bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Yb(OTf)3‐catalyzed, convergent synthesis of new pyranyl‐ and chromenyl‐substituted quinolines through an eco‐friendly approach
Authors: Kumarasamy Chandraprakash , Sundarasamy Amsaveni , Mathan Sankaran , Chokkalingam Uvarani , Athar Ata , Subramaniam Mohan Palathurai , Thangaraj Suresh
Published: September 2019

A one‐pot, multicomponent, convergent microwave synthesis of some new pyranyl‐ and chromenyl‐substituted quinolines has been reported. Twenty compounds were prepared by the reaction of 2‐methoxy‐3‐formyl quinoline (1a‐d), malononitrile (2), and kojic acid (4a‐d)/1,3‐cyclohexadione or dimedone (6a‐h)/α‐ or β‐naphthol (8a‐d, 8e‐h). The structures were confirmed by infrared (IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, mass, and single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. On comparison with the use of conventional Lewis acid catalysts and various metal triflates under microwave conditions, the latter contributed to good yields, in specific use of the recyclable Yb(OTf)3 catalyst attributed to high yields of the desired product. The protocol reported herein is solvent free, cost effective, and eco‐friendly.
Food Banks in Glasgow and Ogoniland: A Cross‐country Comparison
Authors: Okeke‐Ogbuafor Nwamaka , Gray Tim
Published: September 2019

In the face of governmental failure across the world to effectively tackle the menace of hunger, this paper explores the perceptions of food bank users in Glasgow in Scotland and Ogoniland in Nigeria's Niger Delta. It relies extensively on qualitative data collected in Glasgow and Ogoniland between 2013 and 2016. Results show that although the concept of food bank is more widespread and established in Glasgow than in Ogoniland, both Glaswegians and Ogonis are increasingly becoming dependent on food banks. In Glasgow, food banks have moved from being last, and short‐term, resorts, to becoming permanent means of alleviating hunger. However, the managers of these food banks are clearly unsure about their long‐term sustainability, and this paper argues that the established model of food bank operating in Glasgow should not be replicated in Ogoniland. Instead, using Freire's concept of ‘education for critical consciousness', we suggest an alternative model for food banks that shifts the focus from alleviating hunger to tackling the causes of poverty, that is, a shift from dependency to independency. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical downscaling to project extreme hourly precipitation over the United Kingdom
Authors: Rau Markus , He Yi , Goodess Clare , Bárdossy András
Published: September 2019

Observed trends, theory and modelling results all suggest increases in future extreme precipitation due to climate warming. The largest increases are expected in short‐duration events with less than a day. Relatively few previous studies have focused specifically on the projection of sub‐daily precipitation extremes. In this study, a statistical downscaling method based on circulation patterns (CPs) is developed to project site‐specific extreme hourly precipitation over the United Kingdom. First, a CP‐classification categorizes extreme hourly precipitation events based on the underlying atmospheric pressure conditions on each day. An analogue day method is then used to find for each future day the most similar day in the past by comparing the predictor values of daily precipitation and temperature simulated by regional climate models (RCMs) with observations conditioned on different CPs and seasons. Finally, the maximum hourly precipitation records on the most similar days are extracted and perturbed using precipitation duration‐temperature relationships. The applied statistical downscaling method is a combination of the analogue and the regression‐based method. It is found that the statistical downscaling method is able to reproduce observed extreme hourly precipitation. In terms of future changes under a warmer climate, it is shown that increases in extreme hourly precipitation can be as high as 112% but are highly variable depending on the rainfall stations, the future time periods, the emission scenarios, and the different RCM runs.
Exploring the maturity and development of global communities of practice
Authors: Jørgensen Rasmus , Scarso Enrico , Kirchner Kathrin , Edwards Kasper
Published: September 2019

Researchers have studied the development of communities of practice (CoPs) and proposed that they can be divided into five stages of maturity: (a) potential, (b) building, (c) engaged, (d) active, and (e) adaptive. However, there is a lack of current case studies exploring CoP development and the link between enablers and maturity stages. This study adds to the CoP field through a case study of an extreme case: 20 global CoPs, developed by an engineering company, which were subjected to the same development initiatives for the past decade. Document analysis and a group interview with key informants form the basis for the study. The findings confirm the validity of the maturity stage model and its usefulness in understanding how a CoP develops over time. The study identifies nine CoP development initiatives at different maturity stages. Four of the initiatives are of particular interest as contemporary contributions to the maturity model of Gongla and Rizzuto (a) competence as practice as a process support enabler in the potential stage; (b) CoP mentoring as a people behaviour enabler in the engaged stage; (c) continuous management dialogue as a people behaviour enabler in the engaged stage; and (d) virtual community support as an enabling technology in the potential stage.
Stable isotopes reveal independent carbon pools across an Arctic hydro‐climatic gradient: Implications for the fate of carbon in warmer and drier conditions
Authors: Osburn Christopher L. , Anderson N. John , Leng Melanie J. , Barry Christopher D. , Whiteford Erika J.
Published: September 2019

