bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic assimilation in language borrowing inferred from Jing People
Authors: Huang Xiufeng , Zhou Qinghui , Bin Xiaoyun , Lai Shu , Lin Chaowen , Hu Rong , Xiao Jiashun , Luo Dajun , Li Yingxiang , Wei Lan‐Hai , Yeh Hui‐Yuan , Chen Gang , Wang Chuan‐Chao
Published: March 2018

Objectives

The Jing people are a recognized ethnic group in Guangxi, southwest China, who are the immigrants from Vietnam during the 16th century. They speak Vietnamese but with lots of language borrowings from Cantonese, Zhuang, and Mandarin. However, it's unclear if there is large‐scale gene flow from surrounding populations into Jing people during their language change due to the very limited genetic information of this population.

Materials and Methods

We collected blood samples from 37 Jing and 3 Han Chinese individuals from Wanwei, Shanxin, and Wutou islands in Guangxi and genotyped about 600,000 genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ADMIXTURE analysis, f statistics, qpWave and qpAdm to infer the population genetic structure and admixture.

Results

Our data revealed that the Jing people are genetically similar to the populations in southwest China and mainland Southeast Asia. But compared with Vietnamese, they show significant evidence of gene flow from surrounding East Asians. The admixture proportion is estimated to be around 35–42% in different Jing groups using southern Han Chinese as a proxy. The majority of the paternal lineages of Jing people are most likely from surrounding East Asians.

Discussion

We conclude that the formation and language change of present‐day Jing people have involved genetic assimilation of surrounding East Asian populations. The language borrowing, in this case, is not only a cultural phenomenon but has involved demic diffusion.
An Efficient 1064 nm NIR‐II Excitation Fluorescent Molecular Dye for Deep‐Tissue High‐Resolution Dynamic Bioimaging
Authors: Li Benhao , Lu Lingfei , Zhao Mengyao , Lei Zuhai , Zhang Fan
Published: March 2018

A small‐molecule fluorophore FD‐1080 with both excitation and emission in the NIR‐II region has been successfully synthesized for in vivo imaging. A heptamethine structure is designed to shift the absorption and emission into NIR‐II region. Sulphonic and cyclohexene groups are introduced to enhance its water solubility and stability. The quantum yield of FD‐1080 is 0.31 %, and can be increased to 5.94 % after combining with fetal bovine serum (FBS). Significantly, 1064 nm NIR‐II excitation was demonstrated with the high tissue penetration depth and superior imaging resolution compared to previously reported NIR excitation from 650 nm to 980 nm. FD‐1080 is not only capable of realizing non‐invasive high‐resolution deep‐tissue hindlimb vasculature and brain vessel bioimaging, but also quantifying the respiratory rate based on the dynamic imaging of respiratory craniocaudal motion of the liver for the awake and anaesthetized mouse.
An Artificial Lithium Protective Layer that Enables the Use of Acetonitrile‐Based Electrolytes in Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Trinh Ngoc Duc , Lepage David , Aymé‐Perrot David , Badia Antonella , Dollé Mickael , Rochefort Dominic
Published: March 2018

The resurgence of the lithium metal battery requires innovations in technology, including the use of non‐conventional liquid electrolytes. The inherent electrochemical potential of lithium metal (−3.04 V vs. SHE) inevitably limits its use in many solvents, such as acetonitrile, which could provide electrolytes with increased conductivity. The aim of this work is to produce an artificial passivation layer at the lithium metal/electrolyte interface that is electrochemically stable in acetonitrile‐based electrolytes. To produce such a stable interface, the lithium metal was immersed in fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to generate a passivation layer via the spontaneous decomposition of the solvent. With this passivation layer, the chemical stability of lithium metal is shown for the first time in 1 m LiPF6 in acetonitrile.
Improving Online Interactions: Lessons from an Online Anatomy Course with a Laboratory for Undergraduate Students
Authors: Attardi Stefanie M. , Barbeau Michele L. , Rogers Kem A.
Published: March 2018

