bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CANADA – FEED-IN TARIFF: ARE FITS DESIRABLE, OR EVEN LEGAL? A CASE COMMENT
Authors: Dalpé Vincent
Published: June 2020

This article summarizes the World Trade Organization Appelate Body's report in Canada – Feed-in Tariff. It focuses the report's three main issues: (1) the application of the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures' Illustrative List to the minimum required domestic content levels in light of article III:8(a) GATT; (2) the article III:8(a) GATT derogation to a violation of national treatment; and (3) the determination of whether a “benefit” has been conferred under article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement. It will mainly be argued that the article III:8(a) analysis is overly simplistic and that the subsidy benefit determination technique employed by the Appelate Body is both overly complex and poorly suited for government-regulated markets. Each of these issues comports novel components: it is the first time the TRIMs Agreement's Illustrative List is applied in relation to an article III:4 GATT violation; it is the first time the article III:8(a) derogation is applied in jurisprudence and the article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement's benefit determination gives new perspectives regarding government-created markets. The discussion will ultimately move to an analysis of a possible defence under the GATT XX general Exceptions.
Fondements de l’action de Rond-Point
Authors: Béland Catherine , Dufour Sarah
Published: June 2020

Intervenir auprès des parents consommateurs nécessite une coordination entre les différents professionnels et prestataires de services. Le Rond-Point, un centre d’expertise périnatale et familiale de toxicomanie à Montréal, est un projet de services intégrés pour cette clientèle. Le but de cet article est de décrire la démarche participative ayant mené à la conceptualisation du projet du Rond-Point que plusieurs auteurs schématisent sous la forme d’un modèle logique. Aussi, il permet d’apprécier le projet en considérant les conditions préalables permettant l’évaluation. Pour ce faire, 22 professionnels et des documents ont été consultés, pour réaliser une analyse thématique et une triangulation des contenus. Les résultats présentent la réalisation du modèle logique ainsi que les éléments qui divergent entre les sources d’informations. L’analyse permet d’apprécier le Rond-Point en considérant les quatre conditions préalables pour évaluer un programme, soit un modèle clair et bien défini, une plausibilité des liens entre les causes, les services et les résultats, une accessibilité des informations et une utilisation des résultats. Ainsi, le projet n’a pas une maturité ni une stabilité permettant de planifier une évaluation. Certaines conditions préalables doivent être révisées. En bref, cette recherche propose des améliorations pertinentes pour ce centre et apporte des réflexions judicieuses pour ceux qui veulent développer et implanter un tel projet.
Mobilité résidentielle autour de l’âge de la retraite selon les lieux de vie en Wallonie1
Authors: Debuisson Marc , Poulain Michel , Charlier Julien , Reginster Isabelle , Simon Claire
Published: June 2020

Une manière originale d’étudier le contexte du vieillissement démographique est de l’aborder par le biais de la sédentarité résidentielle des personnes âgées et, corollairement, de leur propension à émigrer à l’échelle locale. Notre contribution s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une analyse spatiale du comportement de mobilité des populations résidant dans les localités urbaines, périurbaines et rurales de Wallonie (Belgique). En exploitant les données du Registre national belge, elle se focalise sur les populations du groupe d’âge de 55 à 64 ans en 2011 et leur devenir 5 ans plus tard en 2016 à l’âge de 60-69 ans, c’est-à-dire la population autour de l’âge de la retraite. Pour la première fois depuis plus de 20 ans en Belgique, des données de migrations intra-communales au niveau du changement de logement sont utilisées. Ces données redessinent la vraie intensité spatiale du risque de migrer de logement, avec une analyse de la destination, soit en restant dans le quartier, en dehors du quartier ou en dehors de la commune. Dans un contexte où le vieillissement démographique fait l’objet de différentes attentions dans les régions belges, mais aussi dans l’ensemble de l’Europe, cette analyse portant sur les personnes autour de l’âge de retraite devrait contribuer à éclairer les politiques publiques sociales, du logement et de l’aménagement du territoire.
Eighteenth-Century Magazine Illustration and Copper Plates Coloured from Nature
Authors: Anderson Jocelyn
Published: June 2020

In the second half of the eighteenth century, as the magazine publishing industry grew, illustrations became a fundamental element of magazines, and some of the most ambitious publishers began offering readers coloured illustrations. This article examines a series of coloured illustrations published in The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure. Launched in 1752, this series depicts subjects from natural history, including birds, animals, and plants. These plates were a critical vehicle in adapting and circulating elite scientific publications to a wide and diverse audience. As material objects, they were challenging to produce, but they were very important to the magazine’s appeal to readers. Offering wondrous visual spectacles in print, the series entwined narratives of curiosity, natural history, exotic travel, and colonialism.
From Moated Castle to Modern Parlour: Anna Letitia Barbauld’s Theorization of Wonder, Women, and the Novel
Authors: Ready Kathryn
Published: June 2020

