bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal‐Contact‐Induced Transition of Electrical Transport in Monolayer MoS2: From Thermally Activated to Variable‐Range Hopping
Authors: Peng Songang , Jin Zhi , Yao Yao , Li Ling , Zhang Dayong , Shi Jingyuan , Huang Xinnan , Niu Jiebin , Zhang Yanhui , Yu Guanghui
Published: June 2019

An understanding of the charge transport of atomically thin molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) beneath the metal electrode is important to the fabrication of high performance MoS2 devices and circuits with low ohmic contact resistance. However, the carrier‐transport mechanism in monolayer MoS2 under the metal contact has remained elusive due to the difficulty of measuring the electrical properties of MoS2 in contact regions. A method to distinguish the electrical properties of monolayer MoS2 in the contact and channel regions is presented. Temperature‐dependent measurement reveals that the carriers are thermally activated in the channel region. In contrast, they are variable‐range hopping in the contact region. This difference can be attributed to the localization of the MoS2 electronic states caused by metal‐induced gap states. The variable‐range hopping transport in MoS2 under contact causes a reduction of the carrier mobility and an increase in the contact resistance. This work is not only important for fundamental understanding of metal–MoS2 contact but also helpful for further improving the performance of MoS2 devices.
Highly Stable Field Emission from a Tungsten Diselenide Monolayer on Zinc Oxide Nanowire by Geometrically Modulating Hot Electrons
Authors: Chen Yicong , Liu Liwei , Zheng Keshuang , She Juncong , Deng Shaozhi , Xu Ningsheng , Chen Jun
Published: June 2019

Compared with traditional thermal electron sources, field‐emission electron sources have many advantages, such as high brightness, coherence, and suitability for miniaturization. However, their instability has prevented their widespread use. Stable field emission from a hybrid structure with a tungsten diselenide (WSe2) monolayer on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires is achieved by geometrically modulating the WSe2 curvature. It is found that an emitter with a lower WSe2 curvature induces hotter electrons during field emission, which results in a low turn‐on field and high stability. Considering the similarity of 2D materials, a general approach for obtaining a highly stable field emitter using a 2D–1D hybrid structure is provided.
Powder morphology in thermal spraying
Authors: Nouri Alireza , Sola Antonella
Published: June 2019

Thermal spraying (TS) is a suitable method to protect a substrate or to improve its surface properties and achieve the specific surface requirements for a prescribed service environment. In this method the feedstock material is heated up to a melted or semi‐melted state, accelerated to high speed by an energetic flow and sprayed onto a prepared substrate. Powders are the most commonly used feedstock materials in the TS process. Their composition, size distribution, morphology, physical and mechanical properties determine the coating microstructure and related thermo‐mechanical performance. Among other variables, powder morphology plays a fundamental role to ensure the consistency and reproducibility of the feeding mechanism, to control the interaction between feedstock particles and TS heat source, and to influence the microstructure of the coating. This review highlights the crucial function of powder morphology in TS and proposes introductory information on the importance of powder morphology in cold spraying.
Boosting Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over Metal–Organic Frameworks by Plasmon‐Induced Hot‐Electron Injection
Authors: Wang Shan‐Shan , Jiao Long , Qian Yunyang , Hu Wen‐Chao , Xu Gui‐Yin , Wang Chen , Jiang Hai‐Long
Published: June 2019

Efficient hydrogen evolution via electrocatalytic water splitting holds great promise in modern energy devices. Herein, we demonstrate that the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation of Au nanorods (NRs) dramatically improves the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of CoFe‐metal–organic framework nanosheets (CoFe‐MOFNs), leading to a more than 4‐fold increase of current density at −0.236 V (vs. RHE) for Au/CoFe‐MOFNs composite under light irradiation versus in dark. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the hydrogen evolution enhancement can be largely attributed to the injection of hot electrons from AuNRs to CoFe‐MOFNs, raising the Fermi level of CoFe‐MOFNs, facilitating the reduction of H2O and affording decreased activation energy for HER. This study highlights the superiority of plasmonic excitation on improving electrocatalytic efficiency of MOFs and provides a novel avenue towards the design of highly efficient water‐splitting systems under light irradiation.
Ligand‐Directed Template Assembly for the Construction of Gigantic Molybdenum Blue Wheels
Authors: Xuan Weimin , Pow Robert , Zheng Qi , Watfa Nancy , Long De‐Liang , Cronin Leroy
Published: June 2019

Template‐mediated synthesis is a powerful approach to build a variety of functional materials and complex supramolecular systems. However, the systematic study of how templates structurally evolve from basic building blocks, and then affect the templated self‐assembly, is critical to understanding and utilizing the underlying mechanism, to work towards designed assembly. Here we describe the templated self‐assembly of a series of gigantic Mo Blue (MB) clusters 1–4 using l‐ornithine as a structure‐directing ligand. We show that by using l‐ornithine as a structure director, we can form new template⊂host assemblies. Based on the structural relationship between encapsulated templates of {Mo8} (1), {Mo17} (2) and {Mo36} (4), a pathway of the structural evolution of templates is proposed. This provides insight into how gigantic Mo Blue cluster rings form and could lead to full control over the designed assembly of gigantic Mo‐blue rings.
Numerical investigation of heat transfer enhancement in wavy microchannel with tangential branched secondary channels
Authors: Kumar Valaparla Ranjith , Balasubramanian Karthik , Tiwari Nikhil , Bhatia Kanishk , Kumar K. Kiran
Published: June 2019

