bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transdiagnostic compulsivity is associated with reduced reminder setting, only partially attributable to overconfidence
Authors: Boldt Annika , Fox Celine A. , Gillan Claire M. , Gilbert Sam
Published: July 2024

In the current study, we explored the behavioural and cognitive correlates of the transdiagnostic trait ‘compulsive behaviour and intrusive thought’ (CIT). CIT is associated with impaired metacognition, which in turn has been associated with cognitive offloading behaviours such as external reminder-setting that play a key role in fulfilling cognitive goals. In an online study (N=600) we investigated individual differences in compulsivity, metacognition, and external reminder-usage. Compulsive individuals had reduced preference for external reminders. This was partially, but not fully, attributable to their relative overconfidence. In contrast to previous studies, we found no evidence for an impaired confidence-action link: compulsive individuals used their metacognition to guide offloading just as much as their noncompulsive counterparts. Given the compensatory nature of cognitive offloading, our findings imply that compulsive individuals are at increased risk of inadequate external memory support. Along with transdiagnostic variation in the general population, this finding could also have implications for clinical conditions, such as OCD.
Interdependence between SEB-3 and NLP-49 peptides shifts across predator-induced defensive behavioral modes in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Quach Kathleen T , Hughes Gillian A , Chalasani Sreekanth H
Published: July 2024

Prey must balance the need to avoid predators with the need to feed, a dilemma central to prey refuge theory. Additionally, prey must also assess predatory imminence, or how close predator threats are in space and time. Predatory imminence theory classifies defensive behaviors into three defense modes—pre-encounter, post-encounter, and circa-strike—each corresponding to increasing levels of predatory imminence—suspecting a predator, detecting a predator, and contact with a predatory attack. Although prey often simultaneously face variations in predatory imminence and spatial distribution of predation risks, research on how these factors intersect to influence defensive behaviors has been limited. Integrating these factors into a complex, naturalistic environment could enable comprehensive analysis of multiple defense modes in consistent conditions within the same study, unlike laboratory tests designed to examine only one mode at a time. Here, we combine prey refuge and predatory imminence theories to develop a model system of nematode defensive behaviors, with
Caenorhabditis elegans
as prey and
Pristionchus pacificus
as predator. We show that
C. elegans
innately exhibits circa-strike behaviors in a foraging environment comprised of a food-rich, high-risk patch and a food-poor, predator-free refuge. However, after extended experience in this environment,
C. elegans
acquires post- and pre-encounter behaviors that proactively anticipate threats rather than merely reacting to attacks. We also demonstrate that these defense modes are potentiated by increasingly harmful predators, with only life-threatening predators capable of eliciting all three defense modes. Finally, our model system reveals that SEB-3 receptors and NLP-49 peptides, key to stress response regulation, vary in their impact and interdependence across defense modes. We find that SEB-3 has a greater impact on the highest-imminence defense mode, while NLP-49 peptides have a stronger effect on the lowest-imminence defense mode. Overall, our model system reveals detailed and comprehensive insights into how stress-related molecular signaling affects behavioral responses to threats.
Combined forces of hydrostatic pressure and actin polymerization drive endothelial tip cell migration and sprouting angiogenesis
Authors: Kondrychyn Igor , He Liqun , Wint Haymar , Betsholtz Christer , Phng Li-Kun
Published: July 2024

Cell migration is a key process in the shaping and formation of tissues. During sprouting angiogenesis, endothelial tip cells invade avascular tissues by generating actomyosin-dependent forces that drive cell migration and vascular expansion. Surprisingly, endothelial cells (ECs) can still invade if actin polymerization is inhibited. In this study, we show that endothelial tip cells employ an alternative mechanism of cell migration that is dependent on Aquaporin (Aqp)-mediated water inflow and increase in hydrostatic pressure. In the zebrafish, ECs express aqp1a.1 and aqp8a.1 in newly formed vascular sprouts in a VEGFR2-dependent manner. Aqp1a.1 and Aqp8a.1 loss-of-function studies show an impairment in intersegmental vessels formation because of a decreased capacity of tip cells to increase their cytoplasmic volume and generate membrane protrusions, leading to delayed tip cell emergence from the dorsal aorta and slower migration. Further inhibition of actin polymerization resulted in a greater decrease in sprouting angiogenesis, indicating that ECs employ two mechanisms for robust cell migration in vivo. Our study thus highlights an important role of hydrostatic pressure in tissue morphogenesis.
An efficient hybrid differential evolution-golden jackal optimization algorithm for multilevel thresholding image segmentation
Authors: Meng Xianmeng , Tan Linglong , Wang Yueqin
Published: July 2024

Image segmentation is a crucial process in the field of image processing. Multilevel threshold segmentation is an effective image segmentation method, where an image is segmented into different regions based on multilevel thresholds for information analysis. However, the complexity of multilevel thresholding increases dramatically as the number of thresholds increases. To address this challenge, this article proposes a novel hybrid algorithm, termed differential evolution-golden jackal optimizer (DEGJO), for multilevel thresholding image segmentation using the minimum cross-entropy (MCE) as a fitness function. The DE algorithm is combined with the GJO algorithm for iterative updating of position, which enhances the search capacity of the GJO algorithm. The performance of the DEGJO algorithm is assessed on the CEC2021 benchmark function and compared with state-of-the-art optimization algorithms. Additionally, the efficacy of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by performing multilevel segmentation experiments on benchmark images. The experimental results demonstrate that the DEGJO algorithm achieves superior performance in terms of fitness values compared to other metaheuristic algorithms. Moreover, it also yields good results in quantitative performance metrics such as peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and feature similarity index (FSIM) measurements.
CropGCNN: color space-based crop disease classification using group convolutional neural network
Authors: Ahmad Naeem , Singh Shubham , AlAjmi Mohamed Fahad , Hussain Afzal , Raza Khalid
Published: July 2024

