bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representation of Class
Authors: Kellner Douglas , Share Jeff
Published: May 2019

This entry explores the need for a critical examination of class in media representations and the use of critical media literacy as a tool to analyze and create alternative representations about class. Since critiques of socioeconomic structures and systems in the United States are so rarely explored in commercial US media, while media often celebrate the myth of a classless society where everyone is in the middle class, it is imperative that educators guide students to question representations of class in media and the intersectionality of class in all aspects of life and society.
Representation of Ethnicity
Authors: Cubbage Jayne , Chapman Denise N.J. , Haywood Alicia
Published: May 2019

Since its introduction, media literacy has been occupied with introducing its core tenets of understanding and responding to media messages to society. In the process, a broad‐based approach to media literacy and ethnicity has been normalized in practice and application. Although this approach is in its burgeoning stages, researchers and media literacy scholars have begun to advocate for an increased dialogue between media literacy and ethnicity, in the hope of encouraging greater awareness of racial and ethnic stereotypes in the media and of offering adaptive tools and educational strategies designed to lessen the impact of negative messaging and to increase positive interethnic dialogue in society.
Representation of Health, Body, (Dis)Ability
Authors: Phillips Kwame
Published: May 2019

This entry explores the depictions of the body in media texts, across a variety of media platforms, and the role these play in molding perceptions of disability. This entry highlights issues of labeling, stigma, normality, and stereotyping and the impact that all of them have on both perception and treatment. These issues underline how the saturation of negative and inaccurate representations of disability is detrimental and how, over time, especially in film and television, these changes in representation have sought to address visibility.
Representation of Nutrition and Food in the Media
Authors: Peterson Tina L.
Published: May 2019

Media literacy takes on special importance with regard to media representations of food and nutrition. The vast majority of such messages we see every day aim to sell products or ideas, or promote particular values, rather than provide objective information. Because our dietary habits and food choices impact our well‐being directly, it is vital to understand the gap between the media message and the thing itself. This entry examines food media from multiple perspectives: cookbooks and magazines; food on television in the 20th and 21st centuries; contemporary advertising for food, especially that directed at children; and online information about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), high‐fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and food allergies.
Representation of Politics
Authors: Guha Pallavi
Published: May 2019

Politics and the media are intertwined in every possible way. The influence of the media on politics has increased with the changing landscape of media platforms, which has been evident in recent significant political events such as the Brexit polls, the US presidential election of 2016, or the impeachment of the Brazilian president. Media representation of politics is a much‐debated issue. This entry provides an insight into the representation of politics across media platforms: news media, popular media, infotainment media, and social media.
Ecomedia Literacy
Authors: López Antonio
Published: May 2019

Ecomedia literacy is an emerging area of media literacy that teaches the integrated relationship between media and living systems. It is a holistic framework that explores the ecological “footprint” and “mindprint” of media as drivers of environmental problems and solutions. It involves critically examining the impact of media and communications technology on the physical environment, and explores the various ways in which media systems propagate beliefs about the relationship between humans and the living systems that sustain them. It also recognizes the positive contributions of the media to solving the environmental crisis; and it promotes this by advocating youth media, civic engagement, alternative media practices, and global citizenship to promote sustainability.
Media Industry Involvement in Media Literacy
Authors: Hobbs Renee
Published: May 2019

Media industry representatives have supported and created media literacy initiatives beginning in the 1960s and up until the present time, helping to advance the media literacy competencies of citizens. But the media industry's role in media literacy education has been controversial as diverse approaches have been used by media organizations including the film, news, broadcast, and cable TV industries, advertisers, and technology and digital platform firms. The media industry has supported outcomes such as increasing consumer demand for media products and services, advancing consumer protection or harm reduction, celebrating creative self‐expression, and cultivating advocacy among members of a target audience. The media industry's involvement in media literacy is part of a wider cultural trend that is occurring as deregulation of media industries places more responsibility on the shoulders of individuals. Diverse stakeholders aim to build bridges between the classroom and the culture, encouraging people to move from passive spectators to active participants in an increasingly mediated world.
Stereotype Threat
Authors: Randell‐Moon Holly
Published: May 2019

This entry provides an introduction to the term stereotype threat, the conditions and effects of stereotype threat as a psychological phenomenon, some of its research applications as well as critiques and future directions for research. The entry also discusses the relationship between media and stereotype as it pertains to stereotype threat, the methodologies used to research stereotype threat and their implications for media literacy in terms of understanding the effects of media on identity, achievement, and self‐esteem. Stereotype threat refers to the risk that an individual will self‐confirm a negative stereotype about their social identity, causing diminished performance in a particular domain or area of achievement. The term is widely credited for providing an explanation for uneven performance between social groups of otherwise equal capability. Stereotype threat research draws attention to the role of stereotype and social perception in harming the performance capacities of individuals within identified social groupings.
Teaching with Media
Authors: Ranieri Maria
Published: May 2019

