bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential of FBC fly ashes to reduce CO2 emissions
Authors: Uliasz-Bocheńczyk Alicja , Mokrzycki Eugeniusz
Published: June 2020

The production of electricity and heat in Poland is the reason why the commercial power industry is the largest emitter of CO2. At the same time, significant amounts of solid by-products of combustion, which can be used to bind CO2 by mineral carbonation, are generated during the production processes. The article presents the results of research on mineral sequestration of CO2 (suspension-CO2) using fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes from hard coal combustion. The analyzed fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes were characterized by a significant free CaO content (1.7–6.8%) and a high CO2 binding potential ranging from 9.7 to 15.7%. In the case of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes suspensions, the basic product of the carbonation process is calcium carbonate, which is clearly indicated by the results of the phase composition determination of solidified suspensions of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes. The degree of carbonation, i.e. the degree of CO2 binding, calculated on the basis of the calcium carbonate content, in the analyzed suspensions was up to 1.1%. Mineral carbonation also reduces the leachability of pollutants such as: Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cl, and SO42-. The pH is also reduced from about 12 to about 9. Aqueous suspensions of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes with introduced CO2 can potentially be used in underground mining. These activities are in line with the concepts of Carbon Capture and Utilization and the idea of circular economy.
Geochemical evidence for a widespread mantle re-enrichment 3.2 billion years ago: implications for global-scale plate tectonics
Authors: Gamal El Dien Hamed , Doucet Luc S. , Murphy J. Brendan , Li Zheng-Xiang
Published: June 2020

Progressive mantle melting during the Earth’s earliest evolution led to the formation of a depleted mantle and a continental crust enriched in highly incompatible elements. Re-enrichment of Earth’s mantle can occur when continental crustal materials begin to founder into the mantle by either subduction or, to a lesser degree, by delamination processes, profoundly affecting the mantle’s trace element and volatile compositions. Deciphering when mantle re-enrichment/refertilization became a global-scale process would reveal the onset of efficient mass transfer of crust to the mantle and potentially when plate tectonic processes became operative on a global-scale. Here we document the onset of mantle re-enrichment/refertilization by comparing the abundances of petrogenetically significant isotopic values and key ratios of highly incompatible elements compared to lithophile elements in Archean to Early-Proterozoic mantle-derived melts (i.e., basalts and komatiites). Basalts and komatiites both record a rapid-change in mantle chemistry around 3.2 billion years ago (Ga) signifying a fundamental change in Earth geodynamics. This rapid-change is recorded in Nd isotopes and in key trace element ratios that reflect a fundamental shift in the balance between fluid-mobile and incompatible elements (i.e., Ba/La, Ba/Nb, U/Nb, Pb/Nd and Pb/Ce) in basaltic and komatiitic rocks. These geochemical proxies display a significant increase in magnitude and variability after ~3.2 Ga. We hypothesize that rapid increases in mantle heterogeneity indicate the recycling of supracrustal materials back into Earth’s mantle via subduction. Our new observations thus point to a ≥ 3.2 Ga onset of global subduction processes via plate tectonics.
Persistence of plastic debris and its colonization by bacterial communities after two decades on the abyssal seafloor
Authors: Krause S. , Molari M. , Gorb E. V. , Gorb S. N. , Kossel E. , Haeckel M.
Published: June 2020

The fate of plastic debris entering the oceans is largely unconstrained. Currently, intensified research is devoted to the abiotic and microbial degradation of plastic floating near the ocean surface for an extended period of time. In contrast, the impacts of environmental conditions in the deep sea on polymer properties and rigidity are virtually unknown. Here, we present unique results of plastic items identified to have been introduced into deep-sea sediments at a water depth of 4150 m in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean more than two decades ago. The results, including optical, spectroscopic, physical and microbial analyses, clearly demonstrate that the bulk polymer materials show no apparent sign of physical or chemical degradation. Solely the polymer surface layers showed reduced hydrophobicity, presumably caused by microbial colonization. The bacterial community present on the plastic items differed significantly (p < 0.1%) from those of the adjacent natural environment by a dominant presence of groups requiring steep redox gradients (Mesorhizobium, Sulfurimonas) and a remarkable decrease in diversity. The establishment of chemical gradients across the polymer surfaces presumably caused these conditions. Our findings suggest that plastic is stable over extended times under deep-sea conditions and that prolonged deposition of polymer items at the seafloor may induce local oxygen depletion at the sediment-water interface.
Individual Calculation of Effective Dose and Risk of Malignancy Based on Monte Carlo Simulations after Whole Body Computed Tomography
Authors: Kopp Markus , Loewe Tobias , Wuest Wolfgang , Brand Michael , Wetzl Matthias , Nitsch Wolfram , Schmidt Daniela , Beck Michael , Schmidt Bernhard , Uder Michael , May Matthias
Published: June 2020

