bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical Updates in Medical Therapy for Advanced and Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yap Ning Yi , Khoo Wan Thien , Perumal Komathi , Ng Kar Aik , Rajandram Retnagowri , Alip Adlinda , Saad Marniza , Ong Teng Aik
Published: June 2018

The evolution of therapy for advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progressed over the past decade from using cytokine immunotherapy to targeted therapy which predominantly inhibits angiogenesis via the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Currently, there are several approved agents in the first-line (e.g. sunitinib, pazopanib, ipilimumab/nivolumab, bevacizumab/IFN-α combination and temsirolimus) and second-line settings (e.g. everolimus, axitinib, sorafenib, cabozantinib, nivolumab and lenvatinib/everolimus combination). These agents are used in sequence upon progression due to drug resistance or intolerable toxicities. The European Association of Urology (EAU), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend the use of these agents based on evidence from clinical trials and expert committee consensus. The recent approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors due to the encouraging results from clinical trials has expanded the treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic RCC. This will hopefully improve the treatment outcomes, reduce toxicities and ameliorate quality of life for these patients.
Сепарабельность и секвенциальная сепарабельность
пространства $C(X)$
Authors: Osipov Alexander Vladimirovich
Published: June 2018

В работе получены: (1) критерий сепарабельности пространства
непрерывных функций $C(X)$,
наделенного множественно-открытой топологией; (2) критерий
секвенциальной сепарабельности пространства $C_{p}(A|X)$,
где $A\subseteq X$; (3) ответ на вопрос Величко о значимости
теоретико-множественного условия на метрическое пространство $X$
в критерии секвенциальной сепарабельности пространства $C_{p}(X)$.
Библиография: 14 названий.
О метрическом пространстве замкнутых подмножеств
метрического пространства и многозначных отображениях
с замкнутыми значениями
Authors: Panasenko Elena Aleksandrovna
Published: June 2018

Рассмотрено пространство $\operatorname{clos}(X)$
всех непустых замкнутых подмножеств
неограниченного метрического пространства $X$.
Пространство $\operatorname{clos}(X)$ наделяется метрикой,
в которой сходимость последовательности замкнутых множеств означает
ограниченность их расстояний до фиксированной точки $\theta$
и сходимость в метрике Хаусдорфа последовательности множеств,
полученных объединением соответствующих исходных множеств
с внешними шарами любого радиуса с центром в $\theta$.
Такая метрика пространства $\operatorname{clos}(X)$
не эквивалентна метрике Хаусдорфа ни при какой метрике
исходного пространства $X$. Получены условия замкнутости,
полной ограниченности, компактности множеств
в $\operatorname{clos}(X)$;
получены критерии ограниченной компактности и
сепарабельности пространства $\operatorname{clos}(X)$.
Рассмотрено пространство непрерывных отображений,
действующих из некоторого компактного пространства
в $\operatorname{clos}(X)$,
найдены условия полной ограниченности множества
в этом пространстве.
Библиография: 16 названий.
Конформно плоские алгебраические солитоны Риччи на группах Ли
Authors: Klepikov Pavel Nikolaevich
Published: June 2018

Данная работа посвящена изучению конформно плоских групп
Ли с левоинвариантной (псевдо)римановой метрикой алгебраического
солитона Риччи. Ранее конформно плоские алгебраические солитоны
Риччи на группах Ли изучались в случае малой размерности, а также
при дополнительном условии диагонализируемости оператора Риччи.
Настоящая работа продолжает данные исследования без дополнительного
требования диагонализируемости оператора Риччи. Получена теорема
о том, что любой нетривиальный конформно плоский алгебраический
солитон Риччи на группе Ли обязан быть устойчивым и иметь оператор
Риччи с типом Сегре $\{(1 …1 2)\}$ и единственным собственным
значением, равным нулю.
Библиография: 21 название.
Project Selection and Transparency Factors in Housing Public-Private Partnerships in Nigeria
Authors: Ibem Eziyi Offia , Onyemaechi Paschal C , Yo-Vaughan Emmanuel A.
Published: June 2018

The application of Public-Private Partners (PPPs) in housing provisioning is on the increase across the world. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies on the specific factors considered at the initiation, and measures taken to ensure transparency at the procurement stages, of PPP housing projects. This study examined project selection factors and transparency measures in PPP housing projects using data sourced from oral interviews with 27 experts in nine PPP housing schemes in Nigeria. Results of the content analysis revealed that the top two selection factors considered by both the public and private sector operators of PPP housing projects in Nigeria are the availability of land and viability of the funding arrangements. Whereas the public-sector partners also consider the availability of competent private sector to deliver the projects, the private developers are concerned with the location of proposed projects. It was also found that the two key measures taken to ensure transparency at the procurement stage of the projects are transparent and competitive bidding and open advertisements of tender opportunities. These imply that before embarking on PPP housing projects, operators should ensure that there is available land in good locations, sound funding arrangements, and measures for achieving transparency in the schemes.
Investigating the Relationships between Safety Climate and Safety Performance Indicators in Retrofitting Works
Authors: Nadhim Evan Alaa , Hon Carol K.H. , Xia Bo , Stewart Ian , Fang Dongping
Published: June 2018

