bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relational Autonomy and Ameliorative Inquiry
Authors: McGill Emily ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

This paper suggests that the contemporary feminist debate on relational autonomy is best understood as an attempt at ameliorative inquiry—the concept of autonomy is defined in order to secure political and theoretical advantages. Most theorists adopt some sort of constructionist, or relational, account precisely because of the political and theoretical advantages relational accounts are meant to offer. But there are also significant drawbacks to this approach. I argue that there are reasons to be skeptical of ameliorative inquiries into the concept of autonomy: first, the goals of inquiry have not been made explicit and may not be shared; second, because ameliorative inquiries are guided by unclear and unshared goals, the debate will continue to pull feminists in conflicting directions; and finally, the normative and aspirational nature of ameliorative inquiry unacceptably threatens the exclusion of some women from the category of autonomous agents.
Is Art a Virtue?
Authors: Paddock Caroline ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

In several articles, Peter Goldie argues that artistic production and appreciation should enjoy the status of full-fledged virtues. In this paper, I draw on the Summa Theologiae of Thomas Aquinas to provide a more nuanced account of artistic or aesthetic virtue. First, I raise some objections to Goldie’s account. Next, I show that, unlike Goldie, Aquinas distinguishes between virtue “properly so called” and virtue in a more restricted sense, and he calls art a virtue only in the restricted sense. In other words, art is a true human excellence, but is not (as Goldie claims) intimately connected to human flourishing in the way that the moral virtues are. Next, I show that there is room in Aquinas’s account for Goldie’s claims that art is done not as a means to another end but rather “under the guise of the good.” Finally, I consider some other ways to understand Goldie’s intuition and affirm that there might be an intimate connection between artistic practice and some kinds of moral virtue.
A Separability Principle, Contrast Cases, and Contributory Dispositions
Authors: Kopeikin Zak A. ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

The aim of this paper is to clarify the use of contrast cases—which are pairs of cases in which the feature under examination is varied and all else is held fixed—in ethical methodology. In another paper, I argue that we must reject a separability principle which is thought to allow one to use contrast cases to infer truths about intrinsic value (Kopeikin, 2019). Here I offer a different criticism that has a positive upshot about what we are licensed to infer from contrast cases. This provides clarification about the epistemic use of contrast cases in value theory and insight into what we can glean from contrast cases.
El sexo de las naciones: producción y circulación global de narrativas de la trata de blancas en la Argentina (1900-1936)
Authors: Simonetto Patricio
Published: April 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es estudiar la producción, circulación y reapropiación de narrativas en torno a la trata de blancas en la Argentina en el primer tercio del siglo XX. El texto tiene 3 argumentos. Primero, distintos actores apelaron a la figura del rufián para disputar una reinterpretación de la Argentina como comunidad imaginada frente a la crisis política y cultural del proyecto liberal. Segundo, las redes de galenos, funcionarios y los organismos internacionales desplegaron una agenda social que apostó a la reposición de la maternidad como horizonte femenino para hacer frente a las perturbaciones de la modernidad capitalista. Tercero, la definición de las políticas frente a la venta y compra de sexo despertaron conflictos al interior de estos organismos entre polos centrales y periféricos. Para llevar adelante este estudio, analizamos prensa periódica y especializada, libros de galenos, juristas y periodistas, documentos oficiales y Expedientes del Congreso de la Nación Argentina.Palabras clave: Proxenetismo. Prostitución. Sexualidad. Nación. América Latina.
Reflexões acerca do conceito de populismo: da teoria clássica às contribuições de Ernesto Laclau
Authors: Batistella Alessandro
Published: April 2020

O presente artigo visa a refletir sobre o conceito de populismo, que, no Brasil, vem sendo objeto de amplos debates nas últimas décadas. Dessa forma, em um primeiro momento, a análise será focada, de forma sucinta, na trajetória do referido conceito no Brasil, verificando como a teoria da modernização, os estudos do Grupo de Itatiaia e os trabalhos de Francisco Weffort e Octávio Ianni contribuíram para a construção de uma teoria, que denominaremos como clássica, e para a consolidação do conceito de populismo no país. Em um segundo momento, refletir-se-á sobre como as contribuições de Edward P. Thompson, a nova história do trabalho e a história cultural influenciaram uma nova geração de historiadores a fomentarem uma série de novos estudos que criticaram algumas das premissas que sustentam a teoria clássica do populismo. Posteriormente, o foco serão as reflexões de Ernesto Laclau sobre o conceito de populismo, reflexões estas que são ainda pouco difundidas no Brasil, mas que encontram repercussão na América Latina e Europa, permitindo-nos repensar teoricamente o conceito.Palavras-chave: Populismo. Ernesto Laclau. Neopopulismo.
Os dilemas da renovação na continuidade e o legado de Marcello Caetano: do outono ao inverno
Authors: Mendes Pedro Emanuel
Published: April 2020

