bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Možnosti aplikace konceptu postmateriálního štěpení na substátních úrovních
Authors: Musilová Karolína
Published: July 2017

The paper deals with the possibility of application of post-material – material cleavage at the local and regional level. Although the concept was originally designed for central level of political system decades ago, it is still relevant for different reasons. Through analysis of current state of research in respective field and existing papers on cleavages at the subnational level, the paper seeks for conditions under which concept of cleavages may be transferred at the subnational levels of governance. The concept of multilevel governance is then used to define specific features of different levels and to prove to possibility of such transfer. The results show the concept may be adapted at local and regional level, however it´s crucial to adjust the selected definition of cleavage, especially in terms of institutional manifestation.
Análisis del perfil y satisfacción del turista que visita montañita–Ecuador
Authors: Carvache Franco Wilmer , Torres Naranjo Mónica , Carvache Franco Mauricio
Published: July 2017

La comuna de Montañita se encuentra ubicada en la parroquia de Manglaralto, provincia de Santa Elena en Ecuador, es un destino turístico de sol y playa, donde la práctica del surf es considerada uno de sus principales atractivos. Este trabajo se propone analizar el perfil de los turistas extranjeros que visitan Montañita, así como las motivaciones que los llevan a visitar el destino y la percepción de satisfacción de los servicios turísticos ofertados en este balneario. La recolección de la información se realizó “in situ”. Los resultados sugieren evidencia importante acerca del perfil del turista que visita Montañita, hombres y mujeres llegan al destino de forma variada procedentes de varios continentes, en su gran mayoría son solteros, las motivaciones más valoradas fueron disfrutar del sol y la playa, seguida de descansar, lo que evidencia que, la playa, se convierte en el mayor atractivo turístico de este lugar. Las variables más valoradas en la satisfacción de los servicios hoteleros fue la ubicación y en los servicios de restaurantes fue la calidad de las comidas y bebidas. Los resultados obtenidos servirán para que los prestadores de servicios turísticos diseñen productos y ofrezcan servicios acorde a la demanda.
25 Años de políticas europeas en Extremadura: turismo rural y método LEADER
Authors: Nieto Masot Ana , Cárdenas Alonso Gema
Published: July 2017

Durante los últimos 25 años se vienen aplicando en las zonas rurales europeas, y más concretamente en Extremadura, unas estrategias territoriales bajo el conocido como Método LEADER, con las que activar su desarrollo económico. Esto se lleva a cabo mediante la implantación de nuevas actividades, como el turismo rural, cuyo objetivo es mantener a la población y frenar los procesos emigratorios y el envejecimiento. En este trabajo se analiza la evolución de las ayudas destinadas al turismo rural en Extremadura y se estudia su implantación territorial con unos indicadores de contexto, como son las inversiones y proyectos por superficie y población en los distintos Grupos de Acción Local, además de otras variables socioeconómicas y demográficas, con el fin de poder comprobar el éxito en sus objetivos iniciales.
Control of Switching Modes and Conductance Quantization in Oxygen Engineered HfOx based Memristive Devices
Authors: Sharath Sankaramangalam Ulhas , Vogel Stefan , Molina‐Luna Leopoldo , Hildebrandt Erwin , Wenger Christian , Kurian Jose , Duerrschnabel Michael , Niermann Tore , Niu Gang , Calka Pauline , Lehmann Michael , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim , Schroeder Thomas , Alff Lambert
Published: July 2017

Hafnium oxide (HfOx)‐based memristive devices have tremendous potential as nonvolatile resistive random access memory (RRAM) and in neuromorphic electronics. Despite its seemingly simple two‐terminal structure, a myriad of RRAM devices reported in the rapidly growing literature exhibit rather complex resistive switching behaviors. Using Pt/HfOx/TiN‐based metal–insulator–metal structures as model systems, it is shown that a well‐controlled oxygen stoichiometry governs the filament formation and the occurrence of multiple switching modes. The oxygen vacancy concentration is found to be the key factor in manipulating the balance between electric field and Joule heating during formation, rupture (reset), and reformation (set) of the conductive filaments in the dielectric. In addition, the engineering of oxygen vacancies stabilizes atomic size filament constrictions exhibiting integer and half‐integer conductance quantization at room temperature during set and reset. Identifying the materials conditions of different switching modes and conductance quantization contributes to a unified switching model correlating structural and functional properties of RRAM materials. The possibility to engineer the oxygen stoichiometry in HfOx will allow creating quantum point contacts with multiple conductance quanta as a first step toward multilevel memristive quantum devices.
Analysis of admixture proportions in seven geographical regions of the state of Guerrero, Mexico
Authors: Cahua‐Pablo José Ángel , Cruz Miguel , Tello‐Almaguer Pedro Vidal , del Alarcón‐Romero Luz Carmen , Parra Esteban Juan , Villerías‐Salinas Salvador , Valladares‐Salgado Adán , Tello‐Flores Vianet Argelia , Méndez‐Palacios Abigail , Pérez‐Macedonio Claudia Paola , Flores‐Alfaro Eugenia
Published: July 2017

Objective

Mexico's current population structure has been defined by admixture between European, Native American, and to some extent African, groups that started in the sixteenth century. The aim of this research was to analyze the relative contributions of these continental population groups to the seven regions of the state of Guerrero, Mexico.

