bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measured With Orbscan and Pentacam
Authors: Rosa Nicola , Lanza Michele , Borrelli Maria , Polito Biagio , Filosa Maria Luisa , De Bernardo Maddalena
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare central corneal thickness measurements obtained with Orbscan Il using the acoustic equivalent correction factor (CF) and Pentacam in eyes screened for refractive surgery.

METHODS: Central corneal thickness in 91 eyes of 51 volunteers with a spherical equivalent refraction ranging from -17.00 to +5.50 diopters (D) (mean: -3. 75 ±4. 19 D) was measured with both Orbscan Il (CF) and Pentacam prior to refractive surgery.

RESULTS: Central corneal thickness measurements ranged from 438 to 610 µm with Orbscan Il (CF) and from 472 to 634 µm with Pentacam. The differences between Pentacam and Orbscan Il (CF) measurements ranged from -43 to +52 µm(mean: -13.98?14.79µm); these differences were statistically significant (P<.0001). No correlation was found between the difference in central corneal thickness and refractive error.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest measurements obtained with the Orbscan Il (CF) are thinner than those obtained with the Pentacam. Further studies are needed to determine which instrument is more accurate in measuring central corneal thickness. [J Refract Surg. 2007;23:895-899.]
Bilateral Keratectasia After Photorefractive Keratectomy
Authors: Navas Alejandro , Ariza Enrique , Haber Alberto , Fermón Salomón , Velázquez Roberto , Suárez Raül
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features, management, and outcome of a patient who developed bilateral ectasia after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

METHODS: Case report of a 35-year-old man who underwent bilateral PRK. Preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/200 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. The patient's history was unremarkable and he denied a family history of ocular disorders.

RESULTS: Two weeks after surgery, the patient presented with loss of visual acuity in both eyes. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/80 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye. Objective refraction could not be obtained. Slit-lamp microscopy showed corneal thinning in both eyes. After examining the patient's family, his sister was found to have clinical and topographic keratoconus.

CONCLUSIONS: Ectasia is a rare complication of PRK. We report the occurrence of bilateral ectasia after PRK in a patient with asymmetric bowtie topographies. We recommend that refractive surgery, even surface techniques such as PRK, be avoided in patients with a family history of keratoconus. [J Refract Surg. 2007;23:941-943.]
On-eye Performance of Custom Wavefront-guided Soft Contact Lenses in a Habitual Soft Lens-wearing Keratoconic Patient
Authors: Marsack Jason D , Parker Katrina E , Niu Yafei , Pesudovs Konrad , Applegate Raymond A
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess visual, optical, and fitting characteristics for wavefront-guided soft contact lenses produced for one habitual soft lens-wearing moderate keratoconic eye.

METHODS: A process for production and evaluation of custom wavefront-guided soft contact lenses was developed. Wavefront aberrations were quantified with the COAS-HD wavefront sensor (Wavefront Sciences); soft contact lenses containing both high and low order aberrations were designed with custom software and produced using an ophthalmic lens lathe. Photopic high and low contrast logMAR visual acuity were recorded with the lens in place over an artificial 5-mm pupil and residual 2nd to 10th order root-mean-square (RMS) aberrations were analyzed overa 5-mm pupil. Comparisons were made to the eye's habitual to rie soft contact lens using t tests.

RESULTS: Photopic high contrast values for habitual and final custom contact lenses for a 5-mm pupil were 0.07?0.06 and -0.08?0.05, respectively. Photopic low contrast values were 0.73?0.06 and 0.62?0.07, respectively. Habitual and final custom correction low order RMS over a 5-mm pupil were 2.08 and 0.34 ???, and high order RMS levels were 0.77 and 0.39 ??t?, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The final custom contact lens showed 1.5 lines of improvement for photopic high contrast (P=. 03) and 1 line for photopic low contrast (P=. 11) over a 5-mm pupil compared to habitual correction. Low and high order aberrations were reduced by 84% and 50% over a 5-mm pupil, respectively. Further improvements in performance of custom lenses may be achieved with further wavefront iterations. [J Refract Surg. 2007;23:960-964.]
Objective Assessment of the Quality of Vision Before and After Repositioning of a Dislocated Iris-fixated Aphakic Anterior Chamber Lens
Authors: Gatinel Damien , Hoang-Xuan Thanh
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To document severe visual symptoms due to the dislocation of an iris-fixated aphakic anterior chamber lens using wavefront aberrometry.

METHODS: A patient complaining of severe visual blur and distortion due to a decentered Artisan iris-fixated anterior chamber lens was evaluated pre- and postoperatively after recentration. The patient underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation including the measurement of corneal topography and wavefront aberrations using the NIDEK OPD-Scan. OPD Station software was used to correlate and simulate the patient's symptoms.

RESULTS: After the repositioning procedure, the visual symptoms resolved, and high magnitudes of tilt (7.536 µm) and high order aberrations (5.129 µm) were dramatically reduced by simple lens repositioning (4.40-mm pupil). The cylinder magnitude was reduced from 6.25 to 0.75 diopters.

