bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exergetic approach to the understanding of built environment—state‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: Shukuya Masanori
Published: March 2019

Exergy is a thermodynamic concept that allows us to articulate what is consumed and where it occurs in a working system. This paper provides an overview of the present state‐of‐the‐art of exergy research done by the author over the last 3 decades. In this paper, first, a brief introduction of warm and cool exergy concepts as quantities of state and flow, which can be rationally derived from the 2 fundamental laws of thermodynamics, is presented. Then, 3 typical applications are demonstrated: (a) exergetic evaluation of window systems with shading devices; (b) human body exergy analysis for summer seasons; and (c) exergetic evaluation of a heat‐pump system. Thorough and connective thinking with the concept of exergy helps us understand the essential points in environmental planning and design of the built environment.
Autism: Animal Models
Authors: Bauman Melissa D , Crawley Jacqueline N , Berman Robert F
Published: March 2019

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by deficits in social interaction, social communication, sensory abnormalities, stereotyped and repetitive behaviours, and restricted interests. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has proven difficult to study because of the diversity of its behavioural symptoms, complex genetics and lack of ubiquitous biomarkers. Progress in the development of heuristic animal models has allowed investigators to model some of the core symptoms of autism, including deficits in social interactions, aspects of social communication and stereotyped, repetitive behaviours. Specific hypotheses can now be formulated and tested in mouse, rat and non‐human primate models. Translational applications of animal models have advanced the discovery of therapeutic interventions for treating the core features of ASD. This article describes some of the major behavioural approaches and animal models designed to study neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on ASDs.

Key Concepts

Autism is a complex disorder whose underlying biology is being studied using rodent and non‐human primate animal models.

Rodents and non‐human primates are social animals with rich and complex behavioural repertories that make them useful for modelling neurodevelopmental disorders.

Many of the behaviours that reflect core deficits in autism, including social communication, social interaction, motor stereotypies and repetitive behaviours, can be modelled in rodents and non‐human primates.

Inbred strains of mice can be used to discover genes important for the expression of complex behaviours and can provide insights into the neurobiology of social interactions and social communication.

Mice and rats with targeted mutations in risk genes and deletions identified in people with autism provide research tools for investigating mechanistic substrates of the disorder and for discovering therapeutic interventions.

Animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders, while important and useful, typically only model specific aspects of a disorder rather that recapitulating its full symptomatology.
Guard Cell Metabolism
Authors: Cândido‐Sobrinho Silvio A , Lima Valéria F , Daloso Danilo M
Published: March 2019

Guard cells are found in leaf epidermis as a pair of cells surrounding the stomatal pore. Stomatal aperture is regulated by the metabolism of guard cells according to the prevailing environmental condition. Guard cell metabolism is thus adapted to support stomatal movement, which demands a high control of osmolytes content within the cell as well as the need to balance the exchange of ions and metabolites between the cytoplasm and the apoplastic space. Guard cells have several characteristics of sink cells. This is probably an alternative given the low photosynthetic rate and the few number of chloroplasts found in these cells. The glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the degradation of starch and lipids seem to be activated in the light to support stomatal opening. This indicates that guard cell metabolism is differentially regulated compared to mesophyll cells. The particularities of guard cell metabolism are reviewed here.

Key Concepts

Stomatal aperture controls water use efficiency by modulating CO2and H2O exchanges between the leaf and the atmosphere.

Changes in osmolyte concentration within guard cells regulate stomatal aperture.

Signals from mesophyll cells are known to alter stomatal movements.

Malate imported from mesophyll cells or produced within guard cells is involved on stomatal movement regulation.

Guard cells have several characteristics of sink cells.

It seems likely that photosynthesis in guard cell chloroplasts is mainly related to provide ATP and NADPH required for turgor control rather than producing carbohydrates.

Lipids, starch and sucrose are degraded during light‐induced stomatal opening.

Mitochondria metabolism is important to maintain guard cell energetic demands.
Weak Carbohydrate–Protein Interactions by
NMR
Authors: Nieto Pedro M
Published: March 2019

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provides several complementary tools to characterise and study biomolecular interactions between molecules. In particular, the fast and weak interactions between a small ligand and a large receptor can be analysed in the equilibrium state. In adequate conditions, it can characterise if a small molecule is interacting with a protein, if the conformation of the ligand changes upon binding, the regions of the ligand that are involved in the binding, and even the bound conformation within the complex. The process of association‐dissociation should be fast, and consequently, a single set of averaged signals carrying the information of both states detected. Typically, the protein is in lower proportion than the ligand and practically the signals from the ligand dominate the spectra. Besides, as the magnitudes used depend on the tumbling of the molecule (NOE, transfer of magnetisation or relaxation times) the average becomes very displaced towards the complex due to its larger correlation times.

Key Concepts

Fast equilibrium in the NMR time scale between the free and the bound ligand is needed.

Magnitudes depending on the molecular correlation time (dipolar coupling, saturation transference, relaxation times) are monitored.

Small amounts of complex thank the favourable molecular correlation time dominate the average of the corresponding magnitude.

The behaviour of the ligand complexed can be deduced from the observation of the free ligand signals.

In Transfer NOESY, dipolar transference within the bound ligand is observed.

In STD‐NMR transference between the ligand and the receptor, which is proportional to the closeness between ligand and receptor, is monitored.

