bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biopesticide Effect of Potential Microorganisms in Bioformulation Against Phytophthora infestans (mildew) and Alternaria spp. (alternariosis) on Capsicum annuum L. in Field
Authors: Alexis Zoa Parfait , Pierre Effa Onomo , Fotso  , Pierre-François Djocgoue
Published: October 2024

The production of pepper, a staple food of millions of people in the world is facing a severe parasitic pressure of pests and diseases. The objective of this work aimed at developing a biopesticide formulation (T1) using potential microorganisms as Trichoderma harzianum and Metharizium anisopliae and test it performance against the virulence of Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans isolated from two pepper varieties V1 (Safi) and V2 (Burkina yellow) in two agroecological areas. The previous formulation was made up with rice bran fermentation and potential microorganisms specifically selected. The two-factor split-plot design consisted of 06 basic plots per block for each pepper variety. A significant difference (p = 0.05) was revealed between the formulation (T1), chemical pesticide as positif control (T2) made up with Mandipropamid and the control (T0) in the field on disease incidence and severity in all stage of pepper growth. Mildew incidence ranged from 12.72% to 53% for the V1 and 10.01% to 49% for the V2 in agro-ecological area III. Similarly, 8.99% to 60.9% for variety V1 and 7.12% to 55% for variety V2 in agro-ecological area V between 4 and 12 weeks. The incidence of alternariosis varied from 7.12% to 77.12% for variety V1 and 7.01% to 69.15% for variety V2 in agro-ecological area III. Also 4.32% to 71.9% for variety V1 and 5.12% to 67.08% for variety V2 in agro-ecological area V between 4 and 12 weeks. Gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry revealed an overproduction of bioactive molecules in the hydro-methanolic extracts of pepper leaves treated with the formulation T1, which are responsible for its phytoprotection in the two agroecological areas. In conclusion, the use of the Trichoderma harzianum and Metharizium anisopliae formulation significantly induced systemic resistance of Capsicum annuum L plants against alternariosis and mildew agents.
Does Insurance Knowledge and Loss Experience Influence the Adoption of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana? Insights from Cotton Farmers in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Diyyala Reddyprasanna , Palanichamy N Venkatesa , Kalpana M , Murugananthi D , Geethalakshmi V , Rajavel M
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of crop insurance among cotton farmers and identifies the constraints faced by insured farmers in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India. Using a sample of 350 cotton farmers, the study explores how socio-economic factors, insurance knowledge, and past yield loss experiences impact farmers' decisions to adopt crop insurance. A probit model is employed to analyse the data, revealing that insurance knowledge and past yield loss experiences significantly affect insurance adoption. The study also identifies key constraints faced by insured farmers, such as delays in claim payments and no compensation even during crop failures. Additionally, the research assesses the various risk management strategies employed by farmers, stressing a predominant reliance on informal support systems and asset-based solutions. This highlights the need for enhanced insurance awareness and improved insurance schemes to better support farmers in managing agricultural risks. Additionally, these findings emphasize the importance of utilizing technology to streamline claim settlements, thereby ensuring timely payments and enhancing transparency in the process.
Lithostratigraphic Characterisation of Senonian Deposits on the Abidjan Margin
Authors: EGORAN Blandine Akissi , AHOURE N’guessan Donald , ABBEY Assa Maxime , MONDE Sylvain
Published: October 2024

The sedimentary basin of Côte d'Ivoire has generated numerous geophysical, sedimentological and biostratigraphic research. However, the lithostratigraphic characteristics for revealing seismic processes are very little known. This study was carried out with the aim of understanding the relationship between sea level variations and seismic terminations. the studies carried out relate to the lithostratigraphic analysis of two seismic profiles of Senonian age in the Abidjan margin. The seismic study of this work is based on the interpretation of the seismic profile. Recognizing reflector terminations and reflector geometries is arguably one of the most useful aspects of this approach. the seismic profiles show the Senonian formation is generally continuous and of approximately constant thickness overall. overall, the formation is affected by simple normal faults offshore, note the presence of structures that could constitute structural hydrocarbon traps.
The Magical Quest: Finding The Perfect Ears and Other Stories: Children’s Picture Books Exploring Children’s Confidence in Their Self-Identity
Authors: Alexis Aimee , Setiawan Dwi
Published: October 2024