CONCLUSIONS: These are the first diagnostic images of this kind in a highly aberrated eye with iris-fixated anterior chamber lens dislocation. The images documented the optical effect and visual consequences of IOL decentration and subsequent recentration. [J Refract Surg. 2007;23:S1005-S1010.]
Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Cheng Lung-Feng , Tseng Shih-Che , Yu Chia-Cheng , Lin Jen-Tai , Tsai Jeng-Yu , Chen I-Hsuan , Chen Yin-Shen
Published: January 2019

Objective:

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumors arising from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or extra-adrenal paraganglia. There is no large-scale study in Taiwan at present. Our retrospective analysis was focused on clinical characteristics of Taiwanese patients with pheochromocytoma.

Method:

We retrospectively reviewed 48 patients who were pathologically proved as pheochromocytoma at the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital between Jan. 1990 and Jan. 2014. Parameters including patient and tumor characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment and long-term followup results were collected from the medical records. Metastasis was confirmed by pathologic proof using surgical removal or percutaneous biopsy.

Result:

Thirty-one patients (64.5%) had adrenal and 17 (35.4%) had extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma. The locations of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma included the retroperitoneum in 6 patients (35%), head and neck in 4 (23%), scrotum in 2 (12%), urinary bladder in 2 patients (12%), multiple organs in 2 (12%), and mediastinum in 1 (6%). The most common symptom was sustained hypertension (52%). Five patients were diagnosed as malignant pheochromocytoma due to pathologically proved metastasis.

Conclusion:

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuro-endocrine tumors with a highly variable clinical presentation. Prompt surgical removal of pheochromocytoma ensures a better prognosis. Radical surgical removal of tumor with vigorous control of blood pressure is the mainstay to improve symptoms and survival for malignant pheochromocytoma. Multi-center and large-scale studies were warranted and Lifelong followup is strongly recommended for all patients with pheochromocytoma.
VO2max is uncorrelated with the PRKAA2 gene methylation, but influences the glucose-insulin correlation
Authors: Vulczak Anderson , Queiroga Marcos R. , Carraro Emerson , Wang Lin-Hui T. , Lima Paula H.O. , Santos Jéssica C. Dos , Pereira-Da-Silva Gabriela , Hirata Mario H. , Romano Marco A.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Cardiovascular fitness (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]) is linked with health indicators and the α2 subunit of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPKα2), encoded by the PRKAA2 gene, is an important metabolic sensor and can mediate part of exercise effect. It has been proposed that changes in the metabolic process bound with exercise might occur through epigenetic regulations. However, how VO2max can influence the epigenetic mechanism and consequently health is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the PRKAA2 gene methylation profile and its relation to metabolic variables in normoglycemic monozygotic twins discordant for VO2max.

Methods

Nine pairs of monozygotic twins were studied, with the intra-pair VO2max difference >10 ml • kg–1 • min–1. An oral glucose tolerance test was used, and blood samples were collected for biochemical and DNA methylation analyses.

Results

No DNA methylation differences were observed between the groups. The low-cardiorespiratory-fitness group demonstrated a positive correlation between the methylation profile and low-density lipoprotein (CpG1, r = 0.714) and total cholesterol (CpG1, r = 0.723; CpG3, r = 0.678). Only the high-cardiorespiratory-fitness group showed correlations between glucose and insulin variables.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a link between high cardiorespiratory fitness and glucose-insulin correlation. The results provide important insights for future studies about the mechanisms through which VO2max can influence glucose metabolism.
One Small World: On Writing Independent History
Authors: Castrique Sue
Published: January 2019

One Small World: the history of the Addison Road Community Centre was independently written and funded through a series of grants. While conceived as a history of place, it is also a history of the organisation that presently occupies the site, the Addison Road Community Centre (ARCCO). The Centre has had an ambivalent relationship to its past. After 60 years as an army depot, in 1976 it became a community centre. The strict discipline of the army was replaced by a very different ethos and political outlook; in fact, its antithesis. As a consequence, the Centre had an uneasy relationship to the history of the site, particularly its army past, which was underappreciated and little valued. ARCCO has recently re-engaged with its public history, but in the process it veered off into mythology. The paper explores the ANZAAC Centenary celebration at Addison Road of horses in war in 2015, and the part funding played in creating myth rather than history. It then considers the role of the Department of Urban and Regional Development in the creation of the Centre in 1975-76 and ARCCO’s attachment to its story of radical origins.

KEYWORDSAddison Road Community Centre; Department of Urban and Regional Development; ANZAC Centenary; army; Marrickville; multiculturalism
Application of a physical science model in the analysis of patient flow in a hospital
Authors: Silva Sinval Lins , Figueiredo Jose M.A.
Published: January 2019

One of the most relevant aspects in hospital management relies on how to properly control and predict the patient flow, that is, the paths and the time sequence a whole set of patients run in their journey inside the hospital, as they look for treatment. This issue is of the utmost importance since it interferes in the quality of the healthcare delivered to a person and also has a huge impact on both the costs for the patient and the operational costs for the hospital. This work intends to collaborate with the comprehension of the patient flow analysis and to offer a mathematical model analogous to a physical model capable of, qualitatively at first sight, describing the main variables and properties of this flow. We also present the logical elements that allow the manager to develop quantitative flow evaluations adaptable to a specific institution, based on local measurements of the variables described here. This theoretical formulation can directly be applied to practical situations concerning the management of patient flow. The relevant variables and their mathematical relations can be used by the manager in order to quantify each relevant patient circuit in a hospital. This way, it is expected that recurring problems derived from the unwanted variations in the patient flow can be anticipated and corrected by the manager.
A Study on the Pragmatic Value of Interpersonal Metaphor in Literary Works — A Case Study of Tess of the D 'Urbervilles
Authors: Wang Tingting , Duan Cheng
Published: January 2019

