bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education, Pilgrimage and Pleasure: The Rhetorical Strategies in the Writings of Three Eighteenth-century Swedish Travellers to Italy
Authors: Fogelberg Rota Stefano
Published: May 2018

"The article focuses on the rhetorical strategies used by three early eighteenth-century Swedish travellers to convey their image of Italy. Departing from Chloe Chard’s idea of a particular “imaginative topography”, designating the rhetorical and theoretical strategies used by Grand Tour travellers to describe a foreign and unfamiliar landscape, I analyse letters and memoirs by the three Swedish in order to show how their experience of Italy are presented and transformed in relation to the conditions and motives preceding their journeys.The three personalities I consider – scientist Anders Celsius (1701-1744), count Nils Bielke (1706-1765) and admiral Carl Tersmeden (1715-1797) – were all, in different ways, representative of a particular period in Swedish history, the Age of Liberty (“Frihetstiden”, 1719-1772), that was characterised by fervent cultural and political debates leading to important reforms. The particularities of this time are evident in the travel writings of Celsius, Bielke and Tersmeden. Their often contradictory experiences of Italy are described through hyperboles, similitudes, and other rhetorical devices to express feelings of admiration and, at the same time, dissociation. How these feelings are conveyed in the different texts, with which aims, and, in particular, with which rhetorical strategies, are the questions I direct to their writings in order to present their images of Italy in the Age of Liberty. "
Recollecting prints: Remembrance and Reproduction in Goethe’s Italian Journey
Authors: Plahte Tschudi Victor
Published: May 2018

This article probes into the little explored topic of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s hunt for, obsession with, and dependence on prints. Goethe’s travel memoirs from Italy and Rome, written mostly in restrospect and published with the title Italian Journey, reveal a multitude of references to graphic reproductions of Roman art and architecture. The prints Goethe preferred were often ones that represented buildings and paintings in states in which they no longer existed. Thus, print not only helped Goethe remember, but they illustrate remembrance itself, and I shall argue that Goethe’s view on prints, therefore, complicates the conventionally held opinion of copying in the Enlightenment. The second part pursues Goethe’s attitude to copies further. Leonardo’s Last Supper became an icon of the age not the least thanks to Goethe’s essay on the fresco and his endorsement of Raphael Morghen’s engraving of it. The 19th-century reception of this rapidly deteriorating Renaissance masterpiece, in fact, outlines a notion of reproduction that precedes, also conceptually, Walter Benjamin’s reduction of the idea of copying to the level of mere duplication. In fact, Goethe endorses a creative reproduction that gently reanimates the original, so to speak, which this article will define as a historicist vision of copying.
Closure and Penetration: Reflections on the Pola Casket
Authors: Elsner Jaś
Published: May 2018

In this paper, I examine one of the great surviving objects of early Christian art and conduct a conceptual archaeology of its visual and iconographic sources. I hope in this way to honor the memory of H.P. L’Orange, one of the greatest experts of late antique art from the twentieth century, whose particular strength lay in his ability to interpret late ancient materials in the light of the Classical tradition that had developed beforehand.
Theoderic patron of the churches of Rome?
Authors: Westal Richard
Published: May 2018

The Ostrogothic king Theoderic is generally perceived as having been estranged from and hostile to the Catholic church as a result of his belief in the Arian confession. Theoderic’s strained relations with Pope John I and emperor Justin I towards the end of his reign contribute to this vision. However, in this article evidence is presented that points to a willingness on his part to contribute to projects involving churches in Rome that were under the care of the Catholic bishop. During the sixteenth-century destruction of the old St. Peter’s basilica roof-tiles bearing brick-stamps with the titles and name of Theoderic came to light. Numerous examples have also been recovered from the roof of S. Maria Maggiore. Recent discussions dedicated to the building policy of Theoderic show no awareness of these brick-stamps, even though they, together with the brick-stamps upon roof-tiles from numerous other churches and secular buildings, point to the Ostrogothic ruler’s interest in the architectural adornment of the city of Rome.
St Olav and the Octagon of Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim – a Nordic Martyrion?
Authors: Ekroll Øystein
Published: May 2018

