bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding structures in the ray-finned fishEurynotus crenatus(Actinopterygii: Eurynotiformes): implications for trophic diversification among Carboniferous actinopterygians
Authors: FRIEDMAN Matt , PIERCE Stephanie E. , COATES Michael , GILES Sam
Published: December 2018

The Permo-Carboniferous eurynotiforms show conspicuous modifications to postcranial and cranial morphology relative to primitive actinopterygian conditions, and represent an important early example of functional experimentation within ray-finned fishes. Although eurynotiforms are represented by abundant articulated fossil material, the internal anatomy of the group is not well known. Microcomputed tomography (μCT) ofEurynotus crenatusfrom the early Carboniferous (Viséan) Wardie Shales Member of the Gullane Formation of Wardie, Scotland provides detailed information on the jaws, palate and dentition. The lower jaw is deep and bears a well-developed convex dental plate on the prearticular/coronoids. The dentary bears a dorsally directed posterior process and lacks any obvious marginal dentition. The prearticular bears a low coronoid process. Apart from the first and second dermopalatines, and a likely accessory vomer, bones of the palate are tightly sutured or fused. The upper dental plate comprises a longitudinal, concave horizontal dental surface that occludes with the convex lower toothplate, and a more vertical region consisting of anastomosing ridges. The parasphenoid has a narrow anterior corpus and a broad posterior stalk that bears a pronounced midline notch. The smooth, irregularly punctated surfaces of the dental plates are formed by closely packed teeth with conjoined crowns, providing clues to the evolution of the more monolithic toothplates ofAmphicentrumfrom the peg-like teeth reported in the earliest and most anatomically generalised eurynotiforms. The feeding apparatus shows many qualitative and quantitative features consistent with the processing of hard prey items.Eurynotusand its relatives show the first clear example of jaw and dental structures consistent with durophagy among actinopterygians. The origin of the group in the early Carboniferous is suggestive of diversification into newly available ecological roles in the aftermath of the end-Devonian extinction.
Folienrauchen/Heroin inhalativ
Authors: Yalamanoglu Ayla , Schuurmans Macé M.
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung. Folienrauchen bezeichnet einen inhalativen Konsum von Heroin. Nach Erhitzung und Verflüssigung des Heroins durch Anwendung eines Feuerzeugs auf der Unterseite einer Aluminiumfolie wird mittels Strohhalm der dadurch entstehende Rauch inhaliert. Neben dem bekannten intravenösen (IV) Konsum ist das Folienrauchen die zweithäufigste Form des Heroinkonsums. Die Wirkung tritt im Vergleich zum IV-Konsum mit wenigen Minuten Verzögerung ein. Die beim IV-Konsum beobachteten übertragbaren Krankheiten wie HIV, Hepatitis oder andere Infektionen werden beim inhalativem Konsum nicht berichtet. Es kann jedoch zum Auftreten von schweren Bronchospasmen kommen. Eine zerebrale Auswirkung ist die Leukoenzephalopathie, eine spongiforme Degeneration der weissen Hirnsubstanz, die bisher nur beim inhalativen Heroinkonsum beschrieben wurde. Ursächlich soll die Pyrolysat-Bildung beim Erhitzungsprozess von Heroin beteiligt sein. Bei häufig beobachteter Polytoxikomanie und gleichzeitigem Tabakkonsum ist die Kausalität von Konsumfolgen generell schwierig zu beurteilen. Bei Auftreten einer unklaren pulmonalen Symptomatik oder Erkrankung, die sich wie ein schwerer Asthmaanfall manifestiert, sollte differenzialdiagnostisch an den inhalativen Heroinkonsum gedacht werden.
Developing Ocean Acidification “Champions” in Congress
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2018

Ocean acidification “provides a case study of a way that we can drive forward bipartisan action on an environmental issue,” says an Ocean Conservancy scientist.
Upper Mantle Earth Structure in Africa From Full‐Wave Ambient Noise Tomography
Authors: Emry E. L. , Shen Y. , Nyblade A. A. , Flinders A. , Bao X.
Published: December 2018

Our understanding of the tectonic development of the African continent and the interplay between its geological provinces is hindered by unevenly distributed seismic instrumentation. In order to better understand the continent, we used long‐period ambient noise full‐waveform tomography on data collected from 186 broadband seismic stations throughout Africa and surrounding regions to better image the upper mantle structure. We extracted empirical Green's functions from ambient seismic noise using a frequency‐time normalization method and retrieved coherent signal at periods of 7–340 s. We simulated wave propagation through a heterogeneous Earth using a spherical finite‐difference approach to obtain synthetic waveforms, measured the misfit as phase delay between the data and synthetics, calculated numerical sensitivity kernels using the scattering integral approach, and iteratively inverted for structure. The resulting images of isotropic, shear wave speed for the continent reveal segmented, low‐velocity upper mantle beneath the highly magmatic northern and eastern sections of the East African Rift System (EARS). In the southern and western sections, high‐velocity upper mantle dominates, and distinct, low‐velocity anomalies are restricted to regions of current volcanism. At deeper depths, the southern and western EARS transition to low velocities. In addition to the EARS, several low‐velocity anomalies are scattered through the shallow upper mantle beneath Angola and North Africa, and some of these low‐velocity anomalies may be connected to a deeper feature. Distinct upper mantle high‐velocity anomalies are imaged throughout the continent and suggest multiple cratonic roots within the Congo region and possible cratonic roots within the Sahara Metacraton.
Examining Storm Asymmetries in Hurricane Irma (2017) Using Polarimetric Radar Observations
Authors: Didlake Anthony C. , Kumjian Matthew R.
Published: December 2018

