bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In the Midst of Crisis: Knowledge Assets and Operating Efficiency of Italian Listed Companies
Authors: Taliento Marco
Published: June 2017

Firms’ knowledge assets represent vital resources that contribute, in general, to corporate performance and value creation. At an earlier stage, they are expected to help enhance the operational efficiency of firms they belong to. In this light, under a Resource-Based Theory framework, we intend to find whether and to what extent this expectancy is verified also during the recent crisis in Italy. In more detail, we considered 612 firm-year observations relating to the Italian listed companies during three consecutive years - 2010, 2011 and 2012 (when the financial crisis reached its peak in Italy) - analysing overall about 7.000 data/numbers under a Fixed Effects Panel Data Model. The findings are robust: we document a significant positive correlation between Operational Efficiency and Patent assets & Intellectual Property Rights, Goodwill, Trademarks & Licenses, while we do not find a correlation with reference to Research & Development Capital (and Advertising investments), also controlling for employees, leverage and time/sector dummies. In the midst of a very turbulent period, most intellectual assets (the former) appear from the efficiency point of view more valuable and reliable than others (the latter) in hampering the profitability drop. Hence, unlike the tangible and financial assets, such resources are prospected to be strategic levers that make it possible to maintain efficiency or to enable a faster recovery in terms of wasted efficiency. That is, in turbulent times, technology, marketing-related and contractual-legal assets appear significantly associated with operational efficiency and therefore beneficial to corporate results.
Er was eens een verschoningsgerechtigde
Authors: Feenstra A.A.
Published: June 2017

Er was eens een verschoningsgerechtigde

In dit redactioneel artikel wordt kort ingegaan op de geschiedenis van het verschoningsrecht van de advocaat in Nederland.
Fair play in het fiscale strafrecht
Authors: Nuyens A.M.E. , Melse P.C.
Published: June 2017

Fair play in het fiscale strafrecht

In dit artikel staat het informeel verschoningsrecht centraal. Dit buitenwettelijke verschoningsrecht, door de Hoge Raad gedefinieerd als het fair play-bginsel vindt zijn oorsprong in het fiscale recht. Een korte introductie zal worden gegeven over de verregaande controlebevoegdheden van de Belastingdienst alsook over wettelijk fiscale verplichtingen van een belastingplichtige en de samenwerking ter voldoening daaraan met een belastingadviseur. De (in bepaalde gevallen te opportunistische) keuzemogelijkheid in het fiscaal punitieve stelsel komt aan bod en waarom juist in dit stelsel de belastingadviseur zich zou moeten kunnen verschonen. Daarna wordt beargumenteerd waarom het informeel verschoningsrecht ook doorwerking heeft, althans behoort te hebben in het strafrecht. Tot slot wordt stilgestaan bij de recente ontwikkelingen met betrekking tot het verschoningsrecht.
Het verschoningsrecht van de geestelijke
Authors: Sackers H.J.B.
Published: June 2017

Het verschoningsrecht van de geestelijke

In de bijdrage wordt het verschoningsrecht van de geestelijke aan de hand van wetsgeschiedenis en rechtspraak aan een nadere beschouwing onderworpen. Centraal staat de vraag wie die geestelijke is en wanneer hem het verschoningsrecht toekomt. Verder wordt een antwoord gegeven op de vraag hoe het zit met de geestelijk leiders van andere dan de wereldgodsdiensten.
Advocaat + misbruik + fiscaal verschoningsrecht = som van misverstanden
Authors: van Empel E. , van Regteren Altena P.N.
Published: June 2017

Advocaat + misbruik + fiscaal verschoningsrecht = som van misverstanden

De beleidsvoornemens vervat in de brief van staatssecretaris van Financiën Eric Wiebes (17 januari 2017, kenmerk 2017-0000009661) voor zover gericht op het ‘wettelijk fiscale verschoningsrecht’ van advocaten geven toezichthouders op advocaten aanleiding om hardnekkige misverstanden over het verschoningsrecht voor advocaten onder de loep te nemen en het toezicht op advocaten en de rol van de deken bij een beroep op verschoningsrecht te belichten, indien degene die met een beroep op verschoningsrecht wordt geconfronteerd daar om vraagt.
Modernisering Strafvordering: verschoning en codificatie
Authors: Gritter E.
Published: June 2017

Modernisering Strafvordering: verschoning en codificatie

In het kader van de modernisering van het Wetboek van Strafvordering is voorgesteld de mogelijkheid van ‘doorbreking’ van het verschoningsrecht te codificeren. Deze bijdrage in de rubriek Trending Topics gaat in het licht van het themanummer over het professionele verschoningsrecht kort in op het nut van codificatie van (sterk casuïstisch gekleurde) regels uit de jurisprudentie, zowel met betrekking tot de ‘doorbreking’ als meer algemeen. Volgens de auteur dient uiteindelijk gewaakt te worden voor al te veel verfijning op het niveau van de formele wet.
Trends and patterns in communication research on Asia: A review of publications in top SSCI journals, 1995-2014
Authors: Liu Xun "Sunny" , Wei Ran
Published: June 2017