Este artigo apresenta uma análise da liderança política de Marcello Caetano entre 1970 e 1974. Contextualiza as principais decisões de Marcello e desenvolve uma análise do período pós-primaveril do seu governo. O artigo centra-se nos dilemas de Marcello relativamente às oportunidades de mudança e de evolução do regime autoritário português e está dividido em duas partes. Na primeira, o outono marcelista, analisamos as suas tentativas de renovação na continuidade. Na segunda, o inverno marcelista, analisamos as causas e consequências da incapacidade crescente de Marcello gerir os constrangimentos e anacronismos do regime autoritário e imperial português.Palavras-chave: Caetano, Marcello, 1906-1980. Portugal - Estado Novo. Autoritarismo. Elites.
Agora mais do que nunca: History Why it Matters
Authors: Silva Guilherme José da
Published: April 2020

A história é alvo de disputas, principalmente na era da informação digital, o que nos faz repensarmos o debate sobre a importância da história. Lynn Hunt aborda em seu livro aspectos teórico-metodológicos e cidadãos da disciplina e lança olhares sobre como a configuração mundial atual requer novas posturas, tanto em termos epistemológicos quanto políticos.
Africanidades em foco: as possibilidades da arte num projeto coletivo na Educação Infantil
Authors: Claudino Simoni Conceição Rodrigues
Published: April 2020

O presente artigo se apoia nas práticas educativas desenvolvidas em um Núcleo de Educação Infantil Municipal (NEIM) na cidade de Florianópolis, sobre a temática Africanidades. A todos os grupos de trabalho do NEIM foram propiciadas ações, interações, brincadeiras, pesquisas e explorações sensoriais. Com a temática definida, o NEIM se propôs a estudar e trazer experiências criativas na realização de diferentes brincadeiras, histórias e manifestações sobre diferentes povos que compõem a cultura africana e afro-brasileira. Os resultados obtidos revelam a infinidade de discussões e trabalhos que podem ser gerados junto a diferentes grupos de crianças na perspectiva da ampliação de conhecimentos e do respeito à diversidade cultural.
Online Peer feedback
Authors: Møller Karen Louise , Løvschal Mette
Published: April 2020

Peergrade er et digitalt redskab, der kan anvendes til at understøtte peer feedback aktiviteter. I denne artikel beskrives anvendelsen af redskabet i universitetsundervisning, nærmere betegnet i faget Forhistorisk Arkæologi II på Aarhus Universitet. Aktiviteterne var ikke obligatoriske, men de forbedrede portfolio-opgaver indgik i de studerendes individuelle eksamensportfolio, der blev afleveret forud for mundtlig eksamen i faget. Vi beskriver de studerendes oplevelser på baggrund af deres svar på spørgeskema og deltagelse i fokusgruppeinterview.  Vi slutter af med anbefalinger for brug af peer feedback aktiviteter med Peergrade i universitetsundervisning.
Formation of displacement curves with the identification of their non-working areas
Authors: Myasoedova Tatiana Mikhailovna
Published: April 2020

The object of research is the shaping of a family of displacement curves used in designing the path of a tool that processes pocket surfaces. The subject of the study is the working displacement curves in the case of multiply connected areas. Working displacement curves are lines from which non-working sections have been removed. Non-working areas include self-intersecting loops of displacement curves and sections formed when intersecting displacement curves of opposing fronts. The paper presents methods for analyzing and cutting off non-working sections for cases of self-intersection and intersection of displacement curves of opposing fronts. The spatial geometric model of the formation of displacement curves is based on the cyclographic method of displaying space. As a tool for detecting non-working areas for the case of opposing fronts, a method of a testing beam is proposed. In the case of self-intersections of the displacement curves, non-working sections are cut off by the parameter of these lines at the points of self-intersection. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the obtained mathematical model of the formation of displacement curves for multiply connected regions with contours of complex handicap curves makes it possible to obtain parametric equations of working lines at the output of the computational algorithm in a more reliable and simple way. This greatly simplifies the solution to the problem of automated design of the trajectory of the cutting tool. A comparative assessment of the proposed method of shaping a family of displacement curves with cutting off non-working sections and known methods using the distance function is performed.
Geometric modeling and development of custom libraries in the design of engineering facilities
Authors: Reshetnikova Elena Sergeevna , Savelyeva Irina Aleksandrovna , Svistunova Ekaterina Anatolyevna
Published: April 2020

The subject of research is the process of designing a conveyor belt. The authors consider parameterization in geometric modeling of parts and components of equipment and the creation of custom libraries in Compass 3D as a means of reducing the complexity and improving the quality of the design process. The preliminary design is the design stage of the development of design documentation and aims to determine the fundamental design solutions for a general idea of the device, operating principles and dimensions of the product. It is advisable to develop a preliminary design before the stage of developing a technical project and creating design documentation. Today, at all stages of work on the project, modern computer-aided design (CAD) systems are used, which not only accelerate the design process, but also make it possible to demonstrate to the customer the finished project at the stage of making technical decisions. This allows making timely changes in accordance with the requirements of the customer and to carry out high-quality preparation of the project for its implementation. The volume and time for further stages of work depend on the timing of the presentation of the preliminary design, therefore, the use of three-dimensional modeling parametrization in CAD is an effective way for designing engineering objects. Parameterization when working with 3D models allows you to get a set of typical product designs based on a once-created model by changing the set values of the variables, which significantly reduces the time spent on the project.
The specificity of political lexicon in the English language
Authors: Nasibullaeva Elina Rasimovna
Published: April 2020

