bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New strategies on young stage
Authors: Jauniškis Vaidas
Published: July 2017

The schism between receptions of different modern arts in Lithuania is quite significant: abstractvisual art has been accepted for some decades and non-consequential and/or postdramatic performances are treated like abnormal deviations from the “right” way. Nevertheless, young directors and actors try to go not only their individual way, but their creations show some regularities and similar approaches towards the theme. Artūras Areima, Paulius Markevičius, Aleksandras Špilevojus, Birutė Kapustinskaitė – they are only a few of a bunch of young creators who don’t divide their work into strictly ‘directors’ or ‘actors’. Mostly they work in a collaborative way and try to change spectators’ attitude towards space. They use white cube in the galleries or black box of the stage for their performances which deal with the performativity very much. Space is preferred to be without memory, not signalizing any past, just pure here and now. Body is no longer significant, but the strong presence of it implies tension to return physicality of craving and pain into the world of voice and language. The same is with voice. Vocal communication doesn’t exist or reaches crisis in some performances. But microphones are used very actively and sometimes just like an amplifying media of straight communication which turns into a scream. But the microphone also changed its role – it is no longer a sign of modernity nor a means to strengthen weak voice: howl is an essential subject and message of the show. Standing before the audience and speaking real his/her own stories – that is the scene on stand-up comedy. But stories are changed into non-authentic ones, and here we see not only performed subjectivity, but identity which is liquid like in social networks. For some of the creators the story is much more important than the author of it, and the possibility to communicate is the main subject. Not only the artist is present – the spectator is present too, and here we see participation from both sides as co-presence, as real involvement which allows to create responsiveness to one another’s ideas, self-awareness and feedback loop which leads to a new way for a dialogue.
A hierarchical, retinotopic proto-organization of the primate visual system at birth
Authors: Arcaro Michael J , Livingstone Margaret S
Published: July 2017

The adult primate visual system comprises a series of hierarchically organized areas. Each cortical area contains a topographic map of visual space, with different areas extracting different kinds of information from the retinal input. Here we asked to what extent the newborn visual system resembles the adult organization. We find that hierarchical, topographic organization is present at birth and therefore constitutes a proto-organization for the entire primate visual system. Even within inferior temporal cortex, this proto-organization was already present, prior to the emergence of category selectivity (e.g., faces or scenes). We propose that this topographic organization provides the scaffolding for the subsequent development of visual cortex that commences at the onset of visual experience
Power1D: a Python toolbox for numerical power estimates in experiments involving one-dimensional continua
Authors: Pataky Todd C.
Published: July 2017

The unit of experimental measurement in a variety of scientific applications is the one-dimensional (1D) continuum: a dependent variable whose value is measured repeatedly, often at regular intervals, in time or space. A variety of software packages exist for computing continuum-level descriptive statistics and also for conducting continuum-level hypothesis testing, but very few offer power computing capabilities, where ‘power’ is the probability that an experiment will detect a true continuum signal given experimental noise. Moreover, no software package yet exists for arbitrary continuum-level signal/noise modeling. This paper describes a package called power1d which implements (a) two analytical 1D power solutions based on random field theory (RFT) and (b) a high-level framework for computational power analysis using arbitrary continuum-level signal/noise modeling. First power1d’s two RFT-based analytical solutions are numerically validated using its random continuum generators. Second arbitrary signal/noise modeling is demonstrated to show how power1d can be used for flexible modeling well beyond the assumptions of RFT-based analytical solutions. Its computational demands are non-excessive, requiring on the order of only 30 s to execute on standard desktop computers, but with approximate solutions available much more rapidly. Its broad signal/noise modeling capabilities along with relatively rapid computations imply that power1d may be a useful tool for guiding experimentation involving multiple measurements of similar 1D continua, and in particular to ensure that an adequate number of measurements is made to detect assumed continuum signals.
Clinical pearls of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender patients
Authors: Irving Amanda , Lehault William B.
Published: July 2017

Despite the growing visibility of transgender individuals in the mainstream media, this population still encounters discrimination as well as many barriers to receiving appropriate care. Of note, not all medical providers are familiar with gender-affirming hormone treatment for transgender patients. Gender-affirming hormone treatment is used in transgender patients to reduce characteristics of their natal sex and induce those of their desired sex. Pharmacists have a potential role to make a positive impact by providing information regarding gender-affirming hormone treatment. This article aims to give an overview of the medications used in gender-affirming hormone treatment, the desired effects caused by these medications, the expected timeline to achieving these effects, and to provide information as to where these treatment guidelines can be found.
TSPAN31 is a critical regulator on transduction of survival and apoptotic signals in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Jianglin , Zhou Yuting , Li Dan , Sun Xuemeng , Deng Yuanfei , Zhao Qing
Published: July 2017

Tetraspanins are commonly believed to act as ‘molecular facilitators’, not directly involved in signal transduction. Tetraspanin 31 (TSPAN31), recently discovered to be linked to cancer, has not yet been studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we show that TSPAN31 is the natural antisense transcript of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and regulates the expression of CDK4 mRNA and protein. Target analysis indicates that miR‐135b can directly regulate TSPAN31 expression. miR‐135b‐induced TSPAN31 silencing increases CDK4 protein levels. Interestingly, p53 negatively regulates TSPAN31 expression. siRNA‐induced TSPAN31 knockdown reduces the expression of Akt signaling pathway components phosphorylated Akt, p‐GSK3β and β‐catenin, and restrains β‐catenin migration to cell nucleus. TSPAN31 knockdown also significantly inhibits HCC cell invasion and migration. These findings thus point to TSPAN31 as a novel regulator in transduction of intracellular survival and apoptotic signals.
Episodic behavior of Gondwanide deformation in eastern Australia: Insights from the Gympie Terrane
Authors: Hoy Derek , Rosenbaum Gideon
Published: July 2017

