bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Severe Acute Malnutrition among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months Attended out Patient Therapeutic Program Center in Kavre District of Nepal - A Case Control Study
Authors: Bhandari Rajan , Khatri Sangita Kumari , Shrestha Khadga Bahadur
Published: March 2018

Background: Severe acute malnutrition is an excessive loss of weight due to the acute shortage of food or illness. It is one of the major public health problems in developing countries including Nepal. According to multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) 2014, 2.6% severely malnourished in Nepal and 4.4% are severely malnourished in Kavre district. However, there are limited studies about predictors of severe acute malnutrition in Nepal. Thus, this study was aimed to identify the predictors of severe acute malnutrition in Kavre district of Nepal.Methods: Health facility based matched case control study was conducted among 210 (70 cases and 140 controls) children aged 6-59 months from November 2015 to April 2016. Data was collected through face to face interview with mother of eligible children using structured questionnaires. Multivariate analysis was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval.Results: Children with severe acute malnutrition were 11.32 times more likely than control to have recurrent diarrhea in past six months (95% CI=4.64-28.21). Similarly, severe acute malnutrition was associated with female sex (AOR=2.44, 95% CI=1.88-6.78), fathers occupation daily labor (AOR=4.69, 95% CI=1.17-13.76) and agriculture (AOR=6.850, 95%CI=3.81-12.93), improper exclusive breast feeding (AOR=6.646, 95%CI=2.11-20.90), not feeding colostrum (AOR=3.89, 95% CI=2.88-11.21), severe food insecurity access (AOR=3.55, 95% CI=1.85-9.77) and monthly income less than average level (AOR=8.214, 95% CI=1.43-22.16).Conclusion: Severe acute malnutrition was independently associated with sex of child, occupation of father, monthly household income, not feeding colostrum, improper exclusive breast feeding, severe household food insecurity access and recurrent diarrhea.
Una voce femminile al vaglio dell'etica dell'autotraduzione assistita: Il paese dove non si muore mai di Ornela Vorpsi
Authors: Rossi Mario
Published: March 2018

Riassunto Nel saggio si pone il problema della valutazione dell'autotraduzione in una prospettiva che analizza le molle che nel profondo muovono un testo letterario. Si analizza l'autotraduzione assistita del romanzo breve di Ornela Vorpsi Il paese dove non si muore mai dal francese all'italiano prendendo in considerazione la presenza di marche di genere in passi in cui siano presenti oggetti; la questione di genere percorre tutto il testo e quindi appare interessante verificare come questa si cristallizzi in significanti apparentemente poco permeabili alla modulazione denotativa e connotativa. Si giungerà alla conclusione che l'analisi dell'autotraduzione assistita può esser strumento valido per la definizione del grado di coerenza delle strutture profonde di un testo tanto più importante se la tematica è centrata sulla questione di genere.

Abstract This article approaches the problem of how to evaluate the significance of the critical feminist instances on an assisted self-translation text by applying the contrastive analysis method. The analysed work is O. Vorpsi novel Il paese dove non si muore mai, which has been translated from Italian to French by M. Pozzoli, with the author’s collaboration. The main aspect which will be analysed is the to investigate the presence of gender marks in passages which mention objects – informative and at the same time formative elements of the text-, since the gender issue crystallize in a particular way also in signifiers of an apparently low permeability to the connotative modulation, as it is the case for those signifiers related to objects. By contrasting the oscillations between the two texts, we will emphasize on the possible contradictions in the text’s deep-lying structure. In this way, through the assisted self-translation analysis it can be measured to what extent the intended critical instances regarding the gender issue which are present throughout the novel are coherent and valid.
Keywords self-translation, gender, connotation and deep structure, objects, Ornela Vorpsi.
System for Detecting Vehicle Features from Low Quality Data
Authors: Bugdol Marcin Dominik , Badura Pawel , Juszczyk Jan , Wieclawek Wojciech , Bienkowska Maria Janina
Published: March 2018

The paper presents a system that recognizes the make, colour and type of the vehicle. The classification has been performed using low quality data from real-traffic measurement devices. For detecting vehicles’ specific features three methods have been developed. They employ several image and signal recognition techniques, e.g. Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System for colour recognition or Scale Invariant Features Transform for make identification. The obtained results are very promising, especially because only on-site equipment, not dedicated for such application, has been employed. In case of car type, the proposed system has better performance than commonly used inductive loops. Extensive information about the vehicle can be used in many fields of Intelligent Transport Systems, especially for traffic supervision.
Retail Out-of-stocks in the Context of Centralized and Direct Delivery
Authors: Milićević Nikola , Grubor Aleksandar , Đokić Nenad , Avlijaš Goran
Published: March 2018

The delivery of the right product, at the right time to the retail store, only seems to be an easy process. The smallest problem can cause the out-of-stock (OOS) situation, which may prevent customers to buy products they were looking for. Consequently, it affects retailers and their suppliers through potential operational inefficiencies, sale losses and eventually the losses of their loyal customers. Starting from these problems, by using the data of a large Serbian retailer, this paper analyses out-of-stocks in the context of two alternative delivery systems, centralized and direct. For calculating OOS rates the perpetual inventory aggregation metrics was used, while the occurrence of out-of-stocks was modelled by the application of probit regression analysis. The results have shown that delivery system has a significant impact on the probability of a stock-out, indicating potential problems in the centralized system. In addition, the analysis included certain product and store characteristics that also significantly affect the average probability of stock-outs.
ASEAN as ‘Compartmentalized Regionalism’
Authors: Choiruzzad Shofwan Al Banna
Published: March 2018