An online section of a face‐to‐face (F2F) undergraduate (bachelor's level) anatomy course with a prosection laboratory was offered in 2013–2014. Lectures for F2F students (353) were broadcast to online students (138) using Blackboard Collaborate (BBC) virtual classroom. Online laboratories were offered using BBC and three‐dimensional (3D) anatomical computer models. This iteration of the course was modified from the previous year to improve online student–teacher and student–student interactions. Students were divided into laboratory groups that rotated through virtual breakout rooms, giving them the opportunity to interact with three instructors. The objectives were to assess student performance outcomes, perceptions of student–teacher and student–student interactions, methods of peer interaction, and helpfulness of the 3D computer models. Final grades were statistically identical between the online and F2F groups. There were strong, positive correlations between incoming grade average and final anatomy grade in both groups, suggesting prior academic performance, and not delivery format, predicts anatomy grades. Quantitative student perception surveys (273 F2F; 101 online) revealed that both groups agreed they were engaged by teachers, could interact socially with teachers and peers, and ask them questions in both the lecture and laboratory sessions, though agreement was significantly greater for the F2F students in most comparisons. The most common methods of peer communication were texting, Facebook, and meeting F2F. The perceived helpfulness of the 3D computer models improved from the previous year. While virtual breakout rooms can be used to adequately replace traditional prosection laboratories and improve interactions, they are not equivalent to F2F laboratories.
Motor competency and social communication skills in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Craig Francesco , Lorenzo Alessandro , Lucarelli Elisabetta , Russo Luigi , Fanizza Isabella , Trabacca Antonio
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to investigate the association between motor competency and social communication in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared with children with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and typically developing (TD) children. Motor competency, ASD symptoms, and nonverbal Intelligent Quotient (IQ) were investigated through the following tests: Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (MABC‐2), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF:SC) and Leiter International Performances Scale Revised (Leiter‐R). The ASD + ID and ID groups had lower MABC‐2‐manual dexterity mean scores, MABC‐2‐aiming and catching mean scores, MABC‐2‐static and dynamic balance mean scores and MABC‐2‐TTS compared with the TD group (P < 0.05). In addition, the ASD + ID group had lower MABC‐2‐aiming and catching mean scores compared with the ID group. In the ASD + ID group, we found a significant negative correlation (P < 0.001) between MABC‐2‐aiming and catching scores with SCQ scores, nonverbal IQ and ACSF:SC levels. Our findings provide new insight into the common neuropsychological mechanisms underlying social communication and motor deficits in ASD. Multiple deficits in motor functioning may be present in ASD and ID, however deficits involving the ability to integrate motor and social cues are somewhat specific to ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 893–902. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

This study highlighted the specificity of motor impairment in ASD comparing performances on a frequently used measure of motor impairment between clinical groups (ASD + ID and ID) and a non‐clinical group. While previous research has suggested that multiple deficits in motor functioning may be present in ASD, our findings suggest that deficits in tasks involving the ability to integrate visual and motor cues (aiming and catching task) are somewhat specific to ASD.
Price uncertainty, policy, and the economic feasibility of cellulosic biorefineries
Authors: Brown Tristan R.
Published: March 2018

This paper quantifies the impacts of commodity price uncertainty and major renewable energy policies on the economic feasibility of cellulosic biorefineries. Four nth plant cellulosic biorefinery scenarios are developed via techno‐economic analysis to calculate 20‐year net present value (NPV) probability distributions and probabilities of default. While individual policy scenarios are unable to make the pathway scenarios economically feasible in the form of positive median 20‐year NPVs and low probabilities of default, combinations of policy scenarios that reflect the existing operating environment are able to do so. This result is seemingly incongruous with the large cellulosic biofuel production shortfall that currently exists in the United States but a pioneer plant analysis finds that current policies are unable to make ‘first‐of‐their‐kind’ cellulosic biorefineries economically feasible. The results of the pioneer plant analysis suggest that additional policy support is needed if cellulosic biorefineries are to overcome the pioneer plant hurdle. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Life cycle assessment of algae‐to‐biodiesel shallow pond production systems in the Mediterranean: influence of species, pond type, by(co)‐product valorisation and electricity mix
Authors: Foteinis Spyros , Antoniadis‐Gavriil Antonis , Tsoutsos Theocharis
Published: March 2018

The environmental sustainability of microalgae‐to‐biodiesel production systems was examined at open (outdoor) and closed (indoor, using artificial light and temperature control) raceway ponds in a Mediterranean climate (southern Greece). Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis sp. species were considered, with the latter having a slightly better environmental performance. In terms of energy efficiency, large cumulative energy demand (CED) values were observed, while the energy return‐on‐investment (EROI) ratio was well below 3 in all cases, indicating that, with current technology, algae‐to‐biodiesel systems have not reached sustainability yet. The impact on land use was minimal, as nonarable land was used. Shallow‐pond cultivation systems are energy intensive, especially the closed ones, and therefore were found to be associated with high environmental footprints. In all cases, the main environmental hotspot was, by and large, the electricity consumption from the Greek fossil‐fuel depended energy mix (90%). Pellet, a process co‐product, largely reduced the total environmental footprint by up to ~47%, which highlights the importance of co‐product valorization. Closed systems exhibited significantly higher environmental footprints compared to open ones, due to the large energy inputs for artificial solar irradiation and for indoor temperature control. In all the cases examined, the microalgae‐to‐biodiesel production system's environmental footprint was higher than that of fossil diesel (i.e. petrodiesel), indicating that ample room exists to improve their environmental performance. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the introduction of renewable energy solely to cover for electricity needs substantially improves environmental sustainability and could render microalgae‐to‐biodiesel systems an environmentally friendlier solution than petrodiesel. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Further evaluation of latency measures in the assessment and treatment of severe self‐injurious behavior
Authors: Perrin Christopher J. , Dayton Elizabeth , Quigley Jennifer , Prater Amanda , Landis Jennie D.
Published: March 2018

