bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial Lysis via Photocatalysis ‐ A Critical Mechanistic Review
Authors: Gupta Rimzhim , Modak Jayant
Published: January 2020

This Review discusses one of the most important area of photocatalytic reactions. In current research scenario, photocatalysis is well utilized strategy for a wide variety of applications including organic/ inorganic decontamination, solar fuel generation, microbial disinfection etc. This Review touches upon the mechanistic aspect of microbial disinfection, the growth in the research, issues to be addressed in future to make it a sustainable technology for this application. This Review discusses the fundamental understanding of photocatalysis, important strategies to tune their optical properties to enhance the spectral range of absorption in visible and near infrared wavelength region. Various photocatalysis reports these days don't focus on the stability, reusability and recovery of the photocatalysts. However, these issues are very important to deal with for large scale viability of the process. Therefore, we have tried to address these issues along with the detailed experimental information and eliminate the misconceptions about bacterial disinfection. The details provided in this Review would help the researchers working in this area to a large extent and would open various questions for them to answer.
High Catalytic Activity of Crystalline Lithium Calcium Silicate for Oxidative Coupling of Methane Originated from Crystallographic Joint Effects of Multiple Cations
Authors: Matsumoto Tomohiro , Saito Miwa , Ishikawa Satoshi , Fujii Kotaro , Yashima Masatomo , Ueda Wataru , Motohashi Teruki
Published: January 2020

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) to C2 hydrocarbons is one of the most attractive catalytic processes towards the effective utilization of methane. Despite a great deal of effort in past research, the primary activation factor for OCM has still been unclear because of the chemical and structural complexities of known catalysts such as Mn−Na2WO4/SiO2. Here, we report a high catalytic activity of a crystalline oxide Li2CaSiO4 for OCM. The C2 selectivity and CH4 conversion reach 77.5 % and 28.3 %, respectively, at 750 °C, which are comparable to or even higher than those with Mn−Na2WO4/SiO2. The simplicity of active sites in our single‐phase Li2CaSiO4 catalyst facilitates a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanism, which leads to a crystallographic design concept for highly active OCM catalysts containing multiple cations.
Influence of Anion Chaotropicity on the SO2 Oxidation Reaction: When Spectator Species Determine the Reaction Pathway
Authors: Dourado André H. B. , Silva Norberto A. , Munhos Renan L. , Del Colle Vinicius , Arenz Matthias , Varela Hamilton , Córdoba de Torresi Susana I.
Published: January 2020

The electrochemical SO2 oxidation reaction (SO2OR) is a promising alternative to the O2 evolution reaction for H2 electrochemical generation. The SO2OR exhibits a low thermodynamic potential and small kinetic barrier, and Au has been observed to be a very active catalyst. For this material, nonlinear dynamic behavior is observed, which is related to the electrolyte chaotropicity at the solid‐liquid interface. In this work, the influence of the chaotropicity was investigated by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques, and the main reasons for the dependence on the chaotropicity were investigated. The electrochemical response as a function of the chaotropicity was determined as a function of the mechanism observed, and the reaction pathway selection was related to the intermediate adsorption, which in turn was controlled by the interfacial water structure. The “neutral” chaotropicity was found to be the optimum condition for SO2OR.
Atom‐Ratio‐Conducted Tailoring of PdAu Bimetallic Nanocrystals with Distinctive Shapes and Dimensions for Boosting the ORR Performance
Authors: Wang Jingchun , Li Meng , Zhang Jingzi , Yan Yawei , Qiu Xiaoyu , Cai Bingfeng , Yang Gaixiu , Tang Yawen
Published: January 2020

Systematically manipulating the shape, dimension, and surface structure of PdAu nanocrystals is an active subject because it offers a powerful means to regulate and investigate their structure–activity relationship. Meanwhile, it is still urgent to reduce the use of two‐dimensional precious‐metal‐based nanomaterials. This work demonstrates that PdAu nanocrystals with a variety of shapes/dimensions, including 1D anisotropic nanowires, 2D porous nanosheets, and 3D penetrative nanoflowers, can be systematically synthesized by simply adjusting the atomic ratio or the reaction time in the same protocol. The resultant PdAu nanocrystals with distinctive shapes, but the same building blocks triumphantly avoid the effects of facet and surface properties; this represents an ideal platform for directly comparing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. 2D porous PdAu nanosheets demonstrate superior ORR performance (Eonset = 1.040 V, E1/2 = 0.932 V) compared with other‐dimension‐based samples and commercial Pd black; this is attributed to the abundant surface atoms and omni‐directional mass‐transfer channels. This work not only paves the way for systematically measuring a series of distinctive PdAu nanocrystals as non‐Pt electrocatalysts, but also sheds light on the study of structures/dimensions in tuning the catalytic properties of bimetallic nanocrystals.
ZnCl2‐Catalyzed [4+1] Annulation of Alkylthio‐Substituted Enaminones and Enaminothiones with Sulfur Ylides
Authors: He Yuan , Lou Jiang , Yu Zhengkun , Zhou Yong‐Gui
Published: January 2020

