bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Linguistic Discursive Analysis of Techno-Colonialism Through the Post-cyberpunk Literature
Authors: Zaidi Saba , Sahibzada Mehwish , Salah Saman , Mehdi Anisa Tul , Rafique Durdana
Published: July 2018

Technological advancement has made the world a complex arena of day to day transforming phenomenon. In such a complex and technologically progressive world nothing is static instead things have become technology oriented. The socio-historical phenomena like orientalism and imperialism are also not free from technological progress. Similarly, literature of the contemporary times has become Postmodernist for it now aims to represent the current human experiences. The quality of the Postmodernist literature is to represent and dismantle the socio-cultural constructions that use to perpetuate control and power. The objective of this research is twofold; it has projected the world of technological progress and innovation through the analysis of the selected Post-cyberpunk novel Accelerando (2005) by Charles Stross, The Windup Girl (2009) by Paolo Bacigalupi and The Rapture of the Nerds (2012) by Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross. Socio-Cognitive analysis (van Dijk, 2008) has projected the linguistic discursive analysis of techno-colonialism in order to answer the research questions. The study has also introduced Post-cyberpunk as the genre of Postmodernist twenty-first century literature. The findings of the research have suggested that the selected Post-cyberpunk novels have not only represented techno-colonialism but they have also characterized the impact and influence of the techno-colonizers throughout the world.
[Re]covering Jeddah’s Wadis – Building the City’s Resilience through Green Infrastructure
Authors: Motasim Hanaa
Published: July 2018

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s largest coastal city, is positioned between two prominent natural features: the mountain range on its eastern side and the Red Sea on its west. The city faces many challenges central to which is storm water drainage. The natural drainage of the city through its pre-existing wadis, bringing down the rain water from the steep mountain ranges through the low inclining coastal plane and into the sea, has been interrupted in the last few decades by massive road infrastructural projects cutting through the city and interrupting the natural flow. The outcome of these interventions has been excessive flooding calamities, of which the ones in 2009 and 2011 were the most extreme, causing severe damage to infrastructure, property and lives.In light of climate change the intensity of flash floods is expected to increase, placing enormous stress on the city. To control the floods the city has pushed forward heavily engineered solutions, canalizing the rich network of wadis, almost 80 in number, into 4 major concrete channels that discharge the rain water accumulated in the mountains directly into the sea. This solution, which has been prohibitive in cost, has robbed the city of any potential of utilizing the precious supply of rain water. This paper explores the potential of recovering Jeddah’s wadis and creating green corridors across the city. As opposed to engineered solutions which address singular problematics, green infrastructures could provide numerous benefits to the city and the region as a whole.
Prioritize Agri-Environmental Measures of Water-Related Ecosystem Services: The Case of Mashhad
Authors: Firoozzare A. , Ghorbani M. , Karbasi A. R. , Shahnoushi N. , Davari K.
Published: July 2018

Current structure of agricultural input consumption eventually influences bases of natural environment and ecosystem services (especially water related) from which human communities benefit. This research aims at assisting decision making and prioritizing ecosystem services and their improvement measures according to interconnection of different ecosystem services and agri-environmental schemes of improving these services with help of fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) in Mashhad plain. Results show that among water-related ecosystem services, water quality and having healthy products, are first priorities. Providing needed water for agriculture section stands in the second rank with minor difference. Third and fourth places go to soil conservation and biodiversity relatively and agricultural tourism which is categorized under cultural services is placed in the last place. Also, based on this study results, among the seven agri-environmental water-related ecosystem services improvement, integrated pest management (IPM) ranks first. The second and third priorities belong to proposed crop pattern and conservative tillage implementation.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 11, No. 4
Authors: Sun Sherry
Published: July 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2018
Comparing Sustainability to a Good Life and Well-Being: Overlap, Differentiations and Indefinite Overlap
Authors: De Vries Jerke W.
Published: July 2018

In our society, sustainability has emerged as a major concept in our daily lives and activities, e.g. from reducing the environmental impact of our foods to corporate social responsibility in doing business, and social impact of our activities. The original idea of sustainability was to address human development within social, ecological, and economic boundaries. Nowadays, however, sustainability is more and more extended to other areas of our lives, including aspects of a good life and well-being. The aim here was to compare sustainability, a good life, and well-being and determine their overlap, differentiations, and indefinite or undecided overlap when considering the original definitions. Following from the definition of sustainability, a good life, and well-being, I analyze the overlap, differentiations, and indefinite overlap of these concepts. With this comparison, I show that sustainability is clearly adapting to include more aspects of a good life and well-being (approximately 26% overlap), but is limited to do so from its original definition. I conclude that overlap between concepts exists and by being relatively different they are fundamentally supportive to one another and need to be applied accordingly to further support sustainable development.
Innovative Controller Design for a 5MW Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Agarwala Ranjeet , Chin Robert A.
Published: July 2018

