bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land cover drives large scale productivity-diversity relationships in Irish vascular plants
Authors: White Hannah J. , Gaul Willson , Sadykova Dinara , León-Sánchez Lupe , Caplat Paul , Emmerson Mark C. , Yearsley Jon M.
Published: May 2019

The impact of productivity on species diversity is often studied at small spatial scales and without taking additional environmental factors into account. Focusing on small spatial scales removes important regional scale effects, such as the role of land cover heterogeneity. Here, we use a regional spatial scale (10 km square) to establish the relationship between productivity and vascular plant species richness across the island of Ireland that takes into account variation in land cover. We used generalized additive mixed effects models to relate species richness, estimated from biological records, to plant productivity. Productivity was quantified by the satellite-derived enhanced vegetation index. The productivity-diversity relationship was fitted for three land cover types: pasture-dominated, heterogeneous, and non-pasture-dominated landscapes. We find that species richness decreases with increasing productivity, especially at higher productivity levels. This decreasing relationship appears to be driven by pasture-dominated areas. The relationship between species richness and heterogeneity in productivity (both spatial and temporal) varies with land cover. Our results suggest that the impact of pasture on species richness extends beyond field level. The effect of human modified landscapes, therefore, is important to consider when investigating classical ecological relationships, particularly at the wider landscape scale.
UNIDADES DE ENSINO POTENCIALMENTE SIGNIFICATIVAS (UEPS): IDENTIFICANDO TENDÊNCIAS E POSSIBILIDADES DE PESQUISA / POTENTIALLY MEANINGFUL TEACHING UNITS (PMTU): IDENTIFYING TRENDS AND RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES
Authors: Souza Graziela Ferreira , Pinheiro Nilcéia Aparecida Maciel
Published: May 2019

Este estudo apresentar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre a implementação de práticas de pedagógicas relacionadas às Unidades de Ensino Potencialmente Significativas (UEPS) no desenvolvimento da aprendizagem significativa. A revisão bibliográfica teve como objetivo mapear e analisar os trabalhos relacionados a UEPS, identificando tendências e características das publicações e estudos sobre o tema, incluindo pesquisas indexadas em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais, indexados em bases de dados. Para análise do portfólio de pesquisa, utilizou-se o aporte metodológico da Methodi Ordinatio, que classificou 42 artigos por ordem de relevância, de acordo com o fator de impacto, ano de publicação e número de citações de cada trabalho. O material foi analisado em relação à área de conhecimento, nível de ensino e ano de publicação. Além disso, os estudos mais relevantes, de acordo com a metodologia adotada, foram detalhados com o objetivo de aprofundar o conhecimento sobre o assunto. Os resultados indicam que há predomínio nos estudos relacionados as UEPS e o ensino de física, envolvendo principalmente estudantes do Ensino Médio e do Ensino Médio. São escassos os trabalhos encontrados em alguuns níveis de ensino, por isso estudos futuros devem considerar a pesquisa sobre UEPS em diferentes áreas do conhecimento, envolvendo mais etapas da escolaridade.
UM SINGULAR PLURAL: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE GÉRARD FOUREZ PARA A EDUCAÇÃO EM CIÊNCIAS / A SINGLE-PLURAL: CONTRIBUTIONS OF GÉRARD FOUREZ TO SCIENCE EDUCATION
Authors: Mohr Adriana , Mulinari Guilherme , Venturi Tiago , Da Cunha Tiago Bonatelli
Published: May 2019

Este ensaio presta homenagem ao pesquisador belga Gérard Fourez falecido em setembro de 2018. O texto tem como objetivo analisar suas contribuições ao campo da Educação em Ciências. Para isto, analisa questões epistemológicas e didáticas da obra de Fourez como a natureza da ciência, o papel das disciplinas e da interdisciplinaridade, a importância da alfabetização científica e das Ilhotas Interdisciplinares de Racionalidade para o ensino. Na obra de Fourez os elementos acima mencionados são e estão profundamente imbricados. E também se constituem um exemplo de construção intelectual, na qual fundamentos filosófico-epistemológicos e uma visão de mundo plural, servem de alicerce para propostas concretas e para sugestões de compreensão e de enfrentamento dos fenômenos complexos do cotidiano e daqueles do ensino.  O texto analisa a importância e as potencialidades dos conceitos e ideias fourezianas para o ensino de Ciências na escola e para a formação de professores.
REFLETINDO SOBRE OS CONTRIBUTOS DA CALCULADORA A PARTIR DE UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE FORMAÇÃO COM PROFESSORES QUE ENSINAM MATEMÁTICA / REFLECTING ABOUT CALCULATOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A TRAINING EXPERIENCE WITH PROFESSORS WHO TEACH MATHEMATICS
Authors: Longo Conceição Aparecida Cruz , Tinti Douglas Da Silva
Published: May 2019