The use of media and technologies in education, for teaching and learning, has a long history whose development was particularly intense in the 20th century owing to the rapid spread of information and communication technologies, for example audiovisual media such as radio and television, digital media, and the Internet. The extensive use of educational technologies in teaching is reflected, first, in the birth of the movement for audiovisual instruction in the 1920s and, next, in the development between the 1950s and 1960s of a new research field, known as educational technology or instructional technology, which gradually shifted the emphasis from the audiovisual communications media to the systematic development of teaching and learning methods based on psychological theories of learning such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism.
Twitter in Education
Authors: West Dennis M. , Kimmons Royce
Published: May 2019

Twitter is a popular microblogging platform that many have used to support teaching and learning in a variety of contexts. This article explores how Twitter may be used by educators to support professional development, lifelong learning, and more informal educational activities and how it may provide students with formal, nonformal, and informal learning experiences. In each case, we provide examples of use and also briefly mention some cultural and social issues that should be considered when using Twitter in educational settings.
W
eb Television
Authors: Cohen Jamie
Published: May 2019

Web television is defined through comparison with traditional television models and formulas. Web television includes variations of short‐form, alternative television production as well as video bloggers, known as vloggers, or YouTubers. In the early years of the 21st century from faster Internet speeds and the launch of YouTube, amateur producers created new cultural models of alternative television. Media literacy may critically intervene by analyzing how web television creators and vloggers use embedded advertising models in the form of sponsored content, as a profit model, as well as how the web series provide access points for traditionally marginalized producers.
Digital Divide and Web‐Use Skills
Authors: Reynolds Rebecca B. , Leeder Christopher
Published: May 2019

Research indicates that technology uses among the public are associated with social and cultural capital and social mobility. Evidence supports the persistent presence of a digital divide in the US population. Given the implications of this divide for citizens in terms of digital literacy and democratic participation, life and livelihood outcomes, this entry addresses the following issues: (i) the various ways in which the digital divide has been defined over time, (ii) present‐day empirical findings on the extent of the digital divide in US contexts since 2017, (iii) advances in theoretical conceptualization that expand our understanding of the systemic forces at play, and (iv) one example of a solution to the problem of mitigating the digital divide that takes into account such systemic forces in its implementation strategy and includes measurable effects.
Youth Media
Authors: Friesem Yonty
Published: May 2019

“Youth media” refers to the creation of mediated messages by teenagers and young adults; the term covers both the production process and the final product. The product can take the form of various media texts and have a variety of purposes, while the process has seven distinct stages. Depending on the stakeholders, the emphasis of youth media can be on the product, on the process, or on both. Many youth media organizations use the process of production and its result for community engagement. With the increasing accessibility of digital production and distribution, youth media organizations can offer opportunities to engage diverse populations in media production. Youth media research often examines the development of agency, creativity, technical skills, critical thinking, and civic engagement in the young people who participate in media production.
Trolls/Trolling
Authors: Bellmore Amy , Resnik Felice , Olson Chelsea , Calvin Angela , Brummer Morgan
Published: May 2019

This entry reviews the definition of trolling as well as the qualities of trolls and the targets of trolling. Various definitions of online trolling are presented to reflect the range of disciplines that have attended to the scholarship of trolling. Online trolling is contrasted with cyberbullying. The significance of anonymity and humor to trolling are emphasized as the distinguishing qualities. The range of motives for trolls, including humor, deception, and disruption are reviewed. The demographic and psychosocial profiles of both perpetrators and targets of trolling are presented.
Evaluation of video compression methods for cone‐beam computerized tomography
Authors: Yan Hui , Li Yexiong , Dai Jianrong
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Cone‐beam computerized tomography (CBCT) is routinely performed for verification of patient position in radiotherapy. It produced a large amount of data which require a method to compress them for efficient storage. In this study three video compression algorithms were introduced and their performance was evaluated based on real patient data.

Materials and methods

At first CBCT images in multiple sets of a patient were transferred from reconstruction workstation or exported from treatment planning system. Then CBCT images were sorted according to imaging time (time‐prioritized sequence) or imaging location (location‐prioritized sequence). Next, this sequence was processed by a video compression algorithm and resulted in a movie. Three representative video compression algorithms (Motion JPEG 2000, Motion JPEG AVI, and MPEG‐4) were employed and their compression performance was evaluated based on the CBCT data of 30 patients.

Results

Among three video compression algorithms, Motion JPEG 2000 has the least compression ratio since it is a lossless compression algorithm. Motion JPEG AVI and MPEG‐4 have higher compression ratios than Motion JPEG 2000 but come with certain image losses. For MPEG‐4, location‐prioritized sequences show higher compression ratio than time‐prioritized sequences. Based on the results achieved on the clinical target verification application, the registration accuracy of CBCT after decompression was comparable to that of the original CBCT.