Nidaros Cathedral in Norway was built above the grave site of King Olav Haraldsson, who was killed in 1030 and canonized and enshrined in 1031. His shrine was later places on the high altar of the cathedral which was placed above his grave. The cult of St Olava spread rapidly in the Norse cultural sphere and he was known as rex et martiris, later also as rex perpetuus Norwegie. In c.1180 Archbishop Eystein of Nidaros began building an octagon around the saint’s grave, completed c.1220. This article argues that early Christian and medieval martyria were the models and inspiration for the design of the octagon, especially the Holy Sepulcher Church in Jerusalem as it was rebuilt c.1150. The article argues for an Augustinian connection transmitting the inspirations from Jerusalem to Nidaros. Both the liturgy and legends of St Olav stressed the similarities and parallels between the passions of St Olav and Christ, and the Nidaros octagon is presented as an architectural parallel to the written history. Between 1510 and 1522 a large part of the octagon was carefully dismantled and reassembled at great cost. The author argues that this reflects a renewed interest in the saint and the octagon, which might be inspired by the decision of Pope Julius II in 1506 to rebuild the Basilica of St Peter as a centralized church, with the apostle’s grave forming the central point.
Redefinition and partial revision of the genus Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886 (Arachnida, Araneae, Salticidae)
Authors: Logunov Dmitri V. , Azarkina Galina N.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents an improved diagnosis and definition of the genus Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886, with new taxonomic and faunistic data for 23 species. The genera Microheros Wesołowska & Cumming, 1999 and Mashonarus Wesołowska & Cumming, 2002 are synonymized with Stenaelurillus. Six new species are described: Stenaelurillus bandama sp. nov. (♂♀, from Côte d’Ivoire), S. belihuloya sp. nov. (♂, from Sri Lanka), S. jocquei sp. nov. (♂♀, from Cameroon), S. pseudoguttatus sp. nov. (♂, from Namibia), S. senegalensis sp. nov. (♂♀, from Senegal), and Stenaelurillus siyamae sp. nov. (♀, from Sudan). Lectotypes are designated for two species: S. albopunctatus Caporiacco, 1949 (♂) from Kenya and S. werneri Simon, 1906 (♀) from South Sudan. Six new combinations are proposed: Aelurillus ambiguus (Denis, 1966), comb. nov. (ex Stenaelurillus); Evarcha werneri (Simon, 1906), comb. nov. (ex Stenaelurillus); Phlegra davidi (Caleb, Mungkung & Mathai, 2015), comb. nov. (ex Mashonarus); Stenaelurillus brandbergensis (Wesołowska, 2006), comb. nov. (ex Mashonarus); Stenaelurillus guttatus (Wesołowska & Cumming, 2002), comb. nov. (ex Mashonarus); and S. termitophagus (Wesołowska & Cumming, 1999), comb. nov. (ex Microheros). Two species names are synonymized: Evarcha elegans Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000 with E. werneri comb. nov.; and Aelurillus sahariensis Berland & Millot, 1941 with Stenaelurillus nigricaudus Simon, 1886. The female of S. fuscatus Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000 is described for the first time.
Cooperativas e internacionalización: Un análisis de las 300 mayores cooperativas del mundo
Authors: Bretos Ignacio , Díaz-Foncea Millán , Marcuello Carmen
Published: May 2018

Este artículo aborda un debate clave en el ámbito de la economía social donde la investigación previa es extremadamente limitada: la internacionalización de las cooperativas. Específicamente, presentamos un análisis exploratorio sobre la internacionalización de las 300 mayores cooperativas del mundo entre los años 2010 y 2013, su tamaño y evolución en términos de facturación y empleo, las regiones geográficas donde están localizadas, y los sectores donde desarrollan su actividad. Los datos se han obtenido principalmente del World Cooperative Monitor de la Alianza Cooperativa Internacional y de los informes anuales publicados por las propias cooperativas. La teoría existente sugiere que las cooperativas deberían ser incapaces de expandirse internacionalmente debido a diversas limitaciones e ineficiencias económicas y organizacionales. Sin embargo, nuestros resultados muestran que la internacionalización dista mucho de ser un fenómeno marginal en estas organizaciones. Además, los resultados evidencian que estas cooperativas han aumentado sus niveles de facturación y empleo en el periodo 2010-2013, caracterizado por una severa crisis económica global. En conclusión, este artículo plantea un claro desafío a la teoría actual sobre las cooperativas y advierte la necesidad de revisar nuestra comprensión sobre el rol e impacto de estas organizaciones en el contexto de la globalización.
Responsabilidad social y bienestar de la persona mayor
Authors: Osorio Bayter Lourdes , Salinas Ramos Francisco , Cajigas Romero Margot
Published: May 2018

Este artículo muestra algunos de los resultados del estudio realizado entre el 2012 y 2015 en dos contextos, Colombia y España, cuyo objetivo fue conocer la realidad social de un segmento de mercado en crecimiento y la importancia de las políticas gubernamentales y sociales vigentes para la protección y calidad de vida de la población adulta mayor. Se definen las variables, estructuran y aplican tres encuestas estructuradas y un cuestionario, resaltando las residencias como punto de partida y los diferentes públicos involucrados: adultos mayores, familiares, directivos de centros residenciales y expertos en el tema, compilando información primaria y secundaria referente al hogar/residencia de la persona mayor y las políticas de bienestar en protección, responsabilidad social y centros asistenciales. La salud en la persona se deteriora con el envejecimiento, requiriendo atención especial; siendo la economía social y los centros de promoción, los llamados a tomar cartas en el asunto con mayor inclusión, teniendo en cuenta la trihélice o cuadrihélice social: academia (estudiantes y profesores), empresa social, gobierno (local y nacional) y comunidad (voluntarios). Es necesario coordinar y promover iniciativas de cooperación nacional e internacional, que creen vínculos con diferentes stakeholders, logrando satisfacer necesidades y deseos, así como la calidad y pertinencia del servicio percibido por el adulto mayor, tanto en las residencias como en el entorno externo donde residen.
Las cooperativas de viviendas de cesión de uso: experiencias emergentes en España
Authors: Etxezarreta Aitziber , Cano Gala , Merino Santiago
Published: May 2018

