bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crisis and Disaster Coverage
Authors: Pantti Mervi
Published: October 2018

Stories of disaster with widespread destruction have been part of journalism since the profession's inception. Disaster coverage is emotional by nature, and major disasters receive immediate and massive global coverage today. The journalism literature has established that the news media play an important role in how disasters become understood and responded to. This entry examines the main concerns of journalism scholarship vis‐à‐vis disasters. In particular it focuses on how the institutional, ideological, and economic structures of journalists' work shape the ways they report on disasters. The entry addresses questions such as how a disaster becomes news, which disasters attract media coverage and which do not, how disasters and their victims are represented in the news coverage, how journalists could report disasters in ways that generate empathy and action, and how digital technologies improve and democratize the reporting of disasters.
A phase I study of TAS‐205 in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Takeshita Eri , Komaki Hirofumi , Shimizu‐Motohashi Yuko , Ishiyama Akihiko , Sasaki Masayuki , Takeda Shin'ichi
Published: October 2018

Objective

Currently, the only approved standard Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment in Japan is oral steroids, which have various disadvantages. Previous work has suggested that hematopoietic‐type prostaglandin D synthase (HPGDS), involved in production of the inflammatory mediator prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), might have a role in DMD pathology. We therefore investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics of a highly selective HPGDS inhibitor (TAS‐205) in Japanese patients with genetically confirmed DMD.

Methods

This was a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled phase I study to evaluate the use of single or 7‐day repeated doses of TAS‐205 administered orally. The urinary excretion of PGD2 metabolites was also assessed.

Results

The PK analysis set included 15 and 14 patients in the single‐ and repeated‐dose periods, respectively; the pharmacodynamics set and the safety set included 21 and 19 patients in each period, respectively. The PK of TAS‐205 were linear in the dose range studied (1.67–13.33 mg/kg/dose) and the plasma concentration of TAS‐205 reached steady state by Day 4. TAS‐205 dose‐dependently decreased the urinary excretion of tetranor‐prostaglandin D metabolite at each measurement time point and did not affect the urinary excretion of tetranor‐prostaglandin E metabolite. No clinically significant adverse events were reported after TAS‐205 single or repeated administration.

Interpretation

We confirmed the safety and tolerability of TAS‐205 in this study. TAS‐205 decreased the total urinary excretion of PGD2 metabolites in a dose‐dependent manner, suggesting that TAS‐205 might be a therapeutic option to treat DMD patients.
Several household chemical exposures are associated with pediatric‐onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mar Soe , Liang Shannon , Waltz Michael , Casper T. Charles , Goyal Manu , Greenberg Benjamin , Weinstock‐Guttman Bianca , Rodriguez Moses , Aaen Gregory , Belman Anita , Barcellos Lisa F. , Rose John , Gorman Mark , Benson Leslie , Candee Meghan , Chitnis Tanjua , Harris Yolanda , Kahn Ilana , Roalsted Shelly , Hart Janace , Lotze Timothy , Moodley Manikum , Ness Jayne , Rensel Mary , Rubin Jennifer , Schreiner Teri , Tillema Jan‐Mendelt , Waldman Amy , Krupp Lauren , Graves Jennifer S. , Waubant Emmanuelle ,   the U.S. Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers
Published: October 2018

Background

There is limited information about the potential associations of multiple sclerosis (MS) and commonly used household chemicals.

Methods

We performed a case‐control study of exposures to common household chemicals during childhood in children with MS and healthy pediatric controls. Exposures to household products were collected from a comprehensive questionnaire (http://www.usnpmsc.org/Documents/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf) completed by parents at the time of enrollment in the study. Cases included children diagnosed with MS or clinically isolated syndrome with at least two silent T2 bright lesions on MRI, recruited within 4 years of disease onset from 16 pediatric MS clinics in the USA. Multivariate analyses using logistic regression were adjusted for possible confounders including age, sex, race, ethnicity, mother's highest level of education, and urban versus rural living.

Results

Questionnaire responses to household chemicals were available for 312 eligible cases (median age 15.7 years, 63% girls) and 490 healthy controls (median age 15.0, 57% girls). Exposure to rodenticides (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–3.26, P ≤ 0.001), weed control agents (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.36–2.92, P ≤ 0.001) and products for plant/tree disease control (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.54–4.82, P ≤ 0.001) anytime during childhood were associated with an increased risk for pediatric‐onset MS in adjusted and multiple comparisons analyses.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that exposure to specific household chemicals during early childhood is associated with the risk of developing pediatric‐onset MS. Future studies are needed to elucidate a causal relationship and the exact agents involved.
Is visual–perceptual or motor expertise critical for expert anticipation in sport?
Authors: Brenton John , Müller Sean
Published: October 2018