The mechanisms that drove Permian‐Triassic orogenesis in Australia and throughout the Cordilleran‐type Gondwanan margin is a subject of debate. Here we present field‐based results on the structural evolution of the Gympie Terrane (eastern Australia), with the aim of evaluating its possible role in triggering widespread orogenesis. We document several deformation events (D1–D3) in the Gympie Terrane and show that the earliest deformation, D1, occurred only during the final pulse of orogenesis (235–230 Ma) within the broader Gondwanide Orogeny. In addition, we found no evidence for a crustal suture, suggesting that terrane accretion was not the main mechanism behind deformation. Rather, the similar spatiotemporal evolution of Permian‐Triassic orogenic belts in Australia, Antarctica, South Africa, and South America suggest that the Gondwanide Orogeny was more likely linked to large‐scale tectonic processes such as plate reorganization. In the context of previous work, our results highlight a number of spatial and temporal variations in pulses of deformation in eastern Australia, suggesting that shorter cycles of deformation occurred at a regional scale within the broader episode of the Gondwanide Orogeny. Similarly to the Cenozoic evolution of the central and southern Andes, we suggest that plate coupling and orogenic cycles in the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic Gondwanide Orogeny have resulted from the superposition of mechanisms acting at a range of scales, perhaps contributing to the observed variations in the intensity, timing, and duration of deformation phases within the orogenic belt.
Significance and dynamics of the Neoproterozoic (810 Ma) Phulad Shear Zone, Rajasthan, NW India
Authors: Chatterjee Sadhana M. , Roy Choudhury Manideepa , Das Subhrajyoti , Roy Alip
Published: July 2017

The Phulad Shear Zone (PSZ) in northwestern India demarcates the boundary between Grenvillian age para‐metamorphics of the South Delhi Fold Belt (SDFB) to the east and variably deformed Neoproterozoic granitoids of the Marwar Craton to the west. In calcareous and quartzofeldspathic mylonites in and around Phulad, the shear zone is characterized by steep SE dipping mylonitic fabric and a steep oblique stretching lineation. The shear zone is developed in a ductile regime with top‐to‐the‐west reverse sense of movement coupled with pronounced flattening across the PSZ. MnNCKFMASH pressure‐temperature pseudosection analysis of closely spaced specimens of garnet‐bearing mica schists reveals that the stabilization of syn/post‐garnet porphyroblasts in the hanging wall experienced near‐isothermal decompression followed by cooling in the retrograde arm of a clockwise P‐T path. The retrieved P‐T paths are consistent with reverse motion of SDFB mica schist over the cratonic foreland. U‐Th‐Pb (total) monazite age determinations in hanging wall mica schists indicate that reverse motion on the PSZ occurred at 810 ± 6 Ma. The pre‐shearing Grenvillian age (~970 ± 9 Ma) metamorphic monazites of the SDFB occur as embayed cores, in the interiors of younger monazite grains. Intense high‐temperature deformation and the emplacement of mica‐bearing pegmatites during reverse shearing caused recrystallization of monazites by dissolution‐precipitation, mantling older monazites in the hanging wall SDFB schists. It is suggested that the PSZ may represent a terrane boundary shear zone along which the Greater India landmass accreted with the Marwar Craton at ~810 Ma.
Regulation of Neisseria meningitidis cytochrome bc1 components by NrrF, a Fur‐controlled small noncoding RNA
Authors: Pannekoek Yvonne , Huis in ‘t Veld Robert , Schipper Kim , Bovenkerk Sandra , Kramer Gertjan , Speijer Dave , van der Ende Arie
Published: July 2017

NrrF is a small regulatory RNA of the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. NrrF was previously shown to repress succinate dehydrogenase (sdhCDAB) under control of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur). Here, we provide evidence that cytochrome bc1, encoded by the polycistronic mRNA petABC, is a NrrF target as well. We demonstrated differential expression of cytochrome bc1 comparing wild‐type meningococci and meningococci expressing NrrF when sufficient iron is available. Using a gfp‐reporter system monitoring translational control and target recognition of sRNA in Escherichia coli, we show that interaction between NrrF and the 5′ untranslated region of the petABC mRNA results in its repression. The NrrF region essential for repression of petABC was identified by site‐directed mutagenesis and is fully conserved among meningococci. Our results provide further insights into the mechanism by which Fur controls essential components of the N. meningitidis respiratory chain. Adaptation of cytochrome bc1 complex component levels upon iron limitation is post‐transcriptionally regulated via the small regulatory RNA NrrF.
Gel Microrods for 3D Tissue Printing
Authors: Ma Shaohua , Mukherjee Nobina , Mikhailova Ellina , Bayley Hagan
Published: July 2017

