bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The preburning condition of Chalcolithic cremated human remains from the Perdigões enclosures (Portugal)
Authors: Godinho Ricardo Miguel , Gonçalves David , Valera António Carlos
Published: May 2019

The Iberian Chalcolithic displayed a remarkable variety of funerary practices, which has been related to interpopulation differences, intrapopulation social‐cultural differences, and complex multistage funerary rituals. Perdigões, a Chalcolithic set of ditched enclosures, reflects such diversity including a wide array of funerary practices. Among those practices is cremation, which, despite relatively rare, is represented in different structures in Perdigões. One of these structures (Pit 40) presents an unparalleled high minimum number of individuals (n = 240), contrasting with nearby and coeval structures. In this study, we analyse heat‐induced bone changes and other archaeothanatological variables to tentatively assess the preburning condition of the human remains. The results of Pit 40 are also compared with other comparable contexts to assess if this unique context presents further funerary differences relative to those other contexts in, for example, body processing. Our results suggest preferential cremation of fleshed human remains, but burning of at least a minority of skeletonised remains and deposition of possibly unburned remains also likely occurred. Body processing appears to be comparable with that of the cremation contexts of Perdigões but contrasts with that of another nearby context (Dolmen of Olival da Pega 2b) in which burned bones were also found.
Preparation and characterization of novel PES‐(SiO2‐g‐PMAA) membranes with antifouling and hydrophilic properties for separation of oil‐in‐water emulsions
Authors: Khodadousti Saba , Zokaee Ashtiani Farzin , Karimi Mohammad , Fouladitajar Amir
Published: May 2019

In the present study, modification of nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated to mitigate aggregation of SiO2 nanoparticles and improve the polymeric membrane's performance. For this purpose, the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles was activated with amine groups, and polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) was grafted on the surface of NPs by atom transfer radical polymerization. Modified NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests. Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were fabricated with both SiO2 and SiO2‐g‐PMAA NPs via nonsolvent‐induced phase separation method. The fabricated membranes were characterized regarding their permeability, hydrophilicity, and porosity properties, and their separation efficiency was tested using the synthetic oil‐in‐water emulsion. The surface and cross‐sectional morphologies of membranes were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The experimental trials showed that modified NPs dispersed more uniformly in the structure of membranes and hydroxyl groups on the surface of NPs acted more effectively. Modification of NPs enhance the membrane performance in terms of permeate flux, hydrophilicity, and porosity. NPs modification improved the permeate flux about 46%. Oil rejection for all tested membranes was more than 98%, and modification of NPs did not reduce the rejection of membranes. The optimum concentration was obtained as 1 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% for SiO2 and SiO2‐g‐PMAA, respectively. Aggregation effect dominated at concentrations beyond the optimum values that decreased the permeate flux, consequently.
Universal premedication and therapeutic drug monitoring for asparaginase‐based therapy prevents infusion‐associated acute adverse events and drug substitutions
Authors: Cooper Stacy L. , Young David J. , Bowen Caitlin J. , Arwood Nicole M. , Poggi Sarah G. , Brown Patrick A.
Published: May 2019

Background

Asparaginase is a critical component of lymphoblastic leukemia therapy, with intravenous pegaspargase (PEG) as the current standard product. Acute adverse events (aAEs) during PEG infusion are difficult to interpret, representing a mix of drug‐inactivating hypersensitivity and noninactivating reactions. Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi (ERW) is approved for PEG hypersensitivity, but is less convenient, more expensive, and yields lower serum asparaginase activity (SAA). We began a policy of universal premedication and SAA testing for PEG, hypothesizing this would reduce aAEs and unnecessary drug substitutions.

Procedure

Retrospective chart review of patients receiving asparaginase before and after universal premedication before PEG was conducted, with SAA performed 1 week later. We excluded patients who had nonallergic asparaginase AEs. Primary end point was substitution to ERW. Secondary end points included aAEs, SAA testing, and cost.

Results

We substituted to ERW in 21 of 122 (17.2%) patients pre‐policy, and 5 of 68 (7.4%) post‐policy (RR, 0.427; 95% CI, 0.27–0.69, P = 0.028). All completed doses of PEG yielded excellent SAA (mean, 0.90 units/mL), compared with ERW (mean, 0.15 units/mL). PEG inactivation post‐policy was seen in 2 of 68 (2.9%), one silent and one with breakthrough aAE. The rate of aAEs pre/post‐policy was 17.2% versus 5.9% (RR, 0.342; 95% CI, 0.20–0.58, P = 0.017). Grade 4 aAE rate pre/post‐policy was 15% versus 0%. Cost analysis predicts $125 779 drug savings alone per substitution prevented ($12 402/premedicated patient).