Methods

A total of 104 ancestry informative markers were analyzed in 480 unrelated women from the seven regions of the state of Guerrero. The individual ancestry proportions were estimated using the software ADMIXMAP v3.2.

Results

The relative Native American, European and African ancestral contributions to the whole sample were estimated to be 69%, 27%, and 1.9%, respectively. We observed significant differences in admixture proportions across the regions. The highest average Native American ancestry was found in the Montaña region and the lowest in Costa Grande. Conversely, the highest European contribution was observed in Costa Grande. The highest African contributions were observed in the regions of Costa Chica and Costa Grande.

Conclusions

The genetic structure of the population of Guerrero reflects quite well the historical processes that have occurred in this state. Native American population settlements were mainly in the regions of Montaña, Norte, and Centro, where the highest indigenous genetic contribution is observed today. European settlers came from the center of the state to regions with significant agricultural and mining activities. The highest African contributions are observed in coastal regions, in agreement with historical evidence about slave trade routes in the Americas.
Quantum Ratchet in Disordered Quantum Walk
Authors: Chakraborty Sagnik , Das Arpan , Mallick Arindam , Chandrashekar C. M.
Published: July 2017

Symmetrically evolving discrete quantum walk results in dynamic localization with zero mean displacement when the standard evolution operations are replaced by a temporal disorder evolution operation. In this work we show that the quantum ratchet action, that is, a directed transport in standard or disordered discrete‐time quantum walk can be realized by introducing a pawl like effect realized by using a fixed coin operation at marked positions that is, different from the ones used for evolution at other positions. We also show that the combination of standard and disordered evolution operations can be optimized to get the mean displacement of order ∝ t (number of walk steps). This model of quantum ratchet in quantum walk is defined using only a set of entangling unitary operators resulting in the coherent quantum transport.
Boronic Acid Functionalized Photosensitizers: A Strategy To Target the Surface of Bacteria and Implement Active Agents in Polymer Coatings
Authors: Galstyan Anzhela , Schiller Roswitha , Dobrindt Ulrich
Published: July 2017

Advanced methods for preventing and controlling hospital‐acquired infections via eradication of free‐floating bacteria and bacterial biofilms are of great interest. In this regard, the attractiveness of unconventional treatment modalities such as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) continues to grow. This study investigated a new and innovative strategy for targeting polysaccharides found on the bacterial cell envelope and the biofilm matrix using the boronic acid functionalized and highly effective photosensitizer (PS) silicon(IV) phthalocyanine. This strategy has been found to be successful in treating planktonic cultures and biofilms of Gram‐negative E. coli. An additional advantage of boronic acid functionality is a possibility to anchor the tailor made PS to poly(vinyl alcohol) and to fabricate a self‐disinfecting coating.
Colloidal Rings by Site‐Selective Growth on Patchy Colloidal Disc Templates
Authors: Wu Yuanyuan , Luo Zhang , Liu Bing , Yang Zhenzhong
Published: July 2017

Anisotropic colloidal building blocks are quite attractive as they enable the self‐assembly towards new materials with designated hierarchical structures. Although many advances have been achieved in colloidal synthetic methodology, synthesis of colloidal rings with low polydispersity and on a large scale remains a challenge. To address this issue we introduce a new site‐selective growth strategy, which relies on using patchy particles. For example, by using patchy discs as templates, silica can selectively be grown on only side surfaces, resulting in formation of silica rings. We demonstrate that shape parameters are tunable and find that these silica rings can be used as secondary template to synthesize other types of rings. This method for synthesizing ring‐like colloids provides possibilities for studying their self‐assembly and associated phase transitions, and this patchy particles template strategy paves a new route for fabricating other new colloidal particles.
Constructing High‐Generation Sierpiński Triangles by Molecular Puzzling
Authors: Jiang Zhilong , Li Yiming , Wang Ming , Liu Die , Yuan Jie , Chen Mingzhao , Wang Jun , Newkome George R. , Sun Wei , Li Xiaopeng , Wang Pingshan
Published: July 2017

