bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ETARISMO E PROMOÇÃO DO AGELESS NA PUBLICIDADE CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: Grangeiro da Silva Castro Gisela
Published: November 2024

O artigo objetiva refletir sobre a comunicação midiática e sua relação com os modos de ser conviver em sociedade. Para tal, destaca a posição privilegiada ocupada pela comunicação publicitária nas disputas em torno da produção de sentidos para o envelhecimento e a longevidade em nossos dias.
Apresentamos os fundamentos socioculturais da discussão (Calasanti, 2016; Debert, 2003, 2018, dentre outros) sobre como determinados preconceitos negativos em relação à velhice ainda informam grande parte das produções em vigor e, na sequência, nos debruçamos sobre a análise dos dados empíricos que formam a base para uma reflexão crítica comunicacional (Sodré, 2014) sobre o tema.
Destacamos a promoção do ideário ageless, o qual preconiza que os indivíduos assumam responsabilidade pelo modo como “escolhem” envelhecer. Argumentamos em favor da relevância social da pesquisa acadêmica no campo da comunicação e o seu engajamento ativo no combate ao etarismo, em prol da constituição de uma comunicação conducente a uma convivência respeitosa entre gerações.
LOS MEDIOS SON TALES POR SU INTERACCIÓN CON OTROS MEDIOS
Authors: Aruguete Natalia
Published: November 2024

Carlos Scolari es un investigador argentino de reconocida trayectoria, por su experticia en el estudio de los medios digitales, la semiótica de las interfaces y los procesos de interacción y ecología de la comunicación. Actualmente es Catedrático de Teoría y Análisis de la Comunicación Digital Interactiva del Departament de Comunicació de la Universitat Pompeu Fabra, en Barcelona, España.
A comienzos del año 2024 publicó su último libro Sobre la evolución de los medios (ediciones Ampersand), donde analiza los procesos de transformación de los medios desde una mirada convergente de distintos enfoques que le permita explicar tal evolución a partir de sus interconexiones, similitudes y diferencias, en un mundo que “muta más rápido que los conceptos y las teorías”.  
“Ningún medio adquiere su significado o existencia por sí solo, sino sólo en constante interacción con otros medios”. Con esta frase de McLuhan, el investigador argentino expresa, en parte, el espíritu de su este Sobre la evolución de los medios. En esta entrevista, Scolari analiza algunos de los conceptos trabajados en un recorrido extraordinario sobre la relación coevolutiva entre los medios, pensada como un vector que modela el cambio mediático a partir de un ida y vuelta que se prolonga en el tiempo.
Pensar las transformaciones intermediáticas a partir de movimientos de convergencia que conviven con otros de divergencia y con dinámicas de competencia y cooperación, le permite entender los procesos de adaptación de las viejas y las nuevas formas mediáticas así como sus estrategias de emergencia y supervivencia en un escenario cada vez más dinámico y, en ocasiones, impredecible.
Autor de Hipermediaciones (2008), La guerra de las plataformas (2022) y Narrativas transmedia (2013) -por mencionar solo algunas de sus publicaciones- Scolari advierte sobre la inconveniente de extender un certificado de defunción de ciertos medios frente a la emergencia de otros, dado que siempre pueden sobrevivir -en su totalidad o algunos de sus elementos- en nuevas formas mediáticas.
Umsetzung der DAC8-Richtlinie: Reportingpflichten für Bitcoin, Ether und Co. im Rahmen des internationalen Informationsaustauschs
Authors: Schmitt Lukas , Acker Martin
Published: November 2024

Der Beitrag stellt die Hintergründe der Entwicklung der DAC8- Richtlinie dar, betrachtet sie im Kontext der weltweiten Bemühungen um einen automatischen Informationsaustausch zwischen Steuerbehörden und geht auf die wesentlichen Regelungskomplexe ein. Hierzu werden der Anwendungsbereich, der Umfang der Meldepflichten und die hierfür relevanten Fristen beschrieben und im Hinblick auf den praktischen Anwendungsfall eingeordnet.
EU-AHiRL: Der Schutz des Berufsgeheimnisses im Steuerverfahren
Authors: Sendke Thomas
Published: November 2024

Das Steuerverfahrensrecht nimmt in der Rechtsprechung des EuGH mittlerweile eine feste Rolle ein. Hierfür gibt es im Wesentlichen zwei Gründe. Zum einen ist die EU-Amtshilferichtlinie in den vergangenen Jahren kontinuierlich erweitert worden. Dabei regelt das Sekundärrecht längst nicht mehr nur die Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Finanzverwaltungen, sondern erzwingt auch Grundrechtseingriffe durch die mitgliedstaatlichen Gesetzgeber und Steuerbehörden. In den Fokus geraten dabei auch Rechtsanwälte und Steuerberater, die besonderen Verschwiegenheitspflichten unterliegen. Zum anderen haben die Unionsgrundrechte insbesondere im Steuerverfahrensrecht an Bedeutung gewonnen. Der EuGH wird seiner Funktion als Grundrechtsgericht zunehmend auch im Steuerrecht gerecht. Exemplarisch hierfür stehen zwei aktuelle Entscheidungen des Gerichtshofs zum Informationsaustausch auf Ersuchen und zur Anzeigepflicht für grenzüberschreitende Steuergestaltungen, die im Folgenden genauer beleuchtet werden sollen.
OECD-Verrechnungspreisrichtlinien: Verlustunternehmen in Benchmarkstudien – Besprechung des Urteils v. 16.7.2024 des Obersten italienischen Gerichtshofs
Authors: Heidecke Björn , Christen Anna-Katharina , Pelosi Daniele
Published: November 2024

