bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site‐Selective C–H Bond Activation/Functionalization of Alpha‐Amino Acids and Peptide‐Like Derivatives
Authors: Brandhofer Tobias , García Mancheño Olga
Published: July 2018

Amino acids and peptides play an important role in nature, as well as in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. Therefore, the easy, straightforward and versatile access of biogenic and unnatural derivatives is still highly demanding. This micro‐review intends to provide to the reader the current state of the art on site‐selective C–H bond functionalization technology applied on α‐amino acids and peptides, focusing on the different C–H positions that can successfully be addressed to date. It is structured in two main parts implying i) the α‐C–H functionalization at the peptide backbone and ii) the modification of the side‐chain. Herein, metal‐catalyzed C–H activation, oxidative C–H functionalization, as well as light mediated approaches, are discussed considering the challenges in reactivity and selectivity. The great potential of these transformations is also depicted with the derivatization and macrocyclization of complex peptides leading to products of pharmaceutical importance.
High‐Performance Virus Removal Filter Paper for Drinking Water Purification
Authors: Gustafsson Olof , Manukyan Levon , Mihranyan Albert
Published: July 2018

Access to drinking water is one of the greatest global challenges today. In this study, the virus removal properties of mille‐feuille nanocellulose‐based filter papers of varying thicknesses from simulated waste water (SWW) matrix are evaluated for drinking water purification applications. Filtrations of standard SWW dispersions at various total suspended solid (TSS) content are performed, including spiking tests with 30 nm surrogate latex particles and 28 nm ΦX174 bacteriophages. Filter papers of thicknesses 9 and 29 µm are used, and the filtrations are performed at two different operational pressures, i.e., 1 and 3 bar. The presented data using SWW matrix show, for the first time, that a filter paper made from 100% nanocellulose has the capacity to efficiently remove even the smallest viruses, i.e., up to 99.9980–99.9995% efficiency, at industrially relevant flow rates, i.e., 60–500 L m−2 h−1, and low fouling, i.e., V
max > 103–104 L m−2. The filter paper presented in this work shows great promise for the development of robust, affordable, and sustainable water purification systems.
Pillarquinones and Pillararenequinones
Authors: Cao Derong , Meier Herbert
Published: July 2018

Pillar[n]quinones and pillar[n‐m]arene[m]quinones are oxidation products of pillar[n]arenes. Their molecular structure resembles the parent compounds. However, their map of electron density is different. Each 1,4‐benzoquinone ring, which replaces a 1,4‐dialkoxy‐substituted benzene ring decreases the electron density in the interior cavity and increases the electron density on the upper and lower rim of the pillar. The electron donor character is stepwise transformed to an electron acceptor status. This effect alters the complexation tendencies, which are the most interesting properties of these macrocyclic host systems.
Pillar[n]arenes at the Chemistry‐Biology Interface
Authors: Cragg Peter J.
Published: July 2018

Macrocyclic chemistry has provided chemists with a wealth of molecular ‘hosts’. Ever since resurgence in the field during the 1970s and 1980s these hosts’ similarities to natural structures, such the active sites of enzymes, have been noted. Latterly there has been great interest in the recently reported pillar[n]arenes. As if to underline the importance of these compounds, exciting applications are starting to emerge, from electrochemical sensors to antimicrobial agents. Novel uses appear destined to have an impact on clinical conditions from Alzheimer's disease to cancer treatment. In order to demonstrate the impact of pillar[n]arenes across the chemistry‐biology interface this review will cover the current state of the art from biomimicry and analyte‐specific detection to emerging clinical applications. Examples include pillar[n]arene‐based ion channels, enzyme‐responsive compounds, imaging agents, biofilm inhibiting derivatives, drug complexing and drug releasing systems.
Juglone–ascorbic acid synergy inhibits metastasis and induces apoptotic cell death in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma by perturbing SOD and catalase activities
Authors: Gaikwad Sujay , Chakraborty Avik , Salwe Sukeshani , Patel Vainav , Kulkarni Savita , Banerjee Sharmila
Published: July 2018

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) requires more innovative approaches as the current regimes for therapy are inadequate, also most anticancer drugs cause general suppression of physiological functions. However, therapy with limited nontarget tissue damage is desirable. In the present study, we show prooxidant ability of ascorbic acid, which enhances cytotoxicity induced by juglone. We decipher that juglone–ascorbate combination induces reactive oxygen species‐mediated apoptosis leading to cell death in ARO cell line originated from ATC. This combination also affects enzyme activity of catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase destabilizing redox balance in cell and thereby making juglone effective at a lower dose. We also show that juglone–ascorbate combination suppresses cell migration, invasion, and expression of tumor‐promoting, and angiogenic genes in ARO cell line, thereby disrupting epithelial–mesenchymal transition ability of the cells. Overall, we show that ascorbic acid increases cytotoxic potency of juglone through redox cycling when used in synergy.
An Alternative Regioselective Approach for the Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Derivatives of Pyrazolo[5,1‐b]purine Scaffold
Authors: Sheikhi‐Mohammareh Seddigheh , Shiri Ali
Published: July 2018