Self-esteem has become an important factor for children’s confidence in shaping their self-identity. As children are growing up, they might face questions regarding their self-identity. Self-identity can be divided into ‘natural self’ and ‘environmental self’ which is acquired through external forces. However, there are cases when their identity does not conform with society’s expectation. In these cases, children might find the need to fit in with their surroundings. Therefore, this creative work explores how self-esteem helps embrace one’s identity to develop one’s life goals. Based on Morwenna Griffiths’ theory that was influenced by American Philosopher William James and an American psychologist Carl Rogers, I will explore how one gains self-esteem in order to grasp self-confidence. Unconditional regard and achievement are significant reasons for solutions to the development of self-esteem. My creative work will tell the stories of five characters. The characters will go on a journey to finally be confident in their self-identity. They will regain their self-esteem by realizing their self-worth and value. Children might learn the importance of embracing their identity through my creative work.
Presuppositions Used by Yang Jong Hoon in Law School
Authors: Manurung Alessandra Virginia , Nugroho Aylanda Hidayati Dwi
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the presuppositions in Yang Jong Hoon’s utterances in the series "Law School". This study aims to understand how presuppositions are used by lawyers and prosecutors. The theories used are by Yule (1996, 2020). The findings reveal the similarities and differences in the use of presuppositions when Yang Jong Hoon was a prosecutor and a lawyer. A similarity between both roles is that factive presupposition only occurred once as these professions require credibility. The most prominent types of presupposition, however, show differences. In Yang Jong Hoon’s utterances as a prosecutor, existential presupposition appears most frequently to successfully charge the defendant as guilty, often done by presenting proof. In contrast, in Yang Jong Hoon’s utterances as a lawyer, lexical presupposition appears most frequently to recount the situation and thus use change-of-state verbs. The study concludes that an understanding and strategic use of presuppositions are essential in legal debates.
The Unifying Principle of Coordinated Measurements in Geospace Science
Authors: Lotko William
Published: April 2017

Space scientists recognize geospace as a coupled dynamical system extending from the Earth's upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and magnetosphere, through interplanetary space to the Sun. The weather in geospace describes variability in the electromagnetic fields, particle radiation, plasmas, and gases permeating it, usually in response to solar disturbances. Severe space weather poses a significant threat to human activities in space and to modern technological systems deployed both in space and at Earth. The challenge of characterizing and predicting space weather requires widely distributed, coordinated observations. Partnerships among government agencies, international consortia, and the private sector are developing creative solutions to address this challenge. This brief commentary highlights some of the coordinated measurements and data systems that are unifying knowledge of the geospace environment.
Wave Breaking and Dissipation
Authors: Babanin Alexander V.
Published: April 2017

In oceanic applications, wave breaking is of primary importance in ocean and coastal engineering, oceanography and meteorology, wave forecast, and remote sensing. Scientifically, the breaking presents one of the most interesting and challenging problems of fluid mechanics. This is a phenomenon of rapid release of wave energy, and therefore the main source of dissipation for wind‐generated waves. Breaking waves impact on structures and vessels, on the coast and bottom; facilitate momentum, energy, gas, moisture, and heat exchanges across the air–sea interface; and produce bubbles and aerosols. Wave breaking is an intermittent random process, very fast by comparison with other processes in the wave system. Distribution of wave breaking on the water surface is not continuous, but its role in maintaining the energy balance within the continuous wind–wave field is critical. This article reviews the topic and outlines the state of wave‐breaking research and the main outstanding problems.
Direct Catalyst‐Free Chemical Vapor Deposition of ZnO Nanowire Array UV Photodetectors with Enhanced Photoresponse Speed
Authors: Zhan Zhaoyao , Xu Liping , An Jianing , Du Hejun , Weng Zhankun , Lu Wenqiang
Published: April 2017

ZnO‐based photodetectors (PDs) have long response times at magnitude of tens to hundreds of seconds, hampering their practical UV detection. The slow oxygen chemisorption/desorption process is the main cause of the slow response of UV PDs based on single ZnO nanowires (NWs). Here, the authors find the response speed of ZnO NW‐based UV PDs could be improved by directly fabricating UV PDs on entangled ZnO NW array grown on SiO2 through a catalyst‐free chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Specifically, the interconnections in ZnO NW array creates NW–NW junction barriers, which dominate the inter‐wire charge transport. The switching of UV illumination induces fast tuning of NW–NW junction barrier height, which contributes to the enhanced response speed of the ZnO NW array UV PDs.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Piperazin‐2‐ones
Authors: Wang Yanzhao , Liu Yuanyuan , Li Kun , Yang Guoqiang , Zhang Wanbin
Published: April 2017

Two different iridium catalyst systems, generated from the ruthenocene‐based phosphine‐oxazoline ligand tBu‐mono‐RuPHOX or the diphosphine ligand BINAP, were developed for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 5,6‐dihydropyrazin‐2(1H)‐ones, affording chiral piperazin‐2‐ones in good yields and with moderate to good ees. Different catalytic behaviors for the hydrogenation of these types of substrate were observed with these two catalyst systems. Our tBu‐mono‐RuPHOX ligand, which bears a ruthenocene scaffold with planar chirality, was found to be the best ligand for the [Ir(L)(COD)]BArF catalyst system, affording the desired products with up to 94% ee.

