bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Os clientes diplomáticos e econômicos da espionagem digital estadunidense: Análise das ações contra o Conselho de Segurança da ONU e a Petrobras
Authors: Poggio Teixeira Carlos Gustavo , Datysgeld Mark William
Published: September 2017

Esse trabalho tem por objetivo fazer uso da análise documental e contextual para estudar uma parcela das informações tornadas públicas em junho 2013 pelo especialista em segurança digital Edward Snowden, que detalhavam o projeto PRISM, uma iniciativa de espionagem global e sistemática dos meios de comunicação que estava sendo praticada pela National Security Agency (NSA) sob ordens do governo dos Estados Unidos. Abordamos incialmente como se configurou a montagem do sistema de espionagem, prosseguindo então para a observação de dois casos distintos, um deles proveniente da esfera diplomática e o outro da esfera econômica, sendo que ambos incluem o Brasil em posição de protagonismo. O primeiro caso envolve as ações estadunidense a respeito da imposição de novas sanções econômicas ao Irã, enquanto o segundo trata da espionagem praticada contra a Petrobrás. Conclui-se que de fato ocorreram ações de espionagem digital por parte dos EUA em ambas as situações, e que o governo e seus clientes se beneficiaram de informações privilegiadas durante o processo de tomada de decisão.
Chimpanzés Também Fazem Guerra: retomando a teoria evolucionária para uma discussão do Poder
Authors: Nasser Appel Tiago
Published: September 2017

Este breve artigo explora como a teoria evolucionária moderna pode ajudar os cientistas sociais no estudo do conflito e da guerra. Em particular, ele almeja mostrar como alguns desenvolvimentos teóricos da sociobiologia e da psicologia evolucionária podem vir a ser relevantes para a compreensão das relações internacionais. Para tanto, a metodologia do artigo resume-se basicamente à revisão de literatura ainda não muito explorada no Brasil. Começamos apresentando as principais proposições da teoria evolucionária e como ela gerou uma clivagem dentro do campo da antropologia, entre aqueles que acreditam que a guerra é uma instituição culturalmente construída e aqueles que veem as raízes da guerra na competição por recursos somáticos e reprodutivos no “estado de natureza”. Tomamos o lado dos segundos apresentando as evidências de guerra na sociedade dos chimpanzés e propondo a continuidade filogenética entre os chimpanzés e os nossos ancestrais caçadores-coletores. Por último, argumentamos que a teoria evolucionária pode nos ajudar a fundamentar melhor a concepção realista das relações internacionais e o próprio entendimento do Poder.
Trust in the Networked Era
Authors: Keymolen Esther ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2017

This article is an update of Latour’s well-known case of the unreturned hotel key. In recent years, the hotel key has been replaced by a keycard and more recently by a digital key that can be downloaded on a smartphone. This article analyses how—with every step in the innovation process—the trust relation of hotel owner and hotel guest is mediated in a distinct way. The networked ontology of the digital key enables the collection of personal information from which the hotel can tailor its services to the wishes of the hotel guests. While this may be in the interest of the guest, it, however, also makes the guest vulnerable as she has only limited control over the data and comes to depend on the conduct of the hotel. The digital key is not merely a key to open a hotel door; it also unlocks the personal information of the guest.
SATISFAÇÃO DO CONSUMIDOR: UM ESTUDO BIBLIOMÉTRICO EM UMA BASE DE DADOS NACIONAL
Authors: Buehrmann Franciely , Werlang Nathalia Berger
Published: September 2017

Este estudo tem como objetivo identificar as principais tendências em pesquisas sobre tema satisfação do consumidor, a partir de um mapeamento bibliométrico em uma base de dados nacional. O método empregado foi a bibliometria, utilizando uma amostra de 60 artigos. Para facilitar a visualização dos resultados, os dados foram tratados com o software excel, sendo interpretados pela análise de conteúdo. Os trabalhos analisados compreenderam o período de 2010 a 2015. Os resultados sugerem que: o tema é de crescente interesse na academia nos últimos anos; a Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR) é a Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) de destaque na produção científica na satisfação consumidor; dentre os periódicos que mais publicam estudos sobre o tema se destaca a REMark - Revista Brasileira de Marketing; os ano de  2012, 2013 e 2014 se sobressai pelo número de publicações sobre satisfação do consumidor; a escala de medida elaborada por Oliver (1997) é a mais utilizada para mensuração deste construto; pesquisas quantitativas do tipo survey  destacam-se dos estudos qualitativos ou mistos; os autores afirmam que o tema satisfação do consumidor é revolucionário e ainda merece ser desenvolvido. Por fim, identificou-se a importância do desenvolvimento de futuras pesquisas sobre o tema em outras empresas, de diferentes setores, principalmente na indústria e também em micro e pequenas empresas.
Trois littératures francophones au Canada 1972-1992
Authors: Dionne René
Published: September 2017

