bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspective historique de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RSE)
Authors: JBARA Nejla
Published: March 2018

La responsabilité sociale des entreprises est une notion très répandue sur le plan international, aussi bien dans les pays développés que dans les pays sous-développés. Le Maroc ne fait pas exception : il adhère bel et bien à cette pratique, constituant depuis quelques années un chantier dans lequel innovation sociale et économique sont en plein développement. En bref, les entreprises qui y pratiquent sont amenées à jouer un rôle qui dépasse le cadre de leur activité économique, en participant au bien public, en luttant contre la pauvreté, l’analphabétisme, etc., ainsi qu’en promouvant le développement durable, la gouvernance, l’éthique et l’instauration d’une philosophie conforme aux droits de l’homme. Depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, on a pu distinguer trois vagues successives de conception de la RSE : dans les années 1950, la conception éthique aux États-Unis ; dans les années 1970-1990, la conception utilitariste aux États-Unis ; depuis 1990, la conception fondée sur la soutenabilité dans les pays européens occidentaux qui est loin d’être arrivée à maturité encore de nos jours.

Dans notre article, nous essaierons de définir ces trois conceptions de la RSE en nous attardant aux différents termes qui ont vu le jour en association avec cette notion : éthique, gouvernance, développement durable, management responsable, etc. Nous exposerons en même temps le cas du Maroc, en tant que situation prometteuse d’intégration de la RSE dans les pays en développement.

L’analyse de ces trois conceptions se fera dans une perspective historique, par la présentation des lieux et des dates d’apparition et de développement de cette notion, y compris de son développement historique au Maroc.
What and where? Identifying high-risk aquatic invasive species and hotspots of suitable habitat in the Arctic
Authors: Goldsmit Jesica , Mckindsey Chris , Archambault Philippe , Howland Kimberly
Published: March 2018

The risk of aquatic invasive species (AIS) introductions in the Arctic is expected to increase with ongoing trends of greater shipping activity, resource exploitation, and climate warming in the region. We identified a suite of AIS (benthos, zooplankton and macroalgae) with the greatest likelihood of introduction and impact in the Canadian Arctic using the Canadian Marine Invasive Screening Tool. The top sixteen riskiest species (mainly benthic) were then modelled to predict the potential spatial distributions (habitat modelling using Maximum Entropy) at an Arctic scale. Modelling was conducted under present environmental conditions and under two future global warming scenarios (2050 and 2100). Results show that hotspots or regions where suitable habitat is more densely accumulated for modelled AIS are in the Hudson Complex, Chukchi / Eastern Bering Sea, and Barents / White Sea. Most taxonomic groups showed a trend for a positive poleward shift in the future, increasing from the present time to the end of the century. This approach will aid in the identification of present and future high-risk areas for AIS in response to global warming.
Specialized impulse conduction pathway in the alligator heart
Authors: Jensen Bjarke , Boukens Bastiaan J , Crossley Dane A , Conner Justin , Mohan Rajiv A , van Duijvenboden Karel , Postma Alex V , Gloschat Christopher R , Elsey Ruth M , Sedmera David , Efimov Igor R , Christoffels Vincent M
Published: March 2018

Mammals and birds have a specialized cardiac atrioventricular conduction system enabling rapid activation of both ventricles. This system may have evolved together with high heart rates to support their endothermic state (warm-bloodedness) and is seemingly lacking in ectothermic vertebrates from which first mammals then birds independently evolved. Here, we studied the conduction system in crocodiles (Alligator mississippiensis), the only ectothermic vertebrates with a full ventricular septum. We identified homologues of mammalian conduction system markers (Tbx3-Tbx5, Scn5a, Gja5, Nppa-Nppb) and show the presence of a functional atrioventricular bundle. The ventricular Purkinje network, however, was absent and slow ventricular conduction relied on trabecular myocardium, as it does in other ectothermic vertebrates. We propose the evolution of the atrioventricular bundle followed full ventricular septum formation prior to the development of high heart rates and endothermy. In contrast, the evolution of the ventricular Purkinje network is strongly associated with high heart rates and endothermy.
Ventral pallidal encoding of reward-seeking behavior depends on the underlying associative structure
Authors: Richard Jocelyn M , Stout Nakura , Acs Deanna , Janak Patricia H
Published: March 2018

Despite its being historically conceptualized as a motor expression site, emerging evidence suggests the ventral pallidum (VP) plays a more active role in integrating information to generate motivation. Here, we investigated whether rat VP cue responses would encode and contribute similarly to the vigor of reward-seeking behaviors trained under Pavlovian versus instrumental contingencies, when these behavioral responses consist of superficially similar locomotor response patterns but may reflect distinct underlying decision-making processes. We find that cue-elicited activity in many VP neurons predicts the latency of instrumental reward seeking, but not of Pavlovian response latency. Further, disruption of VP signaling increases the latency of instrumental but not Pavlovian reward seeking. This suggests that VP encoding of and contributions to response vigor are specific to the ability of incentive cues to invigorate reward-seeking behaviors upon which reward delivery is contingent.
Localization of effective actions in open superstring field theory
Authors: Maccaferri Carlo , Merlano Alberto
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We consider the construction of the algebraic part of D-branes tree-level effective action from Berkovits open superstring field theory. Applying this construction to the quartic potential of massless fields carrying a specific worldsheet charge, we show that the full contribution to the potential localizes at the boundary of moduli space, reducing to elementary two-point functions. As examples of this general mechanism, we show how the Yang-Mills quartic potential and the instanton effective action of a Dp/D(p − 4) system are reproduced.
Time Attributable to Obesity in Surgery: A Multi‐specialty Report on Day‐of‐Surgery Resource Utilization from 189,264 Cases
Authors: Burneikis Dominykas , Morris‐Stiff Gareth , Chalikonda Sricharan
Published: March 2018

Background

Obesity presents a unique challenge in caring for surgical patients and has been shown to adversely affect outcomes for several operative procedures. However, quantitative data on surgical resource utilization attributable to obesity are scarce. The aim of this study was to quantify day‐of‐surgery resource utilization by degree of obesity.