A prominent topic is whether visual or motor expertise makes greater contribution to expert visual anticipation in sport. This stems from psychological theories, such as common coding theory, which predicts perception and action can inform each other in a bidirectional manner. This paper reviews the literature that has investigated visual and motor expertise contributions to expert visual anticipation in sport. First, psychological theories are discussed that predict visual and motor contributions to perceptual–motor behaviour. Second, classifications of motor skills and studies are presented to evaluate the literature reviewed. Third, literature is reviewed with reference to performance, learning, and transfer of visual anticipation, which are all vital for successful sports performance. The review aims to stimulate thought about mechanisms underpinning visual and motor expertise relative to performance, learning, and transfer of anticipation skill, which can better guide the practitioner to improve skill.
Electron Microscopy for 3D Scaffolds–Cell Biointerface Characterization
Authors: Iandolo Donata , Pennacchio Fabrizio A. , Mollo Valentina , Rossi Domenico , Dannhauser David , Cui Bianxiao , Owens Roisin M. , Santoro Francesca
Published: October 2018

Cell fate is largely determined by interactions that occur at the interface between cells and their surrounding microenvironment. For this reason, especially in the field of tissue‐engineering, there is a growing interest in developing techniques that allow evaluating cell–material interaction at the nanoscale, particularly focusing on cell adhesion processes. While for 2D culturing systems a consolidated series of tools already satisfy this need, in 3D environments, more closely recapitulating complex in vivo structures, there is still a lack of procedures furthering the comprehension of cell–material interactions. Here, the use of scanning electron microscopy coupled with a focused ion beam (SEM/FIB) for the characterization of cell interactions with 3D scaffolds obtained by different fabrication techniques is reported for the first time. The results clearly show the capability of the developed approach to preserve and finely resolve scaffold–cell interfaces highlighting details such as plasma membrane arrangement, extracellular matrix architecture and composition, and cellular structures playing a role in cell adhesion to the surface. It is anticipated that the developed approach will be relevant for the design of efficient cell‐instructive platforms in the study of cellular guidance strategies for tissue‐engineering applications as well as for in vitro 3D models.
Solution‐Processed Rad‐Hard Amorphous Metal‐Oxide Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Park Byungkyu , Ho Dongil , Kwon Guhyun , Kim Dojeon , Seo Sung Yong , Kim Choongik , Kim Myung‐Gil
Published: October 2018

The effect of 5 MeV high‐energy proton irradiation on solution‐processed metal‐oxide thin‐film transistors (TFTs) is investigated. The electrical characteristics of the devices are measured before and after proton irradiation with radiation doses of 1013, 1014, and 1015 cm−2. TFTs based on zinc oxide (ZnO) and amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) exhibit a significant negative shift in their threshold voltage values (ΔVth ≤ −30 V) or transitioned to the conductor state as the proton radiation dose increased. For a‐ZnO and IGZO, this change in the electrical characteristics originates from the formation of proton‐irradiation‐induced oxygen vacancies in the metal‐oxide semiconductor layer. On the other hand, amorphous zinc tin oxide devices with an optimized composition exhibit relatively stable electrical characteristics when subjected to proton irradiation. Furthermore, the back‐channel passivation of oxide‐semiconductor TFTs with an n‐type organic semiconductor layer significantly improves the device stability under proton irradiation. This study demonstrates that solution‐processed metal‐oxide semiconductors have significant potential as rad‐hard large area electronic devices for nuclear and aerospace applications.
Lightweight, Thin, and Flexible Silver Nanopaper Electrodes for High‐Capacity Dendrite‐Free Sodium Metal Anodes
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Zhang Xiaoliang , Zhou Shengyang , Edström Kristina , Strømme Maria , Nyholm Leif
Published: October 2018

Owing to its resource‐abundant and favorable theoretical capacity, sodium metal is regarded as a promising anode material for sodium metal batteries. However, uncontrolled Na plating/stripping, including Na dendrite growth during cycling, has hindered its practical application. Herein, a sodiophilic, thin, and flexible silver nanopaper (AgNP) is designed based on interpenetrated nanocellulose and silver nanowires and is used as a dendrite‐free Na metal electrode. Due to a network of highly conducting silver nanowire (0.6 Ω sq−1, 8200 S cm−1), the sodiophilic nature of silver, and the reduced internal strain within the flexible AgNP, a compact Na metal layer can be uniformly deposited on and reversibly stripped from the AgNP electrode without any observations of Na dendrites during cycling at 1 mA cm−2 for 800 h. As the AgNP electrode is only 2 µm thick, with a low mass loading of 0.88 mg cm−2, the AgNP–Na anode deposited with a Na deposition charge of 6 mAh cm−2 exhibits a capacity of 995 mAh g−1AgNP–Na, approaching that of a Na metal anode (1166 mAh g−1Na). The present approach provides new possibilities for the development of lightweight and stable metal batteries.
Degradation‐Regulatable Architectured Implantable Macroporous Scaffold for the Spatiotemporal Modulation of Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Enhanced Combination Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Ren Long , Lim Yong Taik
Published: October 2018