The development and evaluation of a nonlinear pitch controller for wind turbine blades and the design and modeling of an associated actuator and controller was examined. The pitch actuator and controller were modeled and analyzed using Pneumatically Actuated Muscles (PAMs) for actively pitching the wind turbine blade. PAMs are very light and have a high specific work and a good contraction ratio. Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controllers were envisaged for the wind turbine pitching system at the blade tip due to its routine usage in the wind turbine industry. Deployment of controllers enables effective pitch angle tracking for power abatement at various configurations. The controller was subjected to four pitch angle trajectory signals. PID controllers were tuned to achieve satisfactory performance when subjected to the test signal. Low pitch angle errors resulted in satisfactory blade pitch angle tracking. Deployment of these controllers enhances wind turbine performance and reliability. The data suggest that the pitch system and actuator that was modeled using PAMs and PID controllers is effective providing robust pitch angle trajectory tracking. The results suggest that the proposed design can be successfully integrated into the family of wind turbine blade pitch angle controller technologies.
Strategic Direction and Sustainable Development in Franchising Organizations: A Conceptual Study
Authors: Samsudin Fauziah , Wahab Sazali A. , Latiff Ahmad S. A. , Osman Suzana I. W. , Zawawi Nur F. M. , Fazal Syed A.
Published: July 2018

Franchising is viewed as a significant industry in contributing to the global economic development by generating an average of $3.7 billion in annual franchise sales from 40 countries and provides over 18 million jobs opportunities. Due to the expansion of franchise business markets in Malaysia, the number of franchise outlets keeps increasing more than doubled within six years, with total 10720 outlets in 2010 to 23140 outlets in 2016. To intensify the continuance of this expanding process, franchise entrepreneurs need to conserve a sustainable creative value in undergoing the challenging of the business environment. The limitations of internal and external factors such as core capability, government support and other related dimensions affect the stability of franchise organization. This paper pursues to explore the related existing literature and underpinning theories that reinforce the sustainable development of franchise business. Most of the franchise models are captured in the different analysis of dimensions and strategies on sustainable development goals. The objective of this study is to conceptualize the strategic direction practices and propose a theoretical framework of sustainable franchising that can help the continuance of franchise business. Therefore, by supporting and participation of stakeholders, entrepreneurs, academicians, researchers, and governments, future analysis can develop and expose a sustainable model of franchising.
Glocalization: An Analytical Path Towards More Inclusive Contemporary Art?
Authors: Abazine Lina
Published: July 2018

A student essay for the Special Student Issue of the Journal of Extreme Anthropology accompanying the art exhibition 'Artist's Waste, Wasted Artists', which opened in Vienna on the 19th of September 2017 and was curated by the students of social anthropology at the University of Vienna. This essay deals critically with the notion of the 'global art world', showing that there may instead be numerous self-centred and ethnocentric art worlds, while also critically engaging with inequalities that persist within and across these art worlds and markets. In this respect it also deals with the work of the Iranian artist Aria Vooria, based in Vienna, and his struggle to escape streotypizations across different art worlds.
Asociação entre internação hospitalar por diabetes mellitus e amputação de pé diabético
Authors: Barbosa Marques Antonio Dean , Sales da Silva Lucilane Maria , Magalhães Moreira Thereza Maria , Martins Torres Raimundo Augusto
Published: July 2018

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre el número de personas hospitalizadas por la diabetes y el número de personas con amputación de extremidades.
Método: Se realizó un estudio ecológico utilizando el sistema de información hospitalaria del Sistema Único de Salud (SIH / SUS) en el periodo 2010-2015 en el estado de Ceará, Brasil. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando el paquete estadístico para Sciences® Sociales (SPSS). Se ha aplicado el coeficiente de correlación lineal de Pearson para medir la intensidad de la asociación lineal existente entre las variables.
Resultados: Se registraron 27.054 hospitalizaciones por diabetes. Hubo correlación inversa entre el número de admisiones para el tratamiento de la diabetes y la correlación proporcional del número de ingresos para el tratamiento del pie complicado y hospitalización por amputaciones de miembros.
Conclusión: Los datos revelan una línea muy fina cuando se trata del cuidado de la salud de las personas con pie diabético.
Identifying frequent patterns in biochemical reaction networks - a workflow
Authors: Lambusch Fabienne , Waltemath Dagmar , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Sandkuhl Kurt , Rosenke Christian , Henkel Ron
Published: July 2018

Computational models in biology encode molecular and cell biological processes. These models often can be represented as biochemical reaction networks. Studying such networks, one is mostly interested in systems that share similar reactions and mechanisms. Typical goals of an investigation include understanding of the parts of a model, identification of reoccurring patterns, and recognition of biologically relevant motifs. The large number and size of available models, however, require automated methods to support researchers in achieving their goals. Specifically for the problem of finding patterns in large networks only partial solutions exist. We propose a workflow that identifies frequent structural patterns in biochemical reaction networks encoded in the Systems Biology Markup Language. The workflow utilises a subgraph mining algorithm to detect frequent network patterns. Once patterns are identified, the textual pattern description can automatically be converted into a graphical representation.Furthermore, information about the distribution of patterns among the selected set of models can be retrieved.The workflow was validated with 575 models from the curated branch of BioModels. In this paper, we highlight interesting and frequent structural patterns. Further, we provide exemplary patterns that incorporate terms from the Systems Biology Ontology. Our workflow can be applied to a custom set of models or to models already existing in our graph database MaSyMoS. The occurrences of frequent patterns may give insight into the encoding of central biological processes, evaluate postulated biological motifs, or serve as a similarity measure for models that share common structures.