Grammatical metaphor refers to depicting the same scenes or things in the objective world with different forms of expression. It mainly includes two parts: interpersonal metaphor and ideational metaphor. Interpersonal metaphor is divided into metaphors of mood and metaphors of modality. Metaphors of mood are the transfer from one modal domain to another. The metaphors of modality change from implicit to explicit and reflect in the form of proposition. Language not only has the function of expressing the speaker's personal experience and inner activity, but also can express the speaker's identity, attitude, motivation and his/her inference, judgment and evaluation of things. Therefore, based on the frequency of the use of interpersonal metaphor, the reader can accurately grasp the information exchanged by the speakers. This paper applies interpersonal metaphor to analyze the discourses of the main characters in Tess of the D'Urbervilles by using declarative which is used as command as well as question; interrogative, which is used as command as well as statement, etc. in metaphors of mood and using the subjective explicit as well as objective explicit in metaphors of modality. Through the different expressions of the character discourse, speech function embodied in the discourse is interpreted to help the reader understand the theme of the text more easily, thereby revealing the pragmatic value of interpersonal metaphor in the analysis of literary works.
Rendering ECR in Subtitles: A Case Study of the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Films
Authors: Deng Gaosheng
Published: January 2019

The traditional Chinese martial arts film is a special type of mass media which reflects the Chinese culture, and it comes into vogue due to the popularity of martial arts fiction. For foreign audiences, watching the traditional Chinese martial arts film, they rely heavily on subtitles to understand the plot and the specific Chinese culture. However, it is not easy to produce readable subtitles. Jan Pedersen, defines the specific cultural terms as “Extralinguistic Cultural References (ECR)”, and puts forward a systematic theory. In this paper, the theory of Pedersen is been used to render ECRs in subtitles of the traditional Chinese martial arts films. The purpose of this paper is to attract people’s attention to the studies of translation of ECRs of subtitles, and to contribute a small effort to the “going out” initiative of Chinese culture.
Where does the New Silk Road lead to?
Authors: Sobiecki Roman
Published: January 2019

The New Silk Road is a Chinese project of a new trade route connecting Asia with Europe.The scale and costs of this infrastructural investment arouse admiration, but at the same time also anxiety related to the economic expansion of China and its effects on the political sphere. The essay is the voice in the currently ongoing discussion on this matter.
Globalization, growth, and the transport industry: the case of Asia
Authors: Chrzanowski Ignacy
Published: January 2019

Artykuł poświęcony jest sektorowi transportowemu krajów azjatyckich i jego związkom z rozwojem gospodarczym. Szczególną uwagę autor zwraca na transport morski, który jest podstawową formą przewozów w handlu międzynarodowym z tego regionu. Ponadto, wy-sokie tempo rozwoju gospodarczego Chin, Indii oraz innych gospodarek azjatyckich sprzyja wzrostowi ich konsumpcji wewnętrznej. Wzrost zamożności społeczeństw przyczyni się z kolei do rozwoju sektora transportowego w tych krajach
Empowerment – strengthening the position of an employee in the organisation
Authors: Kulikowski Konrad
Published: January 2019

This article presents a comprehensive model of application of employees’ attitudes and opinion surveys in the process of empowerment – strengthening the position of the employees in the organisation. The proposed 10-step model integrates contemporary psychological knowledge of job demands and resources with knowledge of employees’ empowerment. The model structures the process of employees’ attitudes and opinion research, setting out clear objectives in this process, and outlines possible ways of achieving these objectives. As such, the presented model may provide a roadmap, useful for all managers interested in strengthening the position of the employees in the organisation.
Unconventional business strategies
in the implementation of new technologies
Authors: Cieślik Jerzy
Published: January 2019

In the innovation rankings, Poland scores low, and the results of research indicate that the weakest link in this field are the companies. For the companies catching up with the world’s best, the possibility to obtain specific benefits from the relative underdevelopment as a result of application of intelligent techniques and strategies is particularly important. They allow for the achievement of satisfactory results at a reasonable cost and limited risk. The article discuses selected strategies of the companies concerning implementation of the advanced technologies, which may be an alternative to the risky and capitalintensive strategy of technological leadership. They are defined as “intelligent”, because they aim at reducing the costs and risks incurred, and at the same time, they make use of the advantages resulting from the delayed integration with the global technological race. Such “resourceful strategies” include: strategy of innovation of “technological spatter hunters” and cooperative technological internationalization.
Behavioural approach to defining corporate objectives
Authors: Błach Joanna , Gorczyńska Maria
Published: January 2019