Concise construction of furan and thiophene units has played an important role in the synthesis of potentially bioactive compounds and functional materials. Herein, an efficient Lewis acid ZnCl2 catalyzed [4+1] annulation of alkylthio‐substituted enaminones is reported, that is, α‐oxo ketene N,S‐acetals with sulfur ylides to afford 2‐acyl‐3‐aminofuran derivatives. In a similar fashion, [4+1] annulation of the corresponding enaminothiones, that is, α‐thioxo ketene N,S‐acetals, with sulfur ylides efficiently proceeded to give multisubstituted 3‐aminothiophenes. This method features wide substrate scopes as well as broad functional group tolerance, offering a concise route to highly functionalized furans and thiophenes.
Theoretical studies of infrared signatures of proton‐bound amino acid dimers with homochiral and heterochiral moieties
Authors: Poline Mathias , Rebrov Oleksii , Larsson Mats , Zhaunerchyk Vitali
Published: January 2020

Proton‐bound homochiral and heterochiral dimers, X‐H+‐X, of five amino acids (X = Ser, Ala, Thr, Phe, and Arg) are investigated theoretically using quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics simulations with the aim to unveil diastereomer‐specific mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) absorption bands in the spectral range of 1000 to 1800 cm−1. The theoretical calculations performed in this work imply that all systems, except Ala2H+, have distinct mid‐IR absorption bands in homochiral and heterochiral configurations, which make them appropriate systems to be studied experimentally with mid‐IR spectroscopy. We show that intermolecular interaction with the side chain, in the form of hydrogen bonding or cation‐π interaction, is necessary for chiral effects to be present in the mid‐IR spectra of proton‐bound dimers of amino acids. We also report new conformers for Ala2H+, Thr2H+, Phe2H+, and Arg2H+, which were not found in earlier studies of these dimers.
Latente Fingerabdrücke auf Thermopapier
Authors: Jonas Albert , Rubner Isabel , Oetken Marco
Published: January 2020

Fingerabdrücke sind eines der wichtigsten Beweismittel bei der Aufklärung von Kriminalfällen, ihre Sicherung zählt daher zu den Hauptaufgaben der Forensik. Beim Sichtbarmachen latenter Fingerabdrücke auf Quittungsbelegen stehen Forensiker vor einer schwierigen Aufgabe, da viele gängige Nachweismethoden die Farbreaktion im Thermopapier auslösen, womit dieses schwarz, der Aufdruck unleserlich und damit die Beweiskraft des Belegs zunichte gemacht wird. Die Zusammenhänge um thermochrome Dreikomponentengemische helfen, die Entwicklung eines Fingerabdrucks auf Thermopapier durch gezielte Wärmeeinwirkung zu verstehen. Die Schwärzung des Thermopapiers am Ort des Fingerabdrucks beruht nach unseren Ergebnissen auf Zwischenmolekularen Kräften. Neu ausgebildete Kräfte zwischen den Molekülen der hydrophoben Fingerabdrucksekrete und den Komponenten des thermochromen Gemischs im Thermopapier führen dazu, dass der im Papier eingelagerte Farbentwickler und Leukofarbstoff schon bei geringerer Hitzeeinwirkung mobilisiert werden und so den schwarzen Entwickler‐Farbstoff‐Komplex bilden können. Diese Hypothese wird durch eine neu entwickelte Methode gestützt, wonach Fingerabdrücke auch durch Eintauchen des Quittungsbelegs in heißes Wasser entwickelt werden können.
Microbiome applications for pathology: challenges of low microbial biomass samples during diagnostic testing
Authors: Selway Caitlin A , Eisenhofer Raphael , Weyrich Laura S
Published: January 2020

The human microbiome can play key roles in disease, and diagnostic testing will soon have the ability to examine these roles in the context of clinical applications. Currently, most diagnostic testing in pathology applications focuses on a small number of disease‐causing microbes and dismisses the whole microbial community that causes or is modulated by disease. Microbiome modifications have already provided clinically relevant insights in gut and oral diseases, such as irritable bowel disease, but there are currently limitations when clinically examining microbiomes outside of these body sites. This is critical, as the majority of microbial samples used in pathology originate from body sites that contain low concentrations of microbial DNA, including skin, tissue, blood, and urine. These samples, also known as low microbial biomass samples, are difficult to examine without careful consideration and precautions to mitigate contamination and biases. Here, we present the limitations when analysing low microbial biomass samples using current protocols and techniques and highlight the advantages that microbiome testing can offer diagnostics in the future, if the proper precautions are implemented. Specifically, we discuss the sources of contamination and biases that may result in false assessments for these sample types. Finally, we provide recommendations to mitigate contamination and biases from low microbial biomass samples during diagnostic testing, which will be especially important to effectively diagnose and treat patients using microbiome analyses.
Child maltreatment, including emotional, increases risk for psychopathology
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2020

It's well‐known that children who are physically abused are at heightened risk for psychiatric and medical disorders, but less is known about the much larger — and not reported — population of children who are neglected or subject to emotional maltreatment.
Preparative‐Scale Enzymatic Synthesis of rac‐Glycerol‐1‐phosphate from Crude Glycerol Using Acid Phosphatases and Phosphate
Authors: Tasnádi Gábor , Staśko Marcin , Ditrich Klaus , Hall Mélanie , Faber Kurt
Published: January 2020

