bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Lo que contiene esa oscuridad”: estéticas de la ambigüedad en la novela gráfica Cumbe de Marcelo D'Salete
Authors: Arrieta Fernández Nohora
Published: December 2019

El cómic Cumbe (2014) de Marcelo D'Salete narra historias de la plantación de azúcar mediante una narrativa visual “ambigua”, en términos del filósofo Édouard Glissant. Una narrativa que oculta, más de lo que presenta, y que de este modo relata historias que son un détour, una huida, conceptos propuestos por Glissant para entender la experiencia negra en el universo de la plantación. Con esta estética ambigua, Cumbe construye un contradiscurso que confronta las narrativas fundacionales sobre la plantación de azúcar y la nación establecidas en Brasil por obras como Casa grande y senzala (1933) del sociólogo pernambucano Gilberto Freyre.
Septiembre, zona de desastre: testimonio gráfico del terremoto de México en 1985
Authors: Ortega Avila Elsie Mitchelle
Published: December 2019

En el presente artículo busco establecer que dentro de la novela gráfica Septiembre, zona de desastre, perteneciente a Fabrizio Mejia Madrid y a José Hernández, se recupera el tema del trauma histórico como un eje narrativo, de esta manera la reconstrucción personal de un acontecimiento nacional permite que la historia oficial sea confrontada con el testimonio individual, estableciendo que este último tiende a surgir dentro de las voces del subalterno y con una intensión política que permite cuestionar la veracidad de los datos históricos recuperados desde los espacios de enunciación legitimados por las instituciones oficiales.
El lunfardo como elemento identitario en el cómic argentino. El caso de Fueye
Authors: Giménez Folqués David
Published: December 2019

A finales del siglo XIX nace en Buenos Aires lo que conocemos como lunfardo, es decir, aquella forma lingüística con aspecto de jerga que pertenecía, sobre todo, a los estratos sociales bajos del español bonaerense. Con el paso del tiempo, este nuevo aspecto lingüístico consigue consolidarse como elemento identitario gracias a productos culturales como la música, el teatro, la literatura o el cómic. En este último ámbito vamos a centrar esta investigación, en concreto en el cómic Fueye de Jorge González. Mostraremos cómo el autor consigue retratar perfectamente el ambiente donde floreció esta jerga lunfarda, es decir, el conventillo, el tango, la soledad, los inmigrantes. Asimismo, expondremos cómo todos estos elementos sociales y culturales son tratados con el objetivo de trazar un lazo entre la imagen, el lenguaje y el contexto identitario.
El prócer trasvestido: Artigas zombi según los Silva Bros
Authors: Corti Agustín
Published: December 2019

El presente trabajo analiza procesos intertextuales que establecen los dos cómics Prócer Zombie (2016) y Prócer Zombie II (2018) de los Silva Bros en relación con la figura del héroe de la nación uruguaya, José G. Artigas. En primer lugar, se argumenta que para dar cuenta de la intertextualidad e intericonicidad, la narración visual debe integrar elementos discursivos propios de la memoria colectiva o de los “lugares de la memoria”. Posteriormente, se demuestra cómo el género zombi abre paso a un trasvestimiento de la tradición icónica y discursiva del Estado Nación reposicionándolas a través de la narración visual.
Cash-Flow Model for Efficiency Evaluation in Multinational Trade Enterprises Applying E-Commerce
Authors: Burinskas Arunas , Burinskiene Aurelija
Published: December 2019

In this study, the authors have investigated e-commerce in the activity of multinational trade enterprises (MNTEs) and highlighted the main differences between online and offline trade. Many studies are focusing on the application of e-commerce technologies but not on providing efficiency evaluation tool helping to identify how e-commerce technologies change trade business and propose its application in MNTEs. This research aims to provide the cash-flow model for an economic evaluation of investment and operations of e-commerce and traditional trade and the practical application of the model in MNTEs. To achieve this objective, the authors have proposed a cash-flow model useful for efficiency evaluation and its practical application. According to the case study analysis, trade enterprises which apply e-commerce technologies have approximately 3.7 times fewer employees and 3.1 times fewer investments in long-term tangible assets than other trade enterprises. However, MNTEs performing online business have 5.1 times fewer employees than MNTEs operating in offline. Of course, these numbers depend significantly on business size and the economies of scale. The study consists of three parts. In the first one, the paper discloses trade business changes determined by the investments into e-commerce. These results are presented on multinational and national business and disclose how actively multinational enterprises (the Mother Companies and their branches) and national ones invest in e-commerce. In the second part, the new cash-flow model is used for efficiency evaluation when trade firms practice e-commerce technologies. In the third part of this paper, the practical application of the model was delivered. Herein several trade MNTEs with and without e-commerce technologies are compared.
Requirements for the Article to be Published
Authors: Grušas Vytautas , Aušra Simanavičienė
Published: December 2019

Requirements for the Article to be Published
Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Ukrainian Involvement in the Global Ecological Challenge
Authors: Vasylieva Natalia
Published: December 2019

