bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La justiciabilité des infractions des forces armées dans les opérations de paix
Authors: Bambara Serge Théophile
Published: July 2018

Il existe une certaine opacité dans les possibilités d’exercice des responsabilités des forces de paix. Devant le climat d’apparente indifférence ou d’impunité que les États de la communauté internationale semblent réserver aux infractions commises par les membres des contingents militaires des opérations de paix, il existe des faisceaux d’actions possibles, du moins théoriques, et juridiquement fondées qui puissent engager la responsabilité des coupables d’infractions au droit des conflits, aux droits nationaux et aux droits de l’homme. Cet article se propose alors de saisir les sustentations de la justiciabilité des infractions des membres militaires des opérations de paix. Cette justiciabilité s’articulera, d’une part, au prisme des linéaments de la justice pénale individuelle et par l’organisation des responsabilités des États et des organisations internationales qui restent tout à fait envisageables. D’autre part, elle s’articulera au creuset des rôles et compétences des mécanismes de mise en oeuvre de cette responsabilité. Une responsabilité qui peut être mise en oeuvre, dans une première esquisse, conformément à l’architecture normative relative à ces infractions, et, dans une seconde démarche, sous l’aile institutionnelle qui constitue la citadelle d’exercice et d’effectivité de ces responsabilités. Cependant, la matérialisation et l’effectivité de cette justiciabilité reste suspendue au bon vouloir des États de la communauté internationale. C’est bien là tout le défi.
THE ARAB COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: A STUDY IN IMPOTENCE
Authors: Magliveras Konstantinos , Naldi Gino
Published: July 2018

An Arab human rights system remains relatively underdeveloped to this day. On September 7th 2014, the League of Arab States approved the Statute of the Arab Court of Human Rights (ACtHR) finalizing a twenty-year process to put in place a human rights mechanism resembling those operating in other regions such as Europe and the Americas. The focus of this article is on the Statute, but in view of the fact that the ACtHR’s jurisdiction is fundamentally limited to interstate cases concerning the application and interpretation of the Arab Charter on Human Rights of 2004 (2004 Charter), the 2004 Charter, revising the defunct Arab Charter on Human Rights of 1994, is briefly examined and, while progressive in parts, it is found to be imperfect in many ways. The mandate of the Arab Human Rights Committee established thereunder is looked into but its role is found to be extremely limited. The article proceeds to analyze the salient features of the Statute, which was concluded independently of the 2004 Charter, and makes comparisons with the other regional systems. The Statute is considered flawed because it confers limited powers on the ACtHR; foremost, its competence is restricted to interstate cases only, individuals have no rights of access. Taking the omission of certain judicial functions into consideration the conclusion is that the ACtHR as conceived by the Statute is unlikely to prove a forceful guardian of human rights in a troubled region.
Reconciling Indigenous peoples with the judicial process: An examination of the recent genocide and sexual slavery trials in Guatemala and their integration of Mayan culture and customs
Authors: Patterson Elisabeth Madeleine
Published: July 2018

This article examines two recent landmark cases in Guatemala. The first one is the 2013 Rios Montt genocide case, which led to one of the first convictions of a former Head of State for genocide in a national court. The second one is the 2016 Sepur Zarco case, which marked the first time former military commanders were convicted in a national court of crimes against the duties of humanity for sexual and domestic slavery. In both cases, almost all the victims were Indigenous. The author was present for parts of both trials as an international observer and interviewed individuals directly involved in the prosecution. Considering that Guatemalan and international law require that legal decisions give due consideration to the customs of the Indigenous peoples concerned, the article assesses to what extent Indigenous culture was taken into account during the trial and how Indigenous concepts and customs were considered in the judgements. In both cases, the tribunal did not modify usual court procedures, except to provide interpreters for the testimony of the unilingual Q’eqchi and Ixil witnesses. Both judgements did, however, take into account several concepts and customs from the Mayan worldview and these were key to the Court’s reasoning leading to the guilty verdicts.
Préparer la révolution psychiatrique depuis Paris
Authors: Klein Alexandre
Published: July 2018

Bien avant de devenir un célèbre politicien, Camille Laurin fut un médecin engagé, en particulier dans la défense et la modernisation de la psychiatrie québécoise francophone. Il contribua notamment à la mise en place en 1961 de la commission Bédard, dont le rapport permit de transformer l’organisation des soins de santé mentale au Québec. Mais bien avant ce coup d’éclat, le jeune psychiatre avait multiplié les stratégies pour engager la réforme du système psychiatrique de la province, allant même jusqu’à se faire historien de la médecine. Entre 1956 et 1961, il rédigea en effet une série d’articles historiques portant sur la relation médecin-malade et visant à importer les conceptions de la psychiatrie française au Québec. C’est sur cette initiative éditoriale unique et cet usage singulier de l’histoire médicale comme levier de transformations sociales que revient cet article.
Hacker les élections législatives
Authors: Renault Arthur
Published: July 2018

