bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coffee silverskin as nutraceutical ingredient in yogurt: its effect on functional properties and its bioaccessibility
Authors: Bertolino Marta , Barbosa‐Pereira Letricia , Ghirardello Daniela , Botta Cristian , Rolle Luca , Guglielmetti Alessandro , Borotto Dalla Vecchia Stefania , Zeppa Giuseppe
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Silverskin is a by‐product obtained from coffee roasting. It is characterized by a high content of dietary fibre, phenolic compounds and caffeine. The aim of this study was to assess the silverskin obtained from two species of Coffea (Arabica and Robusta) at three percentages (2%, 4%, or 6%) into cow whole‐milk yogurt to raise the nutraceutical value of the products and to verify the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds during the shelf‐life of 3 weeks.

RESULTS

The amount and origin of silverskin significantly influenced all the physicochemical parameters. Concerning the bioactive compounds, the highest levels were observed in yogurt supplemented with 6% of silverskin. Between the coffee species, Arabica yielded the highest 5‐caffeoylquinic acid content and the strongest antioxidant activity, whereas Robusta gave the highest caffeine content.

The digestion increased antioxidant activity in the yogurt, possibly because of greater accessibility of compounds.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained highlighted that silverskin can be used in yogurt production to increase the nutraceutical value of the products and that the bioactive compounds are bioaccessible during the digestion process. The characteristics and bioaccessibility of the resulting yogurt were strongly correlated with the coffee species and with the percentage added. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Treatment sequencing for simultaneous colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Krell Robert W , D'Angelica Michael I
Published: February 2019

Up to 25% of patients with colorectal cancer present with simultaneous metastases and the liver is frequently the only metastatic site. This review will review treatment sequence planning considerations—including metastatic burden, primary tumor site, chemotherapy response, and ability to perform minimally invasive surgery—for patients with simultaneous resectable colorectal liver metastases. In addition, this review will address conversion chemotherapy, combined vs staged surgeries, and their possible sequences.
A novel strategy to utilize ethylene glycol‐ionic liquids for the selective precipitation of polysaccharides
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyong , Ma Ge , Wu Datong , Cai Pengfei , Pan Yuanjiang
Published: February 2019

In the present work, three hydrophilic ionic liquids based on the combination between imidazolium cations attached with ethylene glycol polymers of various lengths and hexafluorophosphate anion were designed and synthesized for the separation of polysaccharides. By employing dextran 100 kDa as model compound, the effects of ionic liquid content, solvent/anti‐solvent volume, and temperature on its recovery efficiency were investigated systematically. The ability of these ionic liquids to precipitate dextran 100 kDa, increases with the elongation of ethylene glycol polymer chain. The established ionic liquid‐based precipitation system was successfully applied to selectively precipitate polysaccharides from water extracts of three traditional Chinese medicines and the precipitation could be achieved in about 15 min. In addition, the different precipitation responses of acidic, neutral, and basic polysaccharides in the ionic liquid‐based precipitation system and theoretical calculations both suggested that the selective precipitation of polysaccharides was probably mediated by interaction between ionic liquids and polysaccharides. The proposed strategy facilitated the isolation and purification of polysaccharides and may trigger a novel application of ionic liquids in carbohydrate research.
LC method for the direct and simultaneous determination of four major furan derivatives in coffee grounds and brews
Authors: Albouchi Abdullatif , Murkovic Michael
Published: February 2019

The simultaneous quantification of two potential genotoxic hydroxymethyl furan derivatives in coffee (furfuryl alcohol and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural) alongside their carboxylic acid derivatives (2‐furoic acid and 5‐hydroxymethyl furoic acid, respectively) was carried out. Their extraction from ground roasted coffee using sonication, simple shaking or heat‐assisted shaking lead to similar results. A minimum of 97.3% of the four furan derivatives were extracted during the first extraction cycle using water, whereas methanol showed considerably lower extraction efficiency. A simple high‐performance liquid chromatography method coupled with diode array detection was developed for the simultaneous determination and was applied to roasted coffee extracts or brews. No sample pre‐treatment except for centrifugation was needed. The diode array detector was used to assess the purity of the peaks of interest in analyzed samples against authentic standards. The linearity according to Mandel, accuracy (recovery ≥ 89.9%) and precision (inter‐ and intraday relative standard deviation ≤ 4.5%) were checked. The values for the limit of detection and quantification ranged within 0.11–0.76 and 0.35–2.55 μg/mL, respectively. Filtered and espresso brews were analyzed for the four furan derivatives where furfuryl alcohol showed double the concentration of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural and about ten times the concentrations of 2‐furoic acid or 5‐hydroxymethyl furoic acid.
Recovery of species richness lags behind functional recovery in restored grasslands
Authors: Tölgyesi Csaba , Török Péter , Kun Róbert , Csathó András István , Bátori Zoltán , Erdős László , Vadász Csaba
Published: February 2019

