bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THERMAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS EVAPORATORS
Authors: Piske A. C. , Moura L. M. , Mendes N.
Published: September 2018

This work presents a thermal performance evaluation of a fin-and-tube evaporator - that is
widely used in packaged air conditioning equipment - using a balanced calorimeter
developed to simulate similar running conditions. The calorimeter determines the heat
rate absorbed by the evaporator, providing qualitative analysis of performance for a given
geometry. The calorimeter inside air is dried out due to the condensation process on the
evaporator under test during the transient period. By this way it is possible to preview the
humidity of the calorimeter domain and its influence with the instrumentation measurement.
The heat transfer rate absorbed by the evaporator is obtained by a lumped approach using
the energy conservation that is applied to the calorimeter domain, and is taken on the
boundaries of the equipment. Physical parameters such as overall heat transfer coefficient
for several types of fins can then be predicted in order to provide information for improving
the energy-efficiency-oriented design. The uncertainties are estimated by the propagation
of relative effects. Uncertainties are evaluated taking into account the systematic effects.
Results are shown in terms of evaporator overall heat transfer coefficient and heat transfer
rate as a function of inlet air temperature.
SIMULATION OF PULVERIZED COAL FIRED BOILER: REACTION CHAMBER
Authors: Rodrigues C. P. , Lansarin M. A. , Secchi A. R. , Mendes T. F.
Published: September 2018

This work is part of a joint project to built a computational tool for power plant simulation,
dealing specifically with the reaction chamber (place of the boiler where the fuel is burned).
In order to describe the conversion of chemical energy to thermal energy, an onedimensional pseudo-homogeneous mathematical model, with variable physical properties,
and based on mass and energy balances, was developed. The equations were implemented
in the gPROMS simulator and the model parameters were estimated using the module
gEST of this software, with experimental data from a large-scale coal-fired utility boiler
and kinetic data from the open literature. The results showed that the model predicts the
composition of the outlet combustion gas satisfactorily.
MODELING AND CONTROL OF AN AUTOREFRIGERATED CSTR POLYMERIZATION REACTOR: IMPACT OF THE NON-CONDENSABLE GASES
Authors: Vasco de Toledo E. C. , Maciel Filho R.
Published: September 2018

The concept of process intensification is applied to a CSTR polymerization reactor, where
bulk reactions take place via styrene free-radicals, connected to a semi-flooded horizontal
condenser; the aim is to operate the system in a safe and efficient way. The results obtained
show that the developed model was able to reproduce the major dynamic characteristics,
even with the presence of non-condensable gases. The existence of such gases prevents
the reactor from ever reaching a steady-state, as they accumulate in the system, increasing
the condenser pressure and the reactor temperature and reducing the contact area and the
mass of liquid in the condenser. To overcome this problem, the control strategy of this
work proposes a regular purge of the condenser gases in order to avoid a collapse of the
system. In this context, different control algorithms were also analyzed and it was concluded
that a fast and reliable control of the reactor is only possible when advanced controllers
are used.
SOLUTION OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL DIFFUSION EQUATION USING LIE SYMMETRIES: SIMULATION OF POLLUTANT DISPERSION IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Authors: Zabadal J. R. , Poffal C. A.
Published: September 2018

Several analytical, numerical and hybrid methods are being used to solve diffusion and diffusion advection problems. In this work, a closed form solution of the three-dimensional diffusion advection equation in a Cartesian coordinate system is obtained by applying rules, based on the Lie symmetries, to manipulate the exponential of the differential operators that appear in its formal solution. There are many advantages of applying these rules: the increase in processing velocity so that the solution may be obtained in real time, the reduction in the amount of memory required to perform the necessary tasks in order to obtain the solution, since the analytical expressions can be easily manipulated in post-processing and also the discretization of the domain may not be necessary in some cases, avoiding the use of mean values for some parameters involved. These rules yield good results when applied to obtain solutions for problems in fluid mechanics and in quantum mechanics. In order to show the performance of the method, a one-dimensional scenario of the pollutant dispersion in a stable boundary layer is simulated, considering that the horizontal component of the velocity field is dominant and constant, disregarding the other components. The results are compared with data available in the literature.
ON INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF A DISCRETE ORDINATES RADIATIVE TRANSFER METHOD WITH PERIODIC RELATIONS
Authors: De Abreu M. P.
Published: September 2018

In this article, improvements in a recently developed discrete ordinates method  the two-component method - are reported. The method solves conservative and non-conservative radiative heat transfer problems with anisotropic scattering on a multislab domain irradiated from one side with a radiation beam. The beam here consists of a monodirectional (singular) stream and of a continuous (regular) distribution in angle. Specifically, the computational efficiency of this two-component method has been increased with the help of new periodic relations for the coupling coefficients that appear in the numerical component of the method. With these periodic relations, memory usage requirement for storing the (usually large number of) coupling coefficients has been halved, while saving computer time from unnecessary computation of redundant coefficients. The increased efficiency of the two-component method has been illustrated with numerical results and discussion of a model problem in shortwave radiative transfer.
HEAT TRANSFER STUDY IN SLUG FLOW ON ELLIPTICAL DUCTS CROSS SECTIONS BY GENERALIZED INTEGRAL TRANSFORM TECHNIQUE
Authors: Maia C. R. M. , Ramos R. A. V. , Pelegrini M. F. , Alves T. A.
Published: September 2018