Dual‐polarization radar observations of Hurricane Irma (2017) provide new insight into the microphysical structure of a mature tropical cyclone that can be tied to the cyclone dynamics. The primary eyewall exhibited a radar signature of hydrometeor size sorting, which implied that large drops fell out near persistent upward motion in the front‐right quadrant of the storm, while smaller drops were advected downstream. In the outer rainbands, convective initiation was also preferred in the front‐right quadrant, whereas stratiform precipitation was predominant downwind. For both the primary eyewall and outer rainbands, the preferred quadrant for convective initiation was consistent with the expected kinematic asymmetry of a tropical cyclone in weak environmental wind shear but with moderate translation speed. The developing secondary eyewall exhibited a different asymmetry that indicated a stratiform‐to‐convective transition associated with heavy precipitation in the rear quadrants. This transition is consistent with hypothesized dynamical theories for secondary eyewall formation.
Increasing Frequency of Midtropospheric Dry Layers in the Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone
Authors: Bartos Elissa A. , Rapp A. D. , Wodzicki K. R.
Published: December 2018

Recent long‐term characterization of the Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shows that the ITCZ has narrowed, which may be due to the enhanced transport of dry air layers from the subtropics. In this study, we examine the relationship between the frequency of midtropospheric dry layers and ITCZ width. European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis Interim midtroposphere (400 to 600 hPa) relative humidity is used to create a 36‐year (1979–2014) dry layer climatology for the Pacific ITCZ region. Analysis shows an inverse relationship between ITCZ width and dry layer frequency, with ITCZ width decreasing as the frequency of dry layers increases. Moreover, findings show that the region of greatest long‐term increase in dry layer frequency occurs in the central Pacific, where the greatest narrowing of the ITCZ is also observed.
How the Yermak Pass Branch Regulates Atlantic Water Inflow to the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Crews L. , Sundfjord A. , Hattermann T.
Published: December 2018

The Yermak Plateau is a topographic obstacle which warm water in the West Spitsbergen Current (Atlantic Water) must pass in order to enter the Arctic Ocean. The main route for Atlantic Water to cross the Yermak Plateau is the Yermak Pass Branch, a winter‐intensified pathway characterized by pulse‐like high‐transport events. Here we use an eddy‐resolving sea ice and ocean model to investigate oceanographic conditions that promote flow over the Yermak Plateau. Yermak Pass Branch pulses were associated with a warmer, faster West Spitsbergen Current; these conditions created a region of high offshore Ertel potential vorticity upstream of the plateau. As potential vorticity was low in the current itself, this region of high offshore potential vorticity acted as a barrier that guided flow onto the plateau. During times of enhanced recirculation in Fram Strait, this offshore potential vorticity barrier was weaker, likely allowing the current to deflect away from the continental slope. Through this potential vorticity mechanism, the upstream hydrography of the West Spitsbergen Current can determine how much Atlantic Water crosses the plateau, implying that less dense West Spitsbergen Current core water promotes more inflow into the Arctic Ocean and less recirculation in Fram Strait.
Cloud Response to Arctic Sea Ice Loss and Implications for Future Feedback in the CESM1 Climate Model
Authors: Morrison A. L. , Kay J. E. , Frey W. R. , Chepfer H. , Guzman R.
Published: December 2018

Over the next century, the Arctic is projected to become seasonally sea ice‐free. Assessing feedback between clouds and sea ice as the Arctic loses sea ice cover is important because of clouds' radiative impacts on the Arctic surface. Here we investigate present‐day and future Arctic cloud‐sea ice relationships in a fully coupled global climate model forced by business‐as‐usual increases in greenhouse gases. Model evaluation using a lidar simulator and lidar satellite observations shows agreement between present‐day modeled and observed cloud‐sea ice relationships. Summer clouds are unaffected by sea ice variability, but more fall clouds occur over open water than over sea ice. Because the model reproduces observed cloud‐sea ice relationships and their underlying physical mechanisms, the model is used to assess future Arctic cloud‐sea ice feedback. With future sea ice loss, modeled summer cloud fraction, vertical structure, and optical depth barely change. Future sea ice loss does not influence summer clouds, but summer sea ice loss does drive fall cloud changes by increasing the amount of sunlight absorbed by the summertime ocean and the latent and sensible heat released into the atmosphere when the Sun sets in fall. The future fall boundary layer deepens and clouds become more opaque over newly open water. The future nonsummer longwave cloud radiative effect strengthens as nonsummer cloud cover increases. In summary, we find no evidence for a summer cloud‐sea ice feedback but strong evidence for a positive cloud‐sea ice feedback that emerges during nonsummer months as the Arctic warms and sea ice disappears.
Single crystal hybrid perovskite field-effect transistors
Authors: Yu Weili , Li Feng , Yu Liyang , Niazi Muhammad R. , Zou Yuting , Corzo Daniel , Basu Aniruddha , Ma Chun , Dey Sukumar , Tietze Max L. , Buttner Ulrich , Wang Xianbin , Wang Zhihong , Hedhili Mohamed N. , Guo Chunlei , Wu Tom , Amassian Aram
Published: December 2018

