bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward High‐Performance Hybrid Zn‐Based Batteries via Deeply Understanding Their Mechanism and Using Electrolyte Additive
Authors: Hao Junnan , Long Jun , Li Bo , Li Xiaolong , Zhang Shilin , Yang Fuhua , Zeng Xiaohui , Yang Zhanhong , Pang Wei Kong , Guo Zaiping
Published: June 2019

Aqueous hybrid Zn‐based batteries (ZIBs), as a highly promising alternative to lithium‐ion batteries for grid application, have made considerable progress recently. However, few studies have been reported that investigate their working mechanism in detail. Here, the operando synchrotron X‐ray diffraction is employed to thoroughly investigate the operational mechanism of a hybrid LiFePO4(LFP)/Zn battery, which indicates only Li+ extraction/insertion from/into cathode during cycling. Based on this system, a cheap electrolyte additive, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, is proposed to effectively enhance its electrochemical properties. The influence of the additive on the Zn anode and LFP cathode is comprehensively studied, respectively. The results show that the additive modifies the intrinsic deposit pattern of Zn2+ ions, rendering Zn plating/stripping highly reversible in an aqueous medium. On the other hand, the wettability of the LFP electrode is visibly a meliorated by introducing the surfactant additive, accelerating the Li‐ion diffusion at the LFP electrode/electrolyte interface, as indicated by the overpotential measurements. Benefiting from these effects, the Zn/LFP batteries deliver high rate capability and cycling stability in both coin cells and pouch cells.
Flat Boron: A New Cousin of Graphene
Authors: Xie Sheng‐Yi , Wang Yeliang , Li Xian‐Bin
Published: June 2019

The mechanical exfoliation of graphene from graphite provides the cornerstone for the synthesis of other 2D materials with layered bulk structures, such as hexagonal boron nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and so on. However, the experimental production of 2D flat boron is challenging because bulk boron has very complex spatial structures and a rich variety of chemical properties. Therefore, the realization of 2D flat boron marks a milestone for the synthesis of 2D materials without layered bulk structures. The historical efforts in this field, particularly the most recent experimental progress, such as the growth of 2D flat boron on a metal substrate by chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy, or liquid exfoliation from bulk boron, are described.
Biomimetic Nanotechnology toward Personalized Vaccines
Authors: Zhou Jiarong , Kroll Ashley V. , Holay Maya , Fang Ronnie H. , Zhang Liangfang
Published: June 2019

While traditional approaches for disease management in the era of modern medicine have saved countless lives and enhanced patient well‐being, it is clear that there is significant room to improve upon the current status quo. For infectious diseases, the steady rise of antibiotic resistance has resulted in super pathogens that do not respond to most approved drugs. In the field of cancer treatment, the idea of a cure‐all silver bullet has long been abandoned. As a result of the challenges facing current treatment and prevention paradigms in the clinic, there is an increasing push for personalized therapeutics, where plans for medical care are established on a patient‐by‐patient basis. Along these lines, vaccines, both against bacteria and tumors, are a clinical modality that could benefit significantly from personalization. Effective vaccination strategies could help to address many challenging disease conditions, but current vaccines are limited by factors such as a lack of potency and antigenic breadth. Recently, researchers have turned toward the use of biomimetic nanotechnology as a means of addressing these hurdles. Recent progress in the development of biomimetic nanovaccines for antibacterial and anticancer applications is discussed, with an emphasis on their potential for personalized medicine.
Soft, Skin‐Interfaced Microfluidic Systems with Passive Galvanic Stopwatches for Precise Chronometric Sampling of Sweat
Authors: Bandodkar Amay J. , Choi Jungil , Lee Stephen P. , Jeang William J. , Agyare Prophecy , Gutruf Philipp , Wang Siqing , Sponenburg Rebecca A. , Reeder Jonathan T. , Schon Stephanie , Ray Tyler R. , Chen Shulin , Mehta Sunita , Ruiz Savanna , Rogers John A.
Published: June 2019

Comprehensive analysis of sweat chemistry provides noninvasive health monitoring capabilities that complement established biophysical measurements such as heart rate, blood oxygenation, and body temperature. Recent developments in skin‐integrated soft microfluidic systems address many challenges associated with standard technologies in sweat collection and analysis. However, recording of time‐dependent variations in sweat composition requires bulky electronic systems and power sources, thereby constraining form factor, cost, and modes of use. Here, presented are unconventional design concepts, materials, and device operation principles that address this challenge. Flexible galvanic cells embedded within skin‐interfaced microfluidics with passive valves serve as sweat‐activated “stopwatches” that record temporal information associated with collection of discrete microliter volumes of sweat. The result allows for precise measurements of dynamic sweat composition fluctuations using in situ or ex situ analytical techniques. Integrated electronics based on near‐field communication (NFC) protocols or docking stations equipped with standard electronic measurement tools provide means for extracting digital timing results from the stopwatches. Human subject studies of time‐stamped sweat samples by in situ colorimetric methods and ex situ techniques based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP‐MS) and chlorodimetry illustrate the ability to quantitatively capture time‐dynamic sweat chemistry in scenarios compatible with field use.
Rubbery Electronics Fully Made of Stretchable Elastomeric Electronic Materials
Authors: Sim Kyoseung , Rao Zhoulyu , Ershad Faheem , Yu Cunjiang
Published: June 2019