Communication research in Asia has enjoyed rapid growth in the 20th century amid Asia’s economic boom, rapid growth in communication technologies and expanded university faculty. To explore the extent to which the rise of Asian communication research continued in the 21st century, a total of 558 publications on Asian communication research in 14 top-ranked SSCI communication journals from 1995 to 2014 were analyzed. Results indicate that the rise of Asian communication research is afoot in the 21st century. However, the results of also suggest patterns of unevenness of the published scholarship in terms of publishing year, journals, region, research topics and methodology: Asian communication research was dominated by East Asia, which was dominated by China, South Korea and Japan; in terms of research areas by topic, Asian communication scholarship focused on a few areas, including media effects, political communication, communication technology, and health communication; in terms of research methodologies, the quantitative approach was found to be dominant in the publications, which accounts for more than twice that of qualitative research.
Division in the land of ‘the unspoken’: Examining journalistic practice in contemporary New Caledonia
Authors: M'Balla-Ndi Marie
Published: June 2017

While the Kanaks’ (local indigenous population of New Caledonia) pro-independence protests against the French settlers and, more broadly, the French Republic, have been extensively documented in the global media and academic literature, another protest - more subtle and diffused, but deeply embedded - is taking place in New Caledonia.New Caledonia is a South Pacific archipelago colonised by the French in 1853 and set to decide whether to remain in the French Republic or become independent in a referendum between 2014 and 2019.This paper suggests that there is a polarisation in the New Caledonian media sphere, which deeply affects journalistic practices with tendencies to resist Western impositions, standards and dominance (for Kanak journalists and their leaders), while metropolitan journalists (who have settled in New Caledonia from France) tend to often reject customs or indigenous rules shaping general and media communication within local communities. Both tendencies also have a significant impact on which material the journalists will be able to collect for their news organisations, as well as an impact on the relationships these journalists will maintain (or not) with local communities and personalities.This paper examines some aspects of Pacific knowledge (including traditions, values, beliefs and protocols) and explores the nuances of a complex socio-political ‘liquid modern’ context in order to present examples of how developments inherent from tradition, colonisation and decolonisation aspirations, affect the work of local journalists (both metropolitan journalists, and Kanak journalists). Drawing on data collected during periods of archival research, participant observation and interviews conducted at both the metropolitan daily newspaper, Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, and the pro-independence radio station, Radio Djiido, this paper demonstrates how local journalists problematically navigate, and often contest, diverse socio-cultural values, practices and principles inherent from different times and places/spaces creating a deep division in the New Caledonian media sphere. It is suggested in this paper that Kanak values are often strongly contested by many metropolitan journalists, who often refuse to give any consideration to cultural factors, while, on the other hand, Kanak journalists will often tend to reject some of the principles of Western (or modern) journalism, adjusting these values and/or standards for specific or strategic reasons, such as preserving ‘la coutume'. This paper will also argue that deploying an approach that engages with the concept of liquid modernity, takes into account re-emerging oceanic epistemologies, and that provides a thicker explanation of observed media practices, proves useful for studying journalism in New Caledonia, where culture appears to deeply affect journalism practice on a daily basis.
“My boss is 18,000 people”: Journalism practices in crowdfunded media organizations
Authors: Zaripova Adilya
Published: June 2017

Imagine a media organization without ownership, hierarchy, advertisement, where every journalist is free to do whatever he or she wants. Recently, more and more journalists around the world have been chasing this beautiful dream. In the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Hungary, Russia, Spain, journalists are attempting to create media solely or partly financed through crowdfunding.This article analyzes three crowdfunded media organizations in three different countries—Krautreporter (Germany), Direkt36 (Hungary), and Colta (Russia). Using qualitative, in-depth interviews, it demonstrates that journalism practices in a crowdfunded newsroom are very different from those in other media. The study concludes that direct funding from the audience is a burden in a practical sense: this business model is financially unstable and increases the amount of work that journalists have to do. At the same time, participants claim to be more satisfied with their work now than they ever were before.
Gastric bypass - ingen snarvei til ny livsstil. Pasienterfaringer to år etter kirurgi
Authors: Torgersen Åshild , Foreman Rebecca Jane , Husebø Sissel Eikeland , Reime Marit Hegg
Published: June 2017

The aim of the study was to examine which factors affect the patient's ability to cope with lifestyle changes, the importance of social support to maintain lifestyle changes and how patients experience follow-up from healthcare professionals, two years after surgery. A qualitative exploratory design was chosen. Three focus group interviews were conducted with 13 patients. Content analysis was used to analyse the interviews. The findings revealed three themes; from knowledge to action, the importance of social support, and insufficient follow-up from the healthcare service. The patients need structure in everyday life, self-discipline and social support to reinforce self-efficacy and to manage and maintain lifestyle changes. Information and support from healthcare professionals should be tailored to where the patient is in the change process.
Møte pasienten der pasienten er
Authors: Alteren Johanne
Published: June 2017

