bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rheological Characterization of Anaerobic Sludge from Agricultural and Bio‐Waste Biogas Plants
Authors: Gienau Tobias , Kraume Matthias , Rosenberger Sandra
Published: May 2018

Anaerobic sludges taken from 16 different biogas plants were analyzed with respect to their rheological characteristics. All sludges showed temperature‐dependent shear‐thinning behavior with viscosities from 900 – 6000 mPa s at 20 °C. Nevertheless, the liquid fraction of the anaerobic sludges also revealed temperature‐dependent, shear‐thinning behavior with viscosities well above water viscosity (2 – 40 mPa s at 20 °C). The rheological behavior of the liquid phase could be linked to organic fractions, i.e., proteins and polysaccharides. Shear‐thinning and temperature‐dependent behavior was modeled by the power‐law equation and the Arrhenius law, respectively.
Studies Toward the Scaling of Gas‐Liquid Photocycloadditions
Authors: Corcoran Emily B. , Lévesque François , McMullen Jonathan P. , Naber John R.
Published: May 2018

The gas‐liquid biphasic photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of maleic anhydride with ethylene was identified as a desirable strategy for the divergent synthesis of cyclobutane derivatives. To address the challenge of utilizing this transformation on a larger scale, studies toward the development of a stable process with sufficient productivity were undertaken. These studies revealed the importance of several reaction parameters to enhance both the gas solubility in solution and the efficient utilization of photons from various types of light sources.
Effects of debris‐flow magnitude–frequency distribution on avulsions and fan development
Authors: de Haas T. , Kruijt A. , Densmore A. L.
Published: May 2018

Shifts in the active channel on a debris‐flow fan, termed avulsions, pose a large threat because new channels can bypass mitigation measures and cause damage to settlements and infrastructure. Recent, but limited, field evidence suggests that avulsion processes and tendency may depend on the flow‐size distribution, which is difficult to constrain in the field. Here, we investigate how the flow magnitude–frequency distribution and the associated flow–magnitude sequences affect avulsion on debris‐flow fans. We created three experimental fans with contrasting flow‐size distributions: (1) a uniform distribution; (2) a steep double‐Pareto distribution with many flows around the mean and a limited number of large flows; and (3) a shallow double‐Pareto distribution with fewer flows around the mean and more abundant large flows. The fan formed by uniform flows developed through regular sequences of stepwise channelization, backstepping of deposition toward the fan apex, and avulsion over multiple flows. In contrast, the wide range of sizes in the double‐Pareto distributions led to distinct avulsion mechanisms and fan evolution. Here, large flows could overtop channels, creating levee breaches that could initiate avulsion immediately or in subsequent events. Moreover, sequences of small‐ to moderate‐sized flows could deposit channel plugs, triggering avulsion in the next large flow. This mechanism was most common on the fan formed by a steep double‐Pareto distribution but was rare on the fan formed by a shallow double‐Pareto distribution, where large flows were more frequent. We infer that some flow‐size distributions are more likely to cause avulsions – especially those that produce abundant sequences of small flows followed by a large flow. Critically, avulsions in our experiments could occur by either large single events or over multiple flows. This observation has important implications for hazard assessment on debris‐flow fans, suggesting that attention should be paid to flow history as well as flow size. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
On the performance of space‐time coding and threshold‐based selection relaying in cooperative networks with multiple antenna relays
Authors: Shirzadian Gilan Mahsa , Olfat Ali
Published: May 2018

In this paper, a threshold‐based selection relaying scheme that employs space‐time coding (STC) strategy is considered in a decode and forward (DF) cooperative network with multiple‐input–multiple‐output relays. One of the serious imperfections affecting these systems is error propagation on the source‐relay link, which culminates in intersymbol interference (ISI). Two scenarios are studied. In the first scenario, a new beamforming method is proposed for removing ISI between symbols of distributed space‐time coding scheme caused by erroneous detection of symbols at relays. It is demonstrated that this system is more power efficient in comparison to other systems without beamforming. In the second scenario, a new central STC that we nominate its orthogonal‐STC generator is proposed for multiple‐input–multiple‐output relays. The proposed new transmission scheme, in this case, removes ISI between symbols, which significantly mitigates the adverse effects of error propagation in DF relay networks. A closed‐form expression for end‐to‐end bit error rate of the system is derived for both scenarios. The asymptotic behavior analysis of the system shows that the threshold‐based selection relaying scheme in the second scenario, which uses a simple maximal ratio combining, by employing proper thresholds derived in the paper, achieves full diversity order 2M + 1 in the DF relay network with M relays. Numerical results show an excellent agreement between analytical and simulation results. There is 4 dB power saving at bit error rate of 10−4 for the second scenario compared with the first one and it outperforms other existing works.
Tripping the Light Fantastic: A Comparative Analysis of the European Commission's Proposals for New and Interim Financing of Insolvent Businesses
Authors: Payne Jennifer , Sarra Janis
Published: May 2018