Microchannel (MC) heat sinks have been extensively researched and used for thermal management. Wavy MC heat sinks and wavy MC with 45o branched secondary channel heat sinks are shown in the literature to have superior heat transfer enhancement capabilities than straight MCs, with more pressure drop as penalty. To minimize the pressure drop, a new design is introduced in this paper by altering the wavy MC, with tangential branched secondary channels, at peaks and troughs of the wavy MC. Numerical investigation is carried out in the Reynolds number range of 100 to 300 with constant heat flux wall boundary condition. A simple parametric study on the secondary channel width is also carried out. Wavy MC with TBSC, having secondary channel width as half of the primary channel, is found to have the best combination of heat transfer and pressure drop performance, compared with wavy MC heat sinks and wavy MC with 45o branched secondary channel heat sinks. The flow phenomenon that leads to such performance is carefully analyzed and discussed in detail in this paper.
Differential Altered Auditory Event‐Related Potential Responses in Young Boys on the Autism Spectrum With and Without Disproportionate Megalencephaly
Authors: De Meo‐Monteil Rosanna , Nordahl Christine Wu , Amaral David G. , Rogers Sally J. , Harootonian Sevan K. , Martin Joshua , Rivera Susan M. , Saron Clifford D.
Published: June 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterized by impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviors, often includes altered responses to sensory inputs as part of its phenotype. The neurobiological basis for altered sensory processing is not well understood. The UC Davis Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute Autism Phenome Project is a longitudinal, multidisciplinary study of young children with ASD and age‐matched typically developing (TD) controls. Previous analyses of the magnetic resonance imaging data from this cohort have shown that ∼15% of boys with ASD have disproportionate megalencephaly (DM) or brain size to height ratio, that is 1.5 standard deviations above the TD mean. Here, we investigated electrophysiological responses to auditory stimuli of increasing intensity (50–80 dB) in young toddlers (27–48 months old). Analyses included data from 36 age‐matched boys, of which 24 were diagnosed with ASD (12 with and 12 without DM; ASD‐DM and ASD‐N) and 12 TD controls. We found that the two ASD subgroups differed in their electrophysiological response patterns to sounds of increasing intensity. At early latencies (55–115 ms), ASD‐N does not show a loudness‐dependent response like TD and ASD‐DM, but tends to group intensities by soft vs. loud sounds, suggesting differences in sensory sensitivity in this group. At later latencies (145–195 ms), only the ASD‐DM group shows significantly higher amplitudes for loud sounds. Because no similar effects were found in ASD‐N and TD groups, this may be related to their altered neuroanatomy. These results contribute to the effort to delineate ASD subgroups and further characterize physiological responses associated with observable phenotypes. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1236–1250. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay summary

Approximately 15% of boys with ASD have much bigger brains when compared to individuals with typical development. By recording brain waves (electroencephalography) we compared how autistic children, with or without big brains, react to sounds compared to typically developing controls. We found that brain responses in the big‐brained group are different from the two other groups, suggesting that they represent a specific autism subgroup.
Novel ETV6‐RUNX1 Mouse Model to Study the Role of ELF‐MF in Childhood B‐Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: a Pilot Study
Authors: Campos‐Sanchez Elena , Vicente‐Dueñas Carolina , Rodríguez‐Hernández Guillermo , Capstick Myles , Kuster Niels , Dasenbrock Clemens , Sánchez‐García Isidro , Cobaleda César
Published: June 2019

Exposure to extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MFs) has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” based on limited scientific evidence concerning childhood leukemia. This assessment emphasized the lack of appropriate animal models recapitulating the natural history of this disease. Childhood B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) is the result of complex interactions between genetic susceptibility and exposure to exogenous agents. The most common chromosomal alteration is the ETV6‐RUNX1 fusion gene, which confers a low risk of developing the malignancy by originating a preleukemic clone requiring secondary hits for full‐blown disease to appear. To develop potential prophylactic interventions, we need to identify the environmental triggers of the second hit. Recently, we generated a B‐ALL mouse model of the human ETV6‐RUNX1+ preleukemic state. Here, we present the results from the ARIMMORA pilot study, obtained by exposing 34 Sca1‐ETV6‐RUNX1 mice (vs. 27 unexposed) to a 50 Hz magnetic field of 1.5 mT with both fundamental and harmonic content, with an on/off cycle of 10 min/5 min, for 20 h/day, from conception until 3 months of age. Mice were monitored until 2 years of age and peripheral blood was periodically analyzed by flow cytometry. One of the exposed mice developed B‐ALL while none of the non‐exposed did. Although the results are statistically non‐significant due to the limited number of mice used in this pilot experiment, overall, the results show that the newly developed Sca1‐ETV6‐RUNX1 mouse can be successfully used for ELF‐MF exposure studies about the etiology of childhood B‐ALL. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:343–353. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Ternary Complexes Stabilized by Chalcogen and Alkaline‐Earth Bonds: Crucial Role of Cooperativity and Secondary Noncovalent Interactions
Authors: Mó Otilia , Montero‐Campillo M. Merced , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José , Yáñez Manuel
Published: June 2019

