bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canto Coral e Performance Vocal: formação inicial dirigida à educação básica
Authors: Marques Braga Simone
Published: July 2018

O canto coral torna-se uma possibilidade para o ensino de música escolar. Contudo, é oportuno questionar

se conteúdos em componentes que lidam com a voz cantada em cursos de licenciatura em música se relacionam

com o trabalho de um professor na escola. Com o objetivo de verificar essa relação, o artigo apresenta uma pesquisa

qualitativa onde foram entrevistados professores universitários, discentes egressos e analisadas performances vocais

dos cursos de licenciatura e de escolas. A base para a análise dos dados coletados foi a concepção de formação inicial

defendida por Pérez Gómez (1995). Como resultado, apesar da influência dos componentes na formação musical dos

professores, nota-se a falta de intencionalidade para articular os conteúdos com a atuação na escola.

Palavras-chave: Canto Coral; Formação inicial; Performance musical escolar.
El problema del concepto actual de establecimiento permanente en los convenios de doble tributación internacional frente a los nuevos desafíos fiscales en la economía digital
Authors: Faúndez Antonio
Published: July 2018

Los nuevos desafíos fiscales en la economía digital propuestos por la OCDE no vienen más que a confirmar la obsolescencia del concepto de establecimiento permanente que ofrece el artículo 5 de los Modelos de Convenio para evitar la doble tributación. Sin embargo, las propuestas destinadas a buscar una solución a dicha obsolescencia frente a la economía digital ocultan un conflicto más complejo para Chile, que se concentra en la forma en que la jurisprudencia nacional ha interpretado los alcances de la referida cláusula del establecimiento permanente. Así, el presente artículo entrega un análisis sistemático y técnico del entorno legal del concepto de establecimiento permanente desde la óptica de la economía digital, que profundiza sobre aspectos que puedan mejorar su aplicación en casos concretos.
El retorno del tranvía en Francia
Authors: Calabrán Guerrero Mg. Ismael
Published: July 2018

Actualmente, el tranvía en Francia sorprende con un explosivo retorno. Muchas son las ciudades que lo han implementado durante los últimos años, fenómeno que apareció con fuerza debido al contexto político que lo sostiene. ¿A qué intereses responde la reintroducción del tranvía como medio de transporte prioritario en las ciudades francesas? ¿Se ha vuelto un efecto de moda? Los casos de las ciudades de Estrasburgo y de Aubagne constituyen escenarios interesantes para profundizar e ilustrar estas interrogantes. El objetivo del presente artículo es comprender las estrategias detrás del modelo francés para así presentar elementos que alimenten la discusión sobre la conveniencia de la implementación del tranvía moderno en Chile.
Plataforma para la difusión marina itinerante
Authors: Marrese Taylor Arq. Franco
Published: July 2018

El proyecto tiene como propósito la creación de una red de investigación marina que incorpore la difusión y educación de las personas como uno de sus principales objetivos. Hoy en día, Chile se enfrenta a una excesiva concentración de los esfuerzos de difusión en la zona central del país, junto a una mala distribución y escasos programas de investigación para las áreas marinas protegidas existentes. La propuesta, entonces, replantea la forma en que se concibe un centro de difusión, aprovechando la necesidad de desplazamiento propia de los cruceros de investigación marina.

La necesidad de un proyecto así surge de manera inherente al analizar la realidad nacional respecto del estado de conservación de nuestro mar, su nivel de estudio y la falta de conciencia social sobre su cuidado, considerando que parte de la economía del país se desarrolla a partir de sus riquezas, como la pesca, la navegación y el turismo.

* Artículo realizado a partir de los resultados del proyecto de título “Plataforma para la Difusión e Investigación Marina Itinerante: Red de educación e investigación marina” presentado por el autor en enero de 2018 en la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad de Chile para obtener el título de Arquitecto (Profesor guía: Manuel Amaya Díaz).
Dinámica teórica del fundamento emocional (lo vivo) en el diseño (lo cultural)
Authors: Gatica Ramírez Pamela Petruska
Published: July 2018

Este artículo es una aproximación teórica a los aspectos que surgen de considerar la emoción como un fundamento en el diseño, siendo posible delimitar cuatro ámbitos teóricos; los que se han denominado dinámicos por la naturaleza de lo humano y la cultura; es decir, lo emocional involucra la comprensión de un cuerpo vivo que “se mueve”, y de un escenario que estará siempre “en movimiento”.

Desde esta perspectiva, se establece por parte del diseño una propuesta cultural al evidenciar relaciones emoción-diseño dentro de las diferentes etapas del proceso, del producto y evaluación de los objetos o artefactos. Lo que vincula la actividad proyectual a la observación responsable hacia los otros y hacia sí mismo; provocando un espacio para la reflexión y la autorreflexión al problematizar el acto de diseñar y los productos del diseño.