«Sikre god helse og fremme livskvalitet for alle, uansett alder», er en internasjonal hovedoppgave (World Health Organization WHO), så også for regjeringene i de nordiske landene. Målet er at alle skal ha tilgang til likeverdige helsetjenester av god kvalitet. Dette målet skal også synliggjøres i helseforskningen. Selv om forskningen har ulikt perspektiv som pasienten, pårørende, frivillige, helsepersonell og andre, dreier den seg i siste instans om å møte pasienten der pasienten er. Hensikten med forskningen er med andre ord å utvikle kunnskap, slik at den enkelte pasienten sikres helhetlig og god behandling og pleie.I artikkelen «Transnasjonale helsepraksiser. Bruk av helsetjenester blant polske arbeidsinnvandrere i Norge», er hensikten å øke kunnskap om hvordan polske arbeidsinnvandrere kombinerer norske og polske helsetjenester. I artikkelen «Gastric bypass – ingen snarvei til ny livsstil. Pasienterfaringer to år etter kirugi» er hensikten å øke kunnskap om ulike sider ved behandlingstilbudet og pasientens behov for sykepleie og videre behandling. Å undersøke den ekteskapelige relasjonens forandring blant ektepar, hvor den ene personen er diagnostisert med demens, er hensikten i artikkelen ««Så griner vi heldigvis lidt af det». Ægtepars erfaringer med demens i et hverdagslivs sociologisk perspektiv».Hensikten i artiklene «Helsepersonells erfaringer og tanker om bruk av frivillige i palliativ omsorg» og «Pårørendes erfaringer med bruk av frivillige ved alvorlig sykdom i hjemmet» er å øke kunnskap om frivilliges bidrag innenfor omsorgstjenesten. Frivillig arbeid innenfor omsorgstjenesten har en lang tradisjon i Norge. Regjeringen har lagt en strategi for et samarbeid mellom offentlig og frivillig sektor. Et mål er å bedre samspillet mellom offentlig og frivillig omsorg, slik at samspillet får en tydeligere plass i helse og omsorgssektoren (Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet 2013, 2012-2013).Forskningen presentert i disse artiklene samler seg rundt pasienten med det mål at pasienten skal sikres god helse og livskvalitet. Kunnskapen som utvikles har betydning for utvikling av kompetanse og beslutningene på alle nivå i helsetjenesten. Den bidrar til at behandlingen og pleien som gis pasienten utvikles og kan skreddersys den enkelte pasient, og kan møte pasienten der pasienten er.
Evaluating topography‐based predictions of shallow lateral groundwater discharge zones for a boreal lake‐stream system
Authors: Leach J. A. , Lidberg W. , Kuglerová L. , Peralta‐Tapia A. , Ågren A. , Laudon H.
Published: June 2017

Groundwater discharge along streams exerts an important influence on biogeochemistry and thermal regimes of aquatic ecosystems. A common approach for predicting locations of shallow lateral groundwater discharge is to use digital elevation models (DEMs) combined with upslope contributing area algorithms. We evaluated a topography‐based prediction of subsurface discharge zones along a 1500 m headwater stream reach using temperature and water isotope tracers. We deployed fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing instrumentation to monitor stream temperature at 0.25 m intervals along the reach. We also collected samples of stream water for the analysis of its water isotope composition at 50 m intervals on five occasions representing distinct streamflow conditions before, during, and after a major rain event. The combined tracer evaluation showed that topography‐predicted locations of groundwater discharge were generally accurate; however, predicted magnitude of groundwater inflows estimated from upslope contributing area did not always agree with tracer estimates. At the catchment scale, lateral inflows were an important source of streamflow at base flow and peak flow during a major rain event; however, water from a headwater lake was the dominant water source during the event hydrograph recession. Overall, this study highlights potential utility and limitations of predicting locations and contributions of lateral groundwater discharge zones using topography‐based approaches in humid boreal regions.
An investigation on slowness‐weighted CCP stacking and its application to receiver function imaging
Authors: Guan Zhe , Niu Fenglin
Published: June 2017

Common conversion point (CCP) stacking of receiver functions is a widely used technique to image velocity discontinuities in the mantle. The CCP imaging technique assumes that receiver functions are composed solely of P to S conversions at velocity boundaries, whose depths can be mapped out through their arrival times. The multiple reflections at shallow boundaries with large velocity contrasts, such as the base of unconsolidated sediments and the Moho, can lead to artificial structures in the CCP images. We develop a refined CCP stacking method that uses relative slowness as a weighting factor to suppress the multiples (slowness‐weighted CCP stacking, SWCCP). We conduct extensive numerical tests with synthetic data to seek the best weighting scheme and to verify the robustness of the images. We apply this technique to receiver function data of NECESSArray in China and the transportable array in western U.S. and find that most of the events in the depth range of 200–400 km shown in the regular CCP images are eliminated. The SWCCP images, on the other hand, reveal a clear negative event under some parts of the two arrays, indicating the presence of low velocity layer above the 410 km discontinuity, which was reported by previous studies.
Complex networks of functional connectivity in a wetland reconnected to its floodplain
Authors: Larsen Laurel G. , Newman Susan , Saunders Colin , Harvey Judson W.
Published: June 2017

