bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apparent digestibility coefficient and metabolizable energy of feed ingredients for the sea bream Archosargus rhomboidafis (L. 1758, Pisces: Sparidae)
Authors: Hernández-M J , Millán-Q J
Published: August 2017

The digestibility coefficient was determined for 13 meals of animal and vegetal origin used as ingredients in feed of the sea bream Archosargus rhomboidalis. The specimens were acclimatized in 1000-L tanks for 10 days, receiving separately the reference feed and the 13 experimental diets composed of 69.3% of the reference mixture, 1% of the indicator and 29.7% of the meals under study. Subsequently, 12 specimens were placed per aquarium and fed for 5 days with the 14 treatments with 3 replicas each. The feces were collected daily by decantation and then separated by water filtration of the aquariums, thus obtaining the fecal material in order to determine the digestibility coefficient of each treatment and of each ingredient. The digestibility coefficients of the dry matter, protein, lipids and energy of the different treatments indicate that the meals of animal origin were better digested than those of vegetal origin; also, the nutritional assimilation of the latter depends on the type of carbohydrates they contain, as well as on the ash content. High concentrations of crude fiber should be limited in the diets due to their low nutritional value and because they harm the quality of the water. The crude fiber content is inversely related to the digestibility of the dry matter, protein and energy. The soluble carbohydrates are a good source of nutritional sugar for the sea bream. The maximum average values of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen were registered.
Libration‐driven flows in ellipsoidal shells
Authors: Lemasquerier D. , Grannan A. M. , Vidal J. , Cébron D. , Favier B. , Le Bars M. , Aurnou J. M.
Published: August 2017

Planets and satellites can undergo physical librations, which consist of forced periodic variations in their rotation rate induced by gravitational interactions with nearby bodies. This mechanical forcing may drive turbulence in interior fluid layers such as subsurface oceans and metallic liquid cores through a libration‐driven elliptical instability (LDEI) that refers to the resonance of two inertial modes with the libration‐induced base flow. LDEI has been studied in the case of a full ellipsoid. Here we address for the first time the question of the persistence of LDEI in the more geophysically relevant ellipsoidal shell geometries. In the experimental setup, an ellipsoidal container with spherical inner cores of different sizes is filled with water. Direct side view flow visualizations are made in the librating frame using Kalliroscope particles. A Fourier analysis of the light intensity fluctuations extracted from recorded movies shows that the presence of an inner core leads to spatial heterogeneities but does not prevent LDEI. Particle image velocimetry and direct numerical simulations are performed on selected cases to confirm our results. Additionally, our survey at a fixed forcing frequency and variable rotation period (i.e., variable Ekman number, E) shows that the libration amplitude at the instability threshold varies as ∼E0.65. This scaling is explained by a competition between surface and bulk dissipation. When extrapolating to planetary interior conditions, this leads to the E1/2 scaling commonly considered. We argue that Enceladus' subsurface ocean and the core of the exoplanet 55 CnC e should both be unstable to LDEI.
Scalable Manufacturing of Solderable and Stretchable Physiologic Sensing Systems
Authors: Kim Yun‐Soung , Lu Jesse , Shih Benjamin , Gharibans Armen , Zou Zhanan , Matsuno Kristen , Aguilera Roman , Han Yoonjae , Meek Ann , Xiao Jianliang , Tolley Michael T. , Coleman Todd P.
Published: August 2017

Methods for microfabrication of solderable and stretchable sensing systems (S4s) and a scaled production of adhesive‐integrated active S4s for health monitoring are presented. S4s' excellent solderability is achieved by the sputter‐deposited nickel‐vanadium and gold pad metal layers and copper interconnection. The donor substrate, which is modified with “PI islands” to become selectively adhesive for the S4s, allows the heterogeneous devices to be integrated with large‐area adhesives for packaging. The feasibility for S4‐based health monitoring is demonstrated by developing an S4 integrated with a strain gauge and an onboard optical indication circuit. Owing to S4s' compatibility with the standard printed circuit board assembly processes, a variety of commercially available surface mount chip components, such as the wafer level chip scale packages, chip resistors, and light‐emitting diodes, can be reflow‐soldered onto S4s without modifications, demonstrating the versatile and modular nature of S4s. Tegaderm‐integrated S4 respiration sensors are tested for robustness for cyclic deformation, maximum stretchability, durability, and biocompatibility for multiday wear time. The results of the tests and demonstration of the respiration sensing indicate that the adhesive‐integrated S4s can provide end users a way for unobtrusive health monitoring.
Synthesis of CsPbCl3‐Mn Nanocrystals via Cation Exchange
Authors: Xu Wei , Li Feiming , Lin Fangyuan , Chen Ying , Cai Zhixiong , Wang Yiru , Chen Xi
Published: August 2017

