bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Mobility on Charge Generation, Recombination, and Extraction in Polymer‐Based Solar Cells
Authors: Shoaee Safa , Stolterfoht Martin , Neher Dieter
Published: April 2018

Organic semiconductors are of great interest for a broad range of optoelectronic applications due to their solution processability, chemical tunability, highly scalable fabrication, and mechanical flexibility. In contrast to traditional inorganic semiconductors, organic semiconductors are intrinsically disordered systems and therefore exhibit much lower charge carrier mobilities—the Achilles heel of organic photovoltaic cells. In this progress review, the authors discuss recent important developments on the impact of charge carrier mobility on the charge transfer state dissociation, and the interplay of free charge extraction and recombination. By comparing the mobilities on different timescales obtained by different techniques, the authors highlight the dispersive nature of these materials and how this reflects on the key processes defining the efficiency of organic photovoltaics.
Sodium‐Doped Tin Sulfide Single Crystal: A Nontoxic Earth‐Abundant Material with High Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Wu Hong , Lu Xu , Wang Guoyu , Peng Kunling , Chi Hang , Zhang Bin , Chen Yongjin , Li Chengjun , Yan Yanci , Guo Lijie , Uher Ctirad , Zhou Xiaoyuan , Han Xiaodong
Published: April 2018

Lead‐free tin sulfide (SnS), with an analogous structure to SnSe, has attracted increasing attention because of its theoretically predicted high thermoelectric performance. In practice, however, polycrystalline SnS performs rather poorly as a result of its low power factor. In this work, bulk sodium (Na)‐doped SnS single crystals are synthesized using a modified Bridgman method and a detailed transport evaluation is conducted. The highest zT value of ≈1.1 is reached at 870 K in a 2 at% Na‐doped SnS single crystal along the b‐axis direction, in which high power factors (2.0 mW m−1 K−2 at room temperature) are realized. These high power factors are attributed to the high mobility associated with the single crystalline nature of the samples as well as to the enhanced carrier concentration achieved through Na doping. An effective single parabolic band model coupled with first‐principles calculations is used to provide theoretical insight into the electronic transport properties. This work demonstrates that SnS‐based single crystals composed of earth‐abundant, low‐cost, and nontoxic chemical elements can exhibit high thermoelectric performance and thus hold potential for application in the area of waste heat recovery.
Interfacing Pristine C60 onto TiO2 for Viable Flexibility in Perovskite Solar Cells by a Low‐Temperature All‐Solution Process
Authors: Zhou Ya‐Qing , Wu Bao‐Shan , Lin Guan‐Hua , Xing Zhou , Li Shu‐Hui , Deng Lin‐Long , Chen Di‐Chun , Yun Da‐Qin , Xie Su‐Yuan
Published: April 2018

A low‐temperature solution‐processed strategy is critical for cost‐effective manufacture of flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Based on an aqueous‐processed TiO2 layer, and conventional fullerene derivatives replaced by a pristine fullerene interlayer of C60, herein a facile interface engineering for making all‐solution‐processed TiO2/C60 layers in flexible n‐i‐p PSCs is reported. Due to the improvement of the perovskite grain quality, promotion of interfacial charge transfer and suppression of interfacial charge recombination, the stabilized power conversion efficiency for the flexible PSCs reaches as high as 16% with high bending resistance retention (≈80% after 1500 cycles) and high light‐soaking retention (≈100% after 100 min). In addition, the stabilized efficiency is over 19% for the rigid TiO2/C60‐based PSCs. The present work with the facile low‐temperature solution process renders the practicability for high‐performance flexible PSCs applied to wearable devices, portable equipment, and electric vehicles.
Group‐level competition influences urinary steroid hormones among wild red–tailed monkeys, indicating energetic costs
Authors: Jaeggi Adrian V. , Trumble Benjamin C. , Brown Michelle
Published: April 2018

Various theories emphasize that intergroup competition should affect intragroup cooperation and social relationships, especially if the cost of intergroup competition outweighs that of intragroup competition. This cost of intergroup competition may be quantified by changes in physiological status, such as in the steroid hormones cortisol (C) and testosterone (T), which rise or are depressed during periods of energetic stress, respectively. Here we tested for changes in urinary C and T after intergroup encounters (IGEs) among wild red‐tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius), a species that experiences frequent intergroup feeding competition, at the Ngogo station in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We assayed 108 urine samples, of which 36 were collected after IGEs, from 23 individuals in four social groups. Bayesian multilevel models controlling for various confounds revealed that IGEs increased C and decreased T relative to baseline, consistent with an energetic cost to IGEs. The C change was more apparent in samples collected early after IGEs, suggesting an anticipatory increase, whereas the T change was stronger in later samples, suggesting sustained energetic trade‐offs. Hormone responses were not affected by the IGE outcome. This cost to intergroup competition, together with little evidence for intragroup competition in redtails and other guenons, establishes an interesting test case for theories emphasizing the effect of intergroup competition on intragroup cooperation.
The physiological linkage between molar inclination and dental macrowear pattern
Authors: Oxilia Gregorio , Bortolini Eugenio , Martini Sergio , Papini Andrea , Boggioni Marco , Buti Laura , Figus Carla , Sorrentino Rita , Townsend Grant , Kaidonis John , Fiorenza Luca , Cristiani Emanuela , Kullmer Ottmar , Moggi‐Cecchi Jacopo , Benazzi Stefano
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Exact symmetry and perfect balance between opposite jaw halves, as well as between antagonistic teeth, is not frequently observed in natural masticatory systems. Research results show that asymmetry in our body, skull, and jaws is often related to genetic, epigenetic, environmental and individual ontogenetic factors. Our study aims to provide evidence for a significant link between masticatory asymmetry and occlusal contact between antagonist teeth by testing the hypothesis that tooth inclination is one of the mechanisms driving distribution of wear in masticatory phases in addition to dietary and cultural habits.