Large scale 3D ordering of anisotropic gel objects, such as gel microrods, both rigid and soft, is in demand for the engineering of replica tissues but has not yet been achieved. Here, monodisperse gel microrods of gelatin methacrylate (GelMa) or Matrigel are generated by a droplet‐based microfluidics tubing system. The microrods are 50–300 µm wide and 1–3 mm long; the GelMa versions are produced at up to 50 s−1 while the more fragile Matrigel versions are produced at up to 10 s−1 followed by 1 h of gelation. Upon ejection from the tubing, the rods can be printed into robust 3D structures of centimeter dimensions in which the rods are organized into patterns, including various parallel arrangements and tubular structures. Further, mammalian cells contained within the microrods remain viable, and can proliferate and migrate. As well as homogeneous microrods, Janus and ternary rods can be prepared. Gel microrods will be useful for the production of printed tissues, which mimic intricate architectures found in Nature that cannot presently be attained.
CuCo Bimetallic Oxide Quantum Dot Decorated Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes: A High‐Efficiency Bifunctional Oxygen Electrode for Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Cheng Hui , Li Mei‐Ling , Su Chang‐Yuan , Li Nan , Liu Zhao‐Qing
Published: July 2017

The large‐scale production of metal–air batteries, an appealing solution for next‐generation energy storage, requires low‐cost, earth‐abundant, and efficient oxygen electrode materials, yet insights into active catalyst structures and synergistic reactivity remain largely unknown. Here, a new bifunctional oxygen electrode based on nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes decorated by spinel CuCo2O4 quantum dots (CuCo2O4/N‐CNTs) is reported, outperforming the benchmark of state‐of‐the‐art noble metal catalysts. Combining spectroscopic characterization and electrochemical studies, a prominent synergetic effect between CuCo2O4 and N‐doped carbon nanotubes is uncovered: the high conductivity, large active surface area, and increase in the number of catalytic sites induced by Cu doping (i.e., Cu2+ and CuN) can be beneficial to the overall electrocatalytic activities. Remarkably, the native flexibility of CuCo2O4/N‐CNTs allows its direct use as reversible oxygen electrodes in Zn–air batteries either with liquid alkaline electrolyte or in the all‐solid‐state configuration. The prepared devices demonstrate excellent discharging/charging performance, large energy density (83.83 mW cm−2 in liquid state, 1.86 W g−1 in all‐solid‐state), and long lifetime (48 h in liquid state, 9 h in all‐solid‐state), holding great promise in the practical application of rechargeable metal–air batteries and other fuel cells.
Ultrasound‐Triggered Destruction of Folate‐Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle‐Loaded Microbubble for Targeted Tumor Therapy
Authors: Lv Yongjiu , Cao Yang , Li Pan , Liu Jianxin , Chen Huali , Hu Wenjing , Zhang Liangke
Published: July 2017

A multifunctional drug delivery vehicle, which combines the active targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) and microbubble (MB) drug delivery system, is proposed and fabricated. The resulting delivery vehicle integrates the merits of high drug loading capacity, multitargeting, and ultrasound‐guided releasing. Folate (FA), which serves as an active ligand, is modified to the surface of MSN (MSN‐FA) to enhance cell membrane translocation. MSN‐FA is loaded with tanshinone IIA (TAN), then encapsulated in a microbubble (denoted as MSN‐FA‐TAN‐MB) for more precise tumor targeting. The conjunction between FA and MSN is confirmed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The characteristics and morphology of MSN‐FA‐TAN‐MB are investigated by confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies of MSN‐FA‐TAN‐MB are conducted on A549 and HeLa tumor cells. FA‐facilitated MSN‐FA‐TAN uptake is shown by HeLa cells that overexpress FA receptors via a FA‐receptor‐mediated endocytosis mechanism. The ultrasound response property of MSN‐FA‐TAN‐MB is also verified. MSN‐FA‐TAN‐MB shows significant antitumor efficacy in vivo with the assistance of FA, MB, and an external ultrasound irradiation. Thus, this multifunctional vehicle may provide a novel strategy for tumor targeting and imaging in tumor therapy.
Electrostimulated Release of Neutral Drugs from Polythiophene Nanoparticles: Smart Regulation of Drug–Polymer Interactions
Authors: Puiggalí‐Jou Anna , Micheletti Paolo , Estrany Francesc , del Valle Luis J. , Alemán Carlos
Published: July 2017

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles are loaded with curcumin and piperine by in situ emulsion polymerization using dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid both as a stabilizer and a doping agent. The loaded drugs affect the morphology, size, and colloidal stability of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, kinetics studies of nonstimulated drug release have evidenced that polymer···drug interactions are stronger for curcumin than for piperine. This observation suggests that drug delivery systems based on combination of the former drug with PEDOT are much appropriated to show an externally tailored release profile. This is demonstrated by comparing the release profiles obtained in presence and absence of electrical stimulus. Results indicate that controlled and time‐programmed release of curcumin is achieved in a physiological medium by applying a negative voltage of −1.25 V to loaded PEDOT nanoparticles.
Superoxide Dismutase‐Loaded Porous Polymersomes as Highly Efficient Antioxidants for Treating Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Kartha Sonia , Yan Lesan , Weisshaar Christine L. , Ita Meagan E. , Shuvaev Vladimir V. , Muzykantov Vladimir R. , Tsourkas Andrew , Winkelstein Beth A. , Cheng Zhiliang
Published: July 2017