The subject of this research is the political lexicon in the English language. The article examines the criteria fir determination of political lexicon, provides definitions of this term to various scholars, frames the definition of political lexicon, and highlights its peculiarities in the English language. The author also explores the question on the relationship between political lexicon and political (sociopolitical) terminology; defines the concept of “political term”; describes the main means and methods of enriching political lexicon in the English language. The following methods were applies in the course of study: general scientific method for collection of the existing literature on the topic; systematization and generalization for formulation of fundamental concepts of research; random sampling for selecting the examples; contextual analysis for determining the peculiarities of functionality of phrases within the system of English political lexicon and mass media; as well as translational analysis. The scientific novelty consists in the fact that this article allows establishing the status of political theme within the lexical system of English language, since for the current stage of development of linguistic a promising trend is the determination of morphogenetic linguistic phenomena. The author also describes the main means of enriching the lexicon on the example of research material, which allows reflecting the development trends of political lexicon in the modern English language.
The concept of death in euphemistic view of the world on the material of English, German, Russian and Buryat languages
Authors: Tsydendambaeva Oyuna , Dorzheeva Olga
Published: April 2020

The category of “death” is based on the concept antipodal to the category of “life”. Death marks the end of life; its semantic dominant is the notion of the “absence of being” of a human. Meanwhile, “death” is a socially formed category, and the stance on this phenomenon is developed under the influence of a range of factors – literature, art, religious doctrines, cultural rituals, and burial traditions. There exists an opinion on the intuitive and explicable commonness of views of the cultures of different nations and religious representations with regards to “remembrance of the dead and veneration of their souls”. The concept of “death” as one of the basic meanings of human being, can be ranked among universal, holding a special place within the linguistic view of the world. Perhaps this explains the interest of the researchers to this concept. The subject of this article is the euphemisms of the English, German, Russian and Buryat languages that form semantic space of the concept of “death”. The scientific novelty lies in introduction into the scientific discourse of the previously unstudied euphemisms of Buryat language representing the concept of “death”; as well as determination of the universal in English, German and Russian languages nationally marked components reflecting the linguistic view of the world by various ethnoses and cultures.
Name of God and the doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses (critical review of the problematic)
Authors: Shukurov Dmitrii Leonidovich
Published: April 2020

The subject of this research is the question of the name of God in biblical texts. From the linguistic perspective, the author reviews the religious doctrine of the banned in the Russian Federation pseudo-Christian organization Jehovah’s Witnesses, which speculative teaching has a destructive impact upon the society. This community endows a biblical name with exclusive meaning that is implicitly presented in Tetragrammaton (YHWH), and explicitly – in the medieval Masoretic version of vowel marking Jehovah (in fact, erroneous). Beyond the sectarian doctrine hides the polemical rhetoric, aimed at the names of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, since the proclamation of Jesus as Good (ὁ Κύριος)in the Greek Language, according to sectarian logic, is merely a titular nomination, relegating Christ Himself to the level of most venerated righteous men and prophets. The scientific novelty consists in the thesis that the principles of nomination of God in biblical texts are studied from the linguoculturological perspective. The conclusion is made that speculative teaching of pseudo-Christian religious organization is structured on the wittingly distorted and inaccurate interpretations of translation of the name of God. Philological research of the principles of nomination of God in biblical texts not only exacerbates the understanding of the religious doctrines belonging to the traditional Christian confessions, but also allows to critically assess the speculative teachings of pseudo-Christian organizations.
High-fat diet enhances starvation-induced hyperactivity via sensitizing hunger-sensing neurons in Drosophila
Authors: Huang Rui , Song Tingting , Su Haifeng , Lai Zeliang , Qin Wusa , Tian Yinjun , Dong Xuan , Wang Liming
Published: April 2020

The function of the central nervous system to regulate food intake can be disrupted by sustained metabolic challenges such as high-fat diet (HFD), which may contribute to various metabolic disorders. Previously, we showed that a group of octopaminergic (OA) neurons mediated starvation-induced hyperactivity, an important aspect of food-seeking behavior (Yu et al., 2016). Here we find that HFD specifically enhances this behavior. Mechanistically, HFD increases the excitability of these OA neurons to a hunger hormone named adipokinetic hormone (AKH), via increasing the accumulation of AKH receptor (AKHR) in these neurons. Upon HFD, excess dietary lipids are transported by a lipoprotein LTP to enter these OA+AKHR+ neurons via the cognate receptor LpR1, which in turn suppresses autophagy-dependent degradation of AKHR. Taken together, we uncover a mechanism that links HFD, neuronal autophagy, and starvation-induced hyperactivity, providing insight in the reshaping of neural circuitry under metabolic challenges and the progression of metabolic diseases.
Identification and in silico structural and functional analysis of a trypsin-like protease from shrimpMacrobrachium carcinus
Authors: Viader-Salvadó José M. , Aguilar Briseño José Alberto , Gallegos-López Juan A. , Fuentes-Garibay José A. , Alvarez-González Carlos Alfonso , Guerrero-Olazarán Martha
Published: April 2020

