bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Head teachers’ conception of gifted students in mathematics in Swedish upper secondary school
Authors: Mattsson Linda
Published: December 2024

The article presents a study of how Swedish upper secondary head teachers, working within mathematically intensive study programs, conceptualize giftedness in mathematics. The study is based on a survey of 34 randomly selected head teachers, in a population of about 400, who have answered questions about how they character- ize and detect gifted mathematics students. The results show that teachers characterize such students as creative, strong in logical ability and keen in their motivation for mathematics. The teachers detect such students by the students’ own initiative for engaging in mathematics, their inclination to orally reason about mathematics and their successfulness on tests. The findings, which are in accordance with results from internationally published studies, are of importance to the current discussion on special provision for gifted students in Sweden.
Interference of subtraction strategies
Authors: Bentley Per-Olof
Published: December 2024

This study concerns a particular kind of mistake that a number of pupils made when subtracting two positive whole numbers. The aim was to analyse the cause behind this particular mistake. According to the pupils, the difference was equal to the subtrahend. It was found that the pupils counted down to the subtrahend. But instead of finding the answer as the number of steps between the two terms, the pupils applied the last-number-word rule and gave the subtrahend, which was the last mentioned number word, as the result. When seeing subtraction as a concept, it could be assumed that the lack of experience of subtraction as a comparison and as equalization played a decisive role for this mistake. A comparable mistake described in previous research is also analysed.
Upper secondary school students’ gendered conceptions about affect in mathematics
Authors: Sumpter Lovisa
Published: December 2024

This study explores upper secondary school students’ conceptions about gender and affect in mathematics. Two groups of students from Swedish Natural Science Programme each answered a questionnaire; the first with a focus on boys and girls in general and the other with a focus on individuals themselves. The results from two questionnaires were compared. The first questionnaire revealed a view of rather traditional femininities and masculinities, a result that did not repeat itself in the second questionnaire. There was a discrepancy between traits students ascribed as gender different and traits students ascribed to themselves.
View of mathematics – an investigation of Estonian university students
Authors: Kaldo Indrek
Published: December 2024

This study reports on first-year Estonian university students’ view of mathematics. The data was collected from 970 university students of different disciplines. The participants filled out a Likert-type questionnaire that was developed using previously published instruments. This paper documents and analyses the data from the study. In this study students agreed that mathematics is an important and valuable subject. Female students have a more positive view of mathematics than male students. Science students have a more positive view of mathematics than non-science students.
Studying teachers’ knowledge by the use of multiple-choice items: the case of ”I’m not sure”
Authors: Fauskanger Janne , Mosvold Reidar
Published: December 2024

The mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) measures have been widely adopted by researchers in several countries. This article reports on a study on the connection between teachers’ responses to multiple-choice MKT items, and in particular where they select the suggested solution ”I’m not sure”, and their written responses to corresponding open-ended questions (long responses). The findings from our analysis of 15 teachers’ responses indicate that their long responses and their multiple-choice responses do not always correspond. Some teachers who selected ”I’m not sure” showed uncertainty also in their long responses, whereas other teachers revealed instrumental and even relational understanding of the content.
News from Nordic mathematics education
Authors: Andresen Mette
Published: December 2024

News from Nordic mathematics education ...
The management and clinical outcome of paracetamol poisoning in South African adults: A single-centre retrospective review
Authors: Kotze C , Swanepoel J , Kruger E C , Decloedt E
Published: December 2024

Background. Paracetamol is a commonly prescribed drug, and often implicated in pharmaceutical overdoses. Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity is a common cause of acute liver failure in many high-income countries, but little is known about the factors associated with severity of liver injury and poor clinical outcomes among those treated in sub-Saharan African settings.
Objective. To describe the characteristics of patients presenting with paracetamol poisoning, and to identify factors associated with severity of liver injury and poor outcomes in adults with biochemical evidence of paracetamol-induced liver damage treated at a South African (SA) tertiary hospital.
Methods. A retrospective medical record review was conducted of all adult patients (≥18 years old) admitted between August 2013 and August 2018 to a tertiary referral centre in Cape Town, SA, with paracetamol poisoning and biochemical evidence of liver impairment. Demographics, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. Management practices and clinical outcomes were assessed.
Results. The records of 91 patients were included in the analysis. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age was 29 (23 - 39) years, and 63% were female. The majority of paracetamol poisonings followed an intentional overdose (91%). Acute single ingestions were the most common (81%) type of toxic ingestion, compared with staggered overdose and repeated supratherapeutic ingestion, and the median (IQR) number of tablets ingested was 22 (20 - 39). Two-thirds of patients developed mild liver injury and 12% developed acute kidney injury. The overall mortality rate was 12%. Mortality was lower in those who received intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) before serum paracetamol concentrations were known compared with those who only received NAC after concentrations were known (8.8% v. 36%, p=0.03). A significant proportion of deaths occurred in those with accidental overdose compared with those with intentional overdosing (57% v. 7.2%; p=0.004). People living with HIV (p=0.04), a history of chronic alcoholism (p=0.04), chronic liver disease (p=0.01) and severity of acute kidney stage (p<0.001) were all associated with increased mortality.
Conclusion. A high case fatality rate was observed in the studied population. Early identification of at-risk individuals and prompt initiation of NAC can reduce poor outcomes. Larger multicentre studies are needed to identify independent predictors of paracetamol-induced hepatoxicity and mortality in Africa.
L’apport de la traductologie au renouveau de l’universel dans les sciences humaines : Meschonnic, Berman, Cassin, Diagne1
Authors: Thiérard Hélène
Published: December 2024