Cet article propose d’aborder la campagne des élections législatives de juin 2012 menée par le Parti Pirate français. Nous examinons comment cette organisation partisane, qui a la particularité de s’appuyer sur la cyberculture pour définir sa démarche politique, tente de transgresser les règles du jeu politique. En effet, le Parti Pirate et ses militants souhaitent hacker la politique en concevant et en pratiquant différemment celle-ci. Dès lors, la campagne électorale Pirate apparaît être un cas pratique pertinent pour saisir comment les candidats et l’organisation Pirate tentent de pratiquer la politique. Nous analysons tout d’abord la sociographie des candidats et des suppléants Pirates, puis la stratégie et l’organisation de la campagne, tant à l’échelle des candidats/suppléants que de l’organisation Pirate. Enfin, nous montrons les conséquences politiques et organisationnelles de cette campagne électorale.
A Distributed Decision-Support System for Virtual Prototyping
Authors: Tirpak Thomas M. , Lach Lawrence E. , Xiao Weimin , Lopez Juan M.
Published: July 2018

Virtual Prototyping (VP) is a data-driven design process that promotes both knowledge reuse and innovation. High-profile applications in the automotive and aerospace industries have demonstrated its potential to significantly reduce prototype cycles, time to market, and total product cost. This paper addresses VP as a specialized application of Decision-Support Systems, and discusses common requirements for engineering design tools, as well as requirements specific to the design of electronic products, such as mobile phones. Motorola Labs' test bed for VP is introduced in terms of its open, agent-based architecture utilizing Java CORBA. One of the key principles of the VP System is the reuse of expert knowledge across multiple engineering domains. This is highlighted via several use cases, showing that the system can function not only as an Intranet-accessible repository of model services but also as an integral part of decision-making within the native CAD environment.
Elevator Trip Distribution for Inconsistent Passenger Input-Output Data
Authors: Yoneda Kiyoshi
Published: July 2018

Accurate traffic data are the basis for group control of elevators and its performance evaluation by trace driven simulation. The present practice estimates a time series of inter-floor passenger traffic based on commonly available elevator sensor data. The method demands that the sensor data be transformed into sets of passenger input-output data which are consistent in the sense that the transportation preserves the number of passengers. Since observation involves various behavioral assumptions, which may actually be violated, as well as measurement errors, it has been necessary to apply data adjustment procedures to secure the consistency. This paper proposes an alternative algorithm which reconstructs elevator passenger origin-destination tables from inconsistent passenger input-output data sets, thus eliminating the ad hoc data adjustment.
Optimizing Modular Machining Line Design Problem with Mixed Activation Mode of Machining Units
Authors: Belmokhtar Sana , Dolgui Alexandre , Delorme Xavier , Ignatenko Ivan
Published: July 2018

A modular transfer line designing problem is investigated. The problem is to find the best subset of modules (machining units) from a given set and to assign them to different stations so that technological constraints and cycle upper limit are respected and the line cost is minimal. The investigated lines have a mixed activation mode for the machining units of each station, i.e. the units of each station are arranged into a series of stages such that each stage is composed of several units activated in parallel. A mixed integer program approach is proposed to model and solve the corresponding design problem. Improvements are suggested in order to reduce the model size and speed up the computations.
Robust Buffer Allocation for Scheduling of a Project with Predefined Milestones
Authors: Klimek Marcin , Łebkowski Piotr
Published: July 2018

The paper discusses the problem of robust buffer allocation for Resource- Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP) with predefined milestones, for which execution deadlines have been established. To solve the problem, an algorithm is proposed supporting insertion of unit time buffers, with the simultaneous maximisation of new metrics of arrangement robustness. The presented results of experimental research speak for usability of the solutions proposed. The effectiveness is studied with use of test tasks included in the Project Scheduling Problem Library (PSPLIB) with additionally specified project milestones.
A Reference Point Approach to Bi-Objective Dynamic Portfolio Optimization
Authors: Sawik Bartosz
Published: July 2018

The portfolio selection problem presented in this paper is formulated as a biobjective mixed integer program. The portfolio selection problem considered is based on a dynamic model of investment, in which the investor buys and sells securities in successive investment periods. The problem objective is to dynamically allocate the wealth on different securities to optimize by reference point method the portfolio expected return and the probability that the return is not less than a required level. In computational experiments the dataset of daily quotations from the Warsaw Stock Exchange were used.
A Reference Point Method to Triple-Objective Assignment of Supporting Services in a Healthcare Institution
Authors: Sawik Bartosz
Published: July 2018

This paper presents an application of mixed integer programming model for op- timal allocation of workers among supporting services in a hospital. The services include logistics, inventory management, financial management, operations management, medical analysis, etc. The optimality criterion of the problem is to minimize operational costs of supporting services subject to some specific constraints. The constraints represent specific conditions for resource allocation in a hospital. The overall problem is formulated as a triple- objective assignment model, where the decision variables represent the assignment of people to various jobs. A reference point approach with the Chebyshev metric is applied for the problem solution. The results of computational experiments modeled on a real data from a hospital in Lesser Poland are reported.
Ecological and molecular characterization of a coral black band disease outbreak in the Red Sea during a bleaching event
Authors: Hadaidi Ghaida , Ziegler Maren , Shore-Maggio Amanda , Jensen Thor , Aeby Greta , Voolstra Christian R.
Published: July 2018

