bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Natural Gas Prices on Production by Industries in Slovenia
Authors: Festić Mejra , Križanič France
Published: September 2018

Article empirically investigates how intensive is the impact of natural gas prices on production by industries in Slovenian economy. Natural gas price movements can help us in forecasting the movements in electricity, natural gas, steam, hot water supplies, the production of metals, textiles, leather, footwear, leather and fur products, clothes, the production of pulp, paper, cardboard and products from paper and cardboard, the production of products from rubber and plastic materials, processing industry and the production of furniture, the production of intermediary consumption products and recycling. We proved that natural gas prices increase for 1 % point contributes to higher prices of living necessaries for 0,005 % points.

KEYWORDS: • natural gas prices • gas quantities • production by industries • Slovenia
A Procedure for Entering into a Public-Private Partnership
Authors: Železnik Milan
Published: September 2018

The prescribed procedure for entering into a public-private partnership, which is the research subject in this paper, is extremely complex and long-lasting because in addition to the umbrella Public-Private Partnership Act, the public partner must observe also the regulations governing the commercial public services, public procurement, public finance and disposal of the physical assets of the state, regions and municipalities. Due to a great number of regulations that need to be observed upon entering into a public-private partnership, in a given case, the public partner has to judge whether or not it is more economical and appropriate to carry out his intention to finance investments in infrastructure or to carry out public service activities in a different manner either by granting an architectural right or by selling physical assets, or by public procurement and not by entering into a public-private partnership.

KEYWORDS: • local self-government • public service • public-private partnership • Slovenia
Legal and Institutional Framework of Local Self-Government in the Republic of Macedonia
Authors: Siljanovska Davkova Gordana
Published: September 2018

In general, a comprehensive and well-designed local self-government will significantly improve community

management in the Republic of Macedonia. The increased competences and strengthening of the political culture of the population will result in a more active participation of citizens in local processes. An increase in the professional level of the executive and administrative bodies along with improved communication with a civil society will have a positive impact on the quality of municipal management. Decentralized approaches to local development can be a sustainable way to preserve multiculturalism in an ethnically and culturally diverse country. The outcome of the process will depend on the level of public engagement, accountability of local leaders, and transparency of procedures.

KEYWORDS: • local self-government • legal framework • municipality • decentralization • Macedonia
The new Macedonian Concessions and Public-Private Partnerships Act: A Need for Further Improvement?
Authors: Georgievski Saso
Published: September 2018

Public-private partnership was not unknown in Macedonia prior to the adoption of the latest legislation on concessions and PPP in 2007. Many infrastructure and other public interest projects have been developed or tried in the form of concessions mainly at the state level over the past few years. The Concession and Other Forms of Public-Private Partnerships Act marks an important step towards stimulating more intensive use of public-private partnerships, particularly in developing infrastructure and public services at the local self-government level. One has to welcome the introduction of this very concept of the Public-Private Partnerships Act into the Macedonian legal system because it brings this form of financing local development closer to both public and private partners, and it makes the whole process of structuring and awarding PPP projects more transparent and clear.

KEY WORDS: • public service delivery • public-private partnership • concession • Macedonia
EU and International Organisations Rules on Public-Private Partnerships
Authors: Kranjc Vesna
Published: September 2018

Through the public procurement rules, protection of competition, equality of choice and transparency of the procedure in relationships between the public and private sectors are provided, to the greatest extent possible, in the EU rules. All the contractual relationships between the public and private sectors cannot be subject to strict and formal rules on public procurement primarily due to the special nature of business operations, complexity and duration of the relationships. Concessions or public-private partnerships of a concessionary nature are excluded from the legal regime that applies to public procurement. This paper analyses the contractual relationships of the concessionary nature and the EU efforts for ensuring a certain degree of equal treatment of private partners entering into public-private partnerships.

KEYWORDS: • protection of competition • public-private partnership • concession • European Union
An Analysis of the Provision of Local Public Utility Services by Way of Illustration of Two Slovenian Municipalities
Authors: Grafenauer Božo
Published: September 2018

Among the tasks performed by the Slovenian municipalities to meet the needs of individual residents there is also the provision of local public services. A municipality provides the performance of the public services determined by the municipality itself, and the performance of the public services established by law (local public services). The legal foundations for the regulation and operation of public utility services are given primarily in the Local Self-Government Act and in the Public Utilities Act, as well as in sector-specific laws for individual services. The overview of public utility services and the modes of their performance in two urban municipalities indicate that in Slovenian municipalities, public utility services are performed primarily in two ways: in public enterprises and by awarding a public service concession.

KEYWORDS: • local public services • public service delivery • municipality • concession • public enterprise • Slovenia
A Tragedy of the Councils? Exploring the Hollowing-Out Hypothesis – The Case of Norwegian Local Authorities
Authors: Ingvar Jacobsen Dag
Published: September 2018

In the debate on governance structures, it is often assumed that traditional political and administrative institutions are “hollowed-out” in favour of other actors at the international, national and local levels. But how valid is this assumption? By using a variant of the reputational method for studying power, local politicians in 30 Norwegian municipalities were asked to assess the power of other actors in different fields – the local administration, central government, local media, local pressure and interest groups, and international institutions like the EU – in relation to the perceived power of the political local council. The main conclusion is that three main actors are clearly perceived as more powerful than other actors: the local political council, the local administration and the state. Other actors were deemed much less influential, indicating that the power of local politicians may be rather large. Findings indicate that old hierarchical government structures seem still to be highly influential. In addition, the perceived power of local authorities varies across municipalities and within them. Implications for governance studies are discussed.

