bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Silver Nanoparticles Embedded Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite with Enhanced Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Degradation Activities
Authors: Naz Saira , Mansoor Qaisar , Nisar Amjad , Karim Shafqat , Khan Maaz , Ali Ghafar , Rahman Ataur , Ahmad Mashkoor 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSilver nanoparticles embedded graphene oxide (Ag‐GO) nanocomposite was prepared by one pot synthesis technique. The pristine composite was analyzed via FESEM, TEM, EDX, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The nanocomposite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities with improved biocompatibility. Owing to synergy, Ag‐GO composite inhibits growth and multiplication of the tested bacteria, Escherichia coli and Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, in the first 2 h and then ceases their growth completely up to 24 h. The cell viability was found to be ∼85% for Ag‐GO doses up to 160 ppm tested with human corneal epithelial cells, which indicates the nontoxic behavior of the composite. Moreover, Ag‐GO nanocomposite exibits enhanced photocatalytic degradation properties for toxic organic dyes. The composite shows 98% degradation of rhodamine B in 24 min, 97% of methylene blue in 14 min and 99% of commercial dye‐AY in 12 min. The photocatalytic efficiency was found to be about five times higher than that of the pure GO. During the photocatalytic process the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated via surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles are responsible for the good bacterial population control as well as for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity. The reusability and recyclability of Ag‐GO nanocomposite suggest its commercial utilization with structural stability and good biocompatibility.
One‐Step Solvothermal Synthesis of BiPO4/Bi2MoO6 Heterostructure with Oxygen Vacancies and Z‐Scheme System for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Chou Xiaoyu , Ye Jin , He Jiahui , Ge Kai , Liu Jiahui , Fu Congcong , Zhou Xuejian , Wang Shuang , Zhang Yue , Yang Yongfang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe construction of heterojunction between semiconductor is an effective technology to enhance its photocatalytic activity using solar energy. In this paper, a series of BiPO4/Bi2MoO6 heterostructures with different mole ratio of Mo:P were successfully synthesized via one‐pot solvothermal method. Photocatalytic activity of all samples were investigated by degrading methylene blue (MB) under visible light. Among the catalysts, BMoP‐1‐3 sample with oxygen vacancy has excellent photocatalytic activity due to improving its light harvesting and charge separation by establishment of Z‐scheme system heterostructure, which is 1.65 and 1.22 times that of pure BiPO4 and Bi2MoO6, respectively.
Coassembly of Complementary Peptide Nucleic Acid into Crystalline Structures by Microfluidics
Authors: Arnon Zohar A. , Berger Or , Aizen Ruth , Hannes Korren , Brown Noam , Shimon Linda J. W. , Gazit Ehud 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe self‐assembly of simple units into well‐ordered supramolecular polymeric structures may give rise to a broad range of desirable attributes. In the field of bionanotechnology, there are two main classes commonly used as building blocks for self‐assembly—amino acids and nucleobases. While protein, peptide, and amino acid building blocks propose broad chemical versatility, the specific Watson–Crick base pairings of nucleic acids allow rational design and precise control over the assembly process. Specifically, artificially synthesized peptide nucleic acids (PNA), short DNA mimics that have an amide backbone, can present a unique set of properties while preserving the specific base pairing of the nucleic acids. The use of complementary building blocks allows the study of supramolecular polymer coassemblies. Here, the coassembly of two paired di‐PNA building blocks provides a new layer of control, as both building blocks are required for the spontaneous assembly to occur. Utilizing a microfluidic system, the growth of the well‐ordered structure can be regulated and monitored. The crystal structure of the formed assemblies display Watson–Crick base pairing with similar distances as those found in typical DNA double helices. Moreover, the crystals exhibit intriguing optical properties that may be implemented in various materials science and nanotechnological applications.
Stem‐group fossils of Symphrasinae shed light on early evolution of Mantispidae (Insecta, Neuroptera)
Authors: Shi Chaofan , Yang Qiang , Winterton Shaun L. , Pang Hong , Ren Dong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTwo new mantid lacewing genera and species,Archaeosymphrasis pennyigen. et sp. nov. andHabrosymphrasis xiaigen. et sp. nov., are described from mid‐Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the new genera as stem‐group Symphrasinae, sister to the rest of the subfamily. These represent the oldest fossil record of the subfamily Symphrasinae (Neuroptera, Mantispidae) and illuminate the evolutionary history of Symphrasinae, as well as providing insights into the group's historical biogeography. They also provide new evidence for divergence time estimates of extant mantispid subfamilies.