Restoration of grasslands on abandoned croplands is a major opportunity for land development in degraded landscapes. In this study, we compared the success of three restoration measures, spontaneous recovery, perennial‐crop–mediated restoration, and sowing native grasses, by using a unique combination of species‐based and trait‐based approaches. We sampled 373 4‐m2 plots in nearly 1,000 ha of 20‐year‐old–restored grasslands and 72 4‐m2 plots in three neighbouring ancient grasslands. Species richness and target species cover were higher in spontaneously recovered sites than in other restored sites, but reference sites had higher scores than all restored sites. Spontaneous sites had higher functional diversity than the other restored sites. Spontaneous and reference sites showed little difference in their functional diversity and in the community‐weighted means of relevant traits. Our findings indicate that the establishment limitation effect of the initial application of perennial crops or sowing competitive grasses can last for decades, hindering the recolonization of target species and the recovery of functional diversity; thus, they should be applied in landscapes with high cover of natural habitats only when inhibiting undesirable species is of paramount importance. The similar levels of functional niche saturation in spontaneous and reference sites may also indicate a self‐developed establishment‐limited situation after 20 years of succession. In combination with this, the lagging recovery of species richness entails lower functional redundancy in spontaneous sites. Our results underline the necessity of postrestorative management methods that reduce establishment limitation and contribute to the recolonization and subsequent coexistence of functionally similar species.
Volitional control of the upper esophageal sphincter with high‐resolution manometry driven biofeedback
Authors: Nativ‐Zeltzer Nogah , Belafsky Peter C. , Bayoumi Ahmed , Kuhn Maggie A.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is associated with swallow dysfunction and globus pharyngeus. Although volitional augmentation of the UES has been previously documented, the ability of individuals to control UES pressure with high‐resolution manometry (HRM) driven biofeedback has not been assessed.

Purpose

To evaluate the ability of patient driven HRM biofeedback to control UES basal pressure.

Methods

HRM data was collected from 10 patients undergoing esophageal manometry. Participants were trained on real‐time HRM‐driven biofeedback to both elevate and reduce UES pressure. Measures of baseline UES minimum, mean and maximum pressures (mmHg) were compared to biofeedback‐driven volitional increases and decreases in UES pressures. Pre‐ and post‐biofeedback data were compared with paired sample T‐tests.

Results

The mean age (± standard deviation) of the cohort was 68 (±12.7) years. Sixty percent (6/10) were female. The mean UES baseline pressure increased from 30.1 (±15.3) mmHg to 44.8 (±25.03) mmHg (P = .02) with biofeedback‐driven UES augmentation (P < .05). Maximum UES pressures were also increased from 63.84 (±24.1) mmHg to 152.4 (±123.7) (P = .04). Although some individuals were able to successfully decrease basal UES tone with the HRM biofeedback, no statistically significant group differences were observed (P > .05).

Conclusion

Volitional control of UES pressure is possible with HRM‐driven biofeedback. Patients vary in their ability to intentionally control UES pressure and some may require further training aimed at lowering UES pressure with HRM‐guided biofeedback. These data may have significant implications for the future treatment of UES disorders and warrant further investigation.

Level of Evidence

4
Impact of ocean acidification and high solar radiation on productivity and species composition of a late summer phytoplankton community of the coastal Western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Heiden Jasmin P. , Völkner Christian , Jones Elizabeth M. , van de Poll Willem H. , Buma Anita G. J. , Meredith Michael P. , de Baar Hein J. W. , Bischof Kai , Wolf‐Gladrow Dieter , Trimborn Scarlett
Published: February 2019

The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), one of the most productive regions of the Southern Ocean, is currently undergoing rapid environmental changes such as ocean acidification (OA) and increased daily irradiances from enhanced surface‐water stratification. To assess the potential for future biological CO2 sequestration of this region, we incubated a natural phytoplankton assemblage from Ryder Bay, WAP, under a range of pCO2 levels (180 μatm, 450 μatm, and 1000 μatm) combined with either moderate or high natural solar radiation (MSR: 124 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and HSR: 435 μmol photons m−2 s−1, respectively). The initial and final phytoplankton communities were numerically dominated by the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis antarctica, with the single cells initially being predominant and solitary and colonial cells reaching similar high abundances by the end. Only when communities were grown under ambient pCO2 in conjunction with HSR did the small diatom Fragilariopsis pseudonana outcompete P. antarctica at the end of the experiment. Such positive light‐dependent growth response of the diatom was, however, dampened by OA. These changes in community composition were caused by an enhanced photosensitivity of diatoms, especially F. pseudonana, under OA and HSR, reducing thereby their competitiveness toward P. antarctica. Moreover, community primary production (PP) of all treatments yielded similar high rates at the start and the end of the experiment, but with the main contributors shifting from initially large to small cells toward the end. Even though community PP of Ryder Bay phytoplankton was insensitive to the changes in light and CO2 availability, the observed size‐dependent shift in productivity could, however, weaken the biological CO2 sequestration potential of this region in the future.
Mussel‐Inspired Membrane Adsorber with Thiol Ligand for Patulin Removal: Adsorption and Regeneration Behaviors
Authors: Liu Lanfang , Luo Jianquan , Wan Yinhua , Chen Xiangrong , Wu Yuanpeng
Published: February 2019