El cruce referencial de los cuerpos de conocimiento del diseño basado en la emoción y las teorías de la emoción configuran un mapa que permite delimitar territorios propios del diseño en cuanto a problemáticas teóricas, resumidos en la trayectoria misma del diseño como disciplina, el pensamiento, la cultura y la sociedad. Estos ámbitos podrían estar configurando una propuesta cultural en la que el diseño reflexiona y actúa en consecuencia con el ámbito de lo emocional y su repercusión en la sociedad, otorgando relevancia en la cultura su propio quehacer, así como la interacción de las personas y artefactos de uso.
La obesidad en mujeres: estrategia de diseño de productos para el bienestar físico, basados en el placer sexual
Authors: Vielma Mitzi
Published: July 2018

La obesidad afecta a una parte importante de la sociedad chilena, particularmente a mujeres de los sectores más pobres. Sin embargo, los programas de ejercicios físicos y los aparatos para reducir el sobrepeso han resultado ineficaces debido más bien a factores culturales, que se agravan debido a problemas emocionales.

El desempeño sexual en este grupo es un factor decisivo en la convivencia de las parejas y es una causa reiterativa en los divorcios. La dificultad de dar y recibir placer debido al sobrepeso profundiza el problema y mantiene el círculo vicioso de “depresión-comida en exceso-sedentarismo-obesidad-divorcio”.

El desempeño sexual mejora sustancialmente con el fortalecimiento de la pared pelviana, pero se deben superar los factores culturales del grupo, que lo impiden; entre ellos, la búsqueda de resultados a muy corto plazo y con poco esfuerzo, como ganar la lotería o ser un futbolista exitoso. En efecto estos son algunos de los caminos más valorados para alcanzar el éxito donde, además, el fútbol es un referente cultural y símbolo sexual.

Este proyecto, de raíz etnográfica, propone un cambio en la estrategia del diseño para productos para el bienestar, a través de la emulación de una relación sexual, para que la usuaria reciba placer inmediato y se ejercite continuamente, incluso como una actividad colectiva.
El factor emocional del prototipado de diseño de servicios en el laboratorio SINCO (Service Innovation Corner)
Authors: Soto Hormazábal Mariluz
Published: July 2018

El Laboratorio SINCO de la Universidad de Laponia ha desarrollado una metodología en la que el role playing, la co-creación y la tecnología son los ejes centrales para prototipar un servicio. Este proceso permite crear un espacio de confianza en el cual las emociones, experiencias y la creatividad confluyen en un mismo lugar estimulando el diseño colaborativo. Por lo tanto, el rol del diseñador es esencial para articular y guiar el proceso, convirtiéndose es un actor clave para transformar las expectativas y opiniones en propuestas concretas de mejora o creación de un servicio. El proceso de prototipado de un servicio involucra las emociones porque requiere revivir y recrear las experiencias previas para construir las nuevas.
Orígenes del pensamiento infográfico en el Chile decimonónico
Authors: Morales Rojas Gonzalo
Published: July 2018

La presente propuesta es una investigación sobre la historia de la infografía en Chile vinculada al desarrollo del ámbito educacional, la industria y la prensa en el país. El corpus se compone de imágenes presentes en soportes gráficos impresos tales como libros, revistas, folletos y periódicos publicados durante la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. A través de una metodología cualitativa, se llevó a cabo el examen de contenidos en fuentes documentales pertenecientes a bibliotecas y archivos personales, así como la realización de entrevistas y la adquisición de material en anticuarios y ferias. Acorde a la investigación, las representaciones de carácter infográfico han estado presentes de forma moderada desde los inicios de la industria editorial y han aumentado progresivamente su presencia en el concierto nacional en función de factores políticos, tecnológicos y culturales. Dado a que el término infografía no existía durante el período, la relación entre las imágenes catastradas está definida no por una filiación disciplinar sino por similitudes en sus estrategias de visualización. Pese a que estas primeras iniciativas se llevaron a cabo de forma aislada, constituyeron un primer panorama referencial para la producción de ilustraciones explicativas en el país, el cual no había sido documentado de forma sistemática.
A Corpus-based Study of Bubble Metaphor in the American Real Estate Market
Authors: Guo Guihang , Wang Zhaohui
Published: July 2018

The study aims to find whether the concept of metaphorical “BUBBLE” can assist us in understanding thephenomena of US housing bubble appearing from 2001 to 2007. With the node of “housing bubble”, the researcherssearch the collocates of it and dig into the context of highly frequent collocates. The study finds: 1)the collocates of“housing bubble”, mainly categorized in “v+N”, “n/adj+N” and “N+v”, reflect the 5 stages of housing bubbledevelopment and the context explains the cause and effect of housing bubble in every stage; 2)the maincorrespondences of BUBBLE metaphor have been concluded in the real estate market; 3)the combination of bubblemetaphor and orientation metaphor can explain the demand and supply curve of real estate. As a result, it can assistbusiness English teachers in teaching the supply and demand curve of the housing bubble.
Use of cumulative summation (CUSUM) as a tool for early feedback and monitoring in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy outcomes and performance
Authors: Chan Garson , Pautler Stephen E.
Published: July 2018

Introduction: Today’s surgical practice has evolved, with increasing emphasis on quality assurance. Many forms of quality-control monitoring have been suggested, but they are often impractical or difficult to implement. Cumulative summation (CUSUM) is a simple method to provide visual feedback before significant quality issues arise. We present our initial use and practical application of CUSUM in a surgical practice.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was applied to a prospectively collected database of 577 sequential patients who have undergone robot-assisted radical prostatectomy from a single surgeon over a 10-year period. Outcome measures were analyzed with CUSUM, which included a composite complication score, continence rates, length of hospital stay, biochemical recurrence, and need for adjuvant radiation. If any outcomes were out of control, they would cross the CUSUM failure line.