Die Einbeziehung von Verlustunternehmen in Benchmarkstudien ist ein zentrales Thema in der Verrechnungspreispraxis. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Notwendigkeit einer differenzierten Betrachtung solcher Unternehmen basierend auf den OECD-Verrechnungspreisleitlinien. Ein pauschaler Ausschluss von Verlustunternehmen ist nicht sachgerecht; stattdessen sollte die Vergleichbarkeit im Einzelfall geprüft werden. Ein aktuelles Urteil des Obersten italienischen Gerichtshofs bestätigt diese Sichtweise und unterstreicht die Relevanz einer detaillierten Analyse. Der Artikel bespricht das Urteil und gibt eine Empfehlung zum Umgang mit Verlustunternehmen bei der Erstellung von Benchmarkstudien aus deutscher Verrechnungspreissicht.
Environmental pH and a Glu364 to Gln mutation in the chlorophyll‐binding CP47 protein affect redox‐active TyrD and charge recombination in Photosystem II
Authors: Morris Jaz N. , Kovács Sándor , Vass Imre , Summerfield Tina C. , Eaton‐Rye Julian J.
Published: November 2018

In Photosystem II, loop E of the chlorophyll‐binding CP47 protein is located near a redox‐active tyrosine, YD, forming a symmetrical analog to loop E in CP43, which provides a ligand to the oxygen‐evolving complex (OEC). A Glu364 to Gln substitution in CP47, near YD, does not affect growth in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803; however, deletion of the extrinsic protein PsbV in this mutant leads to a strain displaying a pH‐sensitive phenotype. Using thermoluminescence, chlorophyll fluorescence, and flash‐induced oxygen evolution analyses, we demonstrate that Glu364 influences the stability of YD and the redox state of the OEC, and highlight the effects of external pH on photosynthetic electron transfer in intact cyanobacterial cells.
Real‐time use of audio‐biofeedback can improve postural sway in patients with degenerative ataxia
Authors: Fleszar Zofia , Mellone Sabato , Giese Martin , Tacconi Carlo , Becker Clemens , Schöls Ludger , Synofzik Matthis , Ilg Winfried
Published: November 2018

Objective

Cerebellar ataxia essentially includes deficient postural control. It remains unclear whether augmented sensory information might help cerebellar patients, as the cerebellum underlies processing of various sensory modalities for postural control. Here, we hypothesized that patients with cerebellar degeneration can still exploit audio‐biofeedback (ABF) of trunk acceleration as a real‐time assistive signal to compensate for deficient postural control.

Methods

Effects on postural sway during stance were assessed in an ABF intervention group versus a no‐ABF disease control group (23 vs. 17 cerebellar patients) in a clinico‐experimental study. A single‐session ABF paradigm of standing plus short exergaming under ABF was applied. Postural sway with eyes open and eyes closed was quantified prior to ABF, under ABF, and post ABF.

Results

Postural sway in the eyes closed condition was significantly reduced under ABF. Both benefit of ABF and benefit of vision correlated with the extent of postural sway at baseline, and both types of sensory benefits correlated with each other. Patients with strongest postural sway exhibited reduced postural sway also with eyes open, thus benefitting from both vision and ABF. No changes were observed in the no‐ABF control group.

Interpretation

Our findings provide proof‐of‐principle evidence that subjects with cerebellar degeneration are still able to integrate additional sensory modalities to compensate for deficient postural control: They can use auditory cues functionally similar to vision in the absence of vision, and additive to vision in the presence of vision (in case of pronounced postural sway). These findings might inform future assistive strategies for cerebellar ataxia.
Superficial‐Layer‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SLERS) for Depth Detection of Noncontact Molecules
Authors: Qiao Xuezhi , Xue Zhenjie , Liu Lu , Liu Keyan , Wang Tie
Published: November 2018

Although the strength of Raman signals can be increased by many orders of magnitude on noble metal nanoparticles, this enhancement is confined to an extremely short distance from the Raman‐active surface. The key to the development of Raman spectroscopy for applications in diagnosis and detection of cancer and inflammatory diseases, and in pharmacology, relies on the capability of detecting analytes that are noninteractive with Raman‐active surfaces. Here, a new Raman enhancement system is constructed, superficial‐layer‐enhanced Raman scattering (SLERS), by covering elongated tetrahexahedral gold nanoparticle arrays with a superficial perovskite (CH3NH3PbBr3) film. Plasmonic decay is depressed along the vertical direction away from the noble metal surface and the penetration depth is increased in the perovskite media. The vertical penetration of SLERS is verified by the spatial distribution of the analytes via Raman imaging in layer‐scanning mode.
Self‐Assembly of a Monochromophore‐Based Polymer Enables Unprecedented Ratiometric Tracing of Hypoxia
Authors: Wang Shuwen , Gu Kaizhi , Guo Zhiqian , Yan Chenxu , Yang Tingyuan , Chen Zhuo , Tian He , Zhu Wei‐Hong
Published: November 2018