The European Commission published a Draft Directive in November 2016, with the aim of ensuring that all Member States have in place an effective mechanism for dealing with viable, but financially distressed, businesses. The Draft Directive includes provisions designed to encourage financing for the debtor company, both interim financing to ‘keep the lights on’ for a brief period while the debtor negotiates with its creditors for a resolution to its financial distress, and, where possible, to finance implementation of a restructuring plan, called ‘new financing’ in the Draft Directive. Creating such a financing regime is a complex and difficult issue, as the law's intervention in this area often involves constraints on the rights of existing creditors, requiring that a careful balance is maintained between existing creditors' rights and the rights of the interim financier. This article examines the underlying policy rationale and benefits of having new and interim financing available to financially distressed debtor companies and discusses the risks involved. It examines the EU Commission's proposals in light of the experience of jurisdictions that have already tackled these issues, notably the USA and Canada, or have developed a market‐based solution to this problem, such as the UK. While the European Commission's wish to include such measures in its restructuring proposals is laudable, the measures as drafted raise concerns, particularly regarding risks associated with priority for the grantors of such finance. The authors suggest that there are four fundamental aspects of such financing on which the Directive could give guidance to Member States, namely, effective notice to pre‐filing creditors, thresholds for the debtor to qualify, a menu of relevant criteria to balance benefit and prejudice, and a role for the court in resolving disputes, ensuring fairness to stakeholders, and serving as an accountability check on interim financing arrangements, all aimed at maintaining the integrity of the insolvency process. Copyright © 2018 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-Term and Recent Weight Change Are Associated With Reduced Peripheral Bone Density, Deficits in Bone Microarchitecture, and Decreased Bone Strength: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study
Authors: Liu Ching-Ti , Sahni Shivani , Xu Hanfei , McLean Robert R , Broe Kerry E , Hannan Marian T , Boyd Steven K , Bouxsein Mary L , Kiel Douglas P , Samelson Elizabeth J
Published: May 2018

Weight loss in older adults is associated with increased bone loss and fracture. Little is known about the potential impact of weight loss on cortical and trabecular bone density, microarchitecture, and strength. In this study, participants were members of the Framingham Offspring Cohort (769 women, 595 men; mean age 70 ± 8 years), who underwent high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scanning at the tibia and radius in 2012 to 2016. Weight measurements taken every 4 to 6 years were used to assess recent weight change over 6 years and long-term change over 40 years. General linear models, adjusting for age, sex, height, smoking, and diabetes, were used to evaluate the association between HR-pQCT indices and relative long-term and recent weight change. We found that long-term and recent weight loss were associated with lower cortical density and thickness, higher cortical porosity, and lower trabecular density and number. Associations were stronger for the tibia than radius. Failure load was lower in those individuals with long-term but not short-term weight loss. Deterioration in both cortical and trabecular indices, especially at the weight-bearing skeleton, characterizes bone fragility associated with long-term and recent weight loss in older adults. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Water‐based synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via decomposition of a ternary zinc complex containing Schiff‐base, chelating, and Phen ligands
Authors: Gharagozlou Mehrnaz , Naghibi Sanaz , Ataei Maryam
Published: May 2018

The recent environmental awareness has been the motivation for the growing preference for environmentally friendly and water‐based systems in chemical synthesis. In the present work, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via a novel method without any water‐insoluble compounds. At the first step, a binary Zn Schiff‐base complex was prepared from sodium salicylaldehyde‐5‐sulfonate, L‐alanine, and zinc acetate. Then, a ternary Zn complex containing the Schiff‐base, chelating, and Phen ligands was synthesized from the as‐synthesized binary Zn Schiff base and 1,10‐phenanthroline monohydrate. This intermediate product showed high water solubility and long‐term stability. Finally, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized through the calcination of the ternary complex powder at 400, 500, and 600 °C. Combining X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results, it was concluded that the samples contained the ZnO phase without any impurity phases, but Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra implied the presence of a remaining impurity. According to the XRD, FTIR, and photoluminescence (PL) analyses, the as‐synthesized samples differed in terms of the defect content and lattice strain. The sample calcined at 500 °C possessed the lowest defect content and lattice strain. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging revealed the formation of ZnO nanoparticles with particles sizes of <20, ~50, and ~100 nm for samples heat‐treated at the different temperatures.
No effect of artificial light of different colors on commuting Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) in a choice experiment
Authors: Spoelstra Kamiel , Ramakers Jip J. C. , van Dis Natalie E. , Visser Marcel E.
Published: May 2018