O presente relato tem como objetivo principal refletir sobre o uso da calculadora nas aulas de matemática dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental. Para tanto utilizou-se uma abordagem de cunho qualitativo do tipo pesquisa participante, com a interação entre pesquisadores e membros da situação a investigar. O percurso de estudo foi desenvolvido em duas etapas: a aplicação de um questionário, com o intuito de conhecer a opinião dos professores de matemática do 4º e do 5º ano do ensino fundamental; e atividades diversas envolvendo a calculadora. A partir dessa experiência foi possível evidenciar que a utilização da calculadora em sala de aula favorece a elaboração de conjecturas, investigações, validações e o estabelecimento de caminhos lógicos na resolução de problemas, ações que contribuem para desenvolver o pensamento matemático dos aprendizes. Além disso, é importante ressaltar que, embora a calculadora seja um recurso acessível e conhecido por muitos professores, sua utilização nas práticas escolares tem sido pouco explorada. Concluiu-se que pode ser proposto em sala de aula o uso da calculadora, pois é um importante recurso que, aliado às intervenções do professor, pode ajudar no processo de aprendizagem da matemática.
FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DE PROFESSORES “PARA DENTRO DA PROFISSÃO” NO ÂMBITO DO PIBID/MATEMÁTICA / INITIAL FORMATION OF TEACHERS “FOR INSIDE THE PROFESSION” WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF PIBID/MATHEMATICS
Authors: Rodrigues Márcio Urel , Miskulin Rosana Giaretta Sguerra , Silva Luciano Duarte
Published: May 2019

Neste artigo objetivamos evidenciar a importância da formação inicial de professores de Matemática ‘para dentro da profissão’ no âmbito das atividades desenvolvidas pelos participantes do Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência - PIBID no Brasil. Como base teórica, recorremos aos estudos de Nóvoa (2009), envolvendo a escola como espaço formativo para o processo de formação inicial de professores. Os dados foram constituídos por meio de dois instrumentos: questionários respondidos por 394 participantes dos subprojetos do PIBID/Matemática de 83 universidades do Brasil e entrevistas realizadas com coordenadores institucionais ou de gestão do PIBID de três universidades públicas paulistas – UFSCar, USP e Unesp – e com a diretora da Capes. Os dados foram tratados por meio da Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin (1977), os quais nos conduziram a quatro constatações: (i) a formação inicial de professores de Matemática deve ser realizada “para dentro da profissão”, pois as teorias desenvolvidas nas licenciaturas em Matemática estão desconectadas da prática realizada nas escolas; (ii) as universidades precisam reconhecer as escolas também como espaço formativo de professores de Matemática no Brasil; (iii) os gestores das escolas proporcionaram acolhimento e suporte para o desenvolvimento das ações do PIBID/Matemática no Brasil; (iv) a vivência dos licenciandos em Matemática no futuro campo de atuação, com o apoio de professores coformadores mais experientes, proporcionada pelo PIBID, contribuiu para os processos formativos dos futuros professores de Matemática.
MOBILIZAÇÃO DOS CONHECIMENTOS DE LICENCIANDOS EM MATEMÁTICA: UM CASO DE ENSINO DE ESTATÍSTICA / MOBILIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE OF GRADUATING IN MATHEMATICS: A CASE OF STATISTICAL TEACHING
Authors: Damin Willian , Santos Junior Guataçara Dos , Pereira Rudolph Dos Santos Gomes
Published: May 2019

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a análise da utilização de um caso de ensino de Estatística para identificar os conhecimentos mobilizados por 7 (sete) alunos do curso de Licenciatura em Matemática de uma universidade pública do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Para a análise das respostas dos licenciandos utilizou-se quatro itens: 1) percebem a compreensão errônea do aluno; 2) compreendem a razão ou o porquê do aluno demonstrar essa concepção errônea; 3) realizam questões apropriadas para revelar a compreensão errônea do aluno; e 4) avaliam com critérios apropriados as repostas dos alunos. Os resultados encontrados evidenciam a potencialidade pedagógica de um caso de Estatística, o que oportunizou aos participantes a vivência de uma situação-pedagógica, contribuindo para a formação de uma base de conhecimento necessário para o ensino.
O ENSINO DE MATEMÁTICA NA GESTÃO DOS EMPREENDIMENTOS ECONÔMICOS SOLIDÁRIOS (EES): UMA APROXIMAÇÃO POR MEIO DA ETNOMATEMÁTICA / THE TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ECONOMIC SOLIDARITY ENTREPRENEURS (EES): AN APPROXIMATION THROUGH ETHNOMATEMATICS
Authors: Pinheiro Rafael Pires , Strohschoen Andreia Aparecida Guimarães
Published: May 2019

A Economia Solidária através dos Empreendimentos de Economia Solidária (EES) favorece uma possibilidade real de geração de renda, superação da pobreza e inclusão social. Pretende-se, assim, neste estudo problematizar as principais dificuldades encontradas por gestores de EES, do município de Parauapebas/PA, considerando os conhecimentos matemáticos necessários para o exercício de suas atividades. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, de cunho exploratório e descritivo, por meio de uma entrevista em forma de grupo focal com dez gestores de cinco EES. A apreciação dos dados obtidos foi realizada através da Análise Textual Discursiva. Foram obtidas duas categorias de análise: dificuldades enfrentadas pelos EES; matemática como ferramenta dos EES. Identificou-se como uma das necessidades dos gestores dos empreendimentos a formação em relação aos conhecimentos matemáticos necessários para a gestão dos mesmos.
The Impact of Social Entrepreneurship on the Sustainability of Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria
Authors: Ogbo Ann , Igwe Anthony , Ezeobi Jesse , Modebe Nwanneka , Ume Kalu Ebere
Published: May 2019