Macrobrachium carcinus(Linnaeus, 1758) is a species of freshwater shrimp widely distributed from Florida southwards to southern Brazil, including southeast of Mexico. In the present work, we identified a putative trypsin-like protease cDNA fragment of 736 nucleotides fromM. carcinushepatopancreas tissue by the 3′RACE technique and compared the deduced amino acid sequence to other trypsin-related proteases to describe its structure and function relationship. The bioinformatics analyses showed that the deduced amino acid sequence likely corresponds to a trypsin-like protease closely related to brachyurins, which comprise a subset of serine proteases with collagenolytic activity found in crabs and other crustacea. TheM. carcinustrypsin-like protease sequence showed a global sequence identity of 94% with an unpublished trypsin fromMacrobrachium rosenbergii(GenBank accession no.AMQ98968), and only 57% withPenaeus vannameitrypsin (GenBank accession no.CAA60129). A detailed analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed specific differences with crustacean trypsins, such as the sequence motif at the beginning of the mature protein, activation mechanism of the corresponding zymogen, amino acid residues of the catalytic triad and residues responsible for substrate specificity.
Monitoring body condition score of reintroduced banteng (Bos javanicusD’Alton, 1923) into Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand
Authors: Kongsurakan Praeploy , Chaiyarat Rattanawat , Nakbun Seree , Thongthip Nikorn , Anuracpreeda Panat
Published: April 2020

Background

Banteng (Bos javanicusd’Alton 1823) are an endangered species, highly sensitive to habitat structure and quality. In many areas, banteng were extinct and needed to be reintroduced to restore their population. Thus, understanding the responses of body condition of reintroduced banteng to their habitat was important for ensuring the sustainability of a reintroduction program. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the body condition of banteng after reintroduction into the Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand based on photographs from camera-traps carried out between July 2016 and November 2018.

Methods

Seven banteng were bred at the Khao Nampu Nature and Wildlife Education Center and systematically reintroduced into the Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary in December 2015 (four) and July 2016 (three). The seven reintroduced adults and two newborns (from the 2015 group) were captured via camera traps in 2018. The body condition scoring (BCS) obtained from these photographs was used to identify the individual performance of all seven adults after their reintroduction.

Results

The BCS scores in reintroduced adult banteng, both males and females, (between 5 and 7 years old) increased significantly over time after reintroduction into a natural habitat (p< 0.05), although the BCS scores in females were not significantly different between the second and third years (p> 0.05).

Conclusions

The results from the present study suggest that camera traps are a practical tool to assess the BCS of reintroduced banteng, and can be used to monitor their condition post-release. These techniques may be appropriate for translocation programs elsewhere.
Neither heat pulse, nor multigenerational exposure to a modest increase in water temperature, alters the susceptibility of Guadeloupean Biomphalaria glabrata to Schistosoma mansoni infection
Authors: Allan Euan R.O. , Bollmann Stephanie , Peremyslova Ekaterina , Blouin Michael
Published: April 2020

There are increasing concerns regarding the role global climate change will have on many vector-borne diseases. Both mathematical models and laboratory experiments suggest that schistosomiasis risk may change as a result of the effects of increasing temperatures on the planorbid snails that host schistosomes. Heat pulse/heat shock of the BS90 strain of Biomphalaria glabrata was shown to increase the rate of infection by Schistosoma mansoni, but the result was not replicable in a follow up experiment by a different lab. We characterised the susceptibility and cercarial shedding of Guadeloupean B. glabrata after infection with S. mansoni under two temperature regimes: multigenerational exposure to small increases in temperature, and extreme heat pulse events. Neither long-term, multigenerational rearing at elevated temperatures, nor transient heat pulse modified the susceptibility of Guadeloupean B. glabrata to infection (prevalence) or shedding of schistosome cercaria (intensity of infection). These findings suggest that heat pulse-induced susceptibility in snail hosts may be dependent on the strain of the snail and/or schistosome, or on some as-yet unidentified environmental co-factor.
Bioprinting Neural Systems to Model Central Nervous System Diseases
Authors: Qiu Boning , Bessler Nils , Figler Kianti , Buchholz Maj‐Britt , Rios Anne C. , Malda Jos , Levato Riccardo , Caiazzo Massimiliano
Published: April 2020

To date, pharmaceutical progresses in central nervous system (CNS) diseases are clearly hampered by the lack of suitable disease models. Indeed, animal models do not faithfully represent human neurodegenerative processes and human in vitro 2D cell culture systems cannot recapitulate the in vivo complexity of neural systems. The search for valuable models of neurodegenerative diseases has recently been revived by the addition of 3D culture that allows to re‐create the in vivo microenvironment including the interactions among different neural cell types and the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) components. In this review, the new challenges in the field of CNS diseases in vitro 3D modeling are discussed, focusing on the implementation of bioprinting approaches enabling positional control on the generation of the 3D microenvironments. The focus is specifically on the choice of the optimal materials to simulate the ECM brain compartment and the biofabrication technologies needed to shape the cellular components within a microenvironment that significantly represents brain biochemical and biophysical parameters.
One‐Step Photoactivation of a Dual‐Functionalized Bioink as Cell Carrier and Cartilage‐Binding Glue for Chondral Regeneration
Authors: Lim Khoon S. , Abinzano Florencia , Bernal Paulina Nuñez , Albillos Sanchez Ane , Atienza‐Roca Pau , Otto Iris A. , Peiffer Quentin C. , Matsusaki Michiya , Woodfield Tim B. F. , Malda Jos , Levato Riccardo
Published: April 2020