A straightforward approach for the regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyrazolo[5,1‐b]purine from the annulation of 6‐bromo‐3‐cyano‐2‐(ethylthio)‐5‐methyl‐7‐oxo‐6,7‐dihydropyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine with thiourea as a bisnucleophilic reagent under reflux condition in CH3CN in the presence of Et3N has been developed. The N‐alkylation of the synthesis compound was also accomplished. The true regioisomer was determined by 2D‐NOESY NMR spectroscopy, as well.
Synthesis of carbon‐14 labeled ketamine and norketamine
Authors: Chen Lu , Gong Yong , Salter Rhys
Published: July 2018

Ketamine is a well‐known general anesthetic that inhibits cerebral NMDA receptors. Norketamine is a major circulating metabolite of this drug. A nasal spray formulation of esketamine, the S enantiomer of ketamine, is under development for the management of treatment‐resistant depression. To assess the pharmacokinetic properties, C‐14 labeled ketamine and norketamine were prepared separately from commercially available [14C]CuCN through a five‐step sequence with the C‐14 label at the quaternary carbon of the cyclohexyl ring. Chiral resolution of [14C]ketamine and chiral column separation of [14C]norketamine resolved/separated the (S)‐enantiomers from (R)‐enantiomers.
Mathematical Creativity: A Combination of Domain‐general Creative and Domain‐specific Mathematical Skills
Authors: Schoevers Eveline M. , Kroesbergen Evelyn H. , Kattou Maria
Published: July 2018

Creativity is an understudied topic in elementary school mathematics research. Nevertheless, we argue that creativity plays an important role in mathematics, but that more research is needed to understand this relation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate this relation, specifically between domain‐general creativity, domain‐specific mathematical creativity, and mathematical ability. Measures for these constructs were administered to 342 Dutch fourth graders. In order to examine the nature of the relation between creativity and mathematics, two competing models were tested, using Structural Equation Modeling. The results indicated that models in which general creativity and mathematical ability both predict mathematical creativity fitted the data better than models in which mathematical and general creativity predict mathematical ability. This study showed that both general creativity and mathematical ability are important to think creatively in mathematics.
Identification and functional annotation of metabolism‐associated lncRNAs and their related protein‐coding genes in gastric cancer
Authors: Mo Xiaoyan , Li Tianwen , Xie Yi , Zhu Linwen , Xiao Bingxiu , Liao Qi , Guo Junming
Published: July 2018

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in carcinogenesis. However, the roles of metabolism‐associated lncRNAs in cancers are still unclear.

Methods

A microarray of metabolism‐associated lncRNAs was used to detect their expression patterns between gastric cancer and paired nontumorous tissues. Its results and gastric cancer differential gene expression data from public databases were used to screen the metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNAs. A metabolic network with microRNAs (miRNAs), lncRNAs, and protein‐coding genes was further constructed. Finally, the expression of TOPORS antisense RNA 1 (TOPORS‐AS1), a screened highly expressed lncRNA and its associated protein‐coding gene, NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B6 (NDUFB6), were verified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

A total of eight upregulated and one downregulated lncRNAs and 25 upregulated and 20 downregulated protein‐coding genes were found to be involved in metabolism in gastric cancer. Within the lncRNAs–miRNAs–mRNAs metabolic network, 78 miRNA‐target links, 546 positive coexpression relationships, and 191 protein–protein interactions were found. The expression of TOPORS‐AS1 and its associated gene, NDUFB6 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent nontumor tissues. Moreover, NDUFB6 expression was associated with the invasion and distal metastasis of gastric cancer.

Conclusions

The metabolism‐associated lncRNAs play important roles in the occurrence of gastric cancer.
Endpoint estimates of linear commutators on Hardy spaces over spaces of homogeneous type
Authors: Liu Liguang , Chang Der‐Chen , Fu Xing , Yang Dachun
Published: July 2018

Let
be a metric measure space of homogeneous type in the sense of Coifman and Weiss. In this article, the authors prove that bilinear operators, which are finite combinations of compositions of commutators and Calderón‐Zygmund operators, are bounded from
to
. The authors also prove that the commutator, generated by any
and Calderón‐Zygmund operator, is bounded from the Hardy‐type space
to the Hardy space
, where
is the largest subspace
of
that ensures the boundedness of the commutators from
to
. The novelties appearing in these approaches exist in applications of the multiresolution analysis of the wavelets on metric measure spaces of homogeneous type, the bilinear decomposition of the product space
, the (sub)bilinear decomposition of commutators, the proof of off‐diagonal estimates of the action of Calderón‐Zygmund operators on the wavelet functions, and the boundedness of the almost diagonal matrix on the spaces
and
. Notably, throughout this article, μ is not assumed to satisfy the reverse doubling condition.
Assessing ICSI outcome by combining non‐invasive indicators: Early time‐lapse morphokinetics and apoptosis in associated cumulus cells among women with the polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Tabibnejad Nasim , Aflatoonian Abbas , Motamedzadeh Leila , Soleimani Mehrdad , Sadeghian‐Nodoushan Fatemeh , Talebi Ali Reza
Published: July 2018

