bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Electrochemical Gelation Method for Patterning Conductive PEDOT:PSS Hydrogels
Authors: Feig Vivian Rachel , Tran Helen , Lee Minah , Liu Kathy , Huang Zhuojun , Beker Levent , Mackanic David G. , Bao Zhenan
Published: August 2019

Due to their high water content and macroscopic connectivity, hydrogels made from the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS are a promising platform from which to fabricate a wide range of porous conductive materials that are increasingly of interest in applications as varied as bioelectronics, regenerative medicine, and energy storage. Despite the promising properties of PEDOT:PSS‐based porous materials, the ability to pattern PEDOT:PSS hydrogels is still required to enable their integration with multifunctional and multichannel electronic devices. In this work, a novel electrochemical gelation (“electrogelation”) method is presented for rapidly patterning PEDOT:PSS hydrogels on any conductive template, including curved and 3D surfaces. High spatial resolution is achieved through use of a sacrificial metal layer to generate the hydrogel pattern, thereby enabling high‐performance conducting hydrogels and aerogels with desirable material properties to be introduced into increasingly complex device architectures.
Carbon Allotropes as Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Rajkamal A. , Thapa Ranjit
Published: August 2019

Anode materials that exhibit high energy density, high power density, long life cycle, and better safety profile for lithium‐ion batteries are necessary for the development of electric vehicles. Computational and experimental studies to describe the relevant aspects of carbon allotropes as anode materials are discussed, toward the significant improvement of specific power and energy capacity. The role of types of carbon ring and mixed hybridization (sp, sp2, and sp3) in carbon‐based anode materials for Li storage explored. An overview is provided on the procedures used to analyze the storage properties of anode materials using first‐principles theoretical methods such as intercalation energy, volume expansion, and open circuit voltage. Finally, the progress, importance, design, and the challenges of carbon‐based anode materials are comprehensively discussed.
Miniature Pneumatic Actuators for Soft Robots by High‐Resolution Multimaterial 3D Printing
Authors: Zhang Yuan‐Fang , Ng Colin Ju‐Xiang , Chen Zhe , Zhang Wang , Panjwani Sahil , Kowsari Kavin , Yang Hui Ying , Ge Qi
Published: August 2019

Miniature soft robots offer excellent safety and deformability, which are highly desirable in applications such as navigation in confined areas or the manipulation of microscale objects. However, it is difficult to manufacture such robots using traditional processes due to the complexity of their design. While rapidly advancing 3D printing technologies offer manufacturing flexibility, it is still challenging to fabricate soft pneumatic robots on millimeter scales due to the difficulty in making microscale voids and channels, which are essential for pneumatic actuation. A generic process flow for systematic and efficient tailoring of the material formulation and key processing parameters for digital light processing‐based 3D printing of miniature pneumatic actuators for soft robots is presented. The process flow includes selection of photoabsorber and material performance characterization to determine the appropriate material formulation and characterizations for curing depth and XY fidelity to identify the combination of exposure time and sliced layer thickness. By applying the tailored results to a self‐built multimaterial 3D printing system, an assortment of miniature soft pneumatic robots with various structures and morphing modes are printed. Furthermore, potential applications of printed miniature actuators are exemplified by a soft debris remover that navigates in a confined space and collects small objects in a hard‐to‐reach position.
Mechano‐Fenton–Piranha Oxidation of Carbon Nanotubes for Energy Application
Authors: Wei Chaohui , Akinwolemiwa Bamidele , Wang Qingfu , Guan Li , Xia Lan , Hu Di , Tang Bencan , Yu Linpo , Chen George Z.
Published: August 2019

Emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from chemical processing of materials is a serious environmental concern, frustrating the development of many innovative technologies. For example, sulfonitric oxidation is the most widely used method for processing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), producing a large amount of NOx. As a result, large scale applications of CNTs for downstream purposes remain challenging. Herein, a NOx‐free oxidation method is proposed for CNTs processing. It starts with mechanically grinding, and then oxidizing the CNTs by hydroxyl radicals in sealed reactors. Such processed CNTs are shorter, possess balanced surface oxygen containing groups without compromising the original CNT integrity, and can disperse readily in water. These are desirable for making various CNT composites, including those with conducting polymers for supercapacitors. The reactors in the process are industrially adoptable, promising a great technological and commercial future.
Electric Field–Controlled Multistep Proton Evolution in HxSrCoO2.5 with Formation of H–H Dimer
Authors: Li Hao‐Bo , Lou Feng , Wang Yujia , Zhang Yang , Zhang Qinghua , Wu Dong , Li Zhuolu , Wang Meng , Huang Tongtong , Lyu Yingjie , Guo Jingwen , Chen Tianzhe , Wu Yang , Arenholz Elke , Lu Nianpeng , Wang Nanlin , He Qing , Gu Lin , Zhu Jing , Nan Ce‐Wen , Zhong Xiaoyan , Xiang Hongjun , Yu Pu
Published: August 2019

