bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Bakken/Three Forks unconventional oil and gas development on natural habitats in North Dakota
Authors: Howden Carlin M. , Stone E. Taylor , Nallur Varenya , McClung Maureen R. , Moran Matthew D.
Published: December 2018

Unconventional oil and gas production (i.e., horizontal drilling and hydrofracturing) has expanded rapidly in the US. One important region where this expansion has occurred is the Bakken/Three Forks Formation, a tight oil play that has made North Dakota a major U.S. oil producer. Using a spatial well database and satellite imagery, we directly measured land‐use changes caused by recent oil and gas activities in two important natural habitats in North Dakota. These two habitats were prairie potholes and public lands that include conservation of wildlife as part of their publicly stated mission. For public lands, we found that about 2,600 ha have been developed, edge habitat increased by almost 30 km (3.65% increase), and average fragment size decreased by 0.70%. Few prairie potholes were directly impacted by this activity, but distance to development decreased for almost one third (434/1,300) by an average of about 400 m. Although land cover changes have been measured in this region in previous publications, our results showing changes in fragmentation, edge habitat, and distance to development provide new metrics for how these habitats in North Dakota are being affected by fossil fuel activity. Observed land‐use changes, while modest, likely have negative impacts on wildlife, including increased mortality or habitat avoidance. Given the potential spread of unconventional oil and gas across the globe, understanding these patterns should help inform land and wildlife managers, as well as the oil and gas industry, about strategies to limit impacts of well and infrastructure placement on valuable wildlife habitats.
Extracellular Surface Potential Mapping by Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy Revealed Transient Transmembrane Pore Formation Induced by Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Feng , Manandhar Prakash , Ahmed Md Salauddin , Chang Shuai , Panday Namuna , Zhang Haiqian , Moon Joong Ho , He Jin
Published: December 2018

In‐depth understanding of the biophysicochemical interactions at the nano–bio interface is important for basic cell biology and applications in nanomedicine and nanobiosensors. Here, the extracellular surface potential and topography changes of live cell membranes interacting with polymeric nanomaterials using a scanning ion conductance microscopy‐based potential imaging technique are investigated. Two structurally similar amphiphilic conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) containing different functional groups (i.e., primary amine versus guanidine) are used to study incubation time and functional group‐dependent extracellular surface potential and topographic changes. Transmembrane pores, which induce significant changes in potential, only appear transiently in the live cell membranes during the initial interactions. The cells are able to self‐repair the damaged membrane and become resilient to prolonged CPN exposure. This study provides an important observation on how the cells interact with and respond to extracellular polymeric nanomaterials at the early stage. This study also demonstrates that extracellular surface potential imaging can provide a new insight to help understand the complicated interactions at the nano–bio interface and the following cellular responses.
Harnessing the untapped potential of nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain ligands for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Nabergoj Sanja , Mlinarič‐Raščan Irena , Jakopin Žiga
Published: December 2018

In the last decade, cancer immunotherapy has emerged as an effective alternative to traditional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. In contrast to the latter, cancer immunotherapy has the potential to distinguish between cancer and healthy cells, and thus to avoid severe and intolerable side‐effects, since the cancer cells are effectively eliminated by stimulated immune cells. The cytosolic nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domains 1 and 2 receptors (NOD1 and NOD2) are important components of the innate immune system and constitute interesting targets in terms of strengthening the immune response against cancer cells. Many NOD ligands have been synthesized, in particular NOD2 agonists that exhibit favorable immunostimulatory and anticancer activity. Among them, mifamurtide has already been approved in Europe by the European Medicine Agency for treating patients with osteosarcoma in combination with chemotherapy after complete surgical removal of the primary tumor. This review is focused on NOD receptors as promising targets in cancer immunotherapy as well as summarizing current knowledge of the various NOD ligands exhibiting antitumor and even antimetastatic activity in vitro and in vivo.
A novel lncRNA‐mediated trans‐regulatory mechanism in the development of cleft palate in mouse
Authors: Shu Xuan , Shu Shenyou , Cheng Hongqiu
Published: December 2018

Background

Increasing evidence indicates that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the regulatory mechanisms during EMT of the medial edge epithelium (MEE) remain elusive. The aim of this work is to reveal a novel lncRNA‐regulated dysfunction of EMT involved in the development of cleft palate (CP).

Methods

C57BL/6 J mice at embryonic gestation day 14.5 (n = 6, 3 case samples vs. 3 control samples) were used to establish the CP model for lncRNA–mRNA co‐expression profile analysis after high‐throughput sequencing. Functional predictions for the differentially expressed lncRNA–mRNA co‐expression with transcription factor (TF)‐target gene relationship Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (GO/KEGG) analyses identified the regulatory “lncRNA–TF‐target gene” trans model.

Results

A total of 583 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 703 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified. The results of trans analysis revealed that some TFs (LEF1, SMAD4, and FOXD3) regulate lncRNAs and gene expression. Finally, we identified the NONMMUT034790.2‐LEF1‐SMAD7 co‐expression trans‐regulatory network that might be associated with CP.