René Dionne, qui embrasse dans un même parallèle « trois littératures francophones du Canada », évoque l’émergence de ces entités régionales du Canada français et leur développement récent, entre 1972 et 1992. Après leur affranchissement du Québec, qui avait confisqué et, à rebours, rebaptisé « québécois » tout l’héritage qui forma jadis la feue « littérature nationale » ou « canadienne », puis naguère « canadienne-française », ces trois littératures ont vécu des stades de contestation puis de récupération de leur patrimoine écrit. Le réveil des identités régionales, excité par l’attitude souvent méprisante du Québec, a provoqué la prise de parole des minorités qui, aidées de leurs établissements séculaires et des gouvernements, ont institué de plus en plus solidement et complètement les littératures acadienne, franco-ontarienne et francophone de l’Ouest.
Packaging a Chinese “Beauty Writer”: Re-reading Shanghai Baby in a Web Context
Authors: Liu Bin , Baer Brian James
Published: September 2017

Based on a comparative discourse analysis of the 2001 English translation of the pioneering “beauty writer” Wei Hui’s semi-autobiographical novel Shanghai Baby and the original Chinese work (1999), this paper aims to demonstrate how the reception of non-specialist readers in the form of online book reviews is influenced by the politics of reception in the Western world as well as the translational shifts in the text. Building the investigation upon the nineteenth-century sinologist translation model that packages Chinese culture as clichéd Chineseness in addition to the Western reception model that packages Chinese women as reckless lovers and escapees from communist despotism, the study argues that largely subject to the stereotypical expectations of Western readers about the Third World culture and women, the shifts reinforcing the prevalent stereotypes in the translation overshadow the author’s original intention of speaking for a small tribe of young people exploring their unorthodox existence in China. Lastly, the study concludes with the affirmation of Shanghai Baby’s social impact on both host and source culture in an attempt to relate its significance to a global context.
The ceramide synthase 2b gene mediates genomic sensing and regulation of sphingosine levels during zebrafish embryogenesis
Authors: Mendelson Karen , Pandey Suveg , Hisano Yu , Carellini Frank , Das Bhaskar C , Hla Timothy , Evans Todd
Published: September 2017

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is generated through phosphorylation of sphingosine by sphingosine kinases (Sphk1 and Sphk2). We show that sphk2 maternal-zygotic mutant zebrafish embryos (sphk2MZ) display early developmental phenotypes, including a delay in epiboly, depleted S1P levels, elevated levels of sphingosine, and resistance to sphingosine toxicity. The sphk2MZ embryos also have strikingly increased levels of maternal transcripts encoding ceramide synthase 2b (Cers2b), and loss of Cers2b in sphk2MZ embryos phenocopies sphingosine toxicity. An upstream region of the cers2b promoter supports enhanced expression of a reporter gene in sphk2MZ embryos compared to wildtype embryos. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Cers2b protein itself reduces activity of the promoter, and this repression is relieved by exogenous sphingosine. Therefore, the sphk2MZ genome recognizes the lack of sphingosine kinase activity and up-regulates cers2b as a salvage pathway for sphingosine turnover. Cers2b can also function as a sphingolipid-responsive factor to mediate at least part of a feedback regulatory mechanism.
Rooting out bias
Authors: Kuehn Bridget M
Published: September 2017

Tackling unconscious bias is a major challenge for journals and the rest of the scientific community.
To fund or not to fund?
Authors: Shailes Sarah
Published: September 2017

Funding agencies use many different criteria and peer review strategies to assess grant proposals.
Estimating the age ofHeliconiusbutterflies from calibrated photographs
Authors: Dalbosco Dell’Aglio Denise , Akkaynak Derya , McMillan W. Owen , Jiggins Chris D.
Published: September 2017

Mating behaviour and predation avoidance inHeliconiusinvolve visual colour signals; however, there is considerable inter-individual phenotypic variation in the appearance of colours. In particular, the red pigment varies from bright crimson to faded red. It has been thought that this variation is primarily due to pigment fading with age, although this has not been explicitly tested. Previous studies have shown the importance of red patterns in mate choice and that birds and butterflies might perceive these small colour differences. Using digital photography and calibrated colour images, we investigated whether the hue variation in the forewing dorsal red band ofHeliconius melpomene rosinacorresponds with age. We found that the red hue and age were highly associated, suggesting that red colour can indeed be used as a proxy for age in the study of wild-caught butterflies.
Correlations Between Secondary Cosmic Ray Rates and Strong Electric Fields at Lomnický štít
Authors: Kudela K. , Chum J. , Kollárik M. , Langer R. , Strhárský I. , Baše J.
Published: September 2017

Since March 2014, there is a continuous measurement of secondary cosmic rays by the detector system SEVAN (Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network) at Lomnický štít, altitude 2,634 m above sea level. Starting from June 2016, the count rates (1 s resolution) obtained from the three SEVAN detectors and from their coincidences are available, along with selected meteorological characteristics. Since 30 May 2016 the electric field measurements have been installed at the same site. Several events with clear increase of the count rate in the upper detector of SEVAN were observed during the thunderstorms until 17 September 2016. Examples of these measurements are presented and discussed. Barometric pressure correction and elimination of low‐frequency variability from the signal allow to extract 2 min averaged increases from the data. It is shown that the 2 min averaged increases of count rates measured by SEVAN correspond with periods of high electric field (with higher probability during negative polarity) rather than with the individual discharges (lightning).
Impact of Sustained Remission on the Risk of Serious Infection in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Accortt Neil A. , Lesperance Tamara , Liu Mei , Rebello Sabrina , Trivedi Mona , Li Youfu , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2017

Objective

This retrospective analysis examined how sustained remission impacted risk of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) enrolled in a clinical registry.

