bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A posição do Brasil em face da decisão da OMC: uma decisão realista ou racionalista sob a perspectiva da Escola das Três Tradições?
Authors: Vaciles Bilacchi Júnior Gilberto
Published: August 2017

O presente ar go tem por obje vo analisar, com base nas diferentes correntes teóricas do direi- to internacional, como se dá a tomada de decisões dos países no âmbito das relações internacionais. Começaremos por uma análise do mundo jurídico e do mundo polí co, e a forma como estão organizados os países atualmente reconhecidos pela Organização das Nações Unidas. Posteriormente, adentraremos as relações internacionais e as suas teorias, analisando as principais correntes de pensamento que são o liberalismo, o realismo, a teoria radical e a economia polí ca internacional. O destaque será dado para a Escola das Três Tradições, que se baseia nos conceitos de Hedley Bull e Martin Wight de três tradições de ação no ambiente internacional. Para facilitar a compreensão do tema, u lizaremos como exemplo a disputa comercial acer- ca dos subsídios agrícolas, travada entre o Brasil e os Estados Unidos da América, perante a Organização Mundial do Comércio. Ao m, concluiremos opinando pelo po de decisão tomada pelo governo brasileiro ao rmar acordo com o país norte-americano acerca da disputa comercial, e em qual das teorias analisadas mais se amolda o atual estágio das relações internacionais.
Conselhos Setoriais como elementos de formulação de políticas públicas
Authors: Losso Marcelo Ribeiro
Published: August 2017

O presente trabalho trata do estudo dos Conselhos Setoriais como instrumentos de formulação de políticas públicas no Brasil. O Estado afasta-se da posição de império passando para a posição de consenso, interagindo com um número crescente de atores sociais. Os movimentos sociais no país nas últimas décadas, em especial aqueles que buscavam maior participação política, foram importantes para a abertura de canais de participação da sociedade civil na formulação de políticas públicas. Previsões constitucionais e legais permitem a participação da sociedade e o direcionamento das políticas públicas num sistema pautado no debate público, plural e paritário entre os diversos atores sociais. Os Conselhos Setoriais são instrumentos privilegiados de formulação das políticas públicas, contudo, apresentam limitações e desaos para que sejam alcançadas a eficácia e a efetividade desejadas para esses instrumentos.
Fiscalidade urbanística no Brasil e na França: instrumentos fiscais para a construção de cidades sustentáveis
Authors: Sotto Debora
Published: August 2017

O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar a importância da Fiscalidade Urbanística para o desenvolvimento urbano sustentável, por meio do estudo comparativo entre os instrumentos jurídicos de financiamento da atividade urbanística do Poder Público no Brasil e na França. Para isso, apresentam-se algumas noções preliminares sobre a estrutura dos Estados Brasileiro e Francês, sobre a atividade urbanística do Poder Público e sobre o financiamento do urbanismo em ambos os países, para a seguir, ingressar no estudo comparativo das exações criadas pela Reforma da Fiscalidade Urbanística Francesa aprovada ao final do ano de 2010 com institutos similares do Direito Urbanístico Brasileiro, sempre sob o prisma do princípio do desenvolvimento sustentável.
Planos de drenagem urbana e perspectivas para a proteção das Áreas de Preservação Permanente
Authors: Machado Granziera Maria Luisa
Published: August 2017

A partir das graves enchentes ocorridas no Brasil nos últimos anos, os planos de drenagem urbana são parte por um conjunto de ações a serem implementadas pelos Poderes Públicos, na busca de proteger as cidades e sua população desses acidentes. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as questões relativas às Áreas de Preservação Permanente(APPs) localizadas no meio urbano, que constituem um núcleo de conflitos envolvendo a municipalidade, os munícipes, o meio ambiente e o próprio Direito. Em face da ilegalidade das ocupações, agravada pela consolidação das áreas ocupadas e pela real necessidade de proteção das APPs, cabe considerar que as soluções para o futuro são distintas daquelas necessárias à solução dos fatos consolidados. Para o futuro, há que implementar a atuação dos Poderes Públicos, assumindo a politicamente difícil tarefa de proibir a ocupação nas áreas protegidas, o que remete a outras mudanças na estrutura político-administrativa das cidades. Para solucionar os problemas de ocupação ilegal já consolidada, a compensação efetuada por meio de parques ao longo dos rios ou nas encostas de morros desocupadas surge como uma possibilidade de remediar a situação.
Desenvolvimento e tratamento especial e diferenciado na OMC: uma abordagem sob a perspectiva da doutrina do stare decisis – Parte II
Authors: Saldanha Eduardo
Published: August 2017

O tema comércio internacional e desenvolvimento sob a perspectiva do tratamento especial e diferenciado tem sido objeto de debates acalorados, principalmente no que diz respeito à efetividade das regras existentes no âmbito da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC). A revisão dos mecanismos de tratamento especial e diferenciado e diferenciação tem sido objeto de obstáculos negociais que têm impedido que tais instrumentos sejam aplicados de forma a proporcionar uma diminuição das diferenças de desenvolvimento dos membros da OMC. Uma das alternativas propostas é a possibilidade de utilização de precedentes vinculantes como mecanismos passíveis de permitir a adaptação das normas existentes, a fim de que estas se aproximem da realidade efetiva dos membros da OMC e respondam à problemática do desenvolvimento de forma mais específica.
A competitividade internacional e a desoneração tributária do trabalho formal no Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Lourival José de , Zarelli Renata Calheiros
Published: August 2017