In relaxation times analysis, differences between bound and free ligand are compared.

The WaterLOGSY experiment traces the magnetisation transfer between water – ligand and receptor.
Molecular Genetics of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Authors: Makewita Lara E , Strefford Jonathan C
Published: March 2019

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a B‐cell malignancy and the most prevalent leukaemia in the Western world, most prevalent in elderly individuals. The disease exhibits vast clinical heterogeneity, ranging from a benign disease for many decades, to one requiring immediate treatment. With the application of modern genomic technologies, we now have a detailed view of the genomic architecture of the CLL genome. This includes a detailed catalogue of the genes targeted by copy number changes and mutations in the disease, as well as their clinical impact. In addition, we have an expanding understanding of the epigenetic profile of the disease that gives fundamental insights into the original transforming cell, and the regulatory networks contributing to the disease. This information has considerable clinical implications, improving diagnosis, prognostication and helping to guide therapeutic interventions with greater accuracy.

Key Concepts

CLL is a disease with a very heterogeneous clinical outcome such that patients can exhibit an indolent or a progressive disease resistant to chemo‐immunotherapy.

This reflects considerable biological variability such that the mutational and epigenomic landscape differs between patients.

Only by understanding this biological variability can a patient's clinical heterogeneity be understood.

Immunogenetic analysis, through the study of immunoglobulin structure, has helped divide CLL patients into two prognostically relevant subgroups.

Chromosomal deletions and aneuploidy events, not fusion‐genes and chromosomal rearrangements define CLL, where their presence can aid in patient stratification.

The genome of CLL harbours a relatively low number of somatic lesions, but those that are identified target genes important in DNA damage response, cell cycle control, intracellular signalling, RNA processing and chromatin remodelling.

Epigenetic analysis of CLL provides important information regarding the cell from which the tumour arose, and also the regulatory mechanisms that are dysregulated.
E
lioraea
Authors: da Costa Milton S. , Albuquerque Luciana , Rainey Fred A. , Froufe Hugo J. C. , Roxo Inês , Raposo Pedro , Egas Conceição
Published: March 2019

E.li.o.rae'a. N.L. fem. n.
Elioraea
, named in honor of Israeli microbiologist Eliora Z. Ron.

Proteobacteria / Alphaproteobacteria / Rhodospirillales / Acetobacteraceae / Elioraea

Rod‐shaped cells, 0.5–1.0 µm in width and 1.0–1.5 µm in length. Motile by one polar flagellum. Endospores are not observed. Stain Gram‐negative. Colonies are nonpigmented. Slightly thermophilic and slightly alkaliphilic. Strictly aerobic. Cytochrome
c
oxidase‐ and catalase‐positive. Facultatively mixotrophic. Thiosulfate is oxidized to sulfate with the enhancement of growth. Organic acids, proline and glutamine, are used as carbon and energy sources; sugars and polyols are not used for growth. Bacteriochlorophyll
a
and
puf
genes are not present. Major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone 10. Major polar lipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and two unidentified aminolipids. Major fatty acids are straight‐chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids including hydroxy derivatives. 16S rRNA gene sequence affiliates this genus to family
Acetobacteraceae
. Isolated from a hydrothermal area.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 70.9 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Elioraea tepidiphila
Albuquerque, Rainey, Nobre and da Costa 2008, 776
VP
.
N
atronovirga
Authors: Mesbah Noha M.
Published: March 2019

Na.tro.no.vir'ga. N.L. n.
natron
derived from Arabic
natrun
soda (sodium carbonate); L. fem. n.
virga
rod. N.L. fem. n.
Natronovirga
a soda requiring rod.

Firmicutes / Clostridia / Natranaerobiales / Natranaerobiaceae / Natronovirga

The genus
Natronovirga
consists of nonmotile, obligately anaerobic bacteria. Cells are straight rods and have a Gram‐type‐positive cell wall. They are extremely halophilic, thermotolerant, and obligately alkaliphilic.
Natronovirga
is chemoorganotrophic and ferments carbohydrates to lactate and acetate. Major cellular fatty acids include iso‐C
15:0
and anteiso‐C
15:0
. The peptidoglycan in the cell wall is of type α‐4‐β Orn‐Gly‐Asp. Endospores have not been observed.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 41.7 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Natronovirga wadinatrunensis
Mesbah and Wiegel 2009, 2048
VP
.
T
epidisphaerales
Authors: Kovaleva O.L. , Elcheninov A.G. , Kublanov I.V. , Bonch‐Osmolovskaya Elizaveta
Published: March 2019

Te.pi.di.sphae.ra'les. N.L. fem. n.
Tepidisphaera
, type genus of the order;
‐ales
ending to denote an order; N.L. fem. pl. n.
Tepidisphaerales
, the order of genus
Tepidisphaera
.

Planctomycetes / Phycisphaerae / Tepidisphaerales

The order
Tepidisphaerales
is circumscribed on the basis of 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis. The order currently contains only a single family,
Tepidisphaeraceae
.

Cells are Gram‐negative cocci. Divide by binary fission. Grow organoheterotrophically on simple or complex carbohydrates. Aerobes, facultative anaerobes.