Availability: https://github.com/FabienneL/BioNet-Mining

Contact: fabienne.lambusch@uni-rostock.de
Nation-wide, general-purpose delineation of geomorphological slope units in Italy
Authors: Alvioli Massimiliano , Marchesini Ivan , Guzzetti Fausto
Published: July 2018

Slope units are portions of terrain, defined by the general requirement of maximizing homogeneity within a single unit and heterogeneity between different ones. Slope units are being used to describe a variety of processes and to assess different natural hazards. An unambiguous and reproducible definition of slope units based on quantitative hydrologic and topographic criteria was previously provided by the r.slopeunits software to automatically draw slope unit polygons on a digital surface. The software contains an adaptive algorithm allowing for a flexible yet well-defined slope unit delineation, by means of an iterative procedure. It requires a digital elevation model and a few input parameters, whose values must be optimized in a sound way, by means of multiple software runs and a proper objective function. The code is designed to quickly produce results on large areas, and in this work we devised an optimization algorithm to delineate slope units over the whole Italian peninsula. We outline the rationale of the optimization procedure for a general purpose slope unit delineation within very large areas. We present preliminary results in Central Italy, specifically a slope unit mosaic in the whole area affected by the 2016 earthquake sequence. The procedure represents a well-defined framework for slope unit delineation over the whole of Italy.
Protocol: The relationship between vitamin A and body mass: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Iqbal Wasim A , Stewart Gavin B , Mendes Ines , Finney Kieran , Oxley Anthony , Lietz Georg
Published: July 2018

The proposed protocol is for a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between vitamin A and body mass. The primary objective is to explore the mechanisms between vitamin A and adiposity such as inflammation, dietary intake and body fat. The secondary objective is to look at the extent to which vitamin A is stored in different adipose tissue depots. The protocol outlines the motive and scope for the review, and methodology including the risk of bias, statistical analysis, screening and study criteria.
Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy and Multiple Sclerosis: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Cordano Christian , Armezzani Annalisa , Veroni Jacopo , Pardini Matteo , Sassos Davide , Infante Maria Teresa , Tacchino Andrea , Lapucci Caterina , Cellerino Maria , Calabrò Valentina , Ciullo Luigi , Nourbakhsh Bardia
Published: July 2018

Context

Research on the effect of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh; manipulative care provided by foreign-trained osteopaths) on chronic symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) is lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of OMTh on chronic symptoms of MS.

Methods

Patients with MS who were evaluated at the neurology clinic at Genoa University in Italy were recruited for this study. Participants received 5 forty-minute MS health education sessions (control group) or 5 OMTh sessions (OMTh group). All participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their level of clinical disability, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life before the first session, 1 week after the final session, and 6 months after the final session. The Extended Disability Status Scale, a modified Fatigue Impact Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey were used to assess clinical disability, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life, respectively.

Results

Twenty-two participants were included in the study (10 in the control group and 12 in the OMTh group). In the OMTh group, statistically significant improvements in fatigue and depression were found 1 week after the final session (P=.002 and P<.001, respectively). An increase in quality of life was also found in the OMTh group 1 week after the final session (P=.36).

Conclusion

Results demonstrate that OMTh should be considered in the treatment of patients with chronic symptoms of MS.
Addressing the Increased Incidence of Common Sexually Transmitted Infections
Authors: McMurray Megan , Armstrong Mianna , Paulson John
Published: July 2018

Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States include genital herpes, HIV, and human papilloma virus. In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report detailing a surge in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections in the United States. The authors summarize current trends and discuss epidemiologic factors, disease burden, and patient care. It is important to be aware of the recent increases in these 3 STIs and to be prepared to screen for, diagnose, and manage these infections and their complications.
Genome-wide analysis reveals four key transcription factors associated with cadmium stress in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stoloniferaL.)
Authors: Yuan Jianbo , Bai Yuqing , Chao Yuehui , Sun Xinbo , He Chunyan , Liang Xiaohong , Xie Lijuan , Han Liebao
Published: July 2018

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity seriously affects the growth and development of plants, so studies on uptake, translocation, and accumulation of Cd in plants are crucial for phytoremediation. However, the molecular mechanism of the plant response to Cd stress remains poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to reveal differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under lower (BT2_5) and higher (BT43) Cd concentration treatments in creeping bentgrass. A total of 463,184 unigenes were obtained from creeping bentgrass leaves using RNA sequencing technology. Observation of leaf tissue morphology showed that the higher Cd concentration damages leaf tissues. Four key transcription factor (TF) families, WRKY, bZIP, ERF, and MYB, are associated with Cd stress in creeping bentgrass. Our findings revealed that these four TFs play crucial roles during the creeping bentgrass response to Cd stress. This study is mainly focused on the molecular characteristics of DEGs under Cd stress using transcriptomic analysis in creeping bentgrass. These results provide novel insight into the regulatory mechanisms of respond to Cd stress and enrich information for phytoremediation.
Genetic influences on creativity: an exploration of convergent and divergent thinking
Authors: Han Wei , Zhang Mi , Feng Xue , Gong Guihua , Peng Kaiping , Zhang Dan
Published: July 2018

