bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the mechanisms of secondary flows in a gas vortex unit
Authors: Niyogi Kaustav , Torregrosa Maria M. , Marin Guy B. , Heynderickx Geraldine J. , Shtern Vladimir N.
Published: January 2018

The hydrodynamics of secondary flow phenomena in a disc‐shaped gas vortex unit (GVU) is investigated using experimentally validated numerical simulations. The simulation using ANSYS FLUENT® v.14a reveals the development of a backflow region along the core of the central gas exhaust, and of a counterflow multivortex region in the bulk of the disc part of the unit. Under the tested conditions, the GVU flow is found to be highly spiraling in nature. Secondary flow phenomena develop as swirl becomes stronger. The backflow region develops first via the swirl‐decay mechanism in the exhaust line. Near‐wall jet formation in the boundary layers near the GVU end‐walls eventually results in flow reversal in the bulk of the unit. When the jets grow stronger the counterflow becomes multivortex. The simulation results are validated with experimental data obtained from Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry and surface oil visualization measurements. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1859–1873, 2018
A square‐force cohesion model and its extraction from bulk measurements
Authors: Liu Peiyuan , LaMarche Casey Q. , Kellogg Kevin M. , Hrenya Christine M.
Published: January 2018

Accurate modeling of interparticle forces in DEM is critical to predicting the rheology of cohesive particles. Rigorous cohesion models usually include parameters associated with particle surface roughness. However, both roughness measurement and its distillation into appropriate model parameters remain challenging. We propose a square‐force cohesion model, where cohesive force remains constant until a cutoff separation, above which cohesion vanishes. We demonstrate the square‐force model is a valid surrogate of more rigorous models. Specifically, when two parameters of square‐force model are chosen to match the two key quantities governing dense and dilute flows, namely maximum cohesive force and critical cohesive energy, respectively, DEM results using square‐force and more rigorous models show good agreement. For practical application of the square‐force model to lightly cohesive systems, a method is established to extract its parameters via defluidization, enabling determination of particle–particle cohesion from simpler bulk measurements than complicated and expensive scans on individual grains. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2329–2339, 2018
Dicationic E4 Chains (E=P, As, Sb, Bi) Embedded in the Coordination Sphere of Transition Metals
Authors: Dütsch Luis , Fleischmann Martin , Welsch Stefan , Balázs Gábor , Kremer Werner , Scheer Manfred
Published: January 2018

The oxidation chemistry of the complexes [{CpMo(CO)2}2(μ,η2:η2‐E2)] (E=P (A), As (B), Sb (C), Bi (D)) is compared. The oxidation of A–D with [Thia]+ (=[C12H8S2]+) results in the selective formation of the dicationic E4 complexes [{CpMo(CO)2}4(μ4,η2:η2:η2:η2‐E4)]2+ (E=P (1), As (2), Sb (3), Bi (4)), stabilized by four [CpMo(CO)2] fragments. The formation of the corresponding monocations [A]+, [C]+, and [D]+ could not be detected by cyclic voltammetry, EPR, or NMR spectroscopy. This finding suggests that dimerization is fast and that there is no dissociation in solution, which was also predicted by DFT calculations. However, EPR measurements of 2 confirmed the presence of small amounts of the radical cation [B]+ in solution. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed that the products 1 and 2 feature a zigzag E4 chain in the solid state while 3 and 4 bear a central E4 cage with a distorted “butterfly‐like” geometry. Additionally, 1 can be easily and reversibly converted into a symmetric and an unsymmetric form.
Novel synthesis of Fe2O3–Pt ellipsoids coated by double‐shelled La2O3 as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol
Authors: Gao Yan , Fang Jiasheng , Zhang Yiwei , Zhang Chao , Zhao Shuo , Zhou Yuming , Huang Mengqiu , Sheng Xiaoli
Published: January 2018

A facile strategy is reported for the fabrication of Pt‐loaded core–shell nanocomposite ellipsoids (Fe2O3‐Pt@DSL) consisting of ellipsoidal Fe2O3 cores, double‐layered La2O3 shells and deposited Pt nanoparticles (NPs). The formation of the doubled‐shelled structure uses Fe2O3‐Pt@mSiO2 as template sacrificial agent and it involves the re‐deposition of silica and self‐assembly of metal oxide units. The preparation methods of double‐shelled metal oxides avoid repeated coating and etching and could be utilized to fabricate other shaped double‐shelled composites. Characterization results indicated that the Fe2O3‐Pt@DSL nanocomposites possessed mesoporous structure and tunable shell thickness. Moreover, due to the formation of Fe2O3 and La2O3 composites, Pt NPs can also be stabilized via deposition on chemically active oxides with a synergistic effect. Therefore, as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol, Fe2O3‐Pt@DSL showed superior catalytic activity and reusability due to structural superiority and enhanced composite synergy. Finally, well‐dispersed Pt NPs were encapsulated into the void between the shell layers to construct the Fe2O3‐Pt@DSL‐Pt catalyst.
Copper‐supported β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles: Efficient multifunctional catalyst for one‐pot ‘green’ synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazolylquinazolinone derivatives
Authors: Bahadorikhalili Saeed , Ashtari Arsalan , Ma’mani Leila , Ranjbar Parviz Rashidi , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: January 2018