Greenhouse gas emission is a global ecological challenge since it affects climate change and complicates providing food security. Each country ought to care about mitigating Greenhouse gas emissions including CH4 and N2O originated from agriculture. In this context, first, the performed research focused on Ukrainian ranking among the world Greenhouse gas emitters offering a multi-criteria evaluation of total Greenhouse gas quantities in CO2 equivalent, those ones per capita and per km2 of countries’ land territories. These indictors were also applied to visual comparing involvement of Ukrainian economy and its agriculture in the international Greenhouse gas emissions. Second, to explore agricultural Greenhouse gas emission at the domestic level we studied regional contributions by basic source categories such as enteric fermentation, manure management, and synthetic fertilizers. The proposed horizontal and vertical analyses allow clarifying regional management priorities in reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. Third, for this purpose the conducted investigation specified the EU Member States which match Ukrainian condition by shares of Greenhouse gas emissions and outputs in animal and crop sectors. The found patterns will be the most reliable vectors of adopting effective agricultural practices beneficial for the environment protection and mitigating influence over climate change.
#EBUSTwitter: Novel Use of Social Media for Conception, Coordination, and Completion of an International, Multicenter Pathology Study
Authors: Lepe Marcos , Oltulu Pembe , Canepa Mariana , Wu Roseann I. , Deeken Amy , Alex Deepu , Dinares Carme , Doxtader Erika E. , Fitzhugh Valerie A. , Gibier Jean-Baptiste , Jain Deepali , Janaki Nafiseh , Jelinek Alexis , Labiano Tania , L'Imperio Vincenzo , Michael Claire , Mukhopadhyay Sanjay , Pagni Fabio , Panizo Angel , Pijuan Lara , Quintana Liza M. , Roy-Chowdhuri Sinchita , Sanchez-Font Albert , Sansano Irene , Sauter Jennifer , Skipper Daniel , Spruill Laura S. , Torous Vanda , Gardner Jerad Michael , Jiang Xiaoyin Sara
Published: December 2019

Context.—

Social media sites are increasingly used for education, networking, and rapid dissemination of medical information, but their utility for facilitating research has remained largely untapped.

Objective.—

To describe in detail our experience using a social media platform (Twitter) for the successful initiation, coordination, and completion of an international, multi-institution pathology research study.

Design.—

Following a tweet describing a hitherto-unreported biopsy-related histologic finding in a mediastinal lymph node following endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration, a tweet was posted to invite pathologists to participate in a validation study. Twitter's direct messaging feature was used to create a group to facilitate communication among participating pathologists. Contributing pathologists reviewed consecutive cases of mediastinal lymph node resection following endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration and examined them specifically for biopsy site changes. Data spreadsheets containing deidentified data and digital photomicrographs of suspected biopsy site changes were submitted via an online file hosting service for central review by 5 pathologists from different institutions.

Results.—

A total of 24 pathologists from 14 institutions in 5 countries participated in the study within 143 days of study conception, and a total of 297 cases were collected and analyzed. The time interval between study conception and acceptance of the manuscript for publication was 346 days.

Conclusions.—

To our knowledge, this is the first time that a social media platform has been used to generate a research idea based on a tweet, recruit coinvestigators publicly, communicate with collaborating pathologists, and successfully complete a pathology study.
Foreign Shareholdings Impact on Efficiency of the Acquired Local Banks in Indonesia
Authors: Rivai Aswin , Saksana Joned Ceilendra , Kusnadi Kusnadi
Published: December 2019

The motivation of the studies is to investigate the impact of foreign shareholding originated from developed and developing countries on the efficiency of acquired local banks in Indonesia during 2007-2017 by including Corporate Governance as a moderating variable.Methodology: Using the secondary aggregate data of 29 commercial banks acquired by foreign shareholders, a panel regression model using econometrics methods of GLS, and DEA was applied to examine the effects of percentage of foreign shareholdings on efficiency of the acquired local banks. The main findings; First, percentage of foreign shareholdings positively affecting efficiency of acquired local banks only if the foreign shareholders is originated from developed countries. Second, the level of economic advancement of the country of origin of foreign shareholders has significant effects on the efficiency of the acquired local banks. Third, the increase in the size of the Board of Directors tends to decrease the efficiency of the acquired local banks and fourth, the presence of Foreign Director has a positive moderating effect on strengthening the effect of percentage of foreign shareholdings on the efficiency of the acquired local banks. Overall, the originality of this studies is that the percentage of foreign shareholdings and its country of origin are two combined factors that cannot be separated in affecting the level of efficiency of its acquired local bank and the fact of significant positive moderating effect of Foreign Director. As policy consideration, monetary authority need to perform strict due diligence on prospective foreign shareholders specifically originated from developing countries, advise banks to maintain the existence of Foreign Director and to encourage small local banks to be merged prior to the acquisition by foreign shareholders.
The Development of Creative Thinking as a Tool of Social Adaptation of Teenagers with Behaviour Deviation
Authors: Yakymchuk Borys A. , Hurtovenko Nataliia V. , Makarenko Svitlana M. , Albul Serhii V. , Dobrovolska Nataliia A.
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the activities aimed at developing creative thinking had rendered the social adaptation of adolescents with deviant behaviour smooth and evaluate the changes which had resulted from that engagement. The research data were collected through the use of project checklists, student learning outcomes analysis, interviews with teachers and parents, questionnaires. This study used SPSS and SmartPLS statistical analysis tools to analyze the above data and Textalyser application to process the focus group responses. The study found that the participation of the secondary school students with behaviour deviation in legacy projects make their social adaptation easier, improves their social skills and creative thinking style. This study confirms that there is a positive relationship between socially important creative activities, learning motivation and development of creative thinking styles. It has been found that, despite the considerable amount of research regarding the use of creative activity to develop social adaptation skills in adolescents, the problem of social adaptation of adolescents with behaviour deviation has not been sufficiently explored through engaging them in activities aimed at developing creative thinking. The process of social adaptation of adolescents with behaviour deviation is complex and the creative component is in place there, since it supplies the educational process with irreplaceable pedagogical tools that have the potential to "restart" the student’s physiological and psycho-motivational spheres.
Joining Together
Authors: Morton-Owens Emily
Published: December 2019