Disturbances such as fire or flood, in addition to changing the local magnitude of ecological, hydrological, or biogeochemical processes, can also change their functional connectivity—how those processes interact in space. Complex networks offer promise for quantifying functional connectivity in watersheds. The approach resolves connections between nodes in space based on statistical similarities in perturbation signals (derived from solute time series) and is sensitive to a wider range of timescales than traditional mass‐balance modeling. We use this approach to test hypotheses about how fire and flood impact ecological and biogeochemical dynamics in a wetland (Everglades, FL, USA) that was reconnected to its floodplain. Reintroduction of flow pulses after decades of separation by levees fundamentally reconfigured functional connectivity networks. The most pronounced expansion was that of the calcium network, which reflects periphyton dynamics and may represent an indirect influence of elevated nutrients, despite the comparatively smaller observed expansion of phosphorus networks. With respect to several solutes, periphyton acted as a “biotic filter,” shifting perturbations in water‐quality signals to different timescales through slow but persistent transformations of the biotic community. The complex‐networks approach also revealed portions of the landscape that operate in fundamentally different regimes with respect to dissolved oxygen, separated by a threshold in flow velocity of 1.2 cm/s, and suggested that complete removal of canals may be needed to restore connectivity with respect to biogeochemical processes. Fire reconfigured functional connectivity networks in a manner that reflected localized burn severity, but had a larger effect on the magnitude of solute concentrations.
Situating Participatory Visual Methods in Adult Education
Authors: Yang Kyung‐Hwa
Published: June 2017

This chapter discusses participatory visual methods as a framework for adult education.
Moments for Movement: Photostories from the 1980s Resonate Today
Authors: Barndt Deborah , Erickson Kris
Published: June 2017

This chapter offers an intergenerational reflection on the production of photostories in the Toronto‐based Moment Project of the 1980s, considering how its features of co‐creation, creative forms, and critical social content could be reinvented with the new digital media forms integral to today's social movements.
Exhibitions of Power: Participatory Visual Practices in Contemporary Museums
Authors: Clover Darlene E.
Published: June 2017

This chapter explores participatory visual practices in museums.
Intermetallic Sludge Formation in Fe Containing Secondary Al–Si Alloys Influenced by Cr and Mn as Preparative Tool for Metal Melt Filtration
Authors: Dietrich Björn G. , Becker Hanka , Smolka Michal , Keßler Andreas , Leineweber Andreas , Wolf Gotthard
Published: June 2017

In view of filtration of Fe‐enriched intermetallics to decrease Fe content in secondary aluminum alloys, the formation of so‐called sludge particles has been investigated depending on dwell time and chemical composition using an AlSi9Cu3 secondary alloy with high Fe content. To evaluate the dwell time dependency, samples are cast into ceramic crucibles and held at 620 °C for varying times. Furthermore, Mn and Cr have been added to the melt in different amounts and the alloys are treated for 6 h at 620 °C. The samples are analyzed using light optical micrographs and image analysis to reveal particle sizes and distribution as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for phase identification. It is found that the growth of Fe containing sludge particles stagnates after reaching a specific value and is not significantly affected by ultra‐long dwell times. Mn addition has a minor effect on the the particle size distribution preserving large particle sizes, whereas Cr addition leads to a smaller sludge particles. Generally, the sludge consists of the cubic α‐phase. Additionally in the presence of Cr, Fe, and Cr concentration gradients occur in the cubic α–Al–(Fe,Mn,Cr)–Si phase and the Al13Cr4Si4‐phase is contained in the centers of the sludge particles. It is concluded that Mn addition is favored due to larger particle size and higher efficiency to bind Fe in the α‐phase than by Cr or Cr and Mn addition.
Increased Mechanical Stability and Thermal Conductivity of Alumina Reticulated Porous Ceramics (RPC) by Nanoparticle Infiltration Processing
Authors: Rannabauer Stefan , Söffker Gerrit‐Maximilian , Scheunemann Marcel , Betke Ulf , Scheffler Michael
Published: June 2017

Infiltration processing of reticulated porous alumina ceramics (RPC) from reticulated foam manufacturing is investigated by micro computed tomography. Infiltration is carried out with colloidal alumina slurries. Successful infiltration is found to be a function of the RPCs starting microstructure and the particle size of the alumina in the colloidal infiltration system. Suitable infiltration conditions are specified. As a result, RPCs with a low relative density show a fivefold compressive strength after infiltration, as compared to their non‐infiltrated RPC counterparts. The highest strength of infiltration processed alumina RPCs at a porosity of 90% is found to be 1.6 MPa, and besides a significant increase of the compressive strength, the thermal conductivity is improved to be 1.5 W m−1 K−1 after infiltration.
Influence of Torsion Route on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded AZ31 Rods
Authors: Song Bo , Shu Xiaogang , Pan Hucheng , Li Guoqiang , Guo Ning , Liu Tingting , Chai Linjiang , Xin Renlong
Published: June 2017

Torsion deformation is an effective and simple technique to tailor the mechanical properties of Mg alloys. In this study, the influences of torsion route on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ31 rods are investigated. The maximum torsion angle is set as 180° and the two‐pass torsion at different torsion routes, twice‐successive unidirectional torsion (TA) and reciprocating torsion (TB), is used to process the Mg alloy rods. It is found that the mechanical properties and yield asymmetry are very sensitive to the torsion route. Route TA is more effective for the enhancement of compressive yield strength and the improvement of yield asymmetry, while route TB is more effective for the enhancement of tensile yield strength. It is mainly attributed to the different textural evolutions between the two torsion routes. The relevant mechanisms are addressed and discussed.
Interaction of gem‐Difluorinated Iodides with Silyl Enol Ethers Mediated by Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Chernov Grigory N. , Levin Vitalij V. , Kokorekin Vladimir A. , Struchkova Marina I. , Dilman Alexander D.
Published: June 2017

A method for the synthesis of β,β‐difluorinated ketones by coupling of α,α‐difluorinated iodides with silyl enol ethers is described. The reaction is performed in the presence of iridium(III) photocatalysts under the irradiation with 400 nm light emitting diodes.