Ionic evolution–induced phase transformation can lead to wide ranges of novel material functionalities with promising applications. Here, using the gating voltage during ionic liquid gating as a tuning knob, the brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 is transformed into a series of protonated HxSrCoO2.5 phases with distinct hydrogen contents. The unexpected electron to charge‐neutral doping crossover along with the increase of proton concentration from x = 1 to 2 suggests the formation of exotic charge neutral H–H dimers for higher proton concentration, which is directly visualized at the vacant tetrahedron by scanning transmission electron microscopy and then further supported by first principles calculations. Although the H–H dimers cause no change of the valency of Co2+ ions, they result in clear enhancement of electronic bandgap and suppression of magnetization through lattice expansion. These results not only reveal a hydrogen chemical state beyond anion and cation within the complex oxides, but also suggest an effective pathway to design functional materials through tunable ionic evolution.
Plasma‐Strengthened Lithiophilicity of Copper Oxide Nanosheet–Decorated Cu Foil for Stable Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Luan Jingyi , Zhang Qi , Yuan Hongyan , Sun Dan , Peng Zhiguang , Tang Yougen , Ji Xiaobo , Wang Haiyan
Published: August 2019

Lithium metal is the most ideal anode for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries. However, the formation of lithium dendrites and the continuous consumption of electrolyte during cycling lead to a serious safety problems. Developing stable lithium metal anode with uniform lithium deposition is highly desirable. Herein, a nitrogen plasma strengthening strategy is proposed for copper oxide nanosheet–decorated Cu foil as an advanced current collector, and deep insights into the plasma regulating mechanism are elaborated. The plasma‐treated electrode can maintain a high coulombic efficiency of 99.6% for 500 cycles. The symmetric cell using the lithium‐plated electrode can be cycled for more than 600 h with a low‐voltage hysteresis (23.1 mV), which is much better than those of electrodes without plasma treatment. It is well confirmed that this plasma‐induced nitrogen doping method can provide sufficient active sites for lithium nucleation to enhance the stability of lithium deposition on copper oxide nanosheets decorated on Cu foil and improve the electrical conductivity to greatly reduce the overpotential of the lithium nucleation, which can be extended to other modified current collectors for stable lithium metal anode.
Sulfiphilic Few‐Layered MoSe2 Nanoflakes Decorated rGO as a Highly Efficient Sulfur Host for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Tian Wenzhi , Xi Baojuan , Feng Zhenyu , Li Haibo , Feng Jinkui , Xiong Shenglin
Published: August 2019

Lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been regarded as a competitive candidate for next‐generation electrochemical energy‐storage technologies due to their merits in energy density. The sluggish redox kinetics of the electrochemistry and the high solubility of polysulfides during cycling result in insufficient sulfur utilization, severe polarization, and poor cyclic stability. Herein, sulfiphilic few‐layered MoSe2 nanoflakes decorated rGO (MoSe2@rGO) hybrid has been synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method and for the first time, is used as a conceptually new‐style sulfur host for LSBs. Specifically, MoSe2@rGO not only strongly interacts with polysulfides but also dynamically strengthens polysulfide redox reactions. The polarization problem is effectively alleviated by relying on the sulfiphilic MoSe2. Moreover, MoSe2@rGO is demonstrated to be beneficial for the fast nucleation and uniform deposition of Li2S, contributing to the high discharge capacity and good cyclic stability. A high initial capacity of 1608 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, a slow decay rate of 0.042% per loop at 0.25 C, and a high reversible capacity of 870 mAh g−1 with areal sulfur loading of 4.2 mg cm−2 at 0.3 C are obtained. The concept of introducing sulfiphilic transition‐metal selenides into the LSBs system can stimulate engineering of novel architectures with enhanced properties for various energy‐storage devices.
Bio‐Multifunctional Smart Wearable Sensors for Medical Devices
Authors: Wang Lili , Lou Zheng , Jiang Kai , Shen Guozhen
Published: August 2019

Advances in digital health care have driven innovations in high‐performance wearable and smart sensors. One requirement in this field is establishing healthy, secure, and reliable medical devices for precisely monitoring vital signs of the human body or the surrounding environment through flexible sensors with not only high‐sensing performance but also excellent biofunctionality. Smart wearable sensors with excellent biofunctionality furnish medical devices with various smart functions such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and self‐healing, which have attracted widespread interest from device engineers and materials scientists. Herein, a comprehensive review of the latest progress concerning these smart wearable sensors is presented with a focus on bio‐multifunctional (biocompatible, biodegradable, and self‐healing) device designs. The medical applications of bio‐multifunctional smart wearable sensors are also briefly covered, and to conclude, a discussion of the challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives is provided.
Photocontrolled Liquid Transportation in Microtubes by Manipulating Mesogen Orientations in Liquid Crystal Polymers
Authors: Liu Quan , Liu Yuyun , Lv Jiu-an , Chen Erqiang , Yu Yanlei
Published: August 2019

Tubular microactuators (TMAs) fabricated by photodeformable liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) pave a significant way for smart microfluidic applications with contactless, spatial, and precise manipulation of liquids. To realize liquid transportation in these TMAs, LCPs should have excellent photodeformation property and suitable mechanical properties. Herein, linear liquid crystal polymers (LLCPs) with different mesogen orientations are used to prepare TMAs to study their liquid transportation behaviors. The mesogen orientation in each LLCP is formed spontaneously and varies with the spacer length, leading to different deformations of LLCP films. It is found that only LLCPs with mesogens oriented out‐of‐plane realize self‐support of the TMAs, whereas the TMAs with mesogens oriented in‐plane are so weak that they collapse in the radial direction, indicating the importance of mesogen orientation in fabricating three‐dimensional structures. Upon attenuated 470 nm light irradiation, the TMAs deform to an asymmetric conical structure, leading to the motion of liquid slug toward the narrow side. The liquid motion is accelerated in the TMA with longer spacer, showing the control of liquid speed by the mesogen orientation. These photocontrolled TMAs are expected to be applied in biological applications, such as whole blood analysis and flow cytometry, for precise liquid manipulation.
Pollen limitation and autonomous selfing ability interact to shape variation in outcrossing rate across a species range
Authors: Koski Matthew H. , Galloway Laura F. , Busch Jeremiah W.
Published: August 2019

Premise

Hermaphroditic plants commonly reproduce through a mixture of selfing and outcrossing. The degree to which outcrossing rates reflect the availability of outcross pollen, genetic differentiation in the ability to autonomously self‐fertilize, or both is often unclear. Despite the potential for autonomy and the pollination environment to jointly influence outcrossing, this interaction is rarely studied.