Methods

Patients undergoing one of 14 common surgical procedures at our multicenter institution between 2008 and 2017 were identified from our operating room management databank. Multiple‐variable regression analysis (MVRA) was performed to quantify the independent effect of body mass index (BMI) category on day‐of‐surgery resource utilization variables including procedure time, non‐operative OR time, PACU time, number of unique staff and number of supplies used. Trends in mean BMI were examined for each procedure studied.

Results

MVRA of the 189,264 cases in the database revealed consistently significant (p < 0.05) stepwise increase in procedure time by BMI category for all procedures studied. Non‐operative OR time was also significantly prolonged, though to a lesser degree. There was no significant impact on number of unique staff, supplies utilized or PACU time by BMI category. Procedures most impacted by BMI category in terms of resource utilization were ventral hernia repair, laminectomy and hysterectomy.

Conclusion

Our study quantified day‐of‐surgery resource utilization for 14 major surgical procedures by BMI category. The need for additional resources to accommodate patients in higher BMI groups was consistent across all procedures studied and was primarily reflected by lengthened operative times.
An Improvized Core-Drilling Technique and a New Device for Osteohistology of Fossil Bones: Implementation on a Jurassic Sauropod Dinosaur from India
Authors: Mukherjee Debarati
Published: March 2018

An improvized version of the conventional core drilling technique, based on a new device is introduced in the current work for extracting cores from fossil bones to understand their microanatomy. A powerful, low-speed electric drill with an auto-lubrication facility is used as the new device, and the bone specimen is placed on a permanently fixed platform beneath the drill bit. It avoids the vibration-induced wobbling of the conventional hand-held drill machine and helps in precision sampling. Long drill bits of the new device result in extraction of long cores, reduce premature breakages of cores, and recovery of the entire bone microstructure for high resolution deduction of palaeobiological information. As this version of drilling technique is less destructive, it has better sampling coverage, where fossil bones can be restored to their original shapes and preserved with almost no loss in gross morphology. This is first time such a device for extraction of fossil drill cores has been installed. After test run on dummy samples, the new device has been successfully implemented for extraction of eleven cores from various long bones of the early Jurassic sauropod dinosaur Barapasaurus tagorei. The fossil bones are restored to their pre-coring shapes, the detail protocols of which are discussed here for the first time.
Characterization of Architectural Elements of Ordovician Fractured-cavernous Carbonate Reservoirs, Tahe Oilfield, China
Authors: Liu Yuming , Hou Jiagen , Li Yongqiang , Dong Yue , Ma Xiaoqiang , Wang Xixin
Published: March 2018

A new method for characterizing architectural elements of fractured-cavernous carbonate reservoirs was proposed, with application to an Ordovician reservoir in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim basin. The new method integrates observations from outcrop analogs and concepts from modern karst theory for the mapping and modeling of fractured-cavernous reservoirs. In this paper, fractured-cavernous reservoirs were divided into 4 architectural element types—underground river caverns, sinkholes, discrete internal caverns, and faults. Architectural elements of the Ordovician reservoir in Tahe oilfield were identified and characterized by integrating well logs and seismic data. A new method constrained by faults, karst zones, and seismic acoustic impedance data, was introduced to build a 3D model of architectural elements of fractured-cavernous reservoir in the S48 unit of Tahe Oilfield. A porosity model was then derived from the architectural element model using facies-constrained method. The research provides a work-flow for the characterization of fractured-cavernous reservoirs and determining optimal methods for maximizing oil recovery in the study area or in similar areas.
Gene polymorphisms and response to transcranial direct current stimulation for auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia
Authors: Chhabra Harleen , Shivakumar Venkataram , Subbanna Manjula , Kalmady Sunil V. , Bose Anushree , Agarwal Sri Mahavir , Sreeraj Vanteemar S. , Dinakaran Damodharan , Narayanaswamy Janardhanan C. , Debnath Monojit , Venkatasubramanian Ganesan
Published: March 2018

Objective

Recent observations demonstrate a significant ameliorative effect of add-on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) in schizophrenia. Of the many SNPs, NRG1 rs35753505 and catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) rs4680 polymorphisms have shown to have a strong association with neuroplasticity effect in schizophrenia.

Methods

Schizophrenia patients (n=32) with treatment resistant auditory hallucinations were administered with an add-on tDCS. The COMT (rs4680) and NRG1 (rs35753505) genotypes were determined. The COMT genotypes were categorised into Val group (GG; n=15) and Met group (GG/AG; n=17) and NRG1 genotypes were categorised into AA group (n=12) and AG/GG group (n=20).

Results

The reduction in auditory hallucination sub-scale score was significantly affected by COMT-GG genotype [Time×COMT interaction: F(1,28)=10.55, p=0.003, ɳ2=0.27]. Further, COMT-GG effect was epistatically influenced by the co-occurrence of NRG1-AA genotype [Time×COMT×NRG1 interaction: F(1,28)=8.09, p=0.008, ɳ2=0.22]. Irrespective of genotype, females showed better tDCS response than males [Time×Sex interaction: F(1,21)=4.67, p=0.04, ɳ2=0.18].