A competitividade de produtos internacionais com os produzidos nacionalmente está a proporcionar um processo “precoce” de desindustrialização no Brasil. Esse processo está vinculado ao recuo na contratação de novos postos de trabalho e à dispensa dos empregados contratados e, ainda, associado à utilização de tecnologias poupadoras de mão de obra. Com isso, a Presidenta da República recentemente expediu sete decretos e duas medidas provisórias, a fim de garantir o fortalecimento econômico e estimular a indústria nacional a enfrentar a crise financeira mundial e o processo de desindustrialização. Isso com a consequente desoneração tributária do trabalho formal, com vistas a garantir novos empregos e a formalizar as já existentes e evitar a subcontratação de trabalhadores por meio da terceirização, que é uma forma de precarização desses direitos. Tais medidas visam também a ampliar a produção nacional, barateando os custos da produção e dos preços do produto, e garantir de forma sustentável o desenvolvimento econômico nacional. O Estado tem a responsabilidade de compatibilizar a economia e a garantia dos direitos sociais, a fim de obter um desenvolvimento econômico nacional sustentável, sempre visando a frear possíveis violações aos direitos sociais. Na elaboração deste artigo, foi utilizada a metodologia da pesquisa por meio do estudo descritivo, exploratório e bibliográfico do tema, com a consequente análise dos dados e informações por meio de um enfoque qualitativo.
A atividade portuária como garantidora do princípio da sustentabilidade
Authors: Schmitt Siqueira Garcia Denise
Published: August 2017

Os portos, dentro da história, sempre tiveram e continuam tendo grande destaque no desenvolvimento econômico e social dos povos e, atualmente, essa importância tem cada vez mais evidência em razão da globalização. Assim, considerando a necessidade de existência de desenvolvimento econômico para que ocorra desenvolvimento social e assim proteção ambiental, ou seja, a necessidade da proteção das três dimensões do Princípio da Sustentabilidade, o presente artigo tem como objetivo principal analisar se a atividade portuária é garantidora desse princípio, verificando se ela gera desenvolvimento econômico e social. Para tanto, em um primeiro momento será feito um estudo sobre o desenvolvimento da atividade portuária e sua importância a título nacional e mundial. Na segunda parte,serão destacados impactos negativos e positivos que são gerados no desenvolvimento da atividade portuária. E por fim se destacará a ligação existente entre a atividade portuária e o Princípio da Sustentabilidade, ou seja, será verificado se a atividade portuária gera desenvolvimento econômico, gerando o desenvolvimento social e consequentemente a proteção ambiental. Dentro desse contexto, há que se levar em consideração que como a pobreza é uma das principais causas de depredação do ambiente, a atividade que gera desenvolvimento econômico e consequentemente desenvolvimento social deverá ser considerada como uma atividade garantidora do Princípio da Sustentabilidade.
O princípio da proibição do retrocesso socioambiental e o “novo” Código Florestal
Authors: Dos Santos Euseli
Published: August 2017

A evolução do pensamento ecológico após a crise ambiental enfrentada nos períodos subsequentes à Segunda Grande Guerra criou um ambiente propício ao surgimento do Direito Ambiental. Uma série de manifestações em âmbito internacional alarmaram os Estados sobre os problemas decorrentes da exploração desenfreada dos bens ambientais, o que culminou na constitucionalização, em diversos países, de normas de proteção ao meio ambiente. No Brasil, a Constituição Federal de 1988 positivou no art. 225 uma série de dispositivos que trouxeram normatização inédita em matéria ambiental, dentre os quais a garantia do direito fundamental ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado, um dos mais maciços pilares sobre os quais se sustenta a tutela jurídica do meio ambiente no Direito brasileiro, e o dever Estatal de proteção do meio ambiente. Essa tutela ambiental constitucional, cumulada com a celebração de tratados e convenções internacionais que visam à promoção e aperfeiçoamento da proteção ecológica permitiram dizer que o Brasil adotou o princípio da vedação do retrocesso socioambiental, que consiste, em suma, na proibição de abolição da proteção ambiental já consagrada no ordenamento jurídico em detrimento dos direitos fundamentais dos cidadãos. A revogação do Código Florestal pela Lei n. 12.671/2012, que alterou sensivelmente o tratamento ecológico das reservas ambientais e Áreas de Proteção Permanente, dentre outras modificações que se contrapõem aos fundamentos constitucionais da tutela ambiental adotados em nosso país, tem gerado profundas discussões doutrinárias, o que foi o objeto do presente estudo.
FXR1 regulates transcription and is required for growth of human cancer cells with TP53/FXR2 homozygous deletion
Authors: Fan Yichao , Yue Jiao , Xiao Mengtao , Han-Zhang Han , Wang Yao Vickie , Ma Chun , Deng Zhilin , Li Yingxiang , Yu Yanyan , Wang Xinghao , Niu Shen , Hua Youjia , Weng Zhiping , Atadja Peter , Li En , Xiang Bin
Published: August 2017