The green synthesis of 2‐(4‐((1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)oxy)phenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives is reported. The catalyst for this synthesis is copper‐supported β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized magnetic silica–iron oxide nanoparticles ([Cu@BCD@SiO2@SPION]). [Cu@BCD@SiO2@SPION] simultaneously catalyses ‘click’ reaction, oxidation of CN bond and multicomponent reaction. The desired 1,2,3‐triazolylquinazolinone product is easily obtained in water at room temperature under mild reaction conditions. Another advantage of the catalyst is its reusability. It can simply be isolated using an external magnet and reused in reactions with no significant decrease in catalyst efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used for exact characterization of the [Cu@BCD@SiO2@SPION] catalyst.
α‐Diimine nickel catalyst for copolymerization of hexene and acrylate monomers activated by different cocatalysts
Authors: Avar Sajad , Mortazavi Seyed Mohammad Mahdi , Ahmadjo Saeid , Zohuri Gholam Hossein
Published: January 2018

Bulk homopolymerization and copolymerization of 1‐hexene (H) with polar monomers including butyl acrylate (B) and methyl methacrylate (M) in the presence of 1,4‐bis (2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) acenaphthene diimine nickel (II) dibromide catalyst were investigated. Two cocatalysts, including diethyl aluminium chloride (DEAC) and ethyl aluminium sesqui chloride (EASC), were used to activate the catalyst at ambient temperature. In both the homopolymerization and copolymerization of 1‐hexene with polar monomers, the catalyst activity resulted from EASC as cocatalyst was higher than that resulted from DEAC. 1HNMR analysis was used in order to determine incorporation level of polar monomers and branching density of the synthesized polymers. A highest incorporation level of 13.3% mol was obtained using monomer B in the presence of the cocatalyst EASC. In addition, the influence of polar monomers on molecular weight and molecular weight distribution (PDI) was studied for both the homo‐ and co‐polymerizations of 1‐hexene in the presence of various cocatalysts. A higher molecular weight and narrower PDI were obtained by using the DEAC cocatalyst compared to the EASC cocatalyst. Glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting point (Tm) of the synthesized polymers were found to be dependent on the cocatalyst type and comonomer incorporation level. The addition of dichloromethane solvent into reaction medium showed a positive effect on comonomer incorporation which could not be seen in bulk polymerization. However, the presence of dichloromethane led to decrease the catalyst activity and molecular weight of the polymers.
Fe3O4@Propylsilane@Histidine[HSO4‐] magnetic nanocatalysts: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application for highly efficient synthesis of xanthene derivatives
Authors: Mousavifar Seyyedeh Masoumeh , Kefayati Hassan , Shariati Shahab
Published: January 2018

The surface of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was modified by chloropropylsilane and histidine. The imidazole group of prepared Fe3O4@Propylsilane@Histidine MNPs converted to imidazolium hydrogen sulfate group and Fe3O4@Propylsilane@Histidine [HSO4‐] as a novel environmentally friendly ionic liquid/ magnetite nanoparticle was prepared, successfully. FT‐IR, XRD, SEM and TEM instruments was used to identifiy the histidine ionic liquids/magnetite nanoparticles (HILMNPs). The catalytic activity of synthesized HILMNPs was appraised for the synthesis of 9‐aryl‐1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthene and spiro[indoline‐3,9′‐xanthene]trione derivatives. The activity of HILMNPs was much better than the other reported heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Furthermore, the prepared catalyst could be separated from the reaction mixture and reused four times without any significant loss in its activity.
Templating polyacrylamide hydrogel for interconnected microstructure and improved performance
Authors: Bassil Maria , El Haj Moussa Georges , El Tahchi Mario
Published: January 2018

In this study, the pressure and temperature are monitored during acrylamide polymerization and their effects on the mechanical properties and swelling of the resulting hydrogel are investigated. The polymerization kinetic and network formation mechanism are correlated to the environmental thermodynamic conditions under which the hydrogels are polymerized. Then, the swelling and Young's modulus are measured and shown to be tunable along a wide range of values. The swelling ratio varies between 50 and 2262 while Young's modulus varies between 10.99 and 40.70 kPa. In addition, the formation of macroporous hydrogel with channel like structures along the vacuum direction under a reduced pressure of 5 mbar is reported. The macroporous hydrogel has a modulus of 40.70 kPa and shrink approximatively three times faster than the hydrogel polymerized under normal pressure and has a modulus of 10.99 kPa. Hence, this interconnected network can overcome the fluid diffusion limitations of bulk hydrogels without compromising the mechanical properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46205.
Multiplexed Digital mRNA Expression Analysis Profiles System‐Wide Changes in mRNA Abundance and Responsiveness of UPR‐Specific Gene Expression Changes During Batch Culture of Recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells
Authors: Maldonado‐Agurto Rodrigo , Dickson Alan J.
Published: January 2018

The unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway is viewed as critical for setting the effectiveness of recombinant protein expression in CHO cells. In this study, Nanostring nCounter technology is used to study expression of a group of genes associated with cellular processes linked to UPR activation under ER stress and the changing environment of a batch culture. Time course induction of ER stress, using tunicamycin (TM), shows a group of genes such as Chop, Trb3, Sqstm1, Grp78, and Herpud1 respond rapidly to TM inhibition of N‐glycosylation, while others such as Atf5, Odz4, and Birc5 exhibits a delayed response. In batch culture, expression of “classical” UPR markers only increases when cells enter decline phase. In addition to providing a detailed analysis of the expression of process‐relevant UPR markers during batch culture and in response to imposed chemical stress, we also highlighted six genes (Herpud1, Odz4, Sqstm1, Trb3, Syvn1, and Birc5) associated with the perception of ER stress responses in recombinant CHO cells. Herpud1 (involved in ER‐associated degradation) exhibits a rapid (primary) response to stress and its relationship (and that of the other five genes) to the overall cellular UPR may identify novel targets to modulate recombinant protein production in CHO cells.
Relationship between serum vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers in acute stroke patients
Authors: Wang Qiongzhang , Zhu Zhuoying , Liu Yuntao , Tu Xinjie , He Jincai
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with the development of poststroke depression (PSD). Inflammatory markers play an important role in pathophysiology of PSD. The relationship between vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers has been discussed in nonstroke individuals. The purposes of this study were to explore the relationship between vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers in acute stroke patients and examine the effect of vitamin D and inflammatory markers on PSD.

Methods

A total of 152 acute stroke patients were recruited. Serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and inflammatory markers were measured by standardized laboratory methods. Depression symptoms were assessed with the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD‐17). Patients with theHAMD‐17 scores ≥7 were identified to have depression symptoms.

Results

Serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with serum levels of interleukin‐6 and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) (r = −.244,p = .002;r = −.231,p = .004). Multiple regression analysis showed that interleukin‐6 and hsCRP levels were associated with vitamin D levels (B = −0.355,p = .003;B = −2.085,p = .006), whereas age, height, weight, leukocyte count, neutrophil ratio, and lymphocyte rate could be omitted without changing the results. In multivariate analyses, the serum levels of vitamin D and interleukin‐6 were associated with the development of PSD after adjusted possible variables (OR = 0.976, 95%CI: 0.958–0.994,p = .009;OR = 1.029, 95%CI: 1.003–1.055,p = .027).

Conclusions

Serum vitamin D levels are inversely associated with the levels of interleukin‐6 and hsCRP, suggesting a potential anti‐inflammatory role for vitamin D in stroke individuals.
Poststroke emotional disturbances and a tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene polymorphism
Authors: Ko Mihye , Choi‐Kwon Smi , Jun Sang‐Eun , Kim Ju Han , Cho Kyung‐Hee , Nah Hyun‐Wook , Song Hasup , Kim Jong S.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Emotional dysfunction is a common finding in stroke patients. Despite reports on serotonergic involvement in the etiology of poststroke emotional dysfunction (PSED), the role of serotonin synthesizing tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) genes in the development of PSED remains unclear.

Methods

Genotyping of TPH2 rs4641528 and rs10879355 was performed from genomic DNA of 383 stroke patients collected previously and stored at −70°C. Potential associations between TPH2 genes and poststroke depression (PSD), poststroke emotional incontinence (PSEI), and poststroke anger proneness (PSAP) were investigated 3 months poststroke.

Results

Among the 383 patients, 69 (18%) had PSD, 41 (11%) had PSEI, and 93 (24%) had PSAP. The TPH2 rs4641528 genotype frequencies differed significantly between patients with and without either PSD or PSEI, although no significant differences were found between the patients with and without PSAP. In multiple logistic regression analysis, PSD was related to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.047–1.230, p < .01), modified Rankin scale score at 3 months (95% CI: 0.135–0.848, p < .05), and TPH2 rs4641528 C allele (95% CI: 1.039–5.631, p < .05), whereas PSEI was associated only with the NIHSS score at admission (95% CI: 1.053–1.259, p < .01) and the TPH2 rs4641528 C allele (95% CI: 1.029–11.678, p < .05).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the TPH2 rs4641528 C allele may play a role in the pathogenesis of PSD and PSEI but not PSAP in Korean stroke patients.
Is reappraisal always effective in modifying emotional reactions in females? The role of regulatory timing and goals
Authors: Yan Chunping , Lin Na , Cui Lixia , Zhang Qin
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Numerous studies have explored the effect of cognitive reappraisal before or after emotion‐inducing events. However, only a few studies have examined the influence of regulatory timing on the effectiveness of reappraisal. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of regulatory timing and goals in reappraisal regulation, which would help promote the specific application of cognitive reappraisal in emotion regulation. We hypothesized that decrease reappraisal would be more effective when initiated early rather than late, but increase reappraisal would be more effective when initiated in the emotional high‐activation phase.

Methods

This study, via event‐related potential (ERP) technique, probed the influence of the timing and regulatory goal on negative emotion when reappraisal was introduced, respectively 500 ms before (anticipatory), 2,000 ms after (online 2,000 ms) picture onset (in Experiment 1), 500 ms after (online 500 ms) picture onset, and 1,500 ms after (online 1,500 ms) picture onset (in Experiment 2).