The presence of immunosuppressive cells such as tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in residual tumors after surgery is known to be related to high recurrence of tumors which are more resistant to therapeutic interventions compared with the primary ones. Herein, a degradation‐regulatable architectured implantable macroporous scaffold (Dr‐AIMS) is designed to control the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TMEs) as well as to activate T‐cell‐based antitumor immunity. The Dr‐AIMS is fabricated by the combination of stable “bulk” material (methacrylate‐modified hyaluronic acid) and hydrolytic‐labile “sacrificing” component (methacrylate‐modified oxidized hyaluronic acid) with varied blending ratios such that the degradation can be regulated from 10 to 28 days in vivo. The Dr‐AIMS is loaded with PTX (depleting cancer cells and TAMs), R837 (activating antigen presenting cells and inhibiting MDSCs functions) and combined immune checkpoint blockade molecules (anti‐CTLA‐4 and anti‐OX40 mAbs, invigorating T cells function) and is implanted as postsurgical treatment in 4T1 breast tumor model. In vivo results suggest the sustained and localized supply of immunomodulatory drugs from Dr‐AIMS facilitates the depletion of MDSCs and M2‐like macrophages simultaneously within the tumor tissues, enhances the infiltration of DCs and effector T cells into tumor, and systemic antitumor immunity is generated with reduced dose.
Molecular Engineering of Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymer/g‐C3N4 Heterostructures for Significantly Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Under Visible‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Yu Fengtao , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Shicong , Ye Haonan , Kong Kangyi , Gong Xueqing , Hua Jianli , Tian He
Published: October 2018

Polymer heterojunctions (PHJs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE). Nevertheless, most PHJs exhibit unsatisfactory hydrogen evolution rate (HER), primarily attributing to their own high‐energy Frenkel excitons and poor light capturing ability. In this paper, a molecular engineering strategy is developed to further broaden spectral response range and simultaneously accelerate Frenkel excitons dissociation within PHJs. For this purpose, three donor–acceptor (D‐A) conjugated polymers/g‐C3N4 heterojunctions with alternative donor units (fluorene, carbazole, N‐annulated perylene for P1, P2, and P3, respectively) and the invariant acceptor unit (benzothiadiazole) have been designed and fabricated for efficient PHE. Experimental results show that copolymerizing different donor units into the polymer skeleton not only extends the visible‐light response range but also promotes photoexciton separation within polymer/g‐C3N4 PHJs. Notably, copolymerizing the strongest electron donor unit (N‐annulated perylene) achieves the best light capture ability and the most effective photoexcitation separation of the P3/g‐C3N4, leading to significantly increase HRE of 13.0 mmol h−1 g−1 with a recorded apparent quantum yield of 27.32% at 520 nm. Importantly, the Type II heterojunction mechanism within P3/CN was first proved by theoretical calculation. This work provides a promising strategy for reasonably developing efficient PHJs for solar fuel production.
Diverse Atomically Sharp Interfaces and Linear Dichroism of 1T' ReS2‐ReSe2 Lateral p–n Heterojunctions
Authors: Liu Dongyan , Hong Jinhua , Wang Xiao , Li Xiaobo , Feng Qingliang , Tan Congwei , Zhai Tianyou , Ding Feng , Peng Hailin , Xu Hua
Published: October 2018

Creating heterojunctions between different 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) would enable on‐demand tuning of electronic and optoelectronic properties in this new class of materials. However, the studies to date are mainly focused on hexagonal (2H) structure TMD‐based heterojunctions, and little attention is paid on the distorted octahedral (1T') structure TMD‐based heterojunctions. This study reports the large‐scale synthesis of monolayer 1T' ReS2‐ReSe2 lateral heterojunction with domain size up to 100 µm by using two‐step epitaxial growth. Atomic‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals high crystal quality of the heterojunction with atomically sharp interfaces. Interestingly, three types of epitaxial growth modes accompanying formation of three different interface structures are revealed in the growth of 1T' heterojunction, where the angle between the b‐axis of ReS2 and ReSe2 is 0°, 120°, and 180°, respectively. The 0° and 180° interface structures are both found to be more abundant than the 120° interface structure owing to their relative lower formation energy. Electrical transport demonstrates that the as‐grown heterostructure forms lateral p–n junction with intrinsic rectification characteristics and exhibits polarization‐dependent photodiode properties. This is the first time the linear dichroism is achieved in 2D lateral heterostructure, which is important for the development of new devices with multi‐functionality.
Sequential Self‐Assembly of 1D Branched Organic Homostructures with Optical Logic Gate Function
Authors: Tao Yi‐Chen , Peng Sheng , Wang Xue‐Dong , Li Zhi‐Zhou , Zhang Xue‐Jin , Liao Liang‐Sheng
Published: October 2018

Integrated microstructures composed of organic micro/nanocrystals have gained impressive interest recently as probable candidate for constructing optoelectronic circuits. However, the fabrication of these designed composite structures remains a huge challenge. Herein, the sequentially self‐assembled branched homostructures based on 1D single‐crystalline organic microrods of 1,4‐bis((E)‐4‐iodostyryl)‐2,5‐dimethoxybenzene through the facile solution‐processing approach are demonstrated. The growth mechanism of these dendritic microcrystals with an angle of 75° between trunk and branch is attributed to the facet‐selective growth principle between the (020) and (110) crystal planes, for which the interplanar spacing mismatch rate is as low as 6.1%. More significantly, this branched microstructure exhibits an asymmetric optical waveguide and can function as an optical logic gate with an ON/OFF ratio of 10.5. Therefore, the approach to build this organized multilevel structure could provide further applications as building blocks in integrated optoelectronic circuits.
A Core–Shell Nanoplatform for Synergistic Enhanced Sonodynamic Therapy of Hypoxic Tumor via Cascaded Strategy
Authors: Wang Lei , Niu Mengya , Zheng Cuixia , Zhao Hongjuan , Niu Xiuxiu , Li Li , Hu Yujie , Zhang Yingjie , Shi Jinjin , Zhang Zhenzhong
Published: October 2018

