bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting for Changing Temperature Patterns Increases Historical Estimates of Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Andrews Timothy , Gregory Jonathan M. , Paynter David , Silvers Levi G. , Zhou Chen , Mauritsen Thorsten , Webb Mark J. , Armour Kyle C. , Forster Piers M. , Titchner Holly
Published: July 2018

Eight atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) are forced with observed historical (1871–2010) monthly sea surface temperature and sea ice variations using the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project II data set. The AGCMs therefore have a similar temperature pattern and trend to that of observed historical climate change. The AGCMs simulate a spread in climate feedback similar to that seen in coupled simulations of the response to CO2 quadrupling. However, the feedbacks are robustly more stabilizing and the effective climate sensitivity (EffCS) smaller. This is due to a pattern effect, whereby the pattern of observed historical sea surface temperature change gives rise to more negative cloud and longwave clear‐sky feedbacks. Assuming the patterns of long‐term temperature change simulated by models, and the radiative response to them, are credible; this implies that existing constraints on EffCS from historical energy budget variations give values that are too low and overly constrained, particularly at the upper end. For example, the pattern effect increases the long‐term Otto et al. (2013, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1836) EffCS median and 5–95% confidence interval from 1.9 K (0.9–5.0 K) to 3.2 K (1.5–8.1 K).
Plant Traits are Key Determinants in Buffering the Meteorological Sensitivity of Net Carbon Exchanges of Arctic Tundra
Authors: López‐Blanco Efrén , Lund Magnus , Christensen Torben R. , Tamstorf Mikkel P. , Smallman Thomas L. , Slevin Darren , Westergaard‐Nielsen Andreas , Hansen Birger U. , Abermann Jakob , Williams Mathew
Published: July 2018

The climate sensitivity of carbon (C) cycling in Arctic terrestrial ecosystems is a major unknown in the Earth system. There is a lack of knowledge about the mechanisms that drive the interactions between photosynthesis, respiration, and changes in C stocks across full annual cycles in Arctic tundra. We use a calibrated and validated model (soil‐plant‐atmosphere; SPA) to estimate net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Reco), and internal C processing across eight full years. SPA's carbon flux estimates are validated with observational data obtained from the Greenland Ecosystem Monitoring program in West Greenland tundra. Overall, the model explained 73%, 73%, and 50% of the variance in NEE, GPP, and Reco, respectively, and 85% of the plant greenness variation. Flux data highlighted the insensitivity of growing season NEE to interannual meteorological variability, due to compensatory responses of photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. In this modelling study, we show that this NEE buffering is the case also for full annual cycles. We show through a sensitivity analysis that plant traits related to nitrogen are likely key determinants in the compensatory response, through simulated links to photosynthesis and plant respiration. Interestingly, we found a similar temperature sensitivity of the trait‐flux couplings for GPP and Reco, suggesting that plant traits drive the stabilization of NEE. Further, model analysis indicated that wintertime periods decreased the C sink by 60%, mostly driven by litter heterotrophic respiration. This result emphasizes the importance of wintertime periods and allows a more comprehensive understanding of full annual C dynamics.
Nitrogen Fixation Occurring in Sediments: Contribution to the Nitrogen Budget of Lake Taihu, China
Authors: Yao Xiaolong , Zhang Lu , Zhang Yunlin , Zhang Bo , Zhao Zhonghua , Zhang Yibo , Li Min , Jiang Xingyu
Published: July 2018

Nitrogen fixation (N2 fixation) in benthic sediment contributes a certain amount of bioavailable nitrogen (N) to aquatic systems. However, data on sediment N2 fixation have been poorly documented and the contribution of sediment N2 fixation to the N budget in lakes has rarely been studied. In this study, N2 fixation rates in sediments of Lake Taihu were measured periodically using the traditional acetylene reduction assay. Results showed that the highest sediment N2 fixation rate occurred in winter in Meiliang Bay, with a value of 258 nmol N·kg−1·hr−1, and the lowest rates occurred in all seasons at some sites, with values near zero. East Taihu Bay, Meiliang Bay, the southwestern coastal area, and Zhushan Bay were found to be hotspots for sediment N2 fixation activity. The annual N2 fixation rate and volume in sediments of Lake Taihu were 0.083 g N·m−2·year−1 and 195 t N, respectively. The N inputs via fixation were much lower than those from river inflow, sediment release, and atmospheric deposition. This study reveals that N2 fixation in sediments contributes only a minor part to the overall N budget, while it compensates for about 1.8% of sediment N2 loss via denitrification. The minor contribution of sediment N2 fixation to the overall N budget in Lake Taihu may be closely linked to sediment characteristics.
Adaptive mechanisms that provide competitive advantages to marine bacteroidetes during microalgal blooms
Authors: Unfried Frank , Becker Stefan , Robb Craig S , Hehemann Jan-Hendrik , Markert Stephanie , Heiden Stefan E , Hinzke Tjorven , Becher Dörte , Reintjes Greta , Krüger Karen , Avcı Burak , Kappelmann Lennart , Hahnke Richard L , Fischer Tanja , Harder Jens , Teeling Hanno , Fuchs Bernhard , Barbeyron Tristan , Amann Rudolf I , Schweder Thomas
Published: July 2018