Stretchable electronics outperform existing rigid and bulky electronics and benefit a wide range of species, including humans, machines, and robots, whose activities are associated with large mechanical deformation and strain. Due to the nonstretchable nature of most electronic materials, in particular semiconductors, stretchable electronics are mostly realized through the strategies of architectural engineering to accommodate mechanical stretching rather than imposing strain into the materials directly. On the other hand, recent development of stretchable electronics by creating them entirely from stretchable elastomeric electronic materials, i.e., rubbery electronics, suggests a feasible a venue. Rubbery electronics have gained increasing interest due to the unique advantages that they and their associated manufacturing technologies have offered. This work reviews the recent progress in developing rubbery electronics, including the crucial stretchable elastomeric materials of rubbery conductors, rubbery semiconductors, and rubbery dielectrics. Thereafter, various rubbery electronics such as rubbery transistors, integrated electronics, rubbery optoelectronic devices, and rubbery sensors are discussed.
An Organic Afterglow Protheranostic Nanoassembly
Authors: He Shasha , Xie Chen , Jiang Yuyan , Pu Kanyi
Published: June 2019

Cancer theranostics holds potential promise for precision medicine; however, most existing theranostic nanoagents are simply developed by doping both therapeutic agents and imaging agent into one particle entity, and thus have an “always‐on” pharmaceutical effect and imaging signals regardless of their in vivo location. Herein, the development of an organic afterglow protheranostic nanoassembly (APtN) that specifically activates both the pharmaceutical effect and diagnostic signals in response to a tumor‐associated chemical mediator (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) is reported. APtN comprises an amphiphilic macromolecule and a near‐infrared (NIR) dye acting as the H2O2‐responsive afterglow prodrug and the afterglow initiator, respectively. Such a molecular architecture allows APtN to passively target tumors in living mice, specifically release the anticancer drug in the tumor, and spontaneously generate the uncaged afterglow substrate. Upon NIR light preirradiation, the afterglow initiator generates singlet oxygen to react and subsequently transform the uncaged afterglow substrate into an active self‐luminescent form. Thus, the intensity of generated afterglow luminescence is correlated with the drug release status, permitting real‐time in vivo monitoring of prodrug activation. This study proposes a background‐free design strategy toward activatable cancer theranostics.
Low Optical Loss Amplified Spontaneous Emission and Lasing in a Solution‐Processed Organic Semiconductor
Authors: Zhou Xuehong , Liu Linlin , Xu Tao , Liu Wangwang , Wang Rong , Yu Huakang , Jiang Xiao‐Fang , Ma Yuguang
Published: June 2019

Meeting the challenges of realizing organic electrically pumped laser, low threshold gain materials with minimum optical loss are highly demanded, especially those with insignificant nonradiative processes during lasing. Herein, the low optical loss amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and high Q‐factor (2,700) lasing are discovered in a solution‐processed benzothiadiazole‐cored multifluorene derivative. The excellent lasing properties of this molecule inspire to focus on the origin of its intrinsic optical loss. The ultrafast time‐resolved spectroscopy studies reveal that the low intrinsic optical loss originates from a relatively “simple” excited state interaction including just singlet–singlet absorption and stimulated emission, excluding additional loss processes such as intermolecular charge‐separation and triplet–triplet absorption that are detrimental to achieve high quality lasing. Quantitative descriptions on ASE process are also discussed based on both transient absorption spectra and transient photoluminescence spectra. This study shows new options and deeper understanding for designing low threshold gain materials.
Violence Exposure and Sexual Risk Behaviors for African American Adolescent Girls: The Protective Role of Natural Mentorship and Organizational Religious Involvement
Authors: Hope Meredith O. , Lee Daniel B. , Hsieh Hsing‐Fang , Hurd Noelle M. , Sparks Haley L. , Zimmerman Marc A.
Published: June 2019

Highlights

Violence exposure adversely implicates sexual health behaviors among African American girls.

Religiosity and mentorship can offset the effect of violence exposure on sexual risk behaviors.

Culturally relevant contexts shape adolescent health behaviors and promote resilience.
Association between chronic rhinosinusitis and osteoporosis: a case‐control study using a national sample cohort
Authors: Choi Hyo Geun , Kong Gyu
Published: June 2019

Background

The purpose of this study was to further clarify the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and osteoporosis in a Korean population.

Methods

The Korean National Health Insurance Service‒National Sample Cohort, with subjects ≥50 years old, was assessed for the time period 2002‐2013. In total, 68,459 osteoporosis participants were matched with 68,459 control participants at a ratio of 1:1 with respect to age, sex, income group, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We analyzed previous histories of CRS with/without nasal polyp in the osteoporosis and control groups. CRS and osteoporosis were included using codes from the International Classification of Diseases―tenth edition and claim codes. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed using conditional logistic regression analyses. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex.

Results

The rate of CRS with/without nasal polyp was higher in the osteoporosis group (3.0% [2078 of 68,459]) compared with the control group (2.0% [1344 of 68,459]) (p < 0.001). The adjusted OR of CRS with/without nasal polyp was 1.47 (95% CI, 1.37‐1.58; p < 0.001) in the osteoporosis group. The results of the subgroup analyses were consistent.

