bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pterostilbene down‐regulates hTERT at physiological concentrations in breast cancer cells: Potentially through the inhibition of cMyc
Authors: Daniel Michael , Tollefsbol Trygve O.
Published: November 2017

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase, which has been shown to be upregulated in many cancers. Pterostilbene is a naturally occurring stilbenoid and phytoalexin found primarily in blueberries that exhibits antioxidant activity and inhibits the growth of various cancer cell types. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether treatment with pterostilbene, at physiologically achievable concentrations, can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells and down‐regulate the expression of hTERT. We found that pterostilbene inhibits the cellular proliferation of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in both a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, without significant toxicity to the MCF10A control cells. Pterostilbene was also shown to increase apoptosis in both breast cancer cell lines. Dose‐dependent cell cycle arrest in G1 and G2/M phase was observed after treatment with pterostilbene in MCF‐7 and MDA‐231 cells, respectively. hTERT expression was down‐regulated after treatment in both a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Pterostilbene also reduced telomerase levels in both cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, cMyc, a proposed target of the pterostilbene‐mediated inhibition of hTERT, was down‐regulated both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally after treatment. Collectively, these findings highlight a promising use of pterostilbene as a natural, preventive, and therapeutic agent against the development and progression of breast cancer.
In situ extractive ethanol fermentation in a drop column bioreactor
Authors: Lemos Diego A , Sonego Jorge LS , Cruz Antonio JG , Badino Alberto C
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

In conventional ethanol fermentation processes, the low ethanol content in the wine is due to inhibition of its production by the yeast cells. Extractive fermentation is an alternative process that can be used to overcome product inhibition by removing the ethanol from the fermentation broth. The present study describes the modeling and experimental validation of ethanol production in extractive batch fermentation, with in situ ethanol extraction by oleic acid, in a non‐conventional drop column bioreactor (DCB) operated under industrial conditions.

RESULTS

A model was developed using the hybrid Andrews–Levenspiel equation and the ethanol distribution coefficient (KDE), which provided an excellent description of the extractive fermentation process with oleic acid. Furthermore, higher ethanol productivities were obtained in the extractive fermentations, with ethanol productivity of 11.27–12.98 kg m‐3 h‐1, 12.7–29.8% higher when compared with the conventional process without ethanol removal. This was especially evident for the best extractive fermentation, which finished around 2 h earlier than the conventional fermentation.

CONCLUSION

The DCB showed good performance for use in extractive fermentation with liquid–liquid extraction of the ethanol and this technique presented higher ethanol productivity compared with the conventional process. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Morph‐specific metabolic rate and the timing of reproductive senescence in a color polymorphic dragon
Authors: Friesen Christopher R. , Johansson Rasmus , Olsson Mats
Published: November 2017

Polymorphism has fascinated biologists for over a century because morphs persist within populations through evolutionary time in spite of showing disparate behavioral and physiological phenotypes; any one morph should go to fixation with the slightest fitness advantage over the others. Surely there must be trade‐offs that balance selection on them. The polychromatic morphs of the Australian painted dragon lizard, Ctenophorus pictus, are one such system. The male color morphs of painted dragons have different physiological and behavioral traits including reproductive tactics, hormone levels, and the rate of body condition loss through the reproductive season. Due to their differences in physiology and reproductive tactics, we tested the hypotheses that male morphs would differ in resting metabolic rates (RMRs) and that the morphs’ RMR would decline at different rates through the mating season. We found that bib‐morphs (yellow gular patch) differ in RMR with bibbed (more aggressive) males having consistently higher RMR than non‐bibbed males. Furthermore, we show that male dragons experience a decline in RMR as they age from reproductively active to inactive. We also found that the RMR of bibbed males has higher repeatability than non‐bibbed males. Our results reinforce previous hypotheses about the morph‐specific costs of bearing a gular patch in painted dragons.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Novel Spiro[indole‐pyrimidine]ones
Authors: Pourshab Maryam , Asghari Sakineh , Mohseni Mojtaba
Published: November 2017

An efficient route for the synthesis of novel spiro[indole‐pyrimidine]ones in high to excellent yields has been investigated through one‐pot reactions of phenacylidenetriphenylphosphoranes, oxindoles, and thiourea. Their antibacterial activities were studied against Gram‐positive bacteria and Gram‐negative bacteria using disc diffusion method. The results showed that most of the synthesized compounds are effective against Gram‐positive bacteria.
Mid‐Holocene Iberian hydroclimate variability and paleoenvironmental change: molecular and isotopic insights from Praia Rei Cortiço, Portugal
Authors: Taylor Audrey K. , Benedetti Michael M. , Haws Jonathan A. , Lane Chad S.
Published: November 2017