Arctic lakes are poised for substantial changes to their carbon (C) cycles in the near future. Autochthonous processes in lakes which consume inorganic C and create biomass that can be sequestered in sediments are accompanied by allochthonous inputs of organic matter from the surrounding watershed. Both C sources can be mineralized and degassed as CO2, but also become recalcitrant and accumulate in pelagic waters. Using stable carbon isotope (δ13C) values and elemental ratios as geochemical proxies, we investigated diverse organic matter sources to lakes located across a hydro‐climatic gradient in Southwest Greenland. Particulate organic matter (POM) and sediments were clearly of autochthonous algal origin, while dissolved organic matter (DOM) was a mix between autochthonous macrophytes and allochthonous watershed sources. Our results imply that a warmer and drier Arctic will lead to decoupled C pools: a water column dominated by increasingly autochthonous, macrophytic DOM, and sediments dominated by autochthonous algal POM.
Electroactive Composite of FeCl3‐Doped P3HT/PLGA with Adjustable Electrical Conductivity for Potential Application in Neural Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zhang Shouyan , Yan Huanhuan , Yeh Jui‐Ming , Shi Xincui , Zhang Peibiao
Published: September 2019

Conducting polymers (CPs) is one of intelligent biomaterials with the specific properties of reversible redox states, which have a significant effects on the cell behaviors and nerve tissue regeneration. However, the effects of CPs with different electrical conductivity on the behaviors of nerve cells are rarely reported. Therefore, a kind of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with certain molecular weight is synthesized by Kumada catalyst transfer polymerization (KCTP) method and employed to prepare bioabsorbable and electroactive intelligent composites of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)/Poly(glycolide‐lactide) (P3HT/PLGA). FeCl3 doping electroactive membranes with different electrical conductivities are prepared to investigate the cell behaviors. On the substrate with higher electrical conductivity, the proliferation of rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) is significantly promoted and neurite length is increased obviously. In particular, the most significant improvements are the neuron gene expression of Synapsin 1 and microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) by the composites with high conductivity. These results suggest that P3HT/PLGA with suitable electrical conductivity have a positive role in promoting neural growth and differentiation, which is promising for advancing potential application of nerve repair and regeneration.
Peptide‐Assisted Design of Precision Polymer Sequences: On the Relevance of the Side‐Chain Sequences and the Variability of the Backbone
Authors: Celasun Sensu , Maron Eva , Börner Hans G.
Published: September 2019

Functional sequences of monodisperse, sequence‐defined oligo(amide‐urethane)s are designed based on a peptide sequence as blueprint. The translation of a discrete side‐chain functionality sequence from a known peptide‐based solubilizer of the photosensitizer meta‐tetra(hydroxyphenyl)‐chlorin, into a non‐peptidic precision polymer backbone is demonstrated. The resulting peptidomimetic precision polymers retain the functions of the parent peptide sequence, showing analogues sensitivity toward single monomer mutations/exchanges and even exceeding the parent peptide equivalent by reaching up to 69% higher payload capacities and more favored release kinetics.
Copolymerization of Ethylene and Fluoroalkylnorbornene Using Highly Active ansa‐(Fluorenyl)(amido)titanium‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Sun Yanjie , Wang Chen , Tanaka Ryo , Shiono Takeshi , Cai Zhengguo
Published: September 2019

Fluoroalkyl‐functionalized semi‐crystalline polyolefin is obtained by the copolymerization of ethylene and 2‐nonafluorobutyl‐5‐norbornene using ansa‐dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(amido)titanium complexes 1a and 1b as catalysts. The copolymerization proceeds with a moderate activity affording a copolymer with high fluorine content up to 5.7 mol% (22 wt%). The melting point decreases from 134 to 82 °C according to the increase of comonomer content. Observation of a single melting point of the copolymer obtained from complex 1b clearly shows the uniform structure of the copolymer, whereas complex 1a gives copolymer with two melting points. The number‐averaged molecular weight of the copolymer reaches over a 105 order of magnitude, which enables the formation of thin film via solvent casting process. Tensile moduli of these copolymers are greatly affected by both molecular weight of the copolymer and comonomer content, and almost comparable with that of low‐density linear polyethylene.
Network Topology of the States Probed by a Glassy Polymer during Physical Aging
Authors: Vogiatzis Georgios Grigorios , van Breemen Lambèrt Cécile Angelo , Hütter Markus
Published: September 2019