Conclusions

Our results revealed that NONMMUT034790.2 might be a novel epigenetic biomarker in CP. The integration of lncRNA modulators into trans‐regulatory networks will further enhance our understanding of lncRNA functions and regulatory mechanisms during palatal fusion in ATRA‐induced mouse CP.
A high‐selectivity dual‐polarization filtering antenna with metamaterial for 5G application
Authors: Ma Shaobo , Zhai Huiqing , Wei Zichun , Zhou Xiangyu , Zheng Licheng , Li Jiaxu
Published: December 2018

A high‐selectivity dual‐polarization filtering antenna with metamaterial is presented in this letter. The multilayer coupled radiation structure of the antenna determines a filtering function. With the metamaterial layer designed above the antenna, a sharp roll‐off rate at high pass band edge and a better out‐of‐band rejection occurs, thus a better high selective filtering characteristic can be achieved. Simulating and measuring the antenna, the impedance bandwidth (VSWR <2) of the antenna is from 3.25 GHz to 3.85 GHz; meanwhile, the maximum gain can reach 9dBi. The gain of antenna can quickly decrease 43dBi at the high pass band edge from 3.85 GHz to 4.05 GHz and the antenna has an out‐of‐band rejection level of 27dBi from 4.05 GHz to 5 GHz. The tested results verify our designs and the antenna could be a good candidate for the 5G anti‐interference wireless terminal communication system.
Enhancement of nonlinear optical and thermal properties of polyurethanes by modifying the chromophores with fused heterocyclic and pyrimidine rings
Authors: Doddamani Radha V. , Rachipudi Padmeshwary S. , Inamdar Sanjeev R. , Kariduraganavar Mahadevappa Y.
Published: December 2018

This article describes the synthesis of substituted triazolo[3,4‐b]‐thiadiazole heterocycles based nonlinear optical (NLO) responsive chromophores. To enhance the NLO properties of the chromophores, the pyrimidine ring was introduced with an appropriate π‐bonding. With these chromophores, different series of polyurethanes were prepared by condensation with tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate and 3,3′‐dimethoxy‐4,4′‐biphenylene diisocyanate. The structure of the resulting chromophores and polyurethanes was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen (CHN) analyzer. The inherent viscosities (ηinh) of the polyurethanes measured by Ubbelohde viscometer were in the range of 0.2324–0.2760 dl/g. Thermal behavior of the polyurethanes was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The molecular orientation in polyurethane films was induced by a corona poling, and this was ascertained using ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer and atomic force microscope. The thicknesses and refractive indices of thin films were determined by an Ellipsometer. Polyurethanes exhibited excellent solubility in most of the common organic solvents. The second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients (d33) of the poled polyurethanes ranged from 63.20 and 95.32 pm/V at 532 nm. None of the polyurethanes showed SHG decay below 100°C, and retained 95% of the signal even up to 500 h. The resulting enhanced NLO efficiency and longer temporal stability make these polyurethanes as promising candidates for photonic devices. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:500–509, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Incorporation of COF‐LZU‐1 into the terpolyimide matrix to obtain COF‐LZU‐1/terpolyimide composites with ultra‐low dielectric constant
Authors: Purushothaman Revathi , Vaitinadin Hari Shankar
Published: December 2018

Polyimides are used in microelectronics as they possess the essential high tensile properties, high thermal stability and low dielectric constant. As the further reduction in their dielectric constant is indispensable for such applications, in this study it was loaded with the porous covalent organic framework (COF‐LZU‐1) to obtain COF‐LZU‐1/terpolyimide composites. The composites can capture much air (κ = 1) in their matrix and bring down the dielectric constant below the virgin polyimides. In the beginning, the terpoly(amic acid)s were prepared, then loaded with the COF‐LZU‐1, and subsequently, stage cured up to 350°C to obtain COF‐LZU‐1/terpolyimide composites. Their thermal degradation occurred close to 530°C, illustrating high thermal stability. Their dielectric constant decreased with an increase in the COF‐LZU‐1 loading from 1 to 4%. The lowest dielectric constant of 1.36 was obtained with 4% loading. So, COF‐LZU‐1 and different polyimides can be suitably combined to obtain composites with desirable characteristics for applications in microelectronics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:814–820, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characterization and phase‐transition behavior of thermoresponsive PVME nanogels in the presence of cellulose nanowhiskers: Rheology, morphology, and FTIR studies
Authors: Hadaeghnia Milad , Goharpey Fatemeh , Khademzadeh Yeganeh Jafar
Published: December 2018

The effects of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) and irradiation dose on phase separation behavior as well as rheological and physical properties of Poly vinyl methyl ether (PVME) nanogels are investigated. Interactions between CNWs and polymer chains lead to the dehydration of PVME chains. Increasing the irradiation dose or CNW weight fraction enhances the VPTT, due to the decreased chain mobility. The phase separation behaviors of hybrid and nonhybrid nanogels are investigated at two different quench depths. At the shallow quench depth, the samples phase separate through nucleation and growth (NG) mechanism. However in the case of hybrid nanogels with a higher temperature, as a result of the enhanced dynamic asymmetry induced by the increased quench depth and the interaction of PVME chains with CNWs, the phase separation mechanism changes from NG to viscoelastic phase separation (VPS). The linear rheological behavior of nanogels was well correlated with the evolution of corresponding phase‐separating morphologies. At 40°C, a shoulder appeared in the storage modulus curve in the intermediate frequency range, due to shape relaxation of the droplets formed by NG mechanism. However, a solid‐like behavior was observed due to the existence of a percolated network structure induced by VPS at 60°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:899–912, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
High‐Performance Photoinduced Memory with Ultrafast Charge Transfer Based on MoS2/SWCNTs Network Van Der Waals Heterostructure
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Hong Hao , Liu Fang , Liu Yuan , Su Meng , Huang Hao , Liu Kaihui , Liang Xuelei , Yu Woo Jong , Vu Quoc An , Liu Xingqiang , Liao Lei
Published: December 2018