Previous studies on the genetic basis of creativity have mainly focused on the biological mechanisms of divergent thinking, possibly limiting the exploration of possible candidate genes. Taking a cognition-based perspective, the present study investigated the genetic basis for both the divergent and the convergent thinking components of creativity. A total of 321 Chinese university students were recruited to complete the Guildford Unusual Using Test (UUT) for divergent thinking capability and the Remote Associates Test (RAT) for convergent thinking capability. The polymorphism of rs2576037 in KATNAL2 was related to the fluency and originality component scores of UUT, and the polymorphism of rs5993883 in COMT, rs362584 in SNAP25 was related to the RAT performance. These effects remained significant after considering the influence of age, gender and intelligence. Our results provide new evidence for the genetic basis of creativity and reveal the important role of gene polymorphisms in divergent and convergent thinking.
Propiedades dos solos e as relações com atributos do terreno, no Distrito federal
Authors: Bilich Neumann Marina , Do Monte Lima Francielle , Marques Rego Luiz Felipe Siqueira , Farias de Souza André Luiz , Llacer Roig Henrique , De Almeida Tati , Ennes Cicerelli Rejane
Published: July 2018

As propriedades dos solos são relacionadas com posições na paisagem. Isto implica em que as variáveis dos fatores de formação do solo, podem ser usadas para predizer atributos dos solos. A modelagem digital do relevo é uma das técnicas quantitativas melhor desenvolvidas para predizer atributos e classes de solos. As propriedades do solo estimadas podem ser usadas como dados de entrada em modelos de erosão hídrica e de transporte de sedimentos/nutrientes, risco de acidificação do solo e produtividade. Portanto, o trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar as relações entre propriedades do solo (teor de argila, carbono orgânico e espessura dos horizontes superficial e subsuperficial) e atributos do terreno, derivados de um Modelo Digital de Elevação (MDE) na Bacia do Rio Jardim, Distrito Federal. A partir do MDE carta, foram obtidos os atributos do terreno declividade, altitude, curvatura e índice topográfico de umidade (TWI) que juntamente com os dados das propriedades do solo de 24 perfis, foram submetidos à analise de regressão linear múltipla para a obtenção dos coeficientes utilizados para a geração de equações de predição dos atributos do solo. A declividade, a altitude e o TWI foram os atributos derivados do MDE que obtiveram uma maior associação com o teor de argila e carbono orgânico nos solos da Bacia do Rio Jardim. A influência da curvatura na predição do teor de argila e carbono orgânico foi pouco representativa, porém, na predição da espessura do horizonte superficial, a curvatura e a declividade obtiveram uma boa associação.Palavras-chave: modelo digital de elevação, regressão linear múltipla, mapeamento digital de solos.
Solution structures of the SH3 domains from Shank scaffold proteins and their interactions with Cav1.3 calcium channels
Authors: Ishida Hiroaki , Skorobogatov Anton , Yamniuk Aaron P. , Vogel Hans J.
Published: July 2018

Shank proteins are abundant scaffold proteins in the postsynaptic density (PSD) region of brain synapses. Mutations in Shank proteins are associated with autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. To gain insights into Shank protein interactions at the PSD, we determined the solution structures of the src homology 3 (SH3) domains of all three mammalian Shank proteins. Our findings indicate that they have identical and typical SH3 folding motifs, but unusual target‐binding pockets. An investigation into the interaction between the Shank SH3 domains and the proline‐rich region of the Cav1.3 calcium channel revealed an atypical interaction in which the highly acidic specificity binding pocket of the SH3 domains binds to a Cav1.3 region containing a cluster of three Arg residues. Our study provides insights into Shank SH3‐mediated interactions.
Labeling of Collagen Type I Templates with a Naturally Derived Contrast Agent for Noninvasive MR Imaging in Soft Tissue Engineering
Authors: Janke Heinz P. , Güvener Nihan , Dou Weiqiang , Tiemessen Dorien M. , YantiSetiasti Anglita , Cremers Jozef G. O. , Borm Paul J. A. , Feitz Wout F. J. , Heerschap Arend , Kiessling Fabian , Oosterwijk Egbert
Published: July 2018