Conclusions

Universal premedication reduced substitutions to ERW and aAE rate. SAA testing demonstrated low rates of silent inactivation, and higher SAA for PEG. A substantial savings was achieved. We propose universal premedication for PEG be standard of care.
Study on crystalline structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polyethylene/graphene blend‐nanocomposites
Authors: Rafeie Omid , Razavi Aghjeh Mir Karim , Tavakoli Akram , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi , Jameie‐Oskooie Amin , Ghayoumi Mansour
Published: May 2019

Effect of graphene nano‐platelets (GnP) on the crystalline structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polyethylene (PVDF/PE) blends was studied. The PVDF/GnP were melt compounded with PE and/or PE/PE‐g‐MA mixture to obtain the desired compositions. Alteration in polymorphism of the PVDF component in the blends and in the presence of GnP, was evaluated employing different analyses. The flow‐induced crystallization experiments were conducted under oscillating rheometry at vicinity of crystallization temperature of the PVDF. The results of XRD and FTIR analysis indicated that the charge‐transfer CF bonding interaction between the PVDF chains and basal plane of GnP layers led to alteration of polymorphism of PVDF from α form to α‐, γ‐, and β‐phase crystals. Selective localization of the GnP in PVDF component increased the CF bonding interaction and decreased the hydrogen bonding between PVDF and PE chains, respectively. In the presence of PE‐g‐MA, the hydrogen bonding promoted and the CF bonding interaction decreased leading to predominance of the α‐form crystal formation in the PVDF phase. While the GnP acted as nucleating agent in PVDF component under quiescent conditions, it had negative effect on row nuclei under flow conditions. The structures originated from row‐nuclei and GnP surfaces, led to formation of “shish‐kebab” and “oriented lamella” morphologies, respectively.
Mechanistic insight into the early stages of amyloid formation using an anuran peptide
Authors: Ray Sourav , Holden Stephanie , Martin Lisandra L. , Panwar Ajay Singh
Published: May 2019

Uperin 3.5 is a short antimicrobial peptide consisting of 17 Amino acids (GVGDL5IRKAV10SVIKN15IV‐NH2) and is naturally obtained from the skin secretion of Uperoleia mjobergii. It is unusual, as it does not aggregate in pure water, but self‐aggregates to form amyloid fibrils in saline buffer. Hence, it can be used as a model peptide to understand the role of salt in the early stages of amyloid fibril formation. We use molecular dynamics simulations and direct experimental evidence from circular dichroism measurements to investigate the effect of NaCl concentration on interpeptide interactions during the early stages of uperin 3.5 aggregation in water. Our simulations show that addition of salt leads to screening of the positive charges on the R7, K8, and K14 residues by chloride counter‐ions, which in turn results in an increase in the net attraction between the predominantly hydrophobic AVSVI segments of the polypeptide. With addition of salt, changes in interpeptide interactions are accompanied by significant conformational transitions from largely random coil structures in the absence of salt, to greater fractions of α‐helical conformations at higher NaCl concentrations, resulting in greater peptide aggregation at higher NaCl concentrations. Analysis of circular dichroism spectra also shows a similar correlation between an increase in α‐helical content and enhanced aggregation with addition of salt. Thus, the aggregation of uperin 3.5 peptides in presence of salt, results from the combined effects of electrostatic screening, enhanced interaction between hydrophobic residues, and the accompanying conformational changes that stabilize aggregate formation.
Influence of the C‐terminal substituent on the crystal‐state conformation of Adm peptides
Authors: Mir Fatemeh M. , Crisma Marco , Toniolo Claudio , Lubell William D.
Published: May 2019

The bis‐functionalized diamondoid α‐amino acid 2‐aminoadamantane‐2‐carboxylic acid (Adm) has been used as the building block of four Nα‐formyl homo‐dipeptide alkylamide sequences via a solution‐phase Ugi multicomponent reaction approach. The conformers of these peptides have been determined in the crystalline state by X‐ray diffraction to distinguish the influences of the C‐terminal substituent. One of the Adm peptides folds into an open and a hydrogen‐bonded γ‐turn geometry. Moreover, 3D‐structures have been observed featuring two consecutive γ‐turns in an incipient γ‐helical structure, a significantly distorted nonhelical β‐turn, as well as an S‐shaped conformation with opposite helical screw senses. A significant topological variety is thus exhibited by the ‐Adm‐Adm‐ sequences contingent on their C‐terminal substituents, illustrating both the broad conformational potential and the need for further characterization of this sterically bulky residue in explorations of its ϕ, ψ space.
Many rice genes are differentially spliced between roots and shoots but cytokinin has minimal effect on splicing
Authors: Freese Nowlan H. , Estrada April R. , Blakley Ivory C. , Duan Jinjie , Loraine Ann E.
Published: May 2019

