bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joy and war: Reading pleasure in wartime experiences
Authors: Welland Julia
Published: March 2018

In recent years there has been a ‘turn’ to thinking about war through the experiences of those touched by it. While this scholarship has generated numerous important insights, its focus has tended to remain on wars’ violences, those responsible for enacting them, and the effects of such violence. In this article, the experiences of pleasure and joy in war that simultaneously take place are placed centre stage. Drawing on three war novels, the article tracks three recurring themes of pleasurable and joyful experiences related to war: bodily pleasures, the ‘togetherness’ of war, and moments of joy that escape war’s reach. Through this focus, war is shown to work across a range of affective registers and as never totalising or universalising in its experience. The article argues that paying attention to joy and pleasure can work to displace war as a focus of analysis, directing attention instead to the experiences of those who live through war and how they survive, sustain, and resist it.
Distinct emotion regulation skills explain psychopathology and problems in social relationships following childhood emotional abuse and neglect
Authors: Berzenski Sara R.
Published: March 2018

Efforts to differentiate between the developmental sequelae of childhood emotional abuse and childhood emotional neglect are critical to both research and practice efforts. As an oft-identified mechanism of the effects of child maltreatment on later adjustment, emotion dysregulation represents a key potential pathway. The present study explored a higher order factor model of specific emotion regulation skills, and the extent to which these skill sets would indicate distinct developmental pathways from unique emotional maltreatment experiences to multidomain adjustment. A sample of 500 ethnoracially diverse college students reported on their experiences. A two-factor model of emotion regulation skills based on subscales of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale was revealed. Significant indirect effects of childhood emotional abuse on psychopathology and problems in social relationships were found through response-focused difficulties in emotion regulation, whereas a significant indirect effect of childhood emotional neglect on problems in social relationships was found through antecedent-focused difficulties in emotion regulation. These results are consistent with theoretical models and empirical evidence suggesting differential effects of childhood emotional abuse and emotional neglect, and provide an important indication for developing targeted interventions focusing on specific higher order emotion dysregulation skill clusters.
Functional morpho-anatomy of water-gap complexes in physically dormant seed
Authors: Geneve Robert L. , Baskin Carol C. , Baskin Jerry M. , Gehan Jayasuriya K.M.G. , Gama-Arachchige Nalin S.
Published: March 2018

Physical dormancy (PY) occurs in at least 18 angiosperm plant families and is caused by water-impermeable palisade cells in seed (or fruit) coats. Breaking of PY involves disruption or dislodgement of water-gap structures causing the seeds/fruits to become water permeable (non-dormant). The water-gap region is a morphologically distinct area of the seed or fruit coat that forms a water-gap complex. The location, anatomy, morphology and origin of water-gaps can differ between and even within families and genera. Water-gap structures sense environmental conditions that allow seeds with PY to become permeable just prior to the commencement of conditions favourable for germination and plant establishment. There are three basic water-gap morpho-anatomies characterized by the way the water-gap opens: Type-I, Type-II and Type-III. In Type-I water-gaps, specific kinds of cells pull apart to form a surface opening, while in Type-II a portion of the surface structure is pulled away from adjacent cells, opening the water-gap. Type-III is the least common type and has a circular, plug-like structure that is dislodged, whereby water entry occurs. In addition, water-gap complexes are either simple or compound, depending on whether only a single primary water-gap structure is involved in dormancy release or an additional secondary water-gap structure opens, permitting water entry.
Cardiac deformation parameters and rotational mechanics by cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking in pre-adolescent male soccer players
Authors: Małek Łukasz A. , Barczuk-Falęcka Marzena , Brzewski Michał
Published: March 2018

The purpose of the study was to analyse whether prolonged and regular physical training in children leads to changes in myocardial systolic deformation and rotational mechanics. For that purpose, cardiac MRI feature tracking was performed retrospectively in 35 pre-adolescent male soccer players and 20 matched controls. There were no changes in global strain, but left ventricular twist and apical rotation were greater in soccer players, which adds to the features of paediatric athlete’s heart.
The role of image representations in vision to language tasks
Authors: MADHYASTHA PRANAVA , WANG JOSIAH , SPECIA LUCIA
Published: March 2018

Tasks that require modeling of both language and visual information, such as image captioning, have become very popular in recent years. Most state-of-the-art approaches make use of image representations obtained from a deep neural network, which are used to generate language information in a variety of ways with end-to-end neural-network-based models. However, it is not clear how different image representations contribute to language generation tasks. In this paper, we probe the representational contribution of the image features in an end-to-end neural modeling framework and study the properties of different types of image representations. We focus on two popular vision to language problems: The task of image captioning and the task of multimodal machine translation. Our analysis provides interesting insights into the representational properties and suggests that end-to-end approaches implicitly learn a visual-semantic subspace and exploit the subspace to generate captions.
A posteriori dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Shab-Bidar Sakineh , Golzarand Mahdieh , Hajimohammadi Mina , Mansouri Sara
Published: March 2018

Objective

Observational studies reported potential associations between different dietary patterns and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, a consistent perspective has not been established to date. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between a posteriori dietary patterns and MetS by pooling available data.

Design

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant articles published up to July 2015 with no time restriction and with English language restriction. Two independent reviewers completed study selection and data extraction. Random-effects models (DerSimonian–Laird method) were used to pool effect sizes of eligible studies. The potential sources of heterogeneity were assessed using the I2 statistic.