Results

Based on the ERP results, under the anticipatory regulation condition, the LPP amplitude in the parietal area was significantly reduced by decrease reappraisal during 700–2,100 ms after picture onset, and under the online 500 ms regulation condition, the LPP in central and parietal areas was significantly enhanced by increase reappraisal during 450–750 ms after regulatory cue onset. Moreover, our results showed that increase reappraisal evoked a larger prefrontal or frontal LPP than decrease reappraisal beginning at about 700 ms after picture onset under the anticipatory regulation condition and beginning at 450 ms after regulatory cue onset under the online 500 ms regulation condition, which may reflect increased cognitive effort and mental conflict associated with increase reappraisal.

Conclusion

The anticipatory reappraisal successfully decreased negative emotion, and online 500 ms reappraisal successfully increased negative emotion. Our results support the hypothesis.
The Role of Sustainability‐Related Strategies on the Biofuel Industry: Trends, Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Fotiadis Michael , Polemis Michael L
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study is to elucidate the sustainability‐related strategies on the biofuel industry. Our empirical analysis is based on a time series data set covering diesel demand in Greece over the period 1978–2014 and on the basis of these estimates we make forecasts for biodiesel consumption in the coming years (2015–2030) under three alternative scenarios. Our approach utilizes unit root testing to investigate possible co‐integrated relationships among the sample variables. The empirical findings indicate that diesel demand is income and price inelastic in both the long and the short run, while biodiesel demand seems to have an upward trend over the simulated period. We argue that the importance of biofuel in the Greek energy balance will change the form of the existing business strategies towards issues such as sustainability, green entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility to achieve the environmental goals set by the EU Energy Roadmap 2050. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Disparities in cancer outcomes across age, sex, and race/ethnicity among patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Nipp Ryan , Tramontano Angela C. , Kong Chung Yin , Pandharipande Pari , Dowling Emily C. , Schrag Deborah , Hur Chin
Published: January 2018

Age, sex, and racial/ethnic disparities exist, but are understudied in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare linked database to determine whether survival and treatment disparities persist after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. Our study included PDAC patients diagnosed between 1992 and 2011. We used Cox regression to compare survival across age, sex, and race/ethnicity within early‐stage and late‐stage cancer subgroups, adjusting for marital status, urban location, socioeconomics, SEER region, comorbidities, stage, lymph node status, tumor location, tumor grade, diagnosis year, and treatment received. We used logistic regression to compare differences in treatment received across age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Among 20,896 patients, 84% were White, 9% Black, 5% Asian, and 2% Hispanic. Median age was 75; 56% were female and 53% had late‐stage cancer. Among early‐stage patients in the adjusted Cox model, older patient subgroups had worse survival compared with ages 66–69 (HR > 1.1, P < 0.01 for groups >69); no survival differences existed between sexes. Black (HR = 1.1, P = 0.01) and Hispanic (HR = 1.2, P < 0.01) patients had worse survival compared with White. Among late‐stage cancer patients, patients over age 84 had worse survival than those aged 66–69 (HR = 1.1, P < 0.01), and males (HR = 1.08, P < 0.01) had worse survival than females; there were no racial/ethnic differences. Older age and minority race/ethnicity were associated with lower likelihood of receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. Age and racial/ethnic disparities in survival outcomes and treatment received exist for PDAC patients; these disparities persist after adjusting for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics.
Lenalidomide decreased the PSA level for castration‐resistant prostate cancer: a case report
Authors: Shimokihara Kota , Kawahara Takashi , Suzuki Taisei , Mochizuki Taku , Takamoto Daiji , Teranishi Jun‐ichi , Miyoshi Yasuhide , Yumura Yasushi , Yao Masahiro , Uemura Hiroji
Published: January 2018

Key Clinical Message

Lenalidomide has been developed as the derivative of thalidomide that has fewer side effects. We herein report a rare case of castration‐resistant prostate cancer successfully maintained using lenalidomide for multiple myeloma.
Selective Decomposition of Cyclohexyl Hydroperoxide using Homogeneous and Heterogeneous CrVI Catalysts: Optimizing the Reaction by Evaluating the Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Hamann Jessica Nadine , Hermsen Marko , Schmidt Anna‐Corina , Krieg Saskia , Schießl Jasmin , Riedel Dominic , Teles Joaquim Henrique , Schäfer Ansgar , Comba Peter , Hashmi A. Stephen K. , Schaub Thomas
Published: January 2018

In this study, known homogeneous and heterogeneous chromium(VI) catalyst systems were investigated with respect to the favored formation of cyclohexanone during the decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide (CHHP). The focus was on mechanistic studies using different spectroscopic methods as well as DFT calculations to further optimize the reaction conditions. As in previous decomposition studies, a mechanism via the formation of a metal alkylperoxido intermediate is probable. In situ spectroscopic studies revealed that in case of both the soluble and insoluble catalyst, the selective decomposition happens via a non‐radical, non‐redox mechanism at the CrVI stage through the formation of a cyclohexylperoxychromium(VI) complex. The proposed mechanism is supported by thorough DFT calculations.
N‐Benzyl Substitution of Polyhydroxypyrrolidines: The Way to Selective Inhibitors of Golgi α‐Mannosidase II
Authors: Šesták Sergej , Bella Maroš , Klunda Tomáš , Gurská Soňa , Džubák Petr , Wöls Florian , Wilson Iain B. H. , Sladek Vladimir , Hajdúch Marián , Poláková Monika , Kóňa Juraj
Published: January 2018