Mussel‐inspired membrane adsorber with thiol ligand (SH‐membrane adsorber) is prepared by polydopamine‐assisted poly(ethylene imine) grafting and subsequent thiolation modification for efficient removal of patulin. The effects of temperature, contact time, pH, and initial patulin concentration on the adsorption capacity of the membrane adsorber are investigated. The results show that the SH‐membrane adsorber is effective to remove patulin. The adsorption capacity of the membrane can reach 1245.11 µg g−1 for patulin. In static adsorption tests, the adsorption kinetic and equilibrium data are well fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model, respectively, meaning that the adsorption process is a multilayer chemical adsorption. The SH‐membrane adsorber can be recovered by l‐cysteine, and the removal efficiency of patulin is maintained at about 89.23% after eight reuse cycles, compared to the 17.33% of control membrane. These results demonstrate that the SH‐membrane adsorber has a potential application for patulin removal.
The Trimerization of Isocyanate‐Functionalized Prepolymers: An Effective Method for Synthesizing Well‐Defined Polymer Networks
Authors: Driest Piet J. , Dijkstra Dirk J. , Stamatialis Dimitrios , Grijpma Dirk W.
Published: February 2019

For the study of polymer networks, having access to polymer networks with a controlled and well‐defined microscopic network structure is of great importance. However, typically, such networks are difficult to synthesize. In this work, a simple, effective, and widely applicable method is presented for synthesizing polymer networks with a well‐defined network structure. This is done by the functionalization of polymeric diols using a diisocyanate, and their subsequent trimerization. Using hexamethylene diisocyanate and hydroxyl‐group‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol), it is shown that both hydrophobic and hydrophilic poly(urethane–isocyanurate) networks with a well‐defined network structure can readily be synthesized. By using in situ infrared spectroscopy, it is shown that the trimerization of isocyanate endgroups is clearly the predominant reaction pathway of network formation, supporting the proposed mechanism and network structure. The resulting networks possess excellent mechanical properties in both the dry and in the wet state.
Novel applications of mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics in herbal medicines and its active ingredients: Current evidence
Authors: Wang Xi‐Jun , Ren Jun‐Ling , Zhang Ai‐Hua , Sun Hui , Yan Guang‐Li , Han Ying , Liu Liang
Published: February 2019

Current evidence shows that herbal medicines could be beneficial for the treatment of various diseases. However, the complexities present in chemical compositions of herbal medicines are currently an obstacle for the progression of herbal medicines, which involve unclear bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, undetermined targets for therapy, non‐specific features for drug metabolism, etc. To overcome those issues, metabolomics can be a great to improve and understand herbal medicines from the small‐molecule metabolism level. Metabolomics could solve scientific difficulties with herbal medicines from a metabolic perspective, and promote drug discovery and development. In recent years, mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics was widely applied for the analysis of herbal constituents in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we highlight the value of mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics and metabolism to address the complexity of herbal medicines in systems pharmacology, and to enhance their biomedical value in biomedicine, to shed light on the aid that mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics can offer to the investigation of its active ingredients, especially, to link phytochemical analysis with the assessment of pharmacological effect and therapeutic potential. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev
Abnormal DaTSCAN and Atypical Parkinsonism in SCA12
Authors: Latorre Anna , Del Gamba Claudia , Menozzi Elisa , Balint Bettina , Brugger Florian , Bhatia Kailash P.
Published: February 2019

View Supplementary Video 1
Application of an Iterative Fragment Selection (IFS) Method to Estimate Entropies of Fusion and Melting Points of Organic Chemicals
Authors: Brown Trevor N. , Armitage James M. , Arnot Jon A.
Published: February 2019

The main objective of this study is to develop and evaluate novel Quantitative Structure‐Property Relationships (QSPRs) for predicting entropy of fusion (ΔSM) and melting point (TM) of organic chemicals from chemical structure. The QSPRs are developed using the Iterative Fragment Selection (IFS) method that requires only 2D structural information from the user (SMILES codes) for property prediction. The QSPRs also provide information on the applicability domain for each calculation and uncertainty estimates for the predictions. The root mean square error (RMSE) for the external validation sets are 11.8 J mol−1 K−1 and 46.9 K for the ΔSM and TM QSPRs, respectively. The performance of the new QSPRs is comparable to other predictive methods but has advantages with respect to availability and ease of use as well as the guidance on applicability domain for each prediction. Limitations of the new QSPRs are discussed. The QSPRs are coded as a user‐friendly, freely available tool.
Factors Explaining Interpersonal Variation in Plasma Enterolactone Concentrations in Humans
Authors: Hålldin Elin , Eriksen Anne Kirstine , Brunius Carl , da Silva Andreia Bento , Bronze Maria , Hanhineva Kati , Aura Anna‐Marja , Landberg Rikard
Published: February 2019

