bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rare cause of gastrointestinal obstruction. Drug poisoning as a surgical disorder?
Authors: Lubecka Anna , Szmeja Jacek
Published: March 2018

A patient had intestinal obstruction due to a rare cause. The patient presented unusual signs and symptoms. Although we
performed a thorough diagnostic workup (CT, ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy), only laparotomy revealed that a bezoar
caused the intestinal obstruction. The bezoar consisted of a herbal preparation, which was mentioned by the patient twice as
a possible cause of his symptoms. All in all, the patient was right.
Relative transparency of sea water in the Green-fjord Bay (Spitsbergen)
Authors: Ivanov Boris Viacheslavovich
Published: March 2018

The results of the analysis of spatial-time variability of relative transparency (depth of disappearance of a standard white Sechi disk) in the Green-fjord Bay (Spitsbergen archipelago) are presented. The data covers the period from 1986 to 1990 and were obtained during carrying- out of the oceanographic monitoring by experts of Barentsburg research station (Murmansk HydroMeteorogical Management) in frame of the program of standard coastal supervision. Some conclusions about the reasons of spatial and time variability of relative transparency depending from change of external conditions are presented.
Potential Arctic connections to eastern North American cold winters
Authors: Overland James E. , Wang Muyin
Published: March 2018

Far-field temperature and geopotential height fields associated with eastern North American early winter (DEC-JAN) extreme cold events are documented since 1950. Based on 19 cases of monthly extreme cold events, two large-scale patterns emerge. First, a strong Alaskan Ridge (AR) can develop with higher 700 hPa geopotential heights and positive temperature anomalies from Alaska south along the coastal northeastern Pacific Ocean, and low eastern North American geopotential height anomalies, the well-known North American ridge/trough pattern. A second subset of cases is a Greenland-Baffin Blocking (GBB) pattern that have positive temperature anomalies centered west of Greenland with a cut off tropospheric polar vortex feature over eastern North America; cold temperature anomalies extend from southeastern United States northwestward into central Canada. Both of these historical large-scale patterns associated with eastern North American cold events (AR and GBB) have the potential for future reinforcement by sea ice loss and associated warm Arctic regional temperature anomalies. An example of a GBB case is 15-22 December 2010 and an extreme AR case is in early 4-14 December 2016. In both cases lack of sea ice and warm temperature anomalies were colocated with local maximums in the geopotential height anomaly fields. Future regional delay of fall freeze up in the Chukchi Sea and Baffin Bay regions could reinforce these geopotential height patterns once they occur, but is not likely to initiate AR and GBB type events.
Solutions for system analysis and information support of the various activities in the Arctic
Authors: Oleynik Andrey , Lomov Pavel , Shemyakin Alexey , Avdeev Alexey
Published: March 2018

Comprehensive use of data and knowledge obtained within different disciplines is necessary for the scientific substantiation of activities in the Arctic zone and for a system analysis of the possible consequences of this activity. Information resources created so far allow the access to a variety of data on the Arctic. The authors propose the solution for task of data consistency ensuring in the field of combined presentation and use of data and knowledge of interdisciplinary research. The proposed solution is based on the joint use of relational database and ontology. The developed structure and mechanisms of the database maintenance provide a uniform representation of the information about results of the researches executed in the framework of various disciplines. The ontology is a high-level global schema of the information system and it provides a dictionary that is used to formulate a database query in terms of a subject domain. In this work, ontology is implemented as a system of small fragments - ontology design patterns. The patterns use makes it possible to perform efficient preliminary database indexing, which ensures faster execution of user queries.
Airborne fungi in arctic settlement Tiksi (Russian Arctic, coast of the Laptev Sea)
Authors: Kirtsideli Irina Yu. , Vlasov Dmitry Yu. , Abakumov Evgeny V. , Barantsevich Elena P. , Novozhilov Yuri K. , Krylenkov Viacheslav A. , Sokolov Vladimir T.
Published: March 2018

Biodiversity and number of airborne fungi isolated from indoor and outdoor air of different location in the areas of arctic settlement Tiksi (Russian Arctic) are described. Different locations (coastal areas, landscape, streets of Tiksi, abandoned empty houses, flats, public buildings) were observed. Aeromycota characterized by a significant biodiversity (50 species), but only several species were abundant. Airborne fungal spores concentration (CFU) in Tiksi locations was found low. The maximum spore concentrations were observed in air of the abandoned empty houses (inhabited in the past). Many species common for soil were observed at the samples taken at streets and abandoned buildings. Most of them are also known as inhabitants of building materials. Microfungi CFU at settlement territory was twice as high as natural territory. Phospholipase, albuminase and hemolytic activities of microfungi isolates as well as their relation to temperature were studied. Most of the tested isolates demonstrated high levels of all the tested activities. It was concluded that there is a risk of ‘‘mold’’ allergy diseases for the people especially with weakening of immunity at arctic settlement Tiksi. Main sources of the air contamination in arctic settlements and houses could be many anthropogenic substrates which were colonized by soil fungi.
Defending Adam After Darwin
Authors: Austriaco Nicanor Pier Giorgio ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2018