This paper examined the impact of social entrepreneurship on sustainability of business development in Nigeria. The objectives of the study include: to identify major evolution experienced by social enterprise in Nigeria, to identify key challenges in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria, to identify current trends in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria, and to carry out an analysis on sources of funds for financing the social entrepreneurs. Survey approach was the research design used with particular reference to selected small and medium enterprises (SME) in Nigeria. It was observed that political factors, economic factors, socio-cultural factors, cross country factors and technological factors are the major evolution experienced by social enterprise in Nigeria. It was also observed that lack of education in entrepreneurship, lack of financial assistance, comparative disadvantages to business, lack of government support and lack of skilled manpower are the key challenges in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The current trends in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria are social media and the role of technology, rise of decentralized micro-giving opportunities, cross-sector partnerships and government drive for an all-inclusive economic growth and development through SME. The analysis carried out on sources of funds for financing the social entrepreneurs are contributions from social entrepreneurs, subventions from government, donor supports, loans and advances and retained earnings/reserves.
Estimation of Single Leaf Area of Acacia mangium Willd
Authors: Oliveira Vinicius De Souza , Barros Galote Jean Karlos , Damaceno Ivani Vieira , Souza Furtado Natália de , Dos Santos Karina Tiemi Hassuda , Hassuda Santos Jéssica Sayuri , Pereira Santos Gleyce , Chisté Hérica , Schmildt Omar , Paulo Czepak Marcio , Arantes Sara Dousseau , Da Vitória Edney Leandro , Schmildt Edilson Romais
Published: May 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the best equation for estimating the leaf area of ​​Acacia mangium Willd. from the linear dimensions of the leaflets of non-destructive form. For this, 476 leaflets of plants belonging to Lajeado farm were collected in the municipality of Ecoporanga, in the north of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. From each leaflet was determined the length (L) along the main midrib, the largest width (W), the product of the multiplication between the length and the width (LW) the observed leaf area (OLA). For the modeling, we used 382 leaflets in which OLA was the dependent variable in function of L, W or LW as independent variable, being adjusted the linear models of first degree, quadratic and power. For the validation, the values ​​of L, W and LW of 94 leaflets were replaced in the equations obtained in the modeling thus obtaining the estimated leaf area (ELA). The means of ELA and OLA were compared by Student's t test at 5% probability. . It was also determined the mean absolute error (MAE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and Willmott's index d. In order to select the best equation, the following criteria were used: : not significant of the comparison of the means of ELA and OLA, values ​​of MAE and RMSE with closer to zero and index d closer to one. The power model equation represented by is the most adequate to predict the leaf area of ​​Acacia mangium Willd. quickly and non-destructively.
Regrowth of Yerba Mate Plants (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. - hill.) Submitted to Dynamized High-dilution Preparations
Authors: Domingues Sérgio , Werner Simone Silmara , Boff Mari Inês Carissimi , Boff Pedro
Published: May 2019

Aims: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) provides leaves and branches as raw material for medicinal and infused / tea drinks, generate employment and income for small farmers and plays an important role in the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. Harvesting causes high stress as a result of drastic defoliation. High dilution preparations have been indicated for treatment of illnesses, also, they showed a positive effect on plant growth. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the vegetative recovery of yerba mate by using dynamized high-dilution preparations of Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis and Carbo vegetabilis at 12 and 30CH (centesimal hahnemannian), just after formation pruning.

Place and Duration of Study: The experimental work was conducted in Fraiburgo, SC, Brazil, from July 2015 to August 2016 in agroforestry system.

Study Design:  The statistical design was completely randomized with 22 replicates and 7 treatments. Each plant represented an experimental unit and the treatments were applied by spraying.

Methodology: The evaluations started after the first thinning, when number of buds, height and length of regrowth were registered. At 399 days after the first cut, the second cut was performed, and after that, the harvested branches were weighed.

Results: Fresh mass weight was higher in plants treated with Arnica montana 30CH (0.2212 kg/plant) and Calendula officinalis 30CH (0.2185 kg/plant) in comparison to Potable water (0.1136 kg/plant). Final plant height was 32 cm higher on plants treated with Calendula officinalis 30 CH. Carbo vegetabilis showed no effects on the regrowth of yerba mate.

Conclusion: Therefore, Calendula officinalis 30CH has the potential for use in the recovery of yerba mate plants after harvesting their branches.
Large Variability of Frequency and Type of Physical Therapy in Patients in the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Belz D. , Moinzadeh P. , Riemekasten G. , Henes J. , Müller‐Ladner U. , Blank N. , Koetter I. , Siegert E. , Pfeiffer C. , Schmalzing M. , Zeidler G. , Schmeiser T. , Worm M. , Guenther C. , Susok L. , Kreuter A. , Sunderkoetter C. , Juche A. , Aberer E. , Gaebelein‐Wissing N. , Ramming A. , Kuhr K. , Hunzelmann N.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To determine the type and frequency of physical therapy (PT) prescribed by physicians for patients in the registry of the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis.

Methods

The data for 4,252 patients were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi‐square tests, and odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Overall, 37.4% of patients (1,590 of 4,252) received PT at the end of a yearly follow‐up. The most frequently used type of PT was lymphatic drainage (n = 1,061, 36.8%), followed by exercise therapy (n = 1,047, 36.3%) and heat therapy (n = 689, 23.9%). More than three‐fourths of treated patients (82%) received 1 or 2 different forms of PT simultaneously. The prescription of PT was associated with the extent of skin fibrosis as measured by the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (<10 [41.8% of patients], 11–20 [55.8% of patients], and >21 [63.9% of patients]; P < 0.001). Patients with musculoskeletal involvement (e.g., arthritis, muscle weakness, joint contractures, tendon friction rubs) had a higher chance of receiving PT than patients without these symptoms, with corresponding ORs ranging from 1.96 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.69–2.28) for joint contractures to 3.83 (95% CI 2.89–5.08) for arthritis. When comparing the type of PT prescription across the initial and all follow‐up visits from 2003 to 2017, significant alterations with a decreasing frequency of patients receiving PT could be observed (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the use of PT in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a large cohort. Although SSc is characterized by considerable disability and restriction of motion, <40% of patients received PT.
Graphene Oxide Reinforced Iron Matrix Composite With Enhanced Biodegradation Rate Prepared by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Zhao Ying‐Chao , Tang Yue , Zhao Ming‐Chun , Liu Long , Gao Chengde , Shuai Cijun , Zeng Rong‐Chang , Atrens Andrej , Lin Yongcheng
Published: May 2019