KEYWORDS: • local self-government • governance structures • local authorities • hollowing-out hypothesis • Norway
Regional and Local Devolution in Ireland – the Potential of LEADER Partnerships to Provide Municipal Government
Authors: O`Keeffe Brendan
Published: September 2018

Emerging economic and social challenges prompted EU and national authorities to initiate and support localised or area-based partnership approaches to development. Such approaches involve enabling representatives from the state sector, social partners, community and voluntary groups to form collaborative partnership structures with competences in integrated local development in a defined geographical area. In terms of local development in Ireland, the most significant partnership structures that have emerged are LEADER Local Action Groups and Local Development Partnerships. Extensive studies of partnership processes, outputs and limitations in Ireland and throughout the EU reveal a number of limitations in the current degree of synergy between partnership and mainstream approaches. Emerging development approaches to the provision of social welfare and public services increasingly involve new forms of public-voluntary and public-private partnerships.
The Administrative Capacity of Slovenian Municipalities
Authors: Haček Miro , Bačlija Irena
Published: September 2018

A suitable quality level of the main functions and tasks of municipal administrations is a fundamental condition for the existence and development of every activity, not only for market-oriented organisations but also the public sector. Municipalities in Slovenia have not adopted a general policy on quality and it is therefore difficult to speak of the optimisation of work in a municipal administration, the efficiency and rationality of work, cost reduction, nor to evaluate the performance of an administration and the individual civil servants it employs. The authors of this article present the results of an empirical research project on administrative capacity carried out among the directors of Slovenian municipal administrations plus an interpretation of the topic in the context of reorganisation of local administrations. By means of the Administrative Capacity Index, they evaluate the degrees of individual municipalities‟ administrative capacities and establish at what size (according to its population) a municipality can be regarded as capable of administration.

Ključne besede: • administrative capacity • municipality • municipal administration • Slovenia
The Establishment of Regions in Slovenia
Authors: Dirnbek Vuk Vojka , Haček Miro
Published: September 2018

The discussion about the establishment of regions has been going on in Slovenia for some years. In addition, the regional legislation package has been in the parliamentary procedure for quite some time, too. The purpose of this paper is neither to analyse the proposed legislation nor to provide a detailed list of all the solutions the legislation can bring in. The real purpose of this paper is to analyse various existing regional divisions in the fields of the state administration, general public services and civil society. Some of these regional divisions are supposed to be adapted (according to the regional tasks presented in the legislative proposal) to the proposed dividing the country into fourteen regions. It interests us how the regionalization, taken into consideration by various institutions of the state administration, broader public sector and civil social organisations, complies with the proposals made in attempts to introduce a broader level of local self-government. Besides, we would also like to ascertain whether in already existing regional divisions in Slovenia there might be the predominant solution that could be the basis for the future dividing Slovenia into regions.

KEY WORDS: • Slovenia • regionalization • regional divisions • state administration
Evaluation of US Orthopaedic Surgery Academic Centers Based on Measurements of Academic Achievement
Authors: Namavar Aram A. , Loftin Amanda H. , Khahera Anadjeet S. , Stavrakis Alexandra I. , Hegde Vishal , Johansen Daniel , Zoller Stephen , Bernthal Nicholas
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

Although a variety of agencies have attempted to evaluate the academic achievements of orthopaedic surgery academic centers, most use opaque criteria that are difficult to interpret and do not provide clear targets for improvement. This study leverages a weighted algorithm using objective measurements that has been linked to academic achievement to attempt to provide a comprehensive assessment of scholarly accomplishment for orthopaedic surgery academic centers.

Methods:

We examined full-time faculty at 138 US orthopaedic surgery academic centers; part-time or volunteer faculty were excluded. Five metrics of academic achievement were assessed: National Institutes of Health funding (2013), number of publications, Hirschberg-index (ie, a metric of impact of publications), leadership positions held in orthopaedic surgery societies, and editorial board positions of top orthopaedic and subspecialty journals. Academic programs were given a score for every category, and the algorithm was used to calculate an overall score of academic achievement for each program.

Results:

The five most academically productive programs were Washington University in St. Louis, Hospital for Special Surgery, Mayo Clinic, University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University.