Conclusion

COMT-GG and NRG1-AA genotypes aid the tDCS-induced improvement in AVHs in schizophrenia patients. Our preliminary observations need replication and further systematic research to understand the neuroplastic gene determinants that modulate the effect of tDCS.
Elites Tweet to Get Feet Off the Streets: Measuring Regime Social Media Strategies During Protest
Authors: Munger Kevin , Bonneau Richard , Nagler Jonathan , Tucker Joshua A.
Published: March 2018

As non-democratic regimes have adapted to the proliferation of social media, they have began actively engaging with Twitter to enhance regime resilience. Using data taken from the Twitter accounts of Venezuelan legislators during the 2014 anti-Maduro protests in Venezuela, we fit a topic model on the text of the tweets and analyze patterns in hashtag use by the two coalitions. We argue that the regime’s best strategy in the face of an existential threat like the narrative developed by La Salida and promoted on Twitter was to advance many competing narratives that addressed issues unrelated to the opposition’s criticism. Our results show that the two coalitions pursued different rhetorical strategies in keeping with our predictions about managing the conflict advanced by the protesters. This article extends the literature on social media use during protests by focusing on active engagement with social media on the part of the regime. This approach corroborates and expands on recent research on inferring regime strategies from propaganda and censorship.
Ethnic Segregation and Public Goods: Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: TAJIMA YUHKI , SAMPHANTHARAK KRISLERT , OSTWALD KAI
Published: March 2018

This article contributes to the study of ethnic diversity and public goods provision by assessing the role of the spatial distribution of ethnic groups. Through a new theory that we callspatial interdependence, we argue that the segregation of ethnic groups can reduce or even neutralize the “diversity penalty” in public goods provision that results from ethnic fractionalization. This is because local segregation allows communities to use disparities in the level of public goods compared with other communities as leverage when advocating for more public goods for themselves, thereby ratcheting up the level of public goods across communities. We test this prediction on highly disaggregated data from Indonesia and find strong support that, controlling for ethnic fractionalization, segregated communities have higher levels of public goods. This has an important and underexplored implication: decentralization disadvantages integrated communities vis-à-vis their more segregated counterparts.
Rifting in SW China: structural and sedimentary investigation of the initial crustal response to emplacement of the Permian Emeishan LIP
Authors: WANG YU , PEATE INGRID UKSTINS , LUO ZHAOHUA , WANG SHUZHI , CHENG LILU , HAO JINHUA , WANG YE
Published: March 2018

Detailed structural, volcanic, and sedimentary investigations of the crustal response to the emplacement of the Middle–Late Permian Emeishan large igneous province show that a rifting system developed prior to the main stage of flood basalt eruptions, in the form of sedimentary breccias, clastic sedimentary deposits and mafic hydromagmatic units. Detrital zircon grains from sandstones yield ~750–800 Ma LA-ICP-MS 206Pb/238U age clusters, showing that material was sourced from the Yangtze crystalline basement. Gabbros and pegmatites intruded along the normal faults of the rift system yield zircon ages of 264–260 Ma, and thus constrain the timing of rifting. N–S-trending rift zones developed along the western flank of the Pan-Xi palaeo-uplift, with NE–SW- and NNE–SSW-trending rifts on the eastern side and along the western and eastern margins of the Yangtze Block. The rifting progressed in pulses, with an initial phase of normal faulting followed by rapid deposition of breccias. Later there was lower-energy deposition of sandstone, with accompanying rhyolitic eruptions. This was followed by low-energy sedimentation of mudstones and dolomites, with accompanying hydromagmatic deposits. Rift system formation was constrained by a combination of far- and near-field tectonic stresses due to plate motions and lithospheric interaction with initial Emeishan volcanism.
Stability of plasma cylinder with current in a helical plasma flow
Authors: Leonovich Anatoly S. , Kozlov Daniil A. , Zong Qiugang
Published: March 2018

Stability of a plasma cylinder with a current wrapped by a helical plasma flow is studied. Unstable surface modes of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) oscillations develop at the boundary of the cylinder enwrapped by the plasma flow. Unstable eigenmodes can also develop for which the plasma cylinder is a waveguide. The growth rate of the surface modes is much higher than that for the eigenmodes. It is shown that the asymmetric MHD modes in the plasma cylinder are stable if the velocity of the plasma flow is below a certain threshold. Such a plasma flow velocity threshold is absent for the symmetric modes. They are unstable in any arbitrarily slow plasma flows. For all surface modes there is an upper threshold for the flow velocity above which they are stable. The helicity index of the flow around the plasma cylinder significantly affects both the Mach number dependence of the surface wave growth rate and the velocity threshold values. The higher the index, the lower the upper threshold of the velocity jump above which the surface waves become stable. Calculations have been carried out for the growth rates of unstable oscillations in an equilibrium plasma cylinder with current serving as a model of the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) of the Earth’s magnetic tail. A tangential discontinuity model is used to simulate the geomagnetic tail boundary. It is shown that the magnetopause in the geotail LLBL is unstable to a surface wave (having the highest growth rate) in low- and medium-speed solar wind flows, but becomes stable to this wave in high-speed flows. However, it can remain weakly unstable to the radiative modes of MHD oscillations.
Surveillance of intestinal schistosomiasis during control: a comparison of four diagnostic tests across five Ugandan primary schools in the Lake Albert region
Authors: Al-Shehri Hajri , Koukounari Artemis , Stanton Michelle C. , Adriko Moses , Arinaitwe Moses , Atuhaire Aaron , Kabatereine Narcis B. , Stothard J. Russell
Published: March 2018