Photoinduced memory devices with fast program/erase operations are crucial for modern communication technology, especially for high‐throughput data storage and transfer. Although some photoinduced memories based on 2D materials have already demonstrated desirable performance, the program/erase speed is still limited to hundreds of micro‐seconds. A high‐speed photoinduced memory based on MoS2/single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) network mixed‐dimensional van der Waals heterostructure is demonstrated here. An intrinsic ultrafast charge transfer occurs at the heterostructure interface between MoS2 and SWCNTs (below 50 fs), therefore enabling a record program/erase speed of ≈32/0.4 ms, which is faster than that of the previous reports. Furthermore, benefiting from the unique device structure and material properties, while achieving high‐speed program/erase operation, the device can simultaneously obtain high program/erase ratio (≈106), appropriate storage time (≈103 s), record‐breaking detectivity (≈1016 Jones) and multibit storage capacity with a simple program/erase operation. It even has a potential application as a flexible optoelectronic device. Therefore, the designed concept here opens an avenue for high‐throughput fast data communications.
Symmetry crossover protecting chirality in Dirac spectra
Authors: Kanazawa Takuya , Kieburg Mario
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We consider a random matrix model in the hard edge limit (local spectral statistics at the origin in the limit of large matrix size) which interpolates between the Gaussian unitary ensemble (GUE) and the chiral Gaussian unitary ensemble (chGUE). We show that this model is equivalent to the low-energy limit of certain QCD-like theories in the epsilon-regime. Moreover, we present a detailed derivation of the microscopic level density as well as the partially quenched and unquenched partition functions. Some of these results have been announced in a former letter by us. Our derivation relies on the supersymmetry method and is performed here step by step. Additionally, we compute the chiral condensate and the pion condensate for the quenched as well as unquenched settings. We also investigate the limits to GUE and chGUE and confirm our conjecture that the non-uniformity of the GUE limit would carry over to the hard edge limit.
On the structure of the conformal higher-spin wave operators
Authors: Grigoriev Maxim , Hancharuk Aliaksandr
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We study conformal higher spin (CHS) fields on constant curvature backgrounds. By employing parent formulation technique in combination with tractor description of GJMS operators we find a manifestly factorized form of the CHS wave operators for symmetric fields of arbitrary integer spin s and gauge invariance of arbitrary order t ≤ s. In the case of the usual Fradkin-Tseytlin fields t = 1 this gives a systematic derivation of the factorization formulas known in the literature while for t > 1 the explicit formulas were not known. We also relate the gauge invariance of the CHS fields to the partially-fixed gauge invariance of the factors and show that the factors can be identified with (partially gauge-fixed) wave operators for (partially)-massless or special massive fields. As a byproduct, we establish a detailed relationship with the tractor approach and, in particular, derive the tractor form of the CHS equations and gauge symmetries.
Lernboxen im Pflegestudium – Selbstgesteuertes Lernen im Skills Lab
Authors: Kortekamp Judith , Freese Christiane , Latteck Änne-Dörte
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung. Berufliche Handlungskompetenz ist die Basis professionellen Pflegehandelns. Um dafür den selbstgesteuerten Kompetenzerwerb zu fördern, entstand an der Fachhochschule Bielefeld das Projekt „Auf- und Ausbau multidimensionaler Lehr-Lernmaterialien für die Entwicklung pflegepraktischer Kompetenzen“. Die primäre Zielgruppe stellen die Studierenden des Studiengangs B. Sc. „Gesundheit- und Krankenpflege“ dar.
Meet IceWorm: NASA’s New Ice-Climbing Robot
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: December 2018

A robot that can inch up icy surfaces may help scientists reach new heights in some of Earth’s most dangerous and remote landscapes.
Enhancement of Mesopelagic Sinking Particle Fluxes Due to Upwelling, Aerosol Deposition, and Monsoonal Influences in the Northwestern South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Li Hongliang , Xuan Jiliang , Wu Zezhou , Yang Zhi , Wiesner Martin G. , Chen Jianfang
Published: December 2018