The fields of photovoltaics, photodetection and light emission have seen tremendous activity in recent years with the advent of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites. Yet, there have been far fewer reports of perovskite-based field-effect transistors. The lateral and interfacial transport requirements of transistors make them particularly vulnerable to surface contamination and defects rife in polycrystalline films and bulk single crystals. Here, we demonstrate a spatially-confined inverse temperature crystallization strategy which synthesizes micrometre-thin single crystals of methylammonium lead halide perovskites MAPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) with sub-nanometer surface roughness and very low surface contamination. These benefit the integration of MAPbX3 crystals into ambipolar transistors and yield record, room-temperature field-effect mobility up to 4.7 and 1.5 cm2 V−1 s−1 in p and n channel devices respectively, with 104 to 105 on-off ratio and low turn-on voltages. This work paves the way for integrating hybrid perovskite crystals into printed, flexible and transparent electronics.
aPKC controls endothelial growth by modulating c-Myc via FoxO1 DNA-binding ability
Authors: Riddell Meghan , Nakayama Akiko , Hikita Takao , Mirzapourshafiyi Fatemeh , Kawamura Takuji , Pasha Ayesha , Li Mengnan , Masuzawa Mikio , Looso Mario , Steinbacher Tim , Ebnet Klaus , Potente Michael , Hirose Tomonori , Ohno Shigeo , Fleming Ingrid , Gattenlöhner Stefan , Aung Phyu P. , Phung Thuy , Yamasaki Osamu , Yanagi Teruki , Umemura Hiroshi , Nakayama Masanori
Published: December 2018

Strict regulation of proliferation is vital for development, whereas unregulated cell proliferation is a fundamental characteristic of cancer. The polarity protein atypical protein kinase C lambda/iota (aPKCλ) is associated with cell proliferation through unknown mechanisms. In endothelial cells, suppression of aPKCλ impairs proliferation despite hyperactivated mitogenic signaling. Here we show that aPKCλ phosphorylates the DNA binding domain of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) transcription factor, a gatekeeper of endothelial growth. Although mitogenic signaling excludes FoxO1 from the nucleus, consequently increasing c-Myc abundance and proliferation, aPKCλ controls c-Myc expression via FoxO1/miR-34c signaling without affecting its localization. We find this pathway is strongly activated in the malignant vascular sarcoma, angiosarcoma, and aPKC inhibition reduces c-Myc expression and proliferation of angiosarcoma cells. Moreover, FoxO1 phosphorylation at Ser218 and aPKC expression correlates with poor patient prognosis. Our findings may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of malignant cancers, like angiosarcoma.
Effective weight control via an implanted self-powered vagus nerve stimulation device
Authors: Yao Guang , Kang Lei , Li Jun , Long Yin , Wei Hao , Ferreira Carolina A. , Jeffery Justin J. , Lin Yuan , Cai Weibo , Wang Xudong
Published: December 2018

In vivo vagus nerve stimulation holds great promise in regulating food intake for obesity treatment. Here we present an implanted vagus nerve stimulation system that is battery-free and spontaneously responsive to stomach movement. The vagus nerve stimulation system comprises a flexible and biocompatible nanogenerator that is attached on the surface of stomach. It generates biphasic electric pulses in responsive to the peristalsis of stomach. The electric signals generated by this device can stimulate the vagal afferent fibers to reduce food intake and achieve weight control. This strategy is successfully demonstrated on rat models. Within 100 days, the average body weight is controlled at 350 g, 38% less than the control groups. This work correlates nerve stimulation with targeted organ functionality through a smart, self-responsive system, and demonstrated highly effective weight control. This work also provides a concept in therapeutic technology using artificial nerve signal generated from coordinated body activities.
Routes of Zika virus dissemination in the testis and epididymis of immunodeficient mice
Authors: Tsetsarkin Konstantin A. , Maximova Olga A. , Liu Guangping , Kenney Heather , Teterina Natalia , Bloom Marshall E. , Grabowski Jeffrey M. , Mlera Luwanika , Nagata Bianca M. , Moore Ian , Martens Craig , Amaro-Carambot Emerito , Lamirande Elaine W. , Whitehead Stephen S. , Pletnev Alexander G.
Published: December 2018

Sexual transmission and persistence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the male reproductive tract (MRT) poses new challenges for controlling virus outbreaks and developing live-attenuated vaccines. To elucidate routes of ZIKV dissemination in the MRT, we here generate microRNA-targeted ZIKV clones that lose the infectivity for (1) the cells inside seminiferous tubules of the testis, or (2) epithelial cells of the epididymis. We trace ZIKV dissemination in the MRT using an established mouse model of ZIKV pathogenesis. Our results support a model in which ZIKV infects the testis via a hematogenous route, while infection of the epididymis can occur via two routes: (1) hematogenous/lymphogenous and (2) excurrent testicular. Co-targeting of the ZIKV genome with brain-, testis-, and epididymis-specific microRNAs restricts virus infection of these organs, but does not affect virus-induced protective immunity in mice and monkeys. These defined alterations of ZIKV tropism represent a rational design of a safe live-attenuated ZIKV vaccine.
Sampling bias overestimates climate change impacts on forest growth in the southwestern United States
Authors: Klesse Stefan , DeRose R. Justin , Guiterman Christopher H. , Lynch Ann M. , O’Connor Christopher D. , Shaw John D. , Evans Margaret E. K.
Published: December 2018