The accuracy of traditional bischromophore‐based ratiometric probes is always compromised by undesirable energy/charge transferring interactions between the internal reference moiety and the sensing chromophore. In this regard, ratiometric sensing with a monochromophore system is highly desirable. Herein, an unprecedented monochromophore‐based ratiometric probe, which consists of a hydrophilic backbone poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and single chromophore of platinum(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (Pt‐TPP) is reported. Combination of the specific assembled clustering‐triggered fluorescent emission (oxygen‐insensitive) with the original Pt‐TPP phosphorescence (oxygen‐sensitive) enables successful construction of a monochromophore‐based ratiometric nanosensor for directly tracing hypoxia in vivo, along with the preferable facilitation of enhanced permeation and retention effect and long excitation wavelength. The unique ratiometric signals enable the direct observation from normoxic to hypoxic environment in both living A549 cells and a tumor‐bearing mice model, providing a significant paradigm of a monochromophore‐based dual‐emissive system with the specific assembled cluster emission. The work satisfactorily demonstrates a valuable strategy for designing monochromophore‐based dual‐emissive materials, and validates its utility for in vivo ratiometric biological sensing without the common energy/charge interference in bischromophore‐based system.
Potassium Persulfate‐Mediated Thiocyanation of 2H‐Indazole under Iron‐Catalysis
Authors: Dey Amrita , Hajra Alakananda
Published: November 2018

Potassium persulfate‐mediated thiocyanation of 2H‐indazoles has been developed using ammonium thiocyanate as thiocyanating agent under iron‐catalysis at room temperature. 2‐Aryl‐3‐thiocyanato‐2H‐indazoles are synthesized in good yields with a broad substrates scope. This methodology is also applicable for the selenocyanation of 2H‐indazoles. The mechanistic study suggests the reaction probably proceeds through a radical pathway.

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Hydrodynamic Impedance Correction for Reduced‐Order Modeling of Spermatozoa‐Like Soft Micro‐Robots
Authors: Tabak Ahmet Fatih
Published: November 2018

Hydrodynamic interactions play a key role in the swimming behavior and power consumption of bio‐inspired and biomimetic micro‐swimmers, cybernetic or artificial alike. Bio‐inspired robotic micro‐swimmers require fast and reliable numerical models for robust control in order to carry out demanding therapeutic tasks as envisaged for more than 60 years. The fastest known numerical model, the resistive force theory (RFT), incorporates local viscous force coefficients with the local velocity of slender bodies in order to find the resisting hydrodynamic forces, however, omitting the induced far‐field. As a result, the power requirement cannot be predicted accurately. The question of predicting and supplying the necessary power is one of the obstacles impeding the micro‐robotic efforts. In this study, a novel strategy is proposed to improve the RFT‐based analysis, particularly for spermatozoa and spermatozoa‐inspired micro‐swimmers with elastic slender tails, in order to present a practical solution to the problem. The postulated analytical improvement and the associated correction coefficients are based on hydrodynamic impedance analysis of the time‐dependent solution of three‐dimensional (3D) Navier–Stokes equations incorporated with deforming mesh and subject to conservation of mass.
Strong Responsivity Enhancement of Quantum Dot‐in‐a‐Well Infrared Photodetectors Using Plasmonic Structures
Authors: Fowler Clayton , Kim Jun Oh , Lee Sang Jun , Urbas Augustine , Ku Zahyun , Zhou Jiangfeng
Published: November 2018

Detector responsivity enhancement from integrating optimized plasmonic structure layers into quantum dot‐in‐a‐well photodetectors is investigated by a finite integration technique‐based simulation. It is found that by including a 0.1 µm thick gold hole‐array layer onto a backside illuminated photodetector, the peak detector responsivity is enhanced by nearly a factor of 8. A 0.2 µm thick gold disk‐array layer improves the peak responsivity by around 15 instead. The calculated enhancement factors show a good agreement with experimental data by Gu et al.[1] and Lee et al.[2] Simulation method and analytical analysis accomplished in this paper provide a generalized approach to design optimal plasmonic structures integrated to various infrared detecting device configurations.
Nanocatalytic Tumor Therapy by Biomimetic Dual Inorganic Nanozyme‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction
Authors: Gao Shanshan , Lin Han , Zhang Haixian , Yao Heliang , Chen Yu , Shi Jianlin
Published: November 2018

Emerging nanocatalytic tumor therapies based on nontoxic but catalytically active inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) for intratumoral production of high‐toxic reactive oxygen species have inspired great research interest in the scientific community. Nanozymes exhibiting natural enzyme‐mimicking catalytic activities have been extensively explored in biomedicine, mostly in biomolecular detection, yet much fewer researches are available on specific nanocatalytic tumor therapy. This study reports on the construction of an efficient biomimetic dual inorganic nanozyme‐based nanoplatform, which triggers cascade catalytic reactions for tumor microenvironment responsive nanocatalytic tumor therapy based on ultrasmall Au and Fe3O4 NPs coloaded dendritic mesoporous silica NPs. Au NPs as the unique glucose oxidase‐mimic nanozyme specifically catalyze β‐D‐glucose oxidation into gluconic acid and H2O2, while the as produced H2O2 is subsequently catalyzed by the peroxidase‐mimic Fe3O4 NPs to liberate high‐toxic hydroxyl radicals for inducing tumor‐cell death by the typical Fenton‐based catalytic reaction. Extensive in vitro and in vivo evaluations have demonstrated high nanocatalytic‐therapeutic efficacy with a desirable tumor‐suppression rate (69.08%) based on these biocompatible composite nanocatalysts. Therefore, this work paves a way for nanocatalytic tumor therapy by rationally designing inorganic nanozymes with multienzymatic activities for achieving high therapeutic efficacy and excellent biosafety simultaneously.
Endoscopic Evaluation of the Eustachian Tube: assessment of a novel tool for grading Eustachian tube inflammation
Authors: McCoul Edward D. , Mayer Scott I. , Tabaee Abtin , Bedrosian Jeffrey C. , Marino Michael J.
Published: November 2018

Background

Signs of inflammation are commonly encountered during endoscopic examination of the Eustachian tube (ET) region. The clinical applicability of these findings may be enhanced by use of a standardized assessment score.