Polysaccharide degradation by heterotrophic microbes is a key process within Earth’s carbon cycle. Here, we use environmental proteomics and metagenomics in combination with cultivation experiments and biochemical characterizations to investigate the molecular details of in situ polysaccharide degradation mechanisms during microalgal blooms. For this, we use laminarin as a model polysaccharide. Laminarin is a ubiquitous marine storage polymer of marine microalgae and is particularly abundant during phytoplankton blooms. In this study, we show that highly specialized bacterial strains of the Bacteroidetes phylum repeatedly reached high abundances during North Sea algal blooms and dominated laminarin turnover. These genomically streamlined bacteria of the genus Formosa have an expanded set of laminarin hydrolases and transporters that belonged to the most abundant proteins in the environmental samples. In vitro experiments with cultured isolates allowed us to determine the functions of in situ expressed key enzymes and to confirm their role in laminarin utilization. It is shown that laminarin consumption of Formosa spp. is paralleled by enhanced uptake of diatom-derived peptides. This study reveals that genome reduction, enzyme fusions, transporters, and enzyme expansion as well as a tight coupling of carbon and nitrogen metabolism provide the tools, which make Formosa spp. so competitive during microalgal blooms.
Phase 1/2 trial of ixazomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone in patients with previously untreated symptomatic multiple myeloma
Authors: Kumar Shaji K. , Buadi Francis K. , LaPlant Betsy , Halvorson Alese , Leung Nelson , Kapoor Prashant , Dingli David , Gertz Morie A. , Go Ronald S. , Bergsagel P. Leif , Lin Yi , Dispenzieri Angela , Hwa Yi Lisa , Fonder Amie , Hobbs Miriam , Fonseca Rafael , Hayman Suzanne R. , Stewart A. Keith , Lust John A. , Mikhael Joseph , Gonsalves Wilson , Reeder Craig , Skacel Tomas , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Lacy Martha Q.
Published: July 2018

Ixazomib is the first oral proteasome inhibitor to enter the clinic. Given the efficacy of bortezomib in combination with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone, we studied the combination of ixazomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (ICd) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and patients with measurable disease, irrespective of transplant eligibility, were enrolled. The phase 1 was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of cyclophosphamide in the combination. Patients received ixazomib 4 mg (days 1, 8, 15), dexamethasone 40 mg (days 1, 8, 15, 22), and cyclophosphamide 300 or 400 mg/m2 days 1, 8, 15, 22; cycles were 28 days. We enrolled 51 patients, 10 in phase 1 and 41 patients in phase 2. The median age was 64.5 years (range: 41–88); 29% had high or intermediate risk FISH. The MTD was 400 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide weekly. The best confirmed response in all 48 patients included ≥ partial response in 77%, including ≥ VGPR in 35%; 3 patients had a sCR. The response rate for all 48 evaluable patients at 4-cycles was 71%; the median time to response was 1.9 months. Common adverse events included cytopenias, fatigue and GI intolerance. ICd is a convenient, all oral combination that is well tolerated and effective in NDMM.
TiO2 nanoparticles assembled on kaolinites with different morphologies for efficient photocatalytic performance
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Peng Kang , Chen Huaxin , Wang Zhenjun
Published: July 2018

Natural kaolinite clays with different dimensionalities (including kaolinite nanoflakes and nanorods) supported TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared via a facile sol-gel method. Moreover, comparisons between FK/TiO2 and RK/TiO2 nanocomposites are conducted in terms of matrix morphology, surface property, energy band structure and interfacial interaction. The effects of kaolinite microstructure, morphology and dimensionality on the interfacial characteristics and photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposites were investigated in detail. The results showed that TiO2 nanoparticles are more easily attached on the kaolinite nanoflakes, and possess more uniform distribution and smaller particle size than that of kaolinite nanorods. In particular, the FK/TiO2 nanocatalysts exhibit higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride than that of RK/TiO2 and bare TiO2, which is attributed to the stronger surface adsorptivity, higher loading efficiency and smaller grain size. Additionally, FK/TiO2 composites show excellent stability, which is ascribed to the intimate interfacial contact between two-dimensional kaolinite nanoflakes and TiO2 nanoparticles. Overall, the enhanced catalytic performance for FK/TiO2 composites is the synergistic effect of two-dimensional morphology, better adsorption capability and more active photocatalysis TiO2 species.
Impaired HDL cholesterol efflux capacity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Fadaei Reza , Poustchi Hossein , Meshkani Reza , Moradi Nariman , Golmohammadi Taghi , Merat Shahin
Published: July 2018