Materials and Methods

The present work investigates the relationship between dental macrowear patterns and tooth inclinations on a sample of complete maxillary and mandibular 3D models of dental arches from 19 young and adult Yuendumu Aboriginal individuals. The analysis was carried out on first molars (M1) from all quadrants. Occlusal Fingerprint Analysis was used for the quantification of macrowear patterns, and 2D cross‐sectional geometric analysis was carried out to investigate asymmetry in dental arches.

Results

The asymmetry is highly variable on both arches, and it is associated with differences in the inclination of upper M1 crowns. Each molar has variable inclination (buccal/lingual) which influence tooth to tooth contact, producing greater or lesser variation in wear pattern. Interindividual variability of morphological variation of the occlusal relationship has to be considered in macrowear analysis.

Discussion

Our results suggest that overall asymmetry in the masticatory apparatus in modern humans affects occlusal contact areas between antagonist teeth influencing macrowear and chewing efficiency during ontogeny.
Adaptive prediction model for fluidized catalytic cracking processes based on the PLS method
Authors: Kim Sung Young , Lee Bomsock
Published: April 2018

Based on the partial least squares (PLS) method, an adaptive predictive PLS (AP‐PLS) method was developed for sensitive adaptation to process changes using large‐scale data (Big Data) from chemical processes. Utilizing data sets of fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) and residue FCC (RFCC) processes as the basis, the AP‐PLS method was developed and its prediction ability was compared with the simple PLS method. The required parameters for the prediction model of the FCC and RFCC processes are readily available from reported process data using time‐varying model updating by the AP‐PLS method. The prediction results were compared with the simple PLS method in terms of average deviations from the real process data. This approach can be used for reasonably accurate prediction of product variables and can adapt to process changes in large‐scale chemical processes such as FCC and RFCC.
Formation of nanocrystalline and amorphous carbon by high fluence swift heavy ion irradiation of a plasma polymerized polyterpenol thin film precursor
Authors: Grant Daniel S. , Siegele Rainer , Bazaka Kateryna , Jacob Mohan V.
Published: April 2018

This study aimed to produce graphitic‐polymer nanocomposite thin films via the swift heavy ion irradiation of polyterpenol thin films synthesized from an environmentally sustainable precursor by radio‐frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed fluence‐dependent surface restructuring of the thin films leading to the formation of interconnected island structures, with no discernible delamination from the underlying aluminum substrate. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the development of D and G peaks associated with graphitic materials, whilst Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated retention of the plasma polymer's chemical functionalities (including hydroxyl groups) within the material after irradiation. Graphitic‐polymer nanocomposite films prepared by this dry and solvent‐free process have numerous potential applications in biological assay, organic electronics, and membrane technology. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46498.
Modelling beluga habitat use and baseline exposure to shipping traffic to design effective protection against prospective industrialization in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Pirotta Enrico , New Leslie , Marcoux Marianne
Published: April 2018

Global warming is predicted to reduce sea ice and thereby grant access to new shipping routes in the Arctic, leading to the expansion of human exploitation of natural resources in this region. The accompanying rise in boat numbers could impact the local populations of marine mammals by increasing collision rates and behavioural disturbance. It is therefore important to quantify the baseline exposure to current levels of shipping traffic and to understand how wildlife's important habitat overlaps with shipping lanes, in order to support appropriate spatial planning and management.

In this study, telemetry tracks from nine belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) tagged in Western Hudson Bay, which is home to the world's largest summer aggregation of this species, were used to estimate the habitat use of the animals and to map any overlap with current shipping activities.

Following a use–availability design, with spatially adaptive smooths fitted using generalized estimating equations, beluga habitat use was quantified, confirming that they aggregate in coastal areas in association with river estuaries. The baseline exposure is low, and is concentrated around major harbours in the region.