Au sein du débat qui domine actuellement les sciences humaines sur la nécessité de repenser l’universel après la fin de l’universalisme eurocentré, la réflexion sur la traduction joue un rôle décisif. En utilisant les « intraduisibles » comme méthode philosophique, Barbara Cassin et Souleymane Bachir Diagne mettent la supposée universalité des concepts aristotéliciens à l’épreuve de la traduction et s’efforcent de dépasser l’alternative traditionnelle entre universalisme et relativisme. L’article met en évidence ce que cette philosophie de la traduction doit à l’apport théorique d’Henri Meschonnic et d’Antoine Berman, qui font tous deux la critique d’une conception de la traduction annexionniste dominante reposant sur le dualisme du signe au fondement de la pensée du langage européenne. À la lumière du concept de Diagne d’universel latéral ou postcolonial, il s’agit aussi d’attirer l’attention sur ce qu’une relecture de Meschonnic et de Berman a de prometteur pour examiner sur d’autres bases la question de l’eurocentrisme de la traductologie.
Traduire pour inclure : les personnages non binaires et la langue française
Authors: Viens Catherin·e
Published: December 2024

Les personnes non binaires sont de plus en plus présentes dans notre paysage médiatique et nos entourages. Leurs réalités sont toutefois encore bien mal connues du grand public et leur besoin de représentation est grand. Une présence accrue dans la littérature française permettrait à la fois de sensibiliser la population et de donner des modèles aux personnes non binaires. Comme pour l’instant peu d’oeuvres francophones mettent en scène des personnages non binaires, la traduction devient un outil intéressant d’inclusion et de visibilisation. Cependant, les défis traductifs sont nombreux lorsqu’on doit passer d’une langue peu genrée comme l’anglais à une langue beaucoup plus genrée telle que le français. Non seulement il faut trouver un équivalent aux pronoms neutres anglais, il faut aussi jongler avec la flexion des participes et des adjectifs, ainsi qu’avec tous les substantifs genrés que comporte la langue française. C’est peut-être pour cette raison que, malgré un bassin relativement vaste de textes en littératures anglophones, très peu de textes comportant des personnages non binaires sont traduits vers le français. Cet article explore différentes stratégies de traduction des pronoms neutres anglais (plus particulièrement le they singulier) et la façon d’aborder les accords de participes et d’adjectifs dans un contexte non binaire. D’abord l’évitement, qui comporte le risque d’invisibiliser les personnes mêmes que l’on veut représenter; ensuite la troisième personne masculine plurielle (ils) et ses accords habituels, qui rendent le texte quelque peu incongru; le on qui apporte la confusion avec sa grande polysémie; et finalement les nouveaux pronoms et les accords doubles ou neutres qui introduisent des néologismes peu connus du lectorat.
Analysis of wall catalytic effects on magnetohydrodynamic control of high-temperature non-quilibrium flow field
Authors: LUO Shichao , WU Liyin , HU Shouchao , GONG Hongming , LYU Minglei , KONG Xiaoping ,   Hypervelocity Aerodymamics Institute, China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center, Mianyang 621000, China,   National Key Laboratory of Aerospace Physics in Fluids, Mianyang 621000, China
Published: December 2024

In the re-entry process of the vehicle into the atmosphere, the high-temperature environment, induced by the compression of the strong shock wave and viscous retardation, is created around the head of a vehicle. These generate a conductive plasma flow field, which provides a direct working environment for the application of magnetohydrodynaimic (MHD) control technology. Numerical simulations based on thermochemical non-equilibrium MHD model are adopted to analyze the surface heat flux of an orbital reentry experiment (OREX) vehicle. The influences of wall catalytic conditions on the aerothermal environment under different flight conditions are discussed. In addition, the control mechanism of an external magnetic field on high-temperature thermochemical non-equilibrium flow field is analyzed. The results show that the distribution of surface heat flux monotonically increases with the catalytic recombination coefficient increasing, and the surface heat flux rises and then drops with the flight altitude decreasing. Moreover, the wall catalytic properties significantly affect the efficiency of MHD control technology, and the total heat flux is closely related to the accumulation of atomic components, diffusion gradient and temperature gradient near the wall region. With an external magnetic field applied, the accumulation of oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms near the wall can be reduced. Moreover, the Lorentz force can increase the shock standoff distance, and then reduce the component diffusion gradient and wall temperature gradient. Under three different wall catalytic conditions, the ability to control the surface heat flux MHD is ranked from strong to weak as fully catalyzed, partially catalyzed and non-catalyzed.
A novel monomeric amyloid β-activated signaling pathway regulates brain development via inhibition of microglia
Authors: Kwon Hyo Jun , Santhosh Devi , Huang Zhen
Published: December 2024

