bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise da evidenciação ambiental nas corporações brasileiras de alto impacto ambiental listadas na BM&FBOVESPA
Authors: Freire da Silva Raiziane Cássia , Seibert Rosane Maria , Juliani Lucélia Ivonete , Rossner Wbatuba Berenice Beatriz
Published: April 2019

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de identificar quais são as informações ambientais que as corporações brasileiras, classificadas como de alto impacto ambiental listadas na BM&FBOVESPA, divulgam em seus sítios de internet. A amostra foi constituída por 43 corporações. A abordagem metodológica utilizada foi quantitativa e a coleta de evidências foi bibliográfica, documental e observação não participante nos sites das corporações que compõem a amostra. Os dados foram tratados por meio de análise de conteúdo, estatística descritiva e análise de variância (Anova). Os resultados demonstram que a categoria “Outras informações ambientais” é a mais divulgada, enquanto “Políticas ambientais” é o indicador com maior nível de evidenciação. Também aponta o segmento de “Celulose e papel” como o que mais disponibiliza informações ambientais. Quando as informações são analisadas por segmento constata-se o baixo nível de evidenciação, o que indica a necessidade do aumento de divulgação de informações ambientais pelas corporações. A análise da variância indica que as médias não são iguais entre os indicadores expostos, o que confirma os diferentes níveis de evidenciação das corporações classificadas como de alto impacto ambiental.
Escalas concorrentes para mensuração da satisfação do paciente hospitalar
Authors: Moglia Junior João Batista , Lopes Evandro Luiz
Published: April 2019

A satisfação do paciente hospitalar não é um tema novo, mas ganha importância diante do cenário atual de concorrência, principalmente nos serviços privados. A relevância está na contribuição de uma nova perspectiva de visualização da satisfação do paciente hospitalar. O objetivo geral desse trabalho é identificar para o contexto nacional, qual das escalas de satisfação do paciente é capaz de refletir melhor a avaliação geral do hospital. Para tanto, foram utilizadas três escalas de satisfação com o atendimento de enfermagem: A escala PSI (Patient Satisfaction Instrument), a escala NSNS (Newcastle satisfaction with nursing scales) e a escala GPNS (General Practice Nurse Satisfaction Scale) e, como variável dependente, utilizou-se a escala AGH (Avaliação Geral do Hospital). A análise dos dados foi feita por meio da análise equações estruturais. A escala NSNS mede melhor a avaliação geral do hospital seguida da escala GNPS. Contudo, a escala PSI não foi significante. Identificou-se que a escala NSNS é mais adequada para mensuração da qualidade da equipe de enfermagem que as demais escalas testadas.
Possibilidades de internacionalização do Curso de Secretariado Executivo na América do Sul
Authors: Vigorena Débora Andrea Liessem , Bernardon Maura , Battisti Patrícia Stafusa Sala , Barcellos Caroline Alexandra de
Published: April 2019

Tendo em vista os ganhos institucionais advindos do processo de internacionalização da educação superior, este estudo tem como objetivo geral buscar possibilidades para ações de internacionalização entre o Curso de Secretariado Executivo (SE) da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste) e aqueles localizados em países sul-americanos. Como objetivo específico, pretende-se identificar os cursos de graduação que se assemelham à nomenclatura e à matriz curricular de formação do profissional de SE. A partir desse conhecimento, entende-se que haverá maior possibilidade de cooperação internacional a fim de fortalecer a formação dos estudantes, assim como contribuir com o processo de verticalização da área de SE. Para tanto, explana-se sobre conceitos de internacionalização da educação superior, bem como sobre a internacionalização do currículo. Trata-se de um estudo de caso comparativo, apoiado no método exploratório-descritivo e na técnica de coleta de dados secundários. Os resultados apontaram que, no contexto sul-americano, apenas o Equador oferta cursos de SE em nível superior em termos próximos aos do Brasil. Por um lado, a comparação entre as matrizes curriculares revelou muitas semelhanças entre as disciplinas da área secretarial; por outro lado, as disciplinas da área administrativa e comunicação demonstraram menores semelhanças. Essa dificuldade em encontrar cursos com maior compatibilidade sugere, como apontado na literatura, uma necessidade de maior flexibilização para a mobilidade acadêmica.
Determinants of Farmers’ Choice among Alternative Rice Output Markets in Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Abdulrahman S. , Abdullahi M. A. , Adejoh O. S. , Onwuaroh A. S. , Binuyo G.
Published: April 2019

The aim was to analyze the output market outlets accessible to rice farmers and determinants of farmers’ choice among alternative rice production in Kano State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 164 rice farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire. This study was conducted in Kura, Garun Malam and Bunkure Local Government Areas of Kano State during 2015 cropping season. A multistage sampling techniques were used for data collection through the use of structured questionnaire. The ordered probit  model was used to estimate the parameters of the determinants of farmers’ choices among alternative rice output market outlets by rice farmers in Kano state. The generalized likelihood ratio statistics was -113.401.  This ratio exceeds the critical chi-square values at p<0.01 level of significance. The log likelihood ratio value represents the value that maximizes the joint densities in the estimated model. This shows that at least one of the predictors' regression coefficient is not equal to zero in the model. The Prob > chi2 was (50.03) and statistically significant at p<0.01 level of probability. The probability of obtaining this chi-square statistic shows the effect of the predictor variables on specified alpha level. This implies that at least one of the regression coefficients in the model is not equal to zero. farmers’ choices among alternative rice output market outlets was significantly determined by educational status of the farmers, access to credit, cooperative membership, distance to market, quantity of output produced by the farmers and  market price of rice (P<0.10). Based on the findings of this study, it could be concluded that the most commonly used output markets by rice farmers was rural assembler (82.3%). Despite increasingly competitive markets, pricing issues for rice remains a concern for farmers.
A Review on Managing Solid Waste Produced from Homes in Malaysia
Authors: Tang W. C. , Nirmal Umar , Lau Saijod T. W. , Murugan Sharmeeni
Published: April 2019