In vivo monitoring of tissue‐engineered constructs is important to assess their integrity, remodeling, and degradation. However, this is challenging when the contrast with neighboring tissues is low, necessitating labeling with contrast agents (CAs), but current CAs have limitations (i.e., toxicity, negative contrast, label instability, and/or inappropriate size). Therefore, a naturally derived hemin‐L‐lysine (HL) complex is used as a potential CA to label collagen‐based templates for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Labeling does not change the basic characteristics of the collagen templates. When hybrid templates composed of collagen type I reinforced with degradable polymers are subcutaneously implanted in mice, longitudinal visualization by MRI is possible with good contrast and in correlation with template remodeling. In contrast, unlabeled collagen templates are hardly detectable and the fate of these templates cannot be monitored by MRI. Interestingly, tissue remodeling and vascularization are enhanced within HL‐labeled templates. Thus, HL labeling is presented as a promising universal imaging marker to label tissue‐engineered implants for MRI, which additionally seems to accelerate tissue regeneration.
Spontaneous Formation of Noble‐ and Heavy‐Metal‐Free Alloyed Semiconductor Quantum Rods for Efficient Photocatalysis
Authors: Chen Dechao , Zhang Huayang , Li Yunguo , Pang Yingping , Yin Zongyou , Sun Hongqi , Zhang Lai‐Chang , Wang Shaobin , Saunders Martin , Barker Emily , Jia Guohua
Published: July 2018

Quasi‐1D cadmium chalcogenide quantum rods (QRs) are benchmark semiconductor materials that are combined with noble metals to constitute QR heterostructures for efficient photocatalysis. However, the high toxicity of cadmium and cost of noble metals are the main obstacles to their widespread use. Herein, a facile colloidal synthetic approach is reported that leads to the spontaneous formation of cadmium‐free alloyed ZnSxSe1−x QRs from polydisperse ZnSe nanowires by alkylthiol etching. The obtained non‐noble‐metal ZnSxSe1−x QRs can not only be directly adopted as efficient photocatalysts for water oxidation, showing a striking oxygen evolution capability of 3000 µmol g−1 h−1, but also be utilized to prepare QR‐sensitized TiO2 photoanodes which present enhanced photo‐electrochemical (PEC) activity. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that alloyed ZnSxSe1−x QRs have highly active Zn sites on the (100) surface and reduced energy barrier for oxygen evolution, which in turn, are beneficial to their outstanding photocatalytic and PEC activities.
Energy Level Alignment at Interfaces in Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Shenghao , Sakurai Takeaki , Wen Weijia , Qi Yabing
Published: July 2018

The rapid progress of organic–inorganic metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has attracted broad interest in photovoltaic community. A typical PSC consists of anode/cathode, a perovskite layer as absorber, and carrier transport layer(s) (electron/hole transport layer(s)), which are stacked together, resulting in multi‐interfaces between these layers. Charge extraction and transport in these solar cell devices are strongly influenced by the interfaces and in particular the energy level alignment (ELA). It is the synergy of multiple interfaces and bulk films embedded in the cell architecture that has led to the extraordinary success of PSCs. Here, the authors review the progress of the studies on energy level alignment in PSCs, including several sections: methods for deriving ELA, semiconductor type of perovskite, bottom layer–dependent energy level shift of perovskite, density of states–governed ELA, ELA for specific interfaces, instability‐induced ELA variation, and defects and ion migration–induced ELA variation. Perspective and outlook for precisely determining ELA, designing the device architecture, and fabricating high performance PSCs are discussed.
Optoelectronic Diamond: Growth, Properties, and Photodetection Applications
Authors: Lu Ying‐Jie , Lin Chao‐Nan , Shan Chong‐Xin
Published: July 2018

Deep ultraviolet photodetectors have attracted much attention due to their wide applications in the industrial, military, biological and environmental fields. Diamond has a variety of unique characteristics, including a wide bandgap, high thermal conductivity, high breakdown voltage, high carrier mobility, and high radiation hardness, which make it a promising candidate for deep ultraviolet photodetection. With the development of diamond synthesis technology, diamond‐based photodetectors have been extensively studied. This study reviews the recent progress involving various types of diamond‐based photodetectors, including photoconductors, metal–semiconductor–metal photodiodes, Schottky barrier photodiodes, p–n, and p–i–n photodiodes, heterojunctions, and phototransistors.
High‐Efficiency Metasurfaces: Principles, Realizations, and Applications
Authors: He Qiong , Sun Shulin , Xiao Shiyi , Zhou Lei
Published: July 2018

Metasurfaces are planar metamaterials exhibiting certain inhomogeneous phase distributions for transmitted or reflected waves, which can efficiently reshape the wave‐fronts of incident beams in desired manners based on the Huygens principle. Due to their exotic abilities to freely manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves on a flat and ultrathin platform, metasurfaces have attracted intensive attention recently, resulting in numerous new concepts and effects that could possibly find applications in many different aspects. In this article, the key achievements in this field are briefly summarized, with focus put on the efficiency issue of metasurfaces. After introducing the basic concept of metasurfaces and their early realizations, successively the mechanisms and realizations of high‐efficiency metasurfaces are described: for manipulating linearly polarized EM waves in reflection and transmission geometries, and for manipulating circularly polarized EM waves based on the geometric‐phase concept, using plasmonic materials as well as dielectric ones. Then, several important applications of high‐efficiency metasurfaces are summarized, including polarization control, metaholograms, metalenses, and surface wave couplers. Finally, this review is concluded with personal perspectives on the future directions of this rapidly growing research field.
Comparative studies of glycolytic pathways and channeling under in vitro and in vivo modes
Authors: Abernathy Mary H. , Zhang Yuchen , Hollinshead Whitney D. , Wang George , Baidoo Edward E. K. , Liu Tiangang , Tang Yinjie J.
Published: July 2018