Programmatic surveillance of intestinal schistosomiasis during control can typically use four diagnostic tests, either singularly or in combination, but these have yet to be cross-compared directly. Our study assembled a complete diagnostic dataset, inclusive of infection intensities, from 258 children from five Ugandan primary schools. The schools were purposely selected as typical of the endemic landscape near Lake Albert and reflective of high- and low-transmission settings. Overall prevalence was: 44.1% (95% CI 38.0–50.2) by microscopy of duplicate Kato-Katz smears from two consecutive stools, 56.9% (95% CI 50.8–63.0) by urine-circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) dipstick, 67.4% (95% CI 61.6–73.1) by DNA-TaqMan® and 75.1% (95% CI 69.8–80.4) by soluble egg antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA-ELISA). A cross-comparison of diagnostic sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values was undertaken, inclusive of a latent class analysis (LCA) with a LCA-model estimate of prevalence by each school. The latter ranged from 9.6% to 100.0%, and prevalence by school for each diagnostic test followed a static ascending order or monotonic series of Kato-Katz, urine-CCA dipstick, DNA-TaqMan® and SEA-ELISA. We confirm that Kato-Katz remains a satisfactory diagnostic standalone in high-transmission settings but in low-transmission settings should be augmented or replaced by urine-CCA dipsticks. DNA-TaqMan® appears suitable in both endemic settings though is only implementable if resources permit. In low-transmission settings, SEA-ELISA remains the method of choice to evidence an absence infection. We discuss the pros and cons of each method concluding that future surveillance of intestinal schistosomiasis would benefit from a flexible, context-specific approach both in choice and application of each diagnostic method, rather than a single one-size fits all approach.
Transformation at the margins: Imperial expansion and systemic change in world politics
Authors: Mulich Jeppe
Published: March 2018

Taking the phenomenon of empire as its starting point, this article seeks to provide a framework for addressing the question of how and why international systems change over time. Synthesising elements from network-relational analysis and practice theory, I argue that international systems are best thought of as being composed of multiple partially overlapping and interrelated hierarchical networks. These networks are made up of social ties – as in classic network analysis – but also of specific repertoires of practice. Systemic transformations happen through the reconfiguration of networks, both through shifts in social ties and through changes in their practices. Empire provides a particularly illuminating window into the topic of systemic change, in part because a major driver of historical transformations has been the expansion of empires and their encounters with other heterogeneous polities across the globe, and in part because a focus on imperial interactions highlights the limitations of existing unit-centric perspectives. Drawing on examples from the nineteenth century, I illustrate the usefulness of the framework by showing how different regionally anchored systems came into contact with the expanding spheres of Western empires and how such points of interaction contributed to the development of an increasingly global international system.
Recurrent wildfires drive rapid taxonomic homogenization of seasonally flooded Neotropical forests
Authors: DA SILVA ANA PAULA G. , MEWS HENRIQUE A. , MARIMON-JUNIOR BEN HUR , DE OLIVEIRA EDMAR A. , MORANDI PAULO S. , OLIVERAS IMMA , MARIMON BEATRIZ S.
Published: March 2018

Recent evidence has shown that most tropical species are declining as a result of global change. Under this scenario, the prevalence of tolerant species to disturbances has driven many biological communities towards biotic homogenization (BH). However, the mechanisms that drive communities towards BH are not yet thoroughly understood. We tested effects of recurring wildfires on woody species richness and composition in six seasonally flooded Amazonian forests and whether these fires reduce species composition (i.e., taxonomic homogenization) over short periods of time. Our results show that these forests are undergoing taxonomic homogenization in response to recurring fire events. Species richness decreased as a result of local extinctions and floristic similarity increased among forest communities. Fire was selecting tolerant (‘winner’) species and eliminating the more sensitive (‘loser’) species. BH leads to biodiversity erosion, which can deeply alter ecosystem processes such as productivity, nutrient cycling and decomposition, resulting in important consequences for conservation.
Age-related macular degeneration changes the processing of visual scenes in the brain
Authors: RAMANOËL STEPHEN , CHOKRON SYLVIE , HERA RUXANDRA , KAUFFMANN LOUISE , CHIQUET CHRISTOPHE , KRAINIK ALEXANDRE , PEYRIN CAROLE
Published: March 2018

In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the processing of fine details in a visual scene, based on a high spatial frequency processing, is impaired, while the processing of global shapes, based on a low spatial frequency processing, is relatively well preserved. The present fMRI study aimed to investigate the residual abilities and functional brain changes of spatial frequency processing in visual scenes in AMD patients. AMD patients and normally sighted elderly participants performed a categorization task using large black and white photographs of scenes (indoors vs. outdoors) filtered in low and high spatial frequencies, and nonfiltered. The study also explored the effect of luminance contrast on the processing of high spatial frequencies. The contrast across scenes was either unmodified or equalized using a root-mean-square contrast normalization in order to increase contrast in high-pass filtered scenes. Performance was lower for high-pass filtered scenes than for low-pass and nonfiltered scenes, for both AMD patients and controls. The deficit for processing high spatial frequencies was more pronounced in AMD patients than in controls and was associated with lower activity for patients than controls not only in the occipital areas dedicated to central and peripheral visual fields but also in a distant cerebral region specialized for scene perception, the parahippocampal place area. Increasing the contrast improved the processing of high spatial frequency content and spurred activation of the occipital cortex for AMD patients. These findings may lead to new perspectives for rehabilitation procedures for AMD patients.
Predictors of Long-Term Psychosocial Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Prior Concussions
Authors: Plourde Vickie , Yeates Keith Owen , Brooks Brian L.
Published: March 2018