High‐level G4 calculations show that the strength of chalcogen interactions is enhanced dramatically if chalcogen compounds simultaneously form alkaline‐earth bonds. This phenomenon is studied by exploring binary YX2⋅⋅⋅N‐Base complexes and two types of ternary MCl2⋅⋅⋅YX2⋅⋅⋅N‐Base, YX2⋅⋅⋅N‐Base⋅⋅⋅MCl2complexes, in which YX2is a chalcogen compound (Y=S, Se; X=F, Cl), theN‐Bases aresp,sp2, andsp3bases (NCH, HN=CH2, NH3), and MCl2are alkaline‐earth BeCl2or MgCl2derivatives. Starting from the chalcogen‐bonded complexes YX2⋅⋅⋅NH3and YX2⋅⋅⋅HN=CH2, the binding site of a new incoming alkaline‐earth bond is found, surprisingly, to depend on the nature of the halogen atom attached to the chalcogen. For the YF2binary complexes the association site is the F atom of the YF2subunit, whereas for YCl2it is the N atom of the nitrogen base. Regarding YX2⋅⋅⋅NCH complexes, N is the most favorable site for an alkaline‐earth interaction in ternary complexes, regardless of which YX2derivative is used. The explanation relies on the interplay of all the noncovalent interactions involved: the strong cooperativity between chalcogen and alkaline‐earth bonds, and the appearance of secondary noncovalent interactions in the form of hydrogen bonds.
Mono‐ and Dianion of a Bis(benzobuta)tetraazapentacene Derivative
Authors: Ji Lei , Hahn Sebastian , Biegger Phillip , Reiss Hilmar , Han Jie , Friedrich Alexandra , Krummenacher Ivo , Braunschweig Holger , Moos Michael , Freudenberg Jan , Lambert Christoph , Dreuw Andreas , Marder Todd B. , Bunz Uwe H. F.
Published: June 2019

A bis(benzobuta)tetraazapentacene derivative was reduced to its radical anion and its dianion, using potassium [18]crown‐6 anthracenide in THF. Both reduced species were characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy of the isolated species and by spectroelectrochemistry. Two distinct single‐crystal structures of the dianion and an EPR spectrum of the radical anion were obtained. Contrary to other azaacenes, the lowest energy absorption in the UV/Vis spectrum of the dianion is redshifted in comparison to that of the neutral compound.
Rundum gut gelaufen
Authors: Sieß Wolfgang
Published: June 2019

Im Jahr 2018 ist der Schweizer Messtechnik‐Spezialist Endress+Hauser über alle Regionen, Branchen und Produktbereiche hinweg kräftig gewachsen. Auftragseingang, Umsatz, Gewinn und Beschäftigungsrate haben neue Höchstwerte erreicht. Nur wenn diese vier Faktoren gleichzeitig erfüllt sind, so Klaus Endress, der Vorsitzende des Verwaltungsrates, erlaube sich das Familienunternehmen, von einem weiteren „Besten Jahr“ zu sprechen.
Entkoppelt
Authors: Ditting Stefan
Published: June 2019

Cyberbedrohungen werden als kritisches Gefahrenpotential für alle Unternehmen erkannt. Sie rangieren laut einer aktuellen Allianz Studie mittlerweile auf Rang 2 – gleich hinter den Gefahren, die durch einen kompletten Zusammenbruch der Supply Chain entstehen – und noch vor Naturkatastrophen und ungünstigen Marktentwicklungen. Der folgende Beitrag beleuchtet, wie die Prozessindustrie einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz in der Funktionalen Sicherheit umsetzen kann, um das Risiko für Anlagen im digitalen Zeitalter zu minimieren.
An der Grenze des technisch Machbaren
Authors: Jakobs Dirk
Published: June 2019

Bei der Produktion von Lithiumakkumulatoren stellt die Aufbereitung der erforderlichen Rohstoffe höchste Qualitätsanforderungen – und zwar an der Grenze des technisch Machbaren. So sind bei den Kathodenmassen z. B. Kontaminationen durch Fremdionen, insbesondere durch Eisen, unbedingt zu vermeiden. Lödige begegnet dieser anspruchsvollen prozesstechnischen Aufgabe mit einer speziellen Ausführung des bewährten Pflugschar‐Mischers, von der in den letzten fünf Jahren bereits über 200 Maschinen weltweit verkauft wurden.
Effect of Taylor Vortex on Melt Crystallization of Fatty Acids
Authors: Yamamoto Takuji , Itoh Kazuhiro , Maeda Kouji , Fukui Keisuke , Kuramochi Hidetoshi
Published: June 2019

By employing an annular‐cylindrical‐type apparatus operated under a constant cooling rate, melt crystallization is studied to condense a saturated fatty acid (FA) from a binary mixture of the saturated FA with unsaturated FA. In the annular space between the stationary outer cylinder and the rotating inner cylinder, counter‐rotating toroidal vortices, that is, the Taylor vortices are observed. The vortices are found to play a unique role in the solidification of FAs to form a unique wavy layer on the inner cylinder. The mass and heat transfer analysis by numerical calculation reveals that both the velocity and temperature distributions change depending on the position in the annular space because of the centrifugal or centripetal radial flow caused by the Taylor vortices.
Framing the evolution of corporate social responsibility as a discipline (1973–2018): A large‐scale scientometric analysis
Authors: Ferramosca Silvia , Verona Roberto
Published: June 2019