Results: CUSUM chart-plotting for incontinence demonstrated an initial upward slope followed by trending to a new safety limit. Additionally, outcomes in complications and biochemical recurrence did not reach the established safety boundaries. Length of stay and radiation outcomes did initially cross the safety line, but were improved over time.

Conclusions: The use of CUSUM in clinical practice can fulfill the need for quality assurance. CUSUM plotting in our practice reflected the initial learning curve, followed by ongoing maintenance and improvement in performance. These changes were consistent with the implementation of changes in surgical techniques. Although this tool was used retrospectively, this strengthens our argument to implement the tool prospectively and assess real-time refinement of surgeon skill. We have demonstrated that CUSUM can be appropriately used to assure quality control in a surgical practice.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Computer and Information Science, Vol. 11, No. 3
Authors: Lee Chris
Published: July 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Computer and Information Science, Vol. 11, No. 3
Etapas iniciais de reações complexas através do softness local dos reagentes isolados
Authors: Ludwig Valdemir , Piquini Paulo
Published: July 2018

We present a quantitative approach to determine the first stages of a chemical reaction using only properties of the isolated reactants. This approach is based on the empirical principle of hard and soft acids and bases and allows one to calculate the energy variation of an interacting system as a function of the electron number on each reactant. The use of this approach to the interaction of the Ga2As2 with external atoms Na and CI is presented. A comparison between these results with first principles total energy calculations is also presented.
Estudo de fraturas nos taludes de corte, em rocha vulcânica, ao longo da BR 158, Santa Maria, RS
Authors: Nummer Andrea V. , Robaina Luis Eduardo S. , Berger Marcos Geovane
Published: July 2018

Weathering processes and jointing degree are the conditioning factors for rock falI.The fractured volcanic lithologies from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, were studied along the BR 158 road. Data was gathered through the Scanline method from BRADY & BROWN (1985) and analyzed by vector statistics.Six main jointing groups were defined, associated to rock cooling and shrinking. Main attitudes are: Group 1: 348;83; Group 2: 174;82; Group 3: 85;76; Group 4: 265;75; Group 5: 300;42 and Group 6: 121 ;53.
Structural Reliability Analysis of Container Ships under Combined Wave and Whipping Loads
Authors: Corak Maro , Parunov Joško , Soares C. Guedes
Published: July 2018

A practical methodology for structural reliability assessment of ultra large container ships is proposed in the article. The commonly used limit state function for structural reliability analysis of oil tankers and bulk carriers was extended to take into account the whipping response due to the bow flare slamming. The ultimate vertical bending moment capacity of hull girder was considered as a fundamental safety variable in the limit state function, whereas the stochastic model of the loads consists of static still-water bending moments (SWBMs), low-frequency rigid body vertical wave bending moments and high-frequency whipping bending moments. The stochastic model of SWBM for one of the studied ships was obtained from actual bending moments recorded by the onboard loading computer in 2 years of operation. Linear vertical wave bending moment was calculated by a 3D panel seakeeping code, using International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) recommendation No. 34 for the computation of extreme global wave loads. The nonlinear correction of linear wave bending moment was obtained from the recent IACS Unified Requirement S11A for longitudinal strength of container ships. Impulsive loading was modeled by von Karman added mass variation method, whereas transient dynamic hull girder response was analyzed by Timoshenko beam finite elements. Load combinations between extreme still-water and vertical wave bending moments, and between extreme low- and high-frequency vertical wave bending moments are considered. The structural reliability analysis of two container ships of different sizes was performed using the first-order reliability method, to observe differences in safety levels due to different ship sizes. Safety indices are compared with the International Maritime Organization recommendations for double-hull oil tankers to have credible basis for assessing the obtained results. An extensive sensitivity and parametric study was performed, accounting for various operational, environmental, and modeling uncertainties, as well as for corrosion degradation. The presented study may be useful for classification societies in further development of recently introduced IACS Unified Requirements for longitudinal strength of container ships.
Development of Second Language French Oral Skills in an Instructed Setting: A Focus on Speech Ratings
Authors: Trofimovich Pavel , Kennedy Sara , Blanchet Josée
Published: July 2018

This study examined the relationship between targeted pronunciation instruction in French as a second language (L2) and listener-based ratings of accent, comprehensibility, and fluency. The ratings by 20 French listeners evaluating the speech of 30 adult L2 French learners enrolled in a 15-week listening and speaking course targeting segments, prosody, fluency, and connected speech processes (e.g., liaison, enchainment) were compared before and after instruction in read-aloud and extemporaneous (picture description) speaking tasks. Results showed that the learners improved in all speech ratings, especially in extemporaneous speaking. Results also revealed that accent ratings were linked to prosody (intonation accuracy, pitch range), while fluency and comprehensibility ratings were additionally linked to fluency phenomena (length of fluent run, hesitation rate). These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for L2 pronunciation learning and links between instruction, listener-rated dimensions of speech, and performance in different tasks.
Les représentations associées aux français nationaux, aux espaces géographiques et aux locuteurs dans les manuels de français langue étrangère et de français langue seconde : étude comparée entre la France et le Québec
Authors: Duchemin Marie
Published: July 2018

