bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Better Informing the Market? The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Authors: Shattock Michael
Published: December 2018

The current British policy toward higher education emphasizes that market forces and competition represent key factors in raising quality. Intense competition already exists in research through the Research Excellence Framework (REF) but this, it is argued, has led to a diversion of interest away from teaching. The REF is therefore to be paralleled by a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which will better inform the student market. The TEF, the first results of which were announced in June, is metrics based and categorizes teaching as qualifying for a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award. The metrics have been heavily criticized. The article describes the metrics involved and the reactions to the first round of TEF awards.
Reenvisioning Welsh Postcompulsory Education
Authors: Hazelkorn Ellen
Published: December 2018

In 2015, the Welsh government commissioned a review of its postcompulsory education system. Recommendations included the creation of a single regulatory, oversight, and coordinating authority bringing together further, higher, and adult learning. By its swift endorsement of the report’s principles and recommendations, the Welsh government conspicuously diverged from the market–demand drivenapproach adopted by the UK government for England.
Combating Academic Corruption: Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Authors: Eaton Judith S.
Published: December 2018

The role of quality assurance and accrediting bodies in advancing academic integrity has long been clear.  Increasingly, however, these bodies are also expected to focus on the challenging issue of academic corruption – practices such as plagiarism, fraudulent credentials, bribery – and how to end them. This article explores additional tools that quality assurance and accreditation may need to combat corruption, beyond advancing academic integrity.
Attracting and Retaining Global Talent: International Graduate Students in the United States
Authors: Bhandari Rajika
Published: December 2018

In light of current developments in in-bound international student flows to the U.S., this articleuses multiple recent data sources to examine the appeal of the U.S. as a destination forinternational graduate students, as well as the current status of international graduate enrollmentin the U.S.
Income-Contingent Loans: Not a Miracle Solution
Authors: De Gayardon Ariane
Published: December 2018

With the rising costs of higher education, an increasing share of which is borne by students and their families, governments have had to design student loans schemes to open higher education to all. A popular option among economists is income-contingent loans, where repayment is calculated as a share of the borrower’s income to avoid high repayment burden. However, the three flagship countries forincome-contingent loans—Australia, England, and New Zealand—are all currently experiencing financing issues. This raises the question of defining the correct specification of income-contingent loans schemes, as well as finding the proper balance between different financial aid policies.
International Branch Campuses: Success Factors
Authors: Garrett Richard
Published: December 2018

The article provides an overview of the second part of a report on international branch campuses (IBCs). The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (OBHE) and the Cross-Border Education Research Team (C-BERT) are the authors of the report. IBCs continue to grow in number and variety around the world, and the report includes updated estimates and patterns by country, but previously there has been limited attention paid to the success factors of mature IBCs. Defined as campuses in place for a decade or more, the report draws on in-depth interviews with campus and institutional leaders.
The New National Rankings in India
Authors: Varghese N.V.
Published: December 2018

India started ranking its higher education institutions in 2015. Although a major share of higher education institutions in India are private, public institutions dominate the ranking list. The ranking exercise is not a substitute to improve the overall quality of the system, since a large majority of higher education institutions in India do not participate in the exercise. India needs to adopt more effective strategies to improve the overall quality of higher education, by focusing on research and teaching–learning processes at the institutional level.
Sexual Violence in Ethiopian Higher Education
Authors: Woldegiyoirgis Ayenachew
Published: December 2018

Several studies have shown the shocking extent of sexual violence in the Ethiopian higher education. Situated in the deep-rooted culture of gender bias, the problem is both at institutional and systemic levels. This article proposes a peer-based alternative that empowers students as bystanders in fighting sexual violence on campus.
“Super-Short-Term” Study Abroad in Japan: A Dramatic Increase
Authors: Shimmi Yukiko , Ota Hiroshi
Published: December 2018

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase of Japanese students participating in “super-short-term” study-abroad programs, lasting from one week up to one month. This reflects a growing global trend among college students, especially in developed countries. This article discusses the background of this trend in Japan as well as emerging challenges.
Pathway Colleges: A New Institutional Form in Canada
Authors: McCartney Dale M. , Scott Metcalfe Amy
Published: December 2018

Canada’s public universities seeking to increase their international student recruitment are building pathways that allow students who lack the academic or language credentials needed for direct entry to the university to upgrade their skills and eventually matriculate to the larger institution. These pathway collegesare a new institutional form in Canada, but as yet they have received almost no attention from scholars. This paper offers a brief typology of these emerging institutions and offers some suggestions for future research.
University Autonomy and Accountability in Russian Higher Education
Authors: Volkov Andrei , Melnyk Dara
Published: December 2018

Historically, the Russian State has had a tumultuous relationship with institutional independence. For the country to become again an academic superpower, it is necessary to expand university autonomy to enable independent strategic thinking on the leadership’s part and ensure that universities are accountable to their stakeholders. This article considers the broad issues of university autonomy and accountability in Russia from historical and contemporary perspectives.
Access for Refugees into Higher Education: Paving Pathways to Integration
Authors: Streitwieser Bernhard , Unangst Lisa
Published: December 2018