Cartilage defects can result in pain, disability, and osteoarthritis. Hydrogels providing a chondroregeneration‐permissive environment are often mechanically weak and display poor lateral integration into the surrounding cartilage. This study develops a visible‐light responsive gelatin ink with enhanced interactions with the native tissue, and potential for intraoperative bioprinting. A dual‐functionalized tyramine and methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA‐Tyr) is synthesized. Photo‐crosslinking of both groups is triggered in a single photoexposure by cell‐compatible visible light in presence of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) and sodium persulfate as initiators. Neo‐cartilage formation from embedded chondroprogenitor cells is demonstrated in vitro, and the hydrogel is successfully applied as bioink for extrusion‐printing. Visible light in situ crosslinking in cartilage defects results in no damage to the surrounding tissue, in contrast to the native chondrocyte death caused by UV light (365–400 nm range), commonly used in biofabrication. Tyramine‐binding to proteins in native cartilage leads to a 15‐fold increment in the adhesive strength of the bioglue compared to pristine GelMA. Enhanced adhesion is observed also when the ink is extruded as printable filaments into the defect. Visible‐light reactive GelMA‐Tyr bioinks can act as orthobiologic carriers for in situ cartilage repair, providing a permissive environment for chondrogenesis, and establishing safe lateral integration into chondral defects.
Nanoparticles Mimicking Viral Cell Recognition Strategies Are Superior Transporters into Mesangial Cells
Authors: Maslanka Figueroa Sara , Fleischmann Daniel , Beck Sebastian , Tauber Philipp , Witzgall Ralph , Schweda Frank , Goepferich Achim
Published: April 2020

Poor drug availability in the tissue of interest is a frequent cause of therapy failure. While nanotechnology has developed a plethora of nanocarriers for drug transport, their ability to unequivocally identify cells of interest remains moderate. Viruses are the ideal nanosized carriers as they are able to address their embedded nucleic acids with high specificity to their host cells. Here, it is reported that particles endowed with a virus‐like ability to identify cells by three consecutive checks have a superior ability to recognize mesangial cells (MCs) in vivo compared to conventional nanoparticles. Mimicking the initial viral attachment followed by a stepwise target cell recognition process leads to a 5‐ to 15‐fold higher accumulation in the kidney mesangium and extensive cell uptake compared to particles lacking one or both of the viral traits. These results highlight the relevance that the viral cell identification process has on specificity and its application on the targeting strategies of nanomaterials. More so, these findings pave the way for transporting drugs into the mesangium, a tissue that is pivotal in the development of diabetic nephropathy and for which currently no efficient pharmacotherapy exists.
Precision Delivery of Multiscale Payloads to Tissue‐Specific Targets in Plants
Authors: Cao Yunteng , Lim Eugene , Xu Menglong , Weng Jing‐Ke , Marelli Benedetto
Published: April 2020

The precise deployment of functional payloads to plant tissues is a new approach to help advance the fundamental understanding of plant biology and accelerate plant engineering. Here, the design of a silk‐based biomaterial is reported to fabricate a microneedle‐like device, dubbed “phytoinjector,” capable of delivering a variety of payloads ranging from small molecules to large proteins into specific loci of various plant tissues. It is shown that phytoinjector can be used to deliver payloads into plant vasculature to study material transport in xylem and phloem and to perform complex biochemical reactions in situ. In another application, it is demonstrated Agrobacterium‐mediated gene transfer to shoot apical meristem (SAM) and leaves at various stages of growth. Tuning of the material composition enables the fabrication of another device, dubbed “phytosampler,” which is used to precisely sample plant sap. The design of plant‐specific biomaterials to fabricate devices for drug delivery in planta opens new avenues to enhance plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, provides new tools for diagnostics, and enables new opportunities in plant engineering.
Attributes, Fabrication, and Applications of Gallium‐Based Liquid Metal Particles
Authors: Lin Yiliang , Genzer Jan , Dickey Michael D.
Published: April 2020

This work discusses the attributes, fabrication methods, and applications of gallium‐based liquid metal particles. Gallium‐based liquid metals combine metallic and fluidic properties at room temperature. Unlike mercury, which is toxic and has a finite vapor pressure, gallium possesses low toxicity and effectively zero vapor pressure at room temperature, which makes it amenable to many applications. A variety of fabrication methods produce liquid metal particles with variable sizes, ranging from nm to mm (which is the upper limit set by the capillary length). The liquid nature of gallium enables fabrication methods—such as microfluidics and sonication—that are not possible with solid materials. Gallium‐based liquid metal particles possess several notable attributes, including a metal–metal oxide (liquid–solid) core–shell structure as well as the ability to self‐heal, merge, and change shape. They also have unusual phase behavior that depends on the size of the particles. The particles have no known commercial applications, but they show promise for drug delivery, soft electronics, microfluidics, catalysis, batteries, energy harvesting, and composites. Existing challenges and future opportunities are discussed herein.
Further delineation of Basel‐Vanagaite‐Smirin‐Yosef syndrome: Report of three patients
Authors: Haynes Devon , Pollack Lynda , Prasad Chitra , Goobie Sharan , Colaiacovo Samantha , Wolfinger Tara , Lacassie Yves
Published: April 2020

