bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La política en Twitter. Un estudio comparativo de las estrategias discursivas de los candidatos finalistas a la Presidencia de Ecuador en 2017
Authors: Angulo Moncayo Natalia Alexandra , Estrella Osorio Arturo Virgilio , López Paredes Marco
Published: September 2018

Los medios sociales se han convertido en espacios de promoción y propaganda electoral que atraen a la clase política por su capacidad para amplificar los discursos, la posibilidad de llegar con los mensajes a grupos sociales cada vez más heterogéneos y obviamente, por la reducción de costos para la producción y difusión de material comunicacional. En este contexto el presente estudio busca contrastar las estrategias discursivas utilizadas, en Twitter, por Lenin Moreno y Guillermo Lasso, candidatos finalistas en las elecciones presidenciales ecuatorianas de 2017, con dos objetivos en concreto: por un lado, identificar los códigos sociales, simbólicos e ideológicos que hacen parte de las tácticas para la movilización de emociones en el electorado y, por otro, establecer los públicos prioritarios a los se dirigen a través del medio social.La metodología consideró al análisis de contenido, tanto de su discurso como de los artefactos culturales a nivel audiovisual. Desde una práctica cualitativa y su relación hermenéutica, nos concentramos en la descripción discursiva para descifrar las significaciones tras las palabras. La discusión se centra en que el discurso político se cristaliza usando estrategias de personalización a partir de narrativas consumibles, pero de rápida caducidad y además se observa que la táctica más recurrente es la construcción de enemigos ideológicos, más que personales.
Mecanismos de otrificación entre la oposición política en Twitter durante las elecciones estatales de 2017 en México
Authors: Corona Antonio
Published: September 2018

El presente trabajo reporta los resultados de un análisis de contenido cualitativo realizado a una muestra de 11.576 tweets de simpatizantes ciudadanos de los partidos y candidatos de oposición durante el período electoral de 2017, partiendo de la discusión de candidatos a la gubernatura de Coahuila. El objetivo de dicho análisis fue identificar los mecanismos de otrificación empleados para la construcción de opositores binarios a la propia identidad política entre los ciudadanos, a la luz del recrudecimiento y polarización de las divisiones ideológicas en la esfera pública nacional e internacional, tanto en línea como en el espacio físico. El estudio encontró que los simpatizantes de izquierda tienden a deshumanizar a aquellos que enuncian opiniones diferentes, caracterizándolos como conspiradores en plurales arbitrarios como «la Mafia del Poder», y que los simpatizantes de derecha hacen extenso uso del desdén como mecanismo de otrificación. Se concluye que ambas prácticas son contraproducentes y altamente dañinas para la construcción de diálogo ciudadano y de la esfera pública del país, y que contribuyen a una concepción de los procesos democráticos, no como una búsqueda del mejor sistema de gobierno para el bien común, sino como un juego de suma cero en el cual no hay nada más importante que la derrota del bando opuesto.
La mujer política en Twitter: análisis de los mensajes emitidos por las candidatas a gubernaturas en México
Authors: Marañón Felipe , Maeda González Carla María , Saldierna Salas Alma Rosa
Published: September 2018

La representación de la mujer en los medios de comunicación ha estado comúnmente vinculada a los espacios privados y a las emociones, y el ámbito político tradicionalmente ha sido considerado como un espacio en el que participan con mayor frecuencia los hombres. Sin embargo, el 2015 fue un año en que las mujeres tomaron protagonismo en la política en México, por lo que se consideró importante analizar cuáles son los elementos que se utilizaron en las campañas políticas en Twitter de las mujeres candidatas a gobernador en 2015, y el tipo de encuadre más utilizado en las diferentes campañas online. Para lograr este objetivo, se utilizó una metodología cuantitativa, particularmente el análisis de contenido, dentro del cual se tomaron en consideración 3.013 tuits publicados entre el 5 de abril y el 3 de junio, periodo en el que se llevó a cabo la campaña electoral. De manera general se encontró que los encuadres más utilizados fueron el personalista/emocional y el de interés humano, y que los temas más mencionados por las candidatas tenían que ver con asuntos personales. Además, se detectó una presencia de elementos externos al texto tales como la fotografía y el video. Se concluyó que lo primero refuerza el estereotipo tradicional de género en que la mujer está más orientada al espacio íntimo y a los sentimientos, y lo segundo reitera la idea de que el género femenino está vinculado a la imagen.
El tratamiento de la información sobre flujos migratorios en los medios de los países mediterráneos
Authors: Carniel Bugs Ricardo , Ortega Miranda Estibaliz , Velázquez García-Talavera Teresa
Published: September 2018