Trajectories of a long‐chain atactic polystyrene system, obtained from long Molecular Dynamics simulations in the glassy state, are mapped onto a time series of inherent structures of the potential energy landscape. The topology of the network of states formed is analyzed by employing graph‐theoretical concepts. It is found that the network of the inherent structures visited by the system in the course of physical aging has both a scale‐free and a small‐world character. There exist minima acting as highly connected hubs in the network and trench‐like sequences of states driving the system from one hub to another. In contrast to previous studies of scale‐free networks in other branches of science, where the topology results from the static connectivity of the network's entities, this network is created by adding one‐by‐one the inherent structures traversed by the system during its evolution in time.
Existence of periodic and S‐asymptotically periodic solutions to fractional diffusion equations with analytic semigroups
Authors: Mu Jia , Nan Jiecuo , Zhou Yong
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we study periodic and S‐asymptotically periodic solutions for fractional diffusion equations (FDE). As we all know, there is no exact periodic solution to differential equations with Caputo or Riemann‐Liouville fractional derivatives. Even so, in this paper, periodic (S‐asymptotically periodic) mild or classical solutions for FDE with Weyl‐Liouville fractional derivatives could be obtained in various fractional power spaces. In addition, a numerical simulation example and a specific example of fractional diffusion equation are given to verify the main theoretical results.
Effect of Weight Change Following Intentional Weight Loss on Bone Health in Older Adults with Obesity
Authors: Kammire Daniel E. , Walkup Michael P. , Ambrosius Walter T. , Lenchik Leon , Shapses Sue A. , Nicklas Barbara J. , Houston Denise K. , Marsh Anthony P. , Rejeski W. Jack , Beavers Kristen M.
Published: September 2019

Objective

This study aimed to examine change in bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score among older adult weight regainers (WR) and weight maintainers (WM).

Methods

Observational data come from 77 older adults (mean age: 67 [SD 5] years; 69% women; 70% white) with obesity (mean BMI: 33.6 [SD  3.7] kg/m2) who lost weight during an 18‐month weight loss intervention. Total body mass and body composition, along with regional (total hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine) BMD and trabecular bone score, were measured at baseline, 18 months, and 30 months. WR (n = 36) and WM (n = 41) categories were defined as a ≥ 5% or < 5% weight gain from 18 to 30 months, respectively.

Results

Among skeletal indices, only total hip BMD was significantly reduced during the 18‐month intervention period in both WRs (−3.9%; 95% CI: −5.8% to −2.0%) and WMs (−2.4%; 95% CI: −4.3% to −0.5%; P = 0.07). After adjustment for relevant baseline covariates and weight change from 0 to 18 months, 30‐month change in total hip BMD was −2.6% (95% CI: −4.3% to −0.9%) and −3.9% (95% CI: −5.7% to −2.1%) among WRs and WMs, respectively (P = 0.07).

Conclusions

Loss of hip BMD persists in the year after a weight loss intervention among older adults with obesity, regardless of weight regain status.
Innovation Drives Iron Pipe Joint Technology
Authors: Gaston Maury D.
Published: September 2019

The United States recently celebrated its centennial year of standards for engineering products. Today's American National Standards Institute (ANSI) dates to 1918, and in collaboration with AWWA, it and other organizations produced a standard for iron pipe in 1926. This and other standards for products and processes are major reasons North America has the finest municipal water systems in the world.
Deteriorating Water Distribution Systems Affect Public Health
Authors: Vacs Renwick Deborah , Rotert Kenneth
Published: September 2019

Distribution system infrastructure issues can affect water reliability and quality and could contribute to waterborne disease outbreaks. It's important to know potential contamination mechanisms and consider rehab and replacement options.
Risk and Resilience Assessment Isn't Optional Anymore
Authors: Walski Tom
Published: September 2019

Prudent water systems have always looked at the risks involved with their operations and developed plans to respond to emergencies. With the passage of America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, risk assessment and emergency planning changed from a best practice to a regulatory requirement.
How we approach: Training pediatric coagulationists
Authors: Thornburg Courtney D. , Montgomery Robert R. , Pipe Steven W.
Published: September 2019

Unique expertise is required for the care of children, adolescents, and young adults with bleeding and clotting disorders. A number of Hemophilia Treatment Centers have developed pediatric hemostasis and thrombosis fellowship programs to facilitate subspecialty training and recruitment and retention in this field. This manuscript reviews an approach to training pediatric coagulationists including a description of current programs, sample curriculum, funding sources, and expected outcomes.
Ivabradine drug utilization study in five European countries: A multinational, retrospective, observational study to assess effectiveness of risk‐minimization measures
Authors: Salem Linda , Malouvier Alexandre , Blatchford Jon , Rivero‐Ferrer Elena , Deltour Nicolas , Jacquot Emmanuelle
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This drug utilization study of ivabradine evaluated prescriber compliance with the new risk minimization measures (RMMs), communicated starting 2014 following preliminary results from the SIGNIFY study.

Methods

This was a multinational (five European countries) chart review study with two study periods: pre‐RMM and post‐RMM. Patients initiating ivabradine for chronic stable angina pectoris in routine clinical practice were identified across general practitioners and specialists. The primary outcome analysis evaluated the compliance with the new RMMs, ie, use in patients with a heart rate greater than or equal to 70 bpm at initiation, no doses higher than those recommended in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) at initiation and during 6 months of follow‐up, and no concomitant use of verapamil or diltiazem.