At Praia Rei Cortiço (PRC), coastal Portugal, we analyzed compound‐specific isotopes of plant wax‐derived n‐alkanes in combination with molecular distribution proxies and C/N ratios to reconstruct hydrologic and environmental change in a mid‐Holocene wetland. During this relatively brief segment of the Holocene (6.6–5.4k cal a BP), substantial shifts in the stable hydrogen isotope composition of terrestrially sourced C29 n‐alkanes (δDn‐C29) record significant multi‐decadal changes in precipitation origin and storm trajectory. Wetland formation at PRC occurred during a humid interval (6.6–6.5k cal a BP) with a dominantly tropical precipitation source, likely the result of a persistent negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, which permitted the establishment and dominance of Sphagnum moss. A subsequent decrease in precipitation significantly reduced Sphagnum abundance at PRC, which is evidenced by decreased sedimentary C/N ratios and reduced mid‐chain n‐alkane abundances. From 5.9 to 5.4k cal a BP, relatively low δDn‐C29 values coincide with sand invasion along the Iberian coast and cooling in the North Atlantic. Strong correspondence between δDn‐C29 values and the occurrence of ice‐rafted debris recorded in deep sea sediment cores during this period illustrate a marked North Atlantic control on the trajectory of mid‐latitude storms and precipitation regimes in Iberia.
Consumption of orange fermented beverage improves antioxidant status and reduces peroxidation lipid and inflammatory markers in healthy humans
Authors: Escudero‐López Blanca , Ortega Ángeles , Cerrillo Isabel , Rodríguez‐Griñolo María‐Rosario , Muñoz‐Hernández Rocío , Macher Hada C , Martín Franz , Hornero‐Méndez Dámaso , Mena Pedro , Del Rio Daniele , Fernández‐Pachón María‐Soledad
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Alcoholic fermentation of fruits has generated novel products with high concentrations of bioactive compounds and moderate alcohol content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect on cardiovascular risk factors of the regular consumption by healthy humans of a beverage obtained by alcoholic fermentation and pasteurization of orange juice.

RESULTS

Thirty healthy volunteers were enrolled in a randomized controlled study. The experimental group (n = 15) drank 500 mL orange beverage (OB) per day for 2 weeks (intervention phase), followed by a 3‐week washout phase. Blood samples were collected at baseline (E‐T0) and at the end of the intervention (E‐T1) and washout (E‐T2) phases. Controls (n = 15) did not consume OB during a 2‐week period. OB intake significantly increased oxygen radical absorbance capacity (43.9%) and reduced uric acid (−8.9%), catalase (CAT) (−23.2%), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (−30.2%) and C‐reactive protein (−2.1%) (E‐T1 vs. E‐T0). These effects may represent longer‐term benefits, given the decreased uric acid (−8.9%), CAT (−34.6%), TBARS (−48.4%) and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (−23.9%) values recorded after the washout phase (E‐T2 vs. E‐T0).

CONCLUSION

The regular consumption of OB improved antioxidant status and decreased inflammation state, lipid peroxidation and uric acid levels. Thus OB may protect the cardiovascular system in healthy humans and be considered a novel functional beverage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Why and how hotel groups in luxury segments give back to their communities
Authors: de‐Miguel‐Molina Blanca , de‐Miguel‐Molina María , Segarra‐Oña Marival , Peiró‐Signes Angel
Published: November 2017

The paper analyses why and how hotel groups become involved in their communities through philanthropic activities. The analysis focuses on hotel groups with brands in the luxury, upper upscale, and upscale segments. The qualitative information disclosed in reports and websites by 243 hotel brands was studied to answer questions about who is involved, how they participate, and who they target. The study then focused on the 130 hotel groups owning these brands, and a qualitative comparative analysis was used to explain the combination of causal conditions explaining why hotel groups participate in their communities. The causal conditions in the analysis included the participation of different stakeholders, the characteristics of the hotel groups, and the culture of the countries. Results indicate that there is a trade‐off between customer and employee participation in philanthropy, that customer involvement requires the presence of luxury brands, and that the culture of the countries (religion and altruism) stimulates the philanthropic behaviour of hotel groups.
Effect of magnetic field on tribological performances of two lubricating oils with phosphorus‐containing additives
Authors: Jiang Zeqi , Fang Jianhua , Chen Boshui , Gu Kecheng
Published: November 2017

The influence of magnetic field on the tribological properties of 150SN mineral oil and the oils formulated with tricresyl phosphate or ammonium thiophosphate was evaluated on a modified 4‐ball tribo‐tester. The influencing mechanisms were discussed from the viewpoint of physical effect and chemical effect. The results indicated that the applied magnetic field improved the anti‐wear ability of the neat mineral oil and T306‐doped oils but impaired that of T307‐doped oils. The friction‐reducing capacity of the tested oils was undermined by the magnetic field. The atomic concentrations of the functional elements identified in T306 or T307 under magnetic field were higher or lower than those without magnetic impact, respectively. The magnetic force between steel balls and tribo‐diffusion of the functional elements contained in T306 or T307 into the substrate induced by magnetism was inferred to impair the friction‐reducing performances of the formulated oils.
Limit‐point/limit‐circle classification for Hain–Lüst type equations
Authors: Hassi Seppo , Möller Manfred , de Snoo Henk
Published: November 2017

