bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Case for Sexbots
Authors: McArthur Neil
Published: May 2018

Many people view the imminent arrival of sexbots with anxiety or hostility. This chapter identifies several philosophical justifications that might be given for opposing sexbots. It argues that these justifications are not sufficient, on balance, to establish that the development of sexbots should be viewed as harmful. On the contrary, we should view their development as something that should be welcomed and promoted, and we should actively combat any stigmas that exist against robot sex. Sexbots can be a solution, if admittedly an imperfect one, to sexual deprivation, in situations where people are isolated from potential partners or have difficulty forming relationships. They can also help people in long-term relationships by addressing certain common problems that can arise in such relationships.
Learning Mechanisms in Affective Disorders
Authors: Heinz Andreas
Published: May 2018

Affective disorders are described with respect to a model of positive and negative affect, which suggests that clinical depression may result both from an impairment of reward anticipation and experience as well as from an increase in negative affect, which correlates with increased activation of limbic circuits associated with fear and anxiety. Dopamine and serotonin dysfunction interacting with such functional alterations are described, and stress effects on these neurotransmitter systems are discussed. The dimensional approach to affective disorders is explained with respect to different syndrome clusters reflecting negative affect and clinical depression.
Excursions
Authors: Friederici Angela D. , Chomsky Noam
Published: May 2018

Historically, first production models were built on the basis of language deficits in patients with brain lesions, and later on the basis of speech errors in healthy people. More recently, attempts have been made to apply neuroscientific methods such as functional magnet-resonance imaging and electrocorticography during brain surgery using pictures or perceived words at controlled input to the production system. The available data suggest that language production, apart from brain structures supporting the motor act of speaking, involves Broca’s area in addition to temporal regions. There are a number of important aspects to be considered for communication that are beyond the core language system. These are contextual knowledge, known as pragmatics, as well as communicative hand gestures, which may interact with language during communication. At the neuroscientific level a number of brain regions beyond those involved in language such as the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and the temporo-parietal junction have been identified to support aspects of social communication. Concerning the interplay between meaningful gestures with language it is interesting to note that BA 44 as the main syntactic processing region remains unaffected by communicative gestures.
The Functional Language Network
Authors: Friederici Angela D. , Chomsky Noam
Published: May 2018

How information content is encoded and decoded in the sending and receiving brain areas is still an open issue. A possible though speculative view is that encoding and decoding requires similarity at the neuronal level in the encoding and decoding regions. This chapter discusses the functional neural network of language. It first describes the language network at the neurotransmitter level and then discusses the available data at the level of functional connectivity and oscillatory activity. Section 1 looks at the neural basis of information transfer, namely at the neurotransmitters which are crucially involved in the transmission of information from one neuron to the next. Section 2 uses functional connectivity analyses to provide information about how different brain regions work together. They allow us to make statements about which regions work together, and moreover, about the direction of the information flow between these. Section 3 models the language circuit as a a dynamic temporo-frontal network with initial input-driven information processed bottom-up from the auditory cortex to the frontal cortex along the ventral pathway, with semantic information reaching the anterior inferior frontal gyrus, and syntactic information reaching the posterior inferior frontal gyrus.
Ontogeny of the Neural Language Network
Authors: Friederici Angela D. , Chomsky Noam
Published: May 2018

This chapter reviews the neural underpinning of normal language acquisition and asks not only at which age certain milestones in language acquisition are achieved, but moreover to what extent is this achievement dependent on the maturation of particular brain structures. In our recent model, the neural basis of the developing language system is described to reflect two major phases. The available data provide consistent evidence that very early on an infant is able to extract language-relevant information from the acoustic input. This first phase covers the first three years of life when language processing is largely input-driven and supported by the temporal cortex and the ventral part of the network. A second phase extends beyond age 3, when top-down processes come into play, and the left inferior frontal cortex and the dorsal part of the language network are recruited to a larger extent. Development towards full language performance beyond age 3 is dependent on maturational changes in the gray and white matter. An increased language ability is correlated with an increase in structural and functional connectivity between language-related brain regions in the left hemisphere, the inferior frontal gyrus and the posterior superior temporal gyrus/superior temporal sulcus.
Practical Knowledge
Authors: Kosslyn Stephen M.
Published: May 2018

A common critique of universities is that they do not adequately prepare most students for life after graduation. In response to this critique, Minerva has focused its curriculum on “practical knowledge.” Practical knowledge consists of skills and information that one can use to achieve one’s own goals; practical knowledge allows one to adapt to a changing world, succeeding at jobs that may not even exist yet. To provide students with a broad and powerful “cognitive tool kit” to help them achieve their goals, we identified four core competencies, namely critical thinking, creative thinking, effective communication and effective interactions. Each of these competencies has distinct aspects, which in turn are carried out by collections of “habits of mind” and “foundational concepts.” This chapter reviews the rationale for this approach and provides detailed examples of a set of well-defined learning objectives.
Foundations of the Curriculum
Authors: Nelson Ben , Kosslyn Stephen M.
Published: May 2018