For many contemporary Christian theologians, evolutionary biology rules out any account of an Adam and Eve that would explain the origin of our species. In response, I propose that they have uncritically embraced the anti-essentialist presuppositions of the dominant scientific narrative for the origins of our kind. In fact, there are sound and robust reasons to think that human beings share an intrinsic essence that puts them into a natural kind. I also propose that our natural kind can be defined by our developmental capacity for language, which I suggest is needed for abstract thinking. Thus, it is still reasonable to trace the origins of our natural kind to an original individual. He would have been the first anatomically modern human to have evolved this capacity for hierarchical and non-linear language that allowed him to construct an abstract internal map of the world.
Attitudes of Jordanian Undergraduate Students towards Using Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
Authors: Alrazeq Saeed Farah Jamal Abed
Published: March 2018

The study aimed at investigating the attitudes of Jordanian undergraduate students towards using computer assisted -language learning (CALL) and its effectiveness in the process of learning the English language.  In order to fulfill the study’s objective, the researchers used a questionnaire to collect data, followed-up with semi-structured interviews to investigate the students’ beliefs towards CALL. Twenty- one of Jordanian BA students majoring in English language and literature were selected according to simple random sampling. The results revealed positive attitudes towards CALL in facilitating the process of writing assignments, gaining information; making learning enjoyable; improving their creativity, productivity, academic achievement, critical thinking skills, and enhancing their knowledge about vocabulary grammar, and culture. Furthermore, they believed that computers can motivate them to learn English language and help them to communicate and interact with their teachers and colleagues. The researchers recommended conducting a research on the same topic, taking into consideration the variables of age, gender, experience in using computers, and computer skills.
The Attitudes of Secondary School Students Toward School And Reading: A Comparison In Terms of Mother Tongue, Gender And Class Level
Authors: Yıldız Mustafa , Kızıltaş Yusuf
Published: March 2018

It is important to determine whether the school attitude of secondary school students has an influence on the reading attitude. For this purpose, such a study was conducted at secondary school level. In addition, the extent to which such variables as mother tongue are determinative in this context has been examined.The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between the attitudes of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade secondary school students toward the school and reading. In addition, the study also examines whether the attitude towards reading and school differs according to gender, class, and mother tongue variables. A total of 513 students (235 females, 278 males) attending secondary school in the province of Van in Turkeyparticipated in the research. In the study, Attitude Scale toward Reading developed by Alıcı (2013) is used in order to measure the attitudes of the students towards the school. Additionally, Reading Attitude Scale for Elementary Second Grade Students developed by Özbay and Uyar (2009) isused to measure the students’ attitudes towards reading. According to the results, there is a moderate significant relation between students’ attitudes toward the school and attitudes toward reading. According to the findings obtained from the study,it is seen that the attitudes of female students toward the school are more positive than those of male students. It is concluded that the attitudes of 5th grade students toward the school are more positive than those of the other students. Furthermore, students whose mother tongue is Turkish have more positive reading attitudes than the students whose mother tongue is Kurdish or one of other languages (Arabic, Persian, and so on).
The Usefulness of Pictorial Aids in Developing Female Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Speaking Proficiency
Authors: Afraz Shahram , Taghizade Leila , Taghinezhad Ali
Published: March 2018

Speaking is a crucial form of communication in language learning settings. Through speaking skill, ESL/EFL language learners can communicate and convey information. Pictorial aids have been deployed as efficacious mediatory tools in teaching various disciplines such as language teaching. Still, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, a direct look at the impacts of pictorial aids on EFL intermediate learners’ speaking proficiency has been less addressed. Thus, the main concern of the present study was to investigate the role of pictorial aids in creating a favorable ground for teaching speaking and how it may affect learners’ speaking proficiency. To this end, 40 intermediate EFL learners were selected out of 70 from a private English language institute in Shiraz, Iran. The homogeneity of their proficiency level was established via the administration of Oxford Proficiency Test. Then they were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. Three instruments were used to answer the research questions: Pre-test and post-test interviews, classroom observation, and a questionnaire. Subsequently, the participants were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=20) and a control (n=20) group. During 6 sessions, the experimental group received treatment while using pictorial aids. By contrast, the control group followed their routine instruction at the institution through traditional method, i.e. the tasks of Top notch 2. Then by the end of the study, an interview was held as a post test in order to monitor any effect the treatment might have on increasing speaking proficiency of the participants under the investigation. The results gained from a post-test were analyzed via t-test indicated that visual aids had a positive impact on the intermediate learners’ speaking proficiency in which experimental group outperformed control group.
The Effect of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) on Reading Comprehension in English for Specific Purposes Courses
Authors: Farahani Fahimeh
Published: March 2018