Results

Nineteen papers that identified dietary patterns using an a posteriori method were selected and included in the meta-analysis. The ‘Healthy/Prudent’ dietary pattern was inversely associated with risk of MetS (OR=0·89; 95 % CI 0·84, 0·94, P=0·002). In contrast, the ‘Unhealthy/Western’ dietary pattern had a significant positive association with risk of MetS (OR=1·16; 95 % CI 1·11, 1·22, P<0·001).

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence that greater adherence to a healthy/prudent dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of MetS, while an unhealthy/Western dietary pattern is associated with increased risk of MetS. These data suggest that a diet based on healthy food choices is also beneficial for prevention of MetS.
Association between pre-pregnancy weight status and maternal micronutrient status in early pregnancy
Authors: Scholing Judith M , Olthof Margreet R , Jonker Femkje AM , Vrijkotte Tanja GM
Published: March 2018

Objective

Inadequate maternal micronutrient status during pregnancy can lead to short- and long-term health risks for mother and offspring. The present study investigated the association between pre-pregnancy weight status and micronutrient status during pregnancy.

Design

Maternal blood samples were collected during early pregnancy (median 13, interquartile range 12–15 weeks) and were assayed for serum folate, ferritin, Fe and vitamin B12. Regression modelling was used to assess the association between pre-pregnancy underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity, and micronutrient levels, as well as the odds for deficiencies.

Setting

The Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands.

Subjects

Women with singleton pregnancies without diabetes (n 4243).

Results

After adjustment for covariates, overweight women and obese women had lower (β; 95 % CI) folate (−1·2; −2·2, −0·2 and −2·3; −4·0, −0·7 nmol/l, respectively) and Fe (−1·7; −2·3, −1·1 and −3·6; −4·7, −2·6 μmol/l, respectively) levels than women with normal weight. Furthermore, overweight women had 6 % (95 % CI −9, −3 %) and obese women had 15 % (−19, −10 %), lower vitamin B12 levels, and obese women had 19 % (6, 32 %) higher ferritin levels, than normal-weight women. Obese women had higher odds (OR; 95 % CI) for folate deficiency (2·03; 1·35, 3·06), Fe deficiency (3·26; 2·09, 5·08) and vitamin B12 deficiency (2·05; 1·41, 2·99) than women with normal weight. Underweight was not associated with micronutrient status.

Conclusions

During early pregnancy, women with pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity had lower serum folate, Fe and vitamin B12 status. This resulted in increased risk of serum folate, Fe and vitamin B12 deficiencies in women with obesity.
The association between vitamin D concentration and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Zhenqiang , Malihi Zarintaj , Stewart Alistair W , Lawes Carlene MM , Scragg Robert
Published: March 2018

Objective

Pain-related conditions, such as chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia, are major burdens for individuals and the health system. Evidence from previous research on the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and pain is conflicting. Thus, we aimed to determine if there is an association between mean 25(OH)D concentration (primary aim), or proportion of hypovitaminosis D (secondary aim), and pain conditions in observational studies.

Design

Published observational research on 25(OH)D concentration and pain-related conditions was systematically searched for in electronic sources (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on included studies.

Results

Eighty-one observational studies with a total of 50 834 participants were identified. Compared with controls, mean 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in patients with arthritis (mean difference (MD): −12·34 nmol/l;P<0·001), muscle pain (MD: −8·97 nmol/l;P=0·003) and chronic widespread pain (MD: −7·77 nmol/l;P<0·001), but not in patients with headache or migraine (MD: −2·53 nmol/l;P=0·06). The odds of vitamin D deficiency was increased for arthritis, muscle pain and chronic widespread pain, but not for headache or migraine, compared with controls. Sensitivity analyses revealed similar results.

Conclusions

A significantly lower 25(OH)D concentration was observed in patients with arthritis, muscle pain and chronic widespread pain, compared with those without. These results suggest that low 25(OH)D concentrations may be associated with pain conditions.
The Calamistrum of the Feather-Legged Spider Uloborus plumipes Investigated by Focused Ion Beam and Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB–SEM) Tomography
Authors: Heiss Alexander , Park Daesung , Joel Anna-Christin
Published: March 2018

Spiders are natural specialists in fiber processing. In particular, cribellate spiders manifest this ability as they produce a wool of nanofibers to capture prey. During its production they deploy a sophisticated movement of their spinnerets to darn in the fibers as well as a comb-like row of setae, termed calamistrum, on the metatarsus which plays a key role in nanofiber processing. In comparison to the elaborate nanofiber extraction and handling process by the spider’s calamistrum, the human endeavors of spinning and handling of artificial nanofibers is still a primitive technical process. An implementation of biomimetics in spinning technology could lead to new materials and applications. Despite the general progress in related fields of nanoscience, the expected leap forward in spinning technology depends on a better understanding of the specific shapes and surfaces that control the forces at the nanoscale and that are involved in the mechanical processing of the nanofibers, respectively. In this study, the authors investigated the morphology of the calamistrum of the cribellate spider Uloborus plumipes. Focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy tomography provided a good image contrast and the best trade-off between investigation volume and spatial resolution. A comprehensive three-dimensional model is presented and the putative role of the calamistrum in nanofiber processing is discussed.
ON THE GROWTH OF TORSION IN THE COHOMOLOGY OF ARITHMETIC GROUPS
Authors: Ash A. , Gunnells P. E. , McConnell M. , Yasaki D.
Published: March 2018