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In vitro and ex vivo assessment of hydrophilic polymer‐ and plasticizer‐based thin buccal films designed by using central composite rotatable design for the delivery of meloxicam
Authors: Zaman Muhammad , Hanif Muhammad
Published: June 2017

The purpose of the study was to design a dosage form with ability to deliver drug immediately, hence providing rapid relief in certain pain ailments. Meloxicam (MLX) was selected as a model drug and buccal films were designed by using the solvent casting technique. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used as a statistical tool to design and optimize the film formulations. No noticeable interaction was found between the drug and polymer when they were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the smooth surface of the film and uniform mixing of drug and polymer. X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) was carried out to observe crystalline and amorphous nature of meloxicam. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis was used to investigate the thermal behavior of free drug and drug‐loaded formulation. The prepared film showed good mechanical property as folding endurance was found to be greater than 100 in all formulations. The cumulative drug release was found to be more than 80% in initial at dissolution time of 5 min, when the prepared films were subjected to dissolution studies in phosphate buffer at pH 6.8. Thus, it can be concluded that the hydrophilic polymer and plasticizer have definite impact on formulation and characteristics of rapidly dissolving buccal films and have the ability to prepare a suitable immediate release buccal film of meloxicam.
Room‐Temperature Sodium‐Sulfur Batteries: A Comprehensive Review on Research Progress and Cell Chemistry
Authors: Wang Yun‐Xiao , Zhang Binwei , Lai Weihong , Xu Yanfei , Chou Shu‐Lei , Liu Hua‐Kun , Dou Shi‐Xue
Published: June 2017

Room temperature sodium‐sulfur (RT‐Na/S) batteries have recently regained a great deal of attention due to their high theoretical energy density and low cost, which make them promising candidates for application in large‐scale energy storage, especially in stationary energy storage, such as with electrical grids. Research on this system is currently in its infancy, and it is encountering severe challenges in terms of low electroactivity, limited cycle life, and serious self‐charging. Moreover, the reaction mechanism of S with Na ions varies with the electrolyte that is applied, and is very complicated and hard to detect due to the multi‐step reactions and the formation of various polysulfides. Therefore, understanding the chemistry and optimizing the nanostructure of electrodes for RT‐Na/S batteries are critical for their advancement and practical application in the future. In the present review, the electrochemical reactions between Na and S are reviewed, as well as recent progress on the crucial cathode materials. Furthermore, attention also is paid to electrolytes, separators, and cell configuration. Additionally, current challenges and future perspectives for the RT‐Na/S batteries are discussed, and potential research directions toward improving RT‐Na/S cells are proposed at the end.
A Lithium Amide‐Borohydride Solid‐State Electrolyte with Lithium‐Ion Conductivities Comparable to Liquid Electrolytes
Authors: Yan Yigang , Kühnel Ruben‐Simon , Remhof Arndt , Duchêne Léo , Reyes Eduardo Cuervo , Rentsch Daniel , Łodziana Zbigniew , Battaglia Corsin
Published: June 2017

High ionic conductivity of up to 6.4 × 10−3 S cm−1 near room temperature (40 °C) in lithium amide‐borohydrides is reported, comparable to values of liquid organic electrolytes commonly employed in lithium‐ion batteries. Density functional theory is applied coupled with X‐ray diffraction, calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to shed light on the conduction mechanism. A Li4Ti5O12 half‐cell battery incorporating the lithium amide‐borohydride electrolyte exhibits good rate performance up to 3.5 mA cm−2 (5 C) and stable cycling over 400 cycles at 1 C at 40 °C, indicating high bulk and interfacial stability. The results demonstrate the potential of lithium amide‐borohydrides as solid‐state electrolytes for high‐power lithium‐ion batteries.
Clinical and molecular cytogenetic characterization of four unrelated patients carrying 2p14 microdeletions
Authors: Mathieu Marie‐Laure , Demily Caroline , Chantot‐Bastaraud Sandra , Afenjar Alexandra , Mignot Cyril , Andrieux Joris , Gerard Marion , Catala‐Mora Jaume , Jouk Pierre Simon , Labalme Audrey , Edery Patrick , Sanlaville Damien , Rossi Massimiliano
Published: June 2017

