bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matrices Progresivas de Raven: efecto Flynn y actualización de baremos
Authors: Rossi-Casé Lilia , Neer Rosa , Lopetegui Susana , Doná Stella , Biganzoli Bruno , Garzaniti Ramiro
Published: July 2015

Este trabajo presenta los resultados obtenidos en la construcción de normas válidas y actualizadas del Test de Matrices Progresivas de Raven, Escala General, para la ciudad de La Plata, Argentina; y realiza una comparación con las normas obtenidas en 1964 y 2000 a fin de observar la tendencia de los puntajes. Se seleccionó una muestra de 1001 estudiantes  de ambos sexos y provenientes de distintos establecimientos de educación secundaria, con edades comprendidas entre los 13 y 18 años. El instrumento fue administrado de manera colectiva, en grupos-clase, con presencia del examinador, sin límite de tiempo para su ejecución, de manera tal que permitiera evaluar la capacidad intelectual sin la intervención de la velocidad en la tarea. Los resultados obtenidos se analizaron dividiéndolos en tres grupos por edad (i.e., 13-14 años, 15-16 años, 17-18 años), y se compararon con los baremos de 1964 y 2000. Se observó un leve descenso de los puntajes directos necesarios para alcanzar el rendimiento promedio, respecto de las puntuaciones obtenidas en la tipificación del año 2000, en la que se constató el efecto Flynn respecto de las normas de 1964. Esta tendencia está en consonancia con investigaciones recientes realizadas en otros países, que muestran un amesetamiento de los puntajes. Un segundo aspecto observado, fue que a medida que aumenta la edad de los sujetos, el rendimiento es mejor. La variabilidad de los puntajes es similar entre los tres grupos de edad analizados.
Evaluación chilena del Inventario de Comportamientos de la Pareja que Provocan Celos
Authors: Fernández Ana María , Pavez Paula , Dufey Michele
Published: July 2015

El presente estudio muestra la adaptación al contexto local del Inventario de Comportamientos de la Pareja que Provocan Celos (ICPC) creado en Holanda por Dijkstra, Barelds y Groothof (2010). Un pilotaje del inventario arrojó alta consistencia interna y estabilidad test-retest. Se administró el cuestionario a un grupo de 366 personas y 31 participantes completaron el retest. Un análisis factorial exploratorio permitió diferenciar las particularidades del instrumento en su configuración original y el contexto local, convergiendo en tres dimensiones: comportamiento infiel, comportamiento sospechoso y atracción mediática. Los resultados indicaron similares valores de consistencia interna para las dimensiones locales y las dimensiones de la escala original, así como los mismos patrones de correlación de las dimensiones entre sí; al igual que diferencias sexuales esperables desde el marco evolucionario, siendo las mujeres quienes responden con mayores valores en dos de las dimensiones de este constructo, reflejando una fuerte reacción basal a las situaciones que amenazan una relación valorada.
The Kinematics and Dynamics of Undulatory Motion of a Tuna-Mimetic Robot
Authors: Farideddin Masoomi Sayyed , Gutschmidt Stefanie , Chen XiaoQi , Sellier Mathieu
Published: July 2015

This paper presents the steps for the mathematical modelling of a fish robot with four degrees of freedom (DOF) called UC-Ika 1. The swimming motion of the robot, which is inspired by tuna fish, needs to generate an undulatory motion by its tail peduncle and caudal fin. Hence, the robot has the benefit of a tail mechanism that plays a determining role in the dynamic behaviour of the robot. Analysing this tail mechanism and the hydrodynamic forces acting upon the fish robot, the governing equations of motion of the robot are derived. Solving these dynamic equations reveals that the robot has a cruising speed of 0.29 m/s, a slight oscillation in the Y direction, and a small swing around its centre of mass. These results are validated by the experimental results of UC-Ika 1.
Design of Spreading-Codes-Assisted Active Imaging System
Authors: Volkov Alexey , Žganec Gros Jerneja , Žganec Mario , Žganec Mario , Javornik Tomaž , Aleš Švigelj
Published: July 2015

This work discusses an innovative approach to imaging which can improve the robustness of existing active-range measurement methods and potentially enhance their use in a variety of outdoor applications. By merging a proven modulation technique from the domain of spread-spectrum communications with the bleeding-edge CMOS sensor technology, the prototype of the modulated range sensor is designed and evaluated. A suitable set of application-specific spreading codes is proposed, evaluated and tested on the prototype. Experimental results show that the introduced modulation technique significantly reduces the impacts of environmental factors such as sunlight and external light sources, as well as mutual interference of identical devices. The proposed approach can be considered as a promising basis for a new generation of robust and cost-efficient range-sensing solutions for automotive applications, autonomous vehicles or robots.
Justicia y género: las propuestas de Nancy Fraser
Authors: Posada Kubissa María Luisa
Published: July 2015

Nancy Fraser piensa la justicia desde el enfoque tridimensional de la redistribución, el reconocimiento y la representación. Proponemos una lectura de cómo aplica estos paradigmas a la justicia de género. Además de sugerir algunas objeciones críticas, esta lectura apunta cómo la propuesta de Fraser, aun cuando ella no lo explicite así, parece estar guiada por la preeminencia de la idea de igualdad como redistribución frente al reconocimiento de las diferencias.
La relación entre derecho, técnica y guerra en el pensamiento de Carl Schmitt
Authors: Tripolone Gerardo
Published: July 2015