Three generations of metalated trigonal supramolecular architectures, so‐called metallo‐triangles, were assembled from terpyridine (tpy) complexes. The first generation (G1) metallo‐triangles were directly obtained by reacting a bis(terpyridinyl) ligand with a 60° bite angle and ZnII ions. The direct self‐assembly of G2 and G3 triangles by mixing organic ligands and ZnII, however, only generated a mixture of G1 and G2, as well as a trace amount of insoluble polymer‐like precipitate. Therefore, a modular strategy based on the connectivity of ⟨tpy−Ru2+−tpy⟩ was employed to construct two metallo‐organic ligands for the assembly of G2 and G3 Sierpiński triangles. The metallo‐organic ligands LA and LB with multiple free terpyridines were obtained through Suzuki cross‐coupling of the RuII complexes, and then assembled with ZnII or CdII to obtain high‐generation metallo‐triangular architectures in nearly quantitative yield. The G1–G3 architectures were characterized by NOESY and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, TWIM‐MS, and transmission electron microscopy.
Synthesis of WOn‐WX2 (n=2.7, 2.9; X=S, Se) Heterostructures for Highly Efficient Green Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Han Shikui , Yang Xuyong , Zhu Yihan , Tan Chaoliang , Zhang Xiao , Chen Junze , Huang Ying , Chen Bo , Luo Zhimin , Ma Qinglang , Sindoro Melinda , Zhang Hao , Qi Xiaoying , Li Hai , Huang Xiao , Huang Wei , Sun Xiao Wei , Han Yu , Zhang Hua
Published: July 2017

Preparation of two‐dimensional (2D) heterostructures is important not only fundamentally, but also technologically for applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, we report a facile colloidal method for the synthesis of WOn‐WX2 (n=2.7, 2.9; X=S, Se) heterostructures by sulfurization or selenization of WOn nanomaterials. The WOn‐WX2 heterostructures are composed of WO2.9 nanoparticles (NPs) or WO2.7 nanowires (NWs) grown together with single‐ or few‐layer WX2 nanosheets (NSs). As a proof‐of‐concept application, the WOn‐WX2 heterostructures are used as the anode interfacial buffer layer for green quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs). The QLED prepared with WO2.9 NP‐WSe2 NS heterostructures achieves external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 8.53 %. To our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency in the reported green QLEDs using inorganic materials as the hole injection layer.
Highly Oriented Growth of Catalytically Active Zeolite ZSM‐5 Films with a Broad Range of Si/Al Ratios
Authors: Fu Donglong , Schmidt Joel E. , Ristanović Zoran , Chowdhury Abhishek Dutta , Meirer Florian , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: July 2017

Highlyb‐oriented zeolite ZSM‐5 films are critical for applications in catalysis and separations and may serve as models to study diffusion and catalytic properties in single zeolite channels. However, the introduction of catalytically active Al3+usually disrupts the orientation of zeolite films. Herein, using structure‐directing agents with hydroxy groups, we demonstrate a new method to prepare highlyb‐oriented zeolite ZSM‐5 films with a broad range of Si/Al ratios (Si/Al=45 to ∞). Fluorescence micro‐(spectro)scopy was used to monitor misoriented microstructures, which are invisible to X‐ray diffraction, and show Al3+framework incorporation and illustrate the differences between misoriented andb‐oriented films. The methanol‐to‐hydrocarbons process was studied byoperandoUV/Vis diffuse reflectance micro‐spectroscopy with on‐line mass spectrometry, showing that theb‐oriented zeolite ZSM‐5 films are active and stable under realistic process conditions.
Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of the Reaction Mechanisms Between Defective MoS2 and Thiol Molecules
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhao Yinghe , Ling Chongyi , Yuan Shijun , Chen Qian , Wang Jinlan
Published: July 2017

Sulfur vacancies (SVs) inherent in MoS2 are generally detrimental for carrier mobility and optical properties. Thiol chemistry has been explored for SV repair and surface functionalization. However, the resultant products and reaction mechanisms are still controversial. Herein, a comprehensive understanding on the reactions is provided by tracking potential energy surfaces and kinetic studies. The reactions are dominated by two competitive mechanisms that lead to either functionalization products or repair SVs, and the polarization effect from decorating thiol molecules and thermal effect are two determining factors. Electron‐donating groups are conducive to the repairing reaction whereas electron‐withdrawing groups facilitate the functionalization process. Moreover, the predominant reaction mechanism can be switched by increasing the temperature. This study fosters a way of precisely tailoring the electronic and optical properties of MoS2 by means of thiol chemistry approaches.
Meta‐analysis of first‐line therapies with maintenance regimens for advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in molecularly and clinically selected populations
Authors: Tan Pui San , Bilger Marcel , de Lima Lopes Gilberto , Acharyya Sanchalika , Haaland Benjamin
Published: July 2017

