bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fate of Ice Grains in Saturn's Ionosphere
Authors: Hamil O. , Cravens T. E. , Reedy N. L. , Sakai S.
Published: January 2018

It has been proposed that the rings of Saturn can contribute both material (i.e., water) and energy to its upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Ionospheric models require the presence of molecular species such as water that can chemically remove ionospheric protons, which otherwise are associated with electron densities that greatly exceed those from observation. These models adopt topside fluxes of water molecules. Other models have shown that ice grains from Saturn's rings can impact the atmosphere, but the effects of these grains have not been previously studied. In the current paper, we model how ice grains deposit both material and energy in Saturn's upper atmosphere as a function of grain size, initial velocity (at the “top” of the atmosphere, defined at an altitude above the cloud tops of 3,000 km), and incident angle. Typical grain speeds are expected to be roughly 15–25 km/s. Grains with radii on the order of 1–10 nm deposit most of their energy in the altitude range of 1,700–1,900 km, and can vaporize, depending on initial velocity and impact angle, contributing water mass to the upper atmosphere. We show that grains in this radius range do not significantly vaporize in our model at initial velocities lower than about 20 km/s.
Using Kappa Distributions to Identify the Potential Energy
Authors: Livadiotis G.
Published: January 2018

This paper reports on the properties of kappa distributions in the presence of a potential energy. The constructed phase space kappa distribution leads to a polytropic relationship between the local density and temperature. The kappa and polytropic indices are connected via a characteristic and universal relationship: their sum is a constant depending specifically on the potential features. Determining this constant comprises a method essential for revealing the functional form and understanding the nature of the particle potential energy. The method is applied to the solar wind proton plasma at 1 AU. It is shown that a satisfactory physical interpretation of the potential affecting solar wind protons can be given by the interplanetary radial electric field.
GPS Vertical Land Motion Corrections to Sea‐Level Rise Estimates in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Montillet J.‐P. , Melbourne T. I. , Szeliga W. M.
Published: January 2018

We construct coastal Pacific Northwest profiles of vertical land motion (VLM) known to bias long‐term tide‐gauge measurements of sea‐level rise (SLR) and use them to estimate absolute sea‐level rise with respect to Earth's center of mass. Multidecade GPS measurements at 47 coastal stations along the Cascadia subduction zone show VLM varies regionally but smoothly along the Pacific coast and inland Puget Sound with rates ranging from + 4.9 to −1.2 mm/yr. Puget Sound VLM is characterized by uniform subsidence at relatively slow rates of −0.1 to −0.3 mm/yr. Uplift rates of 4.5 mm/yr persist along the western Olympic Peninsula of northwestern Washington State and decrease southward becoming nearly 0 mm/yr south of central coastal Washington through Cape Blanco, Oregon. South of Cape Blanco, uplift increases to
mm/yr, peaks at 4 mm/yr near Crescent City, California, and returns to zero at Cape Mendocino, California. Using various stochastic noise models, we estimate long‐term (
yr) relative sea‐level rise rates at 18 coastal Cascadia tide gauges and correct them for VLM. Uncorrected SLR rates are scattered, ranging between −2 mm/yr and + 5 mm/yr with mean
mm/yr, whereas correcting for VLM increases the mean value to 1.99 mm/yr and reduces the uncertainty to
mm/yr, commensurate with, but approximately 17% higher than, twentieth century global mean.
Steepest Ascent Low/Non‐Low‐Frequency Ratio in Empirical Mode Decomposition to Separate Deterministic and Stochastic Velocities From a Single Lagrangian Drifter
Authors: Chu Peter C.
Published: January 2018

SOund Fixing And Ranging (RAFOS) floats deployed by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in the California Current system from 1992 to 2001 at depth between 150 and 600 m (http://www.oc.nps.edu/npsRAFOS/) are used to study 2‐D turbulent characteristics. Each drifter trajectory is adaptively decomposed using the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) into a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) with corresponding specific scale for each IMF. A new steepest ascent low/non‐low‐frequency ratio is proposed in this paper to separate a Lagrangian trajectory into low‐frequency (nondiffusive, i.e., deterministic) and high‐frequency (diffusive, i.e., stochastic) components. The 2‐D turbulent (or called eddy) diffusion coefficients are calculated on the base of the classical turbulent diffusion with mixing length theory from stochastic component of a single drifter. Statistical characteristics of the calculated 2‐D turbulence length scale, strength, and diffusion coefficients from the NPS RAFOS data are presented with the mean values (over the whole drifters) of the 2‐D diffusion coefficients comparable to the commonly used diffusivity tensor method.
The Impact of Air‐Sea Interactions on the Representation of Tropical Precipitation Extremes
Authors: Hirons L. C. , Klingaman N. P. , Woolnough S. J.
Published: January 2018

