bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature and Snowfall in Western Queen Maud Land Increasing Faster Than Climate Model Projections
Authors: Medley B. , McConnell J. R. , Neumann T. A. , Reijmer C. H. , Chellman N. , Sigl M. , Kipfstuhl S.
Published: December 2017

East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) mass balance is largely driven by snowfall. Recently, increased snowfall in Queen Maud Land led to years of EAIS mass gain. It is difficult to determine whether these years of enhanced snowfall are anomalous or part of a longer‐term trend, reducing our ability to assess the mitigating impact of snowfall on sea level rise. We determine that the recent snowfall increases in western Queen Maud Land (QML) are part of a long‐term trend (+5.2 ± 3.7% decade−1) and are unprecedented over the past two millennia. Warming between 1998 and 2016 is significant and rapid (+1.1 ± 0.7°C decade−1). Using these observations, we determine that the current accumulation and temperature increases in QML from an ensemble of global climate simulations are too low, which suggests that projections of the QML contribution to sea level rise are potentially overestimated with a reduced mitigating impact of enhanced snowfall in a warming world.
Real‐Time Detection of Rupture Development: Earthquake Early Warning Using P Waves From Growing Ruptures
Authors: Kodera Yuki
Published: December 2017

Large earthquakes with long rupture durations emit P wave energy throughout the rupture period. Incorporating late‐onset P waves into earthquake early warning (EEW) algorithms could contribute to robust predictions of strong ground motion. Here I describe a technique to detect in real time P waves from growing ruptures to improve the timeliness of an EEW algorithm based on seismic wavefield estimation. The proposed P wave detector, which employs a simple polarization analysis, successfully detected P waves from strong motion generation areas of the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku‐oki earthquake rupture. An analysis using 23 large (M ≥ 7) events from Japan confirmed that seismic intensity predictions based on the P wave detector significantly increased lead times without appreciably decreasing the prediction accuracy. P waves from growing ruptures, being one of the fastest carriers of information on ongoing rupture development, have the potential to improve the performance of EEW systems.
A Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling of the Interchange Cycle for Oblique Northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field
Authors: Watanabe Masakazu , Fujita Shigeru , Tanaka Takashi , Kubota Yasubumi , Shinagawa Hiroyuki , Murata Ken T.
Published: December 2017

We perform numerical modeling of the interchange cycle in the magnetosphere‐ionosphere convection system for oblique northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The interchange cycle results from the coupling of IMF‐to‐lobe reconnection and lobe‐to‐closed reconnection. Using a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation code, for an IMF clock angle of 20° (measured from due north), we successfully reproduced the following features of the interchange cycle. (1) In the ionosphere, for each hemisphere, there appears a reverse cell circulating exclusively in the closed field line region (the reciprocal cell). (2) The topology transition of the magnetic field along a streamline near the equatorial plane precisely represents the magnetic flux reciprocation during the interchange cycle. (3) Field‐aligned electric fields on the interplanetary‐open separatrix and on the open‐closed separatrix are those that are consistent with IMF‐to‐lobe reconnection and lobe‐to‐closed reconnection, respectively. These three features prove the existence of the interchange cycle in the simulated magnetosphere‐ionosphere system. We conclude that the interchange cycle does exist in the real solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere system. In addition, the simulation revealed that the reciprocal cell described above is not a direct projection of the diffusion region as predicted by the “vacuum” model in which diffusion is added a priori to the vacuum magnetic topology. Instead, the reciprocal cell is a consequence of the plasma convection system coupled to the so‐called NBZ (“northward Bz”) field‐aligned current system.
Global MHD Simulations of the Earth's Bow Shock Shape and Motion Under Variable Solar Wind Conditions
Authors: Mejnertsen L. , Eastwood J. P. , Hietala H. , Schwartz S. J. , Chittenden J. P.
Published: December 2017

Empirical models of the Earth's bow shock are often used to place in situ measurements in context and to understand the global behavior of the foreshock/bow shock system. They are derived statistically from spacecraft bow shock crossings and typically treat the shock surface as a conic section parameterized according to a uniform solar wind ram pressure, although more complex models exist. Here a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation is used to analyze the variability of the Earth's bow shock under real solar wind conditions. The shape and location of the bow shock is found as a function of time, and this is used to calculate the shock velocity over the shock surface. The results are compared to existing empirical models. Good agreement is found in the variability of the subsolar shock location. However, empirical models fail to reproduce the two‐dimensional shape of the shock in the simulation. This is because significant solar wind variability occurs on timescales less than the transit time of a single solar wind phase front over the curved shock surface. Empirical models must therefore be used with care when interpreting spacecraft data, especially when observations are made far from the Sun‐Earth line. Further analysis reveals a bias to higher shock speeds when measured by virtual spacecraft. This is attributed to the fact that the spacecraft only observes the shock when it is in motion. This must be accounted for when studying bow shock motion and variability with spacecraft data.
Phototunable Full‐Color Emission of Cellulose‐Based Dynamic Fluorescent Materials
Authors: Tian Weiguo , Zhang Jinming , Yu Jian , Wu Jin , Zhang Jun , He Jiasong , Wang Fosong
Published: December 2017