Retrofitting works has become increasingly important in the construction industry, as it plays an effective role in providing solutions to maintain, upgrade or change the functions to the existing or aged buildings. Very often, safety issues of retrofitting works are underestimated because there may be unreported accidents in small projects and there is no separate classification of accident statistics for the retrofitting works within the construction industry. As safety climate is widely regarded as a contributing factor to safety performance, the aim of this research was to examine the relationship between safety climate and safety performance in retrofitting works context. The safety climate questionnaire NOSACQ-50 has been employed to measure safety climate in retrofitting works. Field patrols were undertaken to distribute the safety questionnaires to the local worksites that undertake retrofits in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 264 valid questionnaires were collected. SEM was employed to examine the existence and strength of the relationship between safety climate and safety performance. PLS-SEM was utilised to estimate the parameters of the structural model. The model has exposed a positive relationship between safety climate and safety performance in retrofitting context. This research was the first to examine the relationship between the second order latent variables. A positive relationship (0.60 with 36 percent of explained variance) was found between safety climate and safety performance.
The Influence of Communication on Knowledge Integration in CFTs: A Case of Chinese Mobile Applications Enterprise
Authors: Wang Yixuan
Published: June 2018

We examine the relationship between communication and knowledge integration (KI) in the context of a cross-functional teams (CFTs). Although communication is one of the most important processes for integrating knowledge in CFTs, little research examines the relationship between them. We adopt both qualitative and quantitative research methods in a Chinese mobile applications enterprise. We find that team communication plays a key role in the KI of CFTs. Team members should have sufficient communication with each other for cross-functional activities. Also, communication network structure in an enterprise can influence KI. Thus, enterprises need to select suitable team members before the project begins for effective KI in CFTs.
Validation of the Perceived Neighborhood Environment Questionnaire for diabetes mellitus type 2 patients
Authors: Perwitasari Dyah A , Faridah Imaniar N , Arifin Bustanul , Novitasari Laras , Niamuzisilawati Eva , Utami Ikrimah N
Published: June 2018

The success of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) therapy does not solely depend on laboratory test results, but is also influenced by the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Patients’ QoL is affected by numerous factors, including distress and their home environment. This study aims to acquire a valid and reliable instrument concerning neighborhood conditions felt by DMT2 subjects. The research applied a cross-sectional design with adult DMT2 patients at the Local General Hospital Moewardi Solo. The Perceived Neighborhood Environment Questionnaire (PNEQ) was translated from English to Indonesian with the procedure of forward-backward translation. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine reliability, discriminant, convergent and known-group validity. The three domains of PNEQ have low reliability (Cronbach’s alpha <0.7), while three questions have not met convergent validity and only one question has not attained discriminant validity. The PNEQ can be used on the Indonesian people with further explanations on questions that have not achieved reliability and validity.
Mediterranean Sea of Educational Culture: Personal Narration of a Peer Learning Activity
Authors: Maria Kalathaki
Published: June 2018

In this paper is describing an initiative in cultural, outdoor science education that took place in the west Crete-Greece(Chania & Rethymnon counties) in 2015, and organized in collaboration with teachers and social bodies, to connectScience, Education and Local Communities for a better quality of everyday life. The initiative concentrated inorganizing the European Educational Conference “Mediterranean Sea Connects Us: Progress in Education withLocal Communities”, which hosted as a training program that can be applied elsewhere, with different target groups,promoting the aims of participatory acquisition of knowledge by sharing them in company, with experientialactivities in moments of joy, happiness and wisdom. Educators-officials of high level and much experienced in thethree levels of Education from Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Romania, with representatives from local bodies, wereinvited to deposit experience, aspects, ideas and expectations on future educational collaboration in the area ofBalkans, East Mediterranean and widely. As coexisting in the same geographical area, with long and importantcommon past, as collaborators in educational projects from the past, intended to be partners in important andinnovative future jointed actions in cultural STEM Education, for the progress of Mediterranean local educationalcommunities.
Laboratory and Clinical Performance of the ADVIA Centaur Anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide Assay for Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
Authors: Kim Banseok , Park Yongjung , Park Jin-Su , Jang Kyoung Ja , Ahn Hyo Jun , Choi Min Hyuk , Lee Chan Hee
Published: June 2018

Context.—

Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are important serologic markers for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Several kinds of test reagents for automated immunoassay systems have been developed and used in recent years.

Objective.—

To evaluate the analytic and diagnostic performance of the new ADVIA Centaur anticyclic citrullinated peptide assay (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) compared with the Elecsys assay (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany).

Design.—

A total of 576 serum samples were collected from subjects, including 156 patients (27%) with rheumatoid arthritis. Precision performance and analytical measurement range for the ADVIA assay were evaluated. Diagnostic performance of the 2 assays was compared based on sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results.—

The ADVIA assay showed a within-laboratory imprecision of 3.4% coefficient of variation for levels of 3.36 and 24.99 U/mL. This assay was demonstrated to be linear from 0.4 to 180.0 U/mL. With default cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis were 71.2% and 97.9%, respectively, for the ADVIA assay and 73.1% and 96.9%, respectively, for the Elecsys assay. With the best cutoff values from the analyses of the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity of the 2 assays was the same at 75.6%. However, the specificity of the ADVIA assay was 96.4%, whereas that of the Elecsys assay was 94.3%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for the ADVIA assay was 0.867, which was not significantly different from that of the Elecsys assay (0.865).