President's column about LITA as a welcoming organization and the hope that it will continue under Core.
Invariant representations of mass in the human brain
Authors: Schwettmann Sarah , Tenenbaum Joshua B , Kanwisher Nancy
Published: December 2019

An intuitive understanding of physical objects and events is critical for successfully interacting with the world. Does the brain achieve this understanding by running simulations in a mental physics engine, which represents variables such as force and mass, or by analyzing patterns of motion without encoding underlying physical quantities? To investigate, we scanned participants with fMRI while they viewed videos of objects interacting in scenarios indicating their mass. Decoding analyses in brain regions previously implicated in intuitive physical inference revealed mass representations that generalized across variations in scenario, material, friction, and motion energy. These invariant representations were found during tasks without action planning, and tasks focusing on an orthogonal dimension (object color). Our results support an account of physical reasoning where abstract physical variables serve as inputs to a forward model of dynamics, akin to a physics engine, in parietal and frontal cortex.
Efficient conversion of chemical energy into mechanical work by Hsp70 chaperones
Authors: Assenza Salvatore , Sassi Alberto Stefano , Kellner Ruth , Schuler Benjamin , De Los Rios Paolo , Barducci Alessandro
Published: December 2019

Hsp70 molecular chaperones are abundant ATP-dependent nanomachines that actively reshape non-native, misfolded proteins and assist a wide variety of essential cellular processes. Here, we combine complementary theoretical approaches to elucidate the structural and thermodynamic details of the chaperone-induced expansion of a substrate protein, with a particular emphasis on the critical role played by ATP hydrolysis. We first determine the conformational free-energy cost of the substrate expansion due to the binding of multiple chaperones using coarse-grained molecular simulations. We then exploit this result to implement a non-equilibrium rate model which estimates the degree of expansion as a function of the free energy provided by ATP hydrolysis. Our results are in quantitative agreement with recent single-molecule FRET experiments and highlight the stark non-equilibrium nature of the process, showing that Hsp70s are optimized to effectively convert chemical energy into mechanical work close to physiological conditions.
Ontogenetic and inter-elemental osteohistological variability in the leopard tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis
Authors: Botha Alexander Edward , Botha Jennifer
Published: December 2019

Testudines are a group of reptiles characterized by the presence of a shell covered by keratinous shields. Stigmochelys pardalis is the most widely distributed terrestrial testudine in southern Africa. Although relatively common with some life history traits being well known, the growth of this species has yet to be studied in any detail. The bone microanatomy of this clade differs from that found in other amniotes, where terrestrial species tend to display characteristics normally seen in aquatic species and vice versa. A detailed histological analysis of the limb bones of S. pardalis reveals extensive variation through ontogeny. Cortical bone becomes increasingly thicker through ontogeny and is finally resorbed in the late sub-adult stage, resulting in a thin cortex and a large infilled medullary cavity. The predominant bone tissues are parallel-fibred and lamellar-zonal for the forelimbs and hind limbs respectively. The oldest individual displayed an External Fundamental System indicating that the growth rate had decreased substantially by this stage. Variability is prevalent between the forelimb and hind limb as well as between early and late sub-adults Forelimb elements exhibit characteristics such as faster growing parallel-fibered bone tissue, slightly higher vascularization and a predominance of annuli over Lines of Arrested Growth (LAG) compared to the hind limb which exhibits poorly vascularized, slower growing lamellar-zonal bone interrupted by LAGs. These differences indicate that the forelimb grew more rapidly than the hind limb, possibly due to the method of locomotion seen in terrestrial species. The extensive bone resorption that occurs from the early sub-adult stage destroys much of the primary cortex and results in a significantly different ratio of inner and outer bone diameter (p = 3.59 × 10­−5; df = 28.04) as well as compactness (p = 2.91 × 10­−5; df = 31.27) between early and late sub-adults. The extensive bone resorption seen also destroys the ecological signal and infers an aquatic lifestyle for this species despite it being clearly terrestrial. This supports the results of other studies that have found that using bone microanatomy to determine lifestyle in testudines does not produce accurate results.
Social information affects Canada goose alert and escape responses to vehicle approach: implications for animal–vehicle collisions
Authors: Blackwell Bradley F. , Seamans Thomas W. , DeVault Travis L. , Lima Steven L. , Pfeiffer Morgan B. , Fernández-Juricic Esteban
Published: December 2019

Background

Animal–vehicle collisions represent substantial sources of mortality for a variety of taxa and can pose hazards to property and human health. But there is comparatively little information available on escape responses by free-ranging animals to vehicle approach versus predators/humans.