Rising levels of traffic will increase anthropogenic pressure on Western Hudson Bay belugas. The approach presented here informs the design of effective spatial protection measures to minimize any potential consequence on the population.
Hierarchical MoS2@TiO2 Heterojunctions for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Dong Yu , Chen Sheng‐You , Lu Yi , Xiao Yu‐Xuan , Hu Jie , Wu Si‐Ming , Deng Zhao , Tian Ge , Chang Gang‐Gang , Li Jing , Lenaerts Silvia , Janiak Christoph , Yang Xiao‐Yu , Su Bao‐Lian
Published: April 2018

Hierarchical MoS2@TiO2 heterojunctions were synthesized through a one‐step hydrothermal method by using protonic titanate nanosheets as the precursor. The TiO2 nanosheets prevent the aggregation of MoS2 and promote the carrier transfer efficiency, and thus enhance the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity of the nanostructured MoS2. The obtained MoS2@TiO2 has significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B (over 5.2 times compared with pure MoS2) and acetone (over 2.8 times compared with pure MoS2). MoS2@TiO2 is also beneficial for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution (26 times compared with pure MoS2, based on the cathodic current density). This work offers a promising way to prevent the self‐aggregation of MoS2 and provides a new insight for the design of heterojunctions for materials with lattice mismatches.
New failure and minimal repair processes for repairable systems in a random environment
Authors: Cha Ji Hwan , Finkelstein Maxim
Published: April 2018

Most often, minimal repair is defined as a replacement of a failed item by an operable item that has the same distribution of the remaining lifetime as the failed one just prior a failure. This is the so‐called statistical minimal repair extensively explored in the literature. Another well‐known type of minimal repair takes into account the state of a system prior to a failure (the information‐based minimal repair). In this paper, we suggest the new type of minimal repair to be called conditional statistical minimal repair. Our approach goes further and deals with the corresponding minimal repair processes for systems operating in a random environment. Moreover, we also consider heterogeneous populations of items, which makes the model more realistic. Both of these aspects that affect the failure mechanism of items are studied. Environment is modeled by the nonhomogeneous Poisson shock process. Two models for the failure mechanism defined by the extreme shock model and the cumulative shock model, respectively, are considered. Some examples illustrating our findings are presented.
Educational research: Which way now?
Authors: McCulloch Gary
Published: April 2018

The British Educational Research Association (BERA) was established 44 years ago, in 1974, at the height of the postwar expansion of education, and at the onset of a long period of controversy and reform of education that has continued ever since. The presidential address for 2017 looks back to reflect on the birth and early years of BERA, on its founding principles and the circumstances in which it grew. It does so to identify the ideals that motivated and helped to shape the nascent organisation, and to ask how relevant and useful these are at a very different time, charting our future in the twenty‐first century. More broadly, this address moves beyond an institutional history and a history of ideas, to contribute to a social history of educational research based on a wide range of documentary and archival evidence. In considering our past, we must attempt to resist an uncritical and functional approach in favour of a critical and reflective outlook that is alert to unresolved issues and problems, no less than it is to success and progress in our collective endeavours. This is necessary partly in order to reconstruct our historical experience in a robust manner, but also to address our present situation in an effective way. In 1977, the historian Brian Simon framed his presidential address to BERA around the key question ‘Educational research: which way?’ Forty years on, we can appraise how BERA has approached this question, and also ask at the same time: which way now?
Der Stahlblaue Grillenjäger
Authors: Bosch Stefan , Lurz Peter , Westrich Paul
Published: April 2018

Isodontia mexicana ist eine Grabwespenart aus Mittel‐ und Nordamerika, die in Südfrankreich höchst wahrscheinlich mit amerikanischen Truppen am Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs ankam. Der Erstnachweis erfolgte 1960. Von Südfrankreich hat sich die Art in den vergangenen Jahren erfolgreich ausgebreitet. Zum Nestbau bezieht I. mexicana röhrenförmige Hohlräume aller Art. In ihnen werden linear hintereinander angeordnete Brutkammern angelegt. Typisch für die Art ist ein äußerer Pfropfen aus Grasblättern am Eingang, die bis zu sieben Zentimeter aus dem Ausgang heraushängen können. Zur Versorgung der Brut werden Grillen (Gryllidae) und Heuschrecken (Tettigoniidae) genutzt. Über die Menge, das Geschlechterverhältnis der Beutetiere oder Auswirkungen auf die Beutepopulationen liegen aus dem europäischen Verbreitungsgebiet noch keine Daten vor.
Does it pay to be a greenwasher or a brownwasher?
Authors: Testa Francesco , Miroshnychenko Ivan , Barontini Roberto , Frey Marco
Published: April 2018

The growing attention to corporate green practices and the increased competition in global markets have pressed companies to disclose information about their environmental footprints. In doing so, some firms tend to either overstate or understate their environmental commitments by adopting so‐called “greenwashing” or “brownwashing” strategies, respectively. In this paper, we analyze the impact of different types of environmental communication strategies on firm value and operating performance using a panel of 3,490 publicly traded companies from 58 countries and 19 industries. Results show that it does not pay to be a greenwasher, whereas the decision to not properly communicate a firm's environmental commitment is associated with lower financial performance. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of having not only effective green practices, but also coherent communication of environmental strategies. This is the first attempt to empirically model the impact of greenwashing and brownwashing strategies on corporate financial performance in a longitudinal setting.
Biological signaling pathways and potential mathematical network representations: biological discovery through optimization
Authors: Isaza Clara , Rosas Juan F. , Lorenzo Enery , Marrero Arlette , Ortiz Cristina , Ortiz Michael R. , Perez Lynn , Cabrera‐Ríos Mauricio
Published: April 2018