Climate−tree growth relationships recorded in annual growth rings have recently been the basis for projecting climate change impacts on forests. However, most trees and sample sites represented in the International Tree-Ring Data Bank (ITRDB) were chosen to maximize climate signal and are characterized by marginal growing conditions not representative of the larger forest ecosystem. We evaluate the magnitude of this potential bias using a spatially unbiased tree-ring network collected by the USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. We show that U.S. Southwest ITRDB samples overestimate regional forest climate sensitivity by 41–59%, because ITRDB trees were sampled at warmer and drier locations, both at the macro- and micro-site scale, and are systematically older compared to the FIA collection. Although there are uncertainties associated with our statistical approach, projection based on representative FIA samples suggests 29% less of a climate change-induced growth decrease compared to projection based on climate-sensitive ITRDB samples.
Author Correction: Comparing the Success Rate of Dacryocystorhinostomy With and Without Silicone Intubation: A Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Xie ChuanQi , Zhang Lingling , Liu Yang , Ma Hong , Li Shuzhen
Published: December 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Triple photochemical domino reaction of a tetrafluorostilbene terminating in double fluorine atom transfer
Authors: Murase Takashi , Matsuda Chikako , Adachi Kiyohiro , Sawada Tomohisa , Fujita Makoto
Published: December 2018

In domino reactions, the product formed in one step undergoes a subsequent transformation under identical reaction conditions. Owing to the spontaneous nature of these reactions, it is difficult to isolate the key intermediates, and these are thus usually presumed. Here we perform a photoinduced domino reaction consisting of three photochemical steps. First, oxidative photocyclisation of a tetrafluorostilbene derivative generates tetrafluoro[7]helicene, which readily undergoes a photoinduced intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction. The resulting product then undergoes a double fluorine atom transfer under the same photochemical conditions. As a result, the four originally adjacent fluorine atoms are separated into two pairs in the final product. One advantage of a photochemical domino process over a thermal one is that the process can be suspended and restarted. Hence, precise control of the irradiation time allows us to isolate the thermally stable intermediates and characterise them using X-ray crystallography, thus confirming the until-now putative domino process.
Transient space localization of electrons ejected from continuum atomic processes in hot dense plasma
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Gao Cheng , Hou Yong , Zeng Jiaolong , Yuan Jianmin
Published: December 2018

Continuum atomic processes initiated by photons and electrons occurring in a plasma are fundamental in plasma physics, playing a key role in the determination of ionization balance, equation of state, and opacity. Here we propose the notion of a transient space localization of electrons produced during the ionization of atoms immersed in a hot dense plasma, which can significantly modify the fundamental properties of ionization processes. A theoretical formalism is developed to study the wavefunctions of the continuum electrons that takes into consideration the quantum de-coherence caused by coupling with the plasma environment. The method is applied to the photoionization of Fe16+ embedded in hot dense plasmas. We find that the cross section is considerably enhanced compared with the predictions of the existing isolated-atom model, and thereby partly explains the big difference between the measured opacity of Fe plasma and the existing standard models for short wavelengths.
ZuCo, a simultaneous EEG and eye-tracking resource for natural sentence reading
Authors: Hollenstein Nora , Rotsztejn Jonathan , Troendle Marius , Pedroni Andreas , Zhang Ce , Langer Nicolas
Published: December 2018

We present the Zurich Cognitive Language Processing Corpus (ZuCo), a dataset combining electroencephalography (EEG) and eye-tracking recordings from subjects reading natural sentences. ZuCo includes high-density EEG and eye-tracking data of 12 healthy adult native English speakers, each reading natural English text for 4–6 hours. The recordings span two normal reading tasks and one task-specific reading task, resulting in a dataset that encompasses EEG and eye-tracking data of 21,629 words in 1107 sentences and 154,173 fixations. We believe that this dataset represents a valuable resource for natural language processing (NLP). The EEG and eye-tracking signals lend themselves to train improved machine-learning models for various tasks, in particular for information extraction tasks such as entity and relation extraction and sentiment analysis. Moreover, this dataset is useful for advancing research into the human reading and language understanding process at the level of brain activity and eye-movement.
Single cell analysis of aged RBCs: quantitative analysis of the aged cells and byproducts
Authors: Kim James , Weigand Mitchell , Palmer Andre F. , Zborowski Maciej , Yazer Mark H. , Chalmers Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2018

This study focuses on characterizing the aging process of red blood cells by correlating the loss of hemoglobin and the translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) in expired human red blood cells, hRBCs.
An LC-MS profiling method reveals a route for apocarotene glycosylation and shows its induction by high light stress in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mi Jianing , Jia Kun-Peng , Balakrishna Aparna , Wang Jian You , Al-Babili Salim
Published: December 2018

Apocarotenoid glycosylation serves as a valve regulating carotenoid homeostasis in plants and may contribute to their response to photo-oxidative stress.
Comparative study of resazurin reduction and MTT assays for cytocompatibility evaluation of nanofibrous materials
Authors: Zheng Fuyin , Wang Shige , Hou Wenxiu , Xiao Yunchao , Liu Pengchao , Shi Xiangyang , Shen Mingwu
Published: December 2018

REMA is a more reliable and accurate approach for cytocompatibility evaluation of nanofibrous materials than MTT assay.
Cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling betweenN-(2-pyridyl) and free indoles for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,2′-biindoles
Authors: Li Ting , Yang Yuhan , Li Bo , Yang Ping
Published: December 2018

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling ofN-(2-pyridyl) indoles with free indoles for the construction of unsymmetrical 2,2′-biindoles is developed.
ZIF nano-dagger coated gauze for antibiotic-free wound dressing
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Wu Hong , Lu Hongfang , Zheng Yiran , Ying Jackie Y. , Zhang Yugen
Published: December 2018