Methods

Digital video recordings were obtained of 50 nasal endoscopy examinations of the nasopharyngeal portion of the ET. Four fellowship‐trained rhinologists independently reviewed the videos with regard to specific physical findings: edema of the ET torus, erythema of the ET torus, exudate at the ET orifice, and presence of tubal tonsil. Scoring of this Endoscopic Evaluation of the Eustachian Tube (3ET) was reported using both 2‐point and 3‐point scales. Each reviewer repeated the scoring at a 10‐day interval. Interrater and intrarater agreement were calculated for each item and the total scores.

Results

Interrater and intrarater agreement were greater for the 3‐point scale than the 2‐point scale. Interrater agreement for overall instrument using the 3‐point scale was in the “acceptable” range for Krippendorff's alpha on both the first trial (0.6922) and second trial (0.7238). Intrarater agreement was generally “excellent” for individual items as well as the overall instrument.

Conclusion

The 3ET comprising these 4 physical findings has acceptable interrater and intrarater reliability, and may be applied to future clinical studies of ET function and disease.
Treatment strategy for a penetrating stab wound to the vertebral artery: a case report
Authors: Yaguchi Shinya , Yamamura Hitoshi , Kamata Kousuke , Shimamura Norihito , Kakehata Shinya , Matsubara Atsushi
Published: November 2018

Case

Vertebral artery injury is a low‐frequency but high‐mortality injury. The surgical approach to a bleeding vertebral artery injury is one of the most difficult procedures in trauma surgery.

A 64‐year‐old woman was transported to our emergency department after being stabbed in the middle side of the right neck with a large kitchen knife. Her initial hospital examination indicated a shock state, and computed tomography images revealed a right vertebral artery injury. We undertook angiography and transcatheter arterial embolization before the surgical operation.

Outcome

The patient suffered right upper extremity paralysis due to brachial plexus injury and was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation on the 24th hospital day.

Conclusion

Computed tomography angiography for diagnosis and interventional radiology treatment are useful for the management of penetrating neck trauma. Transcatheter arterial embolization for vertebral artery injury is safe and allows for easy control of bleeding compared to a surgical procedure.
Serum Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 as a Biomarker for Incident Dementia: The Hisayama Study
Authors: Ohara Tomoyuki , Hata Jun , Tanaka Masashi , Honda Takanori , Yamakage Hajime , Yoshida Daigo , Inoue Takayuki , Hirakawa Yoichiro , Kusakabe Toru , Shibata Mao , Teraoka Tadashi , Kitazono Takanari , Kanba Shigenobu , Satoh‐Asahara Noriko , Ninomiya Toshiharu
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate the association between serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), a soluble type of an innate immune receptor expressed on the microglia, and the risk of dementia.

Methods

A total of 1,349 Japanese community residents aged 60 and older without dementia were followed prospectively for 10 years (2002–2012). Serum sTREM2 levels were quantified by using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and divided into quartiles. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of serum sTREM2 levels on the risk of dementia.

Results

During the follow‐up, 300 subjects developed all‐cause dementia; 193 had Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 85 had vascular dementia (VaD). The age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidences of all‐cause dementia, AD, and VaD elevated significantly with higher serum sTREM2 levels (all p for trend < 0.012). These associations were not altered after adjustment for confounding factors, including high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein. Subjects with the highest quartile of serum sTREM2 levels had significantly higher multivariable‐adjusted risks of developing all‐cause dementia, AD, and VaD than those with the lowest quartile (HR = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39–2.97, p < 0.001 for all‐cause dementia; HR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.02–2.55, p = 0.04 for AD; HR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.35–6.02, p = 0.006 for VaD). No significant heterogeneity in the association of serum sTREM2 levels with the development of dementia was observed among the other risk factor subgroups (all p for heterogeneity > 0.11).

Interpretation

The present findings suggest a significant association between increased serum sTREM2 levels and the risk of developing all‐cause dementia, AD, and VaD in the general elderly Japanese population. ANN NEUROL 2019;85:47–58.
Impacts of Oil Types and Storage Conditions on Milk Fat Quality of Strained Yogurt Immersed in Oil
Authors: Al‐Ismail Khalid , Al‐Awamleh Sondos Ali , Saleh Mohammed , Al‐Titi Hosam
Published: November 2018

To maintain strained yogurt freshness, it was shaped into balls (3–3.5 cm diameter), completely immersed in oil, and stored at refrigerated or ambient temperature for 6 months. The impacts of immersing strained yogurt in oil on the topped oil and product's final quality of lipids including fat oxidation, lipolysis, cholesterol oxidation, and conjugated linoleic fatty‐acid content (CLNA) (i.e., as freshness indicators), during storage under various storage conditions, were evaluated. Peroxide value (PV), 7‐keto‐cholesterol, free fatty acids (FFA), and CLNA content were also determined. When stored in light, FFA of strained yogurt immersed in olive or corn oil increased from 0.44 to 1.29 and from 0.12 to 0.58, respectively. Olive oil‐topped and corn oil‐topped samples exposed to light had 48.9 and 7.9 (meq O2 kg−1) PV, respectively. Similar trends were reported for strained yogurt fat during storage for up to 6 months. Storage conditions showed little to no effects on the rate of fat and cholesterol oxidation, fat lipolysis, and CLNA content. Strained yogurt freshness indicators were maintained during the extended storage duration without refrigeration. The freshness indicators have a significant impact on enhancing consumer preference of strained yogurt.
Modeling the relationship between scientific and bibliographic classification for music
Authors: Lee Deborah , Robinson Lyn , Bawden David
Published: November 2018