As a literary critic Anna Letitia Barbauld provides important evidence for those who have sought to challenge a long-established critical view that the development of the novel was premised on a renunciation of the wonders of romance which went hand in hand with the project of Enlightenment science and its rejection of miracles and the supernatural. At the same time, she presents an alternative perspective from that of influential eighteenth-century male critics such as Samuel Johnson regarding the relationship between novels and romances, and a sharply contrasting view of the place of wonder within the overall history of fiction. Against male contemporaries, she makes a case for women’s continuing special claims as readers and writers of fiction based in part on their greater receptivity to emotions such as that of wonder, challenging Johnson’s implicit positioning of men as the leaders of a developing form of literary realism that required a broad knowledge of nature and society.
Le bénéfice quotidien de l’implant cochléaire chez les adultes sourds de naissance : perspectives croisées des porteurs d’un implant et de leurs proches
Authors: Duchesne Louise , Ben Hassoune Zahira , Gobeil Suzie , Bhérer Maurice , Millette Isabelle , Croteau Claire , Boucher Normand
Published: June 2020

Les bénéfices observés chez les adultes qui reçoivent un implant cochléaire montrent une importante variabilité, particulièrement chez les personnes qui présentent une surdité prélinguistique. Il existe toutefois très peu de connaissances sur l’expérience de l’implant cochléaire chez ce groupe de personnes et les recherches de nature qualitative qui explorent également le vécu des proches de ces personnes sont rares. Pour obtenir davantage de données sur ces deux situations, sept personnes sourdes porteuses d’un implant et six proches significatifs ont participé à des entrevues individuelles portant sur leur perception des bénéfices et des limites de l’implant cochléaire. Les témoignages recueillis permettent de découvrir l’expérience vécue par les personnes porteuses d’un implant et leurs proches, notamment en ce qui a trait à la découverte des sons environnementaux et aux relations familiales. Les résultats de cette étude exploratoire mettent de l’avant des bénéfices qui vont au-delà du gain auditif et qui permettent de mieux comprendre l’impact de cette technologie.
L’expérience vécue de personnes ayant des incapacités en visite dans un centre commercial rénové
Authors: de Repentigny-Roberge Geneviève , Le Dorze Guylaine , Poldma Tiiu
Published: June 2020

L’accès à un lieu public représente un défi pour les personnes ayant des incapacités au Québec. Une approche inductive a permis de saisir en temps réel l’expérience vécue de six personnes ayant des incapacités explorant un centre commercial partenaire après que des rénovations y aient été complétées, et ce, dans le contexte du Laboratoire vivant de réadaptation. Deux types de données ont été collectées : des notes à propos des réactions et des commentaires des participants ainsi que des photographies. L’analyse a donné lieu à neuf thèmes relatant l’expérience des participants et à une liste des obstacles et des facilitateurs selon les facteurs de l’environnement de la Classification internationale du fonctionnement, du handicap et de la santé (CIF). Les résultats montrent que les rénovations ont réduit de nombreux obstacles liés à l’accessibilité physique des lieux et que des expériences positives de participation et d’inclusion sociale sont maintenant vécues dans ce centre commercial.
Réappropriation, intériorité et refondation des imaginaires en francophonie
Authors: Simédoh Vincent
Published: June 2020

L’article montre que la langue française, qui au départ est un outil de conquête, a créé chez le locuteur un écartèlement au sens où le centre de référence était ailleurs. Mais il y a eu réappropriation, et créativité qui a donné, l’hétérolinguisme, l’interlangue ou l’ethnotexte. Cette créativité abolit ainsi donc la problématique centre-périphérie et met en relation les mondes via une scénographie postcoloniale, une poétique de l’incertain et du divers qui ne hiérarchisent plus les cultures, mais démultiplient les connexions dans un nouvel espace projectif et désidéologisé.
Laplacian score and genetic algorithm based automatic feature selection for Markov State Models in adaptive sampling based molecular dynamics
Authors: George Anu , Purnaprajna Madhura , Athri Prashanth
Published: June 2020

Adaptive sampling molecular dynamics based on Markov State Models use short parallel MD simulations to accelerate simulations, and are proven to identify hidden conformers. The accuracy of the predictions provided by it depends on the features extracted from the simulated data that is used to construct it. The identification of the most important features in the trajectories of the simulated system has a considerable effect on the results.

Methods

In this study, we use a combination of Laplacian scoring and genetic algorithms to obtain an optimized feature subset for the construction of the MSM. The approach is validated on simulations of three protein folding complexes, and two protein ligand binding complexes.

Results

Our experiments show that this approach produces better results when the number of samples is significantly lesser than the number of features extracted. We also observed that this method mitigates over fitting that occurs due to high dimensionality of large biosystems with shorter simulation times.
lncRNA expression profiles related to apoptosis and autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wen Jianting , Liu Jian , Jiang Hui , Wan Lei , Xin Ling , Sun Yue , Zhang Pingheng , Sun Yanqiu , Zhang Ying , Du Xinlei , Wang Xin , Wang Jie
Published: June 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are >200‐bp molecules that do not generally code for proteins. Human lncRNAs have well‐characterized roles in gene expression regulation, particularly with regard to protein‐coding genes, and their dysregulation has been linked to disease. Here, we set out to investigate changes in the expression of lncRNAs related to apoptosis and autophagy in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, we aimed to correlate lncRNA expression profiles with clinical indexes and self‐perception of patients (SPP). To this end, we employed RNA sequencing of lncRNAs in PBMCs from three patients with RA and three healthy controls. We used bioinformatics to screen several dysregulated lncRNAs related to apoptosis and autophagy. To validate key lncRNA candidates, we performed quantitative reverse transcriptase–PCR on 20 patients with RA and 20 healthy controls. We found the expression of seven lncRNAs (MAPKAPK5‐AS1, ENST00000619282, C5orf17, LINC01189, LINC01006, DSCR9 and MIR22HG) was significantly altered in PBMCs of patients with RA. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that MIR22HG [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.846, P = 0.000], DSCR9 (AUC = 0.783, P = 0.005), LINC01189 (AUC = 0.677, P = 0.034), MAPKAPK5‐AS1 (AUC = 0.644, P = 0.025) and ENST00000619282 (AUC = 0.636, P = 0.043) are potential biomarkers of RA. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed selected lncRNAs correlated with clinical indexes and SPP. Therefore, we highlight that some lncRNAs related to apoptosis and autophagy may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of RA progression, which also correlate with several clinical indexes and SPP.
Cytokines
Authors: Wilson Heather M , Barker Robert N
Published: June 2020