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) always causes tumor hypoxia aggravation which can induce malignant cell proliferation and drug resistance. To overcome these disadvantages, a cascaded drug delivery system (Lipo/HMME/ACF@MnO2‐AS1411) is constructed for synergistic enhanced sonodynamic therapy. First, hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) and acriflavine (ACF) are encapsulated in the lipid layers and the inner aqueous cores of the liposomes, respectively. Then the ultrathin manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanosheets are coated on the surface of the liposomes by using KMnO4 and polyethylene glycol through “one step reduction and modification” method. Furthermore, the nanoparticles are decorated with tumor‐targeting AS1411 aptamer through the phosphate groups on the DNA strand which can bind to Mn sites to obtain Lipo/HMME/ACF@MnO2‐AS1411 delivery system. Herein, HMME can act as a sonosensitizer, and ACF is used to prevent the formation of HIF‐1α/HIF‐1β dimerization to overcome the negative effects after SDT. The Lipo/HMME/ACF@MnO2‐AS1411 delivery system has multiple functions, including codelivery of HMME and ACF, pH/glutathione/ultrasound triple responses, synergistic cascaded enhancement of SDT, precise tumor‐targeting, and magnetic resonance imaging. The in vitro and in vivo results suggest that the Lipo/HMME/ACF@MnO2‐AS1411 delivery system is a promising core–shell nanoplatform for synergistic enhancement of sonodynamic therapy, which can provide a new approach in the related research fields.
Interface Engineering for Garnet‐Based Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries: Materials, Structures, and Characterization
Authors: Dai Jiaqi , Yang Chunpeng , Wang Chengwei , Pastel Glenn , Hu Liangbing
Published: October 2018

Lithium‐metal batteries are considered one of the most promising energy‐storage systems owing to their high energy density, but their practical applications have long been hindered by significant safety concerns and poor cycle stability. Solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) are expected to improve not only the safety but also the energy density of Li‐metal batteries. The key challenge for solid‐state Li‐metal batteries lies in the low ionic conductivity of the SSEs and moreover the interface contact between the electrode and SSE. To achieve feasible solid‐state Li‐metal batteries, it is imperative that the ionic conductivity is improved, especially at the electrode–SSE interface. Herein, recent advances in interface engineering for solid‐state Li‐metal batteries are reported, mainly focusing on garnet‐type SSEs. Various materials to modify the cathode–garnet and Li–garnet interfaces by intermediate layers, alloys, and polymer electrolytes are analyzed. Structural innovations for SSEs including composite electrolytes and multilayer SSE frameworks are reviewed, along with advanced characterization approaches to probe the interfaces, which will provide further insights for garnet‐based solid‐state batteries. Future challenges and the great promise of garnet‐based Li‐metal batteries are discussed to close.
Sequential Templating Approach: A Groundbreaking Strategy to Create Hollow Multishelled Structures
Authors: Mao Dan , Wan Jiawei , Wang Jiangyan , Wang Dan
Published: October 2018

Thanks to their distinguished properties such as optimized specific surface area, low density, high loading capacity, and sequential matter transfer and storage, hollow multishelled structures (HoMSs) have attracted great interest from scientists in broad fields, including catalysis, drug delivery, solar cells, supercapacitors, lithium‐ion batteries, electromagnetic wave absorption, and sensors. However, traditional synthesis methods such as soft‐templating and hierarchical self‐assembly methods can hardly realize the controllable synthesis of HoMSs, thus limiting their development and application. Here, the development process of HoMSs is first succinctly reviewed and the shortcomings of the traditional synthesis method are concluded. Subsequently, the sequential templating approach, which shows great generality for the synthesis of HoMSs with controllable composition and geometry configuration and exhibits remarkable effect on the scientific research field, is introduced. The basic material science and chemical reaction mechanism involved in the synthesis and manipulation of HoMSs using the sequential templating approach are then explained in detail. In addition, the effect of the geometric characteristics of HoMSs on their application properties is highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions of HoMSs are also suggested.
Designed Nanoarchitectures by Electrostatic Spray Deposition for Energy Storage
Authors: Zhu Changbao , Fu Yanpeng , Yu Yan
Published: October 2018

The development of advanced electrode materials for various energy‐storage systems, especially the fabrication of designed structures and morphologies of electrode materials, has attracted intense interest in both the academic and industrial fields. Among the various synthesis methods, electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) is a simple but versatile approach, by which materials can be fabricated with various morphologies, such as granular, dense, and porous, in an easily controllable manner. Herein, motivated by the rapid advancements of the given technology, a comprehensive introduction of ESD is provided, with emphasis on the kinds of materials and the types of morphology that can be obtained, along with the important control parameters. The progress on electrode materials, which are applied in a great variety of energy‐storage systems, such as Li‐ion batteries, Na‐ion batteries, supercapacitors, Li–S batteries, and Li–O2 batteries, prepared by ESD is also summarized. How the specific morphologies designed by ESD improve the electrochemical performance for different types of electrode materials is also discussed. The aim is to promote the collaborative efforts among different communities to optimize and develop the ESD technique and to explore advanced electrode materials for energy storage.
Programmable Multicomponent Self‐Assembly Based on Aromatic Amino Acids
Authors: Xing Pengyao , Phua Soo Zeng Fiona , Wei Xuan , Zhao Yanli
Published: October 2018