En el presente trabajo identificamos una posible contradicción en la obra de Carl Schmitt y proponemos una interpretación que la subsanaría. Por un lado, Schmitt fue crítico de la pérdida de una «Idea política» en favor del progreso técnico. Por el otro, añoraba el Ius Publicum Europaeum y la ordenación mundial que éste había logrado. Sin embargo, el Ius Publicum Europaeum fue un producto de la modernidad, era del auge de la técnica y de pérdida de la Idea política católico-medieval. Según nuestra interpretación, esta aparente contradicción tiene solución: el Ius Publicum Europaeum, a pesar de ser un producto de la modernidad, constituye el último intento del Derecho por ser el Kat-echon de la Historia.
Un ancla en la nada. Interpretación de la lectura de M. Henry del concepto de angustia de S. Kierkegaard.
Authors: Garrido-Maturano Ángel Enrique
Published: July 2015

El artículo analiza críticamente la lectura de Michel Henry del concepto kierkegaardiano de angustia. Primero explicita por qué para Henry la angustia ante la posibilidad como posibilidad y la inherente a la sexualidad conforman la “expresión paroxística” de la esencia de la vida. Luego muestra por qué para Kierkegaard la angustia no sólo es una experiencia de la vida como posibilidad de poder, sino también la experiencia de la posibilidad de la nada. Finalmente muestra cómo la tensión dialéctica entra ambas formas de la angustia conduce a la fe, y determina una noción no confesional del fenómeno.
Los afectos como efectos del lenguaje sobre el cuerpo: de las pasiones de Aristóteles a los afectos en la teoría psicoanalítica de Freud y Lacan
Authors: Conde Soto Francisco
Published: July 2015

El objetivo de este artículo es defender lacontinuidad entre la propuesta del psicoanálisis freudiano y lacaniano deentender los afectos a partir de la relación entre el lenguaje y el sujeto y elanálisis de las pasiones de Aristóteles. Para ello se atenderá en primer lugar aciertos pasajes de la Retórica deAristóteles. En segundo lugar se introducirá el concepto de afecto en la teoríapsicoanalítica de Freud, centrado en una concepción energética de la psique (comolibido o como cantidad de afecto) y en la preponderancia otorgada a la angustiacomo afecto paradigmático. Finalmente se presentará la comprensión lacanianadel afecto como efecto del lenguaje sobre el sujeto, en contraste con lasemociones del cuerpo, a partir de dos textos situados en los inicios de laúltima época de su enseñanza Radiofonía(1970) y Televisión (1974).
Ser ejecutivo y razón narrativa en la epistemología de Ortega
Authors: Ferrari Nieto Enrique
Published: July 2015

En "Ensayo de estética a manera de prólogo" (1914) Ortega contrapone a las limitaciones del conocimiento que se sirve del concepto (el ser objetivo del idealismo) la capacidad del arte para mostrar el ser ejecutivo de las cosas. Pero no desarrolla su propuesta, confinada aquí al ámbito estético. Solo en su curso "Vida como ejecución", en 1929, la retoma para su ontología, para la comprensión de "mi vida". Cabe, sin embargo, un recorrido mayor para el ser ejecutivo (aunque Ortega eluda el término) con su papel cardinal en la razón narrativa, una concreción metodológica de su razón histórica, que encuentra en la biografía una aplicación eficaz.
Subjetividad trascendental. El giro irracional de la Crítica del Juicio.
Authors: Aranda Utrero Víctor
Published: July 2015

El objetivo de esta nota es el análisis crítico de las razones esgrimidas por Marco Sgarbi, Nuria Sánchez y Óscar Cubo, autores de recientes aportaciones en castellano a la bibliografía sobre la Crítica del Juicio, para sostener la tesis de que el objeto de la misma, lejos de limitarse a lo bello y lo sublime, no es sino una exposición de los principios trascendentales que gobiernan la facultad de juzgar, entendida esta como un puente entre las esferas de la razón y el entendimiento. Ahora bien, dicho puente no se define en términos objetivos o racionales: en tanto condición de posibilidad del pensar conceptual, en la tercera Crítica opera, para los profesores citados, una "segunda revolución", un "giro irracional", hacia la subjetividad.
Instrumentos para la evaluación de la atención primaria de salud: una revisión narrativa
Authors: Vélez Álvarez Consuelo , Giraldo Osorio Alexandra
Published: July 2015

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión narrativa sobre artículos que presentan instrumentos utilizados para la evaluación de la atención primaria de salud a nivel mundial.
Materiales y métodos: La búsqueda se realizó en Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane y Lilacs de artículos publicados entre 2008 y 2013. Los descriptores utilizados fueron: primary health care, health care evaluation mechanisms, questionnaires and validation study. Como criterios de elegibilidad de los artículos se incluyeron tres idiomas y estudios de validación. Se construyó una matriz de análisis por base de datos con las características de cada artículo, luego se consolidó una matriz final con los artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y se analizaron los instrumentos encontrados. El análisis de la información se llevó a cabo por las dos autoras de forma independiente, para una mayor objetividad.
Resultados: Se obtuvieron 128 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión establecidos en el estudio. El porcentaje de instrumentos identificados por categorías de análisis fueron: Estilos de vida y enfermedades crónicas 20,3%, Estrategia de APS – Administración 5,4%, Estrategia de APS - Relación Equipo de salud Usuario 23,4%, Salud Mental 28,9% y otras áreas temáticas 21,9%.
Conclusiones: Existe una amplia y variada disponibilidad de instrumentos genéricos y específicos que han sido validados en el contexto mundial para evaluar la estrategia de atención primaria de salud, sobre los cuales es posible reconstruir la mejor evidencia como herramienta de trabajo.
Efectos de una intervención on line en conductas de autocuidado asociadas a la alimentación
Authors: Jaimovich Sonia , Campos María Cecilia , Bustos José , Campos María Sylvia , Lillo Verónica , Herrera Luz María , Arellano Valentina
Published: July 2015