Cytokines are small secreted ‘messenger proteins’ that allow communication between cells. They contribute to a chemical signalling language that controls many processes in multicellular organisms, including haematopoiesis, chemoattraction, tissue repair, embryogenesis and virtually all aspects of immunity and inflammation. Cytokine functions are mediated by their binding to specific receptors to initiate intracellular signalling cascades that increase or decrease expression of transcription factors and genes regulating, for example secretion of effector molecules (including other cytokines), cell proliferation and expression of membrane receptors. They play an important role in many pathologies, and indeed measurement of cytokine profiles in patients can provide a useful indicator of disease. Owing to their multiple functions in disease, therapeutic interference with cytokines, cytokine receptors or their signal transduction pathways offers new treatment options for a range of disorders.

Key Concepts

Cytokines can be extremely potent, acting at picomolar or femtomolar concentrations.

Cytokines are not produced constitutively but are expressed on stimulation of cells, usually acting in an autocrine or paracrine fashion.

Individual cytokines can have many functions and can act synergistically or antagonistically.

Chemokines are a family of cytokines that are not only principally involved in chemoattraction but also participate in cell activation and angiogenesis.

Different cytokine receptors can share similar subunit structures, which divide them into families.

Most cytokine receptors are heterodimers, but some can be homodimers or heterotrimers.

Cytokines exert their effects by activating specific intracellular signalling pathways.

By sharing receptor subunits and signal‐transducing molecules, many cytokines are known to play redundant and pleiotropic roles.

Excessive or defective cytokine production or activity can lead to several pathologies, and cytokine modifiers are proving to be a therapeutically effective approach in modifying such diseases.

Cytokine synthesis and activity are regulated by many mechanisms including signalling inhibitors, epigenetic modifications and cleavage of precursors.
History of Biosemiotics
Authors: Robuschi Camilla
Published: June 2020

Emerging from the need for an interdisciplinary approach that may facilitate the explanation of complex phenomena about information and interpretation (i.e. phenomena of semiosis), biosemiotics – or the study of signs and meaning in living organisms – includes to this day different theoretical stances revolving around some shared principles and key theories. Therefore, tracing its historical development requires to factor in the complexity of the events and concepts that have paved the way to the more unified and homogenous field of study that biosemiotics is today. While bearing in mind that the two precursors of the discipline – Charles Sanders Peirce and Jakob von Uexküll – come from the fields of semiotics and biology respectively, the main great credit for developing biosemiotics should be given to Thomas Albert Sebeok. In the history of biosemiotics, after an initial pioneering phase of parallel but stand‐alone studies (1961–1977), the second phase (since 1977) brought to a unification under common principles. Seminal for the formulation and establishment of the fundamental principles were the yearly conferences devoted exclusively to biosemiotics – called Gatherings in Biosemiotics – and the publications of scholarly research in several prestigious journals.

Key Concepts

Biosemiotics deals with the study of signs and meaning in living organisms.

The synthesis of the triadic semiotics of Charles Sanders Peirce and the Umwelt Theory of Jacob von Uexküll lies at the root of biosemiotics.

Even though Friedrich S. Rothschild coined the term ‘biosemiotics’, yet the actual founder of the field of studies was Thomas Albert Sebeok.

The biosemiotician Marcello Barbieri divides the history of biosemiotics into two periods: the first, from 1961 to 1977, characterized by isolated attempts to create a synthesis between semiotics and biology; the second, from 1977 to 2011, characterized by the will to find a unified field of studies under common principles.

The basic principles, which unite all the biosemioticians, are that life and semiosis are coextensive (Sebeok's Thesis) and that signs, codes and symbols are natural entities, not the product of a supernatural agency.
Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Gutierrez‐Erlandsson Sylvia , Morales‐García M Dolores , Muñoz‐Alcalá Angeles
Published: June 2020

Confocal microscopy is nowadays one of the most extensively used tools for digital imaging. The advances in instrumental setup and fluorescence labelling strategies improve and broaden the possible experimental applications. Moreover, the implementation of solutions able to break the diffraction barrier coupled to confocal instruments brings up the study of the samples at super‐resolution level. This continuous evolution ensures confocal microscopy as a key platform in life science research.

Key Concepts

Components of confocal laser scanning and spinning disk microscopes.

Fluorescence and fluorescent labelling tools.

Confocal microscopy setup and main applications review.

Confocal microscopy applications: reflection, subcellular localisation, dynamic studies and molecular interactions.