Using a scientometric approach, this study frames the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) research over a period of 46 years. It carries out a statistical‐historical analysis mapping the main topics, references, sources, and countries of publication emergent in the CSR research. We apply this combination of bibliometric analyses on a sample of 2,583 CSR studies derived from Scopus (1973–2018). These analyses illustrate the interdisciplinary character of CSR. Second, this study recognises numerous topics in the history of CSR research and demonstrates how these topics emerge, vanish, or become steady over time. Third, the patterns of evolution in terms of topics are reflected in scientific journal specialisation and country coauthorship collaborations. Finally, this research provides the latest evaluation on the state of the art in this field, highlighting the newest and hottest topics. By plotting out the evolution of CSR research, practical implications are identified.
Seeing the light: urban stream restoration affects stream metabolism and nitrate uptake via changes in canopy cover
Authors: Reisinger Alexander J. , Doody Thomas R. , Groffman Peter M. , Kaushal Sujay S. , Rosi Emma J.
Published: June 2019

The continually increasing global population residing in urban landscapes impacts numerous ecosystem functions and services provided by urban streams. Urban stream restoration is often employed to offset these impacts and conserve or enhance the various functions and services these streams provide. Despite the assumption that “if you build it, [the function] will come,” current understanding of the effects of urban stream restoration on stream ecosystem functions are based on short term studies that may not capture variation in restoration effectiveness over time. We quantified the impact of stream restoration on nutrient and energy dynamics of urban streams by studying 10 urban stream reaches (five restored, five unrestored) in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA, region over a two‐year period. We measured gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at the whole‐stream scale continuously throughout the study and nitrate (NO3−‐N) spiraling rates seasonally (spring, summer, autumn) across all reaches. There was no significant restoration effect on NO3−‐N spiraling across reaches. However, there was a significant canopy cover effect on NO3−‐N spiraling, and directly comparing paired sets of unrestored‐restored reaches showed that restoration does affect NO3−‐N spiraling after accounting for other environmental variation. Furthermore, there was a change in GPP : ER seasonality, with restored and open‐canopied reaches exhibiting higher GPP : ER during summer. The restoration effect, though, appears contingent upon altered canopy cover, which is likely to be a temporary effect of restoration and is a driver of multiple ecosystem services, e.g., habitat, riparian nutrient processing. Our results suggest that decision‐making about stream restoration, including evaluations of nutrient benefits, clearly needs to consider spatial and temporal dynamics of canopy cover and trade‐offs among multiple ecosystem services.
Micro‐ or macroscale? Which one best predicts the establishment of an endemic Atlantic Forest palm?
Authors: Oda Gabriela Akemi Macedo , de Siqueira Marinez Ferreira , Pires Alexandra dos Santos , de Cássia Quitete Portela Rita
Published: June 2019

Historically, macroecology and microecology have diverged with regard to the niche concept. A better understanding of functioning ecological systems, however, depends on an integrative approach to this concept at different spatial scales. A mixed approach, merging macro‐ and microscale by validating ecological niche modeling (ENM) with the results of in situ experiments and environmental data collection was used to understand if areas identified by ENM as highly suitable for adult palms are also adequate for seedling establishment. Syagrus weddelliana's (Arecaceae) distribution range falls within the Atlantic Rain Forest, and more specifically Serra dos Órgãos region (Rio de Janeiro state), southeastern Brazil. The following steps were performed: (a) ENM to delimit the area of occurrence of S. weddelliana and locate experimental areas; (b) a seed sowing experiment in areas with presence or absence of the species in areas of high or low environmental suitability at 36 experimental stations; and (c) characterization of each microhabitat which was related back to the macroscale results of ENM. Evidence of biotic and abiotic limitations was found for S. weddelliana distribution. Areas of higher suitability had lower seed predation rates and, consequently, higher seed germination rates. On the other hand, areas with low environmental suitability at the macroscale were divided into two types: areas with microhabitat similar to that of areas with high environmental suitability that had some germination despite high predation and areas with different environmental conditions that had no germination and high predation rates. Seedlings and adults had different abiotic requirements. Microhabitat conditions were more important for the initial establishment of S. weddelliana than macroclimatic variables. This finding demonstrates that macro‐ and microecological information works in a complementary way to a better understanding of the distribution of S. weddelliana.
Pioneering Work on Catenanes, Rotaxanes, and a Knotane in the University of Freiburg 1958–1988
Authors: Brückner Reinhard
Published: June 2019

