bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Group of 77
Authors: Collins Michael
Published: June 2017

The Group of 77 (G77) is a UN‐based bloc of developing countries that was formed in 1964 by India, Ecuador, Nigeria, Iran, and dozens of other nations that believed the international economic system was frustrating their efforts to industrialize. The Group, in its founding document, calls for an era of global economic cooperation to end “the division of the world into areas of affluence and intolerable poverty.” In pursuing this goal, the Group has struggled against often stiff resistance from affluent nations (the “North”) and divergent and even contradictory interests and agendas within its own ranks.
Hypercapitalism
Authors: Vujnovic Marina
Published: June 2017

Hypercapitalism is a term used by Marxist scholars, in their continuing critique of political economy, to depict a relatively new form of capitalistic social organization marked by the speed and intensity of global flows that include exchange of both material and immaterial goods, people, and information. Hypercapitalism, sometimes referred to as corporate capitalism, is blamed by critical scholars for causing misbalance and fragmentation of social life by allowing commercial or business interests to penetrate every aspect of human experience. In other words, critical scholars believe that once‐separate spheres of culture and commerce now overlap and, in return, culture and the way of life in a hypercapitalist society becomes subsumed by the commercial sphere. In addition, critical scholars believe that this new type of capitalist system has moved toward an extreme laissez‐faire capitalism that is marked by greed, selfishness, destruction, wars, and exploitation. Harman (2009) explains that, since the 1980s, a push for deregulation has allowed for a free flow of capital with little or no regulation and opportunity for intervention from governments. He believes that this very process of deregulation and expansion of neoliberal economic visions, which is masked as globalization, has led to a deviant form of capitalism that he calls “zombie capitalism.” Hypercapitalism can also be linked to the term “late capitalism,” which was originated by Jameson (1990) who linked particular economic processes to postmodernism. In his work, he linked the cultural shift from modernism to postmodernism to the shift to a capitalist system that is marked by fragmentation and alienation.
Organization of American States (OAS)
Authors: Mace Gordon
Published: June 2017

The Organization of American States (OAS) is considered by many to be the oldest regional institution in the world. A successor to the International Union of American Republic, established in 1890, it was formally created in 1948 on the occasion of the Ninth International Conference of American States, held in Bogota, Colombia. The constituent document of the inter‐American system, the Charter of the Organization of American States, identified the main organs of the OAS as being the Inter‐American Conference, later replaced by the General Assembly, the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the OAS Council (now Permanent Council), the General Secretariat, and the Inter‐American Economic and Social Council (now Inter‐American Council on Integral Development) (Connell‐Smith 1974: 202). Membership includes all countries of the Hemisphere, but the government of Cuba was excluded from participation in OAS activities in 1962 by a majority vote.
Energy Losses in Small‐Molecule Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Linderl Theresa , Zechel Thomas , Brendel Michael , Moseguí González Daniel , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Pflaum Jens , Brütting Wolfgang
Published: June 2017

After intense research and development organic solar cells have matured among the family of thin‐film photovoltaic technologies. On the laboratory scale they reach power conversion efficiencies in excess of 10%. Together with other attractive features, like transparency or the compatibility with low‐cost, large area processing, they open reasonable perspectives for their commercialization. However, in order to close the gap to established inorganic technologies, primarily crystalline silicon, the fundamental understanding of loss processes has to be improved. First and foremost, this concerns the energy loss between the optical gap for light absorption and the open‐circuit voltage of the cell. Here, the scientific background for the different mechanisms of energy losses in organic photovoltaic cells together with current approaches toward their reduction is presented.
Information and choice of A‐level subjects: A cluster randomised controlled trial with linked administrative data
Authors: Davies Peter , Davies Neil M. , Qiu Tian
Published: June 2017

We estimated the effects of an intervention which provided information about graduate wages to 5593 students in England, using a blinded cluster randomised controlled trial in 50 schools (registration: AEARCTR‐0000468). Our primary outcome was students’ choice of A‐level subjects at age 16. We also recorded the students’ expectations of future wages and the A‐level subjects they intended to take before and after the intervention, and linked their data into national administrative school examination records. We found that an hour‐long lesson on information about graduate wages affected students’ beliefs about and choice of subject. They were more likely to take mathematics and less likely to take biology and computing. We found strong evidence that mediating factors such as their beliefs about average graduate salaries and their own likely salary in each subject were affected by the intervention. This suggests that providing accessible and credible information on labour market consequences of school choices may influence students’ decisions. In the light of concerns about the quality of careers guidance for school students and expectations that educational choices should be well‐informed, the study has clear implications for policy and practice.
Long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery in a national cohort
Authors: Thereaux J , Lesuffleur T , Païta M , Czernichow S , Basdevant A , Msika S , Millat B , Fagot-Campagna A
Published: June 2017

Background

Lifelong medical follow-up is mandatory after bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the 5-year follow-up after bariatric surgery in a nationwide cohort of patients.