Detailed knowledge about radiation exposure is crucial for radiology professionals. The conventional calculation of effective dose (ED) for computed tomography (CT) is based on dose length product (DLP) and population-based conversion factors (k). This is often imprecise and unable to consider individual patient characteristics. We sought to provide more precise and individual radiation exposure calculation using image based Monte Carlo simulations (MC) in a heterogeneous patient collective and to compare it to phantom based MC provided from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as academic reference. Dose distributions were simulated for 22 patients after whole-body CT during Positron Emission Tomography-CT. Based on MC we calculated individual Lifetime Attributable Risk (LAR) and Excess Relative Risk (ERR) of cancer mortality. EDMC was compared to EDDLP and EDNCI. EDDLP (13.2 ± 4.5 mSv) was higher compared to EDNCI (9.8 ± 2.1 mSv) and EDMC (11.6 ± 1.5 mSv). Relative individual differences were up to −48% for EDMC and −44% for EDNCI compared to EDDLP. Matching pair analysis illustrates that young age and gender are affecting LAR and ERR significantly. Because of these uncertainties in radiation dose assessment automated individual dose and risk estimation would be desirable for dose monitoring in the future.
Uptake and utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as related to yield advantage in maize-soybean intercropping under different row configurations
Authors: Fan Yuanfang , Wang Zhonglin , Liao Dunping , Raza Muhammad Ali , Wang Beibei , Zhang Jiawei , Chen Junxu , Feng Lingyang , Wu Xiaoling , Liu Chunyan , Yang Wenyu , Yang Feng
Published: June 2020

Intercropping advantage occurs only when each species has adequate time and space to maximize cooperation and minimize competition between them. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years between 2013 and 2014 to investigate the effects of maize and soybean relay strip intercropping systems on the uptake and utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The treatments included “40:160” (T1, maize narrow and wide row spacing of 40 and 160 cm, where two rows of soybean with a 40 cm row were planted in the wide rows. The area occupation ratio of maize and soybean both were 50% of the every experimental block), “80:120” (T2, maize narrow and wide row spacing of 80 and 120 cm, the soybean planting was the same as T1 treatment. The area occupation ratio of maize and soybean were 60% and 40% of the every experimental block), “100:100” (T3, one row of maize and one row of soybean with a 100-cm row. The area occupation ratio of maize and soybean was the same as T1 treatment), sole cropping of maize (CK1, The area occupation ratio of maize was 100% of the every experimental block), and sole cropping of soybean (CK2, The area occupation ratio of soybean was 100% of the every experimental block). The results show that, compared with the sole cropping system (sole maize), the economic yields in T1, T2, and T3 treatments increased by 761, 536, and 458 kg·ha−1, respectively, and the biological yields increased by 2410, 2127, and 1588 kg·ha−1. The uptake and utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in T1, T2, and T3 treatments were significantly higher than those in sole crops, and the nutrient advantage is mainly due to nutrient uptake rather than nutrient use efficiency. The land equivalent ratio values in T1, T2, and T3 treatments were 1.43, 1.32, and 1.20, respectively. In particular, the economic and biological yield in T1 treatment exhibited potential as an intercropping pattern.
Brain transcriptomics of agonistic behaviour in the weakly electric fish Gymnotus omarorum, a wild teleost model of non-breeding aggression
Authors: Eastman Guillermo , Valiño Guillermo , Radío Santiago , Young Rebecca L. , Quintana Laura , Zakon Harold H. , Hofmann Hans A. , Sotelo-Silveira José , Silva Ana
Published: June 2020

Differences in social status are often mediated by agonistic encounters between competitors. Robust literature has examined social status-dependent brain gene expression profiles across vertebrates, yet social status and reproductive state are often confounded. It has therefore been challenging to identify the neuromolecular mechanisms underlying social status independent of reproductive state. Weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum, display territorial aggression and social dominance independent of reproductive state. We use wild-derived G. omarorum males to conduct a transcriptomic analysis of non-breeding social dominance relationships. After allowing paired rivals to establish a dominance hierarchy, we profiled the transcriptomes of brain sections containing the preoptic area (region involved in regulating aggressive behaviour) in dominant and subordinate individuals. We identified 16 differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.05) and numerous genes that co-varied with behavioural traits. We also compared our results with previous reports of differential gene expression in other teleost species. Overall, our study establishes G. omarorum as a powerful model system for understanding the neuromolecular bases of social status independent of reproductive state.
Diagnostic Accuracy and Confidence of [18F] FDG PET/MRI in comparison with PET or MRI alone in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Park Jisang , Pak Kyoungjune , Yun Tae Jin , Lee Eun Kyoung , Ryoo Inseon , Lee Ji Ye , Hwang Inpyeong , Yoo Roh-Eul , Kang Koung Mi , Choi Seung Hong , Sohn Chul-Ho , Cheon Gi Jeong , Kim Ji-hoon
Published: June 2020

The usefulness of PET/MRI in head and neck malignancy has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and confidence of PET/MRI in comparison with PET or MRI alone. This study included 73 consecutive patients who underwent [18F] FDG PET/MRI in head and neck under the suspicion of malignancy. A neuroradiologist and a nuclear medicine specialist reviewed MRI and PET images, respectively and independently, followed by a consensus review of PET/MRI one month later. For 134 lesions, accuracy and confidence were compared among PET, MRI, and PET/MRI. For lesion base, PET/MRI had a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 89.1%, a PPV of 89.6%, a negative predictive value of 85.1%, and an accuracy of 87.3%. AUCs of PET/MRI per lesion (0.926) and per patient (0.934) for diagnosing malignancy were higher than PET (0.847 and 0.747, respectively) or MRI (0.836 and 0.798, respectively) alone (P < 0.05). More than 80% of the cases (111/134) showed diagnostic concordance between PET and MRI. PPV of PET/MRI was higher in malignant concordant cases (93.2%, 55/59) than in discordant cases (62.5%, 5/8) (p = 0.040). Confident scoring rate in malignant concordant cases was higher on PET/MRI (96.6%, 57/59) than on MRI (76.3%, 45/59) (p = 0.003). In conclusion, compared with PET or MRI alone, PET/MRI presents better diagnostic performance in accuracy and confidence for diagnosis of malignancy. PET/MRI is useful in patients with head and neck cancer.
Pro-inflammatory markers and fatigue in patients with depression: A case-control study
Authors: Pedraz-Petrozzi Bruno , Neumann Elena , Sammer Gebhard
Published: June 2020