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) has potential to help language learners; however, it has received scant attention. The present study was an attempt to investigate the effect of NLP techniques on reading comprehension of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners at an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course. To achieve this goal, two intact classes of students were selected to form an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). A reading pretest (based on the course content) was given to all participants. The sensory learning styles of the participants were diagnosed using Reid's (1987) leaning style questionnaire, and the participants in the experimental group were familiarized with NLP techniques to be able to implement these techniques in their reading. In the control group, the conventional approach to teach ESP reading was used. Considering the analysis of posttest results through ANCOVA, it was found that implementation of NLP techniques can have significant effect on reading comprehension of Iranian undergraduate EFL learners. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
A Novel Four Element Low Profile and Compact Conical Dielectric Resonator Antenna for Wideband Applications
Authors: Kaushik V. R. , Gangwar R. K.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a four element Conical Dielectric Resonator Antenna fed through coaxial probe is presented. This Low Profile and compact novel Antenna is designed for Wideband application and its input and radiation characteristics determined through the Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) Software. The proposed antenna provides wide Bandwidth (45%) and high average gain (5.15 dBi) with Monopole type Radiation Pattern.
Design of Compact Broadband Omni directional Canonical Sleeve Antenna covering 500-3600 MHz
Authors: Ram C. S. , Vakula D. , Chakravarthy M.
Published: March 2018

A novel compact broadband Canonical Sleeve Antenna (CSA) covering 500-3600 MHz with omni directional characteristics is presented in this paper. A new method is employed in which the radiating antenna structure is designed as combination of three different canonical structures: hemispherical, conical and cylindrical elements. To accomplish the broad bandwidth with compact size, dipole antenna is designed by using cylindrical sleeve over the hemispherical dipole with conical extensions and cylindrical attachments. Performance characteristics of CSA is simulated and compared with BiConical Antenna (BCA) and other antenna configurations and found to be best antenna configuration with compact form factor. The antenna has height of 111.43 mm and diameter of 116.66 mm. Simulation studies are carried out using CST Microwave Studio. The simulated results are validated by fabricating CSA and evaluating its performance metrics. CSA has 7.2:1 bandwidth with measured VSWR <2.7:1 and Gain varies from 0 to 3.6 dBi. The antenna finds use in wireless communication industry, spectrum monitoring and defence applications.
Multi-port Pattern diversity antenna for K and Ka-band application
Authors: Chilukuri S. , Dahal K. , Lokam A.
Published: March 2018

A compact coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed reconfigurable antenna with pattern diversity using multi-port excitation is designed. The basic antenna consists of a circular patch of radius 2.5mm which is fed by four ports independently. By exciting the patch with each individual port, the direction of the radiation pattern changes by 900. With the use of CPW feed technique, a very wide impedance bandwidth of around 12GHz (21.65 – 33.87 GHz) covering the K-band and Ka-band is achieved. The proposed antenna can be used for different satellite communication applications like earth exploration, radio navigation and location, mobile satellite communications which comes under K-band and Ka-band. The measured return loss and pattern characteristic results are in good agreement with simulated ones.
Some remarks on the charging capacitor problem
Authors: Papachristou C. J.
Published: March 2018

The charging capacitor is the standard textbook and classroom example for explaining the concept of the so-called Maxwell displacement current. A certain aspect of the problem, however, is often overlooked. It concerns the conditions for satisfaction of the Faraday-Henry law inside the capacitor. Expressions for the electromagnetic field are derived that properly satisfy all four of Maxwell’s equations in that region.
Expression pattern of Wif1 and β-catenin during development of anorectum in fetal rats with anorectal malformations
Authors: Tang Xiao Bing , Li Huan , Zhang Jin , Wang Wei Lin , Yuan Zheng Wei , Bai Yu Zuo
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study was performed to investigate the expression pattern of Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (Wif1) and β-catenin during anorectal development in normal and anorectal malformation (ARM) embryos and the possible role of Wif1 and β-catenin in the pathogenesis of ARM.

Methods

ARM was induced with ethylenethiourea on the 10th gestational day in rat embryos. Cesarean deliveries were performed to harvest the embryos. The expression pattern of Wif1 and β-catenin protein and mRNA was evaluated in normal rat embryos (n = 288) and ARM rat embryos (n = 306) from GD13 to GD16 using immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and real time RT-PCR.

Results

Immunohistochemical staining revealed that in normal embryos Wif1 was constantly expressed in the cloaca from GD13 to GD16. On GD13 and GD14, Wif1-immunopositive cells were extensively expressed in the cloaca. On GD15, the expression of Wif1 were mainly detected on the very thin anal membrane. In ARM embryos, the epithelium of the hindgut and urorectal septum demonstrated faint immunostaining for Wif1 from GD14 to GD16. Western blot and real time RT-PCR revealed that Wif1 and β-catenin protein and mRNA expression level was significantly decreased in the ARM groups compared with the normal group on GD14 and GD15 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the expression pattern of Wif1 and β-catenin was disrupted in ARM embryos during anorectal morphogenesis, which demonstrated that downregulation of Wif1 and β-catenin at the time of cloacal separation into the primitive rectum and urogenital septum might related to the development of ARM.
CANADA – UNITED STATES (SALISH SEA) SPILL RESPONSE ORGANIZATIONS: A COMPARISON REVISITED
Authors: Knutson Scott , Dougans Craig
Published: March 2018