Basel‐Vanagaite‐Smirin‐Yosef syndrome is a recently described autosomal recessive intellectual disability syndrome caused by variants in the MED25 gene. While it was originally identified in Brazil, it was further described in Israel by authors who are now the namesake of the condition. A 2018 publication further contributed to its delineation, but the patient's phenotype was complicated by a dual diagnosis. More recently, an article describing a set of affected siblings was published. We describe three, previously unreported, patients showing clinical variability for this newly defined syndrome. The major features determined by “reverse phenotyping” include significant to profound developmental delays/intellectual disability with absent or delayed speech, epilepsy, ocular abnormalities, cleft lip and/or palate, congenital heart disease, urogenital anomalies, skeletal abnormalities, brain malformations and/or microcephaly, failure to thrive, and dysmorphic features. The authors suggest the delineation of an acronym using the gene name and common features seen across the majority of patients reported so far. This new nomination, MED‐DOCS, may help clinicians to recognize, suspect, and remember this novel syndrome.
Effect of river size on Amazonian primate community structure: A biogeographic analysis using updated taxonomic assessments
Authors: Fordham Gail , Shanee Sam , Peck Mika
Published: April 2020

The mechanisms that underlie the diversification of Neotropical primates remain contested. One mechanism that has found support is the riverine barrier hypothesis (RBH), which postulates that large rivers impede gene flow between populations on opposite riverbanks and promote allopatric speciation. Ayres and Clutton‐Brock (1992) demonstrated that larger Amazonian rivers acted as barriers, delineating the distribution limits of primate species. However, profound changes in taxonomy and species concepts have led to the proliferation of Neotropical primate taxa, which may have reduced support for their results. Using the most recent taxonomic assessments and distribution maps, we tested the effect of increasing river size on the similarity of opposite riverbank primate communities in the Amazon. First, we conducted a literature review of primate taxonomy and developed a comprehensive spatial database, then applied geographical information system to query mapped primate ranges against the riverine geography of the Amazon watershed to produce a similarity index for opposite riverbank communities. Finally, we ran models to test how measures of river size predicted levels of similarity. We found that, almost without exception, similarity scores were lower than scores from Ayres and Clutton‐Brock (1992) for the same rivers. Our model showed a significant negative relationship between streamflow and similarity in all tests, and found river width significant for the segmented Amazon, but not for multiple Amazon watershed rivers. Our results support the RBH insofar as they provide evidence for the prediction that rivers with higher streamflow act as more substantial barriers to dispersal, and accordingly exhibit greater variation in community composition between riverbanks.
Sustainable Peptide Synthesis Enabled by a Transient Protecting Group
Authors: Knauer Sascha , Koch Niklas , Uth Christina , Meusinger Reinhard , Avrutina Olga , Kolmar Harald
Published: April 2020

The growing interest in synthetic peptides has prompted the development of viable methods for their sustainable production. Currently, large amounts of toxic solvents are required for peptide assembly from protected building blocks, and switching to water as a reaction medium remains a major hurdle in peptide chemistry. We report an aqueous solid‐phase peptide synthesis strategy that is based on a water‐compatible 2,7‐disulfo‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Smoc) protecting group. This approach enables peptide assembly under aqueous conditions, real‐time monitoring of building block coupling, and efficient postsynthetic purification. The procedure for the synthesis of all natural and several non‐natural Smoc‐protected amino acids is described, as well as the assembly of 22 peptide sequences and the fundamental issues of SPPS, including the protecting group strategy, coupling and cleavage efficiency, stability under aqueous conditions, and crucial side reactions.
Nickelaelektrokatalysierte, milde C‐H‐Alkylierungen bei Raumtemperatur
Authors: Samanta Ramesh C. , Struwe Julia , Ackermann Lutz
Published: April 2020

Direkte Alkylierungen von Carbonsäurederivaten stellen eine Herausforderung dar, und insbesondere die Nickelkatalyse erfordert häufig hohe Reaktionstemperaturen und starke Basen, was zu einer limitierten Anwendbarkeit führt. Es wurde eine nickelkatalysierte C‐H‐Aktivierung von 8‐Aminochinolinaminen bei Raumtemperatur mit einer milden Base und einem benutzerfreundlichen elektrochemischen Aufbau erreicht. Die elektrokatalysierte C‐H‐Alkylierung zeigt eine hohe Toleranz gegenüber funktionellen Gruppen und ist sowohl für primäre als auch für sekundäre Alkylierungen anwendbar. Basierend auf detaillierten mechanistischen Studien wurde ein Nickel(II/III/I)‐Katalysezyklus vorgeschlagen.
Telomere Length and Autism Spectrum Disorder Within the Family: Relationships With Cognition and Sensory Symptoms
Authors: Lewis Candace R. , Taguinod Francis , Jepsen Wayne M. , Cohen Jorey , Agrawal Komal , Huentelman Matthew J. , Smith Christopher J. , Ringenbach Shannon D.R. , Braden B. Blair
Published: April 2020