Conclusion

The ORs of CRS were increased in osteoporosis participants. This relation was consistent in all age and sex groups.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in the management of adult chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Smith Timothy L. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Mace Jess C. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Beswick Daniel M. , DeConde Adam S. , Detwiller Kara Y. , Mattos Jose L. , Soler Zachary M.
Published: June 2019

Background

There is a striking lack of long‐term, prospective outcomes data for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using validated instruments. Our primary objective in this study was to report long‐term outcomes (>10 years) after ESS for CRS obtained by prospective data collection.

Methods

An observational cohort (n = 59) of adult patients with CRS electing ESS was enrolled between 2004 and 2008. Long‐term, disease‐specific quality‐of‐life (QOL) outcomes, health utility values (HUV), revision surgery rate, development of asthma, and patient expectations/satisfaction with outcomes of ESS were examined using descriptive statistics and simple fixed‐effects linear modeling.

Results

Fifty‐nine adult patients were followed for 10.9 years (±13.8 months), on average. Mean QOL significantly improved between baseline and 6 months and remained durable to 10 years. HUV improved to normal. A 17% revision surgery rate within the 10‐year follow‐up period was observed with a 25% revision rate in CRS with polyposis. New‐onset asthma after ESS occurred at a rate of 0.8%/year. Patient satisfaction with ESS outcomes was generally high.

Conclusions

Ten‐year prospective outcomes of ESS for CRS demonstrate that the initial clinically significant improvements in QOL seen 6 months postoperatively are durable over the long term. Over 75% of patients reported clinically significant long‐term QOL and HUV improvement. HUV returned to normal. Revision surgery rate was 17% and worse postoperative endoscopy scores within 18 months of initial ESS were associated with higher likelihood of revision surgery. Most patients would pursue ESS again and recommend the procedure to other patients considering this treatment option.
Functionalized Cu‐MOF@CNT Hybrid: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Applicability in Supercapacitors
Authors: Ansari Shagufi Naz , Saraf Mohit , Gupta Anoop K. , Mobin Shaikh M.
Published: June 2019

The synthesis of a metal–organic framework (MOF) named IITI‐1 is reported by employing an H2L linker with Cu(NO3)2⋅3 H2O in a mixed solvent system of N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) and H2O. Further, in order to explore the energy storage application of IITI‐1, a IITI‐1/CNT hybrid was prepared by a simple ultrasonication technique. Incorporation of a carbon nanotube (CNT) in the layered IITI‐1 MOF gave rise to enhanced electrolyte accessibility along with improved electrochemical storage capacity. The electrochemical investigations reveal a high specific capacitance (380 F g−1 at 1.6 A g−1) with a good rate performance for IITI‐1/CNT. The IITI‐1 MOF and the IITI‐1/CNT composite were characterized by PXRD, BET, SEM, and TEM techniques. Moreover, IITI‐1 MOF was also confirmed by single‐crystal XRD analysis.
Divulging the effect of small perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces in the photogravitational version of autonomous restricted four‐body problem with oblate primary
Authors: Suraj Md Sanam , Asique Md Chand , Mittal Amit , Aggarwal Rajiv
Published: June 2019

In the present problem, we have studied the effect of small perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces on the locations and stability of libration points by taking the smaller primary as radiating oblate spheroid in the restricted four‐body problem. We have supposed that all the primaries are set in an equilateral triangle configuration, moving in circular orbit around their common center of mass. We have observed that the oblateness and radiation of the third primary, and the effect of the small perturbation in centrifugal force have substantial influences on the locations of libration points but the effect of the small perturbation in the Coriolis force has no impact on their locations. However, the stability of the libration points is highly influenced by the effect of the small perturbation in the Coriolis force. Furthermore, it is obtained that the effect of the small perturbation in the centrifugal force has a substantial influence on the regions of possible motion. In addition, we have also discussed how the oblateness and radiation pressure of the third primary, and the small perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces influence geometry of the basins of convergence by using multivariate version of the Newton–Raphson iterative scheme.
Density Functional Theory Calculations of Geometrical and Electronic Properties of Neutral and Charged Silicon Oxide Clusters
Authors: Bae Gyun‐Tack
Published: June 2019

We investigate neutral and charged silicon oxide clusters (Si
nO
n, n = 1–7) using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. For searching a local minimum structure of neutral, cationic, and anionic silicon oxide clusters, ab initio Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are used. Local minimum structures founded from simulations are again calculated using DFT calculations to find a global minimum structure. Relative energies based on total energy differences between the most stable structure and the possible isomers obtained from the calculation are reported. For studying structural properties of silicon oxide clusters, the PBE functional is used with DGDZVP and CEP‐121G* basis sets. These basis sets are compared with each other and with the DGDZVP and 6–311 + G* basis sets, which are also compared with each other in terms of their electronic properties. Thus, the PBE/DGDZVP model is the best choice for large silicon oxide clusters calculations. Examinations are performed on the SiO distances, Si‐O‐Si average bond angles, atomization energies per atom, second difference in energies, HOMO–LUMO gaps, adiabatic ionization potentials, and adiabatic electron affinities. All calculations use Gaussian09 program.
Class III Polyphosphate Kinase 2 Enzymes Catalyze the Pyrophosphorylation of Adenosine‐5′‐Monophosphate
Authors: Ogawa Marin , Uyeda Atsuko , Harada Kazuo , Sato Yu , Kato Yasuhiko , Watanabe Hajime , Honda Kohsuke , Matsuura Tomoaki
Published: June 2019