Artikel ini mencoba menawarkan cara pandang ontologis baru untuk melihat ASEAN dengan memperkenalkan konsep 'compartmentalized regionalism' ('regionalisme terkompartementalisasi').Berbeda dengan pandangan umum para praktisi diplomasi ASEAN maupun para akademisi yang melihat sejarah ASEAN sebagai sebuah evolusi linear dari sebuah proyek regional yang berfokus pada dimensi politik dan keamanan menjadi sebuah proyek regional yang bersifat multidimensional melalui 'perluasan dan pendalaman' ('widening and deepening'), gagasan 'compartmentalized regionalism' mengenali perkembangan ASEAN sebagai perkembangan dua proyek regionalisme yang terpisah namun diletakkan dalam satu nama. Kedua proyek regionalisme ini memiliki pengaturan yang berbeda, didorong oleh aktor-aktor yang berlainan, serta bekerja berdasarkan logika yang tak sama. Dengan demikian, perkembangan ASEAN selayaknya tidak dilihat hanya sebagai 'perluasan dan pendalaman' ('widening and deepening'), namun sebagai perkembangan dua proyek regionalisme yang berbeda itu dan interaksi yang kompleks di antara keduanya.
Resolusi Konflik dalam Perubahan Dunia
Authors: Sudira I Nyoman
Published: March 2018

Dunia mengalami perubahan yang sangat pesat selepas Perang Dingin. Perubahan ini juga memunculkan pertanyaan bagaimana resolusi konflik mengakomodasi konsekwensi perubahan yang melahirkan beragam bentuk dan pola konflik serta memberikan metode penyelesaiannya. Tulisan ini akan menjelaskan 2 pokok bahasan yang nantinya akan menggambarkan posisi resolusi konflik dalam mengakomodasi konflik yang terjadi. Bagian pertama penulisan akan diprioritaskan untuk membahas perubahan dalam sistem internasional dan dinamika dari konflik yang terjadi. Pada bagian kedua pembahasan akan fokus pada keterkaitan antara resolusi konflik dengan ragam konflik yang lahir dari perubahan dunia.
Keluarga Politik Yasin Limpo Pada Pemilihan Kepala Daerah di Kabupaten Gowa Tahun 2015
Authors: Rusnaedy Zaldy , Purwaningsih Titin
Published: March 2018

Artikel ini menjelaskan tentang modalitas yang dimiliki keluarga politik Yasin Limpo pada pilkada di Kabupaten Gowa tahun 2015. Modal tersebut terdiri dari modal ekonomi, sosial, kultural dan politik. Dengan menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif, penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa modal yang paling berpengaruh pada dasarnya merupakan warisan sumber daya yang dimiliki oleh salah seorang anggota keluarga senior dari keluarga tersebut yang menjabat sebagai bupati sebelumnya pada dua periode. Artikel ini berargumen bahwa penguasaan sumber-sumber yang kemudian diwariskan tersebut berdampak terhadap dukungan publik kepada kandidat dari keluarga tersebut pada pemilihan kepala daerah tahun tersebut. Warisan modal tersebut berupa warisan basis massa, warisan birokrasi dan warisan program unggulan yang merupakan modal yang paling berpengaruh. Superioritas keluarga Yasin Limpo di Kabupaten Gowa pada kenyataannya semakin kuat terbukti dengan dominasi keluarga tersebut pada pemilihan kepala daerah pada tahun 2015 yang berkompetisi sebagai kandidat-kandidat terkuat, yaitu Adnan Purichta Ichsan dan Tenri Olle.
Faktor-Faktor Penghambat Ritel Berjaringan Masuk ke Kota Padang sampai Tahun 2017
Authors: Balqis Monica
Published: March 2018

Artikel ini menjelaskan bagaimana pemerintah daerah dapat menghambat perkembangan ritel berjaringan di Kota Padang. Pemerintah daerah yang pada era desentralisasi ekonomi diasumsikan akan mendorong keterbukaan terhadap investasi, dalam kasus Padang justru menggunakan instrumen kewenangannya untuk menghambat masuknya ritel berjaringan. Penulis menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif untuk menjelaskan fenomena menarik tersebut dengan menggali data primer dan dilengkapi dengan data publikasi. Dengan menganalisis melalui mekanisme barrier to entry, penelitian ini menemukan bahwa pemerintah daerah menghambat masuknya ritel berjaringan dalam rangka mencegah kompetisi dengan peritel lokal melalui beberapa faktor utama. Penelitian ini melihat ada tiga faktor yang menjadi hambatan bagi masuknya ritel berjaringan di Kota Padang, yaitu: intervensi pemerintah dalam industri ritel, kebijakan pemerintah yang diterapkan sebagai kriteria masuk pasar dan hambatan birokratis yang menyebabkan terjadinya penundaan lisensi.
Novel Spatial Domain Integral Equation Formulation for the Analysis of Rectangular Waveguide Steps Close to Arbitrarily Shaped Dielectric and/or Conducting Posts
Authors: Quesada Pereira F. D. , Gómez Molina C. , Alvarez Melcon A. , Boria V. E. , Guglielmi M.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a novel integral equation formulation expressed in the spatial domain is proposed for the analysis of rectangular waveguide step discontinuities. The important novelty of the proposed formulation is that which allows to easily take into account the electrical influence of a given number of arbitrarily shaped conducting and dielectric posts placed close to the waveguide discontinuity. For the sake of simplicity, and without loss of generality, the presented integral equation has been particularized and solved for inductive rectangular waveguide geometry. In this case, the integral equation mixed‐potentials kernel is written in terms of parallel plate Green's functions with an additional ground plane located on the waveguide step. Therefore, the unknowns of the problem are reduced to an equivalent magnetic surface current on the step aperture and equivalent magnetic and electric surface currents on the dielectric and conducting posts close to the discontinuity. The numerical solution of the final integral equation is efficiently computed after the application of acceleration techniques for the slowly convergent series representing the Green's functions of the problem. The numerical method has been validated through several simulation examples of practical microwave devices, including compact size band‐pass cavity filters and coupled dielectric resonators filters. The results have been compared to those provided by commercial full‐wave electromagnetic simulation software packages, showing in all cases a very good agreement, and with substantially enhanced numerical efficiencies.
Onsets of Solar Proton Events in Satellite and Ground Level Observations: A Comparison
Authors: He Jing , Rodriguez Juan V.
Published: March 2018