Evidence has suggested survival benefits of maintenance for advanced NSCLC patients not progressing after first‐line chemotherapy. Additionally, particular first‐line targeted therapies have shown survival improvements in selected populations. Optimal first‐line and maintenance therapies remain unclear. Here, currently available evidence was synthesized to elucidate optimal first‐line and maintenance therapy within patient groups. Literature was searched for randomized trials evaluating first‐line and maintenance regimens in advanced NSCLC patients. Bayesian network meta‐analysis was performed within molecularly and clinically selected groups. The primary outcome was combined clinically meaningful OS and PFS benefits. A total of 87 records on 56 trials evaluating first‐line treatments with maintenance were included. Results showed combined clinically meaningful OS and PFS benefits with particular first‐line with maintenance treatments, (1) first‐line intercalated chemotherapy+erlotinib, maintenance erlotinib in patients with EGFR mutations, (2) first‐line afatinib, maintenance afatinib in patients with EGFR deletion 19, (3) first‐line chemotherapy + bevacizumab, maintenance bevacizumab in EGFR wild‐type patients, (4) chemotherapy+conatumumab, maintenance conatumumab in patients with squamous histology, (5) chemotherapy+cetuximab, maintenance cetuximab or chemotherapy + necitumumab, maintenance necitumumab in EGFR FISH‐positive patients with squamous histology, and (6) first‐line chemotherapy+bevacizumab, maintenance bevacizumab or first‐line sequential chemotherapy+gefitinib, maintenance gefitinib in patients clinically enriched for EGFR mutations with nonsquamous histology. No treatment showed combined clinically meaningful OS and PFS benefits in patients with EGFR L858R or nonsquamous histology. Particular first‐line with maintenance treatments show meaningful OS and PFS benefits in patients selected by EGFR mutation or histology. Further research is needed to achieve effective therapy for patients with EGFR mutation L858R or nonsquamous histology.
Nitrene Radical Intermediates in Catalytic Synthesis
Authors: Kuijpers Petrus F. , van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar , Schneider Sven , de Bruin Bas
Published: July 2017

Nitrene radical complexes are reactive intermediates with discrete spin density at the nitrogen‐atom of the nitrene moiety. These species have become important intermediates for organic synthesis, being invoked in a broad range of C−H functionalization and aziridination reactions. Nitrene radical complexes have intriguing electronic structures, and are best described as one‐electron reduced Fischer type nitrenes. They can be generated by intramolecular single electron transfer to the “redox non‐innocent” nitrene moiety at the metal. Nitrene radicals generated at open‐shell cobalt(II) have thus far received most attention in terms of spectroscopic characterization, reactivity screening, catalytic nitrene‐transfer reactions and (computational and experimental) mechanistic studies, but some interesting iron and precious metal catalysts have also been employed in related reactions involving nitrene radicals. In some cases, redox‐active ligands are used to facilitate intramolecular single electron transfer from the complex to the nitrene moiety. Organic azides are among the most attractive nitrene precursors in this field, typically requiring pre‐activated organic azides (e.g. RSO2N3, (RO)2P(=O)N3, ROC(=O)N3 and alike) to achieve efficient and selective catalysis. Challenging, non‐activated aliphatic organic azides were recently added to the palette of reagents useful in synthetically relevant reactions proceeding via nitrene radical intermediates. This concept article describes the electronic structure of nitrene radical complexes, emphasizes on their usefulness in the catalytic synthesis of various organic products, and highlights the important developments in the field.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Excited State Relaxation in Semi‐Synthetic Genetic Alphabet: d5SICS and dNaM
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kalishankar , Datta Ayan
Published: July 2017

The excited state dynamics of an unnatural base pair (UBP) d5SICS/dNaM were investigated by accurate ab‐initio calculations. Time‐dependent density functional and high‐level multireference calculations (MS‐CASPT2) were performed to elucidate the excitation of this UBP and its excited state relaxation mechanism. After excitation to the bright state S2 (ππ*), it decays to the S1 state and then undergoes efficient intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold. The presence of sulfur atom in d5SICS leads to strong spin–orbit coupling (SOC) and a small energy gap that facilitates intersystem crossing from S1 (nsπ*) to T2 (ππ*) followed by internal conversion to T1 state. Similarly in dNaM, the deactivation pathway follows analogous trends. CASPT2 calculations suggest that the S1 (ππ*) state is a dark state below the accessible S2 (ππ*) bright state. During the ultrafast deactivation, it exhibits bond length inversion. From S1 state, significant SOC leads the population transfer to T3 due to a smaller energy gap. Henceforth, fast internal conversion occurs from T3 to T2 followed by T1. From time‐dependent trajectory surface hopping dynamics, it is found that excited state relaxation occurs on a sub‐picosecond timescale in d5SICS and dNaM. Our findings strongly suggest that there is enough energy available in triplet state of UBP to generate reactive oxygen species and induce phototoxicity with respect to cellular DNA.
Convenient Access to meta‐Substituted Phenols by Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling and Oxidation
Authors: Wang Zi , Orellana Arturo
Published: July 2017

We report a new approach to the synthesis of meta‐substituted phenols in which a single palladium catalyst accomplishes a Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling between a β‐chlorocyclohexenone and an arylboronic acid, and oxidation of the resulting cyclohexenone to the corresponding phenol upon introduction of a terminal oxidant and electron transfer mediator. Notably, this method also allows ready access to ortho, meta‐disubstituted phenols, sterically congested biaryl phenols, and more highly substituted phenols.
Nature of Bonding in Donor–Acceptor Interactions Exemplified by Complexes of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes with 1,2,5‐Telluradiazoles
Authors: Pushkarevsky Nikolay A. , Petrov Pavel A. , Grigoriev Denis S. , Smolentsev Anton I. , Lee Lucia M. , Kleemiss Florian , Salnikov Georgy E. , Konchenko Sergey N. , Vargas‐Baca Ignacio , Grabowsky Simon , Beckmann Jens , Zibarev Andrey V.
Published: July 2017