Tumor suppressor p53 prevents cell transformation by inducing apoptosis and other responses. Homozygous TP53 deletion occurs in various types of human cancers for which no therapeutic strategies have yet been reported. TCGA database analysis shows that the TP53 homozygous deletion locus mostly exhibits co-deletion of the neighboring gene FXR2, which belongs to the Fragile X gene family. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of the remaining family member FXR1 selectively blocks cell proliferation in human cancer cells containing homozygous deletion of both TP53 and FXR2 in a collateral lethality manner. Mechanistically, in addition to its RNA-binding function, FXR1 recruits transcription factor STAT1 or STAT3 to gene promoters at the chromatin interface and regulates transcription thus, at least partially, mediating cell proliferation. Our study anticipates that inhibition of FXR1 is a potential therapeutic approach to targeting human cancers harboring TP53 homozygous deletion.
Cryo-EM structure of the SAGA and NuA4 coactivator subunit Tra1 at 3.7 angstrom resolution
Authors: Díaz-Santín Luis Miguel , Lukoyanova Natasha , Aciyan Emir , Cheung Alan CM
Published: August 2017

Coactivator complexes SAGA and NuA4 stimulate transcription by post-translationally modifying chromatin. Both complexes contain the Tra1 subunit, a highly conserved 3744-residue protein from the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family and a direct target for multiple sequence-specific activators. We present the Cryo-EM structure of Saccharomyces cerevsisae Tra1 to 3.7 Å resolution, revealing an extensive network of alpha-helical solenoids organized into a diamond ring conformation and is strikingly reminiscent of DNA-PKcs, suggesting a direct role for Tra1 in DNA repair. The structure was fitted into an existing SAGA EM reconstruction and reveals limited contact surfaces to Tra1, hence it does not act as a molecular scaffold within SAGA. Mutations that affect activator targeting are distributed across the Tra1 structure, but also cluster within the N-terminal Finger region, indicating the presence of an activator interaction site. The structure of Tra1 is a key milestone in deciphering the mechanism of multiple coactivator complexes.
Essential literature for the chiropractic profession: Results and implementation challenges from a survey of international chiropractic faculty
Authors: Mansholt Barbara A. , Salsbury Stacie A. , Corber Lance G. , Stites John S.
Published: August 2017

Objective:

Scientific literature applicable to chiropractic practice proliferates in quantity, quality, and source. Chiropractic is a worldwide profession and varies in scope between states or provinces and from country to country. It is logical to consider that the focus and emphasis of chiropractic education varies between programs as well. This original research study endeavored to determine “essential literature” recommended by chiropractic faculty. The purpose of this article is (1) to share our results and (2) to promote discussion and explore means for future collaboration of chiropractic faculty through a worldwide platform.

Methods:

A 2-phase recruitment occurred initially at the institutional level and subsequently at the faculty level. A Web-based survey used qualitative data collection methods to gather bibliographic citations. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, and citation responses were ranked per number of recommendations, grouped into categories, and tabulated per journal source and publication date.

Results:

Forty-one chiropractic programs were contacted, resulting in 30 participating chiropractic programs (16 US and 14 international). Forty-five faculty members completed the entire survey, submitting 126 peer-reviewed publications and 25 additional citations. Readings emphasized clinical management of spine pain, the science of spinal manipulation, effectiveness of manual therapies, teaching of chiropractic techniques, outcomes assessments, and professional issues.

Conclusion:

A systematic approach to surveying educators in international chiropractic institutions was accomplished. The results of the survey provide a list of essential literature for the chiropractic profession. We recommend establishing a chiropractic faculty registry for improved communication and collaboration.
Nitrogen enrichment and speciation in a coral reef lagoon driven by groundwater inputs of bird guano
Authors: McMahon Ashly , Santos Isaac R.
Published: August 2017

While the influence of river inputs on coral reef biogeochemistry has been investigated, there is limited information on nutrient fluxes related to submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). Here, we investigate whether significant saline groundwater‐derived nutrient inputs from bird guano drive coral reef photosynthesis and calcification off Heron Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia). We used multiple experimental approaches including groundwater sampling, beach face transects, and detailed time series observations to assess the dynamics and speciation of groundwater nutrients as they travel across the island and discharge into the coral reef lagoon. Nitrogen speciation shifted from nitrate‐dominated groundwater (>90% of total dissolved nitrogen) to a coral reef lagoon dominated by dissolved organic nitrogen (DON; ∼86%). There was a minimum input of nitrate of 2.1 mmol m−2 d−1 into the lagoon from tidally driven submarine groundwater discharge estimated from a radon mass balance model. An independent approach based on the enrichment of dissolved nutrients during isolation at low tide implied nitrate fluxes of 5.4 mmol m−2 d−1. A correlation was observed between nitrate and daytime net ecosystem production and calcification. We suggest that groundwater nutrients derived from bird guano may offer a significant addition to oligotrophic coral reef lagoons and fuel ecosystem productivity and the coastal carbon cycle near Heron Island. The large input of groundwater nutrients in Heron Island may serve as a natural ecological analogue to other coral reefs subject to large nutrient inputs from anthropogenic sources.
Slow acidification of the winter mixed layer in the subarctic western North Pacific
Authors: Wakita Masahide , Nagano Akira , Fujiki Tetsuichi , Watanabe Shuichi
Published: August 2017