Methods

All adult obese patients who had undergone primary bariatric surgery in 2009 in France were included. Data were extracted from the French national health insurance database. Medical follow-up (medical visits, micronutrient supplementation and blood tests) during the first 5 years after bariatric surgery was assessed, and compared with national and international guidelines.

Results

Some 16 620 patients were included in the study. The percentage of patients with at least one reimbursement for micronutrient supplements decreased between the first and fifth years for iron (from 27.7 to 24.5 per cent; P < 0.001) and calcium (from 14·4 to 7·7 per cent; P < 0·001), but increased for vitamin D (from 33·1 to 34·7 per cent; P < 0·001). The percentage of patients with one or more visits to a surgeon decreased between the first and fifth years, from 87·1 to 29·6 per cent (P < 0·001); similar decreases were observed for visits to a nutritionist/endocrinologist (from 22·8 to 12·4 per cent; P < 0·001) or general practitioner (from 92·6 to 83·4 per cent; P < 0·001). The mean number of visits to a general practitioner was 7·0 and 6·1 in the first and the fifth years respectively. In multivariable analyses, male sex, younger age, absence of type 2 diabetes and poor 1-year follow-up were predictors of poor 5-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Despite clear national and international guidelines, long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery is poor, especially for young men with poor early follow-up.
Meta-analysis of randomized and quasi-randomized clinical trials of topical antibiotics after primary closure for the prevention of surgical-site infection
Authors: Heal C F , Banks J L , Lepper P , Kontopantelis E , van Driel M L
Published: June 2017

Background

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) increase patient morbidity and costs. The aim was to identify and synthesize all RCTs evaluating the effect of topical antibiotics on SSI in wounds healing by primary intention.

Methods

The search included Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, the Cochrane Wounds Specialized Register, Central Register of Controlled Trials and EBSCO CINAHL from inception to May 2016. There was no restriction of language, date or setting. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. When sufficient numbers of comparable trials were available, data were pooled in meta-analysis.

Results

Fourteen RCTs with 6466 participants met the inclusion criteria. Pooling of eight trials (5427 participants) showed that topical antibiotics probably reduced the risk of SSI compared with no topical antibiotic (risk ratio (RR) 0·61, 95 per cent c.i. 0·42 to 0·87; moderate-quality evidence), equating to 20 fewer SSIs per 1000 patients treated. Pooling of three trials (3012 participants) for risk of allergic contact dermatitis found no clear difference between antibiotics and no antibiotic (RR 3·94, 0·46 to 34·00; very low-quality evidence). Pooling of five trials (1299 participants) indicated that topical antibiotics probably reduce the risk of SSI compared with topical antiseptics (RR 0·49, 0·30 to 0·80; moderate-quality evidence); 43 fewer SSIs per 1000 patients treated. Pooling of two trials (541 participants) showed no clear difference in the risk of allergic contact dermatitis with antibiotics or antiseptic agents (RR 0·97, 0·52 to 1·82; very low-quality evidence).

Conclusion

Topical antibiotics probably prevent SSI compared with no topical antibiotic or antiseptic. No conclusion can be drawn regarding whether they cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Attracting new customers to loyalty programs: The effectiveness of monetary versus nonmonetary loyalty programs
Authors: Ruzeviciute Ruta , Kamleitner Bernadette
Published: June 2017

What type of reward attracts customers to loyalty programs? Given the increasing importance of loyalty programs, this question matters. Six sequential studies investigated whether monetary rewards universally attract people more than nonmonetary rewards. Results suggest that monetary rewards elicit a very robust attractiveness premium both on the level of individual rewards as well as on the level of entire reward programs. Across different industries, the more monetary loyalty program was consistently perceived as more attractive, and it was more likely to inspire intentions to join the program. Even in light of variations in consumption goals (hedonic vs. utilitarian), the effect persisted. The effect is not only consistent; it is also nonnegligible with medium effect sizes emerging in most settings. We discuss ensuing variations in effect sizes and conclude that monetarism holds a pervasive temptation for consumers that managers cannot ignore.
Topotactic Synthesis of Porous Cobalt Ferrite Platelets from a Layered Double Hydroxide Precursor and Their Application in Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Ortega Klaus Friedel , Anke Sven , Salamon Soma , Özcan Fatih , Heese Justus , Andronescu Corina , Landers Joachim , Wende Heiko , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Muhler Martin , Lunkenbein Thomas , Behrens Malte
Published: June 2017