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a substantial increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which is partly related to dyslipidemia and low HDL-C level. The cardioprotective activity of HDL in the body is closely connected to its role in promoting cholesterol efflux, which is determined by cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC). Hitherto, the role of HDL, as defined by CEC has not been assessed in NAFLD patients. In this research study, we present the results of a study of cAMP-treated J774 CEC and THP-1 macrophage CEC in ApoB-depleted plasma of 55 newly diagnosed NAFLD patients and 30 controls. Circulating levels of ApoA-I, ApoB, preβ-HDL, plasma activity of CETP, PLTP, LCAT and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were estimated. cAMP-treated J774 and THP-1 macrophage CEC were found to be significantly lower in NAFLD patients compared to controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). In addition, it was discovered that both ApoA-I and preβ1-HDL were significantly lower in NAFLD patients (P < 0.001). Furthermore, cAMP-treated J774 CEC showed independent negative correlation with cIMT, as well as the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in NAFLD patients. In conclusion, our findings showed that HDL CEC was suppressed in NAFLD patients, and impaired cAMP-treated J774 CEC was an independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis in NAFLD patients, suggesting that impaired HDL functions as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in NAFLD.
Learning the meaning of new stimuli increases the cross-correlated activity of prefrontal neurons
Authors: Nougaret Simon , Genovesio Aldo
Published: July 2018

The prefrontal cortex (PF) has a key role in learning rules and generating associations between stimuli and responses also called conditional motor learning. Previous studies in PF have examined conditional motor learning at the single cell level but not the correlation of discharges between neurons at the ensemble level. In the present study, we recorded from two rhesus monkeys in the dorsolateral and the mediolateral parts of the prefrontal cortex to address the role of correlated firing of simultaneously recorded pairs during conditional motor learning. We trained two rhesus monkeys to associate three stimuli with three response targets, such that each stimulus was mapped to only one response. We recorded the neuronal activity of the same neuron pairs during learning of new associations and with already learned associations. In these tasks after a period of fixation, a visual instruction stimulus appeared centrally and three potential response targets appeared in three positions: right, left, and up from center. We found a higher number of neuron pairs significantly correlated and higher cross-correlation coefficients during stimulus presentation in the new than in the familiar mapping task. These results demonstrate that learning affects the PF neural correlation structure.
High-throughput optimisation of light-driven microalgae biotechnologies
Authors: Sivakaminathan Shwetha , Hankamer Ben , Wolf Juliane , Yarnold Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Microalgae biotechnologies are rapidly developing into new commercial settings. Several high value products already exist on the market, and systems development is focused on cost reduction to open up future economic opportunities for food, fuel and freshwater production. Light is a key environmental driver for photosynthesis and optimising light capture is therefore critical for low cost, high efficiency systems. Here a novel high-throughput screen that simulates fluctuating light regimes in mass cultures is presented. The data was used to model photosynthetic efficiency (PEµ, mol photon−1 m2) and chlorophyll fluorescence of two green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella sp. Response surface methodology defined the effect of three key variables: density factor (Df, ‘culture density’), cycle time (tc, ‘mixing rate’), and maximum incident irradiance (Imax). Both species exhibited a large rise in PEµ with decreasing Imax and a minimal effect of tc (between 3–20 s). However, the optimal Df of 0.4 for Chlamydomonas and 0.8 for Chlorella suggested strong preferences for dilute and dense cultures respectively. Chlorella had a two-fold higher optimised PEµ than Chlamydomonas, despite its higher light sensitivity. These results demonstrate species-specific light preferences within the green algae clade. Our high-throughput screen enables rapid strain selection and process optimisation.
Reciprocal Perspective for Improved Protein-Protein Interaction Prediction
Authors: Dick Kevin , Green James R.
Published: July 2018

All protein-protein interaction (PPI) predictors require the determination of an operational decision threshold when differentiating positive PPIs from negatives. Historically, a single global threshold, typically optimized via cross-validation testing, is applied to all protein pairs. However, we here use data visualization techniques to show that no single decision threshold is suitable for all protein pairs, given the inherent diversity of protein interaction profiles. The recent development of high throughput PPI predictors has enabled the comprehensive scoring of all possible protein-protein pairs. This, in turn, has given rise to context, enabling us now to evaluate a PPI within the context of all possible predictions. Leveraging this context, we introduce a novel modeling framework called Reciprocal Perspective (RP), which estimates a localized threshold on a per-protein basis using several rank order metrics. By considering a putative PPI from the perspective of each of the proteins within the pair, RP rescores the predicted PPI and applies a cascaded Random Forest classifier leading to improvements in recall and precision. We here validate RP using two state-of-the-art PPI predictors, the Protein-protein Interaction Prediction Engine and the Scoring PRotein INTeractions methods, over five organisms:Homo sapiens, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Arabidopsis thaliana, Caenorhabditis elegans, andMus musculus. Results demonstrate the application of apost hocRP rescoring layer significantly improves classification (p < 0.001) in all cases over all organisms and this new rescoring approach can apply to any PPI prediction method.
Heterotetrameric annexin A2/S100A10 (A2t) is essential for oncogenic human papillomavirus trafficking and capsid disassembly, and protects virions from lysosomal degradation
Authors: Taylor Julia R. , Fernandez Daniel J. , Thornton Shantaé M. , Skeate Joseph G. , Lühen Kim P. , Da Silva Diane M. , Langen Ralf , Kast W. Martin
Published: July 2018