The main aim of this paper is to present the behavioural decision-making model as an alternative to the neoclassical approach to defining corporate objectives. Elementary stag-es of the behavioural decision-making process are presented with regard to the interests of various stakeholders. The analysis of the practical solutions revealed that the majority of the analysed companies emphasize a behavioural approach to defining objectives, while using a neoclassical approach. In this way the contents of the defined objectives become complementary. It was also found that limited interest in a behavioural model of deci-sion-making may result from the unclear principles regarding the determination of aspira-tion levels and the difficulty in assessing the performance of a company.
Sources of origin of operating cash flows
in Polish listed companies
Authors: Mioduchowska-Jaroszewicz Edyta
Published: January 2019

The aim of the article was to conduct a research on the origin of operating cash flows in Polish listed companies. The main objective of the article was to investigate the level of depreciation and its use in the operating cash flows of companies operating on the Polish capital market. The first was to examine and analyse that depreciation is the main source of the cash flow from businesses. The second hypothesis was a complement to the first hypothesis and concerned the examination of whether 100% of the depreciation was transferred to the investment expenditure. The results of the study presented in the article on depreciation in operating cash flows as the main source of operating cash have been positively confirmed. The average depreciation level ranges from 31% to 47%. The rela-tionship between investment expenditures and depreciation was also examined. Research shows that depreciation is wholly attributable to investment expenditures related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, or its value exceeds expenditure. This situation positively confirms the second research hypothesis that depre-ciation is used as investment expenditure.
How to manage the risk of the emergence
of late payments
Authors: Rogowski Waldemar , Żaczkiewicz Krzysztof
Published: January 2019

Late payments and payment backlogs are one of the most important threats to the effi-cient functioning of an enterprise and its stable development. The article discusses two main groups of tools which are a real help to entrepre-neurs. The first is a group of tools reducing the risk of receiving a payment from a business partner late. The second, are tools allowing to minimise negative consequences of late payments on the part of a business partner, including such deterioration of its financial situation, which led to opening of restructuring procedures, and in the extreme case to dec-laration of bankruptcy. The Authors distinguish also a third category: tools designed to increase the likelihood of timely payment by a business parter or shortening the period of a delay in the case of payment after the established deadline.
Science and technology park management models
Authors: Sosnowska Alicja , Łobejko Stanisław
Published: January 2019

The article presents four models of science and technology park management, built on the basis of the results of the analysis of 15 selected parks in the world. It discusses the basic functions of the park, advantages and disadvantages of each of the models, indicating also the possibilities of their further development. It has also been related to the Polish conditions, which proved that two models are most suitable for Poland: corporate and network. The corporate model, based on an active cooperation of a technical university with public and private entities, in the opinion of the Authors, is the most appropriate to be applied in the case of science and technology parks created near technical universities. An alternative solution to the corporate one is a network model, allowing for creation of sci-ence and technology parks with scattered spatial structure.
Is a public university an enterprise?
Authors: Sobiecki Roman
Published: January 2019

The essay is a voice in the discussion about the activities of public universities in the context of the new Law on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018. Due to the unique character of this institution, the author thinks that the answer is not simple. However, the most important thing is that universities should retain priority in realizing the public goals for which they were established.
Restructuring support for enterprises by banks and guarantee funds
Authors: Masiukiewicz Piotr
Published: January 2019

For efficient recovery of an enterprise in crisis good regulations and financial leverage are necessary. Enterprises and banks in Poland received new efficient law and financial instruments for restructuration in the Restructuring Law. In the future, the priority will be the recovery of enterprises. Banks and saving and loan associations and guarantee funds may play an important role in the recovery processes for enterprises in crisis. The article presents the functions and instruments of banks, including the application of mezzanine capital. Without the provision of “survival capital” by banks or associations, in many situations the restructuring will not be possible. The way in which enterprises see the contemporary support of the banks for restructuration processes is presented in the study conducted under the leadership of the author. In the last years, though, barriers to restructuration existed, e.g. in banks they include risk regulations, capital adequacy and banking tax.
Chinese Belt and Road Initiative: parameters for Poland’s strategy
Authors: Hübner Wojciech , Rybicka Magdalena , Wieszczycka Wioletta
Published: January 2019

The Belt and Road Initiative is a key project for Chinese foreign policy, using integration processes taking place in the global economy. The purpose of the article is an attempt to answer the question: would Poland be able to play a more significant role in the strategically important for China Central and Eastern Europe? According to the authors, the strategy requires parallel actions on many fronts: care for the quality of the Polish-Chinese relations is important due to the growing role of China in the global economy, but Poland should not break political and economic ties with traditional partners. The EU is a key economic partner for Poland, with the leading role of the German economy. However, it should skillfully use foreign investments that can serve to strengthen and deepen links with the economy worldwide, and not just with the nearest neighbors. Poland seems a natural place to create, among others, central transshipment hub (Central Communication Port) for this part of Europe.
The power market and the energy market
Authors: Kotlewski Dariusz Cezary
Published: January 2019