Avec l’importance grandissante accordée au développement de la compétence de communication et tout particulièrement à la compétence sociolinguistique en classe de langues, les manuels de français langue seconde ou étrangère s’intéressent désormais à la pluralité de la langue, notamment en présentant différents variétés et usages sociolinguistiques qui se font entendre, adaptant ainsi le contenu aux échanges dans l’espace francophone. Toutefois, le traitement des français nationaux et de leurs locuteurs entre souvent en conflit avec l’enseignement d’une langue de scolarisation se voulant uniforme. Cette étude, qui s’inspirait de la linguistique de discours comparative, proposait d’examiner, par l’intermédiaire d’un corpus de 10 manuels destinés à un public adolescent et adulte, les représentations associées aux français nationaux, aux territoires géographiques et aux locuteurs dans des manuels français et québécois. Les résultats ont démontré que les représentations associées aux français nationaux variaient grandement en fonction du lieu d’édition des manuels. Les manuels québécois présentaient une seule variété, dont les traits informels étaient mis en évidence tandis que les manuels français, présentant plusieurs français nationaux, utilisaient la variété française comme point de référence pour la comparaison.
The Bipolarity of Modern ‘Man’ in the Anthropocene: Ecomodernist Mania as Case for Unmanning Anthropocene Discourse
Authors: Kupferschmidt Philip Douglas
Published: July 2018

This paper examines Shellenberger and Nordhaus’ “Evolve: The Case for Modernization as the Road to Salvation” from the perspective of psychopathology. ”Evolve” articulates an all too common denial about the severe implications of the Anthropocene. This denial, I suggest, derives from modern humanity’s wish to save itself from the threats of ecocide and apocalypse without having to change its modernist ways. Upon considering this understandable inclination towards denial, the paper unveils the resultant manic-depressive opposition between ecomodernism and deep ecology. Modern humanity’s respective manic and depressive reactions to these two poles fosters a manic, escapist denial that promotes modernist expansion and limits our capacity to reform Anthropocene discourse and avoid environmental crisis. The analogy between bipolar disorder and the ecomodernism / deep ecology opposition draws from Darian Leader’s Lacanian psychoanalytic account, as well as his phenomenological-psychiatric influences.
Assessing the accuracy of SRTM altitude data for the hilly area in northeastern Romania
Authors: Niculita Mihai
Published: July 2018

SRTM data is still one of the most used data in geosciences for various purposes: geomorphometric analysis, environmental covariate modelling or geomorphic change detection. Although high resolution national/regional DEMs exist, very often accessing them is expensive, or their coverage is not complete over specific areas (only floodplains or cities are covered). Because of this SRTM still remains the best choice when elevation data is needed for regional/national or global areas. In order to assess the correctness of SRTM data to depict the real shape of Earth surface we used a regional high resolution DEM which cover a part of the hilly area of north-eastern Romanian. Both DEMs were converted to the same horizontal and vertical datum (Stereo 70 Romanian projection and the EGG97 geoid), interpolated to the same grid size and position and compared using raster algebra. The horizontal x and y components and the vertical component errors were assessed. The results show that the errors of the SRTM model are well consistent with its acquisition method (the presence of the trees and the topographic shadow) and does represent reasonably well the Earth’s surface in the study area. Anyhow, the resolution of the Earth features depicted on the SRTM model is limited by the acquisition method and does not incorporate landforms which have a vertical and horizontal wavelength under 100 m.
Effects of glaciation on the clinometry and hypsometry of the Romanian Carpathians
Authors: Mihai Niculita , Evans Ian S
Published: July 2018

SRTM1 Digital Elevation Model for many mountain ranges in Romania were processed to provide slope gradient distributions for each 50 m band of altitude. The effects of cirques are seen in an increase in standard deviation of gradient, and a spread in all percentiles, especially an increase in the 95th, at relevant altitudes. Otherwise, variations in median gradient with altitude differ between ranges, and do not show the general increase found in the Alps below cirque floor altitudes by several authors.
Validation of TanDEM-X elevation data for a forested karst area in Slovakia (Central Europe)
Authors: Bandura Peter , Gallay Michal
Published: July 2018

Recent production of a new radar-based global DEM by the TanDEM-X space mission has opened new options for geomorphometric analysis across multiple scales providing 0.4 arc second spatial resolution. However, the accuracy and suitability of this data has not been evaluated in such an extensive manner as for the widely exploited SRTM data. We present a validation of the vertical accuracy of TanDEM-X DEM product and evaluation of its suitability for landform classification in a forested karst area. The Geomorphons method was used for the automated landform classification focused on identification of dolines for which polygons of dolines mapped by expert-driven approach were used for validation. Airborne lidar data in the form of DSM and DTM were used as the reference dataset for validation of the DEM. The results show that the vertical RMSE of the TanDEM-X data is 3.42 m with respect to lidar DSM and 9.64 m with respect to lidar DTM. The identification of dolines by the geomorphon approach achieved 73 % with TanDEM-X, lower than for the lidar DTM (85 %).
Patients with chronic periodontitis are more likely to develop upper urinary tract stone: a nation-wide population-based eight-year follow up study
Authors: Huang I-Shen , Huang Sung-En , Kao Wei-Tang , Chiang Cheng-Yen , Chang To , Lin Cheng-I , Lin Alex T. , Lin Chih-Chieh , Fan Yu-Hua , Chung Hsiao-Jen
Published: July 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between chronic periodontitis (CP) and upper urinary tract stone (UUTS) in Taiwan by using a population-based data set.