Progressive illumination at night poses an increasing threat to species worldwide. Light at night is particularly problematic for bats as most species are nocturnal and often cross relatively large distances when commuting between roosts and foraging grounds. Earlier studies have shown that illumination of linear structures in the landscape disturbs commuting bats, and that the response of bats to light may strongly depend on the light spectrum. Here, we studied the impact of white, green, and red light on commuting Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii). We used a unique location where commuting bats cross a road by flying through two identical, parallel culverts underneath. We illuminated the culverts with white, red, and green light, with an intensity of 5 lux at the water surface. Bats had to choose between the two culverts, each with a different lighting condition every night. We presented all paired combinations of white, green, and red light and dark control in a factorial design. Contrary to our expectations, the number of bat passes through a culvert was unaffected by the presence of light. Furthermore, bats did not show any preference for light color. These results show that the response of commuting Daubenton's bats to different colors of light at night with a realistic intensity may be limited when passing through culverts.
Influence of photoinduced isomerization on the chiral separation of novel liquid crystalline materials with a diazene moiety
Authors: Vojtylová Terézia Jurkovičová , Cigl Martin , Tomášková Petra , Hamplová Věra , Sýkora David
Published: May 2018

The influence of photoinduced isomerization on the enantiomeric separation of two newly synthesized liquid crystalline materials, liquid crystals 1 and 2, was studied by high‐performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase Chiralpack AD‐3. Both materials have one chiral center and one diazene moiety. The compounds were separated into their E and Z isomeric forms. The conditions and time scale of the ultraviolet‐induced E to Z transition were briefly evaluated. Under the optimized conditions, we were able to baseline separate the S and R enantiomers of both the studied materials in their E isomeric form. The chiral separation of liquid crystal 2 after ultraviolet irradiation was unsuccessful. In contrast, the chiral separation of liquid crystal 1 possessing a similar structure to liquid crystal 2 provided baseline separation in its Z isomeric form as well. Previously, we have shown the influence of photoinduced isomerization and its utilization in the enantioseparation on relatively simple molecules. Here, we demonstrate that (1) much more complex compounds can also be successfully separated despite the bulkiness of the achiral part of the structure and (2) photoinduced isomerization even for such complex molecules still strongly influences their chromatographic properties.
Curcuminoid Content and Safety‐Related Markers of Quality of Turmeric Dietary Supplements Sold in an Urban Retail Marketplace in the United States
Authors: Skiba Meghan B. , Luis Paula B. , Alfafara Chelsea , Billheimer Dean , Schneider Claus , Funk Janet L.
Published: May 2018

Scope

Turmeric is a top selling dietary supplement (DS) in the United States with rapidly expanding usage. Therefore, turmeric DS formulations available for sale in an urban US retail marketplace are analyzed, and point of sale information is related to measures of quality relevant to safety.

Methods and results

Eighty‐seven unique turmeric DS are identified; a majority (94%) contained turmeric‐derived curcuminoid extracts (TD‐CE), which are combined with other bioactives in 47% of products, including piperine (24%), an additive that could alter the metabolism of concurrent medications. While curcuminoid content is within 80% of anticipated for a majority of products analyzed (n = 35), curcuminoid composition (% curcumin) did not meet US Pharmacopeia (USP) criteria for TD‐CE in 59% and is suggestive of possible unlabeled use of synthetic curcumin in some. Lead content is associated with the inclusion of turmeric root and exceeded USP limits in one product. Residues of toxic class 1 or 2 solvents, which are not needed for TD‐CE isolation, are present in 71% of products, although quantified levels were within USP‐specified limits.

Conclusion

Assessment of turmeric DS quality at point of sale is difficult for consumers and may best be managed in partnership with knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS2 characterisation of Cola nitida resin fractions with inhibitory effects on NO and TNF‐α released by LPS‐activated J774 macrophage and on Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis
Authors: Frankenberger Larissa , D. Mora Tamara , de Siqueira Carolina D. , Filippin‐Monteiro Fabiola B. , de Moraes Milene H. , Biavatti Maique W. , Steindel Mario , Sandjo Louis P.
Published: May 2018

Introduction

The resin of Cola nitida is used in western Cameroon as incense for spiritual protection and during ritual ceremonies. This plant secretion has never been investigated although previous chemical and biological studies on other resins have drawn many attentions.

Objective

The resin fractions which revealed inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) released by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated J774 macrophage as well as on intracellular forms of Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote were chemically characterised. Moreover, their antiparasitic activities were compared to those of semi‐synthetic triterpenes.

Methodology

The anti‐inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the nitrite production and the TNF‐α concentration in the supernatants of LPS‐activated macrophages by antigen capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, the antiparasitic assay was performed by infecting the host cells (THP‐1) in a ratio parasite/cell 10:1 (L. amazonensis) and 2:1 (T. cruzi) and then exposed to the samples. The resin was separated in vacuo by liquid chromatography because of its sticky behaviour and the chemical profiles of the obtained fractions (F1–F4) were established by dereplication based on UPLC‐ESI‐MS2 data while semi‐synthetic triterpenes were prepared from α‐amyrin by oxidation reactions.

