bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light‐Liquid Selective Filter‐Mounted Nanowire‐Networked Polyurethane Fiber for an Ultraviolet Sensor
Authors: Lim Taekyung , Jung Sang‐Mi , Kang Youngsoo , Ju Sanghyun
Published: August 2019

Fiber‐sensor‐based real‐time monitoring of the degree of exposure of the human body to ultraviolet (UV) rays is one of the technologies in the field of smart healthcare‐based wearable devices. With the development of wearable UV sensors, it is essential to build technologies with stable durability and excellent sensing capabilities for continuous movement and with water, sweat, and external contaminants. In this study, a fiber sensor is investigated that can stably detect UV intensity even when exposed to liquids such as water. The device consists of SnO2 nanowires, which are sensitive to UV intensity, arranged on a polyurethane (PU) fiber in a random network pattern, with the aim to minimize the amount of current change caused by various tensile and compressive stresses encountered by the wearable sensor. To prevent the distortion of the measured current that may occur in the semiconductor sensing channel as a result of external water exposure, a (1H,1H,2H,2H‐heptadecafluorodec‐1‐yl) phosphonic acid (HDF‐PA)‐coated Al2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) with a UV transmittance of 77% are coated on the networked SnO2 nanowire channel. The SnO2 nanowire‐networked PU fiber covered with the HDF‐PA coated Al2O3 NPs is confirmed to be sensitive only to UV, without reacting to external water under various bending conditions.
Ternary Organic Blend Approaches for High Photovoltaic Performance in Versatile Applications
Authors: Nam Minwoo , Kang Joo‐han , Shin Jisu , Na Jihye , Park Yunjae , Cho Junhee , Kim Byunghoon , Lee Hyun Hwi , Chang Rakwoo , Ko Doo‐Hyun
Published: August 2019

Ternary blend approaches are demonstrated as a universal means to improve overall performance of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) in both indoor and outdoor conditions. A comparative study on two donors:one acceptor (2D:1A) and one donor:two acceptors (1D:2A) ternary blends shows that both approaches are universally effective for indoor and outdoor operation; the 1D:2A devices incorporating a nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) benefit from less charge recombination and higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) for various irradiation conditions, while the performance of the 2D:1A blends depends on the emission spectrum of the incident light source. The synergistic merits of NFAs and ternary structure in the 1D:2A ternary OPVs secure better performance and generality regardless of the incident lighting. A combination of experimental and theoretical analyses unveils that NFAs optimize packing and arrangement of molecules to build efficient cascade ternary junctions in the 1D:2A blends, which can be important design guidelines for the third component in ternary OPVs. The optimized 1D:2A ternary OPV exhibits a new record PCE of 25.6% under a 200 lux light‐emitting diode (LED) and 26.4% under a 1000 lux LED, and superior durability under industrial relevant thermal stress, suggesting new opportunities in diverse practical applications challenging the currently dominant PV technologies.
A simple kinetic model for complex rheological fluids based on irreversible thermodynamics
Authors: García‐Sandoval Juan Paulo , Hernández Elena , Bautista Fernando , Puig Jorge E. , Manero Octavio
Published: August 2019

In this work, we analyze the kinetics of the entanglement–disentanglement process of complex fluids coupled to a rheological constitutive equation of state within an irreversible thermodynamics framework. In the context of the coupling between the kinetics and the mechanical phenomena, we assume that the rate constants are functions of the affinities that contain the chemical potentials, which are themselves functions of the extended Gibbs free energy containing the irreversible dissipation terms. Although the derived model has a simple mathematical structure, it is able to predict complex flow behaviors, including shear‐thickening, shear‐thinning, and more complex flow histories such as shear‐banding. As special case, we derive the constitutive equations of the Bautista–Manero–Puig (BMP) model in which the material constants have a thermodynamic basis and have been successfully used for the last two decades to predict the behavior of complex fluids such as the ones examined here.
The effect of carrier surface roughness on wall collision‐induced detachment of micronized pharmaceutical particles
Authors: Tamadondar Mohammad R. , Rasmuson Anders
Published: August 2019

Repeated particle‐wall collisions are regarded as a contributory mechanism to the detachment of micronized pharmaceutical particles from carrier particles in inhaler devices. A natural and not much studied feature of these carrier particles are their surface roughness. In the present study, we simulate the collision‐induced dispersion behavior of dry‐coated rough particles by means of the discrete element method. Carrier particles with controllable length scales of roughness are generated based on the concept of Fourier shape descriptors. The dispersion efficiency correlates well with the statistical measures of the surface asperities. Moreover, the collision energy is found to contribute to the degree of fine particle detachment. At the rebound, it is observed that the majority of remaining fine particles fall into the particle cavities and establish multiple contacts with the carrier surface. These results corroborate with experimental findings and emphasize the significant effect of surface asperities in the context of inhalable particles.
Advanced age adversely affects chronic rhinosinusitis surgical outcomes
Authors: Yancey Kristen L. , Lowery Anne S. , Chandra Rakesh K. , Chowdhury Naweed I. , Turner Justin H.
Published: August 2019

Background

Patient‐specific and disease‐specific factors shape the course of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and its response to treatment, with optimal management involving interventions tailored to these factors. Recent evidence suggests CRS inflammatory signatures depend on age. The objective of this study was to determine whether age also influences quality‐of‐life (QOL) and postoperative outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected QOL data from 403 adults with medically refractory CRS who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) at a tertiary care medical center between 2014 and 2018 was undertaken. Total and subdomain scores from the 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) and the Short Form 8 Health Survey (SF‐8) measure of general health completed at preoperative and postoperative visits were reviewed.