ZIF nano-dagger coated gauze was used for antibiotic-free and biocompatible wound dressing with a lower haemolytic activity, less cytotoxicity and improved wound healing performance.
Pd-Catalyzed para-selective C–H difluoromethylation of aromatic carbonyls
Authors: Mao Yang-Jie , Wang Bing-Xin , Wu Qiu-Zi , Zhou Kun , Lou Shao-Jie , Xu Dan-Qian
Published: December 2018

A novel Pd-catalyzed para-selective C–H bond difluoromethylation of diverse aromatic carbonyls was developed.
Electrochemical sensing of free radical antioxidant diphenylamine cations (DPAH˙+) with carbon interlaced nanoflake-assembled MgxNi9−xS8 microspheres
Authors: Nehru Raja , Murugesan Raghavan Chinnambedu , Chen Shen-Ming , Sankar Raman
Published: December 2018

The detection and control of free radical antioxidant diphenylamine cations (DPAH˙+), a typical organic industrial waste water byproduct, is important for environmental safety and protection.
Synthesis of magnesium complexes of ionic liquids with highly coordinating anions
Authors: Lethesh Kallidanthiyil Chellappan , Øien-Ødegaard Sigurd , Jayasayee Kaushik , Fiksdahl Anne
Published: December 2018

Magnesium-complexes [Mg2+(hfac−)3][Cation+] were prepared from Mg(Tf2N)2and ILs; [C4mim][hfac], [C4Pyr][hfac], [C4Pip][hfac], [C6Morph][hfac], and [C4Pyrr][hfac]; complex-characterization by1H and13C NMR, and X-ray spectroscopy.
State-selective coherent motional excitation as a new approach for the manipulation, spectroscopy and state-to-state chemistry of single molecular ions
Authors: Meir Ziv , Hegi Gregor , Najafian Kaveh , Sinhal Mudit , Willitsch Stefan
Published: December 2018

We present theoretical and experimental progress towards a new approach for the precision spectroscopy, coherent manipulation and state-to-state chemistry of single isolated molecular ions in the gas phase.
Optimization of temporal window for application of calibration free-laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) on copper alloys in air employing a single line
Authors: Mal Eshita , Junjuri Rajendhar , Gundawar Manoj Kumar , Khare Alika
Published: December 2018

Optimization of temporal window for Calibration-Free Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) using single transition of the constituent elements.
Dynamic control of capillary flow in porous media by electroosmotic pumping
Authors: Rosenfeld Tally , Bercovici Moran
Published: December 2018

The paper-based electroosmotic (EO)-pump is used to accelerate/decelerate the capillary-driven velocity, as well as act as a reversible and tunable valve.
Advances in designs and mechanisms of semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures for high-precision gas sensors operated at room temperature
Authors: Li Zhijie , Li Hao , Wu Zhonglin , Wang Mingkui , Luo Jingting , Torun Hamdi , Hu PingAn , Yang Chang , Grundmann Marius , Liu Xiaoteng , Fu YongQing
Published: December 2018

A comprehensive review on designs and mechanisms of semiconducting metal oxides with various nanostructures for room-temperature gas sensor applications.
Tunable graphene oxide inter-sheet distance to obtain graphene oxide–silver nanoparticle hybrids
Authors: Thesing Anderson , Loguercio Lara F. , Noremberg Bruno S. , Alano José H. , e Silva Ricardo Marques , Orlandi Marcelo O. , Marin Graciane , Santos Jacqueline F. Leite , Carreño Neftali Lenin Villarreal
Published: December 2018

An improved capacitor using silver nanoparticles incorporated within sheets of graphene oxide. 90 times higher specific capacitance than bare graphene oxide.
A unified model of impact sensitivity of metal azides
Authors: Bondarchuk Sergey V.
Published: December 2018

A comprehensive theoretical study of 18 metal azides is reported.
Time-dependent DFT and experimental study on visible light photocatalysis by metal oxides of Ti, V and Zn after complexing with a conjugated polymer
Authors: Kaur Navjot , Komal Komal , Gupta Shuchi , Kumar Vinod , Tikoo K. B. , Singhal Sonal , Goel Neetu
Published: December 2018

Tuning the photoactive behavior of transition metal oxide (Ti2O4, V2O5, Zn3O3) cluster units by structural modifications with polythiophene.
Quaternary polymer solar cells with over 13% efficiency enabled by improving film-morphologiesviabinary mixed fullerene additive
Authors: Shen Fugang , Yan Dong , Li Weiping , Meng Huifeng , Huang Jianhua , Li Xuemei , Xu Jianzhong , Zhan Chuanlang
Published: December 2018

The use of binary mixed fullerene additive outperforms the use of single fullerene additive.
A novel strategy for realizing dual state fluorescence and low-temperature phosphorescence
Authors: Lei Yunxiang , Dai Wenbo , Liu Zhiqi , Guo Shuai , Cai Zhengxu , Shi Jianbing , Zheng Xiaoyan , Zhi Junge , Tong Bin , Dong Yuping
Published: December 2018

We demonstrate a new strategy for the development of dual-state emissive materials with a positive response to temperature and long lifetime phosphorescence at low temperature.
Effects of methyl jasmonate and melatonin treatments on the sensory quality and bioactive compounds of harvested broccoli
Authors: Luo Feng , Cai Jia-Hui , Zhang Xuan , Tao Dong-Bing , Zhou Xin , Zhou Qian , Zhao Ying-Bo , Wei Bao-Dong , Cheng Shun-Chang , Ji Shu-Juan
Published: December 2018

In the process of yellowing, methyl jasmonate and melatonin treatments effectively improved the color, taste, flavor and bioactive compound content in broccoli.
Si nanocrystal solution with stability for one year
Authors: Kajiya Daisuke , Saitow Ken-ichi
Published: December 2018