Conclusion:

This algorithm may provide faculty with an assessment tool that can establish benchmarks to help focus efforts toward increasing the academic productivity of their respective programs.
Symptomatic, Unstable Os Acromiale
Authors: Hasan S. Ashfaq , Shiu Brian , Jauregui Julio J.
Published: September 2018

Management of a persistently symptomatic, unstable os acromiale remains controversial. An unstable os acromiale is an easy diagnosis to miss and should be specifically evaluated for in patients with shoulder pain and a high degree of clinical suspicion. Surgical options include open or arthroscopic excision and open reduction and internal fixation. Open excision of large fragments has had poor results. Arthroscopic treatment is commonly used for small fragments (preacromion), and the technique has also been used in larger fragments (meso-os), but concerns persist over postoperative weakness secondary to shortening of the deltoid lever arm. Open reduction and internal fixation through a transacromial approach has been shown to have predictable union rates but can be complicated by symptomatic implant. Recent biomechanical studies have expanded our understanding of optimal fixation constructs, which may also decrease implant-related issues. Ultimately, the choice of which procedure to use will be dictated by patient factors such as age, activity level, and the nature of rotator cuff pathology.

Level of Evidence:

Level V
Treatment Patterns and Outcomes of Stable Hips in Infants With Ultrasonic Dysplasia
Authors: Kim Harry K. W. , Beckwith Terri , De La Rocha Adriana , Zepeda Erica , Jo Chan-Hee , Sucato Dan
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

No clear practice guideline exists for the management of stable hip with ultrasonic dysplasia (UD). This study assessed the treatment patterns for stable UD and determined the outcomes of Pavlik harness (PH) treatment or observation (OB).

Methods:

This is a prospective study of 80 infants (107 hips) aged ≤12 weeks at presentation diagnosed with stable UD.

Results:

Sixty-five hips were treated with PH, whereas 42 hips were observed. Patients who were older at the time of initial sonogram and those with lower head coverage were more likely to be treated with PH. The mean head coverage was lower in the PH group, indicating more severe UD. At a 2-year follow-up period, 93% of patients in the OB group and 87% in the PH group had a good radiographic outcome.

Discussion:

Head coverage and age at first sonogram had a significant influence on the treatment decision for PH. A milder ultrasonic hip dysplasia can be observed because 93% of the patients who were observed had a good outcome.

Level of Evidence:

Level II: prospective cohort study
Strong Evaluation Down the Decades
Authors: Meijer Michiel ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2018

This essay pursues the development of Charles Taylor’s concept of “strong evaluation” from his first publications on this topic until his most recent uses of the concept. Because Taylor employs strong evaluation in discussions of philosophical anthropology, ethics, phenomenology, and ontology all in one, it has been (mis)understood in a variety of ways. To clarify his strategy, the analysis gradually progresses beyond strong evaluation to the more fundamental question of the relation between philosophical anthropology, ethics, phenomenology, and ontology in Taylor’s writings. It concludes that Taylor’s reasoning especially deserves further investigation with regard to the ontological implications of strong evaluation.
Multimodalité et hybridité de la diffusion de la recherche-création : le point de vue des chercheurs-créateurs
Authors: Provost Chantal
Published: September 2018

Cet article aborde des enjeux de l’interdisciplinarité en recherche-création sous l’angle de la diffusion, notamment à partir d’extraits d’entrevues menées auprès de deux chercheurs-créateurs universitaires. Leur discours témoigne d’une vision de la création bien présente dans la diffusion, c’est-à-dire une diffusion copartagée et faite de collaborations. L’article explore aussi des pratiques de diffusion qui favorisent un décloisonnement des publics et de la scène, de même que l’usage du numérique comme mode d’écriture multimodale et comme archive ouverte. Le discours et les pratiques de diffusion des chercheurs-créateurs révèlent une forme de recherche universitaire « indisciplinée » autant dans son faire que dans sa diffusion.
Quand la mobilité répond à l’ouverture multimodale d’une recherche-création en théâtre
Authors: Quéinnec Jean-Paul
Published: September 2018

Dans cet article, nous tenterons de soutenir que le paradigme de la mobilité associé aux concepts d’intermédialité et de performativité participe à la dynamique du chercheur-créateur sensible au décloisonnement théorique, artistique et culturel. Nous resserrerons notre propos en nous intéressant plus spécifiquement à de nouvelles formes scéniques, qui nous conduiront vers une expérience menée par la Chaire de recherche du Canada pour une dramaturgie sonore au théâtre. Nous verrons comment le son mobile in situ révèle le potentiel d’une recherche-création en arts vivants à travers laquelle la scène actuelle confirme son statut de plateforme où se contactent une pluralité de secteurs et de disciplines, et où la combinaison de médias et l’extension transmédiatique contribuent à la remobilisation du spectateur.
Le Naturaliste canadien et l’essor des sciences au Canada à l’époque victorienne
Authors: Beauchamp Pierre-Luc , Gingras Yves
Published: September 2018

Cet article situe la création duNaturaliste canadiendans le contexte général du développement des sciences naturelles auxixesiècle. On y rappelle la création des premières institutions scientifiques canadiennes (sociétés savantes, universités, revues), pour ensuite s’attarder à la place occupée par l’abbé Léon Provancher et sa revue dans le monde de la science victorienne. En fondantLe Naturaliste canadien, Provancher, alliant son sens de l’entreprise à sa passion pour la culture scientifique, a été un pionnier du mouvement scientifique pancanadien dans le dernier tiers duxixesiècle.
Regard nouveau sur la biologie du polypore ponctué : Fomitiporia punctata (P. Karsten) Murrill
Authors: Boulet Bruno , Bussières Guy
Published: September 2018