Methods

We reviewed studies from the literature that tested whether the pollination environment or floral traits that cause autonomous selfing predict variation in outcrossing rate among populations. We also measured outcrossing rates in 23 populations ofCampanula americanaand examined associations with the pollination environment, autonomy, and their interaction.

Results

Our review revealed that traits that facilitate selfing were often negatively associated with outcrossing rates whereas most aspects of the pollination environment poorly predicted outcrossing. Populations ofC. americanavaried from mixed mating to highly outcrossing, but variation was unrelated to population size, density, pollen limitation, or autonomous selfing ability. Outcrossing rate was significantly influenced by an interaction between autonomous selfing ability and pollen limitation. Across highly autonomous populations, elevated pollen limitation was associated with reduced outcrossing, while there was no relationship for less autonomous populations.

Conclusions

Both the ability to self autonomously and pollen limitation interact to shape outcrossing rates inC. americana. This work suggests that autonomy affords mating‐system flexibility, though it is not ubiquitous in all populations across the species range. Interactions between traits influencing autonomy and pollen limitation are likely to explain variation in outcrossing rates among populations of flowering plants.
Congenital hyperinsulinism disorders: Genetic and clinical characteristics
Authors: Rosenfeld Elizabeth , Ganguly Arupa , De Leon Diva D.
Published: August 2019

Congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) is the most frequent cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infants and children. Delays in diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment contribute to a high risk of neurocognitive impairment. HI represents a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by dysregulated insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta cells, which in utero, may result in somatic overgrowth. There are at least nine known monogenic forms of HI as well as several syndromic forms. Molecular diagnosis allows for prediction of responsiveness to medical treatment and likelihood of surgically‐curable focal hyperinsulinism. Timely genetic mutation analysis has thus become standard of care. However, despite significant advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of this disorder, the number of patients without an identified genetic diagnosis remains high, suggesting that there are likely additional genetic loci that have yet to be discovered.
Enantioselective synthesis of 3‐amino‐1‐aryl‐1H‐benzo[f]chromene‐2‐carbonitrile derivatives by Fe3O4@PS‐arginine as an efficient chiral magnetic nanocatalyst
Authors: Kargar Karkhah Maryam , Kefayati Hassan , Shariati Shahab
Published: August 2019

A novel chiral magnetic nanocatalyst was prepared by the surface modification of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with a chloropropylsilane and further by arginine to form Fe3O4@propylsilan‐arginine (Fe3O4@PS‐Arg). After the structural confirmation of Fe3O4@PS‐Arg synthesized MNPs by Fourier transform‐infrared, X‐ray diffraction, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating‐sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analyses, their catalytic activity was evaluated for one‐pot enantioselective synthesis of 3‐amino‐1‐aryl‐1H‐benzo[f]chromene‐2‐carbonitrile derivatives. The results showed that in the presence of 0.07 g Fe3O4@PS‐Arg nanocatalyst and ethanol as solvent, the best reaction yield (96%) was obtained in the least time (5 min). Easy operation, reusability and stability, short reaction time, high reaction yields and good enantioselectivity are the major advantages of the newly synthesized nanocatalyst. Also, this study provides a novel strategy for further research and investigation on the synthesis of new reusable enantioselective catalysts and chiral compounds.
An aminoquinoline based fluorescent probe for sequential detection of Znic (II) and inorganic phosphate and application in living cell imaging
Authors: Fu Jiaxin , Chang Yongxin , Li Bai , Mei Huihui , Xu Kuoxi
Published: August 2019

A novel fluorescent probe 5‐(diethylamino)‐2‐(((2‐(hydroxymethyl)quinolin‐8‐yl)imino)methyl)phenol (QS) was synthesized by condensation reaction of 8‐aminoquinoline derivative and 4‐(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde. It was found that the probe QS was capable of high selectivity and sensitivity about specific color and fluorescence changes towards Zn2+ ion in EtOH‐H2O (v/v = 4/1, 0.01 M, Tris–HCl buffer, pH = 7.30) solution. The interaction of QS with Zn2+ ion illustrated a “turn‐on” fluorescence response at 550 nm (λex: 458 nm), moreover, after the subsequent addition of inorganic phosphate (Pi) into the solution above, a “turn‐off” fluorescence response was observed. The sensing ability of the probe QS towards Zn2+ was confirmed by fluorescence titration, UV–Vis titration and HRMS analysis. Besides, the intracellular sensing behavior of QS with Zn2+ and Pi were captured in living PC12 cells. The limit of detection (LOD) for Zn2+ and Pi sensing was found to be 0.03 μM and 0.08 μM, respectively.
Study on plasticization and flame retardancy of phosphorus‐containing branched polybutylene adipate in poly (vinyl chloride)
Authors: Xu Luping , Yan Shun , Fu Jinyu , Li Jiekang , Xie Jixing
Published: August 2019