Results

Fractions F1–F4 inhibited NO and TNF‐α almost similarly. However, only F1, F3 and F4 showed promising antiparasitic activities while F2 was moderately active against both parasites. Hence, F1–F4 were exclusively composed of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing oleanane and ursane skeletons. Semi‐synthetic compounds revealed no to moderate antiparasitic activity compared to the fractions.

Conclusion

Although it will be difficult to prove the interaction resin‐spirit, interesting bioactivities were found in the resin fractions.
Dereplication of plant phenolics using a mass‐spectrometry database independent method
Authors: Borges Ricardo M. , Taujale Rahil , de Souza Juliana Santana , de Andrade Bezerra Thaís , Silva Eder Lana e , Herzog Ronny , Ponce Francesca V. , Wolfender Jean‐Luc , Edison Arthur S.
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Dereplication, an approach to sidestep the efforts involved in the isolation of known compounds, is generally accepted as being the first stage of novel discoveries in natural product research. It is based on metabolite profiling analysis of complex natural extracts.

Objective

To present the application of LipidXplorer for automatic targeted dereplication of phenolics in plant crude extracts based on direct infusion high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry data.

Material and Methods

LipidXplorer uses a user‐defined molecular fragmentation query language (MFQL) to search for specific characteristic fragmentation patterns in large data sets and highlight the corresponding metabolites. To this end, MFQL files were written to dereplicate common phenolics occurring in plant extracts. Complementary MFQL files were used for validation purposes.

Results

New MFQL files with molecular formula restrictions for common classes of phenolic natural products were generated for the metabolite profiling of different representative crude plant extracts. This method was evaluated against an open‐source software for mass‐spectrometry data processing (MZMine®) and against manual annotation based on published data.

Conclusion

The targeted LipidXplorer method implemented using common phenolic fragmentation patterns, was found to be able to annotate more phenolics than MZMine® that is based on automated queries on the available databases. Additionally, screening for ascarosides, natural products with unrelated structures to plant phenolics collected from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, demonstrated the specificity of this method by cross‐testing both groups of chemicals in both plants and nematodes.
Trajectories of early education learning behaviors among children at risk: A growth mixture modeling approach
Authors: McDermott Paul A. , Rovine Michael J. , Reyes Roland S. , Chao Jessica L. , Scruggs Richard , Buek Katharine , Fantuzzo John W.
Published: May 2018

This study examined the latent developmental patterns for classroom learning behaviors among children from underresourced families. Based on standardized teacher observations, a large sample (N = 2,152) of children was assessed for manifestations of Competence Motivation and Attentional Persistence twice annually through Head Start, kindergarten, and 1st grade. For each form of learning behavior, latent growth mixture modeling revealed dominant subpopulations of change that feature quite good learning behaviors during Head Start but marked deterioration in performance upon kindergarten entry. Other change subpopulations showed children arriving in Head Start with noticeably poor learning behaviors and, while experiencing some early improvement, continued to function with relatively limited learning behaviors throughout the transition years, whereas other children entered prekindergarten with somewhat average performance levels and evinced modest losses when exiting Head Start. Membership in less desirable growth subpopulations is linked to preexisting explanatory factors and to subsequent negative outcomes. The general deterioration in learning behaviors that accompanies formal school entry is examined in the context of Head Start performance fade‐out and teachers’ shifting reference standards.
Fear of cancer recurrence and death anxiety
Authors: Sharpe L. , Curran L. , Butow P. , Thewes B.
Published: May 2018

In 2013, 3 systematic reviews of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its predictors were published. All 3 concurred that FCR is a highly prevalent problem and amongst the largest unmet needs of cancer survivors, even 5 or more years after treatment. However, between them they identified only 1 study that had investigated the relationship between death anxiety and FCR. This is surprising because it is well acknowledged that a diagnosis of cancer, a potentially life‐threatening illness, is associated with a number of existential issues that give rise to psychological sequelae such as intrusive thoughts about death and other post‐traumatic symptoms. Outside the cancer literature, there has recently been a call to identify death anxiety as a transdiagnostic construct that underlies many anxiety disorders even in healthy people. And yet, the relevance of death anxiety to FCR has not been studied. We explore the barriers to the study of death anxiety and FCR and the reasons that a potential link between the 2 might have important theoretical and clinical implications. We conclude that establishing the relationship between death anxiety, FCR and other existential issues is essential in order to fully understand FCR, particularly in the context of advanced disease. We further conclude that whether death anxiety underlies FCR has important clinical implications which would potentially allow us to optimise currently available evidence‐based treatments.
Effect of TCNQ Layer Cover on Oxidation Dynamics of Black Phosphorus
Authors: Meingast Laura , Koleśnik‐Gray Maria , Siebert Martin , Abellán Gonzalo , Wild Stefan , Lloret Vicent , Mundloch Udo , Hauke Frank , Hirsch Andreas , Krstić Vojislav
Published: May 2018