Hain–Lüst equations appear in magnetohydrodynamics. They are Sturm–Liouville equations with coefficients depending rationally on the eigenvalue parameter. In this paper such equations are connected with a 2 × 2 system of differential equations, where the dependence on the eigenvalue parameter is linear. By means of this connection Weyl's fundamental limit‐point/limit‐circle classification is extended to a general setting of Hain–Lüst‐type equations.
Neuropathology of genetic synucleinopathies with parkinsonism: Review of the literature
Authors: Schneider Susanne A. , Alcalay Roy N.
Published: November 2017

Clinical–pathological studies remain the gold‐standard for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, mounting data from genetic PD autopsies challenge the diagnosis of PD based on Lewy body pathology. Most of the confirmed genetic risks for PD show heterogenous neuropathology, even within kindreds, which may or may not include Lewy body pathology. We review the literature of genetic PD autopsies from cases with molecularly confirmed PD or parkinsonism and summarize main findings onSNCA(n = 25),Parkin(n = 20, 17 bi‐allelic and 3 heterozygotes),PINK1(n = 5, 1 bi‐allelic and 4 heterozygotes),DJ‐1(n = 1),LRRK2(n = 55),GBA (n = 10 Gaucher disease patients with parkinsonism),DNAJC13, GCH1, ATP13A2, PLA2G6(n = 8 patients, 2 with PD),MPAN(n = 2),FBXO7, RAB39B, andATXN2(SCA2), as well as on 22q deletion syndrome (n = 3). Findings from autopsies of heterozygous mutation carriers of genes that are traditionally considered recessively inherited are also discussed.Lewy bodies may be present in syndromes clinically distinctive from PD (eg,MPAN‐related neurodegeneration) and absent in patients with clinical PD syndrome (eg,LRRK2‐PD orParkin‐PD). Therefore, the authors can conclude that the presence of Lewy bodies are not specific to the diagnosis of PD and that PD can be diagnosed even in the absence of Lewy body pathology. Interventions that reduce alpha‐synuclein load may be more justified inSNCA‐PD orGBA‐PD than in other genetic forms of PD. The number of reported genetic PD autopsies remains small, and there are limited genotype‐clinical‐pathological‐phenotype studies. Therefore, larger series of autopsies from genetic PD patients are required. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Heuristic Programming as an Aid to Network Design
Authors: Lin S.
Published: November 2017

This paper discusses the nature of problem solving by heuristic techniques. It also proposes several guidelines which have proven to be useful in the construction of effective heuristic algorithms to solve a variety of combinatorial optimization problems.
Multiterminal Path Flows for Packet‐Switching Communication Networks
Authors: Rubin I.
Published: November 2017

A communication network is modeled by a weighted graph, where vertices represent stations with storage capabilities and branches represent communication channels with assigned capacity weights. The network is assumed to operate in a packet‐switching store‐and‐forward manner.

Assuming messages, of random length, to arrive at the network according to a Poisson stream, a Terminal Path Delay Matrix (TPDM) is defined and calculated for the network. Analysis and synthesis problems related to the network and its TPDM, assuming multi‐terminal non‐simultaneous flows, are studied.
Moth‐flame optimization algorithm optimized dual‐mode controller for multiarea hybrid sources AGC system
Authors: Mohanty Banaja , Acharyulu B.V.S. , Hota P.K.
Published: November 2017

A new algorithm called moth‐flame optimization (MFO) algorithm is proposed to optimize a dual‐mode controller (DMC) for a multiarea hybrid interconnected power system. Initially, a 2‐area nonreheat system is considered. The optimum gains of DMC and proportional‐integral controller are optimized using the MFO algorithm. The superiority of the proposed approach is established while comparing the results with genetic algorithm, bacterial forging optimization algorithm, differential evolution, and hybrid bacterial forging optimization algorithm particle swarm optimization for the same system. The proposed approach is further extended to 2 unequal areas of a 6‐unit hybrid‐sources interconnected power system. The optimum gain of DMC and sliding mode controller (SMC) is optimized with MFO algorithm. The performance of an MFO tuned DMC is compared with particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm tuned DMC, MFO tuned SMC, and teaching‐learning–based optimization optimized SMC for the same system. Furthermore, robustness analysis is performed by varying the system parameters from their nominal values. It is observed that the optimum gains obtained for nominal condition need not be reset for a wide variation in system parameters.
Real‐time implementation of optimal control considering gear shifting and engine starting for parallel hybrid electric vehicle based on dynamic programming
Authors: Fu Jiangtao , Song Shuzhong , Fu Zhumu , Ma Jianwei
Published: November 2017