The 2015–2016 refugee crisis in Germany has made its universities more aware of the student services that it must provide for all of its students, not just new refugee entrants once they overcome asylum application, credentialing, and placement hurdles to access or continue university studies. A newly published study by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has provided evidence-based findings that showcase how the country is monitoring the process of refugee access to higher education, and offers important lessons for other countries facing refugee and migrant inflows.
Sorgens pris
Authors: Dyregrov Atle , Lytje Martin
Published: December 2018

Igennem det sidste årti er der i forskningsverdenen opnået bred enighed om, at forældretab i barndommen har altomfattende konsekvenser. Det inkluderer, at sorgramte børn oftere pådrager sig psykiske, fysiske, sociale og faglige udfordringer senere i livet. Udfordringerne kan ved livstruende sygdom spores allerede i tiden op til dødsfaldet, ligesom de er synlige, i tiden efter dødsfaldet. Selvom de fleste af sådanne reaktioner reduceres med tiden, forbliver andre vedvarende.Denne artikel ønsker igennem en litteraturanalyse at formidle konsekvenserne af at miste en forælder som barn. Dette sker primært ud fra de sidste to årtiers forskning og igennem en præsentation af de undersøgelser, der har beskæftiget sig med de fysiske, psykologiske, pædagogiske og sociale konsekvenser af forældretab i barndommen. Der vil i artiklen være fokus på at evaluere både studiernes begrænsninger såvel som kvalitet. Artiklen er forfattet som en narrativ oversigtsartikel, der beskriver de vigtigste studier på området og vurderer disse ud fra forfatternes forsknings- og kliniske erfaring.
Uvished i ungeliv med en alvorligt syg forælder
Authors: Winther-Lindqvist Ditte
Published: December 2018

Artiklen formidler resultater fra en kvalitativ interviewundersøgelse med teenagere, der har en alvorligt somatisk syg forælder. Analysen er foretaget på baggrund af kultur-historisk udviklingspsykologi og eksistensfænomenlogi mhp. at afdække betydningen af livet med sygdom for de unges hverdagsliv, oplevelsesverden og sociale udviklingssituation. Undersøgelsens hovedresultat er, at de unges liv forandres eksistentielt, praktisk, emotionelt og socialt, fordi de lever med uvished om forælderens overlevelse og sygdommens forløb. Det betyder, at de udvikler strategier, der kan hjælpe dem med at øge kontrollen med konfrontationer med sygdommen og fastholde et engagement i ungelivets aktiviteter og projekter. Strategierne er at skabe sig hvilepauser og lave skarpe opsplitninger mellem privat og social væren og livet ude og hjemme i familien. Det mulige tab af forælderen ændrer de unges eksistentielle horisont og afslører, at vi i almindelighed lever med forestillingen om en fremtid sammen med vores nærmeste i sammenvævede livstider. Denne forventning mister de unge pårørende, hvilket påvirker deres motiver således, at motivet mod deltagelse i ungelivets aktiviteter ledsages af et konkurrerende motiv om at være hjemme ved den syge forælder og støtte familien og eller opnå samhørighed med den syge forælder. Deres ny eksistentielle, emotionelle, praktiske og sociale virkelighed betyder, at de befinder sig i et anstrengende pres, som skaber afstand til de jævnaldrende. Der argumenteres for, at de unge pårørende af disse grunde befinder sig i en anden social udviklingssituation end deres jævnaldrende med raske forældre.
Gymnasieelevers sundhed som sanselige, kollektive og kropspolitiske engagementer
Authors: Vitus Kathrine
Published: December 2018

Artiklen undersøger gymnasieunges oplevelser med, forståelser af og praksisser omkring sundhed i deres hverdagsliv. Børn og unge eksponeres i dag for sundhedsbudskaber, påbud og overvågning i mange af de sociale sfærer med sundhed forstået som et individuelt ansvar der udøves gennem at regulere sin kost, rusmiddelbrug og motionsvaner. Gymnasieeleverne oplever gymnasielivet stressende og presset, men de formår også – måske som en reaktion herpå – aktivt at skabe sociale og kropslige rum, som de forbinder med sundhed. I disse rum afstresser de, ”er i kroppen” og lader op igen. Disse kropslige og kollektive sundhedsrum er dog ikke identiske med, men står snarere i modsætning til, dominerende individualistiske, biomedicinsk forankrede sundspolitiske påbud og normer. Tværtimod er et væsentligt aspekt af de unges følelse af sundhed, at skærme sig imod disse normer, som også repræsenterer udefrakommende, moralske krav, som virker ikke-kropsliggørende i forhold til deres egne fornemmelser for, hvad der er sundt for dem. Studiet illustrerer vigtigheden af at skoler skaber læringsmiljøer som muliggør at eleverne udforsker deres kropslige og intellektuelle potentialer og kapaciteter, bl.a. gennem at overskride den individualisme som i øjeblikket præger ungdomsuddannelser og sundhedsfremme i Danmark. Gymnasiet bør i stedet søge at skabe rum for kollektiv kropsligt forankret og forankrende læring, i en erkendelse af at motivation, engagement og myndiggørende og styrkende affektive relationer – isundhed, krop og skolepræstationer – hviler på en sam-produktion af engagementer.
Survival under anthropogenic impact: the response of dragonflies (Odonata), beetles (Coleoptera) and caddisflies (Trichoptera) to environmental disturbances in a two-way industrial canal system (central Poland)
Authors: Buczyńska Edyta , Buczyński Paweł
Published: December 2018