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FeOx supported single‐atom Pd bifunctional catalyst for water gas shift reaction
Authors: Sun Xiucheng , Lin Jian , Zhou Yanliang , Li Lin , Su Yang , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao
Published: April 2017

Water gas shift reaction on supported noble metal catalysts is an essential process for upgrading hydrogen source industrially. Here a series of Pd/FeOx catalysts were detected for this reaction with Pd/Al2O3 as reference. It was found that Pd/FeOx exhibited higher CO conversion than Pd/Al2O3 with a good stability even in the presence of CO2 and H2. Along the loading decreasing, the turnover frequency of exposed Pd atoms increased with the dispersion from subnanometer (∼1 nm) to single atoms. Various characterizations suggested that Pd single atoms greatly enhanced the reducibility of FeOx and facilitated the formation of oxygen vacancies, which served as sites to promote the dissociation of H2O to form H2 and atomic O. The atomic O was ready to react with the linear adsorbed CO species on Pd single‐atom sites through a redox mechanism, which resulted in low activation energy of ∼30 kJ mol−1. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 4022–4031, 2017
Association studies of low‐frequency coding variants in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate
Authors: Leslie Elizabeth J. , Carlson Jenna C. , Shaffer John R. , Buxó Carmen J. , Castilla Eduardo E. , Christensen Kaare , Deleyiannis Frederic W. B. , Field Leigh L. , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Moreno Lina , Orioli Ieda M. , Padilla Carmencita , Vieira Alexandre R. , Wehby George L. , Feingold Eleanor , Weinberg Seth M. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Marazita Mary L.
Published: April 2017

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a group of common human birth defects with complex etiology. Although genome‐wide association studies have successfully identified a number of risk loci, these loci only account for about 20% of the heritability of orofacial clefts. The “missing” heritability may be found in rare variants, copy number variants, or interactions. In this study, we investigated the role of low‐frequency variants genotyped in 1995 cases and 1626 controls on the Illumina HumanCore + Exome chip. We performed two statistical tests, Sequence Kernel Association Test (SKAT) and Combined Multivariate and Collapsing (CMC) method using two minor allele frequency cutoffs (1% and 5%). We found that a burden of low‐frequency coding variants in N4BP2, CDSN, PRTG, and AHRR were associated with increased risk of NSCL/P. Low‐frequency variants in other genes were associated with decreased risk of NSCL/P. These results demonstrate that low‐frequency variants contribute to the genetic etiology of NSCL/P.
Genotype–phenotype correlations in Cornelia de Lange syndrome: Behavioral characteristics and changes with age
Authors: Moss Joanna , Penhallow Jessica , Ansari Morad , Barton Stephanie , Bourn David , FitzPatrick David R. , Goodship Judith , Hammond Peter , Roberts Catherine , Welham Alice , Oliver Chris
Published: April 2017

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a multisystem genetic disorder associated with unusual facial features, limb abnormalities, a wide range of health conditions, and intellectual disability. Mutations in five genes that encode (SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21) or regulate (NIPBL, HDAC8) the cohesin complex have been identified in up to 70% of individuals. Genetic cause remains unknown for a proportion of individuals. There is substantial heterogeneity in all aspects of CdLS but very little is known about what predicts phenotypic heterogeneity. In this study, we evaluated genotype–phenotype associations in 34 individuals with CdLS. Participants with NIPBL mutations had significantly lower self help skills and were less likely to have verbal skills relative to those who were negative for the NIPBL mutation. No significant differences were identified between the groups in relation to repetitive behavior, mood, interest and pleasure, challenging behavior, activity, impulsivity, and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder whilst controlling differences in self help skills. Significant correlations indicating lower mood, interest and pleasure, and increased insistence on sameness with older age were identified for those who were NIPBL mutation positive. The findings suggest similarities in the behavioral phenotype between those with and without the NIPBL mutation once differences in self help skills are controlled for. However, there may be subtle differences in the developmental trajectory of these behaviors according to genetic mutation status in CdLS.
Acute effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phone on brain function
Authors: Zhang Jun , Sumich Alexander , Wang Grace Y.
Published: April 2017

Due to its attributes, characteristics, and technological resources, the mobile phone (MP) has become one of the most commonly used communication devices. Historically, ample evidence has ruled out the substantial short‐term impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF‐EMF) emitted by MP on human cognitive performance. However, more recent evidence suggests potential harmful effects associated with MP EMF exposure. The aim of this review is to readdress the question of whether the effect of MP EMF exposure on brain function should be reopened. We strengthen our argument focusing on recent neuroimaging and electroencephalography studies, in order to present a more specific analysis of effects of MP EMF exposure on neurocognitive function. Several studies indicate an increase in cortical excitability and/or efficiency with EMF exposure, which appears to be more prominent in fronto‐temporal regions and has been associated with faster reaction time. Cortical excitability might also underpin disruption to sleep. However, several inconsistent findings exist, and conclusions regarding adverse effects of EMF exposure are currently limited. It also should be noted that the crucial scientific question of the effect of longer‐term MP EMF exposure on brain function remains unanswered and essentially unaddressed. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:329–338, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Global Ethics Corner: foundations, beliefs, and the teaching of biomedical and scientific ethics around the world
Authors: Jakubowski Henry , Xie Jianping , Kumar Mitra Arup , Ghooi Ravindra , Hosseinkhani Saman , Alipour Mohsen , Hajipour Behnam , Obiero George
Published: April 2017