Let $G$ be a semisimple Lie group with associated symmetric space $D$, and let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\subset G$ be a cocompact arithmetic group. Let $\mathscr{L}$ be a lattice inside a $\mathbb{Z}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$-module arising from a rational finite-dimensional complex representation of $G$. Bergeron and Venkatesh recently gave a precise conjecture about the growth of the order of the torsion subgroup $H_{i}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k};\mathscr{L})_{\operatorname{tors}}$ as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k}$ ranges over a tower of congruence subgroups of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$. In particular, they conjectured that the ratio $\log |H_{i}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k};\mathscr{L})_{\operatorname{tors}}|/[\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}:\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k}]$ should tend to a nonzero limit if and only if $i=(\dim (D)-1)/2$ and $G$ is a group of deficiency $1$. Furthermore, they gave a precise expression for the limit. In this paper, we investigate computationally the cohomology of several (non-cocompact) arithmetic groups, including $\operatorname{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{Z})$ for $n=3,4,5$ and $\operatorname{GL}_{2}(\mathscr{O})$ for various rings of integers, and observe its growth as a function of level. In all cases where our dataset is sufficiently large, we observe excellent agreement with the same limit as in the predictions of Bergeron–Venkatesh. Our data also prompts us to make two new conjectures on the growth of torsion not covered by the Bergeron–Venkatesh conjecture.
Taro flour (Colocasia esculenta) increases testosterone levels and gametogenic epithelium of Wistar rats
Authors: Ribeiro G. G. , Pessôa L. R. , de Abreu M. D. C. , Corrêa L. B. N. S. , D’Avila Pereira A. , Chagas M. A. , Brandão F. Z. , da Costa C. A. S. , Boaventura G. T.
Published: March 2018

This study evaluated the effects of diet containing taro flour on hormone levels and the seminiferous tubules morphology of rats. After weaning, the male rats were divided into two groups (n=12 each): control group (CG) treated with control diet and taro group (TG), fed with 25% taro flour for 90 days. Food, caloric intake, mass and body length were evaluated at experiment end. Testis followed the standard histological processing. Immunostaining was performed using an anti-vimentin antibody to identify Sertoli cells. In histomorphometry, total diameter, total area, epithelial height, luminal height and luminal area were analyzed. The testosterone levels were performed using the radioimmunoassay method. Group TG presented (P<0.05): increase in mass, body length, testicular weight, histomorphometric parameters and hormonal levels. Food intake, calorie and Sertoli cells not presented statistical differences. The taro promoted increase in the testicles parameters and hormones.
Diagnostik und Therapie von Persönlichkeitsstörungen
Authors: Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter , Freyberger Harald J.
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Persönlichkeitsstörungen (PS) gewinnen seit Jahren in Forschung wie klinischer Praxis an Bedeutung. Unterstrichen wird dies auch durch eine Vielzahl empirischer Studien zu unterschiedlichen Facetten dieser Störung wie Diagnostik, Epidemiologie und Verlauf sowie zur Psychotherapie.
Diagnostik von Persönlichkeitsstörungen in ICD-10/-11 und DSM-5
Authors: Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter , Freyberger Harald J.
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Persönlichkeitsstörungen (PS) stellen im klinischen Alltag eine wichtige Störungsgruppe dar. Eine zuverlässige diagnostische Einordnung ist jedoch immer noch ein Problem. Im Beitrag wird ein Überblick zu grundlegenden Problemen der Diagnostik einer PS gegeben und Lösungsmöglichkeiten aufgezeigt. Dazu werden diagnostischen Strategien und Verfahrensgruppen vorgestellt, die den diagnostischen Prozess erleichtern.
Change Leadership and Employees’ Commitment to Change
Authors: Ling Bin , Guo Yue , Chen Dusheng
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This research develops a multilevel motivation model to examine the mediating effect of collective identity and change self-efficacy on the relationship between change leadership and employee commitment to change. Our model is empirically tested using data collected from 647 employees within 110 teams. The results show that in addition to the positive relationship between change leadership and employee commitment to change, collective identity at the group level and change self-efficacy at the individual level significantly mediate the positive relationship between change leadership and employee commitment to change. This paper rounds off with a discussion of limitations and contributions from theoretical and practical perspectives.
GS9 acts as a transcriptional activator to regulate rice grain shape and appearance quality
Authors: Zhao Dong-Sheng , Li Qian-Feng , Zhang Chang-Quan , Zhang Chen , Yang Qing-Qing , Pan Li-Xu , Ren Xin-Yu , Lu Jun , Gu Ming-Hong , Liu Qiao-Quan
Published: March 2018

Identification of grain shape determining genes can facilitate breeding of rice cultivars with optimal grain shape and appearance quality. Here, we identify GS9 (Grain Shape Gene on Chromosome 9) gene by map-based cloning. The gs9 null mutant has slender grains, while overexpression GS9 results in round grains. GS9 encodes a protein without known conserved functional domain. It regulates grain shape by altering cell division. The interaction of GS9 and ovate family proteins OsOFP14 and OsOFP8 is modulated by OsGSK2 kinase, a key regulator of the brassinosteroids signaling pathway. Genetic interaction analysis reveals that GS9 functions independently from other previously identified grain size genes. Introducing the gs9 allele into elite rice cultivars significantly improves grain shape and appearance quality. It suggests potential application of gs9, alone or in combination with other grain size determining genes, in breeding of rice varieties with optimized grain shape.
Topological carbon nitride: localized photon absorption and delocalized charge carrier separation at intertwined photocatalyst interfaces
Authors: Rahman M. Z. , Moffatt J. , Spooner N.
Published: March 2018