La economía social y la vivienda no han sido conceptos muy bien avenidos en las décadas recientes en el contexto español. Si bien existen experiencias exitosas de unir ambos terrenos (Dinamarca, Canadá -Quebec-, Uruguay, entre otros), en España las tradicionales cooperativas de viviendas no han representado de manera adecuada los principios de la economía social en el ámbito de la vivienda. Este trabajo se centra en el estudio de unas iniciativas que recientemente están emergiendo en el contexto español y que vendrían a cubrir este hueco, como son las cooperativas de cesión de uso, vinculadas en la mayoría de los casos a experiencias de cohousing (tanto en el terreno senior como en el intergeneracional).En este artículo se presentan los resultados de una investigación cualitativa realizada sobre las cooperativas de cesión de uso. En un primer apartado se repasa la evolución histórica del cooperativismo de viviendas desde la perspectiva de la economía social (desde las cooperativas de viviendas tradicionales a las cooperativas de cesión de uso). En el segundo apartado se explica la investigación realizada sobre las iniciativas emergentes en España, explicando la metodología utilizada y los resultados del análisis realizado según los objetivos planteados. En el tercer apartado se exponen las principales conclusiones y reflexiones obtenidas.
Analysis of relative abundances on environmental gradients
Authors: Chong Fiona , Spencer Matthew
Published: May 2018

Ecologists often analyze relative abundances, which are compositions (sets of non-negative numbers with a fixed sum). However, they have made surprisingly little use of recent advances in the field of compositional data analysis. Compositions form a vector space in which addition and scalar multiplication are replaced by operations known as perturbation and powering. This algebraic structure makes it easy to understand how relative abundances change along environmental gradients. We illustrate this with an analysis of changes in hard-substrate marine communities along a depth gradient. We show how the algebra of compositions can be used to understand patterns in dissimilarity. We use the calculus of simplex-valued functions to estimate rates of change, and to summarize the structure of the community over a vertical slice. We discuss the benefits of the compositional approach in the interpretation and visualization of relative abundance data.
Phylogenomic relationship and evolutionary insights of sweet potato viruses from the western highlands of Kenya
Authors: Wainaina James M , Ateka Elijah , Makori Timothy , Kehoe Monica A , Boykin Laura M
Published: May 2018

Sweet potato is a major food security crop within sub-Saharan Africa where 90 % of Africa’s sweet potato production occurs. One of the major limitations of sweet potato production are viral infections. In this study, we used a combination of whole genome sequences from a field isolate from Kenya and those available in GenBank. Sequences of four sweet potato viruses: sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), sweet potato virus C (SPVC), sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus(SPCFV) were obtained from the Kenyan sample. SPFMV sequences both from this study and from GenBank were found to be recombinant. Recombination breakpoints were found within the Nla-Pro, coat protein and P1 genes. The SPCSV, SPVC and SPCFV viruses from this study were non-recombinant. Bayesian phylogenomic relationships across whole genome trees showed variation in the number of well-supported clades; within SPCSV (RNA1 and RNA2) and SPFMV two well-supported clades (I and II) were resolved. The SPCFV tree resolved three well-supported clades (I-III) while four well-supported clades were resolved in SPVC (I-IV). Similar clades were resolved within the coalescent species trees. However, there were disagreements between the clades resolved in the gene trees compared to those from the whole genome tree and coalescent species trees. However the coat protein gene tree of SPCSV and SPCFV resolved similar clades to genome and coalescent species tree while this was not the case in SPFMV and SPVC. In addition, we report variation in selective pressure within sites of the individual genes across all four viruses; overall all viruses were under purifying selection. We report the first complete genomes of SPFMV, SPVC, SPCFV and a partial SPCSV from Kenya as a mixed infection in one sample. In addition, we reveal their phylogenomic relationships and provide evolutionary insights into these viruses. Our findings demonstrate the need for clean planting materials as the first line of control for these viruses, in particular for smallholder farmers within eastern Africa region.
Literary Criticism as Quadratic Position-Taking in Cultural Production: Symbolic and Pragmatic Implications. The Pirandello-Tilgher Case
Authors: Lorenzo Cardilli
Published: May 2018

This study aims to elucidate the key characteristics of the critical text from both a symbolic and a pragmatic viewpoint. My perspective combines the Bourdieusian notion of literary field with a development of Genette’s theories on the nature of paratext. On the one hand, critical texts should be considered, from a pragmatic viewpoint, as a quadratic position-taking: i.e., as a position-taking focused on another position-taking, which coincides with the literary text. On the other hand, critical texts can be regarded as part of the paratext, and, precisely, as a special allographic epitext that cannot be reduced to the author’s will. Hence, this material and interactional position-taking has crucial semantic consequences, being embodied in five hermeneutic devices, i.e.: selection, interpretative description, comparison, framing and explicit valorization. By providing a specific slant on the literary text, the critical text triggers assessment dynamics and sometimes paves the way to several forms of mutual interaction between authors and critics. To illustrate my point, I explore the relationship between the famous dramatist Luigi Pirandello and one of his most important critics, Adriano Tilgher, a philosopher and an intellectual under whose influence Pirandello reshaped his self-interpretation. First, I analyse their mutual exchange by taking into account their crossing trajectories within the complex and stratified field of cultural production of 1910-20s Italy. Then, I explore Tilgher’s critical reviews and papers on Pirandello’s works with a view to identifying his use of the five hermeneutical devices discussed above. In the conclusions, I highlight the importance of this double bind between author and critic, which had a huge impact on both the assessment dynamics and the creative outcomes of their careers.
The construction of a Civic Neighbourhood as/through cultural production: a discourse analytical approach to participatory art and temporary architecture
Authors: Paola Catenaccio  , Torange Khonsari
Published: May 2018