The aim of this work was to investigate differences between depressed subjects (PG) and non-depressed healthy control participants (HCG) with regard to fatigue dimensions and inflammation. For this purpose, 43 participants in the PG and 51 participants in the HCG were included in the study. IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and CRP were assessed in venous blood samples. Fatigue and depression were assessed using the FIS-D and BDI-FS questionnaires. Main results showed higher BDI-FS values in PG. Moreover, PG showed mean differences for fatigue dimensions when compared to the HCG. For the pro-inflammatory markers, a moderate group effect was found between PG and HCG which was mainly caused by IL-6. Correlations between TNF-α and BDI-FS, TNF-α and cognitive fatigue, TNF-α and psychosocial fatigue were found within the PG. In the HCG, correlations were found between IL-6, TNF-α and somatic fatigue, as well as IL-6 and cognitive fatigue. Significant correlations were found between the psychological variables in both groups. All results were controlled for the confounding variables gender, age, BMI and multiple comparisons. These results suggest the presence of inflammation in both depression and fatigue. However, each correlates with different pro-inflammatory parameters, suggesting a biological heterogeneity.
Author Correction: Functionally Enigmatic Genes in Cancer: Using TCGA Data to Map the Limitations of Annotations
Authors: Maertens Alexandra , Tran Vy P. , Maertens Mikhail , Kleensang Andre , Luechtefeld Thomas H. , Hartung Thomas , Paller Channing J.
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Jdp2-deficient granule cell progenitors in the cerebellum are resistant to ROS-mediated apoptosis through xCT/Slc7a11 activation
Authors: Ku Chia-Chen , Wuputra Kenly , Kato Kohsuke , Lin Wen-Hsin , Pan Jia-Bin , Tsai Shih-Chieh , Kuo Che-Jung , Lee Kan-Hung , Lee Yan-Liang , Lin Ying-Chu , Saito Shigeo , Noguchi Michiya , Nakamura Yukio , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Eckner Richard , Nagata Kyosuke , Wu Deng-Chyang , Lin Chang-Shen , Yokoyama Kazunari K.
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The hidden land use cost of upscaling cover crops
Authors: Runck Bryan C. , Khoury Colin K. , Ewing Patrick M. , Kantar Michael
Published: June 2020

Cover cropping is considered a cornerstone practice in sustainable agriculture; however, little attention has been paid to the cover crop production supply chain. In this Perspective, we estimate land use requirements to supply the United States maize production area with cover crop seed, finding that across 18 cover crops, on average 2.4% (median 2.1%) of current production area would be required, with the popular cover crops rye and hairy vetch requiring as much as 4.8% and 11.9%, respectively. The latter land requirement is comparable to the annual amount of maize grain lost to disease in the U.S. We highlight avenues for reducing these high land use costs.
Diverse panicle architecture results from various combinations of Prl5/GA20ox4 and Pbl6/APO1 alleles
Authors: Agata Ayumi , Ando Koki , Ota Sadayuki , Kojima Mikiko , Takebayashi Yumiko , Takehara Sayaka , Doi Kazuyuki , Ueguchi-Tanaka Miyako , Suzuki Takamasa , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Matsuoka Makoto , Ashikari Motoyuki , Inukai Yoshiaki , Kitano Hidemi , Hobo Tokunori
Published: June 2020

Panicle architecture directly affects crop productivity and is a key target of high-yield rice breeding. Panicle length strongly affects panicle architecture, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that two quantitative trait loci (QTLs), PANICLE RACHIS LENGTH5 (Prl5) and PRIMARY BRANCH LENGTH6 (Pbl6), independently regulate panicle length in rice. Prl5 encodes a gibberellin biosynthesis enzyme, OsGA20ox4. The expression of Prl5 was higher in young panicles resulting in panicle rachis elongation. Pbl6 is identical to ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION 1 (APO1), encoding an F-box-containing protein. We found a novel function that higher expression of Pbl6 is responsible for primary branch elongation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that these two genes independently regulate panicle length at the level of gene expression. QTL pyramiding of both genes increased panicle length and productivity. By combining these two genes in various combinations, we designed numerous panicle architecture without trade-off relationship.
A multiethnic genome-wide analysis of 44,039 individuals identifies 41 new loci associated with central corneal thickness
Authors: Choquet Hélène , Melles Ronald B. , Yin Jie , Hoffmann Thomas J. , Thai Khanh K. , Kvale Mark N. , Banda Yambazi , Hardcastle Alison J. , Tuft Stephen J. , Glymour M. Maria , Schaefer Catherine , Risch Neil , Nair K. Saidas , Hysi Pirro G. , Jorgenson Eric
Published: June 2020

Central corneal thickness (CCT) is one of the most heritable human traits, with broad-sense heritability estimates ranging between 0.68 to 0.95. Despite the high heritability and numerous previous association studies, only 8.5% of CCT variance is currently explained. Here, we report the results of a multiethnic meta-analysis of available genome-wide association studies in which we find association between CCT and 98 genomic loci, of which 41 are novel. Among these loci, 20 were significantly associated with keratoconus, and one (RAPSN rs3740685) was significantly associated with glaucoma after Bonferroni correction. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis suggests that thinner CCT does not causally increase the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. This large CCT study explains up to 14.2% of CCT variance and increases substantially our understanding of the etiology of CCT variation. This may open new avenues of investigation into human ocular traits and their relationship to the risk of vision disorders.
Instantaneous fibrillation of egg white proteome with ionic liquid and macromolecular crowding
Authors: Bharmoria Pankaj , Mondal Dibyendu , Pereira Matheus M. , Neves Márcia C. , Almeida Mafalda R. , Gomes Maria C. , Mano João F. , Bdikin Igor , Ferreira Rute A. S. , Coutinho João A. P. , Freire Mara G.
Published: June 2020