Construction of integrated self‐assembly with ordered structures from two or more organic building blocks is currently a challenge, since it suffers from intrinsic systematic complexity and diverse competitive pathways. Here, it is reported that aromatic amino acid building units can be incorporated into two‐ or three‐component coassembly driven primarily by hydrogen bonding interactions without the assistance of metal–ligand and macrocycle‐based host–guest interactions. The key strategy is to employ a C3‐symmetric molecule with alternative hydrogen bonding donor/acceptor sites that are able to bind either carboxylic acid or pyridine appended building units. Aromatic amino acids, C3‐symmetric compound, and bipyridine unit constitute a unique ternary mutual binding system, where three coassembly pathways including two pairwise formations and one ternary combination are unveiled, giving rise to two‐ and three‐component self‐assemblies with ordered structures, respectively. The pathway complexity lies in the structural parameter of aromatic amino acids, which can be programmable by controlling substituents at the α‐position of amino acids.
CNT Interwoven Nitrogen and Oxygen Dual‐Doped Porous Carbon Nanosheets as Free‐Standing Electrodes for High‐Performance Na‐Se and K‐Se Flexible Batteries
Authors: Yao Yu , Chen Minglong , Xu Rui , Zeng Sifan , Yang Hai , Ye Shufen , Liu Fanfan , Wu Xiaojun , Yu Yan
Published: October 2018

Na‐Se and K‐Se batteries are attractive as a stationary energy storage system because of much abundant resources of Na and K in the Earth's crust. As the alloy‐type Se has a severe pulverization issue, one critical challenge to develop advanced Na‐Se and K‐Se batteries is to explore a highly efficient and stable Se‐based cathode. Herein, a flexible free‐standing Se/carbon composite film is prepared by encapsulation of Se into a carbon nanotube (CNT) interwoven N,O dual‐doped porous carbon nanosheet (Se@NOPC‐CNT). The 3D interconnected CNT uniformly wrapped on the N,O dual‐doped porous carbon skeletons improves the flexibility and offers an interconnected conductive pathway for rapid ionic/electronic transport. In addition, the N,O dual‐doping significantly enhances the chemical affinity and adhesion between NaxSe/KxSe (0 < x ≤ 2) and porous carbon, which is confirmed by density functional theory calculation. When used as the cathode in Na‐Se batteries, the Se@NOPC‐CNT delivers a remarkable reversible capacity of 400 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 2000 cycles with a 0.008% capacity decay per cycle. For K‐Se batteries, it also exhibits an excellent cycling stability (335 mA h g−1 after 700 cycles at 0.8 A g−1). This unique design may open an avenue for practical application of flexible Na‐Se and K‐Se batteries.
Electrically and Thermally Tunable Smooth Silicon Metasurfaces for Broadband Terahertz Antireflection
Authors: Ding Lu , Luo Xianshu , Cheng Liang , Thway Maung , Song Junfeng , Chua Soo Jin , Chia Elbert E. M. , Teng Jinghua
Published: October 2018

Researches in metamaterials and metasurfaces have significant impact on development of terahertz optics and progression of terahertz science and technologies. Further advancement of terahertz systems demands efficient and versatile tunable and reconfigurable metadevices for manipulating various properties of terahertz radiation. Here an electrically and thermally tunable silicon metasurface for broadband terahertz antireflection application is demonstrated. The silicon metasurface is composed by interdigitated p–n junctions fabricated using a completely complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) compatible process in a silicon photonics foundry. It is atomically smooth without any physically etched pattern nor metal antennas. By supplying bias voltage to the p–n junctions, the complex reflection coefficient of the silicon metasurface is continuously tuned between negative and positive values. Complete antireflection condition can be precisely achieved, represented by the vanishing of the echo pulse in terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy (THz‐TDS). The transmission amplitude is bias‐polarity dependent, while the phase is simultaneously manipulated. The active silicon metasurface has a unique property that it thermally tunes the reflection and electrically tunes transmission. The methodology suggests a new design concept using all‐silicon platform for making atomically smooth and electrically controlled metadevices in terahertz and other frequency ranges.
Community phylogeny of the globally critically imperiled pine rockland ecosystem
Authors: Trotta Lauren B. , Baiser Benjamin , Possley Jennifer , Li Daijiang , Lange James , Martin Sarah , Sessa Emily B.
Published: October 2018

Premise of the Study

Community phylogenetic methods incorporate information on evolutionary relationships into studies of organismal assemblages. We used a community phylogenetic framework to investigate relationships and biogeographic affinities and to calculate phylogenetic signal of endemism and invasiveness for the flora of the pine rocklands—a globally critically imperiled ecosystem with a significant portion of its distribution in South Florida, United States.

Methods

We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships of 538 vascular plant taxa, which represent 92.28% of the vascular flora of the pine rocklands. We estimated phylogenetic signal for endemism and invasiveness using phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models. We determined the native range for each species in the data set and calculated the total number of species sourced from each region and all possible combinations of these regions.