Results

Patients were divided into young (18 to 39 years, n = 100), middle‐aged (40 to 59 years, n = 172), and elderly (≥60 years, n = 131) groups. Baseline total SNOT‐22 scores differed between groups (p = 0.01), with middle‐aged patients having the highest symptom burden and elderly patients having the lowest. Similar patterns were observed for SNOT‐22 subdomains. Elderly patients reported smaller improvements and were less likely to achieve a minimally important clinical difference. CRS patients had worse SF‐8 scores compared to the general population, and elderly patients were the least likely to match population norms following surgery. Age was an independent predictor of QOL outcomes after FESS.

Conclusion

Age may play a significant role in CRS pathophysiology, symptom burden, and surgical outcomes. Elderly patients report smaller improvements in disease‐specific and general health QOL after surgery. CRS management in the elderly population should incorporate age‐dependent differences in symptom burden and expectations into treatment algorithms.
Renal‐clearable Molecular Semiconductor for Second Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Huang Jiaguo , Xie Chen , Zhang Xiaodong , Jiang Yuyan , Li Jingchao , Fan Quli , Pu Kanyi
Published: August 2019

Real‐time imaging of kidney function is important to assess the nephrotoxicity of drugs and monitor the progression of renal diseases; however, it remains challenging because of the lack of optical agents with high renal clearance and high signal‐to‐background ratio (SBR). Herein, a second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) fluorescent molecular semiconductor (CDIR2) is synthesized for real‐time imaging of kidney dysfunction in living mice. CDIR2 not only has a high renal clearance efficiency (≈90 % injection dosage at 24 h post‐injection), but also solely undergoes glomerular filtration into urine without being reabsorbed and secreted in renal tubules. Such a unidirectional renal clearance pathway of CDIR2 permits real‐time monitoring of kidney dysfunction in living mice upon nephrotoxic exposure. Thus, this study not only introduces a molecular renal probe but also provides useful molecular guidelines to increase the renal clearance efficiency of NIR‐II fluorescent agents.
Electrochemical Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural on Nickel Nitride/Carbon Nanosheets: Reaction Pathway Determined by In Situ Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Nana , Zou Yuqin , Tao Li , Chen Wei , Zhou Ling , Liu Zhijuan , Zhou Bo , Huang Gen , Lin Hongzhen , Wang Shuangyin
Published: August 2019

2,5‐Furandicarboxylic acid was obtained from the electrooxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with non‐noble metal‐based catalysts. Moreover, combining the biomass oxidation with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) increased the energy conversion efficiency of an electrolyzer and also generated value‐added products at both electrodes. Here, the reaction pathway on the surface of a carbon‐coupled nickel nitride nanosheet (Ni3N@C) electrode was evaluated by surface‐selective vibrational spectroscopy using sum frequency generation (SFG) during the electrochemical oxidation. The Ni3N@C electrode shows catalytic activities for HMF oxidation and the HER. As the first in situ SFG study on transition‐metal nitride for the electrooxidation upgrade of HMF, this work not only demonstrates that the reaction pathway of electrochemical oxidation but also provides an opportunity for nonprecious metal nitrides to simultaneously upgrade biomass and produce H2 under ambient conditions.
Influence of additives, particle size, and incorporation of coarse particles on the shear rheology of concentrated Indian coal ash slurries
Authors: Prasad Vighnesh , Mehrotra Surya Pratap , Thareja Prachi
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study is to first obtain stable coal ash slurries using additives and understand their flow behaviour as a function of the size of coal ash particles and incorporation of coarse coal ash particles. The combination of 0.1 wt% cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and 0.1 wt% sodium salicylate (NaSal) salt is used to stabilize the coal ash slurries with 60 wt% coal ash loading. The range of shear rate (
) of 10–500 s−1 is determined to be free from the artefacts of slip and Taylor vortices and, hence, found to be reliable for rheological measurements. The slurries show predominantly shear thinning flow behaviour irrespective of the size of coal ash particles. We also show that the viscosity of the slurries increases monotonically with the decrease in the size of coal ash particles. The incorporation of coarse coal ash particles results in a decrease in the viscosity until a critical coarse particle concentration of 30 wt% is reached, beyond which no significant change in viscosity is observed.
Crack growth resistance of natural rubber reinforced with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhan Yanhu , Yan Ning , Fei Guoxia , Xia Hesheng , Meng Yanyan
Published: August 2019

