bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building a Sustainable Talent Acquisition Model in a Dynamic Business Environment
Authors: Mohapatra Mamta , Sahu Priyanka
Published: May 2018

This article describes how rapid globalization, changes in the technology landscape, and changes in the way people manage organizations, have increased the need for competent workforce who could be a source of sustained competitive advantage for the organization. Thus, companies specifically in IT/ITES sector are investing huge amount of time, money and resources to build their talent acquisition strategy. Recruitment has mostly been a reactive approach and organizations generally scout for candidates only when there is vacancy. This article attempts to introduce the concept of sustainable talent acquisition to ensure steady supply of talent to meet future needs of an organization. Authors have tried to incorporate the idea of three pillars of sustainability – environmental, social, and economic into the recruitment landscape and to build an action plan to speed up hiring process and improve cost efficiency. Authors believe that environmental sustainability can be achieved by constantly gauging talent demand and ensuring steady supply, social sustainability can be met by engaging talent pool to build long term relationships and economic sustainability can be attained by effectively using data to ensure cost effective hiring. Taking the example of a study conducted to optimize recruitment funnel in an ITES company, authors have explained how analytics can help achieve desired results.
Multi-Objective Optimization for Green Dual-Channel Supply Chain Network Design Considering Transportation Mode Selection
Authors: Zhang Hong , Yang Kuan
Published: May 2018

A well-designed supply chain network should not only meet the efficient cost but also realize the sustainable effect on environment. The purpose of this article is to develop a multi-objective model to capture the trade-off between total cost and environmental performance in the green dual-channel supply chain network. Moreover, the transportation mode has been considered as a decision variable. With regard to the complexity of such network, a new swarm intelligence algorithm known as a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm has been employed to tackle this problem. The effectiveness of the present model and approach is evaluated by a numerical experiment, and the results show that the added environmental performance is actually proportional with the increased cost. Additionally, the comparison between different mode decisions shows that a better trade-off between two objectives will be obtained when considering the transportation mode selection.
Assortment Optimization with Product Level Demand and Substitution Information
Authors: Bai Lihua , Wang Junyan , Shaikh Nazrul I.
Published: May 2018

This article presents a mathematical model for jointly optimizing base stock levels for the multiple items subject to service level goals. The proposed model uses the expected demand and substitution probabilities between products as inputs and has been used to analyze the effects of demand variability on profitability under service level constraint. The results of the analysis demonstrate that neglecting customer-driven substitution or excluding the impacts of variability and correlations in demand leads to significantly inefficient assortments.
Supply Chain Risk Management
Authors: Raghunath K. Madhu Kishore , Devi S. Lakshmi Tulasi
Published: May 2018

This article describes how as mankind has been ever-evolving, so are their needs, growing in leaps and bounds. Risk management in supply chains have become a prerequisite as it involves a series of steps like procuring, processing, and distribution, where risk has to be managed. Given the advent of technology and transformation of supply chain management from traditional to modern methods, a lot has changed, and of course with ever-evolving technology, the organisations have become adept at handling risks associated with many factors within the organisation and outside the organisation. In this article, the authors will analyse the percentage impact of external and internal supply chain risk factors on various supply chain decisions, and also project various tools available to mitigate Supply chain risks.
Topology and Topic-Aware Service Clustering
Authors: Pan Weifeng , Dong Jilei , Liu Kun , Wang Jing
Published: May 2018

This article describes how the number of services and their types being so numerous makes accurately discovering desired services become a problem. Service clustering is an effective way to facilitate service discovery. However, the existing approaches are usually designed for a single type of service documents, neglecting to fully use the topic and topological information in service profiles and usage histories. To avoid these limitations, this article presents a novel service clustering approach. It adopts a bipartite network to describe the topological structure of service usage histories and uses a SimRank algorithm to measure the topological similarity of services; It applies Latent Dirichlet Allocation to extract topics from service profiles and further quantifies the topic similarity of services; It quantifies the similarity of services by integrating topological and topic similarities; It uses the Chameleon clustering algorithm to cluster the services. The empirical evaluation on real-world data set highlights the benefits provided by the combination of topological and topic similarities.
Extracellular Histones Inhibit Complement Activation through Interacting with Complement Component 4
Authors: Qaddoori Yasir , Abrams Simon T. , Mould Paul , Alhamdi Yasir , Christmas Stephen E. , Wang Guozheng , Toh Cheng-Hock
Published: May 2018

Complement activation leads to membrane attack complex formation, which can lyse not only pathogens but also host cells. Histones can be released from the lysed or damaged cells and serve as a major type of damage-associated molecular pattern, but their effects on the complement system are not clear. In this study, we pulled down two major proteins from human serum using histone-conjugated beads: one was C-reactive protein and the other was C4, as identified by mass spectrometry. In surface plasmon resonance analysis, histone H3 and H4 showed stronger binding to C4 than other histones, with KD around 1 nM. The interaction did not affect C4 cleavage to C4a and C4b. Because histones bind to C4b, a component of C3 and C5 convertases, their activities were significantly inhibited in the presence of histones. Although it is not clear whether the inhibition was achieved through blocking C3 and C5 convertase assembly or just through reducing their activity, the outcome was that both classical and mannose-binding lectin pathways were dramatically inhibited. Using a high concentration of C4 protein, histone-suppressed complement activity could not be fully restored, indicating C4 is not the only target of histones in those pathways. In contrast, the alternative pathway was almost spared, but the overall complement activity activated by zymosan was inhibited by histones. Therefore, we believe that histones inhibiting complement activation is a natural feedback mechanism to prevent the excessive injury of host cells.
Formation of Immune Complexes with a Tetanus-Derived B Cell Epitope Boosts Human T Cell Responses to Covalently Linked Peptides in an Ex Vivo Blood Loop System
Authors: Fletcher Erika A. K. , van Maren Wendy , Cordfunke Robert , Dinkelaar Jasper , Codee Jeroen D. C. , van der Marel Gijs , Melief Cornelis J. M. , Ossendorp Ferry , Drijfhout Jan Wouter , Mangsbo Sara M.
Published: May 2018

