bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sulfite mill as a sugar-flexible future biorefinery
Authors: LAI LISA X. , BURA RENATA
Published: November 2019

The production of single- and mixed-sugar streams and their conversion to bioproducts were studied, using sulfite pulping streams as feedstocks. Sulfite pulp, sludge, and spent sulfite liquor are concurrently generated alongside of bleached pulp, and the pulping process renders pretreatment of solid streams unnecessary. Streams were converted separately; however, due to their low production volume, solid and liquid streams were also combined as a means to increase the quantity of starting feedstock. Spent sulfite liquor, comprising mostly monomeric hexose and pentose sugars, was directly fermented to ethanol and xylitol with Candida guilliermondii. Single-sugar streams were generated through hydrolysis of pulp and sludge in water, followed by fermentation to ethanol with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mixed-sugar streams were generated through both separate hydrolysis and fermentation and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of pulp and sludge in spent sulfite liquor using S. cerevisiae. The best single-sugar source was obtained by hydrolysis of pulp in water, which produced 78.8 g/L of glucose after 96 h. The glucose concentration from hydrolysis of sludge in water was lower (33.5 g/L). Both of these streams were easily converted to ethanol, with yields of 77.8% and 76.2%, respectively. Hydrolyzability of solids was the limiting factor in separate hydrolysis and fermentation conversion of pulp and sludge in water, but hydrolyzability of sludge was not affected when mixed with spent sulfite liquor.
Fiber interaction with a forming fabric
Authors: LI JINGMEI , GREEN SHELDON I.
Published: November 2019

During sheet forming, the structure of the forming fabric leaves wire marks on the pulp mat. Paper nonuniformity caused by the wire mark can lead to ink nonuniformity in printing. We investigated wire mark numerically through simulations of the interaction of individual fibers with a forming fabric. In the simulations, the flow field through the forming fabric was taken to be that of single-phase water flow without disturbance of fibers. A particle level simulation method was applied to simulate the motion of fibers in the flow through a single layer sine-wave fabric. A hundred fibers of random initial distribution were placed into the flow above the fabric. Those fibers were advected onto the fabric, forming a fiber mat. The surface roughness of the resulting fiber mat was then calculated. The results show that during the initial formation, topographic wire mark is caused partially by fiber bending and partially by the geometry of the fabric. For the specific fibers and sinusoidal forming fabric considered, more than 50% of topographic wire mark is the result of geometry, with the remainder attributed to fiber bending. Fabrics with different geometries (e.g., different filament pitches or a nonsinusoidal geometry) will have different relative influences from geometry and fiber bending.
Optical analysis of ink and other contaminants in process waters
Authors: HAAPALA ANTTI , KÖRKKÖ MIKA , KOIVURANTA ELISA , NIINIMÄKI JOUKO
Published: November 2019

Analysis methods developed specifically to determine the presence of ink and other optically active components in paper machine white waters or other process effluents are not available. It is generally more interest¬ing to quantify the effect of circulation water contaminants on end products. This study compares optical techniques to quantify the dirt in process water by two methods for test media preparation and measurement: direct process water filtration on a membrane foil and low-grammage sheet formation. The results show that ink content values obtained from various analyses cannot be directly compared because of fundamental issues involving test media preparation and the varied methodologies used to formulate the results, which may be based on different sets of assumptions. The use of brightness, luminosity, and reflectance and the role of scattering measurements as a part of ink content analysis are discussed, along with fine materials retention and measurement media selection. The study concludes with practical tips for case-dependent measurement methodology selection.
Fate of biosludge nitrogen in black liquor evaporation and combustion
Authors: VÄHÄ-SAVO NIKLAS , DEMARTINI, NIKOLAI , HUPA MIKKO
Published: November 2019

At many mills, biosludge, which has a high nitrogen content, is added to black liquor and burned in kraft recovery boilers. The aim of this work was to determine the fate of biosludge nitrogen in the high solids black liquor concentrators and in the recovery boiler. Specifically, does biosludge addition result in higher nitric oxide (NO) and cyanate formation during black liquor combustion? To obtain this information, samples were collected from the chemical recovery cycle of a Finnish kraft pulp mill along with relevant process data. Laboratory combustion experiments clearly showed an increase in NO formation for the mill black liquor with biosludge, but no clear increase in nitrogen oxide emissions was detected in the recovery boiler after biosludge addition. Analysis of the green liquor samples from the dissolving tank showed a significant increase in nitrogen exiting the recovery boiler as cyanate. This finding was supported by laboratory tests studying cyanate formation. The increased cyanate results in increased ammonia formation in the recausticizing cycle, which can lead to higher NO emissions, as seen in the noncondensible gas incinerator at the mill.
Deinking of inkjet digital nonimpact printing
Authors: HSIEH JEFFERY S.
Published: November 2019