We used carbon dioxide (CO2) system data collected during 1999–2015 to investigate ocean acidification at time series sites in the western subarctic region of the North Pacific Ocean. The annual mean pH at station K2 decreased at a rate of 0.0025 ± 0.0010 year−1 mostly in response to oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2. The Revelle factor increased rapidly (0.046 ± 0.022 year−1), an indication that the buffering capacity of this region of the ocean has declined faster than at other time series sites. In the western subarctic region, the pH during the winter decline at a slower rate of 0.0008 ± 0.0004 year−1. This was attributed to a reduced rate of increase of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and an increase of total alkalinity (TA). The reduction of DIC increase was caused by the decline of surface water density associated with the pycnocline depression and the reduction of vertical diffusion flux from the upper pycnocline. These physical changes were probably caused by northward shrinkage of the western subarctic gyre and global warming. Meanwhile, the contribution of the density decline to the TA increase is canceled out by that of the reduced vertical diffusive flux. We speculated that the winter TA increase is caused mainly by the accumulation of TA due to the weakened calcification by organisms during the winter.
Importance of coccolithophore‐associated organic biopolymers for fractionating particle‐reactive radionuclides (234Th, 233Pa, 210Pb, 210Po, and 7Be) in the ocean
Authors: Lin Peng , Xu Chen , Zhang Saijin , Sun Luni , Schwehr Kathleen A. , Bretherton Laura , Quigg Antonietta , Santschi Peter H.
Published: August 2017

Laboratory incubation experiments using the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi were conducted in the presence of 234Th, 233Pa, 210Pb, 210Po, and 7Be to differentiate radionuclide uptake to the CaCO3 coccosphere from coccolithophore‐associated biopolymers. The coccosphere (biogenic calcite exterior and its associated biopolymers), extracellular (nonattached and attached exopolymeric substances), and intracellular (sodium‐dodecyl‐sulfate extractable and Fe‐Mn‐associated metabolites) fractions were obtained by sequentially extraction after E. huxleyi reached its stationary growth phase. Radionuclide partitioning and the composition of different organic compound classes, including proteins, total carbohydrates (TCHO), and uronic acids (URA), were assessed. 210Po was closely associated with the more hydrophobic biopolymers (high protein/TCHO ratio, e.g., in attached exopolymeric substances), while 234Th and 233Pa showed similar partitioning behavior with most activity being distributed in URA‐enriched, nonattached exopolymeric substances and intracellular biopolymers. 234Th and 233Pa were nearly undetectable in the coccosphere, with a minor abundance of organic components in the associated biopolymers. These findings provide solid evidence that biogenic calcite is not the actual main carrier phase for Th and Pa isotopes in the ocean. In contrast, both 210Pb and 7Be were found to be mostly concentrated in the CaCO3 coccosphere, likely substituting for Ca2+ during coccolith formation. Our results demonstrate that even small cells (E. huxleyi) can play an important role in the scavenging and fractionation of radionuclides. Furthermore, the distinct partitioning behavior of radionuclides in diatoms (previous studies) and coccolithophores (present study) explains the difference in the scavenging of radionuclides between diatom‐ and coccolithophore‐dominated marine environments.
Coccolithophore variability across Marine Isotope Stage 11 in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean and its potential impact on the carbon cycle
Authors: Saavedra‐Pellitero Mariem , Baumann Karl‐Heinz , Lamy Frank , Köhler Peter
Published: August 2017

Proxy‐based reconstructions of past changes in the marine biological carbon pumps are limited, especially in the Southern Ocean. This work provides new insights into the productivity variations in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. We present new data derived from three sediment cores that show glacial/interglacial coccolithophore variability across Marine Isotope Stage 11 (MIS 11). The cores were retrieved during R/V Polarstern cruise PS75 from the Subantarctic Zone and Polar Front Zone at the western flank of the East Pacific Rise and in the vicinity of the Antarctic‐Pacific Ridge. Coccolithophore assemblages were overwhelmingly dominated by the species Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica and small Gephyrocapsa. Total numbers of coccoliths, coccolith accumulation rates, coccolith fraction (CF; <20 μm fraction) Sr/Ca data, and temperature‐corrected CF Sr/Ca records consistently showed an increase in coccolithophore productivity during Termination V (MIS 12‐11 boundary), highest productivity throughout MIS 11 (~424–374 kyr), and a decrease during late MIS 11 in all the cores. We end with a discussion of back‐calculated coccolith calcification rate in the surface ocean and its potential contribution to changes in the concentration of atmospheric CO2.
Entropy production in a box: Analysis of instabilities in confined hydrothermal systems
Authors: Börsing N. , Wellmann J. F. , Niederau J. , Regenauer‐Lieb K.
Published: August 2017

We evaluate if the concept of thermal entropy production can be used as a measure to characterize hydrothermal convection in a confined porous medium as a valuable, thermodynamically motivated addition to the standard Rayleigh number analysis. Entropy production has been used widely in the field of mechanical and chemical engineering as a way to characterize the thermodynamic state and irreversibility of an investigated system. Pioneering studies have since adapted these concepts to natural systems, and we apply this measure here to investigate the specific case of hydrothermal convection in a “box‐shaped” confined porous medium, as a simplified analog for, e.g., hydrothermal convection in deep geothermal aquifers. We perform various detailed numerical experiments to assess the response of the convective system to changing boundary conditions or domain aspect ratios, and then determine the resulting entropy production for each experiment. In systems close to the critical Rayleigh number, we derive results that are in accordance to the analytically derived predictions. At higher Rayleigh numbers, however, we observe multiple possible convection modes, and the analysis of the integrated entropy production reveals distinct curves of entropy production that provide an insight into the hydrothermal behavior in the system, both for cases of homogeneous materials, as well as for heterogeneous spatial material distributions. We conclude that the average thermal entropy production characterizes the internal behavior of hydrothermal systems with a meaningful thermodynamic measure, and we expect that it can be useful for the investigation of convection systems in many similar hydrogeological and geophysical settings.
miR‐30d is related to asbestos exposure and inhibits migration and invasion in NCI‐H2452 cells
Authors: Ju Li , Wu Wei , Yin Xianhong , Xiao Yun , Jia Zhenyu , Lou Jianlin , Yu Min , Ying Shibo , Chen Tianhui , Jiang Zhaoqiang , Li Wei , Chen Junqiang , Zhang Xing , Zhu Lijin
Published: August 2017

Pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumor that is typically related to asbestos exposure and has a latency of 20–60 years. Several microRNA contribute to MM initiation and progression, but the mechanisms are not clear. Here, we found that miR‐30d is downregulated in the pleural MM cell line NCI‐H2452, in the plasma of asbestos‐exposed individuals, and in asbestos‐exposed mesothelial cells. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of the overexpression of miR‐30d in pleural MM cells. We demonstrated that miR‐30d overexpression could suppress pleural MM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and could promote cell apoptosis but could not significantly influence cell cycle. The mRNA and protein expression of vimentin and TWIST1 decreased, and the mRNA expression of CDH1 increased in NCI‐H2452 cells that overexpressed miR‐30d. We therefore conclude that miR‐30d is related to asbestos exposure and inhibits cell migration and invasion by regulating the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in NCI‐H2452 cells.
Do we need a new CT scan for retreatment of intracranial SRS patients?
Authors: Wiant David , Manning Matthew , Koch Kyle , Maurer Jacqueline , Hayes Lane , Liu Han , Shang Qingyang , Sintay Benjamin
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To determine if the treatment planning computed tomography scan (CT) from an initial intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment can be used for repeat courses of SRS.

Methods and materials

Twenty‐five patients with 40 brain metastases that received multiple courses of SRS were retrospectively studied. Magnetic resonance scans from repeat SRS (rMR) courses were registered to CT scans from the initial SRS (iCT) and repeat SRS (rCT). The CT scans were then registered to find the displacement of the rMR between iCT and rCT registrations. The distance from each target to proximal skull surface was measured in 16 directions on each CT scan after registration. The mutual information (MI) coefficients from the registration process were used to evaluate image set similarity. Targets and plans from the rCTs were transferred to the iCTs, and doses were recalculated on the iCT for repeat plans. The two dose distributions were compared through 3D gamma analysis.

Results

The magnitude of the mean linear translations from the MR registrations was 0.6 ± 0.3 mm. The mean differences in distance from target to skull on a per target basis were 0.3 ± 0.2 mm. The MI was 0.582 ± 0.042. Registration between a comparison group of 30 CT scans that had the same data resampled and 30 scans that were intercompared with different patients gave MI = 0.721 ± 0.055 and MI = 0.359 ± 0.031, respectively. The mean gamma passing rates were 0.997 ± 0.007 for 1 mm/1% criteria.

Conclusions

The rMR can be aligned to the iCT to accurately define targets. The skull shows minimal change between scans so the iCT can be used for set‐up at repeat treatments. The dosimetry provided by the iCT dose calculation is adequate for repeat SRS. Treatment based on iCT is feasible.
“Ductile” Fracture of Metallic Glass Nanolaminates
Authors: Fan Zhe , Li Jin , Yang Yingchao , Wang Jian , Li Qiang , Xue Sichuang , Wang Haiyan , Lou Jun , Zhang Xinghang
Published: August 2017

Most metallic glasses are brittle as deformation induces low‐density sporadic shear bands and severe shear localization proceeding catastrophic failure. Here, it is demonstrated that the introduction of crystalline nanolayers with appropriate dimension can substantially suppress shear localization in metallic glasses, as manifested by ubiquitous ductile dimples in amorphous phase. Furthermore, dimple sizes can be tailored by tuning the dimension of layer thickness. Additionally unlike instantaneous crack propagation occurring in most metallic glasses, crack propagation occurs in a highly periodic and “zigzag” fashion, and shows clear size dependence for metallic glass nanolaminates. Thus, it is a promising approach to promote ductility in metallic glasses while maintaining high strength by synthesizing metallic glass nanolaminates with certain layer thickness. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that crystalline/amorphous interfaces can block crack propagation in crystalline layers and delocalize strain in amorphous layers, and suggest that “zigzag” crack propagation could be achieved through dislocation slips in crystalline layers.
Olefins from Natural Gas by Oxychlorination
Authors: Zichittella Guido , Aellen Nicolas , Paunović Vladimir , Amrute Amol P. , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier
Published: August 2017

Ethylene and propylene are the key building blocks of the chemical industry, but current processes are unable to close the growing gap between demand and manufacture. Reported herein is an exceptional europium oxychloride (EuOCl) catalyst for the selective (≥95 %) production of light olefins from ethane and propane by oxychlorination chemistry, thus achieving yields of ethylene (90 %) and propylene (40 %) unparalleled by any existing olefin production technology. Moreover, EuOCl is able to process mixtures of methane, ethane, and propane to produce the olefins, thereby reducing separation costs of the alkanes in natural gas. Finally, the EuOCl catalyst was supported on suitable carriers and evaluated in extrudate form, and preserves performance for >150 h under realistic process conditions.
Self‐Regulated and Temporal Control of a “Breathing” Microgel Mediated by Enzymatic Reaction
Authors: Che Hailong , Buddingh' Bastiaan C. , van Hest Jan C. M.
Published: August 2017