The impacts of air‐sea interactions on the representation of tropical precipitation extremes are investigated using an atmosphere‐ocean‐mixed‐layer coupled model. The coupled model is compared to two atmosphere‐only simulations driven by the coupled‐model sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs): one with 31 day running means (31 d), the other with a repeating mean annual cycle. This allows separation of the effects of interannual SST variability from those of coupled feedbacks on shorter timescales. Crucially, all simulations have a consistent mean state with very small SST biases against present‐day climatology. 31d overestimates the frequency, intensity, and persistence of extreme tropical precipitation relative to the coupled model, likely due to excessive SST‐forced precipitation variability. This implies that atmosphere‐only attribution and time‐slice experiments may overestimate the strength and duration of precipitation extremes. In the coupled model, air‐sea feedbacks damp extreme precipitation, through negative local thermodynamic feedbacks between convection, surface fluxes, and SST.
Mining the Smartness of Insect Ultrastructures for Advanced Imaging and Illumination
Authors: Chung Taerin , Lee Youngseop , Yang Sung‐Pyo , Kim Kisoo , Kang Byoung‐Hoon , Jeong Ki‐Hun
Published: January 2018

Biological wonders, found in insects such as antireflecting moth eyes, compound eyes in a honey bee, firefly lanterns, and iridescent butterfly wings, inspire human beings for advanced light imaging and illumination technologies. Dazzling advances of micro‐ and nanofabrication technologies allow insect‐inspired structures, for example, artificial compound eyes with a wide field of view and low aberration, bioinspired light‐emitting diode lenses, and structural coloration templates, featuring miniaturization. Besides, plasmonics and metamaterials offer an unprecedented approach that overcomes the diffraction limit and unveils unknown optical phenomena in ultrastructures inspired by insects. Here, insect‐inspired photonic structures for light imaging, light extraction, and structural coloration are reviewed, and photonic functions and structure fabrications inspired by insects that can be applied in advanced imaging and illumination applications are discussed.
Edge‐Grafted Molecular Junctions between Graphene Nanoplatelets: Applied Chemistry to Enhance Heat Transfer in Nanomaterials
Authors: Bernal Maria Mar , Di Pierro Alessandro , Novara Chiara , Giorgis Fabrizio , Mortazavi Bohayra , Saracco Guido , Fina Alberto
Published: January 2018

The edge‐functionalization of graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) is carried out exploiting diazonium chemistry, aiming at the synthesis of edge decorated nanoparticles to be used as building blocks in the preparation of engineered nanostructured materials for enhanced heat transfer. Indeed, both phenol functionalized and dianiline‐bridged GnP (GnP‐OH and E‐GnP, respectively) are assembled in nanopapers exploiting the formation of non‐covalent and covalent molecular junctions, respectively. Molecular dynamics allow to estimate the thermal conductance for the two different types of molecular junctions, suggesting a factor 6 between conductance of covalent vs noncovalent junctions. Furthermore, the chemical functionalization is observed to drive the self‐organization of the nanoflakes into the nanopapers, leading to a 20% enhancement of the thermal conductivity for GnP‐OH and E‐GnP while the cross‐plane thermal conductivity is boosted by 190% in the case of E‐GnP. The application of chemical functionalization to the engineering of contact resistance in nanoparticles networks is therefore validated as a fascinating route for the enhancement of heat exchange efficiency on nanoparticle networks, with great potential impact in low‐temperature heat exchange and recovery applications.
Supramolecular Nanofibers of Curcumin for Highly Amplified Radiosensitization of Colorectal Cancers to Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Xu Huae , Wang Tingting , Yang Chengbiao , Li Xiaolin , Liu Guan , Yang Zhimou , Singh Pankaj Kumar , Krishnan Sunil , Ding Dan
Published: January 2018

Development of highly efficient radiosensitizers is urgently desirable for addressing the resistance of cancer cells to ionizing radiation, which is the main reason for the failure of radiotherapy. Here, it is reported for the first time that supramolecular nanomaterials can serve as an excellent nanoplatform for developing superior radiosensitizers. A new curcumin‐based supramolecular nanofiber (Cur‐SNF) by virtue of a self‐assembling short peptide is developed, which greatly boosts the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancers to ionizing radiation. The drug–peptide conjugate Curcumin‐FFE‐CS‐EE is synthesized and can self‐assemble into small‐molecule hydrogel containing Cur‐SNFs triggered by reductant. In vitro and in vivo radiosensitization studies reveal that as compared to free curcumin Cur‐SNFs show much better performance as a radiosensitizer to sensitize colorectal cancer cells to ionizing radiation thanks to the supramolecular nanostructure. Due to the exceptionally high radiosensitization efficacy, Cur‐SNFs in combination with radiation realize significant reduction in tumor volume in vivo. Besides, the molecular mechanism studies demonstrate that Cur‐SNFs promote the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells through inhibiting radiation‐induced nuclear factor kappa B activation. Cur‐SNF achieves an ultralarge sensitizer enhancement ratio at 10% cell survival value of 2.01, the highest among currently reported curcumin‐based radiosensitizers.
Hierarchical Design of Tissue Regenerative Constructs
Authors: Rose Jonas C. , De Laporte Laura
Published: January 2018