Type genus
:
Tepidisphaera
Kovaleva, Merkel, Novikov, Baslerov, Toshchakov and Bonch‐Osmolovskaya 2015, 553
VP
.
Maximizing rectal dose sparing with hydrogel: A retrospective planning study
Authors: Paetkau Owen , Gagne Isabelle M. , Pai Howard H. , Lam Jacqueline , Goulart Jennifer , Alexander Abraham
Published: March 2019

External beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer can result in urinary, sexual, and rectal side effects, often impairing quality of life. A polyethylene glycol‐based product, SpaceOAR© hydrogel (SOH), implanted into the connective tissue between the prostate gland and rectum can significantly reduce the dose received by the rectum and hence risk of rectal toxicity. The optimal way to manage the hydrogel and rectal structures for plan optimization is therefore of interest. In 13 patients, computerized tomography (CT) scans were taken pre‐ and post‐SpaceOAR© implant. A prescription of 60 Gy in 20 fractions was planned on both scans. Six treatment plans were produced per anonymized dataset using either a structure of rectum plus the hydrogel, termed composite rectum wall (CRW), or rectal wall (RW) as an inverse optimization structure and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) as a treatment technique. Dose‐volume histogram metrics were compared between plans to determine which optimization structure and treatment technique offered the maximum rectal dose sparing. RW structures offered a statistically significant decrease in rectal dose over CRW structures, whereas the treatment technique (IMRT vs VMAT) did not significantly affect the rectal dose. There was improvement seen in bladder and penile bulb dose when VMAT was used as a treatment technique. Overall, treatment plans using the RW optimization structure offered the lowest rectal dose while VMAT treatment technique offered the lowest bladder and penile bulb dose.
Characterization of the HalcyonTM multileaf collimator system
Authors: Lim Tze Yee , Dragojević Irena , Hoffman David , Flores‐Martinez Everardo , Kim Gwe‐Ya
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To characterize the stacked and staggered dual‐layer multileaf collimator (MLC) on the HalcyonTM system.

Methods

The novel MLC assembly was reviewed and compared to the widely used MillenniumTM 120‐leaf MLC system. We investigated the MLC positioning stability over 70 days using Machine Performance Check (MPC) data. We evaluated the leaf transmission, penumbra, leaf end effect, and leaf edge effect. Leaf transmission through distal, proximal, and both MLC layers was measured with a Farmer chamber, by comparing an open and a closed field. Leaf penumbra was measured using film for three different MLC‐defined field sizes. The leaf end effect was measured with sweeping gap fields of varying gap sizes defined by the distal MLC. The leaf edge effect was evaluated using the Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID) for the different banks, gantry positions, and collimator angles. Point dose measurements for 10 test plans were compared to dose predictions of two dose calculation model versions.

Results

From MPC data, the largest measured MLC positioning accuracy deviation was within 0.1 mm. The proximal MLC exhibited greater deviations compared to the distal MLC. The distal‐and‐proximal‐combination had reduced inter‐leaf and intra‐leaf transmission compared to delivery with distal‐only. The measured leaf transmission was 0.41% for distal‐only, 0.40% for proximal‐only, and negligible for distal‐and‐proximal‐combination. The leaf end penumbra was wider compared to the leaf edge penumbra. The leaf end effect was measured to be −0.2 mm. The leaf edge effect showed minimal bank, gantry position, and collimator angle dependence. However, a systematic deviation between measurements and treatment planning system handling of the leaf edge effect was observed. The discrepancy between the measured and predicted dose in the 10 test plans improved with the latest version of the dose calculation algorithm.

Conclusion

The characteristics of the stacked and staggered dual‐layer MLC on the HalcyonTM system were presented.
Unfounded beliefs among teachers: The interactive role of rationality priming and cognitive ability
Authors: Adam‐Troian Jais , Caroti Denis , Arciszewski Thomas , Ståhl Tomas
Published: March 2019

Previous research suggests that unfounded beliefs (UB)—such as conspiracist beliefs and beliefs in the supernatural—stem from similar cognitive and motivational mechanisms. More specifically, it has been demonstrated that cognitive ability is negatively associated with UB but only among individuals who value epistemic rationality. The present study goes beyond previous correlational studies by examining whether the negative association between cognitive ability and UB can be strengthened through a subtle rationality prime. In a large scale online experiment (N = 762 French teachers), we demonstrate that priming rationality (vs. control) does enhance the negative relationship between cognitive ability and adherence to supernatural beliefs, as well as conspiracy mentality (d = 0.2). This effect was not obtained for illusory pattern perception. This study's usefulness as a “proof of concept” for future interventions aimed at reducing UB prevalence among the general public is discussed.
Changes in Alcohol Use and Associations With Disease Activity, Health Status, and Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Baker Joshua F. , England Bryant R. , Mikuls Ted R. , Hsu Jesse Y. , George Michael D. , Pedro Sofia , Sayles Harlan , Michaud Kaleb
Published: March 2019

Objective

Better disease activity and quality of life have been observed among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who drink alcohol. This association might be explained by reverse causality. We undertook this study to identify predictors of change in alcohol use and to evaluate independent associations between alcohol use and RA activity and mortality.

Methods

Participants in Forward, The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases, were asked about alcohol use (any versus none), and disease activity was collected through the Patient Activity Scale–II (PAS‐II) on semiannual surveys. We identified factors associated with changes in alcohol use and determined associations between alcohol use and disease activity and mortality using linear and logistic regression models, Cox proportional hazards models, and marginal structural models.