Minerva’s curriculum is rooted in a set of four design principles: Content should not be the focus; the curriculum must be structured; courses should be seminal; and, students need information and guidance to make wise choices. These principles in turn lead us to construct the curriculum to provide a broad context for material and to provide the conditions necessary for “far transfer”—which occurs when people apply what they learn in one context to a situation in a different time and place. In addition, to help students master the material, the curriculum is scaffolded—the courses build on one another systematically while at the same time broaden the context. This chapter concludes with an overview of why we order the courses as we do, and how our curriculum is structured over the four years of undergraduate education
Global Outreach: Communicating a New Vision
Authors: Ross Kenn , Goldberg Robin B.
Published: May 2018

Minerva’s outreach efforts must be different from those of other higher education institutions because we are not looking for just any student. Finding the one or two who might exist in any given school, or in any given city for that matter, is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Yet, Minerva’s outreach efforts have been successful at reaching candidates in over 160 countries, who then take the time to apply for admission. In this chapter, we summarize how Minerva has been able to reach such a selective, yet geographically dispersed audience.
Order at the Bazaar
Authors: Spector Regine A.
Published: May 2018

Over the past two decades, bazaars mushroomed in the new Central Asian states, where rule-of-law institutions are weak and corruption high. How did bazaars grow and thrive in such an inhospitable context? Order at the Bazaar answers this question through an analysis of bazaars in Kyrgyzstan. They are conceptualized as islands of order within a chaotic national context. The findings demonstrate that those at the bazaar, including traders, private land owners, and municipal officials, create order themselves in the absence of a coherent national government apparatus and bureaucratic state. Drawing on original interviews, archival sources, and participant observation, the book illuminates the changing meanings and practices of older traders at bazaars, including the ways in which they adapted Soviet and pre-Soviet institutions and organizational forms to a new market setting. In these settings, they deliberated and advocated for favorable policies and conditions, mediated disputes, channelled information, and served as role models for traders. The findings have relevance beyond the bazaars and borders of this small country; they illuminate how economic activity can operate in weak rule-of-law contexts, and more specifically how a variety of organizational forms come to constitute the order that underpins new market economies.
A Colonial Affair
Authors: Agmon Danna
Published: May 2018

Early in the eighteenth century, in the French colony of Pondichéry, India, a man’s life was thrust into turmoil. A Tamil commercial broker named Nayiniyappa, the colony’s most powerful local man, was arrested, swiftly convicted of tyranny and sedition, and died in prison while serving out his sentence. But following his death a global mobilization effort on his behalf ensued, and the French King exonerated Nayiniyappa posthumously. The struggle over this man’s guilt or innocence drew into debate merchants of the French trading company, the Compagnie des Indes, Catholic missionaries of various orders, high ranking officials in Paris and Versailles, and local families in Pondichéry. As they fought over Nayiniyappa’s fate, they also articulated radically different visions of the French colonial project in India. This microhistory of the affair and the fault lines it reveals shows that conflicts between and within the projects of trade and religion were a defining feature of the little-known French empire in South Asia.
Not According to Plan
Authors: Belodubrovskaya Maria
Published: May 2018

Not According to Plan is a history of Soviet filmmaking under Stalin (1930–1953). It addresses why the Stalin regime failed to construct a controlled propaganda cinema despite explicit intention to do so. Using new archival evidence, Belodubrovskaya shows that the Stalinist state was unsuccessful because its ideological ambitions undermined institutional reform and development. When choosing between the short-term goal of making film “masterpieces” and longer-term industrialization targeting mass production, Stalin and his policymakers consistently selected the former. The preference for quality films and Stalin’s intolerance of imperfection reinforced an artisanal, director-centered mode of production; exacerbated planning, screenwriting, and censorship dysfunction; created an entitled artistic workforce; and ultimately closed the door to a mass propaganda cinema. Not According to Plan challenges the notion that Stalin had authority over the arts and suggests that ideological control collapses in environments where artistry is rewarded.
The Unique Voice … and Its Travails
Authors: Millie Julian
Published: May 2018

Chapter Three is the first in a bracket of two which compares orations by two skilled preachers, and which provides contextual background to the evaluations of preaching explored in later chapters. Kyai Al-Jauhari (b. 1971) is the most popular preacher amongst village audiences in West Java. His success is premised on his bold and shocking exercise of virtuoso skills in a number of performance genres. These skills are in great demand by mosque committees intent on attracting large audiences to community celebrations. At the same time, his unique voice leads to negative evaluations from outside the environment in which his preaching is valued so highly.
Standing Up for Listening
Authors: Millie Julian
Published: May 2018

Chapter Nine reflects further on the meanings of oral preaching in Indonesia’s Islamic public sphere, searching for alternatives to the modernist perspectives explored in earlier chapters. It finds support for the medium in the traditionalist project of the mass organisation known as NU (Nahdlatul Ulama, or the Rising of the Scholars). Through its doctrine as well as its characteristic forms of public communication, the organisation advocates passivity as an acceptable Muslim position.
Singlewide
Authors: Salamon Sonya , MacTavish Katherine
Published: May 2018