Amyloid β (Aβ) forms aggregates in the Alzheimer’s disease brain and is well known for its pathological roles. Recent studies show that it also regulates neuronal physiology in the healthy brain. Whether Aβ also regulates glial physiology in the normal brain, however, has remained unclear. In this article, we describe the discovery of a novel signaling pathway activated by the monomeric form of Aβ in vitro that plays essential roles in the regulation of microglial activity and the assembly of neocortex during mouse development in vivo. We find that activation of this pathway depends on the function of amyloid precursor and the heterotrimeric G protein regulator Ric8a in microglia and inhibits microglial immune activation at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Genetic disruption of this pathway during neocortical development results in microglial dysregulation and excessive matrix proteinase activation, leading to basement membrane degradation, neuronal ectopia, and laminar disruption. These results uncover a previously unknown function of Aβ as a negative regulator of brain microglia and substantially elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Considering the prominence of Aβ and neuroinflammation in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, they also highlight a potentially overlooked role of Aβ monomer depletion in the development of the disease.
Modeled grid cells aligned by a flexible attractor
Authors: Benas Sabrina , Fernandez Ximena , Kropff Emilio
Published: December 2024

Entorhinal grid cells implement a spatial code with hexagonal periodicity, signaling the position of the animal within an environment. Grid maps of cells belonging to the same module share spacing and orientation, only differing in relative two-dimensional spatial phase, which could result from being part of a two-dimensional attractor guided by path integration. However, this architecture has the drawbacks of being complex to construct and rigid, path integration allowing for no deviations from the hexagonal pattern such as the ones observed under a variety of experimental manipulations. Here, we show that a simpler one-dimensional attractor is enough to align grid cells equally well. Using topological data analysis, we show that the resulting population activity is a sample of a torus, while the ensemble of maps preserves features of the network architecture. The flexibility of this low dimensional attractor allows it to negotiate the geometry of the representation manifold with the feedforward inputs, rather than imposing it. More generally, our results represent a proof of principle against the intuition that the architecture and the representation manifold of an attractor are topological objects of the same dimensionality, with implications to the study of attractor networks across the brain.
Ainu Puri as a Compass: From Yukar Musical Epics to a Contemporary Context of Transnational Indigeneity of the Ainu
Authors:   Institute of Cultural Research, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia, Powell Savannah-Rivka
Published: December 2024

The objective of this paper is to analyse the approaches utilized by contemporary Ainu people when enacting Indigenous self-craft or becoming Ainu through musical expression. To achieve this, I connect music preservation and engagement with transnational Indigeneity to the music revival movement that has been active from the 1970s to the present. For the Ainu living in Japan, traditions have been heavily impacted by pressure to assimilate into mainstream society fuelled by a stigmatized identity. Considering the circumstances of this history, the preservation of Ainu musical traditions has been fraught with many challenges.
In an effort to gain a holistic understanding of the role of Ainu music in the reclamation of identity, I have reviewed early documentation of musical epics, performances of contemporary musicians, community engagement through music, and conducted interviews. The role of maintaining ancestral traditions through honouring Ainu Puri, which encompasses the extent of customs, is highlighted in this process as an essential cultural grounding. I conclude that traditional Ainu music in this case has a profoundly positive impact on identity construction and reclamation when approached through self-craft. This effect is reinforced through sustained contact with transnational Indigenous networks.
Association Between Oral Microbiota and Gastrointestinal/Extra-Gastrointestinal Diseases
Authors: Park Do-Young , Kim Young-Youn , Kim Chang Kee , Hwang Inseong , Lee Jeong-Hoo , Hwang Jiyoung , Hwang Ju-Yeong
Published: December 2024

Dental clinicians and researchers have recently recommended oral microbial examinations to more accurately diagnose and treat oral diseases, including periodontitis and dental caries. Theoretical and experimental evidence suggests that oral microbiota may also be associated with non-oral diseases, such as gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases. This review highlights studies demonstrating microbial alterations in the oral cavity associated with malignant tumors including gastric, colorectal, esophageal, and lung cancers, implying that these alterations may serve as early indicators for non-invasive diagnosis and risk assessment of cancer development. Furthermore, we addressed the implications of oral microbial co-occurrence with malignant tumors, such as Streptococcus anginosus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Veillonella parvula, which are recognized as tumor-enriched oral pathogens involved in the development and progression of cancers in the stomach, colon, and lungs, respectively. Notably, we explored the immune and inflammatory mechanisms underlying reciprocal interactions between oral microbiota and tumors, underscoring that targeting these mechanistic pathways can contribute to preventing cancer development.
Nonadjacent dependencies and sequential structure of chimpanzee action during a natural tool-use task
Authors: Howard-Spink Elliot , Hayashi Misato , Matsuzawa Tetsuro , Schofield Daniel , Gruber Thibaud , Biro Dora
Published: December 2024