To achieve best fuel economy control for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, optimized control based on dynamic programming (DP) is proposed. The main effort in this paper includes the following. First, the global optimal control mathematic model of the best fuel economy is constructed and its corresponding recursive equation is established. Second, 2 additional augmented cost functions are proposed to prevent frequent gear shifting and frequent engine stopping and starting. Third, an algorithm of restricting the exploring region is proposed to overcome the curse of dimensionality of the numerical DP, which can greatly reduce the computational complexity. Both this DP method and a simple threshold control in corporation of a standby optimization are applied to a vehicle manufactured by the Changan company on the Federal Test Program driving cycle. The results show that the proposed method is effective in reducing fuel consumption by 15%. Although the proposed DP method is implemented on a priori known driving cycle, it can provide a criterion to design and evaluate a control strategy to achieve better fuel consumption.
Designing superhydrophobic surface based on fluoropolymer–silica nanocomposite via RAFT‐mediated polymerization‐induced self‐assembly
Authors: Chakrabarty Arindam , Ponnupandian Siva , Kang Nam‐Goo , Mays Jimmy W. , Singha Nikhil K.
Published: November 2017

Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) find versatile applications as coatings due to their very high water‐repellency, self‐cleaning, and anti‐icing properties. This investigation describes the preparation of a SHS from surfactant‐free hybrid fluoropolymer latex. In this case, reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was adopted to prepare a copolymer of 4‐vinyl pyridine (4VP) and vinyl triethoxysilane (VTES), where the pyridine units were quaternized to make the copolymer soluble in water. The copolymer was further used as a macro‐RAFT agent to polymerize 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) in a surfactant‐free emulsion via polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA). The macro‐RAFT agent contained a small amount of VTES as co‐monomer which was utilized to graft silica nanoparticles (SNPs) onto the P(TFEMA) spheres. The film prepared using the nanocomposite latex exhibited a nano‐structured surface as observed by SEM and AFM analyses. Surface modification of the film with fluorinated trichlorosilane produced an SHS with a water contact angle (WCA) of 151.5°. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 266–275
Imine‐linked porous organic polymers showing mesoporous microspheres architectures with tunable surface roughness
Authors: Song Fan , Zhang He , Wang De‐Gao , Chen Tao , Yang Sheng , Kuang Gui‐Chao
Published: November 2017

Different kinds of porous organic polymers (POPs) bearing 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BDP) fluorophores have been developed to generate singlet oxygen upon light illumination. Herein, four imine‐linked POPs were prepared by copolymerization of amine and aldehyde with different ratios of di‐aldehyde A1 and A2. The POPs were investigated by a combination of techniques such as solid 13C NMR, FTIR, and nitrogen absorption–desorption isotherms and electronic microscopy. The results demonstrated that these POPs were prone to form hierarchical porous architectures. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the spherical morphologies showed different roughness, that is, BDP‐POPs with more BDP aldehyde A2 presented rougher surface. Finally, these POPs were used to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) monitored by 1,3‐diphenylisobenzofuran and bioimaging in HeLa cells. Our results indicated that the ability to generate 1O2 is dependent on the amount of BDP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 319–327
Temperature response of aqueous solutions of pyrene end‐labeled poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s probed by steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence
Authors: Fowler Michael , Duhamel Jean , Qiu Xing Ping , Korchagina Evgeniya , Winnik Françoise M.
Published: November 2017

Aqueous solutions of a series of monodisperse poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s end‐labeled with n‐butyl‐1‐pyrene at one or both chain ends (Pyn‐PNIPAMs with n = 1 or 2) were studied by turbidimetry, light scattering, and fluorescence. For a given polymer concentration and heating rate, the cloud point (Tc) of an aqueous Pyn‐PNIPAM solution, determined by turbidimetry, was found to increase with the number‐average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer. The steady‐state fluorescence spectra and time‐resolved fluorescence decays of Pyn‐PNIPAM aqueous solutions were analyzed and all parameters retrieved from these analyses were found to be affected as the solution temperature passed through Tc, the solution cloud point, and Tm, the temperature where dehydration of PNIPAM occurred. The trends obtained by fluorescence to characterize the aqueous Pyn‐PNIPAM solutions as a function of temperature were found to be consistent with the model proposed for telechelic PNIPAM by Koga et al. in 2006. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 308–318
Evidence for allosteric effects on p53 oligomerization induced by phosphorylation
Authors: Muller Petr , Chan Juliana M. , Simoncik Oliver , Fojta Miroslav , Lane David P. , Hupp Ted , Vojtesek Borivoj
Published: November 2017

p53 is a tetrameric protein with a thermodynamically unstable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)‐binding domain flanked by intrinsically disordered regulatory domains that control its activity. The unstable and disordered segments of p53 allow high flexibility as it interacts with binding partners and permits a rapid on/off switch to control its function. The p53 tetramer can exist in multiple conformational states, any of which can be stabilized by a particular modification. Here, we apply the allostery model to p53 to ask whether evidence can be found that the “activating” C‐terminal phosphorylation of p53 stabilizes a specific conformation of the protein in the absence of DNA. We take advantage of monoclonal antibodies for p53 that measure indirectly the following conformations: unfolded, folded, and tetrameric. A double antibody capture enzyme linked‐immunosorbent assay was used to observe evidence of conformational changes of human p53 upon phosphorylation by casein kinase 2 in vitro. It was demonstrated that oligomerization and stabilization of p53 wild‐type conformation results in differential exposure of conformational epitopes PAb1620, PAb240, and DO12 that indicates a reduction in the “unfolded” conformation and increases in the folded conformation coincide with increases in its oligomerization state. These data highlight that the oligomeric conformation of p53 can be stabilized by an activating enzyme and further highlight the utility of the allostery model when applied to understanding the regulation of unstable and intrinsically disordered proteins.
Plant protection means used in organic farming throughout the European Union
Authors: Matyjaszczyk Ewa
Published: November 2017