Le champignon Fomitiporia punctata est d’abord un saprophyte des chicots et du bois gisant. L’inventaire réalisé dans 2 sites au Québec montre qu’il est parfois un agent pathogène responsable d’un chancre sur le chêne rouge (Quercus rubra L.) et le frêne rouge (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.). La nécrose du cambium débute autour d’un noeud pourri sur le tronc. Les chênes à Beauceville sont infectés à 52,6 % comparativement à 11,6 % pour les frênes à Duberger. L’incidence de la maladie est accrue chez les chênes et les frênes codominants. La hauteur médiane des chancres ne diffère pas selon l’essence. La longueur moyenne des chancres ne peut à elle seule expliquer l’étendue de la carie. Toutefois, les chancres dont la largeur touche moins de 50 % de la circonférence du tronc ont 75 cm ou moins de longueur et sont exempts de pourriture profonde. Il n’existe pas de relation claire entre les dimensions d’un chancre et le diamètre des arbres. Les chancres fusiformes de 0,35 m2 à 0,61 m2 révèlent une carie avancée du coeur et de l’aubier résultant d’un laps de temps très long écoulé depuis le début de l’infection. L’impact de la maladie est à craindre surtout dans les frênaies riveraines, menacées par l’agrile du frêne.
Impact of Leadership on Innovation: Evidence from the Hotel Industry
Authors: Jovičić Vuković Ana , Damnjanović Jelena , Papić-Blagojević Nataša , Jošanov-Vrgović Ivana , Gagić Snježana
Published: September 2018

Research Question: The paper investigated a relationship between innovation and transformational/transactional leadership, as well as the impact of these two leadership styles on innovation. Motivation: As there are small number of studies that have examined the impact of transformational and transactional leadership on innovations within the hospitality industry and in Serbia, the need for investigation is imposed. The paper draws on methodology and works of Bass and Avolio (1997), Hogan et al. (2011) and Nasution et al. (2011) which are, in this paper, applied to the context of hotel industry. The results of this study will expand theory in this field and it could be used as a significant practical guide for hotel management in order to achieve business improvement. Idea: In today's turbulent business environment the ability of the organization to innovate been the decisive factor of surviving, creating and maintaining competitive advantage on the market and also a critical factor in improving what the organization does. The aim of this research is to determine the predictive effect of transformational and transactional leadership on innovations within hotel industry in Serbia. Data: The study included 512 employees in 57 tree, four and five-star hotels in Serbia. Convenient sampling method was applied. The questionnaire used measured the attitude of the employees towards innovations and transformational and transactional leadership, as well as socio-demographic variables Tools: Data was prepared and analysed using statistical software IBM SPSS 24.0. Statistical data processing methods used in this paper are descriptive statistics, the reliability of the instrument, correlation and regression analysis. Findings: The research results show that both transformational and transactional leadership predict innovations, where transformational leadership style is a stronger predictor and better correlate with innovations. The results show that transactional leaders may also encourage innovativeness, but within the frames of the tasks already set. They can also motivate the employees by using different methods such as stimulative rewards, but that they are primarily focused on task execution. Contribution: The results can be used in making future decisions, measures and standards related to human resources management, as well as the development and promotion of innovative activities in hotels.
Towards developing a sustainable tourism destination: understanding motives of gold panning on the River Pek
Authors: Marinković Veljko , Dimitrovski Darko , Senić Vladimir
Published: September 2018

Research question: The aim of the paper is to identify the statistically significant drivers for gold panning revisit intention at the River Pek in Serbia as one of the key factors in determining a positive effect on the destination’s economic sustainability. Motivation: The paper measures the effects of learning, socialization, nature and prestige and their influence on revisit intention. Idea: The core idea of this paper was to empirically evaluate the relationship between recogized tourism motivation as an independent variable and revisit intention as a dependent variable, given that revisit intention represents an important indicator regarding the sustainablity of an emerging tourist destination. Data: Empirical research was conducted on a sample of 230 respondents. A convenience sample was used and was constructed of people who had visited the River Pek as members of organized groups. Tools: Analysis of the data was conducted in SPSS and Amos. The statistical analysis was implemented in two steps. Since this model contains one dependent and four independent variables, its validity has been tested by means of a confirmatory factor analysis. In order to test the significance and strength of the effects independent of the dependent variable, a structural equation model was applied. Findings: The findings of the research suggest that two variables are statistically significant triggers of revisit intention – nature and prestige. Obviously, tourists are likely to engage in the activity of gold panning due to having a desire to experience something new and exciting, which is considerably different from their everyday activities, as well as from other types of tourism. Contribution: The main contribution of the study is to describe in more detail the concept of gold panning and its potential – as a form of niche tourism – to contribute towards establishing the River Pek as a sustainable tourist destination. The study also contributes to existing literature through the implementation of quantitative research of the motives for gold panning.
Improving Eco - Efficiency Through Overcoming Sustainability Challenges: A Case Study For BSEC Member States
Authors: Radukic Snezana , Perovic Dusan
Published: September 2018