Mn doped caesium lead halide perovskite (CsPbCl3‐Mn) nanocrystals are obtained from CsPbBr3 nanocrystals via ion exchange with MnCl2. The doping of Mn and the activity in energy acceptance in different stages of ion exchange are proved using photoluminescence (PL) lifetime measurement and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements. During the ion exchange, ultrasonic treatment and cold flow (in a KCl matrix) are used to assist Mn incorporation. The resulting CsPbCl3‐Mn@KCl shows excellent PL properties and stability. Finally, the CsPbCl3‐Mn@KCl tablet is applied to the production of a light emitting diode prototype.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Nine‐Membered Heterocycles via the Cycloaddition and Sequential Rearrangement of N‐Vinyl Nitrones with Isocyanates
Authors: Zou Ning , Jiao Ji‐Wen , Feng Yu , Chen Chun‐Hua , Liang Cui , Su Gui‐Fa , Mo Dong‐Liang
Published: August 2017

A metal‐free construction of highly diastereoselective nine‐membered heterocycles is described via the cycloaddition and rearrangement of N‐vinyl‐α,β‐unsaturated ketonitrones and isocyanates. Notably, the prepared nine‐membered heterocycles afforded 2,3‐dihydropyrrolizines under heating conditions. Mechanistic studies showed that the nine‐membered rings might undergo decarboxylation, isomerization, aza‐Michael addition, and aromatization to afford 2,3‐dihydropyrrolizines in a one‐pot reaction.

magnified image
Nanoparticles@rGO membrane enabling highly enhanced water permeability and structural stability with preserved selectivity
Authors: Zhang Mengchen , Guan Kecheng , Shen Jie , Liu Gongping , Fan Yiqun , Jin Wanqin
Published: August 2017

Developing advanced membranes with high separation performance and robust mechanical properties is critical to the current water crisis. Herein, a general and scalable fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs)@reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes with significantly expanded nanochannels meanwhile ordered laminar structures using in situ synthesized NPs@rGO nanosheets as building blocks is reported. Size‐ and density‐controllable NPs were uniformly grown on the regularly stacked rGO nanosheets through coordination, followed by filtration‐deposition on inner surface of porous ceramic tubes. The NPs bonded rGO building blocks enabled the as‐prepared membranes 1–2 orders of magnitudes higher water permeance than the counterparts while keeping excellent rejections for various organic matters and ions. Moreover, the industrially preferred GO‐based tubular membrane exhibited an extraordinary structural stability under high‐pressure and cross‐flow process of water purification, which is considered as a notable step toward realizing scalable GO‐based membranes. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2017
La‐hexaaluminate for synthesis gas generation by Chemical Looping Partial Oxidation of Methane Using CO2 as Sole Oxidant
Authors: Zhu Yanyan , Liu Weiwei , Sun Xueyan , Ma Xiaoxun , Kang Yu , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Junhu
Published: August 2017

Chemical looping partial oxidation of methane using a sole CO2 oxidant (CL‐POM‐CO2) is an emerging technology for synthesis gas generation and CO2 utilization, which is highly dependent on an oxygen carrier (OC). In this work, Fe‐substituted La‐hexaaluminate as the OC was found to exhibit good reactivity and stability during 50 periodic CH4/CO2 redox cycles due to the formation of magnetoplumbite La‐hexaaluminate structure with the introduction of La. Deeper reduction for synthesis gas generation did not destroy the La‐hexaaluminate structure via a charge compensation mechanism, which increased CH4 reactivity and further improved CO2 utilization under subsequent re‐oxidation. In the La‐hexaaluminate structure, O6‐Fe3+(Oh) was highly active for the total oxidation of methane, while O5‐Fe3+(Tr) and O4‐Fe3+(Th) selectively oxidized CH4 to synthesis gas. The sole CO2 oxidant only selectively recovered O5‐Fe3+(Tr) and O4‐Fe3+(Th), and thus is more favorable for improving synthesis gas selectivity than O2/air, which offers an attractive opportunity for CO2 utilization. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 550–563, 2018
Sonographic twinkle artefact in renal calculus detection: Impact of scanning factors in a phantom model
Authors: Haluszkiewicz Elvie , Zelesco Marilyn , Welman Christopher J , Wong Daniel D , Ramsay Duncan
Published: August 2017

Introduction

A common clinical use of the twinkle artefact is to detect and confirm renal calcification on ultrasound. There is however variable demonstration of this artefact using newer generation ultrasound machines. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of altering multiple scanning factors on ultrasound machines from four major manufacturers on the demonstration of the twinkle artefact. Two custom‐made phantoms and five‐point Likert‐like Scale were utilised.

Methods

These phantoms contained a range of urinary calculi varying in size, composition, surface contour and depth. The calculi were serially imaged with each ultrasound machine, using manufacturers presets and varying just one imaging factor or parameter at a time. The documented twinkle artefact in the images were subsequently analysed, together with the imaging preset and factor changes that had been made.

Results

Those factors that had the greatest effect in order of impact were colour write priority, colour gain, transducer type, depth of calculus, acoustic power and size of calculus. Variability was also demonstrated between manufacturers.