This study constructed cell‐free glycolytic enzyme systems and compared them to their in vivo functions in Escherichia coli. Under in vitro conditions, flux regulation followed enzyme concentrations and kinetics. In E. coli, only one of the isozymes of phosphofructokinase (PfkA) and fructose‐bisphosphate aldolase (FbaA) facilitate Embden‐Meyerhof‐Parnas (EMP) flux, but under in vitro assays, these isozymes were interchangeable. Additionally, in vitro introduction of the Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathway improved glycolysis rates, while in vivo overexpression of the ED pathway could not capture significant flux unless its phosphotransferase system (PTS) was knocked out. Lastly, in vivo dynamic 13 C‐experiments revealed that the labeling order of EMP pathway intermediates was not strictly cascade, indicating intracellular metabolites were not well mixed. These enigmatic observations cannot be fully explained by thermodynamics or substrate level regulations. This article supports the long‐time conjecture that EMP enzymes are channeled, and the PTS may be an anchor point to initiate enzyme assemblies. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 483–490, 2019
Treatment of young adults with Philadelphia‐negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma: Hyper‐CVAD vs. pediatric‐inspired regimens
Authors: Siegel Stuart E. , Advani Anjali , Seibel Nita , Muffly Lori , Stock Wendy , Luger Selina , Shah Bijal , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Freyer David R. , Douer Dan , Johnson Rebecca H. , Hayes‐Lattin Brandon , Lewis Mark , Jaboin Jerry J. , Coccia Peter F. , Bleyer Archie
Published: July 2018

For young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, pediatric‐based regimens are likely to provide the following when compared to hyper‐CVAD regimens: better disease control, less hospitalization time, diminished acute toxicities, decreased financial cost, more quality‐adjusted life years, and fewer adverse late effects, such as infertility, myelodysplasia, and second malignant neoplasms. There are also reasons to expect less cardiac and cognitive dysfunction after pediatric regimens. The improved quality and quantity of life associated with pediatric regimens renders them preferable to hyper‐CVAD regimens for the treatment of Philadelphia‐negative B‐precursor or T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma in young adults.
Crystalline Covalent Triazine Frameworks by In Situ Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehyde Monomers
Authors: Liu Manying , Huang Qi , Wang Shaolei , Li Ziyong , Li Buyi , Jin Shangbin , Tan Bien
Published: July 2018

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) with aromatic triazine linkages have recently received increasing interest for various applications because of their rich nitrogen content and high chemical stability. Owing to the strong aromatic C=N bond and high chemical stability, only a few CTFs are crystalline, and most CTFs are amorphous. Herein we report a new general strategy to give highly crystalline CTFs by in situ formation of aldehyde monomers through the controlled oxidation of alcohols. This general strategy allows a series of crystalline CTFs with different monomers to be prepared, which are shown to have higher thermal stability and enhanced performance in photocatalysis as compared with the less crystalline or amorphous CTFs. This open‐system approach is very simple and convenient, which presents a potential pathway to large‐scale industrial production of crystalline CTFs.
Rethinking the complexity of virtual work and knowledge sharing
Authors: Shi Wei , Weber Matthew S.
Published: July 2018

Employees in distributed organizations often engage in virtual work arrangements to accomplish day‐to‐day tasks. In turn, a lack of physical cues, challenges in establishing common ground with others and reduced face‐to‐face interaction each has the potential to hinder communication within an organization. Large multinational organizations may rely on transactive memory systems as a means of sharing knowledge and helping employees to accomplish day‐to‐day tasks. Research demonstrates that new information communication technology facilitates the development of transactive memory systems, but the role of transactive memory in virtual work arrangements is less studied. This article explores how dimensions of virtual work impact transactive memory systems. Data were collected from a large multinational organization that provides technology consulting services. Findings from this study demonstrate a clear relationship between the formation of transactive memory systems and the degree of geographic dispersion of employees. Moreover, the formation of transactive memory systems is negatively impacted by the diversity of teams' job functions. The use of internal information communication technology plays a positive role in influencing organizational memory when teams are geographically and functionally diverse. The results provide insight into how organizations can better utilize transactive memory systems to improve communication in virtual settings.
Intra‐annual differences of 3‐month Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index dryness/wetness sensitivity over southwest China
Authors: Sun Shanlei , Ren Yongjian , Li Qingqing , Zhou Shujia , Zhao Changyu , Chai Rongfan , Deng Peng , Wang Jie
Published: July 2018