Cumulus cells features and embryo developmental events can be considered as noninvasive indicators for embryo selection and clinical outcomes. A combination of time‐lapse morphokinetic parameters and cumulus cell apoptosis in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was evaluated for predicting pregnancy outcome. We assessed a total of 547 embryos from 100 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Time‐lapse records were interpreted in time to pronuclear fading (tPNf), time to 2 to 8 cells (t2‐t8), direct cleavage, reverse cleavage, and also for the presence of multinucleation. Percentages of apoptosis were identified in 100 associated cumulus cell samples using the TDT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling assay. The significant decrease of apoptotic cumulus cells was detected in patients with chemical and clinical pregnancies as well as live birth among patients PCOS and in the tubal infertility group (p > 0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher implantation rate and also significantly lower cases of early pregnancy loss were observed in the group of oocytes with less apoptotic cumulus cells. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tPNf together with cumulus cell apoptosis were independent prognostic factors of chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth. Time‐lapse embryo parameters may not reflect the cumulus cell apoptosis rate. However, the rate of apoptotic cumulus cells is significantly associated with ICSI outcome using Day 3 embryo transfer.
Current Status of Proteomics in Ewing's Sarcoma
Authors: Kondo Tadashi
Published: July 2018

Ewing's sarcoma is an extremely rare mesenchymal malignancy of the bone, which predominantly occurs in children and young adolescents. Ewing's sarcoma is characterized by chromosomal translocations resulting in the formation of chimeric fusions between the EWS gene and transcription factors of the ETS family, such as EWS‐FLI‐1. The clinical outcome of Ewing's sarcoma remains poor, and novel therapeutic approaches are required. Proteomic analyses have been applied to identify the functions of the fusion gene product, and a novel mechanism of EWS‐FLI‐1 turnover has been proposed. Furthermore, proteomics has revealed the regulation of IL‐6 secretion by EWS‐FLI‐1, which may promote malignant behavior in tumor cells. In addition, proteomic approaches have been used to assess the effects of unique genes and drugs on Ewing's sarcoma and to determine specific biomarker candidates for the prediction of drug resistance and recurrence. By identifying the proteins relevant to the molecular backgrounds of clinical characters of Ewing's sarcoma, we can understand the biology of Ewing's sarcoma and develop clinical applications. Fundamental research systems such as tumor cell and tissue biobanks and databases are required to make effective use of the limited clinical materials and promote research into Ewing's sarcoma.
Standardized Morinda citrifolia L. and Morinda elliptica L. leaf extracts alleviated fatigue by improving glycogen storage and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism
Authors: Osman Wan Nurfarahin Wan , Mohamed Suhaila
Published: July 2018

The antifatigue properties of Morinda elliptica (ME) leaf were compared with Morinda citrifolia (MC) leaf extracts. Sixty Balb/C mice were administered (N = 10): control water, standardized green tea extract (positive control 200 mg/kg body weight [BW]), either 200 or 400 mg MC/kg BW, or either 200 or 400 mg ME/kg BW). The mice performances, biochemical, and mRNA expressions were evaluated. After 6 weeks, the weight‐loaded swimming time to exhaustion in the mice consuming 400 mg MC/kg, were almost five times longer than the control mice. The gene expressions analysis suggested the extracts enhanced performance by improving lipid catabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, electron transport, antioxidant responses, energy production, and tissue glycogen stores. The MC and ME extracts enhanced stamina by reducing blood lactate and blood urea nitrogen levels, increasing liver and muscle glycogen reserve through augmenting the glucose metabolism (glucose transporter type 4 and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4), lipid catabolism (acyl‐Coenzyme A dehydrogenases and fatty acid translocase), antioxidant (superoxide dismutase 2) defence responses, electron transport (COX4I2), and energy production (PGC1α, NRF1, NRF2, cytochrome C electron transport, mitochondrial transcription factor A, UCP1, and UCP3) biomarkers. The MC (containing scopoletin and epicatechin) was better than ME (containing only scopoletin) or green tea (containing epicatechin and GT catechins) for alleviating fatigue.
Evaluation of micromilling/conventional isotope ratio mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry of δ18O values in fish otoliths for sclerochronology
Authors: Helser Thomas E. , Kastelle Craig R. , McKay Jennifer L. , Orland Ian J. , Kozdon Reinhard , Valley John W.
Published: July 2018

Rationale

Stable oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O values) measured in fish otoliths can provide valuable detailed information on fish life history, fish age determination, and ocean thermography. Traditionally, otoliths are sampled by micromilling followed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), but direct analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is becoming more common. However, these two methods have not been compared to determine which, if either, is better for fish age validation studies. Hence, the goals were to: (1) determine if the δ18O signatures from the two different methods are similar, (2) determine which method is better for fish age validation studies, and (3) examine biogeographic and migration history.

Methods

Both analytical techniques, micromilling/IRMS and SIMS, were used to measure δ18O values in six Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) otoliths. A series of measurements was made from the center of each otolith to its edge to develop a life‐history δ18O signature for each fish.

Results

The sampling resolution of SIMS analyses was 2–3 times greater than that obtained by micromilling/IRMS. We found an offset between SIMS and micromilling/IRMS δ18O values, about 0.5‰ on average, with SIMS yielding lower values. However, the δ18O patterns from both methods (i.e., the number of δ18O maxima) correspond to the estimated age determined by otolith growth‐zone counts, validating fish age determination methods.