Resultados del proyecto “Prevención del sobrepeso y de la obesidad en escolares chilenos: Apuesta a la capacidad emprendedora de los niños” (FONIS SA10I20016) en respuesta a la interrogante: ¿Es posible contribuir al cambio de conductas asociadas a sobrepeso y obesidad a través de una intervención diseñada para este fin?
Material y Métodos: Estudio cuasi experimental en niños/as de 5º y 6º año básico de colegios municipalizados, comuna La Pintana, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Previa obtención de consentimiento informado, se seleccionaron mediante muestreo aleatorio por conglomerado 6 colegios para grupo estudio n=442 y 6 colegios para grupo control n=328. La intervención, con apoyo de software en página Web, se realizó en función del auto diagnóstico de conductas asociadas a la alimentación, identificadas con el instrumento Moore Index Nutrition-Child (MIN-C©), diseñado de acuerdo al marco conceptual de la Teoría de Déficit de Autocuidado de Dorothea Orem. El análisis de resultados utilizó pruebas paramétricas con software R 2012.
Resultados: Existe efecto positivo del número de ingresos al sitio web sobre las conductas observadas en el post test comparadas con las del pretest en el grupo intervenido.

Conclusión: El efecto de la intervención fue estadísticamente significativo para las conductas estudiadas, en los niños/as que utilizaron el software 8 y más veces. El marco teórico de Orem permite el diseño de una intervención dirigida a motivar el cambio de conductas asociadas a una alimentación saludable
Samplings musicales versus samples literarios
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Cussen Felipe
Published: July 2015

En los últimos años se han utilizado con frecuencia términos provenientes de la música electrónica para calificar las prácticas de apropiación literaria. Uno de estos conceptos es el de sampling, que además se ha ocupado de manera general para aplicarse a otras disciplinas artísticas. Me interesa, sin embargo, rescatar algunos aspectos específicos del sampling tal como se comprende en el campo de la música electrónica, y en particular las consideraciones de Mark Katz, quien establece que este procedimiento corresponde a una cita “performativa”. Desde allí propongo el análisis de una serie de obras de poesía visual y poesía sonora que sí coincidirían con esta forma de apropiación, pues se basan en la manipulación directa de la materialidad del lenguaje y sus soportes. Esta comparación permite, a mi juicio, plantear nuevas preguntas sobre el estatus de la literatura.
Amalgam – Técnicas colaborativas dentro de espacios cooperativos
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Deery Aidan , Dzjaparidze Michaël , Renwick Robin
Published: July 2015

Este artículo describe los resultados de una residencia en la que tres participantes combinaron sus prácticas dentro de tres áreas dispares del arte sonoro. Durante la residencia, se agregó un cuarto "intérprete" para representar el edificio anfitrión en la forma de sus datos inalámbricos de Internet y se desarrolló un marco para facilitar esta metáfora al tiempo que integraba distintas consideraciones estéticas. Esto culminó en una serie de presentaciones en vivo titulada Amalgam, que se describe en el contexto de colaboración y cooperación. También se explora el discurso sobre la disponibilidad de la red, la autoría y el uso de datos no musicales.
El rol del espacio en la clarificación de los materiales sonoros en música acusmática
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Schumacher Ratti Federico
Published: July 2015

El espacio y, específicamente, el control sistemático de movimientos y trayectorias espaciales de los sonidos parece ser uno de los aspectos más distintivos del modo de producción concreto-acusmático, ello tanto en las gramáticas de producción como en la experiencia de escucha acusmática. Quienes se relacionan con esta práctica musical desde el rol de compositores asignan a estas gramáticas de producción un rol importante, si no esencial, en la clarificación sintáctica de la obra, sin embargo cabe preguntarse si este enfoque es compartido con quienes ofician de auditores de esta música. Con este objeto se diseñó un experimento que buscó contrastar declaraciones de compositores con la percepción de sujetos en tanto auditores. De los resultados de este experimento, si bien provisorios, se podría colegir que en los auditores las gramáticas de producción del espacio tienen un rol principalmente psicológico y secundariamente sintáctico. Adicionalmente la presencia de estas gramáticas en la obra acusmática puede ser parte esencial del contenido emocional de la experiencia de escucha acusmática.
Una nueva aproximación a la representación tímbrica de una batería de jazz de nueve piezas
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, R. Taylor John
Published: July 2015

Muchas herramientas comerciales de interpretación de percusión basadas en software emplean técnicas de programación y muestreo múltiple para simular la interpretación de percusión humana. Sin embargo, varias de estas simulaciones tienen como objetivo producir un nivel de consistencia tímbrica que, paradójicamente, solo se puede lograr usando una computadora. Esto se debe a que los modelos existentes no tienen en cuenta los matices microtímbricos de la interpretación de percusión humana y las complejidades de los timbres de la batería. En consecuencia, existen oportunidades en la intersección de la música, la ciencia y la tecnología para representar sónicamente una batería de jazz de nueve piezas que comprende membranófonos e idiófonos. Esto presenta desafíos que van desde la implementación tecnológica y la organización perceptiva hasta la simulación del contexto de la música/interpretación; y las oportunidades incluyen la exploración del timbre de percusión con fines compositivos. Este estudio, que es parte de un proyecto de investigación más amplio, describe estos desafíos y oportunidades y propone un nuevo enfoque para la clasificación de timbres de percusión con el fin de crear una representación tímbrica de percusión para su uso en herramientas de software de composición.
Música y tecnomorfismo: surgimiento del concepto y estudios preliminares
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Holmes Bryan
Published: July 2015