Monocrystalline, yet porous mosaic platelets of cobalt ferrite, CoFe2O4, can be synthesized from a layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor by thermal decomposition. Using an equimolar mixture of Fe2+, Co2+, and Fe3+ during co‐precipitation, a mixture of LDH, (FeIICoII)2/3FeIII1/3(OH)2(CO3)1/6⋅m H2O, and the target spinel CoFe2O4 can be obtained in the precursor. During calcination, the remaining FeII fraction of the LDH is oxidized to FeIII leading to an overall Co2+:Fe3+ ratio of 1:2 as required for spinel crystallization. This pre‐adjustment of the spinel composition in the LDH precursor suggests a topotactic crystallization of cobalt ferrite and yields phase pure spinel in unusual anisotropic platelet morphology. The preferred topotactic relationship in most particles is [111]Spinel∥[001]LDH. Due to the anion decomposition, holes are formed throughout the quasi monocrystalline platelets. This synthesis approach can be used for different ferrites and the unique microstructure leads to unusual chemical properties as shown by the application of the ex‐LDH cobalt ferrite as catalyst in the selective oxidation of 2‐propanol. Compared to commercial cobalt ferrite, which mainly catalyzes the oxidative dehydrogenation to acetone, the main reaction over the novel ex‐LDH cobalt is dehydration to propene. Moreover, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of the ex‐LDH catalyst was markedly higher compared to the commercial material.
Effects of Pimozide Derivatives on pSTAT5 in K562 Cells
Authors: Rondanin Riccardo , Simoni Daniele , Maccesi Martina , Romagnoli Romeo , Grimaudo Stefania , Pipitone Rosaria Maria , Meli Maria , Cascio Antonio , Tolomeo Manlio
Published: June 2017

STAT5 is a transcription factor, a member of the STAT family of signaling proteins. STAT5 is involved in many types of cancer, including chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), in which this protein is found constitutively activated as a consequence of BCR‐ABL expression. The neuroleptic drug pimozide was recently reported to act as an inhibitor of STAT5 phosphorylation and is capable of inducing apoptosis in CML cells in vitro. Our research group has synthesized simple derivatives of pimozide with cytotoxic activity and that are able to decrease the levels of phosphorylated STAT5. In this work we continued the search for novel STAT5 inhibitors, synthesizing compounds in which the benzoimidazolinone ring of pimozide is either maintained or modified, in order to obtain further structure–activity relationship information for this class of STAT5 inhibitors. Two compounds of the series showed potent cytotoxic activity against BCR‐ABL‐positive and pSTAT5‐overexpressing K562 cells and were able to markedly decrease the levels of phosphorylated STAT5.
Replacement of Biphenyl by Bipyridine Enabling Powerful Hole Transport Materials for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Fei , Shan Yahan , Qiao Jianhui , Zhong Cheng , Wang Rui , Song Qunliang , Zhu Linna
Published: June 2017

Here, 2,2′‐ and 3,3′‐bipyridine are introduced for the first time as the core structure to get two new hole transport materials (HTMs), namely F22 and F33. The electron‐withdrawing nature of bipyridine lowers the HOMO level of the new compounds and enhances the open‐circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells. Especially for F33, the better planarity leads to better conjugation in the whole molecule and the molecular interaction is enhanced. Hole‐mobility tests, steady‐state photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as time‐resolved PL decay results demonstrate that the new HTMs exhibit good hole extraction and hole‐transporting property. Impressive power conversion efficiencies of 17.71 and 18.48 % are achieved in conventional planar perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3−xClx) solar cells containing F22 and F33 as HTMs, respectively. As far as we know, this is the first report on bypiridine‐based HTMs with leading efficiencies, and the design motif in this work opens a new way for devising HTMs in the future.
European guidelines for workplace drug testing in oral fluid
Authors: Brcak Michaela , Beck Olof , Bosch Tessa , Carmichael Duncan , Fucci Nadia , George Claire , Piper Mark , Salomone Alberto , Schielen Wim , Steinmeyer Stefan , Taskinen Sanna , Weinmann Wolfgang
Published: June 2017

These guidelines for Legally Defensible Workplace Drug Testing have been prepared and updated by the European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS). The European Guidelines are designed to establish best practice procedures whilst allowing individual countries to operate within the requirements of national customs and legislation. The EWDTS recommends that all European laboratories that undertake legally defensible workplace drug testing should use these guidelines as a template for accreditation. These guidelines are relevant to laboratory‐based testing only. These guidelines follow current best practices and are constantly under review.
Recent Developments in Azaborinine Chemistry
Authors: Bélanger‐Chabot Guillaume , Braunschweig Holger , Roy Dipak Kumar
Published: June 2017

Recent years have witnessed rapid advances in the field of BN/CC isosterism, particularly in the case of azaborinines. Examples of each isomer have now been synthesized and characterized. This review provides a survey of the latest methods for the synthesis of new monocyclic B,N heterocycles, their reactivities, and potential applications in biomedical and materials science.
From concept(ion) to life after death/the grave: The ‘natural’ history and life cycle(s) of novel psychoactive substances (NPS)
Authors: Corkery John Martin , Orsolini Laura , Papanti Duccio , Schifano Fabrizio
Published: June 2017