Black Band Disease (BBD) is a widely distributed and destructive coral disease that has been studied on a global scale, but baseline data on coral diseases is missing from many areas of the Arabian Seas. Here we report on the broad distribution and prevalence of BBD in the Red Sea in addition to documenting a bleaching-associated outbreak of BBD with subsequent microbial community characterization of BBD microbial mats at this reef site in the southern central Red Sea. Coral colonies with BBD were found at roughly a third of our 22 survey sites with an overall prevalence of 0.04%. Nine coral genera were infected including Astreopora, Coelastrea, Dipsastraea, Gardineroseris, Goniopora, Montipora, Pavona, Platygyra, and Psammocora. For a southern central Red Sea outbreak site, overall prevalence was 40 times higher than baseline (1.7%). Differential susceptibility to BBD was apparent among coral genera with Dipsastraea (prevalence 6.1%), having more diseased colonies than was expected based on its abundance within transects. Analysis of the microbial community associated with the BBD mat showed that it is dominated by a consortium of cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria. We detected the three main indicators for BBD (filamentous cyanobacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB)), with high similarity to BBD-associated microbes found worldwide. More specifically, the microbial consortium of BBD-diseased coral colonies in the Red Sea consisted of Oscillatoria sp. (cyanobacteria), Desulfovibrio sp. (SRB), and Arcobacter sp. (SOB). Given the similarity of associated bacteria worldwide, our data suggest that BBD represents a global coral disease with predictable etiology. Furthermore, we provide a baseline assessment of BBD disease prevalence in the Red Sea, a still understudied region.
Do triceps surae muscle dynamics govern non-uniform Achilles tendon deformations?
Authors: Clark William H. , Franz Jason R.
Published: July 2018

The human Achilles tendon (AT) consists of sub-tendons arising from the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles that exhibit non-uniform tissue displacements thought to facilitate some independent actuation. However, the mechanisms governing non-uniform displacement patterns within the AT, and their relevance to triceps surae muscle contractile dynamics, have remained elusive. We used a dual-probe ultrasound imaging approach to investigate triceps surae muscle dynamics (i.e., medial gastrocnemius-GAS, soleus-SOL) as a determinant of non-uniform tendon tissue displacements in the human AT. We hypothesized that superficial versus deep differences in AT tissue displacements would be accompanied by and correlate with anatomically consistent differences in GAS versus SOL muscle shortening. Nine subjects performed ramped maximum voluntary isometric contractions at each of five ankle joint angles spanning 10° dorsiflexion to 30° plantarflexion. For all conditions, SOL shortened by an average of 78% more than GAS during moment generation. This was accompanied by, on average, 51% more displacement in the deep versus superficial region of the AT. The magnitude of GAS and SOL muscle shortening positively correlated with displacement in their associated sub-tendons within the AT. Moreover, and as hypothesized, superficial versus deep differences in sub-tendon tissue displacements positively correlated with anatomically consistent differences in GAS versus SOL muscle shortening. We present the first in vivo evidence that triceps surae muscle dynamics may precipitate non-uniform displacement patterns in the architecturally complex AT.
What Is the Evidence to Support the Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Osteoarthritis? A Systematic Review
Authors: Li Shanshan , Felson David T.
Published: July 2018

Objective

There is conflicting evidence on the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) with the risk of osteoarthritis (OA). We aimed to systematically summarize the empirical evidence and discuss challenges in research methodologies in addressing this question.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review based on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on published epidemiologic studies that examined the association between MetS and the risk of OA. We included cross‐sectional studies, case–control studies, and cohort studies with appropriate covariate adjustments. We extracted information on prevalence, incidence, crude and adjusted effect estimates, and the 95% confidence intervals from the articles, or this information was provided by the authors. We listed the main methodologic issues existing in current literature and provided recommendations for future research on this topic.

Results

We identified 7 eligible studies on knee OA, 3 on hip OA, and 3 on hand OA. In studies that adjusted for body mass index or weight, MetS was not significantly associated with the risk of knee OA. No significant associations were reported for hip OA. For hand OA, the data were sparse and insufficient to reach a conclusion. Studies were mostly cross‐sectional, exposure included only 1 time measurement, few studies had incident outcomes, and covariate adjustment was often insufficient.

Conclusion

Our review was unable to reach a definitive conclusion due to insufficient data, although the data suggest that knee and hip OA are not associated with MetS. Future longitudinal studies with incident OA cases, repeated measurement of MetS, and appropriate covariate adjustment are needed.
High Hall Mobility P‐type Cu2SnS3‐Ga2O3 with a High Work Function
Authors: Kim Jeonggi , Kim Hyo‐Min , Cho Sinyoung , Avis Christophe , Jang Jin
Published: July 2018