Time series data from a sediment trap at approximately 1,000‐m depth in the northwestern South China Sea, July 2012 to April 2013, were used in combination with remote sensing and shipboard physical and biogeochemical data to quantify the effects of multiscale physical processes on sinking particle fluxes and the function of the local biological carbon pump. Total mass flux and the fluxes of its primary components—particulate organic carbon, calcium carbonate, opal, and lithogenic matter—exhibited similar temporal trends, with three conspicuous high‐flux events. These events occurred in the summer, autumn, and winter, attributable to upwelling, aerosol deposition, and the northeast monsoon, respectively. Together, these events accounted for only 40% of the total time but approximately 80% of the 10‐month total mass flux (21% during the upwelling event, 23% during the aerosol event, and 36% during the northeast monsoon event). Each event contributed its own unique biogeochemical overprint. For example, Calcareous phytoplankton benefited from both the upwelling and aerosol deposition events, but siliceous phytoplankton benefited more than calcifiers during the upwelling conditions. The biogenic sinking particles were primarily marine authigenic, while the lithogenic matter was mainly resuspended sediment from the neighboring slope. The high flux of lithogenic matter was due to scavenging by sinking organic matter and the ballasting effect, especially during the high‐flux periods. This study illustrates that episodic intraseasonal physical processes are as important as the most common major seasonal event—the northeast monsoon—in modulating the strength of the South China Sea biological carbon pump.
Psychoradiological investigations of gray matter alterations in patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Zhang Simin , Wang Weina , Su Xiaorui , Kemp Graham J. , Yang Xibiao , Su Jingkai , Tan Qiaoyue , Zhao Youjin , Sun Huaiqiang , Yue Qiang , Gong Qiyong
Published: December 2018

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with high mortality. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not well understood, and high-resolution structural magnetic resonance brain imaging studies have given inconsistent results. Here we aimed to psychoradiologically define the most prominent and replicable abnormalities of gray matter volume (GMV) in AN patients, and to examine their relationship to demographics and clinical characteristics, by means of a new coordinate-based meta-analytic technique called seed-based d mapping (SDM). In a pooled analysis of all AN patients we identified decreased GMV in the bilateral median cingulate cortices and posterior cingulate cortices extending to the bilateral precuneus, and the supplementary motor area. In subgroup analysis we found an additional decreased GMV in the right fusiform in adult AN, and a decreased GMV in the left amygdala and left anterior cingulate cortex in AN patients without comorbidity (pure AN). Thus, the most consistent GMV alterations in AN patients are in the default mode network and the sensorimotor network. These psychoradiological findings of the brain abnormalities might underpin the neuropathophysiology in AN.
Reevaluating growing season length controls on net ecosystem production in evergreen conifer forests
Authors: Barnard David M. , Knowles John F. , Barnard Holly R. , Goulden Michael L. , Hu Jia , Litvak Marcy E. , Molotch Noah P.
Published: December 2018

Growing season length (GSL) is a key unifying concept in ecology that can be estimated from eddy covariance-derived estimates of net ecosystem production (NEP). Previous studies disagree on how increasing GSLs may affect NEP in evergreen coniferous forests, potentially due to the variety of methods used to quantify GSL from NEP. We calculated GSL and GSL-NEP regressions at eleven evergreen conifer sites across a broad climatic gradient in western North America using three common approaches: (1) variable length (3–7 days) regressions of day of year versus NEP, (2) a smoothed threshold approach, and (3) the carbon uptake period, followed by a new approach of a method-averaged ensemble. The GSL and the GSL-NEP relationship differed among methods, resulting in linear relationships with variable sign, slope, and statistical significance. For all combinations of sites and methods, the GSL explained between 6% and 82% of NEP with p-values ranging from 0.45 to < 0.01. These results demonstrate the variability among GSL methods and the importance of selecting an appropriate method to accurately project the ecosystem carbon cycling response to longer growing seasons in the future. To encourage this approach in future studies, we outline a series of best practices for GSL method selection depending on research goals and the annual NEP dynamics of the study site(s). These results contribute to understanding growing season dynamics at ecosystem and continental scales and underscore the potential for methodological variability to influence forecasts of the evergreen conifer forest response to climate variability.
Structure and magnetism of ultrathin nickel-iron oxides grown on Ru(0001) by high-temperature oxygen-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Mandziak Anna , de la Figuera Juan , Ruiz-Gómez Sandra , Soria Guiomar D. , Pérez Lucas , Prieto Pilar , Quesada Adrian , Foerster Michael , Aballe Lucía
Published: December 2018

We demonstrate the preparation of ultrathin Fe-rich nickel ferrite (NFO) islands on a metal substrate. Their nucleation and growth are followed in situ by low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM). A comprehensive characterization is performed combining LEEM for structural characterization and PEEM (PhotoEmission Electron Microscopy) with synchrotron radiation for chemical and magnetic analysis via X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XAS-PEEM and XMCD-PEEM, respectively). The growth by oxygen-assisted molecular beam epitaxy takes place in two stages. First, islands with the rocksalt structure nucleate and grow until they completely cover the substrate surface. Later three-dimensional islands of spinel phase grow on top of the wetting layer. Only the spinel islands show ferromagnetic contrast, with the same domains being observed in the Fe and Ni XMCD images. The estimated magnetic moments of Fe and Ni close to the islands surface indicate a possible role of the bi-phase reconstruction. A significant out-of-plane magnetization component was detected by means of XMCD-PEEM vector maps.
Ant-plant sociometry in the Azteca-Cecropia mutualism
Authors: Marting Peter R. , Kallman Nicole M. , Wcislo William T. , Pratt Stephen C.
Published: December 2018