Enhancing T cell responses against both viral and tumor Ags requires efficient costimulation and directed delivery of peptide Ags into APCs. Long peptide vaccines are considered favorable vaccine moieties from a clinical perspective, as they can harbor more than one immunogenic epitope enabling treatment of a broader target population. In addition, longer peptides are not extracellularly loaded on MHC class I; rather, they require intracellular processing and will thereby be presented to T cells mainly by professional APCs, thereby avoiding the risk of tolerance induction. The drawback of peptide vaccines regardless of peptide length is that naked peptides are not actively targeted to and taken up by APCs, and the standard nonconjugated adjuvant-peptide mixtures do not ensure cotargeting of the two to the same APC. We have identified a tetanus toxin–derived B cell epitope that can mediate the formation of immune complexes in the presence of circulating Abs. In this study, we show that these immune complexes improve both Ag uptake by APCs (blood monocytes and CD1c+ dendritic cells) and consequently improve CD8+ T cell recall responses in a human ex vivo blood loop system. The uptake of the peptide conjugate by blood monocytes is dependent on Abs and the complement component C1q. We envision that this strategy can be used to facilitate active uptake of Ags into APCs to improve T cell responses against pathogens or cancer.
Reducing Recidivism through Correctional Education: The Roles of Neoclassical and Behavioral Economics
Authors: Erickson Laura
Published: May 2018

The correctional system in the United States is expensive and often punitive rather than rehabilitative. One potential way to reduce both recidivism rates and criminal justice spending is through correctional education. This paper explores the value of correctional education through both neoclassical and behavioral economic perspectives and considers potential tradeoffs and implementation challenges to expanding correctional education. Policymakers and the public at large may hesitate to provide such a service, but it is important to consider cost-effective ways to reduce recidivism. Ultimately, evidence suggests that correctional education is an effective way to reduce recidivism rates and potentially save money.
Omar T. Woodard
Authors: Editors Policy Perspectives
Published: May 2018

Omar T. Woodard currently serves as the Executive Director of the Greenlight Fund Philadelphia. He previously worked as Policy Director for Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams, Principal at Venture Philanthropy Partners, a healthcare consultant at The Advisory Board, and as a lobbyist for The Whitaker Group. Mr. Woodard is also an adjunct professor at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He possesses extensive experience as a board member of various education and professional organizations. Mr. Woodard holds two degrees from George Washington University: a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a Master of Public Administration.
Examining the Moderating Effect of Work Motivation on the Lecturer Performance: A Contribution to Organizational Commitment and Competence
Authors: Tone Kamaruddin
Published: May 2018

Lecturers are professional educators and scientists with the main task of transforming, developing and disseminating science, technology, and arts through education, research, and community service. This study focuses on the influence of organizational commitment and competence of the faculty performance: The moderating role of work motivation. Thus, the aim was to explore the contribution of organizational commitment, competence and motivation in creating a superior faculty performance. This study uses 73 respondents parties directly involved in the educational process and research and community service in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Alauddin State Islamic University. The research data is primary data obtained by sending a questionnaire to the respondent. Data were analyzed using regression analysis and use applications WarpPLS. The research findings indicate that organizational commitment and high competence of lecturers who proved able to make an important contribution in the creation of good work in accordance with the expectations of the university, but not with the motivation to work. The role of work motivation as a moderating proven to strengthen the influence commitment and organizational competence of lecturers in the work in accordance with the Three pillars of higher education comprising education, research and community service
Concentración de pH en hojas de cultivares clónales de jocote (Spondias purpurea L.) en el Arboretum Alain Meyrat de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, Managua, Nicaragua
Authors: Reyes Flores Francisco Giovanni , Tunnermann G. Ernesto Ramón , Reyes Pérez Rosa María , Vindell Blandón Agnes Marjorie , Ochoa Aguirre Tania Patricia
Published: May 2018