Conclusions

Video compression algorithms could provide a higher compression ratio comparing to static image compression algorithm. Although the loss of CBCT image due to compression its impact on registration accuracy of patient positioning is almost negligible. Video compression method is an effective way to substantially reduce the size of CBCT images for storage.
Birth Outcomes and Disease Activity During Pregnancy in a Prospective Cohort of Women With Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Smith Chelsey J. F. , Bandoli Gretchen , Kavanaugh Arthur , Chambers Christina D.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To add to data on adverse birth outcomes accounting for disease activity in women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

Data were analyzed from women enrolled in the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Autoimmune Disease Project from 2004 to 2018. Disease activity was measured according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) or Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) scores. Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for selected adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Compared to healthy controls (n = 717), women with PsA (n = 117) were at increased risk for moderate preterm delivery (32–36 weeks’ gestation) (ARR1.81, 95%CI1.01–3.26), oligohydramnios (ARR3.79, 95%CI1.34–10.74), and cesarean delivery (ARR1.63, 95%CI1.26–2.12). Women withAS(n = 129) had an increased risk of delivering infants requiring intensive care (ARR1.67, 95%CI1.05–2.67). A highHAQscore at 32 weeks was associated with preterm delivery in women with PsA (ARR3.82, 95%CI1.51–9.67). In women withAS, a highRAPID3 score was associated with cesarean delivery (ARR5.82, 95% 1.06–31.78), and second trimester glucocorticoid use was associated with preterm delivery (ARR4.41, 95%CI1.57–12.41).

Conclusion

Women with PsA andAShave increased risk for selected adverse pregnancy outcomes. Active disease and use of glucocorticoids may increase the risk for some adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with these conditions.
Combining Data Longevity with High Storage Capacity—Layer‐by‐Layer DNA Encapsulated in Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Weida D. , Kohll A. Xavier , Nguyen Bichlien H. , Koch Julian , Heckel Reinhard , Stark Wendelin J. , Ceze Luis , Strauss Karin , Grass Robert N.
Published: May 2019

In this paper the practical density of long‐term DNA storage is increased. Specifically, the DNA weight loading of silica sphere DNA storage is increased to 3.4 wt%, a ten‐fold increase compared to the previous state‐of‐the‐art. By applying a Layer‐by‐Layer (LbL) design with alternating layers of DNA and a polycationic molecule, namely polyethyleneimine (PEI), another dimension to DNA surface binding onto magnetic nanoparticles is added. A protective silica layer is grown on top of the multilayered nanoparticles to shield the DNA from external sources of damage. Accelerated aging experiments of the nanoparticles and the subsequent quantification of DNA stability via qPCR show a significantly lower degradation rate compared to unprotected DNA. The novel material is compared to previous DNA storage technologies, outperforming those in DNA storage density as well as stability. Finally, the storage of an 83 kB digital file in DNA through a successful readout of a 4991 oligonucleotide pool is demonstrated from particle encapsulation, through accelerated aging, to sequencing.
Addition of the Lewis Acid Zn(C6F5)2 Enables Organic Transistors with a Maximum Hole Mobility in Excess of 20 cm2 V−1 s−1
Authors: Paterson Alexandra F. , Tsetseris Leonidas , Li Ruipeng , Basu Aniruddha , Faber Hendrik , Emwas Abdul‐Hamid , Panidi Julianna , Fei Zhuping , Niazi Muhammad R. , Anjum Dalaver H. , Heeney Martin , Anthopoulos Thomas D.
Published: May 2019

Incorporating the molecular organic Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C6F5)3] into organic semiconductors has shown remarkable promise in recent years for controlling the operating characteristics and performance of various opto/electronic devices, including, light‐emitting diodes, solar cells, and organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs). Despite the demonstrated potential, however, to date most of the work has been limited to B(C6F5)3 with the latter serving as the prototypical air‐stable molecular Lewis acid system. Herein, the use of bis(pentafluorophenyl)zinc [Zn(C6F5)2] is reported as an alternative Lewis acid additive in high‐hole‐mobility OTFTs based on small‐molecule:polymer blends comprising 2,7‐dioctyl[1]benzothieno [3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene and indacenodithiophene–benzothiadiazole. Systematic analysis of the materials and device characteristics supports the hypothesis that Zn(C6F5)2 acts simultaneously as a p‐dopant and a microstructure modifier. It is proposed that it is the combination of these synergistic effects that leads to OTFTs with a maximum hole mobility value of 21.5 cm2 V−1 s−1. The work not only highlights Zn(C6F5)2 as a promising new additive for next‐generation optoelectronic devices, but also opens up new avenues in the search for high‐mobility organic semiconductors.
Photocatalytic Oxidative Iodination of Electron‐Rich Arenes
Authors: Narobe Rok , Düsel Simon J. S. , Iskra Jernej , König Burkhard
Published: May 2019

A visible‐light‐mediated oxidative iodination of electron‐rich arenes has been developed. 2.5 mol% of unsubstituted anthraquinone as photocatalyst were used in combination with elementary iodine, trifluoroacetic acid and oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The iodination proceeds upon irradiation in non‐ or weakly‐electron donating solvents (DCM, DCE and benzene) wherein a spectral window in strongly coloured iodine solutions can be observed at around 400 nm. The method provides good to excellent yields (up to 98%) and shows excellent regioselectivity and good functional group tolerance (triple bonds, ketone, ester, amide). Moreover, the photo‐iodination was also upscaled to a 5 mmol scale (1.1 g). Mechanistic investigations by intermediate trapping and competition experiments indicate a photocatalytic arene oxidation and the subsequent reaction with iodine as a likely mechanistic pathway.