Methods

We examined responses (alert distance and flight-initiation distance) of focal Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) to vehicle approach (15.6 m·s−1) in a semi-natural setting and given full opportunity to escape. We manipulated the direction of the vehicle approach (direct versus tangential) and availability of social information about the vehicle approach (companion group visually exposed or not to the vehicle).

Results

We found that both categorical factors interacted to affect alert and escape behaviors. Focal geese used mostly personal information to become alert to the vehicle under high risk scenarios (direct approach), but they combined personal and social information to become alert in low risk scenarios (tangential approach). Additionally, when social information was not available from the companion group, focal birds escaped at greater distances under direct compared to tangential approaches. However, when the companion group could see the vehicle approaching, focal birds escaped at similar distances irrespective of vehicle direction. Finally, geese showed a greater tendency to take flight when the vehicle approached directly, as opposed to a side step or walking away from the vehicle.

Conclusions

We suggest that the perception of risk to vehicle approach (likely versus unlikely collision) is weighted by the availability of social information in the group; a phenomenon not described before in the context of animal–vehicle interactions. Notably, when social information is available, the effects of heightened risk associated with a direct approach might be reduced, leading to the animal delaying the escape, which could ultimately increase the chances of a collision. Also, information on a priori escape distances required for surviving a vehicle approach (based on species behavior and vehicle approach speeds) can inform planning, such as location of designated cover or safe areas. Future studies should assess how information from vehicle approach flows within a flock, including aspects of vehicle speed and size, metrics that affect escape decision-making.
Prognostic factors and survival outcomes according to tumor subtype in patients with breast cancer lung metastases
Authors: Chen Siying , Yang Jin , Liu Yang , You Haisheng , Dong Yalin , Lyu Jun
Published: December 2019

Background

Reports on the incidence and prognoses of lung metastases when diagnosing breast cancer patients with different subtypes are limited. Our study investigated the effect of molecular sub-typing stratification on the prognoses of lung metastatic breast caner patients.

Methods

Patients with breast cancer and lung metastases were identified from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results population-based data between 2010 and 2015. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors and prognoses, overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival for patients with breast cancer lung metastases.

Results

We identified 6,516 patients with lung metastatic breast cancer, representing 1.7% of the entire cohort and 30.4% of the subset with metastatic disease. This included 2,940 hormone receptor (HR)+/HER2− patients, 852 HR+/HER2+ patients, 547 HR−/HER2+ patients and 983 triple-negative patients. The median OS for all lung metastatic patients was 13 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that those lung metastatic breast cancer patients of older age (>80), black race, with poorly differentiated tumors, carcinoma histology, triple-negative subtype, more metastatic sites and no surgery, and no chemotherapy showed significantly poor survival, both overall and breast cancer-specific.

Conclusions

Our findings show that molecular sub-type and more metastatic sites might have significant influence on the incidence and prognosis of breast cancer lung metastases. We also identified several prognostic factors that could guide therapy selection in the treatment of lung metastatic patients.
Evaluation of Addition Chromium Feed to the Efficiency of Gouramy (Osphronemus goramy) Nursery Time
Authors: Andriani Yuli , . Junianto , . Iskandar , Pamungkas Inggia Putra
Published: December 2019

This research aims to determine the efficiency of gouramy nursery time by providing chromium feed. Chromium feed is carried out by adding lemna meals containing chromium to commercial feed with Cr concentration of each treatment at 0 ppm; 1.3 ppm; 1.5 ppm; and 1.7 ppm. Based on preliminary test Lemna sp. which was cultured in tannery wastewater for five days could accumulate Cr in the tannery wastewater in its tissue in an organic form of 2,319 mg kg-1. This research was conducted using a completely randomized experimental design (CRD) method with four treatments. Treatment A (Control commercial feed without Lemna), B (Commercial feed + Lemna 56.06 g kg-1), C (Commercial feed + Lemna 64.68 g kg-1), D (Commercial feed + Lemna 73.31 g kg-1) and each treatment was repeated four times. The addition of Cr in commercial feed can give significantly different results on increasing the absolute length of gouramy fry, while in survival it does not give a real difference. Giving Lemna sp. with Cr 2,319 mg kg-1 content as much as 73.31 g kg-1 in commercial feed or equivalent to 1.7 ppm Cr produces survival rate, absolute length increase and the best maintenance time efficiency in gouramy fry successively at 87.5 ± 5%; 1.89 ± 0.04 cm and with a maintenance time of 42 days to achieve an increase 2 cm length, 1.6 times faster than the control treatment.
Critical Assessment of Technical Programme under Tribal Sub Plan in Jammu & Kashmir
Authors: . Muttanna , Satish Y. , Shukla Pawan , Kumar Rajesh , Chowdhury Sukhen Roy
Published: December 2019