The antimigration polyester plasticizers have been attracting more attention in recent years due to the environmental pollution problems. Therefore, in order to decrease the impacts on environment, the linear polybutylene adipate (LPBA) with low molecular weight was synthesized by melting polycondensation and using adipic acid and 1,4‐butanediol (BD) as raw materials, then three hydroxymethyl phosphine oxide (THPO) as a branching agent was introduced into LPBA to prepare a phosphorus‐containing branched polybutylene adipate (BPBAP), and its structures was well‐characterized. For the purpose of studying their plasticizing effects, the BPBAP was blended with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) to obtain a composite material. The results of antimigration testing demonstrate that the BPBAP had better antimigration properties than other plasticizers. Meanwhile, the mechanical property data indicate that the plasticizing effect of BPBAP for PVC is better than that of LPBA. The elongation at break of PVC/BPBAP3 (amount of 3.0% THPO as branching agent) reaches 152%, which is 30.7% higher than that of PVC/LPBA. The low‐temperature toughness of PVC/BPBAP3 is 26.9% higher than that of PVC/LPBA. Finally, about fire‐resisted performance, PVC/BPBAP5 (amount of 5.0% THPO as branching agent) is 34.1% lower than that of PVC/dioctyl phthalate for peak heat release rate. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48335.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 6‐substituted quinolines derived from cabozantinib as c‐Met inhibitors
Authors: Lien Vegard Torp , Pettersen Solveig , Haugen Mads Haugland , Olberg Dag Erlend , Mælandsmo Gunhild M. , Klaveness Jo
Published: August 2019

Based on the cabozantinib scaffold, novel c‐Met inhibitors were rationalized from the limited knowledge of structure‐activity relationships for the quinoline 6‐position. Emphasis was given to modifications capable of engaging in additional polar interactions with the c‐Met active site. In addition, ortho‐fluorinations of the terminal benzene ring were explored. Fifteen new molecules were synthesized and evaluated in a c‐Met enzymatic binding assay. A wide range of substituents were tolerated in the quinoline 6‐position, while the ortho‐fluorinations performed were shown to give considerable reductions in the c‐Met binding affinity. The antiproliferative effects of the compounds were evaluated in the NCI60 cancer cell line panel. Most notably, compounds 15b and 18b were able to inhibit cell proliferation more efficiently than cabozantinib in leukemia, CNS, and breast cancer cell lines. The in vitro data agreed well with the in silico docking results, where additional hydrogen bonding was identified in the enzymatic pocket for the para‐amino substituted 15b and 18b.
Beanspruchungsoptimierte Faltungen aus Stahl für selbsttragende Raumfaltwerke
Authors: Musto Juan , Lyon Max , Trautz Martin , Kobbelt Leif
Published: August 2019

Der Einsatz von Faltungen beschränkt sich im Bauwesen auf Longitudinalfaltungen (Trapezbleche) und regelmäßige Faltungen. Raumfaltwerke und Faltleichtbauplatten, räumlich gekrümmte und dreidimensionale Flächentragwerke sind Desiderate eines Leichtbaus mit Stahlblechen. Raumfaltwerke bestehen vorwiegend aus regelmäßigen Faltmustern, die auf Tesselierung mit Primitivflächen (Drei‐ und Vierecke) basieren. Um die Effizienz dieser Leichtbaustrukturen zu verbessern, liegt es nahe, statt regelmäßige und auf geometrischen Prinzipien basierende Faltmuster umzusetzen, Faltmuster nach Maßgabe der Beanspruchungen bzw. der Beanspruchungsverteilung anzuwenden. Hierzu ist ein Formfindungsprozess zu entwickeln, der auf der Generierung eines Trajektoriennetzes basiert, das aus dem maßgeblichen Lastfall (formgebenden Lastfall) abgeleitet wird. Der Vergleich des Masseneinsatzes und der Traglast der Faltungen, die auf geometrischer Basis erzeugt wurden, mit einer auf Basis des Trajektoriennetzes entwickelten Faltung zeigt die Veränderung der Effizienz.
Moderne Holzbrücken planen, bauen, erhalten – Teil 2: Bauausführung und Erhaltung
Authors: Simon Antje , Koch Johannes , Jahreis Markus G. , Arndt Ralf W.
Published: August 2019

Bisher gab es für den Bau von Holzbrücken nur unzureichende Vorgaben in den nationalen und europäischen Regelwerken, woraus für den Holzbrückenbau ein erheblicher Wettbewerbsnachteil entstand. An der Fachhochschule Erfurt wurde daher das Forschungsprojekt „Protected Timber Bridges (ProTimB)“ initiiert. Ziel dieses Projekts war es, einheitliche Richtlinien für den Entwurf, die Baudurchführung und die Erhaltung geschützter Holzbrücken in Anlehnung an die für die anderen Baustoffe anerkannten Regelwerke zu erarbeiten.

Der erste Teil des Beitrags gibt einen Überblick über die Inhalte des gesamten Forschungsvorhabens und erläutert die neuen Richtlinien für den Entwurf. Der vorliegende zweite Teil fokussiert auf die Bauausführung und die Überwachung, Wartung und Prüfung geschützter Holzbrücken. Damit werden alle Phasen von der Planung über den Bau bis zur Erhaltung einer Holzbrücke ganzheitlich unter den Aspekten der größtmöglichen Dauerhaftigkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit betrachtet.