Conclusions

Both techniques resolved δ18O life‐history signatures and showed patterns consistent with seasonal variation in temperatures and changes due to fish migration. When otoliths are large, micromilling/IRMS can provide adequate resolution for fish age validation. However, SIMS is the better option if greater sampling resolution is required, such as when otoliths are small or specimens are longer lived and have compact growth zones.
Sustainable development and global emission targets: A dynamical systems approach to aid evidence‐based policy making
Authors: Ranganathan Shyam , Bali Swain Ranjula
Published: July 2018

There is broad scientific consensus that increasing global emissions at current rates will lead to irreversible climate change. The global commitment to sustainable development goals and the 2015 Paris Agreement attempt to address this concern with policy changes. But top‐down approaches including voluntary emission cuts do not appear politically feasible in all countries. In this paper, it is shown that moderate voluntary emission cuts (policy) supplemented by technological developments and changes in consumption tastes and preferences induced by educating individuals (stakeholder engagement) could help achieve emission targets. A novel dynamical systems modelling approach based on economic theory is used to show the quantitative tradeoffs between these different approaches. Using this model, it is shown how economic development may be balanced by global reductions in emissions so that, initially, developing economies can continue along their current growth trajectories and eliminate poverty, and eventually bear more of the emissions reduction burden.
Toward sustainable development: A methodology for evaluating environmental planning systems
Authors: Zeiger Bastion , Gunton Thomas , Rutherford Murray
Published: July 2018

At the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the world's national governments committed to preparing strategies to achieve sustainable development. This paper describes an evaluation framework for measuring the success of these efforts to achieve environmental goals in sustainable development. The framework evaluates two dimensions of sustainable development planning: the environmental planning system, and environmental outcomes. An application of the methodology to evaluate environmental performance in Germany illustrates that the proposed method is relatively easy to apply, transparent, and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of a country's environmental performance.
Light‐Activated, Multi‐Semiconductor Hybrid Microswimmers
Authors: O'Neel‐Judy Étude , Nicholls Dylan , Castañeda John , Gibbs John G.
Published: July 2018

Using a dynamic fabrication process, hybrid, photoactivated microswimmers made from two different semiconductors, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) are developed, where each material occupies a distinct portion of the multiconstituent particles. Structured light‐activated microswimmers made from only TiO2 or Cu2O are observed to be driven in hydrogen peroxide and water most vigorously under UV or blue light, respectively, whereas hybrid structures made from both of these materials exhibit wavelength‐dependent modes of motion due to the disparate responses of each photocatalyst. It is also found that the hybrid particles are activated in water alone, a behavior which is not observed in those made from a single semiconductor, and thus, the system may open up a new class of fuel‐free photoactive colloids that take advantage of semiconductor heterojunctions. The TiO2/Cu2O hybrid microswimmer presented here is but an example of a broader method for inducing different modes of motion in a single light‐activated particle, which is not limited to the specific geometries and materials presented in this study.
Zones of untreatable water pollution call for better appreciation of mitigation limits and opportunities
Authors: Destouni Georgia , Jarsjö Jerker
Published: July 2018

This opinion piece addresses subsurface legacy sources and their role in mitigation of large‐scale water pollution and eutrophication. We provide a mechanistic theoretical basis and concrete data‐based exemplification of dominant contributions from such sources to total recipient loads. We specifically develop a diagnostic test to detect such contributions, recognizing that they are inaccessible and associated with long transport times that tend to evade detection when homogeneous catchment models are calibrated to typically heterogeneous catchments. Dominant legacy‐source contributions are also in practice untreatable within the commonly short time frames given for compliance with environmental regulation. We therefore argue that, for considerable water quality improvements to be achieved within such short time frames, mitigation measures need to be spatially differentiated and directed to (sub)catchments without major legacy sources. The presented diagnostic test identifies dominant prevalence of such sources where there is linear temporal correlation between the nutrient/pollutant loads and the water discharges from a (sub)catchment. Confidence in this identification may be strengthened by independent quantification of long transport times and records of temporally extended presence of nutrient/pollutant sources in the same (sub)catchment.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water Quality

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Scattering of gravitational and electromagnetic waves off AdS2 × S2 in extreme Reissner-Nordstrom
Authors: Porfyriadis Achilleas P.
Published: July 2018

Abstract

The direct product of two-dimensional anti-de Sitter spacetime with a two-sphere is an exact solution of four-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theory without a cosmological constant. In this paper, we analytically solve the coupled gravitational and electromagnetic perturbation equations ofAdS2×S2in Einstein-Maxwell theory. On the other hand,AdS2×S2also describes the near-horizon region of the extreme Reissner-Nordstrom (ERN) black hole. We therefore also solve the connection problem: we show how theAdS2×S2perturbation equations arise from an appropriate near-horizon approximation of the corresponding equations for the ERN and then, using matched asymptotic expansions, we analytically extend theAdS2×S2solutions away from the near-horizon region connecting them with solutions in the far asymptotically flat region. From the point of view of ERN our results may be thought of as computing the classical scattering matrix for gravitational and electromagnetic waves which probe the near-horizon region of the black hole.
Child and adolescent sleep duration recommendations in relation to psychological and somatic complaints based on data between 1985 and 2013 from 11 to 15 year‐olds☆
Authors: Norell‐Clarke Annika , Hagquist Curt
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To investigate the association between sleep duration, sleep initiation difficulties and psychological and somatic complaints.