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo determinar la concentración de pH en los foliolos de 17 cultivares clónales de Spondias purpurea L., ubicados en el Arboretum Alain Meyrat de la Universidad Nacional Agraria. La metodología utilizada se desarrolló en diversos momentos: recolección del material vegetativo, selección de 20 hojas de cada cultivar clonal en buen estado (sanas, verdes y completas), pesaje de la masa verde de los foliolos separándolos del raquis rotulados con según cultivar clonal. Para la determinación de la concentración de iones H+ (pH) se procedió a recortar los foliolos y el raquis, utilizando estandarizadamente 3g de cada muestra, mismas que se maceraron con un mortero de porcelana hasta obtener materia molida. Seguidamente se determinó en forma cualitativa la solubilidad de los foliolos, haciendo uso de solventes como el agua (H₂0), benceno (C₆H₆), etanol (CH₃-CH₂-0H), y tetracloruro de carbono (CCl₄), utilizando 3ml de cada solvente. Se empleó un pHmetro para determinar la concentración de iones H+ de las muestras antes y después del uso de solventes. Se observó que el cultivar San Franciscano posee mayor concentración de iones H+, por tanto mayor acidez, manteniendo ese comportamiento en todos los solventes empleados, al igual que el raquis seco. Este resultado permitió concluir que la presencia de ácidos orgánicos es alta y, por tanto, la especie es fitoquímicamente recomendable para la elaboración de infusiones. Lo que respecta a los foliolos secos, el cultivar Cocer obtuvo la mayor acidez. Palabras clave: arboretum, cultivar, filiolos, infusiones, acidez.
Género y conflictos ambientales en la región Trifinio
Authors: Veneziani Marcella
Published: May 2018

El presente estudio parte de la hipótesis que los conflictos ambientales son conflictos primariamente políticos de desigual distribución de poder, particularmente entre los sexos. En este contexto, tres son los objetivos que han dirigido la investigación que se presenta. El primero es conocer los principales problemas y conflictos ambientales y de manejo del agua entre hombres y mujeres en el área en consideración. El segundo es analizar el impacto de la conflictividad ambiental en las mujeres de la Región Trifinio. El tercer objetivo es generar información que contribuya a la incorporación del enfoque de género en la gestión y manejo de los recursos ambientales. La metodología implicó revisión documental y trabajo de campo con grupos focales, así como entrevistas en profundidad y encuestas cuantitativas.Revista ciencia, cultura y sociedad Vol. 3 No. 2 julio-diciembre 2016; 23-37
Nivel de aprestamiento en el aprendizaje de la lecto-escritura en niños de la sección (3-6 años)
Authors: Domínguez de Montoya Milagro de María , Llanes Márquez Tito Orlando
Published: May 2018

El estudio busca determinar el nivel de aprestamiento para el aprendizaje de la lectoescritura en los niños que cursan la sección 3 (6 años) por medio de la aplicación del test ABC en 12 centros educativos públicos y privados, así como indagar la percepción del docente sobre la metodología empleada en el aprestamiento para la lecto-escritura. Se trabajó con 286 niños y niñas y con 12 maestras. Los hallazgos más relevantes fueron que las prácticas metodológicas empleadas por las maestras en el aprendizaje de la lecto-escritura en sus estudiantes influye de manera negativa, ya que el 83% de ellas siguen aplicando los métodos sintéticos (tradicionales), descuidando las áreas psicomotoras, afectivas y del lenguaje. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que de las 12 instituciones educativas investigadas, solo 2 (17%) de ellas llegaron a obtener un porcentaje alto (con un déficit de aprendizaje del 28%) y las demás se quedan en un nivel medio (con un déficit de aprendizaje del 48%). Esto indica que aunque ya tengan aplicando la lectura a los niños, estos presentan varias deficiencias en sus destrezas adquiridas, llegando a ser un obstáculo en un futuro cercano para adquirir una buena comprensión lectora.Revista ciencia, cultura y sociedad Vol. 3 No. 2 julio-diciembre 2016; 47-54
El ser humano frente a la crisis del vínculo social
Authors: González Torres Julián
Published: May 2018

Revista ciencia, cultura y sociedad Vol. 3 No. 2 julio-diciembre 2016; 64-67
Modeling of Synthesis of Aluminum Hydride via Binary Hydrides of Alkaline Earth Metals
Authors: Mirsaidov U.M. , Akramov M.Yu. , Mirsaidov I.U. , Azizov O.A.
Published: May 2018

In this article given the mathematical modeling of energy-intensive substances obtaining, which allows expanding the resource base, providing the possibility of using various binary hydrides in the process of aluminum hydride - AlH3 synthesis.Due to the absence of soluble hydride forms of binary hydrides of alkaline-earth (MH2) metals, it is necessary to carry out at least 4-6 steps of the process for the production of aluminum hydride. Polynomials for the programmed synthesis of AlH3 with autoinitiation have been developed.A programmed synthesis of aluminum hydride with autoinitiation was developed and implemented, which allows expanding the raw material base enabling the synthesis of other metal hydrides.
LE DESSINATEUR BRETON THÉOPHILE BUSNEL AU QUÉBEC
Authors: DANAUX STÉPHANIE
Published: May 2018

Dès son arrivée à Montréal en 1904, le jeune dessinateur français Théophile Busnel
est recruté comme dessinateur au journal La Patrie pour poursuivre la série
« Timothée », créée par Albéric Bourgeois. À l’été 1908, il doit toutefois regagner sa
Bretagne natale, où il meurt des suites d’une longue maladie. Aussi brève soit-elle, la
présence de Busnel à Montréal coïncide avec le début en 1904 et le déclin à partir de 1908
de la bande dessinée dans la presse francophone au Québec, progressivement remplacée par des
importations américaines, puis françaises. Sans être à l’origine de cet âge d’or, Busnel s’y
associe presque aussitôt et en devient l’un des principaux acteurs. Cet article met en
lumière, à partir d’un corpus de dessins publiés dans La Patrie, la contribution de
Busnel à l’histoire de la bande dessinée et du dessin d’humour au Québec en examinant ses
interactions avec Bourgeois et en évaluant la part de ses innovations graphiques, narratives
et iconographiques.
« N’HÉSITEZ PAS À JOUER LA CARTE DE L’HISTOIRE VÉCUE »
Authors: BEAULIEU JEAN-PHILIPPE
Published: May 2018