A holistic understanding of superorganism biology requires study of colony sociometry, or the quantitative relationships among growth, nest architecture, morphology, and behavior. For ant colonies that obligately nest within plant hosts, their sociometry is likely intertwined with the plant, which has implications for the evolution, strength, and stability of the mutualism. In theAzteca-Cecropiamutualism, plants provide ants with food rewards and hollow stems for nesting in return for protection from herbivores. Several interesting questions arise when considering ant-plant sociometry: are colony growth and plant growth synchronized? How do colonies distribute themselves within the stem of their host plant? How do plant traits influence worker morphology? How is collective personality related to tree structure, nest organization, and worker morphology? To address these questions, we investigated patterns within and relationships among five major sociometric categories of colonies in the field – plant traits, colony size, nest organization, worker morphology, and collective personality. We found that colony sociometry was intimately intertwined with host plant traits. Colony and plant growth rates were synchronized, suggesting that positive feedback between plant and colony growth stabilizes the mutualism. The colony’s distribution inside the host tree tended to follow leaf growth, with most workers, brood, and the queen in the top half of the tree. Worker morphology correlated with plant size instead of colony size or age, which suggests that plant traits influence worker development. Colony personality was independent of colony distribution and tree structure but may correlate with worker size such that colonies with smaller, less variable workers had more aggressive personalities. This study provides insights into how ant-plant structural relationships may contribute to plant protection and the strength of mutualisms.
Human ex vivo 3D bone model recapitulates osteocyte response to metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Choudhary Saba , Ramasundaram Poornema , Dziopa Eugenia , Mannion Ciaran , Kissin Yair , Tricoli Lucas , Albanese Christopher , Lee Woo , Zilberberg Jenny
Published: December 2018

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Unfortunately, there is no cure once the tumor is established within the bone niche. Although osteocytes are master regulators of bone homeostasis and remodeling, their role in supporting PCa metastases remains poorly defined. This is largely due to a lack of suitable ex vivo models capable of recapitulating the physiological behavior of primary osteocytes. To address this need, we integrated an engineered bone tissue model formed by 3D-networked primary human osteocytes, with conditionally reprogrammed (CR) primary human PCa cells. CR PCa cells induced a significant increase in the expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by osteocytes. The expression of the Wnt inhibitors sclerostin and dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), exhibited contrasting trends, where sclerostin decreased while Dkk-1 increased. Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was induced with a concomitant increase in mineralization, consistent with the predominantly osteoblastic PCa-bone metastasis niche seen in patients. Lastly, we confirmed that traditional 2D culture failed to reproduce these key responses, making the use of our ex vivo engineered human 3D bone tissue an ideal platform for modeling PCa-bone interactions.
Publisher Correction: Obestatin controls skeletal muscle fiber-type determination
Authors: Santos-Zas Icía , Cid-Díaz Tania , González-Sánchez Jessica , Gurriarán-Rodriguez Uxía , Seoane-Mosteiro Carlos , Porteiro Begoña , Nogueiras Rubén , Casabiell Xesús , Relova José Luis , Gallego Rosalía , Mouly Vincent , Pazos Yolanda , Camiña Jesus P.
Published: December 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Selective oxidation of thioanisole by titanium complexes immobilized on mesoporous silica nanoparticles: elucidating the environment of titanium(iv) species
Authors: Cruz Paula , Fajardo Mariano , del Hierro Isabel , Pérez Yolanda
Published: December 2018

The coordination environment of titanium of the catalysts was investigated by DRUV–vis, Raman and 47/49Ti MAS-NMR spectroscopies and solid-state electrochemical techniques.
Stabilisation of copper(i) polypyridyl complexes toward aerobic oxidation by zinc(ii) in combination with acetate anions: a facile approach and its application in ascorbic acid sensing in aqueous solution
Authors: Suktanarak Pattira , Ruangpornvisuti Vithaya , Suksai Chomchai , Tuntulani Thawatchai , Leeladee Pannee
Published: December 2018

A new approach to stabilise Cu(i) complexes in aqueous solution using Zn(ii) acetate was demonstrated.
Temperature-responsive nanomagnetic logic gates for cellular hyperthermia
Authors: Oliveira-Silva Rui , Pereira Rute A. , Silva Fábio M. , Gaspar Vítor M. , Ibarra Alfonso , Millán Ángel , Sousa Filipa L. , Mano João F. , Silva Nuno J. O.
Published: December 2018

Too hot for cells? Iron selenide magnetic nanoparticles are obtained and used as logic gates recording any possible temperature overshoot event as those occurring during hyperthermia.
Self-assembled hierarchical porous NiMn2O4 microspheres as high performance Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Li Honglei , Jian Zhixu , Xing Yalan , Zhang Shichao
Published: December 2018

Hierarchical structured porous NiMn2O4 microspheres assembled with nanorods are synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method followed by calcination in air.
Correction: Study on the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of the MyoD1 gene in Guanling bovine
Authors: Zhou Di , Xu Houqiang , Chen Wei , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Ming , Yang Tao
Published: December 2018