Scientific classification is an important topic in contemporary knowledge organization discourse, yet the nature of the relationships between scientific and bibliographic classifications has not been fully studied. This article considers the connections between scientific and bibliographic classifications for music, taking general discourse about scientific classification and domain analysis as its starting point. Three relationship characteristics are posited: similarity, causation, and time. In discussions about similarity, “accords” and “discords” are analyzed. Further, the idea of a scale of accord is introduced, and issues with assuming a univocal scientific or bibliographic classification of music are discussed. Causation and the idea of influence between scientific and bibliographic classifications for music are unpicked. The connections between accordance and influence are explored, and the concept of differing purposes for different classification approaches is analyzed. A temporal dimension is considered, and the dynamic nature of connections between music scientific and bibliographic classifications is established. The idea of bifurcation is introduced—a change of accordance over time—which is prominent for musical instrument classification. The concluding model visualizes similarity, causation and temporal aspects as three dimensions, showing how scientific and bibliographic classifications for music are connected through a set of interconnected and complex relationships.
Bacterial expression, purification and biophysical characterization of wheat germ agglutinin and its four hevein‐like domains
Authors: Leyva Eduardo , Medrano‐Cerano Jorge L. , Cano‐Sánchez Patricia , López‐González Itzel , Gómez‐Velasco Homero , del Río‐Portilla Federico , García‐Hernández Enrique
Published: November 2018

Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a chitin binding lectin, has attracted increasing interest because of its unique characteristics such as conformational stability, binding specificity and transcytosis capacity. To pave the way for the study of the molecular basis of WGA's structural stability and binding capacity, as well as to facilitate its use in biomedical and biotechnological developments, we produced recombinant WGA and its 4 isolated hevein‐like domains in a bacterial system. All the proteins were expressed as fusion constructs linked to a thioredoxin domain, which was enzymatically or chemically released. The structural and ligand‐binding properties of recombinant WGA were similar to the wild lectin. The 4 isolated domains folded and were ligand‐binding competent, indicating that each domain constitutes an independent folding unity. The biophysical characterization of the recombinant domains sheds new light on the intricate folding and binding behavior of this emblematic lectin.
Incidence rate and sex ratio in multiple sclerosis in Lithuania
Authors: Valadkeviciene Daiva , Kavaliunas Andrius , Kizlaitiene Rasa , Jocys Mykolas , Jatuzis Dalius
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To determine the temporal changes in incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) over the past 15 years in Lithuania with prediction up to 2020, and to estimate female‐to‐male sex ratio and its changes among MS patients.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a descriptive incidence study. The crude incidence rates (CIR) were calculated using 15‐year period, sex, age‐groups, and the number of newly registered MS patients. Standardized incidence rates (SIR) were calculated using European standard in order to evaluate the influence of resident structure changes on incidence of MS during the last 15 years. The data were processed using Minitab set to estimate a linear trend model for the temporal changes of 16 parameters.

Results

The data showed a substantial growth of the incidence rate of MS in Lithuania during the period of 2001–2015. In 2001, MS was diagnosed to 162 new individuals, whereas 343 new cases of MS were diagnosed in 2015. During 2001–2015, the incidence of MS was on average 6.5 (95% CI 5.70–7.30) cases per 100,000 residents, and 4.9 (95% CI 4.46–5.34) and 8.1 (5.86–9.34) for 100,000 male and female, respectively. Female‐to‐male sex ratio in MS in Lithuania had a tendency to increase over the period. Females were affected from 1.5 to 2 times more often than males.

Conclusions

In 2020, the incidence rate of MS is estimated to reach 13 cases per 100,000 persons and females are expected to be diagnosed with MS two times more often than males.
Short‐term Sahaja Yoga meditation training modulates brain structure and spontaneous activity in the executive control network
Authors: Dodich Alessandra , Zollo Maurizio , Crespi Chiara , Cappa Stefano F. , Laureiro Martinez Daniella , Falini Andrea , Canessa Nicola
Published: November 2018

Introduction

While cross‐sectional studies have shown neural changes in long‐term meditators, they might be confounded by self‐selection and potential baseline differences between meditators and non meditators. Prospective longitudinal studies of the effects of meditation in naïve subjects are more conclusive with respect to causal inferences, but related evidence is so far limited.

Methods

Here, we assessed the effects of a 4‐week Sahaja Yoga meditation training on gray matter density and spontaneous resting‐state brain activity in a group of 12 meditation‐naïve healthy adults.

Results

Compared with 30 control subjects, the participants to meditation training showed increased gray matter density and changes in the coherence of intrinsic brain activity in two adjacent regions of the right inferior frontal gyrus encompassing the anterior component of the executive control network. Both these measures correlated with self‐reported well‐being scores in the meditation group.