Results

Overall, 711 and 506 eligible patients were included in the pre‐RMM and post‐RMM periods, respectively. The percentage of patients prescribed ivabradine according to the new RMMs increased significantly in the post‐RMM period (70.6% and 78.4% in the pre‐ and post‐RMM periods respectively; P value = .0035). The compliance to RMMs increased for all the criteria assessed independently: the proportions of patients with (a) heart rate ≥ 70 bpm at initiation (79.4% and 85.2%, respectively; P value = .0141), (b) no dose higher than the SmPC doses at initiation and during follow‐up (92.8% and 94.1%, respectively; P value = .3957), and (c) no concomitance with verapamil or diltiazem (96.1% and 99.2%, respectively; P value = .0007).

Conclusions

The RMMs for ivabradine were well implemented across the five participating European countries confirming a favorable benefit‐risk balance of ivabradine in chronic stable angina pectoris.
Preparation of functionalized ion‐imprinted phenolic polymer for efficient removal of copper ions
Authors: Monier Mohammed , Youssef Ibrahim , El‐Mekabaty Ahmed
Published: September 2019

In this work, an ion‐imprinted polymeric material based on functionalized phenolic resin was developed for the efficient selective removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution. p‐Aminophenol‐isatin Schiff base ligand (HPIS) was first synthesized and combined with Cu2+ ions to prepare the corresponding complex [Cu(PIS)2]. The Schiff base ligand along with its copper complex was fully investigated and characterized before anchoring in a base‐catalyzed condensation copolymerization with formaldehyde and resorcinol. The Cu2+ ions were removed from the obtained resin construction and the resulting Cu2+ ion‐imprinted material (Cu‐PIS) was employed for the selective extraction of Cu2+ ions under different pH values, initial concentrations and contact time conditions. The optimum pH for the removal process was chosen as 6 and the maximum adsorption capacity was 187 ± 1 mg g–1. Also, the kinetics showed a better fit with the pseudo‐second‐order equations. The selectivity of the prepared Cu‐PIS was also evaluated in a multi‐ionic species containing Ni2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Co2+ besides Cu2+ ions and the determined parameters confirmed a superior recognition capability toward the imprinted Cu2+ ions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymer nanoparticles with a sensitive CO2‐responsive hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface
Authors: Shieh Yeong‐Tarng , Tai Pei‐Yu , Cheng Chih‐Chia
Published: September 2019

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles with a sensitive CO2‐responsive hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface that confers controlled dispersion and aggregation in water were prepared by emulsion polymerization at 50 °C under CO2 bubbling using amphiphilic diblock copolymers of 2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) as an emulsifier. The amphiphilicity of the hydrophobic–hydrophilic diblock copolymer at 50 °C was triggered by CO2 bubbling in water and enabled the copolymer to serve as an emulsifier. The resulting PMMA nanoparticles were spherical, approximately 100 nm in diameter and exhibited sensitive CO2/N2‐responsive dispersion/aggregation in water. Using copolymers with a longer PNIPAAm block length as an emulsifier resulted in smaller particles. A higher concentration of copolymer emulsifier led to particles with a stickier surface. Given its simple preparation and reversible CO2‐triggered amphiphilic behavior, this newly developed block copolymer emulsifier offers a highly efficient route toward the fabrication of sensitive CO2‐stimuli responsive polymeric nanoparticle dispersions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2149–2156
Engineering Coiling‐Up Space Metasurfaces for Broadband Low‐Frequency Acoustic Absorption
Authors: Chen Shuang , Fan Yuancheng , Yang Fan , Jin Yabin , Fu Quanhong , Zheng Jianbang , Zhang Fuli
Published: September 2019

Acoustic metasurfaces based on microperforated panels and coplanar spiral tubes are proposed to realize acoustic absorption in the low‐frequency range, which are composed of holes and an in‐plane coiling‐up channels. Herein, the deep‐subwavelength metasurfaces are developed based on nesting damping subchannels for dual‐band or broadband acoustic absorption in the low‐frequency regime. The absorption properties of the proposed metasurfaces are theoretically and experimentally studied. At the resonant frequencies, high acoustic absorption is observed at deep‐subwavelength scale (the thickness of metasurfaces is smaller than λ/50). The measured results show that both dual‐band and broadband metasurface‐based acoustic absorbers are realized at around 300 Hz, in good agreement with theoretical predictions by properly designing the profile of the holes and channels. Furthermore, the measured acoustic impedances are presented as effectual quantity revealing the dual‐band and broadband feature of the metasurface absorbers. The design herein can be further applied to extra broadband absorption with a compact metasurface in future.
Monitoring of zero‐inflated Poisson processes with EWMA and DEWMA control charts
Authors: Alevizakos Vasileios , Koukouvinos Christos
Published: September 2019

The zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP) distribution is an extension of the ordinary Poisson distribution and is used to model count data with an excessive number of zeros. In ZIP models, it is assumed that random shocks occur with probability p, and upon the occurrence of random shock, the number of nonconformities in a product follows the Poisson distribution with parameter λ. In this article, we study in more detail the exponentially weighted moving average control chart based on the ZIP distribution (regarded as ZIP‐EWMA) and we also propose a double EWMA chart with an upper time‐varying control limit to monitor ZIP processes (regarded as ZIP‐DEWMA chart). The two charts are studied to detect upward shifts not only in each parameter individually but also in both parameters simultaneously. The steady‐state performance and the performance with estimated parameters are also investigated. The performance of the two charts has been evaluated in terms of the average and standard deviation of the run length, and compared with Shewhart‐type and CUSUM schemes for ZIP distribution, it is shown that the proposed chart is very effective especially in detecting shifts in p when λ remains in control (IC) and in both parameters simultaneously. Finally, one real example is given to display the application of the ZIP charts on practitioners.
Intra‐oesophageal invasion of thymoma
Authors: Ozawa Makiko , Fukushima Toshirou , Noguchi Takuro , Kobayashi Takashi , Sekiguchi Nodoka , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: September 2019

Key message

This is the first report of a thymoma developing with unusual invasion into the oesophageal lumen.
Adaptive sliding mode control of uncertain nonlinear systems with preassigned settling time and its applications
Authors: Hou Mingzhe , Tan Feng , Han Fei , Duan Guangren
Published: September 2019

This paper investigates the adaptive tracking control of second‐order nonlinear systems with nonlinearly parameterized uncertainties and disturbances, as well as multiplicative uncertainty in the control coefficient matrix. A novel adaptive function augmented sliding mode control approach is proposed such that the tracking error converges to a neighborhood of zero with the preassigned size within the preassigned settling time. In the proposed control scheme, the control gains increase as the adaptive estimate values increase only when necessary, that is, when the current control gains are not big enough to suppress the uncertainties or disturbances; as a result, the conservativeness of control design caused by unnecessary high control gains can be effectively reduced. Moreover, the chattering phenomenon well known in the sliding mode control is eliminated by using the saturation function to replace the signum function, and the possible persistent increasing problem of the adaptive estimate values due to measurement disturbances or noises on the feedback is also well addressed by introducing “dead‐zone” nonlinearities in the adaptive laws. In addition, an improved method to construct the desired error trajectory is proposed, and this method could avoid the large undershoot‐like or overshoot‐like phenomena, which the traditional one may result in. The obtained results are finally applied to the motion control of the underwater vehicle and the rendezvous control of spacecraft, and the simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and the advantages of the proposed control approach.
Electrochemical Sensing of Anesthetics using Polythiophene Coated Glassy Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Ramkumar Ramya , Sangaranarayanan M. V.
Published: September 2019

A novel electrochemical sensor for anesthetics employing the polymerization of Thiophene onto glassy carbon electrodes is demonstrated. The polymer was characterized by electrochemical and morphological characterizations using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This polythiophene modified electrode was employed for sensing anesthetics and a lowest detection limit of 35 nM, 50 nM and 20 nM were obtained for Procaine, Benzocaine and Procainamide respectively. The interference studies showed the selectivity of this electrode in the presence of common interfering agents. The Dopaminergic effect of Procaine is studied by varying concentrations of dopamine and a thorough study established the profound effect.
Nano Gold Hybrid Polyvinyl Alcohol Films for Sensing of Cu2+ ions
Authors: Sahu Deepak , Sarkar Niladri , Mohapatra Priyaranjan , Swain Sarat K
Published: September 2019

An efficient and eco‐friendly approach is adopted for the synthesis of highly stable L‐alanine assisted nano gold based polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite hybrid films (Au/PVA).The –COOH groups of L‐alanine and oxygeneous groups of polyvinyl alcohol are utilized for the synthesis of size controlled gold nanoparticles. The as‐synthesized nanocomposites show rapid and selective detection of Cu2+ ion in aqueous medium. With addition Cu2+ ion to as‐synthesized nanocomposites, the SPR peaks of Au NPs (538 nm) decrease with occurrence of a red shift as well as a new peak is observed at higher wavelength which is due to the aggregation of gold nanoparticles in the nanocomposites hybrid films. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) reveal the aggregation of gold nanoparticles in the nanocomposite hybrid films. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for Cu2+ ion are 40 nM and 133 nM respectively. This technique for detection of Cu2+ ion in waste water samples is inexpensive and eco‐friendly since no any toxic chemicals are used. In the presence of Cu2+ ion, the colour of the hybrid film is changed hence, this method also involves visual detection of Cu2+ ion without use of electrolyte or transducer. Further, many reported methods represent the in situ monitoring of Cu2+ ion, but the present hybrid film can be used for in situ as well as ex situ monitoring of Cu2+ ion.
First Approach for Structurally Unique Thieno[2,3‐e] isobenzofuran‐8(6H)‐one Tricyclic Framework of Echinothiophene and Echinothiophenegenol
Authors: Chinta Bhavani Shankar , Santhi Jampani , Baire Beeraiah
Published: September 2019

The synthesis of complete carbocyclic framework present in bioactive natural products echinothiophene and echinothiophenegenol has been achieved. An acid catalysed rearrangement of isobenzofurans to angularly fused phthalides has been employed as the key step. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first synthetic approach either for the total synthesis or for the partial synthesis of the thieno[2,3‐e]isobenzofuran‐8(6H)‐one framework of the echinothiophene.
One‐Pot Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones via N‐ benzylation / Csp3– H Oxidation/ CN Hydrolysis/Cyclization
Authors: Dandia Anshu , Saini Pratibha , Bansal Sarika , Parewa Vijay
Published: September 2019