Methods

A total of 16,292 CP patients and 48,876 randomly-selected controls without chronic periodontitis were selected from the National research database and studied retrospectively. Subjects selected have not been diagnosed with UUTS previously. These subjects were prospectively followed for at least eight years. Cox regression models were used to explore the connection between risk factors and the development of UUTS.

Results

The CP patients have a greater chance of developing UUTS compared to controls (1761/16292, 10.8% vs. 4775/48876, 9.8%, p-values < 0.001). Conditioned logistic regression suggested CP increases the risk of UUTS development (HR 1.14, 95% CI [1.08–1.20], p < 0.001). After respective adjustment for age, gender, hypertension and diabetes, results showed that CP still increases the risk of developing UUTS (HR 1.14, 95% CI [1.08–1.20], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

By using a population-based database with a minimum eight 8 follow-up of CP in Taiwan, we discovered patients with CP are more likely to develop UUTS.
Conflict resolution in socially housed Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii)
Authors: Kopp Kathrin S. , Liebal Katja
Published: July 2018

Background

Peaceful conflict resolution strategies have been identified as effective mechanisms for minimising the potential costs of group life in many gregarious species, especially in primates. The knowledge of conflict-management in orangutans, though, is still extremely limited. Given their semi-solitary lives in the wild, there seems to be barely a need for orangutans to apply conflict management strategies other than avoidance. However, because of the rapid loss of orangutan habitat due to deforestation, opportunities to prevent conflicts by dispersion are shrinking. Additionally, more and more orangutans are brought into rehabilitation centres where they are bound to live in close contact with conspecifics. This raises the questions of whether and how orangutans are able to cope with conflicts, which are inevitably connected with group life.

Methods

Observational zoo-studies provide a valuable method to investigate such potential: in zoos, orangutans usually live in permanent groups and face the challenges of group life every day. Therefore, we observed a group of six socially-housed Sumatran orangutans at the Dortmund Zoo, Germany, both in their spacious outdoor enclosure in the summer and in the less spacious indoor enclosure in the winter. During 157.5 h of observation, we collected data on aggressive interactions, third-party interventions and post-conflict affiliations. We applied the post-conflict/matched-control observation (PC/MC) and the time rule method to investigate the occurrence of reconciliation and post-conflict third-party affiliations.

Results

We recorded a total of 114 aggressive interactions (including conflicts in the context of weaning and of male sexual coercion). As expected, we found an increase of both open conflicts and peaceful conflict resolution under less spacious conditions. In accordance with previous reports, we observed interventions by initially uninvolved individuals. Whereas we found no clear evidence for post-conflict third-party affiliations, we were able to demonstrate the occurrence of reconciliation among orangutans.

Discussion

Notwithstanding the small sample size and the explorative character of our study, we found evidence that orangutans possess a potential for prosocial conflict resolution. When living in groups and under conditions in which dispersion is no longer an option, orangutans are capable to flexibly apply strategies of conflict resolution to cease open conflicts and to repair the potential social damage of aggressive interactions. These strategies are similar to those of other great apes.
Touch-screen-guided task reveals a prosocial choice tendency by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Mendonça Renata S. , Dahl Christoph D. , Carvalho Susana , Matsuzawa Tetsuro , Adachi Ikuma
Published: July 2018

Humans help others even without direct benefit for themselves. However, the nature of altruistic (i.e., only the other benefits) and prosocial (i.e., self and other both benefit) behaviors in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, remains controversial. To address this further, we developed a touch-screen-guided task that allowed us to increase the number of trials for a thorough test of chimpanzees’ prosocial and altruistic tendencies. Mother-offspring dyads were tested in the same compartment; one was the actor while the other was the recipient. In Experiment 1, the actor chose among three options: prosocial, selfish (only the actor benefited) and altruistic. To better understand the nature of the chimpanzees’ choices and to improve experimental control, we conducted two additional experiments. Experiment 2 consisted of two-option choices interspersed with three-option choices, and in Experiment 3 the two-option choice were blocked across all trials. The results of Experiment 1 clearly showed that chimpanzees acted prosocially in the touch-screen-guided task, choosing the prosocial option on an average of 79% of choices. Five out of the six chimpanzees showed the preference to act prosocially against chance level. The preference for the prosocial option persisted when conditions were changed in Experiments 2 and 3. When only selfish and altruistic options were available in Experiments 2 and 3, chimpanzees preferred the selfish option. These results suggest that (1) most individuals understood the nature of the task and modified their behavior according to the available options, (2) five out of the six chimpanzees chose to act prosocially when they had the option to, and (3) offspring counterbalanced between altruistic and selfish, when given those two options perhaps to avoid suffering repercussions from the mother.
Cytogenetic analyses in Trinomys (Echimyidae, Rodentia), with description of new karyotypes
Authors: Araújo Naiara Pereira , Dias Cayo Augusto Rocha , Stumpp Rodolfo , Svartman Marta
Published: July 2018