Inhibition of the biosynthesis of complex N‐glycans in the Golgi apparatus influences progress of tumor growth and metastasis. Golgi α‐mannosidase II (GMII) has become a therapeutic target for drugs with anticancer activities. One critical task for successful application of GMII drugs in medical treatments is to decrease their unwanted co‐inhibition of lysosomal α‐mannosidase (LMan), a weakness of all known potent GMII inhibitors. A series of novel N‐substituted polyhydroxypyrrolidines was synthesized and tested with modeled GH38 α‐mannosidases from Drosophila melanogaster (GMIIb and LManII). The most potent structures inhibited GMIIb (Ki=50–76 μm, as determined by enzyme assays) with a significant selectivity index of IC50(LManII)/IC50(GMIIb) >100. These compounds also showed inhibitory activities in in vitro assays with cancer cell lines (leukemia, IC50=92–200 μm) and low cytotoxic activities in normal fibroblast cell lines (IC50>200 μm). In addition, they did not show any significant inhibitory activity toward GH47 Aspergillus saitoiα1,2‐mannosidase. An appropriate stereo configuration of hydroxymethyl and benzyl functional groups on the pyrrolidine ring of the inhibitor may lead to an inhibitor with the required selectivity for the active site of a target α‐mannosidase.
Near‐Infrared Photoluminescence from Small Copper, Silver, and Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Andolina Christopher M. , Crawford Scott E. , Smith Ashley M. , Johnston Kathryn A. , Straney Patrick J. , Marbella Lauren E. , Tolman Nathan L. , Hochuli Taylor J. , Millstone Jill E.
Published: January 2018

Here, we report the synthesis and near‐infrared photoluminescence properties of small‐diameter (∼2–3 nm) silver and copper nanoparticles. Periodic trends in nanoparticle quantum yields, observed lifetimes, and emission peak features are studied and compared to each other as well as to previously reported small diameter gold nanoparticles. These trends are distinct from optoelectronic features observed from either their cluster (4–100 atoms) or larger NP (diameter >5 nm) counterparts. Taken together, the successful synthesis and characterization of these materials introduces potential alternatives to small, Au‐based nanoparticles in photoluminescence‐driven applications such as bio‐labeling and sensing, as well as provides additional insight into particle properties at this important size range between molecular and bulk materials.
Bandwidth allocation and distributed relay selection for multiple‐user and multiple‐relay cooperative systems using Stackelberg game
Authors: Rahi Priyanka , Sharma Sanjay
Published: January 2018

Cooperative communication is an ongoing research area which lies on the basic idea of transmission of information from the transmitter to the receiver with the assistance of a virtual array of relay nodes in between, which will eventually provide the spatial diversity. This paper deals with the resource allocation (bandwidth in this case) among multiple users (source‐ destination pairs) in a cooperative communication environment along with the relay selection when there are multiple relay nodes to assist the transmitting nodes to pass on their data signal to respective receivers. A multi‐user, multi‐relay system model is considered here on which Amplify‐and‐Forward relaying scheme is applied. The bandwidth allocation and relay selection are done based on the Stackelberg game according to which transmitting nodes are treated as purchasers and relaying nodes are treated as vendors. By this planned approach, the transmitting nodes can discover the relays at comparatively better positions and can purchase the optimal bandwidth from those helping relays. By this approach, the relays which are competing with each other can increase their own utilities by demanding the optimal prices and the multiple users which are competing with each other can maximize their own utilities by demanding the optimal bandwidths. Distributed relay selection scheme is applied here which does not require precise information of channel state information as opposed to Centralized scheme and it gives comparable results, too.
Specific plasmid patterns and high rates of bacterial co‐occurrence within the coral holobiont
Authors: Leite Deborah C. A. , Salles Joana F. , Calderon Emiliano N. , van Elsas Jan D. , Peixoto Raquel S.
Published: January 2018

Despite the importance of coral microbiomes for holobiont persistence, the interactions among these are not well understood. In particular, knowledge of the co‐occurrence and taxonomic importance of specific members of the microbial core, as well as patterns of specific mobile genetic elements (MGEs), is lacking. We used seawater and mucus samples collected from Mussismilia hispida colonies on two reefs located in Bahia, Brazil, to disentangle their associated bacterial communities, intertaxa correlations, and plasmid patterns. Proxies for two broad‐host‐range (BHR) plasmid groups, IncP‐1β and PromA, were screened. Both groups were significantly (up to 252 and 100%, respectively) more abundant in coral mucus than in seawater. Notably, the PromA plasmid group was detected only in coral mucus samples. The core bacteriome of M. hispida mucus was composed primarily of members of the Proteobacteria, followed by those of Firmicutes. Significant host specificity and co‐occurrences among different groups of the dominant phyla (e.g., Bacillaceae and Pseudoalteromonadaceae and the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Vibrio) were detected. These relationships were observed for both the most abundant phyla and the bacteriome core, in which most of the operational taxonomic units showed intertaxa correlations. The observed evidence of host‐specific bacteriome and co‐occurrence (and potential symbioses or niche space co‐dominance) among the most dominant members indicates a taxonomic selection of members of the stable bacterial community. In parallel, host‐specific plasmid patterns could also be, independently, related to the assembly of members of the coral microbiome.
Recent Advances in Palladium‐Catalyzed Carboxylation with CO2
Authors: Song Jian , Liu Qing , Liu Hui , Jiang Xuefeng
Published: January 2018