Methods

We used three cohorts of cross‐sectional Swedish questionnaire data, from the Health Behaviours of School aged Children (1985/1986, 2005/2006, 2013/2014, n=>18 000, aged 11–15). Specific complaints (e.g. pain) and total complaint load were used as outcomes of sleep duration, sleep initiation difficulties and the combination of them both.

Results

Sleeping less than recommended and sleep initiation difficulties were associated with increased odds of specific complaints and belonging to the group with the greatest complaint load. The combination of short sleep duration and sleep initiation difficulties were associated with higher odds than either sleep issue alone. No interaction effects between time and sleep variables were found regarding complaints.

Conclusions

The findings support recent sleep duration recommendations. Further, sleep issues warrant a broad health assessment as they indicate a high likelihood of other complaints.
EXPLAINING ELECTIONS IN SINGAPORE: DOMINANT PARTY RESILIENCE AND VALENCE POLITICS
Authors: Oliver Steven , Ostwald Kai
Published: July 2018

The People's Action Party (PAP) of Singapore is one of the world's longest ruling dominant parties, having won every general election since the country's independence in 1965. Why do Singaporeans consistently vote for the PAP, contrary to the expectations of democratization theories? We argue that valence considerations—specifically, perceptions of party credibility—are the main factor in the voting behavior of Singapore's electorate, and are critical to explaining the PAP's resilience. Furthermore, we argue that the primacy of valence politics arose in part by design, as the PAP has used its control of Singapore's high-capacity state to reshape society and thereby reshape voter preferences towards its comparative advantages. We use a multi-methods approach to substantiate this argument, including a comprehensive quantitative analysis of recent elections. Ultimately, our findings suggest that a focus on valence politics can increase the resilience of dominant parties, but that such a strategy also faces natural limits.
Faunal overview of the Mud Hill locality from the early Permian Vale Formation of Taylor County, Texas
Authors: Gee Bryan M. , Rosscoe Steven J. , Scott Diane , Ostlien Judie , Reisz Robert R.
Published: July 2018

The Texas red beds represent one of the richest series of early Permian deposits in the world. In particular, the Clear Fork Group has produced a diverse assemblage of temnospondyls, early reptiles, and synapsids. However, most of this material has been sourced from the oldest member, the Arroyo Formation, and the understanding of the paleoecosystem of the younger Vale and Choza formations is less well resolved. Here we present a previously undescribed Vale locality, the first vertebrate-bearing locality from the formation to be described in detail in several decades, from near Abilene, Texas with juvenile diplocaulids, captorhinids, abundant material of rare taxa such asVaranopsand diadectids, and the first report of a recumbirostran ‘microsaur’ from the formation. This assemblage is atypical of early Permian deposits in the taxonomic and size distribution of the vertebrate fauna in comparison to other localities from the Vale Formation that preserve a greater abundance of aquatic taxa (e.g., fishes,Trimerorhachis) and synapsids (e.g.,Dimetrodon). Minimal abrasion of the elements, relative articulation and association of the specimen ofVaranops, and the paucity of aquatic taxa suggest an ephemeral pond deposit in which organisms were preserved essentially in situ. Our characterization of the locality also permits a revision and discussion of the vertebrate faunal assemblage of the Vale Formation.
How Clients Select Brokers: Competition and Choice in India's Slums
Authors: AUERBACH ADAM MICHAEL , THACHIL TARIQ
Published: July 2018

Conventional models of clientelism often assume poor voters have little or no choice over which local broker to turn to for help. Yet communities in many clientelistic settings are marked by multiple brokers who compete for a following. Such competition makes client choices, and the preferences guiding such choices, pivotal in fueling broker support. We examine client preferences for a pervasive broker—slum leaders—in the context of urban India. To identify resident preferences for slum leaders, we conducted an ethnographically informed conjoint survey experiment with 2,199 residents across 110 slums in two Indian cities. Contra standard emphases on shared ethnicity, we find residents place heaviest weight on a broker's capability to make claims on the state. A survey of 629 slum leaders finds client-preferred traits distinguish brokers from residents. In highlighting processes of broker selection, and the client preferences that undergird them, we underscore the centrality of clients in shaping local brokerage environments.
Technological Change and Political Turnover: The Democratizing Effects of the Green Revolution in India
Authors: DASGUPTA ADITYA
Published: July 2018

Can technological change contribute to political turnover? Influential theories suggest that technological change represents a form of creative destruction that can weaken incumbents and strengthen outsiders, leading to political turnover. This paper investigates a large-scale historical natural experiment: the impact of the green revolution on single-party dominance in India. Drawing on a theoretical framework based on models of contests, this paper argues that high-yielding variety (HYV) crops strengthened the incentives and capacity of a politically excluded group, in this case agricultural producers, to seek greater political representation. Exploiting the timing of the introduction of HYV crops, together with district-level variation in suitability for the new crop technology, instrumental variables analyses show that the green revolution played a pivotal role in the rise of agrarian opposition parties and decline of single-party dominance. The findings support theories linking technological change to political turnover, with important implications for the political economy of democratization.
Central Lisu
Authors: Tabain Marija , Bradley David , Yu Defen
Published: July 2018