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo identificar y analizar la información difundida por los medios de comunicación sobre los flujos migratorios registrados en el contexto del Mediterráneo y el tratamiento dado al sujeto migrante en las representaciones en torno a la movilidad de personas entre países de la región. Un grupo internacional e interdisciplinar de investigadores ha analizado 3452 noticias relacionadas con la cuenca mediterránea, y producidas por los principales periódicos y canales públicos de televisión de Argelia, Egipto, España, Francia, Italia, Marruecos, Reino Unido y Túnez. Junto a los primeros canales de televisión de ámbito estatal, en el caso de España también se consideran cuatro canales públicos autonómicos. La selección de la muestra corresponde a dos semanas del mes de mayo de 2013. La matriz de análisis contempló aspectos formales de selección y jerarquización de contenidos, así como, los temas tratados, los actores destacados en la información y sus denominaciones. Los resultados revelan pocas diferencias en la agenda temática de los medios analizados. La migración y el migrante se presentan en la prensa y televisión de ambas orillas del Mediterráneo como un problema, asociado a fuente de conflictos más que a una idea de oportunidad para los migrantes y también para los países de acogida.
Autonomic dysfunction and white matter microstructural changes in drug-naïve patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ashraf-Ganjouei Amir , Majd Alireza , Javinani Ali , Aarabi Mohammad Hadi
Published: September 2018

Background

Autonomic dysfunction (AD) is one of the non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Some symptoms tend to occur in the early stages of PD. AD also has a great impact on patient’s quality of life. In this study, we aimed to discover the association between AD (Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s disease-Autonomic, SCOPA-AUT) and microstructural changes in white matter tracts in drug-naïve early PD patients to elucidate the central effects of autonomic nervous system impairments.

Method

In total, this study included 85 subjects with PD recruited from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database. Among the 85 PD patients, 38 were in Hoehn & Yahr stage 1 (HY1PD) and 47 were in stage 2 (HY2PD). Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI) data were reconstructed in the MNI space using q-space diffeomorphic reconstruction to obtain the spin distribution function. The spin distribution function (SDF) values were used in DMRI connectometry analysis. We investigated through diffusion MRI connectometry the structural correlates of white matter tracts with SCOPA-AUT subscores and total score.

Results

Connectometry analysis also revealed positive association with white matter density in bilateral corticospinal tract in HY1PD patients and negative association in genu of corpus callosum (CC) and, bilateral cingulum in both groups. In addition, there were associations between gastrointestinal, sexual, thermoregulatory and urinary items and structural brain connectivity in PD.

Conclusion

Our study reveals positive correlation, suggesting neural compensations in early PD. Cingulum and CC tracts have well-known roles in PD pathology, compatible with our findings that bring new insights to specific areas of AD and its role in central nervous system (CNS) neurodegeneration, paving the way for using prodromal makers in the diagnosis and treatment of PD.
Balanced and positively worded personality short-forms: Mini-IPIP validity and cross-cultural invariance
Authors: Martínez-Molina Agustín , Arias Víctor B.
Published: September 2018

Background

The Mini-IPIP scales (Donellan et al., 2006) are possibly one of the most commonly used short inventories for measuring the Big Five Factors of personality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of two Mini-IPIP Spanish short forms, one balanced and one positively wording (PW).

Method

Two samples, one from native Spanish speakers and another from native English speakers, made up a total of 940 participants in this study. The short forms were translated and adapted based on international guidelines. Reliability (internal and composite) and validity analyses (construct ESEM, concurrent, predictive and cross-cultural invariance through multi-group factorial models) were performed.

Results

For both the balanced scale and the PW one, modeling a method factor was not relevant. The reliability and validity indices of both forms were according to theory and prior studies’ findings: (a) personality factors were medium-high related to affective factors; (b) personality factors were less related to life satisfaction than affective factors; (c) life satisfaction was medium-high related to affective factors; (d) neuroticism appeared mainly related to all criteria variables; and (e) an acceptable level of invariance was achieved with regard to the English version.

Discussion

This study contributes to research on personality assessment by providing the first evidence regarding the psychometric properties of a PW short measure. These results suggest that PW short scales of personality used after data screening techniques may be appropriate for future studies (e.g., cross-cultural, content validity).
Specification parameters for finite word length linear‐phase FIR single‐band PCLS filters
Authors: Li Shuang , Ling Bingo Wing‐Kuen
Published: September 2018

Finite word length linear‐phase finite impulse response filters can be implemented using low‐cost devices. Among them, the single‐band peak‐constrained least squares filters are the most common one employed in many engineering applications. To design these filters, it is required to define the specifications on the maximum passband ripple magnitude, the maximum stopband ripple magnitude, and the number of bits for representing the filter coefficients. Most of the existing works on the filter design are on the determination of the filter coefficients based on a given set of these specification parameters. However, very few works are on the determination of these specification parameters. Hence, this paper establishes the analytical relationships among these specification parameters. In particular, the relationship between the total ripple energy and the maximum ripple magnitude of the filter, the relationship between the number of bits for representing the filter coefficients and the total ripple energy of the filter, and the relationship between the number of bits for representing the filter coefficients and the maximum ripple magnitude of the filter are established. Computer numerical simulations are presented for verifying the obtained results.
A new filter‐based stochastic gradient algorithm for dual‐rate ARX models
Authors: Chen Jing , Liu Yanjun , Xu Ling
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a new filter‐based stochastic gradient algorithm for dual‐rate ARX models. Algorithm analysis is based upon the Kalman filter and smoother method. The new filter applies the measurable outputs to adjust the estimated outputs during each interval of the slow sampled rate. A comparative study reveals that the present consideration makes the estimated outputs more accurate than the classical auxiliary model. A stochastic gradient algorithm is developed for the estimation of parameters using all data. The simulation made further guarantees the usefulness of the proposed algorithm.
Nucleation and Growth of Lithium–Silicon Alloy on Crystalline Silicon
Authors: Kim Yeongae , Sim Soojin , Lee Seok Woo
Published: September 2018