This essay investigates the construction of a neighborhood in East London, both in its discursive and its socio-cultural and material dimensions. The analysis combines methodologies from the fields of critical discourse analysis, participatory art, temporary architecture and urban commons to offer a “thick description” of professional, political and discursive practices involved in the definition and creation of a civic neighbourhood. The analysis focuses on civic neighbourhood project in East London called InterAct while the pivotal point of the project was the building of a piece of temporary architecture, the planning and ongoing construction of a civic neighbourhood involved a much more far-reaching production of material and symbolic artifacts which jointly represent a form of position taking within a site of social, cultural and symbolic struggle (Bourdieu 1993, 30). The study provides a critical description of the InterAct project, illustrating its purpose, goals and rationale and critically examines some of the publicly available discursive artifacts which revolve around it. The research approach programmatically seeks to combine insights from multiple methodological research traditions in order to investigate a complex socio-cultural phenomenon with considerable possible political ramifications.
Electron cryo-microscopy structure of the canonical TRPC4 ion channel
Authors: Vinayagam Deivanayagabarathy , Mager Thomas , Apelbaum Amir , Bothe Arne , Merino Felipe , Hofnagel Oliver , Gatsogiannis Christos , Raunser Stefan
Published: May 2018

Canonical transient receptor channels (TRPC) are non-selective cation channels. They are involved in receptor-operated Ca2+ signaling and have been proposed to act as store-operated channels (SOC). Their malfunction is related to cardiomyopathies and their modulation by small molecules has been shown to be effective against renal cancer cells. The molecular mechanism underlying the complex activation and regulation is poorly understood. Here, we report the electron cryo-microscopy structure of zebrafish TRPC4 in its unliganded (apo), closed state at an overall resolution of 3.6 Å. The structure reveals the molecular architecture of the cation conducting pore, including the selectivity filter and lower gate. The cytoplasmic domain contains two key hubs that have been shown to interact with modulating proteins. Structural comparisons with other TRP channels give novel insights into the general architecture and domain organization of this superfamily of channels and help to understand their function and pharmacology.
Induced PTF1a expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells activates acinar gene networks, reduces tumorigenic properties, and sensitizes cells to gemcitabine treatment
Authors: Jakubison Brad L. , Schweickert Patrick G. , Moser Sarah E. , Yang Yi , Gao Hongyu , Scully Kathleen , Itkin‐Ansari Pamela , Liu Yunlong , Konieczny Stephen F.
Published: May 2018

Pancreatic acinar cells synthesize, package, and secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum to aid in nutrient absorption and meet metabolic demands. When exposed to cellular stresses and insults, acinar cells undergo a dedifferentiation process termed acinar–ductal metaplasia (ADM). ADM lesions with oncogenic mutations eventually give rise to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In healthy pancreata, the basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) factors MIST1 and PTF1a coordinate an acinar‐specific transcription network that maintains the highly developed differentiation status of the cells, protecting the pancreas from undergoing a transformative process. However, when MIST1 and PTF1a gene expression is silenced, cells are more prone to progress to PDAC. In this study, we tested whether induced MIST1 or PTF1a expression in PDAC cells could (i) re‐establish the transcriptional program of differentiated acinar cells and (ii) simultaneously reduce tumor cell properties. As predicted, PTF1a induced gene expression of digestive enzymes and acinar‐specific transcription factors, while MIST1 induced gene expression of vesicle trafficking molecules as well as activation of unfolded protein response components, all of which are essential to handle the high protein production load that is characteristic of acinar cells. Importantly, induction of PTF1a in PDAC also influenced cancer‐associated properties, leading to a decrease in cell proliferation, cancer stem cell numbers, and repression of key ATP‐binding cassette efflux transporters resulting in heightened sensitivity to gemcitabine. Thus, activation of pancreatic bHLH transcription factors rescues the acinar gene program and decreases tumorigenic properties in pancreatic cancer cells, offering unique opportunities to develop novel therapeutic intervention strategies for this deadly disease.
Long‐term Phase 1/2 intraspinal stem cell transplantation outcomes in ALS
Authors: Goutman Stephen A. , Brown Morton B. , Glass Jonathan D. , Boulis Nicholas M. , Johe Karl , Hazel Tom , Cudkowicz Merit , Atassi Nazem , Borges Lawrence , Patil Parag G. , Sakowski Stacey A. , Feldman Eva L.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Intraspinal human spinal cord‐derived neural stem cell (HSSC) transplantation is a potential therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); however, previous trials lack controls. This post hoc analysis compared ambulatory limb‐onset ALS participants in Phase 1 and 2 (Ph1/2) open‐label intraspinal HSSC transplantation studies up to 3 years after transplant to matched participants in Pooled Resource Open‐Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO‐ACT) and ceftriaxone datasets to provide required analyses to inform future clinical trial designs.

Methods

Survival, ALSFRS‐R, and a composite statistic (ALS/SURV) combining survival and ALS Functional Rating Scale revised (ALSFRS‐R) functional status were assessed for matched participant subsets: PRO‐ACT n = 1108, Ph1/2 n = 21 and ceftriaxone n = 177, Ph1/2 n = 20.