We here introduce, for the first time, a topological carbon nitride (TCN) with built-in crystalline–amorphous phases.
Hydrothermal in situ synthesis of Rb and S co-doped Ti-based TiO2 sheet with a thin film showing high photocatalytic activities
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Kang Chunli , Huang Dongmei , Xiao Kunkun , Zhu Ling , Liu Fang , Tian Tao
Published: March 2018

Rb2SO4 helps the in situ synthesis of the TiO2 thin film with microsphere and needle-like structure, which shows the remarkable photocatalytic properties.
Heteroatom-doped carbonaceous electrode materials for high performance energy storage devices
Authors: Shah Afzal , Zahid Anum , Subhan Hanif , Munir Azeema , Iftikhar Faiza Jan , Akbar Muhammad
Published: March 2018

Heteroatom-doped carbons are attractive materials for efficient energy generation as these can catalyse reactions in high performance energy devices.
A symmetrical method to obtain shear moduli from microrheology
Authors: Nishi Kengo , Kilfoil Maria L. , Schmidt Christoph F. , MacKintosh F. C.
Published: March 2018

Passive microrheology deduces shear elastic moduli from thermally fluctuating motion of probe particles. We introduce and test an analysis method for direct determination of these moduli from the mean-squared displacement of a probe.
Fluorination increases the electron mobility of zinc azadipyrromethene-based electron acceptors and enhances the performance of fullerene-free organic solar cells
Authors: Pejić Sandra , Thomsen Anna M. , Etheridge Forrest S. , Fernando Roshan , Wang Chunlai , Sauvé Geneviève
Published: March 2018

Strategic fluorination of non-planar electron acceptors reduces bimolecular recombination in OPVs and significantly enhances the electron mobility to ∼10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 in diodes.
One-dimensional conjugated polymer nanomaterials for flexible and stretchable electronics
Authors: Lee Yeongjun , Zhou Huanyu , Lee Tae-Woo
Published: March 2018

Recent development of one-dimensional conjugated polymer nanomaterials for flexible and stretchable electronics and their perspectives are introduced in this study.
A potential method to improve the in vitro cytotoxicity of half-sandwich Os(ii) complexes against A2780 cells
Authors: Štarha Pavel , Trávníček Zdeněk , Herchel Radovan , Jewula Pawel , Dvořák Zdeněk
Published: March 2018

[Os(η6-pcym)(dpa)(VP)]PF6 (1-VP), containing the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproate, shows ca. 3-fold higher in vitro cytotoxicity against the A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells than its chlorido analogue [Os(η6-pcym)(dpa)Cl]PF6 (1-Cl).
Tunable CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 phase transformation and their optical spectroscopic properties
Authors: Chen Xiao , Chen Daqin , Li Junni , Fang Gaoliang , Sheng Hongchao , Zhong Jiasong
Published: March 2018

As a novel type of promising materials, metal halide perovskites are a rising star in the field of optoelectronics.
A molecular switch that enhances productivity of bioprocesses for heterologous metabolite production
Authors: Korvin Daniel , Yadav Vikramaditya G.
Published: March 2018

We re-tooled the transcriptional machinery of E. coli in a way that allows it to switch between biomass formation and secondary metabolite production at a selected time. This generalizable strategy greatly improves productivity.
Self-assembled nanodiamond supraparticles for anticancer chemotherapy
Authors: Yu Yue , Nishikawa Masahiro , Liu Ming , Tei Takahiro , Kaul Sunil C. , Wadhawa Renu , Zhang Minfang , Takahashi Junko , Miyako Eijiro
Published: March 2018

Chemically functionalized nanodiamonds (NDs) were transformed into supraparticle (SP) nanoclusters via self-assembly. The ND–SP nanoclusters were biocompatible and internalized by cancer cells, and markedly enhanced anticancer drug efficacy compared to conventional nanomedicines.
An aryl-fused redox-active tetrathiafulvalene with enhanced mixed-valence and radical-cation dimer stabilities
Authors: Schröder Hendrik V. , Witte Felix , Gaedke Marius , Sobottka Sebastian , Suntrup Lisa , Hupatz Henrik , Valkonen Arto , Paulus Beate , Rissanen Kari , Sarkar Biprajit , Schalley Christoph A.
Published: March 2018

Enhanced mixed-valence and radical-cation dimer stabilities were found for an extended tetrathiafulvalene.
A highly efficient one-enzyme protocol using ω-transaminase and an amino donor enabling equilibrium displacement assisted by molecular oxygen
Authors: Cheng Yujia , Shan Qiheng , Zhang Yue , Quan Ziyi , Zhang Kuan , Wang Bo
Published: March 2018

A highly efficient one-enzyme procedure using ω-transaminase promoted by molecular oxygen for preparing high enantiomeric purity chiral amines was described.
Chemoselective synthesis of aryl(pyridinyl)methanol derivatives through Ni-NIXANTPHOS catalyzed α-arylation and tandem arylation/rearrangement of pyridylmethyl ethers
Authors: Liu Zhengfen , Li Minyan , Wang Bijun , Deng Guogang , Chen Wen , Kim Byeong-Seon , Zhang Hongbin , Yang Xiaodong , Walsh Patrick J.
Published: March 2018