Si is an attractive material for anodes in Li ion batteries because of high specific capacity. However, it undergoes significant volume change during electrochemical reactions, causing mechanical fractures and capacity decay, which is a serious bottleneck for commercialization. Despite several research attempts to understand the stress evolution in Si, the process remains unclear. A fundamental study of the initial formation of the Li–Si alloy is hence necessary for a better understanding of the stress evolution. In this study, the nucleation and growth of Li–Si alloys on various crystalline Si (c‐Si) surfaces during lithiation is observed by the authors. Distinct Li–Si alloys are formed with square pyramid, triangular pyramid, and circular bump shapes on the {100}, {111}, and {110} surfaces, respectively. These unique structures are caused by the preference for Li insertion on the c‐Si surface and are maintained even after further growth of the alloy at the outermost layer. The particular structures are assumed to cause a different degree of stress at the reaction front during lithiation. The authors expect that this fundamental study will contribute to an optimal design of the Si anode based on the better understanding of the type of stress present at each c‐Si.
Characterization of Hardness and Stiffness of Ceramic Matrix Composites through Instrumented Indentation Test
Authors: Shi Yuan , Neubrand Achim , Koch Dietmar
Published: September 2018

The determination of the hardness allows useful qualitative conclusions regarding the mechanical properties of materials. It is one of the most economical characterization methods, since this can be carried out with little effort on small specimens. However, due to the heterogeneous structure containing hard and brittle ceramic phases, the determination of hardness of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) is a challenge and has thus rarely been investigated. In this work, the hardness and the stiffness in out of plane orientation are investigated on Liquid Silicon Infiltrated (LSI) C/C–SiC composites. For hardness tests, a hemispherical indenter is used in order to evaluate residual indentation. The load–unload curve generated during the indentation process is analyzed to determine the hardness and stiffness. The employed experimental procedure is expected to be applicable to other CMCs with similar microstructure.
Small‐Sized Cationic miRi‐PCNPs Selectively Target the Kidneys for High‐Efficiency Antifibrosis Treatment
Authors: Geng Xinran , Zhang Mengbi , Lai Xuandi , Tan Lishan , Liu Jianyu , Yu Meng , Deng Xiulong , Hu Jianqiang , Li Aiqing
Published: September 2018

Small‐sized cationic miRi (microRNA‐21 inhibitor)‐PCNPs (low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC)‐modified polylactide‐co‐glycoside (PLGA) nanoparticles (PLNPs)) with special kidney‐targeting and high‐efficiency antifibrosis treatment are fabricated through coupling miRi, PLGA, and LMWC. In the miRi‐PCNPs, easily degraded miRi is encapsulated in PCNPs and thus prevented from degradation by nuclease. Cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and systemic toxicity assays and in vitro and ex vivo fluorescence imaging suggest that PCNPs possess excellent biocompatibility, higher cellular uptake efficiency, and selective kidney‐targeting capacity. Western blotting, pathological staining, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses show that the therapeutic effect of miRi‐PCNPs on kidney fibrosis is much higher than that of miRi, which is mainly through suppressing transforming growth factor beta‐1/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein 3 (TGF‐β1/Smad3) and extracellular signal–regulated kinases/mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of microRNA‐21. For example, the tubule damage index and tubulointerstitial fibrosis area in the miRi‐PCNPs group are ≈2.5‐fold lower than those in the saline and bare miRi groups. The miRi‐PCNPs with special kidney‐targeting and high‐efficiency antifibrosis treatment may represent a promising strategy for designing and developing a therapeutic treatment for kidney fibrosis.
Inkjet‐Printed Random Lasers
Authors: Liao Yu‐Ming , Liao Wei‐Cheng , Chang Shu‐Wei , Hou Cheng‐Fu , Tai Chia‐Tse , Su Chen‐You , Hsu Yun‐Tzu , Wu Min‐Hsuan , Chou Rou‐Jun , Lee Yao‐Hsuan , Lin Shih‐Yao , Lin Wei‐Ju , Chang Cheng‐Han , Haider Golam , Kataria Monika , Roy Pradip Kumar , Bera Krishna Prasad , PaulInbaraj Christy Roshini , Hu Han‐Wen , Lin Tai‐Yuan , Chen Yang‐Fang
Published: September 2018

Printing technology has led to a multitude of revolutions in design, conception, fabrication, and application of optoelectronics nowadays especially for wearables and one‐off devices. Recent advances range from solar cells, batteries, sensors, LEDs, displays, biomedical widgets to smart tags. Inkjet‐printed random lasers (IPRLs), demonstrated here, fill in the crucial but missing piece of the puzzle in printed optoelectronics as well as progress in laser research. A broad emission spectrum of IPRL inks covering more than 75% gamut of CIE color space is successfully exploited and well adopted by commercial desktop inkjet printers. Furthermore, based on the digital, ink‐efficient, mask‐free patterning, and drop‐on‐demand printing technique, a series of long‐anticipated proofs‐of‐concept including on‐chip laser lighting modules, red‐yellow‐green‐blue pixel‐based laser displays, and ink‐crypto/laser‐coded security printing technique are also demonstrated.
Information‐Entropic Measures in Confined Isotropic Harmonic Oscillator
Authors: Mukherjee Neetik , Roy Amlan K.
Published: September 2018