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Glial injury in neurotoxicity after pediatric CD19‐directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy
Authors: Gust Juliane , Finney Olivia C. , Li Daniel , Brakke Hannah M. , Hicks Roxana M. , Futrell Robert B. , Gamble Danielle N. , Rawlings‐Rhea Stephanie D. , Khalatbari Hedieh K. , Ishak Gisele E. , Duncan Virginia E. , Hevner Robert F. , Jensen Michael C. , Park Julie R. , Gardner Rebecca A.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To test whether systemic cytokine release is associated with central nervous system inflammatory responses and glial injury in immune effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cell therapy in children and young adults.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study of clinical manifestations as well as imaging, pathology, CSF, and blood biomarkers on 43 subjects ages 1 to 25 who received CD19‐directed CAR/T cells for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Results

Neurotoxicity occurred in 19 of 43 (44%) subjects. Nine subjects (21%) had CTCAE grade 3 or 4 neurological symptoms, with no neurotoxicity‐related deaths. Reversible delirium, headache, decreased level of consciousness, tremor, and seizures were most commonly observed. Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) scores ≥9 had 94% sensitivity and 33% specificity for grade ≥3 neurotoxicity, and 91% sensitivity and 72% specificity for grade ≥2 neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity correlated with severity of cytokine release syndrome, abnormal past brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and higher peak CAR‐T cell numbers in blood, but not cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF levels of S100 calcium‐binding protein B and glial fibrillary acidic protein increased during neurotoxicity, indicating astrocyte injury. There were concomitant increases in CSF white blood cells, protein, interferon‐γ (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, and granzyme B (GzB), with concurrent elevation of serum IFNγ IL‐10, GzB, granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, but not IL‐6. We did not find direct evidence of endothelial activation.

Interpretation

Our data are most consistent with ICANS as a syndrome of systemic inflammation, which affects the brain through compromise of the neurovascular unit and astrocyte injury. ANN NEUROL 2019
Tactile UV‐ and Solar‐Light Multi‐Sensing Rechargeable Batteries with Smart Self‐Conditioned Charge and Discharge
Authors: Fang Zhengsong , Zhang You , Hu Xuanhe , Fu Xinlong , Dai Liming , Yu Dingshan
Published: May 2019

A tactile, UV‐ and solar‐light multi‐sensing smart rechargeable Zn–air battery (SRZAB) with excellent cell performance, self‐conditioned charge/discharge, and reliable environmental responsivity is made by using multi‐scale conjugated block‐copolymer–carbon nanotube–polyurethane foam assemblies as both a self‐standing air electrode and a sensing unit. Multiscale engineering fully exploits the multi‐synergy among components to endow the newly designed metal‐free multi‐sensing air electrode (MSAE) with bifunctional oxygen reduction and evolution activities, pressure sensitivity, and photothermal and photoelectric conversion functions in a single electrode, enabling effective regulation of interface properties, electronic/ionic transport, or redox reactions in SRZAB upon various stimulations and establishing multiple working principles. MSAE‐driven SRZAB can be used as compressible power sources, self‐powered pressure and optical sensors and light‐to‐electrochemical energy systems.
Recent developments in P(O/S)–N containing flame retardants
Authors: Nazir Rashid , Gaan Sabyasachi
Published: May 2019

Synthesis of organophosphorus compounds containing nitrogen as heteroatom and its application as a flame retardant (FR) have attracted much attention in the academic and industrial communities over the past decade. Such compounds are relatively easy to synthesize and offer advantages such as high thermal stability, which is useful for high temperature processing, improved char stability, density, and yield during the thermal decomposition of polymer, and release phosphorus species active in the flame inhibition process. Though a variety of phosphorus–nitrogen (P–N) compounds can be found in the literature, this review mostly summarizes the recent (since 2013) development in phosphorus (O)‐nitrogen containing flame retardants which have been published in peer‐reviewed journals. General strategies of synthesizing P(O)–N compounds as FRs from various phosphorus‐based starting materials are highlighted in this review. Some of the most common classes of researched P(O)–N containing compounds as FRs include the phosphinamides, phosphonamides, phosphoramides, phosphoramidates, phosphorodiamidates, phosphonamidates and their thio counterparts which are usually obtained via a one‐ or two‐step synthetic strategy. Incorporation of these compounds as FRs in various polymer systems such as polyurethane, epoxy resins, polyamides, cellulose, polylactide, poly(butylene terephthalate), polycarbonates, and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene are discussed in detail in this review. Special emphasis on the various fire and thermal performances of the new materials are also summarized. The mechanical performance of new materials and the influence of these additives on polymer processing are also briefly discussed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 47910.
Value of surgical pilot and feasibility study protocols
Authors: Fairhurst K , Blazeby J M , Potter S , Gamble C , Rowlands C , Avery K N L
Published: May 2019

Background

RCTs in surgery are challenging owing to well established methodological issues. Well designed pilot and feasibility studies (PFS) may help overcome such issues to inform successful main trial design and conduct. This study aimed to analyse protocols of UK-funded studies to explore current use of PFS in surgery and identify areas for practice improvement.