A Cu(I)‐catalyzed straightforward synthesis of quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones was attained by the reaction of 2‐aminobenzonitrile with benzyl bromides. The reaction proceeds via one pot N‐ benzylation / CSp3– H oxidation/ CN hydrolysis/cyclization/ sequence. Numerous controlled experiments have been carried out to establish the appropriate mechanism and prerequisite of the reactions. The process was truly selective as only quinazolinones formed as desired product over dihydrogenated quinazolinones.
Toward a New Energy Era: Self‐Driven Integrated Systems Based on Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Qiu Jian , Shen Yue , Li Bixin , Zheng Yiting , Xia Yingdong , Chen Yonghua , Huang Wei
Published: September 2019

Integrated smart portable devices (e.g., self‐powered devices) that utilize the environment‐friendly energy (e.g., solar energy) by means of photovoltaic technology (e.g., solar cell) are a popular concept in the current technological development trend. As a key component of integrated devices, photovoltaic devices acting as a bridge between solar energy and working devices play an important role in the whole system performance. The emergence of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with high power conversion efficiencies (over 25%) allows for the possibility and appearance of many multifunctional self‐powered integrated devices. In this review, a systematic overview of self‐powered integrated devices based on PSCs that are reported so far is provided, including integrated energy storage devices, integrated artificial photosynthesis devices, and other self‐powered integrated devices. The key strategies for fabricating these devices and performance are also discussed to further the understanding of fundamental device physics. Finally, the current challenging issues and future perspective are provided to promote the development of self‐powered integrated devices based on PSCs in the near future.
A macroeconomics‐inspired interpretation of the terrestrial water cycle
Authors: Ungvári Gábor , Kis András
Published: September 2019

This article develops an approach that applies macroeconomic concepts to the interpretation of complex, water related natural processes. By translating and re‐interpreting these processes into a language that is more accessible to a broader audience otherwise unaccustomed to its terms will likely help sharpen our understanding of the terrestrial water cycle. For economists, we describe climate‐forming natural processes in a manner consistent with the fundamentals of the mainstream approach. For noneconomists, parallels from economically determined, relatively short‐term observations can be applied conceptually to identify dynamics which occur over much longer and therefore more elusive natural occurrences, in particular considering the role of forests and how persistent land conversion over a millennium has shaped the earth's surface and impacted climate stability. The set of “supporting ecosystem services” highlighted in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) coincides with the ground phase of the terrestrial water cycle, taking the concept beyond the ecosystem service perspective and identifying it as a planetary service. Ecosystem and planetary services differ in the same way that microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives do. The water cycle intensity of a geographical area may well be related to a rainfall multiplier that measures the ability of continental ecosystems to increase the amount of water moving across terrestrial surfaces and descending as rainfall through transpiration and deposition, and re‐transpiration and re‐deposition of the water content in the air that originally arrives from the oceans. Building upon the MEA's association of human wellbeing with ecosystem features, the rainfall multiplier serves as a physical indicator and measure of the natural basis of wellbeing creation.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Human Water > Value of Water
Integrated offshore wind farm design: Optimizing micro‐siting and cable layout simultaneously
Authors: Marge Thomas , Lumbreras Sara , Ramos Andrés , Hobbs Benjamin F.
Published: September 2019

Electrical layout and turbine placement are key design decisions in offshore wind farm projects. Increased turbine spacing minimizes the energy losses caused by wake interactions between turbines but requires costlier cables with higher rates of failure. Simultaneous micro‐siting and electrical layout optimization are required to realize all possible savings. The problem is complex, because electrical layout optimization is a combinatorial problem and the computational fluid‐dynamics calculations to approximate wake effects are impossible to integrate into classical optimization. This means that state‐of‐the‐art methods do not generally consider simultaneous optimization and resort to approximations instead.

We extend an existing model that successfully optimizes cable design to simultaneously consider micro‐siting. We use Jensen's equations to approximate the wake effect in an efficient manner, calibrating it with years of mast data. The wake effects are precalculated and introduced into the optimization problem. We solve simultaneously for turbine spacing and cable layout, exploiting the tradeoffs between these wind farm features. We use the Barrow Offshore Wind Farm as a case study to demonstrate realizable savings up to 6 MEUR over the lifetime of the plant, although it is possible that unforeseen design constraints have implications for whether the savings seen in our model are fully realizable in the real world. In addition, the model provides insights on the effects of turbine spacing that can be used to simplify the design process or to support negotiations for surface concession at the earlier stages of a project.
Response of the photosynthetic activity and biomass of the phytoplankton community to increasing nutrients during cyanobacterial blooms in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu
Authors: Wu Pan , Lu Yongjun , Lu Yan , Dai Jiangyu , Huang Tingjie
Published: September 2019