Super‐resolution approaches in confocal microscopy.
Expanded Autoantibody Profiles for Subsetting of Native American, African American, and European American Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Guthridge Carla J. , Gross Timothy , Quintero Magdalene , Kheir Joseph M. , Levin Jeremy , Bourn Rebecka L. , Khan Sohail , Peercy Michael , Saunkeah Bobby , Guthridge Joel M. , James Judith A.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Many Native American (NA) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) do not exhibit the classical SLE autoantibody profiles of European American (EA) and African American (AA) patients with SLE. The poorer SLE disease outcomes noted in NA patients highlights a need for more equitable diagnostic and prognostic tools for NA patients with SLE. The objective was to identify informative autoantibody profiles for NA, AA, and EA patients with SLE using an expanded set of autoantigens.

Methods

Sera from 49 NA, 49 AA, and 49 EA age‐, sex‐, and antinuclear autoantibody titer–matched patients with SLE who met the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria and 10 ethnicity‐, sex‐, and age‐matched controls were tested for autoantibody reactivity by autoantigen microarrays. Autoantibodies that were significantly elevated in patients with SLE compared with ethnicity‐specific controls were selected for hierarchical clustering. Differences in clinical criteria between patient clusters were determined by Fisher's exact test and corrected for multiple comparisons.

Results

NA, AA, and EA patients with SLE each had a cluster distinguished by higher levels of anti‐Ro52 and another cluster distinguished by nucleic acid–specific autoantibodies. Additional clusters were distinguished in NA patients by elevated extracellular matrix autoantibodies and were distinguished in AA patients by elevated Sm/RNP autoantibody and elevated nucleolin/histone autoantibody. Two EA patient clusters with similar nucleic acid– and Ro52‐specific autoantibodies were distinguished by either high or low histone 2A reactivity. Renal manifestations trended higher in the NA Ro52 cluster and were significantly enriched in the AA nucleolin/histone cluster. The AA nucleolin/histone cluster and EA H2A cluster had higher disease activity.

Conclusion

Expanded autoantibody profiles can identify informative subsets of patients with SLE.
Surface Probing of Ultra‐Short‐Pulse Laser Filament Cut Window Glass and the Impact on the Separation Behavior
Authors: Werr Ferdinand , Veber Alexander , Brehl Martin , Bergler Michael , Werner Dirk , Eppelt Urs , Müllers Ludger , de Ligny Dominique
Published: June 2020

The process of laser filament cutting produces a practical nongap cut which ensures high precision in lateral dimensions at the micrometer scale. Commercially available OptiWhite soda lime silicate glass is filamented using a 1064 nm picosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser with varying burst energies and focus positions. The filaments are characterized perpendicular to the incident laser beam using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Maximum roughness Rz evaluated with laser scanning microscopy is measured on the cut sides. The characteristic mechanical strength σ of glass cleavage is decreased by a factor of 6 with the presence of the filaments. This σ obtained in the four‐point‐bending setup decreases with the increase in energy deposited in the material by the laser. It is found that the cleaving cracks are guided by the filament only if the network of microcracks is sufficiently developed. A threshold of the cleaving guidance is linked to a critical surface modification width of 2.5 μm which corresponds to half the distance between filaments. The influences of the laser parameters, sample thickness, and sample position in respect of the focal plane on the cut quality are studied. Guidelines are given to define a suitable parameter set.
Pressure‐Driven Eu2+‐Doped BaLi2Al2Si2N6: A New Color Tunable Narrow‐Band Emission Phosphor for Spectroscopy and Pressure Sensor Applications
Authors: Wang Yichao , Seto Takatoshi , Ishigaki Kento , Uwatoko Yoshiya , Xiao Guanjun , Zou Bo , Li Guangshe , Tang Zuobin , Li Zebin , Wang Yuhua
Published: June 2020

A series of BaLi2Al2Si2N6 (BLASN): xEu2+ phosphors are successfully synthesized and their crystal structure and luminescence properties under varying hydrostatic pressures are reported herein. Structure variation is analyzed using in situ high‐pressure X‐ray diffraction and Rietveld refinements. Based on decay curves and Gaussian fitting of emission spectra, the presence of two photoluminescence centers is demonstrated. BaLi2Al2Si2N6: 0.01Eu2+ exhibits an evident peak position shift from 532 to 567 nm with an increase in pressure to ≈20 GPa. The possible factors and mechanisms for the variations are studied in detail. At a pressure of 16 GPa, BLASN: Eu2+ realizes a narrow yellow emission with a full width at half maximum of ≈70 nm. The addition of BLASN: Eu2+ (16 GPa) to the commercial white light‐emitting diodes combination consisting of an InGaN chip, β‐SiAlON: Eu2+, and red K2SiF6:Mn4+, can increase the color gamut by ≈15%, demonstrating the promising potential of pressure‐driven BLASN: Eu2+ for wide‐color gamut spectroscopy applications. Moreover, the emission shifts arising from pressure variation and the distinct color changes enable its potential utility as an optical pressure sensor; the material exhibits high pressure sensitivity (dλ/dP ≈ 1.58 nm GPa−1) with the advantage of visualization.
Polymer‐Modified ZnO Nanoparticles as Electron Transport Layer for Polymer‐Based Solar Cells
Authors: Fan Pu , Zhang Dayong , Wu Yao , Yu Junsheng , Russell Thomas P.
Published: June 2020