Classifying images is one of the most important tasks in computer vision. Recently, the best performance for image classification tasks has been shown by networks that are both deep and well-connected. These days, most datasets are made up of a fixed number of color images. The input images are taken in red green blue (RGB) format and classified without any changes being made to the original. It is observed that color spaces (basically changing original RGB images) have a major impact on classification accuracy, and we delve into the significance of color spaces. Moreover, datasets with a highly variable number of classes, such as the PlantVillage dataset utilizing a model that incorporates numerous color spaces inside the same model, achieve great levels of accuracy, and different classes of images are better represented in different color spaces. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this type of model, in which the input is preprocessed into many color spaces simultaneously, requires significantly fewer parameters to achieve high accuracy for classification. The proposed model basically takes an RGB image as input, turns it into seven separate color spaces at once, and then feeds each of those color spaces into its own Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. To lessen the load on the computer and the number of hyperparameters needed, we employ group convolutional layers in the proposed CNN model. We achieve substantial gains over the present state-of-the-art methods for the classification of crop disease.
STRATEGIES OF LOGISTICS PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN DIFFICULT TIMES, INCLUDING THE BROWN PAPER METHOD
Authors: KLIMEK Michał
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the paper is to present the issues relating to methods of transport and commercial process management and support in logistics. Moreover, it will describe shipping actions in relation to the conflicts in Europe and worldwide. The study follows the work plan described as follows: The first chapter comprises an overview, logistics function, and classification of strategies in a logistics project. The second chapter includes information about the review and selection of methods of logistics project management. The third chapter pertains to the application of solutions restoring an old form of value stream mapping, known as the brown book exercise or the brown paper method. The fourth chapter refers to the aspects and solutions used in logistics project management in the hard times of logistic service market operations. Finally, the fifth chapter specifies the forms of trust management as the methods supporting logistics project management.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS AN IMPULSE FOR COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN POLAND: THE EXAMPLE OF THE DIOCESE OF RZESZÓW
Authors: KUCA Paweł , STECZKOWSKI Piotr
Published: July 2024

The epidemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus announced in Poland was connected with huge restrictions and limitations for individual citizens, society as a whole, and many industries. The restrictions also affected the faithful and members of religious communities, who were unable to directly participate in religious services due to the limits for participants. The situation also posed a challenge for Catholic priests, who had to take measures to reach the faithful with religious services in cases of limitations placed on direct contact. The paper analyses the communication activities undertaken by priests of the Diocese of Rzeszow, implemented as a consequence of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research work assumes that the pandemic provided the impetus for greater use of tools from the field of new technologies in relation to the faithful.
DENTAL SERVICES FINANCED FROM PUBLIC FUNDS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: CURRENT STATUS AND CHALLENGES IN POLAND
Authors: SUCHECKI Kajetan
Published: July 2024

Dentistry in Poland is based on services financed from consumers’ private funds. The catalog of services available under general health insurance is so narrow that a significant number of patients have stopped using the public system and have devoted their funds to commercial dental services. Educational and preventive activities in the field of dentistry are consistent with the idea of sustainable development, especially from the point of view of the social and economic spheres, because prevention or quick treatment is usually more effective and cheaper. The article aims to show possible problems with implementing the idea of sustainable development in the context of health care resulting from the adopted financing policy of the National Health Fund. The work is based on the analysis of macroeconomic data and applicable legal acts in relation to the literature on the subject.
INFLUENCE OF DIGITALIZATION ON MUSICAL ARTS CONSUMERS’ BEHAVIOURS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: ART MANAGEMENT FROM A GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: SZOSTAK Michał , BARAN Małgorzata , WARD Jenna
Published: July 2024

The digitalization of the aesthetic experience influences the quality of participation in musical arts. Due to differences in perception among consumers of musical arts belonging to particular generations, this study aims to assess the influence of the participation form (in-person or digital) in the aesthetic situation. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the common digitalization of the aesthetic situation and catalyzed broad research on all art disciplines. Qualitative data analysis (based on ten criteria) constructed on an international sample concludes that the form in which one participates in musical arts determines the perception of quality in the aesthetic situation, which is assessed differently depending on one’s generation. Significant determinants exist among generations in participation in musical arts and between particular forms of participation. The research results should interest musical arts creators, managers, marketers, recipients, and researchers.
Discrete Erlang Mixed Distributions and their Properties
Authors: Gathongo Beatrice M.
Published: July 2024

The proposed research is on discrete Erlang mixtures. Properties of the mixed distributions analyzed include raw and central moments, which have been derived in terms of moments of the mixing distributions. Cumulants obtained from the cumulant generating functions were also used in deriving the moments. The posterior distribution and posterior moments are also among properties presented. Bayesian, moments and maximum likelihood methods have been applied in parameter estimation. Additionally, the  mixture distributions have been fitted to two data sets to test their goodness of fit. Some methods and special functions used in the study are the exponential series, logarithmic series, geometric series, modified Bessel function of the first kind, and the Touchard polynomials. The discrete mixing distributions used are the geometric, Poisson and logarithmic.
Evaluation of Serum Levels of Some Water-Soluble Vitamin B Complexes in Cardiovascular Disease Patients
Authors: Mbadiwe Nkeiruka Chigekwu , Michael Uchechi Maryrose , Nnadi Prince Henry , Ikaraoha Chidiebere Ikechukwu , Ndubueze Chizaram Winners , Njoku Vivian Ihechikwadorom
Published: July 2024