The wide application of protein fibrils as functional materials has been restricted by the limited scalability of fibrillation methods, slow kinetics, and use of expensive purified proteins. Herein, inspired by the biological cooperativity of proteins in macro-molecularly crowded environments, these restrictions have been overcome. Using ionic liquid cholinium tosylate that acts as a fibrillation agent, instantaneous production of protein fibrils is shown directly from a real and low-cost matrix, i.e. egg white. The fibrillation of egg white proteome is confirmed by microscopy, whereas the fibrillation kinetics is monitored by fluorescence changes of the thioflavin T dye and secondary structural transitions. Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies are used to identify the proteins involved and to appraise the molecular-level mechanisms ruling the proteins structural changes upon fibrillation. The obtained fibrils have enhanced mechanical stiffness and cytocompatibility, demonstrating their potential to act as improved enzyme supports.
Differentiating the role of organic additives to assemble open framework aluminosilicates using INS spectroscopy
Authors: Nearchou Antony , Armstrong Jeff , Butler Keith T. , Raithby Paul R. , Sartbaeva Asel
Published: June 2020

Uneasy lies a pore that bears a crown – INS study on crown-ether containing zeolites.
Proline derived guanidine catalysts forge extensive H-bonded architectures: a solution and solid state study
Authors: Al-Taie Zahraa S. , Anetts Simon R. , Christensen Jeppe , Coles Simon J. , Horton Peter N. , Evans Daniel M. , Jones Leigh F. , de Kleijne Frank F. J. , Ledbetter Shaun M. , Mehdar Yassin T. H. , Murphy Patrick J. , Wilson Jack A.
Published: June 2020

Catalysts assemble! We present the design and synthesis of a large family of amino acid derived guanidine organic moieties as catalysts in the solution state and building blocks towards extended H-bonded architectures upon crystallisation.
Evaluation of the electroanalytical performance of carbon-on-gold films prepared by electron-beam evaporation
Authors: Nguyen Thuy P. , McCreery Richard L. , McDermott Mark T.
Published: June 2020

Without any pretreatment, carbon-on-gold film electrodes prepared by electron-beam evaporation exhibit low background current and insignificant quinone adsorption while providing fast electron transfer kinetics in comparison with glassy carbon.
Boronic acid-functionalized mesoporous magnetic particles with a hydrophilic surface for the multimodal enrichment of glycopeptides for glycoproteomics
Authors: Yang Lujie , Zhang Quanqing , Huang Yuanyu , Lin Ling , Schlüter Hartmut , Wang Ke , Zhang Cuiping , Yang Pengyuan , Yu Hongxiu
Published: June 2020

Boronic acid-functionalized mesoporous magnetic particles with a hydrophilic surface for multimodal enrichment of glycopeptides for glycoproteomics.
Online capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry analysis of histatin-5 and its degradation products
Authors: Lamp Jared , Ikonomova Svetlana P. , Karlsson Amy J. , Xia Qiangwei , Wang Yan
Published: June 2020

Histatin-5 (Hst-5) is a human salivary peptide with antibacterial and antifungal activities. A novel capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry (CE-MS) method is developed to address issues related to highly basic and cationic nature of Hst-5.
Preparative purification of corilagin from Phyllanthus by combining ionic liquid extraction, prep-HPLC, and precipitation
Authors: Hou Xiaodong , Cheng Zitao , Wang Jiao
Published: June 2020

A new rapid and green process to efficiently prepare corilagin on a large scale.
New strategy for precise cancer therapy: tumor-specific delivery of mitochondria-targeting photodynamic therapy agents and in situ O2-generation in hypoxic tumors
Authors: Chen Huachao , He Chengkun , Chen Tianyi , Xue Xuling
Published: June 2020

This work reports new ROS-responsive and O2-producing nanoparticles to achieve selective and mitochondria-targeted PDT for cancer treatment against hypoxic tumors.
Solvent dispersion triggered the formation of NiFe-gel as an efficient electrocatalyst for enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Wang Hongkai , Zhu Weihuang , Xue Qi , Wang Changhao , Liu Kaiqiang
Published: June 2020

The solvent dispersion triggered gelation for a Ni2.0Fe-gel catalyst has a specific surface area of 216.9 m2g−1, and its overpotential in an alkaline electrolyte can reach a lower value with 245 mV at 10 mA cm−2than commercial metal RuO2.
Lighting up metallohelices: from DNA binders to chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Xuezhao , Shi Zhuolin , Wu Jinguo , Wu Jinlong , He Cheng , Hao Xiaorou , Duan Chunying
Published: June 2020

DNA distortion induced by metallodrugs is one of the main subjects for drug design. In this Feature Article, the developments of DNA-targeted metallohelices for antitumor chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy are presented with future perspectives.
A highly sensitive enzyme-less glucose sensor based on pnictogens and silver shell–gold core nanorod composites
Authors: Chia Hui Ling , Mayorga-Martinez Carmen C. , Gusmão Rui , Novotny Filip , Webster Richard D. , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2020

