bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometrical Structure of the Gold–Iron(III) Oxide Interfacial Perimeter for CO Oxidation
Authors: Wei Xuejiao , Shao Bin , Zhou Yan , Li Yong , Jin Chuanchuan , Liu Jingyue , Shen Wenjie
Published: July 2018

The geometrical structure of the Au‐Fe2O3 interfacial perimeter, which is generally considered as the active sites for low‐temperature oxidation of CO, was examined. It was found that the activity of the Au/Fe2O3 catalysts not only depends on the number of the gold atoms at the interfacial perimeter but also strongly depends on the geometrical structure of these gold atoms, which is determined by the size of the gold particle. Aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy images unambiguously suggested that the gold particles, transformed from a two‐dimensional flat shape to a well‐faceted truncated octahedron when the size slightly enlarged from 2.2 to 3.5 nm. Such a size‐induced shape evolution altered the chemical bonding environments of the gold atoms at the interfacial perimeters and consequently their catalytic activity. For Au particles with a mean size of 2.2 nm, the interfacial perimeter gold atoms possessed a higher degree of unsaturated coordination environment while for Au particles with a mean size of 3.5 nm the perimeter gold atoms mainly followed the atomic arrangements of Au {111} and {100} facets. Kinetic study, with respect to the reaction rate and the turnover frequency on the interfacial perimeter gold atom, found that the low‐coordinated perimeter gold atoms were intrinsically more active for CO oxidation. 18O isotopic titration and Infrared spectroscopy experiments verified that CO oxidation at room temperature occurred at the Au‐Fe2O3 interfacial perimeter, involving the participation of the lattice oxygen of Fe2O3 for activating O2 and the gold atoms for CO adsorption and activation.
Lewis Acid Guests in a {P8W48} Archetypal Polyoxotungstate Host: Enhanced Proton Conductivity via Metal‐Oxo Cluster within Cluster Assemblies
Authors: Yang Peng , Alsufyani Maryam , Emwas Abdul‐Hamid , Chen Chaoqin , Khashab Niveen M.
Published: July 2018

Complexes made by hosts that completely surround their guests provide a means to stabilize reactive chemical intermediates, transfer biologically active cargo to a diseased cell, and construct molecular‐scale devices. By the virtue of inorganic host–guest self‐assembly, nucleation processes in the cavity of a {P8W48}‐archetype phosphotungstate has afforded a nanoscale 16‐AlIII‐32‐oxo cluster and its GaIII analogue that contain the largest number of AlIII/GaIII ions yet found in polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry. Interestingly, the rich Lewis acid AlIII centers within the Lewis base POM support shows an exceptional proton conductivity of 4.5×10−2 S cm−1 (85 °C, 70 % RH; RH: relative humidity), which is by far the highest conductivity reported among POM‐based single‐crystal proton conductors.
Mesenchymal stem cells enhance autophagy of human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Zhu Yun , Wang Qian , Tang Xiaojun , Yao Genhong , Sun Lingyun
Published: July 2018

Dysfunctional autophagy in intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (IBECs) is the main mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of bile duct lesions in primary biliary cholangitis. Autophagy may be a key pathogenesis for aetiology of primary biliary cholangitis. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses were used for the evaluation of autophagy in human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HiBECs) at various time points. Glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC) induced autophagy in HiBECs; the ratio of microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3‐II/microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3‐I (LC3‐II/LC3‐I) expression markedly increased at 48 hours, and then declined. However, compared with cells treated with GCDC alone, the expression of LC3‐II increased and the clearance of autophagosome enhanced in GCDC‐treated cells cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Furthermore, the level of phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) decreased in HiBECs cocultured with MSCs relative to those cultured without MSCs. Following STAT3 silencing, decreased expression of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α was consistently observed. The present data suggest that mesenchymal stem cells may enhance autophagic flux of HiBECs through the inhibition of STAT3 activity.

Significance paragraph

The present findings constitute the first report that human umbilical cord‐derived MSCs enhance autophagic flux in HiBECs through a STAT3‐dependent way:

MSCs enhance the autophagic flux by increasing the formation of autophagosome and autolysosome in GCDC‐treated HiBECs.

MSCs decrease the STAT3 activity and the expression of eIF2α in GCDC‐treated HiBECs; in addition, MSCs increase the expression of PKR.

With STAT3 silencing, MSCs enhance neither the levels of LC3II nor the expression of PKR in GCDC‐treated HiBECs.
Biosynthetic Gene Cluster of a d‐Tryptophan‐Containing Lasso Peptide, MS‐271
Authors: Feng Zhi , Ogasawara Yasushi , Nomura Satoshi , Dairi Tohru
Published: July 2018