Methods

PFS of surgical interventions funded by UK National Institute for Health Research programmes from 2005 to 2015 were identified, and original study protocols and associated publications sourced. Data extracted included study design characteristics, reasons for performing the work including perceived uncertainties around conducting a definitive main trial, and whether the studies had been published.

Results

Thirty-five surgical studies were identified, of which 29 were randomized, and over half (15 of 29) included additional methodological components (such as qualitative work examining recruitment, and participant surveys studying current interventions). Most studies focused on uncertainties around recruitment (32 of 35), with far fewer tackling uncertainties specific to surgery, such as intervention stability, implementation or delivery (10 of 35). Only half (19 of 35) had made their results available publicly, to date.

Conclusion

The full potential of pretrial work to inform and optimize definitive surgical studies is not being realized.
Systematic review of outcomes after total neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Zaborowski A , Stakelum A , Winter D C
Published: May 2019

Background

Advances in surgical technique and the development of combined-modality therapy have led to significantly improved local control in rectal cancer. Distant failure rates however, remain high, ranging between 20 and 30 per cent. Additional systemic chemotherapy in the preoperative period has been proposed as a means of eradicating subclinical micrometastases and improving long-term survival. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence regarding induction chemotherapy in combination with standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, in terms of oncological outcomes, in patients with rectal cancer.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate oncological outcomes and survival in patients with rectal cancer who underwent induction chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, followed by surgical resection. Four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane) were searched. The review included all original articles published in English reporting long-term outcomes, specifically survival data, and was limited to prospective studies only.

Results

A total of 686 studies were identified. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, ten studies involving 648 patients were included. Median follow-up was 53·7 (range 26–80) months. Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 74·4 and 65·4 per cent respectively. Weighted mean local recurrence and distant failure rates were 3·5 (range 0–7) and 20·6 (range 5–31) per cent respectively.

Conclusion

Total neoadjuvant therapy should be considered in patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer owing to improved chemotherapy compliance and disease control. Further prospective studies are required to determine whether this approach translates into improved disease-related survival or increases the proportion of patients suitable for non-operative management.
Making glue from seeds and gums: Working with plant‐based polymers to introduce students to plant biochemistry
Authors: Mukherjee Thiya , Lerma‐Reyes Ruben , Thompson Kyle A. , Schrick Kathrin
Published: May 2019

Plants and plant products are key to the survival of life on earth. Despite this fact, the significance of plant biochemistry is often underrepresented in science curricula. We designed an innovative laboratory activity to engage students in learning about the biochemical properties of natural polymers produced by plants. The focus of the hands‐on activity is on mucilages and gums, which contain complex polysaccharides that have applications in industry. The 1.5‐h activity is organized into three laboratory exercises. It begins with a demonstration of the water absorption property of seed coat mucilage upon hydration of seeds from psyllium, a plant that is grown commercially for mucilage production. The second exercise involves microscopy of a variety of plant seeds stained with ruthenium red dye to visualize pectin polysaccharides of the seed mucilage. Students learn about phenotypic variation among plant species and how the seed coat mucilage is beneficial to keep seeds hydrated during germination. The third exercise highlights an industrial application of plant gums as adhesives. The students prepare edible glue made with gum arabic, a type of plant polymer from the dried exudate of the Acacia plant. This three‐part activity has been implemented in conjunction with a Girls Researching Our World (GROW) summer workshop for sixth to eighth graders over a 4‐year period. It may be adapted as a laboratory activity for students of all ages, for example, to enhance biochemistry education for high‐school students or undergraduate non‐majors. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(4):468–475, 2019.
Analysis of Metal Effects on C‐Peptide Structure and Internalization
Authors: Stevenson Michael J. , Farran Ian C. , Uyeda Kylie S. , San Juan Jessica A. , Heffern Marie C.
Published: May 2019

The connecting peptide (C‐peptide) has received increased attention for its potential therapeutic effects in ameliorating illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes. Although the mechanism of C‐peptide signaling remains elusive, evidence supports its internalization and intracellular function. Emerging research is uncovering the diverse biological roles metals play in controlling and affecting the function of bioactive peptides. The work presented herein investigates interactions between C‐peptide and first‐row d‐block transition metals, as well as their effects on C‐peptide internalization into cells. Through spectroscopic techniques, it is demonstrated that CrIII, CuII, and ZnII bind to C‐peptide with differing stoichiometries and biologically relevant affinities. In addition, metal binding elicits both subtle changes in secondary structure and inhibits adoption of an α‐helical character in environments where the dielectric constants are reduced. This study shows how metal ions can modulate peptide hormone activity through subtle structural changes to disrupt cellular uptake.
Teens killing intimate partners: Jealousy, breakups, and guns
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2019