Methods

Inclusion criteria included RA diagnosis, age ≥18 years, and ≥2 Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores followed by a followup visit. Index date was the second of 2 visits in which a patient had sustained remission (CDAI ≤2.8), low disease activity (LDA; 2.8 < CDAI ≤10), or moderate‐to‐high disease activity (MHDA; CDAI >10). Followup extended from the index date until first serious infection (requiring intravenous antibiotics or hospitalization) or last followup visit. The crude incidence rate (IR) per 100 patient‐years for serious infections was calculated for the sustained remission, LDA, and MHDA groups. The multivariable‐adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) (adjusted for age, sex, and prednisone dose) compared serious infection rates across disease activity groups.

Results

Most patients were female (>70%); mean age was approximately 60 years. The crude IR (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) per 100 patient‐years for serious infections was 1.03 (0.85–1.26) in the sustained remission group (n = 3,355), 1.92 (1.68–2.19) in the sustained LDA group (n = 3,912), and 2.51 (2.23–2.82) in the sustained MHDA group (n = 5,062). Compared to sustained remission, the serious infection rate was higher in sustained LDA (adjusted IRR 1.69 [95% CI 1.32–2.15]). Compared to sustained LDA, the serious infection rate was higher in sustained MHDA (adjusted IRR 1.30 [95% CI 1.09–1.56]).

Conclusion

In this study, lower RA disease activity was associated with lower serious infection rates. This finding may motivate patients and health care providers to strive for remission rather than only LDA.
Direct Laser Writing of Low‐Density Interdigitated Foams for Plasma Drive Shaping
Authors: Oakdale James S. , Smith Raymond F. , Forien Jean‐Baptiste , Smith William L. , Ali Suzanne J. , Bayu Aji Leonardus B. , Willey Trevor M. , Ye Jianchao , van Buuren Anthony W. , Worthington Matthew A. , Prisbrey Shon T. , Park Hye‐Sook , Amendt Peter A. , Baumann Theodore F. , Biener Juergen
Published: September 2017

Monolithic porous bulk materials have many promising applications ranging from energy storage and catalysis to high energy density physics. High resolution additive manufacturing techniques, such as direct laser writing via two photon polymerization (DLW‐TPP), now enable the fabrication of highly porous microlattices with deterministic morphology control. In this work, DLW‐TPP is used to print millimeter‐sized foam reservoirs (down to 0.06 g cm−3) with tailored density‐gradient profiles, where density is varied by over an order of magnitude (for instance from 0.6 to 0.06 g cm−3) along a length of <100 µm. Taking full advantage of this technology, however, is a multiscale materials design problem that requires detailed understanding of how the different length scales, from the molecular level to the macroscopic dimensions, affect each other. The design of these 3D‐printed foams is based on the brickwork arrangement of 100 × 100 × 16 µm3 log‐pile blocks constructed from sub‐micrometer scale features. A block‐to‐block interdigitated stitching strategy is introduced for obtaining high density uniformity at all length scales. Finally, these materials are used to shape plasma‐piston drives during ramp‐compression of targets under high energy density conditions created at the OMEGA Laser Facility.
Super Bulk and Interfacial Toughness of Physically Crosslinked Double‐Network Hydrogels
Authors: Chen Hong , Liu Yonglan , Ren Baiping , Zhang Yanxian , Ma Jie , Xu Lijian , Chen Qiang , Zheng Jie
Published: September 2017

Conventional design wisdom prevents both bulk and interfacial toughness to be presented in the same hydrogel, because the bulk properties of hydrogels are usually different from the interfacial properties of the same hydrogels on solid surfaces. Here, a fully‐physically‐linked agar (the first network)/poly(N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide) (pHEAA, the second network), where both networks are physically crosslinked via hydrogen bonds, is designed and synthesized. Bulk agar/pHEAA hydrogels exhibit high mechanical properties (2.6 MPa tensile stress, 8.0 tensile strain, 8000 J m−2 tearing energy, 1.62 MJ m−3 energy dissipation), high self‐recovery without any external stimuli (62%/30% toughness/stiffness recovery), and self‐healing property. More impressively, without any surface modification, agar/pHEAA hydrogels can be easily and physically anchored onto different nonporous solid substrates of glass, titanium, aluminum, and ceramics to produce superadhesive hydrogel–solid interfaces (i.e., high interfacial toughness of 2000–7000 J m−2). Comparison of as‐prepared and swollen gels in water and hydrogen‐bond‐breaking solvents reveals that strong bulk toughness provides a structural basis for strong interfacial toughness, and both high toughness mainly stem from cooperative hydrogen bonds between and within two networks and between two networks and solid substrates. This work demonstrates a new gel system to achieve superhigh bulk and interfacial toughness on nonporous solid surfaces.
Decorating Perovskite Quantum Dots in TiO2 Nanotubes Array for Broadband Response Photodetector
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Zhuge Fuwei , Wang Yaguang , Zhang Jianbing , Gan Lin , Zhou Xing , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou
Published: September 2017