Human papillomavirus (HPV) entry into epithelial cells is independent of canonical endocytic pathways. Upon interaction with host cells, HPV establishes infection by traversing through an endocytic pathway that is clathrin- and caveolin-independent, but dependent on the annexin A2/S100A10 heterotetramer (A2t). We examined the contribution of monomeric annexin A2 (AnxA2) vs. A2t in HPV infection and endocytosis, and further characterized the role of these molecules in protein trafficking. We specifically show that cell surface A2t is not required for HPV attachment, and in the absence of A2t virion internalization remains clathrin-independent. Without A2t, viral progression from early endosomes to multivesicular endosomes is significantly inhibited, capsid uncoating is dramatically reduced, and lysosomal degradation of HPV is accelerated. Furthermore, we present evidence that AnxA2 forms a complex with CD63, a known mediator of HPV trafficking. Overall, the observed reduction in infection is less significant in the absence of S100A10 alone compared to full A2t, supporting an independent role for monomeric AnxA2. More broadly, we show that successful infection by multiple oncogenic HPV types is dependent on A2t. These findings suggest that A2t is a central mediator of high-risk HPV intracellular trafficking post-entry and pre-viral uncoating.
Submarine Groundwater Discharge helps making nearshore waters heterotrophic
Authors: Wang Shu-Lun , Chen Chen-Tung Arthur , Huang Ting-Hsuan , Tseng Hsiao-Chun , Lui Hon-Kit , Peng Tsung-Ren , Kandasamy Selvaraj , Zhang Jing , Yang Liyang , Gao Xuelu , Lou Jiann-Yuh , Kuo Fu-Wen , Chen Xue-Gang , Ye Ying , Lin Yi-Jie
Published: July 2018

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is the submarine seepage of all fluids from coastal sediments into the overlying coastal seas. It has been well documented that the SGD may contribute a great deal of allochthonous nutrients to the coastlines. It is, however, less known how much carbon enters the ocean via the SGD. Nutrients (NO3, NO2, NH4, PO4, SiO2), alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the submarine groundwater were measured at 20 locations around Taiwan for the first time. The total N/P/Si yields from the SGD in Taiwan are respectively 3.28 ± 2.3 × 104, 2.6 ± 1.8 × 102 and 1.89 ± 1.33 × 104 mol/km2/a, compared with 9.5 ± 6.7 × 105 mol/km2/a for alkalinity and 8.8 ± 6.2 × 105 mol/km2/a for DIC. To compare with literature data, yields for the major estuary across the Taiwan Strait (Jiulong River) are comparable except for P which is extremely low. Primary production supported by these nutrient outflows is insufficient to compensate the DIC supplied by the SGD. As a result, the SGD helps making the coastal waters in Taiwan and Jiulong River heterotrophic.
Publisher Correction: Genetic variants in systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility loci, XKR6 and GLT1D1 are associated with childhood-onset SLE in a Korean cohort
Authors: Joo Young Bin , Lim Jiwoo , Tsao Betty P. , Nath Swapan K. , Kim Kwangwoo , Bae Sang-Cheol
Published: July 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Biological and epidemiological evidence of anti-allergic effects of traditional Japanese food ume (Prunus mume)
Authors: Kono Ryohei , Nakamura Misa , Nomura Sachiko , Kitano Naomi , Kagiya Tomoko , Okuno Yoshiharu , Inada Ken-ichi , Tokuda Akihiko , Utsunomiya Hirotoshi , Ueno Masami
Published: July 2018

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume;ume) is a traditional food in Japan that has been shown to have various beneficial health effects. There is some evidence to suggest thatumeis also effective against allergic disease. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological pilot study to examine the association betweenumeintake frequency and allergic symptoms including rhinitis in 563 adults (288 men and 275 women) who resided in Wakayama, Japan. After adjusting for age, present illness and medication, women with highumeintake had significantly lower odds ratio (OR) for the presence of symptoms of allergy [OR: 0.49 with 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25–0.97]. Therefore, we investigated the anti-allergic effect ofumeon passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized mice. The animal study demonstrated that oral administration ofumeextract attenuated the PCA reaction and mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, RBL-2H3 mast cells were used to identify anti-allergicumecompounds. The followingumecompounds inhibited IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation: vanillin, syringic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, lyoniresinol andp-coumaric acid. These results suggested thatumehas the potential to inhibit mast cell degranulation and may be associated with reduced risk of allergic symptoms in women.
Diosgenin restores Aβ-induced axonal degeneration by reducing the expression of heat shock cognate 70 (HSC70)
Authors: Yang Ximeng , Tohda Chihiro
Published: July 2018

We previously found diosgenin, an herbal drug-derived steroid sapogenin, to be remarkably effective at restoring Aβ-induced axonal degeneration and improving memory function in model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 5XFAD mouse. In this study, we investigated the downstream signaling of diosgenin and explored new therapeutic targets in AD. We showed that the expression of heat shock cognate (HSC) 70 was increased in Aβ-treated neurons and in 5XFAD mice but was decreased by diosgenin treatment. In addition, knockdown of HSC70 significantly promoted axonal growth in neurons. As an association molecule of HSC70 in neurons, α-tubulin was detected by immunoprecipitation. After Aβ treatment, α-tubulin expression was greatly reduced in the degenerated axons, suggesting that a decline in α-tubulin may be one of the factors which correlates with axonal disruption in AD pathology. We hypothesized that the degradation of α-tubulin is triggered by the chaperone activity of HSC70. However, diosgenin significantly normalized the α-tubulin level, a potentially critical process for axonal formation. Our study indicated that reducing the HSC70 level is a new possible therapeutic target of axonal regeneration in AD.
Intrinsic and extrinsic drops in open-circuit voltage and conversion efficiency in solar cells with quantum dots embedded in host materials
Authors: Zhu Lin , Akiyama Hidefumi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko
Published: July 2018