This study was carried out to investigate the serum levels of water-soluble vitamin B complexes (vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B9 and vitamin B12) in patients with cardiovascular diseases attending Cardiac Clinic at ESUTH Enugu State. Blood samples were obtained using the venipuncture technique from twenty cardiovascular disease patients, consisting of ten male and ten female patients. They were aged-matched with ten male and ten female controls, respectively. The serum concentrations of vitamins B3, B6, B9 and B12 were estimated using the titration methods for B3 and B6 and spectrophotometric methods for B9 and B12, respectively, and data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. The results showed that the serum concentrations of vitamin B6, B12 and B9 were significantly higher (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p=0.004, respectively) in cardiovascular disease patients compared to controls. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in serum concentration of vitamin B3 (p=0.274) in cardiovascular disease patients compared to controls. Similarly, there were no significant differences in serum concentrations of vitamin B3, B6 and B9 (p=0.810, p=0.650, and p=0.478, respectively) in male cardiovascular disease patients compared to the females. On the other hand, the serum concentration of vitamin B12 was significantly lower (p= 0.012) in male patients compared to females. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation of vitamin B3 with B6 (r=0.564, p=0.010), whereas no significant correlation of vitamin B3 with B12 and B9 (r=0.137, p= 0.565 and r= -0.392, p=0.088 respectively) in cardiovascular disease patients. These results suggest that higher doses of these vitamins may play a role in reducing cardiovascular disease complications.
Influence of Different Growth Supplements on Cultural Characteristics of Corynespora cassiicola Causing Target Leaf Spot Disease in Tomato
Authors: Murmu Rabinath , Basu Amitava
Published: July 2024

Target leaf spot incited by Corynespora cassiicola is considered as an important emerging disease. It causes 25 to 43% crop losses in Tomato. Keeping view, the importance of the destructiveness of the disease, present study was conducted with an objective of influence of different Nutrient media, Carbon, Nitrogen, Temperature and pH on mycelial growth of C. cassiicola. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media were suitable for mycelia growth of C. cassiicola followed by Oat Meal Agar (OMA) and Carrot Meal Agar (CAMA). A significant difference was recorded among the growth of tested fungus for utilization of all carbon and nitrogen sources used. On 9th day of transferring the fungus culture, it was observed that maximum radial colony diameter (8.53 cm) was obtained from Dextrose containing medium and least vegetative growth (4.72 cm) was recorded on Mannitol medium. For the nitrogen source study, Potassium Nitrate projected maximum colony diameter (8.92 cm) and least radial colony diameter (2.33 cm) was obtained from Ammonium sulphate medium. The best mycelial growth of C. cassiicola was noticed at 27˚C followed by 30˚C temperature. The most suitable pH for vegetative growth of particular fungus was found at pH 7.0 followed by pH 8.0.
Screening of Rice Germplasm Accessions for Resistance to Brown Plant Hopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stal.)
Authors: Harshitha D , Srikanth T. , Ratnakar V. , Madhukar P.
Published: July 2024

An investigation was executed with twenty-nine rice germplasm accessions to identify the source of resistance to Brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.) during Rabi 2024 at RARS, Jagtial under glasshouse conditions. These rice germplasm accessions were screened following the Standard Seed box Screening Test, with one resistant check (PTB 33) and one susceptible check (TN1). Among 29 accessions, only five viz., IR 23352-7R, RP-4516-3-6, JMS 13 A × RP 4516-3-6, CMS 59A × RP 4516-3-6 and CMS 59A × KNM 7660 displayed damage score (DS) ranging from 1 to 3 are resistant (R). Eleven accessions viz., RMS 1A, IET 23993, JMS 24A × IR 23352-7R, JMS 24A × IR 10198-66-2R, JMS 24A × RP-4516-3-6, JMS 13 A × IR 23352-7R, JMS 13 A × IR 10198-66-2R, CMS 59A × IR 23352-7R, RMS 1 A × IR 10198-66-2R, RMS 1 A × RP 4516-3-6 and RMS 1 A × KNM 7660 exhibited scoring between 3.1-5.0 are moderately resistant. The remaining 13 were identified as moderately susceptible scoring between 5.1-7.0. Further studies on the resistant mechanisms such as antixenosis, antibiosis, and tolerance are required to determine the best genotypes that could be used for developing BPH-resistant / tolerant varieties/hybrids with preferable yield and quality traits.
Chemical Methods and Approaches to the Regioselective Formation of Multiple Disulfide Bonds
Authors: Shimamoto Shigeru , Katayama Hidekazu , Okumura Masaki , Hidaka Yuji
Published: April 2014

Disulfide‐bond formation plays an important role in the stabilization of the native conformation of peptides and proteins. In the case of multidisulfide‐containing peptides and proteins, numerous folding intermediates are produced, including molecules that contain non‐native and native disulfide bonds during in vitro folding. These intermediates can frequently be trapped covalently during folding and subsequently analyzed. The structural characterization of these kinetically trapped disulfide intermediates provides a clue to understanding the oxidative folding pathway. To investigate the folding of disulfide‐containing peptides and proteins, in this unit, chemical methods are described for regulating regioselective disulfide formation (1) by using a combination of several types of thiol protecting groups, (2) by incorporating unique SeCys residues into a protein or peptide molecule, and (3) by combining with post‐translational modification. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 76:28.8.1‐28.8.28. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Blue Marble Space Institute essay contest
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: April 2014

The Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, based in Seattle, Wash., is inviting college students to participate in its essay contest. Essays need to address the question, “In the next 100 years, how can human civilization prepare for the long‐term changes to the Earth system that will occur over the coming millennium?” According to the institute, the purpose of the contest is “to stimulate creative thinking relating to space exploration and global issues by exploring how changes in the Earth system will affect humanity's future.”
Journal Special Collection Explores Early Results From the Van Allen Probes Mission
Authors: Mauk Barry H. , Sibeck David G. , Kessel Ramona L.
Published: April 2014

The processes governing the charged particle populations in the radiation belts encircling Earth have been the subject of intense interest and increasing concern since their discovery by James Van Allen and his team more than 50 years ago [Baker et al., 2013]. Intense interest continues because we still do not know how the various processes work in concert to enhance, remove, and transport particle radiation. Concern is ongoing because the Van Allen radiation belts pose hazards to astronauts and our ever‐growing fleet of spacecraft with increasingly sensitive components.
Paleomagnetic data from Late Paleozoic dykes of Sardinia: Evidence for block rotations and implications for the intra‐Pangea megashear system
Authors: Aubele K. , Bachtadse V. , Muttoni G. , Ronchi A.
Published: April 2014

Paleomagnetic studies of dyke swarms from the Variscan belt of Europe can be used to reconstruct internal postorogenic rotations within the fold belt. Here we present paleomagnetic data from 13 late Variscan dykes from Sardinia ranging in age from 298 ± 5 to 270 ± 10 Ma. The dykes can be grouped on the basis of their different directions in strike in a northern, a central‐eastern and a south‐eastern province. Paleomagnetic component directions have been obtained using thermal and alternating field demagnetization techniques, which give reproducible results. The paleomagnetic mean directions differ significantly between northern Sardinia and south‐eastern and central‐eastern Sardinia, the latter two regions yielding statistically similar paleomagnetic mean directions. These results indicate that Sardinia fragmented into two, arguably three, crustal blocks after emplacement of the dykes, which experienced differential relative rotations, as is also indicated by the differences in overall strike directions. The determination of timing, sense, and magnitude of these rotations has major implications for the reconstruction of the geodynamic evolution of the region in post‐Carboniferous times. We argue that the observed block rotations occurred during the Permian as the result of post‐Variscan intra‐Pangea mobility possibly related to the transformation of an Early Permian Pangea B to a Late Permian Pangea A.
Social Class and Crime
Authors: Costelloe Michael T. , Michalowski Raymond
Published: March 2014

The relationship between social class and crime has long been a source of contention among criminologists. Many of the early criminological theories were founded on the unquestioned belief that people in the lower classes were more prone to criminal behavior than are those who are economically better off. While today this assumption is not as universally accepted, it still has many proponents. This entry examines the link between social class and criminality and considers the possibility that the assumption that the poor are more criminal than those in higher social classes may not be a valid one, yet it has had real consequences for those who are targeted by policies derived from theories that are predicated on this belief.
High‐Performance Nonvolatile Transistor Memories of Pentacence Using the Green Electrets of Sugar‐based Block Copolymers and Their Supramolecules
Authors: Chiu Yu‐Cheng , Otsuka Issei , Halila Sami , Borsali Redouane , Chen Wen‐Chang
Published: April 2014

Reported here are the nonvolatile electrical characteristics of pentacene‐based organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) memory devices created from the green electrets of sugar‐based block copolymer maltoheptaose‐block‐polystyrene (MH‐b‐PS), and their supramolecules with 1‐aminopyrene (APy). The very hydrophilic and abundant‐hydroxyl MH block is employed as a charge‐trapping site, while the hydrophobic PS block serves as a matrix as well as a tunneling layer. The orientation of the MH nanodomains could be well controlled in the PS matrix with random spheres, vertical cylinders, and ordered horizontal cylinders via increasing solvent annealing time, leading to different electrical switching characteristics. The electron‐trapping ability induced by the horizontal‐cylinder MH is stronger than those of the random‐sphere and vertical‐cylinder structures, attributed to the effective contact area. The electrical memory window of the device is further improved via the supramolecules of hydrogen‐bonding 1‐aminopyrene to the MH moieties of MH‐b‐PS for enhancing the hole‐trapping ability. The optimized device using the horizontal cylinders of the supramolecule electret exhibits the excellent memory characteristics of a wide memory window (52.7 V), retention time longer than 104s with a high ON/OFF ratio of >105, and stable reversibility over 200 cycles. This study reveals a new approach to achieve a high‐performance flash memory through the morphology control of sugar‐based block copolymers and their supramolecules.
High Performance Mg2(Si,Sn) Solid Solutions: a Point Defect Chemistry Approach to Enhancing Thermoelectric Properties
Authors: Jiang Guangyu , He Jian , Zhu Tiejun , Fu Chenguang , Liu Xiaohua , Hu Lipeng , Zhao Xinbing
Published: April 2014