A new transparent p‐type oxide semiconductor (POS) is reported, Cu2SnS3‐Ga2O3, having high Hall mobility of 36.22 cm2 V−1s−1, and high work function of 5.17 eV. The existence of Cu2SnS3 and Ga2O3 phases in the film is confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results and the Cu2SnS3 shows polycrystalline structure according to Raman spectrum and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The transparent Cu2SnS3‐Ga2O3 exhibits the carrier concentration of 5.86 × 1016 cm−3, and electrical resistivity of 1.94 Ω·cm. The transparent POS is applied to green quantum light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) as a hole injection layer (HIL) because of its high work function. The QLED exhibits the maximum current efficiency of 51.72 cd A−1, power efficiency of 31.97 lm W−1, and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 14.93%, which are much higher than the QLED using polyethylene dioxythophene:poly(styrenesulfonate) HIL exhibiting current efficiency of 42.66 cd A−1, power efficiency of 20.33 lm W−1, and EQE of 12.36%. The Cu2SnS3‐Ga2O3 developed in this work can be widely used as a transparent and conductive p‐type oxide for thin‐film devices.
Droplets Manipulated on Photothermal Organogel Surfaces
Authors: Gao Chunlei , Wang Lei , Lin Yucai , Li Jitong , Liu Yufang , Li Xin , Feng Shile , Zheng Yongmei
Published: July 2018

A photoresponsive organogel surface (POS), which integrates characteristics of the photothermal property of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the low hysteresis feature of lubricant‐infused organogels, is shown. A photothermally induced dynamic temperature gradient can be formed rapidly at the location of near‐infrared‐light irradiation (NIR) on POS with suitable Fe3O4 nanoparticles content. Thus, various droplets (e.g., water, glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and ethanol) can be transported effectively and nimbly (e.g., along desired trajectories with controllable velocity and direction, even run uphill and deliver solid particles). This work reveals a synergistic effect between the asymmetrical droplet deformation and the inside Marangoni flows, which forms a unique driving force for droplet transport with high efficiency. This finding offers insight into the design of novel responsive interface materials for droplet transportation, which would be significant for laboratory‐on‐a‐chip contexts, mass transportation, and microengines.
Unique SiO2 Nanourchins Enable Amplification in Living Cells for In Situ Imaging of mRNAs
Authors: Shen Xiaotong , Wang Yan , Zhang Ying , Ouyang Jin , Na Na
Published: July 2018

Sufficient delivery of nucleic acid reagents into cells for amplifications with great activities would be significant for in situ intracellular imaging of messenger RNAs in living cells, showing great potentials in chemistry and biology. Herein, SiO2 nanourchins (SNUs) are developed, with two‐pronged pair of primers anchored on enzyme‐functionalized mesoporous SiO2 cores, for in situ imaging of mRNAs in living cells. Endowed by the urchins‐like structure to represent high loading capacity, efficient activity without mutual interference, and sufficient delivery into cells, SNUs maintain sustainable reactivities for amplification through primers' 3′‐end complete exposure and synergistic reagents release by increased dissociation or mobility during hybridization. “One‐step” reverse‐transcription helicase‐dependent isothermal amplifications are employed in living cells with Klenow (exo−) DNA polymerase to accomplish reverse transcriptions and polymerization amplifications. With high efficiency and stability, low toxicity, and good specificity, this method can detect amol of mRNA in dozens of microliter samples (<0.02 molecules per cell) in living cells, providing an ultrasensitive tool for fundamental understanding of mRNAs in cellular processes.
Caking‐Inspired Cold Sintering of Plastic Supramolecular Films as Multifunctional Platforms
Authors: Xie Mengqi , Che Yuxuan , Liu Kaerdun , Jiang Lingxiang , Xu Limin , Xue Rongrong , Drechsler Markus , Huang Jianbin , Tang Ben Zhong , Yan Yun
Published: July 2018

Caking of powder materials is undesired in various industries, and for thousands of years people are fighting against caking. Herein, the principle of caking is employed to create macroscopic plastic supramolecular films through a cold sintering process. A nanometer‐sized, irregular coordinating cluster is first generated with a bulky head surfactant and multifunctional ligand, and the addition of metal ions immediately leads to amorphous white precipitates. Upon adsorbing moisture, a rearrangement of the molecules in the precipitates results in cold sintering, so that the particles in the precipitates grow into a transparent macroscopic film. The mechanical strength of the film is comparable to plastics, but allows welding and molding with finger at ambient temperature in moist environment. Mechanical tests suggest the supramolecular plastic does not fatigue even after several tens circles' remolding, indicating their superior material engineering capability. This strategy can be extended to different chemistries to fabricate films with different mechanical strength. Various functional components can be doped into the resultant films, rendering them a platform toward multifunctional materials, such as luminescent devices or sensors for pollution gases. The current strategy opens up a new vista in material science is expected.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Rose Bengal‐Catalyzed α‐Hydroxymethylation of Ketones with Methanol
Authors: Yang Jingya , Xie Dongtai , Zhou Hongyan , Chen Shuwen , Duan Jiaokui , Huo Congde , Li Zheng
Published: July 2018

A visible‐light‐mediated α‐hydroxymethylation of ketones using methanol as the hydroxymethylating reagent has been developed. Using 1 mol% rose bengal as the photosensitizer and air as the green oxidant, the reactions proceeded smoothly at room temperature. Experimental studies indicate the reaction proceeded via a radical pathway.

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Boron Trichloride‐Mediated Synthesis of Indoles via the Aminoboration of Alkynes
Authors: Lv Jiahang , Zhao Binlin , Liu Li , Han Ying , Yuan Yu , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: July 2018

We describe an efficient catalyst‐ and metal‐free aminoboration of alkynes to 3‐borylated indoles using one of the least expensive boron sources, BCl3. The major dichloro(indolyl)borane products can be used for the in situ construction of useful 3‐Bpin indoles. This simple and mild method provides a novel and efficient approach for the synthesis of various 3‐borylated indoles with high regioselectivity and a wide substrate scope.