Comprehensive structural, spectroscopic, and quantum chemical analyses of new donor–acceptor complexes between N‐heterocyclic carbenes and 1,2,5‐telluradiazoles and a comparison with previously known complexes involving tellurenyl cations showed that the dative C−Te bonds cannot be solitarily described with only one Lewis formula. Canonical Lewis formulas that denote covalency and arrows emphasizing ionicity complement each other in varying extents. Evaluation of the relative weights of these resonance forms requires proper bonding description with a well‐balanced toolbox of analytical methods. If for conciseness only, one resonance form is used, it must be the most significant one according to the analytical evaluation. If unclear, all significant resonance forms should be displayed.
The Impact of Investments in Pollution Reduction on Shareholder Wealth: Evidence from Taiwanese Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Chiu She‐Chih , Lin Hsuan‐Chu , Wang Chuan‐San
Published: July 2017

This paper investigates the economic benefit of corporate pollution reduction expenditures and the value relevance of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report. It utilizes a unique dataset of pollution reduction expenditures disclosed by Taiwanese manufacturing companies in their GRI reports. Economic profit is measured with Economic Value Added and Tobin's Q. The value relevance is measured with three benchmarks: stock returns, cash flows, and stock prices. The Generalized Method of Moments is adopted to control for potential endogeneity. This paper finds a positive relation between pollution reduction expenditure and corporate economic benefits, which suggests that managerial decisions aimed at pollution reduction are consistent with the interests of shareholders and of stakeholders. In addition, this paper finds that the G3.1 guideline provides relevant information in regard to firm value, while it plays merely a partial role in investors' investment decisions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The microbiota revolution: Excitement and caution
Authors: Rescigno Maria
Published: July 2017

Scientific progress is characterized by important technological advances. Next‐generation DNA sequencing has, in the past few years, led to a major scientific revolution: the microbiome revolution. It has become possible to generate a fingerprint of the whole microbiota of any given environment. As it becomes clear that the microbiota affects several aspects of our lives, each new scientific finding should ideally be analyzed in light of these communities. For instance, animal experimentation should consider animal sources and husbandry; human experimentation should include analysis of microenvironmental cues that might affect the microbiota, including diet, antibiotic, and drug use, genetics. When analyzing the activity of a drug, we should remember that, according to the microbiota of the host, different drug activities might be observed, either due to modification or degradation by the microbiota, or because the microbiota changes the immune system of the host in a way that makes that drug more or less effective. This minireview will not be a comprehensive review on the interaction between the host and microbiota, but it will aim at creating awareness on why we should not forget the contribution of the microbiota in any single aspect of biology.
Are belief‐based justifications associated with metalinguistic awareness? A cross‐sectional study in school‐age children
Authors: Spataro Pietro , Rossi‐Arnaud Clelia , Longobardi Emiddia
Published: July 2017

Previous research has consistently demonstrated that false‐belief (FB) understanding correlates with and predicts metalinguistic ability in preschoolers. Surprisingly, however, there is scant evidence on the question of whether this relation persists at later ages. The present cross‐sectional study sought to fill this gap by examining the association between FB understanding, belief‐based justifications and metalinguistic awareness. A sample of 150 children primary‐school children between 8 and 11 years of age were administered a test of receptive language, a second‐order theory‐of‐mind task and a comprehensive metalinguistic battery. The results of correlational and regression analyses showed that explicit metalinguistic awareness (in particular, performance in the Ambiguity and Phonemic Segmentation subtests) was significantly predicted by children's belief‐based responses to the justification question in the theory of mind task but only for children with small receptive vocabularies; in contrast, FB understanding made no independent contribution (either alone or in interaction with other measures). These findings complement and advance existing data by showing that, in school‐age children, the association between the 2 domains involves more mature, verbally explicit levels of FB understanding and metalinguistic awareness.

Highlights

We examined the relation between metalinguistic awareness and theory‐of‐mind in primary‐school children.

Metalinguistic awareness was associated to belief‐based justifications, but only for children with small vocabulary.

In school‐age children the ability to provide verbal justifications plays a key role in the relation between theory‐of‐mind and metalinguistic awareness.
Shock progression and survival after use of a condom uterine balloon tamponade package in women with uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Burke Thomas F. , Danso‐Bamfo Sandra , Guha Moytrayee , Oguttu Monica , Tarimo Vincent , Nelson Brett D.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To examine the outcomes of women in advanced shock from uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) who underwent placement of an Every Second Matters for Mothers and Babies Uterine Balloon Tamponade (ESM‐UBT) device.

Methods

In a prospective case series, data were collected for women who received an ESM‐UBT device at healthcare facilities in Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania between September 1, 2012, and September 30, 2016. Shock class was assigned on the basis of recorded blood pressures and mental status at the time of UBT placement.

Results

Data for 306 women with uncontrolled PPH from uterine atony across 117 facilities were analyzed. Normal vital signs or class I/II shock were reported for 166 (54.2%). In this group, one death occurred and was attributed to PPH (survival rate 99.4%). There were no cases of shock progression. One hundred and eleven (36.3%) were in class III shock and 29 (9.5%) in class IV shock; the respective survival rates were 97.3% (n=108) and 86.2% (n=25).