The worldwide shortage of organs fosters significant advancements in regenerative therapies. Tissue engineering and regeneration aim to supply or repair organs or tissues by combining material scaffolds, biochemical signals, and cells. The greatest challenge entails the creation of a suitable implantable or injectable 3D macroenvironment and microenvironment to allow for ex vivo or in vivo cell‐induced tissue formation. This review gives an overview of the essential components of tissue regenerating scaffolds, ranging from the molecular to the macroscopic scale in a hierarchical manner. Further, this review elaborates about recent pivotal technologies, such as photopatterning, electrospinning, 3D bioprinting, or the assembly of micrometer‐scale building blocks, which enable the incorporation of local heterogeneities, similar to most native extracellular matrices. These methods are applied to mimic a vast number of different tissues, including cartilage, bone, nerves, muscle, heart, and blood vessels. Despite the tremendous progress that has been made in the last decade, it remains a hurdle to build biomaterial constructs in vitro or in vivo with a native‐like structure and architecture, including spatiotemporal control of biofunctional domains and mechanical properties. New chemistries and assembly methods in water will be crucial to develop therapies that are clinically translatable and can evolve into organized and functional tissues.
Well‐Controlled Cell‐Trapping Systems for Investigating Heterogeneous Cell–Cell Interactions
Authors: Kamiya Koki , Abe Yuta , Inoue Kosuke , Osaki Toshihisa , Kawano Ryuji , Miki Norihisa , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: January 2018

Microfluidic systems have been developed for patterning single cells to study cell–cell interactions. However, patterning multiple types of cells to understand heterogeneous cell–cell interactions remains difficult. Here, it is aimed to develop a cell‐trapping device to assemble multiple types of cells in the well‐controlled order and morphology. This device mainly comprises a parylene sheet for assembling cells and a microcomb for controlling the cell‐trapping area. The cell‐trapping area is controlled by moving the parylene sheet on an SU‐8 microcomb using tweezers. Gentle downward flow is used as a driving force for the cell‐trapping. The assembly of cells on a parylene sheet with round and line‐shaped apertures is demonstrated. The cell–cell contacts of the trapped cells are then investigated by direct cell–cell transfer of calcein via connexin nanopores. Finally, using the device with a system for controlling the cell‐trapping area, three different types of cells in the well‐controlled order are assembled. The correct cell order rate obtained using the device is 27.9%, which is higher than that obtained without the sliding parylene system (0.74%). Furthermore, the occurrence of cell–cell contact between the three cell types assembled is verified. This cell‐patterning device will be a useful tool for investigating heterogeneous cell–cell interactions.
Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing of Porous Network Microstructures for Fabricating Super‐Slippery Surfaces with Excellent Liquid Repellence and Anti‐Cell Proliferation
Authors: Yong Jiale , Huo Jinglan , Yang Qing , Chen Feng , Fang Yao , Wu Xingjuan , Liu Lin , Lu Xiaoyun , Zhang Jingzhou , Hou Xun
Published: January 2018

In this paper, it is demonstrated that one‐step femtosecond laser ablation can be used to directly fabricate porous network microstructures on various polymer surfaces, including poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polylactic acid. Taking PET as an example, following femtosecond laser ablation, the PET surface is fully covered by large numbers of interconnected pores with a diameter of several hundred nanometers. The chemical treatment of the porous surface for further lowering of its surface free energy and infusion with lubricating liquid led to the successful fabrication of a slippery surface. The as‐synthesized slippery surface showed excellent liquid‐repellent ability; various liquids are demonstrated to freely slide down such a surface. Compared to previously reported slippery surfaces, the femtosecond laser‐induced slippery surface consists of a porous layer and substrate layer that are inherently one material. Furthermore, it is found that the use of the original laser‐induced porous PET surface as a culture substrate is able to promote the growth of C6 glioma cells, while the slippery PET surface completely inhibits C6 glioma cell growth. It is revealed that femtosecond laser direct writing can be used as a general method to form porous microstructures on various polymer surfaces.
Active Control of Photon Recycling for Tunable Optoelectronic Materials
Authors: Xu Yunlu , Tennyson Elizabeth M. , Kim Jehyung , Barik Sabyasachi , Murray Joseph , Waks Edo , Leite Marina S. , Munday Jeremy N.
Published: January 2018

Optoelectronic materials are the backbone of today's high‐tech industry. To customize their response, one can directly modify the atomic arrangement, chemical composition, lattice strain, or doping of the semiconductor. However, these processes frequently cause undesirable effects resulting from induced defects. Here, a novel concept is demonstrated to actively tune the optoelectronic response of a material through tailored photon recycling. Without altering the material's intrinsic structure, doping, or temperature, the reabsorption of emitted photons within GaAs is modulated to control its carrier density. This approach is used to create a diode that can change its emission wavelength, a solar cell with improved open‐circuit voltage, and an actively controlled, gate‐free current modulator. These results represent a new platform to enable materials with tailored optoelectronic response based on photonic manipulation rather than semiconductor engineering.
Fast, Real‐Time, In Situ Monitoring of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Sunlight‐Driven Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Authors: Tian Jiajun , He Yanrong , Li Juntao , Wei Jie , Li Gangqiang , Guo Jinbao
Published: January 2018