An efficient synthesis of aryl(pyridyl)-methanol derivatives using Ni-NIXANTPHOS catalyzed α-arylation and tandem arylation/rearrangement is described.
Luminescent properties of Eu3+-activated Gd2ZnTiO6 double perovskite red-emitting phosphors for white light-emitting diodes and field emission displays
Authors: Lee Soo Hyun , Cha Youngjin , Kim Hyosung , Lee Seungmoo , Yu Jae Su
Published: March 2018

We synthesized a series of double perovskite Eu3+-activated Gd2ZnTiO6 red-emitting phosphors by a solid-state reaction method and analyzed their morphology, crystallinity, luminescent properties, and thermal stability.
Aluminium based binary catalytic system for the solvent free conversion of CO2 to carbonates with high activity and selectivity
Authors: Ma Ran , Sun Haojie , Cui Yuanzhi
Published: March 2018

A multifunctional aluminum based complex was employed as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of carbonates from CO2 and epoxides.
Surface modification of carbon nanotubes by using iron-mediated activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Wang Yingjie , Tian Chun , Jiang Hongjuan , Zhang Lifen , Zhu Xiulin
Published: March 2018

A surface-initiated AGET ATRP system was developed on the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes by using FeCl3·6H2O as the catalyst, tris-(3,6-dioxoheptyl) amine as the ligand and ascorbic acid as the reducing agent.
Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane containing N,N′-diarylsquaramide CXCR2 selective antagonists as anti-cancer metastasis agents
Authors: Che Jin-Xin , Wang Zhi-Long , Dong Xiao-Wu , Hu You-Hong , Xie Xin , Hu Yong-Zhou
Published: March 2018

Novel bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane containing N,N′-diarylsquaramide CXCR2 selective antagonists were identified as potent anti-cancer metastatic agents.
Kinetics and computational fluid dynamics study for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in microchannel and fixed-bed reactors
Authors: Rai Aditya , Anand Mohit , Farooqui Saleem A. , Sibi Malayil G. , Sinha Anil K.
Published: March 2018

CO concentration profile during Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in microchannel and fixed bed reactors.
O-Vacancy-enriched NiO hexagonal platelets fabricated on Ni foam as a self-supported electrode for extraordinary pseudocapacitance
Authors: Li Lingjie , Zhang Jie , Lei Jinglei , Xu Jing , Shang Bo , Liu Lei , Li Nianbing , Pan Fusheng
Published: March 2018

Self-grown NiO hexagonal platelets with abundant oxygen vacancies were facilely fabricated, which demonstrated ultrahigh specific capacitance and good rate capability.
Mixed matrix membranes decorated with in situ self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles driven by electrostatic interaction
Authors: Zhu Kai , Mu Yongfeng , Zhang Menghan , Liu Yang , Na Ruiqi , Xu Wenhan , Wang Guibin
Published: March 2018

Procedures used to prepare mixed matrix membranes with in situ self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles.
A hierarchical carbon modified nano-NiS2 cathode with high thermal stability for a high energy thermal battery
Authors: Jin Chuanyu , Fu Licai , Zhu Jiajun , Yang Wulin , Li Deyi , Zhou Lingping
Published: March 2018

Hierarchical carbon modification is used to improve the thermal/structural stability and specific energy of nano-NiS2 cathodes in thermal batteries.
An evidence for an organic N-doped multiwall carbon nanotube heterostructure and its superior electrocatalytic properties for promising dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Arbab Alvira Ayoub , Memon Anam Ali , Sahito Iftikhar Ali , Mengal Naveed , Sun Kyung Chul , Ali Mumtaz , Jeong Sung Hoon
Published: March 2018

Mechanism of synthesis of an organic N-doped MWCNT heterostructure for Pt-free DSSCs.
Ultra-long life Si@rGO/g-C3N4 with a multiply synergetic effect as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Guanqin , Wen Zhongsheng , Yang Yan-E. , Yin Jinpeng , Kong Weiqiang , Li Song , Sun Juncai , Ji Shijun
Published: March 2018

A novel multiply synergetic Si@rGO/g-C3N4 as an ultra-long-life anode material for lithium-ion batteries was synthesized successfully via stable interface bonding.
A scalable ternary SnO2–Co–C composite as a high initial coulombic efficiency, large capacity and long lifetime anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liang Tao , Hu Renzong , Zhang Houpo , Zhang Hanyin , Wang Hui , Ouyang Yunpeng , Liu Jun , Yang Lichun , Zhu Min
Published: March 2018

A new ternary SnO2–Co–C composite has been synthesized by facile and scalable ball milling, which demonstrates a high initial coulombic efficiency (ICE, with average of 80.8%), high reversible specific capacity and a long lifetime (610 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1).
Controlled synthesis of Ni(OH)2/Ni3S2hybrid nanosheet arrays as highly active and stable electrocatalysts for water splitting
Authors: Du Xiaoqiang , Yang Zhi , Li Yu , Gong Yaqiong , Zhao Min
Published: March 2018

Using Ni(OH)2/Ni3S2-12h as a bifunctional water splitting catalyst, with an overpotential of ∼340 mV, which is obtained at a very low cell voltage of 1.57 V with a current density of 10 mA cm−2in 1.0 M KOH.
A new type of cyclic silicone additive for improving the energy density and power density of Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Chen Chunguang , Chen Xiang , Zhang Xiuhui , Li Liangyu , Zhang Congcong , Huang Tao , Yu Aishui
Published: March 2018