Pigmented nonimpact (inkjet) printing is a concern in conventional flotation deinking, due to the problems associated with the hydrophilic, submicron-size pigment particles of the ink. Preliminary experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a conventional flotation deinking process in detaching those inkjet particles from the fiber surfaces and network. A Denver D-12 laboratory flotation cell was used to test 100% old newsprint paper (ONP) with the ISO brightness target set to 58, which makes a paper recyclable. The inkjet-printed ONP was floated to 47 ISO brightness by the INGEDE Method 11. It was enhanced to 50 ISO brightness using flotation, with the addition of nonionic surfactant for better repulping. In addition, a patented electric field technology was used for further improving the floated ISO brightness to 52.5—yet still short of the 58 target for recycling. This improvement was reached with small air bubble sizes, which are more likely to collide and interact with ink particles, causing additional ink to be brought up to the surface of the water pool. The increasing problem of deinkability from digital nonimpact inkjet printing means that additional technical efforts are needed to overcome the crossroad between environmental concerns and technological progress. Papermills, inkjet suppliers, printer manufacturers, and academic and industrial deinkers should take collective action to meet the challenges to future success.
Handling of Narcotics Child Victims in Child Special Coaching Institutions Class I Tanjung Gusta, Medan
Authors: Tumanggor Friska , Muazzul Muazzul , Zulyadi Rizkan
Published: November 2019

Handling of Narcotics Child Victims in Child Special Coaching Institutions Class I Tanjung Gusta, Medan based on Law No. 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection which is to provide supervision, direct for worship, equip in the field of formal education and skills training, and provide adequate facilities to children who commit narcotics crime. That is a way to make a criminal child free from narcotics goods, so that when a child who commits a narcotics crime out of a development institution has the skills and soul to re-socialize with the community. The problems discussed in this study are how the legal rules governing the handling of child victims of narcotic crime in prison in dealing with narcotics crime committed by children of Tanjung Gusta Medan and How are the factors causing the occurrence of narcotics abuse committed by children of Tanjung Gusta Medan, as well as how the efforts to tackle the crime of drug abuse committed by children of Tanjung Gusta Medan. The method used in this writing is empirical juridical namely reviewing the applicable legal provisions and what happens in the reality of society. The data collection techniques are carried out through library research (liberary research) and also field research (field research), namely by conducting direct interviews of studies at the Penitentiary Special Class I Tanjung Gusta Medan.
BETONARMÇERÇEVELİ YAPILARDA FARKLI TAŞIYICI SİSTEMLERİN FARKLI DÜZENSİZLİK DURUMLARINDA YAPININ SÜNEKLİĞİNE VE DEPREM DAVRANIŞLARINA ETKİSİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Kasap Hüseyin , Varol Selman , Mert Necati , Sümer Yusuf
Published: November 2019

Bu çalışmada farklı taşıyıcı sistem özelliklerine sahip yapıların deprem etkisi altında sünekliği ve deprem davranışları araştırılmıştır.Deprem riski yüksek olan bölgelerde yapılar farklı aks açıklıklarında ve farklı düzensizliklerde tasarlanarak statik itme (pushover) analizi yapılmıştır.İncelenen yapıların tamamına statik itme analizi uygulanmıştır. Yer değiştirme istemleri elde edilerek kapasite diyagramları oluşturulmuştur. Elde edilen diyagramlarla, farklı düzensizlik durumlarında tasarlanan 4 adet binaya etki eden taban kesme kuvvetleri, rijitlikleri, süneklikleri, deprem yükü azaltma katsayıları ve elastik tasarım katsayıları hesaplanmıştır. Bu analiz sonucunda elde edilen kapasite eğrilerine göre elde edilen taban kesme kuvveti düzensizlik oluşan yapılarda %10 ile %30 arasında azaldığı görülmüştür. Yapı rijitlikleri ise %13 ile %28 oranlarında azalmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre yapılarda oluşacak düzensizliklerden kaçınılması ve uygun yerlerde dilatasyon kullanılması önerilir.
Spark Joy? Compulsory Happiness and the Feminist Politics of Decluttering
Authors: Ouellette Laurie
Published: November 2019

This essay analyzes the Marie Kondo brand as a set of neoliberal techniques for managing cultural anxieties around over-consumption, clutter and the family. Drawing from critical discussions of consumer culture and waste, as well as feminist scholarship on compulsory happiness and women’s labor in the home, it argues that Marie Kondo’s “joyful” approach to “tidying up” presents pared-down, curated consumption as a lifestyle choice that depends on women’s work, even as it promises to mitigate the stresses of daily life and facilitate greater well-being.
A Hybrid Ontology-Based Recommendation System in e-Commerce
Authors: Guia Márcio , Silva Rodrigo Rocha , Bernardino Jorge
Published: November 2019

The growth of the Internet has increased the amount of data and information available to any person at any time. Recommendation Systems help users find the items that meet their preferences, among the large number of items available. Techniques such as collaborative filtering and content-based recommenders have played an important role in the implementation of recommendation systems. In the last few years, other techniques, such as, ontology-based recommenders, have gained significance when reffering better active user recommendations; however, building an ontology-based recommender is an expensive process, which requires considerable skills in Knowledge Engineering. This paper presents a new hybrid approach that combines the simplicity of collaborative filtering with the efficiency of the ontology-based recommenders. The experimental evaluation demonstrates that the proposed approach presents higher quality recommendations when compared to collaborative filtering. The main improvement is verified on the results regarding the products, which, in spite of belonging to unknown categories to the users, still match their preferences and become recommended.
Boron Excess Imbalances Root/Shoot Allometry, Photosynthetic and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Sugar Metabolism in Apple Plants
Authors: Oikonomou Alexia , Ladikou Evangelia-Vasiliki , Chatziperou Georgia , Margaritopoulou Theoni , Landi Marco , Sotiropoulos Thomas , Araniti Fabrizio , Papadakis Ioannis E.
Published: November 2019