Trinomys Thomas (1921) is a terrestrial genus of spiny rats endemic to the Brazilian areas of Atlantic Forest and the transitional areas of Cerrado and Caatinga. Although most species have been already karyotyped, the available cytogenetic information is mostly restricted to diploid and fundamental numbers. We analyzed the chromosomes of two Trinomys species: Trinomys moojeni (2n = 56, FN = 106) and Trinomys setosus setosus (2n = 56, FN = 106 and 2n = 56, FN = 108). Our analyses included GTG- and CBG-banding, silver-staining of the nucleolar organizer regions, and chromosome mapping of telomeres and 45S rDNA by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Comparative GTG- and CBG-banding suggested that the interspecific variation may be due to rearrangements such as pericentric inversions, centromere repositioning, and heterochromatin variation. We report two new karyotypes for T. s. setosus and describe for the first time the banding patterns of the two Trinomys species.
Structural and functional analyses of the cellulase transcription regulator CelR
Authors: Fu Yaoyao , Yeom Soo‐Jin , Kwon Kil Koang , Hwang Jungwon , Kim Haseong , Woo Eui‐Jeon , Lee Dae‐Hee , Lee Seung‐Goo
Published: July 2018

CelR is a transcriptional regulator that controls the expression of cellulases catalyzing cellulose hydrolysis. However, the structural mechanism of its regulation has remained unclear. Here, we report the first structure of CelR, in this case with cellobiose bound. CelR consists of a DNA‐binding domain (DBD) and a regulatory domain (RD), and homodimerizes with each monomer bound to cellobiose. A hinge region (HR) in CelR connects the DBD with the RD, and Leu59 in the HR acts as a ‘leucine lever’ that transduces a transcriptional activation signal. Furthermore, an α4 helix mediates the ligand‐binding signal for transcriptional activation. Tyr84 and Gln301 can potentially alter the ligand specificity of CelR. This study provides a pivotal step toward understanding transcription of the cellulases.
Localized Controlled Delivery of Gemcitabine via Microsol Electrospun Fibers to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Xia Guanggai , Zhang Hongbo , Cheng Ruoyu , Wang Hongcheng , Song Ziliang , Deng Lianfu , Huang Xinyu , Santos Hélder A. , Cui Wenguo
Published: July 2018

The low radical surgery rate of pancreatic cancer leads to increased local recurrence and poor prognosis. Gemcitabine (GEM) is the preferred chemotherapeutic for pancreatic cancer. However, systemic chemotherapy with GEM has reached a bottleneck due to its serious side effects after frequent injections. In this study, GEM is successfully enwrapped into electrospun fibers via microsol electrospinning technology to form a stable core–shell fibrous structure. The GEM release rate can be adjusted by altering the thickness of the hyaluronan‐sol inner fiber and the quantity of loaded GEM, and the release can be sustained for as long as three weeks. In vitro assays show that these electrospun fibers effectively inhibit pancreatic cancer cells and promote apoptosis. In vivo studies show that the fibrous membranes are better for inhibiting the growth of residual tumors than that of integrated tumors. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry results show that GEM‐loaded fibers promote a higher cell apoptosis rate than does systemically injected GEM in residual tumors. In addition, the local delivery of GEM with fibers significantly reduces liver toxicity. In summary, a core–shell electrospun fiber for the controlled and localized delivery of GEM, which greatly improves the treatment of residual tumors and prevents pancreatic tumor recurrence, is developed.
Functional‐DNA‐Driven Dynamic Nanoconstructs for Biomolecule Capture and Drug Delivery
Authors: Kim Jinhwan , Jang Donghyun , Park Hyeongmok , Jung Sungjin , Kim Dae Heon , Kim Won Jong
Published: July 2018

The discovery of sequence‐specific hybridization has allowed the development of DNA nanotechnology, which is divided into two categories: 1) structural DNA nanotechnology, which utilizes DNA as a biopolymer; and 2) dynamic DNA nanotechnology, which focuses on the catalytic reactions or displacement of DNA structures. Recently, numerous attempts have been made to combine DNA nanotechnologies with functional DNAs such as aptamers, DNAzymes, amplified DNA, polymer‐conjugated DNA, and DNA loaded on functional nanoparticles for various applications; thus, the new interdisciplinary research field of “functional DNA nanotechnology” is initiated. In particular, a fine‐tuned nanostructure composed of functional DNAs has shown immense potential as a programmable nanomachine by controlling DNA dynamics triggered by specific environments. Moreover, the programmability and predictability of functional DNA have enabled the use of DNA nanostructures as nanomedicines for various biomedical applications, such as cargo delivery and molecular drugs via stimuli‐mediated dynamic structural changes of functional DNAs. Here, the concepts and recent case studies of functional DNA nanotechnology and nanostructures in nanomedicine are reviewed, and future prospects of functional DNA for nanomedicine are indicated.
Solution‐Processing of High‐Purity Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electronics Devices
Authors: Qiu Song , Wu Kunjie , Gao Bing , Li Liqiang , Jin Hehua , Li Qingwen
Published: July 2018