Information‐based uncertainty measures like Rényi entropy (R), Shannon entropy (S) and Onicescu energy (E) are employed to understand the influence of radial confinement in an isotropic harmonic oscillator (IHO). The transformation of the Hamiltonian into a dimensionless form gives an idea of the composite effect of oscillation frequency (ω) and confinement radius (). For a given quantum state, accurate results are provided by applying the respective exact analytical wave function in the r‐space. The p‐space wave functions are produced from Fourier transforms of radial functions. Pilot calculations are done taking order of entropic moments () as in r‐ and p‐spaces. A detailed, systematic analysis is performed for a 3D confined harmonic oscillator (CHO) with respect to state indices , and . It has been found that the CHO acts as a bridge between particles in a spherical box and the 3D free IHO. In the low‐ region, increases while decrease with the rise in . At moderate , there exists an interaction between two competing factors: i) radial confinement (localization) and ii) accumulation of radial nodes with growth of (delocalization). Most of these results are reported here for the first time, revealing many new interesting features.
Reactivity of N‐Substituted Exo‐oxazolidin‐2‐one Dienes with Naphthalene Chalcones and Cyclic 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds
Authors: Mastachi‐Loza Salvador , Ramírez‐Candelero Tania I. , González‐Romero Carlos , Díaz‐Torres Eduardo , Fuentes‐Benítes Aydeé , Tamariz Joaquín
Published: September 2018

The N‐substituted exo‐2‐oxazolidinone dienes are versatile molecules that undergo a variety of reactions. To further explore this versatility, Diels‐Alder reactions were carried out with novel naphthalene chalcones. Upon attempting the Diels‐Alder reaction with 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone, the formation of chromene unexpectedly took place via a formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction. The observed reaction was then achieved with other 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds.
Tell the Participant: ‘You Are Very Angry.’ Then Wait. That's ‘Affect Labeling.’ And It Works.
Authors: Creo Robert A.
Published: September 2018

Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one's ability to persuade.
Vertical Assembly of Giant Double‐ and Triple‐Decker Spoked Wheel Supramolecular Structures
Authors: Liu Die , Chen Mingzhao , Li Yiming , Shen Yixian , Huang Jian , Yang Xiaoyu , Jiang Zhilong , Li Xiaopeng , Newkome George R. , Wang Pingshan
Published: September 2018

The double‐ or triple‐decker 3D metallo‐hexagons were obtained by self‐assembly of multitopic tris‐terpyridines with Cd2+ ions in near‐quantitative yield. Comprising up to 72 ionic pairs, the multiple spoked wheels display characteristic reversible gelation properties under thermodynamic conditions. The supramolecular metallo‐nanoarchitectures were characterized by 1H NMR, 2D NMR (COSY and NOESY), and diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and HR‐ESI‐MS, traveling‐wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM‐MS), TEM, and AFM. For the first time, the self‐assembly of 45 units at once was demonstrated to yield exceptional giant triple‐decker hexagons of up to circa 42 000 Da.
A General Amino Acid Synthesis Enabled by Innate Radical Cross‐Coupling
Authors: Ni Shengyang , Garrido‐Castro Alberto F. , Merchant Rohan R. , de Gruyter Justine N. , Schmitt Daniel C. , Mousseau James J. , Gallego Gary M. , Yang Shouliang , Collins Michael R. , Qiao Jennifer X. , Yeung Kap‐Sun , Langley David R. , Poss Michael A. , Scola Paul M. , Qin Tian , Baran Phil S.
Published: September 2018

The direct union of primary, secondary, and tertiary carboxylic acids with a chiral glyoxylate‐derived sulfinimine provides rapid access into a variety of enantiomerically pure α‐amino acids (>85 examples). Characterized by operational simplicity, this radical‐based reaction enables the modular assembly of exotic α‐amino acids, including both unprecedented structures and those of established industrial value. The described method performs well in high‐throughput library synthesis, and has already been implemented in three distinct medicinal chemistry campaigns.
Nanotubes of NiCo2S4/Co9S8 Heterostructure: Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Basu Mrinmoyee
Published: September 2018

The most important issue in water splitting is the development of efficient, abundant, and cost‐effective hydrogen and oxygen evolution catalysts. The development of an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline conditions is described here following a simple hydrothermal route. Here, a method for the synthesis of NiCo2S4/Co9S8, Co9S8, and NiCo2S4 nanotubes has been developed. The NiCo2S4/Co9S8 heterostructure has been introduced as an efficient electrocatalyst towards HER under alkaline conditions (1.0 m KOH). The vertically aligned nanotube heterostructure (NiCo2S4/Co9S8) shows the most efficient activity as compared to bare Co9S8 and NiCo2S4 nanotubes. The heterostructure of NiCo2S4 and Co9S8 shows a significant anodic shift in the onset potential compared to the bare counterpart. NiCo2S4/Co9S8 can generate a current density of 10 mA cm−2 upon application of only −0.172 V vs. RHE, whereas Co9S8 and NiCo2S4 require −0.293 V and −0.239 V vs. RHE, respectively. The heterostructure formation and the nanotube morphology of Co9S8 and NiCo2S4 facilitates a fast charge transportation which results in higher electrocatalytic activity. The hydrogen gas evolution rate of the NiCo2S4/Co9S8 heterostructure was determined to be 2.29 μmol min−1.
Lanthanide‐Catalyzed Tandem Insertion of Secondary Amines with 2‐Alkynylbenzonitriles: Synthesis of Aminoisoindoles
Authors: Ye Pengqing , Shao Yinlin , Xie Leping , Shen Keting , Cheng Tianxing , Chen Jiuxi
Published: September 2018