When a rural family of modest means buys a new or used mobile home, unless cash is paid up-front, they become entangled with the highly profitable mobile home industrial complex, made up of home producers, dealers, financiers, and trailer park entrepreneurs. For most working-poor rural families, with few exceptions, this engagement means being caught in an expensive trap as they chase their American Dream for housing. Rural trailer parks house approximately 12 million people, and we describe this population’s diversity across rural Illinois, New Mexico and North Carolina. We ask whether living in a rural trailer park has a negative neighborhood effect on working poor families, children and youth. We found only Whites report being stigmatized as trailer trash in contrast to Hispanics and African Americans who did not report this experience. Stigmatization negatively affects youth in school and parents in the adjacent rural community.
Galvanized Ghettos?
Authors: Salamon Sonya , MacTavish Katherine
Published: May 2018

This chapter introduces the trade-offs of mobile homeownership and trailer park residence. Following a brief history of manufactured housing in the US, the chapter provides central research questions and an overview of the book.
The North Carolina Parks
Authors: Salamon Sonya , MacTavish Katherine
Published: May 2018

Trailer parks serve African American families primarily as places to live. Social lives take place among large, close-knit kin networks, or in churches also attended by relatives. Kin importantly provide access to employment or income supports in times of need. In contrast to the integrated contexts of their trailer park, where they attend school, or work, park families experience a segregated world, amongst their church and kin networks. Park parents have large sibling sets, a source of rich supports and resources. Lacking such support a family struggles, but alternatively form fictive kinship ties with people from church or friendship networks.
Family Dreams and Trailer-Park Realities
Authors: Salamon Sonya , MacTavish Katherine
Published: May 2018

Trailer parks supply rural people of modest income a homeownership opportunity. All hope to move-on, but for most their conventional housing Dream remains out of reach. Three families, one from each site, share crucial features that explain a pathway out of the trailer park during the study. Trailer parks have a neighborhood effect mainly for Whites, for whom park residence conveys a sense of stigma. The trailer trash stigma is pronounced where: white ethnicity is dominant; a rigid class hierarchy is in place; and segregation of a park population is enforced. Such conditions were absent among park Blacks and Hispanics.
Water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) of riparian springs in a small lowland river valley: what are the key factors for species distribution?
Authors: Zawal Andrzej , Stryjecki Robert , Buczyńska Edyta , Buczyński Paweł , Pakulnicka Joanna , Bańkowska Aleksandra , Czernicki Tomasz , Janusz Katarzyna , Szlauer-Łukaszewska Agnieszka , Pešić Vladimir
Published: May 2018

This paper examines the impact of disturbance factors—flooding and intermittency—on the distribution of water mites in the riparian springs situated in the valley of a small lowland river, the Krąpiel. The landscape factors and physicochemical parameters of the water were analysed in order to gain an understanding of the pattern of water mite assemblages in the riparian springs. Three limnological types of springs were examined (helocrenes, limnocrenes and rheocrenes) along the whole course of the river and a total of 35 water mite species were found. Our study shows that flooding influences spring assemblages, causing a decrease in crenobiontic water mites in flooded springs. The impact of intermittency resulted in a high percentage of species typical of temporary water bodies. Surprisingly, the study revealed the positive impact of the anthropogenic transformation of the river valley: preventing the riparian springs from flooding enhances the diversity of crenobiontic species in non-flooded springs. In the conclusion, our study revealed that further conservation strategies for the protection of the riparian springs along large rivers would take into account ongoing climatic changes and possible the positive impact of the anthropogenic transformation of river valleys.
High correlation between skin color based on CIELAB color space, epidermal melanocyte ratio, and melanocyte melanin content
Authors: Huang Wen-Shyan , Wang Yi-Wen , Hung Kun-Che , Hsieh Pai-Shan , Fu Keng-Yen , Dai Lien-Guo , Liou Nien-Hsien , Ma Kuo-Hsing , Liu Jiang-Chuan , Dai Niann-Tzyy
Published: May 2018

Background

To treat skin color disorders, such as vitiligo or burns, melanocytes are transplanted for tissue regeneration. However, melanocyte distribution in the human body varies with age and location, making it difficult to select the optimal donor skin to achieve a desired color match. Determining the correlations with the desired skin color measurement based on CIELAB color, epidermal melanocyte numbers, and melanin content of individual melanocytes is critical for clinical application.

Method

Fifteen foreskin samples from Asian young adults were analyzed for skin color, melanocyte ratio (melanocyte proportion in the epidermis), and melanin concentration. Furthermore, an equation was developed based on CIELAB color with melanocyte ratio, melanin concentration, and the product of melanocyte ratio and melanin concentration. The equation was validated by seeding different ratios of keratinocytes and melanocytes in tissue-engineered skin substitutes, and the degree of fitness in expected skin color was confirmed.

Results

Linear regression analysis revealed a significant strong negative correlation (r =  − 0.847, R2 = 0.717) between CIELAB L* value and the product of the epidermal melanocyte ratio and cell-based melanin concentration. Furthermore, the results showed that an optimal skin color match was achieved by the formula.