Conclusions.—

The ADVIA Centaur anticyclic citrullinated peptide assay showed good analytic and diagnostic performance in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
Análise dos impactos do processo de implantação da ISO 9001/2008 em empresas prestadoras de serviços em limpeza e manutenção predial
Authors: Santos Leandro Costa dos , Braz Helena Maria Fagundes dos Santos
Published: June 2018

Este estudo objetiva analisar os impactos gerados no processo de implantação da norma International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008 em empresas prestadoras de serviços em limpeza e manutenção predial. Foram analisados outros estudos já publicados nas plataformas acadêmicas, para que fosse detectada as reações dos colaboradores e empregadores no processo da gestão da qualidade. O método de pesquisa utilizado foi a bibliográfica, destacando-se as leituras de artigos, revistas especialistas no assunto abordado, sites e livros. A verificação das ações dos colaboradores diante das mudanças dos processos organizacionais, faz com que esse trabalho seja de tamanha relevância, pois relata as reações internas e externas das organizações em se conscientizar da importância de aquisição de uma certificação de qualidade, como meio de diferencial diante do cenário mercadológico competitivo.

 PALAVRAS-CHAVE: ISO 9001:2008, Qualidade, Impacto e Organizações.
LA DIFFUSION DU DROIT CANADIEN SUR INTERNET
Authors: POULlN Daniel , PELLETIER Frédéric , SALVAS Bertrand
Published: June 2018

La présente étude tente de mesurer et d’analyser la disponibilité des sources officielles de droit sur le Web et d’apprécier leurs conditions d’utilisation dans ce nouvel environnement. Les conclusions de l’étude sont différentes pour la législation et la jurisprudence.

La majorité des juridictions canadiennes offrent l’accès gratuit sur Internet à leurs principaux corpus de textes législatifs, ce qui représente un progrès considérable. Bien que plusieurs des collections proposées ne soient que partielles, la plupart des ressources en place offrent la possibilité d’effectuer une recherche automatisée. Cependant, il existe autant de moteurs de recherche que de collections, ce qui peut confondre l’utilisateur. La forme des documents législatifs diffusés sur Internet varie aussi beaucoup. Les bénéfices recherchés par ces outils de diffusion s’en trouvent limités.

La jurisprudence canadienne est beaucoup moins accessible sur Internet que la législation. Les ressources demeurent éparpillées et les problèmes de recherche y sont aussi importants qu’en ce qui concerne les collections de législation.

Finalement, les auteurs notent que les textes juridiques canadiens diffusés actuellement sur Internet ne comportent pas un statut officiel suffisant pour que les professionnels du droit puissent les utiliser en tout temps avec certitude. Les textes législatifs et les corpus jurisprudentiels que l’on trouve sur Internet s’accompagnent généralement en effet de mises en garde face à leur caractère non officiel. Cette situation contribue à réduire leur intérêt pour les ressources documentaires publiques.

La constitution d’une ressource unique, publique et gratuite est vue comme permettant de solutionner ces problèmes et de favoriser la diffusion libre du droit canadien.
Management of Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticilllium symptoms in strawberry
Authors: Bélair Guy , Coulombe Jean , Dauphinais Nathalie
Published: June 2018

Under field conditions, the effect of a single rotation with corn, cruciferous crops (canola followed by white mustard) as green manure, oats, and forage pearl millet was measured on the density of Pratylenchus penetrans and its impact on damage and losses caused by Verticillium dahliae in a strawberry plantation the following year. The lowest density of P. penetrans was recorded following forage pearl millet and green cruciferous manure, and in both cases, it was below the known pest threshold in strawberry of 500 P. penetrans kg-1 soil. Both green manure of cruciferous plants and forage pearl millet reduced the incidence of Verticillium wilt and increased the growth of strawberry plants. In the fall, the number of crowns and the number of daughter plants were significantly higher following forage pearl millet or cruciferous plants than corn. The highest wilt symptoms and the lowest strawberry growth were observed in plots previously planted with corn, which also harboured the highest spring populations of P. penetrans. Those results support a positive interaction between P. penetrans and V. dahliae, even more importantly so on susceptible cultivard such as ‘Jewell’.
La dernière crise gnostique : Pascal et le gnosticisme ad hominem
Authors: Rudy Hiller Daniel
Published: June 2018

Prenant comme point de départ l’article de Hans Jonas intitulé « Gnosticisme, existentialisme et nihilisme » (1952), ainsi que les idées principales de La légitimité des Temps modernes de Hans Blumenberg, cet article propose de mettre en évidence les similarités systématiques et historiques qui peuvent être repérées entre les postulats de base et les métaphores des divers courants religieux des deux premiers siècles de notre ère regroupés sous le nom de gnosticisme, et certains aspects, tels que la cosmologie et l’anthropologie, de l’apologétique pascalienne. Il postule que celle-ci incarne la toute dernière crise gnostique, en réponse à laquelle les Lumières se sont constituées en tant qu’époque.
Qu’est-ce qu’être humain ? Heidegger et Arendt autour de la praxis aristotélicienne
Authors: Pageau-St-Hilaire Antoine
Published: June 2018