The profound advances in the biomolecular sciences over the last decades have enabled similar advances in biomedicine. These advances have increasingly challenged our abilities to deploy them in an equitable and ethically acceptable manner. As such, it has become necessary and important to teach biomedical and scientific ethics to our students who will become the researchers, medical professionals, and global citizens of the future. As advances in the biosciences and medicine are made, developed, and used across the globe, our survival on an endangered planet requires global dialog and consensual action. To that end, a group of us from around the world have come together to describe the differing foundations of our ethical beliefs, and how ethical issues in biomedicine and in science are described and confronted in our countries. We hope to show the commonality in our beliefs and practices and to encourage readers from around the world to contribute to a continuing discussion through a new section of the journal, The Global Ethics Corner. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(5):385–395, 2017.
Design and Synthesis of C3‐Substituted β‐Carboline‐Based Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors with Potent Antitumor Activities
Authors: Ling Yong , Feng Jiao , Luo Lin , Guo Jing , Peng Yanfu , Wang Tingting , Ge Xiang , Xu Qibing , Wang Xinyang , Dai Hong , Zhang Yanan
Published: April 2017

A series of hydroxamic acid histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in which the β‐carboline motif has been incorporated were designed and synthesized. The effect of substitution at the C3 amide on HDAC inhibition and antiproliferative activities was investigated. Most of these compounds were found to display significant HDAC inhibitory effects and good antiproliferative activity, with IC50 values in the low‐micromolar range. In particular, the HDAC inhibition IC50 value of N‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐N‐(4‐(hydroxylcarbamoyl)benzyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐9H‐pyrido[3,4‐b]indole‐3‐carboxamide (9 h) is five‐fold lower than that of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat). Furthermore, 9 h was found to increase the acetylation of histone H3 and α‐tubulin, and to induce DNA damage as evidenced by hypochromism and enhanced phosphorylation of histone H2AX. Compound 9 h inhibits Stat3, Akt, and ERK signaling, important cell‐growth‐promoting pathways that are aberrantly activated in most cancers. Finally, 9 h showed reasonable solubility and permeability in Caco‐2 cells. Our findings suggest that these novel β‐carboline‐based HDAC inhibitors may hold great promise as therapeutic agents for the treatment of human cancers.
Erosion of refugia in the Sierra Nevada meadows network with climate change
Authors: Maher Sean P. , Morelli Toni Lyn , Hershey Michelle , Flint Alan L. , Flint Lorraine E. , Moritz Craig , Beissinger Steven R.
Published: April 2017

Climate refugia management has been proposed as a climate adaptation strategy in the face of global change. Key to this strategy is identification of these areas as well as an understanding of how they are connected on the landscape. Focusing on meadows of the Sierra Nevada in California, we examined multiple factors affecting connectivity using circuit theory, and determined how patches have been and are expected to be affected by climate change. Connectivity surfaces varied depending upon the underlying hypothesis, although meadow area and elevation were important features for higher connectivity. Climate refugia that would promote population persistence were identified from downscaled climate layers, based on locations with minimal climatic change from historical conditions. This approach was agnostic to specific species, yielding a broad perspective about changes and localized habitats. Connectivity was not a consistent predictor of refugial status in the 20th century, but expected future climate refugia tended to have higher connectivity than those that recently deviated from historical conditions. Climate change is projected to reduce the number of refugial meadows on a variety of climate axes, resulting in a sparser network of potential refugia across elevations. Our approach provides a straightforward method that can be used as a tool to prioritize places for climate adaptation.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Selones and Dihaloselones: Complexation of Selones with d8‐ and d10‐Metal Ions
Authors: Yadav Sangeeta , Singh Harkesh B. , Butcher Ray J.
Published: April 2017

The reactivities of the monodentate selone LSe (L = 1,3‐dibutylbenzimidazol‐2‐ylidene; 10a), the bidentate pyridine‐functionalized selone L′Se (L′ = 1‐pyridyl‐3‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidene; 10b) and the multidentate ether‐functionalized selone L′′Se {L′′ = 1,3‐bis[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl]benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene; 10c} with soft transition‐metal halides (PdX2, PtX2, ZnX2, CdX2 and HgX2; X = Cl, Br, I) are probed. Compounds 10a and 10c react with metal halides to give complexes of the type [Cu2(µ‐X)2(LSe)2] (X = Br, I; 11, 12), [MX2(LSe)2] (13–22) or [M2X2(µ‐X)2(L′′Se)2] (X = Cl, Br, I; 26–32), whereas 10b and HgX2 (X = Cl, Br, I) form 1:1 complexes HgX2(L′Se) (21–23), in which the pyridine moiety coordinates to the metal centre to form a six‐membered chelate. The reactivity of 10a was compared with those of triphenylphosphine and triethylamine. The reaction of 10c with molecular iodine yields the diiodoselone L′′SeI2 (35), which disproportionates to give the selone adduct of the iodonium ion, [(L′′Se)2I]+I3– (36). The reactions of LSeX2 [X = Cl (34a), Br (34b), I (34c)] with organotellurium compounds, namely, tellone LTe (10d) and diphenyl telluride (37), afford the dihalotellones LTeX2 [X = Cl (38a), Br (38b), I (38c)] and Ph2TeX2 [X = Cl (39a), Br (39b), I (39c)], respectively. The oxidizing properties of LSeX2 (34a–34c) were investigated with rare‐earth metals.
Preparing for the Speaking Tasks of the TOEFL iBT® Test: An Investigation of the Journeys of Chinese Test Takers
Authors: Yu Guoxing , He Lianzhen , Rea‐Dickins Pauline , Kiely Richard , Lu Yanbin , Zhang Jing , Zhang Yan , Xu Shasha , Fang Lin
Published: April 2017