Polyphosphate kinase 2 (PPK2) transfer phosphate from inorganic polyphosphate to nucleotides. According to their activity, PPK2 enzymes are classified into three groups. Among them, class III enzymes catalyze both the phosphorylation of nucleotide mono‐ to diphosphates and di‐ to triphosphates by using polyphosphate, which is a very inexpensive substrate. Therefore, class III enzymes are very attractive for use in biotechnological applications. Despite several studies on class III enzymes, a detailed mechanism of how phosphate is transferred from the polyphosphate to the nucleotide remains to be elucidated. Herein, it is reported that PPK2 class III enzymes from two different bacterial species catalyze the phosphorylation of adenosine mono‐ (AMP) into triphosphate (ATP) not only through step‐by‐step phosphorylation, but also by pyrophosphorylation. These are the first PPK2 enzymes that have been shown to possess polyphosphate‐dependent pyrophosphorylation activity.
Presence of Potential G‐Quadruplex RNA‐Forming Motifs at the 5′‐UTR of PP2Acα mRNA Repress Translation
Authors: Pany Sushree Prangya P. , Sapra Mahak , Sharma Jitendar , Dhamodharan V. , Patankar Swati , Pradeepkumar P. I.
Published: June 2019

RNA G‐quadruplex (G4)‐forming motifs present at the 5′‐UTR of the protein phosphatase (PP2Ac) gene are the regulatory targets of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is weakly expressed in Fragile X patients. Herein, we report that the existence of such G4‐forming sequence represses the translation of the PP2Acα gene. This study opens therapeutic avenues to design small molecule ligands that mimic the function of the FMRP.
Eating fish in another way: Development of functional pasta with added concentrates of farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Calanche Juan , Beltrán Hector , Marquina Pedro , Roncalés Pedro , Beltrán José A.
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives

Due to its nutritional properties and a raising awareness of healthy eating, fish consumption has increased. There is a need to produce attractive foods, and pasta is a good vehicle for developing functional foods. With this aim, this research developed traditional pastas with added concentrates of flesh and skin from aquaculture seabass (nondegreased fish concentrate) to improve both their sensory and nutritional properties.

Findings

Nutritional and sensory improvements were achieved in new pastas developed with nondegreased fish concentrates consisting of pasta made with fish fillet and skins. They showed higher amounts of fat and ash with an important enrichment in unsaturated fatty acids.

Conclusions

The pastas developed were stable due to their low water activity (<0.85), and they had high protein quantities (≥17%) and moderate fat amounts (3%–6%) being an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially EPA (>1%) and DHA (>2.5%), according to fatty acid profiles.

Significance and novelty

This work definitely suggests that incorporation of dried nondegreased fish concentrates will result in improvement of nutritional quality of pasta in terms of higher protein and balance of omega 6/3 fatty acids. This approach could be used to avail the health benefits of fish concentrate additions to pasta as a functional food and provide an alternative way to consume fish.
Cubic Palladium Nanorattles with Solid Octahedron Gold Core for Catalysis and Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Singh Prem , Sonika  , Gangadharan Pranav K. , Khan Ziyauddin , Kurungot Sreekumar , Jaiswal Amit
Published: June 2019

Herein, we report the synthesis of palladium nanorattles (Au‐Pd NRTs) comprising of a gold octahedral core caged within a thin porous cubic palladium shell. The introduction of core‐shell and porous architecture was realized by combining seed mediated and galvanic replacement reaction techniques. Next, we examined the catalytic efficiency of the nanocatalyst in comparison with solid palladium nanocube (Pd‐NC) of similar size for the degradation of p‐nitrophenol and organic dyes. The rate constant of Au‐Pd NRTs was found nearly 12 times higher than the Pd‐NCs. Further, we exploited our catalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and observed its high intrinsic ORR activity. Compared with commercialized Pt/C, the Au‐Pd NRT displayed nearly comparable onset and half‐wave potential values and excellent durability upon potential cycling. The system level validation in a single‐cell mode of alkaline exchange membrane fuel cell also confirms the efficiency of the present catalyst to serve as a potential cathode catalyst for realistic device applications.
Heat Exchangeability of a Catalytic Plate Reactor and Analysis of the Reactivity of Steam and CO2 in Methane Reforming
Authors: Fukuda Takashi , Harada Makoto Ryo , Miyazawa Akira
Published: June 2019

An assemble‐type plate reactor was developed and its intensified heat transfer compared to that of a conventional tubular reactor in methane reforming was confirmed. This characteristic enables accurate reaction kinetic analysis because of quasi‐isothermal operation with mild pressure loss. Reduced experiment cost is one of the features of the assemble‐type reactor. Simple thermal design equations applicable to plate reactors were also assessed. From experiments and accurate reaction analysis using the plate reactor it is suggested that H2O and CO2 have similar reactivity for a commercial Ni/α‐Al2O3 catalyst. The partial pressure of the oxidizing agent had much more influence on the reactivity of methane reforming than the species of this agent.
Product Design and Engineering in Chemical Engineering: Past, Present State, and Future
Authors: Uhlemann Jens , Costa Raquel , Charpentier Jean-Claude
Published: June 2019