The optimization of interfacial layer plays a critical role in the ultimate use of polymer‐based solar cells (PSCs). By introducing an insulating polymer, polystyrene (PS), into the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with large particle size, an electron transport layer (ETL) with a thickness of more than 130 nm is produced. The doping of PS not only improves the film quality of ZnO NPs to generate a denser, smoother, and more uniform ETL, but also increases the contact properties between the hydrophilic ZnO and hydrophobic active layer. In comparison to control devices, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), short circuit current densities, and fill factors of PSCs with the PS‐modified ETL for a typical fullerene system PTB7‐Th:PC71BM and, also, a nonfullerene system PBDB‐T:ITIC are increased, with PCEs from 8.49% to 9.54% and 10.03% to 11.05%, respectively. The reproducibility, mechanical endurance, and ambient stability of the PSCs with the PS‐modified ZnO NP ETL are significantly improved. The combination of the insulating polymer and ZnO NPs provides a simple, low‐cost way to realize the commercialization of high performance, flexible PSCs.
An All‐Scale Hierarchical Architecture Induces Colossal Room‐Temperature Electrocaloric Effect at Ultralow Electric Field in Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Yuqi , Qian Jianfeng , Yu Jinyao , Guo Mengfan , Zhang Qinghua , Jiang Jianyong , Shen Zhonghui , Chen Long‐Qing , Shen Yang
Published: June 2020

Composed of electrocaloric (EC) ceramics and polymers, polymer composites with high EC performances are considered as promising candidates for next‐generation all‐solid‐state cooling devices. Their mass application is limited by the low EC strength, which requires very high operational voltage to induce appreciable temperature change. Here, an all‐scale hierarchical architecture is proposed and demonstrated to achieve high EC strength in poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorofluoroethylene)‐based nanocomposites. On the atomic scale, highly polarizable hierarchical interfaces are induced by incorporating BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles in Ba(Zr0.21Ti0.79)O3 (BZT) nanofibers (BFO@BZT_nfs); on the microscopic scale, percolation of the interfaces further raises the polarization of the composite nanofibers; on the mesoscopic scale, orthotropic orientation of BFO@BZT_nfs leads to much enhanced breakdown strength of the nanocomposites. As a result, an ultrahigh EC strength of ≈0.22 K m MV−1 is obtained at an ultralow electric field of 75 MV m−1 in nanocomposites filled with the orthotropic composite nanofibers, which is by far the highest value achieved in polymer nanocomposites at a moderate electric field. Results of high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy, in situ scanning Kelvin probe microscopy characterization, and phase‐field simulations all indicate that the much enhanced EC performances can be attributed to the all‐scale hierarchical structures of the nanocomposite.
Naphthodithiophenediimide–Bithiopheneimide Copolymers for High‐Performance n‐Type Organic Thermoelectrics: Significant Impact of Backbone Orientation on Conductivity and Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Wang Yang , Takimiya Kazuo
Published: June 2020

The development of n‐type conjugated polymers with high electrical conductivity (σ) has continued to pose a massive challenge in organic thermoelectrics (OTEs). New structural insights into the charge‐carrier transport are necessitated for the realization of high‐performance OTEs. In this study, three new n‐type copolymers, named pNB, pNB‐Tz, and pNB‐TzDP, consisting of naphthodithiophenediimide (NDTI) and bithiopheneimide (BTI) units, are synthesized by direct arylation polymerization. The backbone orientation is altered by incorporating thiazole units into the backbone and tuning the branching point of the side chain. The alteration of the backbone orientation from face‐on to bimodal orientation with both face‐on and edge‐on fractions significantly impacts the σ and the power factors (PFs) of the polymers. As a result, pNB‐TzDP, with the bimodal orientation, demonstrates a high σ of up to 11.6 S cm−1 and PF of up to 53.4 µW m−1 K−2, which are among the highest in solution‐processed n‐doped conjugated polymers reported so far. Further studies reveal that the bimodal orientation of pNB‐TzDP introduces 3D conduction channels and leads to better accommodation of dopants, which should be the key factors for the excellent thermoelectric performance.
High‐Index‐Facet Metal‐Alloy Nanoparticles as Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts
Authors: Huang Liliang , Zheng Cindy Y. , Shen Bo , Mirkin Chad A.
Published: June 2020

A method to introduce high‐index facets into colloidally synthesized nanoparticles is used to produce compositionally uniform Pt–M (M = Ni, Co, and Cu) and Rh–M (M = Ni and Co) tetrahexahedral nanoparticles. The realization of this method allows for a systematic study of catalyst activity as a function of particle composition for various electrooxidation reactions of liquid fuels (formic acid, methanol, and ethanol). The individual contributions of their high‐index facets, internal alloying of transition metals, and surface Bi modification to their electrocatalytic properties are experimentally explored, resulting in three key findings. First, the presence of high‐index facets is favorable for improving the catalytic activity for all three classes of reactions studied. Second, the effect of transition metal alloying on catalytic activity differs from reaction to reaction. For methanol electrooxidation in an acid electrolyte, due to the contribution from surface Bi modification being negligible, transition metal alloying can significantly the improve overall catalytic efficiency. However, for the other studied reactions, where the surface Bi is highly favorable for improving catalytic activity, there is little influence from transition metal alloying. Finally, multimetallic tetrahexahedral particles have improved stabilities during prolonged operation compared to their monometallic counterparts due to the presence of the alloyed transition metal atoms.
Nanoscale Surface Electrical Properties Tailored by Room‐Temperature Sulfurization for High‐Efficient CZTSe Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Siyu , Shen Zhan , Wu Jianyu , Wu Li , Li Hui , Liang Guangxing , Ao Jianping , Wang Hai , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2020

