bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Full wavefield decomposition of high‐frequency secondary microseisms reveals distinct arrival azimuths for Rayleigh and Love waves
Authors: Gal M. , Reading A. M. , Ellingsen S. P. , Koper K. D. , Burlacu R.
Published: June 2017

In the secondary microseism band (0.1–1.0 Hz) the theoretical excitation of Rayleigh waves (Rg/LR), through oceanic wave‐wave interaction, is well understood. For Love waves (LQ), the excitation mechanism in the secondary microseism band is less clear. We explore high‐frequency secondary microseism excitation between 0.35 and 1 Hz by analyzing a full year (2013) of records from a three‐component seismic array in Pilbara (PSAR), Australia. Our recently developed three‐component waveform decomposition algorithm (CLEAN‐3C) fully decomposes the beam power in slowness space into multiple point sources. This method allows for a directionally dependent power estimation for all separable wave phases. In this contribution, we compare quantitatively microseismic energy recorded on vertical and transverse components. We find the mean power representation of Rayleigh and Love waves to have differing azimuthal distributions, which are likely a result of their respective generation mechanisms. Rayleigh waves show correlation with convex coastlines, while Love waves correlate with seafloor sedimentary basins. The observations are compared to the WAVEWATCH III ocean model, implemented at the Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), which describes the spatial and temporal characteristics of microseismic source excitation. We find Love wave energy to originate from raypaths coinciding with seafloor sedimentary basins where strong Rayleigh wave excitation is predicted by the ocean model. The total power of Rg waves is found to dominate at 0.35–0.6 Hz, and the Rayleigh/Love wave power ratio strongly varies with direction and frequency.
Quantifying phytoplankton productivity and photoinhibition in the Ross Sea Polynya with large eddy simulation of Langmuir circulation
Authors: Smyth Robyn L. , Akan Cigdem , Tejada‐Martínez Andrés , Neale Patrick J.
Published: June 2017

Southern Ocean phytoplankton assemblages acclimated to low‐light environments that result from deep mixing are often sensitive to ultraviolet and high photosynthetically available radiation. In such assemblages, exposures to inhibitory irradiance near the surface result in loss of photosynthetic capacity that is not rapidly recovered and can depress photosynthesis after transport below depths penetrated by inhibitory irradiance. We used a coupled biophysical modeling approach to quantify the reduction in primary productivity due to photoinhibition based upon experiments and observations made during the spring bloom in Ross Sea Polynya (RSP). Large eddy simulation (LES) was used to generate depth trajectories representative of observed Langmuir circulation that were passed through an underwater light field to yield time series of spectral irradiance representative of what phytoplankton would have experienced in situ. These were used to drive an assemblage‐specific photosynthesis‐irradiance model with inhibition determined from a biological weighting function and repair rate estimated from shipboard experiments on the local assemblage. We estimate the daily depth‐integrated productivity was 230 mmol C m−2. This estimate includes a 6–7% reduction in daily depth‐integrated productivity over potential productivity (i.e., effects of photoinhibition excluded). When trajectory depths were fixed (no vertical transport), the reduction in productivity was nearly double. Relative to LES estimates, there was slightly less depth‐integrated photoinhibition with random walk trajectories and nearly twice as much with circular rotations. This suggests it is important to account for turbulence when simulating the effects of vertical mixing on photoinhibition due to the kinetics of photodamage and repair.
Initiation locations of lightning flashes relative to radar reflectivity in four small Florida thunderstorms
Authors: Karunarathna Nadeeka , Marshall Thomas C. , Karunarathne Sumedhe , Stolzenburg Maribeth
Published: June 2017

This study examines initiation locations of intracloud (IC) and cloud‐to‐ground (CG) lightning near Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 1 day. One unicellular and two multicellular thunderstorms occurred over land, and one multicellular storm was 30 km offshore. The storm over ocean was visible on radar 47–51 min before its first flash (of 17 total); first echoes in the storms over land were 23, 12, and 16 min prior to the first flashes (of 34, 16, and 9 total). Initiation points of 66 flashes were identified using the first initial breakdown (IB) pulse location from electric field change measurements or a VHF source coincident with the first IB pulse; 10 ICs occurred without enough data to similarly locate the initiation. All but 2 of 35 flashes that initiated as negative CGs began below 6.8 km altitude; two higher CG initiations (7.1–7.5 km) were the first CGs in two storms. Initiations of 21 normal ICs occurred above 7.9 km, 6 late stage ICs initiated at 5.5–7.5 km, and 4 hybrid IC‐CG flashes initiated as ICs at 6.6–8.1 km. Initiation locations were tightly clustered in small regions of each cell. Over land, early and mature stage flashes initiated within 2 × 2 km in each cell, or about 10–25% of the midlevel reflectivity coverage. One cell over ocean had initiations within 6 × 5 km, less than 30% of its reflectivity area. The IC initiations generally occurred above reflectivity cores, in 15–35 dBZ, and CG initiations were in 30–45 dBZ beside or atop cores.
Antarctic climate, Southern Ocean circulation patterns, and deep water formation during the Eocene
Authors: Huck Claire E. , van de Flierdt Tina , Bohaty Steven M. , Hammond Samantha J.
Published: June 2017