Product design and engineering (PDE), originally heralded as a new paradigm of chemical engineering, aims to define new and/or improved products based on customer needs and/or new technologies. A comprehensive discussion of PDE as a building block for chemical engineering education, research, and practice is still lacking, preventing a broader impact on academic and industry realities more and more concerned with the “knowledge economy”. The purpose of the present paper was to contribute to the mitigation of this gap by presenting the results of the EFCE Section Group PDE survey based on PDE academia and industry expert and practitioner feedback as well as on a literature review. Status and challenges of PDE are discussed and academic and industry perspectives are mapped.
Investigation of Dimethyl Carbonate and Propylene Carbonate Mixtures for LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2‐Li4Ti5O12 Cells
Authors: Björklund Erik , Göttlinger Mara , Edström Kristina , Brandell Daniel , Younesi Reza
Published: June 2019

It has recently been shown that ethylene carbonate (EC) experience poor stability at high potentials in lithium‐ion batteries, and development of electrolytes without EC, not least using ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), has therefore been suggested in order to improve the capacity retention. In this context, we here explore another alternative electrolyte system consisting of propylene carbonate (PC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) mixtures in NMC‐LTO (LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2, Li4Ti5O12) cells cycled up to 2.95 V. While PC experience wettability problems and DMC has difficulties dissolving LiPF6 salt, blends between these could possess complementary properties. The electrolyte blend showed superior cycling performance at sub‐zero temperatures compared to EC‐containing counterparts. At 30 °C, however, the PC‐DMC electrolyte did not show any major improvement in electrochemical properties for the NMC‐LTO cell chemistry. Photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed that thin surface layers were detected on both NMC (622) and LTO electrodes in all investigated electrolytes. The results suggest that both PC and EC will react on the electrodes, but with EC forming thinner layers comprising more carbonates. Moreover, the electrochemical stability at high electrochemical potentials is similar for the studied electrolytes, which is surprising considering that most are free from the reactive EC component.
Bottom‐Up Characterization and Self‐Assembly of Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Active Ruthenium Nanospheres
Authors: Danis Andrew S. , Metera Kimberly L. , Payne Nicholas A. , Sleiman Hanadi F. , Mauzeroll Janine
Published: June 2019

An approach to electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) signal enhancement, utilizing the highly tailorable ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to generate novel ECL active nanoscale structures is explored. The strategy involves integrating into a single polymer multiple copies of an analogue of the established ECL luminophore, tris(2,2’‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+). Through the addition of hydrophobic and hydrophilic functional groups to the polymer architecture, these ECL active block copolymers are engineered to self‐assemble when exposed to aqueous environments. Self‐assembled ruthenium nanospheres generated through this methodology were found to demonstrate drastic signal amplification properties compared to their non‐assembled polymer counterparts. Characterization methodologies conducted throughout the bottom‐up synthesis of the nanospheres, utilizing the ECL reference of Ru(bpy)32+, facilitated investigating the origins of the nanosphere's signal enhancement.
Flockungsmittel zur Entfernung von Mikroplastik aus industriellen Abwässern
Authors: Gilbert Eva Marianne , Eckes Heinz‐Ludwig
Published: June 2019

Mikroplastik kann durch Abwasserströme in Gewässer gelangen. Diese umweltgefährdenden Kunststoffpartikel werden in immer mehr Gewässern sowie in Nahrungsmitteln und in aquatischen Lebewesen gefunden. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojekts EmiStop wurden daher Flockungsmittel zur gezielten Entfernung von Mikroplastik aus industriellen Abwässern entwickelt. Die Flockung von Polyethylen, Polyvinylchlorid und Polyamid wurde für neun verschiedene Kombinationen aus anorganischen und organischen Koagulierungs‐ und Flockungsmitteln sowohl in Reinwasser als auch in Industrieabwassermatrizen untersucht.
Umkehrosmose und Chlordioxid: Einflüsse auf die Prozessperformance und bedarfsgerechte Dosage
Authors: Hager Simon , Henrichs Elia , Hofmann Thomas , Glas Karl
Published: June 2019

In der Literatur sind konträre Auswirkungen einer Chlordioxid‐Dosage auf die Performance von Polyamidmembranen im Entsalzungsprozess beschrieben. Die Gründe der gegensätzlichen Ergebnisse bleiben jedoch unklar. Mit dieser Studie wurden Einflüsse auf die Prozessperformance unter praxisrelevanten Bedingungen aufgezeigt, und daraus abgeleitet, wann Chlordioxid förderlich für den Prozess ist und an welchem Parameter der Bedarf orientiert werden kann.
Abwasserreinigung in der Milchindustrie
Authors: Hackner Torsten , Pohlers Thomas
Published: June 2019