Research question: The paper investigated whether a possibility for improving eco – efficiency of BSEC member states exists. Motivation: BSEC member states are primarily oriented towards accomplishing various economic goals, and they are very successful in this area. On the other hand, sustainability issue is still one of major problems for these states, since all BSEC member states do not pay full attention to sustainable development. Also, there are no quality researches that provide deeper analysis of sustainability issues for BSEC member states and so the goal research was to explore if there exists any link between factors that have impact on eco – efficiency of BSEC member states in order to provide sustainable solutions for BSEC member states. Idea: The core idea of this paper was to empirically evaluate the relationship between some factors that have impact on eco – efficiency on BSEC member states, but also to test the implementation of Ehrlich and Holdren equation on the BSEC member states. Data: Analysis was conducted for all 12 BSEC member states using data from several databases such as: IEA, Trading Economics and World Bank. Time series for analyzed data starts in 1995 and ends in 2015. Tools: Statistical analysis of all collected data (descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, linear regression analysis and panel data analysis) was used to draw conclusions between the analyzed variables and check if they have statistical evaluation. Findings: The results showed that full implementation of Ehrlich and Holdren equation among the BSEC member states is not possible due to social aspect of equation. Analysis also suggest that gasoline prices, CO2 emissions and renewable resources should become vital part of future sustainable strategies for the BSEC member states, since all these variables have strong impact on eco – efficiency of the BSEC member states. Contribution: The paper expands existing research literature by providing detailed sustainable development analysis of the BSEC region, since there were no so many sustainability analysis of BSEC region like this in the past.
Large‐Area Hybrid Plasmonic Optical Cavity (HPOC) Substrates for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Bowen , Yao Xu , Chen Shu , Lin Haixin , Yang Zhilin , Liu Shou , Ren Bin
Published: September 2018

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is receiving increasing interests owing to its high sensitivity and molecular fingerprint information. The practical application of SERS relies on the highly enhancing, uniform, reproducible, and affordable substrates. A novel gap‐free 3D SERS substrate with unique hybrid plasmonic and optical cavity (HPOC) structures to improve the uniformity and reduce the fabrication cost while maintaining the high SERS enhancement is introduced here. The gold HPOC structures are fabricated by the tunable holographic lithography followed by gold deposition and can be conveniently optimized for a specific excitation wavelength by tuning the cavity length. The substrate shows average enhancement factor larger than 106 and excellent uniformity with a standard deviation smaller than 6.7%. Together with the capability to be fabricated on a flexible polyethylene substrate, the HPOC SERS substrate is promising for practical applications.
Lithium Electrochemical Tuning for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Lu Zhiyi , Jiang Kun , Chen Guangxu , Wang Haotian , Cui Yi
Published: September 2018

Electrocatalysis is of great importance to a variety of energy conversion processes, where developing highly efficient catalysts is critical. While common strategies involve screening a wide range of materials with new chemical compositions or structures, a different approach to continuously, controllably, and effectively tune the electronic properties of existing catalytic materials for optimized activities has been demonstrated recently. Inspired by studies in lithium‐ion batteries, systematical lithium electrochemical tuning (LiET) methods such as Li intercalation, extraction, cycling, and strain engineering, are employed to effectively tune the electronic structures of different existing catalysts and thus improve their catalytic activities dramatically. Herein, the advantages of the LiET method in electrocatalysis are introduced, and then some recent representative examples in improving the performances of important electrochemical reactions are reviewed briefly. Lastly, a few promising directions on extending the applications of the LiET method in electrocatalysis are proposed.
Growth of Epithelial Organoids in a Defined Hydrogel
Authors: Broguiere Nicolas , Isenmann Luca , Hirt Christian , Ringel Till , Placzek Silja , Cavalli Emma , Ringnalda Femke , Villiger Lukas , Züllig Richard , Lehmann Roger , Rogler Gerhard , Heim Markus H. , Schüler Julia , Zenobi‐Wong Marcy , Schwank Gerald
Published: September 2018

Epithelial organoids are simplified models of organs grown in vitro from embryonic and adult stem cells. They are widely used to study organ development and disease, and enable drug screening in patient‐derived primary tissues. Current protocols, however, rely on animal‐ and tumor‐derived basement membrane extract (BME) as a 3D scaffold, which limits possible applications in regenerative medicine. This prompted us to study how organoids interact with their matrix, and to develop a well‐defined hydrogel that supports organoid generation and growth. It is found that soft fibrin matrices provide suitable physical support, and that naturally occurring Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) adhesion domains on the scaffold, as well as supplementation with laminin‐111, are key parameters required for robust organoid formation and expansion. The possibility to functionalize fibrin via factor XIII‐mediated anchoring also allows to covalently link fluorescent nanoparticles to the matrix for 3D traction force microscopy. These measurements suggest that the morphogenesis of budding intestinal organoids results from internal pressure combined with higher cell contractility in the regions containing differentiated cells compared to the regions containing stem cells. Since the fibrin/laminin matrix supports long‐term expansion of all tested murine and human epithelial organoids, this hydrogel can be widely used as a defined equivalent to BME.
Synthesis of Particulate Hierarchical Tandem Heterojunctions toward Optimized Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Sun Bojing , Zhou Wei , Li Haoze , Ren Liping , Qiao Panzhe , Li Wei , Fu Honggang
Published: September 2018