A range of information needs should be met in order to better understand and predict the longevity/existence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). This conceptual paper argues that one way of assessing how long a molecule may be around is to document how the life cycles or natural histories of ‘traditional’ drugs and NPS evolve. The earliest indication of the possible appearance of a new substance might be evidenced on the DeepWeb. However, this means they are less visible, in line with the clandestine nature of drug use and supply. Therefore, monitoring discussion groups/fora needs the development of new methods compared to those used in the Surface Net. Issues needing consideration in establishing NPS life cycles are outlined here, together with the probable outcomes that could result. The approach advocated means that it should be easier to identify which NPS are likely to come up or are emerging in real time, and, therefore, pre‐empt/prevent their supply.
Repeated subcutaneous administrations of krokodil causes skin necrosis and internal organs toxicity in Wistar rats: putative human implications
Authors: Alves Emanuele Amorim , Brandão Pedro , Neves João Filipe , Cravo Sara Manuela , Soares José Xavier , Grund Jean‐Paul C. , Duarte José Alberto , Afonso Carlos M.M. , Pereira Netto Annibal Duarte , Carvalho Félix , Dinis‐Oliveira Ricardo Jorge
Published: June 2017

Objective

“Krokodil” is the street name for an impure homemade drug mixture used as a cheap substitute for heroin, containing desomorphine as the main opioid. Abscesses, gangrene, thrombophlebitis, limb ulceration and amputations, jaw osteonecrosis, skin discoloration, ulcers, skin infections, and bleeding are some of the typical reported signs in humans. This study aimed to understand the toxicity of krokodil using Wistar male rats as experimental model.

Methods

Animals were divided into seven groups and exposed subcutaneously to NaCl 0.9% (control), krokodil mixture free of psychotropic substances (blank krokodil), pharmaceutical grade desomorphine 1 mg/kg, and four different concentrations of krokodil (containing 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg of desomorphine) synthesized accordingly to a “domestic” protocol followed by people who inject krokodil (PWIK). Daily injections for five consecutive days were performed, and animals were sacrificed 24 hr after the last administration. Biochemical and histological analysis were carried out.

Results

It was shown that the continuous use of krokodil may cause injury at the injection area, with formation of necrotic zones. The biochemical results evidenced alterations on cardiac and renal biomarkers of toxicity, namely, creatine kinase, creatine kinase‐MB, and uric acid. Significant alteration in levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione on kidney and heart suggested that oxidative stress may be involved in krokodil‐mediated toxicity. Cardiac congestion was the most relevant finding of continuous krokodil administration.

Conclusions

These findings contribute notably to comprehension of the local and systemic toxicological impact of this complex drug mixture on major organs and will hopefully be useful for the development of appropriate treatment strategies towards the human toxicological effects of krokodil.
DNA‐methylation‐mediated repression of miR‐766‐3p promotes cell proliferation via targeting SF2 expression in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Chen , Xue Sheng , Zhang Jin , Chen Wei , Gong Dongkui , Zheng Jiayi , Ma Junjie , Xue Wei , Chen Yonghui , Zhai Wei , Zheng Junhua
Published: June 2017

Aberrant expression of microRNA (miRNA) emerges as an important role in a wide range of human malignances, and further identification as well as validation of the change of these endogenous non‐protein‐coding transcripts is warranted. Here, we identify a novel epigenetic regulation of miR‐766‐3p and investigate its biological function as well as clinical significance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Bisulfate analysis elucidates that the promoter of miR‐766‐3p is highly methylated in RCC tissues compared to non‐tumorous tissues. Notably, the downregulation of miR‐766‐3p is obviously associated with clinical stage and worse prognosis in RCC patients. Upregulated miR‐766‐3p attenuates cell‐cycle progression via targeting SF2 expression and additional SF2/P‐AKT/P‐ERK signaling pathway. Moreover, high level of SF2, as a novel oncoprotein in RCC, was significantly associated with poor survival in a large cohort of RCC specimens. Taken together, our study presents a road map for the prediction and validation of miR‐766‐3p/SF2 axis and thus imparts a therapeutic way for further RCC progression.
MOTHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF MOTHER‐INFANT PSYCHOANALYTIC TREATMENT—A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Winberg Salomonsson Majlis , Barimani Mia
Published: June 2017

As part of a larger research project in Sweden, a qualitative study investigated mother‐infant psychoanalysis (MIP). Earlier, a randomized controlled trial compared two mother‐infant groups. One received MIP, and the other received standard child health center care. Previous articles have reported long‐term effects: MIP‐group mothers were less depressed throughout a 3‐year posttreatment period, and their children demonstrated better global functioning and psychological well‐being (Winberg Salomonsson, Sorjonen, & Salomonsson, ). The present study's objectives were to describe the mothers’ experiences of MIP and deepen the understanding of the MIP process. Six months after treatment started, all mothers were interviewed. Transcribed interviews of 10 (of 33) MIP‐group participants were randomly selected and analyzed in detail. Thematic analysis was used on the interview data. Two main themes emerged: (a) transition to motherhood and (b) relationships with the infant and family. MIP facilitated mother‐infant relationship development and familial relationship development and clarified mothers’ views of how their personal histories were connected with their motherhood experiences. Mothers reported that the analysts had succeeded in balancing the mothers’ own needs and those of the infant. Their accounts of therapy matched the published descriptions of MIP.
Effects of age and pathology on shear wave speed of the human rotator cuff
Authors: Baumer Timothy G. , Dischler Jack , Davis Leah , Labyed Yassin , Siegal Daniel S. , van Holsbeeck Marnix , Moutzouros Vasilios , Bey Michael J.
Published: June 2017