Ecological metrics and assemblages of three orders of aquatic insects (Odonata, Coleoptera and Trichoptera – OCT) in an industrial canal system affected by dredging were studied. Five sites (a river as a control site and canals) along the Vistula River in Central Poland were sampled during six sampling periods (2011 and 2013). CCA was used to assess the influence of environmental variables on the distribution of 54 insect species in the following system of habitats – a river feeding the canals, river-fed inlet canals and outlet canals with cooling waters. Additionally, BACI was used to test for the impact of canal dredging in 2011 on the insect response metrics. NMDS analysis differentiated insect assemblages of the three habitats and SIMPER indicated the species most responsible for the faunistic dissimilarities. Temperature was found to be a key factor governing the presence of insects in the outlet canals with cooling water. CCAs revealed that electrolytic conductivity and salinity had the greatest influence on the OCT fauna in the river and the inlet canals, whilst it was the dissolved oxygen and the level of development of aquatic plants that proved most important in the outlet canals. Modified ANOVAs showed that dredging significantly affected the mean species richness and the dominance in the canals. The changes in OCT species composition were highly informative. The comparison between tolerance patterns of the OCT orders against the five parameters (temperature, electrolytic conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH and current) revealed that caddisflies are the most sensitive group, followed by Coleoptera while Odonata proved the most resistant. Dragonflies have the greatest potential to serve as bioindicators of industrially heated waters. The OCT fauna responded specifically to different environmental factors and stressors, it is strongly recommended to track the responses on different levels, not only metrics, but above all, species.
Effect of Different Insole Materials on Kinetic and Kinematic Variables of the Walking Gait in Healthy People
Authors: Özmanevra Ramadan , Angin Salih , Günal İzge H. , Elvan Ata
Published: December 2018

Background:

There is a lack of data that could address the effects of off-the-shelf insoles on gait variables in healthy people.

Methods:

Thirty-three healthy volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 35 years were included to this study. Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained in barefoot, shoe-only, steel insole, silicone insole, and polyurethane insole conditions using an optoelectronic three-dimensional motion analysis system. A repeated measures analysis of variance test was used to identify statistically significant differences between insole conditions. The alpha level was set at P < .05

Results:

Maximum knee flexion was higher in the steel insole condition (P < .0001) compared with the silicone insole (P = .001) and shoe-only conditions (P = .032). Reduced maximum knee flexion was recorded in the polyurethane insole condition compared with the shoe-only condition (P = .031). Maximum knee flexion measured in the steel insole condition was higher compared to the barefoot condition (P = .020). Higher maximum ankle dorsiflexion was observed in the barefoot condition, and there were significant differences between the polyurethane insole (P < .0001), silicone insole (P = .001), steel insole (P = .002), and shoe conditions (P = .004). Least and highest maximum ankle plantarflexion were detected in the steel insole and silicone insole conditions, respectively. Maximum ankle plantarflexion in the barefoot and steel insole conditions (P = .014) and the barefoot and polyurethane insole conditions (P = .035) were significant. There was no significant difference between conditions for ground reaction force or joint moments.

Conclusions:

Insoles made by different materials affect maximum knee flexion, maximum ankle dorsiflexion, and maximum ankle plantarflexion. This may be helpful during the decision-making process when selecting the insole material for any pathological conditions that require insole prescription.
Comparative Study Between the Different Techniques of Molding and the Morphology of the Foot in Weightbearing
Authors: Márquez María José Manfredi , Vidalón Priscila Távara , Hurtado Nuria Lara , Ramos-Ortega Javier
Published: December 2018

Background:

Taking a mold of the foot is an important advance for podiatric medicine and an indispensable procedure for the individualization of orthopedic treatments. We sought to determine which method of measuring molds (plaster cast in weightbearing and nonweightbearing and phenolic foam in weightbearing) reproduces with more reliability the expansion of the foot in weightbearing by comparing the widths of the forefoot and hindfoot in the different methods and in barefoot weightbearing.

Methods:

In 54 patients, we studied the differences in width between the forefoot and hindfoot in barefoot weightbearing compared with in the different mold obtainment techniques. A descriptive, observational, and transversal study was performed in which foot molds were obtained with the different techniques, without corrective maneuvers, followed by scanning of each as well as barefoot weightbearing.

Results:

Significant differences among the techniques were shown, with phenolic foam being more similar to barefoot weightbearing in forefoot and hindfoot width.