Für die Bauausführung wurden „Empfehlungen für Technische Vertragsbedingungen für Holzbrücken – ETV‐HolzBr“ erarbeitet. Die ETV‐HolzBr definieren Anforderungen an das zu verwendende Material sowie an den Holz‐ und Korrosionsschutz. Der Schwerpunkt liegt in der Zusammenstellung von Vertragsbedingungen für Herstellung, Transport, Lagerung, Lieferung und Montage von Holzbrücken. Ergänzend sind Hinweise zum Bau von Holz‐Beton‐Verbund‐ und Grünbrücken aus Holz enthalten.

Zum Thema „Erhaltung“ entstanden Musterhandbücher für die Wartung und Prüfung von Holzbrücken, Empfehlungen für die Durchführung einer objektbezogenen Schadensanalyse sowie ein Konzept für einen Weiterbildungslehrgang für das Bauwerksprüfpersonal.
Temporäre Brückenverstärkung für Sondertransporte
Authors: Suza Dominik , Klusáček Ladislav , Suza Igor , Reichenbach Sara , Gaßner Georg
Published: August 2019

In diesem Bericht wird ein neuer Ansatz für eine kurzzeitige Brückenverstärkung vorgestellt. Die Brückentragkonstruktion wird bei dieser Methode über die Länge der Spannweite durch aktive temporäre Stützen unterstützt, um eine größere Tragfähigkeit der Konstruktion zu erreichen. Obwohl diese Brückenverstärkungsmethode bereits über die letzten Jahrzehnte erfolgreich eingesetzt wurde, ist sie in vielen Ländern der EU unbekannt. Hinzu kommt, dass viele Unternehmen, die diese Verstärkungsmethode verwenden, sich oft noch an alte vereinfachte Berechnungsmodelle und Randbedingungen, die die Effektivität der Methode einschränken, halten [1]. Zudem wird mit dem alten Modell die Realität nicht ausreichend abgebildet und die Ergebnisse liegen teilweise auf der unsicheren Seite.

Der vorgestellte neue Ansatz der kurzzeitigen Brückenverstärkungsmethode mit einem temporären Stützsystem beruht auf den Erkenntnissen aus einem Monitoring von Überfahrten von Schwertransporten auf realen Brückenkonstruktionen. Ein mathematisches Modell, das die Eigenschaften der realen Konstruktion realitätsnah beschreiben kann, wird präsentiert. Des Weiteren wird ein hydraulisches Hilfsgerät, das an der Technischen Universität in Brno (VUT FAST) erfunden wurde, vorgestellt.
Simultaneous ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry determination of six components in rat plasma after oral administration of Smilacis glabrae Roxb. extract
Authors: Xie Jing , Li Li , Shi Yurui , Chen Rongda , Liu Guiming , Wang Mengxue , Zheng Meizhu , Zhang Ning
Published: August 2019

In this study, an accurate and reliable method of ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was firstly developed and fully validated for the simultaneous determination of epicatechin, neoastilbin, astilbin, isoastilbin, engeletin and resveratrol in rat plasma after administration of Smilacis glabrae Roxb. extract. Naringenin was used as an internal standard (IS). The analyte and IS were separated on a C18 column by gradient elution with a mobile phase of acetonitrile–0.3% acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min for a total run time of 8 min. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the main pharmacokinetic parameters of six components in rat plasma.
In vitro anticomplementary activity and quality evaluation of dried blossoms of Inula nervosa Wall. from different geographical origins
Authors: Wen Zhiqi , Huang Wenping , Long Wei , Gong Jianping , Wu Dong
Published: August 2019

Blossoms of Inula nervosa Wall. (BINW) are traditionally used as an analgesic and antitussive in China. In this study, in vitro anticomplementary activities of crude extract from BINW in 21 batches and of extracts of four monomeric compounds were evaluated by the classical pathway. The effect of the region of origin on the quality of BINW was evaluated by fingerprint analysis for the first time. Furthermore, chemometric methods including similarity analysis and principal component analysis were employed to evaluate the quality of BINW. The nine major monomeric compounds were quantitated by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography. All nine analytes demonstrated excellent linearity with recoveries ranging from 97.25% to 102.76%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.07–12.20 μg/mL and 0.22–40.27 μg/mL, respectively. Results indicate that different regions of origin have a significant effect on the quality of BINW. Fingerprint analysis in combination with chemometrics and multi‐ingredient determination is an efficient and reliable approach for quality evaluation. The BINW samples from Yunnan had the highest ratio of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid and thymol; they also exhibited significantly higher anticomplementary activity than those from three other areas. This study successfully established a rapid and efficient method to evaluate the quality and biological activity of BINW.
Can proactive environmental strategy improve Multilatinas' level of internationalization? The moderating role of board independence
Authors: Duque‐Grisales Eduardo , Aguilera‐Caracuel Javier , Guerrero‐Villegas Jaime , García‐Sánchez Encarnación
Published: August 2019