Establishing the role that different genes play in the development of cancer is a daunting task. A step toward this end is the detection of genes that are important in the illness from high‐throughput biological experiments. Furthermore, it is safe to say that it is highly unlikely that these show expression changes independently, even with a list of potentially important genes. A biological signaling pathway is a more plausible underlying mechanism as favored in the literature. This work attempts to build a mathematical network problem through the analysis of microarray experiments. A preselection of genes is carried out with a multiple criteria optimization framework previously published by our research group . Afterward, application of the Traveling Salesperson Problem and Minimum Spanning Tree network optimization models are proposed to identify potential signaling pathways via the most correlated path among the genes of interest. Biological evidencing is provided to assess the effectiveness of the proposed methods. The capability of our analysis strategy is also demonstrated through the undertaking of meta‐analysis studies. Three important aspects are novel in this work: (1) our joint analyses of different groups of lung cancer states reveal new correlations, biologically evidenced, and previously undocumented; (2) computation of the correlation coefficients from expression differences leads to an effective use of network optimization methods; and (3) the methods yield mathematically optimal correlation structures: no other configuration is better correlated using the available information.
Effects of multiple freeze–thaw cycles on the quality of frozen dough
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Li Yinli , Liu Ying , Zhang Hua
Published: April 2018

Background and objectives

The multiple freeze–thaw treatment of dough during frozen storage has critical effects on the quality of frozen dough. The effects of multiple freeze–thaw cycles on the cooking properties, textural and rheological properties of frozen dough, as well as the mechanism behind this effect were evaluated in this study.

Findings

The result showed that the cooking loss rate and water absorption rate were increased by 66.3% and 13.7%, respectively, compared to the control at four freeze–thaw cycles. Compared to the control, the hardness, adhesiveness, and chewiness were increased 66.3%, 152.4%, and 43.7%, respectively, and the springiness was decreased 25.9% at freeze–thaw treatment for five cycles. The elasticity and viscous modulus of the dough decreased after freeze–thaw treatment. After repeated freezing for more than four cycles, the proportions of free water increased significantly (p < .05) relative to that of the samples without freeze–thaw treatment. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that freeze–thaw treatment damages the structure of the dough. Furthermore, freeze–thaw treatment led to a significant (p < .05) change in secondary structure of frozen dough. The relative percentage content of α‐helix increased significantly after freeze–thaw treatment for two cycles, whereas the relative percentage content of β‐turns and random coils decreased significantly.

Conclusions

Multiple freeze–thaw pretreatment could reduce the cooking quality and texture characteristics of frozen dough significantly by changing its water distribution and microstructure, as well as the secondary structure of wheat gluten.

Significance and novelty

Explored the mechanism of the effects of freeze–thaw treatment on the processing quality of frozen dough.
Advanced‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma presenting without radiographic liver lesions
Authors: Mupamombe Charles , Veluvolu Rajesh , Ahmad Arslan , Preet Mohan , Taiwo Evelyn
Published: April 2018

Key Clinical Message

In patients with known risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma and an elevated AFP, the diagnosis should remain on the differential even in the absence of hepatic lesions. High index of suspicion is needed, and aggressive diagnostic approaches are needed to not miss this entity.
Hemosiderotic dermatofibroma mimicking melanoma in a 12‐year‐old boy: a case report
Authors: Acar Emine Müge , Tad Murat , Kilitci Asuman , Kemeriz Funda
Published: April 2018

Key Clinical Message

We report a case of hemosiderotic dermatofibroma presenting as a brown‐black‐colored nodule with peripheral extensions, which mimics melanoma. Histopathology showed completely benign features with no atypia or mitosis. Nodular extensions of childhood dermatofibromas may be related to the growth of the child not necessarily pointing to a malignant process.
Renal ultrasonography: a reliable diagnostic tool for pyonephrosis
Authors: Kamboj Mayanka , Lee Loy Justin , Koratala Abhilash
Published: April 2018

Key Clinical Message

Pyonephrosis is a rare purulent infection of the upper urinary tract, which can lead to rapid clinical deterioration. While contrast‐enhanced CT scan is a sensitive test, point‐of‐care renal sonography can serve as a quick and valuable bedside tool for diagnosis, especially when iodinated contrast use is contraindicated.
A case of mirror syndrome caused by hydrops fetalis after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation
Authors: Kino Emi , Maki Yohei , Ohhashi Masanao , Furukawa Seishi , Maeda Takatsugu , Sameshima Hiroshi
Published: April 2018

Key Clinical Message

Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) of placental anastomoses is a well‐established procedure for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome that improves fetal outcome with rare maternal complications. However, fetal hydrops can develop even after FLP, and mirror syndrome can occur, indicating that both the fetal and maternal courses should be monitored after FLP.
Pleural effusion with rib fractures in infant
Authors: Taniguchi Akinobu , Maeda Takashi , Tachibana Takashi
Published: April 2018