Conclusions

The significant impact of a brief meditation training on brain regions associated with attention, self‐control, and self‐awareness may reflect the engagement of cognitive control skills in searching for a state of mental silence, a distinctive feature of Sahaja Yoga meditation. The manifold implications of these findings involve both managerial and rehabilitative settings concerned with well‐being and emotional state in normal and pathological conditions.
Mechanistic modeling based process analytical technology implementation for pooling in hydrophobic interaction chromatography
Authors: Shekhawat Lalita Kanwar , Rathore Anurag S.
Published: November 2018

A major challenge in chromatography purification of therapeutic proteins is batch‐to‐batch variability with respect to impurity levels and product concentration in the feed. Mechanistic model can enable process analytical technology (PAT) implementation by predicting impact of such variations and thereby improving the robustness of the resulting process and controls. This article presents one such application of mechanistic model of hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) as a PAT tool for making robust pooling decisions to enable clearance of aggregates for a monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutic. Model predictions were performed before the actual chromatography experiments to facilitate feedforward control. The approach has been successfully demonstrated for four different feeds with varying aggregate levels (3.84%–5.54%) and feed concentration (0.6 mg/mL–1 mg/mL). The resulting pool consistently yielded a product with 1.32 ± 0.03% aggregate vs. a target of 1.5%. A comparison of the traditional approach involving column fractionation with the proposed approach indicates that the proposed approach results in achievement of satisfactory product purity (98.68 ± 0.03% for mechanistic model based PAT controlled pooling vs. 98.64 ± 0.16% for offline column fractionation based pooling). © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2758, 2019.
A rare case of immune thrombocytopenia secondary to breast cancer
Authors: Hügli Sophie , Hügli Anne , Simonetta Federico , Chalandon Yves
Published: November 2018

Key Clinical Message

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is in rare cases secondary to solid tumors, particularly breast cancer. In these cases, the clinical course of the ITP may follow the clinical course of the primary tumor, and remission of the ITP may be induced by treatment of the primary tumor.
An alternative technique for downsizing a modified Blalock‐Taussig shunt
Authors: Bobos Dimitrios , Kanakis Meletios , Grisbolaki Evangelia , Giannopoulos Nicholas
Published: November 2018

Key Clinical Message

An alternative surgical approach for downsizing an existed modified Blalock‐Taussig shunt is described as a reoperation in a hemodynamically unstable patient. This method was selected in order to minimize the surgical manipulations in the setting of a critically ill infant.
Phosphane‐decorated Platinum Nanoparticles as Efficient Catalysts for H2 Generation from Ammonia Borane and Methanol
Authors: Lara Patricia , Philippot Karine , Suárez Andrés
Published: November 2018

A series of narrowly dispersed Pt nanoparticles of 1.5–2.2 nm in size stabilized by bulky terphenylphosphane ligands has been synthesized by the organometallic method using [Pt(dba)2] as platinum source. These nanoparticles are highly efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation by methanolysis of ammonia borane (H3N ⋅ BH3), providing notable TOF values of up to 284 min−1 at 30 °C and low catalyst loadings (0.14–0.19 mol %). Furthermore, catalyst separation (after distillation of the H2‐depleted ammonium tetramethoxyborate (NH4B(OMe)4) and methanol) and recycling were proven to be feasible, although an erosion of the catalytic activity was observed after three catalytic runs. These Pt nanoparticles have also been used as catalysts for tandem dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and hydrogenation of N‐heterocycles, providing the reduction products of quinoline, phenanthridine, 2‐methylquinoxaline and acridine in >90 % yields under mild reaction conditions.
New Insights for the Abuse Tolerance Behavior of LiMn2O4 under High Cut‐Off Potential Conditions
Authors: Zhang Feilong , Geng Tongtong , Peng Fengfeng , Zhao Dongni , Zhang Ningshuang , Zhang Haiming , Li Shiyou
Published: November 2018

The further development of lithium‐ion batteries is often desired to obtain higher capacities by charging to higher potentials. However, such a high potential (>4.3 V) will inevitably result in capacity loss of the LiMn2O4 cathode material over numerous cycles. In this work, degradation mechanisms of LiMn2O4 electrode cycled at different charge cut‐off potentials (4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, and 4.8 V vs. Li/Li+, respectively) have been investigated. It is found that the capacity degraded seriously after aging cycles at the cut‐off potentials (<4.6 V), especially at 4.4 V. Remarkably, a thicker cathode–electrolyte interface (CEI) film on the cathode surface can be observed when the potential reached 4.7 and 4.8 V. Thus, two degradation mechanisms are proposed, which are also verified by the calculation of the diffusion coefficient of Li+ ions (DLi+). This work demonstrates the relationship between the capacity fade and cut‐off potentials and provides a useful guidance for other cathode materials with high‐voltage operation.
Biosynthesis of the Central Piperidine Nitrogen Heterocycle in Series a Thiopeptides
Authors: Liu Jingyu , Lin Zhi , Chen Hua , Guo Heng , Tao Jiang , Liu Wen
Published: November 2018