This work shows the calculation of heat transfer parameters for slug flow in the thermal entrance region of elliptical section tubes submitted to a second kind boundary condition. The main difficulty in the application of the boundary conditions in problems with this kind of geometry has been removed by using a suitable coordinate change. The generalized integral transform technique (GITT) has been used to obtain the solution of the energy equation. The mixture temperature and the local and average Nusselt numbers have been calculated for several aspect ratios and the results have been compared with those found in the literature.
Short communication: Morphometric characterization of Lidia cow (Bos taurus) reproductive apparatus
Authors: Correia Pedro B. C. , Baron Erica E. , Pavani Krishna , Pacheco-Lima José , Lopes Sofia , Nunes Helder , Lourenço Joana , Furnas Selma , Da Silva Joaquim F. M.
Published: September 2018

To study Lidia cow reproductive apparatus traits, a total of 90 organs were collected after slaughtering the cows from different Bos taurus breeds: (i) Lidia cattle breed - Brava dos Açores population (n=10) and Domecq lineage (n=11); (ii) Holstein Friesian females – 10-14-month-old heifers (n=15); 15-20-month-old heifers (n=10), 21-19-month-old heifers (n=18), and (iii) cows ≥ 30 months (n=26). The length and width were measured for five portions of the female reproductive apparatus (vulva and vagina, cervix, uterine body, uterine horns and ovaries). One-way ANOVA was performed with Tukey test. The level recognized to assume differences was p<0.05 to less. Differences were not shown between Lidia groups. In general, the Lidia cow reproductive apparatus was small in size that that of the matured cows in terms of all traits, with the exception of cervix rings (5.10 ± 0.17 rings) with p≤0.01 for all the groups (averages ranged from 3.33 ± 0.11 rings to 3.50 ± 0.15 rings). The vulva and vagina (L= 27.31 ± 0.53 cm; W=2.07 ± 0.14 cm), the uterine body width (3.01 ± 0.18 cm) and the uterine horns (L= 12.24 ± 0.32; W= 1.13 ± 0.10) showed were smaller in size than those of the evaluated heifers from HF breed that ranged in age from 10 to 14 months (p≤0.01). This study was the first to perform a morphometric characterization on the Lidia cow reproductive apparatus, and the results provide useful information for understanding reproductive approaches to be used with this breed.
Does the Date of Burning Affect Carbon and Nutrient Losses in a Humid Savanna of West Africa?
Authors: N Dri Aya B. , Konan Louis N.
Published: September 2018

A significant impact of fires is the transfer to the atmosphere of the elements contained in combusted biomass. This study was carried out in the Guinean savanna of Lamto (Côte d’Ivoire) to evaluate fire-mediated carbon and nutrient losses from biomass according to the date of burning. The fire regimes tested consisted of three different burning dates: early (EF), mid (MF), and late (LF) season fires, on nine 0.5 ha plots. Carbon and five elemental nutrients were assessed in the aboveground biomass prior to burning and in ash and unburnt biomass after fires; losses were assessed by subtraction. The proportion of nutrients transferred to the atmosphere varied from 42 % (K) to 98 % (C). The lowest losses were recorded during the EF and the greatest during the MF and LF. Emission of CO2 was relatively greatest during the EF than during the MF and LF (16, 14 and 13 t ha-1 respectively). The proportion of the fine ash fraction (< 1 mm) was the greatest during MF. The highest concentrations of K, P, Ca and Mg occurred in this fraction, most susceptible to losses due to wind and rainfall. The percentage losses of C, N and K were positively correlated with fire maximal temperatureand flame height, explaining the relatively higher losses during MF. Over the long term, the MF applied annually, would lead to important depletion of soil nutrients, particularly N and P, which contributes to the low availability of nutrients in the soils of Lamto savannas.
Poczucie sensu życia a subiektywna witalność i status socjoekonomiczny gimnazjalistów
Authors: Zawadzka Dorota , Korzycka Magdalena
Published: September 2018

Poczucie sensu życia to niezwykle istotny wskaźnik zdrowia psychicznego, którego deficyt może prowadzić do wielu zaburzeń oraz braku motywacji do podejmowania trudów dnia codziennego. Subiektywna witalność została zdefiniowana jako subiektywne doświadczenie pełni energii i żywotności. Biorąc pod uwagę, że subiektywna witalność oraz status materialny rodziny są niezwykle ważnymi zmiennymi stosowanymi w badaniach dzieci i młodzieży szkolnej, postanowiono sprawdzić ich związek z poczuciem sensu życia młodzieży.
Badanie ankietowe zostało przeprowadzone w 2016 r. na terenie szkół w grupie 643 uczniów klas I oraz III gimnazjum w wieku 13–17 lat (358 chłopców i 285 dziewcząt).
Analizy wykazały, że płeć oraz poziom klasy gimnazjum nie różnicuje istotnie statystycznie średniego poziomu sensu życia. Ustalono natomiast, że chłopcy oraz uczniowie I klasy gimnazjum charakteryzowali się istotnie wyższym średnim poziomem witalności w porównaniu z dziewczętami oraz uczniami klas III. Dziewczęta oraz uczniowie III klasy gimnazjum istotnie częściej niż chłopcy i uczniowie młodsi oceniali własną rodzinę jako biedną. Wykazano istotne statystycznie różnice w średnim poziomie sensu życia między uczniami w zależności od ich poziomu witalności.
Analiza regresji logistycznej wykazała, że przeciętny poziom witalności blisko trzykrotnie [OR = 2,91], a wysoki poziom prawie ośmiokrotnie [OR = 7,71] zwiększały prawdopodobieństwo wysokiego poziomu sensu życia w porównaniu z uczniami o niskim poziomie witalności.
Samoskuteczność jako predyktor reakcji na traumę
Authors: Wieland-Lenczowska Dominika
Published: September 2018