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/natural rubber (NR) composites are prepared through ultrasonically assisted latex mixing combined with a two‐roll mixing process, and their crack growth behavior is examined to evaluate their fatigue properties. CNTs/NR shows a reinforcement of crack growth resistance compared to unfilled NR. The measurements of the tearing energy and the hysteresis loss show that CNTs/NR exhibits more energy dissipation than NR. Also, strain‐induced crystallization (SIC) around the crack tip of CNTs/NR and NR composite was examined at different fatigue strains. CNTs positioned at the crack tip led to a crack branching at low fatigue strain, which is responsible for the improvement of the crack growth resistance of CNTs/NR. However, the inclusion of CNTs renders NR higher crystallinity and larger crystallization zones in front of the crack tip at high fatigue strains, which allows more energy dissipation during crack growth. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48447.
Fault estimation for aero‐engine LPV systems based on LFT
Authors: Wang Rui , Liu Min , Ma Yanhua
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a fault estimator with linear fractional transformation (LFT) parameter dependency is designed for the linear parameter‐varying (LPV) system of the aero‐engine with both sensor and actuator faults under disturbances. After an aero‐engine affine parameter‐dependent LPV model is derived by the linear fitting method and matrix pseudo‐inverse method, the LPV model with disturbances and fault signals is transformed into a LFT structure. Based on the full block S‐procedure, the sufficient condition for the existence of the fault estimator is proposed, which can lead to less conservative results. Then the fault estimator design algorithm which can adjust to the current system dynamic adaptively is presented. Finally, a fault estimator is designed for a turbofan aero‐engine under multiple types of faults and disturbances to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Project BMK10k: Zeiss Ballistische Messkammer with a 10k × 10k CCD for ground‐based PLATO support
Authors: Strassmeier Klaus G. , Granzer Thomas , Weingrill Jörg , Woche Manfred , Bittner Wilbert , Bauer Svend‐Marian , Paschke Jens , Chini Rolf
Published: August 2019

Ballistische Messkammer with 10k CCD's (BMK10k) central goal is supporting the upcoming PLAnetary Transits and Oscillation of stars (PLATO) mission by reducing its number of false positives (planet‐compatible transit candidates but not planets at the end). For Kepler, the number of false positives had been estimated to still be about 10%. Understanding the PLATO false alarm rate is not as straightforward, and preparatory data from the ground will dramatically improve the target selection and minimize the number of false positives. We aim to identify the target contamination for every PLATO target and initially provide well‐sampled light curves of all detectable contaminants in the long‐duration southern PLATO field. Thereby, it will be possible to identify background eclipsing binaries and rotating spotted stars with periods between 1 hr and 100 days down to 17–18th mag. This will be achieved with a dedicated robotic telescope with one of the world's largest CCDs with the smallest pixels, enabling a field of view of 52.5 square degrees with a sampling of 2.5″/pix. Auxiliary science is also foreseen and will focus on the period–mass relation of Ptolemy's cluster (M7). In this paper, we describe the entire telescope system and show initial commissioning data.
Evaluating the sustainability of indirect potable reuse and direct potable reuse: a southern Nevada case study
Authors: Dow Cory , Ahmad Sajjad , Stave Krystyna , Gerrity Daniel
Published: August 2019

This case study presents a framework for evaluating the sustainability of indirect potable reuse (IPR) and direct potable reuse (DPR) in Las Vegas, Nevada. A system dynamics model was developed to simulate population growth, water supply, water quality, energy costs, net present worth (NPW), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The model confirmed that DPR could achieve a net reduction in energy costs of up to US$250 million while still ensuring an adequate water supply. However, the high NPW of DPR ($1.0–$4.0 billion) relative to the status quo IPR approach ($0.6 billion) represents a significant economic hurdle, although future monetization of salt loadings and GHGs could reduce that disparity. DPR with ozone‐biofiltration would also be hindered by an estimated concentration of total dissolved solids of up to 1,300 mg/L. Despite these barriers to implementation in Las Vegas, certain site‐specific conditions may make DPR more attractive in other locations.
Development of a rapid and improved two‐dimensional electrophoresis method for the separation of protein lysate
Authors: Kwan Soon Hong , Ismail Mohd Nazri
Published: August 2019

Researchers frequently use two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D‐PAGE) prior to mass spectrometric analysis in a proteomics approach. The i2D‐PAGE method, which ‘inverts’ the dimension of protein separation of the conventional 2D‐PAGE, is presented in this publication. Protein lysate of Channa striata, a freshwater snakehead fish, was separated based on its molecular weight in the first dimension and its isoelectric point in the second dimension. The first‐dimension separation was conducted on a gel‐free separation device, and the protein mixture was fractionated into 12 fractions in chronological order of increasing molecular weight. The second‐dimension separation featured isoelectric focusing, which further separated the proteins within the same fraction according to their respective isoelectric point. Advantages of i2D‐PAGE include better visualisation of the isolated protein, easy identification on protein isoforms, shorter running time, customisability and reproducibility. Erythropoietin standard was applied to i2D‐PAGE to show its effectiveness for separating protein isoforms. Various staining methods such as Coomassie blue staining and silver staining are also applicable to i2D‐PAGE. Overall, the i2D‐PAGE separation method effectively separates protein lysate and is suitable for application in proteomics research.
Cellular pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics mechanisms of ginkgo diterpene lactone and its modulation of P‐glycoprotein expression in human SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Liu Jing‐ying , Geng Ting , Duan Kun , Gao Xia , Huang Chao‐jie , Wang Jia‐jia , Huang Wen‐zhe , Huang Lou‐sheng , Wang Zhen‐zhong , Xiao Wei
Published: August 2019