Results

Survival did not differ significantly between cohorts: Ph1/2 median survival 4.7 years, 95% CI (1.2, ∞) versus PRO‐ACT 2.3 years (1.9, 2.5), P = 1.0; Ph1/2 3.0 years (1.2, 5.6) versus ceftriaxone 2.3 years (1.8, 2.8), P = 0.88. Mean ALSFRS‐R at 24 months significantly differed between Ph1/2 and both comparison cohorts (Ph1/2 30.1 ± 8.6 vs. PRO‐ACT 24.0 ± 10.2, P = 0.048; Ph1/2 30.7 ± 8.8 vs. ceftriaxone 19.2 ± 9.5, P = 0.0023). Using ALS/SURV, median PRO‐ACT and ceftriaxone participants died by 24 months, whereas median Ph1/2 participant ALSFRS‐Rs were 23 (P = 0.0038) and 19 (P = 0.14) in PRO‐ACT and ceftriaxone comparisons at 24 months, respectively, supporting improved functional outcomes in the Ph1/2 study.

Interpretation

Comparison of Ph1/2 studies to historical datasets revealed significantly improved survival and function using ALS/SURV versus PRO‐ACT controls. While results are encouraging, comparison against historical populations demonstrate limitations in noncontrolled studies. These findings support continued evaluation of HSSC transplantation in ALS, support the benefit of control populations, and enable necessary power calculations to design a randomized, sham surgery‐controlled efficacy study.
Scanning SQUID View of Oxide Interfaces
Authors: Persky Eylon , Kalisky Beena
Published: May 2018

The emergence of states of matter in low‐dimensional systems is one of the most intriguing topics in condensed matter physics. Interfaces between nonmagnetic, insulating oxides are found to give rise to surprising behaviors, such as metallic conductivity, superconductivity, and magnetism. Sensitive, noninvasive local characterization tools are essential for understanding the electronic and magnetic behavior of these systems. Here, the scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) technique for local magnetic imaging is described and its contribution to the field of oxide interfaces is reviewed.
Self‐Assembled Nanostructured Photonic‐Plasmonic Metasurfaces for High‐Resolution Optical Thermometry
Authors: Baraldi Giorgio , García Pardo Marina , Gonzalo José , Serna Rosalia , Toudert Johann
Published: May 2018

Sensing devices for environment, safety, healthcare, and optoelectronic applications require an accurate and noninvasive monitoring of their temperature, because its variations markedly affect the overall response of the device. Monitoring the optical response of temperature‐sensitive integrated photonic elements, such as microresonators or microinterferometers, is an appealing solution in this context. However, achieving high‐resolution optical thermometry with such elements is unpractical and costly as this requires lithography processing, highly monochromatic laser sources, complex light coupling strategies. Here, a photonic‐plasmonic metasurface design that enables practical optical thermometry with a sub‐10−3 °C resolution is proposed. It is based on a self‐assembled nanostructured material implemented with a lithography‐free process. The optical response of the temperature‐sensitive metasurface is probed using a white light source and by monitoring the optical phase in a standard reflectance configuration. This facile, yet powerful, sensing scheme stands on the effective response of the metasurface, which involves the hybridization of thin film interference and low‐quality‐factor plasmon resonances to enable a quasi‐darkness response with a sharp spectral variation (jump) of the optical phase. Such jump is equivalent with a high‐quality‐factor resonator that yields a high sensor responsivity and thus enables high‐resolution optical thermometry.
Smart Surgical Catheter for C‐Reactive Protein Sensing Based on an Imperceptible Organic Transistor
Authors: Ji Xudong , Zhou Pengcheng , Zhong Ling , Xu Aimin , Tsang Anderson C. O. , Chan Paddy K. L.
Published: May 2018

Organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs)‐based sensors have a great potential to be integrated with the next generation smart surgical tools for monitoring different real‐time signals during surgery. However, allowing ultraflexible OFETs to have compatibility with standard medical sterilization procedures remains challenging. A novel capsule‐like OFET structure is demonstrated by utilizing the fluoropolymer CYTOP to serve both encapsulation and peeling‐off enhancement purposes. By adapting a thermally stable organic semiconductor, 2,10‐diphenylbis[1]benzothieno[2,3‐d;2′,3′‐d′]naphtho[2,3‐b;6,7‐b′]dithiophene (DPh‐BBTNDT), these devices show excellent stability in their electrical performance after sterilizing under boiling water and 100 °C‐saturated steam for 30 min. The ultrathin thickness (630 nm) enables the device to have superb mechanical flexibility with smallest bending radius down to 1.5 µm, which is essential for application on the highly tortuous medical catheter inside the human body. By immobilizing anti‐human C‐reactive protein (CRP) (an inflammation biomarker) monoclonal antibody on an extended gate of the OFET, a sensitivity for detecting CRP antigen down to 1 µg mL−1 can be achieved. An ecofriendly water floatation method realized by employing the wettability difference between CYTOP and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can be used to transfer the device on a ventricular catheter, which successfully distinguishes an inflammatory patient from a healthy one.
Light‐Ultrasound Driven Collective “Firework” Behavior of Nanomotors
Authors: Zhou Dekai , Gao Yuan , Yang Junjie , Li Yuguang C. , Shao Guangbin , Zhang Guangyu , Li Tianlong , Li Longqiu
Published: May 2018