Conclusion

The ESM‐UBT device arrests hemorrhage, prevents shock progression, and is associated with high survival rates among women with uncontrolled PPH from uterine atony.
Opinion leadership types or continuous opinion leadership traits?
Authors: Gnambs Timo
Published: July 2017

Opinion leadership is typically conceptualised as a continuous personality trait. However, many authors adhere to the view of qualitatively different opinion leadership types and apply arbitrary criteria to split continuous trait scores into two groups (i.e., opinion leaders vs. non‐leaders). The present study is the first to empirically evaluate this approach. A sample of N = 3812 adults (67% women) was administered a validated opinion leadership scale. Finite mixture models examined whether the latent trait distribution can be represented by a set of discrete trait levels that reflected distinct opinion leadership types. The results did not give support to a discrete typology that distinguished leaders from non‐leaders. Rather, opinion leadership was best characterised as a continuous trait.
Proteasomal activity‐based probes mark protein homeostasis in muscles
Authors: Raz Vered , Raz Yotam , Paniagua‐Soriano Guillem , Roorda Jacomina Cornelia , Olie Cyriel , Riaz Muhammad , Florea Bogdan I.
Published: July 2017

Background

Protein homeostasis, primarily regulated by the ubiquitin–proteasome system is crucial for proper function of cells. In tissues of post‐mitotic cells, the impaired ubiquitin–proteasome system is found in a wide range of neuromuscular disorders. Activity‐based probes (ABPs) measure proteasomal proteolytic subunits and can be used to report protein homeostasis. Despite the crucial role of the proteasome in neuromuscular pathologies, ABPs were not employed in muscle cells and tissues, and measurement of proteasomal activity was carried out in vitro using low‐throughput procedures.

Methods

We screened six ABPs for specific application in muscle cell culture using high throughput call‐based imaging procedures. We then determined an in situ proteasomal activity in myofibers of muscle cryosections.

Results

We demonstrate that LWA300, a pan‐reactive proteasomal probe, is most suitable to report proteasomal activity in muscle cells using cell‐based bio‐imaging. We found that proteasomal activity is two‐fold and three‐fold enhanced in fused muscle cell culture compared with non‐fused cells. Moreover, we found that proteasomal activity can discriminate between muscles. Across muscles, a relative higher proteasomal activity was found in hybrid myofibers whereas fast‐twitch myofibers displayed lower activity.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that proteasomal activity differ between muscles and between myofiber types. We suggest that ABPs can be used to report disease progression and treatment efficacy.
Synthesis and optimization of a novel poly‐silicic metal coagulant from coal gangue for tertiary‐treatment of coking wastewater
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Liu Xinyuan , Wang Shujun , Du Zhiping , Guo Yimin , Cheng Fangqin
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Bio‐treated coking wastewater is difficult to treat further, mainly due to the bio‐refractory organic content. Coal gangue is the largest solid waste in China and it contains large amounts of aluminum, iron and silicon. This study attempts to recover the waste in coal gangue as a novel poly‐silicic metal coagulant for bio‐treated coking wastewater treatment.

RESULTS

The poly‐silicic metal coagulant was synthesized from coal gangue under different conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that both amorphous and crystalline phases were present in the samples and new chemical bonds such as Si–O–Al and Si–O–Fe were formed. The results show that the composite coagulant was effective for organic removal from the bio‐treated coking wastewater and the optimal Al/Fe/Si molar ratios were Al/Fe = 3 and (Al + Fe)/Si = 13. The removal of organics exhibits a parabolic curve as the coagulant dosage increases. However, the optimal dosage (125 mg L‐1) for organic removal was not equal to the isoelectric point (100 mg L‐1). Furthermore, SEM images showed that the flocs start to disintegrate at a dosage of 150 mg L‐1, leading to deteriorating sludge settling.

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible to fabricate poly‐silicic metal coagulants for coking wastewater treatment by using coal gangue as the raw material. The removal of the bio‐refractory organics by the composite coagulant was attributed to the combined effects of charge neutralization, bridge adsorption and the net capturing. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A new method using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for preparation of anisopterous odonates
Authors: del Palacio Alejandro , Sarmiento Patricia Laura , Javier Muzón
Published: July 2017

Anisopterous odonate male's secondary genitalia is a complex of several structures, among them the vesica spermalis is the most informative with important specific characters. The observation of those characters, mostly of membranous nature, is difficult in the Scanning Electron Microscope due to dehydration and metallization processes. In this contribution, we discuss a new and low cost procedure for the observation of these characters in the SEM, compatible with the most common agents used for preserving specimens.
Completing orientations of partially oriented graphs
Authors: Bang‐Jensen J. , Huang J. , Zhu X.
Published: July 2017

We initiate a general study of what we call orientation completion problems. For a fixed class of oriented graphs, the orientation completion problem asks whether a given partially oriented graph P can be completed to an oriented graph in by orienting the (nonoriented) edges in P. Orientation completion problems commonly generalize several existing problems including recognition of certain classes of graphs and digraphs as well as extending representations of certain geometrically representable graphs.