Abwässer aus milchverarbeitenden Betrieben sind je nach Endprodukten durch hohe Fettgehalte und inhomogene Nährstoffgleichgewichte gekennzeichnet. Gleichzeitig ist deren Aufbereitung an die am jeweiligen Standort gegebenen Anforderungen gekoppelt, d. h. je nach Auslastung der kommunalen Abwasserreinigung kann das Abwasser zur Aufbereitung in der kommunalen Kläranlage indirekt abgegeben werden, muss auf dem Betriebs‐ oder Kläranlagengelände vorbehandelt werden oder ist durch den Industriebetrieb einer Vollbehandlung zu unterziehen. Neben diesen behördlichen Anforderungen spielen Kosten und Wirtschaftlichkeit für Industriebetriebe eine bedeutende Rolle. Die Erarbeitung einer kundenspezifischen Lösung zur Direkt‐ und Indirekteinleitung wird anhand eines Beispiels dargestellt.
Fragment Growing to Design Optimized Inhibitors for Human Blood Group B Galactosyltransferase (GTB)
Authors: Strecker Claas , Peters Hannelore , Hackl Thomas , Peters Thomas , Meyer Bernd
Published: June 2019

Human blood group B galactosyltransferase (GTB) catalyzes the galactosylation of the H antigen and is responsible for the formation of the blood group antigen of phenotype B. The ABO blood group system is well studied and routinely serotyped before transfusion and transplantation. Blood type subgroups have been repeatedly linked to an increased occurrence of diseases (e.g., a highly increased incidence rate for pancreatic cancer for individuals with blood group phenotype B). 3‐Phenyl‐5‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazole 1 has previously been described to inhibit GTB with a Ki value of 800 μm. In this work, we describe a computer‐guided fragment‐growing approach for the optimization of this fragment that was subsequently realized by synthesizing the most promising ligands. Enlarging the phenyl moiety of fragment 1 to a naphthyl moiety resulted in ligand 3‐(naphthalene‐1‐yl)‐5‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazole 2 a, which shows a threefold improvement in binding affinity (Ki=271 μm).
Race, breast cancer, and prognosis: Where biology is queen?
Authors: Meisel Jane L. , O'Regan Ruth M.
Published: June 2019

Even when socioeconomic variables are optimally controlled for, outcomes for black women with breast cancer were still worse than outcomes for white women in this single‐institution study. This highlights the aggressive disease biology present in many black women with breast cancer and serves as a call to action to work harder to discover new and better treatments for this population.
Neural network–based leaf classification using machine learning
Authors: Palanisamy Tamilselvi , Sadayan Geetha , Pathinetampadiyan Nagasankar
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the leaf image data set is taken for classification. The process is done as image pre‐processing, image segmentation, feature extraction, and image classification. The segmentation is done on colours. The K‐Means clustering is applied to group the similar colour pixels. In total, three sub‐images are created as an output of segmentation. In total, three classes are considered for the process. Data set with 70 leaf images is considered for the classification process. The data set are classified as yellow‐based leaves, brown‐based leaves, and green‐dominated leaves. In this, the first two classes are considered as infected, based on the colours, and the third class is an uninfected collection of leaves. Seven different Neural Networks are constructed for classification process using MATLAB. Their performances are evaluated using the confusion matrices. From the outcome of confusion matrix, it is clear that the Regression Neural Network and Radial Bias Neural Network are better classifiers out of the seven architectures.
π‐Expanded Thioxanthones – Engineering the Triplet Level of Thioxanthone Sensitizers for Lanthanide‐Based Luminescent Probes with Visible Excitation
Authors: Dansholm Charlotte Nybro , Junker Anne Kathrine R. , Nielsen Lea G. , Kofod Nicolaj , Pal Robert , Sørensen Thomas Just
Published: June 2019

Bright lanthanide based probes for optical bioimaging must rely on the antenna principle, where the lanthanide‐centred excited state is formed by a complex sensitization process. Efficient sensitization of lanthanide‐centred emission occurs via triplet states centred on the sensitizing chromophore. Here, the triplet state of thioxanthone chromophores is modulated by extending the π‐system. Three thioxanthone chromophores‐thioxanthone, benzo[c]thioxanthone, and naphtho[2,3‐c]thioxanthone were synthesised and characterised. The triplet state energies and lifetimes is found to change as expected, and two dyes are found to be suitable sensitizers for europium(iii) luminescence. Reactive derivatives of thioxanthone and benzo[c]thioxanthone were prepared and coupled to a 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid (DO3A) lanthanide binding pocket. The photophysics and the performance in optical bioimaging of the resulting europium(iii) complexes were investigated. It is concluded that while the energetics favour efficient sensitization, the solution structure does not. While it was found that the complexes are too lipophilic to be efficient luminescent probes for optical bioimaging, we successfully demonstrated bioimaging using europium(iii) luminescence following 405 nm excitation.
An Analysis of Follow‐On Development in New Drug Classes, January 1986–June 2018
Authors: Lanthier Michael L. , Kerr Kirk W. , Miller Kathleen L.
Published: June 2019