Abstract number: 2017-102

The Salish Sea comprises the North American inland marine waters of Washington State and British Columbia; an international border between Canada and the United States intersects it. Planning for oil spills that threaten to cross the international border is under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as described in the Canada-United States Joint Marine Contingency Plan. As Canadian companies gain approval to construct new pipelines to move oil-sands-derived crude oil from the landlocked province of Alberta to the tidewater province of British Columbia, governments, agencies and citizens are publicly questioning whether current levels of oil spill preparedness and response equipment will be adequate for the increased tanker traffic from Canadian ports. These stakeholders may likewise be unaware of forthcoming spill prevention and response enhancements, by the Canadian government and industry, associated with new energy infrastructure projects.

This paper will expand on a 2014 IOSC paper entitled CANADA – UNITED STATES (SALISH SEA) SPILL RESPONSE ORGANIZATIONS: A COMPARISON,1 which was a snapshot of regulations, actual inventories and philosophies that made up the 2014 response picture for the south Salish Sea shared between Canada and the United States. In order to see the entire picture, the reader is encouraged to have both documents at hand.2 The updated paper reviews changes to American Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO) and Canadian Response organization (RO) equipment inventories, changes to the Canada Shipping Act 2001, Canada's new Oceans Protection Plan (OPP), United States newly implemented non-floating oil ORSO classification, Washington State's oil spill contingency plans and the future buildup of response equipment and personnel.
What makes a great oil spill forecast?
Authors: Griffiths Jonathan , Harrington-Missin Liam , Hall Sarah
Published: March 2018

Abstract (ID2017-190)

This paper identifies the key information that should be included in an operational oil spill forecast. It shows how modellers convert huge quantities of data into a readily accessible modelling forecast report that can be rapidly interpreted and incorporated into the incident action plan.

Effective response strategies can minimise the potentially devastating consequences of an oil spill. To protect nearby socio-economic and ecological sensitivities a response strategy needs to be implemented quickly.

Oil spill forecasts help predict the behaviour of oil that has been spilled into the marine environment. These predictions are highly useful when planning response strategies for the coming days. Key operational information derived from oil spill forecasts can be broken down into two main areas:1. Where is oil expected to travel?By knowing where oil is expected to travel, response organisations can decide which sensitivities need protection. Forecasts will show if oil is predicted to reach fisheries, shorelines and other important resources. This information can be used within a Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) to decide which sensitivities to prioritise for protection.2. What is expected to happen to the physical properties of the spilled oil?Once oil enters the marine environment it is subjected to weathering processes such as spreading, evaporation and biodegradation. These processes change the chemical makeup of the oil which usually becomes more viscous and can form emulsion. Information obtained from modelling can help decision makers choose the correct response options and equipment to use during a spill. For example, if a modelling forecast shows oil is likely to become highly viscous responders will know heavy oil skimmers will be needed if offshore recovery is to take place.

The information referred to above can be extracted from the vast amount of data that is created when an oil spill model is run. As Incident Managers need to make informed decisions quickly, it is essential that oil spill forecasts are presented in a clear and concise fashion. From experience, it is often this extra step of making the data easily accessible to the decision maker that is overlooked and is of most value in a response.

This means that response modellers need to be trained, not only in the science of oil spill modelling, but also in the art of conveying complex information to a range of end users from oil spill experts to interested members of the public.
Improving Safety for Gulf Oil Spill Responders: Individual and Organizational Factors Impacting the Effectiveness of Health and Safety Training
Authors: Sarpy Sue Ann , Burke Michael , Rabito Felicia , Hughes Joseph “Chip”
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT ID: 2017-197

In response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster and resulting Gulf of Mexico oil spill (GOS), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) facilitated the conduct of health and safety training and development of training materials for over 147,000 cleanup workers (e.g., on-shore and off-shore volunteers, technical specialists) across four Gulf States. Of the approximately 47,000 trained workers who engaged in cleanup activities, 507 workers participated in a training evaluation effort (facilitated by community-based organizations) by completing the GOS Training Evaluation Survey. Survey respondents were primarily male from six racial/ethnic groups: Black, White, Asian (Vietnamese), Isleno, Hispanic, and Native American.