Naturally occurring systems have the ability to self‐regulate, which plays a key role in their structural and functional adaptation. The autonomous behavior in living systems is biocatalytically controlled by the continuous consumption of energy to remain in a non‐equilibrium condition. In this work, we show the construction of a self‐regulated “breathing” microgel that uses chemical fuels to keep the system in the out‐of‐equilibrium state. The enzyme urease is utilized to program a feedback‐induced pH change, which in turn tunes the size switch and fluorescence intensity of the microgel. A continuous supply of chemical fuels to the system allows the process to be reversible. This microgel with tunable autonomous properties provides insights into the design of artificial systems and dynamic soft materials.
Phosphorus‐containing thermoplastic poly(ether ester) elastomers showing intrinsic flame retardancy
Authors: Kim Seonggyun , Linh Pham Thi Thuy , Kang Jaeryeon , Kim Il
Published: August 2017

A series of poly(ether ester) thermoplastic elastomers (TPEEs) are synthesized by a one‐pot, two‐step method: (1) transesterification of dimethyl‐2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate with 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) as chain extender (CE), followed by (2) low‐pressure melt polycondensation with poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) as a soft segment in the presence of Ti(OBu)4 as a catalyst. In order to design phosphorous‐containing flame‐retardant TPEEs, hydroxyl‐terminated isobutylbis(hydroxypropyl)phosphine oxide (IHPO) is integrated into the polymer backbone as the second CE, modulating the IHPO content up to 30% with respect to BDO. The resultant TPEEs are systematically characterized using various spectral, thermal, and mechanical analyses. An increase in phosphorus content in the polymer backbone enhances the flame retardancy of TPEE, adapting them as promising halogen‐free self‐extinguishing thermoplastic elastomers without losing their elastomeric properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45478.
Size effect of charcoal particles on the properties of bamboo charcoal/ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene composites
Authors: Li Suiyi , Wang Haiying , Chen Chuchu , Li Xiaoyan , Deng Qiaoyun , Gong Meng , Li Dagang
Published: August 2017

This study was aimed at examining the size effect of charcoal particles on the properties of bamboo charcoal (BC)/ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites. Four types of BC with various particle sizes were mixed with UHMWPE using a twin‐screw extruder. It was found that the melting temperature and crystallinity of the composites were slightly decreased with the addition of BC. The incorporation of BC remarkably improved the tensile properties and creep resistance of UHMWPE, and the particle size of BC strongly affected the properties of BC/UHMWPE composites. The BC with lowest particle size exhibited best reinforcement, where the tensile strength and Young's modulus were increased by 385% and 517% compared with neat UHMWPE. The composites with 70 wt % BC possessed conductivities of 16.8, 14.1, 13.5, and 10.9 S/m. The storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the composites also increased with the addition of BC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45530.
Varus Thrust and Incident and Progressive Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Sharma Leena , Chang Alison H. , Jackson Rebecca D. , Nevitt Michael , Moisio Kirsten C. , Hochberg Marc , Eaton Charles , Kwoh C. Kent , Almagor Orit , Cauley Jane , Chmiel Joan S.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To determine if varus thrust, a bowing out of the knee during gait (i.e., the first appearance or worsening of varus alignment during stance), is associated with incident and progressive knee osteoarthritis (OA), we undertook an Osteoarthritis Initiative ancillary study. We further considered hypothesized associations adjusted for static alignment, anticipating some attenuation.

Methods

Gait was observed for the presence of thrust by 1 of 2–3 examiners per study site at 4 sites. In eligible knees, incident OA was defined as subsequent incident Kellgren/Lawrence grade ≥2, whole‐ and partial‐grade medial joint space narrowing (JSN), and annualized loss of joint space width (JSW); progression was defined as medial JSN and JSW loss. Outcome measures were assessed for up to 7 years of follow‐up. Analyses were knee‐level, using multivariable logistic and linear regression with generalized estimating equations to account for between‐limb correlation.

Results

The incident OA sample included 4,187 knees (2,610 persons); the progression sample included 3,421 knees (2,284 persons). In knees with OA, thrust was associated with progression as assessed by each outcome measure, with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and pain on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale. In knees without OA, varus thrust was not associated with incident OA or other outcomes. After adjustment for alignment, the thrust–progression association was attenuated, but an independent association persisted for partial‐grade JSN and JSW loss outcome models. WOMAC pain and alignment were consistently associated with all outcome measures. Within the stratum of varus knees, thrust was associated with an increased risk of progression.

Conclusion

Varus thrust visualized during gait is associated with knee OA progression and should be a target of intervention development.
SEC‐SAXS and HDX‐MS: A powerful combination. The case of the calcium‐binding domain of a bacterial toxin
Authors: O'Brien Darragh P. , Brier Sébastien , Ladant Daniel , Durand Dominique , Chenal Alexandre , Vachette Patrice
Published: August 2017

Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) is a relatively simple experimental technique that provides information on the global conformation of macromolecules in solution, be they fully structured, partially, or extensively unfolded. Size exclusion chromatography in line with a SAXS measuring cell considerably improves the monodispersity and ideality of solutions, the two main requirements of a “good” SAXS sample. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange monitored by mass spectrometry (HDX‐MS) offers a wealth of information regarding the solvent accessibility at the local (peptide) level. It constitutes a sensitive probe of local flexibility and, more generally, of structural dynamics. The combination of both approaches presented here is very powerful, as illustrated by the case of RD, a calcium‐binding protein that is part of a bacterial virulence factor.
Erweiterung des Seehafens Wismar
Authors: Günzl Tobias
Published: August 2017