Conclusion

By isolating the effect of scanning factor changes, their importance and contribution to appearances in the ultrasound image can be assessed. Image interpretation in the clinical setting requires an understanding of the underlying physics, particularly in the evaluation of artefacts associated with renal calculi.
On the Role of Chirality in Guiding the Self‐Assembly of Peptides
Authors: Basak Shibaji , Singh Ishwar , Ferranco Annaleizle , Syed Jebreil , Kraatz Heinz‐Bernhard
Published: August 2017

Homochirality in peptides is crucial in sustaining “like–like” intermolecular interactions that allow the formation of assemblies and aggregates and is ultimately responsible for the resulting material properties. With the help of a series of stereoisomers of the tripeptide F–F–L, we demonstrate the critical role that peptide stereochemistry plays in the self‐assembly of peptides, guided by molecular recognition, and for self‐sorting. Homochiral self‐assemblies are thermally and mechanically more robust compared to heterochiral self‐assemblies. Morphological studies of the multicomponent peptide systems showed that aggregates formed from homochiral peptides possessed a uniform nano‐fibrous structure, whereas heterochiral systems resulted in self‐sorted systems with a heterogeneous morphology. In essence, homochiral peptides form the stronger aggregates, which may be one of reasons why homochirality is preferred in living systems.
A Material Showing Colossal Positive and Negative Volumetric Thermal Expansion with Hysteretic Magnetic Transition
Authors: Hu Ji‐Xiang , Xu Yang , Meng Yin‐Shan , Zhao Liang , Hayami Shinya , Sato Osamu , Liu Tao
Published: August 2017

It is an ongoing challenge to design and synthesize magnetic materials that undergo colossal thermal expansion and that possess potential applications as microscale or nanoscale actuators with magnetic functionality. A paramagnetic metallocyanate building block was used to construct a cyanide‐bridged Fe‐Co complex featuring both positive and negative colossal volumetric thermal‐expansion behavior. A detailed study revealed that metal‐to‐metal charge transfer between 180 and 240 K induced a volumetric thermal expansion coefficient of 1498 MK−1 accompanied with hysteretic spin transition. Rotation of the magnetic building blocks induced change of π⋅⋅⋅π interactions, resulting in a negative volume expansion coefficient of −489 MK−1, and another hysteretic magnetic transition between 300 and 350 K. This work presents a strategy for incorporating both colossal positive and negative volumetric thermal expansion with shape and magnetic memory effects in a material.
The study of umbral dots in sunspots based on SOT/Hinode observations
Authors: Ebadi H. , Abbasvand V. , Pourjavadi H.
Published: August 2017

To understand the energy transport in sunspots, it is necessary to investigate the dynamic properties of umbral dots (UDs). In this connection, we used high‐resolution SOT/Hinode time‐series images. The intensity oscillations of UDs are determined. We conclude that their periods are in the range of 3–5 min, which may be related to the propagation of p‐modes through them. We follow the motion path of UDs and investigate whether they are oscillating quasi‐periodically. Moreover, we detect their transverse motion and obtain two different periods for these oscillations. Finally, we analyze the diameter of UDs as circular spots. We find that the UDs fluctuate in size.
Intramolecular Thioether Crosslinking to Increase the Proteolytic Stability of Affibody Molecules
Authors: Nilsson Anders , Lindgren Joel , Eriksson Karlström Amelie
Published: August 2017

Protein therapeutics suffer from low oral bioavailability, mainly due to poor membrane permeability and digestion by gastrointestinal proteases. To improve proteolytic stability, intramolecular thioether crosslinks were introduced into a three‐helix affibody molecule binding the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Solid‐phase peptide synthesis was used to produce an unmodified control protein domain and three different crosslinked protein domain variants: one with a thioether crosslink between the N‐terminal lysine residue and a cysteine residue in the second loop region (denoted K4), a second with a crosslink between the C‐terminal lysine residue and a cysteine residue in the first loop region (denoted K58), and a third with crosslinks in both positions (denoted K4K58). Circular dichroism (CD) and surface‐plasmon‐resonance‐based (SPR‐based) biosensor studies of the protein domains showed that the three‐helix structure and high‐affinity binding to EGFR were preserved in the crosslinked protein domains. In vitro digestion by gastrointestinal proteases demonstrated that the crosslinked protein domains showed increased stability towards pepsin and towards a combination of trypsin and chymotrypsin.
How mobile health applications can help treat depression
Authors: Rosenfeld Adam , Pendse Sachin , Nugent Nicole R.
Published: August 2017

Despite increasing public awareness, depression remains a growing issue in health care. The impairing effects of depression can result in reduced quality of life, as well as significant health care costs and decreases to productivity. Unfortunately, research suggests that less than half of individuals with clinically significant depression are engaged in treatment, with barriers to evidence‐based therapy including cost, access, and stigma. Traditional approaches to treatment, which involve regular in‐person treatment with a clinician who is not part of your close community, present challenges in rural areas or among populations with high mobility with relocations that can create lapses in care. Over recent decades, technology has reshaped seemingly all aspects of daily life, with researchers, clinicians, and patient populations increasingly recognizing the ways that the provision of mental health services can be revolutionized to address key barriers to access.
Safety of shorter length of hospital stay for patients undergoing minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Alkhalil Ahmad , Lamba Harveen , Deo Salil , Bezerra Hiram G. , Patel Sandeep M. , Markowitz Alan , Simon Daniel I. , Costa Marco A. , Davis Angela C. , Attizzani Guilherme F.
Published: August 2017

Objective

Determine the feasibility and predictors of early discharge after minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background

Duration of hospitalization has a direct impact on overall cost of care, but the clinical impact of length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing minimalist TAVR remains unclear.