A highly efficient antioxidant is developed by encapsulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) within the aqueous interior of porous polymersomes. The porous polymersomes provide a permeable membrane that allows free superoxide radicals to pass into the aqueous interior and interact with the encapsulated antioxidant enzyme SOD. In vivo studies in the rat demonstrate that administration of SOD‐encapsulated porous polymersomes can prevent neuropathic pain after nerve root compression more effectively than treatment with free antioxidant enzyme alone.
A Highly Efficient and Photostable Photosensitizer with Near‐Infrared Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Image‐Guided Photodynamic Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Mao Duo , Hu Fang , Xu Shidang , Chen Chao , Zhang Chong‐Jing , Cheng Xiamin , Yuan Youyong , Ding Dan , Kong Deling , Liu Bin
Published: July 2017

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which relies on photosensitizers (PS) and light to generate reactive oxygen species to kill cancer cells or bacteria, has attracted much attention in recent years. PSs with both bright emission and efficient singlet oxygen generation have also been used for image‐guided PDT. However, simultaneously achieving effective 1O2 generation, long wavelength absorption, and stable near‐infrared (NIR) emission with low dark toxicity in a single PS remains challenging. In addition, it is well known that when traditional PSs are made into nanoparticles, they encounter quenched fluorescence and reduced 1O2 production. In this contribution, these challenging issues have been successfully addressed through designing the first photostable photosensitizer with aggregation‐induced NIR emission and very effective 1O2 generation in aggregate state. The yielded nanoparticles show very effective 1O2 generation, bright NIR fluorescence centered at 820 nm, excellent photostability, good biocompatibility, and negligible dark in vivo toxicity. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments prove that the nanoparticles are excellent candidates for image‐guided photodynamic anticancer therapy.
Ultraselective Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes with Tailored Synergistic Sorption Selective Properties
Authors: Zhang Chen , Koros William J.
Published: July 2017

Membrane‐based separations can reduce the energy consumption and the CO2 footprint of large‐scale fluid separations, which are traditionally practiced by energy‐intensive thermally driven processes. Here, a new type of membrane structure based on nanoporous carbon is reported, which, according to this study, is best referred to as carbon/carbon mixed‐matrix (CCMM) membranes. The CCMM membranes are formed by high‐temperature (up to 900 °C) pyrolysis of polyimide precursor hollow‐fiber membranes. Unprecedentedly high permselectivities are seen in CCMM membranes for CO2/CH4, N2/CH4, He/CH4, and H2/CH4 separations. Analysis of permeation data suggests that the ultrahigh selectivities result from substantially increased sorption selectivities, which is hypothetically owing to the formation of ultraselective micropores that selectively exclude the bulkier CH4 molecules. With tunable sorption selectivities, the CCMM membranes outperform flexible polymer membranes and traditional rigid molecular‐sieve membranes. The capability to increase sorption selectivities is a powerful tool to leverage diffusion selectivities, and has opened the door to many challenging and economically important fluid separations that require ultrafine differentiation of closely sized molecules.
Efficient Mid‐Infrared Light Confinement within Sub‐5‐nm Gaps for Extreme Field Enhancement
Authors: Ji Dengxin , Cheney Alec , Zhang Nan , Song Haomin , Gao Jun , Zeng Xie , Hu Haifeng , Jiang Suhua , Yu Zongfu , Gan Qiaoqiang
Published: July 2017

Optical field can be concentrated into deep‐subwavelength volumes and realize significant localized‐field enhancement (so called “hot spot”) using metallic nanostructures. It is generally believed that smaller gaps between metallic nanopatterns will result in stronger localized field due to optically driven free electrons coupled across the gap. However, it is challenging to squeeze light into extreme dimensions with high efficiencies mainly due to the conventional optical diffraction limit. Here a metamaterial super absorber structure is reported with sub‐5 nm gaps fabricated using atomic layer deposition processes that can trap light efficiently within these extreme volumes. Light trapping efficiencies up to 81% are experimentally demonstrated at mid‐infrared wavelengths. Importantly, the strong localized field supported in these nanogap super absorbing metamaterial patterns can significantly enhance light–matter interaction at the nanoscale, which will enable the development of novel on‐chip energy harvesting/conversion, and surface enhanced spectroscopy techniques for bio/chemical sensing. By coating these structures with chemical/biological molecules, it is successfully demonstrated that the fingerprints of molecules in the mid‐infrared absorption spectroscopy are enhanced significantly with the enhancement factor up to 106–107, representing a record for surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy.
Influence of silane‐modified Vinyl ester on the properties of Abaca fiber reinforced composites
Authors: Ahmed Syed Nabeel , Prabhakar M.N. , Siddaramaiah  , Song Jung‐IL
Published: July 2017

The versatility of the fiber reinforced composites has significantly replaced some of the sophisticated metal components in certain sectors of industries. The matrix could be altered to improve self‐properties via silane modifiers by forming chemical linkages with the matrix in harmony with the reinforcing agents. This research work is an endeavor to enhance the traits of Vinyl ester by scrutinizing the influence of silane chemical agents using Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS). The dispersion time and concentration of these chemicals in matrix were optimized and henceforth a natural reinforcement, Abaca fabric was incorporated to constitute Natural fiber composite via Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) technique. The effect of resin modification on mechanical, thermal, and physical properties of Vinyl ester/Abaca (VE/AF) composite was examined. HMDS resin modified composite showed an improvement in the mechanical and flame retardant properties when compared to the pristine composite due to the formation of siloxane bonding which is compatible with the functional groups of both the matrix and the fabric. FT‐IR and FESEM characterizations have showed imperative evidences to support the results. This investigation provides a channel for enhancing the properties of natural fiber composites via chemical modification technique.
Characterization, thermal behavior, and electrical measurements of poly[4‐(2‐bromoisobutyroyl methyl)styrene]
Authors: Biryan Fatih , Demirelli Kadir
Published: July 2017