MS‐271, produced by Streptomyces sp. M‐271, is a lasso peptide natural product comprising 21 amino acid residues with a d‐tryptophan at its C terminus. Because lasso peptides are ribosomal peptides, the biosynthesis of MS‐271, especially the mechanism of d‐Trp introduction, is of great interest. The MS‐271 biosynthetic gene cluster was identified by draft genome sequencing of the MS‐271 producer, and it was revealed that the precursor peptide contains all 21 amino acid residues including the C‐terminal tryptophan. This suggested that the d‐Trp residue is introduced by epimerization. Genes for modification enzymes such as a macrolactam synthetase (mslC), precursor peptide recognition element (mslB1), cysteine protease (mslB2), disulfide oxidoreductases (mslE, mslF), and a protein of unknown function (mslH) were found in the flanking region of the precursor peptide gene. Although obvious epimerase genes were absent in the cluster, heterologous expression of the putative MS‐271 cluster in Streptomyces lividans showed that it contains all the necessary genes for MS‐271 production including a gene for a new peptide epimerase. Furthermore, a gene‐deletion experiment indicated that MslB1, ‐B2, ‐C and ‐H were indispensable for MS‐271 production and that some interactions of the biosynthetic enzymes were essential for the biosynthesis of MS‐271.
Rational Synthesis of a Highly Porous PANI‐CNTs‐PVC Film for High Performance Flexible Supercapacitor
Authors: Faraji Masoud , Mohammadzadeh Aydisheh Hossein
Published: July 2018

A facile and low‐cost strategy has been developed to prepare a highly porous polyaniline/carbon nanotube/polyvinyl chloride film (PANI‐CNTs‐PVC) as an electrode for flexible supercapacitors with the improved performance. The flexible porous film was fabricated via introducing Zn nanopowder into the composition of PANI‐CNTs‐PVC film and then leaching of Zn from the obtained film in an acidic solution. A maximum areal capacitance of 298 mF cm−2 with 86.5 % retention after 5000 cycles at a current density of 0.6 mA cm−2 is achieved for the porous flexible PANI‐CNTs‐PVC film. The capacity is considerably larger than that of the non‐porous flexible PANI‐CNTs‐PVC film prepared without Zn introduction process (90 mF cm−2 with 87 % retention after 5000 cycles). The excellent electrochemical performance of the porous PANI‐CNTs‐PVC film compared to non‐porous PANI‐CNTs‐PVC film is due to the porous 3D network structure and its high hydrophilic property which help to transport electrolyte to the inner region of the composite and facilitate the charge‐transfer between the film and electrolyte. Furthermore, an all‐solid‐state symmetric supercapacitor fabricated from two porous flexible PANI‐CNTs‐PVC films with solid‐state PVA/H2SO4 gel as electrolyte displayed superior flexibility and high electrochemical activity.
Carboxylic acid Functionalized Cage‐Type Mesoporous Silica FDU‐12 as Support for Controlled Synthesis of Platinum Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Applications
Authors: Deka Juti Rani , Budi Canggih Setya , Lin Chien‐Hua , Saikia Diganta , Yang Yung‐Chin , Kao Hsien‐Ming
Published: July 2018

Carboxylic acid functionalized 3D cage‐type mesoporous silica FDU‐12 with high surface area and pore volume was synthesized by a one‐pot co‐condensation method and used as support to synthesize Pt nanoparticles (NPs). The uniformly distributed COOH groups in the cage can control the growth of Pt NPs with high dispersion (Pt@CF‐12). Pt@CF‐12 was used as catalyst for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane to generate H2 and for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol. The catalyst exhibits higher catalytic activity (H2 generation rate of 17.8 L
 min−1 
) and lower activation energy of 30.67 kJ mol−1 compared with other Pt‐based silica catalysts due to the small size of the Pt NPs (3.5 nm) and cage‐type porous structure of the support, which allowed easy diffusion of reactants. Pt@CF‐12 has excellent durability, since the support prevented NP aggregation and leaching of NPs during catalysis. Pt@CF‐12 can convert 93 % of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol within 10 min.
Adsorption and Quantification of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by using Hybrid Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: de las Nieves Piña María , Rodríguez Paulina , Gutiérrez María Susana , Quiñonero David , Morey Jeroni , Frontera Antonio
Published: July 2018

The ability of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles decorated with perylene bisimides to adsorb aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is reported. We have used DFT‐D3 calculations to anticipate the strong ability of the electron‐poor perylene bisimide to form noncovalent complexes with electron‐rich aromatic rings belonging to the VOC family. Subsequently, we synthesized a hybrid magnetic nanomaterial based on bisimide perylene dopamine and iron oxide nanoparticles. This material was used to fill a sorbent tube to study its ability to adsorb aromatic VOCs. We connected two tubes in series filled with the hybrid nanoparticles. The analysis of the front and back tubes was performed by thermal desorption (TD) coupled with capillary gas chromatography (GC)/flame ionization detector (FID). Adsorption values (defined as %VOCs found in the back tube) were determined for a series of aromatic VOCs and compared with the DFT binding energies. The tubes can be desorbed and reutilized more than 200 times without losing their properties.
Corrosion‐Resistant Microprocess Apparatuses by Means of CVD Coating with Tantalum
Authors: Gietzelt Thomas , Kraut Manfred , Messerschmidt Florian , Fürbeth Wolfram , Dittmeyer Roland
Published: July 2018

Die Wandstärken mikroverfahrenstechnischer Apparate sind mit denen konventioneller Rührkessel in der chemischen Industrie nicht vergleichbar. Bereits Chargenunterschiede innerhalb der technischen Spezifikationen für übliche korrosionsbeständige Werkstoffe können zu signifikanten Abweichungen der Abtragsraten führen und die Lebensdauer signifikant begrenzen. Um Korrosionserscheinungen möglichst vollständig auszuschließen, eignet sich Tantal aufgrund seiner hervorragenden Beständigkeit sehr gut. Es wird gezeigt, dass für Mikroapparate typische Kanalquerschnitte bei großer Länge mittels einer CVD‐Beschichtung völlig defektfrei und homogen mit Tantal beschichtet werden können. Dauertests in 70 %iger Schwefelsäure ergaben keinerlei Masseverlust oder Abtrag.
Putting the life in lifestyle: Lifestyle choices after a diagnosis of cancer predicts overall survival
Authors: Krane Andrew , Terhorst Lauren , Bovbjerg Dana H. , Scheier Michael F. , Kucinski Barbara , Geller David A. , Marsh Wallis , Tsung Allan , Steel Jennifer L.
Published: July 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to examine predictors of health behaviors over time and the link between health behaviors and survival after a diagnosis of advanced cancer.