Objectives: Individual differences in long-term psychosocial functioning after concussions in children and adolescents are poorly understood. The aim of the study was to investigate potential predictors of long-term psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in youth after prior concussion. Methods: Participants (N=75; mean age=14.3 years old; 52% girls) with one prior concussion (n=24), multiple prior concussions (n=24), or a prior orthopedic injury and no concussion (n=27) were seen on average 2.7 years after their most recent injury. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the self-report versions of the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2; Anxiety and Depression scales only), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 4.0. Pre-existing conditions (attention problems, learning difficulties, mood concerns, anxiety concerns, and migraines) were reported by parents using a checklist and examined as predictors of long-term functioning. Other potential predictors included age at testing, sex, time between most recent injury and testing, and number of prior concussions. Results: The groups did not differ significantly on long-term psychosocial functioning. Moreover, only pre-existing mood concerns or attention problems significantly predicted psychosocial adjustment. Conclusions: Children’s functioning before a concussion is critical to understanding outcome. Pre-injury attention and mood concerns should be assessed in clinical settings to prevent and treat long-term psychosocial problems after concussion. (JINS, 2018, 24, 540–548)
EDITORIAL
Authors: BIONDI FABIO
Published: March 2018

The revival of early music performed on original instruments has resurrected the role of the violinist-conductor ‘maestro dei concerti’, one historical designation among many describing a conductor equipped with an instrument rather than a baton. Prior to this revival, one rarely saw an orchestra led without a baton, particularly if the orchestra was sizeable. Exceptions included a few historically minded ensembles – here I'd like to mention I Musici of Rome for the baroque repertory and, for a case involving a large symphonic orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic's 1996 New Year's Eve Concert, at which Lorin Maazel directed one of the popular Strauss encores from the violin. Yet the idea of having a violinist conduct a romantic symphony, let alone a nineteenth-century opera, seems hardly conceivable today. Such a lost practice, though common in the past, would be bound to baffle modern audiences.
Association of Educational Level and Marital Status With Obesity: A Study of Chinese Twins
Authors: Liao Chunxiao , Gao Wenjing , Cao Weihua , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Wang Shengfeng , Li Chunxiao , Pang Zengchang , Cong Liming , Dong Zhong , Wu Fan , Wang Hua , Wu Xianping , Jiang Guohong , Wang Xiaojie , Wang Binyou , Li Liming
Published: March 2018

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is growing rapidly in many countries. Socioeconomic inequalities might be important for this increase. The aim of this study was to determine associations of body mass index (BMI), overweight and obesity with educational level and marital status in Chinese twins. Participants were adult twins recruited through the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), aged 18 to 79 years, and the sample comprised 10,448 same-sex twin pairs. Current height, weight, educational attainment, and marital status were self-reported. Regression analyses and structural equation models were conducted to evaluate BMI, overweight, and obesity associated with educational level and marital status in both sexes. At an individual level, both educational level and marital status were associated with higher BMI and higher risk of being overweight and obesity in men, while in women the effects of educational level on BMI were in the opposite direction. In within-Monozygotic (MZ) twin-pair analyses, the effects of educational level on BMI disappeared in females. Bivariate structural equation models showed that genetic factors and shared environmental confounded the relationship between education and BMI in females, whereas marital status was associated with BMI on account of significant positive unique environmental correlation apart in both sexes. The present data suggested that marital status and BMI were associated, independent of familiar factors, for both sexes of this study population, while common genetic and shared environmental factors contributed to education-associated disparities in BMI in females.
Epidemiologie und Verlauf von Persönlichkeitsstörungen
Authors: Fiedler Peter
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Repräsentative Erhebungen zu Persönlichkeitsstörungen in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten haben unser epidemiologisches Wissen über die Verteilung und den Verlauf über Persönlichkeitsstörungen beträchtlich verbessert. So finden sich in unterschiedlichen Studien etwa 6 bis 10 Prozent Personen beiderlei Geschlechts mit Persönlichkeitsstörungen, wobei die Häufigkeiten in Abhängigkeit von soziodemographischen Daten schwanken. Höhere Angaben finden sich beispielsweise bei geschiedenen Paaren oder bei Personen mit geringeren Schulabschlüssen. Auffällig weiter sind Zusammenhänge mit psychischen Störungen und Auffälligkeiten wie Substanzmissbrauch oder Alkoholabhängigkeit sowie einem auffällig niedrigem sozialem Funktionsniveau. Was den Verlauf der Persönlichkeitsstörungen angeht, lässt sich heute jedoch feststellen, dass sie sich heute angesichts zunehmend besserer Psychotherapiekonzepte recht erfolgreich behandeln lassen. Dies gilt insbesondere für die Behandlung von Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörungen. Dennoch sind zukünftig prospektive Verlaufsstudien notwendig, um Risikofaktoren und Konsequenzen in ihrer Vielfalt besser einschätzen zu können.
How Sudden Stratospheric Warming Affects the Whole Atmosphere
Authors: Pedatella N. , Chau J. , Schmidt H. , Goncharenko L. , Stolle C. , Hocke K. , Harvey V. , Funke B. , Siddiqui T.
Published: March 2018