The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skill and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational practical skills. A study was conducted by Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSR&TI), Pampore to find out the change in knowledge after the exit level in comparison with entry level assessment of Technical Orientation Programme (TOP) Under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), was sponsored by Sericulture Development Department (SDD) of Kashmir, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, during 2018-19.Total 15 trained SDD staff was selected for the study. The data revealed that, majority of the trained SDD staff had change in knowledge about sericulture technologies/practices after the exit level in comparison with entry level assessment. In case of single trainee there was no change in knowledge about sericulture technologies/practices after the training programme. The data clearly indicated that, mean knowledge score of trained SDD staff with respect to entry level assessment was 5.267 and in case of exit level assessment was 7.600, respectively. The data revealed that, variance score of trained SDD staff with respect to entry level assessment was 1.924 and in case of exit level assessment was 0.686 respectively. This clearly shows that, significant change in knowledge after the exit level assessment with p value 0.00002. This training programme helped in capacity building of SDD staff by increasing the knowledge level, improved skills and self confidence.
Genetic Divergence Studies for Morphological Traits in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] over the Environments
Authors: Khandelwal Vikas , Keerthika A. , Dhoot Meenakshi
Published: December 2019

Genetic diversity is an essential prerequisite for improving the genetic makeup of any crop. Inclusion of genetically diverse parents in hybridization programme helps in isolation of superior recombinants. So, an experiment was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity among 150 genotypes of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Rajasthan during Kharif - 2013, 2014 and 2015 in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Present study reveals that the clustering pattern based on D2 statistics grouped 150 genotypes into 6 clusters, out of which cluster 1 shows the highest intra cluster value (142.62) followed by cluster 2 (119.47). While maximum inter cluster distance (i.e.652.68) was observed between cluster 5 and cluster 6, indicating there is presence of wide range of genetic diversity among the sorghum genotypes. Such genotypes with wide genetic diversity based on their mean values can either be utilized for breeding programmes for genetic improvement in sorghum or directly adopted as a variety.
Role of an Educational Advisor from the Viewpoint of Professors and Students: A Qualitative Study from Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Authors: Joveini Hamid , Shahrabadi Reza , Mehri Ali , Hashemian Masoumeh
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Professor of the educational advisor is responsible for the academic and counselling guidance of students in educational, research and social fields. Also should be familiar with all the indicators of the consultation and be aware of duties and responsibilities. The study aims to explain the features of the professor of an educational advisor from the viewpoint of professors and students from Sabzevar University of medical sciences, Iran.

Methods: In this qualitative study, participants were selected using purposive sampling, and it continued based on snowball and theoretical sampling. A semi-structured interview was used to collect the data. A total of 27 participants (12 Professors and 15 Students of medical science) were interviewed in 2 months. Interviews were analyzed using Graham and Landman’s content analysis method. To ensure consistency and accuracy of data, credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability criteria were assessed.

Results: Nine main categories were conceptualized including “Improper notification in task description”, “Permanent and voluntary inaccessibility”, “Teacher-student relationship in the teaching process”, “Attention to students' comments and access”, “Lack of knowledge of task description”, “Refer to other professors”, “Specialization”, “Strengthen teacher-student relationship”, “Follow up on student affairs”.

Conclusion: Based on results, holding workshops to learn about the duties of a professor of educational advisor and the techniques of counselling, and to pay attention to student demands such as the right to choose, can be effective in improving students' satisfaction and solving their problems.
The noncoding function of NELFA mRNA promotes the development of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating the Rad17‐RFC2‐5 complex
Authors: Xu Jiancheng , Wang Guangchao , Gong Wei , Guo Shichao , Li Dan , Zhan Qimin
Published: December 2019

Recently, RNAs interacting with proteins have been implicated in playing an important role in the occurrence and progression of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we found that NELFA mRNA interacts with Rad17 through a novel noncoding mode in the nucleus and that the aberrant expression of USF2 contributed to the upregulation of Rad17 and NELFA. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the deletion of NELFA mRNA significantly decreased ESCC proliferation and colony formation in vitro. Moreover, NELFA mRNA knockdown inhibited DNA damage repair and promoted apoptosis. Mechanistic studies indicated that NELFA mRNA regulated the interaction between Rad17 and RFC2‐5, which had a major impact on the phosphorylation of CHK1, CHK2 and BRCA1. NELFA mRNA expression was consistently elevated in ESCC patients and closely related to decreased overall survival. Taken together, our results confirmed the critical role of the noncoding function of NELFA mRNA in ESCC tumorigenesis and indicated that NELFA mRNA can be regarded as a therapeutic target and an independent prognostic indicator in ESCC patients.
Growing In‐Plane Multiplex Plasmonic Arrays for Synergistic Enhanced Photocurrent Response
Authors: Liang Wenkai , Li Dong , Sun Yinghui , Li Ziyang , Zhao Liang , Zhong Liubiao , Zhang Junchang , Liang Zhiqiang , Abdulhalim Ibrahim , Jiang Lin
Published: December 2019