We report the clinical and molecular cytogenetic characterization of four unrelated patients from France and Spain, carrying 2p14 microdeletions and presenting with intellectual disability and dysmorphisms. 2p14 microdeletions are very rare. Seven patients have been reported so far harboring deletions including 2p14p15 and encompassing OTX1, whose haploinsufficiency is frequently associated with genitourinary defects. To date, only one patient has been reported carrying a more proximal 2p14 microdeletion which does not include OTX1. Here, we report three further patients carrying proximal 2p14 microdeletions not including OTX1 and one patient carrying a more distal 2p14p15 microdeletion including this gene, providing new insights into the associated phenotypic spectrum. First, our study and a review of the literature showed that 3/4 patients carrying proximal 2p14 microdeletions had sensorineural hearing loss, suggesting the presence of a previously unreported deafness‐causing gene in this chromosomal region. Second, one patient developed a progressive cardiomyopathy, suggesting that a cardiac follow‐up should be systematically warranted even in the absence of congenital heart disease. We speculate that ACTR2 and MEIS1 might respectively play a role in the pathogenesis of the observed deafness and cardiomyopathy. Third, we observed other previously unreported features such as glaucoma, retinopathy, and mild midline abnormalities including short corpus callosum, hypospadias and anteriorly placed anus. Finally, the patient carrying a 2p14p15 deletion including OTX1 had normal kidneys and genitalia, thus confirming that OTX1 haploinsufficiency is not invariably associated with genitourinary defects. In conclusion, our study contributes significantly to delineate the phenotypic spectrum of 2p14 microdeletions.
Nitrogen Photofixation over III‐Nitride Nanowires Assisted by Ruthenium Clusters of Low Atomicity
Authors: Li Lu , Wang Yichen , Vanka Srinivas , Mu Xiaoyue , Mi Zetian , Li Chao‐Jun
Published: June 2017

In many heterogeneous catalysts, the interaction of supported metal species with a matrix can alter the electronic and morphological properties of the metal and manipulate its catalytic properties. III‐nitride semiconductors have a unique ability to stabilize ultra‐small ruthenium (Ru) clusters (ca. 0.8 nm) at a high loading density up to 5 wt %. n‐Type III‐nitride nanowires decorated with Ru sub‐nanoclusters offer controlled surface charge properties and exhibit superior UV‐ and visible‐light photocatalytic activity for ammonia synthesis at ambient temperature. A metal/semiconductor interfacial Schottky junction with a 0.94 eV barrier height can greatly facilitate photogenerated electron transfer from III‐nitrides to Ru, rendering Ru an electron sink that promotes N≡N bond cleavage, and thereby achieving low‐temperature ammonia synthesis.
Copper‐Catalyzed Enantio‐, Diastereo‐, and Regioselective [2,3]‐Rearrangements of Iodonium Ylides
Authors: Xu Bin , Tambar Uttam K.
Published: June 2017

The first highly enantioselective, diastereoselective, and regioselective [2,3]‐rearrangement of iodonium ylides has been developed as a general solution to catalytic onium ylide rearrangements. In the presence of a chiral copper catalyst, substituted allylic iodides couple with α‐diazoesters to generate metal‐coordinated iodonium ylides, which undergo [2,3]‐rearrangements with high selectivities (up to >95:5 r.r., up to >95:5 d.r., and up to 97 % ee). The enantioenriched iodoester products can be converted stereospecifically into a variety of onium ylide rearrangement products, as well as compounds that are not accessible by classical onium ylide rearrangements.
Application of natural rubber latex as scaffold for osteoblast to guided bone regeneration
Authors: Borges Felipe Azevedo , de Barros Natan Roberto , Garms Bruna Cambraia , Miranda Matheus Carlos Romeiro , Gemeinder Jose Lucio Padua , Ribeiro‐Paes João Tadeu , Silva Rodrigo Ferreira , de Toledo Karina Alves , Herculano Rondinelli Donizetti
Published: June 2017

Natural rubber latex (NRL) from Hevea brasiliensis is a colloidal system composed of cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene. Its applications have grown due its angiogenic and wound healing activity. NRL has been used in guided bone regeneration as barrier, enhancing bone formation. However, there has been no study reported so far which shows its in vitro biocompatibility with osteoblasts. Thus, the aim of this work was to apply thermally induced phase separation under several temperatures to induce porosity in NRL; and test its mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and mineralization with MC3T3‐E1. Only biomembranes submitted at −20 and −10 °C presented porosity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no change in cis‐1,4‐isoprene spectra. Biomembranes were elastic (Young's modulus < 1 MPa). According to ISO10993–5, NRL showed no cytotoxicity. Cells adhered on the NRL and produced mineral matrix as analyzed by scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive spectrometry, von kossa, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cells on NRL presented higher alkaline phosphatase activity, however, mineralization showed no difference by alizarin red S dye extraction. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45321.
Preparation and electrodeformation of silicone dielectric elastomers containing poly(propylene glycol diacetate) with different molecular weights
Authors: Wang Gen Lin , Zhang Yi Yang , Zhang Jie , Ding Ke Hong , Wang Zhi Feng , Zhang Ming
Published: June 2017