We systematically analyzed the detailed-balance-limit-conversion efficiency of solar cells with quantum dots (QDs) embedded in host materials. We calculated their open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and conversion efficiency within single-photon absorption conditions, both in the radiative limit and in other cases with non-radiative recombination loss, using modeled absorption band with various absorptivities and energy widths formed below that of the host material. Our results quantitatively revealed the existence of intrinsic and significant drops in the open-circuit voltage and conversion efficiency of QD solar cells, in addition to extrinsic drops due to degraded material quality.
No evidence for confounding orientation-dependent fixational eye movements under baseline conditions
Authors: Thielen Jordy , van Lier Rob , van Gerven Marcel
Published: July 2018

Decoding has become a standard analysis technique for contemporary cognitive neuroscience. Already more than a decade ago, it was shown that orientation information could be decoded from functional magnetic resonance imaging voxel time series. However, the underlying neural mechanism driving the decodable information is still under debate. Here, we investigated whether eye movements and pupil dilation during attempted fixation and passive viewing of visually presented square-wave grating stimuli could explain orientation decoding. We hypothesized that there are confounding orientation-dependent fixational eye movements (e.g., microsaccades), which systematically alter brain activity, and hence can be the source of decodable information. We repeated one of the original orientation decoding studies, but recorded eye movements instead of brain activity. We found no evidence that stimulus orientation can be decoded from eye movements under baseline conditions, but cannot rule out the potential confounding effect of eye movements under different conditions. With this study, we emphasize the importance, and show the implications of such potential confounding eye movements for decoding studies and cognitive neuroscience in general.
In vivo detection of drug-induced apoptosis in tumors using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Jonas Oliver , Kang Jeon Woong , Singh Surya P. , Lammers Alex , Nguyen Freddy T. , Dasari Ramachandra R. , So Peter T. C. , Langer Robert , Cima Michael J.
Published: July 2018

We describe a label-free approach based on Raman spectroscopy, to study drug-induced apoptosis in vivo.
Extracting multivalent detachment rates from heterogeneous nanoparticle populations
Authors: Wang Mingqiu , Allard Jun , Haun Jered B.
Published: July 2018

We present a new methodology for isolating detachment rates from antibody-targeted nanoparticle populations that display heterogeneous bond numbers, as evidenced by apparently time-dependent detachment kinetics.
Elucidating lithium-ion and proton dynamics in anti-perovskite solid electrolytes
Authors: Dawson James A. , Attari Tavleen S. , Chen Hungru , Emge Steffen P. , Johnston Karen E. , Islam M. Saiful
Published: July 2018

Combined computational and experimental examination of lithium-ion and proton dynamics in next-generation anti-perovskite solid electrolytes.
Self-diffusion barriers: possible descriptors for dendrite growth in batteries?
Authors: Jäckle Markus , Helmbrecht Katharina , Smits Malte , Stottmeister Daniel , Groß Axel
Published: July 2018

A correlation between the height of metal self-diffusion barriers and the tendency towards dendrite growth in batteries is demonstrated.
Novel p-dopant toward highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Seo Ji-Youn , Kim Hui-Seon , Akin Seckin , Stojanovic Marko , Simon Elfriede , Fleischer Maximilian , Hagfeldt Anders , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Grätzel Michael
Published: July 2018

Zn-TFSI2 is introduced as a powerful p-dopant for spiro-MeOTAD in perovskite solar cells which not only outperforms Li-TFSI but also achieves outstanding long term stability.
Roll-to-roll sputtered and patterned Cu2−xO/Cu/Cu2−xO multilayer grid electrode for flexible smart windows
Authors: Seo Hyeong-Jin , Nah Yoon-Chae , Kim Han-Ki
Published: July 2018

We fabricated cost-effective Cu2−xO/Cu/Cu2−xO multilayer grid electrodes using roll-to-roll (RTR) sputtering and patterning processes for use as transparent and flexible electrodes in flexible smart windows.
Rhodamine B degradation by nanosized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)
Authors: Chin Michael , Cisneros Cecilia , Araiza Stephanie M. , Vargas Kevin M. , Ishihara Kristi M. , Tian Fangyuan
Published: July 2018

ZIF-8 nanocrystals have exhibited different mechanisms for rhodamine B degradation in water under various circumstances.
Epoxidized soybean oil cured with tannic acid for fully bio-based epoxy resin
Authors: Qi Min , Xu Ying-Jun , Rao Wen-Hui , Luo Xi , Chen Li , Wang Yu-Zhong
Published: July 2018