Pure iron (Fe) is a promising biodegradable metal. However, a too slow biodegradation rate in physiological environments restricts its clinical application. This work produced a Fe/graphene oxide (GO) composite from pure Fe and GO powders, through selective laser melting (SLM). GO is expected to increase the biodegradation rate of Fe. The microstructure, hardness, and corrosion behavior are investigated. The results demonstrated that the GO is distributed relatively uniformly at grain boundaries and inside the matrix. The SLMed Fe/GO composite had finer grain size, higher hardness, and faster biodegradation rate compared to the SLMed pure Fe.
Theranostic Nanomedicine Carrying L‐Menthol and Near‐Infrared Dye for Multimodal Imaging‐Guided Photothermal Therapy of Cancer
Authors: Zhang Chunyang , Liu Jie , Guo Huanling , Wang Wei , Xu Ming , Tan Yang , Huang Tongyi , Cao Zhong , Shuai Xintao , Xie Xiaoyan
Published: May 2019

Photothermal therapy (PTT) as an emerging technique for cancer treatment has drawn great attention owing to its minimally invasive nature. However, it is difficult to achieve a complete tumor regression due to the heterogeneous heat distribution over the tumor. Application of photothermal conversion agents may enhance PTT efficiency, and a multifunctional imaging may provide guidance for the implementation of PTT. Herein, an L‐menthol/IR‐780 loaded liposome (MIL) is prepared to achieve NIR‐triggered cavitation for enhancing photothermal ablation. The synthesized MIL possesses outstanding colloidal stability and photoacoustic/near infrared fluorescence/ultrasound (PA/NIRF/US) imaging contrast to offer multimodal imaging‐guided photothermal therapy of cancer. Upon irradiation, the IR‐780 acts as the photoabsorber to convert NIR light into heat energy. More importantly, the produced hyperthermia can not only induce ablation of tumor cells but also trigger vaporization and bubbling of encapsulated L‐menthol (menthol). Consequently, the generated menthol bubbles obviously enhance the US imaging signal and promote photothermal ablation of the tumor.
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Integrated with Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Secretome to Treat Endometrial Injury in a Rat Model of Asherman's Syndrome
Authors: Liu Feiran , Hu Shiqi , Yang Hua , Li Zhenhua , Huang Ke , Su Teng , Wang Shaowei , Cheng Ke
Published: May 2019

Stem cell therapies have made strides toward the efficacious treatment of injured endometrium and the prevention of intrauterine adhesions, or Asherman's syndrome (AS). Despite this progress, they are limited by their risk of tumor formation, low engraftment rates, as well as storage and transportation logistics. While attempts have been made to curb these issues, there remains a need for simple and effective solutions. A growing body of evidence supports the theory that delivering media, conditioned with mesenchymal stem cells, might be a promising alternative to live cell therapy. Mesenchymal stem cell‐secretome (MSC‐Sec) has a superior safety profile and can be stored without losing its regenerative properties. It is versatile enough to be added to a number of delivery vehicles that improve engraftment and control the release of the therapeutic. Thus, it holds great potential for the treatment of AS. Here, a new strategy for loading crosslinked hyaluronic acid gel (HA gel) with MSC‐Sec is reported. The HA gel/MSC‐Sec treatment paradigm creates a sustained release system that repairs endometrial injury in rats and promotes viable pregnancy.
Solution‐Processed Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics: From Molecular Design to Device Performance
Authors: Brus Viktor V. , Lee Jaewon , Luginbuhl Benjamin R. , Ko Seo‐Jin , Bazan Guillermo C. , Nguyen Thuc‐Quyen
Published: May 2019

Recent research efforts on solution‐processed semitransparent organic solar cells (OSCs) are presented. Essential properties of organic donor:acceptor bulk heterojunction blends and electrode materials, required for the combination of simultaneous high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance of photovoltaic devices, are presented from the materials science and device engineering points of view. Aspects of optical perception, charge generation–recombination, and extraction processes relevant for semitransparent OSCs are also discussed in detail. Furthermore, the theoretical limits of PCE for fully transparent OSCs, compared to the performance of the best reported semitransparent OSCs, and options for further optimization are discussed.
Dendrite‐Free Lithium Anodes with Ultra‐Deep Stripping and Plating Properties Based on Vertically Oriented Lithium–Copper–Lithium Arrays
Authors: Cao Zhenjiang , Li Bin , Yang Shubin
Published: May 2019