A complete control of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties of different types of metal nanoparticles (size, shape, or composition) in a device by facile techniques with high throughput is crucial to intensively study and apply the LSPR effects to improve device performance. Here, a versatile approach is presented to fabricate macroscopic and in‐plane multiplex arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles with well‐defined particle size or composition allocation. The polymer layer (poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM) spin‐coated on the surface of the substrate is applied as a protective layer to control the growth of the Au nanoparticles in a dip‐coating procedure. The relative contribution of LSPR of each particle type can be controlled by selectively adjusting the particle size or composition at the desired position of multiplex arrays on the same substrate. A synergistic enhanced photocurrent response is observed in the metal–semiconductor system, which is attributed to broadened LSPR enhancement of multiplex composition (Au and Au@Ag) structures from the same substrate. The fabrication procedure presented in this study is highly repeatable and feasible for preparing ordered multiplex nanostructures on the same substrate. Furthermore, this method provides a cost‐effective and versatile platform for design of multiplex plasmonic nanostructures in sensing, solar energy conversion, and optical processing applications.
3D Meshlike Polyacrylamide Hydrogel as a Novel Binder System via in situ Polymerization for High‐Performance Si‐Based Electrode
Authors: Woo Hyungsub , Park Kimin , Kim Jaewon , Yun Alan Jiwan , Nam Seunghoon , Park Byungwoo
Published: December 2019

Silicon has been considered as a promising anode material due to its high theoretical capacity (3579 mAh g−1), however, it suffers from capacity degradation owing to the series of multiscale fractures in the electrode caused by the volume variation (≈300%) during phase transitions. The molecular/structural design of polymeric binders has been pivotal in overcoming the challenges to improve the integrity of Si anode via strong interactions between active materials and binders. In this respect, the covalently crosslinked polyacrylamide (PAM) network, which effectively maintains its mechanical strength and shape, is introduced as a novel binder system for Si active materials. Unlike the thermal crosslinking, the abundant polar‐functional groups, related to the strong interactions between Si and polymer, are not sacrificed in their network by virtue of the in situ polymerization. Through the PAM gel, the Si‐based electrode exhibits a superior capacity of ≈1526 mAh g−1 at an optimized crosslinker concentration after 500 cycles. In addition, the effect of the chemical/mechanical properties of PAM gel on the electrochemical properties of Si is adequately elucidated. The results will provide meaningful insight regarding the design of novel binders, especially in the application of the covalently crosslinked structure to Si‐based electrodes.
One‐Step Nanoextraction and Ultrafast Microanalysis Based on Nanodroplet Formation in an Evaporating Ternary Liquid Microfilm
Authors: Qian Jiasheng , Yamada Daiki , Wei Zixiang , Yukisada Ryosuke , Tagawa Yoshiyuki , Shaw John M. , Zhang Xuehua
Published: December 2019

Preconcentration is key for detection from an extremely low concentration solution, but requires separation steps from a large volume of samples using extracting solvents. Here, a simple approach is presented for ultrafast and sensitive microanalysis from a tiny volume of aqueous solutions. In this approach, liquid–liquid nanoextraction in an evaporating thin liquid film on a spinning substrate is coupled with quantitative analysis in one step. The approach is exemplified using a liquid mixture comprising a target compound to be analyzed in water, mixed with extractant oil and co‐solvent ethanol. With rapid evaporation of ethanol, nanodroplets of oil form spontaneously in the film. The compounds are highly concentrated by liquid evaporation and meanwhile extracted to nanodroplets. A detection limit of nanomolar to picomolar is demonstrated for fluorescent model compounds in only ≈5 µL of solution with the entire process taking ≈10 s. The combination of nanoextraction and infrared microscopy also enables simultaneous chemical identification. The dynamics of thin film evaporation are revealed using fast imaging. The principle behind this approach is general, providing a powerful technique for fast and sensitive chemical analysis of a vast library of compounds for environment monitoring, national security, early diagnosis, and many other applications.
Understanding the Crystallographic Phase Relations in Alkali‐Trihalogeno‐Germanates in Terms of Ferroelectric or Antiferroelectric Arrangements of the Tetrahedral GeX3 Units
Authors: Radha Santosh Kumar , Lambrecht Walter R. L.
Published: December 2019

The alkali‐trihalogeno‐germanates AGeX3 with A: Rb or Cs and X a halogen (I, Br, Cl) along with the corresponding stannates (ASnX3) and plumbates (APbX3) exhibit a large variety of crystal structures, some of which are of the perovskite type. These materials, better known as “halide perovskites” have recently gained worldwide attention as promising photovoltaic and more broadly opto‐electronic materials. However, their stability problems relative to the non‐perovskite phases are a major issue. It is shown that some of the phase relations in these materials can be understood in terms of the relative orientation of the GeX3 tetrahedral units, which is ferroelectric (FE) in the perovskite phase but antiferroelectric (AFE) in the competing monoclinic phase. Electrostatic dipole interactions favor the AFE phase and the additional bond formation favors the FE phase. The change in phase is accompanied by a large change in band gap.
Palmoplantar keratoderma, oral involvement, and homozygous CTSC mutation in two brothers from Cambodia
Authors: Wei Heming , Wee Lynette W. Y. , Born Bori , Seang Sokheng , Koh Mark J. A. , Yee Ruixiang , Lin Grace , Rafi'ee Khadijah , Mey Sithach , Tan Ene‐Choo
Published: December 2019