Décrit comme un récit autobiographique par sa quatrième de couverture, Tuer
Vélasquez (2009) de Philippe Girard rapporte une situation d’abus sexuel par un prêtre
dont l’auteur a été témoin en 1983. L’écriture de soi se manifeste toutefois plutôt
discrètement dans cet ouvrage, qui, en l’absence de récitatifs, expose la subjectivité du
personnage de Philippe de manière oblique par un réseau de renvois à l’art (grâce aux
références à Vélasquez et à Picasso), au folklore (par le rappel de la légende de la
chasse-galerie) et à l’influence des livres (à travers les romans d’aventures pour
adolescents). On a ainsi l’impression que, à rebours de l’employé de la télévision qui, au
début du récit, enjoint à son collègue de ne pas hésiter « à jouer la carte de l’histoire
vécue » (p. 16) en donnant la parole à l’une des victimes du prêtre pédophile, l’auteur a
refusé de s’engager à fond dans la veine autobiographique ; il semble avoir voulu employer
le témoignage simplement pour authentifier un matériel narratif dont la richesse et la
complexité font probablement de cet ouvrage la réalisation la plus achevée de Girard. C’est
à cet aspect de l’oeuvre que cet article s’intéresse.
Mat thickness associated with Didymosphenia geminata and Cymbella sp. in the southern rivers of Chile
Authors: Zamorano Daniel , Lillo Diana J , Parodi Jorge , Peredo-Parada Matias , Díaz Carolina A
Published: May 2018

Didymosphenia geminata is a diatom that can alter aquatic systems. According to the international literature, chemical and hydraulic factors have a greater influence on the proliferation of D. geminata, but the study of other microalgae that could be associated with it has been poorly addressed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the structure of mat thickness D. geminata and another taxon that produces mucilage, Cymbella sp., while also considering physical and chemical factors. To do this, two samples were taken, one in the spring of 2013 and the other in the autumn of 2014, from eight rivers in central-southern Chile-South America, where the benthic community was characterized and the thickness of the mat was measured. The results indicate that in the presence of both taxa the thickness of the mat layer is doubled. However, antecedents suggest that D. geminata is the main producer of mucilage, being seconded by Cymbella sp. The present study contributes evidence about the relationship between mat thickness D. geminata and other microalgae contribution, and aquatic condition for this development.
Whole brain comparative anatomy using connectivity blueprints
Authors: Mars Rogier B , Sotiropoulos Stamatios N , Passingham Richard E , Sallet Jerome , Verhagen Lennart , Khrapitchev Alexandre A , Sibson Nicola , Jbabdi Saad
Published: May 2018

Comparing the brains of related species faces the challenges of establishing homologies whilst accommodating evolutionary specializations. Here we propose a general framework for understanding similarities and differences between the brains of primates. The approach uses white matter blueprints of the whole cortex based on a set of white matter tracts that can be anatomically matched across species. The blueprints provide a common reference space that allows us to navigate between brains of different species, identify homologous cortical areas, or to transform whole cortical maps from one species to the other. Specializations are cast within this framework as deviations between the species’ blueprints. We illustrate how this approach can be used to compare human and macaque brains.
Comparison of hoop-net trapping and visual surveys to monitor abundance of the Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi)
Authors: Mali Ivana , Duarte Adam , Forstner Michael R.J.
Published: May 2018

Abundance estimates play an important part in the regulatory and conservation decision-making process. It is important to correct monitoring data for imperfect detection when using these data to track spatial and temporal variation in abundance, especially in the case of rare and elusive species. This paper presents the first attempt to estimate abundance of the Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) while explicitly considering the detection process. Specifically, in 2016 we monitored this rare species at two sites along the Black River, New Mexico via traditional baited hoop-net traps and less invasive visual surveys to evaluate the efficacy of these two sampling designs. We fitted the Huggins closed-capture estimator to estimate capture probabilities using the trap data and distance sampling models to estimate detection probabilities using the visual survey data. We found that only the visual survey with the highest number of observed turtles resulted in similar abundance estimates to those estimated using the trap data. However, the estimates of abundance from the remaining visual survey data were highly variable and often underestimated abundance relative to the estimates from the trap data. We suspect this pattern is related to changes in the basking behavior of the species and, thus, the availability of turtles to be detected even though all visual surveys were conducted when environmental conditions were similar. Regardless, we found that riverine habitat conditions limited our ability to properly conduct visual surveys at one site. Collectively, this suggests visual surveys may not be an effective sample design for this species in this river system. When analyzing the trap data, we found capture probabilities to be highly variable across sites and between age classes and that recapture probabilities were much lower than initial capture probabilities, highlighting the importance of accounting for detectability when monitoring this species. Although baited hoop-net traps seem to be an effective sampling design, it is important to note that this method required a relatively high trap effort to reliably estimate abundance. This information will be useful when developing a larger-scale, long-term monitoring program for this species of concern.
Westwards and northwards dispersal ofTriosteum himalayanum(Caprifoliaceae) from the Hengduan Mountains region based on chloroplast DNA phylogeography
Authors: Liu Hai-rui , Gao Qing-bo , Zhang Fa-qi , Khan Gulzar , Chen Shi-long
Published: May 2018