Key Results

The pine rockland flora includes representatives of all major vascular plant lineages, and most species have native ranges in the New World. There was strong phylogenetic signal for endemism, but not for invasiveness.

Conclusions

Community phylogenetics has high potential value for conservation planning, particularly for fragmented and endangered ecosystems like the pine rockland. Strong phylogenetic signal for endemic species in our data set, which also tend to be threatened or endangered, can help to identify species at risk, as well as fragments where those species occur, highlighting conservation priorities. Our results indicate, at least in the pine rockland ecosystem, no phylogenetic signal for invasive species, and thus other information must be used to predict the potential for invasiveness.
Defining predictive factors for reproductive output in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Bakker Jaco , Louwerse Annet L. , Remarque Edmond J. , Langermans Jan A. M.
Published: October 2018

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) demonstrate variations in reproductive output, not only in terms of total reproductive output during a lifetime but also in litter size per parturition. The present study explores factors, such as parents’ litter size, parturition number, maternal body weight at conception and maternal age, which may account for this variation. A retrospective analysis of clinical records of a captive breeding colony was conducted over a 9‐year period yielding reproductive summaries of 26 dams and 22 sires producing a total of 115 litters. Dams born from litters of  ≤2 (N = 20) more often produced litters of ≤2, whereas dams born from litters of >2 (N = 6) more often produced litters of >2 (p < 0.05). The dams’ maternal body weight at the time of conception had also a significant effect on subsequent litter size. In addition, the chance of triplets was higher after the second parturition. Maternal age, interbirth interval, and season of birth had no effect on litter size. Factors relating to the sire had a negligible effect on the size of the litter. Multivariate statistical modeling revealed that the dams’ original litter size, maternal bodyweight at conception and parturition number are determining factors for the number of babies per litter. This study identified factors determining marmoset litter size, some of which (maternal litter size) are novel to this study and were not reported previously. Further exploration of the potential role of maternal litter size as a determinant of the litter sizes produced by marmoset breeders is warranted.
Countering infanticide: Chimpanzee mothers are sensitive to the relative risks posed by males on differing rank trajectories
Authors: Lowe Adriana E. , Hobaiter Catherine , Newton‐Fisher Nicholas E.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Infanticide by males is common in mammals. According to the sexual selection hypothesis, the risk is inversely related to infant age because the older the infant, the less infanticide can shorten lactational amenorrhea; risk is also predicted to increase when an infanticidal male's chance of siring the replacement infant is high. Infanticide occurs in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), a species in which male dominance rank predicts paternity skew. Infanticidal male chimpanzees (if low‐ranking) are unlikely to kill their own offspring, whereas those who are currently rising in rank, particularly when this rise is dramatic, have an increased likelihood of fathering potential future infants relative to any existing ones. Given that mothers should behave in ways that reduce infanticide risk, we predicted that female chimpanzees, and specifically those with younger, more vulnerable infants, would attempt to adjust the exposure of their infants to potentially infanticidal males. Specifically, mothers of young infants should reduce their association with adult males in general, and to a greater extent, with both low‐ranking males and those rising in rank from a position where paternity of current infants was unlikely, to a rank where the probability of siring the next infant is significantly higher. We also investigated the alternative possibility that rather than avoiding all adult males, mothers would increase association with males of stable high rank on the basis that such males could offer protection against infanticide.

Materials and methods

We examined data on female association patterns collected from the Budongo Forest, Uganda, during a period encompassing both relative stability in the male hierarchy and a period of instability with a mid‐ranking male rising rapidly in rank.

Results

Using linear mixed models, we found that mothers reduced their association with the rank‐rising male, contingent on infant age, during the period of instability. We also found evidence that females preferentially associated with a potential protector male during the high‐risk period.

Discussion

Our results support the sexually selected hypothesis for infanticide and demonstrate that female chimpanzees are sensitive to the relative risks posed by adult males.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Defluorinative α‐Arylation of Secondary Amides
Authors: Jang Young Jin , Rose Daniel , Mirabi Bijan , Lautens Mark
Published: October 2018

We exploited the reactivity of an electronically biased Michael acceptor to perform a defluorinative α‐arylation reaction using a chiral diene(L*)‐rhodium catalyst. Through this methodology, we are able to obtain various secondary amides, containing a tertiary α‐stereocenter and a β,γ‐unsaturated gem‐difluoro olefin, with excellent enantioselectivities. This methodology addresses the limitations of the previously described α‐arylation methods to construct stereo‐labile tertiary α‐stereocenters. Further investigation of the reaction via in situ 19F NMR monitoring suggests that the formation of the product leads to the inhibition of the active rhodium catalyst.
Highly Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of Nitrile‐Substituted Cyclopropanes by Myoglobin‐Mediated Carbene Transfer Catalysis
Authors: Chandgude Ajay L. , Fasan Rudi
Published: October 2018