An assessment of the impact of construction work on fine particulate matter in the University of Jordan: A PIXE study
Authors: Sa'adeh Hanan , Aburugia Sara , Chiari Massimo 
Published: July 2019

Aerosol sampling was carried out prior to and during an active construction work at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. Elemental characterization for 60 PM2.5 samples was performed by particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) technique at the LABEC laboratory of INFN in Florence, Italy. Twenty three elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, and Pb) were detected, and their concentrations were assessed during three sampling periods, namely, “No Construction,” “Pouring Concrete,” and “Bleaching.” The results showed higher concentrations of soil‐related elements and lower concentrations of anthropogenic‐related elements during construction periods compared with their concentrations before construction. Soil‐related elements showed very low enrichment factor (EF) and high correlation coefficients during all sampling periods. Anthropogenic‐related elements were very much enriched and correlated only during the first sampling period “No Construction.”
Certificate-of-Need Programs Are Associated with a Reduced Incidence, Expenditure, and Rate of Complications with Respect to Knee Arthroscopy in the Medicare Population
Authors: Cancienne Jourdan M. , Browning Robert , Haug Emmanuel , Browne James A. , Werner Brian C. 
Published: July 2019

Background To curb costs at the state level, improve care quality, and promote access to care, certificate-of-need (CON) laws were established in many states in 1974. It is not known how CON regulations have affected the provision of knee arthroscopy, one of the most common orthopedic procedures performed in the USA. Questions/Purposes We sought to characterize the effects of CON regulations on knee arthroscopy in the national Medicare population by examining trends in procedure volumes, comparing trends in procedure charges, evaluating distribution of procedure volumes between high-, mid-, and low-volume facilities, and comparing adverse event and complication rates after knee arthroscopy between states with and without CON regulations. Methods States with CON regulations covering both inpatient and outpatient operating rooms formed the study group ( n = 25 states) and were compared with states without CON laws or laws that did not cover operating rooms during the study period ( n = 20 states). The 100% Medicare Standard Analytical Files from 2005 through 2014 were used to compare knee arthroscopy procedure volumes, charges, reimbursements, distribution of procedures based on facility volumes and adverse events between the two groups. Results The rate of decrease in the incidence of knee arthroscopy was significantly greater in CON states than that in non-CON states. CON states also had significantly lower charges at all time points, and overall, compared with non-CON states. There were significantly more high- and mid-volume facilities in CON states than in non-CON states, and there were significantly more low-volume facilities in non-CON states than in CON states. Finally, there were significantly higher rates of emergency room visits within 30 days and infection within 6 months in non-CON states than in CON states. Conclusions CON regulations appear to have achieved several of their intended goals for knee arthroscopy. Further research is needed to determine if CON regulations affect the quality and sustainability of care provided to patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.
Simulations of Grain Refinement in Various Steels Using the Three-Scale Crystal Plasticity Model
Authors: Frydrych Karol 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In this paper, the recently developed three-scale crystal plasticity model is applied to simulate microstructural evolution of austenitic and ferritic stainless steels subjected to large plastic strains. It is shown that the model is able to correctly predict both texture and misorientation angle distributions in the materials studied. Moreover, it can correctly capture the grain-refinement kinetics and the influence of the stacking fault energy. Finally, it is confirmed that the 3SCP model is a computationally attractive alternative for reliable modeling of microstructural evolutions in metals and alloys.
Die Rolle seltener Varianten bei häufigen Krankheiten
Authors: Ludwig Kerstin U. , Degenhardt Franziska , Nöthen Markus M. 
Published: July 2019

Zusammenfassung
Häufige Krankheiten, die sog. Volkskrankheiten, sind in der Regel multifaktoriell verursacht, d. h. zu ihrer Entwicklung tragen sowohl genetische Faktoren als auch nicht-genetische Umgebungseinflüsse bei. Die geschätzte Gesamterblichkeit (‑heritabilität) reicht von moderat bis vergleichsweise hoch. Die genetische Architektur ist komplex und kann das gesamte allelische Spektrum, von häufigen Varianten mit niedriger Penetranz bis hin zu seltenen Varianten mit höherer Penetranz, sowie alle möglichen Kombinationen umfassen. Während häufige Varianten seit mehreren Jahren mit großem Erfolg durch genomweite Assoziationsstudien (GWAS) identifiziert werden, war bisher die Identifizierung seltener Varianten, insbesondere aufgrund der großen Zahl beitragender Gene, nur begrenzt erfolgreich. Dies ändert sich derzeit dank der Anwendung von Hochdurchsatz-Sequenziertechnologien („next-generation sequencing“, NGS) und der daraus resultierenden zunehmenden Verfügbarkeit von exom- und genomweiten Sequenzdaten großer Kollektive. In diesem Artikel geben wir einen Überblick über die Bedeutung seltener Varianten bei häufigen Erkrankungen sowie den aktuellen Stand in Bezug auf deren Identifizierung mittels NGS. Wir betrachten insbesondere die folgenden Fragen: Bei welchen häufigen Krankheiten ist ein Beitrag seltener Varianten zu erwarten, wie können diese Varianten identifiziert werden, und welches Potenzial bieten seltene Varianten für das Verständnis biologischer Prozesse bzw. für die Translation in die klinische Praxis?