In this work, a novel electrolyte additive, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMTS), is applied to Li–O2 batteries to increase their practical discharge capacity and also their rate capability.
Co-mixing hydrogen and methane may double the energy storage capacity
Authors: Xue Qianqian , Wu Menghao , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Jena Puru
Published: March 2018

Mixing hydrogen and methane gas may significantly increase or even double the energy storage capacity.
Exploring non-linearities of carbon-based microsupercapacitors from an equivalent circuit perspective
Authors: Boonpakdee Danupol , Guajardo Yévenes Cristian F. , Surareungchai Werasak , La-o-vorakiat Chan
Published: March 2018

Besides accurate capacitance determination, an equivalent-circuit analysis reveals the ion configurations of microsupercapacitors that lead to non-linear electronic behaviors of these miniature energy-storage devices.
Electronic structures of layered Ta2NiS5 single crystals revealed by high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Mu Kejun , Chen Haiping , Li Yuliang , Zhang Yingying , Wang Pengdong , Zhang Bo , Liu Yi , Zhang GuoBin , Song Li , Sun Zhe
Published: March 2018

Using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we systematically studied the electronic structures of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) ternary material Ta2NiS5 single crystals.
A first-principles study on the adsorption of small molecules on antimonene: oxidation tendency and stability
Authors: Kistanov Andrey A. , Cai Yongqing , Kripalani Devesh R. , Zhou Kun , Dmitriev Sergey V. , Zhang Yong-Wei
Published: March 2018

The acceptor role of water impedes the interaction between water molecules and oxygen species on antimonene; this may be the underlying reason for its high stability.
A versatile iron(ii)-based colorimetric sensor for the vapor-phase detection of alcohols and toxic gases
Authors: Guo Yunnan , Xue Shufang , Dîrtu Marinela M. , Garcia Yann
Published: March 2018

A mononuclear iron(ii) neutral complex (1) was screened for colorimetric sensing abilities for a wide spectrum of vapor-phase analytes including toxic gases.
mTOR independent alteration in ULK1 Ser758 phosphorylation following chronic LRRK2 kinase inhibition
Authors: Manzoni Claudia , Mamais Adamantios , Dihanich Sybille , Soutar Marc P.M. , Plun-Favreau Helene , Bandopadhyay Rina , Abeti Rosella , Giunti Paola , Hardy John , R. Cookson Mark , Tooze Sharon A. , Lewis Patrick A.
Published: March 2018

Unc-51 Like Kinase 1 (ULK1) is a critical regulator of the biogenesis of autophagosomes, the central component of the catabolic macroautophagy pathway. Regulation of ULK1 activity is dependent upon several phosphorylation events acting to repress or activate the enzymatic function of this protein. Phosphorylation of Ser758 ULK1 has been linked to repression of autophagosome biogenesis and was thought to be exclusively dependent upon mTOR complex 1 kinase activity. In the present study, a novel regulation of Ser758 ULK1 phosphorylation is reported following prolonged inhibition of the Parkinson’s disease linked protein leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2). Here, modulation of Ser758 ULK1 phosphorylation following LRRK2 inhibition is decoupled from the repression of autophagosome biogenesis and independent of mTOR complex 1 activity.
Design of SIW cavity‐backed self‐triplexing antenna
Authors: Kumar A. , Raghavan S.
Published: March 2018

A novel substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity‐backed self‐triplexing slot antenna, consisting of a hybrid SIW cavity resonator is proposed for tri‐frequency operation. The hybrid cavity resonator is an amalgamation of a half‐mode circular and half‐mode rectangular SIW cavity resonator. A radiating slot is etched on its top surface, which produces three distinct resonant frequencies (5.57, 7.17 and 7.65 GHz) when it is excited by three microstrip lines. The lower band around 5.57 GHz is achieved due to a half‐mode circular cavity resonator, when the corresponding microstrip line is excited. On the other hand, remaining two bands around 7.17 and 7.65 GHz are achieved due to half‐mode rectangular cavity resonator when excited by the corresponding microstrip lines. The experimental isolation level between any two feed lines is better than 20 dB, which helps to introduce the self‐triplexing phenomenon. Moreover, the proposed design is realised on a single‐layered copper‐laminated dielectric substrate, maintaining planar configuration.
Design of HSIPMM based on multi‐physics fields
Authors: Zhang Fengge , Dai Rui , Liu Guangwei , Cui Tianhao
Published: March 2018

High‐speed permanent magnet motors (HSPMM) have attracted much attention due to the inherent characteristics such as high‐power density, small size, small inertia, and high response. HSPMM is a comprehensive and complex system of multidisciplinary cross‐coupling such as electromagnetism, structural mechanics, rotor dynamic, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Therefore, the design of HSPMM requires a multidisciplinary and integrated design approach. In this study, a 20 kW, 20,000 rpm HS interior PMM (HSIPMM) is designed based on multi‐physics fields. To reduce the end length of winding, the back round winding type is adopted, compared with the common structure, it is found that the temperature rise of the stator used back round winding type can be reduced by 11.5%. Finally, the superiority of the proposed HSIPMM is proved by the experimental results, and the efficiency of the motor is about 96.1%.
Radar‐ID: human identification based on radar micro‐Doppler signatures using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Cao Peibei , Xia Weijie , Ye Ming , Zhang Jutong , Zhou Jianjiang
Published: March 2018