Este trabajo aborda el concepto de tecnomorfismo aplicado a la música. Aunque es un término relativamente nuevo, se aprecia su uso actual en diversas disciplinas como el diseño industrial, la psicología, la arquitectura, las bellas artes o la informática. En la investigación musical, la literatura que aborda este tema muestra una concentración exclusiva en la música contemporánea de tradición occidental, especialmente cuando la écriture instrumental o vocal está influenciada por técnicas y procesos originados en la música electroacústica. Además de investigar los orígenes del concepto estudiado, se realizó un levantamiento y revisión bibliográfica, confrontando sistemáticamente textos en portugués que mencionan el tecnomorfismo en la música. Al final, se propone una extensión del estudio de este tema a otros géneros musicales, ofreciendo breves ejemplos.
Control of coupling mass balance error in a process‐based numerical model of surface‐subsurface flow interaction
Authors: Fiorentini Marcello , Orlandini Stefano , Paniconi Claudio
Published: July 2015

A process‐based numerical model of integrated surface‐subsurface flow is analyzed in order to identify, track, and reduce the mass balance errors affiliated with the model's coupling scheme. The sources of coupling error include a surface‐subsurface grid interface that requires node‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐node interpolation of exchange fluxes and ponding heads, and a sequential iterative time matching procedure that includes a time lag in these same exchange terms. Based on numerical experiments carried out for two synthetic test cases and for a complex drainage basin in northern Italy, it is shown that the coupling mass balance error increases during the flood recession limb when the rate of change in the fluxes exchanged between the surface and subsurface is highest. A dimensionless index that quantifies the degree of coupling and a saturated area index are introduced to monitor the sensitivity of the model to coupling error. Error reduction is achieved through improvements to the heuristic procedure used to control and adapt the time step interval and to the interpolation algorithm used to pass exchange variables from nodes to cells. The analysis presented illustrates the trade‐offs between a flexible description of surface and subsurface flow processes and the numerical errors inherent in sequential iterative coupling with staggered nodal points at the land surface interface, and it reveals mitigation strategies that are applicable to all integrated models sharing this coupling and discretization approach.
Age of theLavaCreek supereruption and magma chamber assembly at Yellowstone based on40Ar/39Ar andU‐Pb dating of sanidine and zircon crystals
Authors: Matthews Naomi E. , Vazquez Jorge A. , Calvert Andrew T.
Published: July 2015

The last supereruption from the Yellowstone Plateau formed Yellowstone caldera and ejected the >1000 km3of rhyolite that composes the Lava Creek Tuff. Tephra from the Lava Creek eruption is a key Quaternary chronostratigraphic marker, in particular for dating the deposition of mid Pleistocene glacial and pluvial deposits in western North America. To resolve the timing of eruption and crystallization history for the Lava Creek magma, we performed (1)40Ar/39Ar dating of single sanidine crystals to delimit eruption age and (2) ion microprobe U‐Pb and trace‐element analyses of the crystal faces and interiors of single zircons to date the interval of zircon crystallization and characterize magmatic evolution. Sanidines from the two informal members composing Lava Creek Tuff yield a preferred40Ar/39Ar isochron date of 631.3 ± 4.3 ka. Crystal faces on zircons from both members yield a weighted mean206Pb/238U date of 626.5 ± 5.8 ka, and have trace element concentrations that vary with the eruptive stratigraphy. Zircon interiors yield a mean206Pb/238U date of 659.8 ± 5.5 ka, and reveal reverse and/or oscillatory zoning of trace element concentrations, with many crystals containing high U concentration cores that likely grew from highly evolved melt. The occurrence of distal Lava Creek tephra in stratigraphic sequences marking the Marine Isotope Stage 16–15 transition supports the apparent eruption age of ∼631 ka. The combined results reveal that Lava Creek zircons record episodic heating, renewed crystallization, and an overall up‐temperature evolution for Yellowstone's subvolcanic reservoir in the 103−104year interval before eruption.
MIS 3 to MIS 1 temporal and LGM spatial variability in Arctic Ocean sea ice cover: Reconstruction from biomarkers
Authors: Xiao Xiaotong , Stein Ruediger , Fahl Kirsten
Published: July 2015

Using the sea ice proxy IP25 and phytoplankton‐derived biomarkers (brassicasterol and dinosterol), Arctic sea ice conditions were reconstructed for Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 to 1—with special emphasis on the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)—in sediment cores from the northern Barents Sea continental margin across the central Arctic Ocean to the southern Mendeleev Ridge. Our results suggest more extensive sea ice cover than present day during the latter part of MIS 3, increasing sea ice growth during MIS 2 and decreased sea ice cover during the last deglacial. The summer ice edge remained north of the Barents Sea even during extremely cold (i.e., Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)) as well as warm periods (i.e., Bølling‐Allerød). During the LGM, the western Svalbard margin and the northern Barents Sea margin areas were characterized by high concentrations of both IP25 and phytoplankton biomarkers, interpreted as a productive ice edge situation caused by the inflow of warm Atlantic water. In contrast, the LGM central Arctic Ocean (north of 84°N) was covered by thick permanent sea ice throughout the year with rare breakup, indicated by zero or near‐zero biomarker concentrations. The spring/summer sea ice margin significantly extended southward to the Laptev Sea shelf (southern Lomonosov Ridge) and southern Mendeleev Ridge during the LGM. Our proxy reconstructions are very consistent with published model results based on the North Atlantic/Arctic Ocean Sea Ice Model.
Climatic and landscape controls on water transit times and silicate mineral weathering in the critical zone
Authors: Zapata‐Rios Xavier , McIntosh Jennifer , Rademacher Laura , Troch Peter A. , Brooks Paul D. , Rasmussen Craig , Chorover Jon
Published: July 2015