Broadband photodetectors based on TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) array have significant prospects in many fields such as environmental monitoring. Herein, a simple spin‐coating process is successfully adopted to incorporate MAPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) onto the surface of TiO2 NTs to form a heterostructure, extending the response range of TiO2 NT from ultraviolet to visible. Compared with pure TiO2 NTs, the heterostructure demonstrates an improvement of responsivity in visible range by three orders of magnitude, and maintains its response performance in the UV range simultaneously. The TiO2 NTs based heterostructure photodetectors demonstrate a relative fast and stable response in the 300–800 nm range and even have a reponsivity of 0.2 A W−1 at 700 nm. The photoelectric performance of the hybrid photodetector based on TiO2 NTs maintains well when exposed to moist air for 72 h or heated from room temperature to 100 °C. Moreover, such a TiO2 NTs/MAPbI3 QDs heterostructure device demonstrates excellent flexibility and high transparency (85%) in the 400–800 nm range, their photodetecting performance is well retained after 200 cycles of repeated bending at 90°. The present strategy that combines facile electrospinning and solution‐processed QDs may open a new avenue for wide range response and flexible devices construction.
Perovskite and Organic Solar Cells Fabricated by Inkjet Printing: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Peng Xiaojin , Yuan Jian , Shen Shirley , Gao Mei , Chesman Anthony S. R. , Yin Hong , Cheng Jinshu , Zhang Qi , Angmo Dechan
Published: September 2017

Inkjet printing (IJP) technology, adapted from home and office printing, has proven to be an essential research tool and industrial manufacturing technique in a wide range of printed electronic technologies, including optoelectronics. Its primary advantage over other deposition methods is the low‐cost and maskless on‐demand patterning, which offers unmatched freedom‐of‐design. Additional benefits include the efficient use of materials, contactless high‐resolution deposition, and scalability, enabling rapid translation of learning from small‐scale, laboratory‐based research into large‐scale industrial roll‐to‐roll manufacturing. In the development of organic solar cells (OSCs), IJP has enabled the printing of many of the multiple functional layers which comprise the complete cell as part of an additive printing scheme. Although IJP is only recently employed in perovskite solar cell (PeSC) fabrication, it is already showing great promise and is anticipated to find broader application with this class of materials. As OSCs and PeSCs share many common functional materials and device architectures, this review presents a progress report on the IJP of OSCs and PeSCs in order to facilitate knowledge transfer between the two technologies, with critical analyses of the challenges and opportunities also presented.
A Solution‐Processable, Omnidirectionally Stretchable, and High‐Pressure‐Sensitive Piezoresistive Device
Authors: Roh Eun , Lee Han‐Byeol , Kim Do‐Il , Lee Nae‐Eung
Published: September 2017

The development of omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensors with high performance without stretching‐induced interference has been hampered by many challenges. Herein, an omnidirectionally stretchable piezoresistive pressure‐sensing device is demonstrated by combining an omniaxially stretchable substrate with a 3D micropattern array and solution‐printing of electrode and piezoresistive materials. A unique substrate structural design and materials mean that devices that are highly sensitive are rendered, with a stable out‐of‐plane pressure response to both static (sensitivity of 0.5 kPa−1 and limit of detection of 28 Pa) and dynamic pressures and the minimized in‐plane stretching responsiveness (a small strain gauge factor of 0.17), achieved through efficient strain absorption of the electrode and sensing materials. The device can detect human‐body tremors, as well as measure the relative elastic properties of human skin. The omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensor with a high pressure sensitivity and minimal stretch‐responsiveness yields great potential to skin‐attachable wearable electronics, human–machine interfaces, and soft robotics applications.
Complex Nanostructures from Materials based on Metal–Organic Frameworks for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Guan Bu Yuan , Yu Xin Yao , Wu Hao Bin , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: September 2017

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have drawn tremendous attention because of their abundant diversity in structure and composition. Recently, there has been growing research interest in deriving advanced nanomaterials with complex architectures and tailored chemical compositions from MOF‐based precursors for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Here, a comprehensive overview of the synthesis and energy‐related applications of complex nanostructures derived from MOF‐based precursors is provided. After a brief summary of synthetic methods of MOF‐based templates and their conversion to desirable nanostructures, delicate designs and preparation of complex architectures from MOFs or their composites are described in detail, including porous structures, single‐shelled hollow structures, and multishelled hollow structures, as well as other unusual complex structures. Afterward, their applications are discussed as electrode materials or catalysts for lithium‐ion batteries, hybrid supercapacitors, water‐splitting devices, and fuel cells. Lastly, the research challenges and possible development directions of complex nanostructures derived from MOF‐based‐templates for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications are outlined.
Visible Light‐Promoted Synthesis of Spiroepoxy Chromanone Derivatives via a Tandem Oxidation/Radical Cyclization/Epoxidation Process
Authors: Jung Sungwoo , Kim Jiyun , Hong Sungwoo
Published: September 2017

A highly efficient and straightforward approach for the synthesis of spiroepoxy chroman‐4‐one derivatives was developed using a visible light‐enabled tandem radical strategy. The reaction is initiated by the formation of an acyl radical that undergoes intramolecular radical cyclization and epoxidation. The optimal result was obtained with 1 mol% of Ru(bpy)3Cl2⋅6H2O, TBHP, and K2CO3 in i‐PrOAc at room temperature with irradiation from a blue LED. This unprecedented tandem approach utilizes a broad range of substrates, and provides a convenient and powerful synthetic tool for accessing the synthetically useful spiroepoxy chroman‐4‐ones and their nitrogen‐containing derivatives.