Telomeres are repetitive noncoding deoxynucleotide sequences that cap chromosomes to protect DNA. Telomere length (TL) is affected by both genetic and environmental factors, and shortening of telomeres is associated with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, early life stress, and age‐related cognitive dysfunction. Two previous studies associated shorter TL with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to replicate this finding, describe TL in unaffected siblings, and explore novel relationships with symptoms and cognitive function in families with ASD. Participants were 212 male children and adolescents ages 1–17 years (86 with ASD, 57 unaffected siblings, and 69 typically developing [TD]) and 64 parents. TL was measured from blood leukocytes with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and results are expressed by relative ratios with a single copy gene. We replicated that children and adolescents with ASD have shorter TL, compared to TD, and show that unaffected siblings have TL in between those of TD and ASD. We present novel associations between TL and sensory symptoms in ASD. Finally, we demonstrate cognitive functions, but not autistic traits, are related to TL in parents of children with ASD. Cognitive function and TL were not related in children and adolescents. As the third replication, our results elicit confidence in the finding that ASD is associated with shorter TL. Our novel sensory investigation suggests that shortened TL may be a biological mechanism of sensory symptoms in ASD. Furthermore, results highlight the need to better understand relationships between cognition, aging, and TL in families with ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1094‐1101. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Telomeres cap chromosomes to protect DNA. They progressively shorten as people age and are related to health outcomes. We replicated previous findings that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shorter telomeres, compared to typically developing (TD), and show that unaffected siblings have telomere length (TL) in between those of TD and ASD. We find shortened TL is related to more severe sensory symptoms. This may mean families with ASD, especially those with elevated sensory symptoms, are at risk for worse age‐related health outcomes.
Einfluss von Feuchtigkeit auf die Zug‐ und Biegezugfestigkeit von UHPC
Authors: Schultz‐Cornelius Milan , Pahn Matthias
Published: April 2020

Bisherige Untersuchungen zu den Materialeigenschaften von UHPC konzentrieren sich vermehrt auf die Betondruckfestigkeit. Für unbewehrte, auf Biegung beanspruchte Bauteile wie Fassaden ist die Biegezugfestigkeit der maßgebende Bemessungsparameter. Mit Kenntnis über die Biegezugfestigkeit kann gleichzeitig die schwierig zu prüfende Zugfestigkeit ermittelt werden. Aktuelle Normengenerationen zur Prüfung der Biegezugfestigkeit orientieren sich an den Erfahrungen mit Normalbeton und ermöglichen eine Nasslagerung der Probekörper bis zur Prüfung. Dadurch sollen vergleichbare Prüfbedingungen geschaffen werden. Eigene Versuche haben gezeigt, dass die Biegezugfestigkeit von nass gelagerten Probekörpern aus UHPC um bis zu 50 % über der Festigkeit von trocken gelagerten Probekörpern liegen kann. Da eine Bemessung mit der an nass gelagerten Probekörpern ermittelten Biegezugfestigkeit erfolgen kann, die nicht den Lagerungsbedingungen von Bauteilen in der Praxis entspricht, ist dieses Phänomen Gegenstand der Untersuchungen.

In diesem Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse der Biegezug‐ und Oberflächenzugprüfungen von unterschiedlich gelagerten Prismen und Platten gezeigt, um den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Feuchtigkeitszustände und Lagerungsbedingungen zu untersuchen. Anschließend werden Empfehlungen für die Materialprüfung und Bemessung abgeleitet.
A coumarin‐based fluorescent probe for Hg2+ and its application in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Li Xiwei , Duan Qingxia , Yu Yamin , Wang Kun , Zhu Hanchuang , Zhang Xue , Liu Caiyun , Jia Pan , Li Zilu , Sheng Wenlong , Zhu Baocun
Published: April 2020

Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal with high toxicity and easy migration; it can be enriched through the food chain, and cause serious threats to the natural environment and human health. So, the development of a method that can be used to detect mercury ions (Hg2+) in the environment, in cells, and in organisms is very important. Here, a new 7‐hydroxycoumarin‐derived carbonothioate‐based probe (CC‐Hg) was designed and synthesized for detection of Hg2+. After addition of Hg2+, a large fluorescence enhancement was observed due to the formation of 7‐hydroxyl, which reinforced the intramolecular charge transfer process. The CC‐Hg probe had good water solubility and selectivity. Moreover, the probe was able to detect Hg2+ quantitatively over the concentration range 0–2 μM and with a detection limit of 7.9 nM. Importantly, we successfully applied the probe to detect Hg2+ in water samples, in living cells, and in zebrafish. The experimental results demonstrated its potential value in practical applications.
Assessment of the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) framework in the USA
Authors: Pradarelli J C , Gupta A , Lipsitz S , Blair P Gabler , Sachdeva A K , Smink D S , Yule S
Published: April 2020

Background

Surgeons' non-technical skills are important for patient safety. The Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons assessment tool was developed in the UK and recently adapted to the US surgical context (NOTSS-US). The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and distribution of non-technical skill ratings given by attending (consultant) surgeons who underwent brief online training.