Cet article cherche à montrer comment les réappropriations heideggérienne et arendtienne de la pensée d’Aristote s’articulent autour d’un travail de réinterprétation de la double définition de l’être humain comme être pratique, soit commezôon logon echonetzôon politikon. Nous soutenons qu’en revisitant les notions qui composent et circonscrivent cette définition — celles de vie (zôê,bios), delogos, de production (poiêsis), d’action (praxis) et de contemplation (theôria), Heidegger et Arendt caractérisent le propre de l’homme en exploitant deux virtualités distinctes contenues à même l’ambivalent concept aristotélicien depraxis. Toutefois, en rendant floue la distinction entre l’activité (energeia) et le mouvement (kinêsis), ils exposent leur rejet de latheôriaà deux difficultés — l’une concernant le caractère praxique de latheôria, l’autre concernant sa temporalité.
Deleuze avec Bergson : deux modélisations cinématographiques de la fabrique du réel
Authors: Panéro Alain
Published: June 2018

Dans Cinéma I, et II, Deleuze propose un commentaire étonnant du premier chapitre de Matière et mémoire. Il perçoit chez Bergson une théorie innovante du dynamisme intrinsèque des images qui pourrait fonder non seulement une philosophie du cinéma, mais encore une ontologie inédite. Tout se passe comme si Deleuze, dans le sillage de Bergson, voyait dans le 7e art non pas tant l’occasion d’une réflexion esthétique que l’occasion d’une pensée renouvelée de l’immanence. Nous tentons ici de rendre compte de la portée et des limites de cette interprétation deleuzienne.
D’une réduction phénoménologique pratique. Scheler, Heidegger et l’appel de la conscience1
Authors: Slama Paul
Published: June 2018

Dans cet article, je souhaite comprendre comment Max Scheler et Martin Heidegger comprennent les normes sociales pour nos perceptions et nos pratiques quotidiennes, et comment ils décrivent la nécessité d’un dépassement de cette normativité au profit d’une autre, plus « personnelle » ou encore plus « authentique ». Je montre que c’est un appel de la conscience qui rompt la normativité sociale, et qui engage l’être humain à ne plus agir mécaniquement, mais à vivre librement. Cette rupture avec la normativité sociale est une réduction phénoménologique que nous appelons « réduction éthique ». Tout l’enjeu de l’article est de montrer qu’une telle réduction repose en fait sur les normativités sociales en tant qu’elles sont le critère de l’appel, le milieu où un tel appel est possible. De ce point de vue, le sujet réflexif demeure un sujet social.
La tonalité des philosophes. Une approche de D’un ton apocalyptique adopté naguère en philosophie
Authors: Plante Maxime
Published: June 2018

La lecture du texte D’un ton apocalyptique adopté naguère en philosophie n’est pas sans poser de difficiles problèmes d’interprétation. Parmi ceux-ci, on doit compter entre autres l’enchevêtrement des thèmes et la contradiction apparente de Derrida, partagé qu’il semble être entre une critique du recours au ton apocalyptique en philosophie et la récupération de ce ton au sein de son propre discours. L’article éclaire cette ambiguïté apparente en mettant en parallèle la question du ton dans la philosophie hégélienne avec le motif « apocalyptique » de la fin de la philosophie exprimé dans D’un ton apocalyptique… Cette mise en parallèle permet de dégager toute la cohérence et la pertinence de ce motif et d’éclairer en retour le débat avec Kant et ses héritiers qui traverse le texte en entier, et qui porte sur la possibilité et les limites de la démystification.
Evolution of African barbs from the Lake Victoria drainage system, Kenya
Authors: Ndeda Violet M , Mateos Mariana , Hurtado Luis A
Published: June 2018

The Lake Victoria drainage basin (LVD) in Kenya is home to ten nominal species of small barbs (‘Barbus’) and one of large barbs (Labeobarbus altianalis). A recent molecular study genetically characterized small barbs in this region and found evidence of introgression between certain species, further complicating the taxonomy and species identification of these fishes. This study aimed to extend our understanding on the evolution of these fishes by: (1) examining the phylogenetic relationships of small barbs of the Kenyan LVD with those reported from other ichthyological provinces of Africa; (2) testing the sister relationship between ‘Barbus’ profundus, endemic to Lake Victoria, and ‘Barbus’ radiatus, also found in Lake Victoria, which had been previously synonymized; (3) determining whether putatively pure individuals of ‘Barbus’ cercops are found in the Kenyan LVD, as a previous study only found hybrid individuals of this species in this region; and (4) examining the phylogenetic relationships of Labeobarbus altianalis with other Labeobarbus species. To this end, we obtained mitochondrial Cytochrome b and nuclear Growth Hormone (GH) intron 2 gene sequences of nine ‘Barbus’ species from the LVD in Kenya, as well as cytochrome b sequences for L. altianalis. We conducted Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to establish their evolutionary relationships in relation to many other barbs specimens from Africa. Phylogenetic analyses did not reveal instances of hybridization/introgression among the individuals sequenced by us. A sister relationship between ‘B’. profundus and ‘B’. radiatus was not found. This latter species shows instead a sister relationship with a lineage comprised of two species from West Africa. Other sister relationships between taxa from the East coast and other ecoregions from Africa are observed, suggesting that past drainage connections and vicariant events contributed to the diversification of this group. Finally, only a single haplotype was recovered among the L. altianalis individuals examined, which is most similar to a specimen from Lake Edward in Uganda.
BHLHE40, a third transcription factor required for insulin induction of SREBP-1c mRNA in rodent liver
Authors: Tian Jing , Wu Jiaxi , Chen Xiang , Guo Tong , Chen Zhijian J , Goldstein Joseph L , Brown Michael S
Published: June 2018