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A Structure‐Based Activity Study of Highly Active Unsymmetrically Substituted NHC Gold(I) Catalysts
Authors: Zargaran Poorya , Wurm Thomas , Zahner David , Schießl Jasmin , Rudolph Matthias , Rominger Frank , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: September 2017

Following the modular template synthesis using isonitriles, new unsymmetrically substituted five‐membered saturated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and N‐heterocyclic oxo‐carbene (NHOC) gold(I) complexes were prepared. With these species and already reported complexes, a detailed study concerning the catalytic activities of the complex classes available by the isonitrile route was conducted. The catalytic properties of twelve different types of NHOCs, saturated and unsaturated NHC gold(I) pre‐catalysts with different substituents, as well as one representative of a six‐membered NHC and one N‐acyclic carbene (NAC) gold(I) complex were analyzed by utilizing the phenol synthesis as a test reaction. For this reaction, the saturated NHC gold(I) complexes achieved higher conversions than the corresponding unsaturated NHCs and the NHOC systems. While unsaturated NHC complexes show higher catalytic activity during the initial phase of the conversion, due to a higher stability, higher turnover numbers (TONs) were obtained for the corresponding saturated systems. A cyclopentadecyl substituent at nitrogen turned out to be the privileged substituent for all of the unsymmetrical complexes. Furthermore, we detected that light exclusion can significantly increase the catalytic activity of NHC gold(I) complexes for phenol synthesis.

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Utility and limitations of exome sequencing in the molecular diagnosis of pediatric inherited platelet disorders
Authors: Romasko Edward J. , Devkota Batsal , Biswas Sawona , Jayaraman Vijayakumar , Rajagopalan Ramakrishnan , Dulik Matthew C. , Thom Christopher S. , Choi Jiwon , Jairam Sowmya , Scarano Maria I. , Krantz Ian D. , Spinner Nancy B. , Conlin Laura K. , Lambert Michele P.
Published: September 2017

Inherited platelet disorders (IPD) are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders that affect platelet number and function and often predispose to other significant medical complications. In spite of the identification of over 50 IPD disease‐associated genes, a molecular diagnosis is only identified in a minority (10%) of affected patients without a clinically suspected etiology. We studied a cohort of 21 pediatric patients with suspected IPDs by exome sequencing (ES) to: (1) examine the performance of the exome test for IPD genes, (2) determine if this exome‐wide diagnostic test provided a higher diagnostic yield than has been previously reported, (3) to evaluate the frequency of variants of uncertain significance identified, and (4) to identify candidate variants for functional evaluation in patients with an uncertain or negative diagnosis. We established a high priority gene list of 53 genes, evaluated exome capture kit performance, and determined the coverage for these genes and disease‐related variants. We identified likely disease causing variants in 5 of the 21 probands (23.8%) and variants of uncertain significance in 52% of patients studied. In conclusion, ES has the potential to molecularly diagnose causes of IPD, and to identify candidate genes for functional evaluation. Robust exome sequencing also requires that coverage of genes known to be associated with clinical findings of interest need to be carefully examined and supplemented if necessary. Clinicians who undertake ES should understand the limitations of the test and the full significance of results that may be returned.
Impact of involved free light chain (FLC) levels in patients achieving normal FLC ratio after initial therapy in light chain amyloidosis (AL)
Authors: Tandon Nidhi , Sidana Surbhi , Dispenzieri Angela , Gertz Morie A. , Lacy Martha Q. , Dingli David , Buadi Francis K. , Fonder Amie L. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Hwa Yi Lisa , Hobbs Miriam A. , Kapoor Prashant , Gonsalves Wilson I. , Leung Nelson , Go Ronald S. , Lust John A. , Russell Stephen J. , Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Kumar Shaji K.
Published: September 2017

Achievement of a normal FLC ratio (FLCr) following treatment indicates hematologic response and suggests better outcomes in light chain amyloidosis (AL). We examined if elevated involved free light chain (hiFLC) impacts outcomes in patients achieving normal FLCr. We retrospectively analyzed 345 AL patients who were diagnosed within a 10‐year period (2006‐2015) and had 2 consecutive normal FLCr values after 1st line treatment. Among these, patients with hiFLC at 1st reading of normal FLCr (hiFLC1; n = 166; 48.1%) were compared to those who did not (n = 179; 51.9%). Patients with AL who have hiFLC1 after initial therapy had higher rates of multi‐organ involvement (63.3 vs 46.4%; P = .002) and patients in advanced Mayo stage (42.9 vs 32.2%; P = .04) at diagnosis. The median progression free survival [PFS; 38.2 (95%CI; 26.4, 55.4) vs 67.1 (95%CI; 55.8, 88) months; P = .0002] and overall survival [OS; 94.4 (95%CI; 78, 107.1) vs not reached (NR, 95%CI; 116.1, NR) months; P < .0001] were lower in those who had hiFLC1. A more stringent comparison for patients with 2 consecutive hiFLC (hIFLC2; n = 111; 32.2%) versus not (n = 2234; 67.8%) showed consistent results [PFS; 27.1 (95%CI; 23, 53.8) vs 63.3 (95%CI; 55.4, 77) months; P < .0001 and OS; 78 (95% CI; 54.6, 98.8) vs NR (95%CI; NR, NR); P < .0001]. This poor prognostic impact of hiFLC on survival was independent of serum creatinine, Mayo stage, negative immunofixation status and inclusion of transplant in initial therapy on multivariate analysis. Hence, persistent elevation of iFLC predicts poor prognosis even among patients achieving normal ratio after initial therapy in AL.
Chemoselective Oxidative Esterification and Iodocyclization of Hydroxyalkynyl Aldehydes
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Patel Monika , Saunthwal Rakesh K. , Verma Akhilesh K.
Published: September 2017