Artykuł stanowi próbę analizy samoskuteczności jako jednego z czynników pozytywnie wpływających na sposób reagowania na traumę. Wyróżnia się w nim trzy możliwe stany będące wynikiem reakcji na zdarzenie traumatyczne: brak adaptacji, adaptację i potraumatyczny rozwój. Wychodząc z założeń ujęcia funkcjonalno-czynnościowego obrony psychologicznej, poczucie własnej skuteczności traktuje się tu jako czynnik umożliwiający zadaniowe podejście do traumy, wyrażające się w traktowaniu jej nie tylko w kategoriach zagrożenia ale również jako wyzwania. Umożliwia to umiejscowienie aktualnej sytuacji życiowej w szerszej perspektywie życia, przyczyniającej się do braku fiksacji na traumie. W artykule podano przykładowe pożądane kierunki kształtowania i rozwijania poczucia samoskuteczności w trakcie edukacji dziecka oraz zaproponowano kilka aplikacyjnych metod kształtowania poczucia samoskuteczności u dzieci.
Kompetencje bazowe a sukces dziecka. Program Stymulowania Rozwoju Funkcji Wykonawczych
Authors: Wacławowicz Beata
Published: September 2018

Wyniki szkolne dziecka, a następnie jego sukcesy życiowe i zawodowe zależą od poziomu rozwoju funkcji wykonawczych. Rozwój funkcji wykonawczych ma większe znaczenie dla gotowości szkolnej niż iloraz inteligencji czy wstępny poziom umiejętności matematycznych i czytania. W artykule przedstawiono Program Stymulowania Rozwoju Funkcji Wykonawczych, którego celem jest wspieranie dziecka w zakresie kompetencji bazowych związanych z procesem uczenia się, wdrażanie do myślenia problemowego. Program opiera się na nowatorskiej koncepcji pracy z dzieckiem metodą Integracji Funkcji Wykonawczych, wykorzystującej innowacyjne narzędzie – podłogę interaktywną.
Teoria przecięć – myślenie krytyczne – teoria kodów legitymizacji. O zastosowaniach teorii w kontekście analizy aktywności edukacyjnej studentów pracy socjalnej
Authors: Boryczko Marcin
Published: September 2018

Artykuł ma na celu prezentację teorii przecięć, osadzenie w ramach szerszych dyskursów naukowych, a także uzasadnienie stosowania jej w obszarze pracy socjalnej. W szczególności chodzi zaś o przyjrzenie się możliwości jej adaptacji do programów nauczania na kierunku praca socjalna na podstawie doświadczeń akademików opisanych w literaturze przedmiotu oraz doświadczeń dydaktycznych i badawczych autora. Będzie również podjęta próba oceny tych możliwości oraz dostosowania do warunków programów nauczania na kierunku praca socjalna. Tekst przedstawia wyniki badań inspirowanych teorią przecięć, które polegały na analizie dwudziestu esejów studenckich przy pomocy narzędzia analitycznego – ciążenia semantycznego – wywodzącego się z Teorii Kodów Legitymizacji (Legitimation Code Theory). Wyniki badań pokazały, że Teoria Kodów Legitymizacji oraz teoria przecięć mogą stanowić podstawę do tworzenia wiedzy kumulatywnej związanej z myśleniem krytycznym.
Narzędzia teoretyczne i analityczne, jakie oferuje Teoria Kodów Legitymizacji oraz teoria przecięć, wydają się stanowić dobre instrumentarium tego, co można nazwać analitycznym katalizatorem świadomości krytycznej. Możliwość analizowania własnej wiedzy w zależności od kontekstu zarówno wytwarzania, jak i zastosowania wydaje się kluczową kompetencją we współczesnej pracy socjalnej. Umiejętność identyfikowania wielopoziomowej i wieloaspektowej opresji nie tylko ma walory poznawcze, lecz również może służyć jako narzędzie pomocnicze umożliwiające postawienie bardziej rzetelnej i trafnej diagnozy sytuacji „klienta”.
Wobec tego zasadne wydaje się wprowadzanie myślenia krytycznego oraz teorii przecięć do zakresu programu nauczania pracowników socjalnych. Ponadto równie ważne jest wyposażenie ich w narzędzia umożliwiające analizę własnych aktywności edukacyjnych, np. poprzez wprowadzenie pojęcia semantycznego ciążenia, które umożliwia uzyskanie spojrzenia z zewnątrz na własne aktywności edukacyjne, zwłaszcza pisanie.
Determination of Total Flavonoids for Paris Polyphylla Var. Yunnanensis in Different Geographical Origins Using UV and FT-IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Yuangui , Zhao Yanli , Zuo Zhitian , Wang Yuanzhong
Published: September 2018