There has been a sharp rise in the rate of waste generated on a global scale, owing to a rapid growth in population and urbanization. Enormous amounts of waste are being produced yearly. To illustrate the gravity of this situation, in 2018, there was a gargantuan estimate of 85 tons of waste disposed in Malaysia. Most of this disposed waste is not properly recycled, thus making waste a prevailing global threat against mankind and the environment. Waste originates from several different sources such as residences, industries, agriculture and manufacturing plants. In this work, the writers seek to dedicate a compilation of developments in research for managing solid waste produced from homes in Malaysia. Further, the generation of solid waste from households, their characteristics and impacts are also reviewed herein. In addition, the flow of waste from the time it is produced in homes until its disposal in Malaysia will also be examined and presented. The concept of ‘3R’ is implemented to manage the waste generated. This paper attempts to examine and solve the shortcomings in past works and to pave the way for future research on the solutions to control the pollution cause by the waste produced from homes.
Indigenous Socio-political and Cultural Similarities in Africa: The Case of the Igbo of Nigeria and the Jola of the Gambia
Authors: Nnaocha Cajetan Ifeanyi , Ugwu Ozor Frederick , Nwokpoku Edeh Joseph
Published: April 2019

A major thrust of this paper’s analysis is the indigenous socio-political and cultural similarities in Africa, in particular the case of the Igbo of Nigeria and the Jola tribe of The Gambia. The study aims at identifying the areas of similarities between these cultures in a context in which indigenous cultural and socio-political framework of society has witnessed significant transformations over the years. Using multi case studies strategy of inquiry, this paper addressed two key broad research questions, first, whether veritable similarities could be found between the two cultures, or whether identified similarities mere coincidence or did arise from the fact both groups having the same ancestry but subsequently dispersed into different directions and locations in search for arable lands?  Second, does ethno-cultural interrelatedness of societies arise from shared historical ancestry? In this context, it established strong link between the cultures the Igbo of Nigeria and the Jola ethnic of The Gambia suggesting that the similarities are real and pervasive. The paper further suggests that the complex network of relationships and kinship ties found in both Igbo and Jola cultures appear to provide the impetus for persisting social consciousness and observance of the customs, traditions, and cultural ethos, attitudes and perceptions that animate and sustain cultural colourations, which have survived over the years retaining some key cultural elements of traditional society that sets them apart from other ethno-cultural groups in contemporary West Africa.
Evaluation of in vivo Synergistic Hypoglycemic & Hypolipidemic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Calotropis gigantean Leaves in Combination to Metformin in Alloxan Induced Rats
Authors: Jahan Nisrat , Akter Nasreen , Rahman Mosiqur
Published: April 2019

Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic & hypolipidemic activity of Calotropis gigantean (Family: Apocynaceae) in alloxan-induced diabetic rat model.

Study Design: In vivo study was carried out by ethanolic leaf extract was administered in 250 mg/kg body weight concentration and then subjected to different rats models to authenticate the antidiabetic and hyperlipidimic properties of the plant.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Banani, Dhaka-1213,Bangladesh within a period of July 2018 to December, 2018.

Methodology: Diabetes was induced in rats by an intraperitoneal injection (i.p) of alloxan (100 mg/kg B.W). Ethanolic leaf extract of C. gigantean (250 mg/kg B.W) was administrated orally as a single dose per day to the diabetic rats for 7 days. The negative control group received 0.5 ml of sterile normal saline water orally & positive control group received metformin orally. Synergistic effect of plant was evaluated by combination with 100 mg/kg B.W & 50 mg/kg B.W oral administration of metformin. After 7 days study period, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, liver weight & body weight were measured only for diabetic group to observe the effects of diabetes induction.

Results: Individual plant extract (250 mg/Kg B.W) & Metformin (100 mg/kg B.W) reduced FBG significantly by 52% (P<0.001) & 55.3% (P<0.001) correspondingly. Metformin (100 mg/kg B.W) potentiated reduction (68%) (P<0.001) when combined to plant extract (250 mg/Kg B.W). Significant dose dependent manner was followed when metformin (50 mg/kg B.W) was combined to plant extract (250 mg/Kg B.W). Our results clearly suggests that C. gigantean exhibit hypoglycemic & hypolipidemic activity with an alteration in body-liver weight. The present study also suggested to develop a combination therapy of extract along with metfromin in different doses to minimize the intake of synthetic drug. Significant reduction of TG, TC were noted by extract (250 mg/kg B.W) with 32.42% (P<0.001) & 41.32% (P<0.001) respectively where standard shown the diminution 43.43% (P<0.05) & 47.21% (P<0.001) respectively as compare to Untreated diabetic rats. 50.21% (P<0.01) & 42.38% (P<0.001) reduction of TG & TC were estimated by C.gigantea extracts (250 mg/kg B.W) when combined with Metformin (100 mg/kg B.W). 34.53% (P<0.05) & 41.54% (P<0.001) reduction of TG & TC by C.gigantea extracts (250 mg/kg B.W) were confirmed when combined to Metformin (50 mg/kg B.W). Combination therapy also has shown synergistic effect in elevation of plasma HDL-cholesterol.

Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that C. gigantean have potential antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.
CORO1C expression is associated with poor survival rates in gastric cancer and promotes metastasis in vitro
Authors: Cheng Xiao , Wang Xiaonan , Wu Zhengsheng , Tan Sheng , Zhu Tao , Ding Keshuo
Published: April 2019

Coronin‐like actin‐binding protein 1C (CORO1C) is a member of the WD repeat protein family that regulates actin‐dependent processes by assembling F‐actin. CORO1C was previously reported to promote metastasis in breast cancer and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we investigated the role of CORO1C in gastric cancer. Higher expression levels of CORO1C were detected in gastric cancer tissues as compared with normal gastric tissues. In addition, CORO1C levels were found to be positively correlated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients. The expression levels of CORO1C were higher in stage III‐IV gastric cancer patients (80.8%) than in stage I‐II gastric cancer patients(57.1%). Gastric cancer patients positive for CORO1C expression showed lower relapse‐free survival and overall survival rates. Knockdown of CORO1C dramatically suppressed total cell number, cell viability, cell colony formation, cell mitosis and cell metastasis, and promoted apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, cyclin D1 and vimentin were found to be positively regulated by CORO1C. As cyclin D1 and vimentin play an oncogenic role in gastric cancer, CORO1C may exert its tumor‐promoting activity through these proteins.
Biallelic mutations in PIGP cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Krenn Martin , Knaus Alexej , Westphal Dominik S. , Wortmann Saskia B. , Polster Tilman , Woermann Friedrich G. , Karenfort Michael , Mayatepek Ertan , Meitinger Thomas , Wagner Matias , Distelmaier Felix
Published: April 2019

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are characterized by infantile seizures and psychomotor delay. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis defects, resulting in impaired tethering of various proteins to the cell surface, represent the underlying pathology in some patients. One of the genes involved, PIGP, has recently been associated with infantile seizures and developmental delay in two siblings. Here, we report the second family with a markedly overlapping phenotype due to a homozygous frameshift mutation (c.456delA;p.Glu153Asnfs*34) in PIGP. Flow cytometry of patient granulocytes confirmed reduced expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored proteins as functional consequence. Our findings corroborate PIGP as a monogenic disease gene for developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
Target recognition of indoor trolley for humanoid robot based on piecewise fitting method
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Huiling , Luo Chengfang , Bian Gui‐Bin , Wu Wanqing
Published: April 2019

Although several studies have considered the problem of humanoid robots pushing carts, only a few have focused on the problem of robots moving heavy objects under monocular vision. This study proposes a target recognition and positioning method and a control method for a robot pushing a loaded trolley. A control system based on the humanoid robot NAO is developed and a monocular visual ranging method with segmented fitting is proposed to realize hardware control and target search and positioning for NAO. The ability of NAO to push a small cart with various weights using visual positioning is tested. The experimental results show that the average error of the monocular distance measurement method is 1.7 mm and that the target search and positioning is accurate. NAO can push a loaded cart that is 6.5 times its own weight.
Colossal Permittivity Materials as Superior Dielectrics for Diverse Applications
Authors: Wang Yanbin , Jie Wenjing , Yang Chao , Wei Xianhua , Hao Jianhua
Published: April 2019

Ever since the beginning of this century, many kinds of materials have been reported to demonstrate colossal permittivity (CP) or a colossal dielectric constant exceeding 103. Accordingly, such CP materials and their further modification and improvement to achieve enhanced CP performance for promising applications in modern electronics, sensors, energy storage, and multifunctional devices have attracted extensive attention. In this Review, a general overview of the recent advances in CP materials is provided, ranging from their various categories, physical mechanisms, and modulation methods to promising applications. First, various classes of CP materials are categorized in terms of their structures and dielectric properties. Subsequently, this Review provides an insight into the CP mechanisms in views of barrier layer capacitance, defect‐dipole cluster, and polaronic effect. Moreover, the strategies and prototypical works are introduced in some aspects, including the manipulation of CP properties by doping, percolative capacitors, and the methods employed to enhance the dielectric behaviors in CP materials with different forms. The authors then discuss a wide range of applications based on CP materials, such as modern electronics and energy storage. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for further investigation of CP materials are highlighted in the summary and future perspectives.
Molecularly Coupled Two‐Dimensional Titanium Oxide and Carbide Sheets for Wearable and High‐Rate Quasi‐Solid‐State Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Wu Jinli , Jiang Kun , Li Guohui , Zhao Zhigang , Li Qingwen , Geng Fengxia
Published: April 2019