A stable nanocrystal for one year without aggregation in a liquid is synthesized by one-step, one-pot, and one-hour process.
Boron-based stepwise dioxygen activation with 1,4,2,5-diazadiborinine
Authors: Wang Baolin , Kinjo Rei
Published: December 2018

Activation of dioxygen (O2) by 1,4,2,5-diazadiborinine1is reported.
Size-dependent synthesis and catalytic activities of trimetallic PdAgCu mesoporous nanospheres in ethanol electrooxidation
Authors: Lv Hao , Sun Lizhi , Zou Lu , Xu Dongdong , Yao Huiqin , Liu Ben
Published: December 2018

A facile solution-phase synthetic approach is reported to engineer the size effect of sub-100 nm PdAgCu mesoporous nanospheres in ethanol electrooxidation.
Electrodeposition-based in situ construction of a ZnO-ordered macroporous film gas sensor with enhanced sensitivity
Authors: Pan Zizhao , Sun Fengqiang , Zhu Ximiao , Chen Zhicong , Lin Xi , Zheng Yujian , Zhong Wenyu , Zhuang Zefeng , Gu Fenglong
Published: December 2018

A ZnO-ordered macroporous film sensor integrated with standing nanosheets was in situ constructed based on electrodeposition, and exhibited enhanced sensitivity to ethanol gas.
pH and enzyme dual-responsive release of hydrogen sulfide for disc degeneration therapy
Authors: Zheng Zengming , Chen Anqi , He Huacheng , Chen Yu , Chen Jian , Albashari Abdullkhaleg Ali , Li Jiawei , Yin Jiayu , He Zili , Wang Qingqing , Wu Jiang , Wang Qian , Kang Jianming , Xian Ming , Wang Xiangyang , Xiao Jian
Published: December 2018

The collagen hydrogel controllably releases hydrogen sulfide by responding to pH and enzymes for disc degeneration therapy.
Proton–electron-coupled MoS2 synaptic transistors with a natural renewable biopolymer neurotransmitter for brain-inspired neuromorphic learning
Authors: Hu Wennan , Jiang Jie , Xie Dingdong , Liu Biao , Yang Junliang , He Jun
Published: December 2018

A new-type of artificial synapse based on proton–electron-coupled MoS2 transistors is firstly proposed gated by the chitosan-based natural renewable biopolymer.
Li+ and K+ ionic conductivity in ionic nematic liquid crystals based on 18-diaza-crown ether substituted with six decylalkoxy-p-cyanobiphenyl chains
Authors: Conejo-Rodríguez Verónica , Cuerva Cristián , Schmidt Rainer , Bardají Manuel , Espinet Pablo
Published: December 2018

Several ionic liquid crystals with different anions, based on coordination of K+ or Li+ to diaza-crown ether fragments, are spontaneously conductive without externally induced alignment.
TlP5: an unexplored direct band gap 2D semiconductor with ultra-high carrier mobility
Authors: Yuan Jun-Hui , Cresti Alessandro , Xue Kan-Hao , Song Ya-Qian , Su Hai-Lei , Li Li-Heng , Miao Nai-Hua , Sun Zhi-Mei , Wang Jia-Fu , Miao Xiang-Shui
Published: December 2018

Monolayer TlP5is predicted to be a direct gap semiconductor with a moderate band gap value of 2.02 eV and balanced high carrier mobilities for both electrons and holes.
Asymmetrical hole/electron transport in donor–acceptor mixed-stack cocrystals
Authors: Sato Ryonosuke , Kawamoto Tadashi , Mori Takehiko
Published: December 2018

Mixed-stack donor–acceptor crystals show electron or ambipolar transport depending on the symmetry of the frontier orbitals.
Effects of water vapor and oxygen on non-fullerene small molecule acceptors
Authors: Wang Chuanfei , Ni Shaofei , Braun Slawomir , Fahlman Mats , Liu Xianjie
Published: December 2018

Tolerance of non-fullerene acceptors to water vapor, oxygen and thermal stress was investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy via the in situ method.
Inorganic CsBi3I10 perovskite/silicon heterojunctions for sensitive, self-driven and air-stable NIR photodetectors
Authors: Tong Xiao-Wei , Zhang Zhi-Xiang , Wang Di , Luo Lin-Bao , Xie Chao , Wu Yu-Cheng
Published: December 2018

We report on the fabrication of a high-performance photodetector based on an inorganic CsBi3I10 perovskite/silicon heterojunction.
Gestational caffeine exposure acts as a fetal thyroid-cytokine disruptor by activating caspase-3/BAX/Bcl-2/Cox2/NF-κB at ED 20
Authors: R.G. Ahmed
Published: December 2018

The objective of this examination was to explore the impact of gestational caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) exposure on the maternofetal thyroid axis and fetal thyroid–cytokine communications during gestation.
Ergodic pairs for singular or degenerate fully nonlinear operators
Authors: Birindelli Isabeau , Demengel Françoise , Leoni Fabiana
Published: December 2018