Boron (B) excess frequently impair plant performances and their productivity; in particular in arid and semi-arid environments. In the present experiment; hydroponically-grown ‘Granny Smith’ apple plants grafted on M9 rootstock were treated with optimal (25 μΜ) or excess (400 μΜ) B for 116 days to evaluate allometric responses of plants to B toxicity and to highlight physiological (photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence) and biochemical (pigment content and sugar metabolism) responses of apple plants to B excess. Boron accumulated principally in top > middle > basal stems and leaves of high-B-stressed plants. Notably, the stem dramatically accumulated a higher level of B, as an attempt to preserve leaves, especially the youngest from further B accumulation. B accumulation seriously affected photosynthesis of younger leaves and caused both stomata (reduced stomatal conductance) and biochemical (reduction of apparent CO2 use efficiency and pigment content) limitations and altered the photochemistry and energy partitioning in photosystem II. Boron excess altered leaf sugar proportion; increasing the accumulation of non-translocating sugars such as glucose and fructose. Our dataset adds knowledge on the effect of B excess in apple tree and poses serious concerns about the possible effect of B in altering sugar metabolism; which, in turn, can strongly affect fruit production of this worldwide-cropped species.
Deficit Irrigation as a Sustainable Practice in Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency in Cauliflower under Mediterranean Conditions
Authors: Abdelkhalik Abdelsattar , Pascual Bernardo , Nájera Inmaculada , Baixauli Carlos , Pascual-Seva Nuria
Published: November 2019

Water shortage is one of the major constraints in vegetable production. Deficit irrigation is a sustainable technique that improves irrigation water use efficiency. Field studies were conducted during two growing seasons to evaluate the effects of deficit irrigation on plant growth, plant water status, productive response (curd yield and quality), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and crop profitability of cauliflower. Nine irrigation treatments were used, applying 100%, 75% (moderate), or 50% (severe) of the irrigation water requirements (IWR) during the entire growing season (Continued Deficit Irrigation, CDI), or 75% and 50% of IWR during one of the following stages (Regulated Deficit Irrigation, RDI): Juvenility, curd induction, and curd growth. Severe deficit irrigation applied during juvenility and curd induction reduced the plant size, but it only led to a significant reduction of marketable yield (22%), and average curd size and weight if it was maintained throughout the crop cycle, supposing the highest IWUE (43.6 kg m−3). Moderate CDI or severe RDI during juvenility did not reduce significantly the curd yield compared to fully irrigated plants (4.4 kg m−2), thereby obtaining similar gross revenues (16,859 € ha−1) with important water savings (up to 24.3%), improving IWUE (up to 34.2 kg m−3).
Towards Non-Invasive Methods in Measuring Fish Welfare: The Measurement of Cortisol Concentrations in Fish Skin Mucus as a Biomarker of Habitat Quality
Authors: Carbajal Annaïs , Soler Patricia , Tallo-Parra Oriol , Isasa Marina , Echevarria Carlos , Lopez-Bejar Manel , Vinyoles Dolors
Published: November 2019

Cortisol levels in fish skin mucus have shown to be good stress indicators in farm fish exposed to different stressors. Its applicability in free-ranging animals subject to long-term environmental stressors though remains to be explored. The present study was therefore designed to examine whether skin mucus cortisol levels from a wild freshwater fish (Catalan chub, Squalius laietanus) are affected by the habitat quality. Several well-established hematological parameters and cortisol concentrations were measured in blood and compared to variations in skin mucus cortisol values across three habitats with different pollution gradient. Fluctuations of cortisol in skin mucus varied across the streams of differing habitat quality, following a similar pattern of response to that detected by the assessment of cortisol levels in blood and the hematological parameters. Furthermore, there was a close relationship between cortisol concentrations in skin mucus and several of the erythrocytic alterations and the relative proportion of neutrophils to lymphocytes. Taken together, results of this study provide the first evidence that skin mucus cortisol levels could be influenced by habitat quality. Although results should be interpreted with caution, because a small sample size was collected in one studied habitat, the measurement of cortisol in skin mucus could be potentially used as a biomarker in freshwater fish.
Use of Natural Antioxidants from Newfoundland Wild Berries to Improve the Shelf Life of Natural Herbal Soaps
Authors: Adigun Oludoyin , Manful Charles , Prieto Vidal Natalia , Mumtaz Abira , Pham Thu , Stewart Peter , Nadeem Muhammad , Keough Dwayne , Thomas Raymond
Published: November 2019