The early detection of solar proton event onsets is essential for protecting humans and electronics in space, as well as passengers and crew at aviation altitudes. Two commonly compared methods for observing solar proton events that are sufficiently large and energetic to be detected on the ground through the creation of secondary radiation—known as ground level enhancements (GLEs)—are (1) a network of ground‐based neutron monitors (NMs) and (2) satellite‐based particle detectors. Until recently, owing to the different time resolution of the two data sets, it has not been feasible to compare these two types of observations using the same detection algorithm. This paper presents a comparison between the two observational platforms using newly processed >100 MeV 1 min count rates and fluxes from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 8–12 satellites, and 1 min count rates from the Neutron Monitor Database. We applied the same detection algorithm to each data set (tuned to the different background noise levels of the instrument types). Seventeen SPEs with GLEs were studied: GLEs 55–70 from Solar Cycle 23 and GLE 71 from Solar Cycle 24. The median difference in the event detection times by GOES and NM data is 0 min, indicating no innate benefit in time of either system. The 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of the onset time differences (GOES minus NMs) are −7.2 min, −1.5 min, 2.5 min, and 4.2 min, respectively. This is in contrast to previous studies in which NM detections led GOES by 8 to 52 min without accounting for different alert protocols.
Vibrational Energy Transport in Hybrid Ordered/Disordered Nanocomposites: Hybridization and Avoided Crossings of Localized and Delocalized Modes
Authors: Zhu Taishan , Swaminathan‐Gopalan Krishnan , Cruse Kevin J. , Stephani Kelly , Ertekin Elif
Published: February 2018

Vibrational energy transport in disordered media is of fundamental importance to several fields spanning from sustainable energy to biomedicine to thermal management. This work investigates hybrid ordered/disordered nanocomposites that consist of crystalline membranes decorated by regularly patterned disordered regions formed by ion beam irradiation. The presence of the disordered regions results in reduced thermal conductivity, rendering these systems of interest for use as nanostructured thermoelectrics and thermal device components, yet their vibrational properties are not well understood. Here, the mechanism of vibrational transport and the reason underlying the observed reduction is established in detail. The hybrid systems are found to exhibit glass‐crystal duality in vibrational transport. Lattice dynamics reveals substantial hybridization between the localized and delocalized modes, which induces avoided crossings and harmonic broadening in the dispersion. Allen/Feldman theory shows that the hybridization and avoided crossings are the dominant drivers of the reduction. Anharmonic scattering is also enhanced in the patterned nanocomposites, further contributing to the reduction. The systems exhibit features reminiscent of both nanophononic materials and locally resonant nanophononic metamaterials, but operate in a manner distinct to both. These findings indicate that such “patterned disorder” can be a promising strategy to tailor vibrational transport through hybrid nanostructures.
1D SnO2 with Wire‐in‐Tube Architectures for Highly Selective Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C1 Products
Authors: Fan Lei , Xia Zheng , Xu Meijia , Lu Yingying , Li Zhongjian
Published: February 2018

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (ERC) into useful products, such as formic acid and carbon monoxide, is a fascinating approach for CO2 fixation as well as energy storage. Sn‐based materials are attractive catalysts for highly selective ERC into C1 products (including HCOOH and CO), but still suffer from high overpotential, low current density, and poor stability. Here, One‐dimensional (1D) SnO2 with wire‐in‐tube (WIT) structure is synthesized and shows superior selectivity for C1 products. Using the WIT SnO2 as the ERC catalyst, very high Faradaic efficiency of C1 products (>90%) can be achieved at a wide potential range from −0.89 to −1.29 V versus RHE, thus substantially suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction. The electrocatalyst also exhibits excellent long‐term stability. The improved catalytic activity of the WIT SnO2 over the commercial SnO2 nanoparticle indicates that higher surface area and large number of grain boundaries can effectively enhance the ERC activity. Synthesized via a facile and low‐cost electrospinning technology, the reduced WIT SnO2 can serve as a promising electrocatalyst for efficient CO2 to C1 products conversion.
Novel Safeguarding Tactile e‐Skins for Monitoring Human Motion Based on SST/PDMS–AgNW–PET Hybrid Structures
Authors: Wang Sheng , Gong Liping , Shang Zejin , Ding Li , Yin Guansheng , Jiang Wanquan , Gong Xinglong , Xuan Shouhu
Published: March 2018