Discussion

We found that L* value was correlated with the value obtained from multiplying the epidermal melanocyte ratio (R) and melanin content (M) and that this correlation was more significant than either L* vs M or L* vs R. This suggests that more accurate prediction of skin color can be achieved by considering both R and M. Therefore, precise skin color match in treating vitiligo or burn patients would be potentially achievable based on extensive collection of skin data from people of Asian descent.
The Neck to Particle Ratio Effect on the Mechanical and Morphological Sintering Features of Porous Stainless Steel (SS) Hollow Fibers
Authors: Schmeda‐Lopez Diego R. , Nunes Eduardo H. M. , Vasconcelos Daniela , Vasconcelos Wander L. , Meulenberg Wilhelm A. , Diniz da Costa João C.
Published: May 2018

The SS hollow fibers are prepared by extruding a mixture of SS particles and a polymeric binder in a phase inversion process followed by sintering at various temperatures (950–1100 °C), resulting in the formation of void structures with a finger‐like inner shell and a sponge‐like outer shell. The mechanical strength increases by over 1000% as the SS particle size decreases from D50 = 32 to 4 μm, and by ≈150% as the sintering temperature increases from 950 to 1100 °C. The best mechanical strength reached is 820 MPa for the D50 = 4 μm SS hollow fiber sintered at 1100 °C. The neck to particle (N/P) ratio proves to be a morphological measurement with good correlation with the mechanical properties of the SS hollow fibers. The mechanical strength increases by ≈44% (sintering effect) and ≈92% (particle size effect) from a N/P ratio of ≈0.8 to 0.9 for the smaller SS particle hollow fiber. At this ratio, the necks for the particles are in close contact and at the boundary of full coalescence, thus at the onset of fast mass transfer and grain formation/growth as diffusion increases significantly by six order of magnitude.
Palm‐Sized Ag+ Ion Emission Gun Operated at Room Temperature in Non‐Vacuum Atmosphere
Authors: Daiko Yusuke , Segawa Kyohei , Machida Kodai , Imataka Hiroaki , Honda Sawao , Iwamoto Yuji
Published: May 2018

Ion implantation is an effective method for changing surface properties and inducing various functionalities. However, a high vacuum is generally necessary for ion implantation, which limits the range of applications. Here, we describe a palm‐sized Ag+ ion emission gun produced using a solid electrolyte. AgI–Ag2O–B2O3 glass, known as a super‐ion‐conducting glass, has a Ag+ ion conductivity higher than 5 × 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. In addition, the melted glass has suitable viscous flow, and a sharp glass‐fiber emitter with a pyramid‐like apex can be obtained. Ag+ ion emission is observed from the tip of the glass fiber at accelerating voltages corresponding to electric fields above 20 kV cm−1, even at room temperature in a non‐vacuum atmosphere. Ag nanoparticles of size 50–350 nm are precipitated on a Si target substrate. Other glass components such as boron and iodine are not detected. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements show that the mass of Ag nanoparticles estimated from the emission current using Faraday's law of electrolysis is in good agreement with that estimated from the QCM frequency shift.
Controlled Growth of Patterned Conducting Polymer Microsuckers on Superhydrophobic Micropillar‐Structured Templates
Authors: Chen Yupeng , Meng Jingxin , Zhu Zhongpeng , Zhang Feilong , Wang Luying , Gu Zhen , Jiang Lei , Wang Shutao
Published: May 2018

Morphology greatly impacts the performance improvement of conducting polymers for signal detection, actuator microfabrication, and droplet manipulation applications. However, most of the previous methods cannot satisfy practical demands due to their intrinsic drawbacks. Here, a general strategy is developed for the fabrication of patterned conducting polymers with precisely controlled microstructures (e.g., polypyrrole microsuckers) by regulating the solid/liquid/gas triphase interface and electrochemical polymerization. By regulating the distance between the Pt plate and micropillar‐structured templates, the growth directions of the microsuckers on the pillar tops change from upward (+26 ± 5°) to downward (−32 ± 7°), and their positions to the pillar tops are changed from proximal to distal due to an adjustment in the solid/liquid/gas triphase interface. The influencing factors on the microsucker growth performance, such as the time and current of electrochemical polymerization, the shape and size of micropillars, the type of conducting polymers, are systematically investigated. Furthermore, the as‐prepared microsuckers can be used for transporting water droplets because of their adjustable adhesion to water, which linearly increased from 33.5 ± 2.3 to 61.1 ± 1.2 µN with an increase in the projected epitaxial length of the microsuckers from 3.38 ± 0.39 to 8.78 ± 0.79 µm.
2D Prior Spreading Inspired from Chinese Xuan Papers
Authors: Zheng Shuang , Du Ming , Miao Weining , Wang Dianyu , Zhu Zhongpeng , Tian Ye , Jiang Lei
Published: May 2018