Lisu (ISO 639-2 lis) is spoken by just over a million members of the group of this name in south-western China, north-eastern Burma, northern Thailand and north-eastern India. It formerly also had other names used by outsiders, including Yeren (Chineseyeren‘wild people’), and Yawyin in Burma and Yobin in India (both derived from the Chinese term). Other names included Lisaw from the Shan and Thai name for the group, also seen in the former Burmese name Lishaw. About two-thirds of the speakers live in China, especially in north-western Yunnan Province, but also scattered elsewhere in Yunnan and Sichuan. About a quarter live in the Kachin State and the northern Shan State in Burma, with a substantial number in Chiangmai, Chiangrai and other provinces of Thailand, and a few thousand in Arunachal Pradesh in India. It is also spoken as a second language by many speakers of Nusu, Anung, Rawang and others in north-western Yunnan and northern Burma. Lisu has almost completely replaced Anung in China and is replacing Lemei in China. The Lisu are one of the 55 national minorities recognised in China, one of 135 ethnic groups recognised in Burma, a scheduled (officially listed and recognised) tribe in India, and one of the recognised hill tribe groups of Thailand. Figure 1 shows a map of the area where Lisu is spoken.
VALUE AND PERFORMANCE OF ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS: A COST-MINIMIZATION ANALYSIS
Authors: Parasrampuria Sonal , Oakes Allison H. , Wu Shannon S. , Parikh Megha A. , Padula William V.
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

Determine the relationship between quality of an accountable care organization (ACO) and its long-term reduction in healthcare costs.

Methods:

We conducted a cost minimization analysis. Using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid cost and quality data, we calculated weighted composite quality scores for each ACO and organization-level cost savings. We used Markov modeling to compute the probability that an ACO transitioned between different quality levels in successive years. Considering a health-systems perspective with costs discounted at 3 percent, we conducted 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations to project long-term cost savings by quality level over a 10-year period. We compared the change in per-member expenditures of Pioneer (early-adopters) ACOs versus Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACOs to assess the impact of coordination of care, the main mechanism for cost savings.

Results:

Overall, Pioneer ACOs saved USD 641.24 per beneficiary and MSSP ACOs saved USD 535.59 per beneficiary. By quality level: (a) high quality organizations saved the most money (Pioneer: USD 459; MSSP: USD 816); (b) medium quality saved some money (Pioneer: USD 222; MSSP: USD 105); and (c) low quality suffered financial losses (Pioneer: USD -40; MSSP: USD -386).

Conclusions:

Within the existing fee-for-service healthcare model, ACOs are a mechanism for decreasing costs by improving quality of care. Higher quality organizations incorporate greater levels of coordination of care, which is associated with greater cost savings. Pioneer ACOs have the highest level of integration of services; hence, they save the most money.
Hepatitis delta virus and hepatocellular carcinoma: an update
Authors: Romeo Raffaella , Petruzziello Arnolfo , Pecheur Eve Isabel , Facchetti Floriana , Perbellini Riccardo , Galmozzi Enrico , Khan Najeeb Ullah , Di Capua Lucia , Sabatino Rocco , Botti Gerardo , Loquercio Giovanna
Published: July 2018

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that depends on the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) for the creation of new virions and propagation of the infection to hepatocytes. Chronic infection with HDV is usually associated with a worsening of HBV infection, leading more frequently to cirrhosis, increased risk of liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence. In spite of a progressive declining prevalence of both acute and chronic HDV infection observed over several years, mainly due to increased global health policies and mass vaccination against HBV, several European countries have more recently observed stable HDV prevalence mainly due to migrants from non-European countries. Persistent HDV replication has been widely demonstrated as associated with cirrhosis development and, as a consequence, development of liver decompensation and occurrence of HCC. Several treatment options have been attempted with poor results in terms of HDV eradication and improvement of long-term prognosis. A global effort is deemed urgent to enhance the models already existing as well as to learn more about HDV infection and correlated tumourigenesis mechanisms.
Insights Into Complex Subdecimeter Fracturing Processes Occurring During a Water Injection Experiment at Depth in Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden
Authors: Kwiatek G. , Martínez‐Garzón P. , Plenkers K. , Leonhardt M. , Zang A. , von Specht S. , Dresen G. , Bohnhoff M.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the source characteristics of picoseismicity (Mw < −2) recorded during a hydraulic fracturing in situ experiment performed in the underground Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden. The experiment consisted of six stimulations driven by three different water injection schemes and was performed inside a 28‐m‐long, horizontal borehole located at 410‐m depth. The fracturing processes were monitored with a variety of seismic networks including broadband seismometers, geophones, high‐frequency accelerometers, and acoustic emission sensors thereby covering a wide frequency band between 0.01 and 100,000 Hz. Here we study the high‐frequency signals with dominant frequencies exceeding 1000 Hz. The combined seismic network allowed for detection and detailed analysis of 196 small‐scale seismic events with moment magnitudes MW < −3.5 (source sizes of decimeter scale) that occurred solely during the stimulations and shortly after. The double‐difference relocated hypocenter catalog as well as source parameters were used to study the physical characteristics of the induced seismicity and then compared to the stimulation parameters. We observe a spatiotemporal migration of the picoseismic events away and toward the injection intervals in direct correlation with changes in the hydraulic energy (product of fluid injection pressure and injection rate). We find that the total radiated seismic energy is extremely low with respect to the product of injected fluid volume and pressure (hydraulic energy). The radiated seismic energy correlates well with the hydraulic energy rate. The obtained fault plane solutions for particularly well‐characterized events signify the reactivation of preexisting rock defects under influence of increased pore fluid pressure on fault plane orientations in good correspondence with the local stress field orientation.
Controls on Millennial‐Scale Atmospheric CO2 Variability During the Last Glacial Period
Authors: Bauska T. K. , Brook E. J. , Marcott S. A. , Baggenstos D. , Shackleton S. , Severinghaus J. P. , Petrenko V. V.
Published: July 2018