Results

A total of 121,280 observations were studied among 16,762 unique participants. Discontinuation and initiation of alcohol were common among drinkers and abstainers (8.2% and 9.2% of observations, respectively). Greater discontinuation and less initiation were observed with greater disease activity, older age, female sex, nonwhite race, obesity, greater comorbidity, low quality of life, low educational level, low income, and work disability. While alcohol users had lower PAS‐II (β = –0.15 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) –0.18, –0.11], P < 0.001) and a lower mortality (odds ratio 0.87 [95% CI 0.76, 0.98], P = 0.03) in traditional models, associations were not seen in marginal structural models.

Conclusion

Higher disease activity, disability, comorbidity, and poor quality of life contribute to reductions in alcohol use. Active use and changes in use were not associated with disease activity or mortality when adjusting for confounding, suggesting no clear benefit of alcohol consumption in RA.
Adaptive asymptotical tracking controller design for uncertain nonaffine nonlinear system with high‐order mismatched disturbances
Authors: Sun Haibin , Zong Guangdeng , Li Chaojie , Yu Xinghuo
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the problem of anti‐disturbance asymptotical tracking control is studied for nonaffine systems with high‐order mismatched disturbances. The disturbances can be described as polynomial functions, which are first estimated by constructing generalized extended state filter. The nonaffine system is changed into an augmented affine system via introducing an auxiliary integrator. A novel adaptive anti‐disturbance tracking controller is recursively designed, where the disturbance estimation is used for feedforward compensation at each step. A sliding mode differentiator is applied to reduce the computational burden taken by the backstepping method. The boundedness of the closed‐loop system is proved based on Lyapunov stability theory and zero error tracking performance is ensured. Finally, a numerical example is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Spontaneous Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells on Nanodiamonds
Authors: Taylor Alice C. , González Citlali Helenes , Ferretti Patrizia , Jackman Richard B.
Published: March 2019

The potential use of stem cells in regenerative medicine requires the ability to be able to control stem cell fate as cellular networks are developed. Here, nanodiamonds (≈10 nm) are supported on glass and shown to be an excellent host for the attachment and proliferation of human neural stem cells. Moreover, it is shown that spontaneous differentiation into neurons occurs on nanodiamonds. The use of variously oxygen terminated and hydrogen terminated nanodiamonds has been explored. It is shown that O‐ND monolayers promote the differentiation of human neural stem cells into neurons with increased total neurite length, degree of branching, and density of neurites when compared with H‐NDs or the glass control. The total number of neurites and total neurite length expressing MAP2, a protein enriched in dendrites, is over five times higher for spontaneously differentiated neurones on the O‐NDs compared to the control. The fact that inexpensive nanodiamonds can be attached through simple sonication from water on 2D and 3D shapes indicates significant promise for their potential as biomaterials in which neuro‐regenerative diseases can be studied.
Low‐Threshold Organic Semiconductor Lasers with the Aid of Phosphorescent Ir(III) Complexes as Triplet Sensitizers
Authors: Jiang Yi , Lv Peng , Pan Jin‐Qiang , Li Yan , Lin He , Zhang Xin‐Wen , Wang Jiong , Liu Yuan‐Yuan , Wei Qi , Xing Gui‐Chuan , Lai Wen‐Yong , Huang Wei
Published: March 2019

Organic semiconductor lasers (OSLs) have emerged as particularly challenging. One of the major issues preventing the successful realization of lasing from organic emitters under electrically pumped conditions is the inevitable population of triplet excitons. Herein, a novel concept is presented to construct triplet–singlet guest–host gain systems with incorporating iridium complexes as the triplet sensitizers and a fluorescent conjugated polymer as the gain media to achieve light amplification. The direct triplet–singlet energy transfer process is confirmed by photoluminescence excitation spectra, photoinduced absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence transients of the blend samples. Successful light amplification with a threefold lower amplified spontaneous emission threshold and much better lasing performance is demonstrated for the resulting triplet–singlet guest–host system as compared with the corresponding gain system without triplet sensitizers. Moreover, under electrically driven conditions, the fluorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on the triplet–singlet guest–host systems with “triplet sensitizers” exhibit enhanced electrical performance relative to those without. The work suggests an effective general methodology to utilize both the singlet and triplet excitons to contribute to the light amplification with excellent electrical performance in OLEDs, opening prospects toward attempting electrically pumped OSLs.
Synergistic Regulation of Polysulfides Conversion and Deposition by MOF‐Derived Hierarchically Ordered Carbonaceous Composite for High‐Energy Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Fang Daliang , Wang Yanlei , Qian Cheng , Liu Xizheng , Wang Xi , Chen Shimou , Zhang Suojiang
Published: March 2019