It is of great interest and big challenge to control the collective behaviors of nanomotors to mimic the aggregation/separation behavior of biological systems. Here, a light‐acoustic combined method is proposed to control the aggregation/separation of artificial nanomotors. It is shown that nanomotors aggregate at the pressure node in acoustic field and afterward present a collective “firework” separation behavior induced by light irradiation. The collective behavior is found to be applicable for metallic materials and polymers even different light wavelengths are used. Physical insights on the collective firework behavior resulting from the change of acoustic streaming caused by optical force are provided. It is found that diffusion velocity and diffusion region of cluster can be controlled by adjusting light intensity and acoustic excitation voltage, and irradiation direction, respectively. This harmless, controllable, and widely applicable method provides new possibilities for groups of nanomachines, drug release, and cargo transport in nanomedicine and nanosensors.
Suppression of Voltage Decay through Manganese Deactivation and Nickel Redox Buffering in High‐Energy Layered Lithium‐Rich Electrodes
Authors: Ku Kyojin , Hong Jihyun , Kim Hyungsub , Park Hyeokjun , Seong Won Mo , Jung Sung‐Kyun , Yoon Gabin , Park Kyu‐Young , Kim Haegyeom , Kang Kisuk
Published: May 2018

Cobalt‐free layered lithium‐rich nickel manganese oxides, Li[LixNiyMn1−x−y]O2 (LLNMO), are promising positive electrode materials for lithium rechargeable batteries because of their high energy density and low materials cost. However, substantial voltage decay is inevitable upon electrochemical cycling, which makes this class of materials less practical. It has been proposed that undesirable voltage decay is linked to irreversible structural rearrangement involving irreversible oxygen loss and cation migration. Herein, the authors demonstrate that the voltage decay of the electrode is correlated to Mn4+/Mn3+ redox activation and subsequent cation disordering, which can be remarkably suppressed via simple compositional tuning to induce the formation of Ni3+ in the pristine material. By implementing our new strategy, the Mn4+/Mn3+ reduction is subdued by an alternative redox reaction involving the use of pristine Ni3+ as a redox buffer, which has been designed to be widened from Ni3+/Ni4+ to Ni2+/Ni4+, without compensation for the capacity in principle. Negligible change in the voltage profile of modified LLNMO is observed upon extended cycling, and manganese migration into the lithium layer is significantly suppressed. Based on these findings, we propose a general strategy to suppress the voltage decay of Mn‐containing lithium‐rich oxides to achieve long‐lasting high energy density from this class of materials.
Predictors, costs, and causes of readmission after surgery for sinonasal cancer: a national perspective
Authors: Goel Alexander N . , Yang Jason Y. , Wang Marilene B. , Lee Jivianne T. , St. John Maie A. , Long Jennifer L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Hospital readmissions are an increasingly scrutinized marker of surgical care delivery and quality. There is a paucity of information in the literature regarding the rate, risk factors, and common causes of readmission after surgery for sinonasal cancer.

Methods

We analyzed the Nationwide Readmissions Database for patients who underwent surgery for a diagnosis of sinonasal cancer between 2010 and 2014. Rates, causes, and patient‐, procedure‐, and hospital‐level risk factors for 30‐day readmission were determined. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of 30‐day readmission.

Results

Among the 4173 cases, the 30‐day readmission rate was 11.6%, with an average cost per readmission of $18,403. The most common readmission diagnoses were wound complications (15.3%) and infections (13.4%). On multivariate regression, significant risk factors for readmission were chronic renal failure (odds ratio [OR], 2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41‐6.17), involvement of the skull base or orbit (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.11‐2.51), nonelective initial surgical admission (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.42‐3.89), and length of stay ≥7 days (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.14‐3.05).

Conclusion

Through the use of a large national database, we found that approximately 1 in 9 patients undergoing surgery for sinonasal cancer was readmitted within 30 days. Readmissions were most commonly associated with wound complications and infections. Factors related to procedural complexity were more important predictors of readmission than patients’ demographics or comorbidities.
Structure and Magnetization Dynamics of Dy−Fe and Dy−Ru Bonded Complexes
Authors: Burns Corey P. , Yang Xin , Wofford Joshua D. , Bhuvanesh Nattamai S. , Hall Michael B. , Nippe Michael
Published: May 2018

We present an investigation of isostructural complexes that feature unsupported direct bonds between a formally trivalent lanthanide ion (Dy3+) and either a first‐row (Fe) or a second‐row (Ru) transition metal (TM) ion. The sterically rigid, yet not too bulky ligand PyCp22−(PyCp22−=[2,6‐(CH2C5H3)2C5H3N]2−) facilitates the isolation and characterization of PyCp2Dy−FeCp(CO)2(1;d(Dy–Fe)=2.884(2) Å) and PyCp2Dy−RuCp(CO)2(2;d(Dy–Ru)=2.9508(5) Å). Computational and spectroscopic studies suggest strong TM→Dy bonding interactions. Both complexes exhibit field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation with effectively identical energy barriers to magnetization reversal. However, in going from Dy−Fe to Dy−Ru bonding, we observed faster magnetic relaxation at a given temperature and larger direct and Raman coefficients, which could be due to differences in the bonding and/or spin–phonon coupling contributions to magnetic relaxation.
Manganese‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Alkylation or α‐Olefination of Alkyl‐Substituted N‐Heteroarenes with Alcohols
Authors: Zhang Guoying , Irrgang Torsten , Dietel Thomas , Kallmeier Fabian , Kempe Rhett
Published: May 2018