The puckered surface of black phosphorus represents an ideal substrate for an unconventional arrangement of physisorbed species and the resulting specific two‐dimensional chemistry of this system. This opens the way to investigate the chemical and physical properties of locally confined areas of black phosphorus without the necessity for further physical downscaling of the material. We have evaporated tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) on top of black phosphorus under over‐saturation non‐equilibrium conditions in vacuum. The evolution of linear density and height of droplets formed through oxidation during exposure to air is studied time dependently by scanning‐force microscopy. Our study suggests that the TCNQ molecules spontaneously arrange in a thin layer of the order of a few nm height, which, however, is fragmented with a periodicity of about 100 nm. It is shown that within the confined space separating the layer fragments the chemical dynamics of the oxidation process is remarkably different than on a bare black phosphorus surface.
FeS2/CoS2 Interface Nanosheets as Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Li Yuxuan , Yin Jie , An Li , Lu Min , Sun Ke , Zhao Yong‐Qin , Gao Daqiang , Cheng Fangyi , Xi Pinxian
Published: May 2018

Electrochemical water splitting to produce hydrogen and oxygen, as an important reaction for renewable energy storage, needs highly efficient and stable catalysts. Herein, FeS2/CoS2 interface nanosheets (NSs) as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting are reported. The thickness and interface disordered structure with rich defects of FeS2/CoS2 NSs are confirmed by atomic force microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy clarifies that FeS2/CoS2 NSs with sulfur vacancies, which can further increase electrocatalytic performance. Benefiting from the interface nanosheets' structure with abundant defects, the FeS2/CoS2 NSs show remarkable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with a low overpotential of 78.2 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a superior stability for 80 h in 1.0 m KOH, and an overpotential of 302 mV at 100 mA cm−2 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). More importantly, the FeS2/CoS2 NSs display excellent performance for overall water splitting with a voltage of 1.47 V to achieve current density of 10 mA cm−2 and maintain the activity for at least 21 h. The present work highlights the importance of engineering interface nanosheets with rich defects based on transition metal dichalcogenides for boosting the HER and OER performance.
Inkjet Printing in Liquid Environments
Authors: Zhang Yanzhen , Li Dege , Liu Yonghong , Wittstock Gunther
Published: May 2018

Inkjet printing (IJP) is an old but still vivifying technique for flexible and cost‐effective printing of various kinds of functional inks. Normally, IJP can only work in gaseous environments. Here, it is shown that traditional piezoelectric IJP can be performed in liquid environments with a totally different droplet dispensing and manipulating mechanism. With the same piezoelectric nozzle, the volume of the droplets printed in a carrier liquid can be thousands of times smaller than those printed in air. Therefore, this work demonstrates a working mode of traditional IJP with a highly improved resolution opening possibilities for novel applications of the IJP technique.
Modulating the Surface State of SiC to Control Carrier Transport in Graphene/SiC
Authors: Jia Yuping , Sun Xiaojuan , Shi Zhiming , Jiang Ke , Liu Henan , Ben Jianwei , Li Dabing
Published: May 2018

Silicon carbide (SiC) with epitaxial graphene (EG/SiC) shows a great potential in the applications of electronic and photoelectric devices. The performance of devices is primarily dependent on the interfacial heterojunction between graphene and SiC. Here, the band structure of the EG/SiC heterojunction is experimentally investigated by Kelvin probe force microscopy. The dependence of the barrier height at the EG/SiC heterojunction to the initial surface state of SiC is revealed. Both the barrier height and band bending tendency of the heterojunction can be modulated by controlling the surface state of SiC, leading to the tuned carrier transport behavior at the EG/SiC interface. The barrier height at the EG/SiC(000‐1) interface is almost ten times that of the EG/SiC(0001) interface. As a result, the amount of carrier transport at the EG/SiC(000‐1) interface is about ten times that of the EG/SiC(0001) interface. These results offer insights into the carrier transport behavior at the EG/SiC heterojunction by controlling the initial surface state of SiC, and this strategy can be extended in all devices with graphene as the top layer.
Excellent Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells by Passivation Engineering
Authors: Gao Lili , Huang Sheng , Chen Lin , Li Xiaolei , Ding Bin , Huang Shiyu , Yang Guanjun
Published: May 2018