Correction for ‘Study on the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of the MyoD1 gene in Guanling bovine’ by Di Zhou et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 12409–12419.
Controllable nitrogen-doping of nanoporous carbons enabled by coordination frameworks
Authors: Zhang Wei , Bu Saiyu , Yuan Qinghong , Xu Qiang , Hu Ming
Published: December 2018

Computation plays a significant role in guiding nitrogen doping into nanoporous carbons.
A universal host material with a simple structure for monochrome and white phosphorescent/TADF OLEDs
Authors: Wu Chao , Wang Binyan , Wang Yafei , Hu Jianyong , Jiang Jiaxing , Ma Dongge , Wang Qiang
Published: December 2018

Highly efficient phosphorescent and thermally activated delayed fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes have been realized by employing a universal host material.
Second harmonic generation in nonlinear optical crystals formed from propellane-type molecules
Authors: Miniewicz Andrzej , Bartkiewicz Stanislaw , Wojaczynska Elzbieta , Galica Tomasz , Zalesny Robert , Jakubas Ryszard
Published: December 2018

A member of the propellane family – a novel chiral compound DDDDP – that shows second harmonic generation in its crystalline form.
Facile synthesis of solution-processed MoS2nanosheets and their application in high-performance ultraviolet organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhang Xiaowen , Li Wanshu , Ling Zhitian , Zhang Yan , Xu Jiwen , Wang Hua , Chen Guohua , Wei Bin
Published: December 2018

High-performance ultraviolet organic light-emitting diodes are assembled using liquid-phase exfoliated MoS2and its composites, MoS2–UVO and MoS2+PEDOT:PSS.
Das Antiphospholipid-Syndrom – Eine interdisziplinäre Herausforderung
Authors: Madlener Katharina
Published: December 2018

Das Antiphospholipid-Syndrom (APS) ist eine systemische Autoimmunerkrankung, die durch arterielle und venöse Thrombosen und/oder Schwangerschaftskomplikationen in Form von Spontanaborten und/oder Fehlgeburten definiert ist. Laboranalytisch ist das APS gekennzeichnet durch den Nachweis von Antiphospholipid-Antikörpern oder einem Lupus Antikoagulans. Antiphospholipid-Antikörper repräsentieren eine heterogene Gruppe von Autoantikörpern gerichtet gegen Phospholipid-Protein-Komplexe. Lupus Antikoagulanzien stellen eine gerinnungsaktive Untergruppe dar, in der Antikörper zu einer Verlängerung von phospholipidabhängigen Gerinnungstesten führen. Die Behandlung erfolgt individualisiert und richtet sich nach dem klinischen Verlauf. Nach venösen und arteriellen Ereignissen wird in der Regel eine langfristige orale Antikoagulation durchgeführt, eine Primärprophylaxe erfolgt nicht. Eine Abortprophylaxe erfolgt mit niedermolekularem Heparin in Kombination mit Aspirin.
A Facile Synthetic Approach to Nonracemic Substituted Pyrrolo-allocolchicinoids Starting from Natural Colchicine
Authors: Fedorov Alexey , Shchegravina Ekaterina , Svirshchevskaya Elena , Schmalz Hans-Günther
Published: December 2018

A six-step semisynthetic approach towards chiral nonracemic pyrrolo-allocolchicinoids starting from naturally occurring colchicine was developed. The synthetic scheme includes an electrocyclic tropolone ring contraction to afford allocolchicinic acid followed by the Curtius reaction, giving the corresponding aniline. The Sandmeyer reaction and copper-mediated hydrazination gave hydrazine-substituted allocolchicine. This was introduced into the Fischer indole synthesis, affording libraries of regioisomeric indole-based allocolchicine congeners.
Flexible Endoscopy: The Fundamentals
Authors: Sweigert Patrick , Van Huis Adam , Marcotte Eric , Chand Bipan
Published: December 2018

Endoscopy highlights the intersection of technological advancements and medical application. Innovation in optics, illumination, imaging, and manufacturing has allowed for the development of a complex array of instruments for use by endoscopists. Flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has emerged to become a well-established minimally invasive aspect of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of GI disease.

Flexible endoscopes and their associated instruments and platforms are described, acknowledging that such lists are dynamic. The procedure environment is also described in terms of location, equipment, ergonomics, personnel involved, and recovery considerations.

Recommendations from GI and anesthesiology associations are outlined to summarize current practices in the administration of sedative drugs to reduce patient discomfort, allow for a technically successful procedure, and reduce patient memory of the procedure.

The training process for GI endoscopy is described for general surgery residents and GI fellows. Training involves didactic and technical curriculum along with mentor-supervised endoscopic procedures. After the completion of training, residents and fellows proceed through a credentialing process, which culminates in granting privileges to an individual to perform GI endoscopic procedures. Once in practice, providers must stay up to date on the ever-changing world of medical documentation, coding, and billing to ensure appropriate reimbursement.
Empty Sunrise Sign: An Arthroscopic Finding in Recurrent Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Smith Craig , Otte Jeffrey , Steensen Robert
Published: December 2018