Antioxidants are important bio-regulators and suppressors of oxidation and are useful in enhancing the shelf life of consumer products. Formulated natural herbal soaps contain ingredients with antioxidant activities, but it is unknown how this influences shelf life. Herein, we evaluated whether natural additives or wild berry extracts were effective in improving the quality of natural herbal soaps. Three natural soaps, base bar (BB), forest grove (FG), and hibiscus rosehip (HR), were formulated using several wild berry extracts or natural additives and evaluated against similar commercial brands. The total phenolic content (TPC) of BB and FG infused with partridgeberry and HR with rosemary was 35.22, 44.72, and 33.26 µmole quercetin equivalent/g soap, while the total antioxidant activity (TAA) was 125.20, 119.23, and 126.94 µmole Trolox equivalent/g soap, respectively. Conversely, the commercial brand (BSG) with the highest TPC (56.24 µmole) contained lower TAA (59.68 µmole). As expected, the TPC and TAA of natural soaps were strongly correlated, and the majority (55–82%) of the polyunsaturated di/triacylglycerols remained unsaponified. Some extracts were inhibitory, while others promoted microbial growth. The results indicate that natural antioxidants from some Newfoundland wild berries have applications in improving the shelf life of natural herbal soaps, but care must be taken with the choice of berry used in the final soap formulation.
Editorial for Special Issue: Fishery Acoustics, Applied Sciences, and Practical Applications
Authors: Kim Kiseon , Kim Moo Hyun , Shevlyakov Georgy , Shin Seokjoo
Published: November 2019

Fishery acoustics (How to detect and monitor fish and other marine life [...]
Sequences of Sub-Microsecond Laser Pulses for Material Processing: Modeling of Coupled Gas Dynamics and Heat Transfer
Authors: Gusarov Andrey V. , Kovalev Oleg B.
Published: November 2019

Multipulse laser processing of materials is promising because of the additional possibilities to control the thickness of the treated and the heat-affected zones and the energy efficiency. To study the physics of mutual interaction of pulses at high repetition rate, a model is proposed where heat transfer in the target and gas-dynamics of vapor and ambient gas are coupled by the gas-dynamic boundary conditions of evaporation/condensation. Numerical calculations are accomplished for a substrate of an austenitic steel subjected to a 300 ns single pulse of CO2 laser and a sequence of the similar pulses with lower intensity and 10 μs inter-pulse separation assuring approximately the same thermal impact on the target. It is revealed that the pulses of the sequence interact due to heat accumulation in the target but they cannot interact through the gas phase. Evaporation is considerably more intensive at the single-pulse processing. The vapor is slightly ionized and absorbs the infrared laser radiation by inverse bremsstrahlung. The estimated absorption coefficient and the optical thickness of the vapor domain are considerably greater for the single-pulse regime. The absorption initiates optical breakdown and the ignition of plasma shielding the target from laser radiation. The multipulse laser processing can be applied to avoid plasma ignition.
Left-Hemispheric Asymmetry for Object-Based Attention: an ERP Study
Authors: Orlandi Andrea , Proverbio Alice Mado
Published: November 2019

It has been shown that selective attention enhances the activity in visual regions associated with stimulus processing. The left hemisphere seems to have a prominent role when non-spatial attention is directed towards specific stimulus features (e.g., color, spatial frequency). The present electrophysiological study investigated the time course and neural correlates of object-based attention, under the assumption of left-hemispheric asymmetry. Twenty-nine right-handed participants were presented with 3D graphic images representing the shapes of different object categories (wooden dummies, chairs, structures of cubes) which lacked detail. They were instructed to press a button in response to a target stimulus indicated at the beginning of each run. The perception of non-target stimuli elicited a larger anterior N2 component, which was likely associated with motor inhibition. Conversely, target selection resulted in an enhanced selection negativity (SN) response lateralized over the left occipito-temporal regions, followed by a larger centro-parietal P300 response. These potentials were interpreted as indexing attentional selection and categorization processes, respectively. The standardized weighted low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (swLORETA) source reconstruction showed the engagement of a fronto-temporo-limbic network underlying object-based visual attention. Overall, the SN scalp distribution and relative neural generators hinted at a left-hemispheric advantage for non-spatial object-based visual attention.
The Role of Nrf2 Activity in Cancer Development and Progression
Authors: Zimta Alina-Andreea , Cenariu Diana , Irimie Alexandru , Magdo Lorand , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad , Atanasov Atanas G. , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: November 2019