Changes in atmospheric CO2 on millennial‐to‐centennial timescales are key components of past climate variability during the last glacial and deglacial periods (70–10 ka), yet the sources and mechanisms responsible for the CO2 fluctuations remain largely obscure. Here we report the 13C/12C ratio of atmospheric CO2 during a key interval of the last glacial period at submillennial resolution, with coeval histories of atmospheric CO2, CH4, and N2O concentrations. The carbon isotope data suggest that the millennial‐scale CO2 variability in Marine Isotope Stage 3 is driven largely by changes in the organic carbon cycle, most likely by sequestration of respired carbon in the deep ocean. Centennial‐scale CO2 variations, distinguished by carbon isotope signatures, are associated with both abrupt hydrological change in the tropics (e.g., Heinrich events) and rapid increases in Northern Hemisphere temperature (Dansgaard‐Oeschger events). These events can be linked to modes of variability during the last deglaciation, thus suggesting that drivers of millennial and centennial CO2 variability during both periods are intimately linked to abrupt climate variability.
Ion‐Scale Kinetic Alfvén Turbulence: MMS Measurements of the Alfvén Ratio in the Magnetosheath
Authors: Roberts O. W. , Toledo‐Redondo S. , Perrone D. , Zhao J. , Narita Y. , Gershman D. , Nakamura R. , Lavraud B. , Escoubet C. P. , Giles B. , Dorelli J. , Pollock C. , Burch J.
Published: July 2018

Turbulence in the Earth's magnetosheath at ion kinetic scales is investigated with the magnetospheric multiscale spacecraft. Several possibilities in the wave paradigm have been invoked to explain plasma turbulence at ion kinetic scales such as kinetic Alfvén, slow, or magnetosonic waves. To differentiate between these different plasma waves is a challenging task, especially since some waves, in particular, kinetic slow waves and kinetic Alfvén waves, share some properties making the possibility to distinguishing between them very difficult. Using the excellent time resolution data set provided from both the fluxgate magnetometer and the Fast Plasma Instrument, the ratio of trace velocity fluctuations to the magnetic fluctuations (in Alfvén units), which is termed the Alfvén ratio, can be calculated down to ion kinetic scales. Comparison of the measured Alfvén ratio is performed with respect to the expectation from two‐fluid magnetohydrodynamic theory for the kinetic slow wave and kinetic Alfvén wave. Moreover, the plasma data also allow normalized fluctuation amplitudes of density and magnetic field to be compared differentiating between magnetosonic‐like and kinetic Alfvén‐like turbulence. Using these two different ratios, we can rule out that the fluctuations at ion scales are dominated by magnetosonic‐like fluctuations or kinetic slow‐like fluctuations and show that they are consistent with kinetic Alfvén‐like fluctuations. This suggests that in the wave paradigm, heating in the direction of the parallel magnetic field is predominantly by the Landau damping of the kinetic Alfvén wave.
Wetlandscape Fractal Topography
Authors: Bertassello Leonardo E. , Rao P. Suresh C. , Jawitz James W. , Botter Gianluca , Le Phong V. V. , Kumar Praveen , Aubeneau Antoine F.
Published: July 2018

Natural wetlands are ecological, biogeochemical, and hydrological hot spots yet continue to disappear under human pressure. Their shapes and sizes control their hydroecological functions. We propose that elevation data can be used to delineate potential wetlands and that the (statistical) distributions of potential wetlands should be identical to the distributions of actual wetlands. We compare the shape and size distributions of wetlands reported in the National Wetland Inventory with those of potential wetlands identified using a topographic depression identification model. We estimated area and perimeter distributions as well as shoreline fractal dimension in six contrasting locations in the United States. Pareto distributions described the tails of these distributions, with similar slopes for both model and data. The shape of shorelines was also similar, and their fractal dimension clustered aroundD = 4/3, a pervasive value in nature. We also analyzed the entire wetland inventory data set for the conterminous United States (~20 million wetlands) for reference and found the statistics to be invariant across scales. Our results demonstrate that a simple topographic model can identify most reported wetlands as well as potential wetlands missing from the inventory. These findings could inform strategic surveys and the conservation of wetlandscapes.
Mapping H3+ Temperatures in Jupiter's Northern Auroral Ionosphere Using VLT‐CRIRES
Authors: Johnson R. E. , Melin H. , Stallard T. S. , Tao C. , Nichols J. D. , Chowdhury M. N.
Published: July 2018