Accurate monitoring of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from natural sunlight and artificial light sources is relevant for both human health and safe working environments. In this work, an ultrasensitive visual monitor for solar UV radiation is created using a sunlight‐driven, photoresponsive cholesteric liquid crystal (Ch‐LC) film constructed from cyanostilbene‐based chiral molecular photoswitches. Surprisingly, an ultrafast and irreversible redshift in the reflection color is observed when the obtained Ch‐LC film is irradiated under ambient sunlight, which is ascribed to a large, fast change in the helical twisting upon UV light interacting with the photoswitch in the LC system. The UV monitor exhibited robust optical responses, including color changes, between 100 µW cm−2 and 20 mW cm−2 for 365 nm UV radiation. Based on the experimental data and subsequent simulation data, two detection schemes for solar UV radiation featuring a 10 s color change and the photostationary state time are presented. This work paves the way for a new generation of UV‐radiation monitors that can realize autonomous, ultrafast, and power‐free UV radiation detection of natural sunlight and artificial UV sources.
On the “True” Structure of Push–Pull‐Type Low‐Bandgap Polymers for Organic Electronics
Authors: Pirotte Geert , Verstappen Pieter , Vanderzande Dirk , Maes Wouter
Published: January 2018

Donor–acceptor‐type conjugated polymers are a dominant class of active materials in the field of organic electronics. Their adjustable light‐harvesting, charge transfer, and charge transport characteristics are beneficially applied in organic photovoltaics, photodetectors, and thin‐film transistors. The conventional synthetic approach toward these push–pull polymers is based on Suzuki or Stille cross‐coupling of complementary functionalized (hetero)aromatic monomers. In an ideal world, this gives rise to a perfect alternation of the employed building blocks throughout the polymer backbone, and this alternation of electron‐rich (donor/push) and electron‐deficient (acceptor/pull) moieties leads to a substantial decrease of the bandgap. In recent years, however, it has become increasingly clear that the “real” structure of the resulting alternating copolymers is often quite different from the projected one. Structural imperfections can, for instance, result from homocoupling of two identical building blocks. Furthermore, the polymer end groups are also often not those as expected. In this progress report, an overview is provided for the recent literature observations of structural imperfections in push–pull conjugated polymers, the difficulties in observing them, and their impact on device performance. The strong effect of homocoupling on material and (organic solar cell) device quality and reproducibility is particularly emphasized.
Metal nanoparticles in ionic liquid‐cosolvent biphasic systems as active catalysts for acetylene hydrochlorination
Authors: Yang Lifeng , Yang Qiwei , Hu Jingyi , Bao Zongbi , Su Baogen , Zhang Zhiguo , Ren Qilong , Xing Huabin
Published: January 2018

Ionic liquid (IL)‐stabilized metal nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted increased attention as novel catalysts for various reactions due to their excellent stability and high activity. However, the high viscosity of ILs limits their applications. Here, for the first time, we reported an NPs@IL‐cosolvent liquid–liquid biphasic system for metal NPs catalysis. The NPs were successfully confined to IL phase, and abundant IL droplets containing NPs were generated under the reactant flow. The NPs@IL droplets served as microreactors for the catalysis; while the low viscosity organic phase enabled the rapid mass transfer of substances. The biphasic system exhibited improved performance for acetylene hydrochlorination than that of the pure IL system. An acetylene conversion of 98% and a selectivity of 99.5% were achieved along with a 90% decrease on IL usage. The tolerable gas hourly space velocity in the biphasic system for a satisfactory conversion was almost double that of the pure IL system. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2536–2544, 2018
Mechanistic DFT Study on Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Double C−H Activation for Oxidative Annulations of 2‐Substituted Imidazoles and Alkynes
Authors: Xie Peipei , Jia Mengmeng , Xu Xiao‐Hua , Chen Fan , Xia Yuanzhi
Published: January 2018

A mechanistic understanding of the rhodium(III)‐catalyzed double C−H activation for oxidative annulations of 2‐substituted imidazoles and alkynes was achieved by density functional theory calculations. It is disclosed that the rhodium(III)‐acetate‐triggered C−H bond cleavage occurs without a directing group, and the C5−H cleavage has the lowest activation barrier among all possible C−H activation processes. The experimental observations in reactions of different imidazole derivatives were explained well by the theoretical results.
Morphometric panel regression equations for predicting body mass in immature humans
Authors: Yapuncich Gabriel S. , Churchill Steven E. , Cameron Noël , Walker Christopher S.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Predicting body mass is a frequent objective of several anthropological subdisciplines, but there are few published methods for predicting body mass in immature humans. Because most reference samples are composed of adults, predicting body mass outside the range of adults requires extrapolation, which may reduce the accuracy of predictions. Prediction equations developed from a sample of immature humans would reduce extrapolation for application to small‐bodied target individuals, and should have utility in multiple predictive contexts.

Materials and Methods

Here, we present two novel body mass prediction equations derived from 3468 observations of stature and bi‐iliac breadth from a large sample of immature humans (n = 173) collected in the Harpenden Growth Study. Prediction equations were generated using raw and natural log‐transformed data and modeled using panel regression, which accounts for serial autocorrelation of longitudinal observations. Predictive accuracy was gauged with a global sample of human juveniles (n = 530 age‐ and sex‐specific annual means) and compared to the performance of the adult morphometric prediction equation previously identified as most accurate for human juveniles.

Results

While the raw data panel equation is only slightly more accurate than the adult equation, the logged data panel equation generates very accurate body mass predictions across both sexes and all age classes of the test sample (mean absolute percentage prediction error = 2.47).