The varying topography and environment that resulted from paleoorogeny and climate fluctuations of the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains (HHM) areas had a considerable impact on the evolution of biota during the Quaternary. To understand the phylogeographic pattern and historical dynamics ofTriosteum himalayanum(Caprifoliaceae), we sequenced three chloroplast DNA fragments (rbcL-accD,rps15-ycf1, andtrnH-psbA) from 238 individuals representing 20 populations. Nineteen haplotypes (H1–H19) were identified based on 23 single-site mutations and eight indels. Most haplotypes were restricted to a single population or neighboring populations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that variations among populations were much higher than that within populations for the overall gene pool, as well as for the East Himalayan group (EH group) and the North Hengduan group (NHM group), but not for the Hengduan Mountains group (HM group). Ecoregions representing relatively high genetic diversity or high frequencies of private haplotypes were discovered, suggesting that this alpine herbaceous plant underwent enhanced allopatric divergence in isolated and fragmented locations during the Quaternary glaciations. The current phylogeographic structure ofT. himalayanummight be due to heterogeneous habitats and Quaternary climatic oscillations. Based on the phylogeographic structure ofT. himalayanumpopulations, the phylogenetic relationship of identified haplotypes and palaeodistributional reconstruction, we postulated both westwards and northwards expansion from the HM group for this species. The westwards dispersal corridor could be long, narrow mountain areas and/or the Yarlung Zangbo Valley, while the northwards movement path could be south–north oriented mountains and low-elevation valleys.
Plant, fungal, bacterial, and nitrogen interactions in the litter layer of a native Patagonian forest
Authors: Vivanco Lucía , Rascovan Nicolás , Austin Amy T.
Published: May 2018

Plant–microbial interactions in the litter layer represent one of the most relevant interactions for biogeochemical cycling as litter decomposition is a key first step in carbon and nitrogen turnover. However, our understanding of these interactions in the litter layer remains elusive. In an old-growth mixedNothofagusforest in Patagonia, we studied the effects of single tree species identity and the mixture of three tree species on the fungal and bacterial composition in the litter layer. We also evaluated the effects of nitrogen (N) addition on these plant–microbial interactions. In addition, we compared the magnitude of stimulation of litter decomposition due to home field advantage (HFA, decomposition occurs more rapidly when litter is placed beneath the plant species from which it had been derived than beneath a different plant species) and N addition that we previously demonstrated in this same forest, and used microbial information to interpret these results. Tree species identity had a strong and significant effect on the composition of fungal communities but not on the bacterial community of the litter layer. The microbial composition of the litter layer under the tree species mixture show an averaged contribution of each single tree species. N addition did not erase the plant species footprint on the fungal community, and neither altered the bacterial community. N addition stimulated litter decomposition as much as HFA for certain tree species, but the mechanisms behind N and HFA stimulation may have differed. Our results suggest that stimulation of decomposition from N addition might have occurred due to increased microbial activity without large changes in microbial community composition, while HFA may have resulted principally from plant species’ effects on the litter fungal community. Together, our results suggest that plant–microbial interactions can be an unconsidered driver of litter decomposition in temperate forests.
The evaluation of anoxia responsive E2F DNA binding activity in the red eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans
Authors: Biggar Kyle K. , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: May 2018

In many cases, the DNA-binding activity of a transcription factor does not change, while its transcriptional activity is greatly influenced by the make-up of bound proteins. In this study, we assessed the protein composition and DNA-binding ability of the E2F transcription factor complex to provide insight into cell cycle control in an anoxia tolerant turtle through the use of a modified ELISA protocol. This modification also permits the use of custom DNA probes that are tailored to a specific DNA binding region, introducing the ability to design capture probes for non-model organisms. Through the use of EMSA and ELISA DNA binding assays, we have successfully determined the in vitro DNA binding activity and complex dynamics of the Rb/E2F cell cycle regulatory mechanisms in an anoxic turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans. Repressive cell cycle proteins (E2F4, Rb, HDAC4 and Suv39H1) were found to significantly increase at E2F DNA-binding sites upon anoxic exposure in anoxic turtle liver. The lack of p130 involvement in the E2F DNA-bound complex indicates that anoxic turtle liver may maintain G1 arrest for the duration of stress survival.
A fast jaw‐tracking model for VMAT and IMRT Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Townson Reid , Egglestone Hilary , Zavgorodni Sergei
Published: May 2018