We study the ergodic problem for fully nonlinear operators which may be singular or degenerate when the gradient of solutions vanishes. We prove the convergence of both explosive solutions and solutions of Dirichlet problems for approximating equations. We further characterize the ergodic constant as the infimum of constants for which there exist bounded sub-solutions. As intermediate results of independent interest, we prove a priori Lipschitz estimates depending only on the norm of the zeroth order term, and a comparison principle for equations having no zero order terms.
Application of metasurfaces in the design of performance-enhanced low-profile antennas
Authors: Park Ikmo
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a review of metasurface-based antennas conducted at the Microwave Communication Laboratory (MCL) of Ajou University in the Republic of Korea. In this paper, profile miniaturization, bandwidth enhancement, multiband operation, and radiation pattern control of metasurface-based antennas are considered. The paper first presents metasurface-based antennas implemented by placing various radiators on top of the metasurface. It then presents antennas implemented by placing the radiators below the metasurface with and without the ground plane. Metasurface-based antennas are not only able to achieve high efficiency with a low profile but they are also able to generate extra resonances from the metasurface structures, which significantly enhances the overall performance of the antennas. These additional resonances were utilized in multiband and/or wideband operations. In addition, the design of a planar compact wide-gain-bandwidth metasurface-based antenna and its radiation characteristics are presented at a terahertz (THz) frequency range. The THz antennas were designed with metasurfaces and a planar leaky-wave feeding structure. Finally, the outlook on future research at the MCL for antenna-related work and their applications using metasurfaces is provided.
Plasticity in life history traits of the nativeProterorhinus semilunarissuggests high adaptive capacity in its invasive range
Authors: Top Nildeniz , Karakuş Uğur , Tepeköy Erdi Gökhan , Britton John Robert , Tarkan Ali Serhan
Published: December 2018

Invasion risk assessments are reliant on ecological data that assist the predictions of whether an introduced species will adapt to novel conditions. Data from the native range of potential invaders can thus assist these assessments. Here, the growth and reproductive characteristics of the Western tubenose gobyProterorhinus semilunaris, a Ponto-Caspian gobiid, were assessed in three natural lakes in their native range, as there are few extant data on these traits. Across the three lakes, the gobies were found in varying abundances. Sex ratios varied, with females significantly outnumbering males in only one lake, with equal sex ratios in the other lakes. The fish always showed a positive allometric growth, but had high variability in their somatic growth rates and relative body conditions between the lakes. Scale ageing revealed all populations comprised of individuals to four years old, with one lake having individuals to 5 years old. Reproductive characteristics, including size at maturity, gonado-somatic index and fecundity, did not differ significantly between the lakes. These data suggest that plasticity in aspects of their life history traits providesP. semilunariswith considerable adaptive capacity following their introduction into novel conditions.
Experimental study on aqueous phase liquids migration in double-porosity soil under non-isothermal effect using digital image analysis
Authors: Kok Foong Loke , Nazir Ramli , Sa’ari Radzuan , Hafizi Kasiman Erwan , Alias Noraliani , Mustaffar Mushairry
Published: December 2018

Aqueous phase liquid (APLs) leakage and spillage into the subsurface system, leading to groundwater contamination is an issue that needs to be addressed. This paper aims to investigate the APLs migration characteristics in fractured non-isothermal double-porosity soil. A laboratory experiment was conducted to observe and monitor the characteristics of the soil structure and APLs migration in heated deformable double-porosity soil using digital image processing technique. The results show rapid liquid migration for the fractured soil samples. The time taken for the liquid to migrate under the application of heat is less for sample with low moisture content due to faster dry off and rapid evaporation. It can be concluded that APLs migration under vibration and non-isothermal effect is highly influenced by the soil sample structure, the soil fractured pattern, the soil water content, and the applied heat in the soil.
Assessment on Segment Joint to Improve Soil-Tunnel Interaction
Authors: Jusoh Siti Norafida , Mohamad Hisham , Marto Aminaton , Kassim Fauziah
Published: December 2018

The bending moment of tunnel lining can be influenced by non-uniform ground pressures and joint eccentricities. Influence of joint interaction that induces flexural moment behaviour in segmental tunnel lining was investigated for the project Circle Line Stage 3 (C852), Serangoon Interchange Station. By considering behaviour of segment joint (which can affects the tunnel circumferential and longitudinal safety in overall), the tunnel lining behaviour and displacement of the ground surrounding the tunnel were evaluated. The segment joint modelling in simplified dual-jointed model and in fully soil-tunnel model were developed to assess the effect of segment joint on the overall tunnel response. Ground deformation or settlement trough at the ground surface resulted from the effect of tunnel construction and interaction between soil, tunnel, segment joints and ring joints was predicted. Results showed that with different use of segment joints give different longitudinal settlement. Hinge-nonlinear model together with separated rings model lead to the highest resemblance of surface settlement pattern to the field data when compare to tie model.
Physical and rheological properties of nano zinc oxide modified asphalt binder
Authors: Yunus Khairul Nizam Mohd , Abdullah Mohd Ezree , Ahmad Mohd Khairul , Kamaruddin Nurul Hidayah Mohd , Tami Haniffah
Published: December 2018

The main objectives of this work were to investigate the physical and rheological properties of nano zinc oxide (NaZO) flake structure as a modifier in asphalt binder. NaZO was produced with hydrothermal method by using two precursors, which are zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide. NaZO was mixed with virgin binder 60/70 penetration grade at 3%, 5% and 7% of asphalt binder weight, respectively. The physical properties were evaluated by conventional testing, such as penetration, softening point and viscosity. Meanwhile, the rheological property, such as rutting resistance, was measured by using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) for unaged and rolling thin film oven (RTFO) aged. It was observed that the penetration value was decreased and the softening point increased with increasing NaZO concentrations. In addition, the rutting resistance factor was increased for the modified binder. A comparison between the modified binder, 7% NaZO, showed a greater resistance to rutting before and after aging. Results of this study showed that the NaZO addition had increased the asphalt binder stiffness ; thus, could contribute to better resistance to permanent deformation.
Assessment of traffic noise due to transverse rumble strips at residential areas
Authors: Haron Zaiton , Nadirah Darus , Mohamad Afif Supandi , Khairulzan Yahya , Mashros Nordiana , Zanariah Jahya
Published: December 2018