Conclusions:

The method that reproduces the expansion of the foot in weightbearing with more reliability is phenolic foam. The forefoot width is superior in barefoot weightbearing versus the three foot casts studied. The hindfoot width is superior in the foot cast with plaster in weightbearing compared with barefoot weightbearing and the other two foot casts.
Percutaneous Electrochemical Debridement of the Plantaris Tendon
Authors: Mattiussi Gabriele , Moreno Carlos
Published: December 2018

Plantaris tendon disorders are a well-known source of midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Plantaris tendon thickening and fibrous tissue formation between the tendons are the histologic abnormalities that are typically observed. Surgical approaches (scraping of the Achilles medial and ventral paratendinous tissues and excision of the plantaris tendon) have already shown good clinical outcomes; despite this, the cost-benefit ratio of these interventions may be unfavorable, and their accessibility is limited. Percutaneous needle electrolysis is a minimally invasive ablative technique increasingly being considered for the treatment of tendinopathies and associated conditions. Herein we introduce a novel procedure to treat plantaris tendon–related midportion Achilles tendinopathy. The procedure starts with the ultrasound-guided insertion of an uncoated needle (diameter, 0.30–0.40 mm; length, 30 mm) between the plantaris and Achilles tendons. Subsequently, galvanic current (intensity, 2 mA) is locally transferred, which induces instant nonthermal electrochemical ablation of the intertendinous tissues in close proximity to the needle, finally debriding the plantaris tendon. To further promote its release, the second part of the procedure involves partial tenotomy of the lateral peripheral aspects of the plantaris tendon. Usually, the session does not exceed 30 min. Percutaneous needle electrolysis may be considered as a valid alternative to surgery. The outpatient procedure presented herein is, in fact, safe and quick to perform. In addition, long suspension of working or sporting activities after treatment is not required. Future investigations are needed to ascertain the short- and long-term therapeutic outcomes of plantaris tendon–related midportion Achilles tendinopathy treatment, in particular by comparing them with those obtained with other mini-invasive interventions.
Fulminant Septicemia from Aeromonas hydrophilia in a Nonmobile Diabetic Patient
Authors: Lewis Sara E. , Collins Devin W. , Bressler Adam M.
Published: December 2018

We report an unusual case of Aeromonas hydrophilia septicemia in a nonmobile diabetic patient secondary to contaminated well water used for bathing with a portal of entry through chronic forefoot and heel ulcers. To date, there are no documented cases similar to this patient's presentation. Aeromonas hydrophilia is commonly distributed among aquatic environments and tends to be found during warmer months. It is a rare cause of disease but can be life threatening and deadly, as in our case, in immunocompromised individuals. As podiatric physicians, we must remain diligent and have a high index of suspicion to identify patients at risk for this rare but serious infection and administer treatment aggressively to limit morbidity and mortality.
Coming out in a harsh environment: a new genus and species for a land flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) occurring in a ferruginous cave from the Brazilian savanna
Authors: Leal-Zanchet Ana M. , Marques Alessandro Damasceno
Published: December 2018

Faunal inventories in ferruginous caves from an area belonging to the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado phytophysiognomy), on the eastern margin of the Serra do Espinhaço Plateau, in southeastern Brazil, have revealed the occurrence of land flatworms. Herein, a flatworm sampled in such subterranean environment is described as a new genus and species of the Neotropical subfamily Geoplaninae,Difroehlichia elenaegen. nov., sp. nov. The new genus shows rare features within Geoplaninae, namely sub-cylindrical body, poorly developed sub-epidermal musculature and a narrow creeping sole. Some features, such as a small body and a broad sensory margin in the anterior region of the body, as well as the fact that the holotype showed signs of recent copula, may indicate an adaptation to the subterranean environment, probably representing a troglophile.Difroehlichia elenaeis characterized by an almost homogeneous dark brown pigmentation over dorsal surface and body margins, a short cylindrical pharynx, and a tubular and unforked intrabulbar prostatic vesicle, among other features. The holotype shows a secondary male copulatory organ located immediately behind the primary one, both communicating with the female atrium and gonopore canal. Since the species seems to have low abundance and restricted distribution and its type-locality is affected by mining activities, major concern arises regarding its conservation.
Reducing protected lands in a hotspot of bee biodiversity: bees of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Authors: Wilson Joseph S. , Kelly Matt , Carril Olivia Messinger
Published: December 2018

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a federally protected area found in central southern Utah. Designated in 1996 by President William J. Clinton, it was recently reduced in size by President Donald J. Trump in a proclamation that turned the one large monument into three smaller ones. A long-term, standardized study of the bees had been conducted from 2000–2003, revealing 660 species. The bee communities of the area are characterized by being spatially heterogeneous; most of the bees occur in isolated areas, with only a few being both abundant and widespread. Here we examine what affect the recent resizing of the monument has on the number, and ecology, of the bees now excluded from monument boundaries. Using the new monument boundaries and the geographic coordinates associated with each bee, we derived new species lists for each of the three monuments, and compared them to each other, and to the excluded lands. All three monuments now protect unique faunas, with Bray–Curtis similarity values not exceeding 0.59%. Each monument now harbors species not found in the other two monuments. We found that 84 bee species are no longer protected by any of the three monuments. These 84 species were not concentrated in one area that is now excluded, but were scattered throughout the newly excluded lands. For some of the excluded bee species, there is no evidence that they are rare or imperiled, being widespread throughout the west. However, there is a concentration of bees in the southern and eastern former monument lands that represent range extensions from nearby hot deserts. In addition to numerous range extensions, the list of excluded bees also contains several undescribed species (newly discovered species that have not yet been named and described by taxonomists) and morphospecies (individuals that are morphologically distinct, but that require additional research before species designations can be made). This indicates that the bee communities housed in these excluded areas would benefit from additional scientific inquiry. The areas now excluded from monument protections house a greater proportion of the original GSENM bee community than any of the three new monument units. We conclude this paper by discussing what the smaller monuments might mean for bee conservation in this hot spot of bee biodiversity and suggest that bee communities here and elsewhere should be taken into account when conservation decisions are being made.
DIGITAL DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION: PARADOX or CONCEPTUAL DISTORTION?
Authors: Rodrigues Leonel Cezar , Riscarolli Valeria , Jesus Marco Antônio Sampaio de , Zucco Fabricia Durieux
Published: December 2018