Methods

Patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer were administered a battery of questionnaires measuring optimism, depressive symptoms, physical activity, intake of fruits and vegetables, and alcohol and tobacco use over an 18‐month period. Analyses included generalized linear mixed models and Cox regression survival analyses.

Results

Of the 334 patients enrolled in the study, the mean age at cancer diagnosis was 62 years; the majority were male (62.3%) and white (91%). Twenty percent of the patients reported using alcohol, 19% reported using tobacco, 19% reported eating fewer fruits and vegetables than recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 28% reported physical inactivity after the diagnosis of advanced cancer. Clinical levels of depressive symptoms were associated with lower intake of fruits and vegetables (t = 2.67, P = .007) and physical inactivity (t = 2.11, P = .035). Dispositional optimism was positively associated with physical activity (t = –2.16, P = .031) and a lower frequency of tobacco use (Z = –2.42, P = .015). Multivariate analyses revealed that after adjusting for demographic variables (age and sex), depressive symptoms, and disease‐specific factors (diagnosis, tumor size, cirrhosis, vascular invasion, and number of lesions), alcohol use (χ2 = 4.1186, P = .042) and physical inactivity (χ2 = 5.6050, P = .018) were linked to an poorer survival.

Conclusions

Greater dissemination and implementation of effective interventions to reduce alcohol use and increase physical activity in cancer patients are recommended.
Predictive factors of survival in a surgical series of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression and complete external validation of 8 multivariate models of survival in a prospective North American multicenter study
Authors: Nater Anick , Tetreault Lindsay A. , Kopjar Branko , Arnold Paul M. , Dekutoski Mark B. , Finkelstein Joel A. , Fisher Charles G. , France John C. , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Rhines Laurence D. , Rose Peter S. , Sahgal Arjun , Schuster James M. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Fehlings Michael G.
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to identify preoperative predictors of survival in surgically treated patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC), to examine how these predictors are related to 8 prognostic models, and to perform the first full external validation of these models in accordance with the Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement.

METHODS

One hundred forty‐two surgically treated patients with MESCC were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter North American cohort study and were followed for 12 months or until death. Cox regression was used. Noncollinear predictors with < 10% missing data, with ≥ 10 events per stratum, and with P < .05 in a univariate analysis were tested through a backward stepwise selection. For the original and revised Tokuhashi prognostic scoring systems (PSSs), Tomita PSS, modified Bauer PSS, van der Linden PSS, Bartels model, Oswestry Spinal Risk Index, and Bollen PSS, this study examined calibration graphically, discrimination with Harrell c‐statistics, and survival stratified by risk groups with the Kaplan‐Meier method and log‐rank test.

RESULTS

The following were significant in the univariate analysis: type of primary tumor, sex, organ metastasis, body mass index, preoperative radiotherapy to MESCC, physical component (PC) of the 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF‐36v2), and EuroQol 5‐Dimension (EQ‐5D) Questionnaire. Breast, prostate and thyroid primary tumor (HR: 2.9; P =.0005), presence of organ metastasis (hazard ratio (HR): 2.0; P = .005) and SF‐36v2 PC (HR: 0.95; P < .0001) were associated with survival in multivariable analysis. Predicted prognoses poorly matched observed values on calibration plots; Bartels model calibration slope was 0.45. Bollen PSS (0.61; 95% CI: 0.58‐0.64) and Bartels model (0.68; 95% CI: 0.65‐0.71) had the lowest and highest c‐statistics, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The primary tumor type (breast, prostate, or thyroid), an absence of organ metastasis, and a lower degree of physical disability are preoperative predictors of longer survival for surgical MESCC patients. These results are in keeping with current models. This full external validation of 8 prognostic PSSs or model of survival in surgical MESCC patients has revealed that calibration is poor, especially for long‐term survivors, whereas discrimination is possibly helpful.
Using XCAVATOR and EXCAVATOR2 to Identify CNVs from WGS, WES, and TS Data
Authors: D'Aurizio Romina , Semeraro Roberto , Magi Alberto
Published: July 2018

Copy Number Variants (CNVs) are structural rearrangements contributing to phenotypic variation but also associated with many disease states. In recent years, the identification of CNVs from high‐throughput sequencing experiments has become a common practice for both research and clinical purposes. Several computational methods have been developed so far. In this unit, we describe and give instructions on how to run two read count–based tools, XCAVATOR and EXCAVATOR2, which are tailored for the detection of both germline and somatic CNVs from different sequencing experiments (whole‐genome, whole‐exome, and targeted) in various disease contexts and population genetic studies. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis of Enantioenriched Aryl‐tert‐Butylphenylphosphine Oxides via Cross‐Coupling Reactions of tert‐Butylphenylphosphine Oxide with Aryl Halides
Authors: Chrzanowski Jacek , Krasowska Dorota , Urbaniak Małgorzata , Sieroń Lesław , Pokora‐Sobczak Patrycja , Demchuk Oleg M. , Drabowicz Józef
Published: July 2018