We study orientation completion problems for various classes of oriented graphs, including k‐arc‐strong oriented graphs, k‐strong oriented graphs, quasi‐transitive‐oriented graphs, local tournaments, acyclic local tournaments, locally transitive tournaments, locally transitive local tournaments, in‐tournaments, and oriented graphs that have directed cycle factors. We show that the orientation completion problem for each of these classes is either polynomial time solvable or NP‐complete. We also show that some of the NP‐complete problems become polynomial time solvable when the input‐oriented graphs satisfy certain extra conditions. Our results imply that the representation extension problems for proper interval graphs and for proper circular arc graphs are polynomial time solvable. The latter generalizes a previous result.
Supramolecular interactions between β‐lapachone with cyclodextrins studied using isothermal titration calorimetry and molecular modeling
Authors: Xavier‐Junior Francisco H. , Rabello Marcelo M. , Hernandes Marcelo Z. , Dias Marília E.S. , Andrada Otoni H.M.S. , Bezerra Beatriz P. , Ayala Alejandro P. , Santos‐Magalhães Nereide S.
Published: July 2017

Supramolecular interactions between β‐lapachone (β‐lap) and cyclodextrins (CDs) were investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry. The most favorable host: guest interaction was characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DSC/TG), spectroscopy (FT‐IR), spectroscopy (2D ROESY) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and molecular modeling. Phase solubility diagrams showed β‐, HP‐β‐, SBE‐β‐, γ‐, and HP‐γ‐CDs at 1.5% (w/w) allowed an increase in apparent solubility of β‐lap with enhancement factors of 12.0, 10.1, 11.8, 2.4, and 2.2, respectively. β‐lap has a weak interaction with γ‐ and HP‐γ‐CDs and tends to interact more favorably with β‐CD and its derivatives, especially SBE‐β‐CD (K = 4160 M−1; ΔG = −20.66 kJ·mol−1). Thermodynamic analysis suggests a hydrophobic interaction associated with the displacement of water from the cavity of the CD by the β‐lap. In addition, van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds were responsible for the formation of complexes. Taken together, the results showed intermolecular interactions between β‐lap and SBE‐β‐CD, thereby confirming the formation of the inclusion complex. Molecular docking results showed 2 main orientations in which the interaction of benzene moiety at the wider rim of the SBE‐β‐CD is the most stable (average docking energy of −7.0 kcal/mol). In conclusion, β‐lap:SBE‐β‐CD is proposed as an approach for use in drug delivery systems in cancer research.
Betamethasone‐based chiral electrochemical sensor coupled to chemometric methods for determination of mandelic acid enantiomers
Authors: Borazjani Marjan , Mehdinia Ali , Jabbari Ali
Published: July 2017

A chiral biosensing platform was developed using betamethasone (BMZ) as chiral recognition element through multilayered electrochemical deposition of BMZ, overoxidized polypyrrole, and nanosheets of graphene (OPPy‐BMZ/GR), for enantio‐recognition of mandelic acid (MA) enantiomers. The deposited film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was shown that the chiral sensing platform can discriminate R‐ and S‐MA differential pulse voltammetry signals, at the voltages of 1.35 and 1.33 V (vs Ag/AgCl), respectively. To tackle the problem of highly overlapping peaks of these enantiomers, the partial least squares (PLS) regression and genetic algorithm‐PLS (GA‐PLS) were used for simultaneous quantification of MA enantiomers. Generally, variable selection by genetic algorithm provided an improvement in prediction results when compared to full‐voltammogram PLS. Good analytical performances were obtained despite the inherent complexity of the simultaneous determination.
Advanced pharmacy practice in Australia and leadership: mapping the APPF against an evidence‐based leadership framework
Authors: Waddell Jason J. , Nissen Lisa M. , Hale Andrew R.
Published: July 2017

Background

Leadership skills development is a neglected part of addressing the health workforce crisis facing the world. Models of advanced pharmacy practice include competencies related to leadership and management. Transformational leadership, a contemporary leadership theory, is seen as the most suitable for addressing the challenges facing the modern healthcare system.

Aim

To map leadership and management competencies of the Australian Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework 2012 (APPF) against an evidence‐based model of transformational leadership.

Methods

Domains of the APPF were mapped against the dimensions of a transformational leadership model developed in the United Kingdom public service.

Results

There were broad differences between the APPF and a model of transformational leadership. The APPF focuses heavily on ‘organisational’ skills such as strategic vision and setting direction, while the model of transformational leadership focused on the ‘people skills’ of effective leaders. The APPF mapped primarily to the ‘Leading the Organisation’ dimensions of transformational leadership.