Patellar dislocation is a relatively common knee injury and can be challenging to diagnose. We describe an arthroscopic finding we noted in recurrent patellar dislocation. Arthroscopic photos were evaluated from 50 knees with a history patellar dislocation and 100 control patients. We quantified the amount of patellar subluxation seen on a single arthroscopic view and coined it Empty Sunrise Sign if the patella did not overlap the trochlea. Empty Sunrise Sign was found in 82% of 50 cases with recurrent patellar dislocation and none of the 100 control cases. The finding was 100% specific for identifying a recurrent patellar dislocator. High interobserver agreement was noted. Empty Sunrise Sign suggests significant capsular laxity. This may need to be considered in the surgical treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation.
Sporadic Hemangioblastoma of the Cavernous Sinus and Meckel's Cave
Authors: Kord Valeshabad Ali , Xiao Lekui , Amin-Hanjani Sepideh , Alsadi Alaa , Valyi-Nagy Tibor , Kim Jinsuh
Published: December 2018

Objectives To describe an extremely rare case of sporadic hemangioblastoma (HB) within the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave with extension to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern.

Methods A 73-year-old male presented with hearing loss, unilateral ptosis, and facial numbness.

Results The imaging showed a complex cystic-solid mass centered at the left cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave with extension to the CPA cistern. Patient underwent retrosigmoid craniectomy for partial resection of the CPA angle component of the mass. Surgical pathology confirmed the diagnosis of HB and patient was scheduled for subsequent radiotherapy of the residual mass.

Conclusions We present an exceptional case of supratentorial HB without associated von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease, which was predominantly located in the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave and led to multiple cranial nerve symptoms. We describe imaging characteristics and radiologic–pathologic correlation of this atypically located HB, which can be difficult to consider in the differential diagnosis presurgically.
Aspects of the foraging and roosting ecology of the large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri) in the western Blue Mountains, with implications for conservation
Authors: Williams Elizabeth R. , Thomson Bruce
Published: December 2018

The large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri) is listed as vulnerable at both state and federal level, yet little is published on its foraging ecology. Research was conducted to examine its foraging range and habitat (foraging and roosting) preferences. Seven individuals (five female and two male) were radio-tracked in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, on two separate occasions over a total of nine tracking nights. Females had larger foraging areas than males, but both showed high fidelity to preferred foraging areas. Females roosted separately from males, showing less roost fidelity and roosting at a greater distance from the foraging area. Both males and females roosted in west-facing cliff faces without large caverns. The preferred foraging area included: a sharp grassland–forest border in a western-facing valley, a creek or moist drainage gully with wet vegetation types and day roosts within 700m. At the fine scale, bats foraged along forest edges at mid-to-upper-canopy height and on the outer canopy of individual trees within the forest. Our data suggest that the presence and distance of such habitat requirements should be considered when assessing land management and conservation activities.
Impact inoculum dosage of lactic acid bacteria on oat and wheat silage fermentation at ambient and low temperatures
Authors: Zhang Miao , Tan Zhongfang , Wang Xiaojie , Cui Meiyan , Wang Yanping , Jiao Zhen
Published: December 2018

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be used as silage additives to ensure rapid and vigorous fermentation at early stages of ensiling. We predicted that the optimal LAB inoculation dosage for forage at ambient temperature (15–38°C) would be different from that at cold temperature (4°C). In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum QZ227, isolated from a wheat landrace in alpine regions of Qinghai, China, and commercial L. plantarum FG1 were used as inoculum, with sterile water as control. The effects of inoculum dosage on the fermentation quality of oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Qinghai) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yumai No. 1) silage at ambient temperature (15–38°C) and at 4°C were investigated in laboratory experiments. Little or no improvement in silage quality occurred upon increasing the inoculum dosage at ambient temperature. By contrast, a lower pH and NH3-N content, and a higher LAB count and lactic acid content, were observed at 4°C. Furthermore, the growth of Escherichia coli was inhibited effectively at the lower temperature, and silage quality was positively correlated with increasing inoculum dosage (P<0.05). These results suggest that increasing the inoculum dosage could improve the quality of silage at lower temperatures of 4°C, whereas an appropriate dosage was a key factor for silage at ambient temperature. In this study, oat forage could be used as raw materials for ensiling only at low temperature but was not suitable for ensiling at ambient temperature without wilting due to the high moisture content (86.55%). QZ227 isolated from the roots of wheat in alpine regions displayed superior antimicrobial properties against yeast at ambient temperature and E. coli at 4°C compared with commercial strain FG1. This is the first study to explore the effects of inoculum dosage on silage quality at low temperatures, and provides a basis for low-temperature silage technologies.
Assessment of variations in dissolved organic matter in contrasting streams in the Pampas and Patagonian regions (Argentina)
Authors: García R. D. , Messetta M. L. , Feijoó C. , García P. E.
Published: December 2018

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the major source of carbon in aquatic environments and may be derived from allochthonous or autochthonous sources. This study presents the first DOM characterisation in streams from two contrasting Argentinean regions (the Pampas and Patagonia). We found that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and absorption coefficients at 254 and 350nm (a254 and a350) were higher in Pampean than in Patagonian streams. DOM from streams in both regions contained compounds with high molecular weight and highly variable a350 per DOC; it has been suggested that this could be an indicator of lignin content. The characterisation of DOM reflects the agricultural signal and the effect of autochthonous sources in Pampean streams, whereas a more pristine condition with high input from terrestrial environments was recorded in Patagonian streams. No sign of DOM photodegradation was observed in either region. Fluorescence-based indices suggest a more recent input of DOM in Pampean streams, whereas a highly humified component was recorded in Patagonian streams. The combined use of absorbance and fluorescence-based techniques was useful for understanding the quantity and quality of DOM in these contrasting regions in Argentina.
“I am not criticizing you”
Authors: Lang Jun
Published: December 2018