Nrf2 is a transcription factor that stimulates the expression of genes which have antioxidant response element-like sequences in their promoter. Nrf2 is a cellular protector, and this principle applies to both normal cells and malignant cells. While healthy cells are protected from DNA damage induced by reactive oxygen species, malignant cells are defended against chemo- or radiotherapy. Through our literature search, we found that Nrf2 activates several oncogenes unrelated to the antioxidant activity, such as Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-xL), Tumour Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), and Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). We also did a brief analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data of lung adenocarcinoma concerning the effects of radiation therapy and found that the therapy-induced Nrf2 activation is not universal. For instance, in the case of recurrent disease and radiotherapy, we observed that, for the majority of Nrf2-targeted genes, there is no change in expression level. This proves that the universal, axiomatic rationale that Nrf2 is activated as a response to chemo- and radiation therapy is wrong, and that each scenario should be carefully evaluated with the help of Nrf2-targeted genes. Moreover, there were nine genes involved in lipid peroxidation, which showed underexpression in the case of new radiation therapy: ADH1A, ALDH3A1, ALDH3A2, ADH1B, GPX2, ADH1C, ALDH6A1, AKR1C3, and NQO1. This may relate to the fact that, while some studies reported the co-activation of Nrf2 and other oncogenic signaling pathways such as Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Notch1, other reported the inverse correlation between Nrf2 and the tumor-promoter Transcription Factor (TF), Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Lastly, Nrf2 establishes its activity through interactions at multiple levels with various microRNAs. MiR-155, miR-144, miR-28, miR-365-1, miR-93, miR-153, miR-27a, miR-142, miR-29-b1, miR-340, and miR-34a, either through direct repression of Nrf2 messenger RNA (mRNA) in a Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-independent manner or by enhancing the Keap1 cellular level, inhibit the Nrf2 activity. Keap1–Nrf2 interaction leads to the repression of miR-181c, which is involved in the Nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Nrf2’s role in cancer prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy is still in its infancy, and the future strategic planning of Nrf2-based oncological approaches should also consider the complex interaction between Nrf2 and its various activators and inhibitors.
Targeting Negative and Positive Immune Checkpoints with Monoclonal Antibodies in Therapy of Cancer
Authors: Marhelava Katsiaryna , Pilch Zofia , Bajor Malgorzata , Graczyk-Jarzynka Agnieszka , Zagozdzon Radoslaw
Published: November 2019

The immune checkpoints are regulatory molecules that maintain immune homeostasis in physiological conditions. By sending T cells a series of co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory signals via receptors, immune checkpoints can both protect healthy tissues from adaptive immune response and activate lymphocytes to remove pathogens effectively. However, due to their mode of action, suppressive immune checkpoints may serve as unwanted protection for cancer cells. To restore the functioning of the immune system and make the patient’s immune cells able to recognize and destroy tumors, monoclonal antibodies are broadly used in cancer immunotherapy to block the suppressive or to stimulate the positive immune checkpoints. In this review, we aim to present the current state of application of monoclonal antibodies in clinics, used either as single agents or in a combined treatment. We discuss the limitations of these therapies and possible problem-solving with combined treatment approaches involving both non-biological and biological agents. We also highlight the most promising strategies based on the use of monoclonal or bispecific antibodies targeted on immune checkpoints other than currently implemented in clinics.
Structural Implications of STAT3 and STAT5 SH2 Domain Mutations
Authors: de Araujo Elvin D. , Orlova Anna , Neubauer Heidi A. , Bajusz Dávid , Seo Hyuk-Soo , Dhe-Paganon Sirano , Keserű György M. , Moriggl Richard , Gunning Patrick T.
Published: November 2019

Src Homology 2 (SH2) domains arose within metazoan signaling pathways and are involved in protein regulation of multiple pleiotropic cascades. In signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, SH2 domain interactions are critical for molecular activation and nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated STAT dimers to drive transcription. Sequencing analysis of patient samples has revealed the SH2 domain as a hotspot in the mutational landscape of STAT proteins although the functional impact for the vast majority of these mutations remains poorly characterized. Despite several well resolved structures for SH2 domain-containing proteins, structural data regarding the distinctive STAT-type SH2 domain is limited. Here, we review the unique features of STAT-type SH2 domains in the context of all currently reported STAT3 and STAT5 SH2 domain clinical mutations. The genetic volatility of specific regions in the SH2 domain can result in either activating or deactivating mutations at the same site in the domain, underscoring the delicate evolutionary balance of wild type STAT structural motifs in maintaining precise levels of cellular activity. Understanding the molecular and biophysical impact of these disease-associated mutations can uncover convergent mechanisms of action for mutations localized within the STAT SH2 domain to facilitate the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.
N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Supported Aryl- and Alk- oxides of Beryllium and Magnesium
Authors: Walley Jacob E. , Wong Yuen-Onn , Freeman Lucas A. , Dickie Diane A. , Gilliard Robert J.
Published: November 2019

Recently, we have witnessed significant progress with regard to the synthesis of molecular alkaline earth metal reagents and catalysts. To provide new precursors for light alkaline earth metal chemistry, molecular aryloxide and alkoxide complexes of beryllium and magnesium are reported. The reaction of beryllium chloride dietherate with two equivalents of 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidizol-2-ylidine (sIPr) results in the formation of a bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) beryllium dichloride complex, (sIPr)2BeCl2 (1). Compound 1 reacts with lithium diisopropylphenoxide (LiODipp) or sodium ethoxide (NaOEt) to form the terminal aryloxide (sIPr)Be(ODipp)2 (2) and alkoxide dimer [(sIPr)Be(OEt)Cl]2 (3), respectively. Compounds 2 and 3 represent the first beryllium alkoxide and aryloxide species supported by NHCs. Structurally related dimers of magnesium, [(sIPr)Mg(OEt)Brl]2 (4) and [(sIPr)Mg(OEt)Me]2 (5), were also prepared. Compounds 1-5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, 1H, 13C, and 9Be NMR spectroscopy where applicable.
Kinetic Modelling of the Aqueous-Phase Reforming of Fischer-Tropsch Water over Ceria-Zirconia Supported Nickel-Copper Catalyst
Authors: Coronado Irene , Arandia Aitor , Reinikainen Matti , Karinen Reetta , Puurunen Riikka L. , Lehtonen Juha
Published: November 2019