A point defect chemistry approach to improving thermoelectric (TE) properties is introduced, and its effectiveness in the emerging mid‐temperature TE material Mg2(Si,Sn) is demonstrated. The TE properties of Mg2(Si,Sn) are enhanced via the synergistical implementation of three types of point defects, that is, Sb dopants, Mg vacancies, and Mg interstitials in Mg2Si0.4Sn0.6‐xSbx with high Sb content (x > 0.1), and it is found that i) Sb doping at low ratios tunes the carrier concentration while it facilitates the formation of Mg vacancies at high doping ratios (x > 0.1). Mg vacancies act as acceptors and phonon scatters; ii) the concentration of Mg vacancies is effectively controlled by the Sb doping ratio; iii) excess Mg facilitates the formation of Mg interstitials that also tunes the carrier concentration; vi) at the optimal Sb‐doping ratio near x ≈ 0.10 the lattice thermal conductivity is significantly reduced, and a state‐of‐the‐art figure of merit ZT > 1.1 is attained at 750 K in 2 at% Zn doped Mg2Si0.4Sn0.5Sb0.1 specimen. These results demonstrate the significance of point defects in thermoelectrics, and the promise of point defect chemistry as a new approach in optimizing TE properties.
Tailoring the Void Size of Iron Oxide@Carbon Yolk–Shell Structure for Optimized Lithium Storage
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Zhou Liang , Noonan Owen , Martin Darren J. , Whittaker Andrew K. , Yu Chengzhong
Published: April 2014

High‐capacity lithium‐ion battery anode materials, such as transition metal oxides, Sn and Si, suffer from large volume expansion during lithiation, which causes capacity decay. Introducing sufficient void space to accommodate the volume change is essential to achieve prolonged cycling stability. However, excessive void space may significantly compromise the volumetric energy density. Herein, a method to control the void size in iron oxide@carbon (FeOx@C) yolk–shell structures is developed and the relationship between the void space and electrochemical performance is demonstrated. With an optimized void size, the FeOx@C yolk–shell structure exhibits the best cycling performance. A high reversible capacity of ≈810 mA h g−1 is obtained at 0.2 C, maintaining 790 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles. This contrasts with FeOx@C materials having either smaller or larger void sizes, in which significant capacity fading is observed during cycling. This contribution provides an effective approach to alleviate the volume expansion problem, which can be generally applied to other anode materials to improve their performance in LIBs.
Quantitative Femtosecond Charge Transfer Dynamics at Organic/Electrode Interfaces Studied by Core‐Hole Clock Spectroscopy
Authors: Cao Liang , Gao Xing‐Yu , Wee Andrew T. S. , Qi Dong‐Chen
Published: April 2014

Organic semiconductor materials have important applications in organic electronics and other novel hybrid devices. In these devices, the transport of charge carriers across the interfaces between organic molecules and electrodes plays an important role in determining the device performance. Charge transfer dynamics at the organic/electrode interface usually occurs at the several femtoseconds timescale, and quantitative charge transfer dynamics data can been inferred using synchrotron‐based core‐hole clock (CHC) spectroscopy. In this research news, we have reviewed recent progress in the applications of CHC spectroscopy on the quantitative characterization of charge transfer dynamics at organic/electrode interfaces. By examining charge transfer dynamics at different types of interface, from weakly interacting van der Waals‐type interfaces to interfaces with strong covalent bonds, we discuss a few factors that have been found to affect the charge transfer dynamics. We also review the application of CHC spectroscopy to quantify through‐bonds and through‐space charge transport in organic molecules.
Supramolecular Chirality in Self‐Assembled Soft Materials: Regulation of Chiral Nanostructures and Chiral Functions
Authors: Zhang Li , Qin Long , Wang Xiufeng , Cao Hai , Liu Minghua
Published: March 2014

Supramolecular chirality, which arises from the nonsymmetric spatial arrangement of components in the self‐assembly systems, has gained great attention owing to its relation to the natural biological structures and the possible new functions in advanced materials. During the self‐assembling process, both chiral and achiral components are possible to form chiral nanostructures. Therefore, it becomes an important issue how to fabricate these molecular components into chiral nanostructures. Furthermore, once the chiral nanostructure is obtained, will it show new functions that simple component molecule could not? In this research news, we report our recent development in the regulation of chiral nanostructures in soft gels or vesicle materials. We have further developed several new functions pertaining to the soft gel materials, which single chiral molecules could not perform, such as the chiroptical switch, chiral recognition and the asymmetry catalysis.
Cyclopenta[c]thiophene‐4,6‐dione‐Based Copolymers as Organic Photovoltaic Donor Materials
Authors: Owczarczyk Zbyslaw R. , Braunecker Wade A. , Oosterhout Stefan D. , Kopidakis Nikos , Larsen Ross E. , Ginley David S. , Olson Dana C.
Published: April 2014

A class of “push‐pull” conjugated copolymers based on cyclopenta[c]thiophene‐4,6‐dione (CTD) and benzodithiophene (BDT) is synthesized for application as an electron donor in organic photovoltaics (OPV). Given the diverse electronic and structural tunability of the CTD unit, specific CTD‐containing copolymers are chosen with the aid of theoretical calculations from a broad array of potential candidate materials. Evaluation of the chosen materials as OPV absorbers includes characterization of the optical, electronic, and structural properties of the polymer films using UV‐vis absorbance, photoluminescence, cyclic voltammetry, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. In addition, the contactless time‐resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) technique is used to measure the photoconductance of polymer/fullerene blends. Excellent correlation between measured photoconductance and OPV device efficiency is demonstrated with these materials and TRMC is discussed as a tool for screening potential active layer materials for OPV devices.
Novel QTL at chromosome 6p22 for alcohol consumption: Implications for the genetic liability of alcohol use disorders
Authors: Kos Mark Z. , Glahn David C. , Carless Melanie A. , Olvera Rene , McKay D. Reese , Quillen Ellen E. , Gelernter Joel , Chen Xiang‐Ding , Deng Hong‐Wen , Kent Jack W. , Dyer Thomas D. , Göring Harald H.H. , Curran Joanne E. , Duggirala Ravi , Blangero John , Almasy Laura
Published: April 2014