Language test preparation has often been studied within the consequential validity framework in relation to ethics, equity, fairness, and washback of assessment. The use of independent and integrated speaking tasks in the TOEFL iBT® test represents a significant development and innovation in assessing speaking ability in academic contexts. Integrated tasks that involve synthesizing and summarizing information presented in reading and listening materials have the potential to generate new test preparation strategies. This study investigated the experiences of over 1,500 Chinese test takers and 23 teachers who were preparing for the TOEFL iBT speaking tasks. It examined the frequency of use of a number of different test preparation activities and materials, reasons, and expectations for taking preparation courses and the features of preparation courses. In addition, we examined the usefulness of test preparation from two perspectives: students' and teachers' perceptions as well as the relationship between test preparation and performance. Data were collected via questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews with test takers and teachers, and classroom observations. The data showed that (a) test preparation was a hugely complex, multiple‐components construct, and teaching and learning test‐taking strategies compose the most prominent feature of intensive preparation courses; (b) there were significant age‐related differences in students' preparation activities and focuses, although with small effect sizes; (c) there was a high agreement between teachers and students in their views on the usefulness of test preparation activities; and (d) there existed only a weak relationship between test preparation and performance. The only significant predictor of students' test performance was the frequency of their use of the TOEFL Practice Online TPO® practice tests. The findings of the study can enhance our understanding of the pedagogical practices that characterize test preparation programs and contribute to the ongoing validity argument for the TOEFL iBT Speaking test. The implications of the findings for test publishers, test takers, teachers, and test preparation schools are discussed with reference to the instructional, learning, and affective aspects of the multifaceted construct of test preparation.
Adaptation to health states: Sick yet better off?
Authors: Cubí‐Mollá Patricia , Jofre‐Bonet Mireia , Serra‐Sastre Victoria
Published: April 2017

Healthcare funding decisions in the UK rely on health state valuations of the general public. However, it has been shown that there is disparity between the valuation of the impact of hypothetical conditions on health and the reported health by those experiencing them. Patients' adaptation to health states is among the most common explanations for this discrepancy. Being diagnosed with a disease appears to affect individual perception of health over time so that better subjective health may be reported over a disease trajectory. This paper examines adaptation to health states using a longitudinal dataset. We use four waves of the British Cohort Study (BCS70), which tracks a sample of British individuals since birth in 1970 and contains information on self‐assessed health (SAH), morbidity, and socioeconomic characteristics. We implement a dynamic ordered probit model controlling for health state dependence. Results are supportive of the existence of adaptation: Time since diagnosis has a positive impact on SAH. Moreover, adaptation happens over relatively long durations. We do not find significant results proving different adaptation paths for patients reporting prior better SAH. The analysis by specific conditions generally supports the existence of adaptation, but results are statistically significant only for a subset of conditions.
Fabrication of Nanoscale Patternable Films of Silk Fibroin Using Benign Solvents
Authors: Bucciarelli Alessio , Pal Ramendra K. , Maniglio Devid , Quaranta Alberto , Mulloni Viviana , Motta Antonella , Yadavalli Vamsi K.
Published: April 2017

The silk protein fibroin is a wondrous biopolymer widely used to form structures that interface with biological entities. In addition to tissue scaffolds, sponges, and films, biochemically modified fibroins can be used in conjunction with techniques such as photolithography and soft lithography to expand their repertoire for micro‐ and nanofabricated systems. To date, the use of hexafluoro‐2‐isopropanol (HFIP) has been prevalent as a solvent for fibroin and fibroin “resists.” However, high volatility, toxicity, cost, and need for specialized disposal render the necessity for alternative solvents. Additionally, for applications such as in optics and bioelectronics, smooth, thin (≈100 nm and below) fibroin films are a prerequisite, which are not easily achieved using HFIP. Here, the use of formic acid (FA) as a sustainable solvent is presented for silk fibroin and fibroin “resist” materials, specifically for micro‐ and nanoscale applications. The reproducible formation and characterization of stable thin films of high homogeneity, smoothness, and optical transparency are demonstrated. Critically, these films can be used for high‐resolution photopatterning of proteins using benchtop lithographic techniques. The study indicates that FA is a relatively benign and optimal solvent for forming smooth, thin films, and microscale architectures for the fabrication of next generation silk‐based optical devices.