Liquid spreading is fundamental to many applications in interfacial materials. However, anisotropic spreading inside superlyophilic fabrics, playing an important role in clothing materials, ink printing, medical masks, and paper manufacturing industry, is rarely studied. Here, a special wetting phenomenon is introduced on Chinese Xuan papers, a kind of handmade papers dating from thousands of years ago in China, mainly for painting and calligraphy with Chinese brushes. Different from other papers or porous materials, liquid, such as ink, prefers to spread along the 2D direction, meaning that liquid can spread out rapidly while it seldom permeates through the papers, avoiding blotting of the underlying sheet. The antipermeation test shows that 150 µL of water is added to Xuan papers without permeation, which is attributed to the multilayered spreading, resulting from the layered anisotropic micro/nanofibrous structures. Inspired from this, similarly structured fabrics with liquid 2D prior spreading and antipermeation abilities are electrospun. About 175 µL of water is able to spread completely without permeation. These findings demonstrate a new wetting concept for manufacturing antipermeation materials with controlled ultrafast 2D spreading properties.
Synergetic Combinations of Dual‐Targeting Ligands for Enhanced In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Targeting
Authors: Liu Yun , Hui Yue , Ran Rui , Yang Guang‐Ze , Wibowo David , Wang Hao‐Fei , Middelberg Anton P. J. , Zhao Chun‐Xia
Published: May 2018

The concept of dual‐ligand targeting has been around for quite some time, but remains controversial due to the intricate interplay between so many different factors such as the choice of dual ligands, their densities, ratios and length matching, etc. Herein, the synthesis of a combinatorial library of single and dual‐ligand nanoparticles with systematically varied properties (ligand densities, ligand ratios, and lengths) for tumor targeting is reported. Folic acid (FA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are used as two model targeting ligands. It is found that the length matching and ligand ratio play critical roles in achieving the synergetic effect of the dual‐ligand targeting. When FA is presented on the nanoparticle surface through a 5K polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain, the dual ligand formulations using the HA with either 5K or 10K length do not show any targeting effect, but the right length of HA (7K) with a careful selection of the right ligand ratio do enhance the targeting efficiency and specificity significantly. Further in vitro 3D tumor spheroid models and in vivo xenograft mice models confirm the synergetic targeting efficiency of the optimal dual‐ligand formulation (5F2H7K). This work provides a valuable insight into the design of dual‐ligand targeting nanosystems.
Low‐Temperature Growth of All‐Carbon Graphdiyne on a Silicon Anode for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Shang Hong , Zuo Zicheng , Yu Le , Wang Fan , He Feng , Li Yuliang
Published: May 2018

In situ weaving an all‐carbon graphdiyne coat on a silicon anode is scalably realized under ultralow temperature (25 °C). This economical strategy not only constructs 3D all‐carbon mechanical and conductive networks with reasonable voids for the silicon anode at one time but also simultaneously forms a robust interfacial contact among the electrode components. The intractable problems of the disintegrations in the mechanical and conductive networks and the interfacial contact caused by repeated volume variations during cycling are effectively restrained. The as‐prepared electrode demostrates the advantages of silicon regarding capacity (4122 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1) with robust capacity retention (1503 mA h g−1) after 1450 cycles at 2 A g−1, and a commercial‐level areal capacity up to 4.72 mA h cm−2 can be readily approached. Furthermore, this method shows great promises in solving the key problems in other high‐energy‐density anodes.
Direct Electrolytic Splitting of Seawater: Activity, Selectivity, Degradation, and Recovery Studied from the Molecular Catalyst Structure to the Electrolyzer Cell Level
Authors: Dresp Sören , Dionigi Fabio , Loos Stefan , Ferreira de Araujo Jorge , Spöri Camillo , Gliech Manuel , Dau Holger , Strasser Peter
Published: May 2018

Seawater electrolysis faces fundamental chemical challenges, such as the suppression of highly detrimental halogen chemistries, which has to be ensured by selective catalyst and suitable operating conditions. In the present study, nanostructured NiFe‐layered double hydroxide and Pt nanoparticles are selected as catalysts for the anode and cathode, respectively. The seawater electrolyzer is tested successfully for 100 h at maximum current densities of 200 mA cm−2 at 1.6 V employing surrogate sea water and compared to fresh water feeds. Different membrane studies are carried out to reveal the cause of the current density drop. During long‐term dynamic tests, under simulated day‐night cycles, an unusual cell power performance recovery effect is uncovered, which is subsequently harnessed in a long‐term diurnal day‐night cycle test. The natural day‐night cycles of the electrolyzer input power can be conceived as a reversible catalyst materials recovery treatment of the device when using photovoltaic electricity sources. To understand the origin of this reversible recovery on a molecular materials level, in situ extended X‐ray absorption fine structure and X‐ray near‐edge region spectra are applied.
Development and validation of an LC–MS/MS Method for the quantitation of heparan sulfate in human urine
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Ming , Xiao Yijin , Ma Mark , Hu Wei , Liang Tao , Lin Zhongping John
Published: May 2018