Alternatively spliced genes produce multiple spliced isoforms, called transcript variants. In differential alternative splicing, transcript variant abundance differs across sample types. Differential alternative splicing is common in animal systems and influences cellular development in many processes, but its extent and significance is not as well known in plants. To investigate differential alternative splicing in plants, we examined RNA‐Seq data from rice seedlings. The data included three biological replicates per sample type, approximately 30 million sequence alignments per replicate, and four sample types: roots and shoots treated with exogenous cytokinin delivered hydroponically or a mock treatment. Cytokinin treatment triggered expression changes in thousands of genes but had negligible effect on splicing patterns. However, many genes were differentially spliced between mock‐treated roots and shoots, indicating that our methods were sufficiently sensitive to detect differential splicing between data sets. Quantitative fragment analysis of reverse transcriptase‐PCR products made from newly prepared rice samples confirmed 9 of 10 differential splicing events between rice roots and shoots. Differential alternative splicing typically changed the relative abundance of splice variants that co‐occurred in a data set. Analysis of a similar (but less deeply sequenced) RNA‐Seq data set fromArabidopsisshowed the same pattern. In both theArabidopsisand rice RNA‐Seq data sets, most genes annotated as alternatively spliced had small minor variant frequencies. Of splicing choices with abundant support for minor forms, most alternative splicing events were located within the protein‐coding sequence and maintained the annotated reading frame. A tool for visualizing protein annotations in the context of genomic sequence (ProtAnnot) together with a genome browser (Integrated Genome Browser) were used to visualize and assess effects of differential splicing on gene function. In general, differentially spliced regions coincided with conserved protein domains, indicating that differential alternative splicing is likely to affect protein function between root and shoot tissue in rice.
Chemical defense responses of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. to physical wounding
Authors: Park Sang‐Hyuck , Scheffler Jodi , Scheffler Brian , Cantrell Charles L. , Pauli Christopher S.
Published: May 2019

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) produces terpenoid aldehydes (TAs) that protect the plant from microbial and insect infestations. Foliar TAs include plus (+)‐ and minus (−)‐gossypol, hemigossypolone, and heliocides. To examine foliar TAs’ response to physical wounding, the four TA derivatives of a fully glanded G. hirsutum variety JACO GL were quantified by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography. The results show that foliar heliocides increased by 1.7‐fold in younger leaves after wounding. While the hemigossypolone level was not affected by the physical wounding, the level of heliocides was significantly increased up to 1.8‐fold in the younger leaves. Upland cotton accumulates concentrated carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids in foliar extrafloral nectar (EFN) to serve as a nutrient resource, which attracts both beneficial insects and damaging pests. To better understand the nectar physiology, particularly to determine the temporal dynamics of EFN metabolites in response to the wounding, a gas chromatograph‐mass spectrometer (GC‐MS) was used to perform metabolic profiling analyses of a G. hirsutum variety Deltapine 383 that has fully developed extrafloral nectaries. A total of 301 compounds were monitored, specifically 75 primary metabolites, two secondary metabolites and 224 unidentified compounds. The physical wounding treatment changed the EFN composition and lowered overall production. The accumulation of 30 metabolites was altered in response to the wounding treatment and threonic acid levels increased consistently. GC‐MS combined with Kovat's analysis enabled identification of EFN secondary metabolites including furfuryl alcohol and 5‐hyrdomethoxyfurfural, which both have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may protect the nectar against microbial pathogens. This study provides new insights into the wounding response of cotton plants in terms of cotton metabolites found in leaf glands and extrafloral nectar as well as highlighting some protective functions of secondary metabolites produced in foliar glands and extrafloral nectaries.
RNAi Transfection Results in Lipidome Changes
Authors: Özbalci Cagakan , Storck Elisabeth M. , Eggert Ulrike S.
Published: May 2019

RNAi experiments are ubiquitously used in cell biology and are achieved by transfection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into cells using a transfection reagent. These results in knock‐down of proteins of interest, and the phenotypic consequences are then analyzed. It is reported here that two common RNA interference (RNAi) transfection reagents, DharmaFECT 1 and INTERFERin, in mock transfections using non‐targeting siRNAs, cause alterations in the lipidome of HeLa cells. Some lipids change in response to both, presumably chemically different, transfection reagents, while other lipid species change only in response to one of the reagents. While the functional implications of these lipidomic alterations remain to be investigated, the authors' experiments suggest that it is important to use appropriate mock transfection controls during RNAi experiments, ideally complemented by an orthogonal perturbation, especially when investigating membrane‐associated phenomena.
Collective dynamics of semidilute polyelectrolyte solutions with salt
Authors: Muthukumar Murugappan
Published: May 2019

We present a theory of coupled fluctuations of polymer segments, counterions, and coions in semidilute polyelectrolyte solutions containing added salt. The coupling among the three species results in three relaxation modes, instead of the previous common usage of only two relaxation modes by absorbing the role of salt as an effective solvent. Among the three modes, one is the nondiffusive plasmon mode and the other two are diffusive modes. These three modes are unrelated to any other slow mode that may arise from effects such as aggregation. Explicit expressions are derived for the decay rates in terms of concentrations of polyelectrolyte and salt, and the degree of ionization of the polymer. The specific values for the decay rates of the three modes are shown as an illustration for a chosen set of values of experimental variables. In the absence of added salt, the present theory reduces to the previous theory of fast diffusion in salt‐free polyelectrolyte solutions and to the Nernst–Hartley theory for simple electrolytes. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 1263–1269
Multidimensional Particle Size Distributions and Their Application to Nonspherical Particle Systems in Two Dimensions
Authors: Frank Uwe , Wawra Simon E. , Pflug Lukas , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: May 2019