Glycerol is a byproduct of biodiesel production and is generated in large amounts, which has resulted in an increased interest in its valorization. In addition to its use as an energy source directly, the chemical modification of glycerol may result in value‐added derivatives. Herein, acid phosphatases employed in the synthetic mode were evaluated for the enzymatic phosphorylation of glycerol. Nonspecific acid phosphatases could tolerate glycerol concentrations up to 80 wt % and pyrophosphate concentrations up to 20 wt % and led to product titers up to 167 g L−1 in a kinetic approach. In the complementary thermodynamic approach, phytases were able to condense glycerol and inorganic monophosphate directly. This unexpected behavior enabled the simple and cost‐effective production of rac‐glycerol‐1‐phosphate from crude glycerol obtained from a biodiesel plant. A preparative‐scale synthesis on a 100 mL‐scale resulted in the production of 16.6 g of rac‐glycerol‐1‐phosphate with a reasonable purity (≈75 %).
Design of C3N4‐Based Hybrid Heterojunctions for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity
Authors: Yan Fengpo , Wu Yonghua , Jiang Linqin , Xue Xiaogang , Lv Jiangquan , Lin Lingyan , Yu Yunlong , Zhang Jiye , Yang Fugui , Qiu Yu
Published: January 2020

Semiconductors and metals can form an Ohmic contact with an electric field pointing to the metal, or a Schottky contact with an electric field pointing to the semiconductor. If these two types of heterojunctions are constructed on a single nanoparticle, the two electric fields may cause a synergistic effect and increase the separation rate of the photogenerated electrons and holes. Metal Ni and Ag nanoparticles were successively loaded on the graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) surface by precipitation and photoreduction in the hope of forming hybrid heterojunctions on single nanoparticles. TEM/high‐resolution TEM images showed that Ag and Ni were loaded on different locations on C3N4, which indicated that during the photoreduction reaction Ag+ obtained electrons from C3N4 in the reduction reaction, whereas oxidation reactions proceeded on Ni nanoparticles. Photocatalytic hydrogen production experiments showed that C3N4‐based hybrid heterojunctions can greatly improve the photocatalytic activity of materials. The possible reason is that two heterojunctions could form a long‐range electric field similar to the p‐i‐n structure in semiconductors. Most of the photogenerated carriers were generated and then separated in this electric field, thereby increasing the separation rate of electrons and holes. This further improved the photocatalytic activity of C3N4.
Improving Artificial Photosynthesis over Carbon Nitride by Gas–Liquid–Solid Interface Management for Full Light‐Induced CO2Reduction to C1and C2Fuels and O2
Authors: Xia Yang , Xiao Kai , Cheng Bei , Yu Jiaguo , Jiang Lei , Antonietti Markus , Cao Shaowen
Published: January 2020

The activity and selectivity of simple photocatalysts for CO2reduction remain limited by the insufficient photophysics of the catalysts, as well as the low solubility and slow mass transport of gas molecules in/through aqueous solution. In this study, these limitations are overcome by constructing a triphasic photocatalytic system, in which polymeric carbon nitride (CN) is immobilized onto a hydrophobic substrate, and the photocatalytic reduction reaction occurs at a gas–liquid–solid (CO2–water–catalyst) triple interface. CN anchored onto the surface of a hydrophobic substrate exhibits an approximately 7.2‐fold enhancement in total CO2conversion, with a rate of 415.50 μmol m−2 h−1under simulated solar light irradiation. This value corresponds to an overall photosynthetic efficiency for full water–CO2conversion of 0.33 %, which is very close to biological systems. A remarkable enhancement of direct C2 hydrocarbon production and a high CO2conversion selectivity of 97.7 % are observed. Going from water oxidation to phosphate oxidation, the quantum yield is increased to 1.28 %.
Proteome‐wide analysis of T‐cell response to BK polyomavirus in healthy virus carriers and kidney transplant recipients reveals a unique transcriptional and functional profile
Authors: Ambalathingal George R , Francis Ross S , Corvino Dillon , Srihari Sriganesh , Aftab Blake T , Smith Corey , Khanna Rajiv
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Cellular immunity against BK polyomavirus (BKV)‐encoded antigens plays a crucial role in long‐term protection against virus‐associated pathogenesis in transplant recipients. However, in‐depth understanding on dynamics of these cellular immune responses is required to develop better immune monitoring and immunotherapeutic strategies.

Methods

Here, we have conducted a proteome‐wide analysis of BKV‐specific T‐cell responses in a cohort of 53 healthy individuals and 26 kidney transplant recipients to delineate the functional and transcriptional profile of these effector cells and compared these characteristics to T cells directed against cytomegalovirus, which is also known to cause significant morbidity in transplant recipients.

Results

Profiling of BKV‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells revealed that kidney transplant recipients with high levels of circulating viraemia showed significantly reduced T‐cell reactivity against large T and/or small T antigens when compared to healthy donors. Interestingly, T cells specific for these antigens showed strong cross‐recognition to orthologous JC virus (JCV) peptides, including those exhibiting varying degrees of sequence identity. Ex vivo functional and phenotypic characterisation revealed that the majority of BKV‐specific T cells from renal transplant recipients expressed low levels of the key transcriptional regulators T‐bet and eomesodermin, which was coincident with undetectable expression of granzyme B and perforin. However, in vitro stimulation of T cells with BKV epitopes selectively enhanced the expression of T‐bet, granzyme B and cellular trafficking molecules (CCR4, CD49d and CD103) with minimal change in eomesodermin and perforin.