Modern radiotherapy techniques involve routine use of volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with jaw‐tracking – dynamic motion of the secondary collimators (jaws) in tandem with multi‐leaf collimators (MLCs). These modalities require accurate dose calculations for the purposes of treatment planning and dose verification. Monte Carlo (MC) methods for radiotherapy dose calculation are widely accepted as capable of achieving high accuracy. This paper presents an efficiency‐enhancement method for secondary collimator modeling, presented in the context of a tool for MC‐based dose second checks. The model constitutes an accuracy trade‐off in the source model for the sake of efficiency enhancement, but maintains the advantages of MC transport in patient heterogeneities. The secondary collimator model is called Flat‐Absorbing‐Jaw‐Tracking (FAJT). Transmission through and scatter from the secondary collimators is neglected, and jaws are modeled as perfectly absorbing planes. To couple the motion of secondary collimators with MLCs for jaw‐tracking, the FAJT model was built into the VCU‐MLC model. Gamma‐index analysis of the dose distributions from FAJT against the full BEAMnrc MC simulations showed over 99% pass rate for a range of open fields, two clinical IMRT, and one VMAT treatment plan, for 2%/2 mm criteria above 10%. Using FAJT, the simulation speed of the secondary collimators for open fields increased by a factor of 237, 1489, and 1395 for 4 × 4, 10 × 10, and 30 × 30 cm2, respectively. In general, clinically oriented simulation times are reduced from “hours” to “minutes” on identical hardware. Results for nine representative clinical cases (seven with jaw‐tracking) are presented. The average 2%/2 mm γ‐test success rate above the 80% isodose was 96.8% when tested against the EPIDose electronic portal image‐based dose reconstruction method and 97.3% against the Eclipse analytical anisotropic algorithm.
Impact of Thickness on Contact Issues for Pinning Effect in Black Phosphorus Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Jiang Bei , Zou Xuming , Su Jie , Liang Jinghua , Wang Jingli , Liu Huijun , Feng Liping , Jiang Changzhong , Wang Feng , He Jun , Liao Lei
Published: May 2018

Metal/semiconductor contact is a significant constraint in short‐channel field effect transistors (FETs) comprising black phosphorus (BP) and other 2D semiconductors. Due to the pinning effect at metal/2D semiconductor interface, the Schottky barrier usually does not follow the Schottky–Mott rule, resulting in thickness‐dependent FET performance. In this work, the Schottky barrier in BP FETs is investigated via theory calculation and electrical measurement. A simple metal/BP contact model is presented based upon thickness‐dependent electrical characteristics of BP FETs. The model considers the Schottky barrier as a combined effect of the Schottky–Mott rule and the pinning effect and provides a feasibility to track the conducting behavior of other 2D semiconductor FETs.
SiOx Encapsulated in Graphene Bubble Film: An Ultrastable Li‐Ion Battery Anode
Authors: Xu Quan , Sun Jian‐Kun , Yu Zhi‐Long , Yin Ya‐Xia , Xin Sen , Yu Shu‐Hong , Guo Yu‐Guo
Published: May 2018

SiOx is proposed as one of the most promising anodes for Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) for its advantageous capacity and stable Li uptake/release electrochemistry, yet its practical application is still a big challenge. Here encapsulation of SiOx nanoparticles into conductive graphene bubble film via a facile and scalable self‐assembly in solution is shown. The SiOx nanoparticles are closely wrapped in multilayered graphene to reconstruct a flake‐graphite‐like macrostructure, which promises uniform and agglomeration‐free distribution of SiOx in the carbon while ensures a high mechanical strength and a high tap density of the composite. The composites present unprecedented cycling stability and excellent rate capabilities upon Li storage, rendering an opportunity for its anode use in the next‐generation high‐energy LIBs.
A Novel Sensing Chip for Probing Chlorine Permeation into Simulated Produce Cracks
Authors: Guan Yongguang , Luo Yaguang , Teng Zi , Zhou Bin , Mei Lei , Bauchan Gary R. , Wang Qin
Published: May 2018

Pathogen inactivation efficacy is substantially lower on cracks/crevices than on smooth produce surfaces. In this study, an interlocking design of three‐dimensionally printed chip coated with zein‐N,N‐diethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (DPD) film is developed to study chlorine permeation in simulated cracks. The primary interaction of zein and DPD in film is hydrogen bonding evidenced by the blue shift of the amide II band of zein. The chlorine‐sensing chip exhibits a dose‐dependent magenta color change upon immersion in chlorine solutions. Lab‐scale experiment is performed on chips with full‐depth cracks. At crack widths of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mm, respectively. The static chlorine permeation distances are 11.6, 15.3, and 20.0 mm, when the cracks are perpendicular to the liquid level, compared to 0, 3.3, and 4.3 mm when the cracks are parallel to the liquid level. Complete permeation was detected after dynamic washing for 30 s at chlorine solution Re numbers of 12.5 and 125. In a pilot‐industrial scale washer, chlorine‐permeated distance of 20 mm is detected for full‐depth chlorine‐sensing chips, and 0, 9.4, and 20 mm for half‐depth chips at width of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mm, respectively. Results demonstrated that gravity and boundary pressure facilitates chlorine permeation. This work provides a potential platform for studying the accessibility of sanitizers in narrow gaps under lab‐/industry‐relevant conditions.
Organic Single‐Crystalline Donor–Acceptor Heterojunctions with Ambipolar Band‐Like Charge Transport for Photovoltaics
Authors: Zhao Xiaoming , Liu Tianjun , Zhang Yuteng , Wang Shirong , Li Xianggao , Xiao Yin , Hou Xueyan , Liu Zilu , Shi Wenda , Dennis T. John S.
Published: May 2018