Human identification is crucial in various applications, including terrorist attack preventing, criminal seeking, defence and so on. Traditional human identification methods are usually based on vision, biological features, radio‐frequency identification cards and so on. In this study, the authors propose an identification method based on radar micro‐Doppler signatures using deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) for the first time, which can identify human in non‐contact, remote and no lighting status. They employ a K‐band Doppler radar to acquire the raw signals due to its stationary clutter rejection and movement detection ability as well as its short wavelength which can generate larger Doppler shift. Then short‐time Fourier transform is applied to the raw signals to characterise micro‐Doppler signatures. They adopt the DCNNs to deal with the spectrograms for human identification problem. The DCNNs can learn the necessary features and classification conditions from raw micro‐Doppler spectrograms without employing any explicit features. While the traditional supervised learning techniques relying on the extracted features require domain knowledge of each problem. It is shown that this method can achieve average accuracy ∼97.1% for 4 people, 90.9% for 6 people, 89.1% for 8 people, 85.6% for 10 people, 77.4% for 12 people, 72.6% for 16 people and 68.9% for 20 people.
Simulating the cloudy atmospheres of HD 209458 b and HD 189733 b with the 3D Met Office Unified Model
Authors: Lines S. , Mayne N. J. , Boutle I. A. , Manners J. , Lee E. K. H. , Helling Ch. , Drummond B. , Amundsen D. S. , Goyal J. , Acreman D. M. , Tremblin P. , Kerslake M.
Published: March 2018

Aims.To understand and compare the 3D atmospheric structure of HD 209458 b and HD 189733 b, focusing on the formation and distribution of cloud particles, as well as their feedback on the dynamics and thermal profile.

Methods.We coupled the 3D Met Office Unified Model (UM), including detailed treatments of atmospheric radiative transfer and dynamics, to a kinetic cloud formation scheme. The resulting model self-consistently solves for the formation of condensation seeds, surface growth and evaporation, gravitational settling and advection, cloud radiative feedback via absorption, and crucially, scattering. We used fluxes directly obtained from the UM to produce synthetic spectral energy distributions and phase curves.

Results.Our simulations show extensive cloud formation in both HD 209458 b and HD 189733 b. However, cooler temperatures in the latter result in higher cloud particle number densities. Large particles, reaching 1μm in diameter, can form due to high particle growth velocities, and sub-μm particles are suspended by vertical flows leading to extensive upper-atmosphere cloud cover. A combination of meridional advection and efficient cloud formation in cooler high latitude regions, results in enhanced cloud coverage for latitudes above 30° and leads to a zonally banded structure for all our simulations. The cloud bands extend around the entire planet, for HD 209458 b and HD 189733 b, as the temperatures, even on the day side, remain below the condensation temperature of silicates and oxides. Therefore, the simulated optical phase curve for HD 209458 b shows no “offset”, in contrast to observations. Efficient scattering of stellar irradiation by cloud particles results in a local maximum cooling of up to 250 K in the upper atmosphere, and an advection-driven fluctuating cloud opacity causes temporal variability in the thermal emission. The inclusion of this fundamental cloud-atmosphere radiative feedback leads to significant differences with approaches neglecting these physical elements, which have been employed to interpret observations and determine thermal profiles for these planets. This suggests that readers should be cautious of interpretations neglecting such cloud feedback and scattering, and that the subject merits further study.
Bedforms in a tidally modulated ridge and runnel shoreface (Berck-Plage; North France): implications for the geological record
Authors: Vaucher Romain , Pittet Bernard , Passot Sophie , Grandjean Philippe , Humbert Thomas , Allemand Pascal
Published: March 2018

Tidally modulated shoreface (TMS) corresponds to peculiar costal environments. The general morphology and the expressed bedforms are provided by the interplay of both waves and tides. The recognition of TMS in the fossil record still remains a difficult task. The study of one mega-tidal modern TMS in the north of France (Berck-Plage) provides new key criteria to identify this kind of coastal system in the rock record. Field investigation and digital mapping were realized at lowest tide during spring tide under fair-weather condition. The intertidal zone is characterized by a succession of several sand banks shore parallel separated by topographic lows that are defined as ridges and runnels. Seven distinct dominant bedforms are recognized: 3D current ripples, 3D asymmetrical ripples, 2D symmetrical ripples, 2D small symmetrical dunes, 2D large symmetrical dunes, 3D symmetrical dunes and plane beds. The upper stage plane bedding mainly composed the ridges while the six other bedforms are commonly found within the runnels or on the flanks of the ridges. Comparison of the bedforms of Berck-Plage with previous experimental studies on bedforms genesis proves that the necessary flow parameters for generating these bedforms belong to an oscillatory flow except for the 3D current ripples, which are formed by a unidirectional flow. This study confirms the dominance of oscillatory structures through the intertidal zone in a mega-tidal context and show that wave processes are more powerful than tide processes for bedform generation although during fair weather conditions. Based on the timing of genesis, the description and the repeated pattern of distribution of bedforms between two ridges is highlighted thus helping to propose a theoretical facies sequence for an intertidal zone characterized by ridges and runnels applicable to ancient sedimentary successions.
Effects of water bugs on crustacean zooplankton in a shallow littoral zone
Authors: Płaska Wojciech , Mieczan Tomasz
Published: March 2018