A lanthanide‐catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of 2‐alkynylbenzonitriles with secondary amines has been disclosed, providing a streamlined access to a range of aminoisoindoles in moderate to excellent yields. The salient features of this reaction include high bond‐formation efficiency, mild reaction conditions, 100 % atomic efficiency and good functional group tolerance. This methodology has also been successfully applied to the construction of other nitrogen‐containing compounds, such as 5 H‐imidazo[2,1‐a]isoindoles and isoquinolines. A plausible mechanism for the formation of aminoisoindoles involving initial N−H activation by a lanthanide complex followed by C≡N insertion into a Ln−N bond to form an amidinate lanthanide intermediate, which undergoes the cyclization is proposed.
Selective Anion Recognition by a Dynamic Quadruple Helicate
Authors: Steel Peter J. , McMorran David A.
Published: September 2018

An M2L4 quadruple helicate, formed by wrapping four molecules of 1,4‐bis(3‐pyridyloxy)benzene (L1) about two palladium(II) centers, is shown to bind anions within its internal cavity. 1H NMR exchange experiments provide a quantitative measure of anion selectivity and reveal a preference for ClO4− over the other tetrahedral anions BF4− and ReO4− and the octahedral anion PF6−. X‐ray crystal structures of [Pd2(L1)4]4+ helicates containing ClO4, BF4− and I− reveal that the cavity size can dynamically change in response to the size of the guest.
Double intertropical convergence zones over the eastern Pacific Ocean: Contrasting impacts of the eastern Pacific‐ and central Pacific‐type El Niños
Authors: Yan Li , Li Gen
Published: September 2018

A double intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) with poor equatorial rainfall over the eastern Pacific Ocean distinctively occurs in March–April. Here we find that double ITCZs and equatorial precipitation are strongly linked to meridionally symmetric (or asymmetric) sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly patterns during eastern Pacific (EP)‐type (or central Pacific [CP]‐type) El Niño episodes. EP‐type El Niño weakens the north–south asymmetry of the eastern Pacific double ITCZs by moving them equatorward. In contrast, CP‐type El Niño strengthens the north–south asymmetry of the double ITCZs by strengthening the northern ITCZ and weakening the southern ITCZ. While EP‐type El Niño brings unique flourishing Galápagos Islands owing to warm equatorial SST anomalies with major local and remote climate effects, CP‐type El Niño causes drier Galápagos Islands by decreasing equatorial eastern Pacific SST. This study highlights the distinctly different climate effects of EP‐ and CP‐type El Niños in the region.
Impact of cold surges on the Madden‐Julian oscillation propagation over the Maritime Continent
Authors: Pang Bo , Lu Riyu , Ling Jian
Published: September 2018

Whether the Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) propagates into the western Pacific or is blocked by the Maritime Continent (MC) can have great impacts on global weather and climate. This study investigates the extratropical circulations associated with the MJO events that propagate across the MC (MJO‐C) and those blocked by the MC (MJO‐B), respectively, during the boreal winter. The results show that there are significant northeasterly anomalies over the South China Sea and tropical western North Pacific when MJO‐C events propagate through the MC. The MJO‐C events are much more likely to be accompanied by cold surges during its propagation over the MC, following the intensification of the Siberian High. This study suggests that cold surges, which have been documented as a trigger of tropical convection, can help the MJO propagate across the MC.
Mind perception and moral judgment in autism
Authors: Akechi Hironori , Kikuchi Yukiko , Tojo Yoshikuni , Hakarino Koichiro , Hasegawa Toshikazu
Published: September 2018

Social difficulties of autistic individuals have been suggested to be caused by mind blindness, the absence of a theory of mind. Numerous studies have investigated theory of mind in autism spectrum disorder or how autistic individuals represent the mental states of others. Here, we have examined, as an alternative, mind perception, namely how individuals perceive the minds of various animate and inanimate entities. Autistic and non‐autistic participants demonstrated evidence of a similar two‐dimensional mind perception; agency, capacity for doing (i.e., self‐control, memory, plan), and experience, capacity for feeling (i.e., fear, hunger, pain). Some targets (e.g., human infant and dog) were perceived to have low agency but high experience, while others (e.g., robot and God) were perceived to have the reverse pattern. Moreover, in both autistic and non‐autistic groups, the attribution of moral blame positively correlated with agency, whereas moral consideration positively correlated with experience. These results offer new evidence of social cognition, particularly conception of mind and morality, in autism. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1239–1244. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