Discussion

The logged data panel equation should prove useful in archaeological, forensic, and paleontological contexts when predictor variables can be measured with confidence and are outside the range of modern adult humans.
Ultrafiltration of Syzygium cumini (L.) seeds extract: Analysis of flux decline and extract stability
Authors: Balyan Upasna , Sarkar Biswajit
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to analyze flux decline behavior during ultrafiltration (UF) of jamun (Syzygium cumini [L.]) seed extract using Harmia's model and Koltuniewicz's surface‐renewal model. The effects of different transmembrane pressure and stirrer speed on the membrane fouling, permeate flux, and permeate quality were studied. Analysis of the results revealed that UF of seed extract was controlled by a cake filtration mechanism. Phenolic compounds in UF clarified and nanofiltration concentrated extract were identified and quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Storage stability of quality parameters (total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), color, and clarity) of jamun seed extract and nanofiltration concentrated extract were studied at 4, 27, and 37 °C for 30 days. A first‐order kinetic model was successfully used to evaluate the degradation of TPC and TFC during storage. Three models (Arrhenius, Eyring, and Ball) were shown to be suitable to describe the temperature dependence of the deterioration rate constant of TPC and TFC. Experimental results confirmed that membrane processing of jamun seed extract enhanced the storage stability of all the quality parameters tested. The estimated model parameters might be useful for design and scale‐up of the system and to identify the appropriate storage conditions for industrial processing.
Role of caged bicyclic pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol in flame retardancy of PA6 and mechanism study
Authors: Liu Ting , Wang Rui , Dong Zhen‐Feng , Zhu Zhi‐Guo , Zhang Xiu‐Qin , Liu Ji‐Guang
Published: January 2018

A series of PA6/PEPA composites were prepared by mixing caged bicyclic pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol (PEPA) and polyamide 6 (PA6) at different feed ratios by the melt‐blending method in a twin‐screw extruder. The influence of PEPA on the flame‐retardant properties of PA6 was investigated using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), the Underwriters Laboratories UL‐94 test, and the cone calorimeter method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), and TG‐FTIR were conducted to study the influence of PEPA on the thermal decomposition and the mechanism of performance of PA6 from products of condensed and gaseous phases. The results show that the LOI value and the content of residual char of PA6/PEPA composites increased with increasing PEPA content, and an LOI value of 38% could be reached when the feed ratio of PEPA was 30 wt %. The average heat release rate and total heat release drastically decreased with increasing content of PEPA, and the amount of carbon residue increased by 52.9% over neat PA6 after TG tests. The inorganic acid produced by PEPA during combustion can be used as an acid source to promote the dehydration of PA6 and the processes of esterification crosslinking, arylation, and carbonization. Moreover, there was less CO2 released than by PA6, and more carbon‐containing compound remained in the composites so that a stable carbon layer structure was formed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46236.
Applicability of biaxially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) films using bio‐based 1,3‐propanediol in retort pouches
Authors: Kim Jung Min , Lee Ilwoo , Park Jun Young , Hwang Kwon Tack , Bae Hojae , Park Hyun Jin
Published: January 2018

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) is a material that has intermediate properties between poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon, and produced by polymerizing bio‐based 1,3‐propanediol and terephthalic acid. In this study, the possibility of replacing existing biaxially oriented PET (OPET) and nylon 6 (ONylon) film with biaxially oriented PTT (OPTT) film is investigated to develop a more environmentally friendly retort pouch. In order to define actual problems in the retort pouch manufacturing process, food process, and distribution process, extensive examinations are conducted to study the degradation of physical properties after the in‐processing and sterilization process, the testing of pinhole resistance caused by stress, and the box level drop test. The results show OPTT film to be a promising alternative for OPET and ONylon film, to a limited extent. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46251.
Characterization of NlHox3, an essential gene for embryonic development in Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Ren Ze‐Wei , Zhuo Ji‐Chong , Zhang Chuan‐Xi , Wang Dun
Published: January 2018

Hox genes encode transcriptional regulatory proteins that control axial patterning in all bilaterians. The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is a destructive insect pest of rice plants in Asian countries. During analysis of the N. lugens transcriptome, we identified a Hox3‐like gene (NlHox3) that was highly and specifically expressed in the embryonic stage. We performed functional analysis on the gene to identify its roles in embryonic development and its potential use as a target in RNA interference (RNAi) based pest control. The sequence analysis showed that NlHox3 was homologous to the Hox3 gene and was most closely related with zen of Drosophila. There were no significant differences in oviposition between the treated and control females after injecting double‐stranded RNA of NlHox3 (dsNlHox3) into newly emerged female adult BPHs; however, there was a significant difference in the hatchability of those eggs laid, which no egg from the treated group hatched normally. Injecting female adult BPHs with dsNlHox3 led to necrosis of these offspring embryos, with eye reversal and undeveloped organs, suggesting that NlHox3 was an essential gene for embryonic development and might be a potential target for RNAi‐based control of this insect pest.
Motion‐Induced Changes in Emission as an Effective Strategy for the Ratiometric Probing of Human Serum Albumin and Trypsin in Biological Fluids
Authors: Dey Nilanjan , Maji Basudeb , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: January 2018