In obesity, elevated insulin causes fatty liver by activating the gene encoding SREBP-1c, a transcription factor that enhances fatty acid synthesis. Two transcription factors, LXRα and C/EBPβ, are necessary but not sufficient for insulin induction of hepatic SREBP-1c mRNA. Here, we show that a third transcription factor, BHLHE40, is required. Immunoprecipitation revealed that BHLHE40 binds to C/EBPβ and LXRα in livers of rats that had fasted and then refed. Hepatic BHLHE40 mRNA rises rapidly when fasted rats are refed and when rat hepatocytes are incubated with insulin. Preventing this rise by gene knockout in mice or siRNAs in hepatocytes reduces the insulin-induced rise in SREBP-1c mRNA. Although BHLHE40 is necessary for insulin induction of SREBP-1c, it is not sufficient as demonstrated by failure of lentiviral BHLHE40 overexpression to increase hepatocyte SREBP-1c mRNA in the absence of insulin. Thus, an additional event is required for insulin to increase SREBP-1c mRNA.
From vesicle to cytosol
Authors: Rogers Michael J , Munoz Marcia A
Published: June 2018

Drugs called bisphosphonates are used to treat a range of bone diseases, but how do they reach the enzymes that are their target?
The Double Meaning Making of the Term Cultural Diversity in Teacher Educator Discourses
Authors: Fylkesnes Sandra , Mausethagen Sølvi , Nilsen Anne Birgitta
Published: June 2018

Cultural diversity is assumed to be a central component of Western education and even though it has been extensively investigated in international research on teacher education, little knowledge exists about its usage and meaning making in teacher educator discourses. This article provides insights into the usage and meaning making of the term cultural diversity based on semi-structured individual interviews with a total of twelve teacher educators from two Norwegian teacher education institutions. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of discourse theory and critical Whiteness studies, we find that the term cultural diversity is used in a double meaning making pattern: Cultural diversity is presented as desirable and positive by teacher educators, yet it is also aligned with the notion of otherness. We discuss some possible methodological tools with which teacher educators can detect meaning making patterns and thus counter the production and reproduction of socially unjust discursive patterns.
Developing Processing Parameters and Characterizing Microstructure and Properties of an Additively Manufactured FeCrMoBC Metallic Glass Forming Alloy
Authors: Hofmann Douglas C. , Bordeenithikasem Punnathat , Pate Andre , Roberts Scott N. , Vogli Evelina
Published: June 2018

Powder bed fusion (PBF) processing parameters are developed for a FeCrMoBC glass‐forming alloy. Although bulk metallic glass parts are successfully fabricated using additive manufacturing, the porosity is too high for imparting good mechanical properties. The processing is tuned to create a fully‐dense, dendrite‐reinforced metal‐matrix composite with low hardness and high indentation fracture toughness. Microstructures and properties of the printed alloy are compared to bulk amorphous samples made through thermal spray additive manufacturing (TSAM). The work shows that printing glass‐forming alloys can result in tunable properties based on the cooling rate, porosity, and composite microstructures.
Elucidating the Origins of Subgap Tail States and Open‐Circuit Voltage in Methylammonium Lead Triiodide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Du Tian , Kim Jinhyun , Ngiam Jonathan , Xu Shengda , Barnes Piers R. F. , Durrant James R. , McLachlan Martyn A.
Published: June 2018

Recombination via subgap trap states is considered a limiting factor in the development of organometal halide perovskite solar cells. Here, the impact of active layer crystallinity on the accumulated charge and open‐circuit voltage (Voc) in solar cells based on methylammonium lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3, MAPI) is demonstrated. It is shown that MAPI crystallinity can be systematically tailored by modulating the stoichiometry of the precursor mix, where small quantities of excess methylammonium iodide (MAI) improve crystallinity, increasing device Voc by ≈200 mV. Using in situ differential charging and transient photovoltage measurements, charge density and charge carrier recombination lifetime are determined under operational conditions. Increased Voc is correlated to improved active layer crystallinity and a reduction in the density of trap states in MAPI. Photoluminescence spectroscopy shows that an increase in trap state density correlates with faster carrier trapping and more nonradiative recombination pathways. Fundamental insights into the origin of Voc in perovskite photovoltaics are provided and it is demonstrated why highly crystalline perovskite films are paramount for high‐performance devices.
Electrochemically Triggered Metal–Insulator Transition between VO2 and V2O5
Authors: Lu Qiyang , Bishop Sean R. , Lee Dongkyu , Lee Shinbuhm , Bluhm Hendrik , Tuller Harry L. , Lee Ho Nyung , Yildiz Bilge
Published: June 2018

Distinct properties of multiple phases of vanadium oxide (VOx) render this material family attractive for advanced electronic devices, catalysis, and energy storage. In this work, phase boundaries of VOx are crossed and distinct electronic properties are obtained by electrochemically tuning the oxygen content of VOx thin films under a wide range of temperatures. Reversible phase transitions between two adjacent VOx phases, VO2 and V2O5, are obtained. Cathodic biases trigger the phase transition from V2O5 to VO2, accompanied by disappearance of the wide band gap. The transformed phase is stable upon removal of the bias while reversible upon reversal of the electrochemical bias. The kinetics of the phase transition is monitored by tracking the time‐dependent response of the X‐ray absorption peaks upon the application of a sinusoidal electrical bias. The electrochemically controllable phase transition between VO2 and V2O5 demonstrates the ability to induce major changes in the electronic properties of VOx by spanning multiple structural phases. This concept is transferable to other multiphase oxides for electronic, magnetic, or electrochemical applications.
The Effect of Addition of Calcium Phosphate Particles to Hydrogel‐Based Composite Materials on Stiffness and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells toward Osteogenesis
Authors: Sen Kshama S. , Duarte Campos Daniela F. , Köpf Marius , Blaeser Andreas , Fischer Horst
Published: June 2018