Although lithium metal is the best anode for lithium‐based batteries, the uncontrollable lithium dendrites especially under deep stripping and plating states hamper its practical applications. Here, a dendrite‐free lithium anode is developed based on vertically oriented lithium–copper–lithium arrays, which can be facilely produced via traditional rolling or repeated stacking approaches. Such vertically oriented arrays not only enable both the lithium‐ion flux and the electric field to be regulated, but also can act as a “dam” to guide the regular plating of lithium, thus efficiently buffering the volume change of the lithium anode upon cycling. As a consequence, the vertically oriented anode exhibits an excellent deep stripping and plating capability upto 50 mAh cm−2, high rate capabilities (20 mA cm−2), and long cycle life (2000 h). Based on this anode, a full lithium battery with a LiCoO2 cathode delivers a good cycle life, holding great potential for practical lithium‐metal batteries with high energy densities.
Zirconium‐Regulation‐Induced Bifunctionality in 3D Cobalt–Iron Oxide Nanosheets for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Huang Liangliang , Chen Dawei , Luo Gan , Lu Ying‐Rui , Chen Chen , Zou Yuqin , Dong Chung‐Li , Li Yafei , Wang Shuangyin
Published: May 2019

The design of high‐efficiency non‐noble bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is paramount for water splitting technologies and associated renewable energy systems. Spinel‐structured oxides with rich redox properties can serve as alternative low‐cost OER electrocatalysts but with poor HER performance. Here, zirconium regulation in 3D CoFe2O4 (CoFeZr oxides) nanosheets on nickel foam, as a novel strategy inducing bifunctionality toward OER and HER for overall water splitting, is reported. It is found that the incorporation of Zr into CoFe2O4 can tune the nanosheet morphology and electronic structure around the Co and Fe sites for optimizing adsorption energies, thus effectively enhancing the intrinsic activity of active sites. The as‐synthesized 3D CoFeZr oxide nanosheet exhibits high OER activity with small overpotential, low Tafel slope, and good stability. Moreover, it shows unprecedented HER activity with a small overpotential of 104 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, which is better than ever reported counterparts. When employing the CoFeZr oxides nanosheets as both anode and cathode catalysts for overall water splitting, a current density of 10 mA cm−2 is achieved at the cell voltage of 1.63 V in 1.0 m KOH.
Highly Elastic Polyrotaxane Binders for Mechanically Stable Lithium Hosts in Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Yoo Dong‐Joo , Elabd Ahmed , Choi Sunghun , Cho Yunshik , Kim Jaemin , Lee Seung Jong , Choi Seung Ho , Kwon Tae‐woo , Char Kookheon , Kim Ki Jae , Coskun Ali , Choi Jang Wook
Published: May 2019

Despite their unparalleled theoretical capacity, lithium‐metal anodes suffer from well‐known indiscriminate dendrite growth and parasitic surface reactions. Conductive scaffolds with lithium uptake capacity are recently highlighted as promising lithium hosts, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an ideal candidate for this purpose because of their capability of percolating a conductive network. However, CNT networks are prone to rupture easily due to a large tensile stress generated during lithium uptake–release cycles. Herein, CNT networks integrated with a polyrotaxane‐incorporated poly(acrylic acid) (PRPAA) binder via supramolecular interactions are reported, in which the ring‐sliding motion of the polyrotaxanes endows extraordinary stretchability and elasticity to the entire binder network. In comparison to a control sample with inelastic binder (i.e., poly(vinyl alcohol)), the CNT network with PRPAA binder can endure a large stress during repeated lithium uptake–release cycles, thereby enhancing the mechanical integrity of the corresponding electrode over battery cycling. As a result, the PRPAA‐incorporated CNT network exhibits substantially improved cyclability in lithium–copper asymmetric cells and full cells paired with olivine‐LiFePO4, indicating that high elasticity enabled by mechanically interlocked molecules such as polyrotaxanes can be a useful concept in advancing lithium‐metal batteries.
Atomic Layer Deposition for Membranes, Metamaterials, and Mechanisms
Authors: Dorsey Kyle J. , Pearson Tanner G. , Esposito Edward , Russell Sierra , Bircan Baris , Han Yimo , Miskin Marc Z. , Muller David A. , Cohen Itai , McEuen Paul L.
Published: May 2019

Bending and folding techniques such as origami and kirigami enable the scale‐invariant design of 3D structures, metamaterials, and robots from 2D starting materials. These design principles are especially valuable for small systems because most micro‐ and nanofabrication involves lithographic patterning of planar materials. Ultrathin films of inorganic materials serve as an ideal substrate for the fabrication of flexible microsystems because they possess high intrinsic strength, are not susceptible to plasticity, and are easily integrated into microfabrication processes. Here, atomic layer deposition (ALD) is employed to synthesize films down to 2 nm thickness to create membranes, metamaterials, and machines with micrometer‐scale dimensions. Two materials are studied as model systems: ultrathin SiO2 and Pt. In this thickness limit, ALD films of these materials behave elastically and can be fabricated with fJ‐scale bending stiffnesses. Further, ALD membranes are utilized to design micrometer‐scale mechanical metamaterials and magnetically actuated 3D devices. These results establish thin ALD films as a scalable basis for micrometer‐scale actuators and robotics.
Supramolecular Self‐Assembly and Organization of Collagen at Solid/Liquid Interface: Effect of Spheroid‐ and Rod‐Shaped TiO2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Beauvais Mathieu , Degabriel Thomas , Aissaoui Nesrine , Dupres Vincent , Colaço Elodie , El Kirat Karim , Domingos Rute F. , Brouri Dalil , Pradier Claire‐Marie , Spadavecchia Jolanda , Landoulsi Jessem
Published: May 2019