Rotator cuff tears are common and often repaired surgically, but post‐operative repair tissue healing, and shoulder function can be unpredictable. Tear chronicity is believed to influence clinical outcomes, but conventional clinical approaches for assessing tear chronicity are subjective. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a promising technique for assessing soft tissue via estimates of shear wave speed (SWS), but this technique has not been used extensively on the rotator cuff. Specifically, the effects of age and pathology on rotator cuff SWS are not well known. The objectives of this study were to assess the association between SWS and age in healthy, asymptomatic subjects, and to compare measures of SWS between patients with a rotator cuff tear and healthy, asymptomatic subjects. SWE images of the supraspinatus muscle and intramuscular tendon were acquired from 19 asymptomatic subjects and 11 patients with a rotator cuff tear. Images were acquired with the supraspinatus under passive and active (i.e., minimal activation) conditions. Mean SWS was positively associated with age in the supraspinatus muscle and tendon under passive and active conditions (p ≤ 0.049). Compared to asymptomatic subjects, patients had a lower mean SWS in their muscle and tendon under active conditions (p ≤ 0.024), but no differences were detected under passive conditions (p ≥ 0.783). These findings identify the influences of age and pathology on SWS in the rotator cuff. These preliminary findings are an important step toward evaluating the clinical utility of SWE for assessing rotator cuff pathology. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:282–288, 2018.
Belowground Attributes on Reclaimed Surface Mine Lands over a 40‐year Chronosequence
Authors: Bohrer Stefanie L. , Limb Ryan F. , Daigh Aaron L.M. , Volk Jay M.
Published: June 2017

Reclamation following mining activities often aims to restore stable soils that support productive and diverse native plant communities. The soil re‐spread process increases soil compaction, which may alter soil water, plant composition, rooting depths, and soil organic matter. This may have a direct impact on vegetation establishment and species recruitment. Seasonal wet/dry and freeze/thaw patterns are thought to alleviate soil compaction over time. However, this has not been formally evaluated on reclaimed landscapes at large scales. Our objectives were to (1) determine soil compaction alleviation, (2) rooting depth, and (3) spatial patterns of soil water content over a time‐since‐reclamation gradient. Soil resistance to penetration varied by depth, with shallow compaction remaining unchanged, but deeper compaction increased over time rather than being alleviated. Root biomass and depth did not increase with time and was consistently less than the values in the reference location. Plant communities initially had a strong native component, but quickly became dominated by invasive species following reclamation, and soil water content became increasingly homogeneous over the 40‐year chronosequence. Seasonal weather patterns and soil organic matter additions can reduce soil compaction if water infiltration is not limited. Shallow and strongly fibrous‐rooted grasses present in reclaimed sites added organic matter to shallow soil layers, but did not penetrate the compacted layers and allow water infiltration. Strong linkages between land management strategies, soil properties, and vegetation composition can advance reclamation efforts and promote heterogeneous landscapes. However, current post‐reclamation management strategies are incompletely utilizing natural seasonal weather patterns to reduce soil compaction. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)‐profiling for biomarker discovery applied to human polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Cordeiro Fernanda B. , Ferreira Christina R. , Sobreira Tiago Jose P. , Yannell Karen E. , Jarmusch Alan K. , Cedenho Agnaldo P. , Lo Turco Edson G. , Cooks R. Graham
Published: June 2017

Rationale

We describe multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)‐profiling, which provides accelerated discovery of discriminating molecular features, and its application to human polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis. The discovery phase of the MRM‐profiling seeks molecular features based on some prior knowledge of the chemical functional groups likely to be present in the sample. It does this through use of a limited number of pre‐chosen and chemically specific neutral loss and/or precursor ion MS/MS scans. The output of the discovery phase is a set of precursor/product transitions. In the screening phase these MRM transitions are used to interrogate multiple samples (hence the name MRM‐profiling).

Methods

MRM‐profiling was applied to follicular fluid samples of 22 controls and 29 clinically diagnosed PCOS patients. Representative samples were delivered by flow injection to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer set to perform a number of pre‐chosen and chemically specific neutral loss and/or precursor ion MS/MS scans. The output of this discovery phase was a set of 1012 precursor/product transitions. In the screening phase each individual sample was interrogated for these MRM transitions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for statistical analysis.

Results

To evaluate the method's performance, half the samples were used to build a classification model (testing set) and half were blinded (validation set). Twenty transitions were used for the classification of the blind samples, most of them (N = 19) showed lower abundances in the PCOS group and corresponded to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) lipids. Agreement of 73% with clinical diagnosis was found when classifying the 26 blind samples.