The stiffness of a hydrogel has a significant role on the mechanical stability of a scaffold. However, the stiffness of pure hydrogels can be tuned only within a limited range. Herein, it is hypothesized that the range of hydrogel stiffness can be greatly increased by the addition of calcium phosphate particles and that such composites promote the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) particles are incorporated at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mg mL−1 into various agarose and agarose–collagen blends. These composites are characterized with respect to stiffness, viscosity, degradation, cell morphology, viability, and osteogenesis. The osteogenic hMSCs in less stiff composites with 0.5 mg mL−1 β‐TCP show the highest alkaline phosphatase expression compared to blends without β‐TCP and stiffer composites with 5 mg mL−1 β‐TCP. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction also shows higher expression of ALP, RUNX2, and collagen I by hMSCs in less stiff composites with 0.5 mg mL−1 β‐TCP compared to blends without β‐TCP and stiffer composite blends. It is concluded that by addition of calcium phosphate to specific hydrogels the stiffness can be tuned in a desired range and thus the osteogenic differentiation of embedded hMSCs can be better controlled and adjusted compared to pure hydrogels.
π‐Phase Tin and Germanium Monochalcogenide Semiconductors: An Emerging Materials System
Authors: Abutbul Ran Eitan , Segev Elad , Argaman Uri , Makov Guy , Golan Yuval
Published: June 2018

Cubic π‐phase monochalcogenides (MX, M = Sn, Ge; X = S, Se) are an emerging new class of materials that has recently been discovered. Here, their thermodynamic stability, progress in synthetic routes, properties, and prospective applications are reviewed. The thermodynamic stability is demonstrated through density functional theory total energy and phonon spectra calculations, which show that the π‐phase polytype is stable across the monochalcogenide family. To date, only π‐phase tin monochalcogenides have been observed experimentally while π‐phase Ge‐monochalcogenides are predicted to be stable but are yet to be experimentally realized. Various synthetic preparation protocols of π‐SnS and π‐SnSe are described, focusing on surfactant‐assisted nanoparticle synthesis and chemical deposition of thin films from aqueous‐bath compositions. These techniques provide materials with different surface energies, which are likely to play a major role in stabilizing the π‐phase in nanoscale materials. The properties of this newly discovered family of semiconducting materials are discussed in comparison with their conventional orthorhombic polymorphs. These could benefit a number of photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications since, apart from being cubic, they also possess characteristic advantages, such as moderately low toxicity and natural abundance.
A Shape‐Induced Orientation Phase within 3D Nanocrystal Solids
Authors: Burian Max , Karner Carina , Yarema Maksym , Heiss Wolfgang , Amenitsch Heinz , Dellago Christoph , Lechner Rainer T.
Published: June 2018

When nanocrystals self assemble into ordered superstructures they form functional solids that may inherit the electronical properties of the single nanocrystals. To what extent these properties are enhanced depends on the positional and orientational order of the nanocrystals within the superstructure. Here, the formation of micrometer‐sized free‐standing supercrystals of faceted 20 nm Bi nanocrystals is investigated. The self‐assembly process, induced by nonsolvent into solvent diffusion, is probed in situ by synchrotron X‐ray scattering. The diffusion‐gradient is identified as the critical parameter for controlling the supercrystal‐structure as well as the alignment of the supercrystals with respect to the substrate. Monte Carlo simulations confirm the positional order of the nanocrystals within these superstructures and reveal a unique orientation phase: the nanocrystal shape, determined by the atomic Bi crystal structure, induces a total of 6 global orientations based on facet‐to‐facet alignment. This parallel alignment of facets is a prerequisite for optimized electronic and optical properties within designed nanocrystal solids.
Giant Flexomagnetoelectric Effect in Dilute Magnetic Monolayer
Authors: Shen Yu‐Hao , Song Yu‐Xi , Tong Wen‐Yi , Shen Xin‐Wei , Gong Shi‐jing , Duan Chun‐Gang
Published: June 2018

Spintronics rooted in the spin degree of freedom is of both theoretical and technological importance. The development of some fantastic properties for electrically controlling this degree of freedom encourages enormous effort to the research on magnetic systems which possess sensitive magnetic response to the electric field. Here, a giant flexomagnetoelectric effect is predicted in a typical dilute magnetic monolayer Mn‐doped MoS2. Combining lattice bending and magnetic doping, it is shown that the magnetic response and magnetic anisotropy can be greatly amplified under the applied electric field. Further investigations reveal that such an effect stems from the orbit‐dependent response of the single magnetic dopant. Physically, the electric field‐induced orbital polarization causes the spatial distribution change of the Mn‐3d orbital wavefunction, which is sensitive to the change of the orbital hybridization with the bent lattice. Hence the corresponding 3d energy levels can be controlled to shift near Fermi level via external electric field. These findings open a new route toward functional 2D materials design for flexible devices.
SiO2‐Enhanced Structural Stability and Strong Adhesion with a New Binder of Konjac Glucomannan Enables Stable Cycling of Silicon Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Guo Songtao , Li Heng , Li Yaqian , Han Yong , Chen Kebei , Xu Gengzhao , Zhu Yingjie , Hu Xianluo
Published: June 2018