To achieve a high sulfur loading is critical for high‐energy lithium–sulfur batteries. However, high sulfur loading, especially at a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio (E/S), usually causes low sulfur utilization, mainly caused by the slow redox kinetics of polysulfides and the passivation of the discharge product, poor electrically/ionically conducting Li2S. Herein, by using cobalt‐based metal organic frameworks (Co‐MOFs) as precursors, a Co, N‐doped carbonaceous composite (Co, N‐CNTs (carbon nanotubes)‐CNS (carbon nanosheet)/CFC (carbon fiber cloth)) is fabricated with hierarchically ordered structure, which consists of a free‐standing 3D carbon fiber skeleton decorated with a vertical 2D carbon nanosheets array rooted by interwoven 1D CNTs. As an effective polysulfides host, the hierarchically ordered 3D conductive network with abundant active sites and voids can effectively trap polysulfides and provide fast electron/ions pathways to convert them. In addition, Co and N heteroatoms can strengthen the interaction with polysulfides and accelerate its reaction kinetics. More importantly, the interwoven CNTs with Co, N‐doping can induce 3D Li2S deposition instead of conventional 2D deposition, which benefits improving sulfur utilization. Therefore, for Co, N‐CNTs‐CNS/CFC electrodes, even at a high sulfur loading of 10.20 mg cm−2 with a low E/S of 6.94, a high reversible areal capacity of 7.42 mAh cm−2 can be achieved with excellent cycling stability.
Electrocontrolled Liquid Marbles for Rapid Miniaturized Organic Reactions
Authors: Liu Zhou , Yang Tiyun , Huang Yuxing , Liu Yang , Chen Liucheng , Deng Libo , Shum Ho Cheung , Kong Tiantian
Published: March 2019

Miniaturized droplet reactors hold great promise for the development of green and sustainable chemistry. However, handling liquids with small volumes, especially viscous ones, in a convenient and loss‐free manner remains a challenge. Here, by electrically controlling the coalescence and mixing of particle‐coated droplets, also known as liquid marbles, an effective microreactor is demonstrated for miniaturized chemical reactions involving viscous reagents. By applying an electric voltage to marbles, the induced electromixing of marble microreactors promotes the reaction rate and the product yield. The advantages of electromixed marble reactors are manifested by a series of chemical reactions between aldehydes and 2‐methylindole in viscous glycerol solution. The electrically‐controlled coalescence and mixing establish liquid marbles as microreactors for rapid, efficient, and miniaturized chemical reactions.
Progress Report on “From Printed Electrolyte‐Gated Metal‐Oxide Devices to Circuits”
Authors: Cadilha Marques Gabriel , Weller Dennis , Erozan Ahmet Turan , Feng Xiaowei , Tahoori Mehdi , Aghassi‐Hagmann Jasmin
Published: March 2019

Printed electrolyte‐gated oxide electronics is an emerging electronic technology in the low voltage regime (≤1 V). Whereas in the past mainly dielectrics have been used for gating the transistors, many recent approaches employ the advantages of solution processable, solid polymer electrolytes, or ion gels that provide high gate capacitances produced by a Helmholtz double layer, allowing for low‐voltage operation. Herein, with special focus on work performed at KIT recent advances in building electronic circuits based on indium oxide, n‐type electrolyte‐gated field‐effect transistors (EGFETs) are reviewed. When integrated into ring oscillator circuits a digital performance ranging from 250 Hz at 1 V up to 1 kHz is achieved. Sequential circuits such as memory cells are also demonstrated. More complex circuits are feasible but remain challenging also because of the high variability of the printed devices. However, the device inherent variability can be even exploited in security circuits such as physically unclonable functions (PUFs), which output a reliable and unique, device specific, digital response signal. As an overall advantage of the technology all the presented circuits can operate at very low supply voltages (0.6 V), which is crucial for low‐power printed electronics applications.
Engineering MoS2 Basal Planes for Hydrogen Evolution via Synergistic Ruthenium Doping and Nanocarbon Hybridization
Authors: Zhang Xing , Zhou Feng , Zhang Shen , Liang Yongye , Wang Ruihu
Published: March 2019

Promoting the intrinsic activity and accessibility of basal plane sites in 2D layered metal dichalcogenides is desirable to optimize their catalytic performance for energy conversion and storage. Herein, a core/shell structured hybrid catalyst, which features few‐layered ruthenium (Ru)‐doped molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets closely sheathing around multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT), for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is reported. With 5 at% (atomic percent) Ru substituting for Mo in MoS2, Ru‐MoS2/CNT achieves the optimum HER activity, which displays a small overpotential of 50 mV at −10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope of 62 mV dec−1 in 1 m KOH. Theoretical simulations reveal that Ru substituting for Mo in coordination with six S atoms is thermodynamically stable, and the in‐plane S atoms neighboring Ru dopants represent new active centers for facilitating water adsorption, dissociation, and hydrogen adsorption/desorption. This work provides a multiscale structural and electronic engineering strategy for synergistically enhancing the HER activity of transition metal dichalcogenides.
Vertically zeolitic imidazolate framework‐L coated mesh with dagger‐like structure for oil/water separation
Authors: Zhang Xuke , Li Hui , Miao Weizhen , Shen Qin , Wang Jing , Peng Donglai , Liu Jindun , Zhang Yatao
Published: March 2019