Nutrient enrichment facilitates algal outbreaks in eutrophic shallow lakes. To further understand the influence of various inorganic nutrient forms on cyanobacterial blooms, a nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), and orthophosphate (PO4) amendment experiment was conducted in a large shallow lake of China (Lake Taihu) during summer. The results showed that the photosynthetic performance of phytoplankton responded more positively to phosphorus (P) than nitrogen (N), and NH4 addition stimulated higher algal photosynthetic activities in P‐enriched waters. Individual inorganic N or PO4 addition significantly activated cyanobacteria and green algae. Meanwhile, the N plus P amendment promoted higher biomass of the planktonic microbial community, and the dual addition of NH4 + PO4 yielded the highest chlorophyll a concentration. NH4 additions provisionally promoted higher green algae than cyanobacteria biomass in the beginning, while cyanobacteria dominated again with increasing NH4:PO4 ratios. These results revealed that increasing ammonium would enhance the increase in phytoplankton biomass in advance and prolong the duration of algal blooms. Hence, based on the control of P loading, the reduction in external inorganic N focusing on ammonium sources (such as ammonia N fertilizer) at the watershed scale would help to alleviate eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms over the long term in Lake Taihu.

Practitioner points

Ammonium addition stimulated higher algal photosynthetic activities in P‐enriched waters.

Individual inorganic N or PO4 addition significantly activated cyanobacteria and green algae.

The dual addition of NH4 + PO4 yielded the highest chlorophyll a concentration.

Increasing NH4 would enhance the increase in phytoplankton biomass in advance and prolong the duration of cyanobacterial blooms.
Hidden symmetries of two-field cosmological models
Authors: Anguelova Lilia , Babalic Elena Mirela , Lazaroiu Calin Iuliu
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We determine the most general time-independent Noether symmetries of two-field cosmological models with rotationally-invariant scalar manifold metrics. In particular, we show that such models can have hidden symmetries, which arise if and only if the scalar manifold metric has Gaussian curvature −3/8, i.e. when the model is of elementary α-attractor type with a fixed value of the parameter α. In this case, we find explicitly all scalar potentials compatible with hidden Noether symmetries, thus classifying all models of this type. We also discuss some implications of the corresponding conserved quantity.
Interference effects in LNV and LFV semileptonic decays: the Majorana hypothesis
Authors: Abada A. , Hati C. , Marcano X. , Teixeira A. M.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

In the case where the Standard Model is extended by one heavy Majorana fermion, the branching fractions of semileptonic meson decays into same-sign and opposite-sign dileptons are expected to be of the same order. As we discuss here, this need not be the case in extensions by at least two sterile fermions, due to the possible destructive and constructive interferences that might arise. Depending on the CP violating phases, one can have an enhancement of the lepton number violating modes and suppression of the lepton number conserving ones (and vice-versa). We explore for the first time the interference effects in semileptonic decays, and illustrate them for a future observation of kaon decays at NA62. We also argue that a non-observation of a given mode need not be interpreted in terms of reduced active-sterile mixings, but that it could instead be understood in terms of interference effects due to the presence of several sterile states; in particular, for different-flavour final state charged leptons, observing a lepton number conserving process and not a lepton number violating one does not rule out that the mediators are Majorana fermions.
Quantum error-detection at low energies
Authors: Gschwendtner Martina , König Robert , Şahinoğlu Burak , Tang Eugene
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Motivated by the close relationship between quantum error-correction, topological order, the holographic AdS/CFT duality, and tensor networks, we initiate the study of approximate quantum error-detecting codes in matrix product states (MPS). We first show that using open-boundary MPS to define boundary to bulk encoding maps yields at most constant distance error-detecting codes. These are degenerate ground spaces of gapped local Hamiltonians. To get around this no-go result, we consider excited states, i.e., we use the excitation ansatz to construct encoding maps: these yield error-detecting codes with distance Ω(n
1−ν ) for any ν ∈ (0, 1) and Ω(log n) encoded qubits. This shows that gapped systems contain — within isolated energy bands — error-detecting codes spanned by momentum eigenstates. We also consider the gapless Heisenberg-XXX model, whose energy eigenstates can be described via Bethe ansatz tensor networks. We show that it contains — within its low-energy eigenspace — an error-detecting code with the same parameter scaling. All these codes detect arbitrary d-local (not necessarily geometrically local) errors even though they are not permutation-invariant. This suggests that a wide range of naturally occurring many-body systems possess intrinsic error-detecting features.
Novel Autoantibodies Related to Cell Death and DNA Repair Pathways in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Luo Hui , Wang Ling , Bao Ding , Wang Li , Zhao Hongjun , Lian Yun , Yan Mei , Mohan Chandra , Li Quan-Zhen
Published: September 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune syndrome characterized by various co-existing autoantibodies (autoAbs) in patients’ blood. However, the full spectrum of autoAbs in SLE has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this study, a commercial platform bearing 9400 antigens (ProtoArray) was used to identify autoAbs that were significantly elevated in the sera of SLE patients. By comparing the autoAb profiles of SLE patients with those of healthy controls, we identified 437 IgG and 1213 IgM autoAbs that the expression levels were significantly increased in SLE (P < 0.05). Use of the ProtoArray platform uncovered over 300 novel autoAbs targeting a broad range of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and membrane antigens. Molecular interaction network analysis revealed that the antigens targeted by the autoAbs were most significantly enriched in cell death, cell cycle, and DNA repair pathways. A group of autoAbs associated with cell apoptosis and DNA repair function, including those targeting APEX1, AURKA, POLB, AGO1, HMGB1, IFIT5, MAPKAPK3, PADI4, RGS3, SRP19, UBE2S, and VRK1, were further validated by ELISA and Western blot in a larger cohort. In addition, the levels of autoAbs against APEX1, HMGB1, VRK1, AURKA, PADI4, and SRP19 were positively correlated with the level of anti-dsDNA in SLE patients. Comprehensive autoAb screening has identified novel autoAbs, which may shed light on potential pathogenic pathways leading to lupus.
FlexMEMS-enabled hetero-integration for monolithic FBAR-above-IC oscillators
Authors: Gao Chuanhai , Zhang Menglun , Jiang Yuan
Published: September 2019