In Poland, an attempt was made to implement a dual-energy market, consisting of the electricity and power market, with the consent of the European Commission. Introduction such a dual-energy market brings potential benefits to economic growth. However, it can cause asymmetries in relations with foreign countries, especially in a situation where neighboring countries do not introduce such a market. The inspiration for the discussion on this subject is the book by Dorota Niedziółka, The functioning of the Polish energy market, Difin, Warsaw 2018. According to the author of the article, this book provides a lot of very valuable information about the energy market in Poland, with the chapter devoted to the electricity market standing out particularly positively compared to other chapters.
Wyznaczniki agresywnej strategii radzenia sobie dorastającej młodzieży w sytuacji konfliktu społecznego
Authors: Borecka-Biernat Danuta
Published: January 2019

Celem badań było poszukiwanie osobowościowych i rodzinnych predykatorów strategii agresywnego radzenia sobie dorastającej młodzieży w sytuacji konfliktu społecznego. W badaniach posłużono się Kwestionariuszem do badania strategii radzenia sobie młodzieży w sytuacji konfliktu społecznego (KSMK) Danuty Boreckiej-Biernat, Kwestionariuszem do Badania Poczucia Kontroli (KBPK) Grażyny Krasowicz i Anny Kurzyp-Wojnarskiej, Kwestionariuszem Oceny Stresu (KOS) Doroty Włodarczyk, Kazimierza Wrześniewskiego i Skalą Postaw Rodzicielskich (SPR) Mieczysława Plopy. Badania przeprowadzono w szkołach gimnazjalnych. Objęły one 893 adolescentów (468 dziewczynek i 425 chłopców) w wieku 13–15 lat. W świetle uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono, że silne przekonanie o wpływie innych na pozytywne i negatywne skutki zdarzeń oraz ocena sytuacji konfliktu jako zagrożenie współwystępują z strategią agresywnego radzenia sobie młodzieży w sytuacji konfliktu społecznego. Analiza wyników badań ujawniła, że agresywny sposób reagowania młodzieży na napięcie emocjonalne, powstający w sytuacji konfliktu społecznego, kształtuje niewłaściwa postawa wychowawcza, charakteryzująca się uczuciowym dystansem rodzica w stosunku do dorastającego dziecka.
Dręczenie rówieśnicze jako przedmiot analiz nastolatków. Perspektywa uczniów identyfikowanych przez rówieśników jako sprawcy przemocy, ofiary i uczniowie prospołeczni
Authors: Tłuściak-Deliowska Aleksandra
Published: January 2019

W artykule zaprezentowano fragment materiału empirycznego zgromadzonego w ramach realizacji projektu badawczego, którego celem było poznanie postrzegania i rozumienia problemu dręczenia rówieśniczego z perspektywy uczniów. Oprócz tego w projekcie założono eksplorację społecznego kontekstu klasy szkolnej, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem zróżnicowania ról uczniów w klasie oraz ich pozycji (statusu) w grupie rówieśniczej. Badania przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem różnych metod i technik strategii ilościowej i jakościowej. W artykule przedstawiono fragment materiału z dwóch klas szkoły gimnazjalnej. Zaprezentowano charakterystykę struktury społecznej analizowanych klas oraz dokonano analizy wywiadów fokusowych przeprowadzonych w trzech grupach uczniów, którzy na podstawie nominacji rówieśników zostali zidentyfikowani jako sprawcy, ofiary oraz uczniowie prospołeczni. Rozpatrywano sposób rozumienia przez młodzież różnych zachowań składających się na dręczenie rówieśnicze, zachowania świadków i ich uwarunkowania, identyfikację z różnymi rolami uczestników dręczenia oraz możliwe strategie rozwiązania przedstawionych problemów. Zaprezentowane w artykule wyniki dokumentują specyfikę, ale także, pomimo wielu podobieństw, odmienność perspektywy uczniów różniących się między sobą rolami w grupie rówieśniczej i statusem socjometrycznym.
Impact of partial substitution of NaCl by KCl, and MgCl2 on physicochemical and sensory properties of cooked sausages during storage
Authors: Jin Sang-Keun , Hur Sun-Jin , Yim Dong-Gyun
Published: January 2019

Objective: To determine the effect of three salting treatments (control, 100% NaCl; T1, 60% NaCl and 40% KCl; T2, 50% NaCl, 40% KCl, and 10% MgCl2) on meat quality of sausages during storage.Methods: Various types of curing salts were used for processing of salamis. Physico-chemical and sensory evaluation of the sausages were analyzed during 4 weeks of ripening.Results: The pH values and salinity contents were the highest in control, while they were the lowest in T2 at 4 weeks (p<0.05). Control and T1 had less thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than T2 at 2 weeks (p<0.05). The volatile basic nitrogen levels in T1 were similar to control and lower than T2 at 2 and 4 weeks (p<0.05). Moreover, T1 samples were redder and had a higher saturation index (C*) value when compared to the others. T2 showed greater hardness, gumminess and chewiness when compared with the control (p<0.05). Control was comparable to T1 for sensory attributes.Conclusion: Sodium chloride may be partially substituted with potassium chloride without negatively influencing meat quality of sausages up to 4 weeks of storage. These results could help to develop low-sodium sausages.
El Brasil en la Barcelona de postguerra
Authors: Cerdà Subirachs Jordi
Published: January 2019