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Rapid fabrication of various molds for replication of polymer lens arrays
Authors: Chang Chih‐Yuan
Published: April 2017

This article proposes a rapid fabrication method for the production of various molds for the replication of polymer lens arrays. The method involves ultrasonic vibration embossing with a polymer substrate and small steel ball array. Only one embossing step is required in which a concave lens array pattern is directly fabricated onto the polymer substrate. The total processing cycle time is less than 20 s. The polymer substrate with a concave lens array pattern can then be used as a mold for the replication of a polymer lens array through a polydimethylsiloxane casting process. In addition, the diameter and depth of the concave lens array pattern on the surface of the polymer substrate can be changed and controlled by adjusting the processing conditions of the ultrasonic vibration embossing process. Hence, various molds with different concave lens array patterns and thus polymer lens arrays, can be effectively fabricated at very low cost and with high throughput. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Nanotechnology for biomedical applications: Recent advances in neurosciences and bone tissue engineering
Authors: Nobile Stefano , Nobile Lucio
Published: April 2017

The aim of this article is to give an overview of some recent advances of nanotechnology in medicine and bone tissue engineering, exploring typical applications of these emerging technologies. Currently, limitations in bone regenerative strategies include insufficient mechanical strength of scaffolds. Thus, we review the major area of research in nanotechnology with potential implications in bone regeneration: nano‐based scaffold construction and modification to enhance biocompatibility, mechanical stability, and cellular attachment/survival. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:644–650, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Induction of Helical Structure by Sesamin, and Production of Oriented Helical Polymer with Liquid Crystal Magneto‐Electrochemical Polymerization
Authors: Dong Jiuchao , Nimori Shigeki , Kawabata Kohsuke , Goto Hiromasa
Published: April 2017

Sesamin was employed as a chiral dopant for preparing cholesteric liquid crystals with right‐handed helical architecture. Helical twisting power of sesamin is to be 13.4 μm−1. Electrochemical polymerizations were carried out with sesamin‐induced cholesteric liquid crystal electrolyte solution for obtaining conjugated polymer films with helical structure. The film was transcribed the helical order from the liquid crystal electrolyte solution with helical structure produced by sesamin during the polymerization process. The helical axes of the macromolecular superstructure of the polymer films were oriented in a magnetic field of 4.5 T. This results demonstrated liquid crystal magneto‐electrochemical polymerization with helical structure induced by sesamin as a natural chiral compound. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1894–1899
Dynamic Compressive Properties of Polymer Bonded Explosives under Confining Pressure
Authors: Xiao Youcai , Sun Yi , Li Xiao , Zhang Qiuhua
Published: April 2017

Passively confined dynamic impact experiments on PBX1314 specimens are performed by employing aluminum jackets with split Hopkinson pressure bar. The axial and radial stress history curves are measured in the experiments, and the characterizations of the behavior of PBX1314 under dynamic multi‐axial loads are studied. A constitutive relation is developed for modeling the dynamic mechanical responses of PBX1314 by using the Boltzmann superposition principle with a Prony series representation. The material parameters of PBX1314 can be obtained by fitting the modulus master curve. Detailed finite element simulations of the passively confined tests are carried out to evaluate the measure accuracy of the device to the material mechanical behavior. The correctness of the constitutive relation is verified by comparison the finite element simulations with the experiments. Good agreements are obtained.
The beginning of time observed in quantum jumps
Authors: Bohm Arno , Bryant Peter W. , Uncu Haydar , Wickramasekara Sujeev , Schleich Wolfgang P.
Published: April 2017

The phenomenon of quantum jumps observed in a single ion stored in a trap brings to light intimate connections between three different concepts of quantum physics: (i) quantum state trajectories, (ii) Gamow states, and (iii) the arrow of time. In particular, it allows us to identify the starting time of the semigroup time evolution.
The starch‐binding domain family CBM41—An in silico analysis of evolutionary relationships
Authors: Janeček Štefan , Majzlová Katarína , Svensson Birte , MacGregor E. Ann
Published: April 2017