Although carbon dioxide is an ideal C1 source, its chemical transformations are not widely developed and are still at a rather low level of maturity industrially. In recent years the development of metal‐catalyzed (e.g., Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, and so on) carboxylation with CO2 as a C1 source has come to represent a potentially powerful method for the preparation of carboxylic acid derivatives. Among these transformations, palladium‐catalyzed carboxylation is one of the most widely investigated. This review presents an overview of recent advances in palladium‐catalyzed carboxylation with carbon dioxide as a C1 carbon source.
Photo-induced toxicity following exposure to crude oil and ultraviolet radiation in 2 Australian fishes
Authors: Sweet Lauren E. , Revill Andrew T. , Strzelecki Joanna , Hook Sharon E. , Morris Jeffrey M. , Roberts Aaron P.
Published: January 2018

Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), components of crude oil, are known to cause increased toxicity when organisms are co-exposed with ultraviolet radiation, resulting in photo-induced toxicity. The photodynamic characteristics of some PAHs are of particular concern to places like Australia with high ultraviolet radiation levels. The objective of the present study was to characterize the photo-induced toxicity of an Australian North West Shelf oil to early life stage yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri). The fish were exposed to high-energy water accommodated fractions for 24 to 36 h. During the exposure, the fish were either co-exposed to full-intensity or filtered natural sunlight and then transferred to clean water. At 48 h, survival, cardiac effects, and spinal deformities were assessed. Yellowtail kingfish embryos co-exposed to oil and full-spectrum sunlight exhibited decreased hatching success and a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, compared with filtered sunlight. A significant increase in the incidence of pericardial edema occurred in black bream embryos co-exposed to full-spectrum sunlight. These results highlight the need for more studies investigating the effects of PAHs and photo-induced toxicity under environmental conditions relevant to Australia. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1359–1366. © 2018 SETAC
Motor imagery training: Kinesthetic imagery strategy and inferior parietal fMRI activation
Authors: Lebon Florent , Horn Ulrike , Domin Martin , Lotze Martin
Published: January 2018

Motor imagery (MI) is the mental simulation of action frequently used by professionals in different fields. However, with respect to performance, well‐controlled functional imaging studies on MI training are sparse. We investigated changes in fMRI representation going along with performance changes of a finger sequence (error and velocity) after MI training in 48 healthy young volunteers. Before training, we tested the vividness of kinesthetic and visual imagery. During tests, participants were instructed to move or to imagine moving the fingers of the right hand in a specific order. During MI training, participants repeatedly imagined the sequence for 15 min. Imaging analysis was performed using a full‐factorial design to assess brain changes due to imagery training. We also used regression analyses to identify those who profited from training (performance outcome and gain) with initial imagery scores (vividness) and fMRI activation magnitude during MI at pre‐test (MIpre). After training, error rate decreased and velocity increased. We combined both parameters into a common performance index. FMRI activation in the left inferior parietal lobe (IPL) was associated with MI and increased over time. In addition, fMRI activation in the right IPL during MIpre was associated with high initial kinesthetic vividness. High kinesthetic imagery vividness predicted a high performance after training. In contrast, occipital activation, associated with visual imagery strategies, showed a negative predictive value for performance. Our data echo the importance of high kinesthetic vividness for MI training outcome and consider IPL as a key area during MI and through MI training.
Online scan of FASD prevention and health promotion resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Authors: Williams Hayley M. , Percival Nikki A. , Hewlett Nicole C. , Cassady Rahni B. J. , Silburn Sven R.
Published: January 2018

Issue addressed

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) includes a range of life‐long impairments caused by alcohol exposure in utero. Health professionals are vital to preventing FASD but many are hesitant to discuss FASD with clients due to their need for additional resources to aid the conversation. This scan sought to identify the scope and gaps in publicly available FASD prevention and health promotion resources, and assess their cultural appropriateness for use among five key groups of Indigenous Australian people including: (i) pregnant women, (ii) women of childbearing age, (iii) grandmothers and aunties, (iv) men, and (v) health professionals.

Methods

Relevant resources published 1995‐2017 were identified through the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, FASD organisation websites, grey literature, Google searches, and field experts. Results were screened by inclusion and cultural appropriateness criteria developed and piloted by the research team, and further screened by health professionals attending FASD training workshops.

Results

115 of the 2146 identified resources were eligible. Relevant resources were found for all five key groups; however, no resources were specifically designed for men, grandmothers or aunties.

Conclusions

A range of high‐quality, culturally appropriate resources were identified, however, health professionals attending the training workshops were not aware of their availability. Further resource development is suggested for men, grandmothers and aunties.

So what?