Fully bio-based EP thermosets from epoxidized soybean oil and tannic acid were prepared for versatile applications under moderate curing conditions.
Hexavalent chromium ion and methyl orange dye uptake via a silk protein sericin–chitosan conjugate
Authors: Singh Swatantra Pratap , Rathinam Karthik , Kasher Roni , Arnusch Christopher J.
Published: July 2018

Sericin, a protein waste product of the silk industry, was crosslinked with chitosan, and a chitosan–sericin conjugate (CS) was prepared, characterized and used to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) ions and methyl orange dye from aqueous solutions.
New portable smartphone-based PDMS microfluidic kit for the simultaneous colorimetric detection of arsenic and mercury
Authors: Motalebizadeh Abbas , Bagheri Hasan , Asiaei Sasan , Fekrat Nasim , Afkhami Abbas
Published: July 2018

A smartphone-based microfluidic platform was developed for point-of-care (POC) detection using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of gold nanoparticles (GNPs).
Morpho butterfly-inspired optical diffraction, diffusion, and bio-chemical sensing
Authors: Ahmed Rajib , Ji Xiaochao , Atta Raghied M. H. , Rifat Ahmmed A. , Butt Haider
Published: July 2018

Morpho butterfly-inspired structures were used as optical devices (diffraction, diffusion, etc.). Their optical performance were modelled and studied, revealing their potential for real-life bio-sensing applications.
Endonuclease IV recognizes single base mismatch on the eighth base 3′ to the abasic site in DNA strands for ultra-selective and sensitive mutant-type DNA detection
Authors: Xu Jiaju , Fu Yanqiao , Xiao Yan
Published: July 2018

Endonuclease IV discriminates single basic mismatch in +8 position towards abasic site, which enables the detection of mutations in abundance of 0.01%.
Exploration of the modification of carbon-based substrate surfaces in aqueous rechargeable zinc ion batteries
Authors: Xin Jing , Liu Chang , Qiu Ziwen , Zhou Jingjing , Wang Qian , Liu Yang , Guo Bingkun
Published: July 2018

Oxygen-containing groups can be introduced to carbon paper surfaces by acidification. They improve the electrochemical performances and affect the charge-discharge behaviors of the MnO2/CP cathode by reducing the interface resistance.
Evaluation of performance and microbial community successional patterns in an integrated OCO reactor under ZnO nanoparticle stress
Authors: Liu Zhenghui , Zhou Huifang , Liu Jiefeng , Huang Mei , Yin Xudong , Liu Zhisen , Mao Yufeng , Xie Wenyu , Li Dehao
Published: July 2018

An integrated OCO reactor was used to investigate the performance and microbial community successional changes under a long-term exposure to relatively low-level ZnO nanoparticles (NPs).
Conversion of dilute nitrous oxide (N2O) in N2 and N2–O2 mixtures by plasma and plasma-catalytic processes
Authors: Fan Xing , Kang Sijing , Li Jian , Zhu Tianle
Published: July 2018

Production and conversion of N2O occur simultaneously, with production and conversion being dominant at room and high temperature, respectively.
A and B site doping of a phonon-glass perovskite oxide thermoelectric
Authors: Daniels L. M. , Ling S. , Savvin S. N. , Pitcher M. J. , Dyer M. S. , Claridge J. B. , Slater B. , Corà F. , Alaria J. , Rosseinsky M. J.
Published: July 2018

The effect of structural symmetry is investigated in phonon-glass electron-crystal (PGEC) La1−yKyTiO3 and La0.5K0.5Ti1−zNbzO3 thermoelectric oxides
Three applications of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of semiconductor thin films: spectroelectrochemistry, microscopy, and identification of thermal contributions
Authors: Knowles Kathryn E. , Koch Melissa D. , Shelton Jacob L.
Published: July 2018

This review highlights recent developments in three applications of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to solution-processed semiconductor thin films: spectroelectrochemistry, microscopy, and identification of thermal contributions to transient absorption spectra.
Age-associated methylation change of CHI promoter in herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall)
Authors: Wu Yanqing , Liu Lei , Zhao Daqiu , Tao Jun
Published: July 2018

Chalcone isomerase gene (CHI) is a key gene that regulates the formation of yellow traits in petals. To reveal transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of CHI gene in petals of Paeonia lactiflora, we investigated the CHI expression using qPCR, the pigment content by HPLC, and methylation levels using BSP+Miseq sequencing in ‘Huangjinlun’ variety during different developmental stages including flower-bud stage (S1), initiating bloom (S2), bloom stage (S3), and withering stage (S4). Results showed that the expression level of CHI gene at S2 stage was significantly higher than that at other stages (P<0.05), and at S4 stage was extremely significantly lower than other stages (P<0.01). Besides, total anthocyanin, anthoxanthin, and flavonoid contents in petals presented a similar trend with CHI expression during developmental stages. A total of 16 CpG sites varying methylation levels were detected in CHI gene core promoter region, of which the methylation levels at mC-4 and mC-16 sites were extremely significantly negatively correlated with CHI mRNA expression (P<0.01). mC-16 site is located in the binding region of C/EBPα transcription factor, suggesting that methylation at the mC-16 site may inhibit the binding of C/EBPα to CHI promoter DNA, thereby regulating the tissue-specific expression of CHI gene. Our study revealed the expression pattern of CHI gene in petal tissues of P. lactiflora at different developmental stages, which is related to promoter methylation. Moreover, the important transcription regulation element–C/EBPα was identified, providing theoretical reference for in-depth study on the function of CHI gene in P. lactiflora.
Laboratory tests of soil-shell structures made of GRP - an evaluation of the soil medium
Authors: Abel Tomasz
Published: July 2018