Cultures that incorporate new knowledge produced elsewhere in the industrial or academic environment need rethink the basic elements of knowledge they incorporate, or else they may incur huge conceptual distortions or even superficial absorption, without intrinsic value. This seems to be the case of concept on disruptive innovation.  It’s conceptual purposes seem to be distorted as disruptive innovation spreads through academia and industry. The main objective of this research is to identify the conceptual premises of disruptive innovation in selected cases of digital disruptive innovation, to characterize an epistemology meaning to it. The methodology is quantitative. We used the CAPES journal base and Publish or Perish, evaluating the articles and performing a textual scan with the Iramuteq software. The main results indicated that there are two clusters of concepts of disruptive innovation, one from the context of established companies and another from the context of new companies, originated as result of digital transformations. Conclusions lead to same conceptual logic in both concepts. However, conceptual logic based on events of established companies, is epistemologically more dogmatic than the one that considers disruptive innovation in the context of digital companies, which is more typically perspectivist.
CURRENT SCENARIO OF THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE SPECIAL COFFEE MARKET IN BRAZIL: A COMPARISON BETWEEN 1990 AND 2016
Authors: De Carvalho Josue Pires , Arévalo Jorge Luis Sánchez , Passador João Luiz
Published: December 2018

This study analyzes the importance of isomorphic relations in the process of institutionalization of the special coffee market in Brazil. To accomplish the objective, interviews were conducted with the various agents tied to the field. Three Brazilian regions were chosen because they are the most representative and convenient for the study, considering their high institutional development; two (Northwest of Minas and Alta Mogiana) already have Geographical Indications (GI) and the third one (Matas de Minas) is in the process of adoption. The results show the importance of the State as between promoter and inducer in relation to the adoption of GIs. In addition, it is evident the importance of the commitment of agents - producer and buyer - who are proactively engaged in entrepreneurial actions, in order to adapt to the new practices and trends of the special coffee market, where quality consumption is privileged.
Intoxicated eyewitnesses: The effect of a fully balanced placebo design on event memory and metacognitive control
Authors: Gawrylowicz Julie , Scoboria Alan , Teodorini Rachel , Albery Ian P.
Published: December 2018

Few studies have examined the impact of alcohol on metacognition for witnessed events. We used a 2 × 2 balanced placebo design, where mock witnesses expected and drank alcohol, did not expect but drank alcohol, did not expect nor drank alcohol, or expected but did not drink alcohol. Participants watched a mock crime in a bar‐lab, followed by free recall and a cued‐recall test with or without the option to reply “don't know” (DK). Intoxicated mock witnesses' free recall was less complete but not less accurate. During cued‐recall, alcohol led to lower accuracy, and reverse placebo participants gave more erroneous and fewer correct responses. Permitting and clarifying DK responses was associated with fewer errors and more correct responses for sober individuals; and intoxicated witnesses were less likely to opt out of erroneous responding to unanswerable questions. Our findings highlight the practical and theoretical importance of examining pharmacological effects of alcohol and expectancies in real‐life settings.
Magnetic Nanomaterials for Advanced Regenerative Medicine: The Promise and Challenges
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Li , Chen Shizhu , Zhang Huan , Zhou Jin , Fan Hai‐Ming , Liang Xing‐Jie
Published: December 2018

The recent emergence of numerous nanotechnologies is expected to facilitate the development of regenerative medicine, which is a tissue regeneration technique based on the replacement/repair of diseased tissue or organs to restore the function of lost, damaged, and aging cells in the human body. In particular, the unique magnetic properties and specific dimensions of magnetic nanomaterials make them promising innovative components capable of significantly advancing the field of tissue regeneration. Their potential applications in tissue regeneration are the focus here, beginning with the fundamentals of magnetic nanomaterials. How nanomaterials—both those that are intrinsically magnetic and those that respond to an externally applied magnetic field—can enhance the efficiency of tissue regeneration is also described. Applications including magnetically controlled cargo delivery and release, real‐time visualization and tracking of transplanted cells, magnetic regulation of cell proliferation/differentiation, and magnetic activation of targeted ion channels and signal pathways involved in regeneration are highlighted, and comments on the perspectives and challenges in magnetic nanomaterial‐based tissue regeneration are given.
Precise Network Polymerized Ionic Liquids for Low‐Voltage, Dopant‐Free Soft Actuators
Authors: Shen Chengtian , Zhao Qiujie , Evans Christopher M.
Published: December 2018