A novel versatile electrical skin (e‐skin) with safeguarding and multisensing properties based on hybrid structures is developed by assembling Ag nanowires (AgNWs), polyester (PET) film with hybrid shear stiffening polymer/polydimethylsiloxane (SST/PDMS) matrix. The hybrid SST/PDMS polymer shows stable configuration. Storage modulus of the SST/PDMS increases from 5.5 kPa to 0.39 MPa when the shear frequency changes from 0.1 to 100 Hz, exhibiting typical rate‐dependent behavior. e‐Skin functions as a human‐monitoring device by detecting various motions such as gentle touching, stroking, elbow bending, as well as speaking. More importantly, due to the shear stiffening characteristic, e‐skin with high damping capacity exhibits safeguarding performance, which can dissipate impact force from 720 to 400 N and increase buffer time (from 0.9 to 2 ms). Meanwhile, distinguishable resistance values can reveal the level of harsh impact applied on the e‐skin. In addition, the visible thermosensation effect of e‐skin similar to chameleon epidermis is convenient for assessing environmental temperature. e‐Skin arrays can precisely map the dynamic impact location and pressure distribution. Finally, the high electrical sensitivity and shear stiffening performance are attributed to the disturbance of AgNW effective conductive paths and dynamic BO bonds, respectively.
Halogen‐Bond‐Promoted α‐C−H Amination of Ethers for the Synthesis of Hemiaminal Ethers
Authors: Pan Zhangjin , Fan Zhenwei , Lu Beili , Cheng Jiajia
Published: February 2018

A simple halogen‐bond‐promoted α‐C−H amination of ether/thioether with a variety of N−H compounds has been accomplished. In the presence of low‐cost and readily available perfluorobutyl iodide, a diverse range of hemiaminal ether derivatives, including the valuable hydrazone hemiaminal ethers, were quickly assembled under thermal or visible‐light irradiation conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest that a halogen‐bond adduct was formed and a radical chain pathway might be operative. Synthetic application of the method has been demonstrated via the preparation of the anti‐viral and anti‐tumor drug, Tegafur.

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A Versatile Reagent and Method for Direct Aliphatic Sulfonylation
Authors: Shavnya Andre , Hesp Kevin D. , Tsai Andy S.
Published: March 2018

An efficient methodology has been developed for the two‐step synthesis of aliphatic sulfinate salts, sulfonamides, sulfonyl fluorides, and unsymmetrical sulfones on the basis of alkylation of a new versatile sulfonylating reagent. The new reagent is easily accessible in one step; the developed protocols are conducted under mild conditions and have a broad substrate scope.

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Selective Hydrogen Atom Abstraction through Induced Bond Polarization: Direct α‐Arylation of Alcohols through Photoredox, HAT, and Nickel Catalysis
Authors: Twilton Jack , Christensen Melodie , DiRocco Daniel A. , Ruck Rebecca T. , Davies Ian W. , MacMillan David W. C.
Published: February 2018

The combination of nickel metallaphotoredox catalysis, hydrogen atom transfer catalysis, and a Lewis acid activation mode, has led to the development of an arylation method for the selective functionalization of alcohol α‐hydroxy C−H bonds. This approach employs zinc‐mediated alcohol deprotonation to activate α‐hydroxy C−H bonds while simultaneously suppressing C−O bond formation by inhibiting the formation of nickel alkoxide species. The use of Zn‐based Lewis acids also deactivates other hydridic bonds such as α‐amino and α‐oxy C−H bonds. This approach facilitates rapid access to benzylic alcohols, an important motif in drug discovery. A 3‐step synthesis of the drug Prozac exemplifies the utility of this new method.
Pyrrolidines and Piperidines by Ligand‐Enabled Aza‐Heck Cyclizations and Cascades of N‐(Pentafluorobenzoyloxy)carbamates
Authors: Hazelden Ian R. , Carmona Rafaela C. , Langer Thomas , Pringle Paul G. , Bower John F.
Published: February 2018

Ligand‐enabled aza‐Heck cyclizations and cascades of N‐(pentafluorobenzoyloxy)carbamates are described. These studies encompass the first examples of efficient non‐biased 6‐exo aza‐Heck cyclizations. The methodology provides direct and flexible access to carbamate protected pyrrolidines and piperidines.
Scrutinizing Defects and Defect Density of Selenium‐Doped Graphene for High‐Efficiency Triiodide Reduction in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Meng Xiangtong , Yu Chang , Song Xuedan , Iocozzia James , Hong Jiafu , Rager Matthew , Jin Huile , Wang Shun , Huang Longlong , Qiu Jieshan , Lin Zhiqun
Published: February 2018

Understanding the impact of the defects/defect density of electrocatalysts on the activity in the triiodide (I3−) reduction reaction of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is indispensable for the design and construction of high‐efficiency counter electrodes (CEs). Active‐site‐enriched selenium‐doped graphene (SeG) was crafted by ball‐milling followed by high‐temperature annealing to yield abundant edge sites and fully activated basal planes. The density of defects within SeG can be tuned by adjusting the annealing temperature. The sample synthesized at an annealing temperature of 900 °C exhibited a superior response to the I3− reduction with a high conversion efficiency of 8.42 %, outperforming the Pt reference (7.88 %). Improved stability is also observed. DFT calculations showed the high catalytic activity of SeG over pure graphene is a result of the reduced ionization energy owing to incorporation of Se species, facilitating electron transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface.
Analyte‐Triggered DNA‐Probe Release from a Triplex Molecular Beacon for Nanopore Sensing
Authors: Guo Bingyuan , Sheng Yingying , Zhou Ke , Liu Quansheng , Liu Lei , Wu Hai‐Chen
Published: February 2018