An iridescent chameleon‐like material that can change its colors under different circumstances is always desired in color‐on‐demand applications. Herein, a strategy based on trichromacy and the dynamically tunable fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process to design and prepare these chameleon‐like fluorescent materials is proposed. A set of trichromic (red, green, and blue), solid fluorescent materials are synthesized by covalently attaching spiropyran, fluorescein, and pyrene onto cellulose chains independently. After simply mixing them together, a full range of color is realized. The chameleon‐like nature of these materials is based on the dynamic tunable FRET process between donors (green and blue) and acceptors (red) in which the energy transfer efficiency can be finely tuned by irradiation. Ultimately, the reversible and nonlinear regulation of fluorescence properties, including color and intensity, is achieved on a timescale recognizable by the naked eye. Benefited by the excellent processability inherited from the cellulose derivatives, the as‐prepared materials are feasibly transformed into different forms. Particularly, a fluorescent ink with the complicated fluorescent input–output dependence suggests more than a proof‐of‐concept; indeed, it suggests a unique method of information encryption, security printing, and dynamic anticounterfeiting.
Yolk–Shell Nanostructures: Design, Synthesis, and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Lin Li‐Sen , Song Jibin , Yang Huang‐Hao , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: December 2017

Yolk–shell nanostructures (YSNs) composed of a core within a hollow cavity surrounded by a porous outer shell have received tremendous research interest owing to their unique structural features, fascinating physicochemical properties, and widespread potential applications. Here, a comprehensive overview of the design, synthesis, and biomedical applications of YSNs is presented. The synthetic strategies toward YSNs are divided into four categories, including hard‐templating, soft‐templating, self‐templating, and multimethod combination synthesis. For the hard‐ or soft‐templating strategies, different types of rigid or vesicle templates are used for making YSNs. For the self‐templating strategy, a number of unconventional synthetic methods without additional templates are introduced. For the multimethod combination strategy, various methods are applied together to produce YSNs that cannot be obtained directly by only a single method. The biomedical applications of YSNs including biosensing, bioimaging, drug/gene delivery, and cancer therapy are discussed in detail. Moreover, the potential superiority of YSNs for these applications is also highlighted. Finally, some perspectives on the future research and development of YSNs are provided.
Blocking Energy‐Loss Pathways for Ideal Fluorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes with Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Sensitizers
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Song Xiaozeng , Cai Minghan , Duan Lian
Published: December 2017

Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on thermally activated delayed fluorescence‐sensitized fluorescence (TSF) offer the possibility of attaining an ultimate high efficiency with low roll‐off utilizing noble‐metal free, easy‐to‐synthesize, pure organic fluorescent emitters. However, the performances of TSF‐OLEDs are still unsatisfactory. Here, TSF‐OLEDs with breakthrough efficiencies even at high brightnesses by suppressing the competitive deactivation processes, including direct charge recombination on conventional fluorescent dopants (CFDs) and Dexter energy transfer from the host to the CFDs, are demonstrated. On the one hand, electronically inert terminal‐substituents are introduced to protect the electronically active core of the CFDs; on the other hand, delicate device structures are designed to provide multiple energy‐funneling paths. As a result, unprecedentedly high maximum external quantum efficiency/power efficiency of 24%/71.4 lm W−1 in a green TSF‐OLED are demonstrated, which remain at 22.6%/52.3 lm W−1 even at a high luminance of 5000 cd m−2. The work unlocks the potential of TSF‐OLEDs, paving the way toward practical applications.
Genetically Engineered Liposome‐like Nanovesicles as Active Targeted Transport Platform
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Long , Qin Zainen , Hua Suhang , Guo Zhide , Chu Chengchao , Lin Huirong , Zhang Yang , Li Wengang , Zhang Xianzhong , Chen Xiaoyuan , Liu Gang
Published: December 2017

Ligand‐targeted delivery of drug molecules to various types of tumor cells remains a major challenge in precision medicine. Inspired by the secretion process and natural cargo delivery functions of natural exosomes, biomimetic synthetic strategies are exploited to prepare biofunctionalized liposome‐like nanovesicles (BLNs) that can artificially display a wide variety of targeting protein/peptide ligands and directly encapsulate medical agents for enhanced drug delivery. Here, as a proof of concept, genetically engineered BLNs, which display human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) or anti‐HER2 Affibody as targeting moieties, are developed to, respectively, target two types of tumor cells. Notably, in comparison to synthetic liposomes covalently coupled with hEGF, it is demonstrated in this work that biosynthetically displayed hEGF ligands on BLNs possess higher biological activities and targeting capabilities. Additionally, treatments with doxorubicin‐loaded BLNs displaying Affibody ligands exhibit much better antitumor therapeutic outcomes than clinically approved liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) in HER2‐overexpressing BT474 tumor xenograft models. These data suggest that BLN is suitable as a potent surrogate for conventional proteoliposomes or immunoliposomes as a result of excellent targeting capacities and facile production of BLNs.
Organocatalytic Synthesis of Oxazolines and Dihydrooxazines from Allyl‐Amides: Bypassing the Inherent Regioselectivity of the Cyclization
Authors: Theodorou Alexis , Triandafillidi Ierasia , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: December 2017

A selective and efficient methodology for the construction of either oxazolines or dihydrooxazines from the corresponding allyl‐amides is reported. Bypassing the inherent selectivity of the cyclization and depending on the substitution pattern of the substrate, a selective epoxidation‐cyclization was developed leading to either the five‐membered or the six‐membered ring, upon simple and complementary reaction conditions. The cyclization products were obtained in good to excellent yields and high selectivities.

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2D Co6Mo6C Nanosheets as Robust Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst
Authors: He Chunyong , Tao Juzhou
Published: December 2017

Hydrogen production by electrochemical water splitting via nonprecious metal catalysts is still a great challenge due to sluggish kinetics and poor electrochemical durability toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, the fabrication of two dimensional (2D) bimetallic carbide nanosheets on graphene hybrid (Co6Mo6C NSs/G) is first reported, which exhibits excellent HER performance with a nearly zero onset overpotential, a small overpotential of 73 mV at current densities of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 43 mV dec−1, and an outstanding electrochemical durability. The density functional theoretical calculations suggest that the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen bonding of Co6Mo6C is −0.12 eV, which is very close to Pt (−0.09 eV).
Polylactic acid–agave fiber biocomposites produced by rotational molding: A comparative study with compression molding
Authors: Cisneros‐López Erick Omar , Pérez‐Fonseca Aida Alejandra , González‐García Yolanda , Ramírez‐Arreola Daniel Edén , González‐Núñez Rubén , Rodrigue Denis , Robledo‐Ortíz Jorge Ramón
Published: December 2017

In this work, the possibility to produce polylactic acid (PLA) and agave fiber biocomposites by dry‐blending and rotational molding was studied. The samples were also produced by compression molding to compare the effect of processing conditions on the biocomposites properties. In particular, the effect of fiber content (0–40 wt.%) on morphology, density, porosity, thermal (DSC) and mechanical properties (tension, flexion, impact and hardness) was studied. Also, a complete analysis of the internal air temperature profiles was performed to determine the thermal behavior of PLA during the rotational molding cycle. The results showed that rotomolded biocomposites were successfully produced but had higher porosity than compression molded ones due to the absence of pressure while forming. This led to different level of mechanical properties reduction as fiber content increases. Nevertheless, for compression‐molded biocomposites, crystallinity (30% at 30 wt.%), tensile modulus (14% at 30 wt.%) and impact strength (71% at 40 wt.%) improvements were obtained compared to neat PLA.
In Situ Synthesis of Vertical Standing Nanosized NiO Encapsulated in Graphene as Electrodes for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Lin Jinghuang , Jia Henan , Liang Haoyan , Chen Shulin , Cai Yifei , Qi Junlei , Qu Chaoqun , Cao Jian , Fei Weidong , Feng Jicai
Published: December 2017

NiO is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. Herein, the novel vertically standing nanosized NiO encapsulated in graphene layers (G@NiO) are rationally designed and synthesized as nanosheet arrays. This unique vertical standing structure of G@NiO nanosheet arrays can enlarge the accessible surface area with electrolytes, and has the benefits of short ion diffusion path and good charge transport. Further, an interconnected graphene conductive network acts as binder to encapsulate the nanosized NiO particles as core–shell structure, which can promote the charge transport and maintain the structural stability. Consequently, the optimized G@NiO hybrid electrodes exhibit a remarkably enhanced specific capacity up to 1073 C g−1 and excellent cycling stability. This study provides a facial strategy to design and construct high‐performance metal oxides for energy storage.
The Impact of Molecular p‐Doping on Charge Transport in High‐Mobility Small‐Molecule/Polymer Blend Organic Transistors
Authors: Paterson Alexandra F. , Lin Yen‐Hung , Mottram Alexander D. , Fei Zhuping , Niazi Muhammad R. , Kirmani Ahmad R. , Amassian Aram , Solomeshch Olga , Tessler Nir , Heeney Martin , Anthopoulos Thomas D.
Published: December 2017

Molecular doping is a powerful tool with the potential to resolve many of the issues currently preventing organic thin‐film transistor (OTFT) commercialization. However, the addition of dopant molecules into organic semiconductors often disrupts the host lattice, introducing defects and harming electrical transport. New dopant‐based systems that overcome practical utilization issues, while still reaping the electrical performance benefits, would therefore be extremely valuable. Here, the impact of p‐doping on the charge transport in blends consisting of the small‐molecule 2,7‐dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (C8‐BTBT), the polymer indacenodithiophene‐benzothiadiazole (C16IDT‐BT), and the molecular dopant C60F48 is investigated. Electrical field‐effect measurements indicate that p‐doping not only enhances the average saturation mobility from 1.4 to 7.8 cm2 V−1 s−1 over 50 devices (maximum values from around 4 to 13 cm2 V−1 s−1), but also improves bias–stress stability, contact resistance, threshold voltage, and the overall device‐to‐device performance variation. Importantly, materials characterization using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy, and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, combined with charge transport modeling, reveal that effective doping is achieved without perturbing the microstructure of the polycrystalline semiconductor film. This work highlights the remarkable potential of ternary organic blends as a simple platform for OTFTs to achieve all the benefits of doping, with none of the drawbacks.
A Quintuple [6]Helicene with a Corannulene Core as a C5‐Symmetric Propeller‐Shaped π‐System
Authors: Kato Kenta , Segawa Yasutomo , Scott Lawrence T. , Itami Kenichiro
Published: December 2017

The synthesis and structural analysis of a quintuple [6]helicene with a corannulene core is reported. The compound was synthesized from corannulene in three steps including a five‐fold intramolecular direct arylation. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed a C5‐symmetric propeller‐shaped structure and one‐dimensional alignment in the solid state. The enantiomers of the quintuple [6]helicene were successfully separated by HPLC, and the chirality of the two fractions was identified by CD spectroscopy. A kinetic study yielded a racemization barrier of 34.2 kcal mol−1, which is slightly lower than that of pristine [6]helicene. DFT calculations indicate a rapid bowl‐to‐bowl inversion of the corannulene moiety and a step‐by‐step chiral inversion pathway for the five [6]helicene moieties.
Addition of H2 Across a Cobalt–Phosphorus Bond
Authors: Poitras Andrew M. , Knight Sadie E. , Bezpalko Mark W. , Foxman Bruce M. , Thomas Christine M.
Published: December 2017

Addition of H2 across the cobalt–phosphorus bond of (PPP)CoPMe3 (3) is demonstrated, where PPP is a monoanionic diphosphine pincer ligand with a central N‐heterocyclic phosphido (NHP−) donor. The chlorophosphine CoII complex (PPClP)CoCl2 (2) can be generated through coordination of the chlorophosphine ligand (PPClP, 1) to CoCl2. Subsequent reduction of 2 with KC8 in the presence of PMe3 generates (PPP)CoPMe3 (3), in which both the phosphorus and cobalt centers have been reduced. The addition of 1 atm of H2 to complex 3 cleanly affords (PPHP)Co(H)PMe3 (4), in which H2 has ultimately been added across the metal–phosphorus bond. Complex 4 was characterized spectroscopically and using computational methods to predict its geometry.
Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal analyses, biological activity and molecular docking studies on mixed ligand complexes derived from Schiff base ligands and 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxylic acid
Authors: Abd El‐Halim Hanan F. , Mohamed Gehad G.
Published: December 2017

Two novel Schiff base ligands (La and Lb) were prepared from the condensation of quinoline 2‐aldehyde with 2‐aminopyridine (ligand La) and from the condensation of oxamide with furfural (ligand Lb). Mixed ligand complexes of the type M+2La/b Lc were prepared, where (La and Lb) the primary ligands and Lc was 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid as secondary ligand. Metal ions used were Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) for mixed ligands La Lc and Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Hg(II) and Zn(II) for LbLc mixed ligands. La and Lb Schiff base ligands were both characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, 1H and 13C NMR. Mass spectra for Lb, [Zn(La)LcCl]Cl and [Cu(Lb)LcCl]Cl were also studied. ESR spectrum of the [Cu(Lb) LcCl]Cl complex was also recorded The metal complexes were synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, spectroscopic (IR, 1H NMR, UV‐visible, diffused reflectance), molar conductance, magnetic moment and thermal studies. The IR and 1H NMR spectral data revealed that 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxalic acid ligand coordinated to the metal ions via pyridyl N and carboxylate O without proton displacement. In addition, the IR data showed that La and Lb ligands behaved as neutral bidentate ligands with N2 donation sites (quinoline N and azomethine N for La and two azomethine N for Lb). Based on spectroscopic studies, an octahedral geometry was proposed for the complexes. The thermal stability and degradation of the metal complexes were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The binding modes and affinities of La, Lb and Zn(II) complexes towards receptors of crystal structure of E. coli (PDB ID: 3 t88) and mutant oxidoreductase of breast cancer (PDB ID: 3 hb5) receptors were also studied.

The antimicrobial activity against two species of Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi were tested for the Schiff base ligands, 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid and the mixed ligand complexes and revealed that the synthesized mixed ligand complexes exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than their free Schiff base ligands.
Nitrogen‐rich porous polyaminal network as a platform for iodine adsorption through physical and chemical interaction
Authors: Ren Yao‐Yao , Zhang Wuyong , Zhu Yunlong , Wang De‐Gao , Yu Guipeng , Kuang Gui‐Chao
Published: December 2017

A series of nitrogen‐rich porous polyaminal networks (PANs) with five different linkages were prepared through a facile route from cost‐effective starting materials. Each structural unit bears a different number of phenyl and pyrrolyl rings, which are found to be useful for iodine uptake through a physical adsorption mechanism. The PAN3 bearing the 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BDP) units, which could adsorb iodine by both physical and chemical interaction, achieves an efficient iodine capacity up to 2.81 g/g. Significantly, these new nitrogen‐rich PANs might be useful for capture of other volatile compounds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46106.
Thermal and antimicrobial evaluation of cotton functionalized with a chitosan–zeolite composite and microcapsules of phase‐change materials
Authors: Scacchetti Fabio A. P. , Pinto Eugénia , Soares Graça M. B.
Published: December 2017

Antimicrobial cotton was developed with silver zeolites (SZs). Three different application approaches for the cotton surface functionalization were followed: (1) SZ alone, (2) SZ combined with chitosan film, and (3) chitosan–zeolite (CS–SZ) composites previously synthesized by a gelation process with sodium tripolyphosphate. All finishes were applied to the textile materials through conventional pad–dry–cure processes, and the obtained results were then compared. The resulting materials were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, IR thermography, and contact angle measurements, and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated. The results suggest that the application of CS–SZ should be recommended for the production of textiles with antibacterial properties because the materials showed activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Trichophyton rubrum. In addition, the finishing can be combined with the application of microcapsules of phase‐change materials to obtain textiles with thermoregulating properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46135.
Fabrication of a fast‐swelling superabsorbent resin by inverse suspension polymerization
Authors: Li Jinxia , Zhang Kuihua , Zhang Mengyi , Fang Yu , Chu Xiaofeng , Xu Lu
Published: December 2017

A novel, fast‐swelling superabsorbent polymer (SAP2) was fabricated with an anionic–nonionic surfactant [poly(oxy‐1,2‐ethanediyl)–(3‐carboxy‐1‐oxo‐3‐sulfopropyl)–(nonylphenoxy) sodium salt] as the stabilizer by inverse suspension polymerization. The microstructure, chemical structure, and gel strength of the superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, porosity, and specific surface area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and rheometry. The results show that SAP2 had irregularly shaped particles with a large number of pores and presented a greater specific surface area, pore volume, and gel strength than the prepared SAP1 with a nonionic surfactant (Span 60) as the stabilizer. The amount of residual monomer and the gel fraction of SAP2 were 202 mg/kg and 80.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, SAP2 demonstrated a faster swelling and deswelling rate as well as greater water absorbency than SAP1. The fast swelling rate mainly resulted from the capillary effect of the pores in the irregularly shaped particles. Superfast swelling SAPs should possess outstanding potential for healthcare products, communication cables, and the biomedical field. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46142.
Highly permeable biomimetic reverse osmosis membrane with amphiphilic peptide stabilized aquaporin as water filtering agent
Authors: He Yuan , Hoi Hiofan , Abraham Sinoj , Montemagno Carlo D.
Published: December 2017

The shortage of fresh water is one of the most critical problems our society must address. The most commonly accepted method to produce fresh water is by membrane systems. Since the discovery of aquaporins (AQPs) (water channel proteins), researchers have been trying to incorporate them as functional units in biomimetic membranes to achieve superior water permeability and solute rejection. However, it still remains challenging due to the lack of an effective strategy to stabilize AQPs and fabricate robust membranes. Here, we report the utilization of an amphiphilic peptide (BP1) to stabilize AQPs and use the resulting protein–BP1 complex for desalination purposes. We demonstrated the secondary structure and stability of protein–BP1 complex in aqueous solution using circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy. The resulting membrane with aquaporin incorporation showed water permeability of 12.33 LMH, improved 28% compared to mutant control membrane, and 83.6% compared to traditional polyamide membrane, while maintaining the high sale rejection (96%). These results demonstrate a great potential of this new incorporating technique for desalination applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46169.
Impact of compression molding conditions on the thermal and mechanical properties of polyethylene
Authors: Shamloo Azar , Fathi Babak , Elkoun Saïd , Rodrigue Denis , Soldera Armand
Published: December 2017

Compression molding is a current technique in polymer processing. Despite numerous studies, effect of molding pressure on physical properties has surprisingly not been fully investigated. In this study, the thermal and mechanical behavior of the compression‐molded polyethylene were thus explored to better grasp the relationship between processing parameters and ensuing properties. The effect of the molding temperature, pressure, cooling rate, and temperature profile on the tensile and flexural moduli as well as melting point of polyethylene was studied. We conclude that higher tensile and flexural moduli are obtained by increasing pressure and molding temperature, as well as decreasing the cooling rate. Our results were corroborated by X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Moreover, the use of a temperature gradient with different temperatures for the upper and bottom plates of the mold leads to asymmetric samples whose tensile and flexural moduli are improved. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46176.
Rethinking time: Implications for well‐being
Authors: Mogilner Cassie , Hershfield Hal E. , Aaker Jennifer
Published: December 2017

How people think about and use their time has critical implications for happiness and well‐being. Extant research on time in the consumer behavior literature reveals a predominantly dichotomized perspective of time between the present and future. Drawing on research on emotions, social relationships, and financial decision‐making, we discuss how removing categorical dichotomies might lead to beneficial outcomes. From this, we propose a conceptualization of time that assumes a less stark contrast between the present and the future, allowing these two time frames to more flexibly coexist in people's minds and experiences. Finally, we discuss one way people might adopt this perspective to increase happiness—by taking an elevated or “bird's‐eye” perspective of time where the future and present, as well as the past, become equally visible, and where events from different time points are treated and experienced as part of one's life and being overall.
Robust stochastic control modeling of dam discharge to suppress overgrowth of downstream harmful algae
Authors: Yoshioka Hidekazu , Yaegashi Yuta
Published: December 2017

The mathematical concept of multiplier robust control is applied to a dam operation problem, which is an urgent issue on river water environment, as a new industrial application of stochastic optimal control. The goal of the problem is to find a fit‐for‐purpose and environmentally sound operation policy of the flow discharge from a dam so that overgrowth of the harmful algae Cladophora glomerata Kützing in its downstream river is effectively suppressed. A minimal stochastic differential equation for the algae growth dynamics with uncertain growth rate is first presented. The performance index to be maximized by the operator of the dam while minimized by nature is formulated within the framework of differential games. The dynamic programming principle leads to a Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman‐Isaacs equation whose solution determines the worst‐case optimal operation policy of the dam, ie, the policy that the operator wants to find. Application of the model to overgrowth suppression of Cladophora glomerata Kützing just downstream of a dam in a Japanese river is then carried out. Values of the model parameters are identified with which the model successfully reproduces the observed population dynamics. A series of numerical experiments are performed to find the most effective operation policy of the dam based on a relaxation of the current policy.
A dark matter compact star in the framework of the pseudo‐complex general relativity
Authors: Hadjimichef D. , Machado M.V.T. , Köpp F. , Volkmer G.L. , Razeira M. , Vasconcellos C.A.Z.
Published: December 2017

In the theory of pseudo‐complex general relativity (pc‐GR), the field equations have an extra term, associated with the nature of space‐time, of repulsive character, which may halt the gravitational attractive collapse of matter distributions in the evolution process of compact stars. This additional term arises from microscale phenomena due to vacuum fluctuations, which simulate the presence of dark energy in the Universe. In this paper, we explore the presence of this additional term and propose a toy model consisting of dark matter, represented by standard model Fermi gauge singlets having their origin in the Higgs portal model, held together by the presence of the gravitational interaction and superimposed on the repulsive background of dark energy forming a type of unconventional and nonluminous star, composed only of dark matter and dark energy, a rare compact object formed solely by exotic content. The combination of these two ingredients, namely gravitational attraction and dark energy repulsion, allows the hydrostatic equilibrium condition of the star to hold. Solving the corresponding field equations and the Tolman‐Oppenheimer‐Volkoff (TOV) equations, and assuming that the fluid components interact only gravitationally, we determine the hydrostatic equilibrium equations of the star. We then analyze the corresponding results obtained for the equation of state and for the mass–radius relations and then determine the maximum mass of the exotic star for different parameter configurations.
Scalar boson decay in presence of magnetic fields
Authors: Piccinelli G. , Sánchez A.
Published: December 2017

We analyze the decay of a heavy scalar boson to two light‐charged scalars, in presence of a uniform, constant magnetic field. The effect of magnetic fields on the particle decay process has been studied in many contexts, in the presence of different ingredients and with a variety of methods. After reviewing some results that can be found in the literature, we present our findings and discuss the differences.
Low‐energy interaction in the Fock–Tani formalism
Authors: Folador B. C. , Hadjimichef D.
Published: December 2017

The Fock–Tani formalism is a first‐principles method to obtain effective interactions from microscopic Hamiltonians. Originally derived for meson–meson or baryon–baryon scattering, we present in this paper a brief introduction to the Fock–Tani formalism and formulate the meson–baryon potential, with the scattering and annihilation parts explicitly taken into account, and the corresponding diagrams. Finally, we present the differential and total cross‐section calculations that will be used, in the near future, in the description of kaon–nucleon interactions.
Human neonatal Fc receptor as a new potential antibody binding protein for antibody immobilization
Authors: Ng Woei Kean , Lim Theam Soon , Lai Ngit Shin
Published: December 2017

A critical challenge in producing an antibody‐based assay with the highest reproducibility and sensitivity is the strategy to immobilize antibodies to solid phase. To date, numerous methods of antibody immobilization were reported but each was subjected to its advantages and limitations. The current study proposes a new potential antibody binding protein, the human neonatal fragment crystallizable (Fc) receptor. This protein has shown its high affinity to the Fc of antibody either in vivo or in vitro. Human neonatal Fc receptor is a heterodimer constructed by p51 α‐heavy chain and β2‐microglobulin light chain; however, the binding sites toward the antibody are located in the p51 α‐heavy chain. Hence, vector cloning and recombinant protein expression were carried out to express the p51 α‐heavy chain of the human neonatal Fc receptor (hFcRn‐α). The recombinant protein expressed, hFcRn‐α, was adopted to pin rabbit IgG against hepatitis B virus surface antigen to a solid phase. A sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was further developed to evaluate the efficiency of hFcRn‐α‐directed immobilization in antigen detection. The result was compared with the conventional physical adsorption method. The findings demonstrated that human neonatal Fc receptor was efficient in pinning antibodies and generating higher signals compared with the physical adsorption of antibody.
Modeling time‐varying exposure using inverse probability of treatment weights
Authors: Grafféo Nathalie , Latouche Aurélien , Geskus Ronald B. , Chevret Sylvie
Published: December 2017