The evaluation results demonstrate that, overall, the GOS training was very effective in enhancing trainee knowledge and environmental cleanup behaviors, and it had a meaningful impact on responder safety. Notably, when considering results stratified by workers' ethnicity/race, responders from sub-populations most vulnerable to the effects of the oil spill were not as positively affected by the training. Related, the results also indicated that the social and organizational aspects of the worksite, such as safety climate/culture, supported or inhibited the exhibition of safety behaviors learned during training. Results will be discussed with respect to making quality improvements to responder safety training, identifying best practices, and making better use of available resources and strategies.
Heat and Fluid Transport Induced by Convective Fluid Circulation Within a Fracture or Fault
Authors: Patterson J. W. , Driesner T. , Matthai S. , Tomlinson R.
Published: March 2018

Natural water convection in subvertical fractures, fracture zones, or faults can perturb the temperature field around the fracture and enhance and focus vertical heat flow within. We investigate, by means of numerical simulation, the effects of convection in a deeply buried vertical fracture zone. Fracture zone transmissivity, defined as permeability times thickness of the permeable region, is found to be the primary control on convection style rather than fracture zone thickness or permeability alone. In an impermeable host rock, the convection‐induced thermal anomaly propagates solely via conduction, diminishing away from the fracture. Convective heat flow increases with fracture transmissivity up to ~10−8 m3, when a plateau in convective heat flow is reached, constrained by fracture size and the host rock's thermal conductivity. Permeable host rocks modify these results significantly. In a moderately permeable host rock (10−14 m2), convection in the fracture induces non‐Rayleigh fluid convection, while thermal effects and fluid exchange between host rock and fracture remain moderate. If the host rock is sufficiently permeable to allow porous medium Rayleigh convection to occur (10−13 m2), the convection patterns within the fracture are overprinted by the host's convective patterns. Fluid exchange between the fracture and the rock will be significant. Our findings provide insight into how thermal anomalies in the uppermost crust may relate to locally enhanced heat flow from convection in nonoutcropping fractures below. Furthermore, the results for permeable host rocks provide evidence for previously inferred hydrologic scenarios for the formation of certain hydrothermal, vein‐type mineral deposits.
Uncertainty Assessment of Synthetic Design Hydrographs for Gauged and Ungauged Catchments
Authors: Brunner Manuela I. , Sikorska Anna E. , Furrer Reinhard , Favre Anne‐Catherine
Published: March 2018

Design hydrographs described by peak discharge, hydrograph volume, and hydrograph shape are essential for engineering tasks involving storage. Such design hydrographs are inherently uncertain as are classical flood estimates focusing on peak discharge only. Various sources of uncertainty contribute to the total uncertainty of synthetic design hydrographs for gauged and ungauged catchments. These comprise model uncertainties, sampling uncertainty, and uncertainty due to the choice of a regionalization method. A quantification of the uncertainties associated with flood estimates is essential for reliable decision making and allows for the identification of important uncertainty sources. We therefore propose an uncertainty assessment framework for the quantification of the uncertainty associated with synthetic design hydrographs. The framework is based on bootstrap simulations and consists of three levels of complexity. On the first level, we assess the uncertainty due to individual uncertainty sources. On the second level, we quantify the total uncertainty of design hydrographs for gauged catchments and the total uncertainty of regionalizing them to ungauged catchments but independently from the construction uncertainty. On the third level, we assess the coupled uncertainty of synthetic design hydrographs in ungauged catchments, jointly considering construction and regionalization uncertainty. We find that the most important sources of uncertainty in design hydrograph construction are the record length and the choice of the flood sampling strategy. The total uncertainty of design hydrographs in ungauged catchments depends on the catchment properties and is not negligible in our case.
MucR binds multiple target sites in the promoter of its own gene and is a heat‐stable protein: Is MucR a H‐NS‐like protein?
Authors: Baglivo Ilaria , Pirone Luciano , Malgieri Gaetano , Fattorusso Roberto , Roop II Roy Martin , Pedone Emilia Maria , Pedone Paolo Vincenzo
Published: March 2018

The protein MucR from Brucella spp. is involved in the expression regulation of genes necessary for host interaction and infection. MucR is a member of the Ros/MucR family, which comprises prokaryotic zinc‐finger proteins and includes Ros from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the Ml proteins from Mesorhizobium loti. MucR from Brucella spp. can regulate the expression of virulence genes and repress its own gene expression. Despite the well‐known role played by MucR in the repression of its own gene, no target sequence has yet been identified in the mucR promoter gene. In this study, we provide the first evidence that MucR from Brucella abortus binds more than one target site in the promoter region of its own gene, suggesting a molecular mechanism by which this protein represses its own expression. Furthermore, a circular dichroism analysis reveals that MucR is a heat‐stable protein. Overall, the results of this study suggest that MucR might resemble a H‐NS protein.
Wide Bandgap Molecular Acceptors with a Truxene Core for Efficient Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells: Linkage Position on Molecular Configuration and Photovoltaic Properties
Authors: Wu Wenlin , Zhang Guangjun , Xu Xiaopeng , Wang Shichao , Li Ying , Peng Qiang
Published: March 2018