A new nanopore sensing strategy based on triplex molecular beacon was developed for the detection of specific DNA or multivalent proteins. The sensor is composed of a triplex‐forming molecular beacon and a stem‐forming DNA component that is modified with a host–guest complex. Upon target DNA hybridizing with the molecular beacon loop or multivalent proteins binding to the recognition elements on the stem, the DNA probe is released and produces highly characteristic current signals when translocated through α‐hemolysin. The frequency of current signatures can be used to quantify the concentrations of the target molecules. This sensing approach provides a simple, quick, and modular tool for the detection of specific macromolecules with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. It may find useful applications in point‐of‐care diagnostics with a portable nanopore kit in the future.
Taking Advantage of Hydrophobic Fluorine Interactions for Self‐Assembled Quantum Dots as a Delivery Platform for Enzymes
Authors: Carrillo‐Carrion Carolina , Atabakhshi‐Kashi Mona , Carril Mónica , Khajeh Khosro , Parak Wolfgang J.
Published: February 2018

Self‐assembly of nanoparticles provides unique opportunities as nanoplatforms for controlled delivery. By exploiting the important role of noncovalent hydrophobic interactions in the engineering of stable assemblies, nanoassemblies were formed by the self‐assembly of fluorinated quantum dots in aqueous medium through fluorine–fluorine interactions. These nanoassemblies encapsulated different enzymes (laccase and α‐galactosidase) with encapsulation efficiencies of ≥74 %. Importantly, the encapsulated enzymes maintained their catalytic activity, following Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Under an acidic environment the nanoassemblies were slowly disassembled, thus allowing the release of encapsulated enzymes. The effective release of the assayed enzymes demonstrated the feasibility of this nanoplatform to be used in pH‐mediated enzyme delivery. In addition, the as‐synthesized nanoassemblies, having a diameter of about 50 nm, presented high colloidal stability and fluorescence emission, which make them a promising multifunctional nanoplatform.
Application of a nanostructured sensor based on graphene‐ and ethyl 2‐(4‐ferrocenyl[1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)acetate‐modified carbon paste electrode for determination of methyldopa in the presence of phenylephrine and guaifenesin
Authors: Beitollahi Hadi , Movlaee Kaveh , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Norouzi Parviz , Hosseinzadeh Rahman
Published: February 2018

We introduce a new method to determine methyldopa without the interference of phenylephrine and guaifenesin. For this purpose, a carbon paste electrode was modified with graphene and ethyl 2‐(4‐ferrocenyl[1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)acetate. According to electrochemical studies, oxidation current of methyldopa on the surface of the modified electrode increased and shifted towards negative potentials. This modified electrode demonstrated two linear ranges of 0.4–30.0 μM and 30.0–500.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.08 μM. No change was observed in the sensitivity of the modified electrode towards methyldopa in the presence of phenylephrine and guaifenesin, which enables the simultaneous or independent measurement of the three moieties. The efficiency of the proposed modified electrode was evaluated through the determination of these substances in real samples.
Risk of malignancy in resected pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms
Authors: Keane M. G. , Shamali A. , Nilsson L. N. , Antila A. , Millastre Bocos J. , Marijinissen Van Zanten M. , Verdejo Gil C. , Maisonneuve P. , Vaalavuo Y. , Hoskins T. , Robinson S. , Ceyhan G. O. , Abu Hilal M. , Pereira S. P. , Laukkarinen J. , Del Chiaro M.
Published: February 2018

Background

Pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are rare mucin-producing cystic tumours defined by the presence of ovarian-type stroma. MCNs have a malignant potential and thus surgery is frequently performed. The aim of this cohort study was to define better the criteria for surgical resection in patients with MCN.

Methods

This multicentre retrospective study included all resected MCNs between 2003 and 2015 in participating centres. Lesions without ovarian-type stroma were excluded. Patient characteristics, preoperative findings, histopathology findings and follow-up data were recorded.

Results

The study included 211 patients; their median age was 53 (range 18–82) years, and 202 (95·7 per cent) were women. Median preoperative tumour size was 55 (range 12–230) mm. Thirty-four of the 211 (16·1 per cent) were malignant, and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) was found in a further 13 (6·2 per cent). One-third of MCNs in men were associated with invasive cancer, compared with 15·3 per cent in women. Five cases of malignant transformation occurred in MCNs smaller than 4 cm. All cases of malignancy or HGD were associated with symptoms or features of concern on preoperative cross-sectional imaging. In multivariable analysis, raised carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (odds ratio (OR) 10·54, 95 per cent c.i. 2·85 to 218·23; P < 0·001), tumour size (OR 4·23, 3·02 to 11·03; P = 0·001), mural nodules (OR 3·55, 1·31 to 20·55; P = 0·002) and weight loss (OR 3·40, 2·34 to 12·34; P = 0·034) were independent factors predictive of malignant transformation.