Methods

We studied 268 patients who underwent minimalist TAVR. Short LOS (sLOS) was defined as post‐procedural LOS ≤ 3 days and observed in 163 patients. Prolonged LOS (pLOS) was observed in 105 patients. Propensity score matching based on 39 variables yielded 54 pairs of patients in each group. We analyzed 30‐day mortality, 30‐day re‐hospitalization and long‐term survival data. Multivariate regression models were used to define predictors of sLOS.

Results

Thirty‐day mortality was 0% versus 5.5% in the sLOS and pLOS groups, respectively (P = 0.08). Incidence of re‐hospitalization was higher in pLOS (13% vs. 3.7%). sLOS was associated with lower odds ratio of minor vascular complication (OR 0.1 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.75], P = 0.05), any bleeding (OR 0.35 [95% CI: 0.14, 0.87], P = 0.02), blood transfusion (OR 0.27 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.81], P = 0.02), and new pacemaker implantation (OR 0.23 [95% CI: 0.1, 0.53], P < 0.001). Discharge to home had a significantly higher odd ratio for sLOS (OR 8.67 [95% CI: 3.59, 23.11], P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In appropriately selected patients, sLOS following minimalist TAVR approach in an experienced and high volume center is feasible and safe. Implementing such a strategy may reduce medical costs with the potential clinical benefit of early re‐habilitation for the elderly TAVR population.
Visual estimation versus different quantitative coronary angiography methods to assess lesion severity in bifurcation lesions
Authors: Grundeken Maik J. , Collet Carlos , Ishibashi Yuki , Généreux Philippe , Muramatsu Takashi , LaSalle Laura , Kaplan Aaron V. , Wykrzykowska Joanna J. , Morel Marie‐angèle , Tijssen Jan G. , de Winter Robbert J. , Onuma Yoshinobu , Leon Martin B. , Serruys Patrick W.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To compare visual estimation with different quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) methods (single‐vessel versus bifurcation software) to assess coronary bifurcation lesions.

Background

QCA has been developed to overcome the limitations of visual estimation. Conventional QCA however, developed in “straight vessels,” has proved to be inaccurate in bifurcation lesions. Therefore, bifurcation QCA was developed. However, the impact of these different modalities on bifurcation lesion severity classification is yet unknown

Methods

From a randomized controlled trial investigating a novel bifurcation stent (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01258972), patients with baseline assessment of lesion severity by means of visual estimation, single‐vessel QCA, 2D bifurcation QCA and 3D bifurcation QCA were included. We included 113 bifurcations lesions in which all 5 modalities were assessed. The primary end‐point was to evaluate how the different modalities affected the classification of bifurcation lesion severity and extent of disease.

Results

On visual estimation, 100% of lesions had side‐branch diameter stenosis (%DS) >50%, whereas in 83% with single‐vessel QCA, 27% with 2D bifurcation QCA and 26% with 3D bifurcation QCA a side‐branch %DS >50% was found (P < 0.0001). With regard to the percentage of “true” bifurcation lesions, there was a significant difference between visual estimate (100%), single‐vessel QCA (75%) and bifurcation QCA (17% with 2D bifurcation software and 13% with 3D bifurcation software, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study showed that bifurcation lesion complexity was significantly affected when more advanced bifurcation QCA software were used. “True” bifurcation lesion rate was 100% on visual estimation, but as low as 13% when analyzed with dedicated bifurcation QCA software.
A case of hypersomnia due to bilateral thalamic stroke
Authors: Osman Mohammed , Abdalla Ahmed , Al‐Qasmi Mohammed , Bachuwa Ghassan
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical Message

Bilateral thalamic infarction (BTI) can present as sleep‐like coma without focal neurological signs which can lead to delay in the diagnosis. Due to the diagnostic challenge, treatment is often delayed. The early use of DWI‐MRI in suspected cases can help in the early diagnosis and treatment.
The Design of a New Cobalt Sulfide Nanoparticle Implanted Porous Organic Polymer Nanohybrid as a Smart and Durable Water‐Splitting Photoelectrocatalyst
Authors: Shit Subhash Chandra , Khilari Santimoy , Mondal Indranil , Pradhan Debabrata , Mondal John
Published: August 2017

Development of an inexpensive, efficient and robust nanohybrid catalyst as a substitute for platinum in photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production has been considered intriguing and challenging. In this study, the design and sequential synthesis of a novel cobalt sulfide nanoparticle grafted Porous Organic Polymer nanohybrid (CoSx@POP) is reported and used as an active and durable water‐splitting photoelectrocatalyst in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The specific textural and relevant chemical properties of as‐synthesised nanohybrid materials (Co3O4@POP &CoSx@POP) were investigated by means of XRD, XPS, FTIR, 13C CP MAS NMR, spectroscopy, HR‐TEM, HAADF‐STEM with the corresponding elemental mapping, FE‐SEM and nitrogen physisorption studies. CoSx@POP has been evaluated as a superior photoelectrocatalyst in HER, achieving a current density of 6.43 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in a 0.5 m Na2SO4 electrolyte which outperforms its Co3O4@POP analogue. It was found that the nanohybrid CoSx@POP catalyst exhibited a substantially enhanced catalytic performance of 1.07 μmol min−1cm−2, which is considered to be ca. 10 and 1.94 times higher than that of pristine POP and CoSx, respectively. Remarkable photoelectrocatalytic activity of CoSx@POP compared to Co3O4@POP toward H2 evolution could be attributed to intrinsic synergistic effect of CoSx and POP, leading to the formation of a unique CoSx@POP nanoarchitecture with high porosity, which permits easy diffusion of electrolyte and efficient electron transfer from POP to CoSx during hydrogen generation with a tunable bandgap, that straddles between the reduction and oxidation potential of water.
A Selective Biligand Inhibitor of CK2 Increases Caspase‐3 Activity in Cancer Cells and Inhibits Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Rahnel Hedi , Viht Kaido , Lavogina Darja , Mazina Olga , Haljasorg Tõiv , Enkvist Erki , Uri Asko
Published: August 2017