A tragic but true story involves teen romances that end up with one partner killed by the other, usually the boy killing the girl, usually during the course of a breakup or when jealousy is involved, and almost always with a gun, a recent study has found. Seven percent of homicides of adolescents are committed by intimate partners.
An optimized analysis of 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline content diversity in the core collection of aromatic rice germplasm (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Xie Li‐Hong , Tang Shao‐Qing , Wei Xiang‐Jin , Jiao Gui‐Ai , Sheng Zhong‐Hua , Hu Pei‐Song
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

Aromatic rice constitutes a small but a special group of rice varieties, considered as the best in quality. A headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction (HS‐SPME) method, combined with a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) assay, was developed to enable the rapid, simple, and reliable quantification of 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline (2AP) in rice.

Findings

The most effective release of 2AP was obtained using a divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fiber and extracting brown flour or single whole brown grain at 80°C for 30 min. By the optimized protocol, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for 2AP was 1.0 µg/kg of 2AP and 4.0 µg/kg of brown rice flour, respectively. The reproducibility and interday repeatability were <5.00% RSD (n = 10) and 12.5% RSD (n = 27), respectively. A good linearity was observed from 5 to 80 ng with a good correlation coefficient (R2) value of 0.9892. When the method was applied to a collection of aromatic rice germplasm, the 2AP content in 34 entries appeared to be below the limit of detection. The mean 2AP content in the set was 0.45 mg/kg, and the range was from undetectable to 2.73 mg/kg. Most entries contained 0.09–0.46 mg/kg 2AP.

Conclusions

A rapid 2AP assay of brown flour or single brown whole grain, based on HS‐SPME combined with GC‐MS, was shown to generate reproducible and reliable outputs. When applied to a set of 228 aromatic rice entries, it was able to reveal the existence of substantial variation for 2AP content.

Significance and novelty

The results of this study produced an accurate, rapid, and highly reproducible assay, which are suitable for the screening of large numbers of samples and the helping of aromatic rice breeding.
N, P, S/Fe‐codoped Carbon Derived from Feculae Bombycis as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Meng Hongjie , Chen Xiaohong , Gong Tianle , Liu Haoran , Liu Yiming , Li Hong , Zhang Yongming
Published: May 2019

Development of efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from resource‐abundant, eco‐friendly, and low‐cost materials is important for environmental‐friendly fuel cells. In this work, N, P, S/Fe‐codoped carbon (FBC−Fe) with hierarchical porous structure was successfully prepared by the simple pyrolysis of feculae bombycis (FB) in the presence of ferric nitrate and followed by an acid etching process. FBC−Fe exhibits an excellent long‐term durability and a remarkable methanol‐resistance as well as a high electrocatalytic activity (Eonset: 0.92 V vs RHE, E1/2: 0.81 vs RHE, and electron transfer number: 4.1) comparable to commercial platinum–carbon (Pt/C, 20 wt.%) catalysts for the ORR in alkaline media. This low‐cost and simple approach provides a straightforward route to synthesize excellent electrocatalysts for ORR from biomass.
Acyl‐Imidazoles: A Privileged Ester Surrogate for Enantioselective Synthesis
Authors: Lauberteaux Jimmy , Pichon Delphine , Baslé Olivier , Mauduit Marc , Marcia de Figueiredo Renata , Campagne Jean‐Marc
Published: May 2019

Since the first report by Evans in asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts reactions, the use of acyl‐imidazoles has blossomed as powerful ester/amide surrogates. The imidazole scaffold indeed displays stability and special activation features allowing both better reactivity and selectivity in traditional ester/amide functionalizations: α‐(enolate chemistry), β‐(conjugate additions), α,β‐(cycloadditions) or γ/δ‐(vinylogous). An overview of the contemporary and growing interest in acyl‐imidazoles in metal‐ and organo‐catalyzed transformations (bio‐hybrid catalytic systems will be fully described in a back‐to‐back Minireview) will be highlighted. Moreover, post‐functionalization expediencies are also going to be discussed in this Minireview.
Site‐Selective, Remote sp3 C−H Carboxylation Enabled by the Merger of Photoredox and Nickel Catalysis
Authors: Sahoo Basudev , Bellotti Peter , Juliá‐Hernández Francisco , Meng Qing‐Yuan , Crespi Stefano , König Burkhard , Martin Ruben
Published: May 2019

A photoinduced carboxylation of alkyl halides with CO2 at remote sp3 C−H sites enabled by the merger of photoredox and Ni catalysis is described. This protocol features a predictable reactivity and site selectivity that can be modulated by the ligand backbone. Preliminary studies reinforce a rationale based on a dynamic displacement of the catalyst throughout the alkyl side chain.
Racemization of α‐Alkyl‐β‐Keto Esters and Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Two C‐2′′′Epimers of Plant Glycerolipid Santinol C
Authors: Wu Wen‐Ju , Li Mei‐Mei , Liu Bo , Wu Yikang
Published: May 2019