Particle science and technology evolve toward ever increasing complexity with respect to the multidimensional particle properties of size, shape, surface, internal structure, and composition. In this study, the theoretical background is elaborated for multidimensional particle size distributions (PSDs) by transferring the concepts known from 1D size distributions to anisotropic particles comprising at least two different length dimensions, e.g., nanorods and platelets. After introducing 2D PSDs, the calculation of differently weighted probability density functions including their interconversion is presented. This is necessary in order to compare data resulting from different measurement techniques which probe different physical properties and thus provide differently weighted PSDs. In addition, it is shown how 1D distributions with reduced content of information can be deduced from 2D PSDs. As a proof‐of‐concept and for illustration purposes, this approach is applied to a 2D Gaussian size distribution. Furthermore, a generalized scheme is suggested which outlines the conversion of number, surface, and volume weighted densities within the 2D space. The application of these methods to the more general n‐dimensional case is straightforward.
Ecology and management of earthworm casting on sports turf
Authors: Boyle Paige E , Richardson Michael D , Savin Mary C , Karcher Douglas E , Potter Daniel A
Published: May 2019

Earthworm activity is beneficial in most natural and agricultural systems, but excessive earthworm casting is a problem on sports fields worldwide. Expulsion of soil‐rich earthworm fecal matter, or casts, as mounds of soil on the turf canopy can muddy the surface, reduce photosynthesis, and lead to thinning, weed invasion and surface softening. Casts affect ball roll on sports fields, cause fouling of maintenance equipment, and dull mower blades. Build‐up of cast material on reel mower units can affect height and quality of cut. Casting activity is dependent on environmental conditions such as soil texture, temperature, moisture, pH, and organic matter. Response to environmental conditions varies by species. Management options are limited, because no pesticides are specifically labeled for earthworm control at this time, and cultural control methods such as soil modification, turfgrass clipping removal, and sand topdressing have limited and inconsistent efficacy. Products containing plant‐derived saponins and irritants show promise for earthworm management. Pest management practices to mitigate excessive earthworm casting will likely need to be species‐specific, but limited knowledge of earthworm identification by end‐users further inhibits the efficacy of control measures. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Prioritising research into age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: May 2019

As life expectancy increases, the number of people living with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is set to rise dramatically, meaning it could become the next public health crisis. Existing treatments are of limited benefit, but researchers are exploring several avenues that could lead to new therapies.
Acute shortness of breath due to reoccurrence of an intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst
Authors: Gimpel Damian , Conway Joseph , Meikle Felicity , Lin Zaw , McCormack David John , El‐Gamel Adam
Published: May 2019

A 71‐year‐old woman presented with dysphagia and acute shortness of breath. Surgical history included a prior thoracotomy overseas for a bronchogenic mesothelial cyst 19 years before. Computed tomography demonstrated a mass within the posterior mediastinum measuring 69 × 70 × 74 mm. A median sternotomy was performed, and after removal of the cyst, repair of the left atrium and pulmonary vessels was undertaken due to the invading nature of the cyst. Intrapericardial bronchogenic cysts are a rare form of congenital cysts arising from the primitive foregut. The cardiac primordia are in close proximity to the foregut and primitive tracheobronchial tree, and thus, abnormal budding of the tracheobronchial tree can arise in a myocardial location. Irrespective of the method of approach in redo surgery, complete resection must be performed in order to minimize the chance of recurrence, relieve symptoms, eliminate risk of infection, and prevent malignant degeneration.
AG‐DPA: Assignment game–based dynamic power allocation in multibeam satellite systems
Authors: Liu Shuaijun , Fan Yuanyuan , Hu Yuemei , Wang Dapeng , Liu Lixiang , Gao Longfei
Published: May 2019

Dynamic power allocation is the key technology to maintain the link quality and improve the system throughput in multibeam satellite systems. Many numerical optimization algorithms have been proposed to optimize the power allocation schemes among beams. However, current metaheuristic algorithms, most of which are off‐line iterative methods, are not appropriate in nonuniform traffic demands and time‐varying channels due to the high computational complexity. To solve this problem, an assignment game–based dynamic power allocation (AG‐DPA) is proposed to achieve the suboptimality with low complexity in multibeam satellite systems. The key idea of the proposed AG‐DPA is to model the DPA problem into an assignment game model where the competitive equilibrium is achieved. Further, an adaptive price factor is introduced to make a trade‐off between algorithm performance and complexity. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed AG‐DPA algorithm.
Ensemble confidence intervals for binomial proportions
Authors: Park Hayeon , Leemis Lawrence M.
Published: May 2019

We propose two measures of performance for a confidence interval for a binomial proportionp: the root mean squared error and the mean absolute deviation. We also devise a confidence interval forpbased on the actual coverage function that combines several existing approximate confidence intervals. This “Ensemble” confidence interval has improved statistical properties over the constituent confidence intervals. Software in an R package, which can be used in devising and assessing these confidence intervals, is available on CRAN.
Atmospheric Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol Catalyzed by Pd Nanoparticles Supported on CeO2 with Various Morphologies
Authors: Zheng Huan , Wei Zhi‐Hang , Hu Xiao‐Qian , Xu Jie , Xue Bing
Published: May 2019