Conclusions

MRM‐profiling is a supervised method characterized by its simplicity, speed and the absence of chromatographic separation. It can be used to rapidly isolate discriminating molecules in healthy/disease conditions by tailored screening of signals associated with hundreds of molecules in complex samples.
PbS Nanostar‐Like Structures as Field Emitters
Authors: Pawar Mahendra S. , Bankar Prashant K. , More Mahendra A. , Late Dattatray J.
Published: June 2017

The crystalline PbS nanostars were synthesized by thermal decomposition of thioacetamide (TAA) in aqueous solutions of lead acetate and acetic acid at 80 °C. The structure and morphology of the PbS nanostars have been characterized using X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The optical properties of the PbS nanostars have been studied using UV‐Visible absorption Spectroscopy (UV‐Vis). The field emission investigations have been carried out on the as synthesized PbS nanostars at the base pressure of ∼1×10−8 mbar. The turn on field required to draw an emission current density of 1 μA/cm2 is found to be 1.8 V/μm. The emission current‐time plots show good emission current stability of the PbS nanostar emitter over a period of 4 hrs. The results in terms of low turn‐on field and long term emission current stability of the PbS nanostars emitter reveals that it can be used in field emission based vacuum microelectronics / nanoelectronic devices.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of NiCo2O4/Activated Carbon Composites for Supercapacitor with Enhanced Cycle Performance
Authors: Xu Jingcai , Liu Fei , Peng Xiaoling , Li Jing , Yang Yanting , Jin Dingfeng , Jin Hongxiao , Wang Xinqing , Hong Bo
Published: June 2017

Owing to the advantages of the good conductive AC and high capacitive NiCo2O4, We prepared a series of NiCo2O4/AC composites by a hydrothermal method. The morphology of NiCo2O4/AC composites indicate the NiCo2O4 nanoplates with diameters of about 0.5∼1 μm and thickness of about 20 nm are coated on AC. The electrochemical investigation demonstrate that the specific capacitances of NCO‐AC‐3 (containing 47 % NiCo2O4) are 273.5 F g−1 and the capacity retention still retains at 96 % (262.6 F g−1) after 3000 cycles at current density of 1 A g−1, especially, the cycling stability maintain more stable at high current density. Therefore, the low‐cost NiCo2O4/AC composites can serve as a promising electrode material for high performance supercapacitors due to the synergistic effect between the electric double‐layer capacitance of porous AC and the pseudocapacitance of NiCo2O4 nanoplates.
Accurate analysis of fusion expression ofPichia pastorisglycosylphosphatidylinositol-modified cell wall proteins
Authors: Wang Pan , Zhang Li , Fisher Rebecca , Chen Meiqi , Liang Shuli , Han Shuangyan , Zheng Suiping , Sui Haixin , Lin Ying
Published: June 2017

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoproteins have diverse intrinsic functions in yeasts, and they also have different uses in vitro. The GPI-modified cell wall proteins GCW21, GCW51, and GCW61 of Pichia pastoris were chosen as anchoring proteins to construct co-expression strains in P. pastoris GS115. The hydrolytic activity and the amount of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) displayed on cell surface increased significantly following optimization of the fusion gene dosage and combination of the homogeneous or heterogeneous cell wall proteins. Maximum CALB hydrolytic activity was achieved at 4920 U/g dry cell weight in strain GS115/CALB-GCW (51 + 51 + 61 + 61) after 120 h of methanol induction. Changes in structural morphology and the properties of the cell surfaces caused by co-expression of fusion proteins were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and on plates containing cell-wall-destabilizing reagent. Our results suggested that both the outer and inner cell layers were significantly altered by overexpression of GPI-modified cell wall proteins. Interestingly, quantitative analysis of the inner layer components showed an increase in β-1,3-glucan, but no obvious changes in chitin in the strains overexpressing GPI-modified cell wall proteins.
Hoops and Barns: a new dilemma for Sosa
Authors: Kelp Christoph , Boult Cameron , Broncano-Berrocal Fernando , Dimmock Paul , Ghijsen Harmen , Simion Mona
Published: June 2017

This paper critically assesses Sosa’s normative framework for performances as well as its application to epistemology. We first develop a problem for one of Sosa’s central theses in the general theory of performance normativity according to which performances attain fully desirable status if and only if they are fully apt. More specifically, we argue that given Sosa’s account of full aptness according to which a performance is fully apt only if safe from failure, this thesis can’t be true. We then embark on a rescue mission on behalf of Sosa and work towards a weakened account of full aptness. The key idea is to countenance a distinction between negligible and non-negligible types of risk and to develop an account of full aptness according to which even performances that are endangered by risk can be fully apt, so long as the risk is of a negligible type. While this alternative account of full aptness solves the problem we developed for Sosa earlier on, there is also bad news for Sosa. When applied to epistemology, the envisaged treatment of barn façade cases as cases in which the agent falls short of fully apt belief will no longer work. We show that, as a result, Sosa faces a new version of a familiar dilemma for virtue epistemology. Either he construes full aptness as strong enough to get barn façade cases right in which case his view will run right into the problem we develop. Or else he construes full aptness as weak enough to avoid this problem but then he will not be able to deal with barn façade cases in the way envisaged.
Individual boldness is life stage‐dependent and linked to dispersal in a hermaphrodite land snail
Authors: Dahirel Maxime , Vong Alexandre , Ansart Armelle , Madec Luc
Published: June 2017