Surface sulfurization can tailor the energy band alignment between p–n heterojunction for the kesterite‐structured Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) solar cells. However, the traditional high‐temperature sulfurization process result in the decomposition of kesterite film and thus introducing deep defects. Room‐temperature surface sulfurization, which do not introduce new deep defects during the sulfurization process, is a good method for sulfurization. Combined by different experimental techniques, in this study, it is found that CZTSe film etched by concentrated ammonia can not only tailor the surface nanoscale composition, but also make CZTSe film to expose more crystallographic sites for the successful surface sulfurization. The conductivity of grains and grain boundaries for the absorber layer is improved, the minority carrier lifetime is increased, and the interface band alignment is modified by reducing the conduction band offset successfully after following (NH4)2S vapor treatments, which drive the improvement of the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of the solar cell from 376 to 430 mV. This work can direct the surface bandgap engineering with nontraditional sulfurization to further enhance the performance of kesterite‐based thin film solar cells as well as other Se‐ or S‐containing solar cells.
Electrically Controllable Terahertz Second‐Harmonic Generation in GaAs
Authors: Lee Kanghee , Park Jagang , Kang Bong Joo , Kim Won Tae , Kim Hyeon‐Don , Baek Soojeong , Ahn Kwang Jun , Min Bumki , Rotermund Fabian
Published: June 2020

Terahertz radiation and its nonlinear optical manipulation may possess potential for a variety of applications in next‐generation electronics and optics. Pioneering studies have shown that the nonlinearity of carrier drift in semiconductors and graphene can be utilized for nonlinear optical processes at terahertz frequencies. However, because of the symmetric response of carriers to the terahertz field direction, most experiments have confirmed only the presence of odd‐order nonlinear processes. In this study, electric‐field‐induced terahertz second‐harmonic generation (SHG) in photoexcited gallium arsenide is demonstrated, where an applied bias field breaks the directional symmetry of the drift transport of electrons. The amplitudes of odd‐ and even‐harmonic waves are found to be highly controllable using the bias field. The measured conversion efficiency of SHG reaches beyond 10−5, substantially higher than the value previously reported. This terahertz harmonic generation platform with electrical controllability may be useful for future nonlinear applications at terahertz frequencies.
Potassium Doping to Enhance Green Photoemission of Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Hoang Minh Tam , Pannu Amandeep Singh , Tang Cheng , Yang Yang , Pham Ngoc Duy , Gui Ke , Wang Xiaoxiang , Yambem Soniya , Sonar Prashant , Du Aijun , Wang Hongxia
Published: June 2020

Metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) are emerging as one of the most promising materials for optoelectrical devices such as light‐emitting diode (LED) owing to their tunable band gaps, high color purity, and tolerance to defects. Nevertheless, the materials have not yet demonstrated their full potential in practical applications due to the poor stability of PeNCs and their unsatisfactory performance in devices. In this research, LED devices based on CsPbBr3 NCs are successfully demonstrated as an active light‐emitting layer with enhanced efficiency via potassium doping. The study of the effect of potassium dopant on physicochemical properties of inorganic CsPbBr3 PeNCs shows that potassium cations (K+) remain in the crystal structure of perovskite compound as interstitial defects, which results in better coverage of surface ligands on the PeNCs and improved energy band alignment with adjacent electron injection layer (2,2′,2′‐(1,3,5‐benzinetriyl)‐tris(1‐phenyl‐1‐H‐benzimidazole)) and hole injection layer (poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate) in an LED. As a consequence, the green LED with the K‐doped CsPbBr3 PeNCs shows luminance up to 5759 cd m‐2 and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5.6%, which is superior to the pristine device without K‐doping (luminance: 4579 cd m‐2, EQE: 4.8%).
Design of Large‐Scale Rectangular Cells for Rechargeable Seawater Batteries
Authors: Kim Youngjin , Harzandi Ahmad M. , Lee Jinho , Choi Yunseok , Kim Youngsik
Published: June 2020

Rechargeable seawater batteries (SWBs) are regarded as sustainable alternatives to Li‐ion batteries due to the use of an unlimited and free source of Na ion active materials. Although many approaches including the introduction of new catalysts have successfully improved the performance of SWBs, reconsidering the cell design is an urgent requirement to improve the performance and scale up the production of practical batteries. In this study, by adjusting the maximum space efficiency, a rectangular cell is developed which due to its unique architecture, benefits from optimized contact to improve the overall charge transfer in the system. In view of the rigidity of the solid electrolyte, the novel cell model is intended to have adequate flexibility to be easily transported and practically utilized. Furthermore, the enhanced efficiency of the parallel stacked modules, indicates the capability of this cell in practical use. The designed catalyst‐free cell system shows a record capacity of 3.8 Ah (47.5 Ah kg−1), energy of 11 Wh (137.5 Wh kg−1), and peak power of 523 mW for individual unit cell, while it also retains performance up to 100 cycles. This design paves the way for commercializing rechargeable seawater batteries.
Aboveground traits define differences in biomass allocation among 16 prairie species
Authors: Johnston Marie R. , Balster Nick J.
Published: June 2020