In this study, poly(propylene glycol diacetate)s (PPGDAs) with different molecular weights were obtained by the esterification reaction of poly(propylene glycol) and acetic anhydride. We effectively reduced the residual moisture and hydrophilicity of PPGDA. Then, poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) was modified by the addition of only 5 wt % PPGDA, which possessed a high dielectric constant (k) and a large actuated strain at a low electric field. PPGDA was used to enhance the molecular polarity because of the more polar oxygen atoms and the greater number of ester groups. The great increase in k and the low elastic modulus of the PPGDA–PDMS composites lead to a great increase in the electromechanical sensitivity. When the molecular weight of PPGDA was about 4000, the PPGDA–PDMS composites had the largest actuated strain. As a result, compared to the pure silicone elastomer (8.94%), it exhibited a greater strain of 17.31% at a low electric field of 10.5 V/μm (an increase of ca. 1.94 times). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45329.
Thermal and mechanical properties of polyamide 12/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites and parts fabricated by fused deposition modeling
Authors: Zhu Dingchun , Ren Yuanyuan , Liao Guangxin , Jiang Shenglong , Liu Fenghua , Guo Jianjun , Xu Gaojie
Published: June 2017

The printable polyamide 12 (PA12) nanocomposite filaments with 6 wt % graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for fused deposition modeling (FDM) were prepared by melting compounding and smoothly printed via a commercial FDM three‐dimensional (3D) printer. The thermal conductivity (λ) and elastic modulus (E) of 3D printed PA12/GNPs parts along to the printing direction had an increase by 51.4% and 7% than that of compression molded parts, which is due to the GNPs preferentially aligning along to the printing direction. Along with these improved properties, ultimate tensile strength of 3D printed PA12/GNPs parts was well maintained. These results indicate that FDM is a new way to achieve PA12/GNPs parts with enhanced λ over compression moulding, which could contribute to realize efficient and flexible heat management for a wide range of applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45332.
Acrolein Scavenger Hydralazine Prevents Streptozotocin‐Induced Painful Diabetic Neuropathy and Spinal Neuroinflammation in Rats
Authors: Yao Lu , Wu Yun‐Tao , Tian Guo‐Xiang , Xia Chang‐Quan , Zhang Feng , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2017

Diabetes‐induced neuropathic pain (DNP) substantially influences people's life qualities. Hyperglycemia‐induced excess free radicals have been considered as the most critical mechanisms underlying DNP. As an unsaturated aldehyde and a reactive product of lipid peroxidation, acrolein plays critical roles in diabetic nephropathy and inflammatory pain. We sought to determine whether acrolein is involved in DNP in this study. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). An acrolein scavenger hydralazine (5 mg/kg) was administered through a daily injection for 4 weeks, starting immediately within 30 min after STZ injection. Western blot showed that hydralazine could effectively inhibit STZ‐induced upregulation of acrolein in the spinal dorsal horn on day 7–28 after STZ injection. Behavioral tests showed that STZ injection induced significant mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, which could be alleviated by hydralazine. Immunofluorescent histochemistry and Western blot showed that STZ induced significant microglial activation. ELISA data indicated upregulation of inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α expression in the spinal dorsal horn. Furthermore, hydralazine effectively attenuated microglial activation and expression of inflammatory mediators. Our data indicate that acrolein might be involved in the development of neuroinflammation and behavioral consequences of DNP. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 300:1858–1864, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bone tissue bioprinting for craniofacial reconstruction
Authors: Datta Pallab , Ozbolat Veli , Ayan Bugra , Dhawan Aman , Ozbolat Ibrahim T.
Published: June 2017

Craniofacial (CF) tissue is an architecturally complex tissue consisting of both bone and soft tissues with significant patient specific variations. Conditions of congenital abnormalities, tumor resection surgeries, and traumatic injuries of the CF skeleton can result in major deficits of bone tissue. Despite advances in surgical reconstruction techniques, management of CF osseous deficits remains a challenge. Due its inherent versatility, bioprinting offers a promising solution to address these issues. In this review, we present and analyze the current state of bioprinting of bone tissue and highlight how these techniques may be adapted to serve regenerative therapies for CF applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2424–2431. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rerouting of carbon flux in a glycogen mutant of cyanobacteria assessed via isotopically non‐stationary 13C metabolic flux analysis
Authors: Hendry John I. , Prasannan Charulata , Ma Fangfang , Möllers K. Benedikt , Jaiswal Damini , Digmurti Madhuri , Allen Doug K. , Frigaard Niels‐Ulrik , Dasgupta Santanu , Wangikar Pramod P.
Published: June 2017