Two wide bandgap star‐shaped small molecular acceptors, para‐TrBRCN and meta‐TrBRCN, are synthesized for efficient nonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs). The tiny structural variation by just changing the linkage positions affects largely the inherent properties of the resulting molecules. Both molecules have a nonplanar 3D structure, which can prevent the excessively aggregation to realize the optimized morphology and ideal domain size in their active blends. Compared to para‐TrBRCN, meta‐TrBRCN exhibits the smaller distortions between the truxene skeleton and the benzothiadiazole units, which would also lead to the enhanced π–π stacking and charge transfer. When blending with PTB7‐Th, high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 10.15% and 8.28% are obtained for meta‐TrBRCN and para‐TrBRCN devices, respectively. To make up the weak absorption of above binary active blend in the longer wavelength region and increase the whole device performance further, low bandgap 3,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3‐(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)‐indanone)‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis(4‐hexylthienyl)‐dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]‐dithiophene (ITIC‐Th) is added as the second acceptor material to fabricate ternary blend PSCs. After adding 20 wt% of ITIC‐Th, the resulting devices exhibit the well‐balanced optical absorption and fine‐tuned morphology, giving rise to the significantly improved PCE of 11.40% with much higher J
sc of 18.25 mA cm−2 and fill factor of 70.2%.
Biodegradable Inverse Opals with Controlled Discoloration
Authors: Kim Ji‐Won , Lee Joon‐Seok , Kim Shin‐Hyun
Published: March 2018

Colloidal crystals and their derivatives possess photonic bandgap property, being useful in various applications, including structural coloration and colorimetric sensing. In this work, inverse opals made of a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA), are prepared to provide a controlled discoloration. To make PLGA inverse opals, a monolayer of silica particles is first deposited on the surface of PLGA film by spin coating, which is then partially embedded into the film by thermal annealing. Opal is deposited on the monolayer‐coated PLGA film by dip coating and then embedded into the underlying PLGA film. Selective removal of silica particles leaves behind a face‐centered cubic lattice of air cavity in PLGA matrix. The inverse opals whose framework is made of PLGA exhibit a pronounced structural color in dried state. When they are subjected to water, PLGA degrades by hydrolysis of ester groups, which results in the gradual discoloration. The discoloration rate is controllable by varying the pH of surrounding medium and cavity sizes, so that it can act as a colorimetric indicator of valid periods for drugs, foods, and cosmetics. In addition, high biocompatibility and unique optical appearance further render the inverse opals useful as edible anticounterfeiting materials for valuable drugs.
A Palladium NNC‐Pincer Complex as an Efficient Catalyst Precursor for the Mizoroki−Heck Reaction
Authors: Hamasaka Go , Ichii Shun , Uozumi Yasuhiro
Published: March 2018

The Mizoroki−Heck reaction of aryl halides (iodides, bromides, or chlorides) with activated alkenes in the presence of a palladium NNC‐pincer complex at ppb to ppm loadings gave the corresponding internal alkenes in excellent yields. The total turnover number and turnover frequency reached up to 8.70×108 and 1.21×107 h−1 (3.36×103 s−1), respectively. The catalyst was applied in a ten‐gram‐scale synthesis of the UV‐B sunscreen agent octinoxate (2‐ethylhexyl 4‐methoxycinnamate). Reaction‐rate analyses, transmission electron microscopic examination of the reaction mixture, and poisoning tests suggested that a monomeric palladium species is the catalytically active species in the catalytic cycle.

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Intercontinental dispersal and whole‐genome duplication contribute to loss of self‐incompatibility in a polyploid complex
Authors: Sutherland Brittany L. , Quarles Brandie M. , Galloway Laura F.
Published: March 2018

Premise of the Study

Angiosperm species often shift from self‐incompatibility to self‐compatibility following population bottlenecks. Across the range of a species, population bottlenecks may result from multiple factors, each of which may affect the geographic distribution and magnitude of mating‐system shifts. We describe how intercontinental dispersal and genome duplication facilitate loss of self‐incompatibility.

Methods

Self and outcross pollinations were performed on plants from 24 populations of the Campanula rotundifolia polyploid complex. Populations spanned the geographic distribution and three dominant cytotypes of the species (diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid).

Key Results

Loss of self‐incompatibility was associated with both intercontinental dispersal and genome duplication. European plants were largely self‐incompatible, whereas North American plants were intermediately to fully self‐compatible. Within both European and North American populations, loss of self‐incompatibility increased as ploidy increased. Ploidy change and intercontinental dispersal both contributed to loss of self‐incompatibility in North America, but range expansion did not affect self‐incompatibility within Europe or North America.