Photocatalytic hydrogen production using semiconductors is identified as one of the most promising routes for sustainable energy; however, it is challenging to harvest the full solar spectrum in a particulate photocatalyst for high activity. Herein, a hierarchical hollow black TiO2/MoS2/CdS tandem heterojunction photocatalyst, which allows broad‐spectrum absorption, thus delivering enhanced hydrogen evolution performance is designed and synthesized. The MoS2 nanosheets not only function as a cost‐effective cocatalyst but also act as a bridge to connect two light‐harvesting semiconductors into a tandem heterojunction where the CdS nanoparticles and black TiO2 spheres absorb UV and visible light on both sides efficiently, coupling with the MoS2 cocatalyst into a particulate photocatalyst system. Consequently, the photocatalytic hydrogen rate of the black TiO2/MoS2/CdS tandem heterojunction is as high as 179 µmol h−1 per 20 mg photocatalyst under visible‐light irradiation, which is almost 3 times higher than that of black TiO2/MoS2 heterojunctions (57.2 µmol h−1). Most importantly, the stability of CdS nanoparticles in the black TiO2/MoS2/CdS tandem heterojunction is greatly improved compared to MoS2/CdS because of the formation of tandem heterojunctions and the strong UV‐absorbing effect of black TiO2. Such a tandem architectural design provides new ways for synthesizing particulate photocatalysts with high efficiencies.
Dynamical reduction of linearized metabolic networks through quasi steady state approximation
Authors: López Zazueta Claudia , Bernard Olivier , Gouzé Jean‐Luc
Published: September 2018

Metabolic modeling has gained accuracy in the last decades, but the resulting models are of high dimension and difficult to use for control purpose. Here we propose a mathematical approach to reduce high dimensional linearized metabolic models, which relies on time scale separation and the quasi steady state assumption. Contrary to the flux balance analysis assumption that the whole system reaches an equilibrium, our reduced model depends on a small system of differential equations which represents the slow variables dynamics. Moreover, we prove that the concentration of metabolites in quasi steady state is one order of magnitude lower than the concentration of metabolites with slow dynamics (under some flux conditions). Also, we propose a minimization strategy to estimate the reduced system parameters. The reduction of a toy network with the method presented here is compared with other approaches. Finally, our reduction technique is applied to an autotrophic microalgae metabolic network. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 18–31, 2019
The consistency of circadian blood pressure and heart rate patterns over three months in women employed in sedentary office jobs
Authors: Niclou Alexandra M. , James Gary D. , Bovbjerg Dana H.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consistency of the circadian patterns of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variation over a three‐month time frame in women employed outside the home.

Methods

The subjects were 157 healthy women of varying ethnicity (age = 38.2 ± 8.9) who all worked in similar positions at two major medical centers in New York City. Each wore an ambulatory BP monitor during the course of three mid‐week work days approximately one month apart. Hourly BPs and HRs were calculated from 9 am to 6 am the following morning and compared among the three days using anova and t tests.

Results

The results indicate that there were virtually no differences in the mean hourly levels of any parameter during the waking period across the three days of assessment. However, mean hourly levels of systolic BP significantly declined from 12 pm to 4 am (P < .04, P = .001, P < .001, P = .001, P = .009, respectively) on the third assessment day compared to the first.

Conclusions

Because BP and HR respond to environmental demands in an allostatic fashion, the consistency in the waking patterns of BP and HR variation suggest that the patterns of demands on a workday are reasonably stable in this sample of women. The decline in systolic pressures from 12 pm to 4 am over the three assessments may indicate an improving ability to sleep with the monitor over time.
An Efficient Anti‐poisoning Catalyst against SOx, NOx, and POx: P, N‐Doped Carbon for Oxygen Reduction in Acidic Media
Authors: Najam Tayyaba , Shah Syed Shoaib Ahmad , Ding Wei , Jiang Jinxia , Jia Li , Yao Wang , Li Li , Wei Zidong
Published: September 2018

Electrocatalysts are readily poisoned during the catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR); even air containing traces of SOx and/or NOx significantly decrease the activity and the durability of H2–O2 fuel cells. Now, a metal‐free strategy is reported to develop an efficient anti‐poisoning ORR catalyst, which involves the pyrolysis of PDAP‐phytic acid super‐molecular aggregate (PPSA). The pyrolyzed co‐doped carbon acting as a metal‐free electrocatalyst shows an enhanced activity for ORR in acidic medium, even under poisoning conditions (SOx, NOx, and POx). Moreover, P‐doping also changes the ORR pathway by yielding less than 4 % of H2O2, indicating a four‐electron pathway whereas more than>20 % of H2O2 was recorded for N‐doped carbon synthesized from PDAP.
Chelatisierte Diborene und ihre Diels‐Alder‐Reaktionen mit Dienen unter inversem Elektronenbedarf
Authors: Stennett Tom E. , Mattock James D. , Pentecost Leanne , Vargas Alfredo , Braunschweig Holger
Published: September 2018

