , Soares Marisi Gomes 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionPlants have been considered a promising source for discovering new compounds with pharmacological activities. The Fabaceae family comprises a large variety of species that produce substances with diverse therapeutic potential, including anti‐inflammatory activity. The limitations of current anti‐inflammatories generate the need to research new anti‐inflammatory structures with higher efficacy as well as develop methods for screening multiple samples, reliably and ethically, to assess such therapeutic properties.ObjectiveValidate and apply a quantification method for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production from an ex vivo assay in human blood in order to screen anti‐inflammatory activity present in many Fabaceae species extracts.MethodsHuman blood was incubated with extracts from 47 Fabaceae species. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation, PGE2 was quantified in the plasma by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The extracts that presented PGE2 production inhibition were further assessed through in vivo assay and then chemically characterised through an analysis of ultra‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS2) data.ResultsThe new ex vivo anti‐inflammatory assay showed that five out of the 47 Fabaceae species inhibited PGE2 production. Results from an in vivo assay and the metabolic profile of the active extracts supported the anti‐inflammatory potential of four species.ConclusionThe quantification method for PGE2 demonstrated fast, sensitive, precise, and accurate results. The new ex vivo anti‐inflammatory assay comprised a great, reliable, and ethical approach for the screening of a large number of samples before an in vivo bioassay. Additionally, the four active extracts in both ex vivo and in vivo assays may be useful for the development of more efficient anti‐inflammatory drugs.
Effects of corona treatment on surface properties of co‐extruded transparent polyethylene film
Authors: Das Bidhan , Chakrabarty Debabrata , Guha Chandan , Bose Saswata 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCurrent study encompasses that the effect of corona treatment on the outer surface of transparent co‐extruded polyethylene films was at various levels by applying different wattages, in tandem with the blown film extrusion process. A maximum treatment of 42 dynes/cm was achieved at 4.5 KW of applied wattage. The heat seal joint strength of the films sealed at different combinations of treated/untreated surfaces was evaluated and an untreated/untreated surface combination was found to exhibit maximum strength (2.8 kgf/25 mm), while a treated/treated surface combination showed the minimum (1.41 kgf/25 mm) under identical conditions of sealing and testing. The peel adhesion to ascertain the treatment level on the treated surfaces was inspected by a standard Scotch tape method, and the results exhibited a linear relationship between the applied wattage and the pulling force of adhesion. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of the treated and untreated film samples in an attenuated total reflection (ATR) mode showed the peaks' characteristics mostly of polyolefin films. The morphologies of the treated surfaces displayed relatively rough surface compared to the untreated one. The barrier properties of the treated films in respect of water vapor and oxygen transmission rate do not undergo any appreciable change.
Registration of ‘Adams’ black bean
Authors: Kelly James D. , Awale Halima E. , Wiersma Andrew T. , Wright Evan M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract‘Adams’ black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (Reg. no. CV‐338, PI 695268), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, was released in 2020 as a high‐yielding, upright, full‐season cultivar with anthracnose resistance and acceptable canning quality. Adams was developed using the pedigree breeding method to the F4 generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 2 yr of field trials at 27 locations, Adams yielded 3,501 kg ha−1, flowered in 45 d, and matured in 96 d on average. Plants averaged 51 cm in height, with a lodging resistance score of 1.3 and seed weight of 20.9 g per 100 seed. Adams has resistance to lodging, with high pod placement within the plant structure, making it suitable for direct harvest under narrow‐row production systems. The upright architecture also contributes to avoidance of white mold. Adams is resistant to races 73 and 109 of anthracnose present in Michigan and produces a top necrosis reaction to strain NL 3 of Bean common mosaic necrosis virus. Adams produces seed that meets industry standards for export and packaging and was rated acceptable in canned bean color in the black bean seed class. The name Adams was chosen to honor Professor M. Wayne Adams, former bean breeder, for his significant contributions in archetype breeding and establishing the black bean breeding program at Michigan State University.
The use of titanium dioxide particles embedded in anionic hydrogel composite for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue
Authors: Ari Betul , Sengel Sultan B. , Sahiner Nurettin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPoly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid) (p(AMPS)) anionic hydrogels with 1, 5 and 10 wt% TiO2 particles were prepared by a simultaneous free radical polymerization and crosslinking reaction. The hydrogel composites were tested as photo‐catalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water. Since MB dye is positively charged, MB should be readily absorbed by the anionic p(AMPS) hydrogel and then degraded by the entrapped TiO2 nanoparticle photocatalysts within the p(AMPS) matrix. Photocatalytic degradation of MB was promoted using a UV lamp (300 W) to activate TiO2 particles and was monitored by UV–Vis spectrometer. Interestingly, the activation energy of 20.58 kJ.mol−1 was found to be one of the lowest reported in the literature. The reusability and regeneration efficiency studies of the composite catalyst showed that the p(AMPS)‐TiO2 composite catalyst possessed 90% activity even after five repetitive use and maintained above 85% activity even after the second regeneration. Using different organic scavengers such as ascorbic acid, dimethylsulfoxide and methanol, it was determined that the main reactive species in the photodegradation of MB dye are electrons and superoxide ions. p(AMPS)‐TiO2 composite hydrogel has potential to be used as a good photocatalyst in degradation of toxic dyes and some organic pollutants.