Silicon‐based anodes with high theoretical capacity have intriguing potential applications for next‐generation high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries, but suffer from huge volumetric change that causes pulverization of electrodes. Rational design and construction of effective electrode structures combined with versatile binders remain a significant challenge. Here, a unique natural binder of konjac glucomannan (KGM) is developed and an amorphous protective layer of SiO2 is fabricated on the surface of Si nanoparticles (Si@SiO2) to enhance the adhesion. Benefiting from a plethora of hydroxyl groups, the KGM binder with inherently high adhesion and superior mechanical properties provides abundant contact sites to active materials. Molecular mechanics simulations and experimental results demonstrate that the enhanced adhesion between KGM and Si@SiO2 can bond the particles tightly to form a robust electrode. In addition to bridging KGM molecules, the SiO2‐functionalized surface may serve as a buffer layer to alleviate the stresses of Si nanoparticles resulting from the volume change. The as‐fabricated KGM/Si@SiO2 electrode exhibits outstanding structural stability upon long‐term cycles. A highly reversible capacity of 1278 mAh g−1 can be achieved over 1000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1, and the capacity decay is as small as 0.056% per cycle.
Porous Trimetallic PtRhCu Cubic Nanoboxes for Ethanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Han Shu‐He , Liu Hui‐Min , Chen Pei , Jiang Jia‐Xing , Chen Yu
Published: June 2018

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have great activity as a green energy conversion device. However, the weak activity of most anode electrocatalysts for the CC bond cleavage is an obstacle to the DEFCs development. Herein, a simple galvanic replacement reaction strategy to synthesize hollow and porous PtRhCu trimetallic nanoboxes (CNBs) with a tunable Pt/Rh atomic ratio is developed. For the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), PtRhCu CNBs show morphology and composition‐dependent electrocatalytic activity. The composition optimized Pt54Rh4Cu42 CNBs exhibit excellent specific and mass activity and stability for the EOR, which is attributed to its unique geometric structure and synergistic effects. The hollow porous structure can effectively enhance the atomic utilization and mass transfer. The introduction of Cu improves the antipoisoning capability for CO. The introduction of Rh elevates the self‐stability of PtRhCu CNBs. More importantly, further electrochemical results confirm that the introduction of Rh significantly promotes the cleavage of CC bonds, leading to the transformation of the main catalytic pathway for EOR from C2 to C1 pathway. The real concentration detection for C2 products (CH3COOH and CH3CHO) shows Pt54Rh4Cu42 CNBs have a nearly 11.5‐fold C1 pathway enhancement compared to Pt nanoparticles, showing an obvious selectivity enhancement for the C1 pathway.
Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of the Glycosylated Macrocyclic Antibiotic Mangrolide A
Authors: Hattori Hiromu , Roesslein Joel , Caspers Patrick , Zerbe Katja , Miyatake‐Ondozabal Hideki , Ritz Daniel , Rueedi Georg , Gademann Karl
Published: June 2018

The macrocyclic antibiotic mangrolide A has been described to exhibit potent activity against a number of clinically important Gram‐negative pathogens. Reported is the first enantioselective total synthesis of mangrolide A and derivatives. Salient features of this synthesis include a highly convergent macrocycle preparation, stereoselective synthesis of the disaccharide moiety, and two β‐selective glycosylations. The synthesis of mangrolide A and its analogues enabled the re‐examination of its activity against bacterial pathogens, and only minimal activity was observed.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2‐Aminobiaryls by Rhodium‐Catalyzed Benzannulation of 1‐Arylalkynes with 2‐(Cyanomethyl)phenylboronates
Authors: Xue Fei , Hayashi Tamio
Published: June 2018

Asymmetric benzannulation of 1‐arylalkynes, where the aryl group is an ortho‐substituted aromatic group, with 2‐(cyanomethyl)phenylboronate was catalyzed by a rhodium complex coordinated with a chiral diene ligand to give high yields of axially chiral 2‐aminobiaryls with greater than 90 % ee.
A Peri‐tetracene Diradicaloid: Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Ni Yong , Gopalakrishna Tullimilli Y. , Phan Hoa , Herng Tun Seng , Wu Shaofei , Han Yi , Ding Jun , Wu Jishan
Published: June 2018

Peri‐acenes are good model compounds for zigzag graphene nanoribbons, but their synthesis is extremely challenging owing to their intrinsic open‐shell diradical character. Now, the successful synthesis and isolation of a stable peri‐tetracene derivative PT‐2ClPh is reported; four 2,6‐dichlorophenyl groups are attached onto the most reactive sites along the zigzag edges. The structure was confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis and its electronic properties were systematically investigated by both experiments and theoretical calculations. It exhibits an open‐shell singlet ground state with a moderate diradical character (y0=51.5 % by calculation) and a small singlet–triplet gap (ΔES‐T=−2.5 kcal mol−1 by SQUID measurement). It displays global aromatic character, which is different from the smaller‐size bisanthene analogue BA‐CF3.
Multistage Microfluidic Platform for the Continuous Synthesis of III–V Core/Shell Quantum Dots
Authors: Baek Jinyoung , Shen Yi , Lignos Ioannis , Bawendi Moungi G. , Jensen Klavs F.
Published: June 2018