The critical zone (CZ) can be conceptualized as an open system reactor that is continually transforming energy and water fluxes into an internal structural organization and dissipative products. In this study, we test a controlling factor on water transit times (WTT) and mineral weathering called Effective Energy and Mass Transfer (EEMT). We hypothesize that EEMT, quantified based on local climatic variables, can effectively predict WTT within—and mineral weathering products from—the CZ. This study tests whether EEMT or static landscape characteristics are good predictors of WTT, aqueous phase solutes, and silicate weathering products. Our study site is located around Redondo Peak, a rhyolitic volcanic resurgent dome, in northern New Mexico. At Redondo Peak, springs drain slopes along an energy gradient created by differences in terrain aspect. This investigation uses major solute concentrations, the calculated mineral mass undergoing dissolution, and the age tracer tritium and relates them quantitatively to EEMT and landscape characteristics. We found significant correlations between EEMT, WTT, and mineral weathering products. Significant correlations were observed between dissolved weathering products (Na+ and DIC), 3H concentrations, and maximum EEMT. In contrast, landscape characteristics such as contributing area of spring, slope gradient, elevation, and flow path length were not as effective predictive variables of WTT, solute concentrations, and mineral weathering products. These results highlight the interrelationship between landscape, hydrological, and biogeochemical processes and suggest that basic climatic data embodied in EEMT can be used to scale hydrological and hydrochemical responses in other sites.
Nanocrystalline Low‐Refractive Magnesium Fluoride Films Deposited by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering: Optical and Structural Properties
Authors: Mertin Stefan , Marot Laurent , Sandu Cosmin S. , Steiner Roland , Scartezzini Jean‐Louis , Muralt Paul
Published: July 2015

In this work, we study MgF2 thin‐film synthesis by reactive pulsed DC magnetron sputtering from a metallic magnesium target in a gas mixture of argon, oxygen, and carbon tetrafluoride (CF4). Nanocrystalline films on silicon and glass substrates with excellent properties for optical application are achieved. The plasma discharge is analyzed with a differentially pumped mass spectrometer before and during the deposition process. Without breaking the vacuum, monochromatic photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is performed for in situ determination of the atomic C and O concentration. Film microstructure, topography, and thickness are investigated by electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The optical constants n and k are determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and spectrophotometry: a consistent parametric fit of the ellipsometric angles and spectral transmittance and reflectance based on three Lorentz oscillators to determine n and k is achieved for a wide spectral range (300–2 300 nm). At 550 nm, a refractive index of 1.382 and near‐zero absorption is obtained, which is in excellent agreement with n = 1.383 of polycrystalline MgF2. The measured light reflection at 760 nm is reduced by 3% for a quarter‐wave nanocrystalline MgF2 coating on glass compared to the uncoated glass substrate.
Label‐Free, Electrochemical Quantitation of Potassium Ions from Femtomolar Levels
Authors: Zhu Bicheng , Booth Marsilea A. , Woo Han Young , Hodgkiss Justin M. , Travas‐Sejdic Jadranka
Published: July 2015

In this communication, a label‐free and sensitive electrochemical method to detect potassium ions is proposed. The conducting polymer polypyrrole was used as both an anchor for the probe and a transducer of the detection event. A K+‐specific G‐rich aptamer was applied as a recognition element, which folded into the G‐quadruplex structure in the presence of K+, and this resulted in an increase in the electrode impedance. The combination of the K+‐selective aptamer and the porous conducting polymer as a signal transducer afforded a successful sensor platform. The sensor responded approximately logarithmically over a wide dynamic range of K+ concentrations from 20 fm to 1 mm, with a very low detection limit of 14.7 fm and excellent discrimination against other ions. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to study the kinetics of K+ binding at the conducting polymer–immobilized aptamer surface, which indicated strong binding between the two. This work demonstrates a powerful approach for the sensitive, selective, and direct electrochemical detection of metal ions based on the switching conformation of G‐rich aptamers attached to a porous conducting polymer surface. This assay scheme can be expanded to the detection of a wide range of targets by modifying the aptamer structure as a recognizing moiety.
Methodological approach to determine minor, considerable, and major treatment effects in the early benefit assessment of new drugs
Authors: Skipka Guido , Wieseler Beate , Kaiser Thomas , Thomas Stefanie , Bender Ralf , Windeler Jürgen , Lange Stefan
Published: July 2015

At the beginning of 2011, the early benefit assessment of new drugs was introduced in Germany with the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG). The Federal Joint Committee (G‐BA) generally commissions the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) with this type of assessment, which examines whether a new drug shows an added benefit (a positive patient‐relevant treatment effect) over the current standard therapy. IQWiG is required to assess the extent of added benefit on the basis of a dossier submitted by the pharmaceutical company responsible. In this context, IQWiG was faced with the task of developing a transparent and plausible approach for operationalizing how to determine the extent of added benefit. In the case of an added benefit, the law specifies three main extent categories (minor, considerable, major). To restrict value judgements to a minimum in the first stage of the assessment process, an explicit and abstract operationalization was needed. The present paper is limited to the situation of binary data (analysis of 2 × 2 tables), using the relative risk as an effect measure. For the treatment effect to be classified as a minor, considerable, or major added benefit, the methodological approach stipulates that the (two‐sided) 95% confidence interval of the effect must exceed a specified distance to the zero effect. In summary, we assume that our approach provides a robust, transparent, and thus predictable foundation to determine minor, considerable, and major treatment effects on binary outcomes in the early benefit assessment of new drugs in Germany. After a decision on the added benefit of a new drug by G‐BA, the classification of added benefit is used to inform pricing negotiations between the umbrella organization of statutory health insurance and the pharmaceutical companies.
Engineering a branch of the UDP‐precursor biosynthesis pathway enhances the production of capsular polysaccharide in Escherichia coli O5:K4:H4
Authors: Cimini Donatella , Carlino Elisabetta , Giovane Alfonso , Argenzio Ottavia , Dello Iacono Ileana , De Rosa Mario , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: July 2015