The 4‐(2‐bromoisobutyroyl methyl)styrene [BBMS] monomer was synthesized. The homopolymer of BBMS was prepared by free radical polymerization method. The decomposition behavior of P(BBMS) was thermally investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). For thermal decomposition kinetics of poly(BBMS), Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was applied to thermogravimetry curves. The first step, which is one of the two decomposition stages, is comprehensively related to elimination of hydrogen bromide and the other step is related to a multi‐step process. The activation energy (Ea) of thermal decomposition of the first step and 50% weight loss is 148.5 and 190.7 kJ/mol, respectively. The results showed that the side group elimination without chain breaking comprehensively proceeded at lower temperature, and at progressive temperatures subsequently the specific chain scission did so. Degradation of poly(BBMS) did not lead to depolymerization. 1H, 13C‐NMR, and FT‐IR analyses showed that the decomposition products during degradation of poly(BBMS) to 260°C were comprehensively HBr and methacrylic acid. Electrically conducting graphene‐based poly(BBMS) composites were prepared. The DC and AC electrical measurements of graphene‐based poly(BBMS) composites were carried out. The AC dielectric measurements of poly(BBMS) were investigated up to 70°C between 100 Hz and 20 kHz depending on the alternating current conductivities. The dipolar functional groups (C–O, C=O, and Br) of the BBMS segment possesses significantly affect the dielectric constant. Also, the activation energy profile of different graphene/poly(BBMS) composites were revealed by measuring DC conductivity of individual composite material.
Reentrant Structural Transitions and Collapse of Charge and Orbital Orders in Quadruple Perovskites
Authors: Belik Alexei A. , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Khalyavin Dmitry D.
Published: July 2017

Charge and orbital degrees of freedom determine properties of many materials, and are central to many important phenomena. At high temperatures, thermal fluctuations overcome them, and high‐symmetry structures are realized. On decreasing temperature, different charge‐ and orbital‐order transitions take place accompanied by symmetry lowering. Remarkable exceptions to this general tendency, realized in Cu‐doped BiMn7O12 quadruple perovskites, are presented. Introduction of Cu2+ produces mixtures of Mn3+ and Mn4+ and charge degree of freedom. BiCuMn6O12 (and compositions in the vicinity) exhibits well‐defined 1:3 charge order of Mn4+ and Mn3+ and orbital order of Mn3+ near room temperature, but both charge and orbital orders collapse below about 115 K with the reentrance of the high‐temperature cubic Im
phase. What is interesting the collapse can be controlled by a magnetic field even without long‐range magnetic order, and the collapsed phase shows nearly zero thermal expansion.
Resonante Bildung von Strangbrüchen in sensibilisierten Oligonukleotiden induziert durch niederenergetische Elektronen (0.5–9.0 eV)
Authors: Schürmann Robin , Tsering Thupten , Tanzer Katrin , Denifl Stephan , Kumar S. V. K. , Bald Ilko
Published: July 2017

In der Krebs‐Strahlentherapie werden halogenierte Nukleinbasen als Radiosensibilisatoren eingesetzt, um die Reaktivität der DNA gegenüber niederenergetischen Elektronen (NEEs) zu erhöhen. NEEs erzeugen DNA‐Strangbrüche bei spezifischen Energien (Resonanzen) durch dissoziative Elektronenanlagerung (DEA). Obwohl halogenierte Nukleinbasen intensive DEA‐Resonanzen bei verschiedenen Elektronenenergien in der Gasphase aufweisen, kann der Einfluss der halogenierten Nukleinbasen auf tatsächliche DNA‐Strangbrüche grundsätzlich nur schwer über den Energiebereich, in dem DEA stattfindet (<12 eV), untersucht werden. Mithilfe von DNA‐Origami‐Nanostrukturen haben wir die Energieabhängigkeit der Wirkungsquerschnitte für DNA‐Strangbrüche von Oligonukleotiden bestimmt, die mit 8‐Bromadenin (8BrA) modifiziert wurden. Diese Ergebnisse wurden mit DEA‐Messungen an isoliertem 8BrA in der Gasphase verglichen. Entgegen der Erwartungen wird der Großteil der Strangbrüche durch Resonanzen um 7 eV hervorgerufen, wohingegen der Einfluss von Resonanzen bei sehr niedrigen Energien (<2 eV) auf die Strangbrüche gering ist.
Homogenous Alloys of Formamidinium Lead Triiodide and Cesium Tin Triiodide for Efficient Ideal‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zong Yingxia , Wang Ning , Zhang Lin , Ju Ming‐Gang , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Sun Xiao Wei , Zhou Yuanyuan , Padture Nitin P.
Published: July 2017

The alloying behavior between FAPbI3 and CsSnI3 perovskites is studied carefully for the first time, which has led to the realization of single‐phase hybrid perovskites of (FAPbI3)1−x(CsSnI3)x (0<x<1) compositions with anomalous bandgaps. (FAPbI3)1−x(CsSnI3)x perovskites exhibit stable, homogenous composition/microstructure at the nanoscale, as confirmed by microscopic characterization. The ideal bandgap of 1.3 eV for single‐junction solar cell operation is achieved in the rationally‐tailored (FAPbI3)0.7(CsSnI3)0.3‐composition perovskite. Solar cells based on this new perovskite show power conversion efficiency up to 14.6 %.
Dynamic viscoelasticity and phenomenological model of electrorheological elastomers
Authors: Ma Ning , Zhang Ziqi , Dong Xufeng , Wang Qi , Niu Chenguang , Han Baoguo
Published: July 2017