Many of the complex behaviours of humans involve the production of nonadjacent dependencies between sequence elements, which in part can be generated through the hierarchical organization of sequences. To understand how these structural properties of human behaviours evolved, we can gain valuable insight from studying the sequential behaviours of nonhuman animals. Among the behaviours of nonhuman apes, tool use has been hypothesised to be a domain of behaviour which likely involves hierarchical organization, and may therefore possess nonadjacent dependencies between sequential actions. However thus far, evidence supporting hierarchical organization of great-ape tool use comes from methodologies which have been criticised in their objectivity. Additionally, the extent to which nonadjacent dependencies appear in primate action sequences during tool use has not been formally investigated. We used estimations of mutual information (MI)—a measure of dependency strength between sequence elements—to evaluate both the extent to which wild chimpanzees produce nonadjacent dependencies during a naturalistic tool-use task (nut cracking), as well as how sequences of actions are likely organized during tool use. Half of adult chimpanzees produced nonadjacent dependencies at significantly greater sequential distances than comparable, nonhierarchical Markov models once repeated actions had been accounted for. Additionally, for the majority of chimpanzees, MI decay with increasing sequential distance included a power-law relationship, which is a key indicator that the action sequences produced by chimpanzees likely entail some degree of hierarchical organization. Our analysis offered the greatest support for a system of organization where short subroutines of actions (2–8 actions long) are hierarchically arranged into longer sequences—a finding which is consistent with previous qualitative descriptions of ape tool-use behaviours. Interindividual variability was detected within our analysis in both the maximum distance dependencies were detected, and the most likely structuring mechanism for sequential action organization. We discuss these results in light of possible interindividual variation in the systems of action organization used by chimpanzees during tool use, in addition to methodological considerations for applications of MI estimations to sequential behaviours. Moreover, we discuss our main findings alongside hypotheses for the coevolution of complex syntax in language and tool-action across hominin evolutionary history.
Uma análise sobre a culpa, o medo e a vergonha em "A palavra que resta", de Stênio Gardel
Authors: Leme Medeiros Raul , Wizniewsky Amaral João Pedro
Published: December 2024

Este artigo oferece uma análise crítica da personagem Raimundo, protagonista do romance A Palavra que resta (2021), do escritor cearense Stênio Gardel, a partir dos sentimentos de culpa, medo e vergonha em relação à sexualidade. Utilizando um referencial teórico e uma abordagem analítica transdisciplinar que integra estudos literários, psicanálise e ciências sociais, o presente trabalho examina como esses sentimentos, potencializados por uma sociedade fortemente calcada em valores cristãos, operam como mecanismos de controle social, afetando a trajetória do protagonista. Destacamos como a família possui um papel fundamental na disseminação do sentimento de culpa cristã incutido em Raimundo. Todavia, além das temáticas principais discutidas neste estudo, pontuamos o processo de libertação do protagonista, que, a partir da meia-idade, elabora os traumas e inicia um processo de aceitação da própria sexualidade, superando os sentimentos que o tolheram ao longo da vida.
Adult Attachment Styles: Relationship with Parenting
Authors: Goel Mehak
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the connection between adult romantic behaviours—specifically,
commitment and ghosting—and parenting methods, using a sample size of 97 participants. The study explores
how early caregiver interactions mould internal working models of relationships, based on attachment theory,
and how these influence adult romantic behaviours. The research focuses on how authoritative, authoritarian
and, permissive parenting styles may relate to the development of four attachment styles- secure, preoccupied,
fearful and dismissing which in turn impact adult relationship behaviours. The study employed the Perceived
Parenting Style Scale and the Revised Adult Attachment Scale- Close Relationships Version to gather data. Understanding the interactions between parenting styles, attachment types, and adult romantic behaviours can provide key insights into the factors influencing healthy and unhealthy relationships
A Review Of Nanotechnology As A Game Changer In The Field Of Periodontics
Authors: N Dr.Narendiran , P A Dr.Shanmugapriya
Published: December 2024

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Efficacy Of Vitrectomy, Endolaser And Antivascular Growth Factors In The Management Of Neovascular Glaucoma
Authors: Kumari Dr. Kamala , Kumar Dr. Madhu , Jayamadhury Dr.
Published: December 2024

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Mandibular Molar with Mid Mesial Root Canal: A Case Report
Authors: Baig Arshia Rashid , Patel Aditya Singh
Published: December 2024

The aim of this case report was to illustrate how crucial it is to understand the core structure of root canals,
aimed at the effectiveness of endodontic therapy. One of the primary reasons endodontic therapy fails has been
identified as a lack of understanding of anatomic variants and their features in various teeth. The authors of this paper examine the significance of identifying and treating mandibular first molars with numerous root canals, to assess frequency of such cases, and to element endodontic treatment of patients
Swiss Ball Exercise In Active Phase Of Labor: A Review Of Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Sharma Shreya , Jakhar Renuka
Published: December 2024