High‐performance, flexible, and lightweight powering electrodes are urgently needed to meet the increasing interest in deformable electronic devices, particularly those utilizing solid‐state electrolytes and performing at high charging rates, which unfortunately have remained a formidable challenge. Here, by regularly stacking two‐dimensional (2D) titanium oxide and carbide sheets, in which the two kinds of sheets are coupled at the molecular level, a self‐standing electrode is achieved with ideal mechanical durability and excellent electrochemical performance, including superb rate performance (delivering a capacity of 114 mAh g−1 in 3.4 min) and good cycling stability (remaining >93% after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g−1). Profiting from these advantages, a flexible and safe full lithium‐ion battery, employing a poly(ethylene glycol) diamine‐based gel polymer as the electrolyte, possesses an excellent power density of 1412 W kg−1 while maintaining a high energy density of 59 Wh kg−1, which outperforms most documented flexible batteries that utilize liquid electrolytes and is even comparable with some cells using coin configurations. Importantly, the performance was well maintained under mechanical deformation and after multiple breaking and self‐healing cycles, demonstrating the feasibility for practical application in wearable powering devices. The results highlight the numerous possibilities for utilizing sheet materials to fabricate wearable electrode materials.
Robust Antiskyrmion Phase in Bulk Tetragonal Mn–Pt(Pd)–Sn Heusler System Probed by Magnetic Entropy Change and AC‐Susceptibility Measurements
Authors: Jamaluddin Sk , Manna Subhendu K. , Giri Bimalesh , Madduri P. V. Prakash , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Nayak Ajaya K.
Published: April 2019

Magnetic skyrmions, topologically protected chiral spin textures having potential applications in data storage, are stabilized in certain magnetic materials with broken inversion symmetry. The existence of magnetic antiskyrmions has been recently demonstrated in thin plates of a tetragonal Heusler material with D2d crystal symmetry. Here, the robust nature of the antiskyrmion phase in bulk tetragonal Mn–Pt(Pd)–Sn compounds by utilizing magnetic entropy change and AC‐susceptibility measurements is shown. It is found that the formation of the antiskyrmion phase is accompanied by a positive magnetic entropy change, which is supported by the concomitant observation of an anomaly in AC‐susceptibility measurements. Supporting these findings, no anomalies are found in AC‐susceptibility and magnetic entropy change measurements for a Mn–Pt(Pd)–Sn compound that is stabilized in the cubic phase by slight changes in chemical composition, thereby showing the robustness of the antiskyrmion phase to the D2d crystal structure.
Sustained Release of Dexamethasone from Sulfobutyl Ether β‐cyclodextrin Modified Self‐Assembling Peptide Nanoscaffolds in a Perinatal Rat Model of Hypoxia–Ischemia
Authors: Lu Lei , Armstrong Edward A. , Yager Jerome Y. , Unsworth Larry D.
Published: April 2019

Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of hypoxia–ischemia (HI) induced newborn brain damage. A localized, sustained delivery of dexamethasone (Dex) through an intracerebral injection could reduce the inflammatory response in the injured perinatal brain while avoiding unnecessary side effects. Herein, investigated using anionic sulfobutyl ether β‐cyclodextrin (SBE‐β‐CD) to load Dex in the (RADA)4 nanofiber networks as a means of reducing the inflammatory response to HI injury is investigated. The ionic interaction between SBE‐β‐CD and (RADA)4 dramatically affects nanofiber formation and the stability of the nanoscaffold is highly dependent on the SBE‐β‐CD/(RADA)4 ratio. It is observed that the Dex release rate is affected by the concentration of SBE‐β‐CD and (RADA)4 peptide. A higher concentration of SBE‐β‐CD or (RADA)4 results in a higher drug encapsulation efficiency and slower release rate of Dex. This phenomenon may be related to the structure of fiber bundles. Animal studies show that nanoscaffold loaded with Dex inhibits both microglia activation and glial scar formation compared to controls (Dex alone or nanoscaffold alone) within 2 days of injury. It is thought that this is a step toward building a multifaceted nanoscaffold that can be used to treat HI events in perinates.
Controlling Horizontal Dipole Orientation and Emission Spectrum of Ir Complexes by Chemical Design of Ancillary Ligands for Efficient Deep‐Blue Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Shin Hyun , Ha Yeon Hee , Kim Hyun‐Gu , Kim Ran , Kwon Soon‐Ki , Kim Yun‐Hi , Kim Jang‐Joo
Published: April 2019

Deep‐blue emitting Iridium (Ir) complexes with horizontally oriented emitting dipoles are newly designed and synthesized through engineering of the ancillary ligand, where 2′,6′‐difluoro‐4‐(trimethylsilyl)‐2,3′‐bipyridine (dfpysipy) is used as the main ligand. Introduction of a trimethylsilyl group at the pyridine and a nitrogen at the difluoropyrido group increases the bandgap of the emitter, resulting in deep‐blue emission. Addition of a methyl group (mpic) to a picolinate (pic) ancillary ligand or replacement of an acetate structure of pic with a perfluoromethyl‐triazole structure (fptz) increases the horizontal component of the emitting dipoles in sequence of mpic (86%) > fptz (77%) > pic (74%). The organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) using the Ir complex with the mpic ancillary ligand shows the highest external quantum efficiency (31.9%) among the reported blue OLEDs with a y‐coordinate value lower than 0.2 in the 1931 Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity diagram.
Ambient Fast Synthesis and Active Sites Deciphering of Hierarchical Foam‐Like Trimetal–Organic Framework Nanostructures as a Platform for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis
Authors: Qian Qizhu , Li Yapeng , Liu Yi , Yu Lai , Zhang Genqiang
Published: April 2019