Die neue Hafenfläche des Seehafens Wismar mit Liegeplätzen für Massengutschiffe ist etwa so groß wie sechs Fußballfelder. Es ist aktuell das größte Kaimauerbauvorhaben im Bereich der deutschen Ostseeküste. Inros Lackner ist als Generalplaner auf die Durchführung komplexer und fachübergreifender Planungen spezialisiert. Die vielseitigen Anforderungen der Hafenerweiterung umfassen alle Komponenten des Hafenbaus – Spundwandbau, Nassbaggerung, Bodenverbesserungs‐ und Konsolidierungsmaßnahmen, Spülfeldbetrieb, Betonbau, Gleis‐ und Flächenbau. 2018 soll die Hafenerweiterung abgeschlossen werden.
3‐Aryl‐3‐(isoxazol‐3‐yl)propanoic Acids and 2‐Aryloxyacetic Acids as Potent GPR40 Agonists
Authors: An Kyung‐Mi , Hong Chang‐Hee , Kwak Hyun‐Jung , Cui Shuolin , Song Hyo‐Jung , Park Joon‐Tae , Moon An‐Na , Kim Jeong‐Ah , Yang Ji‐Hun , Yoon JongMin , Lee MyongJae , Jeong Dong‐Gu , Kim Dohee , Shin JeongCheol , Hong DaHae , Lee Hong‐Sub , Park Soobong , Kang Jae‐Hoon , Ko Soo Young
Published: August 2017

GPR40 is one of the most prominent targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and has its role in insulin secretion via blood‐glucose‐dependent manner with a minimum risk of hypoglycemia. In order to discover novel antidiabetics bearing these benefits, we screened various derivatives with two distinct pharmacophores. Both series displayed potent agonistic activities for GPR40 in vitro functional assay. Through additional ADME and in vivo efficacy evaluations, we identified the potent hit candidate 2j as a novel GPR40 agonist.
Discovery of 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐indene Derivatives as Novel GPR40 Agonists
Authors: An Kyung‐Mi , Hong Chang‐Hee , Kwak Hyun‐Jung , Cui Shuolin , Song Hyo‐Jung , Park Joon‐Tae , Moon An‐Na , Kim Jeong‐Ah , Yang Ji‐Hun , Yoon JongMin , Lee MyongJae , Jeong Dong‐Gu , Kim Dohee , Lee Don‐Gil , Shin JeongCheol , Je In‐Gyu , Lee Hong‐Sub , Park Soobong , Kang Jae‐Hoon , Ko Soo Young
Published: August 2017

GPR40 (G protein‐coupled receptor 40) has become an attractive target for insulin secretagogue via glucose‐dependent mechanism with low risk of hypoglycemia. In order to overcome problems associated with previously developed GPR40 agonists, we recruited the core fragment 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indene to GPR40 receptor binding pharmacophore with carboxylic acid moiety, and screened various amine analogs to finally discover several hit compounds displaying GPR40 agonistic activities. Through additional in vitro ADME, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo efficacy evaluations, compound 1e was demonstrated as a potent lead GPR40 agonist.
Energy Transfer and Bond Dissociation in the o‐chlorotoluene + H2/Cl2/HCl Collisions
Authors: Jeong Yun Jeong , Ree Jongbaik , Kim Yoo Hang , Shin Hyung Kyu
Published: August 2017

Energy flow and C–H and C–Cl bond dissociations in o‐chlorotoluene (OCT) in collisions with H2, Cl2, and HCl are studied using classical trajectory methods. The energy loss by the excited OCT is small, but it increases with increasing total vibrational energy content ET of OCT between 5000 cm−1 and 30000 cm−1. The energy loss is larger in OCT + HCl collision than in OCT + H2 or OCT + Cl2. The difference is mainly due the near‐resonant conditions between the vibration of the incident molecule and the C–H or C–Cl vibrations. Intermolecular energy transfer occurs through vibration–translation (V–T) and vibration–vibration (V–V) pathways. The intramolecular energy flow between C–H and C–Cl in highly excited OCT (60000–60300 cm−1) leads to bond dissociation. The probabilities of C–H and C–Cl dissociation are 10−5–10−1 and increase exponentially with increasing vibrational excitation of OCT. The probabilities are found to increase when the incident molecule becomes heavier.
SERS Spectroscopy and DFT Studies of Thionine and its Derivatives Adsorbed on Silver Colloids: Which N Atom is Used for Coordination of a Phenothiazine‐Based Natural Dye to Electron‐Deficient Metal Surface?
Authors: Yu Malg‐Eum , Cheong Byeong‐Seo , Cho Han‐Gook
Published: August 2017

A Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) investigation has been carried out for thionine and its derivatives, well known blue‐based dyes sharing the phenothiazine core. The thionine SERS spectrum is similar to its Raman spectrum. This suggests that the strong Raman bands mostly arising from in‐plane ring modes are also enhanced on metal surface. Several originally weak Raman bands arising from the CNC moiety or H atoms on the thiazine N side also largely strengthen in the SERS spectrum. Density functional theory results for the plausible coordinated structures of thionine and the silver adatom reveal that coordination via the thiazine N atom to Ag+ leads to the most stable structure, and its calculated spectrum also best reproduces the SERS spectrum. The thionine derivatives show surprisingly analogous spectra, reflecting that the derivatives coordinate in a similar fashion to the metal surface. The high preference of the thiazine N atom for coordination is traced to the positive charge on the S atom.
New Bioactive Macrocyclic Diterpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia
Authors: Hua Juan , Luo Shi‐Hong , Liu Yan , Liu Yan‐Chun , Tan Yan‐Yun , Feng Ling , Xiao Chao‐Jiang , Zhang Ke‐Qin , Li Sheng‐Hong , Niu Xue‐Mei
Published: August 2017