The efficiencies of organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have significantly increased so far, but the long‐term stability of PSCs needs to be urgently improved. In this work, a novel and convenient strategy is developed to improve PSCs’ stability by introducing thiourea into perovskite. Thiourea passivates perovskite by the formation of the PbS bond on the outermost layer of perovskite and lath‐shaped grain among perovskites, which contributes to the improvement of oxygen, light, thermal stability, and little hysteresis. The mechanism is elucidated by the density functional theory calculation. In addition, the additive of thiourea into perovskite significantly improves the quality of perovskite crystal for the adduct of PbI2 with thiourea as the Lewis base. Devices of a perovskite film with the thiourea additive achieve high efficiencies of 19.57% and 17.67% for active areas of 0.1 and 1.0 cm2, respectively. Most importantly, unencapsulated devices retain 98% and 93% of original efficiencies after two months under air conditions for active areas of 0.1 and 1.0 cm2, respectively, showing excellent stability. The present work provides a simple and effective method to improve long‐term stability of PSCs.
Modeling of Aniridia-Related Keratopathy by CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing of Human Limbal Epithelial Cells and Rescue by Recombinant PAX6 Protein
Authors: Roux Lauriane N. , Petit Isabelle , Domart Romain , Concordet Jean-Paul , Qu Jieqiong , Zhou Huiqing , Joliot Alain , Ferrigno Olivier , Aberdam Daniel
Published: May 2018

Heterozygous PAX6 gene mutations leading to haploinsufficiency are the main cause of congenital aniridia, a rare and progressive panocular disease characterized by reduced visual acuity. Up to 90% of patients suffer from aniridia-related keratopathy (ARK), caused by a combination of factors including limbal epithelial stem cell (LSC) deficiency, impaired healing response and abnormal differentiation of the corneal epithelium. It usually begins in the first decade of life, resulting in recurrent corneal erosions, sub-epithelial fibrosis, and corneal opacification. Unfortunately, there are currently no efficient treatments available for these patients and no in vitro model for this pathology. We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to introduce into the PAX6 gene of LSCs a heterozygous nonsense mutation found in ARK patients. Nine clones carrying a p.E109X mutation on one allele were obtained with no off-target mutations. Compared with the parental LSCs, heterozygous mutant LSCs displayed reduced expression of PAX6 and marked slow-down of cell proliferation, migration and detachment. Moreover, addition to the culture medium of recombinant PAX6 protein fused to a cell penetrating peptide was able to activate the endogenous PAX6 gene and to rescue phenotypic defects of mutant LSCs, suggesting that administration of such recombinant PAX6 protein could be a promising therapeutic approach for aniridia-related keratopathy. More generally, our results demonstrate that introduction of disease mutations into LSCs by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing allows the creation of relevant cellular models of ocular disease that should greatly facilitate screening of novel therapeutic approaches.
Adaptive robust control for a class of uncertain stochastic systems with time‐varying delays
Authors: Wang Yuchao , Wu Hansheng , Huang Peng , Kang Zhiliang
Published: May 2018

The problems of robust stochastic stabilization and adaptive robust control are studied for stochastic systems with parameter uncertainties and time‐varying state delays. In this study, an assumption is made that the parameter uncertainties are time‐varying norm‐bounded, the upper bounds of which are unknown positive constants, and that the time‐varying delays are non‐negative continuous and bounded functions. In particular, the derivatives of these time‐varying delays are not required to be less than 1. For such a class of stochastic systems, a delay‐independent adaptive robust state feedback controller is proposed. By employing the Lyapunov functional method, it has been demonstrated that the equilibrium x(t) = 0 of such systems is globally asymptotically stable in probability. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Short‐term wind power prediction in microgrids using a hybrid approach integrating genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems
Authors: Zheng Dehua , Semero Yordanos Kassa , Zhang Jianhua , Wei Dan
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes an integrated hybrid approach combining genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) for short‐term wind power generation prediction in microgrids. The increasing penetration of intermittent and uncertain renewable energy resources like wind into electric power systems poses important operational challenges. Accurate prediction of wind power generation is crucial to address the challenges and fully harness the available generation capability of wind energy generation systems. Accurate wind power generation forecasting tools play a critical role in enabling system operators to plan efficient operation of power systems and ensure reliability of supply. In this paper, a combination of GA and PSO is used to optimize an ANFIS model for short‐term wind power prediction. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, it is tested based on practical information of weather conditions and wind power generation data of a case study microgrid system in Beijing. The performance of the proposed approach is compared with four other prediction methods. The proposed approach outperformed all the other methods, demonstrating its favorable accuracy and reliability. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Growth patterns and cerebroplacental hemodynamics in fetuses with congenital heart disease
Authors: Mebius M. J. , Clur S. A. B. , Vink A. S. , Pajkrt E. , Kalteren W. S. , Kooi E. M. W. , Bos A. F. , du Marchie Sarvaas G. J. , Bilardo C. M.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Congenital heart disease (CHD) has been associated with reduced fetal head circumference (HC), although the underlying pathophysiology remains undetermined. We aimed to define trends in fetal growth and cerebroplacental Doppler flow, and to investigate their relationship, in fetuses with CHD.

Methods

This was a retrospective study in two fetal medicine units in The Netherlands. We included all fetuses with CHD in whom Doppler flow patterns (middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery (UA) PI and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR)) and biometry (HC and abdominal circumference (AC)) had been measured serially after 19 weeks' gestation between January 2010 and November 2016. Fetuses were categorized into three groups based on the expected cerebral arterial oxygen saturation of their particular type of CHD: normal; mild to moderately reduced; severely reduced. Trends over time in Z‐scores were analyzed using a linear mixed‐effects model.