Transverse rumble strips (TRS) are commonly being installed to alert the drivers through sound and vibration effects. The sound produced affects the existing traffic noise level which caused noise annoyance to the nearby residents. This study aims to assess the traffic noise due to TRS at residential areas by determining the roadside noise levels, traffic and road characteristics and evaluating the relationship between these parameters. Middle overlapped (MO), middle layer overlapped (MLO) and raised rumbler (RR) TRS profiles with same thickness were selected. The measurements of roadside noise levels and skid resistance were conducted using sound level meter (SLM) and British pendulum tester (BPT) respectively. Traffic characteristics were evaluated using previous data measured using automatic traffic counter (ATC). In overall, MLO produced highest roadside noise levels with increase of 20.5dBA from baseline. Generally, the increase of roadside noise level due to TRS is strong with speed, weak to medium with skid resistance of TRS and no relationship with traffic volume. Based on three TRS profile types, MLO is not suitable to be installed on the roadways adjacent to the residential areas as the increase of roadside noise level is significant which is more than 5dBA compared to MO and RR.
Shear resistance of welded inclined bars in rectangular reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Galip Noor Suhaida , Noor Mohamed Roslli , Abdullah Ramli
Published: December 2018

The bent-up bars have not been used as shear reinforcement in beams since the past 40 years or so. In all cases of design and construction nowadays, shear forces are resisted by vertical links only. Some complications in installing the multiple set of bent-up bars, the less opportunity to have sufficient number of bent-up bars due to small number of flexural reinforcement provided at the mid-span of the beams and also the large anchorage required for the horizontal portion of the bars beyond the upper end of the bend could be the reasons behind this. This paper presents the results of tests on five rectangular reinforced concrete beams in which the effectiveness of welded inclined bars (WIB) as shear reinforcement was studied. Two of the beams were controlled specimens, with no shear reinforcement in one, and full design vertical links in another. The other three beams were provided with three different quantities of WIB, measured in terms of area to distance ratio, Asw / S as shear reinforcement in the shear spans. All beams were tested to failure under two point loads with a shear span to effective depth ratio of 2.34, which would ensure that the failure was due to shear unless their shear capacities were larger than the flexural capacity. The performances of the beams were measured in terms of deflection, crack formation, strains in WIB and on the concrete surfaces in the shear region, ultimate loads and failure modes. The results show that WIB alone is capable of carrying the whole shear forces in the beam, and larger shear capacities are achieved with a larger quantity of WIB, and a higher grade of the bars used. The beam with WIB requires 22% less in the quantity of Asw / S compared to that with vertical links to achieve the same shear resistance. These suggest that WIB can be used as an effective system of shear reinforcement in beams.
The effect of vegetation canopy on canopy storage capacity with different rainfall intensity
Authors: Nur Syahida A.M. , Azinoor Azida A.B.
Published: December 2018

Canopy Interception is one of the vital component in hydrological cycle and underestimating the interception process can significantly affect the water balance. A study of rainfall interception was conducted using rainfall simulator called hydrology apparatus. Three different rainfall intensities were used in this study; 90 mm/hr, 140 mm/hr and 180 mm/hr. These intensities were produced by 8 nozzles. The test were first carried out on the barren land without the existence of canopy cover. To study the effect of canopy cover on canopy storage capacity, broadleaf plant (Scindapsus Aureus) was used to cover the barren land. The differences between the amount of water discharge between these two different land covers were observed to determine the quantity of water stored in the canopy. Results indicated that Scindapsus Aureus intercepted more water at lower intensity than at higher intensity. The lowest intensity was 90 mm/hr stored 1.6mm of rainwater while 140 mm/hr retained 0.8 mm. 180 mm/hr was the highest rainfall intensity used in this study intercepted 0.3mm of total precipitation. Therefore, this study proved that rainfall intensity is one of the main factors that influence the rainfall interception process.
Characteristics of saltwater intrusion during high and low waters along Sungai Kilim, Langkawi Kedah
Authors: Mohd Suhaimi Hazamy , Jamal Mohamad Hidayat , Ahmad Anuar , Othman Ilya Khairanis , Abdullah Halim Mohd Khairul , Mat Amin Zulkarnaini , Halid Nur Hidayah
Published: December 2018

Salinity distribution is one of the physical indices that is important to determine water resources management and quality in estuaries. There are many other driven parameters in determining salt intrusion such as tides, river discharge, and river geometry. This paper studies the salinity distribution using the tide driven parameters during high and low waters. The objectives of this study are to obtain the salinity and pH values at different tidal impact of low and high waters in determining one of the physical indices along Kilim River, Langkawi. There were ten different stations with 500 m of interval along the study area starting from the Kilim River Jetty towards the river mouth. The salinity was obtained from six different depths with the reading of pH values and temperature as supporting details of the observation made along the Kilim River, Langkawi. The depth at each station varied from 0.5 to 3.0 m with 0.5 m of interval. Based on the results obtained from this study, the salinity during high water was highly stratified compared to those of low water. The salinity characteristic is important to further research on the impact of sea level rise at the estuaries. The salinity distribution pattern may contribute to the different species of vegetation along the Kilim River, Langkawi. Therefore, this study will help in contributing the mangrove migration for future research.