Research at the University of Freiburg is summarized which aimed at realizing catenanes, rotaxanes, and a molecular knot from 61–62 until 41 years ago. Taking a fresh view atansa‐compounds – distinct from those in which he had been interested for other reasons before – Arthur Lüttringhaus began to tackle syntheses of catenanes in 1957. The first isolation of a pure catenane (37) succeeded in 1964 jointly with Gottfried Schill. Most of the progress made in the sequel was due to Schill alone or achieved under his direction; in addition, a few follow‐up studies were published without Schill or Lüttringhaus being their authors. The major feats of these endeavors were the syntheses of the following molecules: (1) the first catenanes (38– de‐acetyl‐41,74) without a ring in any constituent (this feature makes them unique till today; the catenane74holds the additional record of being the only all‐hydrocarbon catenane till now); the first [3]catenanes at all (obtained as a mixture of constitutional isomersC2v‐97andC2h‐97); the first [3]catenanes exhibiting topological isomerism (89,iso‐89, andneo‐iso‐89); the rotaxanes70[which had the design peculiarity of being convertible into a catenane (74)],113(Schill's #1‐rotaxane), and115; the pre‐knotanerac‐dia‐iso‐123[provided it was obtained and not (only) its topological isomerdia‐iso‐123]. – For due perspectives, pertinent studies of third parties are included, too: 1) Wasserman's reports on the isolation of the catenane8are analyzed in great detail; the conclusion is that the identity of8was never established. 2) Schill's oscillating rotaxane70from 1988, which is subject to a reversible and non‐degenerate ring migration (→iso‐70), is supplemented by Stoddart's much faster oscillating rotaxane71from 1991, which undergoes a reversible and degenerate ring migration (→71instead of →iso‐71) and was dubbed “molecular shuttle”. 3) The first [3]catenanes from the groups of Schill (97; 1969), Sauvage (98and99; 1985), and Stoddart (100–102; 1991) are juxtaposed. 4) The Harrisons' synthesis of the rotaxane106by a most noteworthy solid‐phase approach (1967) is recalled in the context of Schill's synthesis of the rotaxane113(1967 or 1969). 5) Attempts at threading α‐cyclodextrin by long‐chain 1,ω‐dithiols (→130) and ring‐closing the latter oxidatively for obtaining catenated disulfides failed in Lüttringhaus' 1957/1958 studies; in contrast, Stoddart's threading permethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (133) by the long‐chain 1,ω‐diamine132and ring‐closing the latter by a double condensation with terephthaloyl dichloride was successful by providing 3 % of the catenated bislactame134in 1993. The concluding section characterizes the synthetic strategies towards catenanes and rotaxanes developed in Freiburg as “template‐based”. This differs from the Nobel Prize Committee's assessment.
Ecological islands: conserving biodiversity hotspots in a changing climate
Authors: Cartwright Jennifer
Published: June 2019

For decades, botanists have recognized that rare plants are clustered into ecological “islands”: small and isolated habitat patches produced by landscape features such as sinkholes and bedrock outcrops. Insular ecosystems often provide unusually stressful microhabitats for plant growth (due, for example, to their characteristically thin soils, high temperatures, extremepH, or limited nutrients) to which rare species are specially adapted. Climate‐driven changes to these stressors may undermine the competitive advantage of stress‐adapted species, allowing them to be displaced by competitors, or may overwhelm their coping strategies altogether. Special features of insular ecosystems – such as extreme habitat fragmentation and association with unusual landscape features – could also affect their climate sensitivity and adaptive capacity. To help predict and manage climate‐change impacts, I present a simple conceptual framework based on a synthesis of over 300 site‐level studies. Using this framework, conservation efforts can leverage existing ecological knowledge to anticipate habitat changes and design targeted strategies for conserving rare species.
Optimal economic productivity of exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria with production possibility curves
Authors: Lin Tachen , Chen Chunyeh , Chen Bangyuan , Shaw Jeifu , Chen Yuhshuen
Published: June 2019

It is important that exopolysaccharides (EPS) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antioxidant activities are produced economically, as it can confer beneficial effects on human health. A model of production possibility curve (PPC) was conducted to the optimal productivity of EPS for the purpose of economic production. The results revealed that the optimal productivity of EPS was approached to the set by NB (90%) and MRS (55%) broth from PPC with equation of PPC(Y) = 100–0.0335*EXP(0.08*X). The EPS productivity and yield of strain LaP with optimal production set (OPS) were, respectively, 291.0 ± 2.6 mg and 13.5 ± 0.7%, and the cost of OPS can be saved by about 31.6%, while that for strain BaP were 280.7 ± 2.5 mg and 13.0 ± 0.7%, respectively, and with 31.6% saved as well. Besides, the EPS produced from PPC mode has appropriate antioxidant ability with 34.6 ± 0.7% (LaP) and 37.6 ± 0.9 (%) (BaP) of DPPH radical scavenging activity under the economic cost. The strategy of controlling the medium composition not only could improve the productivity of EPS, but also enhance the antioxidant effects of EPS. Both LaP and BaP with antioxidant potential may be useful as supplements in the health‐promoting food industry.
Gray matter T1‐w/T2‐w ratios are higher in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Pelkmans Wiesje , Dicks Ellen , Barkhof Frederik , Vrenken Hugo , Scheltens Philip , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Tijms Betty M.
Published: June 2019