Herein, we report the formation of a highly luminescent, pH‐sensitive, thermoreversible nanoaggregate in pure aqueous medium through the self‐agglomeration of carbazole‐based amphiphiles. The self‐assembly process restricted the intramolecular motion of the molecules and induced a change in its emission signal from blue to cyan, owing to an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect. A similar type of ratiometric response was also observed in the presence of human serum albumin (HSA). However, in this case, the molecular motion of the flexible fluorescent probe was restricted by its embedded microenvironment, owing to a motion‐induced change in emission (MICE) effect, not by aggregation. Moreover, the probe showed quite high selectivity for HSA over other serum albumin proteins. Our carbazole‐based fluorescent probes are a unique example of the ratiometric sensing of HSA through the sole involvement of reversible noncovalent interactions. Considering the important of HSA in clinical diagnosis, a wide range of biological fluids, such as human urine, saliva, and plasma, were screened to analyze their HSA content. In addition, this system was also employed for the detection of trypsin at subnanomolar concentrations through the digestion of HSA.
Low carbohydrate diets may increase risk of neural tube defects
Authors: Desrosiers Tania A. , Siega‐Riz Anna Maria , Mosley Bridget S. , Meyer Robert E. ,   National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: January 2018

Background

Folic acid fortification significantly reduced the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the United States. The popularity of “low carb” diets raises concern that women who intentionally avoid carbohydrates, thereby consuming fewer fortified foods, may not have adequate dietary intake of folic acid.

Methods

To assess the association between carbohydrate intake and NTDs, we analyzed data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study from 1,740 mothers of infants, stillbirths, and terminations with anencephaly or spina bifida (cases), and 9,545 mothers of live born infants without a birth defect (controls) conceived between 1998 and 2011. Carbohydrate and folic acid intake before conception were estimated from food frequency questionnaire responses. Restricted carbohydrate intake was defined as ≤5th percentile among controls. Odds ratios were estimated with logistic regression and adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, education, alcohol use, folic acid supplement use, study center, and caloric intake.

Results

Mean dietary intake of folic acid among women with restricted carbohydrate intake was less than half that of other women (p < .01), and women with restricted carbohydrate intake were slightly more likely to have an infant with an NTD (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.67).

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine the association between carbohydrate intake and NTDs among pregnancies conceived postfortification. We found that women with restricted carbohydrate intake were 30% more likely to have an infant with anencephaly or spina bifida. However, more research is needed to understand the pathways by which restricted carbohydrate intake might increase the risk of NTDs.
Epigenetic Modifications of Cytosine: Biophysical Properties, Regulation, and Function in Mammalian DNA
Authors: Hardwick Jack S. , Lane Andrew N. , Brown Tom
Published: January 2018

To decode the function and molecular recognition of several recently discovered cytosine derivatives in the human genome – 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine, 5‐formylcytosine, and 5‐carboxylcytosine – a detailed understanding of their effects on the structural, chemical, and biophysical properties of DNA is essential. Here, we review recent literature in this area, with particular emphasis on features that have been proposed to enable the specific recognition of modified cytosine bases by DNA‐binding proteins. These include electronic factors, modulation of base‐pair stability, flexibility, and radical changes in duplex conformation. We explore these proposals and assess whether or not they are supported by current biophysical data. This analysis is focused primarily on the properties of epigenetically modified DNA itself, which provides a basis for discussion of the mechanisms of recognition by different proteins.
Improve parking enforcement by eliminating physical permits
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2018

Parking enforcement is a routine operation for most campus police and safety units, but that doesn't keep it from being a hassle. Parking permits get lost in the mail after students order them. And machines for paying for daily parking are sensitive and often affected by weather, as are the daily permits themselves.
Eudesmanolides and Other Constituents from the Flowers of Wedelia trilobata
Authors: Hui Yang , Cao Jian , Lin Jing , Yang Jian‐Ni , Liu Ya‐Jun , Han Chang‐Ri , Song Xiao‐Ping , Dai Chun‐Yan , Zhang Xiao‐Peng , Chen Wen‐Hao , Chen Guang‐Ying
Published: January 2018

Two eudesmane sesquiterpene lactones, wedetrilides B (1) and C (2), along with five known analogues (3 – 8), an ent‐kaurane diterpenoid (9), a steroid (10), as well as cinnamic acid derivatives (11 – 13), were isolated from the flowers of Wedelia trilobata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. Furthermore, the structures of 1 and 3 – 5 were confirmed by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction analyses. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited weak cytotoxic activities against the MCF‐7, HeLa, and A549 cell lines. Compounds 3 – 5 were also evaluated for their inhibitory effects against HIV lytic replication.
Quantitative proteomics reveals that miR‐222 inhibits erythroid differentiation by targeting BLVRA and CRKL
Authors: Jiang Li , Wang Xing , Wang Yong , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: January 2018

miR‐222 plays an important role in erythroid differentiation, but the potential targets of miR‐222 in the regulation of erythroid differentiation remain to be determined. The target genes of miR‐222 were identified by proteomics combined with bioinformatics analysis in this study. Thirteen proteins were upregulated, and 13 were downregulated in K562 cells following transfection with miR‐222 inhibitor for 24 and 48 hours. Among these proteins, BLVRA and CRKL were upregulated after transfection of miR‐222 inhibitor in K562 cells and human CD34+ HPCs. Moreover, miR‐222 mimics reduced and miR‐222 inhibitor enhanced the mRNA and protein levels of both BLVRA and CRKL. Luciferase assay showed that miR‐222 directly targeted 3′‐UTR of BLVRA and CRKL. In addition, overexpression of either BLVRA or CRKL or both increased the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, while silencing of either BLVRA or CRKL or both by siRNA significantly attenuated hemin‐induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Our results indicated that BLVRA and CRKL are targets of miR‐222.
Complex coronary bifurcation treatment by a novel stenting technique: Bench test, fluid dynamic study and clinical outcomes
Authors: Rigatelli Gianluca , Zuin Marco , Dell'Avvocata Fabio , Vassilev Dobrin , Daggubati Ramesh , Nguyen Thach , Nguyễn Minh Trí Nhân , Foin Nicolas
Published: January 2018

Objectives

We assess the mid‐term outcomes of ultrathin biodegradable polymer double stenting using a very minimal crushing (Nano‐Crush) technique in large complex coronary bifurcation.