Prioritisation of active dissemination and implementation strategies is suggested to increase awareness and use of future resource developments. The inclusion of a resource trial among health professionals is a recommended strategy to increase awareness and use of newly developed resources.
Increasing the credibility of the twin birth instrument
Authors: Farbmacher Helmut , Guber Raphael , Vikström Johan
Published: January 2018

Twin births are an important instrument for the endogenous fertility decision. However, twin births are not exogenous either as dizygotic twinning is correlated with maternal characteristics. Following the medical literature, we assume that monozygotic twins are exogenous, and construct a new instrument, which corrects for the selection although monozygotic twinning is usually unobserved in survey and administrative datasets. Using administrative data from Sweden, we show that the usual twin instrument is related to observed and unobserved determinants of economic outcomes, while our new instrument is not. In our applications we find that the classical twin instrument underestimates the negative effect of fertility on labor income. This finding is in line with the observation that high earners are more likely to delay childbearing and hence have a higher risk to get dizygotic twins.
Inhibitory effect of circulating fibrocytes on injury repair in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome mice model
Authors: Tai Wenlin , Zhou Zeping , Zheng Boyang , Li Jinyu , Ding Jiawei , Wu Hanxin , Gao Ling , Dong Zhaoxing
Published: January 2018

The study was aimed to explore the functions of circulating fibrocytes (CFs) on injury repair in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) mice model and its clinical value as a biomarker for ALI/ARDS. ALI/ARDS mice model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of ALI/ARDS model and flow cytometry was used to measure CFs defined as cells positive for CD45 and collagen‐1. Histological changes of lung tissues were evaluated by H&E staining and Masson's trichrome staining. The correlations of CFs counts with damnification of lung tissue and the severity of pulmonary fibrosis were evaluated by Pearson correlation analyses. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of collagen‐1. ELISA was applied to determine cytokine CXCL12 concentration. Clinical relevance between CFs and ALI/ARDS was investigated. The greater number of CFs in the ALI/ARDS group implied higher degree of lung injury and more severe pulmonary fibrosis. The protein expression of collagen‐1 and concentration of cytokine CXCL12 in ALI/ARDS group were higher than that in control group. Clinical and prognostic analysis revealed the higher injury degree and death rates in ALI/ARDS group than those in control group, and identified a greater severity and mortality for patients with ARDS than those with ALI. ROC curve analysis indicated the counts of CFs greater than 5.85% can predict death rates with AUC = 0.928. CFs had an inhibitory effect on injury repair in ALI/ARDS mice model. This might be unfavorable as a clinical marker for progression of ALI/ARDS.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor modulates cholesterol homeostasis and Apolipoprotein E synthesis in human cell models of astrocytes and neurons
Authors: Spagnuolo Maria S. , Donizetti Aldo , Iannotta Lucia , Aliperti Vincenza , Cupidi Chiara , Bruni Amalia C. , Cigliano Luisa
Published: January 2018

In the central nervous system, cholesterol is critical to maintain membrane plasticity, cellular function, and synaptic integrity. In recent years, much attention was focused on the role of cholesterol in brain since a breakdown of cholesterol metabolism has been associated with different diseases. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was previously reported to elicit cholesterol biosynthesis and promote the accumulation of presynaptic proteins in cholesterol‐rich lipid rafts, but no data are available on its ability to modulate physiological mechanisms involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Major aim of this research was to investigate whether BDNF influences cholesterol homeostasis, focusing on the effect of the neurotrophin on Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) synthesis, cholesterol efflux from astrocytes and cholesterol incorporation into neurons. Our results show that BDNF significantly stimulates cholesterol efflux by astrocytes, as well as ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) transporter and ApoE expression. Conversely, cholesterol uptake in neurons was downregulated by BDNF. This effect was associated with the increase of Liver X Receptor (LXR)‐beta expression in neuron exposed to BDNF. The level of apoptosis markers, that is, cleaved caspase 3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), was found increased in neurons treated with high cholesterol, but significantly lower when the cells were exposed to cholesterol in the presence of BDNF, thus suggesting a neuroprotective role of the neurotrophin, likely through its reducing effect of neuronal cholesterol uptake. Interestingly, cholesterol stimulates BDNF production by neurons. Overall, our findings evidenced a novel role of BDNF in the modulation of ApoE and cholesterol homeostasis in glial and neuronal cells.
The basis of behavioral momentum in the nonlinearity of strength
Authors: Killeen Peter R. , Nevin John A.
Published: January 2018

The persistence of operant responding in the context of distractors and opposing forces is of central importance to the success of behavioral interventions. It has been successfully analyzed with Behavioral Momentum Theory. Key data from the research inspired by that theory are reanalyzed in terms of more molecular behavioral mechanisms: the demotivational effects of disruptors, and their differential impacts on the target response and other responses that interact with them. Behavioral momentum is regrounded as a nonlinear effect of motivation and reinforcement rate on response probability and persistence. When response probabilities are high, more energy is required to further increase or to decrease them than when they are low. Classic Behavioral Momentum Theory effects are reproduced with this account. Finally, it is shown how the new account involving motivation and competition is closely related to the metaphor of force and action that is at the core of Behavioral Momentum Theory.
Synthesis of 2‐d‐acrylamide
Authors: Salin Alexey V. , Musin Rashid Z.
Published: January 2018