Following the obligatory implementation of integrated pest management in the European Union (EU), the plant protection means suitable for application in organic agriculture attracted the attention of quite a wide group of potential users. In spite of the common rules of organic production, as well as the uniform principles of placing plant protection products on the market, the availability of products that can be legally used in organic crop protection differs significantly among the Member States. There is a uniform list of 10 basic substances that can be used in the protection of organic crops throughout the entire EU. Twelve Member States have official registers of plant protection products for use in organic agriculture, and the total number of qualified products per country varies from 11 in Lithuania to 576 in Italy. Some products that improve plant vigour or resistance and may be of use in protection of organic crops are placed on the market as biostimulants. They fall under the law that governs fertilisers and the systems of their registration vary widely among the Member States. In addition, there exist a number of products that have been legally introduced onto the markets of some Member States without registration as a consequence of a loophole in the law. The use of unregistered products in organic agriculture raises some doubts, but currently it seems that there is no legal basis on which to explicitly prohibit the practice. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Coherence region of the Priority‐AND gate: Analytical and numerical examples
Authors: Chiacchio Ferdinando , Aizpurua Jose Ignacio , D'Urso Diego , Compagno Lucio
Published: November 2017

In recent years, the need for a more accurate dependability modelling (encompassing reliability, availability, maintenance, and safety) has favoured the emergence of novel dynamic dependability techniques able to account for temporal and stochastic dependencies of a system. One of the most successful and widely used methods is Dynamic Fault Tree that, with the introduction of the dynamic gates, enables the analysis of dynamic failure logic systems such as fault‐tolerant or reconfigurable systems. Among the dynamic gates, Priority‐AND (PAND) is one of the most frequently used gates for the specification and analysis of event sequences. Despite the numerous modelling contributions addressing the resolution of the PAND gate, its failure logic and the consequences for the coherence behaviour of the system need to be examined to understand its effects for engineering decision‐making scenarios including design optimization and sensitivity analysis. Accordingly, the aim of this short communication is to analyse the coherence region of the PAND gate so as to determine the coherence bounds and improve the efficacy of the dynamic dependability modelling process.
Vertical landing for micro air vehicles using event‐based optical flow
Authors: Pijnacker Hordijk Bas J. , Scheper Kirk Y. W. , de Croon Guido C. H. E.
Published: November 2017

Small flying robots can perform landing maneuvers using bio‐inspired optical flow by maintaining a constant divergence. However, optical flow is typically estimated from frame sequences recorded by standard miniature cameras. This requires processing full images onboard, which limits the update rate of divergence measurements and thus the speed of the control loop and the robot. Event‐based cameras overcome these limitations by only measuring pixel‐level brightness changes at microsecond temporal accuracy, hence providing an efficient mechanism for optical flow estimation. This paper presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first work integrating event‐based optical flow estimation into the control loop of a flying robot. We extend an existing “local plane fitting” algorithm to obtain an improved and more computationally efficient optical flow estimation method, which is valid for a wide range of optical flow velocities. This method is validated for real event sequences. In addition, a method for estimating the divergence from event‐based optical flow is introduced that accounts for the aperture problem. The developed algorithms are implemented in a constant divergence landing controller onboard a quadrotor. Experiments show that, using event‐based optical flow, accurate divergence estimates can be obtained over a wide range of speeds. This enables the quadrotor to perform very fast landing maneuvers.
Low Temperature Synthesis of Large‐Size Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities
Authors: Tang Xiao , Chu Wanyi , Qian Jueshi , Lin Jingcheng , Cao Guozhong
Published: November 2017

TiO2 nanosheets have continuously been intriguing due to their high surface activities as photocatalyst but still challenging to synthesis large‐scale 2D nanostructures. A special microstructure evolution of TiO2, ripening in aqueous solution at low temperature (≈4 °C), is found for the first time, i.e., from the initial aperiodic atom‐networks gradually into low crystallized continuous spongy structure with small crystal facets and ultimately forming large‐size anatase nanosheets with exposed (101) and (200) facets. Based on this finding, the synthesized anatase TiO2 nanosheets possess monodispersed large‐scale 2D nanostructure so as to exhibit appreciable quantum size effects and remarkable enhanced optical absorption capacity. Using photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) as the probe reaction to evaluate photocatalytic activities of the TiO2 nanosheets, the reductivity of Cr (VI) achieves 99.8% in 15 min under irradiation of 200–800 nm light. At the same time, an in situ Cr (III)‐doping occurs spontaneously and triggers pronounced visible light driven photocatalysis, reducing 99% of Cr (VI) in 100 min under irradiation of 400–800 nm light.
Polydopamine Based Colloidal Materials: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Deng Ziwei , Shang Bin , Peng Bo
Published: November 2017