Conclusions

Small indeterminate MCNs with no symptoms or features of concern may safely be observed as they have a low risk of malignant transformation.
Solution‐processed Tetrafluoroborate‐capped In2O3 Nanocrystal Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Dao Tung Duy , Jeong Hyun‐Dam
Published: March 2018

Colloidal oleic acid (OA) capped indium oxide nanocrystal (In2O3 NC) was synthesized by the hot injection method. Afterwards, the ligand exchange reaction between OA and nitrosyl tetrafluoroborate (NOBF4) afforded tetrafluoroborate‐capped indium oxide nanocrystals (In2O3‐BF4− NCs). In2O3‐BF4− NCs thin‐film transistor (TFT) devices were fabricated by spin coating, exhibiting an electron mobility of 7.3 × 10−3, 5 × 10−2, and 0.19 cm2/V/s for low‐temperature annealed In2O3‐BF4− NCs films at 80, 150, and 250 °C, respectively. An even higher mobility of 13.0 cm2/V/s was obtained by annealing the films at 350 °C, because of decreasing distance between the adjacent In2O3 NCs, enhancing the electronic coupling between the neighboring NCs on the NC film by the decomposition of inorganic ligand NOBF4. The temperature‐dependent behavior of the electron transport of In2O3‐BF4− NCs films annealed at different temperatures of 150, 250, and 350 °C for application in TFT device is also reported. We conclude that thermally activating electron transport mechanism through nearest neighbor hopping works for the In2O3 NC solid in the range from 223 to 323 K, and the activation energy decreases with increasing annealing temperatures.
Credibility of sustainability reports: The contribution of audit committees
Authors: Al‐Shaer Habiba , Zaman Mahbub
Published: February 2018

Concerns about the credibility of sustainability reports can be mitigated through assurance. Although audit committee remit encompasses monitoring of sustainability issues, there are potential complementary and substitution issues between governance mechanisms. This paper explores the relationship between audit committees and sustainability reporting assurance using resource dependency theory. We find audit committee characteristics have an impact, additional to that of the board of directors and the existence of sustainability committees, on voluntary sustainability assurance. Our results also show that audit committee independence is associated with use of a Big Four audit firm for sustainability assurance. A negative association between sustainability committees and assurance, however, indicates assurance could be a burden for small firms. Overall, the findings suggest audit committees add credibility and help improve sustainability reporting through their independence, expertise and oversight.
Photomodulating Gene Expression by Using Caged siRNAs with Single‐Aptamer Modification
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Chen Changmai , Fan Xinli , Tang Xinjing
Published: February 2018

Caged siRNAs incorporating terminal modification were rationally designed for photochemical regulation of gene silencing induced by RNA interference (RNAi). Through the conjugation of a single oligonucleotide aptamer at the 5′ terminus of the antisense RNA strand, enhancement of the blocking effect for RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC) formation/processing was expected, due both/either to the aptamers themselves and/or to their interaction with large binding proteins. Two oligonucleotide aptamers (AS1411 and MUC‐1) were chosen for aptamer‐siRNA conjugation through a photolabile linker. This caging strategy was successfully used to photoregulate gene expression both of firefly luciferase and of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells. Further patterning experiments revealed that spatial regulation of GFP expression was successfully achieved by using the aptamer‐modified caged siRNA and light activation. We expect that further optimized caged siRNAs featuring aptamer conjugation will be promising for practical applications to spatiotemporal photoregulation of gene expression in the future.
Multicolor Upconversion Nanoprobes Based on a Dual Luminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Assay for Simultaneous Detection and Bioimaging of [Ca2+]i and pHi in Living Cells
Authors: Song Xinyue , Yue Zihong , Zhang Jiayu , Jiang Yanxialei , Wang Zonghua , Zhang Shusheng
Published: February 2018

Intracellular [Ca2+]i and pHi have a close relationship, and their abnormal levels can result in cell dysfunction and accompanying diseases. Thus, simultaneous determination of [Ca2+]i and pHi can more accurately investigate complex biological processes in an integrated platform. Herein, multicolor upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were prepared with the advantages of no spectral overlapping, single NIR excitation wavelengths, and greater tissue penetration depth. The upconversion nanoprobes were easily prepared by the attachment of two fluorescent dyes, Fluo‐4 and SNARF‐4F. Based on the dual luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) process, the blue and green fluorescence of the UCNPs were specially quenched and selectively recovered after the detachment and/or absorbance change of the attached fluorescent dyes, enabling dual detection. Importantly, the developed nanoprobe could successfully be applied for the detection of [Ca2+]i and pHi change in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) stimulation in living cells.
Boosting Luminescence of Planar‐Fluorophore‐Tagged Metal–Organic Cages Via Weak Supramolecular Interactions
Authors: Luo Dong , Li Mian , Zhou Xiao‐Ping , Li Dan
Published: February 2018

A variety of planar organic fluorophores (R=phenyl, naphthalenyl, pyrenyl) and luminescence promotors (X=Cl, Br, I) were equipped, respectively, on the alternatively arranged vertices of cubic ZnII‐imidazolate cages through orthogonal subcomponent self‐assembly. It was found that supramolecular interactions, especially weak C−H⋅⋅⋅X interactions, play a key role in activating an efficient radiative pathway, coupled with reduced nonradiative decay rate through metal coordination, therefore significantly boosting the emission quantum yields of the system. This finding provides a strategy that utilizes molecular geometry and supramolecular interactions to modulate the emission efficiency of luminescent cage‐based materials.
Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Regioselective Asymmetric Mono‐Hydrogenation of Dienes and Polyenes
Authors: Margarita Cristiana , Rabten Wangchuk , Andersson Pher G.
Published: February 2018