Electrorheological elastomers (EREs) present a tunable viscoelasticity with the application of an electric field. For their application, it is necessary to investigate the viscoelasticity of the EREs under various loading conditions and establish an accurate constitutive model. In this study, anisotropic silicone‐rubber‐based EREs with 30 vol % TiO2–urea core–shell particles were prepared under an orientation electric field. We evaluated their viscoelasticities by testing their shear stress–shear strain hysteresis loops under various electric fields, frequencies, and strain amplitudes. On the basis of the experimental data, a nonlinear, revised Bouc–Wen phenomenological model was established, and the parameters in the model were identified. The results indicate that the revised model could accurately describe the viscoelastic properties of the EREs within a low frequency. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45407.
Quasi‐isothermal DSC testing of epoxy adhesives using initial fast heating rates
Authors: Puentes John , Restrepo‐Zapata Nora Catalina , Chaloupka Alexander , Duddleston Lukas J. L. , Rudolph Natalie , Osswald Tim A.
Published: July 2017

Three major factors decrease the accuracy of the cure measurement in standard‐isothermal testing using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). First, cure occurs during the heating step. Second, data are lost during the stabilization period between the dynamic and isothermal step. Third, the baseline selection requires a modification to the protocol. An alternative, which is explored in this study, is the use of fast ramps, which decrease the heating time, but this has been avoided due to overshoot that occurs between the dynamic and isothermal step, which is troublesome for systems with autocatalytic kinetics. By mitigating these factors, a quasi‐isothermal protocol was developed. Therefore, more complete cure kinetics were captured with the implementation of fast DSC to decrease the ramp time and through the optimization of furnace parameters to decrease stabilization time and temperature overshoot. The data suggested this quasi‐isothermal analysis more accurately measured the isothermal curing kinetics of a commercial epoxy adhesive at 110, 115, and 120 °C for fast ramps of 175, 350, and 500 K/min compared to the traditional ramp of 5 K/min. The enthalpy spike at the dynamic to isothermal transition remains an issue; however, an empirical shift can be used to compensate for the enthalpy signal lag. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45425.
Preparation, characterization, antibacterial properties, and hemostatic evaluation of ibuprofen‐loaded chitosan/gelatin composite films
Authors: Li Hongbin , Cheng Feng , Gao Shuzhen , Wu Zhonghui , Dong Lulu , Lin Shenghui , Luo Ze , Li Xiaoyu
Published: July 2017

Ibuprofen‐loaded chitosan/gelatin (CS/GE) composite films were fabricated in this work. The morphology of the composite film was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The functional groups of the composite film before and after crosslinking were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties, antibacterial performance, cytocompatibility, and hemostatic activity of the composite films were investigated. The results show that the amount of CS affected the mechanical properties and liquid uptake capacities of the composite films. The composite film showed better bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus than Escherichia coli. In vitro drug‐release evaluations showed that crosslinking could control the drug‐release rate and period in wound healing. Both types of CS/GE and drug‐loaded CS/GE composite films also showed excellent cytocompatibility in cytotoxicity assays. The hemostatic evaluation indicated that the composite film crosslinked by glutaraldehyde in rabbit livers had a dramatic hemostatic efficacy. Therefore, ibuprofen‐loaded CS/GE composite films are potentially applicable as a wound dressing material. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45441.
Non‐Doped Sky‐Blue OLEDs Based on Simple Structured AIE Emitters with High Efficiencies at Low Driven Voltages
Authors: Islam Amjad , Zhang Dongdong , Peng Ruixiang , Yang Rongjuan , Hong Ling , Song Wei , Wei Qiang , Duan Lian , Ge Ziyi
Published: July 2017

Blue organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are necessary for flat‐panel display technologies and lighting applications. To make more energy‐saving, low‐cost and long‐lasting OLEDs, efficient materials as well as simple structured devices are in high demand. However, a very limited number of blue OLEDs achieving high stability and color purity have been reported. Herein, three new sky‐blue emitters, 1,4,5‐triphenyl‐2‐(4‐(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)phenyl)‐1H‐imidazole (TPEI), 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐2‐(4‐(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)phenyl)‐1H‐imidazole (TPEMeOPhI) and 1‐phenyl‐2,4,5‐tris(4‐(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)phenyl)‐1H‐imidazole (3TPEI), with a combination of imidazole and tetraphenylethene groups, have been developed. High photoluminescence quantum yields are obtained for these materials. All derivatives have demonstrated aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) behavior, excellent thermal stability with high decomposition and glass transition temperatures. Non‐doped sky‐blue OLEDs with simple structure have been fabricated employing these materials as emitters and realized high efficiencies of 2.41 % (4.92 cd A−1, 2.70 lm W−1), 2.16 (4.33 cd A−1, 2.59 lm W−1) and 3.13 % (6.97 cd A−1, 4.74 lm W−1) for TPEI, TPEMeOPhI and 3TPEI, with small efficiency roll‐off. These are among excellent results for molecules constructed from the combination of imidazole and TPE reported so far. The high performance of a 3TPEI‐based device shows the promising potential of the combination of imidazole and AIEgen for synthesizing efficient electroluminescent materials for OLED devices.
Zuverlässigkeit schlanker Betonstützen
Authors: Strauss Alfred , Benko Vladimír , Täubling Benjamin , Valašík Adrian , Čuhák Marek
Published: July 2017