Conclusions

These observations provide an important platform for the future development of immune monitoring and adoptive T‐cell therapy strategies for BKV‐associated diseases in transplant recipients, which may also be exploited for similar therapeutic value in JCV‐associated clinical complications.
BLSBA‐ED‐SSO: Bivariate Lévy‐stable bat algorithm‐based energy detection for spectrum sensing optimization in cognitive radio networks (CRNs)
Authors: Babu Senthil Kumar , Venkataramanan C.
Published: January 2020

The vacant licensed spectrum can be employed by the secondary users in cognitive radio networks. Nevertheless, this process of identification is frequently agreed with shadowing, multipath fading and receiver uncertainty problems. The primary contributions of the spectrum sensing techniques adopted in this work mainly concentrate on energy detection for spectrum sensing as well as to recognize the optimal spectral estimation according to the multitaper spectral estimation. The algorithm proposed in this work is based on bivariate Lévy‐stable bat algorithm (BLSBA), energy detector (ED), and with the help of K out of M fusion rule; it is analysed for the single user as well as cooperative multiple users. In the BLSBA algorithm, a modified search equation with more helpful information from the search experiences is brought‐in to create an optimal energy solution and bivariate Lévy‐stable random walk is associated with BLSBA to remove the trapping process into local optima. The energy detection is defined numerically from this optimal detection. At last, a multi‐taper spectral estimator (MSE) is proposed to cognitive radio detection for a huge network. The simulation results in both cases are computed and checked with the help of a BLSBA optimizer. For an individual secondary user scenario, the advancement of MSE to the ED is broadly described. Experimental result indicates that the objective false alarm likelihood is minimized and the demanded signal‐to‐noise ratio is accomplished to the extent.
Detection and quantitation of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists in infused papers from prisons in a constantly evolving illicit market
Authors: Norman Caitlyn , Walker Gillian , McKirdy Brian , McDonald Ciara , Fletcher Daniel , Antonides Lysbeth H. , Sutcliffe Oliver B. , Nic Daéid Niamh , McKenzie Craig
Published: January 2020

Drug misuse in prisons contributes to increased disruption and violence and negatively impacts prisoner safety, rehabilitation, and recovery. Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), colloquially known as “spice”, are infused into papers and are of particular concern in a prison setting where they are commonly vaped. Methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of SCRA infused papers, including impurity profiling, were developed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with qualitative confirmation by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography with photodiode array and quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry detection (UPLC‐PDA‐QToF‐MS) and applied to 354 individual seized paper samples originating from 168 seizures from three Scottish prisons. Of these samples, 41% (146 samples from 101 seizures) contained at least one SCRA and multiple SCRAs were detected on 23% of these papers. Concentrations ranged from < 0.05–1.17 mg/cm2 paper, representing the first reported quantitative data for SCRA infused papers. An evolution in the SCRAs detected was demonstrated; 5F‐MDMB‐PINACA (5F‐ADB) predominated until late 2018, after which time 5F‐MDMB‐PICA and 4F‐MDMB‐BINACA became increasingly more prevalent, followed by the arrival of MDMB‐4en‐PINACA in June 2019. Concentration mapping data from two seized paper samples demonstrated that SCRA concentrations across larger papers were highly variable (0.47–2.38 mg/cm2 paper) making consistent dosing by users, and representative sampling by laboratory analysts, difficult. Near real‐time qualitative and quantitative information on SCRAs circulating in prisons acts as an early warning system for SCRAs emerging on the wider illicit market, inform the methods used to detect them and limit supply, and provide information to support harm reduction measures.
CD5 blockade enhances ex vivo CD8+ T cell activation and tumour cell cytotoxicity
Authors: Alotaibi Faizah , Rytelewski Mateusz , Figueredo Rene , Zareardalan Ronak , Zhang Meng , Ferguson Peter J , Maleki Vareki Saman , Najajreh Yousef , El‐Hajjar Mikal , Zheng Xiufen , Min Wei‐ping , Koropatnick James
Published: January 2020

CD5 is expressed on T cells and a subset of B cells (B1a). It can attenuate TCR signalling and impair CTL activation and is a therapeutic targetable tumour antigen expressed on leukemic T and B cells. However, the potential therapeutic effect of functionally blocking CD5 to increase T cell anti‐tumour activity against tumours (including solid tumours) has not been explored. CD5 knockout mice show increased anti‐tumour immunity: reducing CD5 on CTLs may be therapeutically beneficial to enhance the anti‐tumour response. Here, we show that ex vivo administration of a function‐blocking anti‐CD5 MAb to primary mouse CTLs of both tumour‐naïve mice and mice bearing murine 4T1 breast tumour homografts enhanced their capacity to respond to activation by treatment with anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 MAbs or 4T1 tumour cell lysates. Furthermore, it enhanced TCR signalling (ERK activation) and increased markers of T cell activation, including proliferation, CD69 levels, IFN‐γ production, apoptosis and Fas receptor and Fas ligand levels. Finally, CD5 function‐blocking MAb treatment enhanced the capacity of CD8+ T cells to kill 4T1‐mouse tumour cells in an ex vivo assay. These data support the potential of blockade of CD5 function to enhance T cell‐mediated anti‐tumour immunity.
Oleogels Based on Palmitic Acid and Safflower Oil: Novel Formulations for Ocular Drug Delivery of Voriconazole
Authors: Mohanty Biswaranjan , Pal Kunal , Quereshi Dilshad , Nayak Suraj K. , Rathnam Vuppaladadium Shanmuga Sharan , Banerjee Indranil , Anis Arfat , Barik Chandra Sekhar , Sarkar Preetam , Rout Susanta Kumar
Published: January 2020