Willingness to Pay for Shrimp with Homegrown by Heroes, Community-Supported Fishery, Best Aquaculture Practices, or Local Attributes
Authors: Soley Graham , Hu Wuyang , Vassalos Michael 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWith the seafood food market endowed with various attributes, consumers may prefer certain certifications over others. By surveying a diverse sample of respondents, this study examines consumer preference for farm-raised shrimp in Kentucky and South Carolina. Respondents’ assessment of certain seafood labels is evaluated using a stated preference survey. Willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates and various product profiles are generated. Consistent with previous studies, a strong preference for fresh and “local” was found. Furthermore, Homegrown by Heroes was highly valued among participants, as well as Best Aquaculture Practices. Based on WTP estimates for these attributes, marketing and policy recommendations are discussed.
Do Most U.S. Farms Really Lose Money? Taxation and Farm Income Underreporting
Authors: Key Nigel 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis article explores whether income underreporting for tax purposes can explain why the majority of U.S. farmers earn low or negative net farm income. Using 10 years of U.S. Department of Agriculture farm-level data, the extent of underreporting is estimated by exploiting the fact that farm households face an incentive to underreport farm income that varies with their reported off-farm income. Results indicate that 39% of total farm income is underreported. For large farms, the results imply a substantial discrepancy between reported and earned farm income. For small-scale operations, underreporting reduces but does not eliminate the gap between farm and off-farm wages.
Developing a team science workshop for early-career investigators
Authors: Mayowski Colleen A. , Norman Marie K. , Schenker Yael , Proulx Chelsea N. , Kapoor Wishwa N. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroduction:High impact biomedical research is increasingly conducted by large, transdisciplinary, multisite teams in an increasingly collaborative environment. Thriving in this environment requires robust teamwork skills, which are not acquired automatically in the course of traditional scientific education. Team science skills training does exist, but most is directed at clinical care teams, not research teams, and little is focused on the specific training needs of early-career investigators, whose early team leadership experiences may shape their career trajectories positively or negatively. Our research indicated a need for team science training designed specifically for early-career investigators.Methods:To address this need, we designed and delivered a 2-day workshop focused on teaching team science skills to early-career investigators. We operationalized team science competencies, sought the advice of team science experts, and performed a needs assessment composed of a survey and a qualitative study. Through these multiple approaches, we identified and grouped training priorities into three broad training areas and developed four robust, hands-on workshop sessions.Results:Attendees comprised 30 pre- and post-doc fellows (TL1) and early-career faculty (KL2 and K12). We assessed impact with a pre- and post-workshop survey adapted from the Team Skills Scale. Results from the pre- and post-test Wilcoxon signed-rank analysis (n = 25) showed statistically significant improvement in team science skills and confidence. Open-ended responses indicated that the workshop focus was appropriate and well targeted to the trainees’ needs.Conclusions:Although team science education is still very much in its infancy, these results suggest that training targeted to early-career investigators improves team skills and may foster improved collaboration.
Acquisition of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the absence of antimicrobial exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: D’Agata Erika M. C. , Geffert Sara F. , McTavish Rebecca , Wilson Florence , Cameron Chris 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjective:The main risk factor for acquisition of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) is antimicrobial exposure, although acquisition can occur in their absence. The aim of this study was to quantify the proportion of patients who acquire ARB without antimicrobial exposure.Study design:We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library for publications between January 1, 2000, and July 24, 2017, to identify studies of ARB acquisition in endemic settings. Studies required collection of serial surveillance cultures with acquisition defined as a negative baseline culture and a subsequent positive culture for an ARB, including either multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria or antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. Intervention studies were excluded. For each study, the proportion of patients who acquired an ARB but were not exposed to antimicrobials during the study period was quantified.Results:A total of 4,233 citations were identified; 147 underwent full-text review. Of these, 10 studies met inclusion criteria; 7 studies were considered to be at low risk of bias; and 6 studies were conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. The overall summary estimate for the proportion of patients who were not exposed to antimicrobials among those who acquired an ARB was 16.6% (95% CI, 7.8%–31.8%; P < .001), ranging from 0% to 57.1%. We observed no heterogeneity in the ICU studies but high heterogeneity among the non-ICU studies.Conclusion:In most included studies, a subset of patients acquired an ARB but were not exposed to antimicrobials. Future studies need to address transmission dynamics of ARB acquisition in the absence of antimicrobials.