We present a detailed study of the H3+ auroral emissions at Jupiter, using data taken on 31 December 2012 with the long‐slit Echelle spectrometer CRIRES (ESO‐VLT). From this data set the rotational temperature of the H3+ ions in Jupiter's upper atmosphere was calculated using the ratio of the ν2 Q(1,0−) and ν2 Q(3,0−) fundamental emission lines. The entire northern auroral region was observed, providing a highly detailed view of ionospheric temperatures, which were mapped onto polar projections. The temperature range we derive in the northern auroral region is ~750–1000 K, which is consistent with past studies, although the temperature structure differs. We identify two broad regions which exhibit temperature changes over a short period of time (~80 minutes). We propose that the changes in temperature could be due to a local time change in particle precipitation energy, or they could be caused by dynamic temperature changes generated in the neutral thermosphere due to the magnetospheric response to a transient enhancement of solar wind dynamic pressure, as predicted by models. By comparing the H3+ temperature, column density, total emission, and line‐of‐sight velocity, we were unable to identify a single dominant mechanism responsible for the energetics in Jupiter's northern auroral region. The comparison reveals that there is complex interplay between heating by impact from particle precipitation and Joule heating, as well as cooling by the H3+ thermostat effect.
Perchlorate‐Driven Combustion of Organic Matter During Pyrolysis‐Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry: Implications for Organic Matter Detection on Earth and Mars
Authors: Royle Samuel H. , Oberlin Elizabeth , Watson Jonathan S. , Montgomery Wren , Kounaves Samuel P. , Sephton Mark A.
Published: July 2018

The search for life on Mars targets the detection of organic matter from extant or extinct organisms. Current protocols use thermal extraction procedures to transfer organic matter to mass spectrometer detectors. Oxidizing minerals on Mars, such as perchlorate, interfere with organic detection by thermal extraction. Thermal decomposition of perchlorate releases oxygen, which promotes combustion of organic carbon. We have assessed the minimum mass ratio of organic carbon to perchlorate required to detect organic matter by thermal extraction and mass spectrometry. Locations on Mars with organic carbon to perchlorate ratios above 4.7–9.6 should be targeted. Because habitability is enhanced by the presence of liquid water and because perchlorate is a water‐soluble salt, locations on Mars with evidence of past or recent liquid water are high priority targets.
Water-dispersible PEG-curcumin/amine-functionalized covalent organic framework nanocomposites as smart carriers for in vivo drug delivery
Authors: Zhang Guiyang , Li Xinle , Liao Qiaobo , Liu Yanfeng , Xi Kai , Huang Wenyu , Jia Xudong
Published: July 2018

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as drug-delivery carriers have been mostly evaluated in vitro due to the lack of COFs nanocarriers that are suitable for in vivo studies. Here we develop a series of water-dispersible polymer-COF nanocomposites through the assembly of polyethylene-glycol-modified monofunctional curcumin derivatives (PEG-CCM) and amine-functionalized COFs (APTES-COF-1) for in vitro and in vivo drug delivery. The real-time fluorescence response shows efficient tracking of the COF-based materials upon cellular uptake and anticancer drug (doxorubicin (DOX)) release. Notably, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that PEG-CCM@APTES-COF-1 is a smart carrier for drug delivery with superior stability, intrinsic biodegradability, high DOX loading capacity, strong and stable fluorescence, prolonged circulation time and improved drug accumulation in tumors. More intriguingly, PEG350-CCM@APTES-COF-1 presents an effective targeting strategy for brain research. We envisage that PEG-CCM@APTES-COF-1 nanocomposites represent a great promise toward the development of a multifunctional platform for cancer-targeted in vivo drug delivery.
Creating two self-assembly micro-environments to achieve supercrystals with dual structures using polyhedral nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Yih Hong , Lay Chee Leng , Shi Wenxiong , Lee Hiang Kwee , Yang Yijie , Li Shuzhou , Ling Xing Yi
Published: July 2018

Organizing nanoparticles into supercrystals comprising multiple structures remains challenging. Here, we achieve one assembly with dual structures for Ag polyhedral building blocks, comprising truncated cubes, cuboctahedra, truncated octahedra, and octahedra. We create two micro-environments in a solvent evaporation-driven assembly system: one at the drying front and one at the air/water interface. Dynamic solvent flow concentrates the polyhedra at the drying front, generating hard particle behaviors and leading to morphology-dependent densest-packed bulk supercrystals. In addition, monolayers of nanoparticles adsorb at the air/liquid interface to minimize the air/liquid interfacial energy. Subsequent solvent evaporation gives rise to various structurally diverse dual-structure supercrystals. The topmost monolayers feature distinct open crystal structures with significantly lower packing densities than their densest-packed supercrystals. We further highlight a 3.3-fold synergistic enhancement of surface-enhanced Raman scattering efficiency arising from these dual-structure supercrystals as compared to a uniform one.