Methods

Attending surgeons across six specialties at a large US academic medical centre underwent a 10-min online training, then rated 60-s standardized videos of simulated operations. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and mean(s.d.) values for NOTSS-US ratings were determined for each non-technical skill category (score range 1–5, where 1 indicates poor, 3 average and 5 excellent) and for total NOTSS-US score (range 4–20; sum of 4 category scores). Outcomes were adjusted for rater characteristics including sex, specialty and clinical experience.

Results

A total of 8889 ratings were submitted by 81 surgeon raters on 30 simulated intraoperative videos. The mean(s.d.) total NOTSS-US score for all videos was 9·5(4·8) of 20. The within-video ICC for total NOTSS-US score was 0·64 (95 per cent c.i. 0·57 to 0·70). For individual non-technical skill categories, the ICC was highest for social skills (communication/teamwork: 0·63, 95 per cent c.i. 0·56 to 0·71; leadership: 0·64, 0·55 to 0·72) and lowest for cognitive skills (situation awareness: 0·54, 0·45 to 0·62; decision-making: 0·50, 0·41 to 0·59). Women gave higher total NOTSS-US scores than men (adjusted mean difference 0·93, 95 per cent c.i. 0·44 to 1·43; P = 0·001).

Conclusion

After brief online training, the inter-rater reliability of the NOTSS-US assessment tool achieved moderate strength among trained surgeons rating simulated intraoperative videos.
Developing integrated management systems using an AHP‐Fuzzy VIKOR approach
Authors: Ikram Muhammad , Zhang Qingyu , Sroufe Robert
Published: April 2020

Integrated management systems (IMSs) involve a strategy to manage multiple systems while meeting the needs and expectations of stakeholders. There are various management standards used for the development of IMS. This study aims to undertake research focused on how to develop an IMS. In this context, management standards, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI), consider alternatives and integration potential at multiple levels (i.e., strategic, tactical, and operational). We assess criteria including continuous improvement, systematic management, integration, organizational learning, standardization, and ability to cut through bureaucracy before a deeper dive into 28 subcriteria. We then use an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach to prioritize the main criteria and subcriteria. Next, we include the use of fuzzy VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje (F‐VIKOR) methods to prioritize alternatives. The contributions of this study reveal that systematic management and standardization are the most influencing criteria among six guiding principles. The ISO standard and GRI are the most suitable standards for the development of dynamic IMS. This study is the first of its kind to prioritize guiding principles of IMS. The outcomes of this study will assist business managers, organizations, and policymakers in their decision making regarding management standards for IMS development as well as improve sustainable business practices. Researchers will find new IMS insights and constructs for further empirical investigation.
Oncogenic gene RGC‐32 is a direct target of miR‐26b and facilitates tongue squamous cell carcinoma aggressiveness through EMT and PI3K/AKT signalling
Authors: Yang Zhong‐Heng , Li Juan , Chen Wei‐Zhi , Kong Fan‐Shuang
Published: April 2020

Growing data have recognized the significance of Response Gene to Complement (RGC)‐32 in numerous tumour developments. Notwithstanding, the functional role and underlying mechanism of it in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remain enigmatic. Here, to identify the impact of RGC‐32 in TSCC, its expression in multiple TSCC cells was measured and loss‐of‐function experiments in cell lines were performed to illuminate the function of it induced TSCC progression, via si‐RNA knockdown, CCK‐8, colony formation, wound‐healing, transwell, flow cytometry and western blot assays. To clarify potential mechanism, expressions of hallmarks in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and PI3K/AKT signalling were assessed, and the upstream miR regulator of RGC‐32 was predicted and verified by applying bioinformatic approaches and dual‐luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Finally, the rescue experiments were applied to better elucidate the effect of miR‐26b/RGC‐32 axis in TSCC behaviours. As a result, RGC‐32 was upregulated in TSCC cells and knocking down of it abrogated cell proliferation, trans‐migration and invasion, whilst promoted apoptosis in TSCC, which was regulated through repressing EMT and inactivation of PI3K/AKT signalling. Subsequently, miR‐26b was predicted and identified as an upstream regulator of RGC‐32, and the pro‐tumorigenic effect of RGC‐32 was reversed by miR‐26b overexpression. Collectively, our results demonstrated that RGC‐32 facilitated TSCC progression, which was modulated by activations of PI3K/AKT pathway and EMT process, and reduction of its negative regulator of miR‐26b. These findings highlight a novel role of miR‐26b/RGC‐32 axis in TSCC and underlying mechanism, encouraging a potent usage in TSCC treatment.

Significance of the study

We first uncovered that Response Gene to Complement‐32 played a significantly pro‐tumorigenic role in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), which was closely regulated by downregulation of miR‐26b and activations of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition process and PI3K/AKT signalling. These findings contribute to better understand the molecular mechanism in carcinogenesis of TSCC, and shed some light on promising strategy for TSCC therapeutics.
Xenobiology: A Journey towards Parallel Life Forms
Authors: Budisa Nediljko , Kubyshkin Vladimir , Schmidt Markus
Published: April 2020

Xenobiology is the science of estranged life forms. More specifically, this is an emergent technoscience that combines advances in genetic engineering with the design of biological systems based on unusual biochemistries delivered by chemical compounds of mostly anthropogenic origin. Xenobiology enables us to create and study strange new life forms, “aliens”, not in the way science fiction books do it, but in terms of enlightened science, design, and engineering.