High above Earth’s surface, air temperatures occasionally increase suddenly, producing widespread effects on weather, air chemistry, and telecommunications.
Earth’s Radiation Belts: Celebrating Six Decades of Discovery
Authors: Baker Daniel , Lanzerotti, Louis
Published: March 2018

A recent celebration of the 60th anniversary of the launch of Explorer 1 reflected on the incredible progress and scientific insights from this and subsequent space missions.
Ikaros family zinc finger 1 regulates dendritic cell development and function in humans
Authors: Cytlak Urszula , Resteu Anastasia , Bogaert Delfien , Kuehn Hye Sun , Altmann Thomas , Gennery Andrew , Jackson Graham , Kumanovics Attila , Voelkerding Karl V. , Prader Seraina , Dullaers Melissa , Reichenbach Janine , Hill Harry , Haerynck Filomeen , Rosenzweig Sergio D. , Collin Matthew , Bigley Venetia
Published: March 2018

Ikaros family zinc finger 1 (IKZF1) is a haematopoietic transcription factor required for mammalian B-cell development. IKZF1 deficiency also reduces plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) numbers in mice, but its effects on human DC development are unknown. Here we show that heterozygous mutation of IKZF1 in human decreases pDC numbers and expands conventional DC1 (cDC1). Lenalidomide, a drug that induces proteosomal degradation of IKZF1, also decreases pDC numbers in vivo, and reduces the ratio of pDC/cDC1 differentiated from progenitor cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, non-classical monocytes are reduced by IKZF1 deficiency in vivo. DC and monocytes from patients with IKZF1 deficiency or lenalidomide-treated cultures secrete less IFN-α, TNF and IL-12. These results indicate that human DC development and function are regulated by IKZF1, providing further insights into the consequences of IKZF1 mutation on immune function and the mechanism of immunomodulation by lenalidomide.
A facile method for the synthesis of fused perhydropyrano[2,3-b]pyrans promoted by Yb(OTf)3
Authors: Liang Peng , Pan Yang , Ma Xiaofeng , Jiao Wei , Shao Huawu
Published: March 2018

A stereospecific three-component domino reaction between glycals, alkylidene malonate and aldehydes catalyzed by Yb(OTf)3 is described.
From small molecules to polymeric catalysts in the oscillatory carbonylation reaction: multiple effects of adding HI
Authors: Isakova Anna , Murdoch Billy J. , Novakovic Katarina
Published: March 2018

A step closer to all polymer self-oscillating systems: pH oscillations were achieved in the phenylacetylene carbonylation reaction, catalysed by polymer-bound palladium acetate.
Finger-actuated microfluidic device for the blood cross-matching test
Authors: Park Juhwan , Park Je-Kyun
Published: March 2018

A finger-actuated microfluidic device enables a simple and rapid blood cross-matching test, the final verification step of the transfusion.
Visualizing a core–shell structure of heavily doped silicon quantum dots by electron microscopy using an atomically thin support film
Authors: Sugimoto Hiroshi , Yamamura Masataka , Sakiyama Makoto , Fujii Minoru
Published: March 2018

We successfully visualize a core–shell structure of a heavily B and P codoped Si quantum dot (QD) by transmission electron microscopy using an ultra-thin graphene oxide support film.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the self-organization of side-chain decorated polyaromatic conjugation molecules: phase separated lamellar and columnar structures and dispersion behaviors in toluene solvent
Authors: He Lanyan , Wang Pingmei , He Lipeng , Qu Zhou , Luo Jianhui , Peng Baoliang , Tang Xianqiong , Pei Yong
Published: March 2018

The self-organization of five model side-chain decorated polyaromatic asphaltene molecules with or without toluene solvent was investigated by means of molecular dynamic (MD) simulations.
Interface studies of well-controlled polymer bilayers and field-effect transistors prepared by a mixed-solvent method
Authors: Zhang Fan , Hu Yufeng , Lou Zhidong , Xin Xige , Zhang Meng , Hou Yanbing , Teng Feng
Published: March 2018

A mixture of an orthogonal solvent of the bottom polymer and a good solvent of the top polymer is used as the solvent of the top layer to prepare polymer bilayers. The trap densities at the semiconductor/dielectric interface of the corresponding transistor are evaluated.
Retracted Article: A highest stable cluster Au58 (C1) re-optimized via a density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) approach
Authors: Vishwanathan K. , Springborg M.
Published: March 2018

The vibrational spectrum ωi of a re-optimized neutral gold cluster Au58 has been calculated using a numerical finite-difference approach via a density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) method.
Performance enhancement of single layer organic light-emitting diodes using chlorinated indium tin oxide as the anode
Authors: Wu Zhenxuan , Yang Zhenlin , Xue Kai , Fei Chunchun , Wang Fei , Yan MinNan , Zhang Hongmei , Ma Dongge , Huang Wei
Published: March 2018

Effective green single-layer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are reported with fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium [Ir(ppy)3] as a dopant and chlorinated indium tin oxide (Cl–ITO) as a transparent anode.
Insights into the durability of Co–Fe spinel oxygen evolution electrocatalystsvia operandostudies of the catalyst structure
Authors: Calvillo L. , Carraro F. , Vozniuk O. , Celorrio V. , Nodari L. , Russell A. E. , Debellis D. , Fermin D. , Cavani F. , Agnoli S. , Granozzi G.
Published: March 2018