Background: Paris polyphylla var. Yunnanensis (PPY) is used in the clinical treatment of tumors, hemorrhages, and anthelmintic. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine total flavonoids of PPY in the Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, China. Methods: In this study, total flavonoids were determined by UV spectrophotometry at first. Then, Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-IR) based on various pretreatments include standard normal variate (SNV), first derivative (FD), second derivative (SD), Savitzky-Golay (SG), and orthogonal signal correction (OSC) were investigated. In addition, several relevant variables were screened by competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS). The contentof total flavonoids and selected variables of FT-IRwere used to establish a partial least squares regression for PPY in different regions. Results: The results indicated that CARS was an effective method for decreasing the variable of thedatabase and improving the prediction of the model.FT-IR with pretreatment SNV + OSC + FD + SG had thebest performance, with R2 > 0.9 and residual predictive deviation = 3.3515, which could be used forthe predictive model of total flavonoids. Conclusions: Those results would provide a fast and robust strategy for the determination of total flavonoids of PPY in different geographical origin. Highlights: Various pretreatments, including SNV, FD, SD, SG, and OSC, were compared; several relevant variables were selected by CARS; and the content of total flavonoids and selected variable were used to establish a partial leastsquares regression for PPY in different regions.
Improvement in the Reliability of AOAC Official Method 2012.15 for Iodine
Authors: Hieda Naoto , Ikeuchi Yoshihiro , Matsuno Ichirou
Published: September 2018

Background: Reliable measurements of iodine are essential for ensuring the qualityof infant formula. The AOAC Official Method 2012.15 for iodine tends to produce higher results in the presence of carbon remaining in the final test solution after digestion with alkaline dissolution. This is partly because of the lack of countermeasures for signal enhancement induced by coexisting carbon in Method 2012.15. Objective: To obtain more reliable values for infant formulas, we undertook an experiment. Methods: We modified the protocol by addingcarbon in the form of methanol to both the standardsolutions and the final test solutions. Comparisonsof the enhancement factor for iodine-127 were usedto find the optimized concentration of methanol from0–10%. Results: Optimization of the additional carbon showed that a 5% methanol minimum was necessary for a constant ratio of iodine. The results exhibited good linearity (coefficient of determination >0.999), and the LOQ was 0.19 μg/100 g for the reconstituted final product with a methanol concentration of 5%. The intermediate precision RSD was <3.76%, and the recovery factor was 97.5–104.2% for infant formula distributed in several countries and a special formula distributed in Japan. Conclusions: This demonstrates that 5% methanol, when addedto standard and final solutions, acts as an effective matrix matching agent. Highlights: This modified method produces more accurate iodine quantification in infant formulas and special formulas in which there is incomplete digestion of the matrix.
La performativité du corps féminin dans le théâtre de Haentjens : quatre illustrations
Authors: Lalonde Gabrielle
Published: September 2018

Le thème du corps féminin occupe une place centrale dans l’univers théâtral de Brigitte Haentjens. Depuis la fondation de Sibyllines, elle élabore, dans ses mises en scène, des personnages s’inscrivant dans un imaginaire féminin qui feint la normativité, jusqu’à ce que, à force de répétition, leur image se torde et en vienne à se contredire elle-même. Ici, nous exposons quatre dimensions de cette représentation conflictuelle : celle de la structure rythmique du mouvement chorégraphique des corps en scène, du personnage démultiplié dans la forme chorale, de l’apparat vestimentaire des femmes en scène et du langage gestuel qu’elles développent. L’étude s’appuie sur des exemples tirés de trois spectacles : Hamlet-machine (2001), La cloche de verre (2003) et Médée-Matériau (2004).
DE CUEILLEUR DE CERISES À ÉCRIVAIN
Authors: LUNEAU MARIE-PIER
Published: September 2018

La question du premier roman a suscité ces dernières années l’intérêt des
chercheurs, mais la figure du primo romancier n’a pas été abordée sous l’angle de sa notice
biographique. Si les travaux des sociologues de la littérature tendent à faire reposer
l’identité de l’écrivain sur des principes de singularité, qu’en est-il spécifiquement pour
le primo romancier, nouvel entrant dans le champ littéraire ? Et comment l’éditeur
parvient-il à faire valoir cet auteur en principe peu connu ? Pour répondre à ces questions,
cet article analyse les notices biographiques de 169 auteurs ayant publié un premier roman
dans les dix dernières années (2007-2016), telles que présentées sur les sites Internet de
huit éditeurs québécois.
Patrimonialisation et mise en tourisme : une double entrée pour questionner le rapport à l’espace et au temps
Authors: Ouellet Annie
Published: September 2018