Key Clinical Message

The causes of pleural effusions in children are various. This case demonstrates the importance of considering rib fractures associated with child abuse in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion in infants.
Divergence in Ynone Reactivity: Atypical Cyclization by 3,4‐Difunctionalization versus Rare Bis(cyclization)
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Lázaro‐Milla Carlos , Delgado‐Martínez Patricia
Published: April 2018

Functionalized ynones can be activated by Tf2C=CH2, which was generated in situ, to form zwitterionic species. These species were trapped in an intramolecular fashion by several nucleophiles to generate two major types of triflones in a divergent manner. Through fine‐tuning of the reaction temperature, bis(triflyl)‐6‐membered‐ or (triflyl)‐5‐membered‐fused‐heterocycles were achieved in reasonable yields in a totally selective manner. In this way, bis(triflyl)flavones, bis(triflyl)thioflavones, bis(triflyl)selenoflavones, (triflyl)benzothienopyrans, (triflyl)benzoselenophenopyrans, (triflyl)vinyl aurones, and (triflyl)pyranoindoles were constructed. Conceivable mechanistic pathways were suggested on the basis of the isolation of several intermediates and the results from control experiments.
Die „klassischen“ Polyoxometallate
Authors: Pütt Ricarda , Kondinski Aleksandar , Monakhov Kirill
Published: April 2018

Die Kombination von Röntgenbeugungs‐ und Röntgenstreuungsmethoden sowie massenspektrometrischen, spektroskopischen und computergestützten Techniken ermöglicht heutzutage vielseitige Einblicke in die Struktur und Eigenschaften der POM in der festen Phase und in Lösung. Ihre Aufklärung stellte jedoch im Zeitraum des letzten Jahrhunderts eine große Herausforderung dar. Dieser Artikel schildert die Entdeckung von „klassischen“ POM sowie ihre Charakterisierung anhand ihrer physikalischen Eigenschaften, insbesondere anhand ihrer spektralen Erkennungsmerkmale.
Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of the Copolymers Based on Carbazole with Tetrathiophene Porphyrin Side Chains Linked by a Flexible Alkyl‐interval
Authors: Xiao Haibin , Deng Yanghua , Yuan Jingjun , Gao Ping , Zhao Bin , Tan Songting
Published: April 2018

Four copolymers (XP10, XP11, XP12 and XP13) based on diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and carbazole units with tetrathiophene porphyrin (TTP) side chains linked by a flexible alkyl‐interval were designed and synthesized. The effects of the introduction of TTP on the optical and electrochemical properties, the morphology, the mobility and the photovoltaic performance of copolymers were systematically studied. The results revealed that XP11 with a TTP/DPP ratio of 2/8 possessed the best performances, i.e., broad absorption spectra, balanced hole/electron mobility and suitable microphase separation. After optimizing via solution vapor annealing, the organic solar cell devices based on XP11 and PC71BM showed the best power conversion efficiency of 5.11% with a short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of 10.36 mA·cm–2, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.77 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.64.
Greenhouse Gas Emission During Composting and Vermicomposting of Organic Wastes – A Review
Authors: Swati Ankita , Hait Subrata
Published: April 2018

Human‐induced climate change, mainly through greenhouse gases emission (GGE), is attracting attention worldwide and has become one of the major threats to the environmental sustainability. Utmost is the need to understand the impact of waste management practices on GGE, or countries could incorporate alternative waste management strategies for various organic wastes. Strict regulatory controls limiting waste disposal in landfills and the consequent diversion of biodegradables have resulted in the adoption of sustainable waste management techniques like composting and vermicomposting. However, composting and vermicomposting systems for waste management, especially at large scale have the capacity to emit high levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This paper reviews the current available literature pertaining to GGE during composting and vermicomposting of various organic wastes, linking with the fate of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) during stabilization. Further, the current study provides a comprehensive summary of the emissions and plausible mechanisms and factors responsible for the GGE during both processes. The article also highlights likely mitigation actions relating to process parameters effective in minimizing GGE during composting and vermicomposting of organic wastes.
Screen and Study of Tetracycline‐Degrading Bacteria From Activated Sludge and Granular Sludge
Authors: Zhao Xia , Li Yabin , Yang Liu , Wang Xiaochun , Chen Zhonglin , Shen Jimin
Published: April 2018

Wastewater treatment cannot effectively remove tetracycline contained in wastewater, and environmental residues accumulate as a result of this condition. Existing methods use to address the high cost of wastewater treatment and other economic and effective means have been explored. Aerobic granular sludge technology is a newly developed potential biological wastewater treatment method, but the removal of tetracycline through this process is limited. Therefore, the collection of tetracycline‐degrading bacteria as a biological fortifier is vital. In this experiment, 20 and 24 tetracycline‐degrading bacteria are isolated from granular and activated sludge samples, respectively. Highly efficient tetracycline‐degrading strains are selected. The effect of these strains on the degradation rate is investigated under the influence of different factors, namely, time, pH, extra carbon source, inoculum concentration of extra nitrogen source, and substrate concentration. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding for 16S rRNA and physiological and biochemical identification shows that two strains belonged to Achromobacter species.
Microbial Activity and Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter in Roadside Soils Contaminated With Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Authors: Mykhailova Larysa , Fischer Thomas , Iurchenko Valentina
Published: April 2018

Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) are the most widespread organic pollutants of roadside soils, the reclamation of which is costly due to large areas affected, and natural PHs biodegradation is the only way of mitigating negative ecological consequences. This study aimed to investigate the microbial response to PHs in roadside soils and to identify soil organic matter (SOM) and PHs involved in biodegradation processes. To address this aim, soil respiration is related to light (chain‐length ≤C14) medium (C15–C27), and heavy fractions (≥C28) of total PHs, and to SOM components: carbohydrates, proteins, lignin, aliphates, carbonyl/carboxyl, and char amounts of soils sampled at distances of up to 100 m from three roads in Kharkiv, Ukraine. A close relation between soil respiration and ratio of the light fraction to the sum of medium and heavy alkane fractions indicate the preferential mineralization of more biodegradable light PHs fractions. A positive relation between soil respiration and carbohydrate C, as well as negative correlation with aliphatic C, indicate preferred degradation of carbohydrates compared to more recalcitrant aliphates. Carbohydrate content increased and aliphatic C decreased with distance from the roads, and carbohydrates decreased with PHs concentration, indicating increased degradation of carbohydrates at high PHs concentrations (positive priming). It is concluded that microorganisms generate the energy required for PHs degradation by enhanced oxidation of native SOM where carbohydrates were of paramount importance.
Tuning the Hydrophobicity of a Mitochondria‐Targeted NO Photodonor
Authors: Sodano Federica , Rolando Barbara , Spyrakis Francesca , Failla Mariacristina , Lazzarato Loretta , Gazzano Elena , Riganti Chiara , Fruttero Roberta , Gasco Alberto , Sortino Salvatore
Published: April 2018

A few compounds in which the nitric oxide (NO) photodonor N‐[4‐nitro‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propane‐1,3‐diamine is joined to the mitochondria‐targeting alkyltriphenylphosphonium moiety via flexible spacers of variable length were synthesized. The lipophilicity of the products was evaluated by measuring their partition coefficients in n‐octanol/water. The obtained values, markedly lower than those calculated, are consistent with the likely collapsed conformation assumed by the compounds in solution, as suggested by molecular dynamics simulations. The capacity of the compounds to release NO under visible light irradiation was evaluated by measuring nitrite production by means of the Griess reaction. The accumulation of compounds in the mitochondria of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells was assessed by UPLC–MS. Interestingly, compound 13 [(9‐((3‐((4‐nitro‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)amino)propyl)amino)‐9‐oxononyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide] displayed both the highest accumulation value and high toxicity toward A549 cells upon irradiation‐mediated NO release in mitochondria.
Thyroid FNA biopsies comprised of abundant, mature squamous cells can be reported as benign: A cytologic study of 18 patients with clinical correlation
Authors: Chen Athena L. , Renshaw Andrew A. , Faquin William C. , Alexander Erik K. , Heller Howard T. , Cibas Edmund S.
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

A thyroid nodule comprised almost exclusively of mature, benign‐appearing squamous cells is an uncommon finding in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of thyroid nodules. Reporting such specimens was not originally addressed by The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. The authors correlated the biologic behavior of the specimens with their benign cytologic appearance through clinical, radiographic, and surgical follow‐up.

METHODS

The pathology archives of 3 tertiary hospitals were searched for thyroid FNA specimens consisting of mature squamous cells without atypia. The authors reviewed all available slides and included only cases that were moderately to highly cellular; nucleated or anucleate squamous cells without atypia comprised the vast majority of the cellularity. Available clinical information and/or thyroid ultrasound examination(s) were reviewed by an endocrinologist or radiologist, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 18 patients (7 men and 11 women; age range, 19‐76 years) with 20 nodules met the prespecified inclusion criteria. The average nodule size was 2.1 cm. Common sonographic characteristics included a well‐defined appearance, the lack of internal vascularity, a thin outer wall, general hypoechogenicity with low‐intermediate internal echoes, and posterior acoustic enhancement. Clinical and radiographic follow‐up (mean, 3.8 years; range, <1 to 9 years) was available for 9 patients, and all nodules were stable. All 4 cases with histologic follow‐up were benign squamous‐lined cysts.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study suggest that thyroid FNA specimens comprised almost exclusively of mature squamous cells can be reported as benign. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:336‐41. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Like‐likes‐Like: Cooperative Hydrogen Bonding Overcomes Coulomb Repulsion in Cationic Clusters with Net Charges up to Q=+6e
Authors: Niemann Thomas , Stange Peter , Strate Anne , Ludwig Ralf
Published: April 2018