A novel pnictogen-based composite, pnictogen–Au@AgNRs, for the development of a highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor.
Practical and regioselective halo-trifluoromethylthiolation of sulfur ylides
Authors: Qin Hongmei , Jia Yimin , Wang Na , Jiang Zhong-Xing , Yang Zhigang
Published: June 2020

A regioselective trifluoromethylthiolation based on the 1,1-difunctionalization of sulfur ylides has been developed for the preparation of Cl/Br-containing trifluoromethylthiolated derivatives.
Catalytic conversion of ketones to esters via C(O)–C bond cleavage under transition-metal free conditions
Authors: Subaramanian Murugan , Ramar Palmurukan M. , Rana Jagannath , Gupta Virendra Kumar , Balaraman Ekambaram
Published: June 2020

The catalytic conversion of ketones to esters via C(O)–C bond cleavage under transition-metal free conditions is reported.
Ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of dopamine by a NiFeP based flexible electrochemical sensor
Authors: Thakur Neha , Chaturvedi Akansha , Mandal Debaprasad , Nagaiah Tharamani C.
Published: June 2020

An ultrasensitive novel NiFeP based flexible electrochemical sensor was developed for highly selective detection of dopamine.
Design of a heterometallic Zn/Ca-MOF decorated with alkoxy groups on the pore surface exhibiting high fluorescence sensing performance for Fe3+ and Cr2O72−
Authors: Ji Wen-Juan , Liu Gui-Fang , Wang Bing-Qiang , Lu Wen-Bo , Zhai Quan-Guo
Published: June 2020

Reported herein is a heterometallic Zn/Ca-MOF decorated with alkoxy groups on the pore surface exhibiting high fluorescence sensing performance for Fe3+ and Cr2O72−.
In situobservation of charge transfer and crystal field formationviahigh energy resolution X-ray spectroscopy during temperature programmed oxidation
Authors: Wach Anna , Błachucki Wojciech , Czapla-Masztafiak Joanna , Abreu Fernandes Daniel Luis , Banaś Dariusz , Wojtaszek Klaudia , Tyrala Krzysztof , Kwiatek Wojciech M. , Sá Jacinto , Szlachetko Jakub
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we demonstrated how high energy resolution resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy can be employed to study the charge transfer dynamics in real-time during the temperature-induced oxidation of metallic tungsten.
A discrete Cu2(Pd-bpy)2L2 heterometallic compound with superoxide dismutase enzyme like activity
Authors: Mishra Soumya , Paital Biswaranjan , Sahoo Himansu Sekhar , Pati Samar Gaurav , Tripathy Debakanta , Debata Niladri Bihari
Published: June 2020

An aqueous soluble discrete heterometallic compound consisting of Cu(ii) and Pd(ii) units with SOD mimicking activity has been demonstrated.
A frontier Zn- and N-rich complex grafted onto reduced graphene oxide for the electrocatalysis of dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Yu Yuan-Hsiang , Wang Wun-Shiuan , Hu Yu-Chung , Lin Xiao-Yuan , Tsai Chih-Hung , Shih Chun-Jyun , Huang Wei-Chih , Peng Shie-Ming , Lee Gene-Hsiang
Published: June 2020

A soluble small molecule nitrogen-rich zinc-organic framework for a graphene-based high-efficiency electrocatalytic electrode.
Nano-sized iron oxides supported on polyester textile to remove fluoroquinolones in hospital wastewater
Authors: Coulibaly Gnougon Nina , Rtimi Sami , Assadi Aymen Amin , Hanna Khalil
Published: June 2020

Nano-sized iron oxides supported on textile is successfully used for PMS activation and thus flumequine and ciprofloxacin removal in hospital wastewater under visible light.
Detecting hydrogen peroxide reliably in water via ion chromatography: a method evaluation update and comparison in the presence of interfering components
Authors: Huang Yuanxi , Wang Lei , Chen Baiyang , Zhang Qi , Zhu Rongshu
Published: June 2020

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in complex water matrix can be detected reliably by ion chromatography (IC) due to its superior separation ability.
Assessing the economic viability of wetland remediation of wastewater, and the potential for parallel biomass valorisation
Authors: Firth Anton E. J. , Mac Dowell Niall , Fennell Paul S. , Hallett Jason P.
Published: June 2020

Remediation costs for BOD removal, varying with flow rate and influent concentration, for two different effluent concentrations.
Studying the effects of sea cucumber ovum powder on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by proteomics techniques in a rat model
Authors: Han Binsong , Jian Yaqiong , Xia Xubin , Hu Wei , Zhang Lina , Zhou Peng
Published: June 2020

Sea cucumber ovum could alleviate NAFLD in a rat model, and Fadd, Dci and Aif1 were shown to be key proteins.
Glucose oxidation to formic acid and methyl formate in perfect selectivity
Authors: Maerten Stephanie , Kumpidet Chiraphat , Voß Dorothea , Bukowski Anna , Wasserscheid Peter , Albert Jakob
Published: June 2020

We report the highly remarkable discovery that glucose oxidation catalysed by polyoxometalates in methanolic solution enables formation of formic acid and methyl formate in close to 100% combined selectivity, thus with only negligible sugar oxidation to CO2.
A metal-free heterogeneous photocatalyst for the selective oxidative cleavage of CC bonds in aryl olefinsviaharvesting direct solar energy
Authors: Zhang Yu , Hatami Nareh , Lange Niklas Simon , Ronge Emanuel , Schilling Waldemar , Jooss Christian , Das Shoubhik
Published: June 2020