Both individual variation in dispersal tendency and animal personalities have been shown to be widespread in nature. They are often associated in personality‐dependent dispersal, and both have major but underappreciated consequences for ecological and evolutionary dynamics. In addition, changes in animal personality can appear through ontogeny, leading to life stage‐dependent behaviours. We investigated relationships between dispersal, life stage and boldness in an invertebrate with between‐ and within‐life stages variation in dispersal tendency, the land snail Cornu aspersum. Latency to exit the shell following a simulated attack was repeatable, indicating boldness is a personality trait in Cornu aspersum. Subadults were bolder and more dispersive than adults. Dispersers were bolder than non‐dispersers, independently of boldness changes between life stages. We discuss how these results can be explained in relation with life history strategies in this hermaphrodite species, in particular risk management in the context of reproductive investment.
Judgment Day
Authors: Aloisi Rosa , Meernik James
Published: June 2017

This book demonstrates how, after many years of inactivity after the World War II tribunals, judges at the Yugoslav, Rwanda and Sierra Leone tribunals, and to a lesser extent the International Criminal Court, have seized the opportunity to develop international law on war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Meernik and Aloisi argue that judges are motivated by a concern for human rights protection and the legacy of international criminal justice. They have progressively expanded the reach of international law to protect human rights and have used the power of their own words to condemn human rights atrocities. Judges have sentenced the guilty to lengthy and predictable terms in prison to provide justice, deterrence of future violations and even to advance peace and reconciliation. On judgment day, we show that judges have sought to enhance the power of international justice.
Host mating system and coevolutionary dynamics shape the evolution of parasite avoidance inCaenorhabditis eleganshost populations
Authors: Penley McKenna J. , Morran Levi T.
Published: June 2017

Hosts exhibit a variety of defence mechanisms against parasites, including avoidance. Both host–parasite coevolutionary dynamics and the host mating system can alter the evolutionary trajectories of populations. Does the nature of host–parasite interactions and the host mating system affect the mechanisms that evolve to confer host defence? In a previous experimental evolution study, mixed mating and obligately outcrossingCaenorhabditis eleganshost populations adapted to either coevolving or staticSerratia marcescensparasite populations. Here, we assessed parasite avoidance as a mechanism underlying host adaptation. We measured host feeding preference for the coevolved and static parasitesvspreference forEscherichia coli, to assess the evolution of avoidance behaviour within our experiment. We found that mixed mating host populations evolved a preference forE. colirelative to the static parasite strain; therefore, the hosts evolved parasite avoidance as a defence. However, mixed mating hosts did not exhibitE. colipreference when exposed to coevolved parasites, so avoidance cannot account for host adaptation to coevolving parasites. Further, the obligately outcrossing host populations did not exhibit parasite avoidance in the presence of either static or coevolved parasites. Therefore, both the nature of host–parasite interactions and the host mating system shaped the evolution of host defence.
Tobacco smoking is associated with psychotic experiences in the general population of South London
Authors: Bhavsar V. , Jauhar S. , Murray R. M. , Hotopf M. , Hatch S. L. , McNeill A. , Boydell J. , MacCabe J. H.
Published: June 2017

Background

The association between cigarette smoking and psychosis remains unexplained, but could relate to causal effects in both directions, confounding by socioeconomic factors, such as ethnicity, or use of other substances, including cannabis. Few studies have evaluated the association between cigarettes and psychotic experiences (PEs) in diverse, inner-city populations, or relationships with number of cigarettes consumed.

Methods

We assessed associations and dose–response relationships between cigarette smoking and PEs in a cross-sectional survey of household residents (n= 1680) in South East London, using logistic regression to adjust for cannabis use, other illicit substances, and socioeconomic factors, including ethnicity.

Results

We found association between any PEs and daily cigarette smoking, which remained following adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, cannabis and use of illicit stimulant drugs (fully adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.01–2.15). Fully adjusted estimates for the association, and with number of PEs, increased with number of cigarettes smoked daily, implying a dose–response effect (p= 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Odds of reporting any PEs in ex-smokers were similar to never-smokers.

Conclusions

In this diverse epidemiological sample, association between smoking and PEs was not explained by confounders such as cannabis or illicit drugs. Daily cigarette consumption showed a dose–response relationship with the odds of reporting PEs, and of reporting a greater number of PEs. There was no difference in odds of reporting PEs between ex-smokers and never-smokers, raising the possibility that the increase in PEs associated with smoking may be reversible.
EXPLORING PATENT ACTIVITY AND ITS POTENTIAL ASSOCIATION WITH HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES: A CASE STUDY OF OSTOMY PRODUCTS IN SWEDEN
Authors: Calara Paul Samuel , Althin Rikard , Inglese Gary , Nichols Thomas
Published: June 2017

Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ostomy industry patent activity (PA) is associated with patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

Methods:Two groups of ostomy pouch users based on manufacturer PA (low or high) were compared in terms of ostomy-related wear patterns, adverse events, and healthcare expenditure. Using Swedish registry data, all patients with newly formed stomas were divided between each group and were followed during a 2-year period (2011–12). Propensity score matching and parametric duration analysis were used to compare outcomes between patients of similar characteristics such as sex, age, and ostomy surgery type.