A chemobiocatalytic strategy for the highly stereoselective synthesis of nitrile‐substituted cyclopropanes is reported. The present approach relies on an asymmetric olefin cyclopropanation reaction catalyzed by an engineered myoglobin in the presence of ex situ generated diazoacetonitrile within a compartmentalized reaction system. This method enabled the efficient transformation of a broad range of olefin substrates at a preparative scale with up to 99.9 % de and ee and up to 5600 turnovers. The enzymatic product could be further elaborated to afford a variety of functionalized chiral cyclopropanes. This work expands the range of synthetically valuable, abiotic transformations accessible through biocatalysis and paves the way to the practical and safe exploitation of diazoacetonitrile in biocatalytic carbene transfer reactions.
Experimental and computational exploration of photophysical and electroluminescent properties of modified 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, 2,6‐di(thiazol‐2‐yl)pyridine and 2,6‐di(pyrazin‐2‐yl)pyridine ligands and their Re(I) complexes
Authors: Klemens Tomasz , Świtlicka Anna , Szlapa‐Kula Agata , Krompiec Stanisław , Lodowski Piotr , Chrobok Anna , Godlewska Magdalena , Kotowicz Sonia , Siwy Mariola , Bednarczyk Katarzyna , Libera Marcin , Maćkowski Sebastian , Pędziński Tomasz , Schab‐Balcerzak Ewa , Machura Barbara
Published: October 2018

The excited‐state characteristics of a series of 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (terpy), 2,6‐di(thiazol‐2‐yl)pyridine (dtpy) and 2,6‐di(pyrazin‐2‐yl)pyridine (dppy) derivatives as well as their corresponding Re(I) complexes [ReCl(CO)3(Ln‐κ2N)] were investigated both experimentally and theoretically, and the crucial effect of pyrrolidine substituent and peripheral rings on the optical and electrochemical properties was found evident. For Re(I) complexes bearing the ligands with electron‐rich pyrrolidine substituent, different emission profiles were found in polar and non‐polar solvents, indicating a change in the character of the excited state. Dual‐emission effect of [ReCl(CO)3(L4‐κ2N)] and [ReCl(CO)3(L5‐κ2N)] in chloroform was attributed to the presence of two emitting states, identified as an 1ILCT excited state deactivated at higher energies and a longer‐lived red‐shifted phosphorescence assigned to the 3MLCT excited state. The triplet excited state was confirmed by recording the nanosecond time‐resolved transient absorption spectra for the compound [ReCl(CO)3(L4‐κ2N)]. To verify the charge transfer problem of low‐lying excited states of the free ligands, the Λ parameter was calculated. In addition, the compounds were applied as emitting layers for both non‐doped and doped single‐layer organic light‐emitting diodes fabricated by solution processing.
Half sandwich based rhodamine ‐ hydrazone single molecule probe: Light responsive, metal sensing and imaging properties
Authors: Dewangan S. , Barik T. , Mishra S. , Mawatwal S. , Kumari S. , Giri S. , Das S. , Dhiman R. , Wölper C. , Chatterjee S.
Published: October 2018

Functionalization of cymantrenyl hydrazone system with rhodamine based fluorescent tag led to the formation of a significant molecule containing both, a half sandwich and a rhodamine fragments, [(CO)3Mn{(η5‐C5H4) C (CH3)═NNC (O)‐R}] (R = Rhodamine‐6G (1), Rhodamine B (2)), with selective metal ion sensing, light responsive and molecular switching behavior. The molecule (1) was structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. We have also explored Hg2+ recognition and photo ‐ sensing properties of compound 1 within a bacterial strain and THP‐1 cancer cell lines to understand their potential in applications related to bioimaging, uptake and bioremediation activities. The study showed some significant intracellular metal recognition and imaging characteristics at different metal concentration.
A new potassium‐based coordination polymer with hydrogen bonding and zigzag metallophilic interactions
Authors: Moghadam Zarin , Akhbari Kamran , White Jonathan , Phuruangrat Anukorn
Published: October 2018

A new potassium‐based coordination polymer [K (μ7‐HTar)]n (1), (H2Tar = (+)‐tartaric acid), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. It has a three‐dimensional structure with zigzag K···K metallophilic interactions. Also widespread hydrogen bonding network in three‐dimensional structure of 1 was observed. In order to evaluation the effects of concentration, ultrasonic irradiation and type of the solvents on morphology and thermal behavior of 1, some experiments were designed and six samples of 1 were synthesized under different conditions. These samples were characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG‐DTA), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Novel extremophilic proteases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa M211 and their application in the hydrolysis of dried distiller's grain with solubles
Authors: Flores‐Fernández Carol N. , Cárdenas‐Fernández Max , Dobrijevic Dragana , Jurlewicz Kosma , Zavaleta Amparo I. , Ward John M. , Lye Gary J.
Published: October 2018