Background

Complex bifurcations have been suggested to be better approached by a planned double stent technique.

Methods

Two hundred and five consecutive patients (107 males and 98 females) referred for large complex coronary bifurcation percutaneous coronary interventions were enrolled. The technique was also evaluated by both a bench test with a silicon tubes phantom resembling a coronary bifurcation and a computed fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis.

Results

Left main bifurcation accounted for 40.9% of cases (84 patients). Mean angles between main branch (MB) and side branch (SB) were 63.6 ± 21.3°. SB intravascular ultrasound‐calculated MSA was 5.6 ± 1.5 mm2. Clinical follow‐up was available for 100% of patients and at a mean follow‐up of 16.2 ± 6.7 months 8 deaths, all due to cardiovascular reason, (3.9%, 4 patients for stroke, two for heart failure, one after surgical aortic valve substitution, and one after acute massive pulmonary embolism) and no presumptive stent thrombosis or target vessel induced ischemia were observed. Angiographic follow‐up was available in 108 patients (52.7%) and showed a very low significant restenosis (5 patients, 4.6%). Bench study and CFD evaluation suggested a complete coverage of the SB ostium with a very high strut‐free area at the SB.

Conclusions

The revascularization of complex large coronary bifurcation disease using the Nano‐crush technique appeared promising thanks to the favorable fluid dynamic profile, complete coverage of the SD ostium, and very small metal amount at the carina.
In vitro inhibition of lipase, α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme by defatted rice bran extracts of red‐pericarp rice mutant
Authors: Chiou Shiow‐Ying , Lai Jia‐Ying , Liao Jie‐Ann , Sung Jih‐Min , Lin Sheng‐Dun
Published: January 2018

Background and objectives

Freeze‐dried aqueous and various ethanolic (25%, 50%, 75%, and 95%) extracts of defatted red rice (mutant AM‐425) bran were prepared and designated as E0, E25, E50, E75, and E95, respectively. Phenolic constituents of extracts and the in vitro inhibitory effects of extracts against lipase, α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) were examined.

Findings

Yields of extracts ranged from 16.45% (E0) to 11.57% (E95). The E50 and E75 had higher total phenols (79.2–80.9 mg ferulic acid equivalent (FAE)/g extract) than other extracts. The E75 and E95 had higher total flavonoids (20.46–21.35 mg catechin equivalent/g extract). The most abundant phenolic acid and flavonoid were ferulic acid and catechin, respectively. Both E50 and E75 had higher inhibitory activity against lipase (IC50, 35.95–35.97 mg/ml), α‐amylase (IC50, 21.99–22.02 mg/ml), α‐glucosidase (IC50, 1.67 mg/ml), and ACE (IC50, 2.93–2.97 mg/ml).

Conclusions

Both E50 and E75 can be used to produce high‐value functional supplements. However, further studies with in vivo models reflecting potential human benefits are needed in the future.

Significance and novelty

The tested E50 and E75 had higher contents of total phenols. Moreover, both E50 and E75 were able to inhibit key enzymes relevant to obesity (lipase), type‐2 diabetes mellitus (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase), and hypertension (angiotensin‐converting enzyme) in an in vitro model. The results suggest that defatted rice bran extracts could be considered as potential candidates for developing functional foods or supplements.
The histopathology and phenotypic variability in H syndrome
Authors: Dias‐Polak David , Indelman Margarita , Bergman Reuven , Avitan‐Hersh Emily
Published: January 2018

Key Clinical Message

Skin biopsy may be helpful in the diagnosis of H syndrome. A triad of dermal fibrosis, lymphocytic aggregates, and numerous CD68+, CD163+, S100‐positive, and CD1a‐negative dermal histiocytes is characteristic.
Traveling Hot Spots in Plasmonic Photocatalysis: Manipulating Interparticle Spacing for Real‐Time Control of Electron Injection
Authors: Negrín‐Montecelo Yoel , Comesaña‐Hermo Miguel , Kong Xiang‐Tian , Rodríguez‐González Benito , Wang Zhiming , Pérez‐Lorenzo Moisés , Govorov Alexander O. , Correa‐Duarte Miguel A.
Published: January 2018