Lignans are diphenolic plant compounds with potential health modulating properties that are absorbed to the circulation and metabolized to the enterolignans enterodiol (END) and enterolactone (ENL) by gut microbiota. Epidemiological studies have inconsistently shown that a high lignan intake and circulating ENL are associated with reduced risk of breast‐, prostate‐, and colorectal cancer as well as cardiovascular disease and total and cause‐specific mortality. Inconsistencies can be due to interpersonal variation of ENL formation or responses. The aim of this review is to identify and evaluate the impact of factors influencing variability in plasma concentrations of the main enterolignan, ENL. The main determinants of plasma ENL concentrations are intake of lignan and lignan‐rich foods, composition and activity of intestinal microflora, antimicrobial use, nutrient intake, BMI, smoking, sex, and age. Composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota appear to be the most critical factor governing interpersonal variability in plasma ENL concentration followed by the use of antibiotics. Future studies with combined data from gut microbiota and metabolomics with food intake and life style data can be used to estimate the relative contribution of the different factors to ENL concentration in quantitative terms.
Treatment of Caenorhabditis elegans with Small Selenium Species Enhances Antioxidant Defense Systems
Authors: Rohn Isabelle , Raschke Stefanie , Aschner Michael , Tuck Simon , Kuehnelt Doris , Kipp Anna , Schwerdtle Tanja , Bornhorst Julia
Published: February 2019

Scope

Small selenium (Se) species play a key role in Se metabolism and act as dietary sources of the essential trace element. However, they are redox‐active and trigger pro‐ and antioxidant responses. As health outcomes are strongly species‐dependent, species‐specific characteristics of Se compounds are tested in vivo.

Methods and results

In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), immediate and sustained effects of selenite, selenomethionine (SeMet), and Se‐methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) are studied regarding their bioavailability, incorporation into proteins, as well as modulation of the cellular redox status. While all tested Se compounds are bioavailable, only SeMet persistently accumulates and is non‐specifically incorporated into proteins. However, the protection toward chemically‐induced formation of reactive species is independent of the applied Se compound. Increased thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD) activity and changes in mRNA expression levels of antioxidant proteins indicate the activation of cellular defense mechanisms. However, in txnrd‐1 deletion mutants, no protective effects of the Se species are observed anymore, which is also reflected by differential gene expression data.

Conclusion

Se species protect against chemically‐induced reactive species formation. The identified immediate and sustained systemic effects of Se species give rise to speculations on possible benefits facing subsequent periods of inadequate Se intake.
Highly directive 3D‐printed dual‐beam waveguide slotted antennas for millimeter‐wave applications
Authors: Sabri Muataz Watheq , Murad Noor Asniza , Rahim Mohamad Kamal A.
Published: February 2019

A highly directive 3D‐printed dual beam waveguide slotted antennas designed at 28 GHz are presented in this work. By having dual‐beam directional pattern, the coverage area can be doubled. The performance of dual‐beam waveguide slotted antennas is investigated with new metal 3D printing technique. The slots are basically designed at half wavelength dimension and distance with symmetrical and asymmetrical offset to form different phase radiations. The longitudinal slotted arrays are implemented on both side of the waveguide broad walls, thus enabling the dual beams on the antenna. The proposed antennas are simulated using computer simulation technology software and fully metal printed using EOS M280 machine. The simulated performance is validated experimentally using network analyzer measurement. The dimensional tolerance and surface roughness are profiled in this work. A good match better than 10 dB is achieved. The antennas are proposed for three‐dimensional beamforming in millimetre wave applications.
Psychosocial associations of emotion‐regulation strategies in young adults residing in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Azhar Humna , Baig Zahra , Koleth Shihab , Mohammad Kausar , Petkari Eleni
Published: February 2019

The management and expression of emotions can have a positive impact on psychological health and overall functioning. Thus, it is crucial to focus on the study of emotion regulation and the strategies young adults employ to achieve it, namely cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, as well as their associations with the long neglected psychosocial factors. The current study aimed at exploring the associations between psychosocial factors and the two emotion‐regulation strategies, after controlling for potential sociodemographic confounders. This study used a sample of 136 participants from the Indian subcontinent living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, aged 18–25 years, who completed instruments measuring social anxiety, social support, and parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive) as well as the use of the emotion‐regulation strategies of suppression and reappraisal. The results indicated that having experienced authoritarian parenting and perceiving low social support were associated with the use of suppression, while having experienced authoritative parenting and low levels of social anxiety were associated with the use of emotional reappraisal. Our study provides evidence on the importance of psychosocial factors for the use of emotion‐regulation strategies and suggests their modification for the promotion of adaptive ways of managing emotions.
Review of Real‐World Implementation Data on Emtricitabine‐Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate as HIV Pre‐exposure Prophylaxis in the United States
Authors: Adams Jessica L. , Shelley Karishma , Nicol Melanie R.
Published: February 2019