We assess early‐to‐middle Eocene seawater neodymium (Nd) isotope records from seven Southern Ocean deep‐sea drill sites to evaluate the role of Southern Ocean circulation in long‐term Cenozoic climate change. Our study sites are strategically located on either side of the Tasman Gateway and are positioned at a range of shallow (<500 m) to intermediate/deep (~1000–2500 m) paleowater depths. Unradiogenic seawater Nd isotopic compositions, reconstructed from fish teeth at intermediate/deep Indian Ocean pelagic sites (Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 738 and 757 and Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 264), indicate a dominant Southern Ocean‐sourced contribution to regional deep waters (εNd(t) = −9.3 ± 1.5). IODP Site U1356 off the coast of Adélie Land, a locus of modern‐day Antarctic Bottom Water production, is identified as a site of persistent deep water formation from the early Eocene to the Oligocene. East of the Tasman Gateway an additional local source of intermediate/deep water formation is inferred at ODP Site 277 in the SW Pacific Ocean (εNd(t) = −8.7 ± 1.5). Antarctic‐proximal shelf sites (ODP Site 1171 and Site U1356) reveal a pronounced erosional event between 49 and 48 Ma, manifested by ~2 εNd unit negative excursions in seawater chemistry toward the composition of bulk sediments at these sites. This erosional event coincides with the termination of peak global warmth following the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum and is associated with documented cooling across the study region and increased export of Antarctic deep waters, highlighting the complexity and importance of Southern Ocean circulation in the greenhouse climate of the Eocene.
Flexible Zinc–Tin Oxide Thin Film Transistors Operating at 1 kV for Integrated Switching of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators Arrays
Authors: Marette Alexis , Poulin Alexandre , Besse Nadine , Rosset Samuel , Briand Danick , Shea Herbert
Published: June 2017

Flexible high‐voltage thin‐film transistors (HVTFTs) operating at more than 1 kV are integrated with compliant dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) to create a flexible array of 16 independent actuators. To allow for high‐voltage operation, the HVTFT implements a zinc–tin oxide channel, a thick dielectric stack, and an offset gate. At a source–drain bias of 1 kV, the HVTFT has a 20 µA on‐current at a gate voltage bias of 30 V. Their electrical characteristics enable the switching of DEAs which require drive voltages of over 1 kV, making control of an array simpler in comparison to the use of external high‐voltage switching. These HVTFTs are integrated in a flexible haptic display consisting of a 4 × 4 matrix of DEAs and HVTFTs. Using a single 1.4 kV supply, each DEA is independently switched by its associated HVTFT, requiring only a 30 V gate voltage for full DEA deflection. The 4 × 4 display operates well even when bent to a 5 mm radius of curvature. By enabling DEA switching at low voltages, flexible metal‐oxide HVTFTs enable complex flexible systems with dozens to hundreds of independent DEAs for applications in haptics, Braille displays, and soft robotics.
Stretchable Electronic Platform for Soft and Smart Contact Lens Applications
Authors: Vásquez Quintero Andrés , Verplancke Rik , De Smet Herbert , Vanfleteren Jan
Published: June 2017

A stretchable platform with spherical‐shaped electronics based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is introduced for soft smart contact lenses. The low glass transition temperature of TPU, its relatively low hardness, and its proven biocompatibility (i.e., protection of exterior body wounds) fulfill the essential requirements for eye wearable devices. These requirements include optical transparency, conformal fitting, and flexibility comparable with soft contact lenses (e.g., hydrogel‐based). Moreover, the viscoelastic nature of TPU allows planar structures to be thermoformed into spherical caps with a well‐defined curvature (i.e., eye's curvature at the cornea: 9 mm). Numerical modeling and experimental validation enable fine‐tuning of the thermoforming parameters and the optimization of strain‐release patterns. Such tight control is proven necessary to achieve oxygen permeable, thin, nondevelopable, and wrinkle‐free contact lenses with integrated electronics (silicon die, radio‐frequency antenna, and stretchable thin‐film interconnections). This work paves the way toward fully autonomous smart contact lenses potentially for vision correction or sensing applications, among others.
Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed [4+2] Annulation between Propargylic Alcohols with Benzo[d]isoxazoles
Authors: Han Ya‐Ping , Li Xue‐Song , Sun Zhou , Zhu Xin‐Yu , Li Ming , Song Xian‐Rong , Liang Yong‐Min
Published: June 2017

An unprecedented copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate‐catalyzed [4+2] cascade annulation of propargylic alcohols with benzo[d]isoxazoles proceeds through a sequential ring opening/Meyer–Schuster rearrangement/intermolecular cyclization. This protocol, which tolerates a broad variety of functional groups, offers a versatile, modular and atom‐economical access to a new class of fascinating quinoline derivatives in good yields under mild conditions. The transformation could be scaled up to a gram scale efficiently, thus highlighting the synthetic utility of this methodology.