Quantum chemical calculations have been employed to study kinetically stable cationic clusters, wherein the monovalent cations are trapped by hydrogen bonding despite strongly repulsive electrostatic forces. We calculated linear and cyclic clusters of the hydroxy‐functionalized cation N‐(3‐hydroxypropyl) pyridinium, commonly used as cation in ionic liquids. The largest kinetically stable cluster was a cyclic hexamer that very much resembles the structural motifs of molecular clusters, as known for water and alcohols. Surprisingly, strong cooperative hydrogen bonds overcome electrostatic repulsion and result in cationic clusters with a high net charge up to Q=+6e. The structural, spectroscopic, and electronic signatures of the cationic and related molecular clusters of 3‐phenyl‐1‐propanol could be correlated to NBO parameters, supporting the existence of “anti‐electrostatic” hydrogen bonds (AEHB), as recently suggested by Weinhold. We also showed that dispersion forces enhance the cationic cluster formation and compensate the electrostatic repulsion of one additional positive charge.
Application of Silicon‐Initiated Water Splitting for the Reduction of Organic Substrates
Authors: Gevorgyan Ashot , Mkrtchyan Satenik , Grigoryan Tatevik , Iaroshenko Viktor O.
Published: April 2018

The use of water as a donor for hydrogen suitable for the reduction of several important classes of organic compounds is described. It is found that the reductive water splitting can be promoted by several metalloids among which silicon shows the best efficiency. The developed methodologies were applied for the reduction of nitro compounds, N‐oxides, sulfoxides, alkenes, alkynes, hydrodehalogenation as well as for the gram‐scale synthesis of several substrates of industrial importance.
Computer‐Aided Design and Synthesis of 1‐{4‐[(3,4‐Dihydroxybenzylidene)amino]phenyl}‐5‐oxopyrrolidine‐3‐carboxylic Acid as an Nrf2 Enhancer
Authors: Kahremany Shirin , Babaev Ilana , Hasin Pinhas , Tamir Tigist Y. , Ben‐Zur Tali , Cohen Guy , Jiang Zhengyu , Weintraub Sagiv , Offen Daniel , Rahimipour Shai , Major M. Ben , Senderowitz Hanoch , Gruzman Arie
Published: April 2018

Invited for this month's cover is Prof. Arie Gruzman (Bar‐Ilan University) and collaborators who have developed an Nrf2 enhancer. This compound activated the Nrf2 transduction pathway and because of this the translation of dozens of antioxidant cytoprotective proteins in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and protected PC‐12 cells against oxidative stress. Considering the imbalance between production and elimination of oxidative species involved in the pathophysiology of many human diseases, this compound is a promising starting point for the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of oxidative‐stress‐related diseases. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cplu.201700539.
Low serum creatinine predicts risk for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bao Xue , Gu Yeqing , Zhang Qing , Liu Li , Meng Ge , Wu Hongmei , Xia Yang , Shi Hongbin , Wang Honglei , Sun Shaomei , Wang Xing , Zhou Ming , Jia Qiyu , Song Kun , Niu Kaijun
Published: April 2018

Aims

As an insulin target tissue, skeletal muscle is inversely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Serum creatinine originates mainly from creatine in muscle and is considered as a reliable surrogate marker for muscle mass in apparently healthy subjects. It is therefore hypothesized that low serum creatinine could effectively predict increased risk of T2DM. Yet information is scarce regarding the longitudinal relationship between serum creatinine and T2DM. This study aims to investigate this relation in a large general population of both men and women.

Methods

A prospective cohort study (n = 57 587; follow‐up range: 1‐9 years, mean: 3.57 years, 95% confidence interval: 3.55‐3.58 years) was conducted in a general population sample from Tianjin, China. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the relationship between baseline serum creatinine and the risk of developing T2DM (as defined by the American Diabetes Association criteria).

Results

During the follow‐up period, 2017 subjects developed T2DM. The multivariate‐adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for T2DM incidence across quintiles of serum creatinine were 1.00 (reference), 0.86 (0.75, 0.99), 0.82 (0.72, 0.94), 0.85 (0.74, 0.97), and 0.77 (0.67, 0.89; P for trend <.01). Similar results were observed in both sexes (interaction P = .56).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that serum creatinine concentration is inversely related to incident T2DM in both men and women. Measuring serum creatinine may assist in the early detection of individuals at high risk of developing T2DM.
Simultaneous detection and quantitation of organic impurities in methamphetamine by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, a complementary technique for methamphetamine profiling
Authors: Li Li , Brown Jaclyn L. , Toske Steven G.
Published: April 2018

The analysis of organic impurities plays an important role in the impurity profiling of methamphetamine, which in turn provides valuable information about methamphetamine manufacturing, in particular its synthetic route, chemicals, and precursors used. Ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) is ideally suited for this purpose due to its excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and wide linear range in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. In this study, a dilute‐and‐shoot UHPLC–MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous identification and quantitation of 23 organic manufacturing impurities in illicit methamphetamine. The developed method was validated in terms of stability, limit of detection (LOD), lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy, and precision. More than 100 illicitly prepared methamphetamine samples were analyzed. Due to its ability to detect ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and its high sensitivity for critical target markers (eg, chloro‐pseudoephedrine, N‐cyclohexylamphetamine, and compounds B and P), more impurities and precursor/pre‐precursors were identified and quantified versus the current procedure by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Consequently, more samples could be classified by their synthetic routes. However, the UHPLC–MS/MS method has difficulty in detecting neutral and untargeted emerging manufacturing impurities and can therefore only serve as a complement to the current method. Despite this deficiency, the quantitative information acquired by the presented UHPLC–MS/MS methodology increased the sample discrimination power, thereby enhancing the capacity of methamphetamine profiling program (MPP) to conduct sample‐sample comparisons.
Can species‐specific prey responses to chemical cues explain prey susceptibility to predation?
Authors: Šmejkal Marek , Ricard Daniel , Sajdlová Zuzana , Čech Martin , Vejřík Lukáš , Blabolil Petr , Vejříková Ivana , Prchalová Marie , Vašek Mojmír , Souza Allan T. , Brönmark Christer , Peterka Jiří
Published: April 2018