Cancer cells express high levels of CK2, and its inhibition leads to apoptosis. CK2 has therefore emerged as a new drug target for cancer therapy. A biligand inhibitor ARC‐772 was constructed by conjugating 4‐(2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazol‐5‐yl)benzoic acid and a carboxylate‐rich peptoid. ARC‐772 was found to bind CK2 with a Kd value of 0.3 nm and showed remarkable CK2 inhibitory selectivity in a panel of 140 protein kinases (Gini coefficient: 0.75 at c=100 nm). ARC‐775, the acetoxymethyl ester prodrug of ARC‐772, was efficiently taken up by cells. Once internalized, the inhibitor is activated by cellular esterase activity. In HeLa cancer cells ARC‐775 was found to activate caspase‐3 (an apoptosis marker) at sub‐micromolar concentrations (EC50=0.3 μm), a 20‐fold lower extracellular concentration than CX‐4945, the only CK2 inhibitor under clinical trials. At micromolar concentrations, ARC‐775 was also found to inhibit ADP‐induced aggregation of human platelets. The overall results of this study demonstrate that oligo‐anionic biligand inhibitors have good potential for drug development.
Parallel computations of local PageRank problem based on Graphics Processing Unit
Authors: Lai Siyan , Shao Bo , Xu Ying , Lin Xiaola
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we study the issue of improving the performance of Markov chain Monte Carlo method to solve local PageRank problem under General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit environment. As a large number of dangling vertices cause large storage space of dangling vertices and thus slow down the Markov chain procession, we propose a reordering strategy to compress the storage space and reduce the computational complexity of Markov chain procession. In our performance study, by parallelizing and optimizing the proposed algorithm based on GPU, the reordering strategy can be up 12× faster compared with basic method, where the graphs have high‐proportion dangling vertices. According to our investigation on this issue, the variance of random walks determines the number of random walks in the computation; we thus introduce low‐discrepancy sequences to enhance the performance. Moreover, the low‐discrepancy sequences are organized to load in the on‐chip shared memory to accelerate fetching with a wise warp scheduling for bank conflict schema. A series of experiments have been conducted to evaluate the optimization efficiency. Compared with fetching data from off‐chip global memory, the shared‐memory‐based strategy can have over 10× speedup ratio performance. The experiments indicate that the size of shared memory has a significant impact on the parallelism of the proposed method as well.
Novel efficient particle swarm optimization algorithms for solving QoS‐demanded bag‐of‐tasks scheduling problems with profit maximization on hybrid clouds
Authors: Zhang Yi , Sun Jin
Published: August 2017

Users are willing to execute bag‐of‐task applications consisting of multiple tasks on clouds, since cloud resources are delivered in a pay‐as‐you‐go manner. Given multiple bag‐of‐task applications to be executed with user‐specified quality‐of‐service demands, a cloud provider has to outsource some tasks to public clouds when its private cloud has insufficient resources to afford all applications' tasks. The key issue is how to schedule tasks on hybrid clouds (environments consisting of a private cloud and multiple public clouds) for maximizing the cloud provider's profit while meeting the quality‐of‐service demands. To solve this problem, we propose an efficient particle swarm optimization algorithm (EPSO) and three hybrid ones (HEPSO1‐HEPSO3), in which task sequences are considered as solutions. A mapping operator (BBMO) is developed to map particles to solutions and a quick task dispatching method containing an acceleration method is designed to calculate solutions' objectives. Experimental results show that EPSO not only outperforms an existing PSO (the best algorithm for solving a problem that is a special case of ours) significantly but also achieves a 11.48x speedup. The HEPSO1 to HEPSO3 outperform EPSO. The BBMO outperforms the well‐known ranked‐order value rule and achieves a 5.47x speedup. The acceleration method in quick task dispatching brings a 2.69x speedup.
Organometallic Synthesis of CuO Nanoparticles: Application in Low‐Temperature CO Detection
Authors: Jońca Justyna , Ryzhikov Andrey , Palussière Ségolène , Esvan Jérome , Fajerwerg Katia , Menini Philippe , Kahn Myrtil L. , Fau Pierre
Published: August 2017