Prairie plants of the U.S. Midwest are used for stormwater management because of their purported belowground biomass, but species‐specific data are lacking by which hundreds of prairie species may be evaluated with respect to potential biomass. We hypothesize that aboveground traits could be used to define differences in biomass accumulation to leaves, stems, and roots among prairie plants. Sixteen species of wet‐mesic prairie vegetation common to urban plantings of the Midwest were grown in monoculture to quantify accumulated biomass after 2 yr. Species were grouped in accordance with aboveground morphology and flowering phenology to test for differences in biomass accrual and crown characteristics. Although the species of forbs were as different from one another in leaf, stem, and root biomass as were all forbs together vs. graminoids, grouping plants by aboveground form and flowering phenology helped discern functional differences. Differences among groupings based on aboveground traits are supported by conceptual frameworks through which plant biomass accrual is linked to crown height, leaf area, and growth strategy. These results suggest aboveground traits could inform the selection and/or substitution of prairie species for different uses within urban plantings.
Remotely Controlled Colloidal Assembly of Soft Microrobotic Artificial Muscle
Authors: Parreira Raquel , Özelçi Ece , Sakar Mahmut Selman
Published: June 2020

Herein, a methodology for the directed self‐assembly of untethered microactuators and soft robotic microdevices from nanoscale building blocks is presented. The building block is a multifunctional stimuli‐responsive nanoactuator that consists of a magnetized gold nanorod encapsulated by a thermoresponsive hydrogel. The metallic core serves as a photonic nanoheater that transduces thermal energy from near‐infrared (NIR) light and a magnetic nanomotor that generates motion while driven by magnetic fields. Rapid control of temperature enables collective manipulation of nanoactuators through thermocapillary flows. In addition, catalytic activity of the nanorod instantiates a chemical reaction that covalently binds amine groups displayed on the surface of the surrounding soft gel capsule. A combination of optical and magnetic excitation realizes both reversible and permanent in situ assembly of microactuators within seconds that can perform both spatiotemporally controlled muscle‐like contraction (up to 30% strain) and motion. It is demonstrated that by linking nanoactuators with rationally designed compliant microstructures, more complex devices such as micromanipulators can be both fabricated and operated remotely. Colloidal assembly of microactuators ensures homogenous distribution of materials and functionality, thus preserving high performance provided by nanotechnology at multiple scales.
Determinants of infant carrying behavior in rural Papua New Guinea
Authors: Tracer David P. , Wyckoff Sara L.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The determinants of variability in infant carrying within and across societies is an understudied area within parental investment research. Carrying has positive and negative consequences as it may protect the infant from predators and pathogens but is energetically costly for caregivers. Moreover, carrying may delay independent locomotor development and exposure to antigens necessary for immunological competence. The purpose of this study is to compare infants' ages and developmental milestone attainment as predictors of carrying behavior and to identify other determinants of carrying behavior among traditional forager‐horticulturalists in Papua New Guinea.

Methods

We analyze quantitative data collected among 107 infant‐caregiver dyads during 354 hours of focal follows on infant carrying. Random effects logistic regression was used to model carrying behavior in these dyads.

Results

Infants' chronological age and milestone achievement are equally reliable predictors of abatement of carrying and increased time on the ground. Further, the presence or absence of the mother and the location of the infant‐caregiver pair are significantly associated with carrying behavior. Indices of mother's and infants' condition such as anthropometric measures were not predictive of carrying behaviors.

Conclusions

Mothers vary the amount of carrying based on assessment of infant and local environmental conditions. Age and milestone attainment are equally predictive of time on the ground and therefore increased exposure to antigens, pathogens and other dangers. High levels of infant carrying function as offspring protection by increasing exposure to ground level pathogens gradually, thus allowing for the naïve immune system to develop immunocompetence incrementally.
Beschleunigung von zweiphasiger Biokatalyse durch neue Prozessfenster
Authors: Huynh Florence , Tailby Matthew , Finniear Aled , Stephens Kevin , Allemann Rudolf K. , Wirth Thomas
Published: June 2020

Prozessintensivierung durch kontinuierliche Flussreaktionen hat die Produktionsraten von Feinchemikalien und Pharmazeutika deutlich erhöht. Katalytische Reaktionen werden durch eine unkonventionelle und beispiellose Verwendung eines Hochleistungs‐Flüssig/Flüssig‐Gegenstromchromatographiesystems beschleunigt. Produkte werden erheblich schneller als in herkömmlichen Batch‐Reaktoren oder in segmentierten Durchflusssystemen gebildet, was durch stereoselektive Phasentransfer‐katalysierte Reaktionen demonstriert wird. Diese Methode ermöglicht auch die Intensivierung biokatalytischer Reaktionen, wie durch Veresterungen mit hoher Ausbeute und mit der Sesquiterpencyclase‐katalysierten Synthese von Sesquiterpenen aus Farnesyldiphosphat als hochwertige Naturstoffe mit Anwendungen in der Medizin, Landwirtschaft und Duftstoffindustrie gezeigt wird. Die Produktfreisetzung in Sesquiterpensynthasen ist aufgrund der hydrophoben Natur von Sesquiterpenen geschwindigkeitslimitierend, das den Zentrifugalkräften ausgesetzte zweiphasige System ermöglicht aber hocheffiziente Reaktionen.
Dynamic Features of Transition States for β‐Scission Reactions of Alkenes over Acid Zeolites Revealed by AIMD Simulations
Authors: Rey Jérôme , Bignaud Charles , Raybaud Pascal , Bučko Tomáš , Chizallet Céline
Published: June 2020