Next‐generation material applications require electroactive materials for actuation which are light weight, operate at low voltages (<5 V), exhibit cyclability, and are compatible with a range of environments. Here, a class of network polymerized ionic liquid (n‐PIL) actuators is reported, synthesized via a facile step growth polymerization, which not only have comparable actuation strains (≈0.9%) to other state‐of‐the‐art ionic polymer systems at ±3 V, but also exhibit 85% performance preservation after 1000 testing cycles and operate with no additives such as solvent or free ionic liquid. Molecular engineering of the n‐PILs by controlling crosslinking density and linker polarity leads to an order‐of‐magnitude increase in tip displacement which provides insights on future materials development.
Spatially Ordered Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Fibril Nanostructures via Controlled Evaporative Self‐Assembly
Authors: Park Woon Ik , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Jung Jaehan , Hong Suck Won , Lin Zhiqun , Byun Myunghwan
Published: December 2018

Hierarchically structured, gradient concentric rings of regioregular conjugated polymer, rr‐poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (rr‐P3HT) with randomly or directionally crystallized nanofibrils over large areas are obtained by regulating consecutive “stick‐slip” motions of the three‐phase contact line in a confined geometry consisting of an upper curved sphere surface and a lower flat Si substrate (i.e., sphere‐on‐flat geometry), which leads to an axially symmetric capillary‐bridge (bound solution). Self‐organized concentric P3HT ring patterns result from mediating intermolecular interactions between the polymer molecules, and varying the solvent concentration. More interestingly, from the lower solution concentration “shish‐kebab” like morphologies are observed in between adjacent rings. These unusual, directionally crystallized structures are formed spontaneously parallel to the moving direction of the contact line on solvent evaporation. Subsequently, I–V characteristics of the directionally crystallized and randomly distributed P3HT nanofibrils formed across the electrodes are investigated and compared.
In‐Planar‐Electrodes Organic Light‐Emitting Devices for Smart Lighting Applications
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Liu Shihao , Zhang Letian , Xie Wenfa
Published: December 2018

Smart lighting systems have earned an irreplaceable position in fields such as health care, communication, and garden cultivation. Inorganic light‐emitting diode (LED) illuminant, as a traditional and well‐developed field, is suitable for smart lighting systems and widely researched. However, smart lighting systems with organic light‐emitting device (OLED) illuminant are rare. The key issue is to fabricate an efficient OLED illuminant with tunable spectra and intensity. Here, in‐planar‐electrodes OLEDs (IPE‐OLEDs), which could be a possible solution to OLED illuminant used in smart lighting systems, is presented. By utilizing Mg:Ag thin film to connect two regular OLEDs with novel electron transporting layer, efficient and easy‐to‐fabricate IPE‐OLEDs with high brightness and low voltage are achieved. The working mechanism of the IPE‐OLEDs is discussed. The IPE‐OLEDs can be easily driven with alternating current signals to independently address each emissive sub‐cell. Thus, the OLED illuminant based on IPE‐OLEDs enables adjustment of color temperature and intensity. To exhibit the features of the fabricated IPE‐OLEDs further, a simple but effective smart lighting system containing IPE‐OLEDs and gas detector is constructed, which could be used in the mining industry.
Atomic Sn4+ Decorated into Vanadium Carbide MXene Interlayers for Superior Lithium Storage
Authors: Wang Changda , Chen Shuangming , Xie Hui , Wei Shiqiang , Wu Chuanqiang , Song Li
Published: December 2018

Ion intercalation is an important way to improve the energy storage performance of 2D materials. The dynamic energy storage process in such layered intercalations is important but still a challenge mainly due to the lack of effective operando methods. Herein, a unique atomic Sn4+–decorated vanadium carbide (V2C) MXene not only exhibiting highly enhanced lithium‐ion battery (LIB) performance, but also possessing outstanding rate and cyclic stability because of the expanded interlayer space and the formation of VOSn bonding is demonstrated. In combination with ex situ tests, an operando X‐ray absorption fine structure measurement is developed to explore the dynamic mechanism of V2C@Sn MXene electrodes in LIBs. The results clearly reveal the valence changes of vanadium (V), tin (Sn), and positive contribution of oxygen (O) atoms during the charging/discharging process, confirming their contribution for lithium storage capacity. The stability of intercalated MXene electrode is further in situ studied to prove the key role of VOSn bonding.
Genetic and environmental factors in the intergenerational transmission of maternal care in rhesus macaques: Preliminary findings
Authors: Kinnally Erin L. , Ceniceros Lesly , Martinez Steten J.
Published: December 2018