Heparan sulfate is a linear polysaccharide and serves as an important biomarker to monitor patient response to therapies for MPS III disorder. It is challenging to analyze heparan sulfate intact owing to its complexity and heterogeneity. Therefore, a sensitive, robust and validated LC–MS/MS method is needed to support the clinical studies for the quantitation of heparan sulfate in biofluids under regulated settings. Presented in this work are the results of the development and validation of an LC–MS/MS method for the quantitation of heparan sulfate in human urine using selected high‐abundant disaccharides as surrogates. During sample processing, a combination of analytical technologies have been employed, including rapid digestion, filtration, solid‐phase extraction and chemical derivatization. The validated method is highly sensitive and is able to analyze heparan sulfate in urine samples from healthy donors. Disaccharide constitution analysis in urine samples from 25 healthy donors was performed using the assay and demonstrated the proof of concept of using selected disaccharides as a surrogate for validation and quantitation.
Risk factors for pneumonitis in patients treated with anti‐programmed death‐1 therapy: A case‐control study
Authors: Cui Pengfei , Liu Zhefeng , Wang Guoqiang , Ma Junxun , Qian Yuanyu , Zhang Fan , Han Chun , Long Yaping , Li Ye , Zheng Xuan , Sun Danyang , Zhang Jing , Cai Shangli , Jiao Shunchang , Hu Yi
Published: May 2018

Immune checkpoint blockade‐related pneumonitis is a rare but potentially life‐threatening adverse effect, but its risk factors are not completely understood. This case‐control study was conducted to identify pneumonitis risk factors in patients treated with anti‐PD1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including all the patients who developed pneumonitis after anti‐PD‐1 mAbs treatment in the Cancer Center of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from September 2015 to September 2017. Two controls per case were matched according to a propensity‐score matching algorithm to account for confounding effects caused by individual baseline variables. Demographic and clinical information was obtained from medical records. In total, 55 cases and 110 controls were included in the study. No association was observed between smoking status or primary lung cancer and risk of pneumonitis. Significant risk factors for pneumonitis related to anti‐PD‐1 mAbs were prior thoracic radiotherapy, prior lung disease and combination therapy with odds ratios of 3.34 (1.51‐7.39), 2.86 (1.45‐5.64) and 2.73 (1.40‐5.31), respectively. The associations remained significant in the multivariable logistic regression model. The risk of pneumonitis induced by anti‐PD‐1 mAbs is associated with prior thoracic radiotherapy, prior lung disease, and combination therapy. Clinicians should monitor these features in patients receiving anti‐PD‐1 therapy to optimize clinical safety and efficacy.
Selection of Low‐Cost Ionic Liquid Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction in Propylene Carbonate/Tetrabutylammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Chen Tian‐You , Shi Jin , Shen Feng‐Xia , Zhen Jian‐Zheng , Li Yun‐Fei , Shi Feng , Yang Bin , Jia You‐Jian , Dai. Yong‐Nian , Hu Yu‐Qi
Published: May 2018

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) has attracted increasing attention, because this method provides a new route for CO2 recycling utilization. As CO2 is chemically inert, this reaction requires a high over‐potential. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop an electrocatalyst to accelerate this reaction. In the present work, we have investigated numerous imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) with the aim of looking for a low‐cost homogeneous catalyst with high efficiency. By comparison, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) has been selected as the most cost‐effective. To further reduce the cost of [Bmim][Cl], we added [Bmim][Cl] into propylene carbonate(PC)/tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (Bu4NClO4), and used it as the electrocatalyst. Our experimental results show that [Bmim][Cl] has a high catalytic effect for CO2 reduction. The catalytic mechanism of [Bmim][Cl] has been discussed based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is explained as follows: CO2 was first reduced to the high‐energy CO2.− radical through a one‐electron transfer. The generated CO2.− radical further reacts with [Bmim]+, resulting in the formation of a complex [CO2−Bmim]. Thus, the activation energy of CO2 reduction has been reduced.
Group IV Monochalcogenides MX (M=Ge, Sn; X=S, Se) as Chemical Anchors of Polysulfides for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Lv Xingshuai , Wei Wei , Yang Hongchao , Li Jinjin , Huang Baibiao , Dai Ying
Published: May 2018

Although rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries are considered as advanced energy systems, their practical implementation is impeded by many factors, in particular the rapid capacity fade and low Coulomb efficiency caused by the shuttle effect. To overcome this problem for achieving longer cycle life and higher rate performance, anchoring materials for lithium polysulfides are highly desirable. In this work, for the first time, we report phosphorene‐like MX (M=Ge, Sn; X=S, Se) monolayers as promising anchoring materials to restrain the lithium polysulfides shuttling. Our study provides fundamental selection criteria for the effective suppression of the polysulfides shuttling. Adsorption calculations reveal that polysulfide capture by the MX is through chemisorption with a suitable range of adsorption energies. Morever, we show that excellent surface diffusion of Li and polysulfides endow a fast charge/discharge rate for lithium–sulfur batteries. Graphene with desirable electronic properties is constructed to improve the electrical conductivity in the new graphene@MX heterostructures. Based on the strong anchoring ability, improved rate capability, and enhanced conductivity, MX‐based composites hold great promise as an anchoring material for high‐energy lithium–sulfur batteries.
Ultrathin Amorphous Iron–Nickel Boride Nanosheets for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Production
Authors: Nsanzimana Jean Marie Vianney , Reddu Vikas , Peng Yeucheng , Huang Zhenfeng , Wang Cheng , Wang Xin
Published: May 2018