A mild protocol has been developed using polymeric carbon nitrides (PCN) as metal-free heterogeneous photocatalyst to convert olefins into the corresponding carbonyls which even can be applied in the gram scale synthesis using direct solar energy.
E-factor analysis of a pilot plant for end-to-end integrated continuous manufacturing (ICM) of pharmaceuticals
Authors: Hu Chuntian , Testa Christopher J. , Born Stephen C. , Wu Wei , Shvedova Khrystyna , Sayin Ridade , Halkude Bhakti S. , Casati Federica , Ramnath Anjana , Hermant Paul , Takizawa Bayan , O'Connor Thomas F. , Yang Xiaochuan , Ramanujam Sukumar , Mascia Salvatore
Published: June 2020

Much less waste was generated by the end-to-end Integrated Continuous Manufacturing (ICM) process compared to the batch process.
Beyond linearity: bent crystalline copper nanowires in the small-to-moderate regime
Authors: Martine Jacob , Lawitzki Robert , Ma Wenhao , Everett Christopher , Schmitz Guido , Csiszár Gábor
Published: June 2020

The model proposed here adequately describes the bending phenomenon with terms accounting for the geometrical- and mechanical non-linearity as global features of a moderately large elastic deformation.
Highly sensitive electrode materials for the voltammetric determination of nitrofurantoin based on zinc cobaltate nanosheets
Authors: Koventhan Chelliah , Vinothkumar Venkatachalam , Chen Shen-Ming , Sangili Arumugam
Published: June 2020

Schematic illustration of the electrocatalytic activity of nitrofurantoin (NFT) on ZnCo2O4 nanosheets.
Rod-like BODIPY nanomaterials with enhanced photodynamic activity
Authors: Wang Shuo , Du Yechao , Zhang Jianxu , Chen Guang
Published: June 2020

Self-assembled nanorods are stable in aqueous solution and demonstrate better imaging and stronger PDT effects compared to spherical nanoparticles.
Anisotropic, low-tortuosity and ultra-thick red P@C-Wood electrodes for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Han Longfei , Wang Junling , Mu Xiaowei , Liao Can , Cai Wei , Zhao Zhixin , Kan Yongchun , Xing Weiyi , Hu Yuan
Published: June 2020

Red phosphorus (P) is considered to be the most suitable electrode for sodium-ion batteries due to its low cost, earth abundance and high theoretical capacity.
Confined polymerisation of bis-thyminyl monomers within nanoreactors: towards molecular weight control
Authors: Alqarni Yanallah , Ishizuka Fumi , Bell Toby D. M. , Tabor Rico F. , Zetterlund Per B. , Saito Kei
Published: June 2020

Controlling polymer molecular weight by topochemical polymerisation inside nanoreactors.
Integration of perovskite type Bi2MoO6 nanosheets onto one dimensional CdS: a type-II heterostructured photocatalytic system for efficient charge separation in the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Chava Rama Krishna , Son Namgyu , Kim Yang Soo , Kang Misook
Published: June 2020

Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were assembled onto CdS nanorods and the resultant CdS-Bi2MoO6 core–shell heterostructures were utilized for efficient H2 evolution reaction.
Functionalization of fullerene materials toward applications in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Jia Lingbo , Chen Muqing , Yang Shangfeng
Published: June 2020

This review summarizes the recent progress of fullerene derivatives applied in perovskite solar cells, unveiling the correlation between the chemical structures of fullerene derivatives, especially the addend groups, and their performance.
Synthesis of indium oxide microparticles using aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Alam Firoz , Lewis David J.
Published: June 2020

Microparticles of indium oxide (In2O3) are deposited on glass substrates at 500 °C using aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD).
RsmG forms stable complexes with premature small subunit rRNA during bacterial ribosome biogenesis
Authors: Abedeera Sudeshi M. , Hawkins Caitlin M. , Abeysirigunawardena Sanjaya C.
Published: June 2020

RsmG is the methyltransferase responsible for the N7 methylation of G527 of 16S rRNA. Here we show that RsmG binds preferably to premature bacterial small subunit rRNA. The presence of ribosomal proteins also influences the stability of RsmG–rRNA complexes.
Graphene oxide/polydimethylsiloxane composite sponge for removing Pb(ii) from water
Authors: Liu Liao , Chen Jiannan , Zhang Wuhuan , Fan Meikun , Gong Zhengjun , Zhang Jianqiang
Published: June 2020

A novel sorbent material for Pb(ii) sorption was created by coating graphene oxide (GO) on a pretreated PDMS sponge.
Hydrophilic nanofibers in fog collectors for increased water harvesting efficiency
Authors: Knapczyk-Korczak Joanna , Szewczyk Piotr K. , Ura Daniel P. , Berent Katarzyna , Stachewicz Urszula
Published: June 2020

Modification of Raschel meshes used for fog water collectors with PA6 nanofibers allow to obtain 300% higher water collection rate in collecting water from fog.
Selective CO2 reduction to HCOOH on a Pt/In2O3/g-C3N4 multifunctional visible-photocatalyst
Authors: He Jiehong , Lv Pin , Zhu Jian , Li Hexing
Published: June 2020

A multifunctional Pt/In2O3/g-C3N4 catalyst exhibited high activity and selectivity to HCOOH during CO2 reduction owing to the synergy between visible-light harvesting, CO2 activation, HER, and photoelectron–hole separation via heterojunctions.
An engineer's introduction to mechanophores
Authors: Deneke Naomi , Rencheck Mitchell L. , Davis Chelsea S.
Published: June 2020