Myelin determines the conduction of neuronal signals along axonal connections in networks of the brain. Loss of myelin integrity in neuronal circuits might result in cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, the ratio of T1‐weighted by T2‐weighted MRI has been used as a proxy for myelin content in gray matter of the cortex. With this approach, we investigated whether AD dementia patients show lower cortical myelin content (i.e., a lower T1‐w/T2‐w ratio value). We selected structural T1‐w and T2‐w MR images of 293 AD patients and 172 participants with normal cognition (NC). T1‐w/T2‐w ratios were computed for the whole brain and within 90 automated anatomical labeling atlas regions using SPM12, compared between groups and correlated with the neuronal injury marker tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). In contrast to our hypothesis, AD patients showed higher whole brain T1‐w/T2‐w ratios than NC, and regionally in 31 anatomical areas (p < .0005; d = 0.21 to 0.48), predominantly in the inferior parietal lobule, angular gyrus, anterior cingulate, and precuneus. Regional higher T1‐w/T2‐w values were associated with higher CSF tau concentrations (p < .0005; r = .16 to .22) and worse MMSE scores (p < .0005; r = −.16 to −.21). These higher T1‐w/T2‐w values in AD seem to contradict previous pathological findings of demyelination and disconnectivity in AD. Future research should further investigate the biological processes reflected by increases in T1‐w/T2‐w values.
Development of clinical value unit method for calculating patient costs
Authors: Cyganska Malgorzata , Cyganski Piotr , Pyke Chris
Published: June 2019

The objective of the study was to develop the clinical value unit method of allocating indirect costs to patient costs using clinical factors. The method was tested to determine whether it is a more reliable alternative to using the length of stay and marginal mark‐up allocation method. The method developed used data from a Polish specialist hospital. The study involved 4,026 patients grouped into nine diagnosis‐related groups (DRG). The study methodology involved a three stage approach: (a) identification of correlates of patient costs, (b) a comparison of the costs calculated using the clinical value unit method with the alternative methods: length of stay and marginal mark‐up methods, and (c) an estimation of the cost homogeneity of the DRGs. The study showed that length of stay cost allocation method may underestimate the proportion of indirect costs in patient costs for a short in‐patient stay and overestimate the cost for the patients with a long stay. The total costs estimated using the marginal mark‐up method were higher than those estimated with length of stay method. For most surgical procedures, the mean indirect costs are higher using clinical value unit method than when using length of stay or marginal mark‐up method. In all medical procedure cases, the mean indirect costs calculated using the clinical value unit method are in the range between marginal mark‐up and length of stay method. We also show that in all DRGs except one, that the coefficient of homogeneity for clinical value unit is higher than for length of stay or marginal mark‐up method. We conclude that the clinical value unit method of cost allocation is a more precise and reliable alternative than the other methods.
Protective effects of cynaroside on oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Yu Haoli , Li Junyan , Hu Xiaolong , Feng Jiahao , Wang Hao , Xiong Fei
Published: June 2019

Cynaroside is a flavonoid compound proved to possess antioxidant activity, but its protective effect on age‐related macular degeneration still remains unclear. In this study, the protective effects of cynaroside on oxidative stress and apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were investigated. Results showed that cynaroside effectively attenuated the decrease of cell activity induced by H2O2. The total reactive oxygen species can be remitted by decreasing malondialdehyde level, as well as increasing glutathione level, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. In addition, Western blot analysis indicated that cynaroside protected ARPE‐19 cells from apoptosis through downregulation of caspase‐3 protein activation which was controlled by the upstream proteins Bcl‐2 and Bax. It was finally proved that cynaroside could enhance the antioxidant and antiapoptotic ability in ARPE‐19 cells by promoting the expression of p‐Akt.
Resveratrol chemosensitizes adriamycin‐resistant breast cancer cells by modulating miR‐122‐5p
Authors: Zhang Wei , Jiang Haitao , Chen Yunjie , Ren Feng
Published: June 2019

Breast cancer is one of the major malignancies threatening women's health worldwide, and chemotherapy tolerance has become a severe limitation of clinical treatment. Recent findings have revealed that resveratrol, as a dietary agent with antitumour activity, could prevent cancer progression by regulating microRNAs (miRNAs). Additionally, dysregulated miRNAs have been found to contribute significantly to chemoresistance by an increasing number of studies. In this study, experiments were designed to study the functional role of resveratrol in MCF‐7 cells (low‐invasive breast cancer) in chemosensitivity to adriamycin and to determine the targeted miRNAs of resveratrol and their key target proteins linked to cell activity. We demonstrated that in resveratrol‐induced chemosensitivity, cell cycle and apoptosis were arrested in adriamycin‐resistant breast cancer cells after modulation of the critical suppresser, miR‐122‐5p. Further miRNA modulation with miR‐122‐5p mimics or miR‐122‐5p inhibitors indicated a major effect of miR‐122‐5p on the regulation of key antiapoptotic proteins (B‐cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl‐2]) and cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6) in drug‐resistant breast cancer cells in response to resveratrol. In conclusion, our results indicate that resveratrol acts as a potential inducer to enhance the chemosensitivity of breast cancer and also suggest that miR‐122‐5p is involved in the pathway of cell‐cycle arrest by targeting Bcl‐2 and CDKs.
Protective roles of carbonic anhydrase 8 in Machado–Joseph Disease
Authors: Hsieh Mingli , Hsieh Benjamin Y. , Ma Chung‐Yung , Li Yi‐Ting , Liu Chin‐San , Lo Che‐Min
Published: June 2019