Within the CAZy database, there are 81 carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM) families. A CBM represents a non‐catalytic domain in a modular arrangement of glycoside hydrolases (GHs). The present in silico study has been focused on starch‐binding domains from the family CBM41 that are usually part of pullulanases from the α‐amylase family GH13. Currently there are more than 1,600 sequences classified in the family CBM41, almost exclusively from Bacteria, and so a study was undertaken in an effort to divide the members into relevant groups (subfamilies) and also to contribute to the evolutionary picture of family CBM41. The CBM41 members adopt a β‐sandwich fold (∼100 residues) with one carbohydrate‐binding site formed by the side‐chains of three aromatic residues that interact with carbohydrate. The family CBM41 can be divided into two basic subdivisions, distinguished from each other by a characteristic sequence pattern or motif of the three essential aromatics as follows: (i) “W‐W‐∼10aa‐W” (the so‐called Streptococcus/Klebsiella‐type); and (ii) “W‐W‐∼30aa‐W” (Thermotoga‐type). Based on our bioinformatics analysis it is clear that the first and second positions of the motif can be occupied by aromatic residues (Phe, Tyr, His) other than tryptophan, resulting in the existence of six different carbohydrate‐binding CBM41 groups, that reflect mostly differences in taxonomy, but which should retain the ability to bind an α‐glucan. In addition, three more groups have been proposed that, although lacking the crucial aromatic motif, could possibly employ other residues from remaining parts of their sequence for binding carbohydrate. Proteins 2017; 85:1480–1492. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hypoglycemic and Antihyperglycemic Activities of Nine Medicinal Herbs Used as Antidiabetic in the Region of Lubumbashi (DR Congo)
Authors: Amuri Bakari , Maseho Mwamba , Simbi Lumbu , Okusa Philippe , Duez Pierre , Byanga Kahumba
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities of nine plants used as antidiabetic treatments in Lubumbashi and its surroundings. Those are Albizia adianthifolia, Azanza garckeana, Cassia occidentalis, Cassia sieberiana, Erythrina abyssinica, Gladiolus klattianus, Rauvolfia caffra, Strychnos spinosa, and Vitex madiensis. Aqueous extracts, obtained by decoction and maceration, were administered (500 mg/kg) per os to guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), both in glucose baseline conditions and in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) conditions (glucose, 2 g/kg; follow‐up over 210 min). For OGTT experiments, area under the curve of blood glucose levels, maximum glucose concentration (Cmax), and time to reach Cmax (Tmax) were used to compare test groups with the control conditions (glucose group). In hypoglycemic tests, only three species induced significant (p < 0.001) lowering of normal glycemia: A. adianthifolia (33% reduction), C. occidentalis (32%), and V. madiensis (43%); in the same conditions, the positive control glibenclamide (6 mg/kg) induced a blood glucose lowering of 55%. In OGTT conditions, all tested herbs were active, with the highest inhibition of glycemia increases for V. madiensis (62%) and A. adianthifolia (57%), compared with the hyperglycemic inhibition rate of glibenclamide (50%). Oral glucose tolerance test conditions appear as essential to detect the extracts most interesting for clinical use. These data support the use of studied plants for diabetes treatment in traditional Congolese medicine and indicate a good knowledge of tradipraticians in the field. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Guaranteed conditional design of the median chart with estimated parameters
Authors: Hu XueLong , Castagliola Philippe
Published: April 2017

A common assumption for most control charts is the fact that the process parameters are supposed to be known or accurately estimated from Phase I samples. But, in practice, this is not a realistic assumption and the process parameters are usually estimated from a very limited number of samples that, in addition, may contain some outliers. Recently, a median chart with estimated parameters has been proposed to overcome these issues and it has been investigated in terms of the unconditional Average Run Length (ARL). As this median chart with estimated parameters does not take the “Phase I between‐practitioners” variability into account, in this paper, we suggest to revisit it using the Standard Deviation of the ARL as a measure of performance. The results show that this Standard Deviation of the ARL–based median chart actually requires a much larger amount of Phase I data than previously recommended to sufficiently reduce the variation in the chart performance. Due to the practical limitation of the number of the Phase I data, the bootstrap method is recommended as a good alternative approach to define new dedicated control chart parameters.
An overview of online based platforms for sharing and analyzing electrophysiology data from big data perspective
Authors: Chen Yang , Wang Zhong‐yi , Yuan Gang , Huang Lan
Published: April 2017

With the development of applications and high‐throughput sensor technologies in medical fields, scientists and scientific professionals are facing a big challenge—how to manage and analyze the big electrophysiological datasets created by these sensor technologies. The challenge exhibits several aspects: one is the size of the data (which is usually more than terabytes); the second is the format used to store the data (the data created are generally stored using different formats); the third is that most of these unstructured, semi‐structured, or structured datasets are still distributed over many researchers' own local computers in their laboratories, which are not open access, to become isolated data islands. Thus, how to overcome the challenge and share/mine the scientific data has become an important research topic. The aim of this paper is to systematically review recent published research on the developed web‐based electrophysiological data platforms from the perspective of cloud computing and programming frameworks. Based on this review, we suggest that a conceptual scientific workflow‐based programming framework associated with an elastic cloud computing environment running big data tools (such as Hadoop and Spark) is a good choice for facilitating effective data mining and collaboration among scientists. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2017, 7:e1206. doi: 10.1002/widm.1206

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Health Care

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Information Repositories

Technologies > Computer Architectures for Data Mining
Long-time behavior of solutions to the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation for soliton-free initial data
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Perry Peter A. , Sulem Catherine
Published: April 2017

The large-time behavior of solutions to the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation is established for initial conditions in some weighted Sobolev spaces under the assumption that the initial conditions do not support solitons. Our approach uses the inverse scattering setting and the nonlinear steepest descent method of Deift and Zhou as recast by Dieng and McLaughlin.