Polydopamine is a synthetic analogue of natural melanin (eumelanin) produced from oxidative polymerization of dopamine. Owing to its strong adhesion ability, versatile chemical reactivity, biocompatibility and biodegradation, polydopamine is commonly applied as a versatile linker to synthesize colloidal materials with diverse structures, unique physicochemical properties and tunable functions, which allow for a broad scope of applications including biomedicine, sensing, catalysis, environment and energy. In this personal account, we discuss first about the different synthetic approaches of polydopamine, as well as its polymerization mechanism, and then with a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the synthesis and applications of polydopamine‐based colloidal materials. Finally, we summarize this personal account with future perspectives.
The role of perceived career prospects and international orientation in determining job satisfaction of MNE employees: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Cerdin Jean‐Luc , Sharma Kushal , Liao Yuan
Published: November 2017

In a multinational enterprise (MNE) that does not reveal to its employees whether they are included in the organization's talent pool, we explore how employees' perceptions regarding their inclusion or noninclusion in the pool affects their perceived career prospects (PCPs) in the organization and their job satisfaction (JS). Specifically, we hypothesize that MNE employees' self‐perception as talent relates positively to their PCP. We also predict that PCP mediates the relationship between talent perception and JS, and that this relationship is moderated by employees' cultural intelligence and internationalism career anchor. We find evidence of a strong relationship between the direct effects we predict. However, contrary to expectations, cultural intelligence does not moderate the relationship between PCP and JS. We discuss the implications of such findings and suggest areas for future research.
Correlation between Shock Sensitivity of Nitramine Energetic Compounds based on Small‐scale Gap Test and Their Electric Spark Sensitivity
Authors: Keshavarz Mohammad Hossein , Ghaffarzadeh Mohammad , Omidkhah Mohammad Reza , Farhadi Kiumars
Published: November 2017

Electric spark sensitivity and shock sensitivity based small‐scale gap test for nitramine energetic compounds are two important sensitivity parameters, which are needed for assessment of their safety in working places. A novel method is introduced for reliable prediction of electric spark or shock sensitivity of a desired nitramine energetic compound when reliable data for one of the sensitivity is available. A novel correlation with a high value of correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.998) is derived between electric spark and shock sensitivities of 20 cyclic and acyclic nitramines. For these nitramines, the predicted results of electric spark sensitivities of the novel model are compared with two of the best available models. The root‐mean‐square (rms) and maximum deviations of the new model are 0.20 and 0.51 J, respectively, which are much less than two comparative methods. The reliability of the new method for prediction of electric spark sensitivity of further 14 nitramines is also compared with one of the best available methods, where the measured electric spark or shock sensitivities were not available in literature.
Weak gravity conjecture, multiple point principle and the standard model landscape
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Shiu Gary
Published: November 2017

The requirement for an ultraviolet completable theory to be well-behaved upon compactification has been suggested as a guiding principle for distinguishing the landscape from the swampland. Motivated by the weak gravity conjecture and the multiple point principle, we investigate the vacuum structure of the standard model compactified on S
1 and T
2. The measured value of the Higgs mass implies, in addition to the electroweak vacuum, the existence of a new vacuum where the Higgs field value is around the Planck scale. We explore two- and three-dimensional critical points of the moduli potential arising from compactifications of the electroweak vacuum as well as this high scale vacuum, in the presence of Majorana/Dirac neutrinos and/or axions. We point out potential sources of instability for these lower dimensional critical points in the standard model landscape. We also point out that a high scale AdS4 vacuum of the Standard Model, if exists, would be at odd with the conjecture that all non-supersymmetric AdS vacua are unstable. We argue that, if we require a degeneracy between three- and four-dimensional vacua as suggested by the multiple point principle, the neutrinos are predicted to be Dirac, with the mass of the lightest neutrino

$$ \approx \mathcal{O}\left(1-10\right) $$

≈
O

1
−
10

meV, which may be tested by future CMB, large scale structure and 21cm line observations.
The Promise and Perils of Population Research on Same-Sex Families
Authors: Reczek Corinne , Spiker Russell , Liu Hui , Crosnoe Robert
Published: November 2017

As a follow-up to our 2016 study, this article presents new findings examining the relationship between same-sex family structure and child health using the 2008–2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). After discussing NIHS data problems, we examine the relationship between family structure and a broad range of child well-being outcomes, including school days lost, behavior, parent-rated health, emotional difficulties, and activity limitations. We find both similarities (school days lost, behavior, parent-rated health) and differences (emotional difficulties and activity limitations) across our two studies using different survey years, but our overall conclusions are robust. We further discuss the implications of our findings for future research on this topic, including how to account for biological relatedness in a study on child health in same-sex families.
Novel IT Application for Reverse Triage Selection: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pollaris Gwen , Note Stéphanie , Desruelles Didier , Sabbe Marc
Published: November 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an evidence-based information technology (IT) application that guides clinical decision-making during the reverse-triage selection process in mass casualty incidents.