Recent research has demonstrated the utility of latency measures during the functional analysis of problem behavior; however, few studies have evaluated the utility of latency measures during subsequent treatment analyses. The current study seeks to extend the literature on the use of latency measures during the treatment of severe self‐injurious behavior (SIB). Following a latency‐based functional analysis, a treatment analysis was conducted using a hybrid procedure in which baseline sessions were terminated following the first instance of SIB, and test sessions ended after a fixed length of time. Latency to SIB was compared across conditions, whereas latency and rate measures for both SIB and functional communication responses were compared for the functional communication training condition. Results suggest that latency measures may be too sensitive during treatment analyses and that it is beneficial to use a hybrid procedure that allows for both latency and rate comparisons.
Improving solitary play with a typically developing preschooler
Authors: Beaulieu Lauren , Povinelli Jaime L.
Published: March 2018

We evaluated the effects of delivering specific instructions (e.g., “Here are some puzzles. Complete two of them while I read.”) on solitary play with a typically developing 3‐year‐old. We gradually increased the response requirements described in the specific instruction and found that specific instructions improved the number of solitary play responses and the duration of engagement. During a treatment extension, improvements in solitary play were observed with the classroom teacher and a novel toy. The father, teacher, and preschool director found the treatment to be highly effective and acceptable.
VR‐embedded BIM immersive system for QS engineering education
Authors: Wang Chen , Li Heng , Kho Song Y.
Published: March 2018

Information communications technology (ICT) has been implemented in the construction sector but there is not yet any immersive system to integrate virtual reality (VR) and building information modeling (BIM) for quantity surveying (QS) practice and education. Aiming to develop a VR‐embedded BIM immersive system for quantity surveying practice and education, experiments using Autodesk Revit 2016, Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2015, and Unity were conducted in this study. The developed VR‐embedded BIM immersive system for quantity surveying practice and education consists of two main components, namely: Immersive System (Head‐mounted display/360‐degree display) and Non‐immersive systems (Desktop VR). The virtual reality application could help improving QS practitioners' and QS students' understanding on the architectural design using VR walkthrough to navigate the virtual 3D building model, thus to improve the efficiency of decision making and the precision in quantity surveying work.
Motivating engineering students learning via monitoring in personalized learning environment with tagging system
Authors: Balakrishnan Balamuralithara
Published: March 2018

Personalized Learning Environment (PLE) is a novel pedagogical approach, which has caused a paradigm shift in tertiary education. In this study, a computer‐based PLE system was developed for undergraduate engineering students to help them learn a topic in a Wireless Communications course. The study used a mixed‐method approach, involving interviews and administration of questionnaires, to examine the impact of the system on students’ motivation, and the role of instructors as a motivator. The research instrument used was Science motivation questionnaire (SMQ). The analysis of the data yielded several promising results, notably the students were motivated in learning process using the system and the instructors were satisfied that they could perform the monitoring and motivating tasks effectively. Overall, the findings suggest that such a system has a strong potential to create an effective, appealing PLE to help engineering students engage in learning process with a strong sense of motivation and interest. The study also found out that students exhibited high assessment anxiety and low self‐efficacy in self‐directed learning, thus emphasizing the need to provide them with more guidance and assistance.
Stability of complement and substitute relationships in time usage among discretionary activities
Authors: Umesh U.N. , Weeks William A.
Published: March 2018

This research evaluates the stability of time usage relationships among discretionary activities. Traditional economists view products or services as substitutes if both can satisfy the same need of the consumer; they are complements if they are consumed jointly in order to satisfy some particular need. Complementary activities are grouped together in activity sets defined on an a priori basis. Several research questions are developed to investigate the following issues: (a) the stability over time of overall relationships between activities, in terms of visual representation using multidimensional scaling maps, and (b) the validity and stability of a priori classification of activities in activity sets. The results from multidimensional scaling maps are validated using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that time usage relationships are temporally stable. The broad needs of respondents, as represented by interrelationships between activities in sets, were found to be stable. We present reasons for believing that the conclusions of stability are comprehensive and can be used in the real‐world.
Consumer neuroscience for marketing researchers
Authors: Harris Joanne M. , Ciorciari Joseph , Gountas John
Published: March 2018

Purpose

For many consumer neuromarketing researchers, the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging has been the most preferred neuroscience technique. However, electroencephalography, eye tracking, and implicit measurements are becoming increasingly popular market research methods due to rapid technological improvements and reduced costs.

Design

This article is an overview of the most commonly used consumer neuroscience techniques in marketing research.