This paper explores the relationships between proactive environmental strategy (PES) and internationalization in emerging markets multinationals from Latin America (Multilatinas). Drawing on the resource‐based view and institutional theory and using a sample of 86 listed firms during the period 2013–2017, we find that Multilatinas with higher tiers of PES are associated with higher degrees of geographic international diversification. Because adopting PES is directly conditioned by institutional pressures to comply with stakeholders' regulations and expectations, Multilatinas that implement advanced PES will be able to achieve a higher level of international presence in foreign markets. Our results also reveal that board independence positively moderates the relationship between PES and geographic international diversification. Specifically, board independence provides Multilatinas with the opportunity to integrate valuable knowledge and expertise and thus to take advantage of implementing advanced PES to achieve even greater levels of internationalization. This study expands understanding of how environmental strategies influence internationalization of firms in the Latin American business context.
Variation of Chemical Constituents and Antiradical Capacity of Nine Ferulago angulata Populations from Iran
Authors: Bagherifar Soleyman , Sourestani Mohammad Mahmoodi , Zolfaghari Maryam , Mottaghipisheh Javad , Zomborszki Zoltán Péter , Csupor Dezső
Published: August 2019

The present study was designed to assess the influence of geographical factors on essential oil (EO) composition, along with antiradical potential and phytochemical contents of Ferulago angulata (Schltdl.) Boiss (Apiaceae) extracts for the first time. The aerial parts were hydrodistilled by Clevenger apparatus and subjected to gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The EO yields were significantly different from populations ‘Mongar’ (south‐slope, 3000 m) with 1.34±0.06 % and ‘Male‐Amiri’ (north slope, 2600 m) with 0.18±0.05 % of total oil. Thirty‐nine compounds were identified from the EOs of nine populations. α‐Pinene was the predominant component ranging from 20.84 to 49.06 % in ‘Gandomkar’ (north‐slope, 2500 m) and ‘Mongar’ (3000 m), respectively. The methanolic extract of ‘Mongar’ (north‐slope at 2500 m) possessed the highest total phenolic contents. Also, this population logically exhibited potent antiradical activity using both 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays with EC50 of 42.07±4.12 μg/mL and 8.34±0.21 mmol Trolox® equivalents/g, respectively. Due to its moderate free‐radical scavenging potential and high α‐pinene content, the population ‘Mongar’ might be considered as a perspective raw material in food and phytopharmaceutical industries.
Intraoperative modulation of arterial blood flow in a hybrid operating room: A report of three cases
Authors: Saitoh Yoshikatsu , Hara Yasuyuki , Miyagi Shigehito , Nakanishi Chikashi , Nakanishi Wataru , Nishimura Ryuichi , Akamatsu Daijirou , Goto Hitoshi , Unno Michiaki , Kamei Takashi
Published: August 2019

The preoperative modulation of arterial blood flow is widely performed to prevent massive intraoperative hemorrhage and unstable circulatory dynamics; however, this may cause complications. The intraoperative modulation of arterial blood flow can be performed with operation to reduce the physical and psychological stresses on the patients and improve intraoperative safety.
High‐dose‐rate interstitial brachytherapy for a bulky sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid: A case report
Authors: Takagawa Yoshiaki , Murakami Naoya , Suzuki Shigenobu , Matsumoto Fumihiko , Yoshimoto Seiichi , Itami Jun
Published: August 2019

High‐dose‐rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR‐ISBT) achieved excellent local control of the bulky sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. However, we must pay attention to dose of eyelid and cornea about late toxicity of HDR‐ISBT.
Chemical Imaging of the Binder‐Dependent Coke Formation in Zeolite‐Based Catalyst Bodies During the Transalkylation of Aromatics
Authors: Verkleij Suzanna P. , Whiting Gareth T. , Pieper Denise , Parres Esclapez Sonia , Li Shiwen , Mertens Machteld M. , Janssen Marcel , Bons Anton‐Jan , Burgers Martijn , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: August 2019

The choice of binder material, added to a zeolite‐based catalyst body, can significantly influence the catalyst performance during a reaction, i. e. its deactivation and selectivity. In this work the influence of the binder in catalyst extrudates on the formation of hydrocarbon deposits was explored during the transalkylation of toluene with 1,2,4‐trimethylbenzene (1,2,4‐TMB). Using in situ UV‐vis micro‐spectroscopy and ex situ confocal fluorescence microscopy approach, coke species were revealed to predominantly form on the rim of zeolite crystals within Al2O3‐bound extrudates. It was found that this was due to Al migration between the zeolite crystals and the Al2O3‐binder creating additional acid sites near the zeolite external surface. In contrast, minimal isomerization of 1,2,4‐TMB in the SiO2‐bound extrudate allowed greater access to the zeolite internal pore network, creating a more homogeneous coke distribution throughout the zeolite crystals.
Synergistic Enhancement over Au‐Pd/TS‐1 Bimetallic Catalysts for Propylene Epoxidation with H2 and O2
Authors: Li Zhishan , Gao Lin , Zhu Xiangshuai , Ma Weihua , Feng Xiang , Zhong Qin
Published: August 2019

Au−Pd bimetallic catalyst has attracted significant research interests due to its fascinating properties. Herein, Au−Pd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on titanium silicalite‐1 (denoted as Au−Pd/TS‐1) were prepared by the alcohol reduction method. The Au−Pd alloy structure was proven via multiple characterization. This Au−Pd/TS‐1 bimetallic catalyst showed improved activity compared with monometallic catalyst for propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2. The synergistic enhancement over Au−Pd/TS‐1 could be elaborated by H‐spillover process, which reduced the apparent activation energy significantly. The insights in this work are of referential importance to understanding the effect of interaction between bimetallic components on reaction system.
Diazoacetonitrile (N2CHCN): A Long Forgotten but Valuable Reagent for Organic Synthesis
Authors: Mykhailiuk Pavel K. , Koenigs Rene M.
Published: August 2019