Methods

Based upon 28 validated critical interventions (CI) relevant for determining whether a patient qualifies for early discharge, we developed the Reverse Triage Tool of Leuven (RTTL). The RTTL is compatible with the health electronic record (HER) of UZ Leuven, a tertiary hospital in Belgium. During a 3-week period in March 2015, we registered data from 2 groups of patients: a random group (no RTTL usage) and a filtered group (RTTL usage).

Results

When applying the original 28 CIs, we were able to select almost twice as many patients in the filtered group who qualified for early discharge compared with patients in the random group. The predictive validity was highly satisfactory.

Conclusions

The RTTL saves time in 2 ways. First, it reduces the patient population that needs to be evaluated for potential early discharge to one-third. Second, it doubles the probability of selecting an actual dischargeable patient. Each selected patient, however, still must undergo multidisciplinary reassessment in order to qualify for early discharge. Thus, further research is required to optimize the IT application.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:599–605)
The Mills of Liberty: Foreign Capital, Government Contracts, and the Establishment of DuPont, 1790–1820
Authors: FAGAL ANDREW J. B.
Published: November 2017

E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. is one of the world’s largest chemical corporations, and its operations are of interest to business historians. This article explores the early history of the firm within the context of early republic political economy in order to show how it came to a place of prominence in the American gunpowder market by the early 1820s. The article utilizes the archival and printed records of DuPont, associated firms, government correspondence, and early War Department and trade statistics to show how the company, unlike other powder mills of that time, had access to both large reserves of foreign capitalandthe halls of power in the federal government. These resources helped DuPont become a principal supplier of gunpowder to the army, the navy, and a major exporter during the War of 1812 era.
Cultural Universals and Cultural Differences in Meta-Norms about Peer Punishment
Authors: Eriksson Kimmo , Strimling Pontus , Andersson Per A. , Aveyard Mark , Brauer Markus , Gritskov Vladimir , Kiyonari Toko , Kuhlman David M. , Maitner Angela T. , Manesi Zoi , Molho Catherine , Peperkoorn Leonard S. , Rizwan Muhammad , Stivers Adam W. , Tian Qirui , Van Lange Paul A. M. , Vartanova Irina , Wu Junhui , Yamagishi Toshio
Published: November 2017

Violators of cooperation norms may be informally punished by their peers. How such norm enforcement is judged by others can be regarded as a meta-norm (i.e., a second-order norm). We examined whether meta-norms about peer punishment vary across cultures by having students in eight countries judge animations in which an agent who over-harvested a common resource was punished either by a single peer or by the entire peer group. Whether the punishment was retributive or restorative varied between two studies, and findings were largely consistent across these two types of punishment. Across all countries, punishment was judged as more appropriate when implemented by the entire peer group than by an individual. Differences between countries were revealed in judgments of punishers vs. non-punishers. Specifically, appraisals of punishers were relatively negative in three Western countries and Japan, and more neutral in Pakistan, UAE, Russia, and China, consistent with the influence of individualism, power distance, and/or indulgence. Our studies constitute a first step in mapping how meta-norms vary around the globe, demonstrating both cultural universals and cultural differences.
Preparation and Dating of Mortar Samples—Mortar Dating Inter-Comparison Study (MODIS)
Authors: Hajdas Irka , Lindroos Alf , Heinemeier Jan , Ringbom Åsa , Marzaioli Fabio , Terrasi Filippo , Passariello Isabella , Capano Manuela , Artioli Gilberto , Addis Anna , Secco Michele , Michalska Danuta , Czernik Justyna , Goslar Tomasz , Hayen Roald , Van Strydonck Mark , Fontaine Laurent , Boudin Mathieu , Maspero Francesco , Panzeri Laura , Galli Anna , Urbanová Petra , Guibert Pierre
Published: November 2017

Seven radiocarbon laboratories: Åbo/Aarhus, CIRCE, CIRCe, ETHZ, Poznań, RICH, and Milano-Bicocca performed separation of carbonaceous fractions suitable for14C dating of four mortar samples selected for the MOrtar Dating Inter-comparison Study (MODIS). In addition, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) analyses were completed by Milano-Bicocca and IRAMAT-CRP2A Bordeaux. Each laboratory performed separation according to laboratory protocol. Results of this first intercomparison show that even though consistent14C ages were obtained by different laboratories, two mortars yielded ages different than expected from the archaeological context.
Uptake of Carbon for Cellulose Production in a White Oak from Western Oregon, USA
Authors: Cain William F , Griffin Sheila , Druffel-Rodriguez Kevin C , Druffel Ellen R M
Published: November 2017