Novel chalcone derivatives with large conjugation structures as photosensitizers for versatile photopolymerization
Authors: Chen Shixiong , Qin Chen , Jin Ming , Pan Haiyan , Wan Decheng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFour chalcones with large conjugation structures were designed and synthesized. Strong light absorption within the UV–vis range (λmax = 380–410 nm, εmax = 10,200–33,600 M−1 cm−1) matched the emission of light‐emitting diodes within 385–450 nm. Compared with that of phenyl ring‐containing chalcone, the bathochromic shift of the four chalcones was due to the enlarged conjugation structure and the intramolecular charge transfer effect. The reactive species produced from two‐ or three‐component photoinitiating systems (PISs) based on chalcone‐containing triphenyl amine and N‐ethyl carbazole combined with an iodonium salt or/and an amine were highly efficient for versatile photopolymerizations (i.e., radical, cationic, blending, and thiol‐ene polymerizations) upon soft exposure conditions (385–425 nm LEDs). UV–vis spectra, theoretical calculation, electrochemistry, real‐time nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and fluorescence quenching were investigated to determine the photochemical mechanism. Chalcone photoisomerization, which mainly occurred in anthracene‐containing chalcone, weakened the initiation ability of the PISs. These chalcones have promising applications in photopolymerization.
Synthesis and performance of flexible epoxy resin with long alkyl side chains via click reaction
Authors: Dai Xueyan , Li Peihong , Sui Yanlong , Zhang Chunling 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEpoxy resin is a thermosetting polymer with excellent performance and wide application. However, it suffers from low toughness and high brittleness because of its high crosslink density. To overcome these disadvantages, this study synthesizes a toughened, flexible, and hydrophobic epoxy resin (DGEBDBP) by introducing a flexible segment into the polymer network via a thiol‐ene click reaction. The cured flexible epoxy resin is obtained by mixing E44, DGEBDBP, and polyamide curing agents of varying contents. The long alkyl side chains significantly improve the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of the cured epoxy resin. The sample containing 75% DGEBDBP and 25% E44 achieve the highest breaking elongation that was nine times that of pure E44, the highest compressive strength of 112.8 MPa, and the highest contact angle of 101.4°. The introduction of side chains through the thiol‐ene click reaction can provide a simple and effective method for designing and preparing multifunctional epoxy resins.
CT‐guided liver beacon transponder implantation
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , He Xia , Guo Wenjie , Sun Li , Guo Chang , Feng Yong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the method of CT‐guided beacon transponder implantation and precautions after implantation for liver malignant tumor.MethodsCT‐guided beacon transponder implantation in three patients with liver malignancies was the first time in China. The operations were performed using Siemens's 16‐row large‐aperture spiral CT and 17‐G guide needles were using for percutaneous liver puncture.ResultsAll three operations were successfully completed. During the operations, the beacon transponders were successfully implanted at predetermined targets next to the lesion in the liver parenchyma, and there was no obvious bleeding, pain or discomfort. All patients underwent localized CT examination on the fifth day after operations. Only one beacon transponder moved slightly, the remaining eight beacon transponders did not move, and the CT images did not have obvious metal artifacts. After the completion of radiotherapy in three patients, the follow‐up CT examination showed no movement of the beacon transponders, and the liver lesions shrank well. However, 3.0 T MRI of the liver showed that the magnetic sensitive artifacts at beacon transponders were more obvious, which affected the observation of local liver tissue.ConclusionCT‐guided liver beacon transponder implantation is safe and feasible. Beacon transponders may move in the liver parenchyma within a short period of time after implantation. Therefore, localized CT examination is recommended to be performed 4 days after the implantation. CT scans after beacon transponder implantation have no obvious metal artifacts. So CT is recommended for follow‐up. However, magnetic resonance sensitive artifacts are more obvious when MRI is performed, which will affect the evaluation of local efficacy and detect new small lesions.
A shifting yet grounded transnational social field: Interplays of displacement and emplacement in African migrant trajectories across Central America
Authors: Drotbohm Heike , Winters Nanneke 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this article, we draw on the volatile complexity of African migrant trajectories in Central America to broaden the scope of transnational scholarship. These trajectories are characterised by mobilities as well as immobilities, taking shape in particular local contexts. By focusing on the interplays between displacement and emplacement that are part of these trajectories, we aim to increase our understanding of the extent to which migrants still ‘on the move’ experience both temporal embeddedness and cross‐border connectedness, thereby acknowledging and unravelling transnational lives as they ‘touch the ground’ en route. To do so, we build on long‐standing scholarly commitments in Central and South America and recent field research in Costa Rica. We go into selected empirical cases to discuss the dynamics of travelling, dwelling and travelling again as part of African migrant trajectories across Central America. We then explore the value of a ‘shifting’ transnational social field perspective and indicate some challenges for future trajectory research.
Modelling skilled and less‐skilled internal migrations in China, 2010–2015: Application of an eigenvector spatial filtering hurdle gravity approach
Authors: Gu Hengyu , Shen Tiyan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn consideration of the issue of network autocorrelation and zero‐inflated migration data, the study constructs an eigenvector spatial filtering (ESF) hurdle gravity model (ESF HGM) to examine the determinants of China's skilled and less‐skilled internal migrations between 2010 and 2015. In our case, the ESF technique effectively reduces network autocorrelation bias, while the hurdle approach enhances the model prediction on the probability of zeros. Results from the ESF HGM have illustrated significant differences in the determinants between skilled and less‐skilled migrations. It is found that the gravity factors (population sizes at origins and destinations; migration distance), regional industrial structure, unemployment rate, and education level are more related to the migration of less‐skilled people. However, the migration of skilled people is more affected by the wage disparity, natural comforts, and medical services of a region. Our results have also highlighted the differences in some factors (employment rate; education level at origins) between the probability of having migration and the migration volume.