A series of ceria materials with various morphologies including rod, polyhedron, cube, and mesostructures, have been synthesized and employed as catalyst supports to load palladium. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized materials have been characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption, TEM, XPS, and O2‐TPD techniques. The results show Pd can be well dispersed on the ceria supports, whereas Pd/CeO2 materials possess different proportion of oxidic Pd (Pd2+) and Ce3+ species. In the liquid‐phase selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol using O2 as an oxidant, Pd/CeO2‐poly demonstrates the highest catalytic activity, affording a maximum yield of benzaldehyde up to 87% under 90 °C. According characterization analysis, the combination of more Ce3+ species and higher proportion of Pd2+ as well as O2‐activating ability are responsible for the high catalytic activity of Pd/CeO2‐poly.
Effects of motivation and workload on firefighters' perceived health, stress, and performance
Authors: Sandrin Émilie , Gillet Nicolas , Fernet Claude , Leloup Monique , Depin‐Rouault Clément
Published: May 2019

This study investigated the effects of autonomous and controlled motivations, and workload on perceived stress, health, and performance. Workload was also considered as a moderator of the effects of autonomous motivation on perceived health and performance and of controlled motivation on perceived stress. We conducted an empirical study using a sample of 654 firefighters. Consistent with our predictions, results showed positive effects of autonomous motivation and negative effects of workload and controlled motivation on perceived health and performance. They also revealed positive effects of controlled motivation and workload and negative effects of autonomous motivation on perceived stress. Moreover, workload moderated the relations between autonomous motivation and perceived health and performance, so that the positive relations between autonomous motivation and perceived health and performance were lower when workload was high. Finally, workload moderated the relation between controlled motivation and perceived stress so that the positive relation between controlled motivation and perceived stress was stronger when workload was high. Theoretical contributions and perspectives, as well as implications for practice, are discussed.
The Contribution of the School Environment to the Overall Food Environment Experienced by Children
Authors: Frisvold David , Price Joseph
Published: May 2019

Despite the important role of schools in the food environment faced by children, most research examining access to healthy food has focused on the retail sector. We create a database of school menus and the nutritional information about each item on the menu from nearly all school districts in the United States to examine the influence of the school‐based food environment on the nutritional choices of children. Using the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS), we find that, holding constant the neighborhood retail food environment, exposure to healthier meals at school increases the healthfulness of foods acquired by children throughout the day.
Headspace‐solid phase microextraction and GC‐MS followed by multivariate data analysis to study the effect of hop processing type and dry hopping time on the aromatic profile of top‐fermented beers
Authors: Ceola Duan , Huelsmann Ricardo Dagnoni , Da‐Col José Augusto , Martendal Edmar
Published: May 2019

This study analyzes the impact of the pelletizing process and the contact time of hops with beer samples on the aroma of beers produced with a dry hopping technique. Eight different hopped beer samples were produced, varying in terms of hop variety (Cascade or Columbus), two different commercial forms of hops (pellets or whole flowers) and two dry hopping times (4 or 7 days). A non‐hopped beer was also produced to help understanding which compounds emerge from the dry‐hopping technique alone. The volatile fraction of the beers was studied by headspace‐solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. More than 90 compounds were identified with the help of Kòvats retention index, injection of standards, and comparison with mass spectra of the NIST library. To assist in the interpretation of the large data volume, principal component analysis was used. The findings confirm that the pelletizing process and the dry hopping time influence to different extents the aromatic profile of the beers produced, and the compounds responsible for these changes were identified.
Effect of Sodium Chloride on the Structure and Properties of Fried Starch
Authors: Shi Miaomiao , Zhang Mingyue , Yang Liuzhi , Li Dan , Yan Yizhe , Huang Xianqing , Liu Yanqi
Published: May 2019

The effects of NaCl on the structure and properties of fried starch samples are investigated in the present study. Potato starches with different NaCl contents (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7%; w/w) are fried at 180 °C for 3 min. In the presence of NaCl, some starch samples expanded, ruptured, and glued together. The granule structure changes of fried starch become more significant with the increasing NaCl content. Compared to native starch, the crystal structure of fried starches is destroyed according to the polarizing microscope and X‐ray diffraction results. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that the intensity of the infrared absorption peak at 3000–3600 cm−1 is gradually reduced and that the position and intensity of the infrared absorption peak of fried starch samples at 1700 cm−1 changes. Compared to native starch, the pasting temperature of fried starch samples increases. However, the increased NaCl content significantly decreases the pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, and setback. The present study provides a theoretical basis for the interaction between fried starch and other food components.
Studies About the Acylation of Starch in Dipolar Aprotic Solvents
Authors: Blohm Sascha , Heinze Thomas
Published: May 2019