Results:In both one- and two-piece systems, the high PA group had significantly lower monthly ostomy-related expenditure than the low PA group (one-piece: 197.47 EUR versus 233.34 EUR; two-piece: 164.00 EUR versus 278.98 EUR). Fewer pouch and skin wafer purchases per month were an important driver of cost differences. Both groups had similar likelihood of purchasing dermatological products for skin complications over time.

Conclusions:PA in the ostomy care industry was associated with reduced healthcare costs, but not necessarily with fewer skin complications. It suggests that there is a health economic benefit from products made by patent intensive companies which may differentiate them from generic comparators, but more research is needed to understand the impact of activities conducive to medical innovation on health outcomes.
Tilting subcategories with respect to cotorsion triples in abelian categories
Authors: Di Zhenxing , Wei Jiaqun , Zhang Xiaoxiang , Chen Jianlong
Published: June 2017

Given a non-negative integer n and a complete hereditary cotorsion triple , the notion of subcategories in an abelian category is introduced. It is proved that a virtually Gorenstein ring R is n-Gorenstein if and only if the subcategory of Gorenstein injective R-modules is with respect to the cotorsion triple , where stands for the subcategory of Gorenstein projectives. In the case when a subcategory of is closed under direct summands such that each object in admits a right -approximation, a Bazzoni characterization is given for to be . Finally, an Auslander–Reiten correspondence is established between the class of subcategories and that of certain subcategories of which are -coresolving covariantly finite and closed under direct summands.
150 YEARS OF THE OIL PRICE–MACROECONOMY RELATIONSHIP
Authors: Serletis Apostolos , Mehmandosti Elaheh Asadi
Published: June 2017

We use the longest span data that have ever been studied before (from 1870 to 2014) to investigate the relationship between the price of oil and the level of economic activity in the United States. In the context of a bivariate (identified) structural generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH)-in-Mean VAR in real output growth and the change in the real price of oil, we find that uncertainty about oil prices has had a negative and significant effect on real output. We also find that the responses of real output growth to positive and negative shocks are not very informative of whether they are symmetric or asymmetric, and that accounting for oil price uncertainty tends to amplify the negative dynamic response of real output growth to unfavorable (positive) oil price shocks.
Measuring depressive symptoms during adolescence: what is the role of gender?
Authors: Bulhões C , Ramos E , Severo M , Dias S , Barros H
Published: June 2017

Aims.

The higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among females is well recognised but the reasons for this gender difference are not fully understood. There is growing evidence that current diagnostic criteria and instruments used to assess depression are less sensitive to depression in men, but studies about this issue among adolescents are scarce, especially in Latin countries. Our aim was to assess sex differences in the intensity of depressive symptoms, measured using the Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-II), among Portuguese adolescents, at 13 and 17 years of age.

Methods.

Urban adolescents born in 1990 and enrolled in schools of Porto, Portugal, in 2003–2004 (EPITeen study) completed the BDI-II at 13 and 17 years of age. The final sample included 1988 (52.2% girls) and 2131 (53.0% girls) adolescents at 13 and 17 years, respectively. Sex differences in the frequency of endorsing the statements on the 21 items of the BDI-II were examined using the χ2 test and effect sizes were estimated (Cohen's w). To examine whether responses were linked systematically to sex, we used a differential item functioning (DIF), based on the logistic regression approach. Option characteristic curves were estimated for items with differential endorsement and a new BDI-II score was computed excluding those items.

Results.

Girls and boys at the same level of depression expressed similar severity ratings for most of the depressive symptoms. We had four items with DIF at 13 and 17 years of age. At 13 years, two items provided lower scores (sadness and crying items) and two higher scores (punishment feelings and loss of interest in sex items) among boys, comparing with equally depressed girls. At 17 years, the four items with DIF provided lower scores among boys (sadness, crying, self-dislike and tiredness or fatigue items). After excluding these items the prevalence of depression remained higher among girls but at 17 years the difference between sexes was attenuated.

Conclusions.

Sex differences were found in the functioning of the BDI-II, more relevant at 17 years of age, which may lead to an overestimation of symptoms among girls as well as to lower reported rates of depression among boys. For a higher diagnostic accuracy it is important that the criteria and instruments used to assess depression adequately reflect female and male common symptoms and experiences of depression.
Huge Storms Disrupted Jupiter’s Fastest Jet Stream in 2016
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: June 2017

Recurrent jet stream disturbances provide glimpses of what lies beneath the gas giant’s thick upper cloud cover.