The novel functional superwettable materials for high‐efficiency oil/water separation are urgently required due to oil pollution in water body caused by oil tanker accidents, seabed oil production, and oil from refineries and petrochemical plants. Here, the superhydrophobic and superoleophilic zeolitic imidazolate framework‐L (ZIF‐L) mesh with antimicrobial effect was successfully fabricated by in‐situ growth, composed of vertically ZIF‐L with micro‐/nanodagger‐like structure and exhibited the water contact angle of 155.4 ± 1.8° and the oil contact angle of 0° in air. Furthermore, ZIF‐L was verified to have an excellent antimicrobial activity, which endowed ZIF‐L mesh with good antimicrobial performance. ZIF‐L mesh provided a permeation flux with 1.75 × 105 L m−2 hr−1 and 99.7% separation efficiency after 10 cycles operations for water mixtures with isooctane and presented optimal stability. Accordingly, the results demonstrated that ZIF‐L as a new material shows an attractive applied promise for oil/water separation in industry.
Liquid jet impaction on the single‐layer stainless steel wire mesh in a rotating packed bed reactor
Authors: Xu Ying‐Chun , Li Yan‐Bin , Liu Ya‐Zhao , Luo Yong , Chu Guang‐Wen , Zhang Liang‐Liang , Chen Jian‐Feng
Published: March 2019

Liquid flow behaviors in the packing zone of a rotating packed bed reactor significantly affect the mass transfer performance. However, the interaction between the rotating packing and liquid is still not clear, due to packing's complex structure. In this work, liquid jet impaction on a rotating single‐layer wire mesh was investigated to clarify the interaction and liquid flow behaviors after the impaction was observed and analyzed by visualization and simulation methods. Visual experiments showed that the interaction could be divided into the shearing action generated by vertical fibers and carrying action generated by horizontal fibers of wire mesh. A dimensionless number β was introduced as a criterion to evaluate the influence of these actions on the liquid dispersion. Simulation results agreed well with the experimental results of liquid dispersion. Dynamic liquid film behaviors on the fiber surface were further simulated and the average film thickness was 21–32 μm.
TUM–WelChem cell model for the prediction of liquid distribution in random packed columns
Authors: Hanusch Florian , Kender Robert , Engel Volker , Rehfeldt Sebastian , Klein Harald
Published: March 2019

Liquid maldistribution is one of the main deficiencies in random packed column design. Therefore, the knowledge of liquid distribution and its model‐based prediction is of great interest. This work aims to further develop and validate the TUM–WelChem Cell Model for random packed columns. First, cell dimension calculations and the determination of random packing element orientations are standardized. The original WelChem Cell Model applies a liquid distribution mechanism based on liquid spread factors derived by virtual 3D irrigation experiments. An extension of the model involves the implementation of liquid and gas load related distribution mechanisms, considering dispersion effects caused by liquid loading and the countercurrent gas flow. The wall flow is refined by an increase of packing porosity at the column wall. Liquid distribution profiles provided by the TUM–WelChem Cell Model are validated against experimental data and show good agreement for both uniform and point source initial liquid distribution.
Anisotropic membrane materials for gas separations
Authors: Restrepo‐Flórez Juan‐Manuel , Maldovan Martin
Published: March 2019

To date the design of membranes for gas separations has relied on isotropic materials that control the magnitude of mass flux. However, mass flux is a vector quantity and controlling its direction is essential for complete manipulation of diffusion processes. In this article, we show how anisotropic materials enable control of mass flux direction in membranes and allow for novel mechanisms for gas separation. We present a detailed study of the design parameters that control membrane selectivities and permeances and demonstrate that this new class of membranes can provide a new avenue to obtain significant improvements with respect to isotropic materials. We also discuss how the proposed anisotropic membranes can be constructed using isotropic materials. Mass diffusion principles for gas separations in anisotropic membranes are different from those in isotropic materials and this novel strategy for the design of membranes can open new opportunities in membrane separation processes.
Genotype–phenotype specificity in Menke–Hennekam syndrome caused by missense variants in exon 30 or 31 of CREBBP
Authors: Banka Siddharth , Sayer Rebecca , Breen Catherine , Barton Stephanie , Pavaine Julija , Sheppard Sarah E. , Bedoukian Emma , Skraban Cara , Cuddapah Vishnu A , Clayton‐Smith Jill
Published: March 2019

CREBBP loss‐of function variants cause Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RTS). There have been two separate reports of patients with missense variants in exon 30 or 31 of CREBBP in individuals lacking the characteristic facial and limb dysmorphism associated with RTS. Frequent features in this condition include variable intellectual disability, short stature, autistic behavior, microcephaly, feeding problems, epilepsy, recurrent upper airway infections, and mild hearing impairment. We report three further patients with de novo exon 31 CREBBP missense variants. The first individual has a c.5357G>A p. (Arg1786His) variant affecting the same codon as one of the previously described patients. Both these patients could be recognized by clinicians as mild RTS. Our second patient has a c.5602C>T p.(Arg1868Trp) variant that has been described in five other individuals who all share a strikingly similar phenotype. The third individual has a novel c.5354G>A p.(Cys1785Try) variant. Our reports expand the clinical spectrum to include ventriculomegaly, absent corpus callosum, staphyloma, cochlear malformations, and exomphalos. These additional cases also help to establish genotype–phenotype correlations in this disorder. After the first and last authors of the previous two reports, we propose to call this disorder “Menke–Hennekam syndrome” to establish it as a clinical entity distinct from RTS and to provide a satisfactory name for adoption by parents and professionals, thus facilitating appropriate clinical management and research.
Dental microwear texture analysis ofHomo sapienssapiens: Foragers, farmers, and pastoralists
Authors: Schmidt Christopher W. , Remy Ashley , Van Sessen Rebecca , Willman John , Krueger Kristin , Scott Rachel , Mahoney Patrick , Beach Jeremy , McKinley Jaqueline , D'Anastasio Ruggero , Chiu Laura , Buzon Michele , De Gregory J. Rocco , Sheridan Susan , Eng Jacqueline , Watson James , Klaus Haagen , Da‐Gloria Pedro , Wilson Jeremy , Stone Abigail , Sereno Paul , Droke Jessica , Perash Rose , Stojanowski Christopher , Herrmann Nicholas
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The current study seeks to determine if a sample of foragers, farmers, and pastoralists are distinguishable based on their dental microwear texture signatures.