A metal–organic approach has been employed for the preparation of anisotropic CuO nanoparticles. These nanostructures have been characterized by transmission and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CuO nanoparticles have been deposited as gas‐sensitive layers on miniaturized silicon devices. At an operating temperature of 210 °C, the sensors present an optimum response toward carbon monoxide correlated with a fast response (Rn) and short recovery time. A high sensitivity to CO (Rn≈150 %, 100 ppm CO, RH 50 %) is achieved. These CuO nanoparticles serve as a very promising sensing layer for the fabrication of selective CO gas sensors working at a low temperature.
Role of the Chalcogen (S, Se, Te) in the Oxidation Mechanism of the Glutathione Peroxidase Active Site
Authors: Bortoli Marco , Torsello Mauro , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Orian Laura
Published: August 2017

The oxidation by H2O2 of the human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPx4), used as a model peroxidase selenoenzyme, as well as that of its cysteine (Cys) and tellurocysteine (Tec) mutants, was investigated in silico through a combined classic and quantum mechanics approach to assess the role of the different chalcogens. To perform this analysis, new parameters for selenocysteine (Sec) and tellurocysteine (Tec) were accurately derived for the AMBER ff14SB force field. The oxidation represents the initial step of the antioxidant activity of GPx, which catalyzes the reduction of H2O2 and organic hydroperoxides by glutathione (GSH). A mechanism involving a charge‐separation intermediate is feasible for the Cys and Sec enzymes, leading from the initial thiol/selenol form to sulfenic/selenenic acid, whereas for the Tec mutant a direct oxidation pathway is proposed. Activation strain analyses, performed for Cys‐GPx and Sec‐GPx, provided insight into the rate‐accelerating effect of selenium as compared to sulfur and the role of specific amino acids other than Cys/Sec that are typically conserved in the catalytic pocket.
Doping Phosphorene with Holes and Electrons through Molecular Charge Transfer
Authors: Vishnoi Pratap , Rajesh S. , Manjunatha S. , Bandyopadhyay Arkamita , Barua Manaswee , Pati Swapan K. , Rao C. N. R.
Published: August 2017

An important aspect of phosphorene, the novel two‐dimensional semiconductor, is whether holes and electrons can both be doped in this material. Some reports found that only electrons can be preferentially doped into phosphorene. There are some theoretical calculations showing charge‐transfer interaction with both tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). We have carried out an investigation of chemical doping of phosphorene by a variety of electron donor and acceptor molecules, employing both experiment and theory, Raman scattering being a crucial aspect of the study. We find that both electron acceptors and donors interact with phosphorene by charge‐transfer, with the acceptors having more marked effects. All the three Raman bands of phosphorene soften and exhibit band broadening on interaction with both donor and acceptor molecules. First‐principles calculations establish the occurrence of charge‐transfer between phosphorene with donors as well as acceptors. The absence of electron‐hole asymmetry is noteworthy.
Psychedelic Drugs as Therapeutics: No Illusions About the Challenges
Authors: Sellers Edward M. , Leiderman Deborah B.
Published: August 2017

Interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic agents has recently increased. In addition to psilocybin, a wide variety of agents with psychedelic properties have been proposed and partially tested. However, the challenges of obtaining approval to market a restricted psychotomimetic agent are formidable.
Influence of material spatial variability on required safety factors for masonry walls in compression
Authors: Müller Dominik , Förster Valentin , Graubner Carl‐Alexander
Published: August 2017

Since masonry is one of the oldest and most traditional construction types, corresponding safety concepts are usually based on experience instead of being calibrated by structural reliability methods. For this reason, reliability analyses of masonry structures are needed to check if safety factors should be adjusted. Masonry is a non‐homogenous material. Because of that, it is very important to consider the spatial variability of material properties when assessing the reliability of masonry walls. Therefore, it is useful to know if and to what extent spatial variability increases or decreases the reliability of masonry walls and the required safety factors. The influence of spatial variability depends on the length of a wall due to the capability of load redistribution. Also, it is affected by the governing failure mode, which depends on the slenderness of the wall, and can be local compression or stability failure. This paper demonstrates the effect of spatial variability on the load‐bearing capacity of masonry walls in terms of mean value, scatter and design value. For this purpose, walls of varying length and slenderness were analysed with and without the consideration of spatial variability by performing Monte Carlo simulations. Based upon that, safety factors were determined which are required to meet the target reliability defined by EN 1990.
Insights on the role of hox genes in the emergence of the pentadactyl ground state
Authors: Kherdjemil Yacine , Kmita Marie
Published: August 2017

Tetrapods are characterized by the presence of digits at the distal end of their limbs, which have emerged during the transition from fins to limbs. While variations in digit number are observed in extant tetrapods, most have five digits per limb and divergence from this pentadactyl ground state is always a reduction in digit number. Paleontological data revealed that stem‐group tetrapods were polydactylous indicating that the evolution from fish fin to modern tetrapod limbs involved two major transitions; the emergence of digits and the shift from polydactyly to pentadactyly. The absence of living polydactyl tetrapod species is a major limitation in assessing the foundation of the pentadactyl constraint. Nonetheless, several genes having the capacity of modulating digit number have been identified and studying their functional and regulatory phylogeny will likely be critical in our comprehension of the emergence of the pentadactyl state. In this review, we provide an overview of the data obtained from mouse genetics that uncovered the role of Hox genes in controlling digit number and discuss regulatory changes that could have been implicated in the emergence of the pentadactyl ground state.
Behavior and season affect crayfish detection and density inference using environmental DNA
Authors: Dunn Nicholas , Priestley Victoria , Herraiz Alba , Arnold Richard , Savolainen Vincent
Published: August 2017