Early life experiences reorganize the brain and behavior of the developing infant, often with lifelong consequences. There is perhaps no more potent developmental influence than the quality of parental care: it is an experience common to all mammals, and its effects have been observed across species. The effects of parental care can be particularly difficult to abolish, as levels of care are often perpetuated across generations. However, genetic relatedness between parents can obscure the true mechanism of transgenerational cycles of parental care, because in intact families, genes, and environment are confounded. We examined the transmission of maternal care quality in biologically reared (n = 21) and cross fostered (n = 6) female rhesus monkeys. Interactions between female infant subjects and their mothers were observed from subjects’ birth to 12 weeks of age. Females were then observed 4–5 years later for the quality of care they displayed toward their own newborn offspring. Maternal protectiveness in the first and second generations were correlated in both biologically reared and cross‐fostered females. However, other aspects of maternal care, such as aggressiveness and sensitivity, were transmitted differently depending on foster status. These data provide preliminary findings in a small sample that the intergenerational transmission of maternal care may arise from complex genetic and environmental mechanisms in rhesus monkeys.
Isolation and identification of respiratory tract and intestinal microflora of Meriones meridianus in a conventional animal facility
Authors: Xu Yimei , Shi Shen , Yan Huakui , Xu Xiaohui , Yuan Jiangling , Liao Lifu
Published: December 2018

Background

Culturable bacterial species from the respiratory tract and ileocecal junction of Meriones meridianus (midday gerbils) captured in the Xinjiang Luntai area were isolated and identified to confirm the microflora and develop approaches for biological purification of laboratory animals and relevant microbial precautions.

Methods

Bacteria from respiratory tracts and ileocecal junctions of 30 wild M. meridianus were harvested and isolated by inoculation into culture media. Isolated strains were confirmed by mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results

Thirty‐nine bacterial species from 20 families and 27 genera were identified and isolated from wild M. meridianus. Typical bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus, and the most common microflora were Vibrio, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion

Wild M. meridianus carries multiple bacteria, most of which are pathogenic or conditional pathogens. This study provides a basis for the development of animal models and laboratory animals from wild M. meridianus.
A Pretreatment‐Free, Polymer‐Based Platform Prepared by Molecular Imprinting and Post‐Imprinting Modifications for Sensing Intact Exosomes
Authors: Mori Kisho , Hirase Mitsuhiro , Morishige Takahiro , Takano Eri , Sunayama Hirobumi , Kitayama Yukiya , Inubushi Sachiko , Sasaki Ryohei , Yashiro Masakazu , Takeuchi Toshifumi
Published: December 2018

Exosomes are small (30–100 nm) membrane vesicles that serve as regulatory agents for intercellular communication in cancers. Currently, exosomes are detected by immuno‐based assays with appropriate pretreatments like ultracentrifugation and are time consuming (>12 h). We present a novel pretreatment‐free fluorescence‐based sensing platform for intact exosomes, wherein exchangeable antibodies and fluorescent reporter molecules were aligned inside exosome‐binding cavities. Such antibody‐containing fluorescent reporter‐grafted nanocavities were prepared on a substrate by well‐designed molecular imprinting and post‐imprinting modifications to introduce antibodies and fluorescent reporter molecules only inside the binding nanocavities, enabling sufficiently high sensitivity to detect intact exosomes without pretreatment. The effectiveness of the system was demonstrated by using it to discriminate between normal exosomes and those originating from prostate cancer and analyze exosomes in tear drops.
Externe Umkehr eines Chiralitätstransfers im Photoschalter
Authors: Jurissek Christoph , Berger Fabian , Eisenreich Fabian , Kathan Michael , Hecht Stefan
Published: December 2018

Der Transfer von Stereoinformation ist das Herzstück asymmetrischer Reaktionen. Durch die Integration des natürlichen Monoterpensl‐Menthon in das Rückgrat eines Diarylethens konnte ein effizienter Chiralitätstransfer bei der Photocyclisierung erreicht werden, was zur bevorzugten Bildung eines geschlossenen Hauptisomers mit einem Diastereomerenverhältnis (d.r.) von 85:15 führte. Noch stärker hervorzuheben ist allerdings, dass die Diastereoselektivität des Ringschlusses vollständig umgekehrt werden kann, indem die chemische Umgebung oder die Bestrahlungsbedingungen verändert werden. Infolgedessen konnte selektiv das weniger favorisierte geschlossene Isomer mit bemerkenswerten d.r.‐Werten von >99:1 bzw. 74:26 akkumuliert werden. Berechnungen zeigen, dass eine Stabilitätsinversion nach der Photocyclisierung die Grundlage für die beobachtete beispiellose Kontrolle der Diastereoselektivität ist.
Prediction of Carbon Dioxide Adsorption via Deep Learning
Authors: Zhang Zihao , Schott Jennifer A. , Liu Miaomiao , Chen Hao , Lu Xiuyang , Sumpter Bobby G. , Fu Jie , Dai Sheng
Published: December 2018

Porous carbons with different textural properties exhibit great differences in CO2 adsorption capacity. It is generally known that narrow micropores contribute to higher CO2 adsorption capacity. However, it is still unclear what role each variable in the textural properties plays in CO2 adsorption. Herein, a deep neural network is trained as a generative model to direct the relationship between CO2 adsorption of porous carbons and corresponding textural properties. The trained neural network is further employed as an implicit model to estimate its ability to predict the CO2 adsorption capacity of unknown porous carbons. Interestingly, the practical CO2 adsorption amounts are in good agreement with predicted values using surface area, micropore and mesopore volumes as the input values simultaneously. This unprecedented deep learning neural network (DNN) approach, a type of machine learning algorithm, exhibits great potential to predict gas adsorption and guide the development of next‐generation carbons.
Regioselective Vinylation of Remote Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds: Access to Complex Fluoroalkylated Alkenes
Authors: Wu Shuo , Wu Xinxin , Wang Dongping , Zhu Chen
Published: December 2018