Escherichia coli K4 produces a capsule with a chemical structure that resembles chondroitin, a molecule with established chondro protective properties. The endogenous genes pgm and galU are involved in the biosynthesis of UDP‐glucose which is a critical intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism and biochemical precursor of UDP‐glucuronic acid. Together with UDP‐N‐acetylgalactosamine, UDP‐glucuronic acid is used as sugar donor for capsule biosynthesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate how a change in the pathways leading to UDP‐glucuronic acid biosynthesis affected capsular polysaccharide production. One additional copy of pgm and galU was introduced in E. coli K4 and in the previously described recombinant strain EcK4r3. A microbioreactor was used to analyse strain performance with parallel batch experiments, demonstrating increased polysaccharide concentrations and providing data that are comparable to those obtained in larger fermenters. Further experiments on a glutamine enriched medium showed an additional 45% increase of capsule production, maybe indicating the need to balance both branches leading to polymer biosynthesis in order to maximize yields. In the effort towards the establishment of a feasible bio‐chondroitin production process this study provides information on how the availability of sugar precursors impacts polysaccharide biosynthesis in E. coli K4, a complex unexplored aspect of a multifaceted process.
Recent therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury
Authors: Raspa Andrea , Pugliese Raffaele , Maleki Mahboubeh , Gelain Fabrizio
Published: July 2015

A spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes permanent changes in strength and sensation functions below the site of the injury and affects thousands of people each year. Transplantation of stem cells is a promising approach in acute SCI as it may support spinal cord repair. However, in case of chronic SCI greater amounts of nervous tissue have to be regenerated, leaving scaffold transplantation the only feasible option for cellular engraftment and nervous bridging. The aim of regenerative medicine, specifically tissue engineering, is to create a microenvironment that mimics native extracellular matrix (ECM), capable of promoting specific cell‐matrix interactions, coaxing cell behavior, and fostering host tissue regeneration. In this regard, nanostructured scaffolds are currently the most promising advanced substrates capable of supporting nervous fiber ingrowth and delivery of neurotrophic drugs. Among them, electrospinning technique and Self‐Assembling Peptides (SAPs) have recently attracted lots of attention for their reproducible synthesis and high tailorability. This review highlights clinical trials and recent encouraging strategies for spinal cord repair comprising both cell therapy and nanomedicine. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 253–259. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving fold activation of small transcription activating RNAs (STARs) with rational RNA engineering strategies
Authors: Meyer Sarai , Chappell James , Sankar Sitara , Chew Rebecca , Lucks Julius B.
Published: July 2015

Regulatory RNAs have become integral components of the synthetic biology and bioengineering toolbox for controlling gene expression. We recently expanded this toolbox by creating small transcription activating RNAs (STARs) that act by disrupting the formation of a target transcriptional terminator hairpin placed upstream of a gene. While STARs are a promising addition to the repertoire of RNA regulators, much work remains to be done to optimize the fold activation of these systems. Here we apply rational RNA engineering strategies to improve the fold activation of two STAR regulators. We demonstrate that a combination of promoter strength tuning and multiple RNA engineering strategies can improve fold activation from 5.4‐fold to 13.4‐fold for a STAR regulator derived from the pbuE riboswitch terminator. We then validate the generality of our approach and show that these same strategies improve fold activation from 2.1‐fold to 14.6‐fold for an unrelated STAR regulator, opening the door to creating a range of additional STARs to use in a broad array of biotechnologies. We also establish that the optimizations preserve the orthogonality of these STARs between themselves and a set of RNA transcriptional repressors, enabling these optimized STARs to be used in sophisticated circuits. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 216–225. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New finding that might explain why the skin wrinkles more on various parts of the face
Authors: Tamatsu Yuichi , Tsukahara Kazue , Sugawara Yasushi , Shimada Kazuyuki
Published: July 2015

The mechanism of formation of facial wrinkles has not been fully clarified due to the existence of many distinct influential factors. To clarify the relationship between facial wrinkles and structures in the skin, especially sebaceous glands, image analysis was performed on the forehead and lateral canthus regions of cadaveric skin specimens; 58 male and female donated cadavers (age range at death 20s – 90s) were included in the study. Specimens were obtained from forehead and lateral canthus region after measuring wrinkle depth. Then tissue slices were prepared to observe the sebaceous gland and its density was measured and analyzed in relation to wrinkle depth, retinacula cutis density, dermal thickness, and solar elastosis degree. A correlation was found between sebaceous gland density and wrinkle depth in forehead specimens with a lower retinacula cutis density. Wrinkles were shallower in specimens with a higher sebaceous gland density. However, no such correlation was found in lateral canthus wrinkles, presumably due to the lack of sebaceous glands in that region. In addition, specimens with a higher sebaceous gland density tended to have a thicker dermis and/or less solar elastosis. Sebaceous gland density seems to be one of the multiple factors that prevent wrinkle deepening, and that is why wrinkles are deeper in the lateral canthus area than in the forehead. Functional studies will elucidate the mechanism of wrinkle formation in the future. Clin. Anat. 28:745–752, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The subparaneurial compartment: A new concept in the clinicoanatomic classification of peripheral nerve lesions
Authors: Prasad Nikhil K. , Capek Stepan , de Ruiter Godard C.W. , Amrami Kimberly K. , Spinner Robert J.
Published: July 2015