Although the presence/absence of aquatic invertebrates using environmental DNA (eDNA) has been established for several species, inferring population densities has remained problematic. The invasive American signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), is the leading cause of decline in the UK's only native crayfish species, Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet). Methods to detect species at low abundances offer the opportunity for the early detection, and potential eradication, of P. leniusculus before population densities reach threatening levels in areas occupied by A. pallipes. Using a factorial experimental design with aquaria, we investigated the impacts of biomass, sex ratio, and fighting behavior on the amount of eDNA released by P. leniusculus, with the aim to infer density per aquarium depending on treatments. The amount of target eDNA in water samples from each aquarium was measured using the quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. We show that the presence of eggs significantly increases the concentration of crayfish eDNA per unit of mass, and that there is a significant relationship between eDNA concentration and biomass when females are egg‐bearing. However, the relationship between crayfish biomass and eDNA concentration is lost in aquaria without ovigerous females. Female‐specific tanks had significantly higher eDNA concentrations than male‐specific tanks, and the prevention of fighting did not impact the amount of eDNA in the water. These results indicate that detection and estimate of crayfish abundance using eDNA may be more effective while females are ovigerous. This information should guide further research for an accurate estimation of crayfish biomass in the field depending on the season. Our results indicate that detection and quantification of egg‐laying aquatic invertebrate species using eDNA could be most successful during periods when eggs are developing in the water. We recommend that practitioners consider the reproductive cycle of target species when attempting to study or detect aquatic species using eDNA in the field.
Ablation of the Cβ2 subunit of PKA in immune cells leads to increased susceptibility to systemic inflammation in mice
Authors: Moen Line Victoria , Sener Zeynep , Volchenkov Roman , Svarstad Anja Camilla , Eriksen Aud Marit , Holen Halvor L. , Skålhegg Bjørn S.
Published: August 2017

Protein kinase A (PKA) is a holoenzyme composed of a regulatory subunit dimer and two catalytic subunits and regulates numerous cellular functions including immune cell activity. There are two major catalytic subunit genes, PRKACA and PRKACB encoding the catalytic subunits Cα and Cβ. The PRKACB gene encodes several splice variants including Cβ2, which is enriched in T‐, B‐ and natural killer cells. Cβ2 is significantly larger (46 kDa) than any other C splice variant. In this study we characterized mice ablated for the Cβ2 protein demonstrating a significantly reduced cAMP‐induced catalytic activity of PKA in the spleenocytes, lymphocytes and thymocytes. We also observed a significantly increased number of CD62L‐expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in LNs, accompanied by increased susceptibility to systemic inflammation by the Cβ2 ablated mice. The latter was reflected in an elevated sensitivity to collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), as well as higher concentration of TNF‐α and lower concentration of IL‐10 in response to LPS challenges. We suggest a role of Cβ2 in regulating innate as well as adaptive immune sensitivity in vivo.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Decarbonylation of Primary Alcohols
Authors: Mazziotta Andrea , Madsen Robert
Published: August 2017

Dehydrogenative decarbonylation of a primary alcohol involves the release of both dihydrogen and carbon monoxide to afford the by one carbon unit shorter product. The transformation has now been achieved with a ruthenium‐catalyzed protocol by using the complex Ru(COD)Cl2 and the hindered monodentate ligand P(o‐tolyl)3 in refluxing p‐cymene. The reaction can be applied to both benzylic and long‐chain linear aliphatic alcohols. The intermediate aldehyde can be observed during the transformation, which is therefore believed to proceed through two separate catalytic cycles involving first dehydrogenation of the alcohol and then decarbonylation of the resulting aldehyde.
Recent developments in capillary and microchip electroseparations of peptides (2015–mid 2017)
Authors: Kašička Václav
Published: August 2017

The review brings a comprehensive overview of recent developments and applications of high performance capillary and microchip electroseparation methods (zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, affinity electrophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) to analysis, microscale isolation, purification, and physicochemical and biochemical characterization of peptides in the years 2015, 2016, and ca. up to the middle of 2017. Advances in the investigation of electromigration properties of peptides and in the methodology of their analysis (sample preseparation, preconcentration and derivatization, adsorption suppression and EOF control, and detection) are described. New developments in particular CE and CEC methods are presented and several types of their applications to peptide analysis are reported: qualitative and quantitative analysis, determination in complex (bio)matrices, monitoring of chemical and enzymatical reactions and physical changes, amino acid, sequence and chiral analysis, and peptide mapping of proteins. Some micropreparative peptide separations are shown and capabilities of CE and CEC methods to provide important physicochemical characteristics of peptides are demonstrated.
Characterization of pork bone soup odor active compounds from traditional clay and commercial electrical stewpots by sensory evaluation, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/olfactometry and partial least squares regression
Authors: Zhang Man , Karangwa Eric , Duhoranimana Emmanuel , Zhang Xiaoming , Xia Shuqin , Yu Jingyang , Xu Man
Published: August 2017