A series of enantiomerically enriched tertiary phosphine oxides have been prepared via the Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of enantiomerically pure tert‐butylphenylphosphine oxide, with a variety of aryl iodides and bromides. This new protocol under optimized reaction conditions [toluene, 110 0C, Pd(PPh3)4, K2CO3 (or Et3N)] afforded highly functionalized P‐chiral phosphine oxides with a yield of 78% to 95% and with enantiomeric excesses above 98%. The stereoretentive outcome of the cross‐coupling reactions was proved by X‐ray crystallography of selected phosphine oxides: (S)‐(2‐aminophenyl)(tert‐butyl)(phenyl)phosphine oxide (3a) and (S)‐anthracen‐9‐yl(tert‐butyl)(phenyl)phosphine oxide (3i). When attempting to convert the enantiomerically pure phosphine oxide 3a to the corresponding borane by the treatment with the borane dimethyl sulfide complex partial stereoerosion at a stereogenic phosphorus atom was observed. Racemic tert‐butyl (2‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)(phenyl)phosphine (7a) was isolated in a quantitative yield upon deprotection of the corresponding borane (8a) and converted to a palladium crystalline complex (9), the structure of which has been proved by X‐ray crystallography.
Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer with SSK modulation over Rayleigh fading
Authors: Sahu Hemanta K. , Sahu Pravas R.
Published: July 2018

An analysis of amplify and forward (AF) cooperative relays employing “power splitting supported energy harvesting scheme” is presented for space shift keying modulation over Rayleigh fading channels. Mathematical expressions for throughput and average bit error probability are obtained using probability density function‐based approach. Numerical and computer simulation results as a function of power splitting ratio and other system parameters are presented.
Frontline Science: Targeted expression of a dominant-negative high mobility group A1 transgene improves outcome in sepsis
Authors: Baron Rebecca M , Kwon Min-Young , Castano Ana P , Ghanta Sailaja , Riascos-Bernal Dario F , Lopez-Guzman Silvia , Macias Alvaro Andres , Ith Bonna , Schissel Scott L , Lederer James A , Reeves Raymond , Yet Shaw-Fang , Layne Matthew D , Liu Xiaoli , Perrella Mark A
Published: July 2018

High mobility group (HMG) proteins are a family of architectural transcription factors, with HMGA1 playing a role in the regulation of genes involved in promoting systemic inflammatory responses. We speculated that blocking HMGA1-mediated pathways might improve outcomes from sepsis. To investigate HMGA1 further, we developed genetically modified mice expressing a dominant negative (dn) form of HMGA1 targeted to the vasculature. In dnHMGA1 transgenic (Tg) mice, endogenous HMGA1 is present, but its function is decreased due to the mutant transgene. These mice allowed us to specifically study the importance of HMGA1 not only during a purely pro-inflammatory insult of endotoxemia, but also during microbial sepsis induced by implantation of a bacterial-laden fibrin clot into the peritoneum. We found that the dnHMGA1 transgene was only present in Tg and not wild-type (WT) littermate mice, and the mutant transgene was able to interact with transcription factors (such as NF-κB), but was not able to bind DNA. Tg mice exhibited a blunted hypotensive response to endotoxemia, and less mortality in microbial sepsis. Moreover, Tg mice had a reduced inflammatory response during sepsis, with decreased macrophage and neutrophil infiltration into tissues, which was associated with reduced expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2. Collectively, these data suggest that targeted expression of a dnHMGA1 transgene is able to improve outcomes in models of endotoxin exposure and microbial sepsis, in part by modulating the immune response and suggest a novel modifiable pathway to target therapeutics in sepsis.

High mobility group A1 is a modifiable pathway for therapeutics in sepsis, using a dominant negative approach to regulate the immune response.
Rapid analysis of ricin using hot acid digestion and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Dapeng , Bryden Wayne A. , Fenselau Catherine
Published: July 2018

Ricin is a protein toxin of considerable interest in forensics. A novel strategy is reported here for rapid detection of ricin based on microwave‐assisted hot acid digestion and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Ricin samples are subjected to aspartate‐selective hydrolysis, and biomarker peptide products are characterized by mass spectrometry. Spectra are obtained using post source decay and searched against a protein database. Several advantages are offered by chemical hydrolysis, relative to enzymatic hydrolysis, notably speed, robustness, and the production of heavier biomarkers. Agglutinin contamination is reliably recognized, as is the disulfide bond strongly characteristic of ricin.
UHPLC‐ESI‐QqTOF‐MS/MS characterization of minor chlorogenic acids in roasted Coffea arabica from different geographical origin
Authors: De Rosso Mirko , Colomban Silvia , Flamini Riccardo , Navarini Luciano
Published: July 2018