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted tremendous interest due to their promising applications including electrocatalysis originating from their unique structural features. However, it remains a challenge to directly use MOFs for oxygen electrocatalysis because it is quite difficult to manipulate their dimension, composition, and morphology of the MOFs with abundant active sites. Here, a facile ambient temperature synthesis of unique NiCoFe‐based trimetallic MOF nanostructures with foam‐like architecture is reported, which exhibit extraordinary oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity as directly used catalyst in alkaline condition. Specifically, the (Ni2Co1)0.925Fe0.075‐MOF‐NF delivers a minimum overpotential of 257 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope of 41.3 mV dec−1 and exhibits high durability after long‐term testing. More importantly, the deciphering of the possible origination of the high activity is performed through the characterization of the intermediates during the OER process, where the electrochemically transformed metal hydroxides and oxyhydroxides are confirmed as the active species.
Nickel(II) Tetraphenylporphyrin as an Efficient Photocatalyst Featuring Visible Light Promoted Dual Redox Activities
Authors: Mandal Tanumoy , Das Sanju , De Sarkar Suman
Published: April 2019

Nickel(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (NiTPP) is presented as a robust, cost‐effective and efficient visible light induced photoredox catalyst. The ground state electrochemical data (CV) and electronic absorption (UV‐Vis) spectra reveal the excited state redox potentials for [NiTPP]*/[NiTPP].− and NiTPP].+/[NiTPP]* couples as +1.17 V and −1.57 V vs SCE respectively. The potential values represent NiTPP as a more potent photocatalyst compare to the well‐explored [Ru(bpy)3]2+. The non‐precious photocatalyst exhibits excited state redox reactions in dual fashions, i. e., it is capable of undergoing both oxidative as well as reductive quenching pathways. Such versatility of a photocatalyst based on first‐row transition metals is very scarce. This unique phenomenon allows one to perform diverse types of redox reactions by employing a single catalyst. Two different sets of chemical reactions have been performed to represent the synthetic utility. The catalyst showed superior efficiency in both carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bond‐forming reactions. Thus, we believe that NiTPP is a valuable addition to the photocatalyst library and this study will lead to more practical synthetic applications of earth‐abundant‐metal‐based photoredox catalysts.

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An Enzymatic 2‐Step Cofactor and Co‐Product Recycling Cascade towards a Chiral 1,2‐Diol. Part I: Cascade Design
Authors: Kulig Justyna , Sehl Torsten , Mackfeld Ursula , Wiechert Wolfgang , Pohl Martina , Rother Dörte
Published: April 2019

Alcohol dehydrogenases are of high interest for stereoselective syntheses of chiral building blocks such as 1,2‐diols. As this class of enzymes requires nicotinamide cofactors, their application in biotechnological synthesis reactions is economically only feasible with appropriate cofactor regeneration. Therefore, a co‐substrate is oxidized to the respective co‐product that accumulates in equal concentration to the desired target product. Co‐product removal during the course of the reaction shifts the reaction towards formation of the target product and minimizes undesired side effects. Here we describe an atom efficient enzymatic cofactor regeneration system where the co‐product of the ADH is recycled as a substrate in another reaction set. A 2‐step enzymatic cascade consisting of a thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)‐dependent carboligase and an alcohol dehydrogenase is presented here as a model reaction. In the first step benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde react to a chiral 2‐hydroxy ketone, which is subsequently reduced by to a 1,2‐diol. By choice of an appropriate co‐substrate (here: benzyl alcohol) for the cofactor regeneration in the alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH)‐catalyzed step, the co‐product (here: benzaldehyde) can be used as a substrate for the carboligation step. Even without any addition of benzaldehyde in the first reaction step, this cascade design yielded 1,2‐diol concentrations of >100 mM with optical purities (ee,de) of up to 99%. Moreover, this approach overcomes the low benzaldehyde solubility in aqueous systems and optimizes the atom economy of the reaction by reduced waste production. The example presented here for the 2‐step recycling cascade of (1R,2R)‐1‐phenylpropane‐1,2‐diol can be applied for any set of enzymes, where the co‐products of one process step serve as substrates for a coupled reaction.

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Ultra‐thin skin carbon hollow fiber membranes for sustainable molecular separations
Authors: Zhang Chen , Kumar Rachana , Koros William J.
Published: April 2019

Significance

A transformative platform is reported to derive ultra‐thin carbon molecular sieve (CMS) hollow fiber membranes from dual‐layer precursor hollow fibers with independently tuned skin layer and substrate properties. These ultra‐thin CMS hollow fiber membranes show attractive CO2/CH4 separation factors and excellent CO2 permeances up to ~1,400% higher than state‐of‐the‐art asymmetric CMS hollow fiber membranes. They provide a unique combination of permeance and selectivity competitive with zeolite membranes, but with much higher membrane packing density and potentially much lower costs.
Low‐molecular‐weight fucoidan and high‐stability fucoxanthin decrease serum alanine transaminase in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease—A double‐blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cheng I‐Ching , Weng Shih‐Yen , Wu Ming‐Shun , Suk Fat‐Moon , Lien Gi‐Shih , Chen Chun‐Nan
Published: April 2019