The antiretroviral combination of emtricitabine‐tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in individuals at high risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in July 2012. Since then, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the use of PrEP have been published and implemented into clinical practice throughout the United States. A number of published open‐label and PrEP demonstration projects have evaluated the real‐world use of PrEP including analysis of the barriers to its use and addressing major concerns. Despite the approval of FTC/TDF for PrEP, its use for this indication relies on patient and provider acceptance, and its effectiveness requires patient adherence and retention in care during periods of high‐risk behaviors. Concerns regarding the use of PrEP in healthy individuals persist and include medication adverse effects including renal dysfunction and bone mineral density loss; risk compensation leading to HIV infections, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies; and the development of drug resistance in the event of seroconversion. The cost‐effectiveness of PrEP continues to be assessed with the greatest cost‐effectiveness remaining in those at highest risk of acquiring HIV. Additionally, cases of HIV acquisition in individuals who are adherent to PrEP highlight scenarios in which PrEP is not 100% effective including against the transmission of drug‐resistant HIV strains. This review examines data on the implementation of PrEP outside the setting of clinical trials with the aim of providing clinicians with a summary of the current barriers and opportunities for PrEP use with a specific focus on the role of pharmacists in the optimization of PrEP implementation.
Kinetic study of ninhydrin with chromium (III)‐glycylleucine in aqueous–alkanediyl‐α,ω‐bis (dimethylcetylammonium bromide) gemini surfactants
Authors: Kumar Dileep , Rub Malik Abdul
Published: February 2019

In this article, we report kinetic study of ninhydrin with chromium (III)‐glycylleucine complex in aqueous–alkanediyl‐α,ω‐bis (dimethylcetylammonium bromide) gemini surfactants at different temperatures and pH. The experiments were monitored by using UV‐visible spectrophotometer. The study was run by maintaining pseudo‐first‐order condition ([ninhydrin] > > [Cr (III)‐Gly‐Leu]2+). Reactions were respective fractional‐ and first‐order paths, in ninhydrin and chromium‐glycylleucine complex. Conductometric technique has been used for critical micelle concentration (cmc) determination of 16‐s‐16 (spacer [s] = 4, 5, 6) gemini surfactants. Alkanediyl‐α,ω‐bis (dimethylcetylammonium bromide) surfactants were observed more effective on the study as compared with traditional monocationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). With geminis, rate constant, kψ, rises up first (below cmc, part I) and becomes approximately fix (part II). In part III, kψ intensifies more at higher concentrations of gemini surfactants. The variation in rate in the presence of geminis has been elucidated by pseudo phase model.
Sensitivity of Al‐PTFE upon Low‐Speed Impact
Authors: Feng Bin , Qiu Cong‐li , Zhang Tao‐hong , Hu Ya‐Feng , Li Hong‐guang , Xu Bing‐chuan
Published: February 2019

Al‐PTFE (Aluminum‐Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a promising composite as a kind of impact initiated energetic materials. The impact sensitivity of Al‐PTFE was characterized by drop weight tests. By varying the sintering temperature, Al mass ratio and Al particle size, the sensitivity of Al‐PTFE changes significantly from 25.78 J to 87.34 J. It was found that in general Al‐PTFE specimens with higher strength tend to be more sensitive to low‐speed impact. The SHPB test was carried out on the baseline Al‐PTFE specimen, and the stress ignition threshold was found to be 116 MPa, which is not high enough to trigger a shock‐induced reaction (SIR). Moreover, multiple evidences, including the high‐speed camera records, prove that crack‐induced ignition mechanism, rather than SIR, dominates the ignition of Al‐PTFE upon low speed impact.
Magnetoresistance of Monolayer Graphene With Short‐Range Disorder
Authors: Vasileva Galina , Alekseev Pavel , Vasilyev Yuri , Dmitriev Alexander , Kachorovskii Valentin , Smirnov Dmitri , Schmidt Hennrik , Haug Rolf
Published: February 2019

The effect of magnetic field on electron transport in graphene monolayers with various levels of impurity doping is studied. In samples with low impurity doping a square root magnetoresistance appears away from the Dirac point and no such magnetoresistance is observed in low mobility monolayers with high impurity doping. The difference in magnetoresistance is attributed to different types of scattering mechanisms in various samples. Our data for graphene monolayers with low impurity concentration shows a good agreement with theory over a wide range of magnetic fields.
All‐Solution‐Processed Micro/Nanowires with Electroplate Welding as Transparent Conducting Electrodes
Authors: Yang Chaobin , Merlo Juan M. , D'Imperio Luke A. , Rose Aaron H. , Calm Yitzi M. , Han Bing , Gao Jinwei , Zhou Guofu , Burns Michael J. , Kempa Krzysztof , Naughton Michael J.
Published: February 2019

An all‐solution‐processed transparent conductive electrode with sheet resistance one order of magnitude smaller than conventional nanowire‐based transparent conductors has been developed. This is achieved by integrating all‐solution produced microwires with a nanowire solution and electroplating and electrowelding. Advantages of the resulting transparent conductor are indium‐free, vacuum‐free, and lithographic‐facility‐free, and metallic‐mask‐free, with small domain size (≈10 μm2), low sheet resistance (Rs < 1 Ω □−1), high optical transmittance (T > 80%), mechanical flexibility, and scalability, thus making it an excellent replacement for ITO.
Distinct impacts of the MJO and the NAO on cold wave amplitude in China
Authors: Lyu Mengxia , Wu Zhiwei , Shi Xiaohui , Wen Min
Published: February 2019