Ein doppelt basenstabilisiertes Diboran, mit Benzylphosphan, wurde mittels einer Salzeliminierung zwischen 2‐LiC6H4CH2PCy2⋅Et2O und B2Br4 dargestellt. Diese Verbindung wurde mit KC8 zu dem entsprechenden Diboren reduziert, bei dem das Benzylphosphan einen fünfgliedrigen Chelatring bildet. Das Diboren reagiert mit Butadien, 2‐Trimethylsiloxy‐1,3‐butadien und Isopren unter Bildung von 4,5‐Diboracyclohexenen, welche zwischen ihren 1,1‐ (geminal) und 1,2‐ (vicinal) chelatisierten Isomeren umlagern. Bei dem 1,1‐chelatisierten Diboren findet eine Halogenid‐katalysierte Isomerisierung zum thermodynamisch begünstigten 1,2‐Isomer statt, welches im Vergleich zum kinetischen Produkt langsamere Diels‐Alder‐Reaktionen eingeht.
C−H Bond Activation for the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Atropisomers Yields Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors
Authors: Shan Gang , Flegel Jana , Li Houhua , Merten Christian , Ziegler Slava , Antonchick Andrey P. , Waldmann Herbert
Published: September 2018

Axially chiral 4‐arylisoquinolones are endowed with pronounced bioactivity, and methods for their efficient synthesis have gained widespread attention. However, enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 4‐arylisoquinolones by means of C−H activation has not been reported to date. Described here is a rhodium (III)‐catalyzed C−H bond activation and annulation for the atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral 4‐arylisoquinolones. The method employs chiral cyclopentadienyl ligands embodying a piperidine ring as backbone and yields the atropisomers with good to excellent yields and enantioselectivity. Biological relevance of the 4‐arylisoquinolones was demonstrated by their investigation in different cellular assays, leading to the discovery of novel non‐SMO (SMO= smoothened) binding Hedgehog pathway inhibitors.
The True Fate of Pyridinium in the Reportedly Pyridinium‐Catalyzed Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction on Platinum
Authors: Olu Pierre‐Yves , Li Qi , Krischer Katharina
Published: September 2018

Protonated pyridine (PyH+) has been reported to act as a peculiar and promising catalyst for the direct electroreduction of CO2 to methanol and/or formate. Because of recent strong incentives to turn CO2 into valuable products, this claim triggered great interest, prompting many experiments and DFT simulations. However, when performing the electrolysis in near‐neutral pH electrolyte, the local pH around the platinum electrode can easily increase, leading to Py and HCO3− being the predominant species next to the Pt electrode instead of PyH+ and CO2. Using a carefully designed electrolysis setup which overcomes the local pH shift issue, we demonstrate that protonated pyridine undergoes a complete hydrogenation into piperidine upon mild reductive conditions (near 0 V vs. RHE). The reduction of the PyH+ ring occurs with and without the presence of CO2 in the electrolyte, and no sign of CO2 electroreduction products was observed, strongly questioning that PyH+ acts as a catalyst for CO2 electroreduction.
Titanium‐Carboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Based on an Unprecedented Ti‐Oxo Chain Cluster
Authors: Keum Yesub , Park Seonghun , Chen Ying‐Pin , Park Jinhee
Published: September 2018

Titanium(IV)‐based metal‐organic frameworks (Ti‐MOFs) have received significant attention in recent years due to their numerous photocatalytic applications. We herein prepare the single‐crystalline Ti‐carboxylate MOF (DGIST‐1) composed of an unprecedented Ti‐oxo chain cluster and the porphyrinic ligand, TCPP (tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin). Preformed Ti‐oxo clusters were used as Ti4+ sources to avoid the spontaneous hydrolysis and condensation reactions of traditional Ti‐alkoxide precursors, thus, enabling the formation of the highly crystalline Ti‐MOF. The successfully activated DGIST‐1 exhibited a higher surface area (i.e., 1957.3 m2 g−1) than previously reported Ti‐MOFs due to its high crystallinity. Furthermore, the visible‐light‐responsive photocatalytic activity of DGIST‐1 was confirmed by the simultaneous generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide (.O2−) species, in addition to the highly efficient and selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde.
Is it Useful to Repeat Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Sacroiliac Joints After Three Months or One Year in the Diagnosis of Patients With Chronic Back Pain and Suspected Axial Spondyloarthritis?
Authors: Bakker P. A. C. , Ramiro S. , Ez‐Zaitouni Z. , van Lunteren M. , Berg I. J. , Landewé R. , Ramonda R. , van Oosterhout M. , Reijnierse M. , van Gaalen F. A. , van der Heijde D.
Published: September 2018

Objective

To investigate the value of repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac (SI) joints in diagnosing chronic back pain patients in whom axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is suspected and to examine determinants of positive MRI findings in SI joints.