Materials and methods

The study included a sample of 719 individuals from 51 archeological sites (450 farmers, 192 foragers, 77 pastoralists). All were over age 12 and sexes were pooled. Using a Sensofar® white‐light confocal profiler we collected dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) data from a single first or second molar from each individual. We leveled and cleaned data clouds following standard procedures and analyzed the data with Sfrax® and Toothfrax® software. The DMTA variables were complexity and anisotropy. Statistics included ANOVA with partial eta squared and Hedges's g. We also performed a follow‐up K‐means cluster analysis.

Results

We found significant differences between foragers and farmers and pastoralists for complexity and anisotropy, with foragers having greater complexity than either the farmers or the pastoralists. The farmers and pastoralists had greater anisotropy than the foragers. The Old World foragers had significantly higher anisotropy values than New World foragers. Old and New World farmers did not differ. Among the Old World farmers, those dating from the Neolithic through the Late Bronze Age had higher complexity values than those from the Iron Age through the medieval period. The cluster analysis discerned foragers and farmers but also indicated similarity between hard food foragers and hard food farmers.

Discussion

Our findings reaffirm that DMTA is capable of distinguishing human diets. We found that foragers and farmers, in particular, differ in their microwear signatures across the globe. There are some exceptions, but nothing that would be unexpected given the range of human diets and food preparation techniques. This study indicates that in general DMTA is an efficacious means of paleodietary reconstruction in humans.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Arylalkylation of Unactivated Alkenes
Authors: Jin Youxiang , Wang Chuan
Published: March 2019

Reported is an asymmetric reductive dicarbofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes. Under the catalysis of a Ni/BOX system, various aryl bromides, incorporating a pendant olefinic unit, were successfully reacted with an array of primary alkyl bromides in the presence of Zn as a reductant, furnishing a series of benzene‐fused cyclic compounds bearing a quaternary stereocenter in high enantioselectivities. Notably, this reaction avoids the use of pregenerated organometallics and demonstrates high tolerance of sensitive functionalities. The preliminary mechanistic investigations reveal that this Ni‐catalyzed reaction proceeds as a cascade consisting of migratory insertion and cross‐coupling with a nickel(I)‐mediated intramolecular 5‐exocyclization as the enantiodetermining step.
Enantioselective Synthesis of C−N Axially Chiral N‐Aryloxindoles by Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed Dual C−H Activation
Authors: Li Honghe , Yan Xiaoqiang , Zhang Jitan , Guo Weicong , Jiang Jijun , Wang Jun
Published: March 2019

The first enantioselective Satoh–Miura‐type reaction is reported. A variety of C−N axially chiral N‐aryloxindoles have been enantioselectively synthesized by an asymmetric rhodium‐catalyzed dual C−H activation reaction of N‐aryloxindoles and alkynes. High yields and enantioselectivities were obtained (up to 99 % yield and up to 99 % ee). To date, it is also the first example of the asymmetric synthesis of C−N axially chiral compounds by such a C−H activation strategy.
Intermolecular, Branch‐Selective, and Redox‐Neutral Cp*IrIII‐Catalyzed Allylic C−H Amidation
Authors: Knecht Tobias , Mondal Shobhan , Ye Jian‐Heng , Das Mowpriya , Glorius Frank
Published: March 2019

Herein, we report the redox‐neutral, intermolecular, and highly branch‐selective amidation of allylic C−H bonds enabled by Cp*IrIII catalysis. A variety of readily available carboxylic acids were converted into the corresponding dioxazolones and efficiently coupled with terminal and internal olefins in high yields and selectivities. Mechanistic investigations support the formation of a nucleophilic IrIII–allyl intermediate rather than the direct insertion of an Ir–nitrenoid species into the allylic C−H bond.
A Biocompatible Heterogeneous MOF–Cu Catalyst for In Vivo Drug Synthesis in Targeted Subcellular Organelles
Authors: Wang Faming , Zhang Yan , Liu Zhengwei , Du Zhi , Zhang Lu , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: March 2019

As a typical bioorthogonal reaction, the copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has been used for drug design and synthesis. However, for localized drug synthesis, it is important to be able to determine where the CuAAC reaction occurs in living cells. In this study, we constructed a heterogeneous copper catalyst on a metal–organic framework that could preferentially accumulate in the mitochondria of living cells. Our system enabled the localized synthesis of drugs through a site‐specific CuAAC reaction in mitochondria with good biocompatibility. Importantly, the subcellular catalytic process for localized drug synthesis avoided the problems of the delivery and distribution of toxic molecules. In vivo tumor therapy experiments indicated that the localized synthesis of resveratrol‐derived drugs led to greater antitumor efficacy and minimized side effects usually associated with drug delivery and distribution.
Synthesis of a new schiff base oxovanadium complex with melamine and 2‐hydroxynaphtaldehyde on modified magnetic nanoparticles as catalyst for allyl alcohols and olefins epoxidation
Authors: Farzaneh Faezeh , Asgharpour Zeinab
Published: March 2019