Three new macrocyclic diterpenoids, euphoscopoids A – C (1 – 3), including two new jatrophanes and a new lathyrane, were isolated from the whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Antifeedant and cytotoxic activities of these isolates were evaluated. All compounds showed significant antifeedant activity against a generalist plant‐feeding insect, Helicoverpa armigera, with EC50 values ranging from 2.05 to 4.34 μg/cm2. In addition, compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines NCI‐H1975, HepG2, and MCF‐2, while compounds 1 and 3 were not active at 80 μm. The results suggested not only the defensive function of macrocyclic diterpenoids in E. helioscopia against insect herbivores, but also their potential applications as new natural insect antifeedants.
Detection of Correlated Protein Backbone and Side‐Chain Angle Fluctuations
Authors: Fenwick R. Bryn , Vögeli Beat
Published: August 2017

NMR methods for the characterization of local protein motions have attained a high level of sophistication. Measurement of the synchronization between those motions, however, poses a serious challenge. Such correlated motions are one of the underlying mechanisms for the propagation of local changes to remote sites and as such for information transfer. Here, we demonstrate the experimental detection of the synchronization of motion over an intermediate range. To that purpose, we designed pulse sequences for the measurement of cross‐correlated relaxation between the backbone HN−N and side‐chain Hβ−Cβ dipoles in Ile, Thr, and Val in the protein GB3. These bonds are related through two and three intervening dihedral angles. We show that the correlated motions inherent in a structural ensemble obtained from a large and diverse array of NMR probes are in excellent agreement with our measurements.
Effects of cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) and positive psychological intervention (PPI) on female offenders with psychological distress in Hong Kong
Authors: Mak Vivian W.M. , Chan Calais K.Y.
Published: August 2017

Background

Despite rapid growth in the female prison population, there is little research on effectiveness of psychological interventions for them.

Aims

To test the hypotheses that (1) each of two psychological interventions administered separately – cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or positive psychology intervention (PPI) – would be more effective than ‘treatment‐as‐usual’ alone in reducing psychological distress and enhancing psychological well‐being; (2) outcomes would differ according to intervention; and (3) combining the interventions would be more effective than delivering either alone.

Methods

We recruited 40 women in a special Hong Kong prison unit for female offenders with psychological distress. Half of them received eight sessions of CBT followed by eight sessions of PPI; the other half received the same interventions in the reverse order. We recruited another 35 women who received only ‘treatment as usual’ (TAU) in the same unit. We used various clinical scales to assess the women's psychological distress or well‐being before and after the interventions or at similar time points for the comparison women.

Results

All intervention group women showed a significant reduction in psychological distress and enhancement in psychological well‐being after each intervention alone compared to the TAU women. There were no significant differences between CBT and PPI in this respect. Receiving both treatments, however, did yield significantly more improvement than either intervention alone in reducing depressive thoughts and enhancing global judgement of life satisfaction, self‐perceived strengths and hopeful thinking style.

Conclusions and implication for practice

Our findings provide preliminary empirical support for the effectiveness of psychological interventions with psychologically distressed women in prison. It would be important now to conduct a full, randomised trial to determine optimal length and combinations of treatment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sandwich‐Like Silica@Ni@Silica Multicore–Shell Catalyst for the Low‐Temperature Dry Reforming of Methane: Confinement Effect Against Carbon Formation
Authors: Bian Zhoufeng , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: August 2017

We synthesize a new sandwich‐like silica@Ni@silica multicore–shell catalyst. Firstly, Ni phyllosilicate (NiPS) is supported on silica nanospheres by a simple ammonia evaporation method. Then NiPS is coated with a layer of mesoporous silica to obtain a core–shell NiPS@silica structure by the hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The thickness of the shell can be tuned by varying the amount of TEOS. After calcination and H2 reduction at high temperature, multiple small Ni nanoparticles (≈6 nm) are generated and supported on the inner silica core but also encapsulated within the outer mesoporous silica shell. This silica@Ni@silica multicore–shell catalyst shows a high and stable conversion (≈60 %, gas hourly space velocity=60 000 mL h−1 gcat−1) for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) at 600 °C, whereas pristine NiPS deactivates quickly because of heavy carbon formation. We investigated the spent catalysts by using thermogravimetric analysis and TEM and found that there is almost no carbon formation for this new multicore–shell catalyst. Compared with a conventional Ni@silica core–shell catalyst, our multicore–shell catalyst is much easier to synthesize and the process does not require any toxic organic solvents. We believe that this strategy to make a multicore–shell catalyst can be applied to more nanomaterials and extended to other catalytic reactions besides DRM.
Slurry Utilization and Impact of Mixing Ratio in Biogas Production
Authors: KeChrist Obileke , Sampson Mamphweli , Golden Makaka , Nwabunwanne Nwokolo
Published: August 2017

The anaerobic conversion of waste to biogas in a biogas digester is influenced by a number of factors including mixing ratios, type of substrate, temperature, organic loading rate, pH, and carbon/nitrogen ratio. The appropriate mixing ratio of water and animal waste leads to effective biogas yield. Different mixing ratios proposed in literature for various animal waste for improving biogas yield are reviewed. Characterization and application of animal slurry, the choice of animal slurry as suitable feedstock for biogas production, the storage of animal slurry, the agitation process of slurry as well as mixing ratios of animal slurry are evaluated.