Based on our experience in treating peripheral non‐neural sheath derived pathology, we have identified a novel pattern of lesion progression along the anatomic course of nerves. This report highlights the existence of a subparaneurial compartment around peripheral nerves. We first applied an anatomic framework to review MR images and intraoperative photographs of patients treated by the senior author in the last 10 years. After identifying a pattern that was consistent with subparaneurial lesion progression, we searched for other examples of cases that might exhibit this pattern. Four examples of subparaneurial pathology were identified, a hemangioma of the ulnar nerve, a ganglion cyst of the common fibular nerve, a lymphoma of the sciatic nerve and a lipoma of the ulnar nerve. All four patients were operated on and had intraoperative photographs; three had high resolution MR imaging. This report highlights the existence of pathology contained within a subparaneurial compartment, outside of the epineurium, that follows the course of the nerve and surrounds it circumferentially. The subparaneurial localization of peripheral nerve lesions has hitherto received little attention. Identification of this new pattern on preoperative MRI may have implications for surgical management. Clin. Anat. 28:925–930, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure Refinement of the Electron‐Transfer‐Active Potassium Manganese Hexacyanoferrates and Isomorphous Potassium Manganese Hexacyanocobaltates.
Authors: Rykov Alexandre I. , Li Xuning , Wang Junhu
Published: July 2015

The compounds KMn4 [Fe1‐xCox(CN)6] 3·12H2O (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are synthesized from aqueous solutions containing excess K3[Fe(CN)6] and K3[Co(CN)6], Mn(NO3)2, and excess KCl (50 °C, 10 min).
ChemInform Abstract: Stabilization of the Ti3Co5B2‐Type Structure for Ti3‐xSixRu5B2 Through Si—Ti Substitution.
Authors: Xie Weiwei , Fuccillo M. K. , Phelan B. F. , Luo H. , Cava R. J.
Published: July 2015

Ti3‐xSixRu5B2 (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25) phases are prepared by arc melting of the elements and characterized by single crystal XRD, magnetization and resistivity measurements, and electronic structure calculations at the TB‐LMTO‐ASA and extended Hueckel level of theory.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure and Thermal Expansion of a CsCe2Cl7 Scintillator.
Authors: Zhuravleva M. , Lindsey A. , Chakoumakos B. C. , Custelcean R. , Meilleur F. , Hughes R. W. , Kriven W. M. , Melcher C. L.
Published: July 2015

Crystals of the title compound are grown from stoichiometric mixtures of CsCl and CeCl3 by the vertical Bridgman method.
ChemInform Abstract: Luminescent Nitridophosphates CaP2N4:Eu2+, SrP2N4:Eu2+, BaP2N4:Eu2+, and BaSr2P6N12:Eu2+.
Authors: Pucher Florian J. , Marchuk Alexey , Schmidt Peter J. , Wiechert Detlef , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: July 2015

MP2N4:Eu2+ (M: Ca, Sr, Ba) and BaSr2P6N12:Eu2+ are prepared by hot pressing the corresponding azides and P3N5 with 1—2 mol% EuCl2 (multianvil press, 5—8 GPa, 1100—1300 °C, 10 min).
ChemInform Abstract: Photocatalytic Water Splitting and CO2 Reduction over KCaSrTa5O15 Nanorod Prepared by a Polymerized Complex Method.
Authors: Takayama Tomoaki , Iwase Akihide , Kudo Akihiko
Published: July 2015

Polycrystalline KCaSrTa5O15 is prepared by calcination of a mixture of the metal carbonates and Ta2O5 in air (K:Ca:Sr:Ta = 1.05:1:1:5; 1423 K, 10 h).
ChemInform Abstract: Modulation of Framework and Centricity: Cation Size Effect in New Quaternary Selenites, ASc(SeO3)2 (A: Na, K, Rb, and Cs).
Authors: Song Seung Yoon , Ok Kang Min
Published: July 2015

The new title compounds are hydrothermally synthesized from aqueous mixtures of A2CO3 (A: Na, K, Rb, Cs), Sc(NO3)3 (or ScO3), and SeO2 (autoclave, 180—230 °C, 3—4 d, 66, 69, 57, and 73% yield for the Na‐, K‐, Rb‐, and Cs‐containing compound, respectively).
ChemInform Abstract: Facile Sonochemical Synthesis of Near Spherical Barium Zirconate Titanate (BaZr1‐yTiyO3; BZT); Perovskite Stability and Formation Mechanism.
Authors: Wirunchit Supamas , Charoonsuk Thitirat , Vittayakorn Naratip
Published: July 2015

Nanospheres of Ba(ZryTi1‐y)O3 (y = 0‐0.6) are prepared by high‐intensity pulsed ultrasonication (20 kHz, 750 W, 2 second pulse, 1 second pause) of stoichiometric mixtures of aqueous solutions of TiCl4, ZrOCl2, and BaCl2 slowly given to NaOH as the precipitant.
ChemInform Abstract: Syntheses, Characterization, and Optical Properties of Centrosymmetric Ba3(BS3)1.5(MS3)0.5 and Noncentrosymmetric Ba3(BQ3)(SbQ3).
Authors: Li Yan‐Yan , Li Bing‐Xuan , Zhang Ge , Zhou Liu‐Jiang , Lin Hua , Shen Jin‐Ni , Zhang Cheng‐Yi , Chen Ling , Wu Li‐Ming
Published: July 2015

The new compounds Ba3(BS3)1.5(MS3)0.5 (I) with M: Sb, Bi and Ba3(BQ3)(SbQ3) (II) with Q: S, Se are synthesized by solid state reaction of stoichiometric mixtures of the elements (graphite crucible in an evacuated silica tube, 820—920 °C).
ChemInform Abstract: New Ag(F1‐xClx) Phases for Energy Storage Applications.
Authors: Adamczyk Wojciech , Polczynski Piotr , Mika Andrzej , Jaron Tomasz , Mazej Zoran , Fijalkowski Karol J. , Jurczakowski Rafal , Grochala Wojciech
Published: July 2015