Conclusions

When species are subject to population bottlenecks arising through multiple factors, each factor can contribute to self‐incompatibility loss. In a widespread polyploid complex, the loss of self‐incompatibility can be predicted by the cumulative effects of whole‐genome duplication and intercontinental dispersal.
Übereinstimmende Muster in Chaperon‐Interaktionen mit einem nativen Klientenprotein
Authors: He Lichun , Hiller Sebastian
Published: March 2018

Viele molekulare Chaperone sind promiskuitiv und interagieren mit einer Vielzahl von ungefalteten, quasi‐nativen und nativen Klientenproteinen. Dabei sind die Mechanismen, wie die Chaperone die unterschiedlichen Strukturen nativer Klienten erkennen, weiterhin rätselhaft. In dieser Arbeit untersuchten wir auf atomarer Ebene, wie drei ATP‐unabhängige Chaperone mit der β‐Faltblatt‐reichen Fyn‐SH3‐Domäne interagieren. Die Daten zeigen, dass das Chaperon Spy die lokal frustrierte Oberfläche des Klienten Fyn‐SH3 erkennt und dass die Interaktion transient und hochdynamisch ist, so dass die mit dem Chaperon wechselwirkende Oberfläche auf Fyn‐SH3 lösungsmittelzugänglich bleibt. Die beiden weiteren molekularen Chaperone SurA und Skp erkennen die gleiche, lokal frustrierte Stelle auf der Oberfläche der Fyn‐SH3‐Domäne. Diese Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass der Interaktion von Chaperonen mit nativen Klienten als gemeinsamer Mechanismus eine dynamische Erkennung frustrierter Segmente zugrunde liegt, der auch die Grundlage für die Promiskuität der Chaperone bildet.
Chelating N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Enable Tuning of Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Formate and Carbon Monoxide: Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Authors: Cao Zhi , Derrick Jeffrey S. , Xu Jun , Gao Rui , Gong Ming , Nichols Eva M. , Smith Peter T. , Liu Xingwu , Wen Xiaodong , Copéret Christophe , Chang Christopher J.
Published: March 2018

Reported here is the chelate effect as a design principle for tuning heterogeneous catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction. Palladium functionalized with a chelating tris‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand (Pd‐timtmbMe) exhibits a 32‐fold increase in activity for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to C1 products with high Faradaic efficiency (FEC1=86 %) compared to the parent unfunctionalized Pd foil (FE=23 %), and with sustained activity relative to a monodentate NHC‐ligated Pd electrode (Pd‐mimtmbMe). The results highlight the contributions of the chelate effect for tailoring and maintaining reactivity at molecular‐materials interfaces enabled by surface organometallic chemistry.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Cascade Annulation of Indole with Propargyl Alcohols
Authors: Kaufmann Julia , Jäckel Elisabeth , Haak Edgar
Published: March 2018

Cascade transformations forming multiple bonds and one‐pot procedures provide rapid access to natural‐product‐like scaffolds from simple precursors. These atom‐economic processes are valuable tools in organic synthesis and drug discovery. Herein, we report on ruthenium‐catalyzed cascade annulations of indole with readily available propargyl alcohols. These provide rapid access to diverse carbazoles, cyclohepta[b]indoles, and further fused polycycles with high selectivity. A bifunctional ruthenium complex featuring a redox‐coupled cyclopentadienone ligand acts as a common catalyst for the different cascade processes.
Molecular and thermal studies of carbon fiber precursor polymers with low thermal‐oxidative stabilization characteristics
Authors: Santhana Krishnan G. , Thomas P. , Naveen S. , Murali N.
Published: March 2018

In this investigation, terpolymers, copolymers, and homopolymer of acrylonitrile with dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), itaconic acid (IA) viz., poly(acrylonitrile‐ran‐3‐dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide‐ran‐itaconic acid) [P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA)], poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐3, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide) [P(AN‐DMAPP)] were synthesized with varying amounts of comonomers using solution polymerization process. The chemical structure, composition, bonding network were determined employing infrared, 1H and, 13‐carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. Molecular characteristics of as‐synthesized polymers such as different kinds of average molecular weights, molecular weight distribution were estimated applying solution viscometry and size exclusion chromatography. The influence of comonomers (DMPAA, IA) on the thermal stabilization characteristics of acrylonitrile terpolymers in comparison with copolymers and homopolymers of acrylonitrile were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hyphenated thermal techniques (thermal gravimetry coupled with differential thermal analyzer).The DSC curves of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) exhibit a distinct broader bimodal peaks with thermal exotherm initiating at as low as 165 °C, and followed by two peaks with temperature difference of 42 °C, releasing the evolved heat at a release rate of 0.7–0.11 J g−1s−1over 10 min as compared to 1.2, 7.5 J g−1s−1 in 4.5, 2 min as observed in P(AN‐DMAPP), polyacrylonitrile, respectively. The thermal stability of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) and P(AN‐DMAPP), as evidenced by TGA‐DTA was found to be higher than PAN homopolymers. Specific heat capacity measurements confirmed the DSC results. Bulk densities of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) were in the range 0.31–0.35 g/cc. These results confirm the low‐temperature stabilization characteristics and suitability of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) as low cost carbon fiber precursor polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46381.
The Australasian Virtual Herbarium: Tracking data usage and benefits for biological collections
Authors: Cantrill David J.
Published: March 2018

Premise of the Study

Globally, natural history collections are focused on digitizing specimens and information and making these data accessible. Usage information on National Herbarium of Victoria data made available through the Atlas of Living Australia and The Australasian Virtual Herbarium (AVH) is analyzed to understand how and by whom herbarium data are being used.