Linkage studies of alcoholism have implicated several chromosome regions, leading to the successful identification of susceptibility genes, including ADH4 and GABRA2 on chromosome 4. Quantitative endophenotypes that are potentially closer to gene action than clinical endpoints offer a means of obtaining more refined linkage signals of genes that predispose alcohol use disorders (AUD). In this study we examine a self‐reported measure of the maximum number of drinks consumed in a 24‐hr period (abbreviated Max Drinks), a significantly heritable phenotype (h2 = 0.32 ± 0.05; P = 4.61 × 10−14) with a strong genetic correlation with AUD (ρg = 0.99 ± 0.13) for the San Antonio Family Study (n = 1,203). Genome‐wide SNPs were analyzed using variance components linkage methods in the program SOLAR, revealing a novel, genome‐wide significant QTL (LOD = 4.17; P = 5.85 × 10−6) for Max Drinks at chromosome 6p22.3, a region with a number of compelling candidate genes implicated in neuronal function and psychiatric illness. Joint analysis of Max Drinks and AUD status shows that the QTL has a significant non‐zero effect on diagnosis (P = 4.04 × 10−3), accounting for 8.6% of the total variation. Significant SNP associations for Max Drinks were also identified at the linkage region, including one, rs7761213 (P = 2.14 × 10−4), obtained for an independent sample of Chinese families. Thus, our study identifies a potential risk locus for AUD at 6p22.3, with significant pleiotropic effects on the heaviness of alcohol consumption that may not be population specific. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Streng zweiphasige weiche und harte Janus‐Strukturen – Synthese, Eigenschaften und Anwendungen
Authors: Pang Xinchang , Wan Congshan , Wang Mengye , Lin Zhiqun
Published: April 2014

Janus‐Strukturen, die nach dem antiken zweigesichtigen römischen Gott Janus benannt sind, bestehen aus zwei Halbstrukturen (z. B. Halbkugeln) mit unterschiedlichen Zusammensetzungen und Funktionalitäten. In den letzten Jahren wurde eine intensive Erforschung von Janus‐Strukturen aufgrund der faszinierenden Eigenschaften und vielversprechenden potenziellen Anwendungen dieser ungewöhnlich geformten Materialien beobachtet. Dieser Aufsatz diskutiert die neuesten Fortschritte bei der Synthese, den Eigenschaften und den Anwendungen streng zweiphasiger Janus‐Strukturen, die symmetrische Strukturen aufweisen, aber aus verschiedenen Materialien bestehen. Je nach chemischer Zusammensetzung können zweiphasige Janus‐Strukturen in weiche, harte und hybride weiche/harte Janus‐Strukturen unterschiedlichen Aufbaus – kugelförmig, stabförmig, scheibenförmig oder andersförmig – klassifiziert werden. Die wichtigsten Synthesewege zu weichen, harten und hybriden weichen/harten Janus‐Strukturen werden zusammengefasst und ihre besonderen Eigenschaften und Anwendungen vorgestellt. Außerdem werden die Perspektiven der zukünftigen Forschung und Entwicklung aufgezeigt.
Random‐Graft Polymer‐Directed Synthesis of Inorganic Mesostructures with Ultrathin Frameworks
Authors: Jo Changbum , Seo Yongbeom , Cho Kanghee , Kim Jaeheon , Shin Hye Sun , Lee Munhee , Kim Jeong‐Chul , Kim Sang Ouk , Lee Jeong Yong , Ihee Hyotcherl , Ryoo Ryong
Published: April 2014

A widely employed route for synthesizing mesostructured materials is the use of surfactant micelles or amphiphilic block copolymers as structure‐directing agents. A versatile synthesis method is described for mesostructured materials composed of ultrathin inorganic frameworks using amorphous linear‐chain polymers functionalized with a random distribution of side groups that can participate in inorganic crystallization. Tight binding of the side groups with inorganic species enforces strain in the polymer backbones, limiting the crystallization to the ultrathin micellar scale. This method is demonstrated for a variety of materials, such as hierarchically nanoporous zeolites, their aluminophosphate analogue, TiO2 nanosheets of sub‐nanometer thickness, and mesoporous TiO2, SnO2, and ZrO2. This polymer‐directed synthesis is expected to widen our accessibility to unexplored mesostructured materials in a simple and mass‐producible manner.
Synthese von Tris‐ und Tetrakis(pentafluorethyl)silanen
Authors: Steinhauer Simon , Bader Julia , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Ignat‘ev Nikolai , Hoge Berthold
Published: April 2014