Ginkgo diterpene lactone (GDL) is the raw material for ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection, which is used for treating cerebral ischemia. The aims of this study were to explore the cellular pharmacokinetics of GDL in whole cells and subcellular fractions, and detect cellular pharmacodynamics on the human SH‐SY5Y cells induced by oxygen–glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Firstly, a simple, sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for assessing the amount of ginkgolide A (GA), B (GB) and K (GK) in cellular/subcellular samples. Then, phosphatidylserine and mitochondria membrane potential were assayed to evaluate the extent of apoptosis effect. The study showed that the cellular/subcellular accumulation of GA and GB were increased in a concentration‐dependent manner; the levels of GA and GB in cytosol were the highest among these subcellular organelles. Meanwhile, GDL also attenuated the OGD/R‐induced increases in the percentage of apoptotic and mitochondria membrane potential. In addition, verapamil increased the rate and amount of GA and GB entering cellular/subcellular compartments through inhibition of P‐glycoprotein activity, and promoted the protective effect of GDL. The present study reports the cellular pharmacokinetics profiles of GA and GB in normal and OGD/R‐induced SH‐SY5Y cells in vitro for the first time, which provided valuable information for clinical safety application.
GeoGebra as a spatial skills training tool among science, technology engineering and mathematics students
Authors: Tomić Maja K. , Aberšek Boris , Pesek Igor
Published: August 2019

Spatial abilities, which are described by Linn and Petersen as “skills in representing, transforming, generating, and recalling symbolic, nonlinguistic information” are, as such, not trained or taught in schools. Nevertheless, the importance of highly developed abilities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students has been scientifically proven, which implies that spatial abilities can have a significant impact on success in studying STEM subjects and, later, STEM careers. The developed experimental program employing GeoGebra 5 ran for 4 weeks and was conducted at the Faculty of Science and Education in Mostar. The sample consisted of first‐year students, aged 18 to 20, with 35 male and 17 female students in the experimental and 33 male and 19 female students in the control group (CG). A spatial test was administered before the program and once again at the end, along with one more spatial test and a questionnaire, which consisted of possible highly developed spatial abilities predictors. The differences between the control and the experimental group (EG) at initial testing of spatial abilities were not statistically significant regarding any subsample. No significant correlations between the questionnaire and the initial spatial test were found. The correlation between average grade in mathematics in high school and the scores on the initial spatial test was not significant. Results showed that a statistically significant jump in performance on the posttest regarding the EG has occurred, whereas no statistically significant changes in performance have been noted regarding the CG.
Primary coronary artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Fujiyoshi Toshiki , Kano Masaki , Ogino Hitoshi
Published: August 2019

Rare primary coronary artery pseudoaneurysms in a young patient with heterozygous FH was successfully repaired with direct closure of intimal defects with aneurysmorrhaphy.
Strategic Stereoselective Halogen (F, Cl) Insertion: A Tool to Enhance Supramolecular Properties in Polyols
Authors: Sperandio Céline , Quintard Guilhem , Naubron Jean‐Valere , Giorgi Michel , Yemloul Mehdi , Parrain Jean‐Luc , Rodriguez Jean , Quintard Adrien
Published: August 2019

To improve the supramolecular properties of organic compounds, chemists continuously need to identify new tools. Herein, the influence of the stereoselective insertion of halogen atoms (F or Cl) on different supramolecular properties is analyzed. Inserting anti‐halohydrins in polyols considerably strengthens the H‐bonding networks and other supramolecular interactions. This behavior resulted in improved anion binding, H‐bonding catalysis, or organogel properties of the designed polyols with strong perspectives for applications in other classes of substrates.
Guanine Substitutions Prevent Conformational Switch from Antiparallel to Parallel G‐Quadruplex
Authors: Bednářová Klára , Kejnovská Iva , Vorlíčková Michaela , Renčiuk Daniel
Published: August 2019

Guanine quadruplexes, recently reported to form in vivo, represent a broad spectrum of non‐canonical conformations of nucleic acids. The actual conformation might differ between water solutions and crowding or dehydrating solutions that better reflect the conditions in the cell. Here we show, using spectroscopic techniques, that most guanine substitutions prevent the conformational switch from antiparallel or hybrid forms to parallel ones when induced by dehydrating agents. The inhibitory effect does not depend on the position of the substitution, but, interestingly, on the type of substitution and, to some extent, on its destabilising potential. A parallel form might be induced in some cases by ligands such as N‐methyl mesoporphyrin IX and even this ligand‐induced switch is inhibited by guanine substitution. The ability or inability to have a conformation switch, based on actual conditions, might significantly influence potential conformation‐dependent quadruplex interactions.
Conformational, configurational, and supramolecular studies of podocephalol acetate from Lasianthaea aurea
Authors: Rodríguez‐García Gabriela , Villagómez‐Guzmán Ana K. , Talavera‐Alemán Armando , Cruz‐Corona Rosalba , Gómez‐Hurtado Mario A. , Cerda‐García‐Rojas Carlos M. , Joseph‐Nathan Pedro , del Río Rosa E.
Published: August 2019