High‐purity semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes (s‐SWCNTs) are of paramount significance for the construction of next‐generation electronics. Until now, a number of elaborate sorting and purification techniques for s‐SWCNTs have been developed, among which solution‐based sorting methods show unique merits in the scale production, high purity, and large‐area film formation. Here, the recent progress in the solution processing of s‐SWCNTs and their application in electronic devices is systematically reviewed. First, the solution‐based sorting and purification of s‐SWCNTs are described, and particular attention is paid to the recent advance in the conjugated polymer‐based sorting strategy. Subsequently, the solution‐based deposition and morphology control of a s‐SWCNT thin film on a surface are introduced, which focus on the strategies for network formation and alignment of SWCNTs. Then, the recent advances in electronic devices based on s‐SWCNTs are reviewed with emphasis on nanoscale s‐SWCNTs' high‐performance integrated circuits and s‐SWCNT‐based thin‐film transistors (TFT) array and circuits. Lastly, the existing challenges and development trends for the s‐SWCNTs and electronic devices are briefly discussed. The aim is to provide some useful information and inspiration for the sorting and purification of s‐SWCNTs, as well as the construction of electronic devices with s‐SWCNTs.
Synthesis of Ultrathin Metallic MTe2 (M = V, Nb, Ta) Single‐Crystalline Nanoplates
Authors: Li Jia , Zhao Bei , Chen Peng , Wu Ruixia , Li Bo , Xia Qinglin , Guo Guanghua , Luo Jun , Zang Ketao , Zhang Zhengwei , Ma Huifang , Sun Guangzhuang , Duan Xidong , Duan Xiangfeng
Published: July 2018

Two‐dimensional materials with intrinsic magnetism have recently drawn intense interest for both the fundamental studies and potential technological applications. However, the studies to date have been largely limited to mechanically exfoliated materials. Herein, an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition route to ultrathin group VB metal telluride MTe2 (M = V, Nb, Ta) nanoplates with thickness as thin as 3 nm is reported. It is shown that the resulting nanoplates can be systematically evolved from mostly thicker hexagonal domains to thinner triangular domains with an increasing flow rate of the carrier gas. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies reveal MTe2 (M = V, Nb, Ta) nanoplates are high‐quality single crystals. High‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscope imaging reveals the VTe2 and NbTe2 nanoplates adopt the hexagonal 1T phase and the TaTe2 nanoplates show a monoclinic distorted 1T phase. Electronic transport studies show that MTe2 single crystals exhibit metallic behavior. Magnetic measurements show that VTe2 and NbTe2 exhibit ferromagnetism and TaTe2 shows paramagnetic behavior. The preparation of ultrathin few‐layered MTe2 nanoplates will open up exciting opportunities for the burgeoning field of spintronics, sensors, and magneto‐optoelectronics.
Rationally Designed Peptidyl Virus‐Like Particles Enable Targeted Delivery of Genetic Cargo
Authors: Kong Jia , Wang Yuefei , Zhang Jiaxing , Qi Wei , Su Rongxin , He Zhimin
Published: July 2018

We report a strategy to construct peptidyl virus‐like particles (pVLPs) by mimicking the human immunodeficiency virus and simian virus 40. We designed two viral peptides with cell/nucleus‐targeting capabilities that can co‐assemble in their active conformations into well‐defined nanoparticles. The self‐assembled nanoparticles can encapsulate the DNA of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat associated proteins 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) to form biodegradable pVLPs with excellent cell‐targeting ability and biocompatibility. The pVLPs can penetrate the cellular membrane and deliver genetic cargos into the nucleus through the viral entry route. The results provide a promising pathway for engineering artificial viruses with desired functions.
Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Bicyclic α,β‐Unsaturated Anhydrides for Ready‐to‐be‐grafted Polymers Having Tailored pH‐Responsive Degradability
Authors: Kim Heejin , Kim Sungwhan , Kang Sunyoung , Song Youngjun , Shin Suyong , Lee Seonju , Kang Minji , Nam So Hee , Lee Yan
Published: July 2018

Polymers having α,β‐unsaturated anhydrides as repeating units were synthesized by ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The anhydride moieties were ready‐to‐be‐grafted with amines to form acid‐labile cis‐α,β‐unsaturated acid amide linkages. The pH‐responsive reversible de‐grafting can be controlled by changing the intramolecular accessibility between acid and amide groups. The alendronate‐grafted ROMP polymers showed distinct pH‐dependent cytotoxicity according to the anhydride structures.
Biocatalytic C=C Bond Reduction through Carbon Nanodot‐Sensitized Regeneration of NADH Analogues
Authors: Kim Jinhyun , Lee Sahng Ha , Tieves Florian , Choi Da Som , Hollmann Frank , Paul Caroline E. , Park Chan Beum
Published: July 2018

Light‐driven activation of redox enzymes is an emerging route for sustainable chemical synthesis. Among redox enzymes, the family of Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) dependent on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactor (NADH) catalyzes the stereoselective reduction of α,β‐unsaturated hydrocarbons. Here, we report OYE‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation through light‐driven regeneration of NADH and its analogues (mNADHs) by N‐doped carbon nanodots (N‐CDs), a zero‐dimensional photocatalyst. Our spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical analyses verified the transfer of photo‐induced electrons from N‐CDs to an organometallic electron mediator (M) for highly regioselective regeneration of cofactors. Light triggered the reduction of NAD+ and mNAD+s with the cooperation of N‐CDs and M, and the reduction behaviors of cofactors were dependent on their own reduction peak potentials. The regenerated cofactors subsequently delivered hydrides to OYE for stereoselective conversions of a broad range of substrates with excellent biocatalytic efficiencies.
Hierarchical Self‐Assembly in Liquid‐Crystalline Block Copolymers Enabled by Chirality Transfer
Authors: Huang Shuai , Chen Yuxuan , Ma Shudeng , Yu Haifeng
Published: July 2018