We have described the chemoselective behavior of iodine in the oxidative esterification and electrophilic iodocyclization of hydroxyalkynyl aldehydes that contain a primary alcohol moiety. In the presence of an alcohol, which serves as the nucleophile and solvent, the reaction of the hydroxyalkynyl aldehydes and I2 proceeds through a hemiacetal species to give alkyl 4‐(3‐hydroxyalkynyl)benzoate esters. In CH2Cl2, these substrates undergo an electrophilic iodocyclization through a cyclic iodonium ion to provide a synthetic route for the formation of the bioactive dihydrofuran/pyran ring system.
Bio‐Inspired Carbon Monoxide Sensors with Voltage‐Activated Sensitivity
Authors: Savagatrup Suchol , Schroeder Vera , He Xin , Lin Sibo , He Maggie , Yassine Omar , Salama Khaled N. , Zhang Xi‐Xiang , Swager Timothy M.
Published: September 2017

Carbon monoxide (CO) outcompetes oxygen when binding to the iron center of hemeproteins, leading to a reduction in blood oxygen level and acute poisoning. Harvesting the strong specific interaction between CO and the iron porphyrin provides a highly selective and customizable sensor. We report the development of chemiresistive sensors with voltage‐activated sensitivity for the detection of CO comprising iron porphyrin and functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (F‐SWCNTs). Modulation of the gate voltage offers a predicted extra dimension for sensing. Specifically, the sensors show a significant increase in sensitivity toward CO when negative gate voltage is applied. The dosimetric sensors are selective to ppm levels of CO and functional in air. UV/Vis spectroscopy, differential pulse voltammetry, and density functional theory reveal that the in situ reduction of FeIII to FeII enhances the interaction between the F‐SWCNTs and CO. Our results illustrate a new mode of sensors wherein redox active recognition units are voltage‐activated to give enhanced and highly specific responses.
Synthesis of Biphenylenes and Their Higher Homologues by Cyclization of Aryne Derivatives
Authors: Wang Sheng‐Li , Pan Ming‐Lun , Su Wei‐Siang , Wu Yao‐Ting
Published: September 2017

This investigation demonstrates that a series of biphenylenes can be easily prepared from their corresponding halobiphenyls by the cyclization of in situ generated 2′,3′‐didehydro‐2‐lithiobiphenyls at low temperature. Two remarkable advantages of this synthetic method include 1) the lack of any need for transition‐metal catalysts or reagents in the cyclization, and 2) the ability to obtain C1‐functionalized products by treating the reaction intermediate 1‐lithiobiphenylene with an electrophilic reagent. π‐Extended derivatives, such as benzobiphenylenes, dibenzobiphenylene, linear/angular [3]phenylenes, and biphenyleno[2,3‐b]biphenylenes, were synthesized similarly using suitable biaryls or teraryls.
Multiple sensitive estimation and optimal sample size allocation in the item sum technique
Authors: Perri Pier Francesco , Rueda García María del Mar , Cobo Rodríguez Beatriz
Published: September 2017

For surveys of sensitive issues in life sciences, statistical procedures can be used to reduce nonresponse and social desirability response bias. Both of these phenomena provoke nonsampling errors that are difficult to deal with and can seriously flaw the validity of the analyses. The item sum technique (IST) is a very recent indirect questioning method derived from the item count technique that seeks to procure more reliable responses on quantitative items than direct questioning while preserving respondents' anonymity. This article addresses two important questions concerning the IST: (i) its implementation when two or more sensitive variables are investigated and efficient estimates of their unknown population means are required; (ii) the determination of the optimal sample size to achieve minimum variance estimates. These aspects are of great relevance for survey practitioners engaged in sensitive research and, to the best of our knowledge, were not studied so far. In this article, theoretical results for multiple estimation and optimal allocation are obtained under a generic sampling design and then particularized to simple random sampling and stratified sampling designs. Theoretical considerations are integrated with a number of simulation studies based on data from two real surveys and conducted to ascertain the efficiency gain derived from optimal allocation in different situations. One of the surveys concerns cannabis consumption among university students. Our findings highlight some methodological advances that can be obtained in life sciences IST surveys when optimal allocation is achieved.
A uniform‐shear rate microfluidic bioreactor for real‐time study of proplatelet formation and rapidly‐released platelets
Authors: Martinez Andres F. , McMahon Richard D. , Horner Marc , Miller William M.
Published: September 2017