Methods

Patients with chronic back pain (duration 3 months–2 years, age ≥16 years, age at onset <45 years) with ≥1 SpA feature who were included in the Spondyloarthritis Caught Early cohort underwent visits at baseline, at 3 months, and at 1 year. Visits included an evaluation of all SpA features and repeated MRI of SI joints. MRI‐detected axial SpA positivity (according to the definition from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society) was evaluated by 2 or 3 well‐trained readers who were blinded with regard to clinical information. The likelihood of a positive MRI finding at follow‐up visits (taking into consideration contributing factors) was calculated by generalized estimating equation analysis.

Results

Of the 188 patients, 38.3% were male, the mean ± SD age was 31.0 ± 8.2 years, and the mean ± SD symptom duration was 13.2 ± 7.1 months. Thirty‐one patients (16.5%) had positive MRI findings in the SI joints at baseline. After 3 months and after 1 year, the MRI results had changed from positive to negative in 3 of 27 patients (11.1%) and 11 of 29 patients (37.9%), respectively, which was attributable in part to the initiation of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy. Status changes from negative to positive were seen in 5 of 116 patients (4.3%) after 3 months and in 10 of 138 patients (7.2%) after 1 year. HLA–B27 positivity and male sex were independent determinants of the likelihood of a positive MRI scan at any time point (42% in HLA–B27+ men and 6% in HLA–B27− women). If the baseline results were negative, the likelihood of a positive scan at follow‐up was very low (≤7%).

Conclusion

MRI‐detected status changes in the SI joints were seen in a minority of the patients, and both male sex and HLA–B27 positivity were important predictors of MRI positivity. Our findings indicate that conducting MRI scans after 3 months or after 1 year in patients with suspected early axial SpA is not diagnostically useful.
A matter of control or identity? Family firms' environmental reporting decisions along the corporate life cycle
Authors: Arena Claudia , Michelon Giovanna
Published: September 2018

Building on the socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective, this study explores environmental disclosure (ED) practices in family firms and investigates whether the firm's life cycle stage plays a moderating role in these practices. We focus on two dimensions of the SEW: family control and influence and family identity. To the extent that different types of family‐controlled firms have different reporting behaviors based on their primary SEW dimension, they will undertake the ED strategies that allow them to preserve their SEW. Using a sample of listed firms from the Milan Stock Exchange, we show that family firms for which the family control and influence SEW dimension is most salient provide less environmental information than non‐family firms and that this effect is weakened along the family firm's life cycle. Our findings also indicate that middle‐aged family firms, where the family identity dimension prevails, provide more ED than do non‐family firms. Our study contributes to knowledge about how the socioemotional endowment affects family firms' reporting behavior.
A Single Amino Acid Substitution in Therminator DNA Polymerase Increases Incorporation Efficiency of Deoxyxylonucleotides
Authors: Bauwens Boris , Rozenski Jef , Herdewijn Piet , Robben Johan
Published: September 2018

Deoxyxylonucleic acid (dxNA) is a synthetic polymer that might have potential for heredity and evolution. Because of dxNA's unusual backbone geometry, sequence information stored in it is presumed to be inaccessible to natural nucleic acids or proteins. Despite a large structural similarity with natural nucleotides, incorporation of 2′‐deoxyxylonucleotides (dxNTs) through the action of polymerases is limited. We present the identification of a mutant of the DNA polymerase Therminator with increased tolerance to deoxyxylose‐induced backbone distortions. Whereas the original polymerase stops after incorporation of two consecutive dxNTs, the mutant is able to catalyse the extension of incorporated dxNTs with 2′‐deoxyribonucleotides (dNTs) and the incorporation of up to four dxNTs alternates with dNTs, thereby translocating a highly distorted double helix throughout the entire polymerase. A single His‐to‐Arg substitution very close to the catalytic site residues is held to be responsible for interaction with the primer phosphate groups and for stabilizing nucleotide sugar‐induced distortions during incorporation and translocation.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

The dangers of synthetic cannabinoids

The rising rate of overdose deaths

The dangers of e‐cigarettes, even as FDA considers approving them
UV Assisted High‐Efficient Synthesis of α‐Ketoamides using Air Promoted by A Non‐Metal Catalyst in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Li Jianhui , He Shaopo , Zhang Kuan , Quan Ziyi , Shan Qiheng , Sun Zhongliang , Wang Bo
Published: September 2018

Presented here is the first example of UV (λ=210 nm) promoted procedure proceeding in aqueous media at room temperature using ambient air as the oxidant for efficient synthesis of an array of α‐ketoamides of all types using a non‐metal catalyst N‐iodosuccinimide with a loading of 20 mol%. With UV, oxygen in the air was efficiently utilized as the green oxidant, some control experiments were carried out and a plausible mechanism was proposed, disclosing that in aqueous solution, the oxidation process was actually triggered by dioxygen radical anion (O2.−), while not molecular oxygen. A variety of secondary amines and primary amines as well as ammonia were employed as the amine moieties, and the desired product primary‐, secondary‐, and tertiary α‐ketoamides were afforded in good to excellent yields of up to 96 %.