Chlorogenic acids are relevant coffee quality markers, taste, and aroma precursors as well as important bioactive compounds. A number of mono‐acyl, di‐acyl, and tri‐acyl quinic acid isomers were found in green coffee beans, being mono‐caffeoyl, mono‐feruloyl, mono‐p‐coumaroyl, and di‐caffeoylquinic acid isomers considered as quantitatively major compounds. Roasting process increases the chemical complexity of coffee by inducing the formation of a number of lactones (quinides), shikimates, and other chlorogenic acids derivatives. So far, little attention has been paid in characterizing minor chlorogenic acids and derivatives in roasted Coffea arabica, also known as Arabica. In the present work, roasted C. arabica samples from different geographical origins (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and India) were characterized by UHPLC‐ESI‐QqTOF‐MS/MS. Several minor chlorogenic acid isomers were identified. In particular, HR‐MS/MS provided putative identification of four dimethoxycinnamoyl‐quinic acid derivatives, such as 4‐dimethoxycinnamoylquinic acid, 4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl‐3‐caffeoylquinic acid, 3‐dimethoxycinnamoyl‐4‐feruloylquinic acid, 4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl‐5‐feruloylquinic acid, and two caffeoyl, feruloyl quinic acid derivatives (3‐caffeoyl‐4‐feruloylquinic acid and 3‐feruloyl‐4‐caffeoylquinic acid). To our knowledge, these compounds were found in roasted Arabica coffee for the first time, and their presence is independent on the different geographical origins examined.
Decadal changes in summer precipitation over arid northwest China and associated atmospheric circulations
Authors: Li Mingxing , Ma Zhuguo
Published: July 2018

The precipitation over arid regions may be low, but its environmental impacts can be very dramatic. The decadal variability in precipitation can also effectively disturb climatic environmental regimes. To advance the understanding of precipitation variability over arid regions, this paper focuses on decadal variability in summer precipitation over arid northwest China and its associated atmospheric circulations, using observation‐based data and atmospheric reanalysis during the period 1961–2016. The results show that climatologically, precipitation over this region has a strong seasonality and that 60.2% falls in summer. The summer precipitation increased 15.5 mm, accounting for 52.4% of the total annual increase in this part of China from 1961 to 2016. Decadal changes in summer precipitation occurred in approximately 1991 with a north–south difference structure modulated by large‐scale circulation anomalies over the Indian Ocean and central Asia as well as a shift in water vapour transport. In a positive phase, anticyclonic circulation anomalies occupy the Indian Ocean with cyclonic anomalies over central Asia, favouring stronger northwards moisture transport towards northwest China, and vice versa. Moreover, the significantly enhanced northwards water vapour transport from low‐latitude seas is also critical to the decadal changes approximately in 1991 summer precipitation in arid northwest China. These findings contribute to the understanding of decadal precipitation variability over arid regions, especially the increasing influence of low‐latitude circulations and moisture transport processes.
Salmon poisoning disease in grizzly bears with population recovery implications
Authors: Robbins Charles T. , Woodford Nina L. , Goolsby Clyde Gaylynn , Minor Cody , Nelson O. Lynne , Brewer Melissa M. , Khalife Patrick H. , Hawley Jennifer R.
Published: July 2018

Wildlife restoration programs depend on having animals that have evolved to handle the constraints, including disease, posed by the new environment. Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) once thrived while feeding on salmon (Onchorhynchus spp.) and other foods in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, USA. Unlike Canadian and Alaskan salmon, salmon in lower latitudes often carry an encysted fluke (Nanophyetus salmincola) containing an endosymbiont (Neorickettsia spp.) that can produce a deadly disease in ursids and canids called salmon poisoning disease (SPD). Current recovery plans for grizzly bears in the North Cascades of Washington and the mountains of central Idaho, where infected salmon currently occur, call for using bears from several interior populations. We hypothesized that such bears with no history of salmon consumption will be sensitive to SPD. To test that idea, we fed a limited amount of fresh Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) harvested from rivers draining the east and west sides of the Cascades to 11 captive grizzly bears in which both parents were from populations with no history of SPD. We detected N. salmincola ova in the feces, and 8 bears exhibited typical SPD symptoms, which included decreased or no appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. We identified N. helminthoeca and Stellantchasmus falcatus (SF) agent (Neorickettsia sp.) in the salmon, but only SF agent occurred in the sick bears. Stellantchasmus falcatus agent is a relatively new arrival in the Pacific Northwest. Because of the severity of the disease and the potential for mortality without treatment, additional studies should be conducted to determine the distribution and prevalence of SF agent in salmon and kokanee (O. nerka) in the recovery area, develop a serum antibody test that could be used to determine exposure of bears to SF agent, and use that test to determine if grizzly bears or American black bears (U. americanus) currently living in the Pacific Northwest have been infected and recovered. If either of the latter have occurred, SPD may not prevent the successful restoration of grizzly bears where SF agent‐infected salmon will be consumed. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Reactive Self‐Assembly and Specific Cellular Delivery of NCO‐sP(EO‐stat‐PO)‐Derived Nanogels
Authors: Hildebrandt Haika , Paloheimo Outi , Mäntylä Elina , Willman Sami , Hakanen Satu , Albrecht Krystyna , Groll Jürgen , Möller Martin , Vihinen‐Ranta Maija
Published: July 2018

This study presents the reactive self‐assembly of isocyanate functional and amphiphilic six‐arm, star‐shaped polyether prepolymers in water into nanogels. Intrinsic molecular amphiphilicity, mainly driven by the isophorone moiety at the distal endings of the star‐shaped molecules, allows for the preparation of spherical particles with an adjustable size of 100–200 nm by self‐assembly and subsequent covalent cross‐linking without the need for organic solvents or surfactants. Covalent attachment of a fluorescence dye and either the cell‐penetrating TAT peptide or a random control peptide sequence shows that only TAT‐labeled nanogels are internalized by HeLa cells. The nanogels thus specifically enter the cells and accumulate in the perinuclear area in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner.
Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Quinoxaline‐Based Polymers for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Putri Sella Kurnia , Kim Yun Hwan , Whang Dong Ryeol , Kim Joo Hyun , Chang Dong Wook
Published: July 2018