A new magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst designated as Fe3O4@SiO2@PTMS@Mel‐Naph‐VOcomplex was synthesize by covalent binding of a Schiff base ligand derived from melamine and 2‐hydroxy1naphtaldehyde on the surface of silica coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles followed by complexation with VO (acac)2. Characterization of the prepared nanocatalyst was accomplished with FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, VSM and atomic absorption techniques. It was found that the epoxidation of geraniol, trans‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, norbornene, and cyclooctene is highly selective, affording quantitative yields of the corresponding epoxides with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) using Fe3O4@SiO2@Mel‐Naph‐VOcomplex as catalyst. High reaction yields, short reaction times, simple experimental and work up procedure, catalyst stability and excellent reusability even after five‐cycles of usage in the case of geraniol are some advantages of this research.
Palladacyclopentadienyl complexes bearing purine‐based N‐heterocyclic carbenes: A new class of promising antiproliferative agents against human ovarian cancer
Authors: Scattolin Thomas , Giust Sonia , Bergamini Paola , Caligiuri Isabella , Canovese Luciano , Demitri Nicola , Gambari Roberto , Lampronti Ilaria , Rizzolio Flavio , Visentin Fabiano
Published: March 2019

A complete protocol for the synthesis of new palladacyclopentadienyl complexes with purine‐based carbenes as supporting ligands is described. The new organometallic compounds were exhaustively characterized using NMR and infrared spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of complex 2b coordinating also a triphenylphosphine was resolved. Some of these complexes showed an antiproliferative activity comparable to or better than that of cisplatin on two human ovarian cancer lines: A2780 (cisplatin‐sensitive) and A2780cis (cisplatin‐resistant). Moreover, for complexes 2 and 3 (coordinating one purine‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand and one phosphine) the cytotoxicity is associated with an evident induction of apoptosis. Finally, complexes 3, bearing one purine‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand and one 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane, proved practically inactive on non‐tumour fibroblast cells (MRC‐5).
Ferrocenyl amphiphilic Janus dendrimers as redox‐responsive micellar carriers
Authors: Mu Shengdong , Liu Wentao , Ling Qiangjun , Liu Xiong , Gu Haibin
Published: March 2019

Amphiphilic Janus dendrimers have attracted increasing attention due to their asymmetric structures and various functional properties compared to the conventional symmetric macromolecules. Herein, a novel ferrocenyl‐terminated amphiphilic Janus dendrimer containing nine hydrophilic triethylene glycol branches was synthesized by two synthetic routes, namely the typical chemo selective coupling method and the mixed modular approach. Chemical redox triggers, namely Fe2(SO4)3 as oxidant and ascorbic acid as reductant, could regulate the self‐assembly behavior of the Janus dendrimer in water through the redox‐switching between ferrocene and ferricinium cations, and the change of micelles formed were investigated and confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The cargo‐loading property of the micelles self‐assembled by the Janus dendrimer was further proved by the successful fabrication of Rhodamine B (RhB)‐loaded micelles, and the oxidation‐triggered release behavior of the encapsulated RhB could be mediated by changing the concentration of oxidants. This work provides an effective approach to prepare ferrocenyl‐terminated amphiphilic Janus dendrimers and the self‐assembled micelles might be used as a promising molecular carrier in areas such as drug delivery and catalysis.
Iron‐catalyzed one‐pot oxidation/Knoevenagel condensation reaction using air as an oxidant
Authors: Huang Lu‐Shan , Lai Yi‐Huan , Yang Cheng , Xu Da‐Zhen
Published: March 2019

A green and highly efficient iron‐catalyzed one‐pot oxidation/Knoevenagel tandem reaction for the synthesis of α, β‐unsaturated nitriles from secondary alcohols and malononitrile has been achieved. The reaction performed under mild conditions with air as an oxidant, and provided the corresponding oxidation/Knoevenagel prudocts in good to excellent yields within short times avoiding the use of noble metal catalysts and bases. Remarkably, water is the only byproduct in this methodology. The reaction could be performed on a gram scale under the standard reaction conditions.
Fabrication of rubber gel as oil absorbent by using water as porosity agent for oil removal
Authors: Mustapa M. Hilman , Musbah Diana Liza , Sulaiman Nik Muslihuddin Nik , Lazim Azwan Mat
Published: March 2019

Oil pollution is a crucial issue that has adversed impact not only on the environment but also human beings. As an alternative to all conventional approaches, a porous rubber gel based on liquid natural rubber (LNR) with excellent hydrophobic and wettability properties has been developed using a simple vulcanization reaction. To determine their sorption capability, LNR gel was employed for absorption of various types of oils such as Petrol A, Petrol B, kerosene, diesel, crude oil, and olive oil. The functionality of LNR gel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the morphology of LNR gel was observed using a scanning electron microscope. By combining wettability and hydrophobicity, the LNR gel exhibited high oil sorption capacity and selectivity for oil removal from water. The LNR gel was able to absorb oils, especially the low viscosity types. Besides, it can also be reused up to 20 cycles while maintaining its oil sorption performance. The selective absorbent shows the recovery of petrol in the range of 96–99% by squeezing the oil. Thus, LNR gel has great potential as green material for cleaning up oil contaminants on a large scale. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47749.