It is broadly believed that optically active α‐alkyl‐β‐keto esters racemize very quickly. Nevertheless, no one really knows how fast the racemization is. In fact, such species are hardly attainable to date. Now, a facile entry to these greatly understudied esters has been found and their racemization has been studied for the first time. The results showed that under neutral or slightly acidic conditions such species were much more stable than one might expect, though they did racemize rapidly under basic conditions. In light of the new findings, santinol C was also synthesized in enantiopure forms.
Synthesis of Binuclear Isoquinoline‐ and Pyridine‐Fused Benzimidazole‐4,7‐diones by Magnetic MOF‐199‐Catalyzed C–C Coupling/Cyclization Followed by Oxidation
Authors: Diep Thi Duyen , Dao Pham Duy Quang , Cho Chan Sik
Published: May 2019

2‐(2‐bromoaryl)‐4,7‐dimethoxy‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazoles and (Z)‐2‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐4,7‐dimethoxy‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazoles react with 1,3‐diketones by microwave irradiation in DMF in the presence of a catalytic amount of recyclable Fe3O4@SiO2@MOF‐199 along with a base to give binuclear isoquinoline‐ and pyridine‐fused benzimidazoles, respectively. Treatment of such binuclear N‐fused hybrid scaffolds with ceric ammonium nitrate in acetonitrile/H2O or HBr/FeCl3 in H2O affords binuclear isoquinoline‐ and pyridine‐fused benzimidazole‐4,7‐diones in good to high yields.
“When we were young, it really was a treat; now sugar is just the norm every day”—A qualitative study of parents’ and young adults’ perceptions and consumption of sugary drinks
Authors: Miller Caroline , Braunack‐Mayer Annette , Wakefield Melanie , Roder David , O'Dea Kerin , Dono Joanne , Ettridge Kerry
Published: May 2019

Issue addressed

Sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB) are the leading source of free sugars in Australian children's and adults’ diets. This study explores drivers of consumption among parents and young adults to inform interventions.

Methods

Eight focus groups (n = 59) stratified by gender, age/life stage and SES were analysed thematically.

Results

Daily SSB consumption was normalised. Participants drank SSBs to avoid perceived energy/sugar deficits, to treat themselves and as a function of familial influence. Frequent consumption was considered acceptable if “in moderation” and/or “balanced” with exercise/diet; however, there was a large disconnect between this language of moderation and actual consumption practices. Participants acknowledged that social norms had changed over time. There was little evidence of accurate knowledge of sugar content for any beverage type. Participants relied heavily on packaging and labelling, much of which conveyed a health halo effect. While participants could list health effects of excess consumption, they were considered long‐term or of low personal relevance. Awareness of health recommendations was low.

Conclusions

Consumers’ adoption and use of concepts such as “treat,” “moderation” and “balance” reflect both food and beverage industry marketing and public health messaging. However, the disconnect between this language and knowledge and consumption practices is problematic.

So what?

SSB consumption is very high with serious implications for health. Curbing consumption among young adults and parents has potential to change the health trajectories for current and future generations. There is a clear need to increase health literacy around SSB consumption. Simple consumption guidelines, clearer sugar content labelling and health warnings offer potential.
Clinically complete response to abiraterone acetate in a patient with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Yanai Yoshinori , Kosaka Takeo , Hongo Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Abiraterone acetate in combination with prednisone is now widely used for the treatment of castration‐resistant prostate cancer.

Case presentation

A 62‐year‐old patient with a bone metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer was started on abiraterone acetate at a dose of 1000 mg a day along with 10 mg prednisone. In spite of castrate testosterone level, the laboratory test showed a relatively high level of serum testosterone, which was 21 ng/dL. Within 6 months, the patient achieved a complete prostate‐specific antigen response. Follow‐up bone scintigraphy demonstrated no area of intense uptake. He had a history of hyperlipidemia and was started on atorvastatin at home just after starting abiraterone acetate.

Conclusion

This report is a rare case of a clinically complete response to abiraterone acetate in a patient with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer.
Computing for social good: Supporting microfinance institutions in Zambia
Authors: Wakunuma Kutoma , Siwale Juliana , Beck Robert
Published: May 2019

We investigate whether information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to achieve social good as they are implemented in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Zambia. We find through information gathered from interviews with MFI officials that their organizations are focused primarily on survival in a competitive financial climate. Additionally, our findings reveal that most MFI business within the context of ICTs only promotes social good by default and not by design. This means that social good is not a primary mover or something that MFIs plan to achieve when they integrate ICTs into their business models but that it happens because of the assumed mission of primarily serving the informal sector small business and microbusiness and the low‐income clients.
Antibacterial activity of copper‐bearing 316L stainless steel for the prevention of implant‐related infection
Authors: Zhuang Yifu , Zhang Shuyuan , Yang Ke , Ren Ling , Dai Kerong
Published: May 2019