We found that autistic and non‐autistic individuals have similar thoughts regarding the minds of various living and nonliving entities. In addition, both groups gave moral consideration or blamed entities for wrongdoing according to their conception of the minds of those entities. Autistic individuals have this mind‐based moral sense, which is a pivotal element with a key role in human society.
When do Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Take Common Ground into Account During Communication?
Authors: Malkin Louise , Abbot‐Smith Kirsten , Williams David , Ayling John
Published: September 2018

One feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a deficit in verbal reference production, that is, providing an appropriate amount of verbal information for the listener to refer to things, people, and events. However, very few studies have manipulated whether individuals with ASD can take a speaker's perspective to interpret verbal reference. A critical limitation of all interpretation studies is that comprehension of another's verbal reference required the participant to represent only the other's visual perspective. Yet, many everyday interpretations of verbal reference require knowledge of social perspective (i.e., a consideration of which experiences one has shared with which interlocutor). We investigated whether 22 5;0–7;11‐year‐old children with ASD and 22 well‐matched typically developing (TD) children used social perspective to comprehend (Study 1) and produce (Study 2) verbal reference. Social perspective‐taking was manipulated by having children collaboratively complete activities with one of two interlocutors such that for a given activity, one interlocutor was Knowledgeable and one was Naïve. Study 1 found no between‐group differences for the interpretation of ambiguous references based on social perspective. In Study 2, when producing referring terms, the ASD group made modifications based on listener needs, but this effect was significantly stronger in the TD group. Overall, the findings suggest that high‐functioning children with ASD know with which interlocutor they have previously shared a given experience and can take this information into account to steer verbal reference. Nonetheless, they show clear performance limitations in this regard relative to well‐matched controls. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1366–1375. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

No one had studied if young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could take into account previous collaboration with particular conversation partners to drive how well they communicate with others. In both their language understanding and spoken language, we found that five to 7‐year‐olds with ASD were able to consider what they had previously shared with the conversation partner. However, they were impaired when compared to typically developing children in the degree to which they tailored their spoken language for a specific listener.
Computing individual and collective ethical utility for optimally planning phase III trials
Authors: De Capitani Lucio , De Martini Daniele
Published: September 2018

A quantitative evaluation of individual and collective ethics is proposed here, with the aim of providing a tool for sample size determination/estimation that goes further than the standard power setting of 80–90%. Individual ethics deal with issues that concern the patients enrolled in the trial, where collective ones concern the patients not enrolled in the trial, and who might benefit from a positive result. The global ethical utility (GEU) of a phase III trial is introduced here, being the summation of individual and collective ethical utilities, and can be viewed as a function of the sample size. The GEU model is based on the extent of the efficacy of the treatments in study, of the quality of life of the patients being treated, of the effects of potential adverse reactions, it accounts for the duration of the periods of interest and for the size of population groups, and also embeds the experimental power. This work aims at arguing the case for GEU adoption for sample size determination. The sample size that maximizes GEU can be adopted for planning the trial, even when providing a power value out of the classical range [.8,.9]. Alternatively, among the sample sizes based on power values of 80% and 90%, the one providing the highest GEU can be adopted. Intuitively, when a treatment is assumed to work well, to have few adverse effects, and is expected to improve the QoL of the ill population for a considerable amount of time, collective ethics may prevail giving ethically optimal sample sizes larger than usual, and consequent quite high power values (e.g. 99%). Instead, medium, though still clinically meaningful, levels of effect, considerable adverse reactions, and limited life expectation and QoL improvement, might shift the ethical balance on individual ethics and give an ethically optimal sample size providing a power lower than standard values (e.g. 70%). Some examples and an application in the cardiovascular area, including sensitivity analyses of the results based on the so‐called Bayesian “assurance” technique, are also discussed. Several possible extensions of the model related to particular clinical frameworks are also presented.
An Efficient Spraying Method with Cyclodextrine‐drived Aqueous Stripper for Removing of Organic Photoresist on Indium Tin Oxide Surface
Authors: Kim Joon Hyun , Lee Ki‐Seong , Jeong Byung Hyun , Lee Dae Won , Hong Sung‐Jei , Kim Young Sung
Published: September 2018

The chemical mechanism of inducing polymer breakage in a photoresist layer plays an important role in the photoresist removal from an indium tin oxide substrate. The spray structure for delivering the relevant functional material is involved in the process of binding and dissolving the PR (photoresist) material. This presents an efficient spraying process of removing the photoresist layer formed on a 260‐nm‐thick indium tin oxide substrate with a CD (cyclodextrine)‐drived aqueous stripper, simultaneously implementing proper mass transfer and heat transfer. It was taken to achieve an economical stripper consumption management by limiting the modified Weber number to 200 and the spray distance to 100 mm. As a result, stable removal performance was achieved, with optical and electric properties varying within the range of 1%, in CD drived aqueous stripping conditions (water content of the stripper composition ≤71%, stripper temperature = 40°C, and stripping time = 40 s).
Peptidyl‐Prolyl Isomerase Cpr7p of Yeast Prevents Protein Aggregation Upon Freezing
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun , Kim Yang‐Hee , Lee Kyunghee , Im Hana
Published: September 2018