Methods

Since 2010, AVH data usage information has been gathered from users and supplied to data custodians as a spreadsheet that includes number of download events, number of records downloaded, and user reasons for downloading data in predefined categories.

Results

Since 2010, in excess of 268,000 download events of 194 million records (excluding testing events) have been recorded for the National Herbarium of Victoria data set. This means, on average, every record has been downloaded 220 times in the past nine years. Data use grew continuously from 2010 to 2015 but decreased in 2016 due to fewer ecological projects.

Discussion

Data have primarily been used for ecological research, but there is an emerging trend for use in education including citizen science projects. Information about data use demonstrates relevance to funding agencies and helps inform the development of collections and prioritization of resources when digitizing material.
Lupus Regulator Peptide P140 Represses B Cell Differentiation by Reducing HLA Class II Molecule Overexpression
Authors: Wilhelm Maud , Wang Fengjuan , Schall Nicolas , Kleinmann Jean‐François , Faludi Michael , Nashi Emil Pablo , Sibilia Jean , Martin Thierry , Schaeffer Evelyne , Muller Sylviane
Published: March 2018

Objective

Phosphopeptide P140 (Lupuzor) is an inhibitor of autophagy currently being evaluated in late‐stage clinical trials for the treatment of lupus. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of P140 ex vivo on human T and B cells.

Methods

Human B cells, T cells, and dendritic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and cellular assays. The expression of autophagy markers was evaluated by immunoblotting and flow cytometry. The levels of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling markers and HLA molecules were assessed by flow cytometry. Toll‐like receptor ligands were screened using an assay with transfected HEK 293 cells. P140 cell entry and trafficking were measured by immunofluorescence in the presence of various inhibitors of endosomal pathways.

Results

As was previously observed after intravenous injection of the peptide in a mouse model of lupus, P140 entered human B cells by a clathrin coat–dependent endocytosis process and homed into lysosomes. The peptide displayed no direct effect on BCR signaling of memory, naive mature, transitional, and B1 cells. However, it strongly reduced the overexpression of HLA class II molecules on lupus B cells that were acting as antigen‐presenting cells, down‐regulated the maturation and differentiation of B cells into plasma cells, and decreased IgG secretion.

Conclusion

These findings show that P140 down‐regulates HLA class II overexpression in human lupus B cells, and also that P140 hampers the differentiation of B cells into autoantibody‐secreting plasma cells, likely due to the resulting lack of T cell signaling and activation. This mechanism appears to switch off the downstream events leading to secretion of pathogenic autoantibodies, thus explaining the highly promising results obtained in clinical trials of P140 (Lupuzor) for the treatment of lupus.
„Prisvärdig“ Forschung? Wilhelm Roux und sein Programm der Entwicklungsmechanik
Authors: Halling Thorsten , Hansson Nils , Fangerau Heiner
Published: March 2018

“Prizeworthy Research?” Wilhelm Roux and His Program of Developmental Mechanics. The Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine is awarded annually to a maximum of three laureates. Not surprisingly, the number of nominees is much larger. Drawing on Nobel Prize nominations in the Nobel archives in Sweden, the core of this paper deals with the nomination letters for the physiologist Wilhelm Roux to discuss competition and some controversies among German physiologists around 1900 in this particular context. The paper (1) elucidates the arguments brought forward to portray Roux as a scientist who had conferred “the greatest benefit to mankind” in the field of physiology or medicine (as stipulated in Alfred Nobel's will); (2) examines some other runners‐up, and (3) reconstructs why Roux as well as some of his peers were not awarded the Nobel Prize. On a more general level, we argue that an analysis of Nobel Prize nominations contributes to a broader history of excellence in science and medicine in the twentieth century.
Synthesis and luminescence properties of Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ via two‐step method
Authors: Huang Hongsheng , Feng Xiaoqin , Chen Tianbao , Xiong Ying , Zhang Feng
Published: March 2018

Novel Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+ nanotubes, constructed with nanobelts, were prepared using a hydrothermal method. The Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ nanobelts with a thickness of about 100 nm were made for the first time using a two‐step hydrothermal process with Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+ as the precursor. The samples were characterized by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The relationship between Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ and Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+ was also studied. Possible reaction and growth mechanisms for Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+ and Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ were proposed. Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ preserved the basic microstructure unit of Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+. Both Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+ and Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ exhibited red emissions centred at 614 nm, but the maximum excitation peaks for Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+ and Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ differed. Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ exhibited higher photoluminescence intensity but a lower R/O value than Ca2B2O5·H2O:Eu3+.
Using thematic analysis in counselling and psychotherapy research: A critical reflection
Authors: Clarke Victoria , Braun Virginia
Published: March 2018

In this brief commentary, we critically reflect on the use of thematic analysis, and particularly the approach to thematic analysis we have outlined, in counselling and psychotherapy research. We identify the distinct characteristics of our thematic analysis approach, and highlight some common areas of confusion and poor practice in published thematic analysis research in counselling and psychotherapy.