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Thiopeptides, arising from complex posttranslational modifications of a genetically encoded precursor peptide, are of great interest due to their structural complexity and important biological activities. All of these antibiotics share a macrocyclic peptidyl core that contains a central, six‐membered nitrogen heterocycle and are classified into five series a—e based on the oxidation state of the central nitrogenous ring. Here, we report that the biosynthesis of the central piperidine heterocycle of series a thiopeptides relies on the activity of homologues of an F420H2‐dependent reductase TppX4 by exploiting and characterizing the piperidine‐containing thiopeptin biosynthetic gene (tpp) cluster in Streptomyces tateyamensis. In vitro reconstruction of TppX4 activity demonstrated that the piperidine heterocycle of thiopeptins was transformed from a dehydropiperidine heterocycle, and TppX4 tolerated the changes in the C‐termini and macrocyclic peptidyl core of substrate and also tolerated dehyropiperidine‐containing monocyclic or bicyclic thiopeptides. The identification of TppX4 and its substrate tolerance enriches the biosynthetic toolbox for development of additional thiopeptide analogs for clinical drug screening.
Using the sORFs.Org Database
Authors: Olexiouk Volodimir , Menschaert Gerben
Published: November 2018

Ribosome profiling involves sequencing of approximately 30‐base‐long stretches of ribosome‐protected mRNA. The technique enables genome‐wide mapping of RNA undergoing active translation. Numerous small open reading frames have been identified by using ribosome profiling, leading researchers to question the assumed non‐functional character of sORFs and to the identification of various important sORF translation products. sORFs.org (https://www.sorfs.org) is a public repository of small open reading frames identified by ribosome profiling in a database of over 3 million sORFs across 78 datasets from six species. sORFs.org is a multi‐omics endeavor providing tools and metrics to assess the coding potential of the delineated sORFs. A pipeline is also in place to systematically rescan public mass spectrometry datasets to acquire new experimental evidence for sORF‐encoded polypeptides. sORFs.org provides two distinct query interfaces, export functionality, and various visualization tools to enable inspection of the available information. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Algorithms for reducing reconfiguration overheads using prefetch, reuse, and optimal mapping of tasks
Authors: Hariharan I. , Kannan M.
Published: November 2018

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are preferred in the modern embedded system to accelerate the performance of the entire system. However, the FPGAs are liable to suffer from reconfiguration overheads. These overheads are mainly because of the configuration data being fetched from the off‐chip memory at run‐time and due to the improper management of tasks during execution. To reduce these overheads, two algorithms are proposed. Both the algorithms focus on the prefetch heuristics, reuse technique, and an optimal mapping of tasks over the available memories. However, in terms of reusing technique, algorithm‐1 uses least recently used (LRU) policy and algorithm‐2 uses the optimal replacement policy (considering the vitality of the reconfigurable units (RUs)). Simulation results are obtained for both the algorithms. It is evident from the result that most of the reconfiguration overheads are eliminated when the applications are managed and executed based on the proposed algorithms. Also, the two algorithm results are compared and analyzed. For this purpose, the experiments included smaller and larger task graphs. In the case of smaller task graphs, algorithm‐2 outperforms algorithm‐1 in reducing reconfiguration overheads. In larger task graphs, algorithm‐1 produces better results compared to algorithm‐2.
Viral Vectors for Gene Transfer
Authors: Chen Yong Hong , Keiser Megan S. , Davidson Beverly L.
Published: November 2018

Viral vectors are a promising tool for effective delivery of genetic material into cells. They take advantage of the natural ability of a virus to deliver a genetic payload into cells while being genetically modified such that their ability to replicate is crippled or removed. Here, an updated overview of routinely used viral vectors, including adeno‐associated viruses (AAV), retroviruses/lentiviruses, and adenoviruses (Ads), is provided, as well as perspectives on their advantages and disadvantages in research and gene therapy. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The impact of restorative approaches on well‐being: An evaluation of happiness and engagement in schools
Authors: Norris Heather
Published: November 2018

Advocates of restorative approaches (RA) often testify as to the positive benefits associated with participants' well‐being. A major confounding issue is the ability to evaluate such claims due to the flexibility of practices and delivery, thus making firm conclusions regarding the impact of RA on well‐being particularly difficult. The current research evaluates the potential effects on well‐being, specifically, happiness and school engagement. Three different RA models are evaluated using standard psychometric measures to assess the impact on the measured outcomes. Results indicate RA is likely to influence outcomes measure only in very specific contexts.
LPPA: Lightweight privacy‐preservation access authentication scheme for massive devices in fifth Generation (5G) cellular networks
Authors: Cao Jin , Ma Maode , Li Hui
Published: November 2018

Because of the requirements of stringent latency, high‐connection density, and massive devices concurrent connection, the design of the security and efficient access authentication for massive devices is the key point to guarantee the application security under the future fifth Generation (5G) systems. The current access authentication mechanism proposed by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) requires each device to execute the full access authentication process, which can not only incur a lot of protocol attacks but also result in signaling congestion on key nodes in 5G core networks when sea of devices concurrently request to access into the networks. In this paper, we design an efficient and secure privacy‐preservation access authentication scheme for massive devices in 5G wireless networks based on aggregation message authentication code (AMAC) technique. Our proposed scheme can accomplish the access authentication between massive devices and the network at the same time negotiate a distinct secret key between each device and the network. In addition, our proposed scheme can withstand a lot of protocol attacks including interior forgery attacks and DoS attacks and achieve identity privacy protection and group member update without sacrificing the efficiency. The Burrows Abadi Needham (BAN) logic and the formal verification tool: Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) and Security Protocol ANimator for AVISPA (SPAN) are employed to demonstrate the security of our proposed scheme.
Performance modeling and optimization of multiple‐objective cross‐layer design in multi‐flow ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Mehta Ridhima , Lobiyal Daya Krishan
Published: November 2018