Background: Childbirth is a transformative yet painful experience which impacts the mother physically and
psychologically. Managing labor and pain is the crucial for the well-being of the mother and the neonates.
There are two ways in which labor pain can be reduced namely pharmacological and non-pharmacological
method such as birth ball which has been widely used for the better birthing experience. To evaluate the
evidence-based insights of using Swiss ball exercises during the active phase of labor and to reviews its impact
on pain intensity, duration of labor, maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Materials and Methods: This review encompasses 12 studies conducted between 2011 and 2024, utilizing
database like PubMed and Scopus to investigate the effectiveness of Swiss ball exercise during labor.
Results: The findings indicated that Swiss ball exercises during labor offers significant benefits for mothers. It
helped in alleviating the pain and shortening the first and second stage of labor making the labor less physically
and emotionally tiring. It enhanced maternal satisfaction, and it helped in reduction in caesarean section risks
and vulvar swelling and reduced the overall complications associated with childbirth. However, the uncertain
neonatal outcome highlights a gap in knowledge and the need for further studies.
Conclusion: Implementing a standardized Swiss ball exercise during labor has the potential to decrease pain, duration of labor and improved maternal satisfaction but there was no change in neonatal outcomes.
Sulfated polysaccharides interact with fibroblast growth factors and protect from denaturation
Authors: Sun Changye , Liu Mengxin , Sun Panwen , Yang Mingming , Yates Edwin A. , Guo Zhikun , Fernig David G.
Published: July 2019

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate embryonic development and homeostasis, including tissue and organ repair and specific aspects of metabolism. The basic FGF and acidic FGF, now known as FGF2 and FGF1, are widely used protein drugs for tissue repair. However, they are susceptible to denaturation at ambient temperatures and during long‐time storage, which will reduce their biological activity. The interaction of FGFs with the sulfated domains of heparan sulfate and heparin is essential for their cellular signaling and stability. Therefore, we analyzed the interactions of FGF1 and FGF2 with four sulfated polysaccharides: heparin, dextran sulfate (DXS), λ‐carrageenan, and chondroitin sulfate. The results of thermal stability and cell proliferation assays demonstrate that heparin, DXS, and λ‐carrageenan bound to both FGFs and protected them from denaturation. Our results suggest heparin, DXS, and λ‐carrageenan are potential formulation materials that bind and stabilize FGFs, and which may also potentiate their activity and control their delivery.
Key inflammatory pathway activations in the MCI stage of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pillai Jagan A. , Maxwell Sean , Bena James , Bekris Lynn M. , Rao Stephen M. , Chance Mark , Lamb Bruce T. , Leverenz James B. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: July 2019

Objective

To determine the key inflammatory pathways that are activated in the peripheral and CNS compartments at the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of patients with clinical and biomarker characteristics consistent with MCI‐AD in a discovery cohort, with replication in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. Inflammatory analytes were measured in the CSF and plasma with the same validated multiplex analyte platform in both cohorts and correlated with AD biomarkers (CSF Aβ42, total tau (t‐tau), phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) to identify key inflammatory pathway activations. The pathways were additionally validated by evaluating genes related to all analytes in coexpression networks of brain tissue transcriptome from an autopsy confirmed AD cohort to interrogate if the same pathway activations were conserved in the brain tissue gene modules.

Results

Analytes of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway (KEGG ID:4668) in the CSF and plasma best correlated with CSF t‐tau and p‐tau levels, and analytes of the complement and coagulation pathway (KEGG ID:4610) best correlated with CSF Aβ42 levels. The top inflammatory signaling pathways of significance were conserved in the peripheral and the CNS compartments. They were also confirmed to be enriched in AD brain transcriptome gene clusters.

Interpretation

A cell‐protective rather than a proinflammatory analyte profile predominates in the CSF in relation to neurodegeneration markers among MCI‐AD patients. Analytes from the TNF signaling and the complement and coagulation pathways are relevant in evaluating disease severity at the MCI stage of AD.
Self‐Limiting Galvanic Growth of MnO2 Monolayers on a Liquid Metal—Applied to Photocatalysis
Authors: Ghasemian Mohammad B. , Mayyas Mohannad , Idrus‐Saidi Shuhada A. , Jamal Muhammad A. , Yang Jiong , Mofarah Sajjad S. , Adabifiroozjaei Esmaeil , Tang Jianbo , Syed Nitu , O'Mullane Anthony P. , Daeneke Torben , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kourosh
Published: July 2019

Liquid metals offer unprecedented chemistry. Here it is shown that they can facilitate self‐limiting oxidation processes on their surfaces, which enables the growth of metal oxides that are atomically thin. This claim is exemplified by creating atomically thin hydrated MnO2 using a Galvanic replacement reaction between permanganate ions and a liquid gallium–indium alloy (EGaIn). The “liquid solution”–“liquid metal” process leads to the reduction of the permanganate ions, resulting in the formation of the oxide monolayer at the interface. It is presented that under mechanical agitation liquid metal droplets are established, and simultaneously, hydrated gallium oxides and manganese oxide sheets delaminate themselves from the interfacial boundaries. The produced nanosheets encapsulate a metallic core, which is found to consist of solid indium only, with the full migration of gallium out of the droplets. This process produces core/shell structures, where the shells are made of stacked atomically thin nanosheets. The obtained core/shell structures are found to be an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of an organic dye under simulated solar irradiation. This study presents a new research direction toward the modification and functionalization of liquid metals through spontaneous interfacial redox reactions, which has implications for many applications beyond photocatalysis.
The impact of cooperatives’ transportation services on farm income: Evidence from tobacco farmers in Guizhou, China
Authors: Lin Junying , Zhang Zhonggen , Liu Ziming , Rommel Jens
Published: July 2019