Die Synthese und vollständige Charakterisierung von funktionellen und stark Lewis‐sauren Tris(pentafluorethyl)silanen wird beschrieben. Die Tetrakis(perfluoralkyl)silane Si(C2F5)4 und Si(C2F5)3CF3 sind durch direkte Fluorierung zugänglich. Die Reaktion von SiCl4 mit LiC2F5 führt nur zu (Pentafluorethyl)fluorosilicaten. Um die Silicatbildung durch Fluoridübertragung aus LiC2F5 zu unterbinden, muss die Lewis‐Acidität des Silans durch eine elektronenschiebende Gruppe, z. B eine Diethylaminogruppe, vermindert werden. Si(C2F5)3NEt2 erweist sich als eine nützliche Ausgangsverbindung für die Synthese weiterer Tris(pentafluorethyl)silane.
Selective Encapsulation and Sequential Release of Guests Within a Self‐Sorting Mixture of Three Tetrahedral Cages
Authors: Jiménez Azucena , Bilbeisi Rana A. , Ronson Tanya K. , Zarra Salvatore , Woodhead Craig , Nitschke Jonathan R.
Published: April 2014

A mixture of two triamines, one diamine, 2‐formylpyridine and a ZnII salt was found to self‐sort, cleanly producing a mixture of three different tetrahedral cages. Each cage bound one of three guests selectively. These guests could be released in a specific sequence following the addition of 4‐methoxyaniline, which reacted with the cages, opening each in turn and releasing its guest. The system here described thus behaved in an organized way in three distinct contexts: cage formation, guest encapsulation, and guest release. Such behavior could be used in the context of a more complex system, where released guests serve as signals to other chemical actors.
(Quasi‐)Racemic X‐ray Structures of Glycosylated and Non‐Glycosylated Forms of the Chemokine Ser‐CCL1 Prepared by Total Chemical Synthesis
Authors: Okamoto Ryo , Mandal Kalyaneswar , Sawaya Michael R. , Kajihara Yasuhiro , Yeates Todd O. , Kent Stephen B. H.
Published: April 2014

Our goal was to obtain the X‐ray crystal structure of the glycosylated chemokine Ser‐CCL1. Glycoproteins can be hard to crystallize because of the heterogeneity of the oligosaccharide (glycan) moiety. We used glycosylated Ser‐CCL1 that had been prepared by total chemical synthesis as a homogeneous compound containing an N‐linked asialo biantennary nonasaccharide glycan moiety of defined covalent structure. Facile crystal formation occurred from a quasi‐racemic mixture consisting of glycosylated L‐protein and non‐glycosylated‐D‐protein, while no crystals were obtained from the glycosylated L‐protein alone. The structure was solved at a resolution of 2.6–2.1 Å. However, the glycan moiety was disordered: only the N‐linked GlcNAc sugar was well‐defined in the electron density map. A racemic mixture of the protein enantiomers L‐Ser‐CCL1 and D‐Ser‐CCL1 was also crystallized, and the structure of the true racemate was solved at a resolution of 2.7–2.15 Å. Superimposition of the structures of the protein moieties of L‐Ser‐CCL1 and glycosylated‐L‐Ser‐CCL1 revealed there was no significant alteration of the protein structure by N‐glycosylation.
Plasmonic Liquid Marbles: A Miniature Substrate‐less SERS Platform for Quantitative and Multiplex Ultratrace Molecular Detection
Authors: Lee Hiang Kwee , Lee Yih Hong , Phang In Yee , Wei Jiaqi , Miao Yue‐E , Liu Tianxi , Ling Xing Yi
Published: April 2014

Inspired by aphids, liquid marbles have been studied extensively and have found application as isolated microreactors, as micropumps, and in sensing. However, current liquid‐marble‐based sensing methodologies are limited to qualitative colorimetry‐based detection. Herein we describe the fabrication of a plasmonic liquid marble as a substrate‐less analytical platform which, when coupled with ultrasensitive SERS, enables simultaneous multiplex quantification and the identification of ultratrace analytes across separate phases. Our plasmonic liquid marble demonstrates excellent mechanical stability and is suitable for the quantitative examination of ultratrace analytes, with detection limits as low as 0.3 fmol, which corresponds to an analytical enhancement factor of 5×108. The results of our simultaneous detection scheme based on plasmonic liquid marbles and an aqueous–solid–organic interface quantitatively tally with those found for the individual detection of methylene blue and coumarin.
Controlled Synthesis of Conjugated Microporous Polymer Films: Versatile Platforms for Highly Sensitive and Label‐Free Chemo‐ and Biosensing
Authors: Gu Cheng , Huang Ning , Gao Jia , Xu Fei , Xu Yanhong , Jiang Donglin
Published: April 2014

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), in which rigid building blocks form robust networks, are usually synthesized as insoluble and unprocessable powders. We developed a methodology using electropolymerization for the synthesis of thin CMP films. The thickness of these films is synthetically controllable, ranging from nanometers to micrometers, and they are obtained on substrates or as freestanding films. The CMP films combine a number of striking physical properties, including high porosity, extended π conjugation, facilitated exciton delocalization, and high‐rate electron transfer. We explored the CMP films as versatile platforms for highly sensitive and label‐free chemo‐ and biosensing of electron‐rich and electron‐poor arenes, metal ions, dopamine, and hypochloroic acid, featuring rapid response, excellent selectivity, and robust reusability.
Polydopamine as a Biomimetic Electron Gate for Artificial Photosynthesis
Authors: Kim Jae Hong , Lee Minah , Park Chan Beum
Published: April 2014