The gelation of the vegetable oils using fat crystals has gained significant attention in recent years. These formulations have been explored for food and pharmaceutical applications. The alteration in the properties of palmitic acid (20–40% w/w) and safflower oil oleogels is extensively studied at microscopic and macroscopic levels. The thermal and mechanical stability of the oleogels is improved when the proportion of the palmitic acid content is increased. However, under stress, the fat crystal network junction zones of the oleogels with higher proportions of palmitic acid undergo disruption. The changes in the properties of the oleogels are due to the alteration in the molecular packing, crystallite size, and lattice strain of the fat crystal network. The alteration in the properties is governed by the changes in the extent of inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonding within the components of the oleogels. The oleogels can demonstrate the ability to deliver the drug, voriconazole, across the corneal tissue. Further, the prepared oleogels are biocompatible to murine fibroblast cells and do not elicit adverse reactions when instilled within the ocular sac of rabbits. The results suggest that the oleogels can be tried as ocular delivery vehicles.

Practical Applications: The delivery of drug into the internal structure of the eye is a great challenge for the ophthalmologists. Usually no more than 1% of the drug can be delivered through conventional techniques. Various researchers have proposed the use of lipid‐based ocular drug delivery systems. Some of them include solid liquid nanoparticles, emulsions, and liposomes. However, the preparation of these formulations requires a tedious process. Keeping this in mind, it is proposed to synthesize oleogel as probable ocular drug delivery system.
β‐Cyclodextrin PAMAM Dendrimer: How to Overcome the Tumbling Process for Getting Fully Available Host Cavities
Authors: González‐Méndez Israel , Hameau Aurélien , Laurent Régis , Bijani Christian , Bourdon Valérie , Caminade Anne‐Marie , Rivera Ernesto , Moineau‐Chane Ching Kathleen I.
Published: January 2020

The synthesis of a G0 polyamidoamide (PAMAM) dendrimer end‐capped with four β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) units, named as Tetra‐CD was performed by using copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC). This new platform presents a considerable high water‐solubility in comparison to native β‐CD. Tumbling process involving half of the CD cavities in D2O was evidenced by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Interaction of adamantane with Tetra‐CD has been fully investigated by 1D/2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry besides a joint study on new β‐CD monomers (named as A and B) and on a dimer (Di‐CD) and a trimer (Tri‐CD). The obtained results demonstrate that the tumbling effect can be shifted in the presence of an appropriate hydrophobic guest resulting in the full host‐ability of the CD units in water for that guest.
On ion transport regulation with field‐effect nonlinear electroosmosis control in microfluidics embedding an ion‐selective medium
Authors: Liu Weiyu , Ren Yukun , Xue Rui , Song Chunlei , Wu Qisheng
Published: January 2020

We study herein numerically the use of induced‐charge electrokinetic phenomena to enable a flexible control of ion transport of dilute electrolyte in a straight ion concentration polarization system. The effect of three convection modes of induced‐charge electrokinetic phenomena, including induced‐charge electroosmosis, flow‐field effect transistor, and alternating‐current electroosmosis (ACEO), on convective arrestment of diffusive wave‐front propagation is investigated by developing a cross‐scale and fully coupled transient numerical simulation model, wherein multiple frequency electrochemical polarization and nonlinear diffuse charge dynamics in spatiotemporally varying solution conductivity are taken into account. We demonstrate by detailed comparative simulation studies that ACEO vortex flow field above a metal strip array arranged along the anodic chamber's bottom surface serves as the most efficient way for adjusting the salt density distribution at micrometer and even millimeter dimension, due to its high flexibility in controlling the stirring flow state with the introduction of two extra electrical parameters. The specific operating status is determined by whether the electrode array is floating in potential (induced‐charge electroosmosis) or biased to ground (flow‐field effect transistor) or forced to oscillate at another Fourier mode (ACEO). These results prove useful for on‐chip electric current control with electroconvective stirring.
Adaptive fuzzy Proportion Integration Differentiation control in hydraulic offshore wind turbine for optimal power extraction based on the estimated wind speed
Authors: Fan YaJun , Mu AnLe
Published: January 2020

In this paper, a novel fuzzy Proportion Integration Differentiation (PID) controller is proposed to extract the optimal energy from wind for a hydraulic offshore wind turbine. Firstly, in order to calculate the theoretical power, an adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is designed for wind speed evaluation, in which the input parameters include rotor speed, rotor torque, and pitch angle, and the output parameter is the estimated wind speed. Then, the optimal power coefficient is achieved by controlling the hydraulic pump torque to tracking the optimal rotor speed, and a fuzzy PID is designed to adjust the pump displacement and to obtain the optimal hydraulic pump torque. Furthermore, aiming to meet the various output power demand, a hydraulic accumulator is utilized for storing the excess energy, and a PID controller is designed for distributing the hydraulic energy between the accumulator and the Pelton turbine. Finally, the performance of proposed controls system are confirmed by two case simulations on a 5 MW hydraulic offshore wind turbine. The simulation results show that, compared with the conventional control methods (fuzzy logical and PID controller) used in electro‐hydraulic servo system, the fuzzy PID controller can provide the better tracking effect with a faster speed and a minimal steady‐state oscillation. Moreover, with the use of a hydraulic accumulator, all the power fluctuations from the wind speed disturbances are damped out and the output power become controllable.
Effect of non‐migrating bars on dune dynamics in a lowland river
Authors: de Ruijsscher T. V. , Naqshband S. , Hoitink A. J. F.
Published: January 2020