In mountainous areas, access to markets and transportation services is particularly important for farmers. Following government initiatives, agricultural cooperatives in China have begun to offer transportation services as part of their service portfolio. This study estimated the impact of cooperatives’ transportation services on tobacco farmers’ farm income. Using survey data from 337 households in Guizhou Province, China, a two‐step control function was used to correct for selection bias. Results showed that access to transportation services increased yearly farm income by up to 4,636 RMB Yuan. The possible reasons for this large increase are discussed and conclusions were drawn for rural development policy. [EconLit citations: Q13, L23]
Influences of particle size and crystallinity of highly loaded CuO/ZrO2 on CO2 hydrogenation to methanol
Authors: Fujiwara Kakeru , Tada Shohei , Honma Tetsuo , Sasaki Hiro , Nishijima Masahiko , Kikuchi Ryuji
Published: July 2019

In this study, highly loaded CuO (65.2 wt%) on ZrO2 support was prepared by flame spray pyrolysis, and the effects of their particle sizes and ZrO2 crystallinity on CO2 hydrogenation to methanol were investigated. By varying the precursor feed rate (1–10 mL min−1), the crystallite size (3–7 nm) and the crystallinity of tetragonal ZrO2 were controlled. After H2 reduction at 300°C, the Cu species in the catalysts, prepared at the feed rate = 2–10 mL min−1, were converted to Cu particles (approximately 10–20 nm); however, the size and crystallinity of ZrO2 remained the same. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts prepared at the feed rate = 2–3 mL min−1 were higher than those of the catalysts prepared at the feed rates = 5–10 mL min−1, because the smaller ZrO2 particles in the former provided more surface to stabilize small Cu particles and from interfacial Cu‐ZrO2 sites (active sites).
A Facile Approach to α‐Keto Esters via Oxidative Esterification of α‐Amino Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Wang Yong‐qiang , Zou Jiao‐xia , Wang Hui‐hong , Peng Xue , Lu Ying‐mei , Feng Yi‐yue , Chen Chen , Shi Tao , Wang Zhen
Published: July 2019

A direct oxidative esterification of α‐amino carbonyl compounds by two kinds of hydroperoxides, for the synthesis of α‐keto esters has been developed. The reaction shows broad substrates scope and good functional group tolerance, even for the synthesis of bulkyl esters, and is free of metal catalysts and external additives. Notably, the inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) could be successfully synthesized with our protocol.
Stereoconvergent, Redox‐Neutral Access to Tetrahydroquinoxalines through Relay Epoxide Opening/Amination of Alcohols
Authors: Xu Guangda , Yang Guoqiang , Wang Yue , Shao Pan‐Lin , Yau Jia Ning Nicolette , Liu Bing , Zhao Yunbo , Sun Ye , Xie Xinxin , Wang Shuo , Zhang Yao , Xia Lixin , Zhao Yu
Published: July 2019

We present an economical catalytic procedure to convert readily available 1,2‐diaminobenzenes and terminal epoxides into valuable 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxalines in a highly enantioselective fashion. This procedure operates through relay zinc and iridium catalysis, and achieves redox‐neutral and stereoconvergent production of valuable chiral heterocycles from racemic starting materials with water as the only side product. The use of commercially available reagents and catalysts and a convenient procedure also make this catalytic method attractive for practical application.
Concise Synthesis of the Antiplasmodial Isocyanoterpene 7,20‐Diisocyanoadociane
Authors: Karns Alexander S. , Ellis Bryan D. , Roosen Philipp C. , Chahine Zeinab , Le Roch Karine G. , Vanderwal Christopher D.
Published: July 2019

The flagship member of the antiplasmodial isocyanoterpenes, 7,20‐diisocyanoadociane (DICA), was synthesized from dehydrocryptone in 10 steps, and in 13 steps from commercially available material. Our previous formal synthesis was reengineered, leveraging only productive transformations to deliver DICA in fewer than half the number of steps of our original effort. Important contributions, in addition to the particularly concise strategy, include a solution to the problem of axial nucleophilic methylation of a late‐stage cyclohexanone, and the first selective synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of the DICA stereoisomer with both isonitriles equatorial.
Effects of bubble size, velocity, and particle agglomeration on the electro‐flotation kinetics of fine cassiterite
Authors: Ren Liuyi , Zeng Weineng , Nguyen Anh V. , Ma Xiaozhen
Published: July 2019

Hydrodynamic behavior of fine particles and bubbles and their influences on the particle–bubble collision efficiency (Ec) in an electro‐flotation system were analyzed in this study. The influence of sodium oleate on the agglomeration of cassiterite particles and the effect of electrolyte (Na2SO4) concentration on the zeta potential of cassiterite were investigated in detail, respectively. Bubble trajectory was recorded by using a high‐speed camera to investigate the dynamic process in terms of bubble velocity. Moreover, bubble size was taken into account in the determination of the relationship between bubble velocity and Ec. The Reynolds number (Reb) was calculated to be 4.77 for hydrogen (H2) bubbles with a mean diameter of 52 μm. The highest recovery of cassiterite particles (<10 μm) was obtained by using 20 μm bubbles during flotation. The results indicate that the Yoon–Luttrell intermediate fluid (between the Stokes and potential flows) condition is applicable for the cassiterite electro‐flotation system, and Ec is improved by controlling the size and velocity of the hydrogen bubble, and the agglomeration of fine cassiterite particles in electro‐flotation. Additionally, it was greatly inspired to explore bubble–particle attachment in dissolved air flotation from these results.
Neuropeptides and peptide hormones identified in codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Garczynski Stephen F. , Hendrickson Christopher A. , Harper Artemus , Unruh Thomas R. , Dhingra Amit , Ahn Seung‐Joon , Choi Man‐Yeon
Published: July 2019