Machado–Joseph disease (MJD)/Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that can lead to a regression of motor coordination and muscle control in the extremities. It is known that expansion of CAG repeats encodes abnormally long polyQ in mutant ataxin‐3, the disease protein. It is also noted that mutant ataxin‐3 interacts with 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) and induces abnormal Ca2+ release. Previously, we have shown a significant increase in the expression of carbonic anhydrase VIII (CA8) in SK‐N‐SH‐MJD78 cells, which are human neuroblastoma cells overexpressing mutant ataxin‐3 with 78 glutamine repeats. In the current study, we showed the presence of significantly increased CA8 expression in MJD mouse cerebellum in either early or late disease stage, with a gradual decrease in CA8 expression as the MJD mice naturally aged. By immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation analysis, we also found that CA8 co‐localized and interacted with mutant ataxin‐3 in SK‐N‐SH‐MJD78 cells harboring overexpressed CA8 (SK‐MJD78‐CA8). In addition, we found that SK‐MJD78‐CA8 cells, as well as cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) of MJD transgenic (Tg) mouse with overexpressed CA8, were more resistant to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress than the control cells. Importantly, overexpression of CA8 in SK‐MJD78‐CA8 cells and in MJD CGNs rescued abnormal Ca2+ release and caused an increase in cell survival. In summary, we demonstrate the protective function of CA8 in MJD disease models and speculate that the declining expression of CA8 following an initial increased expression may be related to the late onset phenomenon of MJD.
Annexin A1 attenuates neuroinflammation through FPR2/p38/COX‐2 pathway after intracerebral hemorrhage in male mice
Authors: Ding Yan , Flores Jerry , Klebe Damon , Li Peng , MBride Devin W. , Tang Jiping , Zhang John H.
Published: June 2019

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the deadliest stroke subtype and neuroinflammation is a critical component of the pathogenesis following ICH. Annexin A1‐FPR2 signaling has been shown to play a protective role in animal stroke models. This study aimed to assess whether Annexin A1 attenuated neuroinflammation and brain edema after ICH and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Male CD‐1 mice were subjected to collagenase‐induced ICH. Annexin A1 was administered at 0.5 hr after ICH. Brain water content measurement, short‐term and long‐term neurobehavioral tests, Western blot and immnunofluorescence were performed. Results showed that Annexin A1 effectively attenuated brain edema, improved short‐term neurological function and ameliorated microglia activation after ICH. Annexin A1 also improved memory function at 28 days after ICH. However, these beneficial effects were abolished with the administration of FPR2 antagonist Boc‐2. Furthermore, AnxA1/FPR2 signaling may confer protective effects via inhibiting p38‐associated inflammatory cascade. Our study demonstrated that Annexin A1/FPR2/p38 signaling pathway played an important role in attenuating neuroinflammation after ICH and that Annexin A1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for ICH patients.
Action Alliance promotes safe messaging about veteran suicide
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2019

A panel of leading suicide experts convened last week to promote safe messaging to engage the media in accurate reporting about suicide and to promote hope and recovery in their messaging.
Comparison of gradient echo and gradient echo sampling of spin echo sequence for the quantification of the oxygen extraction fraction from a combined quantitative susceptibility mapping and quantitative BOLD (QSM+qBOLD) approach
Authors: Hubertus Simon , Thomas Sebastian , Cho Junghun , Zhang Shun , Wang Yi , Schad Lothar Rudi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

To compare gradient echo (GRE) and gradient echo sampling of spin echo (GESSE) sequences for the quantification of the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) from combined quantitative BOLD and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) with regard to accuracy, precision and parameter initialization.

Methods

GRE and GESSE data were acquired from 7 healthy volunteers. QSM was applied to the GRE data and used as a regularization for the single‐compartment quantitative BOLD fit to the GESSE and GRE data, respectively, to quantify OEF, deoxygenated blood volume (ν), R2, and non‐blood susceptibility (χnb). Intersubject means within gray and white matter, respectively, were compared between GESSE and GRE (Student's t) and gray–white matter contrast was determined for each sequence separately. A single‐ and multi‐compartment simulation was used to compare reconstruction accuracy.

Results

Intersubject means and SDs for gray and white matter were OEF = 32.4 ± 1.6%, ν = 2.9 ± 0.1%, R2 = 14.2 ± 0.5 Hz, χnb = −43 ± 5 ppb for GESSE and OEF = 43.0 ± 5.4%, ν = 3.5 ± 0.4%, R2 = 14.4 ± 0.7 Hz, χnb = −43 ± 8 ppb for GRE with a significant difference (P < 0.05) for OEF and ν. Gray–white matter contrast was significant (P < 0.05) in all parameters for GESSE but only in ν and R2 for GRE. All parameters reconstructed from GESSE had higher accuracy than from GRE in the single‐ but not multi‐compartment simulation.

Conclusion

GESSE yields higher parameter accuracy in simulated gray matter but produces unphysiological gray–white matter contrast in OEF in vivo. GRE produces uniform OEF maps in vivo and is more efficient, which could facilitate a clinical implementation, but revealed biases in simulation. The appropriate sequence should be chosen depending on application.
Bootstrap analysis of diffusion tensor and mean apparent propagator parameters derived from multiband diffusion MRI
Authors: Bernstein Adam S. , Chen Nan‐kuei , Trouard Theodore P.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

To directly compare diffusion metrics derived from multiband (MB) imaging sequences to those derived using a single‐band acquisition.