Starch laurates with average degrees of substitution (DS) from 0.63 to 2.52 are obtained applying three equivalents lauroyl chloride per anhydroglucose unit (AGU). Different solvents, that is, N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), DMAc/LiCl, and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF)/LiCl are studied as reaction medium without and with a base. In the presence of pyridine, products of highest DS and degree of polymerization (DP) are accessible. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) reveal the presence of acetate moieties that could be caused by O‐acyl‐dimethylacetiminium generated from DMAc in a side reaction. No side reaction is found to occur in the presence of triethylamine and triphenylphosphane. Furthermore, no side reactions are detected in DMF/LiCl as solvent.
Fate of cellulose in primary and secondary treatment at municipal water resource recovery facilities
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Shawki , Bahreini Gholamreza , Ho Dang , Sridhar Ganesh , Gupta Medhavi , Wessels Coos , Marcelis Pim , Elbeshbishy Elsayed , Rosso Diego , Santoro Domenico , Nakhla George
Published: May 2019

Cellulose from toilet paper is a significant fraction of particulate organics, which is recoverable. For the first time, comprehensive mapping and tracking the fate of cellulose across various unit processes at full‐scale in two water resource recovery facilities located in North America and Europe was undertaken. The influent cellulose content accounted for approximately one‐third of the total suspended solids (TSS). Although about 80% of the raw wastewater cellulose was removed in primary treatment, the type of primary treatment process (rotating belt filter [RBF] vs. primary clarification [PC]) had a significant impact on cellulose capture and diversion. The high cellulose content of the RBF sludge accounting for 35% of the TSS facilitates cellulose recovery. For the North American plant, with a conventional activated sludge process (SRT of 6–7 days, preceded by PC), cellulose biodegradation efficiencies of 70%–90% of the PC effluent were observed in summer and winter. For the European plant, with a modified University of Cape Town process (SRT of 14 days, without primary treatment in train 2, or preceded by RBF in train 1), comparable cellulose biodegradation efficiencies were also observed. Results from laboratory SBRs indicated that cellulose biodegradation efficiency at room temperature was 86% of the influent cellulose.

Practitioner points

Cellulose fate was tracked across two different WWTPs in two different geographies.

Cellulose in the influent wastewater accounted for 1/3 of the total suspended solids.

Primary treatments were able to capture more than 80% of the influent cellulose.

Cellulose was biodegraded in secondary treatment, resulting an effluent of 2–3 mg/L.
Fe3O4@GO on silica sand as an efficient and economical adsorbent; Typical application for removal of phenol and 2,4‐dichlorophenol from water samples
Authors: Mehmanravesh Samira , Farhadi Khalil , Torabian Ali , Hessam Hassani Amir
Published: May 2019

In this research, the layer‐by‐layer coating of silica sand surface with monolayer of graphene oxide (GO) immobilized on magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) sublayer was investigated as a novel, low‐cost, effective, and green nanocomposite material for adsorption of phenol and 2,4‐dichloro‐phenol (DCP). Several characterization techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the successful synthesis of Fe3O4 MNPs@GO on silica. The efficiency of Fe3O4 MNPs@GO‐coated silica (SiO2) for the removal of the target phenolic compounds from water samples was evaluated. The maximum removal of phenol (52%) and DCP (73%) was observed using 1.0 g adsorbent, initial concentration of 12.5 mg/dm3 (for phenol) and 15 mg/dm3 (for DCP), sample volume of 10 ml (for phenol) and 15 ml (for DCP), contact time of 20 min (for phenol) and 10 min (for DCP), and pH = 5. The adsorption isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich as well as kinetic and intraparticle diffusion models were also examined. Eventually, SiO2/Fe3O4MNPs@GO was regenerated five times for removal of examined contaminants and their removal efficiency from the water inlet of a water treatment plant was assessed.

Practitioner points

Immobilizing monolayer of GO nanosheets on silica sands surface for the first time has been achieved.

GO monolayer anchors on silica sands through Fe3O4 nanoparticles as sublayer without using very expensive tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane agent.

Modified silica sands are introduced as a novel and economic pollutants adsorbent, which can be used in filter sands of water treatment industry.

The SiO2/Fe3O4 MNPs@GO significantly reduces the amount of phenol and 2,4‐dichloro‐phenol (DCP) as model organic pollutants from water samples.
WdW-patches in AdS3 and complexity change under conformal transformations II
Authors: Flory Mario
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We study the null-boundaries of Wheeler-de Witt (WdW) patches in three dimensional Poincaré-AdS, when the selected boundary timeslice is an arbitrary (non-constant) function, presenting some useful analytic statements about them. Special attention will be given to the piecewise smooth nature of the null-boundaries, due to the emergence of caustics and null-null joint curves. This is then applied, in the spirit of one of our previous papers, to the problem of how the complexity of the CFT2 groundstate changes under a small local conformal transformation according to the action (CA) proposal. In stark contrast to the volume (CV) proposal, where this change is only proportional to the second order in the infinitesimal expansion parameter σ, we show that in the CA case we obtain terms of order σ and even σ log(σ). This has strong implications for the possible field-theory duals of the CA proposal, ruling out an entire class of them.
Fast conformal bootstrap and constraints on 3d gravity
Authors: Afkhami-Jeddi Nima , Hartman Thomas , Tajdini Amirhossein
Published: May 2019