Catalysis with earth‐abundant transition metals is an option to help save our rare noble‐metal resources and is especially interesting when novel reactivity or selectivity patterns are observed. We report here on a novel reaction, namely the dehydrogenative alkylation or α‐olefination of alkyl‐substituted N‐heteroarenes with alcohols. Manganese complexes developed in our laboratory catalyze the reaction with high efficiency whereas iron and cobalt complexes stabilized by the same ligands are essentially inactive. Hydrogen is liberated during the reaction, and bromine and iodine functional groups as well as olefins are tolerated. A variety of alkyl‐substituted N‐heteroarenes can be functionalized, and benzylic and aliphatic alcohols undergo the reaction.
Protein Solubilization
Authors: Sathe Shridhar K. , Zaffran Valerie D. , Gupta Sahil , Li Tengfei
Published: May 2018

To address the anticipated global need for increased protein supply for human nutrition, particularly for developing and underdeveloped regions, concerted efforts are required. Although animal proteins satisfy nutrition needs, they may not be acceptable to all consumers either due to their cost or dietary restrictions followed by the consumer. Soybean has served as a nonanimal protein source; however, alternative protein sources will need to be cultivated and explored in the future to satisfy anticipated increased global needs. To effectively utilize a food protein source, separation of proteins from the nonprotein components present in that source is often needed or desired. Such separation requires understanding of protein properties and interactions of the protein with its environment. In chemical separation processes, protein solubility is a critical property as it often governs protein preparation and utilization and is the focus of this review. Emphasis is on nontraditional protein sources.
Effects of the filler size on the electrical percolation threshold of carbon black–carbon nanotube–polymer composites
Authors: Huang Ying , Wang Wendong , Zeng Xiao , Guo Xiaohui , Zhang Yangyang , Liu Ping , Ma Yuanming , Zhang Yugang
Published: May 2018

The Monte Carlo simulation of filled conductive polymer materials is a method of continuously generating a random conformation and averaging the interesting results to simulate the random dispersion of fillers in space. In our simulation, the irregular shapes of the filler were abstracted into regular ones. Carbon black (CB) aggregates were modeled as spheres, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modeled as capped cylinders. The connection of the fillers was estimated via the calculation of the shortest distance between them; this determined whether a percolation pathway was formed or not. Numerical results were obtained, and these highlight the effects of the filler size, including the aspect ratio of CNTs and the ratio of the diameter of the CB aggregates to the diameter of the CNTs on the electrical percolation threshold (EPT). We found that the EPT decreased with increasing CNT aspect ratio and decreased the diameter ratio of the CB aggregates to CNTs. The simulation results were obtained by a simple pathway‐finder algorithm, which was proven to be effective compared with existing numerical, theoretical, and experimental simulations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46517.
Exploring possibilities to use bibliometric data to monitor gold open access publishing at the national level
Authors: van Leeuwen Thed N. , Tatum Clifford , Wouters Paul F.
Published: May 2018

This article describes the possibilities to analyze open access (OA) publishing in the Netherlands in an international comparative way. OA publishing is now actively stimulated by Dutch science policy, similar to the United Kingdom. We conducted a bibliometric baseline measurement to assess the current situation, to be able to measure developments over time. We collected data from various sources, and for three different smaller European countries (the Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland). Not all of the analyses for this baseline measurement are included here. The analysis presented in this article focuses on the various ways OA can be defined using the Web of Science, limiting the analysis mainly to Gold OA. From the data we collected we can conclude that the way OA is currently registered in various electronic bibliographic databases is quite unclear, and various methods applied deliver results that are different, although the impact scores derived from the data point in the same direction.
Boron‐Based Catalysts for C−C Bond‐Formation Reactions
Authors: Rao Bin , Kinjo Rei
Published: May 2018

Because the construction of the C−C bond is one of the most significant reactions in organic chemistry, the development of an efficient strategy has attracted much attention throughout the synthetic community. Among various protocols to form C−C bonds, organoboron compounds are not just limited to stoichiometric reagents, but have also made great achievements as catalysts because of the easy modification of the electronic and steric impacts on the boron center. This review presents recent developments of boron‐based catalysts applied in the field of C−C bond‐formation reactions, which are classified into four kinds on the basis of the type of boron catalyst: 1) highly Lewis acidic borane, B(C6F5)3; 2) organoboron acids, RB(OH)2, and their ester derivatives; 3) borenium ions, (R2BL)X; and 4) other miscellaneous kinds.
Robust Control of Positive Fractional‐Order Interconnected Systems with Heterogeneous Delays
Authors: Le Hien Van , Chu Kinh Trong
Published: May 2018