Regioselective incorporation of a particular functional group into aliphatic sites by direct activation of unreactive C−H bonds is of great synthetic value. Despite advances in radical‐mediated functionalization of C(sp3)−H bonds by a hydrogen‐atom transfer process, the site‐selective vinylation of remote C(sp3)−H bonds still remains underexplored. Reported herein is a new protocol for the regioselective vinylation of unactivated C(sp3)−H bonds. The remote C(sp3)−H activation is promoted by a C‐centered radical instead of the commonly used N and O radicals. The reaction possesses high product diversity and synthetic efficiency, furnishing a plethora of synthetically valuable E alkenes bearing tri‐/di‐/mono‐fluoromethyl and perfluoroalkyl groups.
Nylon–MOF Composites through Postsynthetic Polymerization
Authors: Kalaj Mark , Denny Michael S. , Bentz Kyle C. , Palomba Joseph M. , Cohen Seth M.
Published: December 2018

Hybridization of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymers into composites yields materials that display the exceptional properties of MOFs with the robustness of polymers. However, the realization of MOF–polymer composites requires efficient dispersion and interactions of MOF particles with polymer matrices, which remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a simple, scalable, bench‐top approach to covalently tethered nylon–MOF polymer composite materials through an interfacial polymerization technique. The copolymerization of a modified UiO‐66‐NH2 MOF with a growing polyamide fiber (PA‐66) during an interfacial polymerization gave hybrid materials with up to around 29 weight percent MOF. The covalent hybrid material demonstrated nearly an order of magnitude higher catalytic activity for the breakdown of a chemical warfare simulant (dimethyl‐4‐nitrophenyl phosphate, DMNP) compared to MOFs that are non‐covalently, physically entrapped in nylon, thus highlighting the importance of MOF–polymer hybridization.
Triazine based Mn (II) and Mn (II)/Ln (III) complexes: Synthesis, characterization and catecholase activities
Authors: Celik Derya , Kose Muhammet
Published: December 2018

In the current work, two triazine‐based multidentate ligands (H2L1 and H2L2) and their homo‐dinuclear Mn (II), mononuclear Ln (III) and hetero‐dinuclear Mn (II)/Ln (III) (Where Ln: Eu or La) complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Single crystals of a homo‐dinuclear Mn (II) complex {[Mn (HL1)(CH3OH)](ClO4·CH3OH}2 (1) were obtained and the molecular structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction method. In the structure of the complex, each Mn (II) ion is seven‐coordinate and one of the phenolic oxygen bridges two Mn (II) centre forming a dimeric structure. The UV–Vis. and photoluminescence properties of synthesized ligands and their metal complexes were investigated in DMF solution and the compounds showed emission bands in the UV–Vis. region. The catecholase enzyme‐like activity of the complexes were studied for 3,5‐DTBC → 3,5‐DTBQ conversion in the presence of air oxygen. Homo‐dinuclear Mn (II) complexes (1 and 4) were found to efficiently catalyse 3,5‐DTBC → 3,5‐DTBQ conversion with the turnover numbers of 37.25 and 35.78 h−1 (kcat), respectively. Mononuclear Eu (III) and La (III) complexes did not show catecholase activity.
Development, characterization, and cross‐amplification of microsatellite markers for Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Zhang Ai‐Li , Gao Ya‐Fang , Li Guo‐Dong , Qian Zi‐Gang
Published: December 2018

Premise of the Study

Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae) is a narrowly distributed and endemic plant species in southwestern China. The overexploitation of natural P. tunicoides has led to the destruction of many populations. Population and genetic studies will provide crucial data for the protection and management of P. tunicoides. In this study, we develop simple sequence repeat markers of P. tunicoides to analyze population diversity.

Methods and Results

Microsatellite loci of P. tunicoides were isolated with FIASCO. Eleven polymorphic and 10 monomorphic primers were developed. The 11 polymorphic primers were tested in three P. tunicoides populations, yielding two to nine alleles per locus. Levels of observed heterozygosity varied from 0.000 to 1.000, and levels of expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.615. In addition, three of these loci were successfully amplified, and showed polymorphism, in three Silene species.

Conclusions

These microsatellite markers can be valuable tools to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of P. tunicoides.
Boundary control for a flexible string system with input saturation constraint
Authors: Zhao Zhijia , Ren Zhigang , Ma Yonghao
Published: December 2018

In this study, we focus on the boundary control problem for a vibrating string system with saturated input under the condition of external disturbances. Based on the backstepping approach, a boundary vibration control scheme is proposed to globally stabilize the string around the equilibrium position. A smooth hyperbolic tangent function is exploited to restrict the control input, an auxiliary system and a Nussbaum function are adopted to cope with the nonlinear term derived from the input saturation, and a disturbance observer is employed to tackle the boundary disturbance. The developed controller can assure the convergence of the closed‐loop system state to a small neighbourhood of zero. By the appropriate choice of control design parameters, numerical simulation is conducted to show the effectiveness of the derived control.