Findings

Many peer‐reviewed journal articles in the consumer neuroscience literature usually provide only a brief summary of the actual functions of each neuroscience technique used in their research. Throughout the consumer neuroscience and marketing research literature, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation of the relative merits of all neuroscience research tools. There is no rigorous analysis of the relative appropriateness of all the neuroscience, physiological, and biometric research tools currently used in consumer neuroscience market research.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that provides a comprehensive review of all relevant neuroscience techniques with a proper explanation of their functions and utility for different types of research. Each individual neuromarketing research tools' strengths and weaknesses are analysed for particular types of marketing research questions and highlights some of the key research papers and authors for interested researchers to follow up.
Pacemaker implantation in a challenging anatomy: isolated persistent left superior vena cava and azygos continuation of interrupted inferior vena cava
Authors: Conti Sergio , Khaykin Yaariv
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical Message

Isolated persistent left superior vena cava (SVC) in the absence of right SVC is a rare congenital variant of thoracic venous drainage with the left subclavian and jugular veins that drain into the right atrium through the coronary sinus. Inferior vena cava interruption with azygos continuation is another congenital anomaly resulting in venous drainage of the lower extremities via a typically dilated azygos vein. Although both variants are generally asymptomatic and incidentally detected, these can have clinical implications in specific circumstances and in particular during device implantation. We report a case of pacemaker implantation in which both anatomical variants were present.
A case of patient with renal lupus with an initial presentation of hemolytic uremic syndrome triggered by streptococcal infection
Authors: Attar Rahaf Z. , Ramel Enas I. , Safdar Osama Y. , Desoky Sherif
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical Message

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic disease that is presented in a myriad of ways. Renal involvement is common in SLE and usually presents clinically as glomerulonephritis. We describe patients with SLE presented initially with hemolytic uremic syndrome which is a distinctive initial presentation.
Fluorescein as a Visible‐Light‐Induced Oxidase Mimic for Signal‐Amplified Colorimetric Assay of Carboxylesterase by an Enzymatic Cascade Reaction
Authors: Liu Li , Sun Chaoqun , Yang Juan , Shi Ying , Long Yijuan , Zheng Huzhi
Published: March 2018

We have found that fluorescein possesses high visible‐light‐induced oxidase mimetic activity and could transform colorless 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB) without unstable and destructive H2O2 under visible‐light illumination. Instead, fluorescein uses oxygen as a mild and green electron acceptor, and its activity can be easily controlled by the switching “on/off” of visible light. In addition, the visible‐light‐induced catalytic mechanism was elucidated in detail and, as the main reactive species h+ and O2.− accounted for TMB oxidation. Based on the fact that fluorescein diacetate (FDA) possessed no activity and generated active fluorescein in situ in the presence of carboxylesterase (CaE), a signal‐amplified sensing platform through a cascade reaction for CaE detection was constructed. Our proposed sensing system displayed excellent analytical performance for the detection of CaE in a wide linear range from 0.040 to 20 U L−1 with a low detection limit of 0.013 U L−1. This work not only changes the conventional concept that fluorescein is generally considered to be photocatalytically inert, but also provides a novel sensing strategy by tailoring the enzyme mimetic activity of fluorescein derivatives with analyte.
Picolinamide‐Based Iridium Catalysts for Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid in Water: Effect of Amide N Substituent on Activity and Stability
Authors: Kanega Ryoichi , Onishi Naoya , Wang Lin , Murata Kazuhisa , Muckerman James T. , Fujita Etsuko , Himeda Yuichiro
Published: March 2018

To develop highly efficient catalysts for dehydrogenation of formic acid in water, we investigated several Cp*Ir catalysts with various amide ligands. The catalyst with an N‐phenylpicolinamide ligand exhibited a TOF of 118 000 h−1 at 60 °C. A constant rate (TOF>35 000 h−1) was maintained for six hours, and a TON of 1 000 000 was achieved at 50 °C.
Conjugation of Indoles to Antibodies through a Novel Self‐Immolating Linker
Authors: Dragovich Peter S. , Blake Robert A. , Chen Chunjiao , Chen Jinhua , Chuh Josefa , den Besten Willem , Fan Fang , Fourie Aimee , Hartman Steven J. , He Changrong , He Jintang , Ingalla Ellen Rei , Kozak Katherine R. , Leong Steven R. , Lu Jiawei , Ma Yong , Meng Lingyao , Nannini Michelle , Oeh Jason , Ohri Rachana , Lewis Phillips Gail , Pillow Thomas H. , Rowntree Rebecca K. , Sampath Deepak , Vandlen Richard , Vollmar Breanna , Wai John , Wertz Ingrid E. , Xu Keyang , Xu Zijin , Zhang Donglu
Published: March 2018

A novel strategy to attach indole‐containing payloads to antibodies through a carbamate moiety and a self‐immolating, disulfide‐based linker is described. This new strategy was employed to connect a selective estrogen receptor down‐regulator (SERD) to various antibodies in a site‐selective manner. The resulting conjugates displayed potent, antigen‐dependent down‐regulation of estrogen receptor levels in MCF7‐neo/HER2 and MCF7‐hB7H4 cells. They also exhibited similar antigen‐dependent modulation of the estrogen receptor in tumors when administered intravenously to mice bearing MCF7‐neo/HER2 tumor xenografts. The indole‐carbamate moiety present in the new linker was stable in whole blood from various species and also exhibited good in vivo stability properties in mice.
Anti‐apoptosis Function of PBCA Nanoparticles Containing Caspase‐3 siRNA for Neuronal Protection
Authors: Zhang Xiwei , Zhang Enqi , Grigartzik Lisa , Henrich‐Noack Petra , Hintz Werner , Sabel Bernhard A.
Published: March 2018

Poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PBCA NPs) have the ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier and deliver pharmaceuticals into the brain. Caspase‐3 (Casp3)‐siRNA loaded NPs were designed to investigate the possibility of anti‐apoptotic treatment. NPs were produced in a miniemulsion and optimized according to size and zeta potential. Casp3‐PBCA NP induced anti‐apoptotic effect was observed by an MTT test and siRNA caused knock‐down effect was identified by using a western blot assay. Further, rhodamine‐123 labeled PBCA NPs were visualized by in vivo imaging to investigate the blood‐brain barrier passage in a rodent experiment.
Iron‐Based Fischer‐Tropsch Catalysts for Higher Alcohol Synthesis
Authors: Schaller Max , Reichelt Erik , Jahn Matthias
Published: March 2018

A short overview over state‐of‐the‐art synthesis routes to higher alcohols from syngas is given. The literature shows that iron‐based catalysts offer the potential for higher alcohol production but cannot fully compete with catalyst systems based on molybdenum and cobalt so far. However, the results presented in this short communication show that by proper choice of reaction conditions and promotion of the catalysts a promising selectivity to higher alcohols and other oxygenates can also be reached for low‐priced iron‐based catalysts.
Combustion of pure carbon in the presence of H2O and CO2 using single and double film models
Authors: Chen Wei , Annamlai Kalyan , Sundar Rohit
Published: March 2018

In integrated gasification combined cycles systems, it is of interest to estimate the burn or gasification rate (), particle surface/wall temperature (Tw), and flame temperature (Tf), and also control of the Tw and Tf with free stream CO2 and the H2O level, which promote endothermic reactions. In the past, char combustion in the air was modelled using either a conventional single film model (SFM), or a conventional double film model (DFM). In this study, modified SFM and DFM models, including both heterogeneous reactions of CO2 and H2O with C, and gas phase oxidation of both CO and H2, were developed. The SFM and DFM were switched to SFM‐DR (single film model with double reactions) and DFM‐DR (double film model with double reactions). The SFM‐DR assumes that the gas phase is frozen, with the final products being CO and H2, and the transfer number modified to ; DFM‐DR includes gas phase oxidation of both CO and H2 with O2, with the final products being CO2 and H2O and the same modified transfer number B under infinitely fast chemistry. Finally, six different char combustion cases with or without H2O and CO2 in the free stream were simulated to obtain the flame profile for modified SFM‐DR and DFM‐DR. It was found that reasonable flame profiles of char combustion were obtained for both SFD‐DR and DFM‐DR. Moreover, the O2‐rich combustion could promote the endothermic Boudouard and steam‐carbon reactions. Finally, the burning rate (kg/m2 · s) decreased with the increase of particle diameter for both SFM‐DR and DFM‐DR.
Modelling gas‐liquid mass transfer in a two‐phase jet flow
Authors: Heithoff Susanne , Kück Ulf Daniel , Volkmer Pascal , Fritsching Udo , Räbiger Norbert
Published: March 2018

The efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions are influenced by the mixing characteristic of the reactor. Existing models for reactor precalculation are often based on mean values, e.g. for the energy dissipation rate or the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, and assume a homogeneous mass transfer behaviour. As a result, process optimization by avoiding mass transfer limitations is not efficient, due to the missing knowledge of local limitations.

Jet reactors typically provide inhomogeneous mixing and mass transfer behaviour, where the highest rates occur in the jet vicinity. Hence, the mass transfer processes in the jet flow, which cannot be properly characterized in gas‐liquid two‐phase flow, dominate the reactor performance. Experimental results concerning the volumetric mass transfer coefficient in the jet vicinity of the Jetzone‐Loopreactor are discussed, and a model approach for describing the phenomenon is presented. It is shown that the mass transfer rates strongly depend on the hydrodynamics of the loop flow. The model is adapted to the loop flow determining mechanisms, the drag coefficient, and the density difference between the circulation and the jet flow.
A GPU‐aware mixed‐precision solver for low‐rank algebraic Riccati equations
Authors: Benner Peter , Dufrechou Ernesto , Ezzatti Pablo , Remón Alfredo , Saak Jens
Published: March 2018

We investigate different alternatives for the solution of algebraic Riccati equations on hybrid hardware platforms (ie, CPUs+GPUs). We evaluate a mixed‐precision approach that uses single‐precision arithmetic to obtain an approximation to the solution and later improve it to the desired precision, applying some steps of an economic iterative refinement. This method exploits the higher performance of the hardware to accelerate the solver when single‐precision arithmetic is employed and simultaneously obtains a high‐accuracy solution with the iterative refinement. We extend this approach to exploit the low‐rank property of the equation, when possible, to further improve its efficiency. The experimental evaluation shows that the mixed‐precision approach reports time and energy savings and provides similar or even more accurate solutions than well‐known methods like the sign function iteration or the structure‐preserving doubling algorithm.
2‐Methyltetrahydrofuran: A Green Solvent for Iron‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Bisz Elwira , Szostak Michal
Published: March 2018

Iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions allow sustainable formation of C−C bonds using cost‐effective, earth‐abundant base‐metal catalysis for complex syntheses of pharmaceuticals, natural products, and fine chemicals. The major challenge to maintain full sustainability of the process is the identification of green and renewable solvents that can be harnessed to replace the conventional solvents for this highly attractive reaction. Herein, iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of aryl chlorides and tosylates with challenging organometallic reagents possessing β‐hydrogens is found to proceed in good to excellent yields with the green, sustainable, and eco‐friendly 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MeTHF) as solvent. The reaction operates with excellent functional group tolerance under very mild conditions. Furthermore, large‐scale cross‐coupling, cross‐coupling of heteroaromatic substrates, and cross‐coupling of challenging aryl tosylates and carbamates mediated by Fe–N‐heterocyclic carbene catalytic systems in eco‐friendly 2‐MeTHF were also carried out. The developed method was applied to the key cross‐coupling in the synthesis of a fibrinolysis inhibitor, further highlighting the potential of 2‐MeTHF as a general solvent for sustainable iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions.
A Lithium‐Ion Battery using a 3 D‐Array Nanostructured Graphene–Sulfur Cathode and a Silicon Oxide‐Based Anode
Authors: Benítez Almudena , Di Lecce Daniele , Elia Giuseppe Antonio , Caballero Álvaro , Morales Julián , Hassoun Jusef
Published: March 2018

An efficient lithium‐ion battery was assembled by using an enhanced sulfur‐based cathode and a silicon oxide‐based anode and proposed as an innovative energy‐storage system. The sulfur–carbon composite, which exploits graphene carbon with a 3 D array (3DG‐S), was synthesized by a reduction step through a microwave‐assisted solvothermal technique and was fully characterized in terms of structure and morphology, thereby revealing suitable features for lithium‐cell application. Electrochemical tests of the 3DG‐S electrode in a lithium half‐cell indicated a capacity ranging from 1200 to 1000 mAh g−1 at currents of C/10 and 1 C, respectively. Remarkably, the Li‐alloyed anode, namely, LiySiOx–C prepared by the sol–gel method and lithiated by surface treatment, showed suitable performance in a lithium half‐cell by using an electrolyte designed for lithium–sulfur batteries. The LiySiOx–C/3DG‐S battery was found to exhibit very promising properties with a capacity of approximately 460 mAh gS−1 delivered at an average voltage of approximately 1.5 V over 200 cycles, suggesting that the characterized materials would be suitable candidates for low‐cost and high‐energy‐storage applications.
Signatures of competition and strain structure within the major blood‐stage antigen of Plasmodium falciparum in a local community in Ghana
Authors: Rorick Mary M. , Artzy‐Randrup Yael , Ruybal‐Pesántez Shazia , Tiedje Kathryn E. , Rask Thomas S. , Oduro Abraham , Ghansah Anita , Koram Kwadwo , Day Karen P. , Pascual Mercedes
Published: March 2018

The concept of niche partitioning has received considerable theoretical attention at the interface of ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. Strain theory postulates that pathogen populations can be structured into distinct nonoverlapping strains by frequency‐dependent selection in response to intraspecific competition for host immune space. The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum presents an opportunity to investigate this phenomenon in nature, under conditions of high recombination rate and extensive antigenic diversity. The parasite's major blood‐stage antigen, PfEMP1, is encoded by the hyperdiverse var genes. With a dataset that includes thousands of var DBLα sequence types sampled from asymptomatic cases within an area of high endemicity in Ghana, we address how var diversity is distributed within isolates and compare this to the distribution of microsatellite allelic diversity within isolates to test whether antigenic and neutral regions of the genome are structured differently. With respect to var DBLα sequence types, we find that on average isolates exhibit significantly lower overlap than expected randomly, but that there also exists frequent pairs of isolates that are highly related. Furthermore, the linkage network of var DBLα sequence types reveals a pattern of nonrandom modularity unique to these antigenic genes, and we find that modules of highly linked DBLα types are not explainable by neutral forces related to var recombination constraints, microsatellite diversity, sampling location, host age, or multiplicity of infection. These findings of reduced overlap and modularity among the var antigenic genes are consistent with a role for immune selection as proposed by strain theory. Identifying the evolutionary and ecological dynamics that are responsible for the nonrandom structure in P. falciparum antigenic diversity is important for designing effective intervention in endemic areas.
Phylogeny, habitat together with biological and ecological factors can influence germination of 36 subalpine Rhododendron species from the eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Yongji , Lai Liming , Du Hui , Jiang Lianhe , Wang Fei , Zhang Chao , Zhuang Ping , Zheng Yuanrun
Published: March 2018