The problem of robust decentralized control of positive fractional‐order interconnected systems with heterogeneous time‐varying delays is studied in this paper. Necessary and sufficient conditions are first derived for internal positiveness of the system. By exploiting the monotonicity induced from positivity of the system, robust stability conditions subject to uncertain system parameters are derived. The derived stability conditions are then utilized to address the controller synthesis problem. The design conditions for obtaining controller gains of stabilizing decentralized controllers are formulated using linear programming, which can be effectively solved by various convex optimization algorithms. Finally, the effectiveness of the obtained results is validated by two numerical examples.
Non‐Fragile Extended Dissipativity Control Design for Generalized Neural Networks with Interval Time‐Delay Signals
Authors: Manivannan R. , Samidurai R. , Cao Jinde , Alsaedi Ahmed , Alsaadi Fuad E.
Published: May 2018

The problem of non‐fragile extended dissipative control design for a class of generalized neural networks (GNNs) with interval time‐delay signals is investigated in this paper. By constructing a suitable Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional (LKF) with double and triple integral terms, and estimating their derivative by using the Wirtinger single integral inequality (WSII) and Wirtinger double integral inequality (WDII) technique respectively, and that is mixed with the reciprocally convex combination (RCC) approach. A new delay‐dependent non‐fragile extended dissipative control design for GNNs are expressed in terms of the linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Then, the desired non‐fragile extended dissipative controller can be obtained by solving the linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Furthermore, a non‐fragile state feedback controller is designed for GNNs such that the closed‐loop system is extended dissiptive. Thus, the non‐fragile extended dissipative controller can be adopted to deal with the non‐fragile
performance, non‐fragile
performance, non‐fragile passive performance, non‐fragile mixed
and passivity performance, and non‐fragile dissipative performance for GNNs by selecting the weighting matrices. Finally, simulation studies are demonstrated for showing the feasibility of the proposed method. Among them, one example was supported by the real‐life application of the quadruple tank process system.
Effect of single‐walled carbon nanotubes on cytochrome P450 activity in human liver microsomes in vitro
Authors: Asai Yuki , Sakakibara Yukiko , Inoue Rina , Inoue Rikako , Nadai Masayuki , Katoh Miki
Published: May 2018

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are made from a rolled single sheet of graphene with a diameter in the nanometer range. SWCNTs are potential carriers for drug delivery systems because antibodies or drugs can be loaded on their surface; however, their effect on the activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two kinds of SWCNTs with different lengths (FH‐P‐ and SO‐SWCNTs) on human CYP activity. In addition, other nano‐sized carbon materials, such as carbon black, fullerene‐C60, and fullerene‐C70 were also evaluated to compare their effects on CYP activities. Ten CYP substrates (phenacetin, coumarin, bupropion, paclitaxel, tolbutamide, S‐mephenytoin, dextromethorphan, chlorzoxazone, midazolam, and testosterone) were used. Testosterone 6β‐hydroxylation and midazolam 1′‐hydroxylation, which are catalysed by both CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in liver microsomes, were decreased by 25% and 45%, respectively, in the presence of 0.1 mg/ml SO‐SWCNT. Dextromethorphan O‐demethylation, which is catalysed mainly by CYP2D6, was decreased by 40% in the presence of SO‐SWCNT. Other CYP activities, however, were not attenuated by SO‐SWCNT. FH‐P‐SWCNT, carbon black, fullerene‐C60, and fullerene‐C70 at 0.1 mg/ml had no effect on CYP activities. The Ki values for testosterone 6β‐hydroxylation, midazolam 1′‐hydroxylation, and dextromethorphan O‐demethylation in liver microsomes were 136, 34, and 56 μg/ml, respectively. SO‐SWCNT was determined to be a competitive inhibitor of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2D6. These results suggest that the effect of SO‐SWCNT differs among CYP isoforms, and that the inhibition potency depends on the physicochemical properties of the nanocarbons.
Studies of advanced glycation end products and oxidation biomarkers for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chiu Chung‐Jung , Rabbani Naila , Rowan Sheldon , Chang Min‐Lee , Sawyer Sherilyn , Hu Frank B. , Willett Walter , Thornalley Paul J. , Anwar Attia , Bar Liliana , Kang Jae H. , Taylor Allen
Published: May 2018

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed upon nonenzymatic reactions of sugars or their metabolites with proteins and other cellular constituents. Many AGEs are long lived. Recent findings suggest that AGEs may predict diabetes and its complications and thus may warrant further study. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of our experimental procedures for measuring AGEs in stored blood sample and to conduct a pilot study for developing AGE biomarkers for diabetes and/or age‐related changes of glucose metabolism. We conducted a reliability study of the samples and methods using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS)/MS assays for 10 AGEs (including methylglyoxal‐derived hydroimidazolone (MG‐H1), glucosepane (GSP) and two oxidation measures, in stored repository blood samples from the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study. We also analyzed data relating blood GSP levels to type 2 diabetes status in a case‐control study (25 cases and 15 controls). Among the AGEs, GSP, and MG‐H1 showed the highest reliability across the various measures: reliability in duplicate samples and stability with delayed processing and storage over 1–2 year period. Furthermore, plasma GSP was associated with older age (P = 0.04) and type 2 diabetes status (age‐adjusted P = 0.0475). Our findings suggest that analysis of these AGEs may be developed as biomarkers for diabetes and/or age‐related changes of glucose metabolism. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(3):281–288, 2018