The monthly 3‐month Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI‐3) over southwest China (SWC) shows obvious inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variability during 1961–2012. By examining the isolated contributions of precipitation and reference evapotranspiration (ET0) alone to the monthly SPEI‐3 anomalies, we find out that although anomalous precipitation plays a predominant role, ET0 impacts cannot be neglected, particularly during February–May. The monthly dryness/wetness sensitivity to precipitation (Sp; Set0 for ET0), that is, SPEI‐3 changes by per millimetre of precipitation (ET0) anomalies, is quantified as the slope of a linear regression, which has precipitation (ET0) contributions and anomalies during 1961–2012 as the dependent and the independent variables, respectively. Both SWC Sp and Set0 have evident intra‐annual differences, decreasing during February–August and increasing afterwards. Moreover, their magnitudes are dependent on climatological precipitation and generally decrease with precipitation increase. To sum up, the estimated respective contributions of monthly precipitation and ET0 anomalies are favourable for thoroughly understanding SWC dry/wet condition evolutions during the past 52 years. More importantly, Sp and Set0 are of significance for drought forecasting and emergency system over SWC.
Developmental Roles and Evolutionary Significance of AMPA‐Type Glutamate Receptors
Authors: Hirai Shinobu , Hotta Kohji , Okado Haruo
Published: July 2018

Organogenesis and metamorphosis require the intricate orchestration of multiple types of cellular interactions and signaling pathways. Glutamate (Glu) is an excitatory extracellular signaling molecule in the nervous system, while Ca2+ is a major intracellular signaling molecule. The first Glu receptors to be cloned are Ca2+‐permeable receptors in mammalian brains. Although recent studies have focused on Glu signaling in synaptic mechanisms of the mammalian central nervous system, it is unclear how this signaling functions in development. Our recent article demonstrated that Ca2+‐permeable AMPA‐type Glu receptors (GluAs) are essential for formation of a photosensitive organ, development of some neurons, and metamorphosis, including tail absorption and body axis rotation, in ascidian embryos. Based on findings in these embryos and mammalian brains, we formed several hypotheses regarding the evolution of GluAs, the non‐synaptic function of Glu, the origin of GluA‐positive neurons, and the neuronal network that controls metamorphosis in ascidians.
Cellular Studies of an Aminoglycoside Potentiator Reveal a New Inhibitor of Aminoglycoside Resistance
Authors: Guan Jinming , Vong Kenward , Wee Kathleen , Fakhoury Johans , Dullaghan Edie , Auclair Karine
Published: July 2018

Aminoglycosides are a group of broad‐spectrum antibiotics that have been used in the clinic for almost a century. The rapid spread of bacterial genes coding for aminoglycoside‐modifying enzymes has, however, dramatically decreased the utility of aminoglycosides. We have previously reported several aminoglycoside potentiators that work by inhibiting aminoglycoside N‐6′‐acetyltransferase, one of the most common determinants of aminoglycoside resistance. Among these, prodrugs that combine the structure of an aminoglycoside with that of pantothenate into one molecule are especially promising. We report here a series of cellular studies to investigate the activity and mechanism of action of these prodrugs further. Our results reveal a new aminoglycoside resistance inhibitor, as well as the possibility that these prodrugs are transformed into more than one inhibitor in bacteria. We also report that the onset of the potentiators is rapid. Their low cell cytotoxicity, good stability, and potentiation of various aminoglycosides, against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, make them interesting compounds for the development of new drugs.
Fullerene Building Blocks with Tailor‐Made Solubility and New Insights into Their Hierarchical Self‐Assembly
Authors: Pérez‐Ojeda M. Eugenia , Wabra Isabell , Böttcher Christoph , Hirsch Andreas
Published: July 2018

Herein, the synthesis of fullerene derivatives with adjustable polarities and lyotropic aggregation properties is reported. The polarity range spans from superhydrophobic to hydrophilic, while simultaneously providing a further reactive position with a view to graft them onto other materials. The synthetic strategy relies on a selective protection with an isoxazoline moiety. The remaining octahedral positions were further functionalized with the desired groups to tune their solubility, yielding mixed [5:1] hexakisadducts. The subsequent deprotection by clean photolytic reaction led to fullerene pentakisadducts with an incomplete octahedral addition pattern, which are useful forerunners for the synthesis of building blocks. Their hydrophobic/hydrophilic behavior has been characterized both in solution and surface through octanol/water partition coefficients (log P) and contact angle measurements. Furthermore, these derivatives can form supramolecular constructions which have been studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryo‐TEM.
Multi‐label feature selection with application to TCM state identification
Authors: Dai Liang , Zhang Jia , Li Candong , Zhou Changen , Li Shaozi
Published: July 2018