Organic compounds containing multiple C=C bonds are attractive substrates for catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation. The full saturation of prochiral double bonds, controlling the creation of two or more stereocenters in one step, is obviously a remarkable goal. However, another fascinating and useful option is to selectively introduce a new defined stereogenic center while leaving other double bonds untouched. Thus, the retained functionalities can be further exploited in synthesis. Examples of regio‐ and enantioselective mono‐hydrogenations of polyolefins are highlighted in this Concept article, and are divided according to the nature of the reduced double bond and the transition‐metal catalyst used. Alkenes bearing coordinating functional groups are often preferentially hydrogenated by Rh‐ and Ru‐complexes, while the more recently developed Ir‐based catalysts promote the selective saturation on alkyl‐substituted olefins. Relevant applications of this effective methodology in the synthesis of natural products are included to demonstrate its value in organic synthesis.
Electron‐ and Hydride‐Reservoir Organometallics as Precursors of Catalytically Efficient Transition Metal Nanoparticles in Water
Authors: Fu Fangyu , Wang Qi , Ciganda Roberto , Martinez‐Villacorta Angel M. , Escobar Ane , Moya Sergio , Fouquet Eric , Ruiz Jaime , Astruc Didier
Published: February 2018

Nanoparticles (NPs) are actively investigated for their efficient use in catalysis, but their means of synthesis is a key factor influencing their catalytic properties owing to surface coverage with byproducts. Here, neutral electron‐ and hydride‐rich late transition metal organometallics are compared for the synthesis of late transition metal NPs in the presence of poly(vinylpirolidone) (PVP). In particular, the effect of electron‐reservoir donors, hydride‐reservoir donors, and electron‐rich dimers yielding NPs electrostatically stabilized by cationic organometallics are compared in terms of NP size and catalytic efficiency. The catalytic reactions scrutinized with excellent results include 4‐nitrophenol reduction to 4‐aminophenol by NaBH4 for the AuNPs and PdNPs, and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions for the PdNPs. The nature of the reductant has more influence on the NP size in the case of AuNPs than PdNPs, and the best NP catalysts are obtained with hydride‐reservoir complexes as reductants. The less bulky hydride donors are superior, with the complex [CoCp(ŋ4‐C5H6)] (Cp=ŋ5‐C5H5) giving the NPs with the best catalyst efficiencies for both reactions. Protection of the NP cores by the organometallic sandwich salt is found to be the key to catalytic efficiency.
Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetism of Tris(amide) [Ln{N(SiMe3)2}3]1− Complexes of the Non‐traditional +2 Lanthanide Ions
Authors: Ryan Austin J. , Darago Lucy E. , Balasubramani Sree Ganesh , Chen Guo P. , Ziller Joseph W. , Furche Filipp , Long Jeffrey R. , Evans William J.
Published: February 2018

A new series of Ln2+ complexes has been synthesized that overturns two previous generalizations in rare‐earth metal reduction chemistry: that amide ligands do not form isolable complexes of the highly reducing non‐traditional Ln2+ ions, and that yttrium is a good model for the late lanthanides in these reductive reactions. Reduction of Ln(NR2)3 (R=SiMe3) complexes in THF under Ar with M=K or Rb in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand (crypt) forms crystallographically characterizable [M(crypt)][Ln(NR2)3] complexes not only for the traditional Tm2+ ion and the configurational crossover ions, Nd2+ and Dy2+, but also for the non‐traditional Gd2+, Tb2+, Ho2+, and Er2+ ions. Crystallographic data as well as UV/Vis, magnetic susceptibility, and density functional theory studies are consistent with the accessibility of 4fn5d1 configurations for Ln2+ ions in this tris(silylamide) ligand environment. The Dy2+ complex, [K(crypt)][Dy(NR2)3], has a higher magnetic moment than previously observed for any monometallic complex: 11.67 μB.
Enantioseparation of napropamide by supercritical fluid chromatography: Effects of the chromatographic conditions and separation mechanism
Authors: Zhao Lu , Xie Jingqian , Guo Fangjie , Liu Kai
Published: February 2018

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is already used for enantioseparation in the pharmaceutical industry, but it is rarely used for the separation of chiral pesticides. Comparing with high performence liquid chromatography, SFC uses much more environmnetal friendly and economic mobile phase, supercritical CO2. In our work, the enantioseparation of an amide herbicide, napropamide, using three different polysaccharide‐type chiral stationary phases (CSPs) in SFC was investigated. By studying the effect of different CSPs, organic modifiers, temperature, back‐pressure regulator pressures, and flow rates for the enantioseparation of napropamide, we established a rapid and green method for enantioseparation that takes less than 2 minutes: The column was CEL2, the mobile phase was CO2 with 20% 2‐propanol, and the flow rate was 2.0 mL/min. We found that CEL2 demonstrated the strongest resolution capability. Acetonitrile was favored over alcoholic solvents when the CSP was amylose and 2‐propanol was the best choice when using cellulose. When the concentration of the modifiers or the flow rate was decreased, resolutions and analysis times increased concurrently. The temperature and back‐pressure regulator pressure exhibited only minor influences on the resolution and analysis time of the napropamide enantioseparations with these chiral columns. The molecular docking analysis provided a deeper insight into the interactions between the enantiomers and the CSPs at the atomic level and partly explained the reason for the different elution orders using the different chiral columns.
Automated negotiated user profiling across distributed social mobile clouds for resource optimisation
Authors: Benkhelifa Elhadj , Welsh Thomas , Tawalbeh Lo'ai , Jararweh Yaser
Published: February 2018