Cette contribution s’intéresse au double processus de mise en tourisme et en patrimoine des centres-villes « historiques », de même qu’à la coprésence des individus les habitant (de façon permanente ou temporaire), soit les résidents permanents et les touristes. Cette double entrée par le tourisme et par le patrimoine amène à nous interroger tout particulièrement sur les rapports à l’espace et au temps. Si la dimension spatiale des rapports sociaux que nous appréhendons demeure relativement constante, soit le centre d’une ville patrimonialisée et mise en tourisme, ce sont trois dimensions temporelles qui seront abordées comme autant d’angles d’analyse. Seront donc considérés le temps du quotidien (et du hors-quotidien (Équipe MIT, 2002)), le temps des saisons et le temps des « mémoires patrimoniales » (Morisset, 2009). Notre propos s’appuie, pour partie, sur un travail d’enquête mené dans les petites villes françaises de Sarlat (Dordogne) et Dinan (Côtes-d’Armor).
Cell Differentiation Processes as Spatial Networks: identifying four-dimensional structure in embryogenesis
Authors: Alicea Bradly J , Gordon Richard
Published: September 2018

One overarching principle of eukaroytic development is the generative spatial emergence and self-organization of cell populations. As cells divide and differentiate, they and their descendants form a spatiotemporally explicit and increasingly compartmentalized complex system. Yet despite this compartmentalization, there is selective functional overlap between these structural components. While contemporary tools such as lineage trees and molecular signaling networks provide a window into this complexity, they do not characterize embryogenesis as a global process. Using a four-dimensional spatial representation, major features of the developmental process are revealed. To establish the role of developmental mechanisms that turn a spherical embryo into a highly asymmetrical adult phenotype, we can map the outcomes of the cell division process to a complex network model. This type of representational model provides information about the top-down mechanisms relevant to the differentiation process. In a complementary manner, looking for phenomena such as superdiffusive positioning and sublineage-based anatomical clustering incorporates dynamic information to our parallel view of embryogenesis. Characterizing the spatial organization and geometry of embryos in this way allows for novel indicators of developmental patterns both within and between organisms.
Ulyxes: an open source project for automation in engineering surveying
Authors: Siki Zoltan , Takács Bence , Égető Csaba
Published: September 2018

Ulyxes is an open source project to drive robotic total stations as well as other sensors, collect their measurements in database and finally publish the results for authorized users on the web. On special requests the results are also presented with web based maps in the background. This project is like an instant coffee: three in one (coffee, sugar and milk). The coffee and the strongest part is the research and coding. The sugar is the application of the program in industrial environment and the milk on the top is the educational usage. The software development started in 2008 connected to a monitoring task in the Hungarian Nuclear Power Plant. Since then the development has been extended from total stations to different positioning capable sensors. In 2012 the development of a new Python based object oriented framework started. The code is based on the results of some other open source projects, Python, PySerial, GNUGama, SQLite, OpenCV, etc. After connecting to the international Geo4All network in 2014, Ulyxes became a project of our Geo4All Lab. The project has its own home page (http://www.agt.bme.hu/ulyxes) and the source code is available on the GitHub portal (https://github.com/zsiki/ulyxes). The code is maintained by the colleagues at the Department of Geodesy and Surveying at the Budapest University of Technology, volunteers from all over the World are welcome. BSc and MSc students are also involved in the development and testing. More theses were connected to this project in the recent five years. In the curriculum of an MSc subject called Surveying Automation, Ulyxes is used to demonstrate automatized tasks in engineering surveying. The system has been applied for several projects during the last 10+ years. Typical applications are the load tests of bridges and other engineering structures and on the other hand Ulyxes can be used to monitor the movements of buildings in the nearby of constructional works, like metro stations, underground garage and other buildings as well. Raspberry Pi small, single board computers are used with Raspbian operating system during on-site works. The source code is divided into three parts. The first one is the Ulyxes API which is the core of the system. The second one, Ulyxes Apps is a collection of applications based upon the API. Some of them were developed by our students. The third part is the server side scripts to publish observation results through the Internet. Moreover it is also planned to implement SOS standard using IstSOS. Our Geo4All Lab maintains another open source software, called GeoEasy to process observation data in engineering and land surveying. A closer cooperation is also planned between our two open source projects. In this paper the most important features of Ulyxes will be presented with examples, an actual monitoring project in Budapest and test loads of bridges and overpasses.
Condensin controls cellular RNA levels through the accurate segregation of chromosomes instead of directly regulating transcription
Authors: Hocquet Clémence , Robellet Xavier , Modolo Laurent , Sun Xi-Ming , Burny Claire , Cuylen-Haering Sara , Toselli Esther , Clauder-Münster Sandra , Steinmetz Lars , Haering Christian H , Marguerat Samuel , Bernard Pascal
Published: September 2018

Condensins are genome organisers that shape chromosomes and promote their accurate transmission. Several studies have also implicated condensins in gene expression, although any mechanisms have remained enigmatic. Here, we report on the role of condensin in gene expression in fission and budding yeasts. In contrast to previous studies, we provide compelling evidence that condensin plays no direct role in the maintenance of the transcriptome, neither during interphase nor during mitosis. We further show that the changes in gene expression in post-mitotic fission yeast cells that result from condensin inactivation are largely a consequence of chromosome missegregation during anaphase, which notably depletes the RNA-exosome from daughter cells. Crucially, preventing karyotype abnormalities in daughter cells restores a normal transcriptome despite condensin inactivation. Thus, chromosome instability, rather than a direct role of condensin in the transcription process, changes gene expression. This knowledge challenges the concept of gene regulation by canonical condensin complexes.
Application of EST-SSR markers developed from the transcriptome of Torreya grandis (Taxaceae), a threatened nut-yielding conifer tree
Authors: Zeng Jun , Chen Jie , Kou Yixuan , Wang Yujin
Published: September 2018