A cost‐effective and efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction during the electrolysis of water is highly desired. In an effort to develop an economical material for replacing precious‐metal‐based catalysts, a novel and self‐standing amorphous ultrathin nanosheet (NS) of bimetallic iron–nickel boride (Fe‐Ni‐B NSs) on Ni foam is presented, which displays a better oxygen‐evolving activity compared to the precious‐metal catalyst RuO2. In 1.0 m KOH electrolyte solution, it requires an overpotential of only 237 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope of 38 mV dec−1 and shows prominent long‐term electrochemical stability. A synergistic effect between highly abundant catalytically active sites on the 3D porous substrate improved the electron transport arising from the presence of highly negative boron, and the high conductivity of the substrate results in an outstanding electrocatalytic activity. The advanced catalytic activity, facile electrode fabrication, and low costs make it a potential oxygen‐evolving material, which may be extended to other energy‐conversion and storage technologies.
“Abnormal” Addition of NHC to a Conjugate Acid of CAAC: Formation of N‐Alkyl‐Substituted CAAC
Authors: Mandal Debdeep , Dolai Ramapada , Kalita Pankaj , Narayanan Ramakirushnan Suriya , Kumar Ravi , Sobottka Sebastian , Sarkar Biprajit , Rajaraman Gopalan , Chandrasekhar Vadapalli , Jana Anukul
Published: May 2018

The addition reactions of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are mostly known to occur through the carbenic centre (C2), which leads to a “normal” adduct. Herein, we report the “abnormal” addition of NHCDip 1 (1,3‐(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)‐imidazole‐2‐ylidene) to a conjugate acid of cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene 2 (CAACiPr=1‐iPr‐3,3,5,5‐Me4‐pyrrolinium triflate). Mechanistic study revealed that this reaction proceeded through the in situ formation of 1,3‐(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)‐imidazolium cation 4 and N‐iPr‐substituted CAAC 5 followed by the oxidative addition of compound 5 across the C4−H bond (alias backbone C−H) of compound 4. The in situ formation of compound 5 was also proven by the oxidative addition of it to the N−H group of iPrNH2. DFT calculations also supported the mechanistic findings. A different methodology for the in situ generation of compound 5 by using TMPLi is also described.
Fusion status in patients with lymph node‐positive (N1) alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a powerful predictor of prognosis: Experience of the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG)
Authors: Gallego Soledad , Zanetti Ilaria , Orbach Daniel , Ranchère Dominique , Shipley Janet , Zin Angelica , Bergeron Christophe , de Salvo Gian Luca , Chisholm Julia , Ferrari Andrea , Jenney Meriel , Mandeville Henry C. , Rogers Timothy , Merks Johannes H.M. , Mudry Peter , Glosli Heidi , Milano Giuseppe Maria , Ferman Sima , Bisogno Gianni ,   on behalf of the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG)
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) with lymph node involvement (N1 classification) accounts for up to 10% of all cases of RMS. The prognosis is poor, and is comparable to that of distant metastatic disease. In the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS2005 protocol, patients with a histologic diagnosis of aRMS/N1 received intensified chemotherapy with systematic locoregional treatment.

METHODS

Patients with aRMS/N1 were enrolled prospectively after primary surgery/biopsy and fusion status was assessed in tumor samples. All patients received 9 cycles of induction chemotherapy and 6 months of maintenance therapy. Local treatment included radiotherapy to the primary site and lymph nodes with or without secondary surgical resection.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients were enrolled. The clinical characteristics of the patients were predominantly unfavorable: 90% had macroscopic residual disease after initial surgery/biopsy, 63% had locally invasive tumors, 77% had a tumor measuring >5 cm, and 81% had disease at unfavorable sites. Fusion genes involving forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) were detected in 56 of 84 patients. Events occurred in 52 patients: 43 developed disease recurrence, 7 had disease that was refractory to treatment, and 2 patients developed second neoplasms. On univariate analysis, unfavorable disease site, tumor invasiveness, Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study group III, and fusion‐positive status correlated with worse prognosis. The 5‐year event‐free survival rate of patients with fusion‐positive tumors was 43% compared with 74% in patients with fusion‐negative tumors (P = .01). On multivariate analysis, fusion positivity and tumor invasiveness proved to be unfavorable prognostic markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Fusion status and tumor invasiveness appear to have a strong impact on prognosis in patients with aRMS/N1. Fusion status will be used to stratify these patients in the next EpSSG RMS study, and treatment will be intensified in patients with fusion‐positive tumors. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Comorbidities predict inferior outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with ibrutinib
Authors: Gordon Max J. , Churnetski Michael , Alqahtani Hamood , Rivera Xavier , Kittai Adam , Amrock Stephen M. , James Spencer , Hoff Sheila , Manda Sudhir , Spurgeon Stephen E. , Choi Michael , Cohen Jonathon B. , Persky Daniel , Danilov Alexey V.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Most patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) present with multiple comorbidities. Although comorbidities negatively affect outcomes for patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy, their impact on patients who receive targeted therapies is unknown.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective analysis evaluated the significance of comorbidities, as assessed by the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), among patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib.