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High‐Performance Terahertz Sensing at Exceptional Points in a Bilayer Structure
Authors: Jin Biaobing , Tan Wei , Zhang Caihong , Wu Jingbo , Chen Jian , Zhang Shuang , Wu Peiheng
Published: July 2018

Many intra‐ and inter‐molecular vibrations lying at terahertz (THz) frequencies in bulk, powder, and thin film, which could provide rich structure information, can be accessed by conventional Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. However, due to the lack of high‐quality THz sources and detectors, the sensitivity that has been demonstrated with THz sensors is far from the level needed to detect small amounts of sample, like monolayer biomolecules. This puts forward an urgent requirement for a THz biosensor with ultra‐high sensitivity. Here, a theoretical design is proposed using a bilayer metasurface to construct a two‐resonator coupled system that obeys passive parity time symmetry and that possesses an exceptional point. By designing the coupled resonators to have orthogonal excitation orientations and retrieving the eigenfrequencies in polarization space, eigenfrequency splitting even smaller than the resonance linewidth can be distinguished, and thus attain ultra‐high THz sensitivity. Electromagnetic simulations show that the sensitivity, defined as the frequency change per micrometer in thickness and per refractive index unit (RIU) of the analyte, can reach 800 GHz RIU−1 µm−1, an order of magnitude higher than the values reported in previous work. This proposed high‐sensitivity approach could open a path toward the detection of monolayer molecules at THz frequencies.
An Integrated Approach to Thermoelectrics: Combining Phonon Dynamics, Nanoengineering, Novel Materials Development, Module Fabrication, and Metrology
Authors: Ohta Michihiro , Jood Priyanka , Murata Masayuki , Lee Chul‐Ho , Yamamoto Atsushi , Obara Haruhiko
Published: July 2018

This review discusses the longstanding efforts to develop advanced thermoelectrics through a multidisciplinary approach by combining condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, solid‐state chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and metrology. The phonon dynamics of skutterudites, clathrates, tetrahedrites, and layered LaOBiSSe are investigated through inelastic neutron scattering, allowing insights into their low lattice thermal conductivity due to rattling in a cage as well as under planar coordination. The electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and Hall coefficient of Bi‐nanowires are successfully measured with a home‐made system, demonstrating a size effect in thermoelectric and galvanomagnetic phenomena. For PbTe‐based bulk thermoelectrics, an exceptionally high figure of merit ZT (≈1.8 at 800 K) is achieved through nanostructuring. Moreover, correspondingly high conversion efficiency (≈11% for a temperature difference of 590 K) is demonstrated in nanostructured PbTe‐based modules. Sulfides (tetrahedrite, colusite, and CdI2‐type layered systems) and arsenides (LnFeAsO and BaZn2As2) are developed as environmentally friendly and emerging thermoelectric materials, respectively. The output power and efficiency of modules with novel materials, including nanostructured PbTe, Zn4Sb3, and clathrates, are measured with the highly accurate self‐made system. Future opportunities and challenges for the widespread use of thermoelectric waste heat recovery and energy harvesting are also discussed.
Advances in Materials and Structures for Ingestible Electromechanical Medical Devices
Authors: Bettinger Christopher J.
Published: July 2018

Ingestible biomedical devices that diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases has been a dream of engineers and clinicians for decades. The increasing apparent importance of gut health on overall well‐being and the prevalence of many gastrointestinal diseases have renewed focus on this emerging class of medical devices. Several prominent examples of commercially successful ingestible medical devices exist. However, many technical challenges remain before ingestible medical devices can achieve their full clinical potential. This Minireview summarizes recent discoveries in this interdisciplinary topic including novel materials, advanced materials processing techniques, and select examples of integrated ingestible electromechanical systems. After a brief historical perspective, these topics will be reviewed with a dedicated focus on advanced functional materials and fabrication strategies in the context of clinical translation and potential regulatory considerations. Future perspectives, challenges, and opportunities related to ingestible medical devices will also be summarized.
Native predators control the population of an invasive crab in no‐take marine protected areas
Authors: Noè Simona , Gianguzza Paola , Di Trapani Francesco , Badalamenti Fabio , Vizzini Salvatrice , Fernández Tomás Vega , Bonaviri Chiara
Published: July 2018

The resistance of an ecosystem to species invasion is considered to be related to the abundance and diversity of native species (i.e. biotic resistance hypothesis). Theory predicts that the high native diversity in pristine systems can hinder the establishment and/or the spread of non‐native species through direct and indirect mechanisms (e.g. through competitive and/or predatory interactions).

Here we tested whether predation provides higher resistance to invasion by the Percnidae crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) in protected native communities, compared with exploited ones. Specifically, this study aimed to compare: (i) the abundance and diversity of potential predator assemblages of P. gibbesi; (ii) the predation pressure on P. gibbesi; and (iii) the density of this species in two protected and two unprotected sites along the northern Sicilian coast (Italy).

The relative predation rate was assessed by manipulative tethering experiments conducted on two size classes of P. gibbesi using long and short tethers, both at protected and unprotected sites.