Torreya grandis (Taxaceae) is an ancient conifer species endemic to southeast China. Because of its nutrient-rich and delicious seeds, this species has been utilized for centuries by the Chinese. However, transcriptome data and transcriptome-derived microsatellite markers for population genetics studies are still insufficient for understanding of this species’ genetic basis. In this study, a transcriptome from T. grandis leaves was generated using Illumina sequencing. A total of 69,920 unigenes were generated after de novo assembly, and annotated by searching against seven protein databases. In addition, 2,065 expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) were detected, with the distribution frequency of 2.75% of total unigenes and average number of 0.03 SSRs per unigene. Among these EST-SSRs, 1,339 primer pairs were successfully designed, and 106 primer pairs were randomly selected for the development of potential molecular markers. Among them, 11 EST-SSR markers revealed a moderate level of genetic diversity, and were used to investigate the population structure of T. grandis. Two different genetic groups within this species were revealed using these EST-SSR markers, indicating that these markers developed in this study can be effectively applied to the population genetic analysis of T. grandis.
Potential changes in the distribution of Carnegiea gigantea under future scenarios
Authors: Albuquerque Fabio , Benito Blas , Rodriguez Miguel Ángel Macias , Gray Caitlin
Published: September 2018

Over the last decades several studies have identified that the directional changes in climate induced by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are affecting the ecology of desert ecosystems. In the Southwest United States, the impacts of climate change to plant abundance and distribution have already been reported, including in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, home of the iconic Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). Hence, there is an urgent need to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the saguaro. The goals of this study are to provide a map of actual habitat suitability (1), describe the relationships between abiotic predictors and the saguaro distribution at regional extents (2), and describe the potential effect of climate change on the spatial distribution of the saguaro (3). Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) was used to investigate the relationships between abiotic variables and the Saguaro distribution. SDMs were calibrated using presence records, 2,000 randomly-generated pseudo absences, and ten abiotic variables. Of these, annual precipitation and max temperature of the warmest month was found to have the greatest relative influence on saguaro distribution. SDMs indicated that 6.9% and 8.1% of the current suitable habitat is predicted to be lost by 2050 and 2070, respectively. Therefore, predicted changes in climate may result in a substantial contraction of the suitable habitat for saguaro over the next century. By identifying the drivers of saguaro distribution and assessing potential changes in habitat suitability due to climate change, this study will help practitioners to design more comprehensive strategies to conserve the saguaro in the face of climate change.
Evaluation of potential reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR analysis in spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) under normal and salinity stress conditions
Authors: Wang Haolong , Wen Haishen , Li Yun , Zhang Kaiqiang , Liu Yang
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to select the most suitable reference genes for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus), an important commercial marine fish in Pacific Asia, under normal physiological and salinity stress conditions. A total of 9 candidate reference genes (HPRT, GAPDH, EF1A, TUBA, RPL7, RNAPol II, B2M, ACTB and 18S rRNA) were analyzed by qRT-PCR in 10 tissues (intestine, muscle, stomach, brain, heart, liver, gill, kidney, pectoral fins and spleen) of L. maculatus. Four algorithms, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and comparative ΔCt method, were used to evaluate the expression stability of the candidate reference genes. The results showed the 18S rRNA was most stable in different tissues under normal conditions. During salinity stress, RPL7 was the most stable gene according to overall ranking and the best combination of reference genes was RPL7 and RNAPol II. In contrast, GAPDH was the least stable gene which was not suitable as reference genes. The study showed that different algorithms might generate inconsistent results. Therefore, the combination of several reference genes should be selected to accurately calibrate system errors. The present study was the first to select reference genes of L. maculatus by qRT-PCR and provides a useful basis for selecting the appropriate reference gene in L. maculatus. The present study also has important implications for gene expression and functional genomics research in this species or other teleost species.
Caffeine for apnea of prematurity and brain development at 11 years of age
Authors: Kelly Claire E. , Ooi Wenn Lynn , Yang Joseph Yuan‐Mou , Chen Jian , Adamson Chris , Lee Katherine J. , Cheong Jeanie L. Y. , Anderson Peter J. , Doyle Lex W. , Thompson Deanne K.
Published: September 2018

Objective

Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity has been reported to improve brain white matter microstructure at term‐equivalent age, but its long‐term effects are unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether caffeine affects (1) brain structure at 11 years of age, and (2) brain development from term‐equivalent age to 11 years of age, compared with placebo.

Methods

Preterm infants born ≤1250 g were randomly allocated to caffeine or placebo. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 70 participants (33 caffeine, 37 placebo) at term‐equivalent age and 117 participants (63 caffeine, 54 placebo) at 11 years of age. Global and regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure were measured at both time points.