Diazoacetonitrile (N2CHCN) is a small reactive diazoalkane. It has been synthesized for the first time already in 1898 by Theodor Curtius, however, did not gain much recognition in organic synthesis until recently. Only in 2015, after introduction of in situ and flow protocols for the safe generation of diazoacetonitrile, it started gaining popularity. In this minireview, the synthetic properties and applications of this valuable reagent are discussed.
Precise 2D‐Patterned Incompatible Catalysts for Reactions in One‐Pot
Authors: Pretscher Martin O. , Chen Tingting , Sitaru Gabriel , Gekle Stephan , Ji Jian , Agarwal Seema
Published: August 2019

Precise and direct two‐dimensional (2D) printing of the incompatible polymer acid–base catalysts and their utility in one‐pot two‐step reactions were shown. Multistep catalytic reactions using incompatible catalysts in a one‐pot reaction cascade requires special methods and materials to isolate the catalysts from each other. In general, this is a tedious process requiring special polymer architectures as the carrier for the catalysts to preserve the activity of otherwise incompatible catalysts. We propose the immobilization of incompatible polymer catalysts, such as polymer acid and base catalysts, on a substrate in variable sizes and amounts by precise 2D printing. The terpolymers with basic (4‐vinylpyridine) and acidic (styrene sulfonic acid) functionalities and methacryloyl benzophenone as a UV cross‐linking unit were used for 2D printing on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The printed meshes were immersed together in a reaction solution containing (dimethoxymethyl)benzene and ethyl cyanoformate, resulting in a two‐step acid–base catalyzed cascade reaction; that is, deacetalization followed by carbon‐building reaction. The time‐dependent consumption of (dimethoxymethyl)benzene to the intermediate benzaldehyde and the product was monitored, and a kinetic model was developed to investigate the underlying reaction dynamics. The complexity of multistep Wolf–Lamb‐type reactions was generally significantly decreased by using our approach because of the easy polymerization and immobilization procedure.
Teaching engineering for a changing landscape
Authors: Jamieson Marnie V. , Shaw John M.
Published: August 2019

Engineering educators face a rapidly changing, and ever more challenging world. Rapidly evolving industry demands, accreditation agencies, and students themselves are calling for an engineering education with integrated multidisciplinary design knowledge, leadership, communication, business, education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and lifelong learning explicitly included in their undergraduate programs. Students still need the core content knowledge of thermodynamics, mass, energy, and momentum balances and fluxes. They also need integrated socio‐contextual knowledge to evaluate a design for sustainability and demonstrate a net positive social benefit. There is only so much time available in an undergraduate program and learning takes time. These challenges are driving changes to both what and how we teach our students to integrate broader competencies and enhance engineering student graduate attribute achievement. A framework for engineering education includes fundamental and socio‐contextual knowledge integrated with metacognitive and professional skill development. This contribution provides practical ideas for how to infuse these dimensions into courses, support the developing engineering practice, and deepen student engagement with their courses.
A multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm study of anamorelin (ONO‐7643) in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients with cancer cachexia
Authors: Hamauchi Satoshi , Furuse Junji , Takano Toshimi , Munemoto Yoshinori , Furuya Ken , Baba Hideo , Takeuchi Manabu , Choda Yasuhiro , Higashiguchi Takashi , Naito Tateaki , Muro Kei , Takayama Koichi , Oyama Shusuke , Takiguchi Toru , Komura Naoyuki , Tamura Kazuo
Published: August 2019

Background

Cancer cachexia is characterized by weight loss and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Anamorelin (ONO‐7643; ANAM) is a novel and selective ghrelin receptor agonist that improves appetite, lean body mass (LBM), body weight, and anorexia.

Methods

This multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm study investigated the efficacy and safety of 100 mg anamorelin in 50 Japanese patients with advanced and unresectable gastrointestinal (colorectal, gastric, or pancreatic) cancer. ANAM was administered once daily over 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients that maintained or gained LBM over the course of the study. Secondary endpoints included changes in LBM, body weight, quality of life (QoL), and nutritional status biomarkers.

Results

The proportion of patients who responded to treatment was 63.3% (95% CI, 48.3%‐76.6%), with a least square mean ± SE change in LBM and body weight from baseline of 1.89 ± 0.36 kg and 1.41 ± 0.61 kg, respectively. Appetite‐related questions on the QoL questionnaire showed that ANAM improved appetite. Adverse events occurred in 79.6% of patients, and the most common treatment‐related adverse events were increased γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (8.2%), diabetes mellitus (6.1%), hyperglycemia (6.1%), and prolonged QRS complex (6.1%).

Conclusions

ANAM improved anorexia and patients' nutritional status, resulting in rapid increases in LBM and body weight in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer who had cancer cachexia. ANAM treatment was well tolerated over 12 weeks. ANAM is a potential clinically beneficial pharmacotherapeutic option for patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer who have cancer cachexia.
Perceived discrimination, trust in physicians, and prolonged symptom duration before ovarian cancer diagnosis in the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study
Authors: Mullins Megan A. , Peres Lauren C. , Alberg Anthony J. , Bandera Elisa V. , Barnholtz‐Sloan Jill S. , Bondy Melissa L. , Funkhouser Ellen , Moorman Patricia G. , Peters Edward S. , Terry Paul D. , Schwartz Ann G. , Lawson Andrew B. , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Cote Michele L.
Published: August 2019

Background

Discrimination and trust are known barriers to accessing health care. Despite well‐documented racial disparities in the ovarian cancer care continuum, the role of these barriers has not been examined. This study evaluated the association of everyday discrimination and trust in physicians with a prolonged interval between symptom onset and ovarian cancer diagnosis (hereafter referred to as prolonged symptom duration).