Helical topological structures are often found in chiral biological systems, but seldom in synthesized polymers. Now, controllable microphase separation of amphiphilic liquid‐crystalline block copolymers (LCBCs) consisting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and hydrophobic azobenzene‐containing poly(methylacrylate) is combined with chirality transfer to fabricate helical nanostructures by doping with chiral additives (enantiopure tartaric acid). Through hydrogen‐bonding interactions, chirality is transferred from the dopant to the aggregation, which directs the hierarchical self‐assembly in the composite system. Upon optimized annealing condition, helical structures in film are fabricated by the induced aggregation chirality. The photoresponsive azobenzene mesogens in the LCBC assist photoregulation of the self‐assembled helical morphologies. This allows the construction and non‐contact manipulation of complicated nanostructures.
A metabolomics research based on UHPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS coupled with metabolic pathway analysis: Treatment effects of stir‐frying Xanthii Fructus on allergic rhinitis in mice model
Authors: Zhuang Yanshuang , Qin Kunming , Yu Beibei , Liu Xiao , Cai Baochang , Cai Hao
Published: July 2018

Xanthii Fructus (XF), a well‐known herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been frequently used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in the clinic. Its therapeutic metabolic mechanism, however, remains undetermined. In this work, a metabolomics research coupled with metabolic pathway analysis has been employed to screen out the potential mechanism in its effects on allergic rhinitis. Specifically, mouse serum samples containing XF were analyzed based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography equipped with electrospray ionization quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS) in both positive and negative polarity. In addition, the raw data gained from UHPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) in order to discover remarkable metabolites. Twenty‐seven potential biomarkers in mouse serum were filtered from free databases like HMDB. Interestingly, this study filtered the potential metabolic pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism and branch‐chain amino acid metabolism. We hope that this paper will provide a feasible strategy for revealing the therapeutic mechanism of XF in allergic rhinitis mice model.
The prognostic value of PD‐L1 expression in upper tract urothelial carcinoma varies according to platelet count
Authors: Miyama Yu , Morikawa Teppei , Miyakawa Jimpei , Koyama Yuichi , Kawai Taketo , Kume Haruki , Fukayama Masashi
Published: July 2018

Programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) is a ligand for programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) that negatively regulates T‐cell activation and plays a crucial role in suppressing anti‐tumor host immunity. Although PD‐L1 is a promising immunotherapy target in various cancers, including urothelial carcinoma (UC), the prognostic significance of PD‐L1 in UC is unclear. As platelets help protect tumor cells from immune elimination in the circulatory system, we hypothesized that tumor PD‐L1 and circulating platelets might synergistically promote tumor metastasis, and that the prognostic significance of PD‐L1 might vary according to platelet count. We immunohistochemically examined tumor PD‐L1 expression in 271 patients with upper tract UC, which revealed PD‐L1 positivity in 31 of 271 cases (11%). The associations of tumor PD‐L1 expression with outcomes varied among patients with high or low platelet counts (Pinteraction < 0.004). Among patients with high platelet counts (N = 136), PD‐L1 positivity (N = 15) was significantly associated with shorter metastasis‐free survival (univariate hazard ratio [HR]: 6.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95‐13.1; multivariate HR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.27‐5.64) and shorter overall survival (univariate HR: 4.92, 95% CI: 2.14‐11.3, multivariate HR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.19‐6.51). In contrast, among patients with low platelet counts (N = 135), PD‐L1 positivity (N = 16) was not significantly associated with these outcomes. Our results suggest that tumor PD‐L1 expression and platelet count might interact and help regulate tumor progression. Although a larger prospective study is needed to validate our findings, this relationship is important to consider, as immunotherapies targeting the PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis have gained significant attention as promising therapies for UC.
Facile CO2 Separation in Composite Membranes
Authors: Saqib Sidra , Rafiq Sikander , Chawla Muhammad , Saeed Muhammad , Muhammad Nawshad , Khurram Shahzad , Majeed Khaliq , Khan Asim Laeeq , Ghauri Moinuddin , Jamil Farrukh , Aslam Muhammad
Published: July 2018

CO2 emission from anthropogenic sources has raised worldwide environmental concerns and hence proficient energy paradigm has tilted towards CO2 capture. Membrane technology is one of the efficient technologies for CO2 separation since it is environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and offers high surface areas. Various approaches are discussed to improve membrane performance focusing mainly on permeability and selectivity parameters. Different types of fillers are incorporated to reach the Robeson's upper bound curve. In this review, polymer‐inorganic nanocomposite membranes for the separation of CO2, CH4, and N2 from various gas mixtures are comprehensively discussed. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquid (ILs) mixed‐matrix membranes are also considered.
Computational Simulation of Mass Transfer in Molecular Separation Using Microporous Polymeric Membranes
Authors: Rezakazemi Mashallah , Shirazian Saeed
Published: July 2018

Computational simulation was conducted to predict mass‐transfer phenomenon in the molecular separation of solute using microporous membrane contactors. Both diffusional and convectional mass‐transfer mechanisms were considered. The membrane system was a hollow‐fiber contactor in which an aqueous phase containing an organic compound was contacted with an organic phase for extractive separation of the solute. Benzoic acid was used as the solute. The main focus was on understanding the mass transfer of solute in the process. The concentration equation for the solute was solved numerically using a computational fluid dynamics approach. It was found that the model can predict the solute transport from the aqueous phase to the organic phase and can be used as a predictive model for process understanding.