Solution‐processed organic single‐crystalline donor–acceptor heterojunctions (SCHJs) composed of N,N,N′,N′‐tetraphenylbenzidine (TPB) and phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester ([60]PCBM) are successfully obtained, and fundamental studies on its charge transport properties are demonstrated, revealing the advantages of applying SCHJs in photovoltaic devices. The SCHJs exhibit a balanced high‐mobility ambipolar charge transport with both hole and electron mobility being more than one‐order magnitude higher than its thin‐film heterojunction (TFHJ) counterparts. The difference between single‐crystalline and TFHJs in charge transport mechanisms was revealed, and it is shown that SCHJs present a more favorable band‐like charge transport properties at room temperature. Organic photovoltaics fabricated on SCHJs present much higher current density and a 32‐times higher power conversion efficiencies than TFHJ devices. The present work, which outlines comprehensive advantages of SCHJs in charge transport properties, should accelerate the application of organic single crystals for high‐performance photovoltaics.
Strong Nonlinear Optical Response in the Visible Spectral Range with Epsilon‐Near‐Zero Organic Thin Films
Authors: Lee Yeon Ui , Garoni Eleonora , Kita Hanayo , Kamada Kenji , Woo Byung Hoon , Jun Young Chul , Chae Sang Min , Kim Hyo Jung , Lee Kwang Jin , Yoon Seokhyun , Choi Eunyoung , Mathevet Fabrice , Ozerov Igor , Ribierre Jean Charles , Wu Jeong Weon , D'Aléo Anthony
Published: May 2018

Enhanced Kerr nonlinearities are observed in metamaterials such as conducting oxides and doped inorganic semiconductor thin films showing epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) response in the infrared region. However, to achieve ENZ in the visible, artificial metamaterials with more complex nanostructures have to be specifically designed. Here, using sodium [5,6‐dichloro‐2‐[[5,6‐dichloro‐1‐ethyl‐3‐(4‐sulphobutyl)‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene]‐propenyl]‐1‐ethyl‐3‐(4‐sulphobutyl)‐benzimidazolium hydroxide] and [2,4‐bis[8‐hydroxy‐1,1,7,7‐tetramethyljulolidin‐9‐yl]squaraine] organic thin films, ENZ responses between 450 and 620 nm are demonstrated. Both nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient are enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude in the ENZ spectral region. These optical effects in the visible spectral range come from the strongly dispersive permittivity of molecular aggregates resulting from the coupling of excitonic transition dipoles. These findings open the path toward a next generation of high‐performance solution‐processable organic nonlinear optical materials with ENZ properties that can be tuned by molecular engineering.
Copper‐Catalyzed Radical Sulfonylation of N‐Propargylindoles with Concomitant 1,2‐Aryl Migration
Authors: Zhu Xin‐Yu , Han Ya‐Ping , Li Ming , Li Xue‐Song , Liang Yong‐Min
Published: May 2018

A novel copper‐catalyzed cascade radical sulfonylation of N‐propargyl‐substituted indoles with concomitant 1,2‐aryl migration was described. The protocol, which has good functional‐group tolerance, provides practical, versatile and atom‐economical method of accessing a new class of fascinating 2‐sulfonated pyrrolo[1,2‐α]indole derivatives in moderate to good yields through the formation of the new C−S, C−C and C=O bonds in a one‐step.

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Measuring digit lengths with 3D digital stereophotogrammetry: A comparison across methods
Authors: Gremba Allison , Weinberg Seth M.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

We compared digital 3D stereophotogrammetry to more traditional measurement methods (direct anthropometry and 2D scanning) to capture digit lengths and ratios.

Methods

The length of the second and fourth digits was measured by each method and the second‐to‐fourth ratio was calculated. For each digit measurement, intraobserver agreement was calculated for each of the three collection methods. Further, measurements from the three methods were compared directly to one another. Agreement statistics included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and technical error of measurement (TEM).

Results

Intraobserver agreement statistics for the digit length measurements were high for all three methods; ICC values exceeded 0.97 and TEM values were below 1 mm. For digit ratio, intraobserver agreement was also acceptable for all methods, with direct anthropometry exhibiting lower agreement (ICC = 0.87) compared to indirect methods. For the comparison across methods, the overall agreement was high for digit length measurements (ICC values ranging from 0.93 to 0.98; TEM values below 2 mm). For digit ratios, high agreement was observed between the two indirect methods (ICC = 0.93), whereas indirect methods showed lower agreement when compared to direct anthropometry (ICC < 0.75).

Conclusions

Digit measurements and derived ratios from 3D stereophotogrammetry showed high intraobserver agreement (similar to more traditional methods) suggesting that landmarks could be placed reliably on 3D hand surface images. While digit length measurements were found to be comparable across all three methods, ratios derived from direct anthropometry tended to be higher than those calculated indirectly from 2D or 3D images.
Mitochondrial lineage A2ah found in a pre‐Hispanic individual from the Andean region
Authors: Russo M. G. , Dejean C. B. , Avena S. A. , Seldes V. , Ramundo P.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of pre‐Hispanic Andean mitochondrial diversity by analyzing an individual from the archaeological site Pukara de La Cueva (North‐western Argentina). The date of the discovery context (540 ± 60 BP) corresponds to the Regional Developments II period.

Methods

Two separate DNA extractions were performed from dentin powder of one tooth. HVR I was amplified by PCR from each extract in three overlapping fragments and the haplotype was determined by consensus among all obtained sequences. The procedures were carried out under strict protocols developed for working with ancient DNA.