Mechanophores are force-responsive molecules that have the potential to serve as stress sensors in various material systems. This review discusses recent scientific advances and critical challenges facing engineers regarding implementation of mechanophores in polymeric materials.
Direct control of defects in molybdenum oxide and understanding their high CO2 sorption performance
Authors: Tanhaei Mohammad , Ren Yi , Yang Ming , Bussolotti Fabio , Cheng Jayce J. W. , Pan Jisheng , Chiam Sing Yang
Published: June 2020

This work demonstrated excellent CO2 sorption performance using thin film coating of Mo-oxide. We show through analysis such as NAP-XPS and DFT that Mo4+ defects provides very good adsorption sites for CO2 and increases the sorption performance by ∼50%.
Highly conductive fluorine-based anion exchange membranes with robust alkaline durability
Authors: Gao Xue Lang , Sun Li Xuan , Wu Hong Yue , Zhu Zhao Yu , Xiao Nan , Chen Jia Hui , Yang Qian , Zhang Qiu Gen , Zhu Ai Mei , Liu Qing Lin
Published: June 2020

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with robust alkaline stability and high ionic conductivity are imminently required for the promising electrochemical energy conversion devices – fuel cells.
Crystalline phase-controlled synthesis of regular and stable endotaxial cesium lead halide nanocrystals
Authors: Zeng Peng , Wei Linfeng , Zhao Haifeng , Zhang Rui , Chen Hongting , Liu Mingzhen
Published: June 2020

The effects of precursors on the perovskite nanocrystals based on APTES base ligands were investigated and discussed.
Investigation on the coloring and bleaching processes of WO3−x photochromic thin films
Authors: Bourdin Marie , Salek Guillaume , Fargues Alexandre , Messaddeq Sandra , Messaddeq Younes , Cardinal Thierry , Gaudon Manuel
Published: June 2020

WO3−x (oxygen deficient tungsten oxide) thin films and WO3−x/Ta2O5 (tantalum oxide) composite films exhibit a huge photochromic effect with 60% near-infrared transmission modulation.
Visual odometry particle filter for improving accuracy of visual object trackers
Authors: Pak J.M.
Published: June 2020

This Letter proposes a novel state estimator called the visual odometry particle filter (VOPF) for improving accuracy of visual object trackers. For the VOPF, a novel visual odometry motion model that is better than the conventional constant velocity motion model is proposed. In addition, a new particle injection method to prevent sample impoverishment and the incorrect measurement detection method are proposed. Visual object tracking experiments using 30 visual object trackers demonstrate that the VOPF improves accuracy of the trackers and outperforms the conventional particle and Kalman filters using the CV motion model.
2D material attached quartz crystal microbalance for sensing SF6 gas flow under humid condition
Authors: Leong A. , Kashan M.A.M. , Swamy V. , Ramakrishnan N.
Published: June 2020

The authors report quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) integrated with hexagonal boron nitride–graphene (hg) monolayer heterostructure as a sensor to detect mass flow of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), an important electrical insulating gas, under humid conditions. Their recent work demonstrated an enhancement in QCM sensing characteristics upon attaching monolayer 2D materials onto the QCM electrode surface and its application for improved relative humidity measurement. Here, they extend this approach to detect flow of SF6 gas causing variation in relative humidity. They fabricated a hg‐QCM sensor by transferring the heterostructure thin film onto the QCM electrode surface using a standard wet transfer technique and measured return loss of the QCM under SF6 gas flow at a selected RH condition. The mass flow of the humid SF6 gas effects perturbation in damping at the QCM surface as indicated by changes in the motional resistance of the QCM. The motional resistance changes introduced significant variation in loaded Q‐factor, the magnitude of which was gas species‐dependent, thus allowing to distinguish SF6 from other common electronics gases.
Algorithm using supervised subspace learning and non‐local representation for pose variation recognition
Authors: Liao Mengmeng , Wang Changzhi , Gu Xiaodong
Published: June 2020

Pose variation has been one of the challenges of face recognition. To solve this challenge, the authors propose a classification algorithm using supervised subspace learning and non‐local representation (SSLNR). In SSLNR, they first propose a supervised subspace learning algorithm (SSLA). SSLA includes three different terms. The first term is the difference term, which can reduce the intra‐class differences. The second term is the block‐diagonal regularisation term, which promotes the samples to be represented by intra‐class samples. The last one is the noise robust term. Then, the original samples are mapped to the learned subspace by using SSLA. Thus, the intra‐class differences of the samples mapped to the learned subspace are reduced. Finally, those mapped samples are classified by proposed non‐local constraint‐based extended sparse representation classifier. SSLNR is extensively evaluated using four databases, namely Georgia Tech, Label faces in the wild, FEI and CVL. Experimental results show that SSLNR achieves better performance than some state‐of‐the‐art algorithms, such as DARG and RRNN.
Robust locality preserving projections using angle‐based adaptive weight method
Authors: Gao Yunlong , Zhong Shuxin , Hu Kangli , Pan Jinyan
Published: June 2020

Locality preserving projections (LPP) method is a classical manifold learning method for dimensionality reduction. However, LPP is sensitive to outliers since squared L2‐norm may exaggerate the distance of outliers. Besides, the normalisation constraint of LPP may impair its robustness during embedding. Motivated by this observation, the authors propose a novel robust LPP using angle‐based adaptive weight (RLPP‐AAW) method. RLPP‐AAW not only considers the distance metric of training samples, but also take the reconstruction error into account, so as to reduce the influence of outliers and noise in the embedding process. In the RLPP‐AAW, based on the angle between distance metric and reconstruction error, a novel way is used to combine them in the objective function. Besides, RLPP‐AAW employs the L21‐norm criterion, which retains rotational invariance and is more robust than squared L2‐norm. An iterative algorithm is presented to solve the objective function of RLPP‐AAW. Experimental results on the benchmark databases illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Real‐time estimation of ATC using PMU data and ANN
Authors: Shukla Devesh , Singh S.P.
Published: June 2020