Previous observations suggested a connection between the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), yet few of them contrasted the influences between the MJO and the NAO on extreme weather and climate events. In this study, it is found that the impacts of the MJO and the NAO on winter cold wave amplitude (CWA) over China can be distinctive. Time‐lagged correlation analysis indicates that the response of the CWA to the MJO is characterized by a significant anomalous centre over the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent region, whereas that to the NAO is mainly over western and northeastern China. The ECMWF model from the Sub‐seasonal to Seasonal (S2S) project can approximately reproduce the relationship between CWA and these indices at intraseasonal time‐scale. The MJO‐associated convective activities along the Equator can modulate the local Hadley circulation. When the convection centre of the MJO is located over the Maritime Continent, it can trigger subsidence over the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent region, warm the surface and consequently decrease the CWA. When descending flows associated with the MJO prevail over the Maritime Continent due to the eastward propagation of the MJO, the situations tend to be opposite. The intraseasonal variations of the NAO will induce eastward‐propagating Rossby wave trains, which usually favour the significantly positive (negative) pressure, temperature and consequently negative (positive) CWA anomalies over western and northeastern China. Thus, the MJO and the NAO might provide two critical predictability sources for sub‐seasonal forecasts of the extreme temperature events.
Theoretical scrutinization of nine benzoic acid dimers: Stability and energy decomposition analysis
Authors: Petrović Ivana , Milovanović Branislav , Etinski Mihajlo , Petković Milena
Published: February 2019

Aromatic carboxylic acids are able to form diverse dimers and multimers due to their hydrogen bond donor and acceptor cites, as well as the aromatic rings. In this work, we examine nine benzoic acid dimers stabilized by hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions. Interacting quantum atoms methodology revealed that dominant attractive interactions in all of them, including hydrogen bonded systems, are due to exchange‐correlation. Coulomb interactions are significant only in the most stable dimer with a double hydrogen bond, although the corresponding energy term is almost two times lower compared to the nonclassical one. Since interacting quantum atoms approach treats monomers binding by considering electronic energy only, in order to examine dissociation kinetics we performed density functional theory‐based molecular dynamics simulations of selected stacked dimers: in 40% of the studied systems at 300 K thermal energy was sufficient to overpower barrier for dissociation within 1 ps, which resulted in the separation of the monomers, whereas 20% of them remained in the stacked position even after 5 ps. These results highlight the importance of noncovalent interactions, particularly weak stacking interactions, on the structure and dynamics of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
Aromatic character of Oh‐C24N24. A cavernous nitride fullerene bearing N4‐macrocycle motifs
Authors: Charistos Nickolas D. , Jin Peng , Muñoz‐Castro Alvaro
Published: February 2019

Spherical fullerenes offer noteworthy structures usually involving six‐ and five‐membered faces, with application in technological issues. In this sense, cavernous spherical‐like structures bearing larger holes provide interesting examples for further understanding of structure‐properties relationship. Here, we explored the magnetic response of a proposed cavernous nitride fullerene, C24N24, which has a Oh‐symmetry with six N4‐macrocyclic and eight 1,3,5‐triazine faces displaying 48‐π electrons. C24N24 exhibits a local aromatic behavior owing to the contrasting antiaromatic response of the N4‐macrocyclic faces and the aromatic character of the 1,3,5‐triazine faces. Thus, the overall structure is ascribed as a local aromatic species, where the triazine faces exhibit the characteristic shielding cone for aromatic rings. Furthermore, the constructive combination of local shielding cones in C24N24 delivers a related shielding‐cone response, as expected for a perfect aromatic cage. Hence, the local aromatic/nonaromatic/antiaromatic sections exhibit an additive or subtractive interaction, leading to a characteristic response inherent to the nature of the spherical cage. We expect that further study of the interplay between different aromatic and antiaromatic faces in fullerene‐like cages can deliver interesting pseudo‐aromatic or pseudo‐antiaromatic spherical species.
Can Biological Quantum Networks Solve NP‐Hard Problems?
Authors: Wendin Göran
Published: February 2019