Follow‐on drugs—new medicines approved within an established drug class—provide incremental treatment improvements, additional choices for clinicians and patients, and potential price competition. We examine the timing, quantity, and product characteristics of within‐class drug approvals for new drug classes approved by the US Food and Drug Administration since January 1986. We find that nearly two‐thirds of first‐in‐class drugs do not face a subsequent follow‐on product. Follow‐on innovation within a drug class was more common and occurred more rapidly in the 1990s than during the 2000s. We also find that fewer drug classes have multiple competitors entering the market during the 2000s. First‐in‐class drugs treating rare disorders experienced lower rates of follow‐on entry than drugs treating common medical conditions. The decreased pace of follow‐on development likely results from greater industry focus on rare diseases and increasing reimbursement pressure on products lacking clear advantages over existing products.
Radar studies of ionospheric dusty plasma phenomena
Authors: Mann I. , Gunnarsdottir T. , Häggström I. , Eren S. , Tjulin A. , Myrvang M. , Rietveld M. , Dalin P. , Jozwicki D. , Trollvik H.
Published: June 2019

We discuss the influence of charged dust on radar observations in the Earth ionosphere. This region in the upper Earth atmosphere can be described as a partially ionized, low‐temperature plasma. Plasma parameters vary by orders of magnitude spatially and in time. Dust particles influence the charge balance, in some cases dusty plasma condition is met. The polar mesospheric echoes are an example of dust plasma interactions observed with radar. The mesosphere is a region where atmospheric temperature decreases with altitude and can reach frost point temperature. The formation of the polar mesospheric radar echoes involves neutral atmosphere dynamics, which is latitude dependent and it involves charged dust particles, especially icy dust that forms in the polar summer mesosphere. Charged dust can also influence incoherent scatter that results from electromagnetic waves scattering off electrons, where the electrons are coupled to other charged components. Observers rarely report charged dust signatures in the incoherent scatter spectra; we show that there is a good chance for doing so with improved observations. The incoherent scatter can possibly also be used to estimate the amount of charged dust in the direct vicinity of a meteor, as we show based on the order of magnitude considerations. This prospect of new observational results makes theoretical investigations of radio‐wave scattering in the presence of charged dust with size distributions worthwhile.
Circulating TNF receptors 1 and 2 predict progression of diabetic kidney disease: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Ye Xiaoqi , Luo Ting , Wang Kanran , Wang Yue , Yang Shumin , Li Qifu , Hu Jinbo
Published: June 2019

Background

We conducted a meta‐analysis to investigate the association of circulating tumor necrosis factor‐1 (TNFR‐1) and TNFR‐2 with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression, which is the first‐ever quantitative analysis of these associations thus far. Whether TNFRs were better than albumin‐creatinine ratio (ACR) in predicting DKD progression was also explored.

Methods

A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases up to 1 February 2018, was conducted. The main outcome was DKD progression, which was defined as eGFR decline, macroalbuminuria, or incidence of DKD‐related events. Eligible studies were included for pooled analysis using either fixed‐effects or random‐effects models to incorporate between‐study variation by different measurement standards. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test.

Results

The meta‐analysis included 6526 participants from 11 cohorts with circulating TNFR‐1 measurements and 5385 participants from 10 prospective studies with circulating TNFR‐2 measurements. Compared with the lowest level category, diabetic patients with the highest TNFR‐1 or TNFR‐2 level category exhibited a higher risk of DKD progression (RR 2.51, 95% CI [1.92‐3.27] for TNFR‐1; 3.23 [1.99‐5.26] for TNFR‐2). The risk of DKD progression was also increased with the per unit increment of TNFR‐1 or TNFR‐2 (1.68 [1.43‐1.97] for TNFR‐1; 1.69 [1.31‐2.17] for TNFR‐2). Although existing studies did not support a direct comparison between ACR and TNFRs, it was undeniable that TNFRs could improve the predictive value in DKD progression.

Conclusions

Circulating TNFR‐1 and TNFR‐2 are reliable predictors of DKD progression. Whether TNFRs are better than ACR at predicting DKD progression needs to be further investigated.
Queen Dominance May Reduce Worker Mushroom Body Size in a Social Bee
Authors: Jaumann Sarah , Seid Marc A. , Simons Meagan , Smith Adam R.
Published: June 2019

The mushroom body (MB) is an area of the insect brain involved in learning, memory, and sensory integration. Here, we used the sweat bee Megalopta genalis (Halictidae) to test for differences between queens and workers in the volume of the MB calyces. We used confocal microscopy to measure the volume of the whole brain, MB calyces, optic lobes, and antennal lobes of queens and workers. Queens had larger brains, larger MB calyces, and a larger MB calyces:whole brain ratio than workers, suggesting an effect of social dominance in brain development. This could result from social interactions leading to smaller worker MBs, or larger queen MBs. It could also result from other factors, such as differences in age or sensory experience. To test these explanations, we next compared queens and workers to other groups. We compared newly emerged bees, bees reared in isolation for 10 days, bees initiating new observation nests, and bees initiating new natural nests collected from the field to queens and workers. Queens did not differ from these other groups. We suggest that the effects of queen dominance over workers, rather than differences in age, experience, or reproductive status, are responsible for the queen–worker differences we observed. Worker MB development may be affected by queen aggression directly and/or manipulation of larval nutrition, which is provisioned by the queen. We found no consistent differences in the size of antennal lobes or optic lobes associated with differences in age, experience, reproductive status, or social caste.
Microglial Depletion Causes Region‐Specific Changes to Developmental Neuronal Cell Death in the Mouse Brain
Authors: Jacobs Andrew J. , Castillo‐Ruiz Alexandra , Cisternas Carla D. , Forger Nancy G.
Published: June 2019