The adsorption behavior of collagen on solid surfaces is a process that determines the role of this protein to mediate cell–material interaction. Herein, the mechanism of self‐assembly and organization of collagen on a model substrate is investigated in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. In solution, results show that nanoparticles do not alter the conformation of collagen (triple‐helix), and slightly delay the kinetics of its self‐assembly. In the adsorbed state, by exploring the dewetting patterns of collagen layers from atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, a method is developed to extract parameters describing the characteristics of collagen networks. It is shown that collagen layer is strongly impacted by the presence of nanoparticles in the medium. These results are consistent with the analysis of the protein layers in the hydrated state, showing a rigidification, as observed by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM‐D), and the formation of shorter and/or less extended fibrillar structures with a lower surface density, as probed by AFM force spectroscopy. The approach described here provides a reconciliation between disparate views of collagen layers' characterization in the dried and the hydrated states. It also offers new perspectives to assess the impact of nanoparticles on the organization of collagen during in vitro tests, particularly at the stage of cell adhesion.
High NPM1 mutant allele burden at diagnosis correlates with minimal residual disease at first remission in de novo acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Patel Sanjay S. , Pinkus Geraldine S. , Ritterhouse Lauren L. , Segal Jeremy P. , Dal Cin Paola , Restrepo Tamara , Harris Marian H. , Stone Richard M. , Hasserjian Robert P. , Weinberg Olga K.
Published: May 2019

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mutated NPM1 is a newly recognized separate entity in the revised 2016 WHO classification, and is associated with a favorable prognosis. While previous studies have evaluated NPM1 in a binary fashion, we recently demonstrated a significant independent negative prognostic effect of high NPM1 mutant allele burden (VAF) at diagnosis in a cohort of de novo AML patients. Although the importance of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in NPM1‐mutated AML has been well characterized, the potential relationship between diagnostic allele burden and MRD is unknown. We retrospectively evaluated for MRD at first remission (CR1). We used either next‐generation sequencing (NGS) [n = 71], and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mutant NPM1 (NPM1c) [n = 60], in a subset of patients from our recently examined cohort. We identified a statistically significant positive correlation between the VAF at diagnosis, and at CR1 (Spearman r = 0.4, P = .006), and enrichment for MRD in high diagnostic VAF patients (P = .05), as previously defined. IHC‐positivity also correlated significantly with a higher median diagnostic NPM1 VAF (0.42 vs 0.39, P = .02), and with the VAF at CR1 (Spearman r = 0.7, P = .003). In multivariable analyses, both high diagnostic VAF (P = .003) and MRD (P = .02) were independent predictors of shorter event‐free survival (EFS). Our findings suggest a relationship between the NPM1 mutant allele burden at diagnosis, and the presence of MRD at first remission. Our findings support IHC as a potentially useful adjunctive tool for disease monitoring.
PIGQ glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein deficiency: Characterizing the phenotype
Authors: Starr Lois J. , Spranger Jürgen W. , Rao Vamshi K. , Lutz Richard , Yetman Anji T.
Published: May 2019

PIGQ (OMIM *605754) encodes phosphatidylinositol glycan biosynthesis class Q (PIGQ) and is required for proper functioning of an N‐acetylglucosamine transferase complex in a similar manner to the more established PIGA, PIGC, and PIGH. There are two previous patients reported with homozygous and apparently deleterious PIGQ mutations. Here, we provide the first detailed clinical report of a patient with heterozygous deleterious mutations associated with glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein (GPI‐AP) biosynthesis deficiency. Our patient died at 10 months of age. The rare skeletal findings in this disorder expand the differential diagnosis of long bone radiolucent lesions and sphenoid wing dysplasia. This clinical report describes a new and rare disorder—PIGQ GPI‐AP biosynthesis deficiency syndrome.
Factors associated with bowel necrosis in patients with hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis
Authors: Muratsu Arisa , Muroya Takashi , Yui Rintaro , Nakamura Fumiko , Kishimoto Masanobu , Sakuramoto Kazuhito , Kuwagata Yasuyuki
Published: May 2019

Aim

Historically, the presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) have been reported to be associated with bowel necrosis and fatal outcome. However, there are no criteria to judge whether bowel necrosis has occurred. We aimed to examine the factors associated with bowel necrosis in patients with HPVG and PI.

Methods

The study comprised 25 patients who were diagnosed as having HPVG and/or PI based on computed tomography (CT) findings in the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Hospital (Osaka, Japan) between April 2013 and August 2017. We compared various factors, including clinical history, severity of present illness, laboratory data, and CT findings, and examined whether they were related to bowel necrosis.

Results

Both Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the necrosis group than those in the non‐necrosis group (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). The quantity of portal venous gas observed on computed tomography was associated with bowel necrosis in patients with HPVG. In contrast, the presence of air‐type PI, defined as PI with emphysema covering the total circumference of the intestine in the absence of wall edema, and the presence of free air were significantly higher in the non‐necrosis group (both P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study showed that the quantity of HPVG was associated with bowel necrosis, whereas the presence of free air or air‐type PI was associated with non‐necrosis of the bowel.
Biochar as a filler in mixed matrix materials: Synthesis, characterization, and applications
Authors: Lewis Jeremy , Miller Mark , Crumb Jake , Al‐Sayaghi Maram , Buelke Chris , Tesser Austin , Alshami Ali
Published: May 2019