There is a widespread view that the human brain is so complex that it cannot be efficiently simulated by universal Turing machines, let alone ordinary classical computers. During the last decades the question has therefore been raised whether it is needed to consider quantum effects to explain the imagined cognitive power of a conscious mind. Not surprisingly, the conclusion is that quantum‐enhanced cognition and intelligence are very unlikely to be found in biological brains. Quantum effects may certainly influence signaling pathways at the molecular level in the brain network, like ion ports, synapses, sensors, and enzymes. This might evidently influence the functionality of some nodes and perhaps even the overall intelligence of the brain network, but hardly give it any dramatically enhanced functionality. The conclusion is that biological quantum networks can only approximately solve small instances of nonpolynomial (NP)‐hard problems. On the other hand, artificial intelligence and machine learning implemented in complex dynamical systems based on genuine quantum networks can certainly be expected to show enhanced performance and quantum advantage compared with classical networks. Nevertheless, even quantum networks can only be expected to solve NP‐hard problems approximately. In the end it is a question of precision—Nature is approximate.
SDSN@RT: A middleware environment for single‐instance multitenant cloud applications
Authors: Kumara Indika , Han Jun , Colman Alan , van den Heuvel Willem‐Jan , Tamburri Damian A. , Kapuruge Malinda
Published: February 2019

With the single‐instance multitenancy (SIMT) model for composite Software‐as‐a‐Service (SaaS) applications, a single composite application instance can host multiple tenants, yielding the benefits of better service and resource utilization and reduced operational cost for the SaaS provider. An SIMT application needs to share services and their aggregation (the application) among its tenants while supporting variations in the functional and performance requirements of the tenants. The SaaS provider requires a middleware environment that can deploy, enact, and manage a designed SIMT application, to achieve the varied requirements of the different tenants in a controlled manner. This paper presents the SDSN@RT (software‐defined service networks at runtime) middleware environment that can meet the aforementioned requirements. SDSN@RT represents an SIMT composite cloud application as a multitenant service network, where the same service network simultaneously hosts a set of virtual service networks, one for each tenant. A service network connects a set of services and coordinates the interactions between them. A virtual service network realizes the requirements for a specific tenant and can be deployed, configured, and logically isolated in the service network at runtime. SDSN@RT also supports the monitoring and runtime changes of the deployed multitenant service networks. We show the feasibility of SDSN@RT with a prototype implementation and demonstrate its capabilities to host SIMT applications and support their changes with a case study. The performance study of the prototype implementation shows that the runtime capabilities of our middleware incur little overhead.
The Influence of Segregations after Forming on the Heat Treatment Result of Bevel Gears
Authors: Hunkel Martin , Kagathara Jwalant , Prahl Ulrich
Published: February 2019

The process‐chain of highly stressed parts incorporates among others casting, forming, and heat treatment. Segregations are always found within these parts. Segregations and its consequences are only understandable by considering the whole process‐chain. In this paper, segregations within the hot rolled bar and after cold forging to bevel gears are analyzed metallographically. Dilatometer specimens are used for analyzing the phase transformation behavior from different segregation structures within the hot rolled bar. The deformation during forming and the influence on the microstructure after heat treatment is discussed. A coupled forming‐heat treatment simulation is presented based on the experimental findings. The deformation of the macro‐segregation is calculated by a forming simulation. A phase transformation model depending on the macro‐segregation is used for calculation of the microstructure after heat treatment. The final microstructure and hardness distribution of formed parts is calculated and discussed in comparison with the experimental results.
Pasting and Rheological Properties of Non‐Crystalline Granular Starch
Authors: Chen Long , McClements David Julian , Tian Yaoqi , Zhang Zipei , Zhang Haihua , Jin Zhengyu
Published: February 2019

The pasting and rheological properties of non‐crystalline granular starch (NCGS) are investigated and compared with those of partially or totally gelatinized starch. At low (65 and 70 °C) temperatures, non‐gelatinized or only slightly gelatinized starch granules with a low viscosity and high flowability are dominant in the system. At intermediate treatment temperature (75 °C), the level of starch swelling and amylose leaching can be controlled to produce NCGS and its pasting and rheological properties fall somewhere between that of the partially and completely gelatinized starch. At high treatment temperatures (80 °C or higher), the starch granules completely collapse and amylose leaches out, leading to the formation of 3D network structures with amylopectin as the disperse phase and amylose as the continuous phase, accounting for the greater hysteresis, higher upper limits of LVR, and lower maximum compliance values. The distribution pattern of amylose and amylopectin is further emphasized to explain the unique pasting and rheological characteristics of NCGS. These findings suggest that starch‐based foods with a wide range of rheological properties can be formed from the same starting material by strictly controlling the thermal processing conditions.
Mapping Languages and Literacies With Multilingual Students in Australian Classrooms
Authors: D'warte Jacqueline
Published: February 2019

The International Literacy Association is a global advocacy organization, and literacy is viewed as a human right worldwide. This department highlights research and research‐to‐practice at the international level to bring global best teaching practices to the forefront. Topics may include best practices for literacy instruction in Europe or other continents/countries, partnership and collaborative projects between international schools/teachers, and advocacy.
Why Are We Still Blaming the Families in 2019?
Authors: Peralta Claudia
Published: February 2019

This department highlights language learning for bi/multilingual students worldwide, from our earliest learners to early adolescent writers. It also highlights exemplary teachers and ways that they include research‐based instruction to develop bi/multilingual learners.
A Drought Reconstruction from the Low-Elevation Juniper Forest of Northwestern Kyrgyzstan since CE 1565
Authors: Chen Feng , Yu Shulong , He Qing , Ermenbaev Bakytbek , Satylkanov Rysbek
Published: February 2019