Abstract

The crossing equations of a conformal field theory can be systematically truncated to a finite, closed system of polynomial equations. In certain cases, solutions of the truncated equations place strict bounds on the space of all unitary CFTs. We describe the conditions under which this holds, and use the results to develop a fast algorithm for modular bootstrap in 2d CFT. We then apply it to compute spectral gaps to very high precision, find scaling dimensions for over a thousand operators, and extend the numerical bootstrap to the regime of large central charge, relevant to holography. This leads to new bounds on the spectrum of black holes in three-dimensional gravity. We provide numerical evidence that the asymptotic bound on the spectral gap from spinless modular bootstrap, at large central charge c, is Δ1 ≲ c/9.1.
Psychotherapie im Kontext von Differenz, (Macht‑)Ungleichheit und globaler Verantwortung
Authors: Lerch Leonore
Published: May 2019

Der Artikel gibt eine Einführung in die Ansätze vondiversity&intersectionalityund beleuchtet diese unter einer interaktionstheoretischen sozialkonstruktivistischen Perspektive (doing difference, doing intersectionality). Intersektional orientierte Konzepte finden vor allem bei der Analyse von Ungleichheit und Diskriminierung Anwendung. Eine Grundlage für Diskriminierung bilden Prozesse desothering, die im Kontext von Machtdiskursen der Herstellung von Dominanz dienen. Wie das Modell desminority stressnachweist, führen fortdauernde Erfahrungen von Diskriminierung und struktureller Unterdrückung insbesondere für Angehörige von Minderheiten zu einer erhöhten Stressbelastung, die mit negativen Folgen für die psychische Gesundheit verbunden sind. In Summe können häufige Erfahrungen vonMikroaggressionenim Zusammenhang mit Diskriminierung zukumulativenbzw.sequentiellen Traumatisierungenführen. Abschließend bietet der Artikel Empfehlungen an die Psychotherapie zur Entwicklung einer differenz- und dominanzkritischen psychotherapeutischen Haltung und fordert unter Bezugnahme auf dieMenschenrechteeinen Perspektivenwechsel hin zu einerglobalen Verantwortung.
Gender differences in cortical morphological networks
Authors: Nebli Ahmed , Rekik Islem
Published: May 2019

Cortical morphological networks (CMN), where each network models the relationship in morphology between different cortical brain regions quantified using a specific measurement (e.g., cortical thickness), have not been investigated with respect to gender differences in the human brain. Cortical processes are expected to involve complex interactions between different brain regions, univariate methods thus might overlook informative gender markers. Hence, by leveraging machine learning techniques with the potential to highlight multivariate interacting effects, we found that the most discriminative CMN connections between males and females were derived from the left hemisphere using the mean sulcal depth as measurement. However, for both left and right hemispheres, the first most discriminative morphological connection revealed across all cortical attributes involved (entorhinal cortex ↔ caudal anterior cingulate cortex) and (entorhinal cortex ↔ transverse temporal cortex) respectively, which gives us new insights into behavioral gender differences from an omics perspective and might explain why males and females learn differently.
Characterization and identification of the most appropriate nonionic surfactant for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Sarmah Shilpi , Gogoi Subrata Borgohain , Xianfeng Fan , Baruah Annanya A.
Published: May 2019

The paper focuses on the behaviour of nonionic surfactants (NISs) for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes with special reference to its applicability in the reservoirs of Upper Assam. The present work specifically studies three NISs, viz. Tergitol 15-s-7(Tg7), Tergitol 15-s-9 (Tg9) and Triton X 405(TX), based on their surface tension (ST), dynamic interfacial tension, hydrophilic–lipophilic balance, emulsion stability, aqueous stability, particle size analysis and phase behaviour. Simultaneously, crude oil from an oil field of upper Assam Basin was characterized based on API gravity, kinematic and dynamic viscosities, pour point and acid number. Core flood studies were conducted in the reservoir core to determine the recovery of crude oil during secondary water flood and EOR by NISs. It was observed that Tergitol 15-S-7 when mixed with Triton X-405 (Tg7TX) had the least interfacial tension (IFT) as compared to individual NIS and their mixtures. The recovery was found to be as high as 25.67% after secondary water flood from the original oil in place when Tg7TX followed by chase water was used as an exotic fluid for EOR. This work is an attempt to identify NISs mixtures for EOR for Upper Assam Basin.
Cyber victimization, cyber aggression, and adolescent alcohol use: Short‐term prospective and reciprocal associations⋆,⋆⋆
Authors: Chan Sherilynn F. , La Greca Annette M. , Peugh James L.
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Cyber victimization is a significant public health concern. We examined prospective and reciprocal associations between cyber victimization, cyber aggression, and adolescents’ drinking and binge drinking. Gender, Hispanic ethnicity, and age were examined as moderators.

Methods

Adolescents (N = 1140; 58% girls; 13–19 years; 80% Hispanic) from two US high schools completed the Cyber Peer Experiences Questionnaire and alcohol use items from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey at two time points, three months apart. Perceived social support was assessed at Time 1 and controlled for. Cross‐lagged panel analyses using structural equation modeling were conducted, using zero‐inflated negative binomial regressions for alcohol use outcomes.