The use of mixed‐matrix materials (MMM) has become a major topic of research in recent years, due to unique properties achieved in these composites. In this work, biochar from sunflower seed hull pyrolysis and biochar/polysulfone (PSF) MMMs were produced and characterized. The optimal pyrolysis temperature for biochar production was determined to be 500 °C. The resulting biochar properties were an iodine number of 203 mg/g and a pore volume of 0.595 mL/g. In MMM fabrication, the use 4% ethanol as nonsolvent in the wet phase inversion process increased the glass transition temperature by 8 °C, indicating improved biochar/PSF interaction. The presence of biochar was shown to create pores in otherwise dense surfaces. The critical surface energy was also increased by the addition of biochar from 28.6 mN/m in pristine PSF to 35.7 mN/m in biochar/PSF MMMs. We identified and discussed several potential applications based on the determined properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48027.
Catalytic Activity of Bimetallic (Ruthenium/Palladium) Nano‐alloy Decorated Porous Carbons Toward Reduction of Toxic Compounds
Authors: Veerakumar Pitchaimani , Salamalai Kamaraj , Dhenadhayalan Namasivayam , Lin King‐Chuen
Published: May 2019

Chicken feather‐derived high‐surface‐area porous activated carbon (CFAC) material was prepared using chemical activation. A new composite composed of Ru‐Pd nanoparticles supported on CFAC (Ru‐Pd@CFAC) has been prepared by microwave‐thermal reduction in the presence of the support. Characterization by XRD, Raman, BET, FE‐SEM/TEM, FT‐IR, TGA, XPS, HAADF‐STEM‐EDS, H2‐chemisorption, H2‐TPR, and ICP‐AES was used to analyze the catalyst. This catalyst is found to be efficient for the reduction of hexavalent chromium (CrVI), potassium ferricyanide (K3[Fe(CN)6]), 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), and pendimethalin (PDM), at room temperature, and remains stable, even after several repeated runs. Moreover, it showed excellent catalytic activity compared with the monometallic counterparts.
Copula‐based robust optimal block designs
Authors: Rappold A. , Müller W.G. , Woods D.C.
Published: May 2019

Blocking is often used to reduce known variability in designed experiments by collecting together homogeneous experimental units. A common modeling assumption for such experiments is that responses from units within a block are dependent. Accounting for such dependencies in both the design of the experiment and the modeling of the resulting data when the response is not normally distributed can be challenging, particularly in terms of the computation required to find an optimal design. The application of copulas and marginal modeling provides a computationally efficient approach for estimating population‐average treatment effects. Motivated by an experiment from materials testing, we develop and demonstrate designs with blocks of size two using copula models. Such designs are also important in applications ranging from microarray experiments to experiments on human eyes or limbs with naturally occurring blocks of size two. We present a methodology for design selection, make comparisons to existing approaches in the literature, and assess the robustness of the designs to modeling assumptions.
Board gender diversity and environmental performance: An industries perspective
Authors: Lu Jing , Herremans Irene M.
Published: May 2019

This study investigates whether gender diversity on the board of directors in the United States is associated with firms' environmental performance. Under the theoretical framework of resource dependence theory, we argue that gender diversity brings a greater variety of skills to the board. Diversity allows for a healthy mix of knowledge and experience to improve the decision‐making process of the board. Using propensity score matching and controlling for endogeneity, this study uses a more rigorous statistical model than previous work. It also uses content analysis of directors' biographies to provide evidence of the role that gender diversity plays. We find gender diversity is positively associated with firms' environmental performance scores primarily in the more environmentally impacting industries. Therefore, our research provides valuable direction for those firms working to improve both their boards' gender diversity and their environmental performance. Our findings also offer insight into the mixed results of previous studies.
Cation exchange chromatography performed in overloaded mode is effective in removing viruses during the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Masuda Yumiko , Tsuda Masashi , Hashikawa‐Muto Chie , Takahashi Yusuke , Nonaka Koichi , Wakamatsu Kaori
Published: May 2019

Viral safety is a critical concern with regard to monoclonal antibody (mAb) products produced in mammalian cells such as Chinese hamster ovary cells. Manufacturers are required to ensure the safety of such products by validating the clearance of viruses in downstream purification steps. Cation exchange (CEX) chromatography is widely used in bind/elute mode as a polishing step in mAb purification. However, bind/elute modes require a large volume of expensive resin. To reduce the production cost, the use of CEX chromatography in overloaded mode has recently been investigated. The viral clearance ability in overloaded mode was evaluated using murine leukemia virus (MLV). Even under high‐load conditions such as 2,000 g mAb/L resin, MLV was removed from mAb solutions. This viral clearance ability was not significantly affected by resin type or mAb type. The overloaded mode can also remove other types of viruses such as pseudorabies virus and reovirus Type 3 from mAb solutions. Based on these results, this cost‐effective overloaded mode is comparable to the bind‐elute mode in terms of viral removal.
CBX2 is a functional target of miRNA let‐7a and acts as a tumor promoter in osteosarcoma
Authors: Han Qicai , Li Chao , Cao Yuan , Bao Jie , Li Kongfei , Song Ruipeng , Chen Xiaolong , Li Juan , Wu Xuejian
Published: May 2019