Results

A total of 181 fetuses fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Expected cerebral arterial oxygen saturation in CHD was classified as normal in 44 cases, mild to moderately reduced in 84 and severely reduced in 53. In the cohort overall, average trends over time were significant for both HC and AC Z‐scores. HC Z‐scores showed a tendency to decrease until 23 weeks, then to increase until 33 weeks, followed by another decrease in the late third trimester. AC Z‐scores increased progressively with advancing gestation. MCA‐PI and UA‐PI Z‐scores showed significant trends throughout pregnancy, but CPR Z‐scores did not. There were no associations between expected cerebral arterial oxygen saturation and fetal growth. Average trends in MCA‐PI Z‐scores were significantly different between the three subgroups, whereas those in UA‐PI Z‐scores and in CPR Z‐scores were similar between the subgroups. There was no significant association between MCA‐PI and HC Z‐scores.

Conclusions

Fetal biometry and Doppler flow patterns are within normal range in fetuses with CHD, but show trends over time. Head growth in fetuses with CHD is not associated with cerebral blood flow pattern or placental function and HC is not influenced by the cerebral arterial oxygen saturation. © 2018 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Introduction
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: May 2018

This book introduces the basic principles of control theory in a concise self-study guide. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the three parts of the book: basic principles, design tradeoffs, and common challenges.
Basic Control Architecture
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: May 2018

This chapter introduces the common alternative structures of control systems, with emphasis on feedback control. Error-correcting feedback plays a central role in robust control systems. The classic example of proportional, integral, and derivative control is used to illustrate the sensitivities of control systems and the design tradeoffs that arise between alternative performance goals.
Stabilization
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: May 2018

The previous chapter assumed that the intrinsic system process has a given unvarying form. The actual process may differ from the given form or may fluctuate over time. Designing a control system that can perform well when the intrinsic dynamics are uncertain raises new challenges. This chapter introduces the fundamental concepts of designing stable systems under uncertainty.
State Feedback
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: May 2018

Earlier chapters focused on the inputs into a system and the outputs produced by a system. This chapter considers the internal dynamics of the system. For example, in the regulation of an organism’s body temperature, we could model performance and cost in terms of the system’s body temperature output. Alternatively, the internal dynamics of the system may include the burning of stored energy, the rise and fall of various signaling molecules, the dilation of blood vessels.
Retracted: Differences in macrobenthic faunal communities in mangrove wetland habitats (Zhanjiang, China) invaded and non‐invaded by exotic cordgrass Spartina alterniflora
Authors: Chen Quan , Jian Shuguang , Ma Keming , Chen Pimao
Published: May 2018

Mangroves are essential for maintaining local biodiversity and human well‐being, and mangrove structure and functioning depend on the macrobenthos. Although exotic cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, is an increasing threat to the mangrove wetlands (including the associated unvegetated shoals) of China, its effects on the macrobenthic fauna in such wetlands is poorly understood. The macrobenthic faunal communities were compared in (1) an Avicennia marina monoculture vs. an S. alterniflora‐invaded A. marina stand (a mixture of A. marina and S. alterniflora) and in (2) an unvegetated shoal vs. an S. alterniflora‐invaded shoal that had rapidly become an S. alterniflora monoculture in Zhanjiang, China. S. alterniflora invasion significantly increased plant density regardless of invaded habitat but significantly increased the contents of total carbon, organic matter, and total sulfur in the sediment only in the unvegetated shoal. The presence of S. alterniflora had little influence on indices of the macrobenthic faunal community in the A. marina monoculture, but significantly decreased the density and biomass of macrobenthic faunal community in the unvegetated shoal. These results indicate that the effects of S. alterniflora on the macrobenthic faunal community depend on which type of mangrove habitat is invaded. The composition of the macrobenthic faunal community was more similar between the invaded and non‐invaded A. marina stand than between the invaded and non‐invaded unvegetated shoal. Overall, the differences in the macrobenthic faunal community between invaded and non‐invaded habitats were associated with increases in the sediment organic matter content and plant density.
Closing remarks: novel approaches to complex societal change and sustainability
Authors: van der Leeuw Sander
Published: May 2018