Brown seaweeds rich in flavonoids and bioactive polysaccharides have shown potential effects of suppressing fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the liver. Refined seaweed compounds such as low‐molecular‐weight fucoidan and high‐stability fucoxanthin, have not been well studied regarding their biological function. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases and is characterized by parameters of liver function and metabolic profiles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the combined effect of fucoidan and fucoxanthin on NAFLD with respect to the biochemical parameters. Seventy patients with NAFLD confirmed by abdominal echography and FibroScan were screened. Patients with seafood allergy and those taking vitamin E, pioglitazone, or liraglutide were excluded. Forty‐two patients were randomly divided into a group receiving either fucoidan‐fucoxanthin mixture or placebo. Both groups were subjected to 12‐week follow‐up. The degree of fatty liver and liver fibrosis was detected using transient elastography (TE) with a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) (FibroScan). The biochemistry of creatine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) was monitored every 4 weeks during the follow‐up period. Moreover, the metabolic profile, including cholesterol, triglyceride, adiponectin, leptin, uric acid, and insulin, as well as complete blood count/differential count and C‐reactive protein were measured at baseline, 4th, and 12th week of follow‐up. There were no significant differences in the baseline of age, gender, BMI (body mass index), and severity of fibrosis in both groups, but more severe steatosis was observed in the treatment group. Combined supplementation of fucoidan and fucoxanthin led to a significant reduction of serum ALT compared to the control (P < 0.05). No prominent change was detected in the CAP and adiponectin, which may imply that this short intervention is not enough to improve NAFLD in patients receiving fucoidan‐fucoxanthin binary mixture. In this pilot study, the seaweed derivative mixture can significantly reduce ALT, indicating that the combination of fucoidan and fucoxanthin might be a novel hepatoprotective supplement for NAFLD patients.
Bioelectrical impedance vector values in a Spanish healthy newborn population for nutritional assessment
Authors: Redondo‐del‐Río María P. , Escribano‐García Carla , Camina‐Martín María A. , Caserío‐Carbonero Sonia , Cancho‐Candela Ramón , de‐Mateo‐Silleras Beatriz
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Vector bioimpedance analysis (BIVA) can be very useful for the evaluation of body composition, hydration, and nutritional status in infants and newborns. The objective of this study was to determine the impedance vector distribution for a group of healthy newborn Spanish children.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, descriptive study conducted with 154 healthy, Spanish newborns (gestational age: 37‐41 weeks) aged 24 to 72 hours (79 males, 75 females). Weight, height, and cephalic‐circumference were determined. Resistance and reactance were measured with a single‐frequency impedance analyzer at 50 kHz (tetrapolar analysis). The newborns' specific 95% confidence intervals of the mean vectors and the 95%, 75%, and 50% tolerance intervals for the individual vector measurements were plotted using R and Xc components standardized by the subjects' lengths. The mean impedance vectors were compared with Hotelling's‐T2 test for vector analysis (significance level: P < .05).

Results

The newborns exhibited gender‐related differences in the mean impedance vector (mean [SD] R/H: 833.6 [97.5] Ohm/m in males vs 918.2 [107.7] Ohm/m in females; mean [SD] Xc/H: 91.3 [34.7] Ohm/m in males vs 95.6 [23.2] Ohm/m in females). No statistically significant differences in the mean impedance vectors were observed according to days of life. Lower values of resistance and slightly higher reactance values were observed in the healthy Spanish newborns compared to Italian newborns.

Conclusions

New tolerance ellipses were constructed for healthy Spanish newborns. These data allow detecting alterations in the hydration status and cell mass in term newborns in the first 3 days of life.
Palladium‐Catalyzed 8‐Aminoquinoline‐Aided sp2δ‐C−H Intramolecular Amidation/Annulation: A Route to Tricyclic Quinolones
Authors: Padmavathi Rayavarapu , Babu Srinivasarao Arulananda
Published: April 2019

Systematic investigations of a Pd(II)‐catalyzed, 8‐aminoquinoline directing group (DG)‐aided sp2 δ‐C−H amidation (C−N bond formation) of different biaryl carboxamides are reported. Various biaryl carboxamides with suitably positioned sp2 δ‐C−H bond with respect to the DG were assembled via β‐C−H arylation and then they were subjected to Pd(II)‐catalyzed sp2 δ‐C−H intramolecular amidation/annulation reactions. While the intramolecular amidation of the sp2 δ‐C−H bond of some carboxamides was not fruitful, several biaryl carboxamides underwent intramolecular amidation of their sp2 δ‐C−H bonds to afford various tricyclic quinolone motifs such as, phenanthridin‐6(5H)‐ones and thieno‐/furo‐/pyrrolo‐[2,3‐c]quinolin‐4(5H)‐ones. The assembly of the required biaryl carboxamides possessing the sp2 δ‐C−H bond via the β‐C−H arylation and the successive intramolecular amidation (C−N bond formation) of the resulting biaryl carboxamides were also performed in one‐pot reaction conditions to afford tricyclic quinolones.
Heterochrony in chimpanzee and bonobo spatial memory development
Authors: Rosati Alexandra G.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The emergence of human‐unique cognitive abilities has been linked to our species' extended juvenile period. Comparisons of cognitive development across species can provide new insights into the evolutionary mechanisms shaping cognition. This study examined the development of different components of spatial memory, cognitive mechanisms that support complex foraging, by comparing two species with similar life history that vary in wild ecology: bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Materials and methods

Spatial memory development was assessed using a cross‐sectional experimental design comparing apes ranging from infancy to adulthood. Study 1 tested 73 sanctuary‐living apes on a task examining recall of a single location after a 1‐week delay, compared to an earlier session. Study 2 tested their ability to recall multiple locations within a complex environment. Study 3 examined a subset of individuals from Study 2 on a motivational control task.