Mixed‐halide phases of Ag(I) with stoichiometries close to AgF0.5Cl0.5 and AgF0.75Cl0.25 are prepared by reactions of AgF (or AgF2, resp.) and AgCl in an 1:1 molar ratio (sealed PTFE reactor, 400 °C resp.
ChemInform Abstract: Bipyridine‐ and Phenanthroline‐Based Metal—Organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient and Tandem Catalytic Organic Transformations via Directed C—H Activation.
Authors: Manna Kuntal , Zhang Teng , Greene Francis X. , Lin Wenbin
Published: July 2015

A series of robust and porous bipyridyl‐ and phenanthryl‐based metal—organic frameworks (MOFs) of UiO topology is prepared and metalated with [Ir(cod)(OMe)]2 to provide Ir—MOF complexes which are highly active catalysts for tandem hydrosilylation of aryl ketones and aldehydes followed by dehydrogenative ortho‐silylation as well as C—H boration of arenes.
ChemInform Abstract: Robustness Screen in Enantioselective Catalysis Enabled Generation of Enantioenriched Heterocyclic Scaffolds in One Pot.
Authors: Bagle Pradip N. , Shinde Valmik S. , Patil Nitin T.
Published: July 2015

The reaction of aminoaromatics, e.g. (I) and (VI), with up to five alkynols, such as (II) and (III), in one pot affords mixtures of the corresponding enantioenriched aza‐heterocyclic scaffolds (IV)/(V) and (VII)/(VIII) in good yields and enantioselectivities.
ChemInform Abstract: NMO·TPB: A Selectivity Variation on the Ley‐Griffith TPAP Oxidation.
Authors: Moore Peter W. , Mirzayans Paul M. , Williams Craig M.
Published: July 2015

A novel NMO complex is discovered, which modulates the Standard Ley—Griffith oxidation such that benzylic and allylic alcohols are oxidized with considerable selectivity over primary and secondary alcohols.
ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrogenation Using a [2.2]Paracyclophane Based Chiral 1,2,3‐Triazol‐5‐ylidene—Pd Complex under Ambient Conditions and 1 Atmosphere of H2.
Authors: Dasgupta Ayan , Ramkumar Venkatachalam , Sankararaman Sethuraman
Published: July 2015

The triazolylidene—Pd complex PCP bearing a [2.2]paracyclophane moiety is found to be an excellent catalysts for the chemoselective hydrogenation of alkynes and alkenes under abient conditions.
ChemInform Abstract: Application of Nanoparticle Mediated N‐Arylation of Amines for the Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Entities Using vit‐E Analogues as Amphiphiles in Water.
Authors: Kumar Atul , Bishnoi Ajay Kumar
Published: July 2015

The CuI‐nanoparticles catalyze the inter‐ and intramolecular N‐arylation of various amines using vitamin E analogues (TPGS) as amphiphiles in water.
ChemInform Abstract: N‐(1‐Oxy‐2‐picolyl)oxalamic Acids as a New Type of O,O‐Ligands for the Cu‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation of Azoles with Aryl Halides in Water or Organic Solvent.
Authors: Wang Yongbin , Zhang Yu , Yang Beibei , Zhang Ao , Yao Qizheng
Published: July 2015

A green process for the cross‐coupling of azoles and aryl halides in water with low catalyst loading is reported.
ChemInform Abstract: Insight into the Copper‐Catalyzed Borylation of Strained Alkenes.
Authors: Parra Alejandro , Lopez Aurora , Diaz‐Tendero Sergio , Amenos Laura , Ruano Jose Luis Garcia , Tortosa Mariola
Published: July 2015

The Cu(II)‐catalyzed hydro‐ and carboboration of strained alkenes, such as (I), (IV), and (VI) is reported.
ChemInform Abstract: Vinylogy in Nitronates: Utilization of α‐Aryl Conjugated Nitroolefins as a Nucleophile for a Highly Stereoselective aza‐Henry Reaction.
Authors: Oyaizu Keigo , Uraguchi Daisuke , Ooi Takashi
Published: July 2015

The relief of the steric repulsion between cis‐oriented substituents of the nitroolefins seems to assist the facile generation of the vinylogous nitronates, which react with N‐Boc aldimines at the sterically more congested α‐position exclusively, thus establishing the contiguous tertiary‐quaternary stereocenters.
ChemInform Abstract: C—H Activation/Functionalization Catalyzed by Simple, Well‐Defined Low‐Valent Cobalt Complexes.
Authors: Fallon Brendan J. , Derat Etienne , Amatore Muriel , Aubert Corinne , Chemla Fabrice , Ferreira Franck , Perez‐Luna Alejandro , Petit Marc
Published: July 2015

An optimized method is developed which demonstrates the utility of low‐valent Co‐phosphine catalyst to allow the direct C—H alkenylation of aromatic imines using internal alkynes as coupling partners.
ChemInform Abstract: AlCl3‐Catalyzed Insertion of Isocyanides into Nitrogen—Sulfur Bonds of Sulfenamides.
Authors: Shiro Daisuke , Fujiwara Shin‐ichi , Tsuda Susumu , Iwasaki Takanori , Kuniyasu Hitoshi , Kambe Nobuaki
Published: July 2015

A simple and convenient reaction for the synthesis of isothioureas by Lewis acid‐catalyzed insertion of isocyanides into the N—S bond of sulfenamides is developed.
ChemInform Abstract: New Preparation of Benzylic Manganese Chlorides by the Direct Insertion of Magnesium into Benzylic Chlorides in the Presence of MnCl2·2LiCl.
Authors: Quinio Pauline , Benischke Andreas D. , Moyeux Alban , Cahiez Gerard , Knochel Paul
Published: July 2015

Reactions of the new, conveniently prepared benzylic manganese reagents with aldehydes (II), acid chlorides (V), aryl bromides (VII) as well as nitrostyrene (IX) proceed without any additional transition metal.