As dunes and larger‐scale bed forms such as bars coexist in rivers, the question arises whether dune dynamics are influenced by interaction with the underlying bed topography. The present study aims to establish the degree to which dune characteristics in two and three dimensions are influenced by an underlying topography dominated by non‐migrating bars. As a case study, a 20 km stretch in the Waal River in the Netherlands is selected, which represents a sand‐bed lowland river. At this location, longitudinal training dams (LTDs) have recently been constructed to ensure sufficient navigation depth during periods with low water levels, and to reduce flood risk. By using data covering 2‐year‐long periods before and after LTD construction, the robustness of the results is investigated. Before LTD construction, dune characteristics show large variability both spatially and temporally, with dunes being longer, lower, less steep and having a lower lee side angle when they are located on bar tops. The correlation between dune characteristics and the underlying bed topography is disrupted by unsteady conditions for which the dunes are in a state of transition. The bar pattern causes tilting of dune crest lines, which may result from a transverse gradient in bedload sediment transport. As a result of LTD construction, the hydraulic and morphological conditions have changed significantly. Despite this, the main conclusions still hold, which strengthens the validity of the results. ©2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A generalized regression model based on hybrid empirical mode decomposition and support vector regression with back‐propagation neural network for mid‐short‐term load forecasting
Authors: Fan Guo‐Feng , Guo Yan‐Hui , Zheng Jia‐Mei , Hong Wei‐Chiang
Published: January 2020

Since load forecasting plays a decisive role in the safe and stable operation of power systems, it is particularly important to explore forecasting methods accurately. In this article, the hybrid empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and support vector regression (SVR) with back‐propagation neural network (BPNN), namely the EMDHR‐SVR‐BPNN model, is proposed. Information theory is mainly used to solve the data tendency problem, and the EMD method is used to solve the data volatility problem. There is no interaction between these two methods; thus these two models can complement each other through generalized regression of orthogonal decomposition. Taking the load data from the New South Wales (NSW, Australia) market as an example, the obtained simulation results are compared with other models. It is concluded that the proposed EMDHR‐SVR‐BPNN model not only improves the forecasting accuracy but also has good fitting ability. It can reflect the changing tendency of data in a timely manner, providing a strong basis for the electricity generation of the power sector in the future, thus reducing electricity waste. The proposed EMDHR‐SVR‐BPNN model has potential for employment in mid‐short term load forecasting.
Timescale classification in wind forecasting: A review of the state‐of‐the‐art
Authors: Roungkvist Jannik Schütz , Enevoldsen Peter
Published: January 2020

The intermittency of the wind has been reported to present significant challenges to power and grid systems, which intensifies with increasing penetration levels. Accurate wind forecasting can mitigate these challenges and help in integrating more wind power into the grid. A range of studies have presented algorithms to forecast the wind in terms of wind speeds and wind power generation across different timescales. However, the classification of timescales varies significantly across the different studies (2010–2014). The timescale is important in specifying which methodology to use when, as well in uniting future research, data requirements, etc. This study proposes a generic statement on how to classify the timescales, and further presents different applications of these forecasts across the entire wind power value chain.
Antimicrobial activity of carboxymethyl cellulose–gelatin film containing Dianthus barbatus essential oil against aflatoxin‐producing molds
Authors: Mohammadi Mehrdad , Azizi Mohammad Hossein , Zoghi Alaleh
Published: January 2020

Edible films, as novel degradable materials in food packaging, play an important role in removing consumers' concerns about environmental pollution and food contaminations. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)–gelatin (G) edible films with the ratio 4 to 1 was selected as the optimal film based on physical, mechanical, and physicochemical findings. Then, the effects of 0, 300, 450, and 600 ppm Dianthus barbatus essential oil (DbE) on water vapor permeability, tensile strength, elongation at break, water solubility, glass transition temperature, color, oxygen permeability, and antimicrobial activities on the optimal film were investigated. CMC: G (4:1) containing 600 ppm DbE as the antibacterial–antioxidant film was the best formulae (p < .05) for preventing three types of aflatoxin‐producing mold including A. flavus (PTCC‐5004), A. parasiticus (PTCC‐5286), and A. parasiticus (PTCC‐5018) on pistachios for 6 months.
Investigation of the functional stability limits while squatting
Authors: Sugama Atsushi , Tonoike Yasuhiro , Seo Akihiko
Published: January 2020

This study investigates the functional stability limits (FSLs) in the squatting positions. Eleven male participants leaned and moved their pelvis horizontally in the clockwise and counter‐clockwise directions while squatting at 11 depth levels. The depth was controlled by changing the hip height from 100% to 0% of the upright position. The FSLs and the center of pressure excursion lengths were calculated from the force‐plate data, and the musculoskeletal loads on the lower limbs were estimated from the joint torques and surface electromyograms. As the hip height reduced, the area of the FSLs narrowed by up to 20% of the base of support (BOS) area at the deepest squatting position. The narrowing was affected by the decreasing FSLs in the forward direction, which also decreased by up to 20% of BOS. These quantitative data accurately evaluate the postural stability, suggesting a considerable fall risk during tasks requiring the squatting position.
The cross‐cultural moderators of the influence of emotional intelligence on organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior
Authors: Miao Chao , Humphrey Ronald H. , Qian Shanshan
Published: January 2020