A series of quinoxaline‐based conjugated polymers, in which the electron‐donating benzodithiophene (BDT) unit is linked to the electron‐accepting 6,7‐difluorinated quinoxaline (DFQ) derivatives by a thiophene bridge, is synthesized. To investigate their effects on the intrinsic properties of polymers, strong electron‐withdrawing trifluoromethyl (CF3) groups were incorporated into the meta‐position of the phenyl ring at the 2,3‐positions of the DFQ unit of the reference polymer, labelled PEhB‐FQx, to yield the target polymer PEhB‐FQxCF3. In addition, the 2‐ethylhexyloxy substituents on the BDT donor in PEhB‐FQxCF3 are changed to the more planar 2‐ethylhexyl thiophene units to produce another target polymer PThB‐FQxCF3. Owing to the significant contributions of the CF3 moiety, PEhB‐FQxCF3 exhibits quite discernible optical and electrochemical properties along with significant enhancement in photovoltaic performances compared to the reference polymer PEhB‐FQx. Furthermore, the incorporation of the alkylthienyl side chains on the BDT moiety confers on the resultant PThB‐FQxCF3 to possess the maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.26% with an open circuit voltage of 0.88 V, short‐circuit current density of 12.20 mA cm−2, and fill factor of 67.80%.
Highly Conducting Polythiophene Thin Films with Less Ordered Microstructure Displaying Excellent Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Zhang Jiajia , Song Guangjie , Qiu Lin , Feng Yanhui , Chen Jie , Yan Jie , Liu Liyao , Huang Xing , Cui Yutao , Sun Yimeng , Xu Wei , Zhu Daoben
Published: July 2018

Polythiophene (PTh) with highly regular molecular structure is synthesized as nearly amorphous thin films by electrochemical methods in a BFEE/DTBP mixed medium (BFEE = boron fluoride ethyl ether; DTBP = 2,6‐di‐tert‐butypyridine). The doping level and film morphology of PTh are modulated through adjusting the current density applied during the polymerization process. A combined analysis with solid‐state NMR, FT‐IR, and Raman spectra reveals the molecular structural regularity of the resulted PTh films, which leads to the highest electrical conductivity up to 700 S cm−1 for films obtained under an optimized current density of 1 mA cm−2. By applying the self‐heating 3ω‐method, thermal conductivities are measured along the in‐plane direction. A highly reduced Lorenz number of 6.49 × 10−9 W Ω K−2 and low lattice thermal conductivity of 0.21 W m−1 K−1 were extracted based on the analyses of the electrical and thermal conductivities according to the Wiedemann–Franz Law; the former is about one‐third of the Sommerfeld value. Finally, the maximized ZT value can reach up to 0.10 under room temperature, which shows that the highly conducting polymers with less ordered structure is the practical direction for developing organic thermoelectric materials.
Benzene‐d6 and toluene‐d8 as guest molecules in micropores of a layered zirconium phosphonate: 2H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H} solid‐state NMR, deuterium NMR relaxation, and molecular motions
Authors: Contreras Aida R. , Bakhmutov Vladimir I. , Elliott Douglas W. , Clearfield Abraham
Published: July 2018

For the first time, pore spaces in the Zr (IV) phosphonate (1) as a representative of layered metal (IV) phosphonate materials have been investigated by studying mobility of guest molecules, benzene‐d6, and toluene‐d8. Guest molecules located in micropores of 1 have been characterized by solid‐state 13C{1H} and 2H NMR spectra in static samples with varying temperatures. At moderately low temperatures, the benzene and toluene molecules experience fast isotropic reorientations and show the motionally averaged liquid‐like carbon and deuterium line shapes in the NMR spectra. At lower temperatures, two anisotropic motional modes have been found for benzene molecules by analyzing the 2H NMR line shapes: the well‐known in‐plane C6 rotation and composite motions. Interpretation of the variable‐temperature 2H T1 relaxation times identifies the composite motions as 120° flips around the C6 axis perpendicular to the molecular plane and the rotations around the molecular para‐C‐C axis. The data obtained resulted in the idealized (cylinder‐shaped) model of micropores in compound 1 with the diameter of 20–30 Å. Furthermore, the activation energy of 20.1 kJ/mol determined for the benzene motions classifies the molecule–surface interactions as weak but enough for absorption.
Posterior vaginal compartment repairs: Does vaginal vault (level I) fixation significantly improve the vaginal introital (level III) repair?
Authors: Haylen Bernard T. , Wong Audris , Kerr Stephen
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Limited data exist associating vaginal vault and introital defects before and after posterior repairs (PR). We hypothesize: (i) a positive association between the size of vaginal vault and introital defects preoperatively; and (ii) a positive association between the reduction of these defects postoperatively if vault fixation (sacrospinous colpopexy—SSC) is used with the PR.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study of 300 consecutive PRs, the following were measured pre‐ and immediately postoperatively: (i) from POP‐Q: genital hiatus (GH—Level III); (ii) from PR‐Q: perineal gap (PG—Level III), posterior vaginal vault descent (PVVD—Level I). The data for introital defects (GH, PG) were separated according to the need for vault fixation using a SSC due to a larger vaginal defect (PVVD over 5 cm).