Results

In Study 1, younger bonobos and chimpanzees of all ages exhibited improved performance in the test session compared to their initial learning experience. Older bonobos, in contrast, did not exhibit a memory boost in performance after the delay. In Study 2, older chimpanzees exhibited an improved ability to recall multiple locations, whereas bonobos did not exhibit any age‐related differences. In Study 3, both species were similarly motivated to search for food in the absence of memory demands.

Discussion

These results indicate that closely related species with similar life history characteristics can exhibit divergent patterns of cognitive development, and suggests a role of socioecological niche in shaping patterns of cognition in Pan.
Transformation of Metal‐Organic Frameworks into Stable Organic Frameworks with Inherited Skeletons and Catalytic Properties
Authors: Chen Kai , Wu Chuan‐De
Published: April 2019

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous materials with attractive properties, however, their practical applications are heavily hindered by their fragile nature. We report herein an effective strategy to transform fragile coordination bonds in MOFs into stable covalent organic bonds under mild annealing decarboxylative coupling reaction conditions, which results in highly stable organic framework materials. This strategy successfully endows intrinsic framework skeletons, porosity and properties of the parent MOFs in the daughter organic framework materials, which exhibit excellent chemical stability under harsh catalytic conditions. Therefore, this work opens a new avenue to synthesize stable organic framework materials derived from MOFs for applications in different fields.
Ultrasound‐assisted green synthesis of Cu‐based complexes of β‐cyclodextrin and their SOD‐like activity
Authors: Nikzad‐Kojanag Behnaz , Pirouzmand Mahtab , Hosseini‐Yazdi Seyed Abolfazl
Published: April 2019

A novel Cu–Zn β‐cyclodextrin (CuZn/β‐CD) model compound was synthesized under ultrasound irradiation to mimic the functionality of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). For comparison, Cu/β‐CD and Zn/β‐CD complexes were also synthesized via a sonochemical approach. The obtained complexes were characterized by FTIR, ICP‐OES, UV–vis and Scanning electron microscopy‐Energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) techniques. The SOD activity of the complexes was evaluated by a pyrogallol autoxidation method. These enzyme‐mimetic materials scavenge ambient free radicals, with the potential to provide significant antioxidant protection (scavenging ability > 70%).
An improved image procession algorithm for bubble flow characteristics in gas–liquid reactor
Authors: Li Xiangli , Li Guohui
Published: April 2019

Bubble size distributions in bubble‐liquid reactors are essentially determined by the multiphase turbulent hydrodynamic behaviors, which take greatly effects on the heat and mass transfer. An improved image procession algorithm, effectively combined for the first time, color space transformation, shadow detection and removal, and watershed segmentation to handle the raw pictures captured by high‐speed camera was proposed to characterize the distributions of bubble sizes. The hue–saturation–intensity color space approach to detect bubble edges and shadow regions for their intensity was set to as input value for processing background subtraction. Furthermore, the removal of bubble shadow was successfully performed by means of extracting shadow regions to attain the satisfied compensation images, a watershed transformation function was also developed to segment the overlapping bubbles into the individual bubble objects after shadow removed as well. Bubble parameters, that is, bubble areas and bubble perimeters are obtained details, and results showed that the maximum errors between calculated results and measurement without considering shadow effects are approximately 25%. Thus, it indicated that the effects of shadow are seriously, and it must be optimized for better prediction regarding the ability and the capacity of reactor design.
Tailored interphase and thermal interface resistance of self‐assembled thermally reduced graphene oxide–polyamide hybrid/epoxy composites with enhanced thermal conductivity
Authors: Li Bo , Wu Di , Lu Kangyi , Xu Peng , Li Gang , Yang Xiaoping
Published: April 2019

Thermally reduced graphene oxide–polyamide (TrGO‐PA) hybrids were fabricated by self‐assembly between TrGO nanosheets and PA microparticles, and the dispersibility, interphase extension, and thermal conduction mechanism of TrGO‐PA/epoxy (EP) composites were investigated. Most of the oxygen‐containing functional groups of TrGO were removed, and a conjugated structure of graphene was recovered. TrGO was distributed evenly on the PA surface via electrostatic adsorption between TrGO and PA, which resulted in the inhibition of TrGO aggregation in the epoxy matrix. Compared with that of TrGO/EP and PA/EP composites, the thermal interface resistance (RTIM) of TrGO‐PA/EP composites was greatly decreased to 38.3 mm2 kW−1 and the thermal conductivity was improved to 0.268 W/(m K), which was attributed to the enhanced dispersibility of TrGO‐PA and the enlarged interphase in TrGO‐PA/EP composites. A schematic model of thermal conduction mechanisms was proposed based on the formation of contiguous thermal transfer pathways by bridged TrGO adsorbed on well‐dispersed PA microparticles in TrGO‐PA/EP composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47826.
Green synthesis of porous polyvinyl alcohol membranes functionalized with l‐arginine and their application in the removal of 4‐nitrophenol from aqueous solution
Authors: Narkkun Thanitporn , Boonying Patharawadee , Yuenyao Chalad , Amnuaypanich Sittipong
Published: April 2019