This meta‐analysis found that the emotional intelligence–organizational citizenship behavior relationship is stronger in long‐term oriented and restraint cultures. However, this relationship does not differ between individualistic and collectivistic cultures, masculine and feminine cultures, high uncertainty avoidance and low uncertainty avoidance cultures, and high power distance and low power distance cultures. The emotional intelligence–counterproductive work behavior relationship is stronger in collectivistic, feminine, high uncertainty avoidance, high power distance, long‐term oriented, and restraint cultures. Emotional intelligence–organizational citizenship behavior/counterproductive work behavior relationships are mediated by both state positive affect and state negative affect. Human resource development professionals from cultures where the effects of emotional intelligence are stronger are especially recommended to hire emotionally intelligent employees and/or provide emotional intelligence training to stimulate organizational citizenship behavior and to restrain counterproductive work behavior. Although there are important cross‐cultural differences, emotional intelligence universally encourages organizational citizenship behavior and almost universally diminishes counterproductive work behavior across cultures.
Preparation of aminoalkyl‐grafted bacterial cellulose membranes with improved antimicrobial properties for biomedical applications
Authors: He Wei , Zhang Zhaoyu , Zheng Yudong , Qiao Shen , Xie Yajie , Sun Yi , Qiao Kun , Feng Zhaoxuan , Wang Xiaoyang , Wang Jialong
Published: January 2020

Bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes display special properties and structures, thus attracting much attention in application in the biomedical areas, for example, as implants for bone or cartilage tissue engineering, as substitutes for skin repairing, and as supports for controlled drug delivery. However, native BC lacks the activity to inhibit bacteria growth on its surface, which limits its applications in biomedical fields. There have been reports on chemical modification of BC membranes to endow them with antimicrobial properties needed for some special biomedical applications. In the present study, aminoalkyl‐grafted BC membranes were prepared by alkoxysilane polycondensation using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The characterization for morphology and chemical composition showed that BC membranes were successfully grafted with aminoalkylsilane groups through covalent bonding. The surface morphology and roughness of the membranes changed after chemical grafting. Furthermore, after grafting with APTES, the membranes got less hydrophilic than native BC. The aminoalkyl‐grafted BC membranes showed strong antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and moreover, they were nontoxic to normal human dermal fibroblasts. These results indicate that aminoalkyl‐grafted BC membranes are potential to be used for biomedical applications.
Emerging roles of HOTAIR in human cancer
Authors: Yuan Chunjue , Ning Yong , Pan Yunbao
Published: January 2020

Long noncoding RNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is overexpressed in many types of cancers, and substantial evidence has suggested a link between cancers and HOTAIR. In the present study, we reviewed the structure and the corresponding biologic function of HOTAIR to clarify its molecular mechanism in cancer progression. HOTAIR promotes proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inhibits apoptosis in cancer cells. HOTAIR also participates in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer by regulating inflammation and immune signaling. These findings suggested that HOTAIR is a novel biomarker in human cancers.
The inhibition profiles of 4'‐acylpyrrole–5‐fluoroindolin‐2‐ones with a C‐3' side chain for VEGFR2, PDGFR‐β, and FGFR‐1 protein kinases
Authors: Huang Jiann‐Jyh , Lin Yu‐Hsiang , Lai Chun‐Liang , Yang Sheng‐Chuan , Lin Shu Fu , Yang Ju‐Ying , Huang Hung‐Jyun , Liu Chiawei , Wei Win‐Yin , Chuang Shih‐Hsien , Chiang Chao‐Cheng , Lee Ying‐Shuen E. , Liao Chu‐Bin , Chern Ching Yuh
Published: January 2020

In this study, we reported the inhibition profiles of 4′‐acylpyrrole–5‐fluoroindolin‐2‐one 3 with a C‐3′ side chain for VEGFR2, PDGFR‐β, and FGFR‐1 protein kinases. The pyrrole‐fused cyclohexanone moiety provided 3 with the best potency to inhibit the three kinases, and the C‐3′ side chains contributed to the different inhibition profiles of 3. Compound 3b with a C‐3′ 2‐carboxylethyl side chain showed good potency for the three kinase (IC50: 25–260 nM), and compound 3g with a N,N‐dialkyl‐2‐carbamoylethyl side chain was more active for VEGFR2 (IC50: 59 nM) and PDGFR‐β (IC50: 16 nM) than FGFR‐1 (IC50: 1.7 μM). The C‐3′ 3‐(dialkylamino)propyl side chain accomplished 3h–j as selective PDGFR‐β inhibitors (IC50: 7.8–13 nM). Compound 3b was further investigated and found potent to inhibit VEGF‐ and FGF‐dependent cell proliferation with moderate in vivo anticancer activity. Results from docking simulations revealed that the interactions of 3b with VEGFR2 and FGFR‐1 which could account for the different inhibition profiles of 3.
Establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2 facilitates cell aggressive behaviors and induces poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Qiu‐Li , Liu Ling
Published: January 2020

Background and aims

Establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2 (ESCO2) has been identified as an essential factor for cohesion in cell cycle in human multiple cancers. Nonetheless, its functional implication on prognosis and cellular behaviors of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rarely elucidated. We performed this study to detect the effects of ESCO2 in RCC progression.

Methods

We accessed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to evaluate the ESCO2 expression levels in tumor tissues, including 32 normal tissues and 289 tumor tissues. Quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot were implemented for expression detection. After ESCO2 knockdown using siRNAs interference, functional experiments were conducted to explore the role of ESCO2, such as cell proliferation analysis and colony formation assay. Transwell assays for migration and invasion was also performed.