L’article pretén presentar la recepció de la poesia brasilera en el context català de la primera postguerra. Les autoritats franquistes van propiciar un nou marc de relacions culturals amb el continent americà i, concretament, amb el Brasil. L’emergència política i econòmica d’aquest país durant aquest període el va convertir també en un pol atractiu per a molts catalans. Si bé ha estat prou reconeguda la figura de João Cabral de Melo com a mitjancer cultural, cal situar-lo en un context molt més dinàmic i participat per altres agents com Raul Bopp, Alfonso Pintó o Rafael Santos Torroella. El combat polític i estètic del poeta brasiler per assolir un espai propi, singularitzat respecte a la seva pròpia tradició, convertirà Barcelona i la cultura catalana en un dels seus principals camps de maniobra. En aquest treball s’editen dues cartes de Cabral de Melo a Joan Brossa, en què es fa explícita la voluntat interventora del poeta brasiler en la cultura catalana del moment.
La censura teatral a Espanya durant el franquisme. El cas de la traducció de La gata sobre el tejado de zinc, de Tennessee Williams
Authors: Vilaró Berdusan Jordi
Published: January 2019

Aquest article té com a objectiu oferir una panoràmica general del desenvolupament i l’evolució de la censura teatral a Espanya durant el franquisme: s’hi expliquen els mecanismes, els criteris i els procediments que utilitzaven a l’hora de censurar un text teatral les diferents institucions franquistes creades ad hoc amb l’objectiu de controlar tota expressió artística hostil a les idees del règim. També s’hi examina un exemple de censura teatral aplicada a la traducció d’un text de teatre estranger: La gata sobre el tejado de zinc, de Tennessee Williams, traduïda al castellà per Antonio de Cabo.
Carme Molinero i Pere Ysàs. De la hegemonía a la autodestrucción. El Partido Comunista de España (1956–1982).
Authors: Ferrer González Cristian
Published: January 2019

Ressenya: Carme Molinero i Pere Ysàs. De la hegemonía a la autodestrucción. El Partido Comunista de España (1956–1982). Barcelona: Crítica, 2017, 509 p.
Synergy between RecBCD subunits is essential for efficient DNA unwinding
Authors: Zananiri Rani , Malik Omri , Rudnizky Sergei , Gaydar Vera , Kreiserman Roman , Henn Arnon , Kaplan Ariel
Published: January 2019

The subunits of the bacterial RecBCD act in coordination, rapidly and processively unwinding DNA at the site of a double strand break. RecBCD is able to displace DNA-binding proteins, suggesting that it generates high forces, but the specific role of each subunit in the force generation is unclear. Here, we present a novel optical tweezers assay that allows monitoring the activity of RecBCD’s individual subunits, when they are part of an intact full complex. We show that RecBCD and its subunits are able to generate forces up to 25–40 pN without a significant effect on their velocity. Moreover, the isolated RecD translocates fast but is a weak helicase with limited processivity. Experiments at a broad range of [ATP] and forces suggest that RecD unwinds DNA as a Brownian ratchet, rectified by ATP binding, and that the presence of the other subunits shifts the ratchet equilibrium towards the post-translocation state.
ATP-induced asymmetric pre-protein folding as a driver of protein translocation through the Sec machinery
Authors: Corey Robin A , Ahdash Zainab , Shah Anokhi , Pyle Euan , Allen William J , Fessl Tomas , Lovett Janet E , Politis Argyris , Collinson Ian
Published: January 2019

Transport of proteins across membranes is a fundamental process, achieved in every cell by the ‘Sec’ translocon. In prokaryotes, SecYEG associates with the motor ATPase SecA to carry out translocation for pre-protein secretion. Previously, we proposed a Brownian ratchet model for transport, whereby the free energy of ATP-turnover favours the directional diffusion of the polypeptide (Allen et al., 2016). Here, we show that ATP enhances this process by modulating secondary structure formation within the translocating protein. A combination of molecular simulation with hydrogendeuterium-exchange mass spectrometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal an asymmetry across the membrane: ATP-induced conformational changes in the cytosolic cavity promote unfolded pre-protein structure, while the exterior cavity favours its formation. This ability to exploit structure within a pre-protein is an unexplored area of protein transport, which may apply to other protein transporters, such as those of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.
Fabrication and Characterization of Nanoporous Gold Electrodes for Sensor Applications
Authors: Francis Nicholas J. , Knospe Carl R.
Published: January 2019

Nanoporous gold electrodes are fabricated by etching white gold leaf in nitric acid. Samples of various thickness and alloy composition are used and etch time is varied. Electrode pore structure is characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Significant coarsening of ligament and pore structure is observed as etching time is varied from 5 to 90 min. Nanoporous gold electrode impedance is determined via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Test cells are constructed for this purpose consisting of two electrodes and an electrolyte. Both water and dichloroethane are examined as electrolyte solvents. A constant phase element with exponent greater than 0.9 is shown to provide an excellent description of interface impedance behavior for these test cells. Optimization is used to determine pseudo‐capacitance and exponent in each case. A comparison of nanoporous gold electrode impedance to planar gold electrode impedance is made to derive the effective area of the nanoporous gold electrode. It is found in all cases that interfacial impedances are much lower (>40 ×) than those of conventional electrodes. Test results show that significant variations in effective area can occur depending on the electrolyte employed.
Alumina–Nickel Composite Processed via Co‐Assembly Using Freeze‐Casting and Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Huang Jiacheng , Rubink William S. , Lide Hunter , Scharf Thomas W. , Banerjee Rajarshi , Minary‐Jolandan Majid
Published: January 2019