Methods

In this work, diffusion metrics from DTI and mean apparent propagator MRI derived from a commercial MB sequence with an acceleration factor of 3 are compared with those derived from a conventional diffusion MRI sequence using a novel bootstrapping analysis scheme on oversampled diffusion MRI data. The average parameter values for fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity derived from DTI, as well as propagator anisotropy and return to origin probability derived from mean apparent propagator MRI, are compared.

Results

Fractional anisotropy and propagator anisotropy are very similar when computed from data collected with and without MB, but show minor differences at low and high values of fractional anisotropy/propagator anisotropy. Mean diffusivity values are generally lower in the MB‐derived maps, and return to origin probability is generally higher. The coefficient of variation of each parameter is shown to be slightly higher on average from the maps derived from MB versus single band when the TR is short, and slightly lower when the TR of the MB and single‐band experiments is equal.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the MB sequence tested in this work provides very similar results to a conventional diffusion MRI sequence. The MB sequence is affected minimally by the slight decrease in SNR associated with the parallel reconstruction and reduced TR, and there are relaxation effects associated with the reduced TR.
A review of literature on climate change and its impacts on agriculture productivity
Authors: Praveen Bushra , Sharma Pritee
Published: June 2019

This paper provides a comprehensive review of various reports, articles documents and papers literature related to the assessment of climate change impacts on crop productivity, and will focus on how climate change and affects agriculture productivity. Agricultural practice is affected by climate changes because of its direct dependence on climatic changes. There are two methods of relationships between agriculture and climate change and has huge significance especially for developing and underdeveloped or low‐income countries, who are largely dependent on agriculture for subsistence and their lack of infrastructure for adaptation as compared with developed countries. Geographically high‐latitude areas with already existence of low temperature, by virtue of increasing temperature due to climate changes, could allow for the longer growing season. Agricultural fields are affected by the emission of GHG such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. Gasses have an effect on climate through the discharge of greenhouse gasses. Emissions mostly come from the tillage practices, fossil fuels, fertilized agricultural soils, and farm animal's manure in a huge amount and affected the agriculture sector. On the contrary, agriculture could be a solution for climate change by reducing emission and implementation of mitigation and adaptation actions widely. It will happen with the assistance of best management practices such as agroforestry practice, organic farming, rainwater harvesting, irrigation planning, and manure management.
A temperature‐responsive polyurethane and its biocompatible and biodegradable nanohydrogels with uniform cross‐linking networks
Authors: Xiao Yao , Jiang Liang , Wu Bo , Liu Zhimeng , Zhao Yuanyang , Wang Rui , Lei Jingxin
Published: June 2019

We prepared a temperature‐responsive polyurethane (PU) with a coil‐to‐globule transition temperature of 36°C in aqueous media, by using polyethylene glycol‐4,000 (PEG‐4000), polycaprolactone diol‐1,000 (PCL‐1000), diphenylmethane diisocyanate‐50, and hydroxyethyl acrylate. Nanohydrogels were synthesized from temperature‐responsive PU through precipitation polymerization without employing a crosslinker. Due to the unique molecular structure of temperature‐responsive PU, PU nanohydrogels have uniform cross‐linking networks resulting in narrow volume phase transition temperature range, showing sensitive temperature responsiveness. Additionally, PEG and PCL segments provide PU nanohydrogels excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1517–1523 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Trust is our currency
Authors: Gathright Paul
Published: June 2019

In process safety, our goal is to keep process energy contained, to keep the tiger in the cage. To do so effectively, a team effort is required, including operations, maintenance, engineering, management, contractors, and other relevant organizations. We, as process safety leaders and program owners, are selling a product, driving a transaction that includes ideas, investments, and resource allocation. We could, as many do, use the regulatory requirements to facilitate the transaction. This “push” method of sales is less effective than a “pull” approach where we represent the value of our product to the buyers: our management teams, operations, maintenance, engineering, communities, and shareholders. The currency of this more effective exchange is trust. This article will explore the approach of process safety as a product, where trust is the currency of the exchange, thus leading to greater throughput, as measured by risk reduction. When trust is present, team members feel more empowered, and hold themselves more accountable. They are better able to demonstrate that the tiger is in the cage.
An intelligent HAZOP quantitative analysis method based on deviation duration
Authors: Zhou Guang‐Wen , Yang Xia , Zheng Shi‐Qing , Cheng Xi‐An
Published: June 2019

The limit of deviation duration is regarded as an important evidence of the possibility of deviation bringing hazards to the system. And the limits of deviation duration are different when the different process parameters reaching the hazardous threshold (or design value) caused by the same deviation value. Furthermore, the sequence of hazards occurring in the system after generating deviations, that is, deviation transfer path, is formed by process parameters arranged in an ascending order based on the limit of the deviation duration and devices involved. T‐SDG model has been proposed after improving the SDG model, so as to show the deviation propagation path of quantitative analysis. Besides, the characteristics of deviation propagation has been researched; and the influence of simultaneous deviations on the system has been also analyzed in detail. Meanwhile, superposition effect, offset effect, and offset curve have been put forward in order to ensure the system security.

Highlights

In this paper, a quantitative analysis method had been proposed.

The definition of the deviation had been extended.

The propagation path was researched based on when the parameters reaching the threshold.

The influence of the simultaneous occurrence of multiple deviations on the system had researched.