The reproductive stages of the life cycle are crucial in explaining the distribution patterns of plant species because of their extreme vulnerability to environmental conditions. Despite reported evidence that seed germination is related to habitat macroclimatic characteristics, such as mean annual temperature, the effect of this trait in controlling plant species distribution has not yet been systematically and quantitatively evaluated. To learn whether seed germination can predict species distribution along altitude gradients, we examined germination data of 36 Rhododendron species in southeastern Tibet originating from contrasting altitudes, habitats, plant heights, seed masses, and phylogenies. Germination varied significantly with altitude, habitat, plant height, and phylogeny and was higher in the light than in the dark. Germination percentage was highest at 10:20°C in the light and 15:25°C in the dark. As altitude increased, germination percentages first rose and then decreased, being highest at 3,500–4,000 m. Germination percentage and rate were highest on rocky slopes, increasing as seed mass and plant height rose. Variations in germination percentage and rate were not significant at subgenera, section, and subsection levels, but they were significant at species level. The results suggested that the relationship between germination and altitude may provide insights into species distribution patterns. Further, germination patterns are a result of long‐term evolution as well as taxonomic constraints.
Why popular support tools on climate change adaptation have difficulties in reaching local policy‐makers: Qualitative insights from the UK and Germany
Authors: Clar Christoph , Steurer Reinhard
Published: March 2018

Policy support for climate change adaptation has grown rapidly and respective tools (such as online guides and handbooks) have been documented and categorized repeatedly in recent years. Nevertheless, we still know little about how relevant their target groups find them for their work. We aim to address this gap with case studies on two well‐known support tools: the “Adaptation Wizard” from the UK and the “Klimalotse” from Germany. After showing how adaptation support tools have spread in recent years, we analyze qualitatively how relevant regional and local policy‐makers concerned with adaptation find the two tools. One of our main findings is the following discrepancy: while both tools offer support in developing and implementing comprehensive adaptation plans, local policy‐makers find this irrelevant and expect support in coping with imminent climate change impacts, for example, by single adaptation measures. Consequently, the local policy‐makers we interviewed hardly use the two tools but seek more specific support, in particular regarding vulnerability and cost–benefit assessments. We conclude that policy support tools lack relevance when their well‐intended attempt to enlighten target groups is too remote from what the latter expect.
o,p‐Dimethoxybiphenyl Arylamine Substituted Porphyrins as Hole‐Transport Materials: Electrochemical, Photophysical, and Carrier Mobility Characterization
Authors: Pudi Rajesh , Rodríguez‐Seco Cristina , Vidal‐Ferran Anton , Ballester Pablo , Palomares Emilio
Published: March 2018

Carrier mobility in organic thin films is a key parameter for devices that use molecules as selective contacts such as organic and perovskite solar cells. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a free base porphyrin symmetrically substituted with four meso‐4‐aminophenyl‐N,N‐bis(2′,4′‐dimethoxy[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl) units and its metalloporphyrin. The electrochemical and photophysical properties for both porphyrins have been measured. The results show that the HOMO and LUMO energy levels are appropriate for use as hole transport materials (HTM) in solar cells. Moreover, measurements of the carrier mobility by using the space charge limited current (SCLC) method in organic thin films leads to a hole mobility value of 2.4 ± 0.5 × 10–5 cm2/V s and 8.0 ± 0.5 × 10–6 cm2/V s for the zinc porphyrin and the free base, respectively. Upon addition of chemical dopants, the mobility values increased to 8.8 ± 0.5 × 10–4 cm2/V s, for the zinc porphyrin, and 5.2 ± 0.5 × 10–4 cm2/V s for the free base porphyrin. These values are close to the reference molecule spiro‐OMeTAD, which has a mobility value of 2.5 ± 0.5 × 10–4 cm2/V s measured under identical conditions.
Late Pleistocene talus flatiron formation below the Coal Cliffs cuesta, Utah, USA
Authors: Sheehan Christopher E. , Ward Dylan J.
Published: March 2018

Cuesta escarpment retreat is a principal mode of exhumation in regions of layered sedimentary rock. On the Colorado Plateau, this process acts as a mechanism for maintaining high‐relief topography and facilitating drainage divide migration. Quantitative estimates of cuesta evolution are difficult to evaluate over glacial‐interglacial timescales, and thus rates of geomorphic change along individual escarpments have mostly been constrained over millions of years. Several studies have addressed this problem by dating colluvium‐mantled talus flatirons. However, this technique has not been applied systematically on the Colorado Plateau. This study quantifies geomorphic change along a single Colorado Plateau cuesta using 36Cl surface exposure dating. We present 33 ages from a single generation of talus flatirons below the Coal Cliffs of central Utah. Landscape evolution is further constrained using 14 ages from in‐situ bedrock, 3 ages from boulders on gully interfluves, and two ages from terrace alluvium. Results suggest a colluvial apron was deposited below the cuesta beginning as early as Marine Isotope Stage 3, and the latest depositional phase occurred near the Last Glacial Maximum. A switch from apron deposition to incision initiated flatiron formation sometime between 19.7 ± 2.5 and 11.8 ± 1.6 ka, broadly coincident with the transition from glacial to interglacial conditions. Our results have several important implications. Climatic changes during the end of the last glacial period appear to have shifted the balance between deposition and erosion below the Coal Cliffs, emptying the sediment reservoir at their base and increasing their height via bedrock incision. The climatic forcing could be imparted by several mechanisms, including local controls on debris generation / mobilization and base level changes exerted by transverse streams. Similar processes may have occurred during previous glacial‐interglacial transitions, implying that the escarpment retreat processes may be partially modulated by orbitally‐controlled variations in Earth's climate over larger timescales. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying relations between surface runoff and aridity after wildfire
Authors: Van der Sant René E. , Nyman Petter , Noske Philip J. , Langhans Christoph , Lane Patrick N.J. , Sheridan Gary J.
Published: March 2018