Results

Mean (SD) preoperative GH and PG were both significantly larger in the SSC versus no SSC group: GH (3.73 [0.94] vs 3.36 [0.83] cm, P = 0.01); PG (2.91 [1.0] vs 2.61 [0.91] cm, P = 0.05). SSC performed with the PR (84%); not performed (16%) cases. The mean (SD) postoperative reduction in GH (antero‐posterior) was significantly (29%—P = 0.002) greater—1.1 (0.69) cm (29.5%) in the SSC group and 0.77 (0.49) cm (22.9%) in the no SSC group. The decrease in the PG (transverse) was greater by 11% (0.05).

Conclusions

Levels I and III defects are associated with PRs; preoperatively larger vaginal vault (PVVD over 5 cm) and larger introital defects (GH, PG). Postoperatively, vault fixation resulted in significantly greater reduction in the introital defects.

Vaginal vault fixation (SSC) significantly improves the vaginal introital repair.
Are There Hidden Costs Associated With Conducting Layoffs? The Impact of Reduction‐in‐Force and Layoff Notices on Teacher Effectiveness
Authors: Strunk Katharine O. , Goldhaber Dan , Knight David S. , Brown Nate
Published: July 2018

Few studies examine employee responses to layoff‐induced unemployment risk; none that we know of quantify the impact of job insecurity on individual employee productivity. Using data from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and Washington State during the Great Recession, we provide the first evidence about the impact of the layoff process on teacher productivity. In both sites we find that teachers impacted by the layoff process are less productive than those who do not face layoff‐induced job threat. LAUSD teachers who are laid off and then rehired to return to the district are less productive in the two years following the layoff. Washington teachers who are given a reduction‐in‐force (RIF) notice and are then not laid off have reduced effectiveness in the year of the RIF. We argue that these results are likely driven by impacts of the layoff process on teachers’ job commitment and present evidence to rule out alternate explanations.
Local Structure of FeSe0.4Te0.6 by Low‐Temperature X‐Ray Fluorescence Holography
Authors: Stellhorn Jens Rüdiger , Ideguchi Yuki , Kimura Koji , Hayashi Kouichi , Happo Naohisa , Suzuki Motohiro , Okazaki Hiroyuki , Yamashita Aichi , Takano Yoshihiko , Hosokawa Shinya
Published: July 2018

We present low‐temperature X‐ray fluorescence holography experiments to investigate the atomic scale structure of the high‐temperature superconductor FeSe0.4Te0.6. The results present a direct investigation of the local structure around the Fe atoms. Very clear images of the structure are obtained by a sparse modeling approach to the experimental data using a L1‐regularized linear regression. The results are in good agreement with previous findings of XRD and XAFS experiments on the FeSe1−xTex system, but furthermore indicate large fluctuations in the Fe sub‐lattice. The findings also represent a starting point for further discussions on more curious features of the FeSe1−xTex structure.
Worldsheet instanton corrections to five-branes and waves in double field theory
Authors: Kimura Tetsuji , Sasaki Shin , Shiozawa Kenta
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We make a comprehensive study on the string winding corrections to supergravity solutions in double field theory (DFT). We find five-brane and wave solutions of diverse codimensions in which the winding coordinates are naturally included. We discuss a physical interpretation of the winding coordinate dependence. The analysis based on the geometric structures behind the solutions leads to an interpretation of the winding dependence as string worldsheet instanton corrections. We also give a brief discussion on the origins of these winding corrections in gauged linear sigma model. Our analysis reveals that for every supergravity solution, one has DFT solutions that include string winding corrections.
Double field theory and membrane sigma-models
Authors: Chatzistavrakidis Athanasios , Jonke Larisa , Khoo Fech Scen , Szabo Richard J.
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We investigate geometric aspects of double field theory (DFT) and its formulation as a doubled membrane sigma-model. Starting from the standard Courant algebroid over the phase space of an open membrane, we determine a splitting and a projection to a subbundle that sends the Courant algebroid operations to the corresponding operations in DFT. This describes precisely how the geometric structure of DFT lies in between two Courant algebroids and is reconciled with generalized geometry. We construct the membrane sigma-model that corresponds to DFT, and demonstrate how the standard T-duality orbit of geometric and non-geometric flux backgrounds is captured by its action functional in a unified way. This also clarifies the appearence of noncommutative and nonassociative deformations of geometry in non-geometric closed string theory. Gauge invariance of the DFT membrane sigma-model is compatible with the flux formulation of DFT and its strong constraint, whose geometric origin is explained. Our approach leads to a new generalization of a Courant algebroid, that we call a DFT algebroid and relate to other known generalizations, such as pre-Courant algebroids and symplectic nearly Lie 2-algebroids. We also describe the construction of a gauge-invariant doubled membrane sigma-model that does not require imposing the strong constraint.
Notes on the gravitational, electromagnetic and axion memory effects
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Sugishita Sotaro
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We investigate the memory effects associated with the kicks of particles. Recently, the equivalence between the memory effect and soft theorem has been established. By computing the memory effect from the radiation solutions, we explicitly confirm that, in addition to the leading piece, the subleading and subsubleading soft theorems are equivalent to the subleading and subsubleading memory effects, respectively. It is known that the memory effects can be probed by the displacements or kicks of the test particles. We point out that the these memory effects are also probed by the permanent change of the direction of the spin. We also show that the axion memory effect, recently proposed by the current authors, can be detected as the change of the spin of the test particle. We discuss that if we consider the magnetic monopole as an external particle, the parity-odd electromagnetic memory appears.
Consistent deformations of free massive field theories in the Stueckelberg formulation
Authors: Boulanger Nicolas , Deffayet Cédric , Garcia-Saenz Sebastian , Traina Lucas
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Cohomological techniques within the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) extension of the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism have proved invaluable for classifying consistent deformations of gauge theories. In this work we investigate the application of this idea to massive field theories in the Stueckelberg formulation. Starting with a collection of free massive vectors, we show that the cohomological method reproduces the cubic and quartic vertices of massive Yang-Mills theory. In the same way, taking a Fierz-Pauli graviton on a maximally symmetric space as the starting point, we are able to recover the consistent cubic vertices of nonlinear massive gravity. The formalism further sheds light on the characterization of Stueckelberg gauge theories, by demonstrating for instance that the gauge algebra of such models is necessarily Abelian and that they admit a Born-Infeld-like formulation in which the action is simply a combination of the gauge-invariant structures of the free theory.
CP violating mode of the stoponium decay into Zh
Authors: Cheung Kingman , Keung Wai-Yee , Tseng Po-Yan
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We show that a novel decay mode Zh of the bound state of stop-anti-stop pair in the ground state