The abundance and diversity of the predators of P. gibbesi and the relative predation rate on tethered crabs were higher at protected than at unprotected sites, independent of crab size and tether length. The density of P. gibbesi was significantly lower in protected compared with unprotected sites.

These results suggest that the diversity and abundance of native predator assemblages directly affect the invasion success of P. gibbesi in the Mediterranean Sea. We provided experimental evidence that the restoration of predator assemblages confers ‘biotic resistance’ to no‐take marine protected areas (MPAs) against P. gibbesi invasion. Our study confirms that no‐take MPAs are effective in combating non‐indigenous species (NIS) invasion, and that it is crucial to establish a long‐term monitoring programme to limit the introduction of NIS and to control the spread of existing ones.
Implementation of comparative visualization pedagogy for structural dynamics
Authors: Mahajan Suryakant K. , Sonparote Ranjan S.
Published: July 2018

CALSIDOF, a self‐learning tool based on juxtaposition comparative visualization pedagogy is developed and implemented for structural dynamics. The assessment of the effectiveness of the tool was carried out using a questionnaire survey. This survey indicates that the comparative visualization pedagogy approach of CALSIDOF can help in understanding and excite the interest in the subject.
A DNA as a Substrate and an Enzyme: Direct Profiling of Methyltransferase Activity by Cytosine Methylation of a DNAzyme
Authors: Li Wang , Chen Siyi , Xu Dong , Wen Qian , Yang Tao , Liu Juewen
Published: July 2018

Inhibiting DNA methyltransferase (MTase) activity is crucial for cancer treatment. Evaluating drug candidates as inhibitors of MTase requires the measurement of its activity. However, direct profiling of MTase activity remains an analytical challenge, since a complicated hydrolysis step using methylation‐sensitive restriction enzymes (msRE) was inevitable in almost all previously reported methods. Taking advantage that DNA is the substrate of MTase and certain DNA sequences, known as DNAzymes, can also have enzyme‐like activities, we herein developed an enzyme‐free and label‐free route for direct assaying MTase activity. Specifically, adding a cytosine at the meta‐position of a peroxidase‐mimicking DNAzyme can improve the catalytic activity of DNAzyme up to 5‐fold. After methylation of the cytosine cap, the activity is further doubled. Based on these findings, direct assaying of MTase inhibitors was performed without the extra and complicated hydrolysis step. These new findings provide a helpful tool for screening drugs for cancer therapy. The idea of using the same DNA as a substrate and an enzyme could be a general way for assaying other enzymes.
Carborane‐BODIPY Dyads: New Photoluminescent Materials through an Efficient Heck Coupling
Authors: Bellomo Chiara , Chaari Mahdi , Cabrera‐González Justo , Blangetti Marco , Lombardi Chiara , Deagostino Annamaria , Viñas Clara , Gaztelumendi Nerea , Nogués Carme , Nuñez Rosario , Prandi Cristina
Published: July 2018

A small library of carborane‐BODIPY/aza‐BODIPY dyads were efficiently synthesized by means of a novel convergent synthetic approach, the key step of which is a Pd‐catalyzed Heck coupling reaction. The structural characterization and photoluminescence properties of the newly synthesized dyads were evaluated. The presence of the carborane did not significantly alter the photophysical patterns of the BODIPY or aza‐BODIPY in the final fluorophores, but it produced a decrease of the emission fluorescent quantum yields that was in the range from 1.4 % for aza‐BODIPY to 48 % for BODIPY‐dyads. The carborane‐BODIPY dyads were successfully incorporated into cells, especially compounds 2, 4 and 13, demonstrating their cytoplasmic localization. The fluorescent and biocompatibility properties make these compounds good candidates for in vitro cell tracking.
Retinal photoreceptor and ganglion cell types and topographies in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Arctic fox(Vulpes lagopus)
Authors: Malkemper Erich Pascal , Peichl Leo
Published: July 2018

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the carnivore with the widest distribution in the world. Not much is known about the visual system of these predominantly forest‐dwelling animals. The closely related Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) lives in more open tundra habitats. In search for corresponding adaptations, we examined the photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), using opsin immunohistochemistry, lucifer yellow injections and Nissl staining. Both species possess a majority of middle‐to‐longwave‐sensitive (M/L) and a minority of shortwave‐sensitive (S) cones, indicating dichromatic color vision. Area centralis peak cone densities are 22,600/mm2in the red fox and 44,800/mm2in the Arctic fox. Both have a centro‐peripheral density decrease of M/L cones, and a dorsoventrally increasing density of S cones. Rod densities and rod/cone ratios are higher in the red fox than the Arctic fox. Both species possess the carnivore‐typical alpha and beta RGCs. The RGC topography shows a centro‐peripheral density gradient with a distinct area centralis (mean peak density 7,900 RGCs/mm2in the red fox and 10,000 RGCs/mm2in the Arctic fox), a prominent visual streak of higher RGC densities in the Arctic fox, and a moderate visual streak in the red fox. Visual acuity and estimated sound localization ability were nearly identical between both species. In summary, the red fox retina shows adaptations to nocturnal activity in a forest habitat, while the Arctic fox retina is better adapted to higher light levels in the open tundra.
Clinical Lipidology and the Prevention of Vascular Disease: Time for Personalized Therapy
Authors: Brown William Virgil
Published: July 2018

Genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle modifications can cause elevations of lipoproteins that contribute to atherosclerotic lesions over time. In the modern world with life extension from many improvements in medicine and public health, most humans live long enough to develop atherosclerosis with concentrations of blood plasma lipoproteins that are very common. Familial abnormalities are prevalent and provide additional challenges in identifying unhealthy but treatable values of low‐density (LDL) and very low‐density lipoproteins (VLDL). Multiple community studies and clinical trials have provided guidance on selecting targets and new tools that make possible effective goals of treatment. Lipid‐lowering drugs are making it possible to achieve those goals and place responsibility on physicians to master the art of preventing atherosclerotic events. Lipoprotein management remains a very focused effort and requires an artful individualized approach for each patient. Few skills are more important for healthcare providers in primary care and cardiovascular medicine.
Towards High‐Efficiency Hydrogen Production through in situ Formation of Well‐Dispersed Rhodium Nanoclusters
Authors: Hu Min , Ming Mei , Xu Caili , Wang Yi , Zhang Yun , Gao Daojiang , Bi Jian , Fan Guangyin
Published: July 2018

Rh‐based materials have emerged as potential candidates for hydrogen revolution from electrolyzing water or ammonia borane (AB) hydrolysis. Nevertheless, most of the catalysts still suffer from the complex synthetic procedures combined with limited catalytic activity. Additionally, the facile syntheses of Rh catalysts with high efficiencies for both electrochemical water splitting and AB hydrolysis are still challenging. Herein, we develop a simple, green, and mass‐producible ion‐adsorption strategy to produce a Rh/C pre‐catalyst (pre‐Rh/C). The ultrafine and clean Rh nanoclusters immobilized on carbon are achieved via the in situ reduction of the pre‐Rh/C during the hydrogen‐evolution process. The resulting in situ Rh/C catalyst presents an outstanding electrocatalytic performance with low overpotentials of 8 and 30 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 m KOH and 0.5 m H2SO4, respectively, outperforming the state‐of‐the‐art Pt catalysts. Furthermore, the in situ Rh/C is also highly active for AB hydrolysis to produce hydrogen with a high turnover frequency of 1246 mol
 molRh−1 min−1 at 25 °C. The in situ‐formed ultrafine Rh nanoclusters are responsible for the observed superior catalytic performance. This facile in situ strategy to realize a highly active catalyst shows promise for practical applications.
Hybrid firefly bat algorithm (HFBA)–based network security policy enforcement for PSA
Authors: Sureshkumar Thathan , Lingaraj Mani , Anand Bojan , Premkumar Thathan
Published: July 2018

Network operators heavily depend on security services to secure their information technology infrastructures. On the other hand, due to the complexity of security policies, it is not appropriate to straightforwardly use previous pathwise enforcement approaches. In this paper, the enforcement problem of the security policy on middleboxes is formulated as a weighted K set covering problem that requires a policy space analysis tool. This tool is intended to be supported on range‐represented hyperrectangles, which are tagged using a prioritized R‐tree. This methodological work initially evaluates the topological features of diverse types of policies. Hybrid firefly bat algorithm–supported heuristic information shows the inherent difficulties of security policies and provides direction for the design of the enforcement algorithm. At the same time, a scopewise policy enforcement procedure is proposed, which requires a moderate number of enforcement network nodes for organizing the various policy subsets in a greedy manner. Our results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid firefly bat algorithm with policy space analysis offer greatly improved outcomes in terms of the rule overhead, network security, packet delivery ratio, packet loss ratio, and time efficiency above the set operations of the security policy.
Spatial modulation and physical layer network coding based bidirectional relay network with transmit antenna selection over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: R. Rajesh , Velmurugan P. G. S. , Thiruvengadam S. J. , Mallick P. S.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a high data rate bidirectional relay network is proposed by combining the merits of spatial modulation (SM) and physical layer network coding. All nodes in the network are equipped with multiple antennas. Spatial modulation technique is used to reduce hardware complexity and interchannel interference by activating only one antenna at any time during transmission. In the proposed bidirectional relay network, transmit antennas are selected at the source nodes and relay node on the basis of the order statistics of channel power. It increases received signal power and provides a significant improvement in the outage performance. Also, the data rate of the proposed network is improved by physical layer network coding at the relay node. A closed form analytical expression for the outage probability of the network over Nakagami‐m fading channel is derived and validated by Monte Carlo simulations. In addition, asymptotic analysis is investigated at high signal‐to‐noise ratio region.The outage performance of the proposed network is compared with SM and physical layer network coding bidirectional relay network without transmit antenna selection and point‐to‐point SM. With approximate SNR≈1 dB difference between the two networks, the same data rate is achieved.
Individual differences in early body mass affect thermogenic performance and sibling interactions in litter huddles of the house mouse
Authors: Zepeda José A. , Bautista Amando , Rangassamy Marylin , Monclús Raquel , Bocquet Celine , Martínez‐Gómez Margarita , Gouat Patrick , Féron Christophe , Hudson Robyn , Rödel Heiko G.
Published: July 2018