Results

The individual belonged to the A2ah lineage due to the presence of the 16097C and 16098G transitions, which constitute its distinctive motif. This lineage is very rare in Native American populations and was described in four individuals from current groups inhabiting the Bolivian Llanos, two from South‐eastern Brazil, and one from the Gran Chaco region. In addition, two other mutations (16260T and 16286T) were shared with one of the individuals from the Bolivian Llanos region.

Conclusions

Considering that the origin of this lineage was postulated for the South American lowlands, the present pre‐Hispanic discovery in the Andean area could be taken as a new evidence of gene flow between these regions. Also, it allows the questioning of the geographical origin of this mitochondrial lineage.
Dose‐response relationships between internally‐deposited uranium and select health outcomes in gaseous diffusion plant workers, 1948‐2011
Authors: Yiin James H. , Anderson Jeri L. , Bertke Stephen J. , Tollerud David J.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To examine dose‐response relationships between internal uranium exposures and select outcomes among a cohort of uranium enrichment workers.

Methods

Cox regression was conducted to examine associations between selected health outcomes and cumulative internal uranium with consideration for external ionizing radiation, work‐related medical X‐rays and contaminant radionuclides technetium (99Tc) and plutonium (239Pu) as potential confounders.

Results

Elevated and monotonically increasing mortality risks were observed for kidney cancer, chronic renal diseases, and multiple myeloma, and the association with internal uranium absorbed organ dose was statistically significant for multiple myeloma. Adjustment for potential confounders had minimal impact on the risk estimates.

Conclusion

Kidney cancer, chronic renal disease, and multiple myeloma mortality risks were elevated with increasing internal uranium absorbed organ dose. The findings add to evidence of an association between internal exposure to uranium and cancer. Future investigation includes a study of cancer incidence in this cohort.
Palladium‐Titanium Relay Catalysis Enables Switch from Alkoxide‐π‐Allyl to Dienolate Reactivity for Spiro‐Heterocycle Synthesis
Authors: Yang Li‐Cheng , Tan Zher Yin , Rong Zi‐Qiang , Liu Ruoyang , Wang Ya‐Nong , Zhao Yu
Published: May 2018

Reported herein is the divergent syntheses of [5,5] and [6,5] spiro‐heterocycles under Lewis‐acid‐assisted palladium catalysis. In particular, an unprecedented switch from alkoxide‐π‐allyl to dienolate reactivity was achieved by the use of palladium‐titanium relay catalysis, and represents umpolung reactivity of vinylethylene carbonates. This method uses a simple procedure and commercially available catalysts, and delivers both classes of spiro‐heterocycles, bearing three contiguous stereocenters, in high yield and uniformly excellent diastereoselectivity.
Rapid Electrochemical Assessment of Tumor Suppressor Gene Methylations in Raw Human Serum and Tumor Cells and Tissues Using Immunomagnetic Beads and Selective DNA Hybridization
Authors: Povedano Eloy , Valverde Alejandro , Montiel Víctor Ruiz‐Valdepeñas , Pedrero María , Yáñez‐Sedeño Paloma , Barderas Rodrigo , San Segundo‐Acosta Pablo , Peláez‐García Alberto , Mendiola Marta , Hardisson David , Campuzano Susana , Pingarrón José M.
Published: May 2018

We report a rapid and sensitive electrochemical strategy for the detection of gene‐specific 5‐methylcytosine DNA methylation. Magnetic beads (MBs) modified with an antibody for 5‐methylcytosines (5‐mC) are used for the capture of any 5‐mC methylated single‐stranded (ss)DNA sequence. A flanking region next to the 5‐mCs of the captured methylated ssDNA is recognized by hybridization with a synthetic biotinylated DNA sequence. Amperometric transduction at disposable screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) is employed. The developed biosensor has a dynamic range from 3.9 to 500 pm and a limit of detection of 1.2 pm for the methylated synthetic sequence of the tumor suppressor gene O‐6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter region. The method is applied in the 45‐min analysis of specific methylation in the MGMT promoter region directly in raw spiked human serum samples and in genomic DNA extracted from U‐87 glioblastoma cells and paraffin‐embedded brain tumor tissues without any amplification and pretreatment step.
Carotenoids extracts as natural colorants in poly(lactic acid) films
Authors: Stoll Liana , Rech Rosane , Flôres Simone Hickmann , Nachtigall Sonia Marli Bohrz , de Oliveira Rios Alessandro
Published: May 2018

The use of vivid packaging colors is a strategy to attract consumers' attention and interest. In this context, the awareness of harmful effects caused by the use of synthetic colorants has led to an increasing interest in naturally derived alternatives. The use of carotenoids as colorants for polymeric materials represents an environmentally friendly way of obtaining colored packaging. The incorporation of carotenoids extracts rich in bixin, lycopene, and β‐carotene into poly(lactic acid) films was evaluated, where the presence of carotenoids (100 μg/g) reduced oxygen permeability and presented a lubricant effect, increasing films elasticity up to 50%. No effect on films crystallinity was observed. Carotenoids reduced films transparency and bixin was the most stable carotenoid at dark and light conditions. The color stability of films, evaluated through kinetic parameters of color degradation, presented Chroma half‐life times (40 °C/light) of 111, 51, and 5 days for bixin, lycopene, and β‐carotene, respectively. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46585.