Post‐wildfire runoff and erosion are major concerns in fire‐prone landscapes around the world, but these hydro‐geomorphic responses have been found to be highly variable and difficult to predict. Some variations have been observed to be associated with landscape aridity, which in turn can influence soil hydraulic properties. However, to date there has been no attempt to systematically evaluate the apparent relations between aridity and post‐wildfire runoff. In this study, five sites in a wildfire burnt area were instrumented with rainfall‐runoff plots across an aridity index (AI) gradient. Surface runoff and effective rainfall were measured over 10 months to allow investigation of short‐ (peak runoff) and longer‐term (runoff ratio) runoff characteristics over the recovery period. The results show a systematic and strong relation between aridity and post‐wildfire runoff. The average runoff ratio at the driest AI site (33.6%) was two orders of magnitude higher than at the wettest AI site (0.3%). Peak runoff also increased with AI, with up to a thousand‐fold difference observed during one event between the driest and wettest sites. The relation between AI, peak 15‐min runoff (Q15) and peak 15‐min rainfall intensity (I15) (both in mm h‐1) could be quantified by the equation: Q15 = 0.1086I15 × AI 2.691 (0.65<AI<1.80, 0<I15<45) (adjusted r2 = 0.84). The runoff ratios remained higher at drier AI sites (AI 1.24 and 1.80) throughout the monitoring period, suggesting higher AI also lengthens the window of disturbance after wildfire. The strong quantifiable link which this study has determined between AI and post‐wildfire surface runoff could greatly improve our capacity to predict the magnitude and location of hydro‐geomorphic processes such as flash floods and debris flows following wildfire, and may help explain aridity‐related patterns of soil properties in complex upland landscapes. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green tea extract and black tea extract differentially influence cecal levels of short‐chain fatty acids in rats
Authors: Unno Tomonori , Osakabe Naomi
Published: March 2018

Increasing evidence indicates that gut microbiota plays a critical role to maintain the host's health. The biological function of microbially produced short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) becomes the focus of attention. This study aimed to compare the effects of green tea extract (GTE) and black tea extract (BTE) on cecal levels of SCFA in rats. Rats consumed an assigned diet of either a control diet, a GTE diet (10 g/kg), or a BTE diet (10 g/kg), for 3 weeks. The dietary addition of GTE significantly reduced the concentrations of acetate and butyrate in cecal digesta compared to the control, but BTE showed an increased trend for a cecal pool. In the GTE group, a significant amount of undigested starch was excreted in feces, but BTE produced no effect. Interestingly, feces of rats fed the BTE diet contained higher bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers for total eubacteria compared to the control diet. Taken together, treatments of the diets with GTE and BTE brought about a different degree of producing SCFA in rat cecum. BTE might advantageously stimulate more SCFA production than GTE by facilitating bacterial utilization of starch.
Detailed analysis of inflammatory cell infiltration and the prognostic impact on nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Lu Juan , Chen Xiao‐Mei , Huang Hao‐Ran , Zhao Fei‐Peng , Wang Fan , Liu Xiong , Li Xiang‐Ping
Published: March 2018

Background

One of the most striking characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the presence of a very abundant immune cells infiltrate containing mainly T‐lymphocytes. The purpose of this study was to present our analysis providing a comprehensive characterization of antitumor inflammatory response in NPC.

Methods

The densities of 9 types of inflammatory cells were assessed in 197 patients with NPC, including CD3 + T‐lymphocytes, CD8 + cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes, CD20 + B‐lymphocytes, CD56 + natural killer (NK) cells, FOXP3 + regulatory T‐lymphocytes, CD1a + immature dendritic cells, CD83 + mature dendritic cells, neutrophil elastase + neutrophils, and tryptase + mast cells. We characterized the inflammatory infiltrate in relation to clinical stage and patient survival. The expression of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) on tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was also detected. The correlations between PD‐1 expression and clinical characteristics and posttreatment outcome were analyzed.

Results

The patients with NPC with a low density of tumor‐infiltrating FOXP3+, CD8 + T‐lymphocytes, neutrophils, and mast cells showed a significantly longer overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). However, patients with a high density of NK cells showed a better OS and PFS. The densities of NK cells and mast cells could be served as biomarkers for predicting recurrence or distant metastasis in patients with NPC. Moreover, PD‐1 positivity predicted poor prognosis in patients with NPC.

Conclusion

The densities of inflammatory cells are correlated with the prognosis of patients with NPC.