Implant‐related infection (IRI) is a devastating complication in orthopedic procedures. Traditional materials used in orthopedics are susceptible to bacterial infection. In this study, we developed a copper‐bearing 316L stainless steel (316L‐Cu SS) for the prevention of IRI. This 316L‐Cu SS allowed stable and continuous release of copper ions with a rate of 5.079 ng/cm2/day. Compared with 316L stainless steel (316L SS), 316L‐Cu SS exhibited a broad‐spectrum antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermidis with the bacterial reduction percentages of 95.2, 94.8, and 94.1%, respectively. The antibiofilm activity was confirmed by crystal violet assay, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The in vivo antibacterial performance was tested on a rat model. When nails were treated with a low concentration of bacteria, 316L SS group exhibit a bone infection with a radiographic score of 8.9 ± 1.1 and a histological score of 10.4 ± 1.0, which were higher than 316L‐Cu SS group (1.2 ± 0.2 and 0.9 ± 0.2), indicating IRI was reduced by 316L‐Cu SS. When nails were treated with a high concentration of bacteria, IRI was also alleviated by 316L‐Cu SS. Together, these results demonstrated that 316L‐Cu SS is a promising material for preventing IRI.
Curcumin increased the expression of c‐FLIP in HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients
Authors: Poursina Zohreh , Mohammadi Asadollah , Yazdi Shadi Zamanian , Humpson Ian , Vakili Veda , Boostani Reza , Rafatpanah Houshang
Published: May 2019

Human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1)‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) disease is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease, which is associated with HTLV‐1 infection. There is no effective and satisfactory treatment of HAM/TSP. It has been shown that curcumin exhibits modulatory effects on apoptosis and cytotoxicity‐related molecules in HAM/TSP patients. In the present study, we examined the effect of curcumin on the gene expression of caspase‐8, caspase‐10, and anti‐apoptotic protein c‐FLIP, in HAM/TSP patients. Furthermore, we compared the expression of these molecules between HAM/TSP and asymptomatic carriers. Real‐time PCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression of caspase‐8, caspase‐10, and c‐FLIP in studied groups. The mRNA expression of caspase‐8 and caspase‐10 was similar before and after curcumin treatment in HAM/TSP patients (P > 0.05). The mRNA expression of c‐FLIPL and c‐FLIPs was higher after curcumin treatment compared with before treatment and significant differences were observed between the two groups (P = 0.004 and P = 0.044, respectively). The mRNA expression levels of caspase‐8, caspase‐10, c‐FLIPL, and c‐FLIPs were not statistically significant between HAM/TSP patients and asymptomatic carriers (P < 0.05).

In conclusion, our results showed that curcumin increased the expression of c‐FLIP in HAM/TSP patients which might suggest that, this molecule is involved in the apoptosis of HTLV‐1‐infected cells. Further studies with large sample size could be useful to clarify the role of this supplement in HAM/TSP patients.
Assessment of the protective effect of KN‐93 drug in systemic epilepsy disorders induced by pilocarpine in male rat
Authors: Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Sadr Seyed Shahabeddin , Roghani Mehrdad , Khamse Safoura , Mohammadian Haftcheshmeh Saeed , Navid Hamidi Mojdeh , Mohseni‐Moghaddam Parvaneh , Zamani Elham
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

Epileptic seizures occur as a consequence of a sudden imbalance between the stimuli and inhibitors within the network of cortical neurons in favor of the stimulus. One of the drugs that induce epilepsy is pilocarpine. Systemic injection of pilocarpine affects on muscarinic receptors. Increasing evidence has addressed the implication of KN‐93 by blocking Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, and also reducing neuron decay. So, we aimed to evaluate the potential preventive effects of KN‐93 in systemic epilepsy disorders induced by pilocarpine.

Materials and Methods

In this animal study, male rats were divided into five groups including treatment group (KN‐93 with the dose of 5 mM/10 µL dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) before inducing epilepsy by 380 mg/kg pilocarpine) KN‐93 group (received 5 mM KN‐93), control group, epilepsy group (received 380 mg/kg pilocarpine Intraperitoneal), and sham group (received 10 µL DMSO). Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring its indicators including the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, glutathione (GSH), as well as the antioxidant activity of catalase. In addition, serum levels of proinflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) were determined.

Results

Pretreatment with KN‐93 significantly reduced oxidative stress index by reducing the concentration of MDA, nitrite, and increasing the level of GSH. In addition, low concentrations of TNF‐α and IL‐1β were observed in hippocampus supernatant of KN‐93 pretreated rats in comparison with the pilocarpine groups. Moreover, administration of KN‐93 improved neuronal density and attenuated the seizure activity and behavior.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggest that KN‐93 can effectively suppress oxidative stress and inflammation. Furthermore, KN‐93 is able to attenuate seizure behaviors by preventing its effects on neuron loss, so, it is valuable for the treatment of epileptic seizures.