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Time‐Resolved Plasmonics used to On‐Line Monitor Metal/Elastomer Deposition for Low‐Voltage Dielectric Elastomer Transducers
Authors: Töpper Tino , Lörcher Samuel , Deyhle Hans , Osmani Bekim , Leung Vanessa , Pfohl Thomas , Müller Bert
Published: June 2017

Compliant hetero‐nanostructures provide access to nano‐photonics, flexible electronics, and artificial muscles. These nanometer‐thin polymers and metals are regularly predicated on molecular beam deposition—a technique that leads reliably to homogeneous films and enables the precise in situ monitoring of forming nanostructures. Herein, it is demonstrated that spectroscopic ellipsometry can be used to on‐line monitor film formation with a sub‐nanometer resolution and the evolution of the related optical properties of the hetero‐nanostructure. The data recorded include plasmonic fingerprints of Au islands as well as film formation on self‐assembled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Bi‐functionalized thiol‐PDMS, tailored for thermal deposition, serves as a self‐assembled adhesion layer for Au electrodes. Suppressed localized plasmonic activity indicates the formation of a homogeneous Au film on thiol‐PDMS and wrinkled Cr/PDMS, contrary to the well‐known establishment of Au islands on bare PDMS. The tailored hetero‐nanostructures based on Au/thiol‐PDMS and Au on wrinkled Cr/PDMS adhesion layers enable the fabrication of stretchable electronics and low‐voltage dielectric elastomer sensors and actuators for artificial muscles and tunable optics.
Risk factors of small bowel obstruction following total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with diverting loop‐ileostomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Mizushima Tsunekazu , Kameyama Hitoshi , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Kurachi Kiyotaka , Fukushima Kouhei , Nezu Riichiro , Uchino Motoi , Sugita Akira , Futami Kitaro
Published: June 2017

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) often occurs after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with diverting loop‐ileostomy for ulcerative colitis. Little is known about the association between SBO and surgical procedures for diverting loop‐ileostomy. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective questionnaire survey. Unlinkable anonymized data on ileostomy procedures and ileostomy‐related complications including SBO were collected from institutions specializing in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease. In total, 515 patients undergoing total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with loop‐ileostomy among 1022 patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing surgery during a 3‐year period between 2012 and 2014 were analyzed. Twenty‐nine patients without information on complications were excluded. Incidence of ileostomy‐related complications and factors associated with the development of small bowel obstruction were determined in 486 patients. The most common complications were parastomal dermatitis (n=169, 34.8%), SBO (n=111, 22.8%), mucocutaneous dehiscence (n=59, 12.1%), stoma prolapse (n=21, 4.3%), parastomal hernia (n=12, 2.5%), and stoma retraction (n=11, 2.3%). Incidence of small bowel obstruction was significantly higher in patients with distance from the ileal pouch to the ileostomy of less than 30 cm and in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Procedures for diverting loop‐ileostomy after surgery for ulcerative colitis varied among institutions. Incidence of small bowel obstruction was high after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with diverting loop‐ileostomy. Shorter distance between the pouch and the stoma and the laparoscopic surgery were risk factors for SBO in univariate analysis.
Aktivierung einer Kohlenstoff‐Halogen‐Bindung durch selenbasierte Chalkogenbrücken
Authors: Wonner Patrick , Vogel Lukas , Düser Maximilian , Gomes Luís , Kniep Florian , Mallick Bert , Werz Daniel B. , Huber Stefan M.
Published: June 2017

Chalkogenbrücken sind bisher wenig erforschte nichtkovalente Wechselwirkungen, welche vergleichbar mit Halogenbrücken sind. Diese Arbeit beschreibt die erste Anwendung selenbasierter Chalkogenbrückendonoren als Lewis‐Säuren in der organischen Synthese. Als Testreaktion zur Halogenidabstraktion diente die Solvolyse von Benzylhydrylbromid. Chalkogenbrückendonoren, welche auf einem Bis(benzimidazolium)‐Grundgerüst basieren, ergaben Reaktionsbeschleunigungen in einer Größenordnung von 20–30 im Vergleich zur Hintergrundreaktion. Mehrere Vergleichsexperimente lieferten klare Hinweise darauf, dass die beobachtete Aktivierung auf Chalkogenbrücken zurückgeführt werden kann. Zudem sind die eingesetzten Chalkogenbrückendonoren dem entsprechenden bromierten Halogenbrückendonor in ihrer Aktivität überlegen.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Diarylpyrazole and Triarylimidazoline Derivatives as Selective COX‐2 Inhibitors
Authors: Abdellatif Khaled R.A. , Abdelgawad Mohamed A. , Labib Madlen B. , Zidan Taha H.
Published: June 2017