Haim–Munk syndrome (HMS) and Papillon–Lefevre syndrome (PLS) are phenotypic variants of palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) with progressive early‐onset periodontitis and dental caries. HMS and PLS have been associated with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the lysosomal protease gene Cathepsin C (CTSC). There have been only a few documented cases of CTSC mutations in patients from South‐East Asia. We report the clinical findings of two Cambodian brothers who presented with diffuse, demarcated PPK with transgrediens extending to the elbows and knees, as well as pachyonychia and dental caries. Arachnodactyly and periodontitis were also found in the older brother. Next‐generation sequencing unveiled a homozygous missense variant in CTSC (NM_001814.5: c.1337AC: p.(Asp446Ala)) in both brothers. Both parents were heterozygous for the variant, while an unaffected older brother was homozygous for the wild‐type allele. Our study adds to the spectrum of mutations and associated clinical presentations for this rare genodermatosis.
Was bedeutet die „geplante Nutzungsdauer“ im Konzept der Dauerhaftigkeitsbemessung bei Parkbauten?
Authors: Fingerloos Frank , Gehlen Christoph
Published: December 2019

Zur Verbesserung der Wirtschaftlichkeit und der Dauerhaftigkeit von Betonbauwerken werden seit einigen Jahren im Rahmen von nationalen und internationalen Forschungsarbeiten leistungsbezogene („performancebasierte“) Konzepte zur differenzierteren Abschätzung des Bauteilwiderstands (Betondichtheit und Betondeckung) unter verschiedenen Umgebungsbedingungen entwickelt und auch schon in einzelnen Bauprojekten erprobt. In diesem Beitrag geht es darum, auf den aktuellen Stand der Wissenschaft – z. T. auch Stand der Technik – einzugehen und auf Chancen und Risiken bei der Anwendung leistungsbezogener Dauerhaftigkeitskonzepte aufmerksam zu machen. Beispielhaft werden die deskriptiven Festlegungen nach aktuellem Stand der Normung in Deutschland und die leistungsbezogene Festlegung des Bauteilwiderstands am Beispiel der chloridinduzierten Bewehrungskorrosion (XD‐Exposition) gegenübergestellt und detailliert erläutert.

Darüber hinaus wird der aktuelle Wissensstand zur Korrosionsintensität von Betonstahlbewehrung in Rissen zusammengefasst, in die über maximal eine Wintersaison Chloride aus Tausalz eingedrungen sind. Diese Frage ist essenziell für die Stahlbetonbauweisen in Parkbauten mit und ohne Oberflächenschutzsystemen und wurde auch im DBV‐Merkblatt „Parkhäuser und Tiefgaragen“ aufgegriffen.
Enantiopure encaged Verkade's superbases: Synthesis, chiroptical properties, and use as chiral derivatizing agent
Authors: Yang Jian , Chatelet Bastien , Hérault Damien , Dufaud Véronique , Robert Vincent , Grass Stéphane , Lacour Jérôme , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Jean Marion , Albalat Muriel , Dutasta Jean‐Pierre , Martinez Alexandre
Published: December 2019

Verkade's superbases, entrapped in the cavity of enantiopure hemicryptophane cages, have been synthesized with enantiomeric excess (ee) superior to 98%. Their absolute configuration has been determined by using electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. These enantiopure encaged superbases turned out to be efficient chiral derivatizing agents for chiral azides, underlining that the chirality of the cycloveratrylene (CTV) macrocycle induces different magnetic and chemical environments around the phosphazide functions.
Three‐dimensional atlas of thoracic ganglia in the praying mantis, Tenodera aridifolia
Authors: Fujiki Kentaro , Nagase Mihoko , Takaki Keigo , Watanabe Hidehiro , Yamawaki Yoshifumi
Published: December 2019

The praying mantis is a good model for the study of motor control, especially for investigating the transformation from sensory signals into motor commands. In insects, thoracic ganglia (TG) play an important role in motor control. To understand the functional organization of TG, an atlas is useful. However, except for the fruitfly, no three‐dimensional atlas of TG has not been reported for insects. In this study, we generated a three‐dimensional atlas of prothoracic, mesothoracic, and metathoracic ganglia in the praying mantis (Tenodera aridifolia). First, we observed serial sections of the prothoracic ganglion stained with hematoxylin and eosin to identify longitudinal tracts and transverse commissures. We then visualized neuropil areas by immunostaining whole‐mount TG with an anti‐synapsin antibody. Before labeling each neuropil area, standardization using the iterative shape averaging method was applied to images to make neuropil contours distinct. Neuropil areas in TG were defined based on their shape and relative position to tracts and commissures. Finally, a three‐dimensional atlas was reconstructed from standardized images of the TG. The standard TG are available at the Comparative Neuroscience Platform website (cns.neuroinf.jp/modules/xoonips/detail.php?item_id=11946) and can be used as a common reference map to combine the anatomical data obtained from different individuals.
Pneumonia prevention effects of perioperative oral management in approximately 25,000 patients following cancer surgery
Authors: Kurasawa Yasuhiro , Maruoka Yutaka , Sekiya Hideki , Negishi Akihide , Mukohyama Hitoshi , Shigematsu Shiro , Sugizaki Jumpei , Karakida Kazunari , Ohashi Masaru , Ueno Masayuki , Michiwaki Yukihiro
Published: December 2019