In diesem Beitrag werden Berechnungen und vergleichende experimentelle Ergebnisse des Stabilitätsverlusts von schlanken Stahlbetonstützen aus einer Versuchsreihe präsentiert. Das primäre Ziel der Arbeit war der Vergleich der Bemessungsmethoden bei der Ermittlung der globalen Zuverlässigkeit schlanker Stahlbetonstützen. Der Schlankheitsgrad der Stützen betrug λ > 90, wobei die untersuchten Stützen nach EN 1992‐1‐1 dimensioniert wurden. Die oben erwähnten experimentellen Untersuchungen dienten zudem als Grundlage für die Bewertung und Kalibrierung der deterministischen und probabilistischen nichtlinearen Modellbildung. Diese probabilistische Modellbildung der Normalkraft‐Momenten (N‐M)‐Beziehung und des Stabilitätsversagens ist eine Grundlage für die Entwicklung eines objektivierten Bemessungsansatzes und der zugehörigen Teilsicherheitsbeiwerte.
An efficient model construction strategy to simulate microalgal lutein photo‐production dynamic process
Authors: del Rio‐Chanona Ehecatl A. , Fiorelli Fabio , Zhang Dongda , Ahmed Nur R. , Jing Keju , Shah Nilay
Published: July 2017

Lutein is a high‐value bioproduct synthesized by microalga Desmodesmus sp. It has great potential for the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. However, in order to enhance its productivity and to fulfil its ever‐increasing global market demand, it is vital to construct accurate models capable of simulating the entire behavior of the complicated dynamics of the underlying biosystem. To this aim, in this study two highly robust artificial neural networks (ANNs) are designed for the first time. Contrary to conventional ANNs, these networks model the rate of change of the dynamic system, which makes them highly relevant in practice. Different strategies are incorporated into the current research to guarantee the accuracy of the constructed models, which include determining the optimal network structure through a hyper‐parameter selection framework, generating significant amounts of artificial data sets by embedding random noise of appropriate size, and rescaling model inputs through standardization. Based on experimental verification, the high accuracy and great predictive power of the current models for long‐term dynamic bioprocess simulation in both real‐time and offline frameworks are thoroughly demonstrated. This research, therefore, paves the way to significantly facilitate the future investigation of lutein bioproduction process control and optimization. In addition, the model construction strategy developed in this research has great potential to be directly applied to other bioprocesses. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2518–2527. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analytical methodologies for the stereoselective determination of fluoxetine: An overview
Authors: Hancu Gabriel , Cârcu‐Dobrin Melania , Budău Monica , Rusu Aura
Published: July 2017

Fluoxetine is a widely used antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class; it is used in the treatment of major depression, obsessive compulsive, premenstrual dysphoric, panic and post‐traumatic stress disorders. Fluoxetine is an optical active pharmaceutical substance, which is used as a racemate in therapy, but stereospecific interactions associated with the serotonin‐reuptake carrier, for both the parent drug and its active metabolite, norfluoxetine, have been described in the literature. Therefore, the stereoselective analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine is important in order to characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of the analytes. Several chromatographic and electrophoretic methods have been published in the literature for the chiral discrimination of fluoxetine enantiomers from different matrices. The purpose of the current review is to provide a systematic survey of the analytical techniques used for the chiral determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine covering a period of ~25 years.
Enzymatic Process Enhances the Flavour Profile and Increases the Proportion of Esters in Citrus Essential Oils
Authors: Zhang Kun , Lin Ying , Diao Zhou‐Jian , Zhang Wei‐Hua , Zheng Sui‐Ping , Liang Shu‐Li , Han Shuang‐Yan
Published: July 2017

Citrus essential oils (CEOs) are important flavors in the food and confectionary industries. A lipase process was proposed for enhancing the flavor profiles and increasing the proportions of esters in CEOs. The effects of the enzymatic process were explored by detecting the constituents of the CEOs of American sweet orange oil (ASO) and Brazil mandarin oil (BMO) through GC/MS and sensory evaluation by a trained panel, and positive effects were confirmed by both methods. A further eleven kinds of CEOs were treated via the lipase process and increments of 10 – 1170% were achieved in the proportions of esters, which were mostly ethyl esters. Enhancement in fruity odor, especially the top note, was demonstrated by all CEOs after enzymatic processing. All CEOs were tested for antimicrobial activities, and only ASO displayed fairly ideal antimicrobial activities. Meanwhile, modified ASO showed a certain increase in antimicrobial activities. This methodology might be considered a sustainable route for acquiring ‘natural’ essential oils with enhanced flavor profiles and simultaneously enhancing the comprehensive utilization of citrus fruits.
Group 4 Metal Complexes of Phenylene–Salalen Ligands in rac‐Lactide Polymerization Giving High Molecular Weight Stereoblock Poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Stopper Ayellet , Rosen Tomer , Venditto Vincenzo , Goldberg Israel , Kol Moshe
Published: July 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Moshe Kol at the University of Tel Aviv. The image depicts the synthesis of highly isotactic stereoblock poly(lactic acid) from racemic lactide. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201701007.
Die „Iod‐Probe“ als Alternative zur Fehling‐ und Benedict‐Probe – Eine einfache und gefährdungsfreie Nachweisreaktion auf reduzierende Zucker
Authors: Fleischer Holger
Published: July 2017