Green and single‐step synthesis of porous poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane functionalized with l‐arginine (PVA‐g‐Arg) is presented. Crosslinking, l‐arginine functionalization and pore forming occurred simultaneously by a thermally induced process without using a crosslinker or an initiator. As‐synthesized PVA‐g‐Arg membranes possessed a porous structure with an average pore size of 32–56 μm depending on the amount of l‐arginine. The PVA‐g‐Arg were utilized as adsorbent membranes for the removal of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) from aqueous solutions and demonstrated higher adsorption capacity than that of the unmodified PVA porous membrane. The pseudo‐second‐order described satisfactorily the kinetic adsorption of 4‐NP by the membranes while the isotherms followed both the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The negative values of ΔG° and thermodynamic parameters confirmed that the adsorption of 4‐NP by the PVA‐g‐Arg membranes was spontaneous and exothermic. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47835.
Construction and flame‐retardant performance of layer‐by‐layer assembled hexagonal boron nitride coatings on flexible polyurethane foams
Authors: Qiu Xiaoqing , Li Zhiwei , Li Xiaohong , Yu Laigui , Zhang Zhijun
Published: April 2019

We first prepared a novel hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanosheet filled flame‐retardant coating on the surface of flexible polyurethane foams (FPUFs) by a layer‐by‐layer assembly method to improve the fire safety of the FPUFs. The microstructures and compositions of the coatings could be well tailored by the alteration of the concentrations of the h‐BN dispersions; this resulted in obvious improvements in the thermal stability and flame‐retardant properties for the FPUFs under optimal conditions. Particularly, cone calorimetry testing confirmed that the FPUFs coated with a proper amount of h‐BN nanosheets effectively reduced the peak of the heat‐release rate (50.1%) and CO production (53.8%) of the FPUFs, which demonstrated excellent flame‐retardant performance. The excellent flame‐retardant properties were attributed to the physical barrier and tortuous‐path effects and anisotropic thermal conductivity of the h‐BN nanosheets; these retarded the transfer and diffusion of heat toward the polymer matrix. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47839.
Early life‐history adaptation influences conservation approaches for facultatively amphidromous fish
Authors: Augspurger Jason M. , Closs Gerard P.
Published: April 2019

Early life history is widely recognized as the stage of fish life history where mortality is the highest. Incorrect adaptation of early life‐history characteristics to environmental conditions will result in high larval mortality and therefore recruitment failure. As a result, understanding early life‐history requirements is critical if conservation techniques such as translocations are to be successful.

For amphidromous fishes, landlocked and marine rearing environments present fundamentally different challenges, and thus early life history must be adapted to allow the establishment of landlocked populations. This study investigated gonadal development to determine spawning time, egg size, and fecundity in landlocked and diadromous populations of the threatened fish Galaxias brevipinnis to assess early life‐history adaptation to facultative amphidromy in southern New Zealand.

Ripening and spawning times of landlocked populations were protracted compared with diadromous populations. Diadromous populations simultaneously spawned during a March flood, whereas ovulating landlocked individuals were found from August to December, with a peak in October. Oocyte size in landlocked individuals was approximately 25% smaller than that in diadromous populations, and the fecundity of landlocked individuals was higher than that for diadromous individuals.

Translocations of landlocked individuals to diadromous stocks are therefore unlikely to be successful, whereas the large egg size of diadromous populations would allow the translocation of diadromous stocks to landlocked environments.
Synthesis of Co0.5Mn0.1Ni0.4C2O4⋅n H2O Micropolyhedrons: Multimetal Synergy for High‐Performance Glucose Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Li Nan , Li Qing , Yuan Meijuan , Guo Xiaotian , Zheng Shasha , Pang Huan
Published: April 2019

Owing to the synergy between metals, trimetal oxalate micropolyhedrons have been synthesized by means of a room‐temperature coprecipitation strategy. The effect of their nanoscale size on their electrochemical performance toward glucose oxidation was investigated. In particular, the Co0.5Mn0.1Ni0.4C2O4⋅n H2O micropolyhedrons illustrated prominent electrocatalytic activity for the glucose oxidation reaction. Additionally, the Co0.5Mn0.1Ni0.4C2O4⋅n H2O micropolyhedrons, when used as an electrode material, illustrated an excellent lower limit of detection (1.5 μm), a wide detection concentration range (0.5–5065.5 μm), and a high sensitivity (493.5 μA mm−1 cm−2). Further analysis indicated that the effectively improved conductivity may have been due to the small size of the materials, and it was easier to form a flat film when Nafion was coated onto the glassy carbon electrode.
Cellulase production from kraft hardwood pulp by Trichoderma reesei rut C‐30
Authors: Li Jing , Shi Suan , Kang Li , Wang Wei , Guan Wenjian
Published: April 2019

Cellulase on‐site production can occur in a supplementary unit in a kraft paper mill to create additional revenue. In this study, the production of cellulase enzyme from kraft hardwood pulp by Trichoderma reesei Rut C‐30 was investigated in a 3 L fermenter. Experiments were conducted at three pH levels, 3.5, 4.0, and 5.0, to study their impact on T. reesei Rut C‐30 growth and cellulase production. It was found that higher pH values promoted cell proliferation but not cellulase production. The highest cellulase activity and productivity were obtained at a pH level of 3.5. The solid loading effect of the substrate was also investigated over the range of 2% to 5% (w/v) to determine the maximum levels of cellulase activity obtainable. The highest titer of 7.5 FPU mL–1 was achieved at 4% (w/v) of hardwood pulp. Cellulase production in this condition yielded 246.7 FPU/g‐glucan of hardwood pulp with a productivity of 56.8 FPU L–1h–1. The higher xylanase activity in the enzyme produced in‐house resulted in higher glucan and xylan digestibility than the commercial enzyme. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd