bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Motivating Employee Loyalty and Employee Retention in Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria
Authors: O. Adedeji, Abosede , C. Ugwumadu, Obianuju
Published: August 2018

For some time, the banking sector in Nigeria has been witnessing incessant labour turnover. The study focused on the factors motivating employee loyalty and employee retention in the deposit money banks. This study used descriptive survey research design. Four banks namely First Bank of Nigeria, United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank and First City Monument Bank were randomly selected for the study. The sample size for the study consists of 190 employees out of the total population of 360 employees. A set of self constructed questionnaire was used for data collection. 118 copies of the questionnaire that were correctly completed out of the 190 copies which were administered were used for the study. Percentages, frequency and mean ranking were used to analyze the data collected. The result showed that training and development (3.95) and promotion (3.86) were the main motivating factors for employee loyalty while training and development (4.01) and job security (3.90) were the best ranked employee retention factors. The implication of the result is that, apart from training and development, the better motivating factors for employee loyalty and employee retention are not the same. The result of the hypothesis showed a strong positive relationship between employee retention and loyalty factors in deposit money banks(r = 0.83). It is recommended that management should provide quality training and development programmes as important motivating factors for both employee loyalty and employee retention. The inclusion of other major motivating factors in the organizations’ HRM policy will be an added advantage.
Does Attestation of the effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting Discourage Earnings Management? Evidence from China
Authors: Dang Li , Fang Qiaoling
Published: August 2018

To improve financial reporting quality, the Chinese government issued the Basic Standard for Enterprise Internal Control in 2008 and other related guidelines/regulations in the following years (hereafter China SOX). The scope of China SOX is broader but similar to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in the U.S. Formal adoptions of China SOX requires management and external auditor’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). A company’s ICFR, if effective, should provide reasonable assurance that the company’s financial statements are reliable and prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether China external auditor attestation of ICFR discourage earnings management, an indicator of financial reporting quality. By analyzing a sample of Chinese public firms during 2011 to 2013, we find that: (1) Chinese firms that disclose audited ICFR reports exhibit lower earnings management than firms that do not; (2) Chinese firms that are mandated to disclose audited ICFR reports exhibit lower earnings management than firms that voluntarily disclose audited ICFR reports. Our empirical results seem to suggest that attestation of the effectiveness of ICFR discourages earnings management and therefore improve financial reporting quality.
Xanthones as natural compounds with a wide spectrum of biological activity
Authors: Borzdziłowska Paulina , Bednarek Ilona
Published: August 2018

One of the fields of research involving new substances with potential therapeutic effects is folk medicine. In indigenous cultures, including Far Eastern culture, medicine is based on beliefs and superstitions, passed down from generation to generation, concerning the effects of certain substances contained in plants, herbs or spices. Science very often uses traditional knowledge as a source of information. Observation of everyday life and customs of this culture became the starting point for this research on the plants of the family Clusiacaceae Lindl. Substances included in the different parts of these plants are used as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-cancer drugs. Many studies have led to the isolation of compounds with different properties and uses, called xanthones. It is an interesting group which can be divided into natural and synthetic xanthone derivatives. On the other hand, xanthones are divided by the chemical structure and chemical ring synthesis. Many new xanthone derivatives are produced to evaluate the dependence of biological activity on the przeciwpasożytnichemical
structure of these compounds. The most popular natural xanthones are α-mangostin
and gambogic acid. Xanthones are tested in various aspects, but their most important feature
is their strong antitumor activity. The distinct mechanism of action of xanthone derivatives
and the limited number of side effects give great hope for the use of xanthones in anticancer
therapy, as monotherapy drugs or as substances that support current chemotherapy.
Establishing a Clinical Laboratory in a Tertiary/Quaternary Care Greenfield Hospital in the Middle East: Recounting the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Experience
Authors: Mirza Imran , AbdelWareth Laila O. , Liaqat Muneezeh , Anderson Peter , Palmer Bryson , Turner Andrew , Pallinalakam Fasila , Ali Helal Bin , Tantia Eufe , Lari Sara , Tiexiera Therese , Suchy Paul , Bosler David , Kottke-Marchant Kandice
Published: August 2018

Context.—

This review chronicles the establishment of a clinical laboratory in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a greenfield tertiary/quaternary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates. It discusses the challenges faced, solutions sought, and lessons learned and shares insights and pitfalls that may be encountered in such an undertaking.

Objectives.—

To share our experience in building a clinical laboratory in a start-up, multispecialty hospital and how we provided support and managed people, processes, and technology for building and making operational the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Data Sources.—

The Medline (PubMed, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, Maryland) database was used to review this topic as well as other journals, books, and Google (Mountain View, California) search engine.

Conclusions.—

To deliver on the promise of quality healthcare in a culturally appropriate setting close to home, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi proved to be an unprecedented and ambitious project, jointly carried out by Mubadala Investment Corporation and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Cognizant of the scale of this task, hospital leadership engaged closely with staff and stakeholders through motivational techniques and effective communication. Excellent project planning and execution of complex tasks were required for initiation of services. Establishing the clinical laboratory served as an instructive model in fostering multidisciplinary teamwork by highlighting ways to manage operational roadblocks and opportunities in the planning, commissioning, and activation phases. Throughout the activation process, all efforts were directed to create a patient-safety culture within an intentional-learning organization.
Utility of Core Needle Biopsies and Transbronchial Biopsies for Diagnosing Nonneoplastic Lung Diseases
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sanjay , Mehta Atul C.
Published: August 2018

Context.—

Small lung biopsies (core needle biopsies and transbronchial biopsies) are the most common—and often the first—lung sample obtained when a radiologic abnormality is detected and tissue diagnosis is required. When a neoplastic diagnosis cannot be made but pathologic abnormalities are present, it is useful for pathologists to have a list (“menu”) of specific nonneoplastic diagnoses that can be made in these samples.

Objective.—

To provide surgical pathologists and pathology trainees with menus of nonneoplastic entities that can be diagnosed in small lung biopsies, and to briefly describe and illustrate some of these entities as they appear in small lung biopsies.

Data Sources.—

Published literature and the authors' experience with small lung biopsies for diagnosis of nonneoplastic lung diseases.

Conclusions.—

Although sampling error imposes some limitations, core needle biopsies and transbronchial lung biopsies can contribute to the diagnosis of a variety of nonneoplastic lung diseases and reduce the need for invasive surgical intervention.
O processo histórico de inserção social da pessoa cega: da Antiguidade à Idade Média
Authors: Costa Ailton Barcelos , Picharillo Alessandra Daniele Messali , Paulino Vanessa Cristina
Published: August 2018

Entendendo que generalizações sobre a pessoa cega durante o processo histórico, podem ser tidas como insipientes, já que o conceito de deficiência se relaciona a uma infinidade de fatores, neste relato objetivou-se discorrer sobre o processo histórico de inserção social da pessoa cega, nos períodos da Antiguidade Clássica, Antiguidade Oriental e Idade Média. Por um levantamento bibliográfico, percebeu-se inicialmente a limitação de referenciais, nacionais e internacionais, que versassem sobre a temática, motivo pelo qual a análise pautou-se, quase que somente, no volume de uma obra. Apresentou-se um panorama do período histórico da antiguidade no Egito, Mesopotâmia, China e Japão. Na antiguidade ocidental viu-se a Grécia e Roma. Além disso, a pessoa cega no mundo Islâmico mostra sua fantástica inserção social e educacional, bem diferente do que ocorreu na idade média europeia. Por fim, fala-se da cegueira na América Pré-Colombiana, com realidade muita próxima à do período Pré-Histórico. Notaram-se muitos contrastes, que vão desde as sociedades em que a morte e a mendicidade eram regras aplicadas aos cegos, às culturas como do Japão, onde existiram albergues e escolas para ensino de profissões a eles. Confirmou-se que, de fato, a concepção da pessoa cega durante o processo histórico varia de cultura para cultura, refletindo crenças, valores e ideologias, pelos quais são estabelecidos diferenciados modos de relacionamento entre esta e outras pessoas.
Experiência de pessoas com deficiência no ensino superior: um olhar sobre a vivência de empoderamento e autoadvocacia
Authors: Dantas Taísa Caldas
Published: August 2018

Este artigo tem como foco a experiência de estudantes com deficiência no ensino superior. Seu objetivo é analisar como a inserção de pessoas com deficiência nesse nível de ensino conduz a vivência  do empoderamento e da autoadvocacia e rompe com o isolamento social. A história ilumina que não é de hoje que as experiências de exclusão marcam a vida do grupo social constituído pelas pessoas com deficiência, o qual permanece em uma situação de desvantagem social intensa. Esta pesquisa se insere no campo de conhecimento dos Estudos Culturais em Educação, e aderiu à abordagem de pesquisa qualitativa, em que foram analisadas as vozes de estudantes com deficiência da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Os achados desta pesquisa revelam que a inserção no ensino superior gera  autonomia e a participação; a universidade é um ambiente que cria oportunidades para que pessoas com deficiência interajam com pessoas sem deficiência, gerando um círculo de amizades; a presença de estudantes com deficiência na universidade pode trazer também a não aceitação delas por parte dos/as outros/as colegas, os/as quais não conseguem compreender a posição de autoadvogadas; as práticas docentes são elementos-chave para favorecer ou não o processo de empoderamento de pessoas com deficiência.
Inclusão no contexto escolar: Estado do conhecimento, práticas e proposições
Authors: Caimi Flávia Eloisa , Luz Rosângela Nunes da
Published: August 2018

O estudo focaliza as tendências de produção científica concernentes à Educação Inclusiva, elegendo como fonte de dados primários a Revista Brasileira de Educação Especial, observado o recorte temporal 2005-2015. Com o objetivo de sistematizar as alternativas/proposições que vêm sendo gestadas e efetivadas no âmbito da pesquisa acadêmica frente ao tema da inclusão escolar, constituiu-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica, do tipo estado do conhecimento, tomando como corpus 41 artigos publicados na referida revista, interpelando-os com indagações dessa natureza: quem são os pesquisadores e quais suas procedências? Quais os procedimentos metodológicos adotados nas pesquisas? Que campos e objetos de estudo são privilegiados? Quais as críticas e alternativas/proposições apontadas nos trabalhos para a prática da Educação Inclusiva? Dentre os resultados da pesquisa destaca-se: a necessidade da aquisição continuada de conhecimentos que auxiliem na formação de visão, postura e ações alinhadas ao processo inclusivo; a exigência de comprometimento e disponibilidade dos sujeitos envolvidos com a inclusão, única via que viabiliza aos alunos oportunidades de participar e potencializar suas habilidades; a superação da inclusão escolar como modelo imposto pelo governo, que generaliza e formata diferenças em semelhanças; a participação e o apoio da sociedade, dos órgãos governamentais e de toda a comunidade escolar como condição essencial para que a inclusão dos alunos com deficiência se efetive com a qualidade e celeridade necessárias.  Assim, reforça-se a tese de que é necessário atender aos alunos com deficiência no sistema regular de ensino, de forma a promover a aprendizagem e o desenvolvimento pessoal para todos os que ali se encontram.
Formas de conhecer em Educação Especial: mal-estar, discurso médico e vida ordinária na escola
Authors: Lima André Luís De Souza , Vasques Carla Karnoppi
Published: August 2018

Este artigo busca questionar a pertinência e a premência do discurso médico em relação ao trabalho em sala de aula, propondo a discussão de seus efeitos e aventando uma alternativa epistêmica e discursiva fundamentada em uma experiência de formação em nível de extensão universitária. Como ponto de partida, o reconhecimento de um mal-estar evidenciado pelas queixas de angústia, desamparo e despreparo ante as demandas por ação pedagógica segundo uma epistemologia naturalista e reducionista. Escapar ao reducionismo do pensamento naturalista, do qual participa o ideal médico, pode passar por outra forma de construir conhecimento em educação e pelo fortalecimento da figura do professor, reafirmando seu protagonismo em assuntos pedagógicos e tomando o espaço educacional como manifesto na complexidade da vida e da linguagem ordinárias, incluindo suas manifestações ilógicas. São diferentes posições enunciativas que imprimem percursos escolares também diversos, cifrando destinos distintos para o conhecimento produzido em educação especial, bem como para alunos, escolas e professores.
Revisão sistemática sobre avaliação para identificação inicial de alunos com deficiência intelectual
Authors: Silva Érika Rímoli Mota da , Costa Maria da Piedade Resende da
Published: August 2018

Tendo em vista que um dos serviços para atendimento dos alunos público alvo da educação especial, entre eles os alunos com deficiência intelectual (DI), são os Atendimentos Educacionais Especializados, realizados nas Salas de Recursos no contra turno das aulas regulares e que grande parte desses alunos é identificada num primeiro momento pelos professores (da sala comum ou da sala de recursos) surgiram algumas questões, as quais, para serem respondidas, a presente pesquisa teve por objetivo investigar as formas de identificação de alunos com DI, por meio de revisão sistemática de publicações científicas encontradas em bases de dados online no período de 2010 a 2017. A referida revisão foi realizada das publicações pertinentes, selecionadas de acordo com resultados provenientes de 10 combinações entre sete termos de pesquisa. A busca se deu nas bases de dados Lilacs e Portal de Periódicos da Capes. Após sistematização e análise do conteúdo das publicações e extração de informações referentes à forma de identificação deste público, realizou-se a categorização dos textos de acordo com as temáticas dos estudos encontrados. Constatou-se que as pesquisas não apresentam formas de avaliação objetivas, relatando-as superficialmente, mencionando em sua maioria critérios como os estabelecidos pela Associação Americana sobre Deficiência Intelectual e Desenvolvimento, questão que não ocorre apenas no Brasil, mas também em outros países da América Latina, segundo apontam os estudos realizados. Tendo em vista a escassez de resultados, ressalta-se a importância da realização de pesquisas que enfoquem a sistematização, padronização e divulgação das formas de avaliação das pessoas com DI.
Tonicidad diferente entre portugués y español. Procesos de adecuación
Authors: Vázquez Diéguez Ignacio
Published: August 2018

En este artículo se dan ciertas informaciones para intentar explicar la diferente pronunciación de un conjunto de palabras entre español y portugués. Las causas de dicha diferencia son diversas. Se observa, sobre todo, una distinta evolución y/o adaptación del término originario (principalmente latín y griego), en ocasiones esperable y en otras no; también se ve la influencia de una tercera lengua (francés, sobre todo, inglés y otras) y en palabras formadas a partir de otras dos, a veces domina el acento de una y a veces el de la otra.The aim of this article is to try and explain the different pronunciation of a set of words between Spanish and Portuguese. The causes of this difference are diverse. We observe, above all, a different evolution and/or adaptation of the original term (mainly Latin and Greek), sometimes expected and sometimes not; the influence of a foreign language (French, especially, English and others) is also seen, and —in compound words formed from other two— sometimes prevails the stress of one word and sometimes prevails the other.
Evolution of pollination by frugivorous birds in Neotropical Myrtaceae
Authors: Nadra María Gabriela , Giannini Norberto Pedro , Acosta Juan Manuel , Aagesen Lone
Published: August 2018

Bird pollination is relatively common in the tropics, and especially in the Americas. In the predominantly Neotropical tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae), species of two genera,AccaandMyrrhinium, offer fleshy, sugary petals to the consumption of birds that otherwise eat fruits, thus pollinating the plants in an unusual plant-animal interaction. The phylogenetic position of these genera has been problematic, and therefore, so was the understanding of the evolution of this interaction. Here we include new sequences ofMyrrhinium atropurpureumin a comprehensive molecular phylogeny based on a balanced sample of two plastid and two nuclear markers, with the aim of providing the historical framework of pollination by frugivorous birds in Myrteae. We developed 13 flower and inflorescence characters that comprehensively depict the macroscopic morphological components of this interaction. Bayesian and parsimony phylogenies concur in placing bothAccaandMyrrhiniumin a clade withPsidiumspecies; withMyrrhiniumsister toPsidium. Mapping of morphological characters indicated some degree of convergence (e.g., fleshy petals, purplish display) but also considerable divergence in key characters that point to rather opposing pollination strategies and also different degrees of specialization inAccaversusMyrrhinium. Pollination by frugivorous birds represents a special case of mutualism that highlights the evolutionary complexities of plant-animal interactions.
The relationship between phylogenetic classification, virulence and antibiotic resistance of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli in İzmir province, Turkey
Authors: Bozcal Elif , Eldem Vahap , Aydemir Sohret , Skurnik Mikael
Published: August 2018

Background

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is an important bacterium and responsible for many bloodstream infections, including urinary tract infections and even fatal bacteremia. The aim of this research was to investigate whether ExPEC strains isolated from Turkish blood cultures have a relationship between 16S rRNA based phylogenetic clusters and antibiotic resistance profiles, virulence factors or clonal lineages.

Methods

Phenotypically identified ExPEC blood culture isolates (n = 104) were included in this study. The 16S rRNA partial sequence analysis was performed for genotypic identification of ExPEC isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase testing of isolates were performed. Phylogenetic classification (A, B1, B2 and D), Multi Locus Sequence Typing analysis and virulence-associated genes were investigated.

Results

Based on 16S rRNA partial sequence analysis, 97 out of 104 (93.26%) ExPEC isolates were confirmed as E. coli. Ampicillin (74.22%) and cefuroxime axetil (65.97%) resistances had the highest frequencies among the ExPEC isolates. In terms of phylogenetic classification of ExPEC, D (38.14%, 37/97) was the most prevalent group after A (29.89%, 29/97), B2 (20.61%, 20/97), and B1 (11.34%, 11/97). The sequence types of the 20 ExPEC isolates belonging to the B2 phylogenetic group were analyzed by Multi Locus Sequence Typing. Ten isolates out of 20 (50.0%) were identified as ST131. The other STs were ST95 (n = 1), ST14 (n = 1), ST10 (n = 1), ST69 (n = 1), ST1722 (n = 2), ST141 (n = 1), ST88 (n = 1), ST80 (n = 1), and ST998 (n = 1). Of the ST131 strains, six (60%, 6/10) represented serogroup O25. The most common virulence factor genes were serum resistance factor gene, traT (55.7%) aerobactin siderophore receptor and yersiniabactin encoding genes iutA (45.3%) and fyuA (50.5%), respectively. In addition, PAI (41.2%), iroN (23.7%), hlyA (15.4%), kpsII (13.4%), ompT (13.4%), papG (12.4%), iss (9.3%), cnf1 (7.2%), ibeA (2.06%), and sfaS (2.06%) genes were present in the ExPEC isolates.

Conclusion

The 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic relationship tree analysis showed that a large cluster was present among 97 ExPEC isolates along with related reference strains. There were 21 main clusters with 32 closely related subclusters. Based on our findings, different clonal lineages of ExPEC can display different antibiotic susceptibilities and virulence properties. We also concluded that virulence factors were not distributed depending on phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2, and D). The ExPEC isolates belonging to the same phylogenetic group and sequence type could display different resistance and virulence characteristics.
Comparative analysis of whole flower transcriptomes in the Zingiberales
Authors: Almeida Ana Maria R. , Piñeyro-Nelson Alma , Yockteng Roxana B. , Specht Chelsea D.
Published: August 2018

The advancement of next generation sequencing technologies (NGS) has revolutionized our ability to generate large quantities of data at a genomic scale. Despite great challenges, these new sequencing technologies have empowered scientists to explore various relevant biological questions on non-model organisms, even in the absence of a complete sequenced reference genome. Here, we analyzed whole flower transcriptome libraries from exemplar species across the monocot order Zingiberales, using a comparative approach in order to gain insight into the evolution of the molecular mechanisms underlying flower development in the group. We identified 4,153 coding genes shared by all floral transcriptomes analyzed, and 1,748 genes that are only retrieved in the Zingiberales. We also identified 666 genes that are unique to the ginger lineage, and 2,001 that are only found in the banana group, while in the outgroup speciesDichorisandra thyrsifloraJ.C. Mikan (Commelinaceae) we retrieved 2,686 unique genes. It is possible that some of these genes underlie lineage-specific molecular mechanisms of floral diversification. We further discuss the nature of these lineage-specific datasets, emphasizing conserved and unique molecular processes with special emphasis in the Zingiberales. We also briefly discuss the strengths and shortcomings ofde novoassembly for the study of developmental processes across divergent taxa from a particular order. Although this comparison is based exclusively on coding genes, with particular emphasis in transcription factors, we believe that the careful study of other regulatory mechanisms, such as non-coding RNAs, might reveal new levels of complexity, which were not explored in this work.
ВЛИЯНИЕ КОРМЛЕНИЯ И КОРМОВЫХ ДОБАВОК НА ЛИЗОЦИМ КАРПОВЫХ РЫБ (СЕМ. CYPRINIDAE), "Успехи современной биологии"
Authors: Субботкин М.Ф. , Субботкина Т.А.
Published: August 2018

Рассмотрены реакции лизоцима карповых рыб на различные субстанции, поступающие в организм в виде корма или кормовых добавок. Основные пищевые ингредиенты - белки, жиры и углеводы, необходимые для строительства организма, могут также оказывать существенное влияние на активность сывороточного лизоцима, тогда как минералы не имеют такого выраженного воздействия. Чередование белковых рационов и разное соотношение углеводных компонентов сопровождаются изменениями в активности лизоцима. Кормовые добавки включают растительные компоненты в виде растений или экстрактов из них, аминокислоты, жирные кислоты, пептиды, витамины, пребиотики, пробиотики, грибы и др. Добавки на основе растительного сырья из традиционной восточной медицины оказывают значительный эффект на иммунитет карповых рыб, способствуя подъему активности лизоцима в сыворотке и некоторых органах более чем в 6 раз. Аминокислоты, жирные кислоты, пептиды, спирты и витамины также обладают высокой стимулирующей способностью в отношении лизоцима, содержащегося в сыворотке и тканях различных органов. Введение в корм пробиотиков и пребиотиков может способствовать значительному подъему активности фермента в сыворотке карповых рыб, хотя наблюдаемый эффект неодинаков. Диеты с хитозаном вызывали увеличение активности лизоцима в организме белого амура Ctenopharyngodon idella в 4-11 раз. Наблюдаемые ответные реакции лизоцима зависят от дозы действующей субстанции и изменяются во времени. Рассматривается разнообразие применяемых единиц измерения активности лизоцима и очень широкий диапазон варьирования показателя в рамках одного вида в работах разных авторов.
From words to action: Implicit attention to antisocial semantic cues predicts aggression and amygdala reactivity to angry faces in healthy young women
Authors: Buades‐Rotger Macià , Krämer Ulrike M.
Published: August 2018

Implicit measures of aggressiveness are able to circumvent response biases that plague self‐reports, but it is unclear how they link to neural activation during aggressive interactions and to aggression‐related endocrine function. Here, we tested whether an implicit attentional bias toward antisocial semantic information was associated with endogenous testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) levels, as well as with aggressive behavior and amygdala reactivity to angry faces in a separate competitive paradigm. On Day one, participants (39 healthy young women) completed an emotional word Stroop task in which they had to indicate the font color of antisocial, prosocial, or neutral words. On Day two, we measured subjects’ brain activity during a competitive reaction time task in which the female opponent displayed angry or neutral facial expressions at the start of each trial and provoked participants with increasingly strong sound blasts. T and C were measured in saliva during a regular weekday as well as before and after scanning. We previously showed that aggression was associated with enhanced amygdala reactivity to angry faces in this sample. The present analyses revealed that subjects were slower to identify the font color of antisocial relative to neutral words, and that this attentional bias predicted higher aggression. T and C were uncorrelated with Stroop scores. Crucially, the relationship between implicit attention to antisocial words and aggression was mediated by amygdala reactivity to angry faces. Our data indicate that a tendency to dwell on implicit hostile cues reflects enhanced responsivity to overt anger displays.
Picosecond Capture of Photoexcited Electrons Improves Photovoltaic Conversion in MAPbI3:C70‐Doped Planar and Mesoporous Solar Cells
Authors: Gharibzadeh Saba , Valduga de Almeida Camargo Franco , Roldán‐Carmona Cristina , Gschwend Grégoire Clément , Pascual Jorge , Tena‐Zaera Ramón , Cerullo Giulio , Grancini Giulia , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: August 2018

In this work, solar cells based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) doped in solution with C70 fullerene in a mesoporous as well as planar electron‐transporting layer (ETL)‐free architecture are realized, showcasing in the latter case a record efficiency of 15.7% and an improved open‐circuit voltage (VOC). Contrary to the bulk heterojunction previously reported, the C70 molecules do not phase segregate and they are rather finely dispersed in the perovskite film, possibly infiltrating at the grain boundaries, while assisting the growth of a highly uniform perovskite layer. By means of time‐resolved femtosecond‐to‐nanosecond optical spectroscopy, with an extended spectral coverage, it is observed that electrons photogenerated in the perovskite are transferred to C70 with a time constant of 20 ps. Despite being captured by C70, electrons are not deeply trapped and can potentially bounce back into the perovskite, as suggested by the high fill factor and enhanced VOC of the MAPbI3:C70 solar cells, especially in the case of the ETL‐free device configuration.
High‐Performance Next‐Generation Perovskite Nanocrystal Scintillator for Nondestructive X‐Ray Imaging
Authors: Heo Jin Hyuck , Shin Dong Hee , Park Jin Kyoung , Kim Do Hun , Lee Sang Jin , Im Sang Hyuk
Published: August 2018

Readily commercializable and cost‐effective next‐generation CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) based X‐ray detectors are demonstrated. The PNCs‐based X‐ray detector exhibits higher spatial resolution (9.8 lp mm−1 at modulation transfer function (MTF) = 0.2 and 12.5–8.9 lp mm−1 for a linear line chart), faster response time (≈200 ns), and comparable stability (>40 Gyair s−1 of X‐ray exposure) compared with the commercialized terbium‐doped gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS)‐based detectors (spatial resolution = 6.2 lp mm−1 at MTF = 0.2 and 6.3 lp mm−1 for a linear line chart, response time = ≈1200 ns) because the PNCs‐based scintillator has ≈5.6‐fold faster average photoluminescence lifetime and stronger emission than the GOS‐based one.
FA0.88Cs0.12PbI3−x(PF6)x Interlayer Formed by Ion Exchange Reaction between Perovskite and Hole Transporting Layer for Improving Photovoltaic Performance and Stability
Authors: Chen Jiangzhao , Kim Seul‐Gi , Park Nam‐Gyu
Published: August 2018

Interface engineering to form an interlayer via ion exchange reaction is reported. A FA0.88Cs0.12PbI3 formamidinium (FA) perovskite layer is first prepared, then FAPF6 solution with different concentrations is spin‐coated on top of the perovskite film, which leads to a partial substitution of iodide by PF6− ion. The second phase with nominal composition of FA0.88Cs0.12PbI3−x(PF6)x is grown at the grain boundary, which has island morphology and its size depends on the FAPF6 solution concentration. The lattice is expanded and bandgap is reduced due to inclusion of larger PF6− ions. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) is significantly enhanced from 17.8% to 19.3% as a consequence of improved fill factor and open‐circuit voltage (Voc). In addition, current–voltage hysteresis is reduced. Post‐treatment with FAPF6 reduces defect density and enhances carrier lifetime, which is responsible for the improved photovoltaic performance and reduced hysteresis. The unencapsulated device with post‐treated perovskite film demonstrates better stability than the pristine perovskite, where the initial PCE retains over 80% after 528 h exposure under relative humidity of around 50–70% in the dark and 92% after 360 h under one sun illumination.
A New Facile Route to Flexible and Semi‐Transparent Electrodes Based on Water Exfoliated Graphene and their Single‐Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Shin Dong‐Wook , Barnes Matthew D. , Walsh Kieran , Dimov Dimitar , Tian Peng , Neves Ana I. S. , Wright C. David , Yu Seong Man , Yoo Ji‐Beom , Russo Saverio , Craciun Monica F.
Published: August 2018

Wearable technologies are driving current research efforts to self‐powered electronics, for which novel high‐performance materials such as graphene and low‐cost fabrication processes are highly sought.The integration of high‐quality graphene films obtained from scalable water processing approaches in emerging applications for flexible and wearable electronics is demonstrated. A novel method for the assembly of shear exfoliated graphene in water, comprising a direct transfer process assisted by evaporation of isopropyl alcohol is developed. It is shown that graphene films can be easily transferred to any target substrate such as paper, flexible polymeric sheets and fibers, glass, and Si substrates. By combining graphene as the electrode and poly(dimethylsiloxane) as the active layer, a flexible and semi‐transparent triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is demonstrated for harvesting energy. The results constitute a new step toward the realization of energy harvesting devices that could be integrated with a wide range of wearable and flexible technologies, and opens new possibilities for the use of TENGs in many applications such as electronic skin and wearable electronics.
A Translucent Nanocomposite with Liquid Inclusions of a Responsive Nanoparticle Dispersion
Authors: Doblas David , Hubertus Jonas , Kister Thomas , Kraus Tobias
Published: August 2018

Active nanocomposites are created with liquid inclusions that contain plasmonic gold nanoparticles inside a polymeric matrix. The alkylthiol‐coated gold particles are designed to reversible agglomerate at certain temperatures, which changes the plasmonic coupling and thus optical properties. It is found that particles confined to the liquid inclusions inside the active composite retain this capability and cause macroscopic, temperature‐dependent color change of the solid. The transition is fully reversible for at least 100 times and tunable in temperature via particle size and ligand. This method is suitable to “package” responsive dispersion in solid composites to exploit their dynamic properties in materials.
Atomic Interlamellar Ion Path in High Sulfur Content Lithium‐Montmorillonite Host Enables High‐Rate and Stable Lithium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Chen Wei , Lei Tianyu , Lv Weiqiang , Hu Yin , Yan Yichao , Jiao Yu , He Weidong , Li Zhenghan , Yan Chenglin , Xiong Jie
Published: August 2018

Fast lithium ion transport with a high current density is critical for thick sulfur cathodes, stemming mainly from the difficulties in creating effective lithium ion pathways in high sulfur content electrodes. To develop a high‐rate cathode for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, extenuation of the lithium ion diffusion barrier in thick electrodes is potentially straightforward. Here, a phyllosilicate material with a large interlamellar distance is demonstrated in high‐rate cathodes as high sulfur loading. The interlayer space (≈1.396 nm) incorporated into a low lithium ion diffusion barrier (0.155 eV) significantly facilitates lithium ion diffusion within the entire sulfur cathode, and gives rise to remarkable nearly sulfur loading‐independent cell performances. When combined with 80% sulfur contents, the electrodes achieve a high capacity of 865 mAh g−1 at 1 mA cm−2 and a retention of 345 mAh g−1 at a high discharging/charging rate of 15 mA cm−2, with a sulfur loading up to 4 mg. This strategy represents a major advance in high‐rate Li–S batteries via the construction of fast ions transfer paths toward real‐life applications, and contributes to the research community for the fundamental mechanism study of loading‐independent electrode systems.
New Phosphine Ligand Architectures Lead to Efficient Gold Catalysts for Cycloisomerization Reactions at Very Low Loading
Authors: Mahamulkar Shraddha G. , Císařová Ivana , Jahn Ullrich
Published: August 2018

A simple and efficient access to a new P‐chiral, but so far racemic ligand class featuring ortho‐trityl and ortho‐biaryl motifs is reported. The phosphines are prepared by efficient three‐ to four‐step modular syntheses from simple branched alkyl(diphenyl)phosphine oxides in 52–63% overall yield. They form stable gold complexes, which were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Fundamental catalytic properties of the complexes were studied in 1,6‐enyne cycloisomerization reactions of achiral substrates to benchmark their activity against the efficient achiral catalyst (JohnPhos)AuCl. The results show that the new complexes can be applied in amounts down to 100 ppm allowing the cycloisomerization reactions to be performed with turnover frequencies of 20000 h−1 and turnover numbers of up to 10000 h−1.

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Experimental analysis of a photoreactor packed with Pd‐BiVO4‐Coated glass beads
Authors: Meng Xiangchao , Zhang Zisheng
Published: August 2018

A photoreactor packed with glass beads coated by palladium nanoparticles‐modified BiVO4 was tested and analyzed in phenol degradation under UV–Visible light. The photocatalytic activity of Pd‐BiVO4 under visible light is higher than TiO2 under UV light, as we previously reported. In this work, we try to use the Pd‐BiVO4 in a large scale by coating the glass beads with it, a potentially industrial‐scale use. For comparison, a flat‐plate reactor and a slurry reactor were also examined. The photocatalytic activity of Pd‐BiVO4 in phenol degradation was found to be higher than that of TiO2 in all systems (slurry, flat‐plate, and packed beads reactor [PBR]). Furthermore, PBR exhibited higher energy efficiency compared to the flat‐plate reactor in phenol oxidation. The superior performance of this reactor is due primarily to the highly exposed catalyst surface area, high mass transfer coefficient, and effective delivery of both photons and reactants to the catalyst surfaces. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 132–139, 2019
Comparison of the efficacy and mechanisms of intranasal budesonide, montelukast, and their combination in treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Chen Hui , Lou Hongfei , Wang Yang , Cao Feifei , Zhang Luo , Wang Chengshuo
Published: August 2018

Background

Although intranasal steroids and anti–cysteinyl‐leukotriene‐receptor antagonists are efficacious in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), combinations of these agents have not unequivocally been demonstrated to be superior to the individual drugs. We aimed to compare the efficacy and potential mechanisms of budesonide nasal spray (BD), oral montelukast (MNT), and combination therapy comprising a half‐dose of budesonide plus montelukast (hBD+MNT) in SAR patients.

Methods

We performed a single‐center, randomized, open‐label study in SAR subjects (n = 100). Participants were randomized to receive BD (256 μg), MNT (10 mg), or hBD (128 μg)+MNT for 14 days. Symptom severity scores, nasal cavity volume (NCV), fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), histamine and cysteinyl‐leukotrienes (CysLTs), and T‐cell subsets were assessed before and after treatment.

Results

All treatments significantly improved symptoms from baseline; however, hBD+MNT produced significantly greater improvements in nasal congestion compared with BD or MNT alone. The BD and hBD+MNT groups had fewer patients with uncontrolled symptoms and improved NCV to a greater level than the MNT group. FeNO was decreased to a significantly greater extent from baseline after hBD+MNT treatment than after BD and MNT treatments. ECP, histamine, and CysLTs showed significantly greater decreases after BD and hBD+MNT treatments than after MNT treatment. BD decreased T‐helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells and increased T‐regulatory (Treg) cells in nasal mucosa and MNT decreased Th1 cells and increased Treg cells in peripheral blood, and this trend was reflected with hBD+MNT.

Conclusion

The hBD+MNT combination may have an overall better efficacy profile than BD and MNT monotherapy for treatment of SAR.
Oral aktive Peptide: Gibt es ein Patentrezept?
Authors: Räder Andreas F. B. , Weinmüller Michael , Reichart Florian , Schumacher‐Klinger Adi , Merzbach Shira , Gilon Chaim , Hoffman Amnon , Kessler Horst
Published: August 2018

Die Entwicklung von Peptiden als potentielle Medikamente zielte über Jahrzehnte einzig darauf ab, höchste Affinitäten, Rezeptorselektivitäten oder Stabilität gegenüber dem enzymatischen Abbau zu erhalten. Um hingegen aktive Peptide als potentielle Wirkstoffe für die tägliche Einnahme zu erhalten, ist zudem deren orale Verfügbarkeit im höchsten Maße erstrebenswert. Ein zweifacher Optimierungsprozess ist notwendig, um oral verfügbare wirksame Peptide zu entwickeln: 1) Optimierung der Affinität und Selektivität und 2) Optimierung der oralen Verfügbarkeit. Bei einer rationalen Entwicklung von oral verfügbaren Peptiden müssen diese beiden Schritte nacheinander erfolgen. Hierzu muss man verstehen, welche strukturellen Veränderungen die orale Verfügbarkeit erhöhen und wie deren Einführung in ein Peptid möglich ist, ohne dessen gewünschte biologische Eigenschaften zu verändern. Umfangreiche Bemühungen wurden in vielen Laboratorien unternommen, um den Einfluss dieser Modifikationen auf die orale Bioverfügbarkeit besser zu verstehen. In einem ersten Ansatz wird die orale Verfügbarkeit eines Peptids verbessert, das bereits auf seine biologische Aktivität, wie oben in (1) beschrieben, optimiert wurde. Bei dem zweiten Ansatz (2) wird zuerst ein intestinal permeables und metabolisch stabiles Peptidgrundgerüst identifiziert und anschließend funktionelle Gruppen eingeführt, die für eine gewünschte biologische Funktion notwendig sind. Vorherige Herangehensweisen, oral verfügbare Peptide zu entwickeln, beanspruchten oft allgemeine Gültigkeit, bisher konnten die meisten dieser Lösungsansätze aber nicht erfolgreich auf andere Fälle übertragen werden. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Einflüsse verschiedener chemischer Modifikationen auf die Bioverfügbarkeit von Modellpeptiden und oral aktiver Peptide diskutiert, die den aktuellen Stand der Forschung auf dem Gebiet der oral aktiven Peptide zusammenfassen. Wir erläutern, warum es keine einfachen, universell gültigen Regeln oder Strategien (kein “Patentrezept”) für die Entwicklung von oral aktiven Peptiden mit wirkstoffartigen biologischen Funktionen geben kann.
Chlorophyllabbau im Farn – Entdeckung von Phyllobilin‐Isomeren mit umgelagertem Kohlenstoffgerüst
Authors: Erhart Theresia , Vergeiner Stefan , Kreutz Christoph , Kräutler Bernhard , Müller Thomas
Published: August 2018

Alle strukturchemischen Erkenntnisse über den Abbau von Chlorophyll (Chl) in höheren Pflanzen stützen sich auf Untersuchungen von Angiospermen. Hier wird ein neuer Typ von Chl‐Kataboliten (Phyllobilinen) aus den Blättern eines Farns, einem Vertreter aus einer anderen großen Subgruppe der Gefäßpflanzen, vorgestellt. Dadurch eröffnen sich Einblicke in einen erstaunlichen metabolischen Prozess in höheren Pflanzen, die bereits in frühen Phasen der Pflanzenevolution eine Rolle gespielt haben. Es stellte sich heraus, dass diese tetrapyrrolischen Chl‐Kataboliten des weltweit verbreiteten Adlerfarns Phyllobilin‐Isomere mit einem neuartigen Grundgerüst sind und Produkte einer Umlagerung ihrer hypothetischen Phyllobilin‐Vorläufer darstellen.
Creating Community – The Introduction of Multi‐Family Therapy for Eating Disorders in Australia
Authors: Dawson Lisa , Baudinet Julian , Tay Elaine , Wallis Andrew
Published: August 2018

It is well established that connection and support are associated with supporting recovery from eating disorders whereas isolation and feeling misunderstood can be barriers to change. While the consumer and recovery movements have long advocated for treatments that go beyond symptom reduction alone to include factors such as connection with others, there are few treatments that are designed to target these directly for young people with eating disorders and their families. In 2014 the Sydney Children's Hospital Network Eating Disorder Service at The Children's Hospital at Westmead introduced multi‐family therapy (MFT), the first program of its kind in Australia, with a primary aim being to increase solidarity and support for families in addition to helping promote eating disorder recovery more broadly. Rooted in the principles of family therapy for anorexia nervosa, MFT generally brings together six to eight families for a four‐consecutive day workshop followed by six single follow‐up workshops over the course of six months. This paper reviews the current literature available on MFT, describes its introduction at a specialist tertiary eating disorder service in Australia, explores preliminary feedback from families, and discusses the importance of creating solidarity for families affected by eating disorders.
Structure evolution driven by phase separation and the corresponding foaming behavior of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends via a batch foaming process
Authors: Liu Wei , Pang Yongyan , Wang Kun , Zheng Wenge
Published: August 2018

Morphology evolution of immiscible polymer blends during processing is a common phenomenon, but how it affects the foaming behavior is still unknown. The present work aims to study the effect of morphology evolution of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) blends driven by phase separation on foaming behavior via a batch foaming process. Morphology evolution of PS/PMMA blends were conducted via thermal annealing using a compression molding machine. Phase contrast optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to investigate the morphology evolution and cell structures. The diffusion coefficients were calculated to study the effect of morphology evolution on gas diffusion behavior. It was found that phase domain was increased in size with the annealing and that cell structure was significantly dependent on morphology evolution. The thermal annealing with a long time could dramatically impact cell structures, especially for the blends with a bi‐continuous phase structure or a sea‐island structure with very large phase domains. The diffusion coefficient for the interface was increased with the annealing, which resulted in the generally decreased expansion ratio. Therefore, annealing for a long time at melt states during processing should be avoided for obtaining well‐defined cell structures for immiscible polymer blends. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46704.
Transport properties of blended sulfonated poly(styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) and isopropyl phosphate membranes
Authors: Ruiz‐Colón Eduardo , Pérez‐Pérez Maritza , Suleiman David
Published: August 2018

This work discusses the effect of isopropyl phosphate (IP) on the transport properties of sulfonated poly(styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) (SO3H SIBS) as membranes for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and chemical and biological protective clothing (CBPC) applications. The properties were determined as a function of SIBS sulfonation level (i.e., 24, 34, 49, and 84 mol %) and IP loading (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 11, and 15 wt %). A comprehensive material characterization study (e.g., FTIR, TGA, AFM, and SAXS) was performed to confirm the presence of the phosphate groups in the polymer matrix, assess the thermal stability of the proton‐exchange membranes (PEMs), and understand how the unique interactions between the phosphate and sulfonic groups influenced the nanostructure of SO3H SIBS. The transport properties, water absorption capabilities (i.e., swelling ratio, water uptake, etc.), oxidative stability, and ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) were performed to evaluate the impact of IP on the properties of the resulting solvent‐casted membranes. Results suggest that the morphology, thermal stability, and vapor permeability are governed by the sulfonation level, whereas the IEC, oxidative stability, water absorption capabilities, and the rest of the transport properties are dominated by the ionic content (i.e., sulfonic and phosphate groups) and their synergistic effects. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47009.