New series of diarylpyrazoles 8a–f and triarylimidazoline‐5‐ones 11a–g were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) and COX‐2 inhibitory activity and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity. The synthesized compounds showed good selectivity for COX‐2; compounds 8a, 8d, 8f, 11a, and 11c exhibited the highest COX‐2 selectivity indexes (SI = 4.77–5.43) compared to the reference drug celecoxib (SI = 7.8). All compounds showed good in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity, especially compounds 8a, 8f, 11c, and 11d, which also showed some similarities to the time interval pattern of celecoxib at all different time intervals (1, 3, and 6 h).
Control versus Complexity: Approaches to the Carbon Dioxide Problem at IIASA
Authors: Schrickel Isabell
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung: Kontrolle versus Komplexität: Lösungsansätze für das Kohlendioxid‐Problem am IIASA. Am International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) haben in den 1970er und 1980er Jahren eine Reihe von Forschungsprojekten, Workshops und Konferenzen stattgefunden, in denen das Problem und die Folgen steigender atmosphärischer Kohlenstoffdioxid‐Konzentrationen diskutiert worden sind. Zahlreiche namhafte Wissenschaftler und Wissenschaftlerinnen, die später wichtige Protagonisten im Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) oder den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften werden sollten, waren an diesen Projekten beteiligt. Da am IIASA keine dezidiert geophysikalische oder klimawissenschaftliche Forschung stattfand, erscheint erklärungsbedürftig, in welchen Kontexten der Klimawandel zum Thema geworden ist. Dieser Artikel untersucht den historischen Kontext und stellt kontrastierend zwei konkurrierende Paradigmen, die Kohlenstoffdioxid‐Frage zu thematisieren, gegenüber: Das erste Paradigma war verbunden mit der Forschung zur Zukunft von Energiesystemen am IIASA und war geprägt von (geo‐)physikalischen, ingenieurtechnischen und orthodox‐ökonomischen Ansichten sowie von systemdynamischen Modellierungsansätzen; der zweite Ansatz war verbunden mit dem Ökologieprojekt am IIASA und der Entwicklung der Theorie komplexer dynamischer Systeme und zielte auf den Einsatz vielfältiger Methoden, um die Kohlenstoffdioxid‐Frage angemessen zu bewerten. Der erste Ansatz legte techno‐ökonomische Kontrollmechanismen nahe, der zweite resultierte in einem eher eingebetteten Verständnis des Klimawandels als Teilaspekt eines größeren Problemkomplexes nachhaltiger Entwicklung. Basierend auf Quellen aus dem Forschungsrepositorium und dem Institutsarchiv des IIASA rekonstruiert diese Studie die Hintergründe dieser konkurrierenden diskursiven Rahmungen und setzt diese in Beziehung zu den verschiedenen Forschungs‐ und Modellierungsstrategien, den daraus resultierenden Strategien und arbeitet einige Unterschiede in den damit verbundenen kulturellen und technologischen Vorstellungen heraus.
Data, Models and Earth History in Deep Convolution: Paleoclimate Simulations and their Epistemological Unrest
Authors: Rosol Christoph
Published: June 2017

Data, Models and Earth History in Deep Convolution: Paleoclimate Simulations and their Epistemological Unrest. Climate and Earth system models are not only used to project future conditions but also to re‐construct past climatic events. This is the second in a series of papers1 that argue that paleoclimatology, the study of climate prior to the period of direct, instrumental measurements, is an epistemically radical field, one which directly abolishes the distinction between data and model, and reconfigures the notion of experiment. In doing so our notion of deep (or geological) and shallow (or historical) time has become convoluted. The present paper shows, first, how the introduction of general circulation models not only shifted the analysis of the complex causes and processes of ancient climatic change toward numerical simulation techniques, but also how this very introduction was accompanied, if not also fundamentally impacted upon, by paleoclimatic questions in the first place. Second, these computer experiments, and the temporal processes and scales they make operative, turn out to be a potent catalyst in bringing about a new sense of the temporality in which our present transition into the Anthropocene unfolds. By discussing the historical development of paleoclimate modeling, and through examining the productive heuristic qualities of its practices, this paper introduces the unconventional and pragmatic episteme by which paleoclimate simulation challenges our fixation with the category of uncertainty.
Should school have known student might hurt peer?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: June 2017

Joshua Keadle transferred from Midland Lutheran College to Peru State College in 2010. At that time, the 29‐year‐old moved into a residence hall next door to 19‐year‐old female student Tyler Thomas. When Keadle applied to serve as an assistant to the PSC women's basketball team in August, a background check was initiated.
Take a new look at some of your biggest challenges
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: June 2017

College athletics administrators have come to terms with the fact that some of their biggest challenges, like budget cuts and time constraints, have become a fixed part of the college athletics landscape.
Lipid‐like Peptides can Stabilize Integral Membrane Proteins for Biophysical and Structural Studies
Authors: Veith Katharina , Martinez Molledo Maria , Almeida Hernandez Yasser , Josts Inokentijs , Nitsche Julius , Löw Christian , Tidow Henning
Published: June 2017

A crucial bottleneck in membrane protein structural biology is the difficulty in identifying a detergent that can maintain the stability and functionality of integral membrane proteins (IMPs). Detergents are poor membrane mimics, and their common use in membrane protein crystallography may be one reason for the challenges in obtaining high‐resolution crystal structures of many IMP families. Lipid‐like peptides (LLPs) have detergent‐like properties and have been proposed as alternatives for the solubilization of G protein‐coupled receptors and other membrane proteins. Here, we systematically analyzed the stabilizing effect of LLPs on integral membrane proteins of different families. We found that LLPs could significantly stabilize detergent‐solubilized IMPs in vitro. This stabilizing effect depended on the chemical nature of the LLP and the intrinsic stability of a particular IMP in the detergent. Our results suggest that screening a subset of LLPs is sufficient to stabilize a particular IMP, which can have a substantial impact on the crystallization and quality of the crystal.
Silica‐Supported Au–Ag Catalysts for the Selective Hydrogenation of Butadiene
Authors: Masoud Nazila , Delannoy Laurent , Calers Christophe , Gallet Jean‐Jacques , Bournel Fabrice , de Jong Krijn P. , Louis Catherine , de Jongh Petra E.
Published: June 2017