Proteases are the most important group of industrial enzymes and they can be used in several fields including biorefineries for the valorization of industrial byproducts. In this study, we purified and characterized novel extremophilic proteases produced by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from Mauritia flexuosa palm swamps soil samples in Peruvian Amazon. In addition, we tested their ability to hydrolyze distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) protein. Three alkaline and thermophilic serine proteases named EI, EII, and EIII with molecular weight of 35, 40, and 55 kDa, respectively, were purified. EI and EIII were strongly inhibited by EDTA and Pefabloc being classified as serine‐metalloproteases, while EII was completely inhibited only by Pefabloc being classified as a serine protease. In addition, EI and EII exhibited highest enzymatic activity at pH 8, while EIII at pH 11 maintaining almost 100% of it at pH 12. All the enzymes demonstrated optimum activity at 60°C. Enzymatic activity of EI was strongly stimulated in presence of Mn2+ (6.9‐fold), EII was stimulated by Mn2+ (3.7‐fold), while EIII was slightly stimulated by Zn2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. DDGS protein hydrolysis using purified Pseudomonas aeruginosa M211 proteases demonstrated that, based on glycine released, EIII presented the highest proteolytic activity toward DDGS. This enzyme enabled the release 63% of the total glycine content in wheat DDGS protein, 2.2‐fold higher that when using the commercial Pronase®. Overall, our results indicate that this novel extremopreoteases have a great potential to be applied in DDGS hydrolysis. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2728, 2019
How does FDAC Succeed with Parents with Substance Misuse Problems? Exploring Relational Practices within the English Family Drug and Alcohol Court
Authors: Harwin Judith , Ryan Mary , Broadhurst Karen
Published: October 2018

Parental substance misuse is a significant risk factor for child maltreatment and is frequently involved in care proceedings. Outcomes are often poor and family reunification is prone to breakdown. In this article, the contribution of the English Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) is examined. Adapted from the US family drug treatment court model, FDAC offers a radically different approach to ordinary care proceedings by treating parents as well as adjudicating. The article draws on a mixed‐methods evaluation of FDAC which reports better recovery and reunification rates than ordinary court. It presents findings from interviews with 42 parents and 154 court observations of 89 cases, focusing on FDAC's relational practices. The article concludes that these relational practices offer hope to substance‐misusing parents and that the approach merits wider attention because of its therapeutic potential and distinctive approach to justice.

‘The contribution of the English Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) is examined’

Key Practitioner Messages

FDAC is a helpful approach to care proceedings for substance‐misusing parents.

Parents value clear, consistent and honest messages about their progress when delivered in the context of trusted relationships and intensive support.

Parents need holistic help that takes into account damaging early‐life experiences.

‘Parents need holistic help that takes into account damaging early‐life experiences’
Where's Dad? The Importance of Integrating Fatherhood and Parenting Programming into Substance Use Treatment for Men
Authors: Stover Carla S. , Carlson Melissa , Patel Sarika , Manalich Raquel
Published: October 2018

Large numbers of men enter substance use disorder treatment each year, yet very little attention is paid to the fatherhood and parenting status of these men. Substance use treatment programmes for men rarely incorporate a parenting component into their treatment planning, despite the increased success of women's treatment programmes that focus on gender and motherhood. This paper provides: (1) a review of the literature on the fathering of substance‐using men, what has been learned from substance use disorder treatment for mothers, and the implications for children and families; (2) pilot quantitative and qualitative outcomes resulting from the implementation of a fatherhood‐focused intervention for men in a residential substance use treatment programme; and (3) recommendations for the application of these findings for fathers in substance use disorder treatment, and considers the implications of programme modifications and increased focus on fathers for child welfare.

‘Substance use treatment programmes for men rarely incorporate a parenting component’

Key Practitioner Messages

Despite significant need, parenting and fatherhood‐focused interventions are typically not provided within substance abuse treatment facilities.

Motherhood‐focused programmes have improved parenting and substance use outcomes for women.

Integration of a fatherhood and parenting intervention into residential substance use treatment for men shows promise.

Fathers for Change intervention within a residential treatment programme and aftercare setting was feasible, with high completion rates and satisfaction and reductions in affect regulation problems and hostility.

‘Integration of a fatherhood and parenting intervention into residential substance use treatment for men shows promise’
Cucurbit[8]uril Reactivation of an Inactivated Caspase‐8 Mutant Reveals Differentiated Enzymatic Substrate Processing
Authors: Dang Dung T. , van Onzen Arthur H. A. M. , Dorland Yvonne L. , Brunsveld Luc
Published: October 2018

Caspase‐8 constructs featuring an N‐terminal FGG sequence allow for selective twofold recognition by cucurbit[8]uril, which leads to an increase of the enzymatic activity in a cucurbit[8]uril dose‐dependent manner. This supramolecular switching has enabled for the first time the study of the same caspase‐8 in its two extreme states; as full monomer and as cucurbit[8]uril induced dimer. A mutated, fully monomeric caspase‐8 (D384A), which is enzymatically inactive towards its natural substrate caspase‐3, could be fully reactivated upon addition of cucurbit[8]uril. In its monomeric state caspase‐8 (D384A) still processes a small synthetic substrate, but not the natural caspase‐3 substrate, highlighting the close interplay between protein dimerization and active site rearrangement for substrate selectivity. The ability to switch the caspase‐8 activity by a supramolecular system thus provides a flexible approach to studying the activity of a protein at different oligomerization states.
A case of a tumor‐like condition in the optic nerve head of a pig
Authors: Suetov Alexey A. , Boiko Ernest V. , Alekperov Sergey I.
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

A tumor‐like condition of the optic nerve head of unknown etiology was found in a domestic pig. Clinical and histological manifestations suggest that the unusual tumor‐like condition is probably a variant of proliferative optic neuropathy caused by unknown nonspecific damage (perhaps trauma), which was received earlier.