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is a worldwide pest of pome fruits. Neuropeptides regulate most physiological functions in insects and represent new targets for the development of control agents. The only neuropeptides reported from the codling moth to date are the allatostatin A family peptides. To identify other neuropeptides and peptide hormones from codling moth, we analyzed head transcriptomes, identified 50 transcripts, and predicted 120 prepropeptides for the codling moth neuropeptides and peptide hormones. All transcripts were amplified, and these sequences were verified. One of the notable findings in this study is that diapause hormones (DHs) reported from Tortricid moths, including the codling moth, do not have the WFGPRL sequence in C‐terminal ends in the pban genes. The C‐terminal motif is critical to characterize insect DH peptides, and always conserved in pban/dh genes in Lepidoptera and many insect orders. Interestingly, the WFGPRL sequence was produced only from the capa gene in the codling moth. The allatostatin A‐family encoding transcript predicted nine peptides, seven of which, as expected, are identical to those previously isolated from the moth. We also identified new codling moth orthologs of insect neuropeptides including CCHamides, allatostatin CC, RYamides, and natalisins. The information provided in this study will benefit future codling moth investigations using peptidoproteomics to determine peptide presence and functions.
Comprehensive analysis of potential immunotherapy genomic biomarkers in 1000 Chinese patients with cancer
Authors: Zang Yuan‐sheng , Dai Chun , Xu Xiaoman , Cai Xin , Wang Guan , Wei Jinwang , Wu Angela , Sun Wending , Jiao Shunchang , Xu Qiang
Published: July 2019

Background

Tumor mutation burden (TMB), DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), microsatellite instability (MSI), and PD‐L1 amplification (PD‐L1 AMP) may predict the efficacy of the PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade. With the broadening landscape of immunotherapy use, it is important to identify patients who are likely to benefit from the therapy. This study aimed to characterize the distributions of these biomarkers and explore the relationships among these biomarkers for Chinese patients with cancer.

Methods

In this study, we examined the aforementioned biomarkers in more than 1000 Chinese patients with cancer. These biomarkers were determined based on whole‐exome sequencing (WES) of tumor/blood samples.

Results

Of the 953 samples from Chinese cancer patients assessed in this study, 35% exhibited high TMB (TMB‐H), 4% were positive for high MSI (MSI‐H), dMMR occurred in 0.53%, and PD‐L1 AMP was positive in 3.79%. We found higher rates of TMB‐H among hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and esophageal cancer patients than was reported for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. Lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations had significantly lower TMB values than those with wild‐type EGFR, and increased TMB was significantly associated with dMMR in colorectal cancer (CRC). The frequency of tumors with MSI‐H was the highest in CRC and gastric cancer. PD‐L1 AMP occurred most frequently in lung squamous cell carcinoma and HER2‐positive breast cancer. While MSI and dMMR are associated with higher mutational loads, correlations between TMB‐H and other biomarkers, between MSI‐H and dMMR, and between PD‐L1 AMP and other biomarkers were low, indicating different underlying causes of the four biomarkers.

Conclusion

The results reveal the frequency of these biomarkers in different malignancies, with potential implications for PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade use for Chinese patients with cancer.
Glioblastoma Multiforme in the over 70's: “To treat or not to treat with radiotherapy?”
Authors: Glynn Aisling M. , Rangaswamy Guhan , O'Shea Julianne , Dunne Mary , Grogan Roger , MacNally Stephen , Fitzpatrick David , Faul Clare
Published: July 2019

Background

The incidence of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is increasing among the older population and is associated with poor prognosis. Management guidelines are lacking in this group. The purpose of this study was to analyze survival data and determine predictors of survival in patients aged ≥70 years treated with radiotherapy (RT) and/or Temozolomide.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis of all GBM patients treated at our institution between January 2011 and January 2017 was carried out.

Results

One‐hundred and four patients were eligible. Median age was 73.8 years (70‐87). Thirty‐three patients received radical RT and 71 palliative RT. Overall median survival (MS) was 6 months. The MS was 10.6 months for radical patients and 4.9 months for palliative patients (P < 0.0005). The MS was 6.9 months in patients aged 70‐75 years and 5.2 months in those aged 76‐80 years (P = 0.004). The debulked group had a statistically significantly longer survival (8.0 months) than the biopsy only group (4.9 months). Biopsy only (hazard ratio [HR] 2.4), ECOG performance status 3 vs 0 (HR 6.4), and increasing age (HR 1.06) were associated with statistically significant shorter survival after adjustment for the effects of concurrent chemo, delay in starting RT, and RT dose.