Cyanobacteria, which constitute a quantitatively dominant phylum, have attracted attention in biofuel applications due to favorable physiological characteristics, high photosynthetic efficiency and amenability to genetic manipulations. However, quantitative aspects of cyanobacterial metabolism have received limited attention. In the present study, we have performed isotopically non‐stationary 13C metabolic flux analysis (INST‐13C‐MFA) to analyze rerouting of carbon in a glycogen synthase deficient mutant strain (glgA‐I glgA‐II) of the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. During balanced photoautotrophic growth, 10–20% of the fixed carbon is stored in the form of glycogen via a pathway that is conserved across the cyanobacterial phylum. Our results show that deletion of glycogen synthase gene orchestrates cascading effects on carbon distribution in various parts of the metabolic network. Carbon that was originally destined to be incorporated into glycogen gets partially diverted toward alternate storage molecules such as glucosylglycerol and sucrose. The rest is partitioned within the metabolic network, primarily via glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle. A lowered flux toward carbohydrate synthesis and an altered distribution at the glucose‐1‐phosphate node indicate flexibility in the network. Further, reversibility of glycogen biosynthesis reactions points toward the presence of futile cycles. Similar redistribution of carbon was also predicted by Flux Balance Analysis. The results are significant to metabolic engineering efforts with cyanobacteria where fixed carbon needs to be re‐routed to products of interest. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2298–2308. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feature selective temporal prediction of Alzheimer's disease progression using hippocampus surface morphometry
Authors: Tsao Sinchai , Gajawelli Niharika , Zhou Jiayu , Shi Jie , Ye Jieping , Wang Yalin , Leporé Natasha
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Prediction of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression based on baseline measures allows us to understand disease progression and has implications in decisions concerning treatment strategy. To this end, we combine a predictive multi‐task machine learning method (cFSGL) with a novel MR‐based multivariate morphometric surface map of the hippocampus (mTBM) to predict future cognitive scores of patients.

Methods

Previous work has shown that a multi‐task learning framework that performs prediction of all future time points simultaneously (cFSGL) can be used to encode both sparsity as well as temporal smoothness. The authors showed that this method is able to predict cognitive outcomes of ADNI subjects using FreeSurfer‐based baseline MRI features, MMSE score demographic information and ApoE status. Whilst volumetric information may hold generalized information on brain status, we hypothesized that hippocampus specific information may be more useful in predictive modeling of AD. To this end, we applied a multivariate tensor‐based parametric surface analysis method (mTBM) to extract features from the hippocampal surfaces.

Results

We combined mTBM features with traditional surface features such as middle axis distance, the Jacobian determinant as well as 2 of the Jacobian principal eigenvalues to yield 7 normalized hippocampal surface maps of 300 points each. By combining these 7 × 300 = 2100 features together with the previous ~350 features, we illustrate how this type of sparsifying method can be applied to an entire surface map of the hippocampus that yields a feature space that is 2 orders of magnitude larger than what was previously attempted.

Conclusions

By combining the power of the cFSGL multi‐task machine learning framework with the addition of AD sensitive mTBM feature maps of the hippocampus surface, we are able to improve the predictive performance of ADAS cognitive scores 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months from baseline.
Validity and reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale in Finnish multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Rosti‐Otajärvi Eija , Hämäläinen Päivi , Wiksten Anna , Hakkarainen Tanja , Ruutiainen Juhani
Published: June 2017

Background

Fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) considerably interfering with patients’ daily functioning. Both researchers and clinicians need psychometrically robust methods to evaluate fatigue in MS.

Objectives

The objective of this study was (i) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and (ii) to describe the results among patients with MS.

Methods

In total, 553 patients with MS (mean age, 53.8 years; standard deviation [SD], 11.4; 79% women: mean patient‐defined disease severity, Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] 4.0, SD, 2.5) completed the self‐administered questionnaires including the FSS. A standard procedure was used for the translation of the FSS.

Results

The mean (SD) score for the FSS was 4.5 (1.7); in 65% of the patients, the score was ≥4.0. The data quality of the FSS was excellent, with 99.6% of computable scale scores. Floor and ceiling effects were minimal. The FSS showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, 0.95). Unidimensionality was supported based on confirmatory factor analysis with the comparative fit index being 0.94. The FSS showed moderate/high correlations with the perceived burden of the disease, quality of life and disease severity, whereas, age or gender did not have a significant effect on the FSS score.

Conclusions

The Finnish version of the FSS showed satisfactory reliability and validity and thus can be regarded as a feasible measure of self‐reported fatigue.
Promoting Career and College Readiness, Aspirations, and Self‐Efficacy: Curriculum Field Test
Authors: Martinez Robert R. , Baker Stanley B. , Young Tamara
Published: June 2017

To address the need for enhanced career and college readiness, a classroom guidance curriculum was studied using a pretest–posttest nonequivalent groups quasi‐experimental design. Data from 163 ninth‐grade students enrolled in a low‐performing high school were analyzed via hierarchical linear modeling. The analyses indicated a treatment effect on postsecondary education‐going knowledge and career and college readiness self‐efficacy, accounting for 100% of the variance explained by classroom‐level factors and indicating potential for the classroom guidance curriculum. The findings encourage career and professional school counselors to proactively employ similar classroom guidance programs aimed at encouraging high school students to consider postsecondary education opportunities. Future research could focus on component analyses of the curriculum, broadening the target populations, using mixed‐method designs, and additional validity studies of the dependent measures.
Faith, Race, and LGB Affirmation: Experiences of African American Counselors‐in‐Training
Authors: Harris Janeé R. Avent , Roberston Derek L. , Jones Brenda , Prado Ashley M.
Published: June 2017

In this phenomenological study, the authors investigated the experiences of African American counselors‐in‐training, with roots in the Black church, as they navigated their faith and professional responsibilities to provide affirming services to lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Findings suggest attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients are intertwined with faith, race, and community allegiance.