On établit le comportement au temps long des solutions de l'équation de Schrödinger nonlinéraire avec dérivée dans des espaces de Sobolev à poids, sous l'hypothèse que les conditions initiales ne supportent pas de solitons. Notre approche utilise l'inverse scattering et la méthode de la plus grande pente (“steepest descent”) nonlinéaire de Deift et Zhou revisitée par Dieng et McLaughlin.
Existence of a minimal non-scattering solution to the mass-subcritical generalized Korteweg–de Vries equation
Authors: Masaki Satoshi , Segata Jun-ichi
Published: April 2017

In this article, we prove the existence of a non-scattering solution, which is minimal in some sense, to the mass-subcritical generalized Korteweg–de Vries (gKdV) equation in the scale critical

\hat{L}^{r}

space where

\hat{L}^{r} = \{f \in \mathcal{S}^{\prime}(\mathbb{R})|\begin{Vmatrix} f \end{Vmatrix}_{\hat{L}^{r}} = \begin{Vmatrix} \hat{f} \end{Vmatrix}_{L^{r^{\prime}}} < \infty \}

. We construct this solution by a concentration compactness argument. Then, key ingredients are a linear profile decomposition result adopted to

\hat{L}^{r}

-framework and approximation of solutions to the gKdV equation which involves rapid linear oscillation by means of solutions to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation.
Atypical Shifts Post-failure: Influence of Co-creation on Attribution and Future Motivation to Co-create
Authors: Sugathan Praveen , Ranjan Kumar Rakesh , Mulky Avinash G.
Published: April 2017

This study investigates how the effect of the failure of co-created products or services influences: (a) internal attribution (i.e. the self) and external attribution (i.e. the firm), (b) customers’ expectancies of success, and (c) customers’ future motivation to co-create and contribute to recovery from failure. We use attribution theory and the attribution–expectancy framework to explain the theoretical relationships we advance and test our hypotheses in two independent experiments that stimulate co-creation through role-play and vignettes. The results show that customer co-creation shifts the attribution for failure to the self, resulting in atypical shifts in expectancy (increasing customers’ expectancy of future success and motivation to continue co-creating in the future). Our results suggest that utilizing customers’ efforts and skills in the co-creation of products and services can help firms to manage failure effectively. The implications of our findings on co-creation research and product and service failures are discussed, specific applications within the digital context are considered, and suggestions are offered for future research.
Geochemistry, composition, and structure of protoasphaltenes in organic matter of recent lacustrine sediments
Authors: Borisova L.S.
Published: April 2017

Asphaltenes and asphaltogene acids of organic matter (OM) of lacustrine sediments in the Novosibirsk and Tomsk Regions of West Siberia have been investigated by applying physical and physicochemical methods (elemental and X-ray diffraction analyses, IR, NMR, and EPR spectroscopy, Rock Eval pyrolysis, and electron microscopy). Compared with asphaltenes of dispersed OM at the early catagenesis stages, asphaltenes of OM at the diagenesis stage have a high number of hydrogen atoms and heteroatoms, a low degree of aromaticity, a low concentration of paramagnetic centers, a large number of carbon atoms in the long paraffin chains and oxygen-containing groups. Tetravalent vanadium is absent from asphaltenes of recent lacustrine sediments, and only complex compounds of copper have been identified. The sediments contain not asphaltenes but their precursors, protoasphaltenes. These are less condensed compounds with a looser nongraphite structure and a rather high petroleum potential. At the diagenesis stage, protoasphaltenes are immature protokerogen blocks.
New data on the structure of the Turukhan zone of deformation from the results of seismic survey and geological traverses
Authors: Efimov A.S. , Smirnov M.Yu. , Ukhlova G.D. , Mosyagin E.V. , Keller E.G. , Kudrina T.R.
Published: April 2017

The structure of the junction between the Turukhan zone of deformation and the Kureika Basin was studied using regional reflection profiling data acquired along the Lower Tunguska River, with reference to well logs and land-based geological surveys. The western flank of the line comprises four large blocks separated by faults, which produce different patterns in seismic sections. The eastern part of the line covers the margin of the Kureika Basin filled with plane-bedded sediments and its border with the Turukhan Uplift and the Turukhan tectonic zone with thrust sheets.
South-Tunguska petroliferous region: geologic structure and petroleum potential
Authors: Kuznetsova E.N. , Gubin I.A. , Gordeeva A.O. , Konstantinova L.N. , Moiseev S.A. , Kontorovich A.E.
Published: April 2017

Riphean and Vendian terrigenous complexes are not affected by trap injections within the South-Tunguska petroliferous region and thus can be considered a priority for further prospecting for hydrocarbon accumulations. Although these strata are not exposed with wells and are not characterized by core samples, their wide distribution is proved by seismic data. The obtained data and previous paleogeographic reconstructions show similar depositional environments of terrigenous sediments for the South-Tunguska and Baikit petroliferous regions. These facts substantiate criteria for the prediction of sand reservoirs within the study area. Taking into account the complex geologic structure of the South-Tunguska petroliferous region, ambiguity of seismic data interpretation, and problems of deep-drilling technology, we provide recommendations for the geological exploration.