We report on the capability of polydopamine (PDA), a mimic of mussel adhesion proteins, as an electron gate as well as a versatile adhesive for mimicking natural photosynthesis. This work demonstrates that PDA accelerates the rate of photoinduced electron transfer from light‐harvesting molecules through two‐electron and two‐proton redox‐coupling mechanism. The introduction of PDA as a charge separator significantly increased the efficiency of photochemical water oxidation. Furthermore, simple incorporation of PDA ad‐layer on the surface of conducting materials, such as carbon nanotubes, facilitated fast charge separation and oxygen evolution through the synergistic effect of PDA‐mediated proton‐coupled electron transfer and the high conductivity of the substrate. Our work shows that PDA is an excellent electron acceptor as well as a versatile adhesive; thus, PDA constitutes a new electron gate for harvesting photoinduced electrons and designing artificial photosynthetic systems.
Synthesis of Tris‐ and Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)silanes
Authors: Steinhauer Simon , Bader Julia , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Ignat‘ev Nikolai , Hoge Berthold
Published: April 2014

The synthesis and complete characterization of functional, highly Lewis acidic tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanes as well as tetrakis(perfluoroalkyl)silanes Si(C2F5)4 and Si(C2F5)3CF3 by direct fluorination is described. The reaction of SiCl4 with LiC2F5 invariably affords (pentafluoroethyl)fluorosilicates. To avoid silicate formation by fluoride transfer from LiC2F5 the Lewis acidity of the silane has to be decreased by electron‐donating substituents, such as dialkylamino groups. The easily accessible Si(C2F5)3NEt2 is a valuable precursor for a series of tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanes.
A Sodium Manganese Oxide Cathode by Facile Reduction for Sodium Batteries
Authors: Song Jinju , Gim Jihyeon , Kim Sungjin , Kang Jungwon , Mathew Vinod , Ahn Docheon , Kim Jaekook
Published: April 2014

A nonstoichiometric sodium manganese oxide (NaxMnO2+δ) cathode useful for sodium batteries was synthesized by an ambient‐temperature strategy that involved facile reduction of aqueous sodium permanganate in sodium iodide and subsequent heat treatment at 600 °C. Combined powder X‐ray diffraction and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction analyses confirmed the annealed sample to belong to a NaxMnO2 phase with a P2‐hexagonal structure. The ICP‐AES results confirmed the stoichiometry of the sample to be Na0.53MnO2+δ. Electron microscopy studies revealed the particle size of the electrode to be in the range of a few hundred nanometers. The Na0.53MnO2+δ cathode delivered an average discharge capacity of 170 mA h g−1 with a stable plateau at 2.1 V for the initial 25 cycles versus sodium. Ex situ XANES studies confirmed the reversible intercalation of sodium into Na0.53MnO2+δ and suggested the accommodation of over‐stoichiometric Mn4+ ions to contribute towards the performance of the electrode.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Water Oxidation with Nanoscale Co3O4: New Optimization Strategies
Authors: Liu Hongfei , Patzke Greta R.
Published: April 2014

Water oxidation is the “bottleneck” of artificial photosynthesis on the way to clean and sustainable solar fuels production. Although spinel‐type Co3O4 keeps attracting considerable research interest as a robust and low‐cost water oxidation catalyst (WOC), full control over its manifold performance parameters remains a preparative and analytical challenge. The present study screens a wide spectrum of influential factors (such as surface area and adsorption processes, morphology, crystallinity, and cobalt oxidation states) with respect to straightforward WOC optimization strategies. Tuning of crystallinity and cobalt valence states emerges as a major guideline for spinel catalyst synthesis, thus adding a key complementary factor to the main design paradigm of surface area maximization. In contrast to the prevailing amorphous characteristics of electrocatalytic WOCs, crystallinity was found to be crucial for photochemical WOC development. The interplay of synthetic history, crystallinity, and cobalt valence states in hydrothermally synthesized Co3O4 WOCs was investigated with a variety of analytical techniques, including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and various electron microscopy and spectroscopic techniques. Complementary “top down” and “bottom up” optimization strategies introduce new Co3O4 WOC design parameters for facile catalyst production.
Süderweiterung NürnbergMesse – Ausführung Halle 3A
Authors: Böttcher Christian , Kaufmann Henning , Diekmann Andreas , Päßler Harald , Zäuner Manfred
Published: April 2014

Als Fortsetzung des in Heft 3/2014 erschienenen Berichtes über die neue Messehalle 3A in Nürnberg wird auf die Besonderheiten der Ausführungsplanung und Ausführung in den Bereichen Grundbau, Massivbau und Stahlbau eingegangen.

Eine eigenständige Ingenieuraufgabe stellte der termingerechte Umgang mit den schwierigen Baugrundverhältnissen sowie den anspruchsvollen und hochbewehrten Betongeometrien des fugenlosen Riegelbauwerkes mit höchsten Sichtbetonanforderungen dar.

Auch für den filigranen Stahlbau war eine umfassende ingenieurtechnische Bearbeitung erforderlich. Weitere Schwerpunkte des Berichtes bilden daher die Ermittlung der dreidimensional überhöhten spannungslosen Werkstattform sowie die ungewöhnlichen und komplexen Bauzustände und Baubehelfe.

South Extension of Nuremberg Fairground – Construction of Hall 3A

The second part of the report about Hall 3A focuses on distinctive features in the detailed design and the erection on site, regarding the aspects of geotechnics, concrete and steel construction.

The construction work can be divided into two parts: the just in time design of the foundation slab due to sophisticated subsoil‐conditions and the challenging, heavily reinforced and complex concrete structures of the joint‐less edge wing with exposed concrete of highest quality stand for the first part.

The second part focuses on the filigree steel construction and the thoroughly detailed design for all building stages, as there are: calculation of the stress free three dimensional‐presetted fabrication geometry, numerous, exceptional and complex states of construction and temporary erection stages.