Platelet transfusions, with profound clinical importance in blood clotting and wound healing, are entirely derived from human volunteer donors. Hospitals rely on a steady supply of donations, but these methods are limited by a 5‐day shelf life, the potential risk of contamination, and differences in donor/recipient histocompatibility. These challenges invite the opportunity to generate platelets ex vivo. Although much progress has been made in generating large numbers of culture‐derived megakaryocytes (Mks, the precursor cells to platelets), stimulating a high percentage of Mks to undergo platelet release remains a major challenge. Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of shear forces to enhance platelet release from cultured Mks. In this study, we performed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of several published platelet microbioreactor systems, and used the results to develop a new 7‐µm slit bioreactor—with well‐defined flow patterns and uniform shear profiles. This uniform‐shear‐rate bioreactor (USRB‐7µm) permits real‐time visualization of the proplatelet (proPLT) formation process and the rapid‐release of individual platelet‐like‐particles (PLPs), which has been observed in vivo, but not previously reported for platelet bioreactors. We showed that modulating shear forces and flow patterns had an immediate and significant impact on PLP generation. Surprisingly, using a single flow instead of dual flows led to an unexpected six‐fold increase in PLP production. By identifying particularly effective operating conditions within a physiologically relevant environment, this USRB‐7µm will be a useful tool for the study and analysis of proPLT/PLP formation that will further understanding of how to increase ex vivo platelet release. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1614–1629, 2017
Differential transcriptomic analysis reveals hidden light response inStreptomyces lividans
Authors: Koepff Joachim , Morschett Holger , Busche Tobias , Winkler Anika , Kalinowski Jörn , Wiechert Wolfgang , Oldiges Marco
Published: September 2017

Recently, a comprehensive screening workflow for the filamentous bacteriumStreptomyces lividans, a highly performant source for pharmaceutically active agents was introduced. This framework used parallelized cultivation in microtiter plates to efficiently accelerate early upstream process development. Focusing on growth performance, cultivation was successfully scaled‐up to 1 L stirred tank reactors. However, metabolic adaptation was observed on the transcriptomic level as among others, several genes incorporated in light response were upregulated during bioreactor cultivation. Despite it was assumed that this was attributed to the fact that reactor cultivations were performed in glass vessels exposed to daylight and artificial room light, this setup did not allow distinguishing exclusively between light and other effects. Upon that, the present study directly investigates the influence of light by defined illumination of microtiter plate cultures. Almost identical growth performance was observed for cultures grown in the dark or with illumination. Transcriptomics revealed the upregulation of seven genes of which 6 have previously been described to be relevant for carotenoid synthesis and its regulation. These pigments are effective quenchers of reactive oxygen species. The seventh transcript coded for a photo‐lyase incorporated in UV‐damage repair of DNA further confirming induced light response. However, this was fully compensated by metabolic adaptation on the transcriptomic level and overall process performance was maintained. Consequently, environmental conditions need extremely careful control and evaluation during in‐depth omics analysis of bioprocesses. Otherwise metabolic adaptation induced by such issues can easily be misinterpreted, especially during studies addressing cultivation system comparisons. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical EngineersBiotechnol. Prog., 34:287–292, 2018
A Qualitative Evaluation of Community Nurses' Experiences of Child Safeguarding Supervision
Authors: Little Moira , Baker Tracey , Jinks Annette M.
Published: September 2017

Key Practitioner Messages

Safeguarding supervision was viewed as a child‐focused, helpful activity that has led to practice improvements.

Negative comments were in the minority and related to perceptions of its intrusive and punitive nature, the time involved and competing priorities.

Improvements advocated were that safeguarding supervision should include discussion about children whose care is problematic but who are not subject to formal child protection proceedings.
Partial left superior pulmonary vein potential elimination by an inferior ganglionated plexus ablation
Authors: Nagamoto Yasutsugu , Fujii Yuto , Morita Yuichi , Ueda Yusuke , Yamane Kenichi , Miyake Yasuko , Fujiwara Mai , Mito Shinji , Watari Yuichiro , Tamekiyo Hiromichi , Okimoto Tomokazu , Muraoka Yuji , Hayashi Yasuhiko
Published: September 2017

Key Clinical Message

Ganglionated plexus (GP) plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). The GP ablation has been found to be effective for AF treatment. In this case, we reported an AF case in which the pulmonary vein (PV) potentials of the anterior region of the left superior PV were eliminated by an inferior right GP ablation.
Solvent‐Promoted Regio‐ and Stereoselectivity in Ru‐Catalyzed Hydrocarboxylation of Terminal Alkynes: A DFT Study
Authors: Maity Bholanath , Koley Debasis
Published: September 2017

DFT calculations at the M06L‐D3(SMD)/LANL2TZ(f)/6‐311+G(d,p)//M06L/LANL2DZ/6‐31G(d)* level were performed to explore the mechanism, solvent effect, and origin of selectivity in the hydrocarboxylation of terminal alkynes catalyzed by (PCy3)2(CO)RuHCl. This catalytic system offers a unique example in which selectivity in enol‐ester synthesis is controlled in presence of different solvent media under mild reaction conditions. In CH2Cl2 solvent the regioselective gem‐enol‐ester (Pg) was preferred, whereas stereoselective Z‐enol‐ester (PZ) was observed exclusively in THF medium. We have unraveled the complete catalytic mechanism involving the following steps: a) alkyne coordination with subsequent nucleophilic attack and, finally, b) product elimination leading to the Markovnikov product Pg in both solvent media. Herein, the rate‐limiting nucleophilic attack step requires an activation barrier of 20.5 (21.0) kcal mol−1, which is 5.7 (5.6) kcal mol−1 lower than the crucial vinylidene formation step encountered for anti‐Markovnikov addition. Interestingly, a new reaction avenue unfolds under explicit THF medium, in which the inherent coordinating nature of the solvent becomes effective in altering the product regioselectivity. Under such an event, a highly facile ligandassisted proton shuttle (LAPS) mechanism is propagated, leading to vinylidene complex 11A. This intriguing mechanistic scenario facilitates favorably furnishing the PZ product rather than the Pg isomer by 4.3 kcal mol−1.
Low Molecular Weight Supramolecular Gels Under Shear: Rheology as the Tool for Elucidating Structure–Function Correlation
Authors: Dawn Arnab , Kumari Harshita
Published: September 2017