In the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis, a mixture of CO and H2 is converted into hydrocarbons and water with diluted organics. This water fraction with oxygenated hydrocarbons can be processed through aqueous-phase reforming (APR) to produce H2. Therefore, the APR of FT water may decrease the environmental impact of organic waters and improve the efficiency of the FT process. This work aimed at developing a kinetic model for the APR of FT water. APR experiments were conducted with real FT water in a continuous packed-bed reactor at different operating conditions of temperature (210–240 °C), pressure (3.2–4.5 MPa) and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) (40–200 h−1) over a nickel-copper catalyst supported on ceria-zirconia. The kinetic model considered C1-C4 alcohols as reactants, H2, CO, CO2 and CH4 as the gaseous products, and acetic acid as the only liquid product. The kinetic model included seven reactions, the reaction rates of which were expressed with power law equations. The kinetic parameters were estimated with variances and confidence intervals that explain the accuracy of the model to estimate the outlet liquid composition resulting from the APR of FT water. The kinetic model developed in this work may facilitate the development of APR to be integrated in a FT synthesis process.
Size-Controlled Synthesis of Pt Particles on TiO2 Surface: Physicochemical Characteristic and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Zielińska-Jurek Anna , Wei Zhishun , Janczarek Marcin , Wysocka Izabela , Kowalska Ewa
Published: November 2019

Different TiO2 photocatalysts, i.e., commercial samples (ST-01 and P25 with minority of rutile phase), nanotubes, well-crystallized faceted particles of decahedral shape and mesoporous spheres, were used as supports for deposition of Pt nanoparticles (NPs). Size-controlled Pt NPs embedded in TiO2 were successfully prepared by microemulsion and wet-impregnation methods. Obtained photocatalysts were characterized using XRD, TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area, DR/UV-vis and action spectrum analysis. The effect of deposition method, amount of Pt precursor and TiO2 properties on size, distribution, and chemical states of deposited Pt NPs were investigated. Finally, the correlations between the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activities in oxidation and reduction reactions under UV and Vis light of different Pt-TiO2 photocatalysts were discussed. It was found that, regardless of preparation method, the photoactivity mainly depended on platinum and TiO2 morphology. In view of this, we claim that the tight control of NPs’ morphology allows us to design highly active materials with enhanced photocatalytic performance. Action spectrum analysis for the most active Pt-modified TiO2 sample showed that visible light-induced phenol oxidation is initiated by excitation of platinum surface plasmon, and photocatalytic activity analysis revealed that photoactivity depended strongly on morphology of the obtained Pt-modified TiO2 photocatalysts.
Hepatitis C Virus Downregulates Core Subunits of Oxidative Phosphorylation, Reminiscent of the Warburg Effect in Cancer Cells
Authors: Gerresheim Gesche K. , Roeb Elke , Michel Audrey M. , Niepmann Michael
Published: November 2019

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) mainly infects liver hepatocytes and replicates its single-stranded plus strand RNA genome exclusively in the cytoplasm. Viral proteins and RNA interfere with the host cell immune response, allowing the virus to continue replication. Therefore, in about 70% of cases, the viral infection cannot be cleared by the immune system, but a chronic infection is established, often resulting in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Induction of cancer in the host cells can be regarded to provide further advantages for ongoing virus replication. One adaptation in cancer cells is the enhancement of cellular carbohydrate flux in glycolysis with a reduction of the activity of the citric acid cycle and aerobic oxidative phosphorylation. To this end, HCV downregulates the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex core subunits quite early after infection. This so-called aerobic glycolysis is known as the “Warburg Effect” and serves to provide more anabolic metabolites upstream of the citric acid cycle, such as amino acids, pentoses and NADPH for cancer cell growth. In addition, HCV deregulates signaling pathways like those of TNF-β and MAPK by direct and indirect mechanisms, which can lead to fibrosis and HCC.
Are Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) Ready for Clinical Use in Breast Cancer? An Overview of Completed and Ongoing Trials Using CTCs for Clinical Treatment Decisions
Authors: Schochter Fabienne , Friedl Thomas W. P. , deGregorio Amelie , Krause Sabrina , Huober Jens , Rack Brigitte , Janni Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

In recent years, breast cancer treatment has become increasingly individualized. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have the potential to move personalized medicine another step forward. The prognostic relevance of CTCs has already been proven both in early and metastatic breast cancer. In addition, there is evidence that changes in CTC numbers during the course of therapy can predict treatment response. Thus, CTCs are a suitable tool for repeated treatment monitoring through noninvasive liquid biopsy. The next step is to evaluate how this information can be used for clinical decision making with regard to the extension, modification, or abandonment of a treatment regimen. This review will summarize the completed and ongoing clinical trials using CTC number or phenotype for treatment decisions. Based on current knowledge, CTCs can be regarded as a useful prognostic and predictive marker that is well suited for both risk stratification and treatment monitoring in breast cancer patients. However, there is still the need to provide sufficient and unequivocal evidence for whether CTCs may indeed be used to guide treatment decisions in everyday clinical practice. The results of the ongoing trials described in this review are eagerly awaited to answer these important questions.
Interaction of Dislocations and Interfaces in Crystalline Heterostructures: A Review of Atomistic Studies
Authors: Zhang Zhibo , Shao Cancan , Wang Shuncheng , Luo Xing , Zheng Kaihong , Urbassek Herbert M.
Published: November 2019