For estimating the causal effect of treatment exposure on the occurrence of adverse events, inverse probability weights (IPW) can be used in marginal structural models to correct for time‐dependent confounding. The R package ipw allows IPW estimation by modeling the relationship between the exposure and confounders via several regression models, among which is the Cox model. For right‐censored data and time‐dependent exposures such as treatment switches, the ipw package allows a single switch, assuming that patients are treated once and for all. However, to accommodate multiple switches, we extend this package by implementing a function that allows for multiple and intermittent exposure status in the estimation of IPW using a survival model. This extension allows for the whole exposure treatment trajectory in the estimation of IPW. The impact of the estimated weights on the estimated causal effect, with both methods, is assessed in a simulation study. Then, the function is illustrated on a real dataset from a nationwide prospective observational cohort including patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, patients received one or multiple medications (thiopurines, methotrexate, and anti‐TNF) over time. We used a Cox marginal structural model to assess the effect of thiopurines exposure on the cause‐specific hazard for cancer incidence considering other treatments as confounding factors. To this end, we used our extended function which is available online in the Supporting Information.
Multiple‐rater kappas for binary data: Models and interpretation
Authors: Stoyan Dietrich , Pommerening Arne , Hummel Manuela , Kopp‐Schneider Annette
Published: December 2017

Interrater agreement on binary measurements with more than two raters is often assessed using Fleiss' κ, which is known to be difficult to interpret. In situations where the same raters rate all items, however, the far less known κ suggested by Conger, Hubert, and Schouten is more appropriate. We try to support the interpretation of these characteristics by investigating various models or scenarios of rating. Our analysis, which is restricted to binary data, shows that conclusions concerning interrater agreement by κ heavily depend on the population of items or subjects considered, even if the raters have identical behavior. The standard scale proposed by Landis and Koch, which verbally interprets numerical values of κ, appears to be rather subjective. On the basis of one of the models for rater behavior, we suggest an alternative verbal interpretation for kappa. Finally, we reconsider a classical example from pathology to illustrate the application of our methods and models. We also look for subgroups of raters with similar rating behavior using hierarchical clustering.
Botulinum hemagglutinin‐mediated in situ break‐up of human induced pluripotent stem cell aggregates for high‐density suspension culture
Authors: Nath Suman C. , Tokura Tomohiro , Kim Mee‐Hae , Kino‐oka Masahiro
Published: December 2017

Large numbers of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are required for making stable cell bank. Although suspension culture yields high cell numbers, there remain unresolved challenges for obtaining high‐density of hiPSCs because large size aggregates exhibit low growth rates. Here, we established a simple method for hiPSC aggregate break‐up using botulinum hemagglutinin (HA), which specifically bound with E‐cadherin and disrupted cell–cell connections in hiPSC aggregates. HA showed temporary activity for disrupting the E‐cadherin‐mediated cell–cell connections to facilitate the break‐up of aggregates into small sizes only 9 hr after HA addition. The transportation of HA into the aggregates was mediated by transcellular and paracellular way after HA addition to the culture medium. hiPSC aggregates broken up by HA showed a higher number of live cells, higher cell density, and higher expansion fold compared to those of aggregates dissociated with enzymatic digestion. Moreover, a maximum cell density of 4.5 ± 0.2 × 106 cells ml−1 was obtained by aggregate break‐up into small ones, which was three times higher than that with the conventional culture without aggregate break‐up. Therefore, the temporary activity of HA for disrupting E‐cadherin‐mediated cell–cell connection was key to establishing a simple in situ method for hiPSC aggregate break‐up in bioreactors, leading to high cell density in suspension culture.
Central pathway engineering for enhanced succinate biosynthesis from acetate in Escherichia coli
Authors: Huang Bing , Yang Hao , Fang Guochen , Zhang Xing , Wu Hui , Li Zhimin , Ye Qin
Published: December 2017