Utilization ofin situ/operandotechniques for establishing the chemical/structural changes induced on Co–Fe spinels that determine their OER durability.
Towards low-power electronics: self-recovering and flexible gas sensors
Authors: Falco A. , Rivadeneyra A. , Loghin F. C. , Salmeron J. F. , Lugli P. , Abdelhalim A.
Published: March 2018

A new approach to perform a low-power and fast recovery of gas sensors based on carbon nanotubes without external devices.
Orderly meso-perforated spherical and apple-shaped 3D carbon microstructures for high-energy supercapacitors and high-capacity Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Mhamane Dattakumar , Kim Myeong-Seong , Park Byung-Hoon , Choi Hun-Seok , Kim Young Hwan , Aravindan Vanchiappan , Phadkule Ajitkumar , Kim Kwang-Bum
Published: March 2018

Silica mediated spray drying process is employed to get 3D spherical and apple shaped meso-perforated carbons for efficient charge storage.
A simple and sensitive detection of small molecule–protein interactions based on terminal protection-mediated exponential strand displacement amplification
Authors: Lee Chang Yeol , Kim Hyo Yong , Kim Soeun , Park Ki Soo , Park Hyun Gyu
Published: March 2018

A new strategy to detect a small molecule–protein interaction was devised based on terminal protection-mediated exponential strand displacement amplification (eSDA).
Hydrogenation of an iridium-coordinated imidazol-2-ylidene ligand fragment
Authors: Hernández-Juárez M. , López-Serrano J. , González-Herrero P. , Rendón N. , Álvarez E. , Paneque M. , Suárez A.
Published: March 2018

The unprecedented hydrogenation of a metal-coordinated imidazolylidene to imidazolidinylidene is observed under mild conditions in an iridium complex containing a metalated lutidine derived CNP ligand.
Copper-catalyzed synthesis of thiazol-2-yl ethers from oxime acetates and xanthates under redox-neutral conditions
Authors: Zhu Zhongzhi , Tang Xiaodong , Cen Jinghe , Li Jianxiao , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: March 2018

A copper-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of oxime acetates and xanthates to generate thiazol-2-yl ethers with good regioselectivity under redox-neutral conditions has been developed.
Exposed metal oxide active sites on mesoporous titania channels: a promising design for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Fan Jianwei , Lv Menghua , Luo Wei , Ran Xianqiang , Deng Yonghui , Zhang Wei-xian , Yang Jianping
Published: March 2018

A subtle catalyst is designed with CuO and MnO2 active centers on the surface of mesoporous titania for low-temperature SCR.
Unconventional morphologies of CoO nanocrystals via controlled oxidation of cobalt oleate precursors
Authors: Yiliguma Yiliguma , Xu Wenhao , Wang Zhijie , Shang Longmei , Zhang Hui , Al-Enizi Abdullah M. , Tang Yun , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: March 2018

Unconventional 2D and 1D/2D hierarchical wurtzite CoO nanocrystals were synthesized through thermodecomposition of cobalt oleate precursors with different oxidation levels.
Investigations of dynamic amyloid-like structures of the Wnt signalling pathway by solid-state NMR
Authors: Ward M. E. , Daniëls M. A. , van Kappel E. C. , Maurice M. M. , Baldus M.
Published: March 2018

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance can reveal native structural details of amyloid-like signalling proteins of the Wnt pathway.
A microfluidic photoreactor enables 2-methylbenzophenone light-driven reactions with superior performance
Authors: Mateos Javier , Cherubini-Celli Alessio , Carofiglio Tommaso , Bonchio Marcella , Marino Nadia , Companyó Xavier , Dell’Amico Luca
Published: March 2018

A general and scalable microfluidic photoreactor for light-driven reaction of 2-methylbenzophenones was successfully developed.
Heteroporous MoS2/Ni3S2 towards superior electrocatalytic overall urea splitting
Authors: Li Fang , Chen Junxiang , Zhang Dafeng , Fu Wen-Fu , Chen Yong , Wen Zhenhai , Lv Xiao-Jun
Published: March 2018

The heteroporous MoS2/Ni3S2 catalyst exhibits the best activity for urea splitting of all the bifunctional electrocatalysts, including Pt, reported until now.
Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of cobalt phosphide nanostructures for advanced supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Liang Feng , Huang Liang , Tian Liang , Li Junyi , Zhang Haijun , Zhang Shaowei
Published: March 2018

Co2P nanoshuttles which demonstrated remarkable electrochemical performance were synthesized for the first time by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. A combined oriented attachment and Ostwald ripening mechanism is proposed for the formation of Co2P nanoshuttles.
Preparation of a pure ZIF-67 membrane by self-conversion of cobalt carbonate hydroxide nanowires for H2 separation
Authors: Nian Pei , Cao Yi , Li Yujia , Zhang Xiang , Wang Yanling , Liu Haiou , Zhang Xiongfu
Published: March 2018

A self-conversion strategy was adopted for the first time to achieve a pure ZIF-67 membrane on a porous alumina tube for H2 separation.
Synthesis of luminescent lanthanide complexes within crosslinked protein crystal matrices
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Xiaoting , Tang Jianguo , Snow Christopher D. , Sun Guotao , Kowalski Ann E. , Hartje Luke F. , Zhao Ning , Wang Yao , Belfiore Laurence A.
Published: March 2018