Results

Adolescents who experienced more cyber victimization were more likely to abstain from drinking over time; however, they reported more frequent drinking if they were a drinker, a relationship that was stronger for older adolescents. Cyber victimization was unrelated to binge drinking, and alcohol use was unrelated to cyber victimization over time. Adolescents who engaged in more cyber aggression were more likely to use alcohol over time; conversely, adolescents who used alcohol more frequently engaged in more cyber aggression over time. Gender and ethnicity did not moderate these associations.

Conclusions

A complex relationship between cyber victimization and alcohol use emerged; findings support the self‐medication hypothesis among drinkers only and especially older adolescents. Reciprocal associations between cyber aggression and alcohol use fit with problem behavior theory Adolescent alcohol use prevention programs might play an important role in addressing cyber aggression. Drinking behaviors may be important to target in anti‐cyberbullying interventions.
Pseudophase change effects in turbulent channel flow under transcritical temperature conditions
Authors: Kim Kukjin , Hickey Jean-Pierre , Scalo Carlo
Published: May 2019

We have performed direct numerical simulations of compressible turbulent channel flow using R-134a as a working fluid in transcritical temperature ranges ($\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T=5$, 10 and 20 K, where $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T$ is top-to-bottom temperature difference) at supercritical pressure. At these conditions, a pseudophase change occurs at various wall-normal locations within the turbulent channel from $y_{pb}/h=-0.23$ ($\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T=5$  K) to 0.89 ($\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T=20$  K), where $h$ is the channel half-height and $y=0$ the centreplane position. Increase in $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T$ also results in increasing wall-normal gradients in the semi-local friction Reynolds number. Classical, compressible scaling laws of the mean velocity profile are unable to fully collapse real fluid effects in this flow. The proximity to the pseudotransitioning layer inhibits turbulent velocity fluctuations, while locally enhancing the temperature and density fluctuation intensities. Probability distribution analysis reveals that the sheet of fluid undergoing pseudophase change is characterized by a dramatic reduction in the kurtosis of density fluctuations, hence becoming thinner as $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T$ is increased. Instantaneous visualizations show dense fluid ejections from the pseudoliquid viscous sublayer, some reaching the channel core, causing positive values of density skewness in the respective buffer layer region (vice versa for the top wall) and an impoverishment of the turbulent flow structure population near pseudotransitioning conditions.
The turbulent Kármán vortex
Authors: Chen J. G. , Zhou Y. , Antonia R. A. , Zhou T. M.
Published: May 2019

This work focuses on the temperature (passive scalar) and velocity characteristics within a turbulent Kármán vortex using a phase-averaging technique. The vortices are generated by a circular cylinder, and the three components of the fluctuating velocity and vorticity vectors, $u_{i}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{i}$ ($i=1,2,3$), are simultaneously measured, along with the fluctuating temperature $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ and the temperature gradient vector, at nominally the same spatial point in the plane of mean shear at $x/d=10$, where $x$ is the streamwise distance from the cylinder axis and $d$ is the cylinder diameter. We believe this is the first time the properties of fluctuating velocity, temperature, vorticity and temperature gradient vectors have been explored simultaneously within the Kármán vortex in detail. The Reynolds number based on $d$ and the free-stream velocity is $2.5\times 10^{3}$. The phase-averaged distributions of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ and $u_{i}$ follow closely the Gaussian distribution for $r/d\leqslant 0.2$ ($r$ is the distance from the vortex centre), but not for $r/d>0.2$. The collapse of the distributions of the mean-square streamwise derivative of the velocity fluctuations within the Kármán vortex implies that the velocity field within the vortex tends to be more locally isotropic than the flow field outside the vortex. A possible physical explanation is that the large and small scales of velocity and temperature fields are statistically independent of each other near the Kármán vortex centre, but interact vigorously outside the vortex, especially in the saddle region, due to the action of coherent strain rate.
Towards the distributed burning regime in turbulent premixed flames
Authors: Aspden A. J. , Day M. S. , Bell J. B.
Published: May 2019

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of canonical statistically steady, statistically planar turbulent flames have been used in an attempt to produce distributed burning in lean methane and hydrogen flames. Dilatation across the flame means that extremely large Karlovitz numbers are required; even at the extreme levels of turbulence studied (up to a Karlovitz number of 8767) distributed burning was only achieved in the hydrogen case. In this case, turbulence was found to broaden the reaction zone visually by around an order of magnitude, and thermodiffusive effects (typically present for lean hydrogen flames) were not observed. In the preheat zone, the species compositions differ considerably from those of one-dimensional flames based a number of different transport models (mixture averaged, unity Lewis number and a turbulent eddy viscosity model). The behaviour is a characteristic of turbulence dominating non-unity Lewis number species transport, and the distinct limit is again attributed to dilatation and its effect on the turbulence. Peak local reaction rates are found to be lower in the distributed case than in the lower Karlovitz cases but higher than in the laminar flame, which is attributed to effects that arise from the modified fuel-temperature distribution that results from turbulent mixing dominating low Lewis number thermodiffusive effects. Finally, approaches to achieve distributed burning at realisable conditions are discussed; factors that increase the likelihood of realising distributed burning are higher pressure, lower equivalence ratio, higher Lewis number and lower reactant temperature.