Der Nachweis reduzierender Zucker mit Kupfer(II)‐Verbindungen – z. B. Fehling‐ und Benedict‐Probe – hat für den Chemieunterricht im Allgemeinen und für Schülerpraktika insbesondere einige Nachteile. Als Alternative bietet sich die „Iod‐Probe“ an, eine für die quantitative Glucoseanalytik bereits etablierte Methode. Mit ihr gelingt ein schneller Nachweis auch kleiner Mengen reduzierender Zucker bei Raumtemperatur durch Entfärbung einer schwach alkalischen Iod‐Stärke‐Lösung. Mit der „Iod‐Probe“ sind Zuckernachweise auch in der Primarstufe möglich und gestattet, da keine Gefahrstoffe eingesetzt werden, was neue Möglichkeiten für den Unterricht eröffnet. Dem Nachweis liegen einige, gekoppelte Gleichgewichtsreaktionen zugrunde. Als oxidierendes Agens wirkt hypoiodige Säure, die sich durch Redoxdisproportionierung aus ‐Iod bildet. Durch die Oxidation werden Aldopyranosen in Aldono‐δ‐lactone bzw. Aldonate umgewandelt. Mit der „Iod‐Probe“ kann auch zwischen Glucose und Fructose unterschieden werden, weil letztere zunächst über Tautomerie‐Gleichgewichte in eine Aldose umgewandelt werden muss und deshalb langsamer reagiert. Die Beschreibung der Reaktion auf der Teilchenebene eignet sich durch eine unterschiedlich ausgeprägte Reduktion ihrer Komplexität gut für eine Binnendifferenzierung im Chemieunterricht der Sekundarstufe II.
Life history constraints explain negative relationship between fish productivity and dissolved organic carbon in lakes
Authors: Craig Nicola , Jones Stuart E. , Weidel Brian C. , Solomon Christopher T.
Published: July 2017

Resource availability constrains the life history strategies available to organisms and may thereby limit population growth rates and productivity. We used this conceptual framework to explore the mechanisms driving recently reported negative relationships between fish productivity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in lakes. We studied populations of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in a set of lakes withDOCconcentrations ranging from 3 to 24 mg/L; previous work has demonstrated that primary and secondary productivity of food webs is negatively related toDOCconcentration across this gradient. For each population, we quantified individual growth rate, age at maturity, age‐specific fecundity, maximum age, length‐weight and length‐egg size relationships, and other life history characteristics. We observed a strong negative relationship between maximum size andDOCconcentration; for instance, fish reached masses of 150 to 260 g in low‐DOClakes but <120 g in high‐DOClakes. Relationships between fecundity and length, and between egg size and length, were constant across theDOCgradient. Because fish in high‐DOClakes reached smaller sizes but had similar fecundity and egg size at a given size, their total lifetime fecundity was as much as two orders of magnitude lower than fish in low‐DOClakes. HighDOCconcentrations appeared to constrain the range of bluegill life history strategies available; populations in high‐DOClakes always had low initial growth rates and high ages at maturity, whereas populations in low‐DOCshowed higher variability in these traits. This was also the case for the intrinsic rates of natural increase of these populations, which were always low at the high end of theDOCgradient. The potentially lower capacity for fish populations in high‐DOClakes to recover from exploitation has clear implications for the sustainable management of recreational fisheries in the face of considerable spatial heterogeneity and ongoing temporal change in lakeDOCconcentrations.
Land use changes due to energy policy as a determining factor for morphological processes in fluvial systems in São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Lupinacci Cenira Maria , da Conceição Fabiano Tomazini , Heck Simon Adriano Luis , Perez Filho Archimedes
Published: July 2017

The number of hydroelectric dams used for energy production and the cultivation of sugar cane crops for ethanol production have increased significantly in the southeastern region of Brazil. These land use/land cover changes (LULCC) associated with energy policy can affect landscape changes over a range of temporal and spatial scales. This article focuses on how human–landscape interactions have influenced geomorphological dynamics in the lower course of the Piracicaba River for two different scenarios that represent pre‐dam and post‐dam conditions in 1962 and 2007, respectively, and the expansion of sugar cane crops after 1975. This assessment was performed by mapping land use and geomorphological changes in the study area in the 1962 and 2007 scenarios, in addition to quantifying the sedimentation rates upstream from the Barra Bonita Reservoir using 210Pb. The main land uses identified for the 1962 scenario were pastures, meadows, annual crops and forests. However, the main land use change was the expansion of sugar cane cropland from 4 to 39%. In the 1962 scenario, the lower course of the Piracicaba River had a predominantly meandering pattern, and there were pronounced alluvial plains in the region. In the 2007 scenario, oxbow lakes were not mapped, and the river terraces were reduced in area due to construction of the Barra Bonita Reservoir. The changes in the sedimentation rates indicate an association between the construction of the Barra Bonita Reservoir and the expansion of sugar cane crops. It was therefore not possible to assess the specific influences of each anthropogenic change on the sedimentation processes, reinforcing that the human–landscape systems in São Paulo State associated with energy policy are complex. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.