A metal–ceramic composite comprised of ≈82 vol% alumina (Al2O3) and ≈18 vol% nickel (Ni) is fabricated via co‐assembly of alumina micro‐platelets with Ni particles using the freeze‐casting process followed by the spark plasma sintering (SPS). The SPS processing with a custom‐designed temperature‐pressure history result in formation of elongated Ni phase between the lamellar‐ceramic phase. Results of the mechanical characterization shows that inclusion of Ni improves the flexural strength of the composite by more than 47% compared to the lamellar ceramic. Additionally, the crack initiation (KIC) and crack growth toughness increase by 20% and 47%, respectively. The inclusion of softer Ni phase does not compromise the indentation modulus and indentation hardness of the composite compared to the pure ceramic.
Fabrication and Mechanical Cycling of Polymer Microscale Architectures for 3D MEMS Sensors
Authors: Humood Mohammad , Lefebvre Joseph , Shi Yan , Han Mengdi , Fincher Coleman D. , Pharr Matt , Rogers John A. , Polycarpou Andreas A.
Published: January 2019

Biology involves inherently complex three‐dimensional designs. In addition to the geometric complexity, thin and complex biostructures composed of membranes such as insects, wings, and plants leaves can achieve complex functionalities under vibrations, such as maneuverability and resistance to strong winds, respectively. They do so by changing the shape and curvature of their membranes and ribbons. Achieving such capabilities in advanced materials would have important implications for a wide range of applications, such as three‐dimensional (3D) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), sensors, and energy harvesting devices. Such applications experience cyclic deformation up to 20–30% length compression during operation. To this end, this paper investigates mechanical cycling of a number of microscale 3D polymer‐based kirigami architectures. The mechanical response of these structures revealed stable and resilient behavior equivalent to flexible natural systems upon cyclic compression up to 50% of their initial height. To understand crack formation and growth, in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) under extreme compression of 100% of their initial heights reveal internal stresses and permanent change in the curvature of the structures, resulting in the formation of cracks after 100 cycles. To enhance their fracture toughness, computational modeling, as an optimization tool is used to provide guidelines to eliminate crack growth.
Decoupling Theranostics with Rare Earth Doped Nanoparticles
Authors: Skripka Artiom , Karabanovas Vitalijus , Jarockyte Greta , Marin Riccardo , Tam Vivienne , Cerruti Marta , Rotomskis Ricardas , Vetrone Fiorenzo
Published: January 2019

Theranostic nanoagents targeted for personalized medicine provide a unified platform for therapeutics and diagnostics. To be able to discretely control each individually, allows for safer, more precise, and truly multifunctional theranostics. Rare earth doped nanoparticles can be rationally tailored to best match this condition with the aid of core/shell engineering. In such nanoparticles, the light‐mediated theranostic approach is functionally decoupled—therapeutics or diagnostics are prompted on‐demand, by wavelength‐specific excitation. These decoupled rare earth nanoparticles (dNPs) operate entirely under near‐infrared (NIR) excitation, for minimized light interference with the target and extended tissue depth action. Under heating‐free 806 nm irradiation, dNPs behave solely as high‐contrast NIR‐to‐NIR optical markers and nanothermometers, visualizing and probing the area of interest without prompting the therapeutic effect beforehand. On the contrary, 980 nm NIR irradiation is upconverted by the dNPs to UV/visible light, which triggers secondary photochemical processes, e.g., generation of reactive oxygen species by photosensitizers coupled to the dNPs, causing damage to cancer cells. Additionally, integration of NIR nanothermometry helps to control the temperature in the vicinity of the dNPs avoiding possible overheating and quenching of upconversion (UC) emission, harnessed for photodynamic therapy. Overall, a new direction is outlined in the development of state‐of‐the‐art rare earth based theranostic nanoplatforms.
Ultrahigh Energy‐Storage Density in Antiferroelectric Ceramics with Field‐Induced Multiphase Transitions
Authors: Wang Hongsheng , Liu Yucheng , Yang Tongqing , Zhang Shujun
Published: January 2019

The excellent energy‐storage performance of ceramic capacitors, such as high‐power density, fast discharge speed, and the ability to operate over a broad temperature range, gives rise to their wide applications in different energy‐storage devices. In this work, the (Pb0.98La0.02)(Zr0.55Sn0.45)0.995O3 (PLZS) antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics are prepared via a unique rolling machine approach. The field‐induced multiphase transitions are observed in polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis loops. All the PLZS AFE ceramics possess high energy‐storage densities and discharge efficiency (above 80%) with different sintering temperatures. Of particular significance is that an ultrahigh recoverable energy‐storage density of 10.4 J cm‐3 and a high discharge efficiency of 87% are achieved at 40 kV mm‐1 for PLZS ceramic with a thickness of 0.11 mm, sintered at 1175 °C, which are by far the highest values ever reported in bulk ceramics. Moreover, the corresponding ceramics exhibit a superior discharge current density of 1640 A cm‐2 and ultrafast discharge speed (75 ns discharge period). This great improvement in energy‐storage performance is expected to expand the practical applications of dielectric ceramics in numerous electronic devices.
Ohmic Contact in 2D Semiconductors via the Formation of a Benzyl Viologen Interlayer
Authors: Yue Dewu , Kim Changsik , Lee Kwang Young , Yoo Won Jong
Published: January 2019