Gold and silver are miscible over the entire composition range, and form an attractive combination for fundamental studies on bimetallic catalysts. Au–Ag catalysts have shown synergistic effects for different oxidation and liquid‐phase hydrogenation reactions, but have rarely been studied for gas‐phase hydrogenation. In this study 3 nm particles of Au, Ag and Au–Ag supported on silica (SBA‐15) were investigated as catalysts for selective hydrogenation of butadiene in an excess of propene. The Au catalyst was over an order of magnitude more active than the Ag catalyst at 120 °C. The initial activity of the Au–Ag catalysts scaled linearly with the Au‐content, suggesting a direct correlation between the surface and overall compositions of the nanoparticles and the absence of synergistic effects. All Au‐containing catalysts were highly selective to butenes (>99.9 %). The Au catalysts were stable, whereas the Au–Ag catalysts lost about half of their activity during 20 h run time at 200 °C, but the initial activity was restored by a consecutive oxidation‐reduction treatment. Near ambient pressure x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that exposure to H2 at elevated temperatures led to a gradual enrichment of the surface of the Au–Ag nanoparticles by Ag. These observations highlight the importance of considering progressive atomic rearrangements in bimetallic nanocatalysts under reaction conditions.
Organocatalytic Synthesis of Lactones by the Oxidation of Alkenoic Acids
Authors: Triandafillidi Ierasia , Raftopoulou Marianna , Savvidou Anatoli , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: June 2017

Along the lines of modern sustainable oxidation, a green and mild organocatalytic synthetic procedure for the synthesis of hydroxylactones from alkenoic acids is described. The reaction includes the activation of H2O2 by an organocatalyst (2,2,2‐trifluoromethylacetophenone), the oxidation of an olefinic group to the corresponding epoxide, and intramolecular lactonization to afford a variety of substituted γ‐ or δ‐lactones with multiple substitution patterns in good to high yields. The product can be obtained with high purity after simple extraction if the conversion is quantitative. Attempts to render the process asymmetric met with limited success.
Application of Microwave Irradiation for Preparation of a KOH/Calcium Aluminate Nanocatalyst and Biodiesel
Authors: Nayebzadeh Hamed , Saghatoleslami Naser , Tabasizadeh Mohammad
Published: June 2017

Microwave combustion was applied for the fabrication of KOH/calcium aluminate for microwave‐enhanced biodiesel production. The effect of calcium nitrate and potassium hydroxide dosages on the properties and activities of samples was assessed. When the Ca/Al ratio was increased, the activity was enhanced probably due to the transformation of the sample to an active mayenite structure. The activity of the sample was reduced by a higher KOH loading as a result of covering the surface and porosity of the support by potassium components. The optimum sample was utilized in the transesterification reaction by two heating systems where the microwave irradiation reduced the reaction time drastically as compared to the conventional heating system. The sample converted canola oil to methyl ester nearly completely and showed high stability via calcination after each usage.
Nanofiber Single‐Ion Conducting Electrolytes: An Approach for High‐Performance Lithium Batteries at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Rohan Rupesh , Kuo Tsung‐Chieh , Chen Meng‐Wei , Lee Jyh‐Tsung
Published: June 2017

Exploring the benefits of a nanofibrous morphology in electrolyte materials for Li‐battery applications, an approach of fabricating single‐ion conducting electrolyte (SICE) membranes is reported. A nonwoven nanofabric SICE membrane, delivering an outstanding performance, surpassing the conventional liquid electrolyte system at ambient conditions, was fabricated by using an electrospinning technique. When soaked in a carbonate solvent system, the membrane shows high ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability above 5.2 V (vs. Li/Li+) and a lithium transference number (
) close to unity (0.93). Moreover, a LiFePO4|Li cell assembled with this membrane performs charge/discharge up to the 5 C rate under ambient conditions with a coulombic efficiency close to 100%. The discharge capacities of this battery are found to be higher than those of a battery assembled with a commercial separator/dual‐ion salt electrolyte system up to 2 C, which offers significant progress for SICEs. Unlike most of the earlier reported SICEs that performed like a bulk‐material entity, the innovative approach might be valuable for future developments.
Unraveling the Multistimuli Responses of a Complex Dynamic System of Pseudopeptidic Macrocycles
Authors: Valdivielso Angel M. , Puig‐Castellví Francesc , Atcher Joan , Solà Jordi , Tauler Romà , Alfonso Ignacio
Published: June 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Ignacio Alfonso at the IQAC‐CSIC in Barcelona (Spain). Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201701294.
A New Microporous Metal‐Organic Framework for Highly Selective C2H2/CH4 and C2H2/CO2 Separation at Room Temperature
Authors: Duan Xing , Xia Tifeng , Ji Zhenguo , Cui Yuanjing , Yang Yu , Qian Guodong
Published: June 2017

We have successfully designed and synthesized a new tetracarboxylic linker, which constructed its first three‐dimensional microporous metal‐organic framework (MOF), [Cu2(DDPD)(H2O)2]•Gx (ZJU‐13, H4DDPD=5,5'‐(2,6‐dihydroxynaphthalene‐1,5‐diyl)diisophthalic acid, ZJU=Zhejiang University, G = guest molecules) via solvothermal reaction. Due to open Cu2+ sites and optimized pore size, the activated ZJU‐13a displays high separation selectivity for C2H2/CH4 of 74 and C2H2/CO2 of 12.5 at low pressure by using Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST) simulation at room temperature.
Photodynamic Therapy of Oligoethylene Glycol‐Dendronized Reduction‐Sensitive Porphyrins
Authors: Ju Mingjie , Pang Jundi , Xu Ligong
Published: June 2017