Results

In this study, ESCO2 was significantly increased in RCC tissues and cell lines. The RCC patients with high expression of ESCO2 were susceptible to unfavorable prognosis, and its expression has a marked association with clinical features containing age, gender, pathologic stage, and so on. Furthermore, knockdown of ESCO2 inhibited cell growth, invasion, and migration. Mechanistically, phosphorylation protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and p53 were all down‐regulated due to the ESCO2 inhibition.

Conclusions

Therefore, our results raised the possibility that ESCO2 may act as a promising option for tumor therapeutic interference by exhibiting enhanced selectivity over conventional chemotherapy.
Effect of Food Intake and Body Position on the Pharmacokinetics of Swallowed APT‐1011, a Fluticasone Orally Disintegrating Tablet, in Healthy Adult Volunteers
Authors: Comer Gail M. , Bush Mark A. , Dellon Evan S. , Marino Mark T.
Published: January 2020

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a common atopic disease of the esophagus. APT‐1011 is an orally disintegrating tablet formulation of fluticasone propionate under development for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of APT‐1011 under fed or fasted conditions in the morning (am) or at bedtime (hs) in the supine position. The study was a randomized, single‐dose, 3‐way, crossover design in healthy adult volunteers. In each study period participants received 2 3‐mg orally disintegrating APT‐1011 tablets. Serial plasma samples were collected before dosing and up to 72 hours after each dose. Twenty‐two participants completed the study. The fluticasone propionate peak concentration (Cmax) ranged from 5.97 to 200 pg/mL. Compared with am‐fasted dosing, am‐fed dosing was associated with a modestly higher Cmax (∼21%) but lower net exposure (area under the concentration‐time curve ∼56% difference) and shorter time to reach Cmax (Tmax) (Tmax fasted = 10 hours, fed = 5 hours). Dosing at hs resulted in an 18% and 32% decrease in Cmax relative to am‐fasted and am‐fed conditions, respectively. Dosing at hs led to an exposure that was higher than am‐fed but lower than am‐fasted dosing. Tmax with hs dosing (14 hours) was later than that with am dosing (Tmax fasted = 10 hours, fed = 5 hours). Adverse events were mild. There is low systemic exposure of fluticasone propionate with APT‐1011. The rate of absorption was increased with a high‐fat meal but decreased with hs dosing, suggesting the potential for longer dwell times in the esophagus.
Development of phosphorus sorption capacity‐based environmental indices for tile‐drained systems
Authors: Welikhe Pauline , Brouder Sylvie M. , Volenec Jeffrey J. , Gitau Margaret , Turco Ronald F.
Published: January 2020

The persistent environmental relevance of phosphorus (P) and P sorption capacity (PSC) on P loss to surface waters has led to proposals for its inclusion in soil fertility and environmental management programs. As fertility and environmental management decisions are made on a routine basis, the use of laborious P sorption isotherms to quantify PSC is not feasible. Alternatively, pedotransfer functions (pedoTFs) estimate PSC from routinely assessed soil chemical properties. Our objective was to examine the possibility of developing a suitable pedoTF for estimating PSC and to evaluate subsequent PSC‐based indices (P saturation ratio [PSR] and soil P storage capacity [SPSC]) using data from an in‐field laboratory where tile drain effluent is monitored daily. Phosphorus sorption capacity was well predicted by a pedoTF derived from soil aluminum and organic matter (R² = .60). Segmented‐line relationships between PSR and soluble P were observed in both desorption assays (R² = .69) and drainflows (R² = .66) with apparent PSR thresholds in close agreement at 0.21 and 0.24, respectively. Negative SPSC values exhibited linear relationships with increasing soluble P concentrations in both desorption assays and drainflows (R² = .52 andR2 = .53 respectively), whereas positive SPSC values were associated with low SP concentrations. Therefore, PSC‐based indices determined using pedoTFs could estimate the potential for subsurface soluble P losses. Also, we determined that both index thresholds coincided with the critical soil‐test P level for agronomic P sufficiency (22 mg kg−1Mehlich‐3 P) suggesting that the agronomic threshold could serve as an environmental P threshold.
Quantum Key Distribution with On‐Chip Dissipative Kerr Soliton
Authors: Wang Fang‐Xiang , Wang Weiqiang , Niu Rui , Wang Xinyu , Zou Chang‐Ling , Dong Chun‐Hua , Little Brent E. , Chu Sai T. , Liu Hang , Hao Penglei , Liu Shufeng , Wang Shuang , Yin Zhen‐Qiang , He De‐Yong , Zhang Wenfu , Zhao Wei , Han Zheng‐Fu , Guo Guang‐Can , Chen Wei
Published: January 2020

Quantum key distribution (QKD) can distribute symmetric key bits between remote legitimate users with the guarantee of quantum mechanics principles. For practical applications, there is increasing attention to integrating the source, detectors, and modulators on a photonic chip. Here, the Kerr dissipative soliton is introduced in a microresonator as the light source for GHz QKD systems, and the proof‐of‐principle experiment demonstrates the parallel QKD can be achieved using coherent comb lines from the soliton. The performance of parallel QKD is also verified by using the off‐the‐shelf wavelength division modules and the on‐chip soliton source. Since the on‐chip soliton can provide hundreds of carriers covering the C and L bands, the results exhibit the feasibility to achieve ultra‐high rate secure key bits through massively parallel QKD, especially when incorporated with the thriving photonic integrated circuit technology.