The fabrication of a polymeric Ohmic contact interlayer between a metal and a 2D material using solution‐processed benzyl viologen (BV) is reported here. Predoping of the polymer alters the contact surface to obtain electron‐doped materials with ultrahigh work functions that significantly enhance the current density across the contact and reduce the contact resistance and Schottky barrier height. The fabrication of solution‐processed polymeric contacts for the preparation of high mobility MoS2, WSe2, MoTe2, and BP (black phosphorous) FETs with significantly lowered contact resistance is demonstrated. Ohmic contacts are achieved and produce 3‐, 700‐, 3000‐, and 17‐fold increases in electron mobilities, respectively, when the bottom gate voltage is 10 V compared to those respective materials alone. Ambipolar and p‐type 2D material based FETs could, therefore, be transformed into n‐type FETs. Most importantly, the devices exhibit excellent stability in both ambient and vacuum.
MoSx@NiO Composite Nanostructures: An Advanced Nonprecious Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Ibupoto Zafar Hussain , Tahira Aneela , Tang PengYi , Liu Xianjie , Morante Joan Ramon , Fahlman Mats , Arbiol Jordi , Vagin Mikhail , Vomiero Alberto
Published: January 2019

The design of the earth‐abundant, nonprecious, efficient, and stable electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media is a hot research topic in the field of renewable energies. A heterostructured system composed of MoSx deposited on NiO nanostructures (MoSx@NiO) as a robust catalyst for water splitting is proposed here. NiO nanosponges are applied as cocatalyst for MoS2 in alkaline media. Both NiO and MoS2@NiO composites are prepared by a hydrothermal method. The NiO nanostructures exhibit sponge‐like morphology and are completely covered by the sheet‐like MoS2. The NiO and MoS2 exhibit cubic and hexagonal phases, respectively. In the MoSx@NiO composite, the HER experiment in 1 m KOH electrolyte results in a low overpotential (406 mV) to produce 10 mA cm−2 current density. The Tafel slope for that case is 43 mV per decade, which is the lowest ever achieved for MoS2‐based electrocatalyst in alkaline media. The catalyst is highly stable for at least 13 h, with no decrease in the current density. This simple, cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly methodology can pave the way for exploitation of MoSx@NiO composite catalysts not only for water splitting, but also for other applications such as lithium ion batteries, and fuel cells.
Electrochemical Mechanism Investigation of Cu2MoS4 Hollow Nanospheres for Fast and Stable Sodium Ion Storage
Authors: Chen Jingwei , Mohrhusen Lars , Ali Ghulam , Li Shaohui , Chung Kyung Yoon , Al‐Shamery Katharina , Lee Pooi See
Published: January 2019

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are promising alternatives to lithium ion batteries with advantages of cost effectiveness. Metal sulfides as emerging SIB anodes have relatively high electronic conductivity and high theoretical capacity, however, large volume change during electrochemical testing often leads to unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. Herein bimetallic sulfide Cu2MoS4 (CMS) with layered crystal structures are prepared with glucose addition (CMS1), resulting in the formation of hollow nanospheres that endow large interlayer spacing, benefitting the rate performance and cycling stability. The electrochemical mechanisms of CMS1 are investigated using ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, revealing the conversion‐based mechanism in carbonate electrolyte and intercalation‐based mechanism in ether‐electrolyte, thus allowing fast and reversible Na+ storage. With further introduction of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), CMS1–rGO composites are obtained, maintaining the hollow structure of CMS1. CMS1–rGO delivers excellent rate performance (258 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and 131.9 mAh g−1 at 5000 mA g−1) and notably enhanced cycling stability (95.6% after 2000 cycles). A full cell SIB is assembled by coupling CMS1–rGO with Na3V2(PO4)3‐based cathode, delivering excellent cycling stability (75.5% after 500 cycles). The excellent rate performance and cycling stability emphasize the advantage of CMS1–rGO toward advanced SIB full cells assembly.
Structure–Relaxivity Relationships of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Zhou Zijian , Yang Lijiao , Gao Jinhao , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2019

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively explored as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. With the increasing complexity in the structure of modern MNPs, the classical Solomon–Bloembergen–Morgan and the outer‐sphere quantum mechanical theories established on simplistic models have encountered limitations for defining the emergent phenomena of relaxation enhancement in MRI. Recent progress in probing MRI relaxivity of MNPs based on structural features at the molecular and atomic scales is reviewed, namely, the structure–relaxivity relationships, including size, shape, crystal structure, surface modification, and assembled structure. A special emphasis is placed on bridging the gaps between classical simplistic models and modern MNPs with elegant structural complexity. In the pursuit of novel MRI contrast agents, it is hoped that this review will spur the critical thinking for design and engineering of novel MNPs for MRI applications across a broad spectrum of research fields.