Exposure to low temperatures may disturb proteome stasis due to cold denaturation and subsequent aggregation of proteins. The formation of reactive oxygen species, intracellular pH changes, and osmotic imbalance due to intracellular ice crystal formation may aggravate protein denaturation. In a previous study, deletion of some chaperone genes, particularly peptidyl‐prolyl cis–trans isomerases, rendered yeast cells more vulnerable to freeze–thaw treatment. To elucidate their mode of action, an active site mutation was introduced into an identified peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase, cpr7. Expression of mutant Cpr7p significantly recovered freeze survival in cpr7Δ yeast. Extensive protein aggregates were formed in cpr7Δ yeast cells upon freeze–thaw treatment, and introduction of either wild‐type or mutant cpr7 significantly mitigated protein aggregation. Translation elongation factor 2 (EF‐2) was predominantly found in the aggregated fraction in cpr7Δ yeast. Purified Cpr7p facilitated the refolding of unfolded Z‐type antitrypsin proteins in vitro. Our results suggest that Cpr7p protects cells from freeze‐induced protein aggregation and is potentially involved in the biosynthesis and/or folding of new proteins during recovery from freezing damage.
Identification of LEA, a podocalyxin‐like glycoprotein, as a predictor for the progression of colorectal cancer
Authors: Yuan Dezheng , Chen Hang , Wang Shuo , Liu Furong , Cheng Yajie , Fang Jin
Published: September 2018

Large external antigen (LEA) is considered as a colorectal cancer (CRC)‐associated antigen, which was found via mAb ND‐1 generated using hybridoma technology, but its molecular features remain unknown. To facilitate the clinical application of LEA, we identified LEA as a podocalyxin‐like protein 1 (PODXL) with molecular weight of approximately 230 kDa, a hyperglycosylated protein, using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry in combination, and verified that ND‐1‐recognized epitope is on the terminal sialic acid of LEA. Correlation analysis between LEA and PODXL in molecular weight, immunological cross‐reactivity, and gene expression dependence supported the PODXL identity of the LEA. Moreover, we assessed the clinical significance of the LEA in 89 pairs of primary CRC tissues and adjacent nontumor colorectal tissues using ND‐1 by quantum dot‐based immunohistochemistry (QD‐IHC). High LEA expression was correlated significantly with T stage (P = 0.010). Patients with high LEA expression showed significantly poorer prognosis than those with LEA low expression (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis indicated LEA expression as an independent predictor. Furthermore, the comparative analysis showed that mAb ND‐1‐based IHC analysis toward sugar residue of PODXL has higher sensitivity and specificity to evaluate the LEA/PODXL expression than mAb 3D3‐based method toward core protein of PODXL in CRC cell lines and clinical samples. In addition, we first found that LEA/PODXL can be secreted in exosomes from cancer cells and CRC patient peripheral blood. Our results demonstrate that LEA is an independent predictor for CRC progression and has the potential to be applied for clinical setting with high sensitivity, high specificity, and noninvasive access.
Post‐treatment urinary sarcosine as a predictor of recurrent relapses in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Gumulec Jaromir , Raudenska Martina , Pacik Dalibor , Plevova Mariana , Sorokac‐Kubolkova Alena , Lackova Zuzana , Cernei Natalia , Strmiska Vladislav , Zitka Ondrej , Heger Zbynek , Adam Vojtech
Published: September 2018

To date, there has been no evidence regarding the association between urinary sarcosine content and prostate cancer survival. Our main objective was to investigate whether levels of post‐treatment urinary sarcosine are associated with relapse. The inclusion criteria were (in accordance with EAU 2017) as follows: histopathologically verified adenocarcinoma in prostate biopsy cores or specimens from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or prostatectomy for benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) with retained ability to urinate. The median follow‐up was 53 months. In the study, we retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 511 patients with prostate cancer with various risk factors and treatment strategies. Post‐treatment sarcosine levels were elevated in 266 (52%) patients and highly elevated (≥200 nmol/L) in 71 (13%) patients. Urinary sarcosine content was significantly associated with number of relapses that patients experienced, P = 0.002 for sarcosine ≥200 vs ≤30 nmol/L. Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcosine was an independent predictor of recurrent relapses (≥2 relapses with an intermediate period of remission), HR = 3.89 (95% CI 1.29‐11.7) for sarcosine >200 vs <30 nmol/L. This trend was even more pronounced in a subgroup of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, HR = 3.29 (95% CI 1.06‐10.18), where (single) relapse‐free survival could also be predicted by sarcosine levels, HR = 1.96 (1.05‐3.66). Urinary sarcosine may become a possible predictor for patients’ outcomes, because patients with elevated post‐treatment sarcosine could be predicted to have recurrent relapses of the disease.
Pattern of distant metastases in primary extrahepatic bile‐duct cancer: A SEER‐based study
Authors: Wang Xuan , Yu Guang‐Yang , Chen Mo , Wei Ran , Chen Jinhong , Wang Zheng
Published: September 2018

Extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EBDC) is a combined type of malignancy mainly consisting of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer. Clinically, it is featured with latent symptoms and early metastasis, leading to a poor prognosis. Therefore, this cohort study aimed to depict the possible metastatic patterns of EBDC of diverse sub‐types and evaluate the prognostic significance of diverse metastatic destinations with data from the clinical database. Relevant data of total 4061 confirmed EBDC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2013 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was obtained. We applied t test to describe the baseline data of patients included and used chi‐square test to compare the distribution of distant metastatic sites. We further adopted odds ratio assess the combined metastatic patterns and compared survival difference of patients with different distal metastasis organ by Kaplan‐Meier analysis. We identified totally 4061 patients over 18 years old diagnosed with extrahepatic bile tract malignancies between 2010 and 2013, with clear metastatic status and follow‐up data, without primary malignancies. Liver and distant lymph (DL) are the two most common sites as a single metastasis organ. In combined metastasis patterns, bi‐organ is more frequent than the other types. Lung is the organ preferentially for bi‐organ metastasis, while bone and distant lymph similarly intend to co‐metastasize with brain. Distal metastasis in EBDC patients indicates an extremely poor prognosis. According to the final analysis results, malignancies in extrahepatic bile duct exhibit similar metastatic patterns, suggesting that we can regard them as a unity to assess its development. Profound differences exist in distribution of distant extrahepatic metastatic sites and their combinations. Results from our studies would provide some information for follow‐up strategies and future studies.
Development of a Dominant Negative Competence‐Stimulating Peptide (dnCSP) that Attenuates Streptococcus pneumoniae Infectivity in a Mouse Model of Acute Pneumonia
Authors: Koirala Bimal , Lin Jingjun , Lau Gee W. , Tal‐Gan Yftah
Published: September 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a prevalent human pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases, including pneumonia, bacteremia, sepsis, meningitis and otitis media, with a death toll of >22 000 a year in the United States alone. Pneumococcus uses the competence regulon and its associated signaling peptide, the competence stimulating peptide (CSP), to initiate its attack on the host and establish an infection. In this work, we set out to: 1) develop a pan‐group quorum sensing inhibitor that could effectively interact with both the pneumococcus ComD1 and ComD2 receptors; and 2) evaluate the utility of dominant‐negative CSPs (dnCSPs) in attenuating pneumococcus infectivity. Our results highlight the potential of inhibiting the competence regulon as a therapeutic approach to combat pneumococcus infections.
Gastroduodenal intussusception due to gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Authors: De Utpal , Basu Srijan
Published: September 2018

Key Clinical Message

Gastric GIST should be kept in mind in patients with gastric outlet obstruction.
Clinical presentation and management of atraumatic splenic rupture
Authors: Sahin Alain N. , Schwenter Frank , Sebajang Herawaty
Published: September 2018

Key Clinical Message

Atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare, but well‐documented and life‐threatening clinical entity that is often misdiagnosed. Clinicians should include this entity in their differential diagnosis using clinical judgement even in the absence of a history of trauma.
Modulating Metal‐Free and Non‐Enzymatic Electrocatalytic Activity of sp2 Carbons Towards H2O2 Reduction by a Facile and Low‐Temperature Electrochemical Approach
Authors: Manju Venkatesan , Vusa Chiranjeevi S. R. , Arumugam Palaniappan , Berchmans Sheela
Published: September 2018

Designing a self‐supported and binder‐free electrocatalyst for electrochemical detection of bio‐analytes is an intriguing area of research on electrochemical sensors. Herein, glassy carbon GC and graphene (Gr) were transformed to self‐supported and binder‐free electrocatalysts (N−GCE and N−Gr) for metal‐free and non‐enzymatic H2O2 detection by a simple electrochemical incorporation of nitrogen on their surfaces. The presence of nitrogen and its functional groups in N−GCE and N−Gr was confirmed by Raman, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. We found that the nitrogen incorporated surfaces, N−GCE and N−Gr show enhanced electrocatalytic activity compared to the oxygen incorporated surfaces, O−GCE and O−Gr, and plain GCE and Gr. The apparent electron transfer rate constant, ka of N−GCE and N−Gr increased significantly after nitrogen incorporation. The N−GCE and N−Gr show enhanced electrochemical performance towards H2O2 in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and reusability. The rate determining step of H2O2 reduction at N−GCE and N−Gr was determined by rotating disc electrode experiments. Also, N−GCE and N−Gr are shown to be potential candidates for the detection of H2O2 in real samples like urine and milk. The hidden potential of the method reported is that it can be extended to design many novel electrocatalytic materials simply by selecting a proper allotrope of carbon from the wide list of carbon allotropes.
Sulfur‐Doped CoO Nanoflakes with Loosely Packed Structure Realizing Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Kuang Xuan , Kang Baotao , Wang Zhiling , Gao Lingfeng , Guo Chengying , Lee Jin Yong , Sun Xu , Wei Qin
Published: September 2018

The development of active and inexpensive electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to promote water splitting has always been a major challenge. Cobalt‐based oxides and sulfides have been actively investigated due to their low cost and high activity. However, the lower intrinsic conductivity of cobalt oxide and the inferior stability of cobalt sulfides still limit their practical application. Herein, CoO was chosen for a proof‐of‐concept study in which the anion‐doping strategy was used to obtain an excellent catalyst. Sulfur incorporation optimizes the charge‐transfer properties and active sites of sulfur‐doped CoO (S‐CoO) and thus gives rise to improved catalytic activity. Besides sulfur doping, the stable framework of the cobalt oxide was well maintained, and thus high stability of S‐CoO throughout the reaction process was ensured.