Graphene oxide (GO) and its functionalized derivatives have attracted increasing attention in medical treatment. Herein, a reduction sensitivePEI‐GO‐SS‐TPPwas synthesized for photodynamic therapy. More than 80% porphyrin release was observed in the presence of 10 mmol•L−1DTTin one day. The confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that the cell uptake efficiency ofPEI‐GO‐SS‐TPPwas remarkably enhanced as compared to free porphyrin which was significantly dependent on incubation time. For photodynamic therapy,GSH‐OEtcould effectively increase the photodynamic therapy efficiency ofPEI‐GO‐SS‐TPP. Compared with free porphyrin, the toxicity fromPEI‐GO‐SS‐TPPis much higher with a lowIC50(2.1 µg/mL) value. All results indicate that thePEI‐GO‐SS‐TPP PSsare promising for photodynamic therapy.
Molecular Diversity of Three‐Component Reaction of β‐Enamino Imide, Malononitrile and Cyclic α‐Diketones
Authors: Xiao Man , Yan Chaoguo
Published: June 2017

The base promoted three‐component reaction of β‐enamino imide, malononitrile and various cyclic α‐diketones in acetonitrile showed interesting molecular diversity. The reactions with acenaphthylene‐1,2‐dione and ninhydrin afforded functionalized spiro[indene‐2,4'‐pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridines] and spiro[acenaphthylene‐1,4'‐pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridines] in good yields. The similar reaction of phenanthrene‐9,10‐dione resulted in the formation of the unexpected complex phenanthro[9',10':4,5]furo[2,3‐c]pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyrroles in satisfactory yields.
Synthesis, DNA Cleavage Activity, Cytotoxicity, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition, and Acute Murine Toxicity of Redox‐Active Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes
Authors: Alatrash Nagham , Narh Eugenia S. , Yadav Abhishek , Kim Mahn‐Jong , Janaratne Thamara , Gabriel James , MacDonnell Frederick M.
Published: June 2017

Four mononuclear [(L‐L)2Ru(tatpp)]2+ and two dinuclear [(L‐L)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(L‐L)2]4+ ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes (RPCs) containing the 9,11,20,22‐tetraazatetrapyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c:3′′,2′′‐l:2′′′,3′′′‐n]pentacene (tatpp) ligand were synthesized, in which L‐L is a chelating diamine ligand such as 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Me4phen) or 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Ph2phen). These Ru–tatpp analogues all undergo reduction reactions with modest reducing agents, such as glutathione (GSH), at pH 7. These, plus several structurally related but non‐redox‐active RPCs, were screened for DNA cleavage activity, cytotoxicity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, and acute mouse toxicity, and their activities were examined with respect to redox activity and lipophilicity. All of the redox‐active RPCs show single‐strand DNA cleavage in the presence of GSH, whereas none of the non‐redox‐active RPCs do. Low‐micromolar cytotoxicity (IC50) against malignant H358, CCL228, and MCF7 cultured cell lines was mainly restricted to the redox‐active RPCs; however, they were substantially less toxic toward nonmalignant MCF10 cells. The IC50 values for AChE inhibition in cell‐free assays and the acute toxicity of RPCs in mice revealed that whereas most RPCs show potent inhibitory action against AChE (IC50 values <15 μm), Ru–tatpp complexes as a class are surprisingly well tolerated in animals relative to other RPCs.
Saposin B Binds the Lipofuscin Bisretinoid A2E and Prevents its Enzymatic and Photooxidation
Authors: Tinklepaugh Jay , Smith Britannia M. , Nie Yan , Moody Kelsey , Grohn Kris , Bou‐Abdallah Fadi , Doyle Robert P.
Published: June 2017

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Prof. Robert P. Doyle at Syracuse University (USA) and collaborators, Prof. Fadi Bou‐Abdallah at SUNY Potsdam (USA) and Kelsey Moody at Ichor Therapeutics. The picture illustrates lipofuscin bisretinoid A2E blue‐light‐induced photooxidation and its protection by the lysosomal protein SapB. Binding of A2E by SapB protects A2E from both enzymatic degradation and photooxidation by blue light. Read the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/cptc.201700039.
Admissions as a facilitator of inclusion — not a gatekeeper
Authors: Mehta Lina , Clifford Grace
Published: June 2017

Although the percentage of medical students with disabilities is increasing, it continues to lag behind that of individuals with disabilities in other graduate programs. One mechanism for increasing the number of students with disabilities in medicine is through the admissions pathway. Medical school admissions is historically viewed as the gatekeeper for students with disabilities in entering the medical profession.
Top online schools for disabilities prioritize commitments to access
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: June 2017

The Guide to Online Schools has published its list of top online schools for students with disabilities for 2017, with Stanford University ranked in the top spot. Researchers for SR Education Group evaluated 1,265 online schools and ranked the top 47 colleges for the level of support shown for students with disabilities, including accommodations available for students as well as resources available to disabled students.
Different genetic structures revealed resident populations of a specialist parasitoid wasp in contrast to its migratory host
Authors: Wei Shu‐Jun , Zhou Yuan , Fan Xu‐Lei , Hoffmann Ary A. , Cao Li‐Jun , Chen Xue‐Xin , Xu Zai‐Fu
Published: June 2017

Genetic comparisons of parasitoids and their hosts are expected to reflect ecological and evolutionary processes that influence the interactions between species. The parasitoid wasp, Cotesia vestalis, and its host diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, provide opportunities to test whether the specialist natural enemy migrates seasonally with its host or occurs as resident population. We genotyped 17 microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial genes for 158 female adults of C. vestalis collected from 12 geographical populations, as well as nine microsatellite loci for 127 DBM larvae from six separate sites. The samplings covered both the likely source (southern) and immigrant (northern) areas of DBM from China. Populations of C. vestalis fell into three groups, pointing to isolation in northwestern and southwestern China and strong genetic differentiation of these populations from others in central and eastern China. In contrast, DBM showed much weaker genetic differentiation and high rates of gene flow. TESS analysis identified the immigrant populations of DBM as showing admixture in northern China. Genetic disconnect between C. vestalis and its host suggests that the parasitoid did not migrate yearly with its host but likely consisted of resident populations in places where its host could not survive in winter.
Phenotyping of gut microbiota: Focus on capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Ferrer Manuel , Raczkowska Beata Anna , Martínez‐Martínez Mónica , Barbas Coral , Rojo David
Published: June 2017

The analysis of the microbial metabolome is crucial to fully understand the symbiotic relation between humans and microbes. That is why an explosion of metabolomics took place in the area. So far, at least several hundreds of microbial metabolites have been shown to be statistically altered when humans undergo a plethora of commonly faced perturbations. NMR and MS, usually coupled with GC, LC and CE have revealed their identities. CE is a robust analytical platform for the analysis of polar and ionic metabolites that are essential in order to assess the cells’ activity. Due to its novelty, only 5% of the metabolomics studies investigate gut microbiota using CE, even though the metabolites found by CE as being significantly altered in human microbiota represent around 23% of the total number of metabolites identified by metabolomics tools. Herein, we discuss the advances of metabolomics in the frame of other OMICS techniques for human gut microbiota analysis. Afterwards, we focus on sample treatment, analytical methods and data processing in CE coupled to any detector that have been reported to date in order to enhance metabolite coverage in the art, and to identify metabolite markers that cannot be covered by other platforms but are of key importance for determining microbial activity and human health.
A robust protocol for the isolation of cellular proteins from Xanthomonas campestris to analyze the methionine effect in 2D‐gel experiments
Authors: Schulte Fabian , Hardt Markus , Niehaus Karsten
Published: June 2017

Two‐dimensional PAGE (2D‐PAGE) is a key technique for the separation of complex protein samples to survey the protein inventory of prokaryotic microorganisms. Although the preparation of proteins is a critical step in 2D gel experiments, its effect on the outcome of proteome data is often underestimated. In this work, we show that the choice of protein isolation method can have a profound impact on the quality of 2D gels of protein extracts from prokaryotes. Based on Xanthomonas campestris, a commercially relevant producer of the thickening agent xanthan, we validated a phenol extraction protocol for the purification of bacterial proteins that provides excellent 2D gel separation. As a proof of concept, this method was used to study the effect of methionine—a medium compound that reduces the xanthan output of industrial fermentations—on the cellular proteome of Xanthomonas. The detection of nine regulated proteins associated with sulfur metabolism (Cgl, CysI, CysJ, CysK, MetH1, MetY) and sugar nucleotide biosynthesis (Pgi, Ugd, XanA) proved the efficiency of phenol extraction for the screening of statistically significant abundance changes in 2D gel spots and MALDI‐TOF‐MS based identification in bacteria. Since this method is very robust, it may be useful for the study of other prokaryotes that are relevant in industrial biotechnology.
Microtiter plate‐based cultivation to investigate the growth of filamentous fungi
Authors: Huth Ina , Schrader Jens , Holtmann Dirk
Published: June 2017

Microscale bioprocessing techniques are rapidly emerging as a means to increase the speed of bioprocess design and to reduce material consumption. However, there is still a lack of suitable parallelized techniques to investigate the industrially important group of filamentous bacteria and fungi. Cultivation of filamentous organisms in shake flasks is still the favored technique for comparing and optimizing cultivation conditions of production strains at mL‐scale. In this paper, the application of a microtiter plate‐based cultivation system in combination with the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was investigated. A protocol for reproducible cultivation was developed and evaluated. Productivity of A. niger concerning the rose‐like aroma compound 2‐phenylethanol showed low standard deviations while regular and consistent morphologies appeared in the parallelized system. Furthermore, the effect of addition of microparticles on the morphology was investigated. The results can be used to accelerate the process development with A. niger and other filamentous organisms.
Chars from waste tire rubber by catalytic pyrolysis and the statistical analysis of the adsorption of Fe in potable water
Authors: Guerrero‐Esparza María Marisol , Medina‐Valtierra Jorge , Carrasco‐Marín Francisco
Published: June 2017

Chars were produced by thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of waste tire rubber and used to remove Fe ions from potable water. In the catalytic process a small amount of super‐acid catalyst was mixed with tire rubber to obtain better chars for adsorption of heavy metals. Average yields of chars obtained in the thermal and catalytic processes (with 10 wt% of catalyst) were: 46.6 and 33.9 wt%, respectively. The effects of reaction time, pyrolysis temperature and percentage of catalyst on the textural characteristics, elemental composition and adsorption capacity of the resultant chars were investigated. It was demonstrated that operative variables used did not have a significant improvement on the total surface area. Carbon materials from catalytic process showed a high adsorption capacity for Fe ions in potable water; until 41.9 mg of iron were removed per g of char while a thermal char showed an adsorption capacity of 25.2 mg/g. The amount of metal ions adsorbed by chars is not proportional to the total surface area when they were compared with a commercial carbon, revealing that others factors are involved in the adsorption capacity of chars. In order to relate the Fe3+ removal and the independent factors, a statistical procedure that consisted in the application of a standard 33 factorial design of experiments and response surface methodology were carried out. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1794–1801, 2017
Catalytic combustion of toluene with Pd/La0.8Ce0.2MnO3 supported on different zeolites
Authors: Wang Yongqiang , Xiao Li , Zhao Chaocheng , Liu Fang , Li Shi
Published: June 2017