We asked whether within‐litter differences in early body mass are associated with differences in house mouse pups’ thermogenic performance and whether such variation predicts individual differences in competitive interactions for thermally more advantageous positions in the huddle. We explored pups’ thermogenic performance in isolation by measuring changes in (maximal) peripheral body temperatures during a 5‐min thermal challenge using infrared thermography. Changes in peripheral body temperature were significantly explained by individual differences in body mass within a litter; relatively lighter individuals showed an overall quicker temperature decrease leading to lower body temperatures toward the end of the thermal challenge compared to heavier littermates. Within the litter huddle, relatively lighter pups with a lower thermogenic performance showed consistently more rooting and climbing behavior, apparently to reach the thermally advantageous center of the huddle. This suggests that within‐litter variation in starting body mass affects the pups’ thermal and behavioral responses to environmental challenges.
An affordable apparatus for fine‐controlled emulation of buzzing frequencies of bees for the testing hypothesis in buzz interactions
Authors: Rodrigues Ernani V. , Riguette Júlia R. , Pereira Henrique R. C. , Tesch Juliétty A. , Silva Ary G.
Published: July 2018

The buzzing foraging behavior of female bees for pollen harvesting called the attention of early pollination biologists. Flower types that demand this buzzing behavior comprise about 20,000 species of different and phylogenetically unrelated plant taxa, suggesting that it had independently evolved many times among the flowering plants. Between the late 1970s and early 1980s, theoretical papers had modeled the energetics of buzz pollination, but, up to this moment, no hypothesis was experimentally tested concerning the theoretical basis of the energetics of buzz pollination. We present a cost‐effective and simple apparatus, including a digital and highly accurate frequency generator, and a device for the transference of buzz‐frequency energy to the receptive floral unity. The receptive floral unities may comprise the entire or partial androecium, or the tubular corolla, or, in some cases, the whole flower. This apparatus can be easily used in both laboratory and field conditions of research, as natural air currents are avoided, and the response of pollen liberation can be quantitatively measured by pollen grain counts that can be captured by adhesion in slide poured with an isosmotic lactate–glycerol media. The maximum displacement of the hardwire beam/claw system was 0.1170 ± 0.0006 mm @ 150 Hz; 0.021 ± 0.003 mm @ 250 Hz; 0.010 ± 0.001 mm @ 350 Hz; 0.0058 ± 0.0001 mm @ 450 Hz; and 0.0082 ± 0.0005 mm @ 550 Hz. Hypothesis contrasting frequency emission and pollen liberation measured as pollen grain counts may be tested in a species flower type by simple linear regression if pollen counts are normally distributed, or ordinal logistic regression, with non‐normal counts. The comparison among different flower‐type requirements can be tested through appropriate statistical methods for both normally and non‐normally distributed pollen grain counts.
Reciprocal plant‐mediated interactions between a virus and a non‐vector herbivore
Authors: Chisholm Paul J. , Sertsuvalkul Nyd , Casteel Clare L. , Crowder David W.
Published: July 2018

Vector‐borne viruses alter many physical and chemical traits of their plant hosts, indirectly affecting the fitness and behavior of vectors in ways that promote virus transmission. However, it is unclear whether viruses induce plant‐mediated shifts in the behavior and fitness of non‐vector herbivores, or if non‐vectors affect the dynamics of vector‐borne viruses. Here we evaluated reciprocal interactions between Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), a pathogen transmitted by the aphid Acrythosiphon pisum, and a non‐vector weevil, Sitona lineatus. In the field, PEMV‐infected plants experienced more defoliation from S. lineatus than uninfected plants; behavioral assays similarly showed S. lineatus adults preferred to feed on infected plants. In turn, infectious A. pisum preferred plants damaged by S. lineatus, and S. lineatus herbivory led to increased PEMV titer. These interactions may be mediated by plant phytohormone levels, as S. lineatus induced jasmonic acid, while PEMV induced salicylic acid. Levels of abscisic acid were not affected by attack from either PEMV or S. lineatus alone, but plants challenged by both had elevated levels of this phytohormone. As plant viruses and their vectors often exist in diverse communities, our study highlights the importance of non‐vector species in influencing plant pathogens and their vectors through host‐mediated effects.
A Route toward (Aminomethyl)cyclopentadienide Ligands and Their Group 4 Metal Complexes
Authors: Bonnin Quentin , Wong Sook‐Yen , Balan Cédric , Comte Virginie , Malacea Raluca , Penouilh Marie‐José , Richard Philippe , Kehr Gerald , Normand Adrien T. , Erker Gerhard , Le Gendre Pierre
Published: July 2018

A new method is described, by which N‐functionalized cyclopentadienide ligands are synthesized via the nucleophilic substitution of sodium cyclopentadienide onto Katritzky's (benzotriazolyl) compounds. This route enables the introduction of bulky and basic amines, separated from the cyclopentadienyl ring by a methylene spacer. The method thus represents a valuable alternative to the general fulvene route. The resulting ligands have been coordinated to titanium and zirconium, producing a series of discrete metallocene derivatives with a pendant amine arm. These complexes are extremely sensitive towards moisture, but they can easily be converted into benchtop‐stable ammonium chloride derivatives. The ligands and their complexes have been fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and/or high resolution ESI‐MS. The solid‐state structures of ten complexes have been established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.