RESULTS

One hundred forty‐five patients received ibrutinib (80% in a relapsed/refractory setting). A high burden of comorbidities (CIRS score ≥ 7) was associated with inferior median event‐free survival (EFS; 24 vs 37 months; P = .003) and 2‐year overall survival (OS; 79% vs 100%; P = .005). In an adjusted Cox model, both EFS and OS worsened with an incremental increase in the CIRS score. Furthermore, comorbidities were associated with an increased risk of ibrutinib dose reduction and therapy discontinuation. CIRS was predictive in both frontline and relapsed CLL, regardless of patient age.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities portend a poor prognosis among patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib. Prospective studies are needed to optimize the treatment of patients with CLL who have comorbidities. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Strategies for screening and early detection of anal cancers: A narrative and systematic review and meta‐analysis of cytology, HPV testing, and other biomarkers
Authors: Clarke Megan A. , Wentzensen Nicolas
Published: May 2018

Anal cancer incidence and mortality have been increasing over the past decade. Although the incidence in the general population remains low, it is much higher in certain subgroups, including those living with human immunodeficiency virus and men who have sex with men. Approximately 90% of anal squamous cell cancers are caused by infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). Given the common etiology between anal and cervical carcinogenesis, screening for anal cancer has been proposed in certain high‐risk populations using strategies adapted from cervical cancer prevention. In this review, the authors discuss important differences in anal and cervical cancer regarding the populations at risk, disease natural history, and clinical procedures and outcomes that need to be considered when evaluating strategies for anal cancer screening. They also performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the performance of anal cytology, anal HPV testing, and various biomarkers for the detection of anal precancers and cancers. The implications of these performance estimates are summarized in the context of risk‐based screening and management of anal precancers, and important research gaps are highlighted that need to be addressed to fully understand the benefits and harms of anal cancer screening. Cancer Cytopathol 2018. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Cytopathologic features of SMARCB1 (INI‐1)‐deficient sinonasal carcinoma
Authors: Allard Felicia D. , Bell Diana , Stelow Edward B.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

SMARCB1 (INI‐1)‐deficient sinonasal carcinoma (IDSNC) is a newly described, poorly differentiated carcinoma. Herein, the authors describe the cytopathologic features of IDSNC in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) samples.

METHODS

The pathology archives of 2 academic institutions were searched for cases of IDSNC with available cytologic materials. All available slides were reviewed and a detailed morphological analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Six cases were identified from 6 patients. FNA specimens were obtained from metastatic sites (4 cases), a local disease recurrence (1 case), and a primary lesion extending into the orbit (1 case). The majority of cases had cellular specimens with features of nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma composed of cohesive clusters and sheets of oval to polygonal cells with indistinct cell borders present within a background of necrotic debris. Two cases had single rhabdoid cells with more abundant cytoplasm. The nuclei generally were small and uniform with fine chromatin, small nucleoli, and mild nuclear membrane irregularities; moderate anisonucleosis and multinucleation were noted in one case. Apoptotic bodies were common in 5 of 6 cases, and readily identifiable mitoses in 3 of 6 cases. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that all cases expressed cytokeratins, 4 of 5 cases expressed p63, and all cases demonstrated loss of INI‐1 nuclear expression. All cases were negative for neuroendocrine markers and aberrant p16 staining.

CONCLUSIONS

A diagnosis of IDSNC can be suspected on FNA specimens from patients with high‐grade sinonasal carcinomas that have either a nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma or rhabdoid morphology. Clinical history and the availability of material for immunohistochemistry are key in confirming the diagnosis. Cancer Cytopathol 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Cloud parallel spatial‐temporal data model with intelligent parameter adaptation for spatial‐temporal big data
Authors: Zhu Dingju
Published: May 2018

With the fast development of earth observation technology and internet of things technology, the spatial‐temporal data can be obtained with higher speed and lower cost, and spatial‐temporal big data management with existing spatial‐temporal data model has become one of the bottlenecks of spatial‐temporal applications such as e‐government construction, digital city, and smart city. Cloud parallel spatial‐temporal data model with intelligent parameter adaptation for spatial‐temporal big data provided in this paper is able to divide a spatial‐temporal problem into a lot of subdivided spatial‐temporal problems and to map the subdivided problems onto different cloud parallel computing nodes to process. This paper includes the concept, division methods, and mathematical formulas of cloud parallel spatial‐temporal data model and provides the method to intelligently find the best parameter of cloud parallel spatial‐temporal data model for solving the problem with highest parallel speedup or highest parallel efficiency in cloud parallel computing environment.