$$ {}^1{S}_0\left({\tilde{t}}_1{\tilde{t}}_1^{*}\right) $$

1

S
0

t
˜

1

t
˜

1
*

may have a significant branching ratio if the CP violating mixing appears in the stop sector, even after we apply the stringent constraint from the measurement of the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the electron. We show that the branching ratio can be as large as 10% in some parameter space that it may be detectable at the LHC.
Noise in the Operating Room Distracts Members of the Surgical Team. An Observational Study
Authors: Keller Sandra , Tschan Franziska , Semmer Norbert K. , Holzer Eliane , Candinas Daniel , Brink Mark , Beldi Guido
Published: July 2018

Background

Noise pollution in operation rooms may distract the surgical team members. In particular during phases of high task complexity, noise can jeopardize concentration. Phases of high complexity are related to task specificities and may thus be different for different members of the surgical team.

Study design

Noise exposure was measured during 110 open abdominal surgeries. Distinguishing three phases (opening, main phase, and closing), noise was related to self‐report of distraction levels by main and secondary surgeons, scrub nurses and anesthetists.

Results

Noise pollution was higher than recommended levels for concentrated work. Adjusted for duration, surgical type, and difficulty of the surgery, results showed that second surgeons are more likely distracted when noise pollution was high in the main phase; and anesthetists are more likely distracted when noise pollution was high during the closing phase. Main surgeons’ and scrub nurses’ concentration was not impaired by measured noise levels.

Conclusions

In phases with higher concentration demands, noise pollution was particularly distracting for second surgeons and anesthetist, corresponding to their specific task demands (anesthetists) and experience (second surgeons). Reducing noise levels particularly in the main and closing phase of the surgery may reduce concentration impairments.
Vertical flight path segments sets for aircraft flight plan prediction and optimisation
Authors: Dancila B. D. , Botez R. M.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents a method for constructing a set of vertical flight path segments, that would compose an aircraft's vertical flight envelope, by using an aircraft performance model. This method is intended to be used for aircraft flight plan prediction and optimisation algorithms. The goal is to reduce the volume of recurring segment performance computations currently required for flight plan prediction or optimisation. The method presented in this paper applies to a free-flight scenario. The flight-path segments composing the vertical flight envelope belong to one of the unrestricted climb, constant-speed level flight, step-climb and continuous descent segments, performed at the consigned climb, cruise and descent speed schedules and at the consigned air temperature values. The method employs an aircraft model using linear interpolation tables. Nine test scenarios were utilised to assess the performances of the resulting flight envelopes as a function of the number of cruise altitudes and descent flight paths. The set of evaluated performance parameters includes the range of total flight times and still-air flight distances, and the vertical profiles describing the minimum and maximum flight times, and still-air flight distances. The advantages of the proposed method are multiple. First, it eliminates the need for repetitive aircraft performance computations of identical vertical flight plan segments, and provides the means for quick retrieval of the corresponding performance data for use in the construction of a full flight plan. Second, the vertical flight path look-up structure and the vertical flight-path graph describe a set of vertical flight paths that consider an aircraft's and flight plan's configuration parameters and cover its maximum flight envelope. Third, the look-up structure and the graph provide the means for rapid and clear identification of the available options for constructing a flight-plan segment, as well as for detecting the points associated with changes in the flight phases, including climb, cruise, step-climb and descent.
Guest Editors’ Introduction: Philosophical Approaches to Leadership Ethics II: Perspectives on the Self and Responsibility to Others
Authors: Ciulla Joanne B. , Knights David , Mabey Chris , Tomkins Leah
Published: July 2018

This article introduces the second of two special issues on philosophical approaches to leadership ethics. In this issue, the articles draw on the works of Plato, Niccolò Machiavelli, Michel Foucault, and Jürgen Habermas to explore questions in leadership ethics concerning leaders’ self-knowledge and self-constitution and their responsibilities to their followers. The articles in this issue demonstrate the potential of philosophy to deepen our understanding of leadership and ethics.