Developmental neuronal cell death has been characterized as a cell autonomous “suicide” program, but recent findings suggest that microglia play an active role in determining the survival of developing neurons. Results have been contradictory, however, with some studies concluding that microglia promote cell death, while others report that microglia are neuroprotective. Here, we depleted microglia throughout the newborn mouse brain using intracerebroventricular injections of clodronate liposomes, and examined effects on naturally occurring cell death across multiple brain areas. Microglial density varied significantly by brain region, and clodronate liposome treatment at birth reduced the number of microglia in all regions examined. The effect of microglia reduction on cell death, however, varied by region: the number of dying cells was reduced in the medial septum and medial amygdala in clodronate treated animals, but was increased in the oriens layer of the hippocampus, and unchanged in several other brain regions. In most brain regions, the average size of microglia was greater in microglia‐depleted than in control animals, suggesting that the remaining microglia compensate to some extent for a reduction in microglial number. The hippocampal oriens was exceptional in this regard, in that microglial size was reduced following treatment with clodronate. Microglia produce cytokines which mediate many of their effects, and we found higher expression of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus than in the septum, independent of clodronate treatment. Thus, microglial depletion has opposite effects on cell death in different brain regions of the newborn brain, which may be related to regional heterogeneity in microglia.
Evaluating community‐level response to management actions across a diverse Hawaiian forest bird community
Authors: Guillaumet Alban , Paxton Eben H.
Published: June 2019

Although species‐specific approaches are necessary to understand the dynamics of individual species composing a community, they do not offer a framework for making optimal management decisions at the community level. Here, we present a simple framework for comparing the response of entire communities to multiple management scenarios. Our approach uses a weighted average of standardized species‐specific responses to produce a single integrative measure of the community response and employs mixed‐effect linear models to quantify the increase in the community response due to each management action, or combination of actions. We demonstrate our approach with a simulation study assessing the potential benefits of multiple management actions on the avian community of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaiʻi, which is composed of eight native species with conservation status varying from endangered to least concern. Management actions considered included a reduction of avian malaria transmission risk, reducing rat predation, and increasing forest habitat. We used three different prioritization (weighting) schemes to assess whether the response to management actions differed along a conservation gradient (from endangered to least concern). We also investigated whether future changes in disease distribution as a result of climate change will alter the relationship between management practices and community response. Our community‐level analysis produced three important insights, highlighting the need to consider the response from multiple species to changing threats and management actions. First, increasing the amount of habitat always had the greatest positive impact on the avian community, regardless of the weighting scheme. Second, the community response to management was different under current vs. future conditions, with increased benefit in the future when disease risks were higher. Third, the response to management varied along the conservation gradient. Reducing malaria transmission risk in 2100 had the greatest benefit to endangered species, while increasing forest habitat had the greatest benefit to “least concern” species. However, reducing rat predation appeared to benefit a subset of species based on ecological factors unrelated to rarity, such as nest accessibility. Our approach is widely applicable using experimental, observational, or simulation‐based data, allowing managers to consider the response of all species while weighting their priority levels.
Development of musical solid‐state Tesla coil based on pulse repetition frequency method
Authors: Teraguchi Naoki , Minami Masataka
Published: June 2019

A Tesla coil is a resonant transformer circuit that generates very high voltages that are made to arc through the air. Recently, a solid‐state Tesla coil was produced using semiconductor switching devices. In addition, the solid‐state Tesla coil makes sound by air discharge, and the sound is used in musical devices. In the past, pulse width modulation (PWM) method was used to produce musical solid‐state Tesla coils. However, it is difficult to use the high‐pitch sound and the tone color. This paper investigates the musical solid‐state Tesla coil by using pulse repetition frequency (PRF) method. The proposed musical solid‐state Tesla coil using PRF method provides good sound.
Standardized precipitation index‐based approach to predict environmental flow condition
Authors: Amrit Kumar , Mishra Surendra K. , Pandey Rajendra P. , Himanshu Sushil K. , Singh Surjeet
Published: June 2019

Environmental flow is one of the essential factors required to maintain the health of the river as well as the aquatic ecosystem. The present study describes the environmental flow conditions based on the percentage of average annual flow (%AAF) used in the Tennant method and the drought situations based on Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and investigates the existence of %AAF–SPI relationship. The study presents an attempt to correlate hydro‐meteorology of the catchment with the eco‐hydrology. High‐flow season (July–September) rainfall and runoff data of 16 catchments from the Mahanadi, Godavari, Brahmani‐Baitaini, and Tapi river basins were used for the independent derivation of both %AAF and SPI. The %AAF was plotted against the values of SPI (3‐month scale) for the high‐flow season for each of the study catchments. The R2 values of greater than 0.63 for most of the catchments reveal the existence of robust relationship between the %AAF and SPI and enabled EF prediction for even ungauged catchments using SPI (rather than %AAF) derivable from easily available rainfall data only.