2‐d‐Acrylamide was synthesized via the 2‐step procedure starting from acrylonitrile and deuterium oxide. This procedure affords 2‐d‐acrylamide in 99.9% chemical purity and 98.4% isotopic enrichment.
An external compensation method for AMOLED using the concept of ramp‐stop
Authors: Tai Ya‐Hsiang , Lin Chi‐Hao
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we propose an external feedback method to compensate the device variation for active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode. The pixel data current is controlled by ramping the gate voltage and converted to the sensed voltage Vsense in real time. When Vsense is equal to a preset voltage Vdata, the switching block outputs the low potential to stop the ramping. Therefore, the gate voltage is locked at the value corresponding to the target data current. This circuit is implemented with three thin‐film transistors in the active area and some functional blocks in driver integrated circuit (IC), namely, sentinel block, current‐voltage converting block, and switching block. Unlike the other usual methods of external compensation requiring double number of connections between driver IC and glass, by using the common ramping signal and a simple circuit made on glass, the proposed method can be implemented with only one pin per column.
Linking the Gold Nanoparticles Formation Kinetics with Their Morphology
Authors: Luty‐Błocho M. , Wojnicki M. , Grzonka J. , Kurzydłowski K. J. , Fitzner K.
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we show that using different concentrations of reagents, it is possible to produce gold nanoparticles with different morphology (size, shape). The color of obtained colloidal gold change from pink, violet to blue, and it corresponds to the shape change. The pink color corresponds to spherical nanoparticles and the blue one to a star shape. The mixture of those two types of nanoparticles result in a violet tone. It was also shown that kinetics of nucleation and growth process is controlled by the reaction on the gold atoms surface, i.e., comproportionation of Au(III) and Au(0) to Au(I), which can be inhibited by varying precursor and reductant concentration.
Comparing topsoil charcoal, ash, and stone cover effects on the postfire hydrologic and erosive response under laboratory conditions
Authors: Prats Sergio Alegre , Abrantes João Rafael Cardoso de Brito , Coelho Celeste de Oliveira Alves , Keizer Jan Jacob , de Lima João Luis Mendes Pedroso
Published: January 2018

Wildfires typically transform vegetation and litter into a heterogeneous layer of ash and charred material covering the soil surface that can substantially modify the postfire hydrological and erosive response. To further elucidate the influence of postfire covering layers on sheet and concentrated flow erosion, we carried out laboratory rainfall and inflow simulations on 5 distinct soil surface conditions: bare soil, with a protective cover of char, ash, stones, and a combination thereof simulating field conditions. Each of 3 replicate simulations per treatment involved 4 runs, the first 2 simulating just rain (at 56 mm hr−1) under dry and wet soil conditions and the next 2 simulating rain together with inflow at high and extreme rates (0.76 and 1.4 L min−1). Overall runoff over the 4 runs together was lower for all 4 types of protective cover than for bare soil, but ash and char were clearly less effective than stones and, in particular, field conditions with runoff reductions of 25%, 23%, 40%, and 70%, respectively. Stones and field conditions were similarly effective in reducing overall erosion rates (with 47% and 77%, respectively), whereas ash and char even slightly increased overall erosion rates compared to bare soil. Ash and char were effective in reduction erosion but only during the first 2 runs under simulated rainfall. The greater effectiveness of the field conditions suggested synergistic effects between its 3 components, probably due to the stones enhancing infiltration and increasing flow resistance, thereby hampering detachment of ash and char and/or enhancing their deposition.
Wear particle classification using genetic programming evolved features
Authors: Xu Bin , Wen Guangrui , Zhang Zhifen , Chen Feng
Published: January 2018

This paper explores the feasibility of applying genetic programming (GP) to classify wear particles. A marking threshold filter is proposed to preprocess ferrographic images before optimising the feature space of wear particles using GP. Subsequently, evolved features by GP are quantitatively evaluated by the Fisher criterion and distance fitness function, and clustering performance is evaluated qualitatively. The evolved features are compared with a conventional feature set as the inputs to support vector machines, probabilistic neural networks, and k‐nearest neighbour. Results demonstrated that the evolved features indicated a significant improvement in classification accuracy and robustness compared with conventional features. Finally, 3 typical wear particles, sliding, cutting, and oxidative, are successfully classified.
Aspects of corrosion of iron‐ and nickel‐based materials by liquid tin: Oxygen dissolved in the melt and saturation with the parent element
Authors: Emmerich Thomas , Durand Adeline , Tsisar Valentyn , Schroer Carsten
Published: January 2018

Cylindrical samples of iron, austenitic steel 1.4571, and nickel‐based alloy 2.4663 were tested in liquid tin (Sn) at 500 and 700 °C. The exposure times ranged from 3 to 100 h. During exposure the oxygen content of the melt was measured online. In case the oxygen content is higher than the oxide threshold, even Fe‐oxides, which were not specifically created before exposure, are capable of reducing liquid Sn corrosion. In case of lower oxygen contents more stable oxides, like Cr‐oxides, fail locally leading to corrosion pits. The influence of saturation with the parent element of the tested alloy on material consumption and morphology of corrosion scales was also investigated. Saturation reduces material consumption and promotes formation of intermetallic compounds of the respective parent element and Sn. The capacity of liquid Sn for taking up nickel leads predominantly to selective removal of nickel from the corrosion scale on austenitic steel and nickel‐based alloy samples, whereas the less soluble elements remain. Finally, typical rate laws were tested for expressing the observed material consumption as a function of time.