Naryn River provides large amounts of water resource for Central Asian countries. Thus, the severity and frequency of drought variation relate to runoff has important influences on social and economic development of this region. In this study, the new tree-ring width chronologies of juniper trees from the low-elevation site of the western Tien Shan are used to reconstruct drought variation for northwestern Kyrgyzstan and place the short instrumental period (1950–2013) of Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in a long-term context. The SPEI reconstruction successfully reflects the dry and wet periods over the past 451 years, and captures a recent wetting trend that generally agrees with the drought reconstructions for the spruce-dominated area. However, some differences between the tree-ring records from spruce-dominated and juniper-dominated areas reflect regional climate differences. The comparison between drought events in the SPEI reconstruction and historical event of Central Asia reveals drought variations have had profound influences on some historical archives over the past several centuries. This study provides the first long-term SPEI reconstruction and drought evaluation from the low-altitude area of Central Asia, contributing to climate change issues in Central Asia.
Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of the Oxus Civilization in Southern Central Asia
Authors: Luneau Élise
Published: February 2019

During the Final Bronze Age (around 3750/3700 BP), the proto-urban sedentary cultural entity in southern Central Asia—known as the Oxus civilization or Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex—underwent major social transformations in different field aspects leading to a deep cultural change in the middle of the 4th millennium BP. Among the different reasons suggested to explain these sociocultural changes, the hypothesis of global climate change in Central Asia at the beginning of the 4th millennium BP has been emphasized by different scholars. In this paper, I will examine current paleo-environmental data in relation with the climate evolution during the Mid- and Late Holocene. A critical assessment of the hypothesis of climatic change in Central Asia at the beginning of the 4th millennium BP allows to stimulate the discussion anew. I argue that the present data do not support a drastic climate change during the first half of the 4th millennium BP as a responsible factor for the fall of the Oxus civilization, although local environmental modifications should also not be underestimated and further investigated in a more integrated perspective of co-evolution of the ecological environment and the human societies.
Resilience of the Human-Water System at the Southern Silk Road: A Case Study of the Northern Catchment of Erhai Lake, China (1382–1912)
Authors: Xu Anning , Yang Liang Emlyn , Yang Weibing , Hillman Aubrey L.
Published: February 2019

This study focuses on the northern catchment of Erhai Lake that lies in the heart of the ancient Southern Silk Road (the Tea-Horse Roads) in southwest China. The hydrologic environment of this region is complex and evolved under significant human impacts, especially after large populations migrated after 1382 under the policy of military tillage. This led to increased pressures on the human-water relationship of this region but also stimulated social resilience to water stresses. This paper investigates the manner in which local people addressed the conflicts of utilizing limited water for people, livestock and irrigation until 1912. The approaches of statistical analysis, spatial analysis and correlation analysis were adopted, and historical data on floods, water conservation projects, plants, and disease were collected to support a detailed examination of the evolution of the human-water relationship in the study area. The results indicate that: (1) the evolution of the hydrologic environment, including the river system and the hydro-chemical environment, had a close correspondence with human activities; (2) local people constructed various water conservation and engineering facilities and changed their farming structures to cope with water stresses, which partly contributed to the break out and spread of Schistosomiasis japonica; (3) the resilience of the human-water relationship became weaker as the management of water projects diminished; (4) the sustainable development of the human-water relationship could be maintained through regular water management and environmental governance. These findings emphasize the influences of social policy and human activities on the resilience of the catchment and improve our understanding of resilience theory.
Demographic Changes, Trade Routes, and the Formation of Anthropogenic Landscapes in the Middle Volga Region in the Past 2500 Years
Authors: Vyazov Leonid A. , Ershova Ekaterina G. , Ponomarenko Elena V. , Gajewski Konrad , Blinnikov Mikhail S. , Sitdikov Ayrat G.
Published: February 2019

The development of landscapes of the central part of the Middle-Volga region in the last 2500 years was a discontinuous process of the explosive growth of population and land utilization alternating with stages of depopulation and desolation. The periods of depopulation and transitions of cultures occurred at similar times to climate changes. Some cultures were associated with distinct climatic episodes, such as the association of the Dark Ages Cold Period with Hun, post Hun, Heraldic, and Khasarian times, and the Medival Warm Period with the time of Volga Bulgaria. A combination of archaeological and paleoecological analyses allowed us to reconstruct a sequence of landscape and land use changes in relation to the historical development of the region. The first millennium CE was a time of major changes in population, agricultural technologies, social structure, and settlement patterns in the forest-steppe zone. The MiddleVolga region underwent a transition from a non-populated, mainly-forested landscape of first centuries CE to a highly deforested agricultural landscape of the Volga Bulgarian state by the 11th century CE. Within several centuries, the landscape was transformed by shifting cultivation, wood and ore extraction, and the formation and expansion of pastures and road networks. The process of deforestation in the region was facilitated by the relatively warm climates of the Medieval Warm Period.