Self‐healing low molecular weight supramolecular gels (SMGs) represent an emerging class of smart materials, which can closely mimic the complex biological healing process, such as blood clotting, bone repair or wound healing. However, a lack of understanding of the structure–function correlation in the self‐assembly process limits their molecular design and subsequent property tuning. The indispensability of a rheological study on supramolecular gels lies in direct transcription of the assembly property to the viscoelastic behavior of the material. This is similarly relevant to healable and non‐healable systems. Thus, using rheology as a tool for elucidating structure–function relationships in self‐assembled systems has huge potential. This review article will depict a general introduction of rheology in the field of soft matter including SMGs, followed by representative studies with interpretations, and discussion on future challenges. Altogether, this would be an effort, where an in‐depth rheological study complemented with a real‐time visualization with the help of microscopy, and introduction of other sophisticated real‐time experiments, could be a step forward to capture the mystery of self‐assembly process.
A Zinc Catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp2) Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reaction Mediated by Aryl‐Zincates
Authors: Procter Richard J. , Dunsford Jay J. , Rushworth Philip J. , Hulcoop David G. , Layfield Richard A. , Ingleson Michael J.
Published: September 2017

The Suzuki–Miyaura (SM) reaction is one of the most important methods for C−C bond formation in chemical synthesis. In this communication, we show for the first time that the low toxicity, inexpensive element zinc is able to catalyze SM reactions. The cross‐coupling of benzyl bromides with aryl borates is catalyzed by ZnBr2, in a process that is free from added ligand, and is compatible with a range of functionalized benzyl bromides and arylboronic acid pinacol esters. Initial mechanistic investigations indicate that the selective in situ formation of triaryl zincates is crucial to promote selective cross‐coupling reactivity, which is facilitated by employing an arylborate of optimal nucleophilicity.
In situ data analytics for highly scalable cloud modelling on Cray machines
Authors: Brown Nick , Weiland Michèle , Hill Adrian , Shipway Ben
Published: September 2017

MONC is a highly scalable modelling tool for the investigation of atmospheric flows, turbulence, and cloud microphysics. Typical simulations produce very large amounts of raw data, which must then be analysed for scientific investigation. For performance and scalability reasons, this analysis and subsequent writing to disk should be performed in situ on the data as it is generated; however, one does not wish to pause the computation whilst analysis is carried out. In this paper, we present the analytics approach of MONC, where cores of a node are shared between computation and data analytics. By asynchronously sending their data to an analytics core, the computational cores can run continuously without having to pause for data writing or analysis. We describe our IO server framework and analytics workflow, which is highly asynchronous, along with solutions to challenges that this approach raises and the performance implications of some common configuration choices. The result of this work is a highly scalable analytics approach, and we illustrate on up to 32 768 computational cores of a Cray XC30 that there is minimal performance impact on the runtime when enabling data analytics in MONC and also investigate the performance and suitability of our approach on the KNL.
Developments on committed action: Validity of the CAQ‐8 and analysis of committed action's role in depressive symptomatology in breast cancer patients and healthy individuals
Authors: Trindade Inês A. , Marta‐Simões Joana , Ferreira Cláudia , Pinto‐Gouveia José
Published: September 2017

Committed action, a process of acceptance and commitment therapy's psychological flexibility model, is considered an understudied construct that currently can only be measured by one instrument, the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ‐8). This study aims at analysing the psychometric properties of the CAQ‐8 in healthy individuals and breast cancer patients. This study also aims to explore the specific meditational role of committed action in the well‐established relationship between experiential avoidance and depression symptoms.

The healthy sample comprised 294 adults from the general population, and the breast cancer samples comprised 82 participants. Both groups completed the validated self‐report measures. CAQ‐8's robustness was examined through validity analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and multigroup analysis. The meditational model was conducted using structural equation modelling.

The CAQ‐8 presented good internal consistency and construct, convergent, concurrent, and divergent validity in both samples. Further, the CAQ‐8 showed incremental validity over a measure of engaged living. Findings also demonstrated measurement invariance between healthy individuals and breast cancer patients. Regarding the conducted meditational model that was also invariant between the two analysed groups, it was demonstrated that part of the effect that experiential avoidance holds on depressive symptomatology is explained by committed action.

This study suggests that the CAQ‐8 is adequate for use in healthy and cancer populations. Moreover, it provides novel, empirical support regarding the links between committed action, experiential avoidance, and depressed mood, being also the first investigation to particularly study committed action in a cancer population. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.