The effect of heating parameters on pork bone soup flavor generation in electrical stewpot was investigated. Four sensory attributes including meaty, fatty, kokumi and off‐flavor were used to evaluate the sensory characteristics of different pork bone soups. Twenty‐nine odor active compounds were identified by direct‐time intensity method of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC–MS/O). Only eleven of them were detected in both traditional clay and commercial electrical stewpots. One of the electrical stewpot samples showed good sensory characteristics compared with other samples and its corresponding heating parameters were as follows: heating rate of 2.419°C/min, constant temperature time of 20 min, low temperature of 80°C and its holding time of 50 min. Correlation analysis between sensory attributes and odor active compounds through Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) revealed that hexanal, octanal, 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one, 2‐nonanone, decanal, benzaldehyde, (E)‐2‐nonenal had significant correlation with the sensory attributes.
Chemoselective and diastereoselective synthesis of halogenated [1,3] oxazino [2,3‐a] isoquinoline derivatives
Authors: Asghari Sakineh , Khabbazi Habibi Ahmad
Published: August 2017

Chemoselective and diastereoselective synthesis of halogenated [1,3] oxazino [2,3‐a] isoquinolines, based on one‐pot three‐component reactions of isoquinoline and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of α‐chloro and α‐bromo ketone derivatives in good to high yields, are reported.
A performance analysis of Orchestra scheduling for time‐slotted channel hopping networks
Authors: Rekik Sana , Baccour Nouha , Jmaiel Mohamed , Drira Khalil
Published: August 2017

The IEEE 802.15.4 TSCH (Time Slotted Channel Hopping) represents the latest generation of low‐power and highly reliable medium‐access control (MAC) protocols. It orchestrates the medium access according to a time‐frequency communication schedule. However, TSCH specification does not provide any practical solution for the establishment of the schedule. Orchestra is a recent scheduling solution for TSCH that brings significant advantages such as, the use of simple scheduling rules, the low signaling overhead, and the high delivery ratio it is able to fulfill. In this paper, we investigate the use of TSCH protocol with Orchestra scheduling approach for the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Performance analysis results demonstrate that despite its unique features, Orchestra may incur high end‐to‐end communication delay, especially when the traffic is not uniformly distributed in the network. This limitation makes Orchestra not sufficiently convenient for several delay‐sensitive IoT applications, such as smart grid applications.
Detection of free oxygen and water vapor in fertilized and unfertilized eggs by diode laser spectroscopy—Exploration of diagnostics possibilities
Authors: Li Wansha , Lin Huiying , Zhang Hao , Svanberg Katarina , Svanberg Sune
Published: August 2017

Nonintrusive methods for characterizing food products are of increasing interest related to the greater awareness of food safety issues. Hen eggs are an important part in food consumption in most parts of the world. We have investigated an optical method utilizing tunable diode lasers for monitoring free gas in eggs. We show that oxygen signals, recorded around 760 nm, increase steadily as eggs become older. Further, we investigated fertilized eggs, which show a quite different temporal behavior during the hatching time. The oxygen signal decreases here with time, while water vapor, recorded around 937 nm, shows a steady increase. Conclusions regarding the size of the air cell and the oxygen availability in fertilized eggs are drawn. The technique might be developed for automatic control of egg freshness, as well as for assessing if eggs are fertilized or not.
Electromagnetic and thermal analysis of underground power solid‐conductor cables under harmonic and unbalancing currents based on FEM
Authors: Rasoulpoor M. , Mirzaie M. , Mirimani S.M.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, electromagnetic and thermal analyses are performed on underground power solid‐conductor cables under harmonic and unbalancing currents. The loss, life time, and produced magnetic field are calculated. Different balanced and unbalance load currents and also sinusoidal and harmonic profiles are considered. Moreover, the effects of different distances between cables are analyzed. Power cable losses and produced magnetic fields around power cables are computed based on electromagnetic analysis by using finite element method. Furthermore, finite element method thermal simulations are conducted to determine the cable life time based on Arrhenius model. Underground medium‐voltage cables with metallic sheaths in flat and trefoil formations are considered. Metallic sheaths are bonded together and grounded in the single point or both ends. So, the effects of eddy and circulating currents of sheaths on power cable parameters are studied. Simulation results show the important effects of unbalancing and harmonic currents on the power cables parameters. Also, the effects are dependent on the harmonic frequency orders, installation method, and grounding system types.
Variability of FinFET AC parameters: A physics‐based insight
Authors: Bughio Ahsin Murtaza , Donati Guerrieri Simona , Bonani Fabrizio , Ghione Giovanni
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a fully physics‐based variability analysis of single‐fin double‐gate Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET (MOSFET) AC parameters, without resorting to any approximated quasi‐static analysis based on the variations of the DC drain current or charge. Variations of the AC parameters have been investigated as a function of all the relevant geometrical and physical parameters, with emphasis on the ones affecting the device parasitics, especially important for high‐frequency analog applications. A numerically efficient Green's function technique is applied to reduce the simulation time to a few percent of the time required for standard Monte Carlo–based variability analysis. The Green's function approach especially allows for a deep insight into the so‐called local variability source, highlighting the regions of the device where physical variations most significantly affect the output AC performances and opening the way for possible structure optimization. Although presently implemented in a 2D in‐house software, the technique can be easily exported to standard 3D Technology Computer‐Aided Design (TCAD) tools, eg, for tri‐gate FinFET analysis.