In this work, a monolithic oscillator chip is heterogeneously integrated by a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip using FlexMEMS technology. In the 3D-stacked integrated chip, the thin-film FBAR sits directly over the CMOS chip, between which a 4 μm-thick SU-8 layer provides a robust adhesion and acoustic reflection cavity. The proposed system-on-chip (SoC) integration features a simple fabrication process, small size, and excellent performance. The oscillator outputs 2.024 GHz oscillations of −13.79 dBm and exhibits phase noises of −63, −120, and −136 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz, 100 kHz, and far-from-carrier offset, respectively. FlexMEMS technology guarantees compact and accurate assembly, process compatibility, and high performance, thereby demonstrating its great potential in SoC hetero-integration applications.
DNA damage and brain trauma: a clue to pathophysiology and biomarker development
Authors: Hazrati LN
Published: September 2019

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion is a very common occurrence in contact sports, and can cause brain damage with long-term symptoms, including depression, aggression, memory loss, and an increased risk of neurodegeneration later in life. Recently, there has been increased attention towards concussion in sport both in research and media, however the nature and pathophysiology of mTBI-induced neurodegeneration remain unknown. The objective of this study is to identify early pathophysiological markers of TBI. This study used a collection of donated postmortem brains with a history of repetitive mTBI in contact sports and non-TBI control brains. Nanostring ncounter’s immune panel was used to evaluate gene expression, and results showed that brains with a history of TBI tended to group with significantly older brains with no history of TBI in regards to their immune profile. Further analysis of this expression panel revealed that genes associated with senescence and secretory phenotype were upregulated in brains with a history of mTBI. Additionally, immunohistochemistry for γ-H2AX (a marker for double stranded DNA breaks) showed that brains with a history of repetitive TBI accumulated a spectrum of DNA damages not present in controls. This damage was widespread and involved mainly glial cells including oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. The latter showed morphological changes reminiscent of senescence, including soma swelling and beading of processes. Further, these changes were accompanied by translocation of structural nuclear proteins. These changes preceded the appearance of abnormal protein deposition in the brain. Overall, these results suggest that DNA damage and cellular senescence are upstream events in the manifestation of post-mTBI symptoms and pathology, and represent promising opportunities for discovery of biomarkers for early TBI detection and follow-up of progression.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The presentation will enable the learner to:

1.

Explore the relationship between trauma and DNA structural changes

2.

Explore the relationship between trauma and senescence
Epilepsy Related Death: the London Health Sciences Center Experience
Authors: Zhang Q , Ang LC
Published: September 2019

Premature mortality among epilepsy patients is well recognized. Except a few identifiable causes of unnatural death, more than half of the epilepsy related death remains unexplained after extensive workup. These cases are classified as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). SUDEP incidence varies significantly depending on the population, the methods documenting cause of death and the availability of Neuropathological examination. An accurate diagnosis of the cause of death is needed for epilepsy related death. The goal of this study is to present the relevant clinical data, the general autopsy and Neuropathology findings of epilepsy related death investigated in London Health Sciences Center during the period of 2000 to 2011. We identified 71 cases with known history of chronic epilepsy. In the 29 cases of epilepsy associated death, the causes of death have been classified as cardiac, pulmonary, accidental (e.g. drowning), toxic (e.g. drug overdose) and non-related causes. Forty two cases are considered to be SUDEP, and were categorized according to the recently proposed SUDEP Definition and Classification. Half of the SUDEP cases have no specific Neuropathological findings. The most common identifiable lesions in SUDEP cases are perinatal/neonatal destructive lesions (29%), hippocampal sclerosis (24%), and focal cortical dysplasia (20%). These are followed by neuronal heterotopia (9%), previous head trauma (9%), and cavernoma (5%).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This presentation will enable the learner to:

1.

Review cause of death in epilepsy related deaths

2.

Discuss the practice guideline in neuropathology autopsy of epilepsy related deaths