Pd/La0.8Ce0.2MnO3 catalysts supported on various kinds of zeolites (ZSM‐5, MOR, NaY, and β) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method, and these catalysts were investigated by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller, X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and H2‐temperature programmed reduction. The catalytic activity of these catalysts was tested for toluene catalytic combustion, and the support effect was investigated. It was found that the ZSM‐5 is the best support than other zeolites (MOR, NaY, and β), because it processes the higher acidity and reducibility, although its specific surface area is smaller than the others. Result of XRD indicates that Pd species are highly dispersed on the surface of the catalysts, and the doping of Pd could greatly improve the activity of La0.8Ce0.2MnO3, the light‐off and complete conversion temperature of Pd/La0.8Ce0.2MnO3/ZSM‐5 are only 112 and 227°C, respectively. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 215–220, 2018
Surfactant‐Free One‐Pot Synthesis of Low‐Density Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Adsorptive Removal of Arsenic Species
Authors: Mishra Prashant Kumar , Saxena Amit , Rawat Ashok Singh , Dixit Pradeep Kumar , Kumar Rakesh , Rai Pramod Kumar
Published: June 2017

Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles of size 3–5 nm and surface area 257 m2 g−1 were synthesized using simple, single‐pot, and surfactant‐free aerogel process. Efforts were made to tune the surface area and porosity of CeO2 nanoparticles by changing the concentration of precursors. CeO2 nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, N2‐BET, and FTIR. Prepared CeO2 was used to remove As(III) and As(V) from water at variable contaminant concentrations (25–100 ppm) and pH (3–10). The adsorption process found extremely fast for the first few minutes of exposure. CeO2 nanoparticles indicated adsorption capacities of 71.9 and 36.8 mg g−1 against As(III) and As(V), respectively. The adsorption data best fitted with Redlich–Peterson model, depicting monolayer adsorption. The adsorption followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and intraparticle diffusion with three‐step diffusion process. The effect of co‐existing anions (H2
,
, and
) indicated 80–96% reduction in adsorption capacity. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 221–231, 2018
Risks to critical environmental resources and public wellbeing from climate change in the eyes of public opinion in Kuwait
Authors: Elmi Abdirashid A.
Published: June 2017

Climate change and its impacts have become an increasingly imperative topic of discussion in recent years. The perception of climate change as an environmental problem and public health hazard can significantly affect public behavior in terms of acceptance of the government's actions for mitigation and progress of various forms of adaptation strategies. The study reported herein would be the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region that seeks to examine people's opinions on a host of environmental issues in relation to human activities and potential solutions to these issues. The findings from this public survey indicate that about 80% of respondents believe human actions have already caused global environmental changes and the current path to economic development may not be sustainable. Respondents showed great concerns for future generations’ well‐being if environmental deterioration continues unabated. While this study is an important first step, only a few aspects of the impacts of climate change are included in the survey. There is a need for future studies to provide more information to quantify perceptions of climate risks to society, analyze the benefits of climate action, and enhance adaptive capacity. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 232–239, 2018
Role of ion‐exchange resins as catalyst in the reaction‐network of transformation of biomass into biofuels
Authors: Ramírez Eliana , Bringué Roger , Fité Carles , Iborra Montserrat , Tejero Javier , Cunill Fidel
Published: June 2017

The use of acidic ion exchange resins in the transformation of biomass into biofuels is revised and their potential application is presented. Relationships between morphology and structure of resins and their catalytic activity for some existing reactions of the transformation network from sugars to biofuels are observed. In the synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethyfurfural and levulinic acid, catalytic activity of resins increases when the crosslinking content is decreased for both macroreticular and gel‐type resins. Gel‐type resins with low crosslinking were found to be the most suitable resins for direct esterification of levulinic acid with linear alcohols. However, for the alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol, macroreticular resins are better than gel‐type ones. Deactivation probably due to humins formation is the main drawback for industrial application. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
New frontiers of land and water commodification: socio‐environmental controversies of large‐scale land acquisitions
Authors: D'Odorico Paolo , Rulli Maria Cristina , Dell'Angelo Jampel , Davis Kyle Frankel
Published: June 2017

A growing number of regions in the developing world are targeted by transnational investors who are acquiring large amounts of land and natural resources. Driven by the increasing global demand for agricultural products, such investments are often considered an opportunity for economic development in the target country. However, there are concerns about the social and environmental impacts on local communities. In this brief review, we discuss some key socio‐environmental controversies surrounding large‐scale land acquisitions (LSLAs). LSLAs often target common property systems and lead to privatization and commodification of land through long‐term land concessions. There is a debate between supporters of foreign land investments as a means to attract modern agricultural technology that would decrease the yield gap in underperforming agricultural land and those who question such a development model because it is seldom coupled with policy instruments that would ensure that the benefits improve food security in local populations. Large‐scale land investments displace a variety of systems of production ranging from small‐scale farming to (arguably) “unused” land such as forests and savannas on which local communities often depend. Moreover, LSLAs entail an appropriation of water resources that may negatively impact local farmers or downstream human and natural systems. In most cases, investors keep the land fallow but, when they put it under productive use, they typically change land cover and land use to start intensified commercial farming, often for nonfood crops. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.