We present a fully continuous chip microreactor‐based multistage platform for the synthesis of quantum dots with heterostructures. The use of custom‐designed chip reactors enables precise control of heating profiles and flow distribution across the microfluidic channels while conducting multistep reactions. The platform can be easily reconfigured by reconnecting the differently designed chip reactors allowing for screening of various reaction parameters during the synthesis of nanocrystals. III–V core/shell quantum dots are chosen as model reaction systems, including InP/ZnS, InP/ZnSe, InP/CdS and InAs/InP, which are prepared in flow using a maximum of six chip reactors in series.
Bayesian variable selection logistic regression with paired proteomic measurements
Authors: Kakourou Alexia , Mertens Bart
Published: June 2018

We explore the problem of variable selection in a case‐control setting with mass spectrometry proteomic data consisting of paired measurements. Each pair corresponds to a distinct isotope cluster and each component within pair represents a summary of isotopic expression based on either the intensity or the shape of the cluster. Our objective is to identify a collection of isotope clusters associated with the disease outcome and at the same time assess the predictive added‐value of shape beyond intensity while maintaining predictive performance. We propose a Bayesian model that exploits the paired structure of our data and utilizes prior information on the relative predictive power of each source by introducing multiple layers of selection. This allows us to make simultaneous inference on which are the most informative pairs and for which—and to what extent—shape has a complementary value in separating the two groups. We evaluate the Bayesian model on pancreatic cancer data. Results from the fitted model show that most predictive potential is achieved with a subset of just six (out of 1289) pairs while the contribution of the intensity components is much higher than the shape components. To demonstrate how the method behaves under a controlled setting we consider a simulation study. Results from this study indicate that the proposed approach can successfully select the truly predictive pairs and accurately estimate the effects of both components although, in some cases, the model tends to overestimate the inclusion probability of the second component.
A novel cytochrome P450 mono‐oxygenase from Streptomyces platensis resembles activities of human drug metabolizing P450s
Authors: Worsch Anne , Eggimann Fabian Kurt , Girhard Marco , von Bühler Clemens J. , Tieves Florian , Czaja Rico , Vogel Andreas , Grumaz Christian , Sohn Kai , Lütz Stephan , Kittelmann Matthias , Urlacher Vlada B.
Published: June 2018

Cytochrome P450 mono‐oxygenases (P450) are versatile enzymes which play essential roles in C‐source assimilation, secondary metabolism, and in degradations of endo‐ and exogenous xenobiotics. In humans, several P450 isoforms constitute the largest part of phase I metabolizing enzymes and catalyze oxidation reactions which convert lipophilic xenobiotics, including drugs, to more water soluble species. Recombinant human P450s and microorganisms are applied in the pharmaceutical industry for the synthesis of drug metabolites for pharmacokinetics and toxicity studies. Compared to the membrane‐bound eukaryotic P450s, prokaryotic ones exhibit some advantageous features, such as high stability and generally easier heterologous expression. Here, we describe a novel P450 from Streptomyces platensis DSM 40041 classified as CYP107L that efficiently converts several commercial drugs of various size and properties. This P450 was identified by screening of actinobacterial strains for amodiaquine and ritonavir metabolizing activities, followed by genome sequencing and expression of the annotated S. platensis P450s in Escherichia coli. Performance of CYP107L in biotransformations of amodiaquine, ritonavir, amitriptyline, and thioridazine resembles activities of the main human metabolizing P450s, namely CYPs 3A4, 2C8, 2C19, and 2D6. For application in the pharmaceutical industry, an E. coli whole‐cell biocatalyst expressing CYP107L was developed and evaluated for preparative amodiaquine metabolite production.
NK4 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of human rheumatoid arthritis synovial cells
Authors: Que Wenzhong , Liu Huili , Yang Qinqin , Xu Shanghua
Published: June 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by proliferation and insufficient apoptosis of synovial cells. NK4 is a hepatocyte growth factor antagonist and is implicated in cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis of many tumour cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of NK4 in the regulation of human RA synovial cell proliferation and apoptosis. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) isolated from RA patients and MH7A synovial cells were subjected to MTT, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. We found that NK4 suppressed cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis in RA synovial cells. Furthermore, NK4 altered the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis‐related proteins such as cyclin D1, cyclin B1, PCNA, p21, p53, Bcl‐2, Bax, cleaved caspase‐9, and cleaved caspase‐3. Additionally, NK4 reduced the phosphorylation level of NF‐κB p65 and upregulated the expression of sirt1, but did not change the levels of p38 and p‐p38 in RA‐FLS and MH7A cells. In conclusion, NK4 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of human RA synovial cells. NK4 is a promising therapeutic target for RA. We demonstrated that NK4 inhibited cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and arresting cell cycle in RA‐FLS and MH7A cells. The apoptotic effects of NK4 may be mediated in part by decreasing Bcl‐2 protein level, increasing Bax and caspase 3 protein levels, and inhibiting NF‐κB signalling in RA‐FLS and MH7A cells. These findings reveal potential mechanism underlying the role of NK4 in RA synovial cells and suggest that NK4 is a promising agent for RA treatment.