An artificial neural network (ANN) architecture for real‐time estimation of available transfer capability (ATC) has been reported in this study. The real‐time data obtained from phasor measurement unit (PMU) is utilised to generate target output (ATC) using the pattern search optimisation‐based method. The set of information provided as input to the pattern search‐based ATC optimiser along with its output forms the input and target output for ANN training. The input information consists of active and reactive power injected along with voltage and current vectors measured at PMU buses. The ATC optimiser is functional as long as ANN is under training. Once the ANN is trained, it receives input set directly from PMU and produces ATC values. PMU emulation is employed for archiving the PMU data. The proposed method is tested on modified IEEE 24‐bus, IEEE 30‐bus, and IEEE 118‐bus test system. The proposed method has also been implemented on real‐time digital simulator.
Use of performance indices for contingency screening for rapid assessment of dynamic security region
Authors: Simões Tallis A. , Borges Carmen LuciaTancredo , Mitra Joydeep
Published: June 2020

This study proposes a method for screening of contingencies to reduce the computational burden of constructing dynamic security regions. The method exploits the results of the time‐domain simulation to calculate performance indices (PIs) for different operating points. The contingencies with less relevant PIs are eliminated as they are encountered in the course of the simulation without changing the boundaries of the security region. The proposed method is tested on a modified New England System and a Brazilian Power System Network, with its actual security regions. The results show that the method is accurate and provides a significant time reduction, making it feasible for real‐time operation use.
Adjustable inertia implemented by bidirectional power converter in hybrid AC/DC microgrid
Authors: Lv Zeyan , Zhang Yong , Xia Yanghong , Wei Wei
Published: June 2020

Hybrid AC/DC microgrid is regarded as a low inertia system due to the extensive integration of renewable energy sources. Thus, the AC bus frequency and DC bus voltage are easily damaged when a step change or random fluctuation appears, which threatens the system power quality. Focusing on this problem, this study proposes an adjustable inertia implementing method for the two‐stage bidirectional power converter (BPC) to enhance the dynamic performance of the hybrid power system. Concretely, the first stage of the BPC is controlled as a virtual synchronous generator to support the AC subgrid and plays the role of imitating the inertia frequency response in the AC bus. The second stage controls the built‐in capacitor of the BPC to implement adjustable inertia for the DC subgrid and improves the DC bus voltage response. Besides, the terminal voltage of the built‐in capacitor will be restricted to ensure the normal operation of the BPC. The small‐signal analysis of the hybrid system is provided to illustrate the stability of the proposed control method. Finally, the experimental results based on the real‐time hardware‐in‐loop platform demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Design of compact patch antenna with enhanced gain and bandwidth for 5G mm‐wave applications
Authors: Ramanujam Parthasarathy , Arumugam Chandrasekar , Venkatesan Ramesh , Ponnusamy Manimaran
Published: June 2020

A super compact parasitic patch loaded patch antenna with enhanced gain and super wide band is proposed in this study for 5G millimetre‐wave (mm‐wave) applications. The proposed antenna has hybrid geometry and is constructed using circular and two rectangular driven patches with two semi‐circular parasitic patches fed by stepped impedance microstrip line. The two rectangular stubs are incorporated on driven patch to improve the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) bandwidth. The two semi‐circular parasitic patches are added on the fundamental radiator (driven/main patch) to further enhance the bandwidth to cover the entire Ka‐band spectrum for 5G mm‐wave requirements and covers 24–40 GHz frequency spectrum with VSWR ≤2. This designed radiator is feasible to be placed inside the multilayered housing systems or can be integrated along with the electronic components existing on the printed circuit board. Furthermore, a four‐element modified corporate feed array configuration is constructed and their enhanced gain performances are compared with proposed radiator (single element). Both the prototypes are fabricated and experimentally validated for impedance and radiation characteristics and it is observed that, the simulated and measured responses are in good arrangement. The presented radiating element finds its applications in future 5G mm‐wave, 5G base station controlling networks and 5G wideband code division multiple access.
Cooperative control of photovoltaic based water pumping system
Authors: Bhende Chandrashekhar N. , Hota Swadhin Kumar , Nayak Kishore R. , Karanki Srinivas B.
Published: June 2020

In this study, novel control schemes are developed for cooperative control of stand‐alone and grid‐connected photovoltaic (PV) based water pumping system. Brushless DC motor is used as pumping motor due to its superior characteristics. The cooperative control effectively utilises the available resources. In stand‐alone system, control scheme is developed for power sharing among PV pumping units. Assuming some of the PV units have battery, the charging/discharging controller is incorporated. In grid‐connected system, flexible control scheme is proposed so that consumer can draw lesser power from grid by running the motor at lower speed instead of rated speed. In case of high PV power penetration into weak grid, the modified perturb and observe algorithm is proposed for sharing of de‐loaded power among the PV units. Due to de‐loading of PV power, motor speed reduces, hence, speed compensation mechanism is developed to bring back the speed at desired value. As a futuristic concept, consumer can buy power from neighbour instead of taking from grid. To establish above‐mentioned concept, control scheme is developed for sharing the power among PV pumping units. The simulation and hardware results are carried out to test performance of the proposed control schemes.