Gossiping about outsiders: How time-related work stress among collectivistic employees hinders job performance
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Haq Inam Ul , Azeem Muhammad Umer 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the connection between employees’ experience of time-related work stress and their job performance, with a particular focus on the mediating role of their propensity to engage in negative gossip and the moderating role of their collectivistic orientation. The results based on multisource, three-wave data from employees, their peers, and supervisors in Pakistani organizations show that an important reason that time-related work stress might diminish job performance is that employees expend significant energy discussing their negative evaluations of other organizational members with peers, possibly as a way to protect their self-esteem resources. This mediating role of gossip is also invigorated by employees’ collectivistic orientation. For organizations, this study identifies a key mechanism – informal conversations with peers about the flaws of others in the organization – by which time-related stress prevents employees from allocating sufficient energy to completing their job tasks, and it reveals that this process is more likely among collectivistic employees.
Enhanced postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion during obesity development has a protective role against glucose intolerance induction in rats
Authors: Pinyo Jukkrapong , Hira Tohru , Hara Hiroshi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that regulates postprandial glycaemic response by enhancing insulin secretion. We previously demonstrated that the postprandial GLP-1 response was enhanced during the development of diet-induced obesity in rats. However, the physiological relevance of the enhanced GLP-1 response remained unclear. We aimed to determine the role of endogenous GLP-1 during obesity development. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were given either a control diet or a high-fat/high-sucrose (HFS, 30 % fat and 40 % sucrose, weight basis) diet with or without continuous administration of the GLP-1 receptor antagonist, exendin (9–39) (Ex9, 100 µg/d), for 5 weeks. Meal tolerance tests (MTT) were performed to assess postprandial glucose, insulin and GLP-1 responses to a liquid diet administration (15 kcal (63 kJ)/10 ml per kg body weight) every 2 weeks. The AUC of postprandial glucose in the HFS group was similar to the control group in both MTT (P = 0·9665 and P = 0·3475, respectively), whereas AUC of postprandial GLP-1 (after 4 weeks,P = 0·0457) and of insulin (after 2 and 4 weeks, P = 0·0486 and P = 0·0110) was higher in the HFS group compared with the control group. In the Ex9 group, AUC of postprandial glucose (P = 0·0297 and P = 0·0486) was higher along with a lower insulin response compared with the HFS group (P = 0·0564 and P = 0·0281). These results suggest that enhancement of the postprandial GLP-1 response during obesity development has a role in maintaining a normal postprandial glycaemic response. Hence, enhancing endogenous GLP-1 secretion by certain materials could be a potential target for prevention of glucose intolerance.
Of Music and the Maharaja: Gender, affect, and power in Ranjit Singh's Lahore
Authors: KAPURIA RADHA 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis article focuses on performing artists at the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (r. 1801–39), the last fully sovereign ruler of the Punjab and leader of what is termed the Sikh empire. After Ranjit's death, his successors ruled for a mere decade before British annexation in 1849. Ranjit Singh's kingdom has been studied for the extraordinary authority it exercised over warring Sikh factions and for the strong challenge it posed to political rivals like the British. Scholarly exploration of cultural efflorescence at the Lahore court has ignored the role of performing artistes, despite a preponderance of references to them in both Persian chronicles of the Lahore court and in European travelogues of the time. I demonstrate how Ranjit Singh was partial to musicians and dancers as a class, even marrying two Muslim courtesans in the face of stiff Sikh orthodoxy. A particular focus is on Ranjit's corps of ‘Amazons’—female dancers performing martial feats dressed as men—the cynosure of all eyes, especially male European, and their significance in representing the martial glory of the Sikh state. Finally, I evaluate the curious cultural misunderstandings that arose when English ‘dancing’ encountered Indian ‘nautching’, revealing how gender was the primary axis around which Indian and European male statesmen alike expressed their power. Ubiquitous in the daily routine of Ranjit and the lavish entertainments set up for visitors, musicians and female performers lay at the interstices of the Indo-European encounter, and Anglo-Sikh interactions in particular.
Social Service Provision by Minority Religious Organizations: A Case Study of the Islamic Movement in Kafr Qassim
Authors: ESEED RANA 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study examines what motivates an organization representing a religious-national minority to provide social services. The case study for examining this issue is the Islamic Movement in Palestinian society in Israel, and specifically its social activities in the town of Kafr Qassim. The article analyzes the factors leading to the development of the movement’s various services in the town by tracing their historical development and current offerings. This case study analysis is informed by two theoretical bodies of knowledge: the development of NGOs and the development of faith-based organizations. The data is based upon 17 semi-structured in-depth interviews with the heads of all the social services, social activists and municipality representatives in Kafr Qassim, where the movement was established. Some of the interviews also include tours and observations of actual services provision. Additional sources include archival documents, such as the organization’s regulations and work plans. The findings identify three main factors in the development of minority religious organizations: government failure in providing services (necessary factor) and religious ideology and mobilization of political support as secondary factors. All three are grounded in the ongoing conflict between the Palestinian minority group and the state.