Interfaces in heterostructures of crystalline materials could strongly affect the slip of dislocations. Such interfaces have become one of the most popular methods to tailor material strength and ductility. This review focuses on the interaction of dislocations and interfaces in heterostructures, in which at least one component is metallic, as investigated by molecular dynamics, in order to systematically summarize our understanding about how dislocations interact with the interfaces. All the possible heterostructures of metallic materials are covered, such as twin boundaries, grain boundaries, bi-metal interfaces and metal/non-metal interfaces. Dislocations may either penetrate the interfaces by inducing steps into the interfaces or dissociate within the interfaces, depending on the type and orientation of the interface as well as the applied strain. Related dislocation interactions at the interface are also presented. In addition, we also discuss the effect of dislocation types, of applied strain and of the deformation method on the interaction of dislocations and interfaces.
Perceptual Video Coding Scheme Using Just Noticeable Distortion Model Based on Entropy Filter
Authors: Cui Xin , Peng Zongju , Jiang Gangyi , Chen Fen , Yu Mei
Published: November 2019

Because perceptual video coding (PVC) can reduce bitrates with negligible visual quality loss in video compression, a PVC scheme based on just noticeable distortion (JND) model is proposed for ultra-high definition video. Firstly, the proposed JND model is designed, considering the spatial JND characteristics such as contrast sensitivity, luminance adaptation and saliency weight factor. Secondly, in order to perform precise JND suppression, the Gauss differential entropy (GDE) filter is designed to divide the image into smooth and complex texture region. Thirdly, through incorporating the proposed JND model into the encoding process, the transform coefficients are suppressed in harmonization with the transform/quantization process of high efficiency video coding (HEVC). In order to achieve the JND suppression effectively, a distortion compensation factor and distortion compensation control factor are incorporated to control the extent of distortion in the rate distortion optimization process. The experimental results show that the proposed PVC scheme can achieve a remarkable bitrate reduction of 32.98% for low delay (LD) configuration and 28.61% for random access (RA) configuration with a negligible subjective quality loss. Meanwhile, the proposed method only causes about average 12.94% and 22.45% encoding time increase under LD and RA configuration compared with an HEVC reference software, respectively.
The Effects of the Catch-Up Mechanism on the Structural Transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ssozi John , Bbaale Edward
Published: November 2019

Structural transformation is one of the processes of productivity growth urgently needed in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study uses the catch-up mechanism to analyze how international contacts and domestic absorptive capacity constraints are shaping the pattern of structural transformation in SSA. Using a two-step Generalized Method of Moments on 2000–2015 data for 29 SSA countries, the paper finds that SSA is undergoing a non-classical structural transformation led by the service sector instead of manufacturing. Import penetration, a key variable of international contact, has negative coefficients for both the agricultural and manufacturing shares of gross domestic product (GDP) but is positively associated with both the services shares of employment and GDP. A test of Kaldor’s third law finds that if growth in employment outside manufacturing is in services, it can also increase economy-wide productivity. Hence, it is the international constraints, such as import penetration and foreign direct investment, that are making the structural transformation of SSA non-classical. Services that involve transfer of skills and technology, such as international tourism and information and communications technology services exports, provide opportunities for structural change and productivity growth.
The 2 × 2 Achievement Goals in Sport and Physical Activity Contexts: A Meta-Analytic Test of Context, Gender, Culture, and Socioeconomic Status Differences and Analysis of Motivations, Regulations, Affect, Effort, and Physical Activity Correlates
Authors: Lochbaum Marc , Zanatta Thaís , Kazak Zişan
Published: November 2019

Approach-avoidance achievement goals are studied extensively in the context of competitive sports and physical activity, including leisure and physical education. Building upon past meta-analyses, the purpose of this quantitative review was to provide basic descriptive data, estimated means for testing of several research questions (i.e., context, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status), and meta-analyzing outcome correlates (i.e., self-determination constructs, affect, effort, and physical activity). A total of 116 studies up to 1 December 2018, met inclusion criteria. These 116 studies, totaling a sample size of 43,133 participants (M sample size = 347.85 + 359.36), from 22 countries with 92.7% of samples, are drawn from participants less than 30 years of mean age. From the 116 unique studies, nearly half (49.6%) were from a sport context and the rest from leisure-time physical activity (PA) (19.4%) and physical education (PE) (31.0%) contexts. A number of different analyses were conducted to examine our research questions. Support was found for several of our research questions: The mastery-approach goal was endorsed more than all the other goals, while sport participants endorsed the performance-approach goal more than PA and PE groups; females endorsed the mastery-avoidance goal more than males; more culturally individualistic countries endorsed the mastery-approach goal; and countries from lower socioeconomic and interdependent countries endorsed the mastery-avoidance goal than higher socioeconomic and independent countries. Concerning, the meta-analyzed correlates, most relationships were hypothesized through the performance-approach goal, and both avoidance goals appeared to be too similar in relationships with the correlates raising theoretical concerns. Overall, the mastery-approach goals had the most meaningful biased corrected effect size values (rc) with the outcome correlates, such as relative autonomy (0.47), intrinsic motivation (0.52), effort (0.40), positive affect (0.42), physical activity intent (0.38). Based on the present and past meta-analytic results, the 2 × 2 achievement goals as currently measured was questioned. Future research suggestions included fundamental questionnaire issues, the need for latent profile analysis or other more advanced statistics, and whether the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework is the most appropriate framework in physical activity contexts.
Power Efficient Current Driver Based on Negative Boosting for High-Speed Lasers
Authors: Arslan Saad , Shah Syed Asmat Ali , Kim HyungWon
Published: November 2019