Conclusion

There are significant differences between the leadership and management competencies of the APPF and the dimensions of transformational leadership. Future work on the competency standards for general and advanced levels of practice should include or refer to an evidence‐based model of transformational leadership.
Fumigation of Brazil nuts with allyl isothiocyanate to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and aflatoxin production
Authors: Lopes Lucas F , Bordin Keliani , de Lara Gabriel HC , Saladino Federica , Quiles Juan M , Meca Giuseppe , Luciano Fernando B
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Brazil produces approximately 40 000 tons of Brazil nuts annually, which is commonly contaminated with fungi and mycotoxins. Gaseous allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) was used to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and its production of aflatoxins (AFs) in Brazil nuts.

RESULTS

Nuts were inoculated with 104 spores g−1 of A. parasiticus and placed in airtight glass jars with controlled relative humidity (RH = 95 or 85%). Samples were treated with 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.5 µL L−1 of gaseous AITC and analyzed after 30 days to determine the fungal population and AFs content. Samples were also submitted to sensory evaluation. AITC at 2.5 µL L−1 could completely inhibit the fungal growth and AFs production in both the RH tested. AITC at 0.5 and 1 µL L−1 did not affect the microbial growth at RH = 95%, but 1 µL L−1 reduced the production of AFs by ∼50%. All AITC treatments reduced the fungal population and AFs to undetectable levels at RH = 85%. None of the concentrations altered sensory characteristics of Brazil nuts.

CONCLUSION

Gaseous AITC could be used as an alternative to inhibit the growth of A. parasiticus during storage and transport of Brazil nuts. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
On the Conditions for Growing Markov Chains
Authors: Gaspard Pierre , Andrieux David
Published: July 2017

A refutation of the criticisms expressed in the paper entitled “Evolution of Chain Microstructure and Kinetics of Reaching Equilibrium in Living Reversible Copolymerization” by R. Szymanski, S. Sosnowski, and M. Cypryk (Macromol. Theory Simul.2016, 25, 196) about the article entitled “Kinetics and Thermodynamics of First‐Order Markov Chain Copolymerization” ( J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 141, 044908) is presented here. With this aim, a comparison is made between reversible living copolymerization processes taking place in either closed or open reactors.
Modeling of Superacid Catalyzed Step‐Growth Polymerization of Isatin and Biphenyl or Terphenyl Monomers
Authors: Romero‐Hernández Juan Enrique , Cruz‐Rosado Alfredo , Zolotukhin Mikhail G. , Vivaldo‐Lima Eduardo
Published: July 2017

A mathematical model for the kinetics and molecular weight development of superacid catalyzed step‐growth polymerization of isatin and biphenyl or terphenyl monomers is developed. By considering different reactivities among the several types of polymer molecules present in an otherwise conventional A2 + B2 step‐growth polymerization system, ultrahigh molecular weights are predicted by the model for superacid catalyzed polyhydroxyalkylation reactions, a result that remains unclear in the literature since it seems to be in disagreement with the classical A2 + B2 theory. Three polymerization systems are addressed in this study: (a) polymerization of isatin and biphenyl, (b) modified isatin and biphenyl, and (c) modified isatin and terphenyl. Overall good agreement between calculated and experimental results of polymerization rate, and evolution of number‐ and weight‐average molecular weights (Mn and Mw, respectively) is observed. However, some discrepancies for molar mass dispersity (Ð) are observed.
Characterization of a Deinococcus radiodurans MazF: A UACA‐specific RNA endoribonuclease
Authors: Miyamoto Tatsuki , Ota Yuri , Yokota Akiko , Suyama Tetsushi , Tsuneda Satoshi , Noda Naohiro
Published: July 2017

Microbes are known to withstand environmental stresses by using chromosomal toxin–antitoxin systems. MazEF is one of the most extensively studied toxin–antitoxin systems. In stressful environments, MazF toxins modulate translation by cleaving single‐stranded RNAs in a sequence‐specific fashion. Previously, a chromosomal gene located at DR0417 in Deinococcus radiodurans was predicted to code for a MazF endoribonuclease (MazFDR0417); however, its function remains unclear. In the present study, we characterized the molecular function of MazFDR0417. Analysis of MazFDR0417‐cleaved RNA sites using modified massively parallel sequencing revealed a unique 4‐nt motif, UACA, as a potential cleavage pattern. The activity of MazFDR0417 was also assessed in a real‐time fluorometric assay, which revealed that MazFDR0417 strictly recognizes the unique tetrad UACA. This sequence specificity may allow D. radiodurans to alter its translation profile and survive under stressful conditions.
Subscription ticket sales for symphony orchestras: Are flexible subscription tickets sustainable?
Authors: Pompe Jeffrey , Tamburri Lawrence , Munn Johnathan
Published: July 2017

We examine the fixed subscription ticket market for U.S. symphony orchestras, which is a crucial element of their business model and has experienced declining sales in recent years. We find that subscription ticket buyers are more sensitive to price changes than total ticket buyers. Hiring a new music director may increase subscription ticket sales, and economic downturns will decrease ticket sales. We find that increasing flexible subscriptions contributes to a decline in total subscription tickets and single ticket sales, in general. In addition, with increasing advertising costs per attendee and falling revenue from fixed subscriptions, symphony orchestra management should consider ticket prices, which have risen significantly in recent years, more strategically.