In ad‐hoc wireless networks, to achieve good performance, multiple parameters need to be optimized jointly. However, existing literature lacks a design framework that investigates the synchronic impact of several parameters on overall system performance. Among several design parameters, energy conservation, end‐to‐end delay minimization, and improved throughput are considered most important for efficient operation of these networks. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme for multiple‐objective cross‐layer optimization capable of optimizing all these performance objectives simultaneously for reliable, energy‐efficient, and timely transmission of continuous media information across the network. The three global criteria considered for optimization are incorporated in a single programming problem via linear scalarization. Besides, we employ standard convex optimization method and Lagrangian technique to solve the proposed problem to seek optimality. Extensive simulation results are generated accounting for several topologies with multiple concurrent flows in the network. These results are used to validate the analytical results and demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed optimization model. Efficiency of the model is verified by finding the set of Pareto‐optimal solutions plotted in three‐dimensional objective space. These solution points constituting the Pareto front are used as the best possible balance points among maximum throughput, maximum residual energy, and least network delay. Finally, to emphasize the effectiveness and supremacy of our proposed multiple‐objective cross‐layer design scheme, we compare it with the conventional multiple‐objective genetic algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that our method provides significant performance gain over the genetic algorithm approach in terms of the above specified three objectives.
Predator‐prey feedback in a gyrfalcon‐ptarmigan system?
Authors: Barraquand Frédéric , Nielsen Ólafur K.
Published: November 2018

Specialist predators with oscillating dynamics are often strongly affected by the population dynamics of their prey, yet they are not always the cause of prey cycling. Only those that exert strong (delayed) regulation of their prey can be. Inferring predator–prey coupling from time series therefore requires contrasting models with top‐down versus bottom‐up predator–prey dynamics. We study here the joint dynamics of population densities of the Icelandic gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus, and its prey, the rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta. The dynamics of both species are likely not only linked to each other but also to stochastic weather variables acting as confounding factors. We infer the degree of coupling between populations, as well as forcing by abiotic variables, using multivariate autoregressive models MAR(p), with p = 1 and 2 time lags. MAR(2) models, allowing for species to cycle independently from each other, further suggest alternative scenarios where a cyclic prey influences its predator but not the other way around (i.e., bottom‐up scenarios). The classical MAR(1) model predicts that the time series exhibit predator–prey feedback (i.e., reciprocal dynamic influence between prey and predator), and that weather effects are weak and only affecting the gyrfalcon population. Bottom‐up MAR(2) models produced a better fit but less realistic cross‐correlation patterns. Simulations of MAR(1) and MAR(2) models further demonstrate that the top‐down MAR(1) models are more likely to be misidentified as bottom‐up dynamics than vice versa. We therefore conclude that predator–prey feedback in the gyrfalcon–ptarmigan system is likely the main cause of observed oscillations, though bottom‐up dynamics cannot yet be excluded with certainty. Overall, we showed how to make more out of ecological time series by using simulations to gauge the quality of model identification, and paved the way for more mechanistic modeling of this system by narrowing the set of important biotic and abiotic drivers.
Enhanced Performance of CNT‐doped Imine Based Receptors as Fe(III) Sensor Using Potentiometry and Voltammetry
Authors: K. Mittal Susheel , Kumar Sanjeev , Kaur Navneet
Published: November 2018

A highly sensitive and selective potentiometric and voltammteric assay for the detection of Fe3+ using (E)‐3‐((2‐(2‐(2‐aminoethylamino) ethylamino) ethylimino)methyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one (IFE(III)) ionophore was developed. To demonstrate the ion‐to‐electron transfer ability of MWCNT, these were incorporated in the ion‐selective membrane and response characteristics of Fe3+ electrode was compared with those of the traditional ion selective electrode. The electrode showed an improved Nernstian slope, lower detection limit, response time of less than 5 s and working in a pH range of 3.0 to 8.0. Differential pulse voltammetric studies were performed for IFE(III)‐Fe3+ complex in DMSO solvent medium at glassy carbon (GC) electrode. A linear relationship between the cathodic peak current and concentration of Fe3+ was observed in the range of 1.6×10−5 to 4.4×10−5 mol/L with a detection limit of 5.2×10−8 mol/L. The electrode shows remarkable selectivity for Fe3+ ions over alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The optimized electrode was successfully applied for the determination of Fe3+ ion in different real‐life samples using potentiometric technique. Theoretical calculations were used to support the complexation behavior of Fe3+ with IFE(III).
Ion Pair Integrated Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Electrolyte Network for Solid‐State Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Guang , Fan Baoyan , Liu Feihua , Yao Fangzhou , Wang Qing
Published: November 2018

A class of organic‐inorganic hybrid electrolyte with ion pair integrated network (X‐POSS‐IL‐LiTFSI) has been prepared by crosslinking of oligomeric octasilsesquioxanes grafted with imidazolium‐based ionic liquids for solid state lithium ion battery applications. X‐POSS‐IL‐LiTFSI is thermally stable and highly amorphous, and shows high ionic conductivities and excellent electrochemical stability. With further immobilization of a small fraction of ionic liquid, the ionic conductivity of X‐POSS‐IL‐LiTFSI has been significantly improved, e. g. 1.4×10−4 S/cm at ambinet temperature, to the level required by the practical battery applications, while maintaining the demensional integity. The coin cells of lithium batteries with the plasticized X‐POSS‐IL‐LiTFSI electrolytes exhibit high specific capacities at both ambient and elevated temperatures.