Eu(TTA)3phen was synthesized inside of crosslinked protein crystals. And we characterized the volumetric changes quantitatively induced by DMSO.
Highly infrared sensitive VO2 nanowires for a nano-optical device
Authors: Bhuyan Prabal Dev , Gupta Sanjeev K. , Kumar Ashok , Sonvane Yogesh , Gajjar P. N.
Published: March 2018

First principles calculations were performed to investigate the structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of the monoclinic (M) and rutile (R) phases of VO2 nanowires. Furthermore, we adsorbed CO2, N2 and SO2 gas molecules on 1D VO2 (M) nanowire to investigate their interaction behavior.
One pot microwave synthesis of highly stable AuPd@Pd supported core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Howe Alexander G. R. , Miedziak Peter J. , Morgan David J. , He Qian , Strasser Peter , Edwards Jennifer K.
Published: March 2018

A series of 1 wt% supported Au, Pd and AuPd nanoalloy catalysts were prepared via microwave assisted reduction of PdCl2 and HAuCl4 in a facile, one pot process.
A novel route for the flexible preparation of hydrocarbon jet fuels from biomass-based platform chemicals: a case of using furfural and 2,3-butanediol as feedstocks
Authors: Cui Xingkai , Zhao Xuebing , Liu Dehua
Published: March 2018

Flexible production of hydrocarbon jet fuels with biomass-derived furfural and 2,3-butanediol as feedstocks by a combination of acid-catalyzed dehydration, aldol condensation, and hydrodeoxygenation.
A catalyst-free and additive-free method for the synthesis of benzothiazolethiones from o-iodoanilines, DMSO and potassium sulfide
Authors: Zhu Xiaoming , Li Wenguang , Luo Xiai , Deng Guobo , Liang Yun , Liu Jianbing
Published: March 2018

Under catalyst-free and additive-free conditions, a novel, convenient, environment-friendly method for the synthesis of benzothiazolethiones from o-iodoanilines, K2S and DMSO has been developed.
Bio-electrochemical conversion of industrial wastewater-COD combined with downstream methanol synthesis – an economic and life cycle assessment
Authors: Streeck J. , Hank C. , Neuner M. , Gil-Carrera L. , Kokko M. , Pauliuk S. , Schaadt A. , Kerzenmacher S. , White R. J.
Published: March 2018

Herein, a techno-economic and environmental performance evaluation (i.e.Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)) of a 45 kW Microbial Electrolysis Cell system is presented in the context of industrial wastewater conversion.
Mild chemical pretreatments are sufficient for bioethanol production in transgenic rice straws overproducing glucosidase
Authors: Li Ying , Liu Peng , Huang Jiangfeng , Zhang Ran , Hu Zhen , Feng Shengqiu , Wang Yanting , Wang Lingqiang , Xia Tao , Peng Liangcai
Published: March 2018

A cost-effective biomass conversion technology for high bioethanol production under mild chemical pretreatment in the transgenic rice straw.
Electrochemically enabled manipulation of gallium-based liquid metals within porous copper
Authors: Ma Jin-Lei , Dong Hao-Xuan , He Zhi-Zhu
Published: March 2018

Electrochemically enabled reactive wetting, coating and spreading of liquid metals within porous copper.
Study of interactions of mononucleotides with 1,4-dihydropyridine vesicles using NMR and ITC techniques
Authors: Muhamadejev R. , Petrova M. , Smits R. , Plotniece A. , Pajuste K. , Duburs G. , Liepinsh E.
Published: March 2018

The possible binding site of mononucleotides is the phosphate group with important hydrophobic interactions between the mononucleotides and the alkyl chains of DHP derivatives.
Synthesis, characterization, and optical and surface properties of (4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenoxy) copper(ii) phthalocyanine
Authors: Günsel Armağan , Bilgiçli Ahmet T. , Pişkin Hasan , Çaylak Delibaş Nagihan , Yarasir M. Nilüfer , Gündüz Bayram
Published: March 2018

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of a non-peripherally tetra-substituted copper phthalocyanine containing a 4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenoxy group.
Benzo[ghi]perylene and coronene: ratiometric fluorescent probes for the sensing of microenvironment changes and micelle formation in aqueous medium
Authors: Hussain Ejaz , Hu Zhenzhen , Zhou Huipeng , He Chunhua , Shahzad Sohail Anjum , Yu Cong
Published: March 2018

Benzo[ghi]perylene and coronene were used as ratiometric fluorescent probes to monitor microenvironment changes and monomer–micelle transition for the first time.
Copper and cobalt nanoparticles embedded in naturally derived graphite electrodes for the sensing of the neurotransmitter epinephrine
Authors: Bala Kanchan , Suriyaprakash Jagadeesh , Singh Prem , Chauhan Kalpana , Villa Alberto , Gupta Neeraj
Published: March 2018

Cu and Co nanoparticles on naturally derived graphitic carbon as a potential electrode for the electrochemical sensing of the neurotransmitter epinephrine.
Comb-shaped polyzwitterion with surface-activity obtained via N-maleoyl chitosan-modified HPAM for displacement of residual oil
Authors: Li Shiwei , Gou Shaohua , Chen Xin , Duan Ming
Published: March 2018

Comb-shaped polyzwitterions with surface-activity were successfully synthesized and displayed superior rheological properties to enhance the displacement of residual oil.
Green synthesis of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles reduced and stabilized by sodium rhodizonate and their catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methyl orange
Authors: Islam Md. Tariqul , Saenz-Arana Ricardo , Wang Huiyao , Bernal Ricardo , Noveron Juan C.
Published: March 2018

Sodium rhodizonate mediated green synthesis of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles and their catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methyl orange.