Aim

We conducted a multicenter study to explore the risk factors of developing pneumonia and the effectiveness of perioperative oral management (POM) for the prevention of pneumonia in postsurgical patients.

Methods and results

A survey covering eight regional hospitals was conducted over 4 years, from April 2010 to March 2014. Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a target group of 25,554 patients with cancer who underwent surgery was selected and assessed from a population of 346,563 patients without pneumonia on admission (sample population). The study compared the incidence of pneumonia and attempted to identify the significant predictive factors for its occurrence in these patients using multiple logistic regression analysis. Comparative assessment for the occurrence of pneumonia before and after POM implementation showed a significant incidence decrease after POM introduction in the target group, with no such change observed in the sample population. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio for pneumonia occurrence after POM introduction was 0.44, indicating a reduced risk of pneumonia.

Conclusion

POM in cancer patients was indeed effective in reducing the incidence of pneumonia in hospitals and thereby helped in preventing pneumonia during hospitalization.
Electrophoretic ratcheting of spherical particles in well/channel microfluidic devices: Making particles move against the net field
Authors: Wang Hanyang , de Haan Hendrick W. , Slater Gary W.
Published: December 2019

We examine the electrophoresis of spherical particles in microfluidic devices made of alternating wells and narrow channels, including a system previously used to separate DNA molecules. Our computer simulations predict that such systems can be used to separate spherical particles of different sizes that share the same free‐solution mobility. Interestingly, the electrophoretic velocity shows an inversion as the field intensity is increased: while small particles have higher velocities at low field, the situation is reversed at high fields with the larger particles then moving faster. The resulting nonlinearity suggests that asymmetric pulsed electric fields could be used to build separation ratchets: particles then have a net size‐dependent velocity in the presence of a zero‐mean external field. Exploiting the inversion mentioned above, we show how to design pulsed field sequences that make particles move against the mean field (an example of negative mobility). Finally, we demonstrate that it is possible to use pulsed fields to make particles of different sizes move in opposite directions, even though their charge have the same sign.
Seasonal δ13CDIC sourcing and geochemical flux in telogenetic epikarst of south‐central Kentucky
Authors: Jackson Leah , Polk Jason S.
Published: December 2019

Telogenetic epikarst carbon sourcing and transport processes and their associated hydrogeochemical responses are complex and dynamic. Carbon dioxide (CO2) transport rates in the epikarst zone are often driven by hydrogeochemical responses, which influence carbonate dissolution and conduit formation. This study examines the influence of land use on carbon sourcing and carbonate dissolution kinetics through a comparative analysis of separate, but similar, epikarst systems in south‐central Kentucky. The use of high‐resolution hydrogeochemical data from multiple data loggers and isotope analysis from collected water samples reflects the processes within these epikarst aquifers, which are estimated to contribute significantly to bedrock dissolution. Results indicate that, in an agricultural setting, long‐term variability and dissolution is governed by seasonal production of CO2. In a more urbanized, shallower epikarst system, land cover may affect CO2 transport between the soil and underlying bedrock. This concentration of CO2 potentially contributes to ongoing dissolution and conduit development, irrespective of seasonality. The observed responses in telogenetic epikarst systems seem to be more similar to eogenetic settings, which is suggested to be driven by CO2 transport occurring independent of high matrix porosity. The results of this study indicate site‐specific responses with respect to both geochemical and δ13CDIC changes on a seasonal scale, despite regional geologic similarities. The results indicate that further comparative analyses between rural and urban landscapes in other karst settings is needed to delineate the impact of land use and seasonality on dissolution and carbon sourcing during karst formation processes. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint optimization of computation cost and delay for task offloading in vehicular fog networks
Authors: Li Haotian , Li Xujie , Wang Weiguo
Published: December 2019

The vehicles equipped with computing devices can provide computing services in vehicular fog networks, thereby reducing latency and improving system efficiency. Hence, we face with the problem of how to select vehicles for the computation offloading of the task. In this paper, we jointly consider the delay and cost, and study the resource allocation problem of multivehicles users. First of all, we construct a hierarchical offloading model, use mathematical method to construct consumption function of the system, and generate a convex optimization problem with inequality constraints. Then, we use Lagrange method to solve the problem and develop a low‐complexity algorithm to select vehicles, optimize the offloading ratio, and reduce the consumption of the system. Numerical results show that the algorithm has a fast convergence rate and good performance.