Although podocephalol (1) and its derived acetate 2 were found in Lasianthaea podocephala four decades ago, and 1 was later detected in the essential oils of several vegetal species, its absolute configuration (AC) and conformational preferences remained to be established. The structures of ar‐himachalene 1, now isolated from Lasianthaea aurea, and its derived acetate 2, were herein confirmed by extensive 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies, while the conformational preferences of the cycloheptene was established by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which in combination with vibrational circular dichroism measurements provided the (R) absolute configuration of the molecules. The structure and AC were further verified through the Flack and Hooft parameters calculations derived from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data of 2. In addition, careful evaluation of the crystal data allowed observing supramolecular layers cell package, an uncommon property in natural terpenes that might have potential applications. A transmission electron microscopy analysis of crystal of 2 was also possible, providing its physical characteristics at the micrometric scale.
Mapping the kinetochore MAP functions required for stabilizing microtubule attachments to chromosomes during metaphase
Authors: Amin Mohammed A. , Agarwal Shivangi , Varma Dileep
Published: August 2019

In mitosis, faithful chromosome segregation is orchestrated by the dynamic interactions between the spindle microtubules (MTs) emanating from the opposite poles and the kinetochores of the chromosomes. However, the precise mechanism that coordinates the coupling of the kinetochore components to dynamic MTs has been a long‐standing question. Microtubule‐associated proteins (MAPs) regulate MT nucleation and dynamics, MT‐mediated transport and MT cross‐linking in cells. During mitosis, MAPs play an essential role not only in determining spindle length, position, and orientation but also in facilitating robust kinetochore‐microtubule (kMT) attachments by linking the kinetochores to spindle MTs efficiently. The stability of MTs imparted by the MAPs is critical to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. This review primarily focuses on the specific function of nonmotor kinetochore MAPs, their recruitment to kinetochores and their MT‐binding properties. We also attempt to synthesize and strengthen our understanding of how these MAPs work in coordination with the kinetochore‐bound Ndc80 complex (the key component at the MT‐binding interface in metaphase and anaphase) to establish stable kMT attachments and control accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis.
Development of Biarylalkyl Carboxylic Acid Amides with Improved Anti‐schistosomal Activity
Authors: Peter Ventura Alejandra M. , Haeberlein Simone , Lange‐Grünweller Kerstin , Grünweller Arnold , Hartmann Roland K. , Grevelding Christoph G. , Schlitzer Martin
Published: August 2019

The parasitic disease schistosomiasis is the cause of more than 200 000 human deaths per year. Although the disease is treatable, there is one major shortcoming: praziquantel has been the only drug used to combat these parasites since 1977. The risk of the emergence of resistant schistosomes is known to be increasing, as a reduced sensitivity of these parasites toward praziquantel has been observed. We developed a new class of substances, which are derived from inhibitors of human aldose reductase, and which showed promising activity against Schistosoma mansoni couples in vitro. Further optimisation of the compounds led to an increase in anti‐schistosomal activity with observed phenotypes such as reduced egg production, vitality, and motility as well as tegumental damage and gut dilatation. Here, we performed structure–activity relationship studies on the carboxylic acid moiety of biarylalkyl carboxylic acids. Out of 82 carboxylic acid amides, we identified 10 compounds that are active against S. mansoni at 25 μm. The best five compounds showed an anti‐schistosomal activity up to 10 μm and induced severe phenotypes. Cytotoxicity tests in human cell lines showed that two derivatives had no cytotoxicity at 50 or 100 μm. These compounds are promising candidates for further optimisation toward the new anti‐schistosomal agents.
Neuregulin and ErbB expression is regulated by development and sensory experience in mouse visual cortex
Authors: Grieco Steven F. , Wang Gina , Mahapatra Ananya , Lai Cary , Holmes Todd C. , Xu Xiangmin
Published: August 2019

Neuregulins (NRGs) are protein ligands that impact neural development and circuit function. NRGs signal through the ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase family. NRG1/ErbB4 signaling in parvalbumin‐expressing (PV) inhibitory interneurons is critical for visual cortical plasticity. There are multiple types of NRGs and ErbBs that can potentially contribute to visual cortical plasticity at different developmental stages. Thus, it is important to understand the normal developmental expression profiles of NRGs and ErbBs in specific neuron types in the visual cortex, and to study whether and how their expression changes in PV inhibitory neurons and excitatory neurons track with sensory perturbation. Cell type‐specific translating ribosome affinity purification and qPCR was used to compare mRNA expression of nrg1,2,3,4 and erbB1,2,3,4 in PV and excitatory neurons in mouse visual cortex. We show that the expression of nrg1 and nrg3 decreases in PV neurons at the critical period peak, postnatal day 28 (P28) after monocular deprivation and dark rearing, and in the adult cortex (at P104) after 2‐week long dark exposure. In contrast, nrg1 expression by excitatory neurons is unchanged at P28 and P104 following sensory deprivation, whereas nrg3 expression by excitatory neurons shows changes depending on the age and the mode of sensory deprivation. ErbB4 expression in PV neurons remains consistently high and does not appear to change in response to sensory deprivation. These data provide new important details of cell type‐specific NRG/ErbB expression in the visual cortex and support that NRG1/ErbB4 signaling is implicated in both critical period and adult visual cortical plasticity.
Addressing Charge‐Transfer and Locally‐Excited States in a Twisted Biphenyl Push‐Pull Chromophore
Authors: Campioli Elisa , Sanyal Somananda , Marcelli Agnese , Di Donato Mariangela , Blanchard‐Desce Mireille , Mongin Olivier , Painelli Anna , Terenziani Francesca
Published: August 2019