The perception of danger represents an essential ability of prey for gaining an informational advantage over their natural enemies. Especially in complex environments or at night, animals strongly rely on chemoreception to avoid predators. The ability to recognize danger by chemical cues and subsequent adaptive responses to predation threats should generally increase prey survival. Recent findings suggest that European catfish (Silurus glanis) introduction induce changes in fish community and we tested whether the direction of change can be attributed to differences in chemical cue perception. We tested behavioral response to chemical cues using three species of freshwater fish common in European water: rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), roach (Rutilus rutilus), and perch (Perca fluviatilis). Further, we conducted a prey selectivity experiment to evaluate the prey preferences of the European catfish. Roach exhibited the strongest reaction to chemical cues, rudd decreased use of refuge and perch did not alter any behavior in the experiment. These findings suggest that chemical cue perception might be behind community data change and we encourage collecting more community data of tested prey species before and after European catfish introduction to test the hypothesis. We conclude that used prey species can be used as a model species to verify whether chemical cue perception enhances prey survival.
Disturbance–climate relationships between wildfire and western spruce budworm in interior British Columbia
Authors: Harvey Jill E. , Axelson Jodi N. , Smith Dan J.
Published: April 2018

Defoliation by the native western spruce budworm (Choristoneura freemaniRazowski;WSB) and wildfires are natural disturbances affecting the structure and function of montane forests in British Columbia, Canada. Limited research describes the climate conditions associated withWSBoutbreaks and historical fire activity in these forests, and the spatial stability of these relationships across landscapes. Site‐specific and regional characterizations of these relationships are required to establish the historical baselines necessary to document disturbance–climate relationships within dry conifer forests. We compiled site‐level and regionalized tree‐ring chronologies of fire (AD1600–2013) andWSB(AD1600–2009) outbreaks for both lower montane forests adjacent to expansive grasslands and middle montane forests (regionalized grassland and non‐grassland chronologies). At site and regional scales, the relation between fire years, outbreaks ofWSB, reconstructed values of the Palmer Drought Severity Index, and annual precipitation were examined using superposed epoch and bivariate event analyses. Regional disturbance–climate relationships were used to evaluate the influence of grassland proximity on these relationships and the disturbance history characteristics. The findings show that fires affecting grassland proximal sites in lower montane forests were historically more frequent than fires occurring in middle montane forests and were related to warm, dry conditions in the fire year and cool, wet conditions in the year(s) preceding the fire. These results indicate the climate conditions associated with both fine fuel growth and drying are key determinants for fire activity in lower montane forests. The initiation ofWSBoutbreaks was significantly related to drought, and this relationship was enhanced at lower montane sites. We also examined the interrelationships between fire years andWSBoutbreaks, but no associations were discerned. Considering the recent escalation of widespread forest fire activity in the Pacific Northwest of North America and the potential for timber losses associated withWSBdefoliation, the findings provide information important to forest scientists charged with promoting forest health and resilience in the dry montane forests of interior British Columbia.
Nutrient availability and invasive fish jointly drive community dynamics in an experimental aquatic system
Authors: Preston Daniel L. , Hedman Hayden D. , Johnson Pieter T. J.
Published: April 2018

Species invasions increasingly occur alongside other forms of ecosystem change, highlighting the need to understand how invasion outcomes are influenced by environmental factors. Within freshwaters, two of the most widespread drivers of change are introduced fishes and nutrient loading, yet it remains difficult to predict how interactions between these drivers affect invasion success and consequences for native communities. To test competing theories about interactions between nutrients and invasions, we conducted a 2 × 3 factorial mesocosm experiment, varying western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) presence and nutrient availability within aquatic communities. Based on theory, increased nutrients could either (1) facilitate coexistence between predatory mosquitofish and native species by increasing prey availability (the invader attenuation hypothesis) or (2) strengthen predation effects by enhancing fish productivity more than native community members (the invader amplification hypothesis). In outdoor mesocosms designed to mimic observed nutrient conditions and local community structure, mosquitofish directly reduced the abundances of zooplankton and three native amphibian species, leading to indirect increases in phytoplankton, periphyton, and freshwater snail biomass through trophic cascades. Nutrient additions increased native amphibian growth but had especially pronounced effects on the productivity of invasive mosquitofish. The elevated nutrient condition supported ~5 times more juvenile mosquitofish and 30% higher biomass than the low nutrient condition. Increased nutrients levels did not weaken the top‐down effects of mosquitofish on invertebrates or amphibians. Collectively, our results support the invader amplification hypothesis, suggesting that increased nutrient loading may benefit invasive species without attenuating their undesirable effects on native community members.