Acetate, a non‐food based substrate obtained from multiple biological and chemical ways, is now being paid great attention in bio‐manufacturing and have a strong potential to compete with sugar‐based carbon source. In this study, acetate can be efficiently converted to succinate by engineered Escherichia coli strains via the combination of several metabolic engineering strategies, including reducing OAA decarboxylation, engineering TCA cycle, enhancement of acetate assimilation pathway and increasing aerobic ATP supply through cofactor engineering. The engineered strain HB03(pTrc99a‐gltA, pBAD33‐Trc‐fdh) accumulated 30.9 mM of succinate in 72 hr and the yield reached the maximum theoretical yield (∼0.50 mol/mol). In the resting‐cell experiments, the yield of succinate in HB03(pTrc99a‐gltA) and HB03(pTrc99a‐gltA, pBAD33‐Trc‐fdh) dropped dramatically, although the productivity of succinate increased due to the high cell density. Further deletion of icdA, formed HB04(pTrc99a‐gltA) and HB04(pTrc99a‐gltA, pBAD33‐Trc‐fdh), increased the yield of succinate in the resting‐cell experiments. The highest concentration of succinate achieved 194 mM and the yield reached 0.44 mol/mol in 16 hr by HB04(pTrc99a‐gltA, pBAD33‐Trc‐fdh). The results showed the metabolically engineered E. coli strains have great potential to produce succinate from acetate.
Toward industrial production of isoprenoids in Escherichia coli: Lessons learned from CRISPR‐Cas9 based optimization of a chromosomally integrated mevalonate pathway
Authors: Alonso‐Gutierrez Jorge , Koma Daisuke , Hu Qijun , Yang Yuchen , Chan Leanne J. G. , Petzold Christopher J. , Adams Paul D. , Vickers Claudia E. , Nielsen Lars K. , Keasling Jay D. , Lee Taek S.
Published: December 2017

Escherichia coli has been the organism of choice for the production of different chemicals by engineering native and heterologous pathways. In the present study, we simultaneously address some of the main issues associated with E. coli as an industrial platform for isoprenoids, including an inability to grow on sucrose, a lack of endogenous control over toxic mevalonate (MVA) pathway intermediates, and the limited pathway engineering into the chromosome. As a proof of concept, we generated an E. coli DH1 strain able to produce the isoprenoid bisabolene from sucrose by integrating the cscAKB operon into the chromosome and by expressing a heterologous MVA pathway under stress‐responsive control. Production levels dropped dramatically relative to plasmid‐mediated expression when the entire pathway was integrated into the chromosome. In order to optimize the chromosomally integrated MVA pathway, we established a CRISPR‐Cas9 system to rapidly and systematically replace promoter sequences. This strategy led to higher pathway expression and a fivefold improvement in bisabolene production. More interestingly, we analyzed proteomics data sets to understand and address some of the challenges associated with metabolic engineering of the chromosomally integrated pathway. This report shows that integrating plasmid‐optimized operons into the genome and making them work optimally is not a straightforward task and any poor engineering choices on the chromosome may lead to cell death rather than just resulting in low titers. Based on these results, we also propose directions for chromosomal metabolic engineering.
Precision‐porous templated scaffolds of varying pore size drive dendritic cell activation
Authors: Chen Ruying , Ma Hongyan , Zhang Lei , Bryers James D.
Published: December 2017

Scaffold based systems have shown significant potential in modulating immune responses in vivo. While there has been much attention on macrophage interactions with tissue engineered scaffolds for tissue regeneration, fewer studies have looked at the effects of scaffold design on the response of immune cells−that is, dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we present the effects of varying pore size of poly (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS, silicone) scaffolds on the maturation and in vivo enrichment of DCs. We employ a precision templating method to make 3‐D porous polymer scaffolds with uniformly defined and adjustable architecture. Hydrophilic pHEMA and hydrophobic PDMS scaffolds were fabricated in three pore sizes (20, 40, 90 μm) to quantify scaffold pore size effects on DCs activation/maturation in vitro and in vivo. In vitro results showed that both pHEMA and PDMS scaffolds could promote maturation in the DC cell line, JAWSII, that resembled lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated/matured DCs (mDCs). Scaffolds with smaller pore sizes correlate with higher DC maturation, regardless of the polymer used. In vivo, when implanted subcutaneously in C57BL/6J mice, scaffolds with smaller pore sizes also demonstrated more DCs recruitment and more sustained activation. Without the use of DC chemo‐attractants or chemical adjuvants, our results suggested that DC maturation and scaffold infiltration profile can be modulated by simply altering the pore size of the scaffolds.
Factors that predict taking restaurant leftovers: Strategies for reducing food waste
Authors: Hamerman Eric J. , Rudell Fredrica , Martins Chrissy M.
Published: December 2017

Food waste is an important topic of environmental and societal concern. One method of reducing food waste is for patrons to take their restaurant leftovers home for future consumption. The current research applies impression management to determine the factors behind consumers' willingness to do so. Study 1 manipulated social situation (the identity of one's dining companions) and initiating behavior (whether the server established taking leftovers as a normative behavior based on proactively offering to wrap them). When people envisioned dining with others who they wanted to impress, perceived likelihood of taking home leftovers was greater when the server proactively offered to wrap the leftovers (vs. when the customer had to initiate the request). This difference did not hold true when considering dining companions with whom they were comfortable. Greater concern for the environment also increased willingness to take home leftovers. A second study investigated the process behind this result. Participants rated the social desirability of taking restaurant leftovers in various scenarios related to social situation and initiating behavior. Among dining companions who people wanted to impress, taking home leftovers was considered more embarrassing and a greater violation of social norms when the customer (vs. the server) initiated the discussion of taking leftovers. This difference did not occur for dining companions with whom they were comfortable. Concern for the environment did not affect this perception. The server offering to wrap leftovers was perceived as a positive indicator for customer service. Implications for consumer behavior, marketing strategy, and public policy are discussed.