We present the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a twisted push–pull biphenyl molecule undergoing photoinduced electron transfer. Steady‐state and transient absorption spectra suggest, in this rigid molecular structure, a subtle interplay between locally‐excited and charge‐transfer states, whose equilibrium and dynamics is only driven by solvation. A theoretical model is presented for the solvation dynamics and, with the support of quantum chemical calculations, we demonstrate the existence of two sets of states, having either local or charge‐transfer character, that only “communicate” thanks to solvation, which is the sole driving force for the charge‐separation process.
Rigor and Reproducibility of Cytometry Practices for Immuno‐Oncology: A multifaceted challenge
Authors: Laskowski Tamara J. , Hazen Amy L. , Collazo Renata S. , Haviland David
Published: August 2019

The rapid advancement of immunotherapy strategies has created a need for technologies that can reliably and reproducibly identify rare populations, detect subtle changes in modulatory signals, and assess antigenic expression patterns that are time‐sensitive. Accomplishing these tasks requires careful planning and the employment of tools that provide greater sensitivity and specificity without demanding extensive time. Flow Cytometry has earned its place as a preferred analysis platform. This technology offers a flexible path to the interrogation of protein expression patterns and detection of functional properties in cell populations of interest. Mass Cytometry is a newcomer technology that has generated significant interest in the field. By incorporating mass spectrometry analysis to the traditional principles of flow cytometry, this innovative tool promises to significantly expand the ability to detect multiple proteins on a single cell. The use of these technologies in a manner that is consistent and reproducible through multiple sample sets demands careful attention to experiment design, reagent selection, and instrumentation. Whether applying flow or mass cytometry, reaching successful, reliable results involves many factors. Sample preparation, antibody titrations, and appropriate controls are major biological considerations that impact cytometric analysis. Additionally, instrument voltages, lasers, and run quality assessments are essential for ensuring comparability and reproducibility between analyses. In this article, we aim to discuss the critical aspects that impact flow cytometry, and will touch on important considerations for mass cytometry as well. Focusing on their relevance to immunotherapy studies, we will address the importance of appropriate sample processing and will discuss how selection of suitable panels, controls, and antibodies must follow a carefully designed plan. We will also comment on how educated use of instrumentation plays a significant role in the reliability and reproducibility of results.Through this work, we hope to contribute to the effort toward establishing higher standards for rigor and reproducibility of cytometry practices by researchers, operators, and general cytometry users employing cytometry‐based assays in their work. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
LTE‐DSRC hybrid vehicular communication system using DFT‐spread OFDM in uplink
Authors: Chyne Phidahunlang , Kandar Debdatta
Published: August 2019

Technologies are advancing at a rapid rate in the current era. People are advancing with the advancement of technologies, be it in education industry, health industry, and providing luxury. With the advent of autonomous luxury‐in‐motion car that provides in‐car‐entertainment (ICE), vehicular communication is the prerequisite towards achieving this goal. Dedicated short range communication (DSRC) is a matured vehicular communication standard, and Long‐Term Evolution (LTE) is the most competing technologies in the cellular communication. In this paper, we focus on the uplink performance of the LTE‐DSRC hybrid infrastructure. The basic transmission scheme for uplink direction is based on single carrier transmission in the form of discrete Fourier transform (DFT)‐spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) with a minimum mean square error (MMSE) receiver at the LTE Evolved Node B (eNodeB) and a DSRC OFDM transmitter. A comprehensive bit error rate (BER) performance simulative study has been made on a color image transmission in uplink hybrid LTE‐DSRC system, and the results obtained are encouraging that the proposed convergence is possible, as it provides a substantial decrease in the BER with a gradual increase in the signal ‐to‐ noise ratio Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR).
Frequency selective millimeter‐wave channel estimation based on subspace enhancement algorithms
Authors: Shakhsi Dastgahian Majid , Tehrani Mohammad Naseri
Published: August 2019

In millimeter wave (mmW) communication systems, hybrid architecture, including the analog‐digital precoder and combiner matrices, is employed to take advantage of the multistream transceiver. In practice, mmW channel is assumed to be frequency‐selective, since the signal bandwidth is larger than the coherence bandwidth. Hence, orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing signaling can be remedial. So far, most of the previous works on the frequency‐selective channel estimation have focused on the single measurement vector (SMV) form, whereas finding and exploiting the proper multimeasurement vector (MMV) model can improve upon the estimation procedure based on compressive sensing (CS) concepts. In fact, the estimation procedure based on the MMV model has a faster convergence speed than the SMV method specially, when the training frames are small. In this paper, we first extract the MMV model of the channel. In this model, the rank‐deficiency occurs as the number of training frames is less or equal to the sparsity level. Thus, the conventional estimation methods fail to provide the desirable performance. To overcome this issue, we propose two rank‐aware algorithms based on the enhancement of the observed signal subspace. The first algorithm assumes to know the sparsity level, while the second faces to the lack of knowledge about the sparsity level. The simulation results corroborate the fact that the proposed methods outperform the conventional CS algorithms such as Simultaneous Orthogonal Matching Pursuit.
Competition and specialization in an African forest carnivore community
Authors: Mills David R. , Do Linh San Emmanuel , Robinson Hugh , Isoke Sam , Slotow Rob , Hunter Luke
Published: August 2019

Globally, human activities have led to the impoverishment of species assemblages and the disruption of ecosystem function. Determining whether this poses a threat to future ecosystem stability necessitates a thorough understanding of mechanisms underpinning community assembly and niche selection. Here, we tested for niche segregation within an African small carnivore community in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We used occupancy modeling based on systematic camera trap surveys and fine‐scale habitat measures, to identify opposing preferences between closely related species (cats, genets, and mongooses). We modeled diel activity patterns using kernel density functions and calculated the overlap of activity periods between related species. We also used co‐occupancy modeling and activity overlap analyses to test whether African golden cats Caracal aurata influenced the smaller carnivores along the spatial and/or temporal axes. There was some evidence that related species segregated habitat and activity patterns. Specialization was particularly strong among forest species. The cats and genets partitioned habitat, while the mongooses partitioned both habitat and activity period. We found little evidence for interference competition between African golden cats and other small carnivores, although weak interference competition was suggested by lower detection probabilities of some species at stations where African golden cats were present. This suggests that community assembly and coexistence in this ecosystem are primarily driven by more complex processes. The studied carnivore community contains several forest specialists, which are typically more prone to localized extinction. Preserving the observed community assemblage will therefore require the maintenance of a large variety of habitats, with a particular focus on those required by the more specialized carnivores.
Thermal Decomposition of Donor‐Stabilized Phosphinoborane PH2BH2NMe3: A Tensimetry Study
Authors: Butlak Alina V. , Kazakov Igor V. , Stauber Andreas , Hegen Oliver , Scheer Manfred , Pomogaeva Anna V. , Timoshkin Alexey Y.
Published: August 2019

The thermal decomposition of PH2BH2·NMe3 (1) in closed system was studied by static tensimetry with membrane null‐manometer. Compound 1 is unstable already at room temperature and partially decomposes with the release of gaseous trimethylamine and nonvolatile polymeric material. Storage of 1 at 311 K for 53 days results in evolution of small amounts of hydrogen and phosphine. At temperatures up to 329 K, PH3 evolution and BH3NMe3 adduct formation is observed after 3 days, and above 387 K, considerable amount of hydrogen gas is released. The data obtained indicate that the pyrolysis of 1 in the closed system may result in the enrichment of the condensed phase with boron due to phosphine loss.
1‐Aryltriazenes in the Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira Reactions in Imidazolium‐ILs, with [BMIM(SO3H)][OTf] or Sc(OTf)3 as Promoter, and Pd(OAc)2 or NiCl2·glyme as Catalyst
Authors: Sutar Suraj M. , Savanur Hemantkumar M. , Malunavar Shruti S. , Prabhala Pavankumar , Kalkhambkar Rajesh G. , Laali Kenneth K.
Published: August 2019

1‐Aryltriazenes, the protected and more stable form of aryl‐diazonium species, can be conveniently unmasked with Brønsted acidic‐IL or Sc(OTf)3 and coupled with a host of aryl/heteroaryl boronic acids, styrenes, and aryl/alkyl acetylenes in the Suzuki, Heck and Sonogashira reactions in one‐pot and in respectable isolated yields, by using palladium or nickel catalyst in readily available imidazolium ILs as solvent, under mild conditions. The scope of these reactions are explored, and the potential for recovery/reuse of the IL solvent is also addressed.
Ortho‐phenylphenol exposure impairs porcine sperm motility through AMPK/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Yang Lei‐Lei , Zhang Peng‐Fei , Zhang Tian‐Yu , Shen Wei , Zhao Yong , Yin Shen
Published: August 2019

Ortho‐phenylphenol (OPP), as an active ingredient of disinfectants, has been worldwide utilized as fungicides and antibacterial agents in hospital, agriculture, wood preservation, and veterinary products. However, little is known about the toxic effects of OPP on male reproduction, especially sperm motility, and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we chose porcine sperms as in vitro model to investigate the effects and mechanisms of OPP exposure on sperm motility. Our results indicated that porcine sperm motility decreases significantly in a dose‐dependent manner after exposed to OPP. Additionally, ATP synthesis deficiency was revealed by downregulation of ATP synthase subunit beta and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase expression. Furthermore, OPP disturbed the expression of TP53 and PTEN, which contributed to AKT pathway deactivation. OPP exposure also disrupted platelet‐derived growth factor receptor A expression, which further inhibited 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase 1 activation, resulting in protein kinase B and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase catalytic subunit 1 deactivation. In conclusion, these observations suggest that OPP exposure decreases porcine sperm motility by disturbing the AMPK/AKT signaling pathway. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficiency Improvement of Chemical Looping Combustion Combined Cycle Power Plants
Authors: Khan Mohammed N. , Cloete Schalk , Amini Shahriar
Published: August 2019