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are commonly used in high-speed optical communication and 3D sensing applications. Both of these applications require high switching frequency and a short rise time of the VCSEL current. The parasitic inductance of the wire (connecting the driver with VCSEL) makes it challenging to achieve a short rise time, which often incur increased supply voltage and excessive power consumption. This paper utilizes a momentary boosting in supply voltage to overcome the parasitic inductance of the wire with minimal power overhead. The proposed technique uses a precalculated boosting capacitance to produce negative voltage for common-anode VCSELs. The boosting capacitance provides the required amount of charge during the rising transition and automatically disconnects itself in steady-state. Circuit simulations reveal up to three times shorter rise time at the negligible cost of less than 10% power overhead.
An Ultra-Wideband Bandpass Filter with a Notch Band and Wide Upper Bandstop Performances
Authors: Weng Min-Hang , Hsu Che-Wei , Lan Siang-Wen , Yang Ru-Yuan
Published: November 2019

This paper presents an ultra-wideband bandpass filter (UWB-BPF) with a notch band and a wide upper stopband. Two pairs of half-wavelength high-impedance line resonators tightly and strongly coupled to the input/output lines are used to provide the wideband responses. The first UWB responses of 3.4–5.0 GHz and the second UWB of 6.0–10.0 GHz are designed independently first and then combined together for the application of a direct-sequence ultra-wideband bandpass (DS-UWB) system. Without using any extra bandstop structure, a notch band at 5.2 GHz can be obtained. The fabricated UWB-BPF with a compact circuit size exhibits good passband performances including insertion losses of 1 ± 0.3 and 2 ± 0.4 dB for first and second passbands, respectively, a high isolation at 5.2 GHz with an attenuation level of 22.7 dB, and wide upper stopband responses from 11 GHz to 19 GHz, simultaneously. The measured results also exhibit good agreement with the simulated results.
5G Base Station Deployment Perspectives in Millimeter Wave Frequencies Using Meta-Heuristic Algorithms
Authors: Ganame Hassana , Yingzhuang Liu , Ghazzai Hakim , Kamissoko Drissa
Published: November 2019

It can be predicted that the infrastructure of the existing wireless networks will not fill the requirement of the fifth generation (5G) wireless network due to the high data rates and a large number of expected traffic. Thus, a novel deployment method is crucial to satisfy 5G features. Meta-heuristic is expected to be a promising method for the complex deployment optimization problem of the 5G network. This work presents an implementation of a meta-heuristic algorithm based on swarm intelligence, to minimize the number of base stations (BSs) and optimize their placements in millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies (e.g., 28 GHz and 38 GHz) in the context of the 5G network while satisfying user data rates requirement. Then, an iterative method is applied to remove redundant BSs. We formulate an optimization problem that takes into account multiple 5G network deployment scenarios. Further, a comparative study is conducted with the well-known simulated annealing (SA) using Monte Carlo simulations to assess the performance of the developed model. In our simulation results, we divide the region of interest into two subareas with different user distributions for different network scenarios while considering the intercell interference. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach has better network coverage with low percentage users in outage. In addition, the developed approach has less computational times to reach the desired target network quality of service (QoS).
Innovative System for Heat Recovery and Combustion Gas Cleaning
Authors: Ziembicki Piotr , Kozioł Joachim , Bernasiński Jan , Nowogoński Ireneusz
Published: November 2019

The Polish as well as the global energy economy, including in particular heat generation, is to a great extent based on facilities for the combustion of liquid and gaseous fuels. Globally, a considerable part, and in Poland a vast majority of these facilities are much worn out, and, consequently, they work with low efficiency producing considerable amounts of pollutants, which have a very negative impact on the environment. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to develop innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency of fuel combustion and at the same time reduce emission of pollutants. The paper presents a solution which renders it possible to increase the efficiency of fuel conversion by heating up substrates of combustion processes, heat recovery from combustion gases as a result of their cooling and water vapor condensation and which contributes to a reduction of pollution. The solution brings about significant fuel consumption savings and thus a considerable enhancement of economic and ecological efficiency of heat sources is achieved. The solution is specially dedicated to heat sources of low and medium power. The technology developed and described herein will also allow an elimination of environmental burdens caused by inefficient heat sources already in operation.