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant tumor of skeletal with poor prognosis in children and adolescents. Accumulating evidence indicates that CBX2 is overexpressed in multiple human neoplasm and play a critical role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, its functional role and upstream regulation mechanism in osteosarcoma remain unknown. In the present study, tissue microarray (TMA) analysis was performed to determine the association between CBX2 expression and clinical prognosis of osteosarcoma patients by immunohistochemistry. We also investigated the functional role of CBX2 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we confirmed the direct binding between CBX2 and let‐7a via qPCR, western blot and luciferase reporter assay. We found that CBX2 is dramatically upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and high CBX2 expression was correlated with metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapy response, as well as unfavorable prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma. Similar results were observed in a sarcoma cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Further experiments revealed that CBX2 knockdown significantly impeded osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion ability in vitro, and suppressed the tumor growth in tumor xenografts model. Mechanistically, we confirmed that CBX2 is a functional target of miRNA let‐7a. Overexpression of let‐7a inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation, which was reversed by CBX2 overexpression. Taken together, our study demonstrates that let‐7a/CBX2 plays a crucial role in osteosarcoma progression. CBX2 could serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma patients.
Influence of Lipid Saturation, Hydrophobic Length and Cholesterol on Double‐Arginine‐Containing Helical Peptides in Bilayer Membranes
Authors: Lipinski Karli , McKay Matthew J. , Afrose Fahmida , Martfeld Ashley N. , Koeppe Roger E. , Greathouse Denise V.
Published: May 2019

Membrane proteins are essential for many cell processes yet are more difficult to investigate than soluble proteins. Charged residues often contribute significantly to membrane protein function. Model peptides such as GWALP23 (acetyl‐GGALW5LAL8LALALAL16ALW19LAGA‐amide) can be used to characterize the influence of specific residues on transmembrane protein domains. We have substituted R8 and R16 in GWALP23 in place of L8 and L16, equidistant from the peptide center, and incorporated specific 2H‐labeled alanine residues within the central sequence for detection by solid‐state 2H NMR spectroscopy. The resulting pattern of [2H]Ala quadrupolar splitting (Δνq) magnitudes indicates the core helix for R8,16GWALP23 is significantly tilted to give a similar transmembrane orientation in thinner bilayers with either saturated C12:0 or C14:0 acyl chains (1,2‐dilauroyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DLPC) or 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DMPC)) or unsaturated C16:1 Δ9 cis acyl chains. In bilayers of 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC; C18:1 Δ9 cis) multiple orientations are indicated, whereas in longer, unsaturated 1,2‐dieicosenoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DEiPC; C20:1 Δ11 cis) bilayers, the R8,16GWALP23 helix adopts primarily a surface orientation. The inclusion of 10–20 mol % cholesterol in DOPC bilayers drives more of the R8,16GWALP23 helix population to the membrane surface, thereby allowing both charged arginines access to the interfacial lipid head groups. The results suggest that hydrophobic thickness and cholesterol content are more important than lipid saturation for the arginine peptide dynamics and helix orientation in lipid membranes.
The Steglich Rearrangement of 2‐Oxindole Derivatives Promoted by Anion‐based Nucleophilic Catalysis
Authors: Trujillo Cristina , Litvajova Mili , Cronin Sarah A. , Craig Ryan , Connon Stephen J.
Published: May 2019

The first small anion‐triggered Steglich rearrangements are reported. Tetrabutylammonium carboxylates‐, cyanide‐ and fluoride promote the O‐ to C‐acyl transfer of a range of O‐acylated oxindoles to form 3,3‐disubstituted oxindole products with new quaternary stereocentres. DFT calculations on the TBAF‐mediated reaction strongly support a nucleophilic catalysis mechanism involving initial attack of fluoride on the O‐acyl group to give an enolate and an acyl fluoride in the rate determining step.
Heterostructured Bismuth Vanadate/Cobalt Phosphate Photoelectrodes Promote TEMPO‐Mediated Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Chadderdon David J. , Wu Li‐Pin , McGraw Zachary A. , Panthani Matthew , Li Wenzhen
Published: May 2019

Motivated by replacing the kinetically unfavorable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and producing value‐added products in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs), we report that bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrodes modified with a cobalt phosphate (CoPi) overlayer facilitate 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO)‐mediated selective oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). CoPi layers with sufficient thickness were found to reduce the potential required for TEMPO oxidation by 0.5 V, as well as increase charge injection efficiency sevenfold compared to BiVO4 without CoPi. Furthermore, the undesired OER was completely suppressed when using the heterostructured photoanodes. Transient photocurrent measurements suggested that CoPi alleviates recombination losses resulting from the back reduction of oxidized TEMPO. The PECs with BiVO4/CoPi bilayer achieved 88 % yield to 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from HMF oxidation under mild conditions, whereas <1 % FDCA was generated with BiVO4. These findings suggest that suppression of the back reduction process substantially improves the efficiency of the oxidation, giving a potential route to more efficient solar fuel/chemical production.
Humidity‐Induced Switching between Two Magnetic and Structural Phases in a CoII‐[WV(CN)8] Molecular Magnet
Authors: Komori‐Orisaku Keiko , Stefańczyk Olaf , Ohishi Saori , Ozaki Noriaki , Miyamoto Yasuto , Imoto Kenta , Ohkoshi Shin‐ichi
Published: May 2019

The self‐assembly of cobalt(II) with purine and octacyanidotungstate(V) results in the formation of the three‐dimensional Co3[W(CN)8]2(purine)2⋅8.5H2O (1) coordination polymer. This compound exhibits humidity‐induced variation of the number of water molecules of crystallisation leading to a reversible structural phase transition and the alternation of the long‐range ferromagnetic ordering temperature from TC=29 K for the pristine assembly (1) to TC=49 K for the sample stored in a low‐humidity atmosphere (1‐deh). This phenomenon can be attributed to a reversible change in the hydrogen‐bonding network resulting in the modification of the local geometries of cobalt(II) as well as the cyanido bridges.