Chemical‐looping combustion (CLC) is an innovative technology for power production with inherent carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. Even though CLC imposes no direct energy penalty for CO2 capture, previous works have shown significant energy penalties relative to natural gas (NG) combined cycle plants. This is due to the relatively low turbine inlet temperature (TIT), which is limited by the oxygen carrier used in the CLC process. Therefore, herein, an additional combustor (COMB) is included downstream of the CLC unit to raise the TIT (dependent on the CLC/COMB outlet temperature [COT] and the blade cooling). When NG is used in the additional COMB, the energy penalty is only 2.9% points with 72% CO2 capture. Achieving higher CO2 capture requires the use of H2 fuel in the COMB. The efficiency of the H2 production process plays an important role. For conventional H2 production with post‐combustion CO2 capture, the added COMB brings no improvement and the energy penalty is 8.8% points. For an advanced H2 production process (90% efficiency), the energy penalty reduces to 4.5% points with 100% CO2 capture. The results show the potential of CLC‐combined cycle power plants with an additional COMB to minimize the energy penalty of CO2 capture.
Combined impacts of zein coating enriched with methanolic and ethanolic extracts of sour orange peel and vacuum packing on the shelf life of refrigerated rainbow trout
Authors: Mayeli Mahsa , Mehdizadeh Tooraj , Tajik Hossein , Esmaeli Fatemeh , Langroodi Ali Mojaddar
Published: August 2019

In this study, the antioxidant potency of aqueous ethanolic and methanolic extracts of sour orange peel was assessed. The antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics of zein coating enriched with these extracts were then evaluated for refrigerated fish stored with vacuum packing (VP). The antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extract were more potent than those of the methanolic extract. The total viable counts of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., and psychrotrophic bacteria in all of the samples were significantly decreased, compared with the control, for the storage period. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, peroxide, total volatile basic nitrogen, and free fatty acids were significantly lower in all treated samples, compared with the control. In the sensorial assessment, the coated samples enriched with different concentrations of extracts were mostly preferred by the sensory analyst. In combination, the coating layers increased the shelf life of fish for 12 days. Edible coatings are significant protective agents for perishable foods such as seafood. Longer shelf lives are feasible with different processing methods, such as edible coatings and plant extracts, and with suitable combinations of these agents. The enrichment of zein coatings by essential oils or extracts can improve the sensory attributes (such as flavour, taste, and colour), as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics.
Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Performance of Carbonized Rice Husk Obtained at Various Temperatures
Authors: Melvin Gan Jet Hong , Wang Zhipeng , Ni Qing‐Qing
Published: August 2019

Agricultural wastes such as rice husks (RHs) are valuable due to their feasibility to be converted into carbon materials, low cost, and abundancy in contrast to the conventional carbon material sources. In this study, RHs are carbonized at various temperatures from low to high temperatures, and their electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption properties are evaluated. Carbon materials, silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers, and SiC particles are obtained from RHs carbonized at 1500 °C (CRH1500) for 0.5 h with presence of Ar gas at 1 atm. In order to evaluate their EM wave absorption performance, complex permittivity and permeability are measured by using vector network analyzer, and the values are utilized in the reflection loss (R.L.) calculation according to the transmission line theory. CRH1500, 40 wt% with thickness of 1.6 mm exhibits minimum R.L. of ≈−55.4 dB (>99.9997% absorption) at 11.37 GHz and response bandwidth (R.L. < 10 dB, > 90% absorption) of 4.21 GHz. Low‐cost and abundant RHs, carbonized at various temperatures, show significant absorption performance. Their absorption performance and response bandwidth are highly dependent on matching thickness, indicating that they can be easily modulated for promising electromagnetic wave absorber materials.
Estimation of DNA contamination and its sources in genotyped samples
Authors: Zajac Gregory J. M. , Fritsche Lars G. , Weinstock Joshua S. , Dagenais Susan L. , Lyons Robert H. , Brummett Chad M. , Abecasis Gonçalo R.
Published: August 2019

Array genotyping is a cost‐effective and widely used tool that enables assessment of up to millions of genetic markers in hundreds of thousands of individuals. Genotyping array data are typically highly accurate but sensitive to mixing of DNA samples from multiple individuals before or during genotyping. Contaminated samples can lead to genotyping errors and consequently cause false positive signals or reduce power of association analyses. Here, we propose a new method to identify contaminated samples and the sources of contamination within a genotyping batch. Through analysis of array intensity and genotype data from intentionally mixed samples and 22,366 samples of the Michigan Genomics Initiative, an ongoing biobank‐based study, we show that our method can reliably estimate contamination. We also show that identifying sources of contamination can implicate problematic sample processing steps and guide process improvements. Compared to existing methods, our approach can estimate the proportion of contaminating DNA more accurately, eliminate the need for external databases of allele frequencies, and provide contamination estimates that are more robust to the ancestral origin of the contaminating sample.