Methods

Subjects included cases enrolled in the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study, a multisite case‐control study of epithelial ovarian cancer among black women. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of everyday discrimination and trust in physicians with a prolonged symptom duration (1 or more symptoms lasting longer than the median symptom‐specific duration), and it controlled for access‐to‐care covariates and potential confounders.

Results

Among the 486 cases in this analysis, 302 women had prolonged symptom duration. In the fully adjusted model, a 1‐unit increase in the frequency of everyday discrimination increased the odds of prolonged symptom duration 74% (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.22‐2.49), but trust in physicians was not associated with prolonged symptom duration (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.66‐1.11).

Conclusions

Perceived everyday discrimination was associated with prolonged symptom duration, whereas more commonly evaluated determinants of access to care and trust in physicians were not. These results suggest that more research on the effects of interpersonal barriers affecting ovarian cancer care is warranted.
Opportunistic live migration of virtual machines
Authors: Gilesh Malayam Parambath , Jain Subham , Madhu Kumar S. D. , Jacob Lillykutty , Bellur Umesh
Published: August 2019

Live migrations of virtual machines are required in cloud data centers in various contexts such as evacuating a host machine for maintenance, balancing the workloads on host machines, optimizing physical resource utilization, and meeting the custom demands of the user applications. Virtual machine migrations can, however, be costly in terms of both resources consumed for the migration as well as in terms of service level agreement (SLA) violations during the migration window. The cost is determined by many factors and they, in turn, are impacted by WHEN the migration happens during the lifetime of the virtual machine. Empirical studies show that if we have a window in which the migration is to be done (proactive rather than reactive where no such window exists), we can do it by carefully choosing the starting point within the window so that the SLA violation is minimum. In this paper, we propose a model to migrate virtual machines opportunistically to minimize the SLA violations. The idea is to find the time instants, called opportunities, at which, if the migration starts, the number and extent of SLA violations are minimal. Our experiments show that the migrations time savings with opportunistic migrations are up to 25%.
Using chaos world cup optimization algorithm for medical images contrast enhancement
Authors: Wang Chao , Liu Wenjin , Jimenez Giorgos
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a chaos‐based optimization algorithm is employed for medical images contrast enhancement. Here, a weighted combined framework is suggested as the cost function for the contrast enhancement. The method utilizes the advantages of Gamma correction, histogram equalization, and edge information for decreasing the original image features losses. For more enhancements, a piecewise version of Gamma correction is also utilized to decrease the unnatural artifacts in the output image. A combined cost function is employed based on the three aforementioned features and the proposed chaos world cup optimization algorithm is used for maximizing the fitness function. The simulation results have been compared with five state‐of‐the‐art methods for presenting the method efficiency. To do this, contrast, homogeneity, weighted average peak SNR, a measure of enhancement, and contrast noise ratio are employed. The results also applied to two standard medical imaging datasets and compared with the other methods. Final results denoted that the presented multiobjective optimization algorithm improves the quality of the image contrast and can illustrate more details and information toward the other compared methods.
The Right Light: De Novo Design of a Robust Modular Photochemical Reactor for Optimum Batch and Flow Chemistry
Authors: Bonfield Holly E. , Mercer Kayleigh , Diaz‐Rodriguez Alba , Cook Gemma C. , McKay Blandine S. J. , Slade Pawel , Taylor George M. , Ooi Wei Xiang , Williams Jason D. , Roberts Jack P. M. , Murphy John A. , Schmermund Luca , Kroutil Wolfgang , Mielke Tamara , Cartwright Jared , Grogan Gideon , Edwards Lee J.
Published: August 2019

Having identified inconsistencies when repeating literature examples of photochemical transformations and difficulties recreating experimental setups, we devised several criteria that an ideal lab‐scale reactor should achieve. Herein, we introduce a versatile photoreactor for high‐throughput screening, preparative‐scale batch reactions and continuous processing, all with a single light source. The reactor utilizes interchangeable arrays of pseudo‐monochromatic high‐power LEDs in a range of synthetically useful wavelengths, combined with excellent temperature control. Moreover, light intensity can be modulated in an accurate and straightforward manner. This system has subsequently been tested on a range of literature methodologies.
Effect of ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility on firm performance: A systematic review
Authors: Saha Raiswa , Shashi  , Cerchione Roberto , Singh Rajwinder , Dahiya Richa
Published: August 2019

Academic and corporate interest in ethical leadership, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and firm performance has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. In fact, many research papers and journal special issues have been focused on these three domains. In this context, this paper conducts a systematic review on the concepts of ethical leadership and CSR and their impact on firm performance. 114 papers published over a period of 58 years (1958–2016) were selected and analyzed according to descriptive and content perspectives to propose a conceptual framework and define a future research agenda. In fact, the main results allow us to derive six main propositions representing possible areas of investigation to direct research on the topic. More in details, the body of literature highlights that financial factors are the main barriers affecting the adoption of CSR practices. On the contrary, internal and external environment was found to represent a critical success factor in the adoption of CSR practices. Finally, the results highlight that personal values have impact on ethical leadership that in turn has direct positive impact on CSR and direct and indirect impact on firm performance.