We report ∆14C measurements of cellulose extracted from near monthly tree ring growth for the 1960s of a white oak that grew in western Oregon, USA. Comparison with ∆14C measurements of atmospheric CO2 reveals that the tree ring ∆14C values were equal to or lower than those in atmospheric CO2 at the time of ring formation. We suggest that the low tree ring ∆14C values during the period 1962–1963 were caused by the presence of an atmospheric front or blocking between subpolar and temperate air masses that delayed the arrival of the bomb signal at the tree’s site.
THE EVOLUTION OF ENERGY DEMAND IN BRITAIN: POLITICS, DAILY LIFE, AND PUBLIC HOUSING, 1920s–1970s
Authors: TRENTMANN FRANK , CARLSSON-HYSLOP ANNA
Published: November 2017

This article offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of energy consumption in Britain from the 1920s to the 1970s. The twentieth century witnessed a series of energy transitions – from wood and coal to gas, electricity, and oil – that have transformed modern lives. The literature has primarily followed supply, networks, and technologies. We need to know more about people and their homes in this story, because it was here where energy was used. The article investigates the forces that shaped domestic demand by focusing on working-class households in public housing. It examines the interaction between political frameworks, public housing infrastructures, and the changing norms and practices of people's daily lives. It connects social and political history with material culture and compares the different paths taken in London, Stocksbridge, and Stevenage in the provision of gas, electricity, and heating. Evidence collected by local authorities is used to analyse the uptake, use, and resistance to changes in domestic infrastructures, such as gas-lit coke ovens and central heating. The case-studies make a more general pitch for a new historical study of energy that places people's lifestyles, their ideas of comfort, and political attempts to change them more squarely at the centre of inquiry.
Identification and confirmation of greenbug resistance loci in an advanced mapping population of sorghum
Authors: PUNNURI SOMASHEKHAR , HUANG YINGHUA
Published: November 2017

Greenbug infestations to sorghum can cause severe and above economic threshold damage in the Great Plains of the United States. The current study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and potential candidate genes residing within the QTL region responsible for greenbug resistance in an advanced mapping population. Inter-crossed populations are useful in detecting QTLs tightly linked to genetic markers with high resolution. In the current study, QTLs responsible for greenbug resistance in sorghum were mapped using an inter-cross population derived from two parents, BTx623 (greenbug-susceptible line) and PI 607900 (greenbug-resistant line). Molecular markers for 115 loci were used to construct a linkage map which eventually facilitated tagging portions of the sorghum genome regions responsible for greenbug resistance. The molecular genetic map covered all the chromosomes of sorghum with a total genome length of 963·0 cM. The advanced mapping population revealed and confirmed the location of greenbug resistance loci, which explained a high phenotypic variation from 72·9 to 80·9% of greenbug resistance. The loci for greenbug resistance were mapped to the region flanked by markers Starssbnm 93 and Starssbnm 102 on chromosome 9 with an increased allelic effect from the resistant parent. The locations of these loci were compared with a previous study on QTL analysis using an F2mapping population. The results from the present study were in agreement with the findings in the F2QTL analysis and identified QTLs had a better confidence interval. The markers/QTLs identified from the current study can be effectively utilized in marker-assisted selection and map-based cloning experiments.
Inferring individual cow effects, dairy system effects and feeding effects on latent variables underlying milk protein composition and cheese-making traits in dairy cattle
Authors: Dadousis Christos , Cipolat-Gotet Claudio , Schiavon Stefano , Bittante Giovanni , Cecchinato Alessio
Published: November 2017

We examined the latent structure of 26 cheese related phenotypes in dairy cattle. Traits related to milk yield and quality (8 traits), milk protein fractions (8 traits), coagulation and curd firmness indicators (CF, 5 traits) and cheese-making phenotypes (cheese yields (%CY) and nutrient recoveries in the curd (REC), 5 traits) were analysed through multivariate factor analysis (MFA) using a varimax rotation. All phenotypes were measured in 1264 Brown Swiss cows. Ten mutual orthogonal, latent variables (factors; Fs) were obtained explaining 74% of the original variability. These Fs captured basic concepts of the cheese-making process. More precisely, the first 4 Fs, sorted by variance explained, were able to capture the underlying structure of the CY percentage (F1: %CY), the CF process with time (F2: CFt), the milk and solids yield (F3: Yield) and the presence of nitrogen (N) in the cheese (F4: Cheese N). Moreover, 4 Fs (F5: as1-β-CN, F7: κ-β-CN, F8: as2-CN and F9: as1-CN-Ph) were related to the basic milk caseins and 1 factor was associated with the α-LA whey protein (F10: α-LA). A factor describing udder health status (F6: Udder health), mainly loaded on lactose, other nitrogen compounds in the milk and SCS, was also obtained. Further, we inferred the effects of some potential sources of variation (e.g. stage of lactation and parity) including feeding and management systems. Stage of lactation had a significant effect for 7 of the 10 Fs, followed by parity of the cow (3 Fs), dairy system and feeding (3 Fs). Our work demonstrates the usefulness of MFA in reducing a large number of variables to a few latent factors with biological meaning and representing groups of traits that describe a complex process like cheese-making. Such an approach would be a valuable tool for studying the influence of different production environments and individual animal factors on protein composition and cheese-making related traits.