With mobile computing being the number one user paradigm of choice, and cloud computing becoming the chosen supporting infrastructure, the aggregation of these two areas is inevitable. Yet due to their novelty, they suffer from both inherited and new issues. Social computing theory can apply well to this fusion, such as pooling together in a social model to create ad hoc mobile clouds or by providing a greater functionality for mobile devices through resource augmentation from an external cloud. However, due to the highly contested resources within this setting, these resources must be negotiated within a social context. This paper argues that the application of social models to mobile cloud computing can allow mobile devices to employ cooperative strategies for resource sharing to allow aspects such as energy and costs to be minimised. Social computing is the means of using computing resources to augment human intelligence, mobiles can provide these enhancements to social intelligences but in a peer‐to‐peer manner. This paper proposes the design of a novel system which employs aggregated user and application resource profiling, in order to determine the most optimal place to process data, locally or on a remote cloud. Negotiation with the local cloud will then find a balance between optimum energy and resource utilisation.
Deep convolutional neural network for drowsy student state detection
Authors: Zhao Gang , Liu Shan , Wang Qi , Hu Tao , Chen Yawen , Lin Luyu , Zhao Dasheng
Published: February 2018

Drowsy student state detection is helpful to understand the students' learning state, which is the necessary and basic aspect of teaching activities evaluation and assessment. The performance of traditional methods may deteriorate dramatically because of the external environment factors. In this paper, a novel drowsy student state detection method by integrating deep convolutional neural network is proposed at the first time in the literature. The proposed method avoids the complicated manual feature extraction operation and it can effectively reduce the interference of environmental factors in the application scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach can achieve high accuracy and lower error rate for drowsy student state detection. In addition, the results also show that our method outperforms traditional methods.
Unprecedented Ionization Processes in Mass Spectrometry Provide Missing Link between ESI and MALDI
Authors: Trimpin Sarah , Lee Chuping , Weidner Steffen M. , El‐Baba Tarick J. , Lutomski Corinne A. , Inutan Ellen D. , Foley Casey D. , Ni Chi‐Kung , McEwen Charles N.
Published: February 2018

The front cover artwork is provided by a multidisciplinary international group of physical/analytical scientists working in the general area of ionization for use in mass spectrometry. The image shows that key to multiply‐charged ion formation is the volatility of the matrix and, after successful transport of charged matrix:analyte clusters into the gas phase, desolvation as a secondary step. These results also suggest a connection between ESI and MALDI. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.201701246.
Controlling the Effective Oxygen Tension Experienced by Cells Using a Dynamic Culture Technique for Hematopoietic Ex Vivo Expansion
Authors: Tiwari Abhilasha , Wong Cynthia S. , Nekkanti Lakshmi P. , Deane James A. , McDonald Courtney , Li Jingang , Pham Yen , Sutherland Amy E. , Jenkin Graham , Kirkland Mark A.
Published: February 2018

Clinical hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) transplantation outcomes are strongly correlated with the number of cells infused. Hence, to generate sufficient HSPCs for transplantation, the best culture parameters for expansion are critical. It is generally assumed that the defined oxygen (O2) set for the incubator reflects the pericellular O2 to which cells are being exposed. Studies have shown that low O2 tension maintains an undifferentiated state, but the expansion rate may be constrained because of limited diffusion in a static culture system. A combination of low ambient O2 and dynamic culture conditions has been developed to increase the reconstituting capacity of human HSPCs. In this unit, the protocols for serum‐free expansion of HSPCs at 5% and 20% O2 in static and dynamic nutrient flow mode are described. Finally, the impact of O2 tension on HSPC expansion in vitro by flow cytometry and colony forming assays and in vivo through engraftment using a murine model is assessed. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Transglycosylation: A Key Reaction to Access Alkylpolyglycosides from Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Jérôme François , Marinkovic Sinisa , Estrine Boris
Published: February 2018

An overview is provided on the recent advances in transglycosylation of cellulose and hemicellulose with either short‐chain or long‐chain alkyl alcohols. Catalytic processes are compared in terms of yield, selectivity and space‐time yield, with a view to identifying the most promising pathways for future developments. In this context, the synthesis of alkylpolyglycosides directly from lignocellulosic biomass is discussed while keeping in mind the impact of the botanical origin on the transglycosylation reaction and the product distribution. A section dedicated to the physicochemical properties and ecological footprint of alkylpolyglycosides is also included.
Identification of transcripts potentially involved in neural tube closure using RNA sequencing
Authors: Kindt Lexy M. , Coughlin Alicia R. , Perosino Tianna R. , Ersfeld Haley N. , Hampton Marshall , Liang Jennifer O.
Published: February 2018

Anencephaly is a fatal human neural tube defect (NTD) in which the anterior neural tube remains open. Zebrafish embryos with reduced Nodal signaling display an open anterior neural tube phenotype that is analogous to anencephaly. Previous work from our laboratory suggests that Nodal signaling acts through induction of the head mesendoderm and mesoderm. Head mesendoderm/mesoderm then, through an unknown mechanism, promotes formation of the polarized neuroepithelium that is capable of undergoing the movements required for closure. We compared the transcriptome of embryos treated with a Nodal signaling inhibitor at sphere stage, which causes NTDs, to embryos treated at 30% epiboly, which does not cause NTDs. This screen identified over 3,000 transcripts with potential roles in anterior neurulation. Expression of several genes encoding components of tight and adherens junctions was significantly reduced, supporting the model that Nodal signaling regulates formation of the neuroepithelium. mRNAs involved in Wnt, FGF, and BMP signaling were also differentially expressed, suggesting these pathways might regulate anterior neurulation. In support of this, we found that pharmacological inhibition of FGF–receptor function causes an open anterior NTD as well as loss of mesodermal derivatives. This suggests that Nodal and FGF signaling both promote anterior neurulation through induction of head mesoderm.