Conclusion

The MS for radical patients was favorable and approaching current literature for the under 70 age group. Radical treatment should be considered for good performance patients aged 70‐75 years. Increasing age was associated with shorter MS in patients aged ≥76 years. Debulking and good performance status were associated with improved survival.
Peptide‐Based 2‐Aminophenylamide Probes for Targeting Endogenous Class I Histone Deacetylase Complexes
Authors: Seidel Julian , Meisinger Tobias , Sindlinger Julia , Pieloch Paulina , Finkemeier Iris , Schwarzer Dirk
Published: July 2019

Lysine deacetylases or histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove acetylation markers from numerous cellular proteins, thereby regulating their function and activity. Recently established peptide probes containing the HDAC‐trapping amino acid α‐aminosuberic acid ω‐hydroxamate (AsuHd) have been used to investigate the compositions of HDAC complexes in a site‐specific manner. Here we report the new HDAC‐trapping amino acid 2‐amino‐8‐[(2‐aminophenyl)amino]‐8‐oxooctanoic acid (AsuApa) and the utility of AsuApa‐containing probes for HDAC complex profiling on a proteome‐wide scale. Unlike AsuHd‐containing probes, AsuApa enriched only HDACs 1, 2, and 3 efficiently and was the most potent probe tested for capturing the last of these. These findings indicate that the inherent specificity of reported small‐molecule pimelic diphenylamide HDAC inhibitors is preserved in AsuApa and that this HDAC‐trapping amino acid represents a potent tool for investigating class I HDAC complexes.
Evolution of Zn Species on Zn/HZSM‐5 Catalyst under H2 Pretreated and its Effect on Ethylene Aromatization
Authors: Gao Jie , Wei Chunlei , Dong Mei , Wang Guofu , Li Zhikai , Qin Zhangfeng , Wang Jianguo , Fan Weibin
Published: July 2019

Aromatization reaction is of importance in producing aromatics, accompanied by the generation of abundant H2, which may influence the reaction by interacting with the catalyst. In this work, Zn‐containing ZSM‐5 prepared by impregnation was treated in H2 atmosphere at different temperatures, and the evolution in structure, acidity, and Zn species distribution were studied. The catalyst's performance in ethylene aromatization was also evaluated. The results show that the H2 atmosphere enabled the reconstruction of ZnO microparticles and the reformation of Brønsted acid sites on Zn/HZSM‐5 below 200 °C. At an elevated temperature (300 °C), Zn+ species were produced by the reduction of [ZnOZn]2+ as confirmed by in‐situ Zn K‐edge extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) study and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. After H2 pretreatment at 300 °C, the increase in the amount of ZnOH+ species increased the selectivity of Zn‐containing ZSM‐5 for aromatics from 62 % to 67 %.
Fabrication of Porous Carbon with Controllable Nitrogen Doping as Anode for High‐Performance Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Dan , Dong Kangze , AiminHao  , Luo Shaohua , Liu Yanguo , Wang Qing , Zhang Yahui , Wang Zhiyuan
Published: July 2019

Potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) are a potential alternative for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundant reserves of potassium and the low redox potential of K+/K. Nonetheless, the practical application of PIBs is hampered by the fact that K+ has a large ion radium and cannot smoothly and reversibly insert/extract into the existing electrode materials. Herein, a series of nitrogen‐doped porous carbon materials with varied N content are synthesized and the effect of nitrogen content on the performance of PIBs is investigated. It is demonstrated that the N content is not in direct proportion to the K‐storage capacity of porous carbon considering the irregular change of specific surface area. Porous carbon with 12.44 at% N content (NPC‐2) exhibits the best performance among the synthesized samples on account of its large specific surface area associated with the superior porous structure as well as abundant defects. It delivers a high reversible capacity of 385 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1, remarkable rate performance of 218 mAh g−1at 2 A g−1, and long‐term cycling stability maintaining 242 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. The quantitative kinetics analysis verify that the K‐storage mechanism is mainly dominated by surface‐driven capacitive controlled process, which explains the superior rate capability. The theoretical simulation of different types of nitrogen adsorption and density of states (DOS) prove that pyridinic‐N and pyrrolic‐N exhibit higher affinity to K atoms and thus N‐doping is beneficial to the adsorption of K+ on the surface of electrode. This work provides a basic reference for the subsequent development of carbon anode materials for potassium‐ion batteries.
Verwaltung und Auswertung von Umkehrosmose‐Anlagendaten zur statistischen Voraussage
Authors: Lipnizki Jens , Dölchow Uli
Published: July 2019

Es werden zwei Möglichkeiten vorgestellt, die Leistung einer Umkehrosmoseanlage zu bewerten. Dabei basiert die erste Möglichkeit auf einer Vergleichsrechnung mit einer Auslegungssoftware. Diese Methode ist hilfreich, wenn nur wenige Daten zur Verfügung stehen. Als zweite Möglichkeit wird die Normalisierung bewertet. Für die Normalisierung wird häufig Microsoft Excel als Hilfsmittel verwendet. Eine Excel‐Auswertung ist jedoch gerade bei großen Datenmengen schwierig und bietet nicht ausreichend Schutz vor Manipulationen. Eine neue Datensoftware, die dies verbessert, wird vorgestellt.