Soil-shell structures have been widely used for many years in road and network constructions where there are collisions of transport linear structures. A benefit of using such structures is the speed of construction and the durability of the materials used. Despite the wide use of different types of materials, in particular steel shells, new material solutions are still being sought. One material that has been used successfully for many years in the construction of underground network facilities is plastic from the group of duroplasts. Composite profiles with cross-sections reaching up to 3.0 m can be used in the construction of pipe culverts. These culverts are not only objects with a circular cross-section shape, but also other shapes with very good hydraulic parameters and high strength parameters. In order to determine the dependence between the strength of a composite shell and the surrounding soil, a series of tests of laboratory models made in a natural scale were carried out. The aim of the research was to determine the possibility of using duroplastic structures as culverts located under traffic routes, and to also determine the scope of cooperation of the structure with the soil medium and their mutual dependencies.
The possibility of implementing solutions for selected sustainable development goals at passenger airports
Authors: Bąk Joanna
Published: July 2018

Every modern city in the 21st century should enable its residents to quickly and easily move to other cities within the country, Europe and the world. This is very often implemented through air transport. An inseparable element of this type of conveyance is the presence of facilities such as airports in the vicinity of cities. In 2015, a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals [1] was established by the United Nations. Their task is, inter alia, environmental protection. These goals should also be taken into account in the management of passenger airports. The article presents a critical review of the feasibility of selected sustainable development goals through solutions in the field of environmental engineering. These include green walls and roofs, the use of renewable energy, and devices that effectively save water and energy. Then, an analysis of the possibilities of their application at passenger airports was carried out. The use of devices increasing the efficiency to achieve sustainable development goals for already implemented solutions was also taken into account. Sometimes a simple and inexpensive investment can significantly improve the quality of natural resources protection.
Cooperation of the Organic Rankine system with a cogeneration steam power plant - case study
Authors: Bryszewska-Mazurek Anna , Mazurek Wojciech
Published: July 2018

The cooperation of the ORC system with a cogeneration steam power plant has been considered. A district heating network is supplied from a bleeder turbine. An ORC system can utilize redundant heat, especially during the summer season, when only domestic hot water needs are served. The aim of the study was a selection of an extraction steam flow to produce the maximum electric power in an ORC system and also to cover the changing heating demand in the district heating network under consideration. Various values of extraction steam flows obtained from the bleeder turbine were considered. For a given extraction steam flow, the optimum ORC size has been adjusted. The average annual efficiency of the ORC was estimated at 0,12 (for the cyclic temperatures 120/35°C). The shortest simple payback time has been estimated at 4 years, assuming that heat from the bleeder turbine meats the heating demand throughout the year and thus the ORC system also operates throughout the year.
Experimental investigation of a heat pipe heat exchanger for heat recovery
Authors: Bryszewska-Mazurek Anna , Mazurek Wojciech
Published: July 2018

An air-to-air heat pipe heat exchanger has been designed, constructed and tested. Gravity-assisted wickless heat pipes (thermosiphons) were used to transfer heat from one air stream to another air stream, with a low temperature difference. A thermosiphon heat exchanger has its evaporation zone below the condensation zone. Heat pipes allow keeping a more uniform temperature in the heat transfer area. The heat exchanger consists of 20 copper tubes with circular copper fins on their outer surface. The tubes were arranged in a row and the air passed across the pipes. R245fa was used as a working fluid in the thermosiphons. Each heat pipe had a 40 cm evaporation section, a 20 cm adiabatic section and a 40 cm condensation section. The thermosiphon heat exchanger has been tested in different conditions of air stream parameters (flows, temperatures and humidity). The air face velocity ranged from 1,0 m/s to 4,0 m/s. The maximum thermal efficiency of the thermosiphon heat exchanger was between 26÷40%, depending on the air velocity. The freezing of moisture from indoor air was observed when the cold air temperature was below - 13°C.
Possibilities for using solar energy to fulfil the energy needs of buildings in the city centre
Authors: Bujarkiewicz Adam , Sztubecki Jacek
Published: July 2018

Historical buildings in the centre of European cities are characterized by compact built-up areas with diversified heights of buildings, most often with multi-sloped roofs. Architectural elements, dormers, chimneys and bay windows, cause limitations in the availability of surface area for solar installations. The paper presents the results of an analysis for possibilities in meeting energy requirements with the use of solar energy for old-town buildings in the centre of Bydgoszcz. Based on the calculations made, it was determined that the dense downtown development has a very large roof surface, however, the vicinity of buildings, roof slope angles, and obstacles cause significant restrictions on the location of such installations. The article analyzes selected fragments of the Downtown district. The height of buildings, their shape and the surface of their roofs and all the obstacles that occur there were taken into account. The conclusions concern an assessment of the possibility of using the potential of solar energy in this type of building. The efficiency of solar installations and the losses associated with energy conversion and transmission to customers is also included.
Iron compounds and a magnetic field as the conditioning agents for municipal sewage sludge
Authors: Hrut Kamila , Kamizela Tomasz
Published: July 2018