Zeolite‐catalyzed alkene cracking is key to optimize the size of hydrocarbons. The nature and stability of intermediates and transition states (TS) are, however, still debated. We combine transition path sampling and blue moon ensemble density functional theory simulations to unravel the behavior of C7 alkenes in CHA zeolite. Free energy profiles are determined, linking π‐complexes, alkoxides and carbenium ions, for B1 (secondary to tertiary) and B2 (tertiary to secondary) β‐scissions. B1 is found to be easier than B2. The TS for B1 occurs at the breaking of the C−C bond, while for B2 it is the proton transfer from propenium to the zeolite. We highlight the dynamic behaviors of the various intermediates along both pathways, which reduce activation energies with respect to those previously evaluated by static approaches. We finally revisit the ranking of isomerization and cracking rate constants, which are crucial for future kinetic studies.
A Far‐Red Emitting Fluorescent Chemogenetic Reporter for In Vivo Molecular Imaging
Authors: Li Chenge , Tebo Alison G. , Thauvin Marion , Plamont Marie‐Aude , Volovitch Michel , Morin Xavier , Vriz Sophie , Gautier Arnaud
Published: June 2020

Far‐red emitting fluorescent labels are highly desirable for spectral multiplexing and deep tissue imaging. Here, we describe the generation of frFAST (far‐red Fluorescence Activating and absorption Shifting Tag), a 14‐kDa monomeric protein that forms a bright far‐red fluorescent assembly with (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐phenyl)allylidene rhodanine (HPAR‐3OM). As HPAR‐3OM is essentially non‐fluorescent in solution and in cells, frFAST can be imaged with high contrast in presence of free HPAR‐3OM, which allowed the rapid and efficient imaging of frFAST fusions in live cells, zebrafish embryo/larvae, and chicken embryos. Beyond enabling the genetic encoding of far‐red fluorescence, frFAST allowed the design of a far‐red chemogenetic reporter of protein–protein interactions, demonstrating its great potential for the design of innovative far‐red emitting biosensors.
Fabricating Dual‐Atom Iron Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Heteroatom Modulator Approach
Authors: Wei Yong‐Sheng , Sun Liming , Wang Miao , Hong Jinhua , Zou Lianli , Liu Hongwen , Wang Yu , Zhang Mei , Liu Zheng , Li Yinwei , Horike Satoshi , Suenaga Kazu , Xu Qiang
Published: June 2020

Understanding the thermal aggregation behavior of metal atoms is important for the synthesis of supported metal clusters. Here, derived from a metal–organic framework encapsulating a trinuclear FeIII2FeII complex (denoted as Fe3) within the channels, a well‐defined nitrogen‐doped carbon layer is fabricated as an ideal support for stabilizing the generated iron nanoclusters. Atomic replacement of FeII by other metal(II) ions (e.g., ZnII/CoII) via synthesizing isostructural trinuclear‐complex precursors (Fe2Zn/Fe2Co), namely the “heteroatom modulator approach”, is inhibiting the aggregation of Fe atoms toward nanoclusters with formation of a stable iron dimer in an optimal metal–nitrogen moiety, clearly identified by direct transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis. The supported iron dimer, serving as cooperative metal–metal site, acts as efficient oxygen evolution catalyst. Our findings offer an atomic insight to guide the future design of ultrasmall metal clusters bearing outstanding catalytic capabilities.
Oligomeric Cucurbituril Complexes: from Peculiar Assemblies to Emerging Applications
Authors: Yang Xue , Wang Ruibing , Kermagoret Anthony , Bardelang David
Published: June 2020

Proteins are an endless source of inspiration. By carefully tuning the amino‐acid sequence of proteins, nature made them evolve from primary to quaternary structures, a property specific to protein oligomers and often crucial to accomplish their function. On the other hand, the synthetic macrocycles cucurbiturils (CBs) have shown outstanding recognition properties in water, and a growing number of (host)n:(guest)n supramolecular polymers involving CBs have been reported. However, the burgeoning field of discrete (n:n) host:guest oligomers has just started to attract attention. While 2:2 complexes are the major oligomers, 3:3 and up to 6:6 oligomers have been described, some associated with emerging applications, specific to the (n:n) arrangements. Design rules to target (n:n) host:guest oligomers are proposed toward new advanced host:guest systems.
Zero‐fluoroscopy catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions at left coronary cusp near left main coronary artery
Authors: Santoro Amato , Baiocchi Claudia , D’Ascenzi Flavio , Mondillo Sergio , Valente Serafina
Published: June 2020

The left coronary cusp is the commonest site of origin for coronary cusp PVC. Catheter ablation without fluoroscopy is highly effective, feasible, and safe but it could be related to risks because of proximity to the coronary arteries. The use of ICE integration allowed an improvement in the safety and efficiency of these procedures.