This study examines a Chinese indirect speech act conventionally expressed with what I call the construction of earnest
advice. From a constructionist perspective, I posit that the construction of earnest advice is an indirect
speech act construction. Its idiosyncratic form is paired with the function of showing genuine concern and providing advice in the
best interest of the hearer. Based on corpus evidence and discourse analysis, I analyze the contextually situated subtypes of this
function, including passing judgments, providing suggestions, issuing complaints and mock sarcasms. The use of the contextual
subtypes depends on interpersonal factors such as social distance, power difference, and group membership. This study has
implications for politeness theories.
A comparative with two standards of comparison
Authors: Liu Chen-Sheng Luther
Published: December 2018

This article discusses the syntax and semantics of the DS comparative in Chinese, which is an adjectival comparative in which the
sequence gèng duō ‘even-more much’ occurs as the degree búyǔ complement clause of the matrix
adjective. The element duō ‘much’ is a quantity-adjective that interacts with gèng ‘even-more’
to introduce an additional standard of comparison into the DS comparative in order to make the comparison denoted by the degree
búyǔ complement clause possible.
An Unknown Early Modern New World Epic: Girolamo Vecchietti’sDelle prodezze di Ferrante Cortese(1587–88)
Authors: Cox Virginia
Published: December 2018

This article discusses an unpublished vernacular Italian New World epic of the 1580s, which narrates the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The work was authored by the traveler, diplomat, and Orientalist Girolamo Vecchietti, and it is dedicated to Ferdinando I de’ Medici, grand duke of Tuscany. Vecchietti’s poem is striking as a rare epic in terza rima, and as the sole surviving early modern Italian epic to center on the deeds of Cortés, rather than Columbus or Vespucci. It is also intriguing for its ambivalent attitude toward the Spanish colonizing enterprise, portrayed initially as a heroic evangelizing mission, but later shown in a more compromised light.
The Structure and Function of Experimental Control in the Life Sciences
Authors: Schickore Jutta
Published: December 2018

This article presents a new framework for the analysis of experimental control. The framework highlights different functions for experimental controls in the realization of an experiment: experimental controls that serve as tests and experimental controls that serve as probes. The approach to experimental control proposed here can illuminate the constitutive role of controls in knowledge production, and it sheds new light on the notion of exploratory experimentation. It also clarifies what can and what cannot be expected from reviewers of scientific journal articles giving feedback on experimental controls.
A Better Way of Framing Williamson’s Coin-Tossing Argument, but It Still Does Not Work
Authors: Howson Colin
Published: December 2018

Timothy Williamson claimed to prove with a coin-tossing example that hyperreal probabilities cannot save the principle of regularity. A premise of his argument is that two specified infinitary events must be assigned the same probability because, he claims, they are isomorphic. But as has been pointed out, they are not isomorphic. A way of framing Williamson’s argument that does not make it depend on the isomorphism claim is in terms of shifts in Bernoulli processes, the usual mathematical model of sequential coin tossing. But even so framed, the argument still fails.
Adjusting Inferential Thresholds to Reflect Nonepistemic Values
Authors: Kaivanto Kim , Steel Daniel
Published: December 2018

Many philosophers have challenged the ideal of value-free science on the grounds that social or moral values are relevant to inferential thresholds. But given this view, how precisely and to what extent should scientists adjust their inferential thresholds in light of nonepistemic values? We suggest that signal detection theory provides a useful framework for addressing this question. Moreover, this approach opens up further avenues for philosophical inquiry and has important implications for philosophical debates concerning inductive risk. For example, the signal detection theory framework entails that considerations of inductive risk and inferential-threshold placement cannot be conducted in isolation from base-rate information.
1. Origins
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: December 2018

For centuries we have been changing the natural world around us, through hunting and farming; building, mining, and engineering; and travelling and trading. But we can no longer take it for granted. ‘Origins’ outlines the rise of ecological science in the 20th century and the new awareness of the unexpected side-effects of human impacts on the environment raised by Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac (1949) and Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962). It also describes the emergence of environmental ethics with the work of philosophers Richard Routley, Arne Naess, and Holmes Rolston III. One common feature of their contributions was their rejection of a human-interests-only or ‘anthropocentric’ approach to ethics.
2. Some key concepts
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: December 2018

‘Some key concepts’ focuses on the key concepts widely held and pivotal to thinking about environmental ethics. It begins with the concept of nature, ways in which people seek to relate nature to human behaviour, and attitudes both to the nature that surrounds us and to our inner nature too. Are human beings apart from nature or simply part of nature? It then discusses the concept of the environment. Only through the concept of the environment as an objective natural system can we make sense of environmental problems in the first place. The next key concepts considered are moral standing and value, which introduce the ethics of biocentrism and ecocentrism.