The goal of TCM state identification is to identify the patient's syndromes and locations and natures of diseases according to symptoms. Generally, symptoms of a patient are associated with several syndromes and multiple locations and natures of diseases; hence, the TCM state identification is a typical multi‐label problem. In this paper, a new method is proposed to predict syndromes and locations and natures of diseases according to the diagnostic information of TCM. In detail, the correlation between features and the correlation between class labels are combined into a new uniform feature space. After that, the MDMR algorithm is used to select the most discriminatory features from the new uniform feature space, which is helpful to reduce the data dimensionality. Lastly, a KNN‐like algorithm is modified to calculate the label similarity of test data, and the finite set of labels of test data is predicted by ML‐KNN. In this paper, the test data is collected by Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine according to the theory of TCM and medical ethics. The experiments show that the performance of the proposed method is superior to some other popular methods and is helpful in the identification of health state in TCM.
Benzoylguanidines as Anion‐Responsive Systems
Authors: Glasovac Zoran , Barešić Luka , Antol Ivana , Margetić Davor
Published: July 2018

A series of benzoylguanidinium salts was prepared and the changes in UV/Vis spectra, triggered by the presence of anions, were investigated. All compounds undergo deprotonation with basic anions like dihydrogenphosphate and acetate in acetonitrile. The most pronounced spectral changes were obtained by deprotonation of N1‐benzoyl‐N3‐(p‐nitrophenyl) guanidinium chloride which shows the naked‐eye visible color change from colorless to yellow. Measured pKa(BH+) in acetonitrile ranges from 12–16, which is comparable to the pyridinium cations. The proton transfer equilibria were also tested in acetonitrile/water mixture where all but the most acidic derivatives showed pKa(BH+) of 4–6 units which corresponds to apparent association constants of 104–106 dm3 mol−1. UV/Vis spectra of neutral and protonated forms were modelled by the TD‐DFT approach using CAM‐B3LYP and PBE0 functionals and compared to CC2 results. In the case of CAM‐B3LYP, a parameter ω, defining amount of long‐range exchange correction, was varied to achieve the best agreement with the experimental spectra. The optimized ω parameters are 0.10 a0−1 for neutral benzoylguanidines and 0.20 a0−1 for neutral nitrobenzoyl and protonated systems. The larger ω parameter in the latter is ascribed to more pronounced charge transfer character of the HOMO‐LUMO transition – the one responsible for the lowest energy absorption band.
A PK/PD Analysis of Circulating Biomarkers and Their Relationship to Tumor Response in Atezolizumab‐Treated non‐small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Netterberg Ida , Li Chi‐Chung , Molinero Luciana , Budha Nageshwar , Sukumaran Siddharth , Stroh Mark , Jonsson E. Niclas , Friberg Lena E.
Published: July 2018

To assess circulating biomarkers as predictors of antitumor response to atezolizumab (anti‐programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), Tecentriq) serum pharmacokinetic (PK) and 95 plasma biomarkers were analyzed in 88 patients with relapsed/refractory non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving atezolizumab i.v. q3w (10–20 mg/kg) in the PCD4989g phase I clinical trial. Following exploratory analyses, two plasma biomarkers were chosen for further study and correlation with change in tumor size (the sum of the longest diameter) was assessed in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) tumor modeling framework. When longitudinal kinetics of biomarkers and tumor size were modeled, tumor shrinkage was found to significantly correlate with area under the curve (AUC), baseline factors (metastatic sites, liver metastases, and smoking status), and relative change in interleukin (IL)‐18 level from baseline at day 21 (RCFBIL‐18,d21). Although AUC was a major predictor of tumor shrinkage, the effect was estimated to dissipate with an average half‐life of 80 days, whereas RCFBIL‐18,d21 seemed relevant to the duration of the response.
Island biogeography and ecological modeling of the amblypygid Phrynus marginemaculatus in the Florida Keys archipelago
Authors: Chapin Kenneth J. , Winkler Daniel E. , Wiencek Patrick , Agnarsson Ingi
Published: July 2018

Aim

The biogeography of terrestrial organisms across the Florida Keys archipelago is poorly understood. We used population genetics and spatioecological modeling of the Amblypygi Phrynus marginemaculatus to understand the genetic structure and metapopulation dynamics of Keys populations that are otherwise isolated by human development and ocean.

Location

The Florida Keys archipelago and mainland Florida.

Methods

We sequenced a 1,238 bp fragment of mtDNA for 103 individuals of P. marginemaculatus from 13 sites in the Florida Keys and South Florida, binned into four regions. We used population genetic analyses to understand the population structure of the species throughout its US range. Furthermore, we used ecological modeling with climate, habitat, and human development data to develop habitat suitability estimates for the species.

Results

We found clear genetic structure between localities. The Lower Keys, in particular, support populations separate from those in other regions studied. Ecological modeling and genetic analyses showed the highest habitat suitability and genetic isolation in the Lower Keys, but urban development across the species range has resulted in the loss of most historical habitat.

Main conclusions

A mainland‐metapopulation model best fits P. marginemaculatus gene flow patterns in the Florida Keys and mainland. Ocean currents likely play a role in metapopulation dynamics and gene flow for terrestrial Keys species like P. marginemaculatus, and genetic patterns also matched patterns consistent with geologic history. Suitable habitat, however, is limited and under threat of human destruction. The few remaining pockets of the most suitable habitat tend to occur in parks and protected areas. We argue that conservation efforts for this species and others in the terrestrial Florida Keys would benefit from a deeper understanding of the population genetic structure and ecology of the archipelago.