Results

In general, there was little evidence for differences between treatment groups in brain volumes or white matter microstructure at age 11 years. There was, however, evidence that the caffeine group had a smaller corpus callosum than the placebo group. Volumetric brain development from term‐equivalent to 11 years of age was generally similar between treatment groups. However, there was evidence that caffeine was associated with slower growth of the corpus callosum, and slower decreases in axial, radial, and mean diffusivities in the white matter, particularly at the level of the centrum semiovale, over time than placebo.

Interpretation

This study suggests any benefits of neonatal caffeine therapy on brain structure in preterm infants weaken over time and are not clearly detectable by MRI at age 11 years, although caffeine may have long‐term effects on corpus callosum development.
Highly Transparent, Deformable, and Multifunctional AgPdCu/ITO/PTFE Hybrid Films for Self‐Cleaning, Flexible, and Energy‐Saving Smart Windows
Authors: Lee Sang‐Mok , Park Jin‐Yeong , Kim Han‐Ki
Published: September 2018

Rollable, bendable, twistable, and foldable polymer–oxide–metal multistacked hybrid films are demonstrated, which simultaneously act as multifunctional electrodes in flexible polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) windows and flexible and transparent thin‐film heaters (TFHs) for self‐cleanable and flexible smart windows. By continuous sputtering of a thin polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)–indium tin oxide (ITO)–AgPdCu (APC) multilayer on a colorless polyimide substrate, transparent and multifunctional films are fabricated with a low sheet resistance of 7 Ω □−1, high optical transmittance of 83% at a wavelength of 550 nm, low transmittance in the infrared region, and a high contact angle of 109°. Based on inner/outer bending, rolling, twisting, and folding tests, the outstanding flexibility of these PTFE/ITO/APC multistacked films is demonstrated. The flexible PDLC and flexible TFHs with PTFE/ITO/APC multistacked electrodes show a controllable transmittance range between the on and off states that is nearly 40%, and a high saturation temperature of 111 °C is observed at a low applied voltage of 4 V. The multifunctional properties of the flexible PDLC and TFHs fabricated on PTFE/ITO/APC hybrid films indicate that the polymer–oxide–metal hybrid film is a versatile transparent electrode that can be used for flexible, smart, and energy‐saving windows.
Biotransporting Biocatalytic Reactors toward Therapeutic Nanofactories
Authors: Nishimura Tomoki , Akiyoshi Kazunari
Published: September 2018

Drug‐delivery systems (DDSs), in which drug encapsulation in nanoparticles enables targeted delivery of therapeutic agents and their release at specific disease sites, are important because they improve drug efficacy and help to decrease side effects. Although significant progress has been made in the development of DDSs for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, new approaches that increase the scope and effectiveness of such systems are still needed. Concepts such as nanoreactors and nanofactories are therefore attracting much attention. Nanoreactors, which basically consist of vesicle‐encapsulated enzymes, provide prodrug conversion to therapeutic agents rather than simple drug delivery. Nanofactories are an extension of this concept and combine the features of nanoreactors and delivery carriers. Here, the required features of nanofactories are discussed and an overview of current strategies for the design and fabrication of different types of nanoreactors, i.e., systems based on lipid or polymer vesicles, capsules, mesoporous silica, viral capsids, and hydrogels, and their respective advantages and shortcomings, is provided. In vivo applications of biocatalytic reactors in the treatment of cancer, glaucoma, neuropathic pain, and alcohol intoxication are also discussed. Finally, the prospects for further progress in this important and promising field are outlined.
Boosted Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction to NH3 by Defect‐Rich MoS2 Nanoflower
Authors: Li Xianghong , Li Tingshuai , Ma Yongjun , Wei Qin , Qiu Weibin , Guo Haoran , Shi Xifeng , Zhang Peng , Asiri Abdullah M. , Chen Liang , Tang Bo , Sun Xuping
Published: September 2018

The industrial artificial fixation of atmospheric N2 to NH3 is carried out using the Haber–Bosch process that is not only energy‐intensive but emits large amounts of greenhouse gas. Electrochemical reduction offers an environmentally benign and sustainable alternative for NH3 synthesis. Although Mo‐dependent nitrogenases and molecular complexes effectively catalyze the N2 fixation at ambient conditions, the development of a Mo‐based nanocatalyst for highly performance electrochemical N2 fixation still remains a key challenge. Here, greatly boosted electrocatalytic N2 reduction to NH3 with excellent selectivity by defect‐rich MoS2 nanoflowers is reported. In 0.1 m Na2SO4, this catalyst attains a high Faradic efficiency of 8.34% and a high NH3 yield of 29.28 µg h−1 mg−1cat. at −0.40 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, much larger than those of defect‐free counterpart (2.18% and 13.41 µg h−1 mg−1cat.), with strong electrochemical stability. Density functional theory calculations show that the potential determining step has a lower energy barrier (0.60 eV) for defect‐rich catalyst than that of defect‐free one (0.68 eV).
Efficient and Stable Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells Manufactured by Pulsed Flash Infrared Annealing
Authors: Sanchez Sandy , Christoph Neururer , Grobety Bernard , Phung Nga , Steiner Ullrich , Saliba Michael , Abate Antonio
Published: September 2018

Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells have achieved impressive power conversion efficiency over the past years, yet operational stability remains the key concern. One strategy to improve long‐term stability is to replace the thermally unstable organic with inorganic cations comprising the perovskite lattice. Here, for the first time, pulsed infrared light is used to drive the crystallization of inorganic mixed halide CsPbIxBr(3−x) perovskite films in solar cells with a power conversion efficiency exceeding 10%. By varying the iodide–bromine ratio systematically, it is found that to keep the inorganic perovskite black phase stable at the room temperature, the iodine content needs to be limited to lower than 60% – bromine content higher than 40%. The finding revises previous reports claiming stable compositions with higher iodine contents, which is systematically exploited to reduce the perovskite bandgap with the aim to enlarge the light absorption spectra and thus to boost the device efficiency. It is demonstrated that the newly defined stable compositional range enables devices that retain 90% of the efficiency after stressing the perovskite at 200 °C for 1 h. This result demonstrates that inorganic halide perovskites are stable materials for high‐temperature applications such as concentrated photovoltaics.
The association of physical activity before and after lymphoma diagnosis with survival outcomes
Authors: Pophali Priyanka A. , Ip Andrew , Larson Melissa C. , Rosenthal Allison C. , Maurer Matthew J. , Flowers Christopher R. , Link Brian K. , Farooq Umar , Feldman Andrew L. , Allmer Cristine , Slager Susan L. , Witzig Thomas E. , Habermann Thomas M. , Cohen Jonathon B. , Cerhan James R. , Thompson Carrie A.
Published: September 2018

The impact of physical activity (PA) on lymphoma survival is not known. The association of PA and change in PA with overall (OS), lymphoma‐specific (LSS) and event‐free (EFS) survival was evaluated in a prospective cohort of newly diagnosed lymphoma patients (2002‐2012). We calculated Leisure Score Indexes (mLSI) from the self‐reported usual adult PA (baseline) and at 3‐years post‐diagnosis (FU3), grouping patients by active vs insufficiently active by the American Cancer Society PA guidelines. Associations of PA with survival were assessed using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from Cox models stratified by lymphoma subtype, adjusted for age, sex, baseline BMI, and comorbidity score with change scores further adjusted for baseline PA. Three thousand sixty participants were evaluable at baseline and 1371 at FU3. Active patients had superior survival from baseline [HR (CI): OS 0.82 (0.72‐0.94); LSS 0.74 (0.61‐0.90); EFS 0.92 (0.82‐1.02)] and FU3 [HR (CI): OS 0.64 (0.46‐0.88); LSS 0.32 (0.18‐0.59); EFS 0.82 (0.61‐1.10)] compared to insufficiently active. An increase in mLSI from baseline to FU3 (vs stable mLSI) was associated with superior OS (HR = 0.70, CI 0.49‐1.00) and LSS (HR = 0.49, CI 0.26‐0.94).The continuous change in mLSI at FU3 was significantly associated with OS, LSS and EFS; maintained across subgroups and appeared linear. Higher PA among lymphoma patients at diagnosis and 3 years is significantly associated with OS, LSS, and EFS. Increasing PA after diagnosis is significantly associated with improved OS and LSS supporting an important role for PA in lymphoma survivorship and the need for intervention trials.
Preparation of highly phenol substituted bio‐oil–phenol–formaldehyde adhesives with enhanced bonding performance using furfural as crosslinking agent
Authors: Cheng Yanyan , Sui Guanghui , Liu Huan , Wang Xiaofeng , Yang Xiaomin , Wang Zichen
Published: September 2018

Highly phenol substituted bio‐oil–phenol–formaldehyde (BPF) adhesives were prepared via the phenolization‐copolymerization method, in which furfural was used as a novel crosslinking agent to improve the bonding performance. The effects of bio‐oil percentage, furfural content, curing temperature, and pressure on the performance of BPF adhesives have been studied in detail. A BPF adhesive with 75% bio‐oil percentage and 15% furfural loading (named 75BPF_15) was synthesized, which was cured at 180 °C and 4 MPa. Compared to the conventional phenol–formaldehyde adhesive, the wet tensile strength of 75BPF_15 adhesive reached 2.84 MPa, which was significantly higher than the 1.54 MPa of PF. A possible mechanism of BPF adhesives crosslinked with furfural is proposed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 46995.
Preparation and electrochemical performance of modified Ti3C2Tx/polypyrrole composites
Authors: Cao J. , Han Y. , Zheng X. , Wang Q.
Published: September 2018

MXenes with a large surface area have been widely studied to improve the pseudocapacitance of electrode materials by combining conductive polymer materials. In this article, a superficial strategy to enhance the electrochemical properties by in situ polymerization of a pyrrole monomer between the Ti3C2Tx layers modified with 1,5‐naphthalene disulfonic acid (NA) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was investigated. It is found that polypyrrole (PPy) and Ti3C2Tx can be combined through strong interactions between each other, and the specific capacitance of the modified Ti3C2Tx/PPy composite was increased to a maximum value of 437 F g−1, which was more than thrice higher than that of pure PPy. The composite also exhibited good cycling performance (76% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles). Moreover, owing to the synergistic effect between the PPy and Ti3C2Tx layers, the composite provided better electron or ion transfer and surface redox processes than that of pure PPy, which indicated that this composite can be used as a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47003.