Interactions within the food chain are essential to ecosystem ecology. At the same time, very little is known of the trophic relationships between Heteroptera and zooplankton. The aim of this study was to examine the community structure of water bugs in the littoral zone of shallow lakes and their impact on crustacean zooplankton communities. A study on the effect of Heteroptera on zooplankton communities was carried out in the conditions of a laboratory experiment with two treatments: (1) aquariums in which the Heteroptera speciesIlyocoris cimicoidesandPlea minutissimawere present (control treatment) and (2) aquariums from which Heteroptera were removed (removal treatment). The decisive factor in reducing the number of crustacean zooplankton was most likely the presence of predatory Heteroptera in a composition typical of the shallow littoral of eutrophic lakes. Their impact is reflected in both a decrease in the species richness and abundance of crustaceans and a transformation of the size structure of the zooplankton. The results of the study are the first to suggest a substantial seasonal impact of water bugs on crustacean zooplankton in a shallow lake. The results of the experiments confirm that predatory Heteroptera exert considerable pressure on crustacean zooplankton during the spring and summer peaks in abundance.
Prostaglandin Endoperoxides and Thromboxane A2 Activate the same Receptor Isoforms in Human Platelets
Authors: Vezza Roberta , Mezzasoma Anna , Venditti Gigliola , Gresele Paolo
Published: March 2018

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a potent inducer of platelet aggregation in vitro; this activity is due to its conversion to biologically active metabolites, prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides and thromboxane A2 (TxA2). PG endoperoxides and TxA2 are thought to act on the same receptor; however, at least two isoforms of this receptor have been identified. The aim of our work was to clarify whether endoperoxides and TxA2 activate the same or different receptor subtypes to induce aggregation and calcium movements in human platelets.

AA-induced aggregation and calcium rises were still detectable in platelets preincubated with thromboxane synthase inhibitors, which suppress TxA2 formation and induce PGH2 accumulation, suggesting that PG endoperoxides can activate platelets. Exogenously added PGH2 was able to induce aggregation and calcium rises. Pretreatment of platelets with GR32191B or platelet activating factor, which desensitize one of the two receptor subtypes identified in platelets, did not prevent calcium rises induced by endogenously generated or by exogenouly added PGH2, indicating that TxA2 and PG endoperoxides share the same receptor subtype(s) to activate platelets. HEK-293 cells overexpressing either of the two thromboxane receptor isoforms cloned to date (TPα and TPβ) and identified in human platelets, stimulated with PGH2, or with the stable endoperoxide analog U46619, formed inositol phosphates. These data show that endoperoxides and TXA2 mediate their effects on platelets acting on both, and the same, receptor isoform(s).

Abbreviations: AA: arachidonic acid; PAF: platelet activating factor; PG: prostaglandin; TP: thromboxane receptor; Tx: thromboxane.
Catalytic Antisense DNA Molecules Targeting Egr-1 Inhibit Neointima Formation following Permanent Ligation of Rat Common Carotid Arteries
Authors: Lowe Harry , Chesterman Colin , Khachigian Levon
Published: March 2018

Animal models of neointima (NI) formation have proven useful in gaining insights into the mechanisms of restenosis after coronary angioplasty and stenting, but the events at a molecular level remain incompletely understood. Here, we describe a technically straightforward, rat model of NI formation, involving complete ligation of the common carotid artery and demonstrate the importance of the immediate-early gene and zinc finger transcription factor Egr-1 in this process. Acute cessation of common carotid blood flow by vessel ligation, was followed by the expression of Egr-1 in the arterial media within 3 h and NI formation proximal to the point of ligation at 18 days. Local delivery of catalytic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) targeting rat Egr-1 mRNA at the time of ligation reduced both Egr-1 expression and NI formation in this model. In contrast, a scrambled version of this ODN had no inhibitory effect. These studies demonstrate for the first time that arterial intimal thickening following artery ligation is critically-dependent on the activation of Egr-1.
Acute Hyperglycaemia Induces Changes in the Transcription Levels of 4 Major Genes in Human Endothelial Cells: Macroarrays-based Expression Analysis
Authors: Zibara K. , Belaiba S.-R. , McGregor J.L. , Chettab Kamel
Published: March 2018

Hyperglycaemia, in insulin-dependent or independent diabetes mellitus, promotes endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction and is a major factor in the development of macro- or microvascular diseases. The mechanisms and the disease-related genes in vascular diseases resulting from hyperglycaemia are poorly understood. Macroarrays, bearing a total of 588 cDNA known genes, were used to analyze HUVEC gene transcription subjected to 25 or 5-mM glucose for 24 h. Isolated mRNA derived from treated first passage HUVEC were reverse transcribed, 32P labeled, and hybridized to the cDNA macroarrays. Results show that acute hyperglycaemia induces an up-regulation of seven major genes, four of which were not previously reported in the literature. Northern blot analyses, performed on these 4 genes, confirm macroarrays results for αv, β4, c-myc, and MUC18. Moreover, time course analysis (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 h) of αv, β4, c-myc, and MUC18 mRNA expression, observed by northern blot assays, showed a peak at time points situated between 2 to 8 h. The 3 other genes (ICAM-1, β1, and IL-8), were shown by others to be significantly upregulated after glucose stimulation. Furthermore, ELISA assays performed on the supernatant of HUVEC culture medium showed a significant increase of IL-8 for cells treated with 25-mM compared to 5-mM glucose. Identified genes, upregulated in endothelial cells as a result of acute hyperglycaemia, may serve as therapeutic or diagnostic targets in vascular lesions present in diabetic patients. These results also demonstrate the use of cDNA macroarrays as an effective approach in identifying genes implicated in a diseased cell.