The purpose of the research was to determine the possibility of using a magnetic field as a factor supporting the conditioning of municipal sewage sludge prepared using a chemical method. In order to condition the sludge, PIX 113 iron coagulant or Fe3O4 nanoparticles were used. Two types of organic flocculants: medium cationic Superfloc ® C-494 and high cationic Superfloc ® C-496 were also applied. For the various test combinations a capillary suction time test was performed, the specific resistance to filtration and the final filtration of the filter cakes were determined. For selected combinations, a quality of supernatants analysis was also performed, the measure of which was the COD values. The results show, that in the dual chemical conditioning method, the use of PIX 113 coagulant was more favorable than the nanoparticles Fe3O4. The influence of a magnetic field on the susceptibility to the dewatering of the tested sludge was variable, depending on process parameters such as the flow direction and flow rate through the solenoid. The type of polyelectrolyte used in the conditioning method with magnetic field action was also significant.
Methodological approaches for the state as well as a prospect analysis of the development of city water supply systems
Authors: Hurynovich Anatoly , Baitsou Vitali
Published: July 2018

The need to develop methodological approaches for an analysis of the state, as well as the prospects for the development, of water supply systems in small towns is due to a comprehensive assessment of problems and the need to solve problems related to the optimization of current costs and investments. The main stages of research are considered, the result of which is the development of measures to optimize and intensify water supply systems. Methodological approaches are proposed that make it possible to obtain mathematical models adequate to the existing hydraulics of the system to the maximum possible extent: the water supply network-pumping stations-water wells. The studies are based on the use of modern information technologies for the collection of data and their processing, as well as the development of technical solutions.
The spatial planning of industrial areas in an urbanized area for cargo, in the development of inland waterway transport
Authors: Jerzyło Patrycja , Wawrzyńska Aleksandra
Published: July 2018

Spatial planning, taking into account the configuration of the surface, i.e. its shape (relief) and the presence and mutual location of objects and points of characteristic water ports, is a derivative of several natural, economic, market, technical, social and political factors. It depends on the destination port, the planned structure of trade in cargo, the forecasted traffic of ships, passageways, the technology of reloading used, as well as on the anticipated demand for the development of shipping and trade by sea and inland waterway. The article analyzes the transport accessibility of the Port of Gdynia through the construction of a dock to determine the proposals for improving the conditions of transported cargo.
Differences in the ASM model caused by data structure
Authors: Kowalewski Zbigniew
Published: July 2018

The process of designing and exploiting municipal sewage treatment plants has become much simpler and more efficient thanks to mathematical modeling. The ASM model family is able to simulate the operation of existing or designed objects in a satisfactory manner. The basic problem in Poland is the insufficient amount of data for simulations coming from plant monitoring. It is provided to create unstable model results with difficulties in calibration and validation. The aim of this article is to confirm how the amount of data and its completeness will affect the quality of the simulation performed in the ASM model. The study object is a sewage treatment plant located in Chicago in the USA. It is a sewage treatment plant operating with activated sludge technology, with regular monitoring of the quality of raw and treated wastewater. For modeling, a variant of the ASM model built into the BioWin 5.2 software was used.
The benefits, synergies and conflicts of green design in urban policy, a case study of Kosice city
Authors: Poorova Zuzana , Vranayova Zuzana
Published: July 2018

The end of climate change must begin with cities. 75% of Europe's population chooses the city as a place to reside. How does one maximize the supply of fresh air and provide enough green areas for built-up areas? Cities are growing fast, strengthening the effects of thermal islands by sealing the spaces, removing natural habitats and creating heat. The principle of green design is a response to many questions. But the question remains, what is green design? Designing healthy cities, bringing nature, greenery and water into urban areas, covering building roofs with soil, integrating wilderness, building green roofs and walls, water retention and recycling? The paper explains the problematic new term "sponge city" using a case study of the green roofs in Kosice.
The impact of selected heat pumps on CO2 emissions
Authors: Rabczak Sławomir , Proszak-Miąsik Danuta
Published: July 2018

The increase in energy consumption in the world, with the decreasing resources of conventional energy, is increasingly leading to campaigns aimed at limiting the acquisition of energy from non-renewable sources to intensify the use of alternative energy sources. The paper presents the possibilities of obtaining heat energy using a heat pump for heating purposes, ventilation and hot water preparation. Hot heat sources for the heat pump are discussed and their energy possibilities in relation to the geographical conditions of the territory of Poland. Variants of heat pump cooperation with renewable sources in the form of air, soil and water were adopted for analysis. Two cases of co-operation of the ground collector with the heat pump are also considered, in the form of vertical and horizontal wells of the heat exchanger type. Based on the known methodology of seasonal heat demand, the final and primary energy consumption was determined for each analyzed case together with auxiliary energy. Based on the calculations carried out, the final emission of carbon dioxide was determined for individual cases and they were compared with the emission that would be generated when producing heat using a gas boiler and heating network.