This paper summarizes some personal impressions of the 7th conference of the International Complex Systems Society, co-organized with “Future Earth”, held in Stockholm on August 24–26, 2017. The main point is that it is urgent and important to consider the sustainability conundrum as long-term, society-driven one, and to place societal dynamics at the core of how we, as a global society, came to this point, how ongoing dynamics are driving us towards a tipping point, and which role the Information and Communication Technology revolution plays in that process. A much wider involvement of the social sciences is essential. This also requires major changes in our thinking about sustainability—we need to develop an approach in which change is the natural state of affairs and societies attempt to impose stability on the dynamics involved. We need to focus on learning from the past, about the present, but above all for the future. And we need to shift from an entity-focused approach to a relational one, which pays more attention to contexts and networks. Other issues raised by such a shift in our thinking are about the role of science, the adoption of complex systems approaches and a few others that the paper points to.
Towards simulating natural transition in hypersonic boundary layers via random inflow disturbances
Authors: Hader Christoph , Fasel Hermann F.
Published: May 2018

A random forcing approach was implemented into a high-order accurate finite-difference code in order to investigate ‘natural’ laminar–turbulent transition in hypersonic boundary layers. In hypersonic transition wind-tunnel experiments, transition is caused ‘naturally’, by free-stream disturbances even when so-called quiet tunnels are employed such as the Boeing/AFOSR Mach 6 Quiet Tunnel (BAM6QT) at Purdue University. The nature and composition of the free-stream disturbance environment in high-speed transition experiments is difficult to assess and therefore largely unknown. Consequently, in the direct numerical simulations (DNS) presented here, the free-stream disturbance environment is simply modelled by random pressure (acoustic) disturbances with a broad spectrum of frequencies and a wide range of azimuthal wavenumbers. Results of a high-resolution DNS for a flared cone at Mach 6, using the random forcing approach, are presented and compared to a fundamental breakdown simulation using a ‘controlled’ disturbance input (with a specified frequency and azimuthal wavenumber). The DNS results with random forcing clearly exhibit the ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ streak pattern, which has previously been observed in our ‘controlled’ breakdown simulations and the experiments in the BAM6QT. In particular, the spanwise spacing of the ‘primary’ streaks for the random forcing case is identical to the spacing obtained from the ‘controlled’ fundamental breakdown simulation. A comparison of the wall pressure disturbance signals between the random forcing DNS and experimental data shows remarkable agreement. The random forcing approach seems to be a promising strategy to investigate nonlinear breakdown in hypersonic boundary layers without introducing any bias towards a distinct nonlinear breakdown mechanism and/or the selection of specific frequencies or wavenumbers that is required in the ‘controlled’ breakdown simulations.
The (Un)Constitutional Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Funds in Nigeria: Analysing the “Security Vote” Paradigm through the Law
Authors: Ezeilo Joy Ngozi , Nwoke Uchechukwu , Anya Sylvester Ndubuisi
Published: May 2018

Security challenges have continued to trouble governments internationally. From the Islamic State terrorists in the Gulf region, to the murderous activities of Boko Haram and “herdsmen” in Nigeria in recent times, it has become imperative for those entrusted with maintaining security to redefine the conditions of national security. In this context, it is now conventional for various governments in Nigeria to appropriate enormous amounts of money in their budgets for “national security” (“tagged security vote”). This article explores the emergence, configuration, constitutionality and abuses of security votes in Nigeria. It also explores the appropriation and expenditure of security funds in the USA and attempts to draw lessons from this jurisdiction. It argues that there is a robust connection between security votes and corruption and, thus, attempts to identify legal structures for preventing the misspending and embezzlement of public funds (security votes) in the country's monetary appropriation and expenditure.
Childhood trauma- and cannabis-associated microstructural white matter changes in patients with psychotic disorder: a longitudinal family-based diffusion imaging study
Authors: Domen Patrick , Michielse Stijn , Peeters Sanne , Viechtbauer Wolfgang , van Os Jim , Marcelis Machteld ,   for Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (G.R.O.U.P.)
Published: May 2018

Background

Decreased white matter (WM) integrity in patients with psychotic disorder has been a consistent finding in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies. However, the contribution of environmental risk factors to these WM alterations is rarely investigated. The current study examines whether individuals with (increased risk for) psychotic disorder will show increased WM integrity change over time with increasing levels of childhood trauma and cannabis exposure.

Methods

DTI scans were obtained from 85 patients with a psychotic disorder, 93 non-psychotic siblings and 80 healthy controls, of which 60% were rescanned 3 years later. In a whole-brain voxel-based analysis, associations between change in fractional anisotropy (ΔFA) and environmental exposures as well as interactions between group and environmental exposure in the model of FA and ΔFA were investigated. Analyses were adjusted for a priori hypothesized confounding variables: age, sex, and level of education.

Results

At baseline, no significant associations were found between FA and both environmental risk factors. At follow-up as well as over a 3-year interval, significant interactions between group and, respectively, cannabis exposure and childhood trauma exposure in the model of FA and ΔFA were found. Patients showed more FA decrease over time compared with both controls and siblings when exposed to higher levels of cannabis or childhood trauma.

Conclusions

Higher levels of cannabis or childhood trauma may compromise connectivity over the course of the illness in patients, but not in individuals at low or higher than average genetic risk for psychotic disorder, suggesting interactions between the environment and illness-related factors.