Herein, we introduce a novel approach to achieve real‐time control over the hot‐electron injection process in metal–semiconductor photocatalysts. Such functionality is attained through the design of a hybrid nanocomposite in which plasmonic Au nanorods and TiO2 nanoparticles are synergistically integrated with a thermoresponsive polymer. In this manner, modifying the temperature of the system allows 1) precise regulation of the interparticle distance between the catalyst and the plasmonic component and 2) the reversible formation of plasmonic hot spots on the semiconductor. Both features can be simultaneously exploited to modulate the injection of hot electrons, thus boosting/inhibiting at will the photocatalytic activity of these heterostructures. This innovative conception enables dynamically adjustable performance of semiconductors, hence opening the door to the development of a new generation of plasmon‐operated photocatalytic devices.
Hydrogen Peroxide Assisted Selective Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural in Water under Mild Conditions
Authors: Chen Ching‐Tien , Nguyen Chi Van , Wang Zheng‐Yen , Bando Yoshio , Yamauchi Yusuke , Bazziz Manar Tareq Saleh , Fatehmulla Amanullah , Farooq W. Aslam , Yoshikawa Takuya , Masuda Takao , Wu Kevin C.‐W.
Published: January 2018

The front cover artwork for issue 2/2018 is provided by Prof. Kevin Wu's group from National Taiwan University, Taiwan. The image shows that the biomass‐derived compound 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), can be selectively converted to 5‐formyl‐2‐furoic acid (FFCA) and 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with the assistance of hydrogen peroxide, and the large lake indicates that the reaction can be conducted in water. See the Communication itself at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201701302.
Variable selection and chemometric models for discriminating symptomatic gout based on a metabolic target analysis
Authors: Sun XiaoMing , Pei Dong , Huang XinYi , Di DuoLong , Liu Yun
Published: January 2018

In clinical practice, uric acid is frequently used as a diagnostic criterion in gout. However, gout is commonly confused with other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue joint injury, and hyperuricosuric calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Two new strategies—graphical index of separation and subwindow permutation analysis—were applied to understand the metabolic changes induced by gout. Metabolic target analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector. Compared with the nongout samples, the concentrations of uric acid, uracil, inosine, adenosine, and tryptophan are different in gout samples, and these metabolites could be used as important diagnostic markers. However, the uric acid, uracil, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and adenine concentrations differed between acute and chronic gout. We confirmed the metabolic disorder of uracil during the basic development of gout. In the gout and nongout groups, the recognition rate of the model reached 0.98, whereas the value of recognition ability was only 0.79 when uric acid was used as a single variable. In the acute and chronic class of gout, the recognition rate of the model was 0.90 and that of uric acid was only 0.62. Variable selection combined with chemometric models can be used as a supplementary method for the diagnosis and prognosis of gout in clinical practice.
Design of Protein‐Coated Carbon Nanotubes Loaded with Hydrophobic Drugs through Sacrificial Templating of Mesoporous Silica Shells
Authors: Fiegel Vincent , Harlepp Sebastien , Begin‐Colin Sylvie , Begin Dominique , Mertz Damien
Published: January 2018

One key challenge in the fields of nanomedicine and tissue engineering is the design of theranostic nanoplatforms able to monitor their therapeutic effect by imaging. Among current developed nano‐objects, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were found suitable to combine imaging, photothermal therapy, and to be loaded with hydrophobic drugs. However, a main problem is their resulting low hydrophilicity. To face this problem, an innovative method is developed here, which consists in loading the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with drugs followed by a protein coating around them. The originality of this method relies on first covering CNTs with a sacrificial template mesoporous silica (MS) shell grafted with isobutyramide (IBAM) binders on which a protein nanofilm is strongly adhered through IBAM‐mediated physical cross‐linking. This concept is first demonstrated without drugs, and is further improved with the suitable loading of hydrophobic drugs, curcumin (CUR) and camptothecin (CPT), which are retained between the CNTs and human serum albumin (HSA) layer. Such novel nanocomposites with favorable photothermal properties are very promising for theranostic systems, drug delivery, and phototherapy applications.
Carbon‐Dots‐Based Lab‐On‐a‐Nanoparticle Approach for the Detection and Differentiation of Antibiotics
Authors: Qiao Li'na , Qian Sihua , Wang Yuhui , Yan Shifeng , Lin Hengwei
Published: January 2018

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have received considerable attention in recent years due to their superior optical properties. To take further advantages of these unique features, herein, a CDs‐based “lab‐on‐a‐nanoparticle” approach for the detection and discrimination of antibiotics is developed. The sensing platform was designed based on the different channel's fluorescence recoveries or further quenching of the full‐color emissive CDs (F‐CDs) and metal ion ensembles upon the addition of antibiotics. The F‐CDs exhibited unusually comparable emission intensity nearly across the entire visible spectrum even as the excitation wavelength is shifted, making it very suitable for the construction of multi‐channel sensing systems. The sensing platform was fabricated on the basis of the competing interaction of metal ions with the F‐CDs and antibiotics. Three metal ions (i.e., Cu2+, Ce3+ and Eu3+) can efficiently quench the fluorescence of the F‐CDs. Upon the addition of antibiotics, the fluorescent intensities either recovered at different emission wavelengths or were further quenched to various degrees. The fluorescence response patterns at different emission wavelength were characteristic for each antibiotic and can be quantitatively differentiated by standard statistical methods (e.g., hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis). Moreover, as an example, the proposed method was applied for quantitative detection of oxytetracycline with a limit of detection to be 0.06 μm. Finally, the sensing system was successfully employed for residual antibiotics detection and identification in real food samples.