bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Boulder Concentration on Turbulence and Sediment Transport in Open‐Channel Flow Over Submerged Boulders
Authors: Fang H. W. , Liu Y. , Stoesser T.
Published: December 2017

In this paper the effects of boulder concentration on hydrodynamics and local and reach‐averaged sediment transport properties with a flow over submerged boulder arrays are investigated. Four numerical simulations are performed in which the boulders' streamwise spacings are varied. Statistics of near‐bed velocity, Reynolds shear stresses, and turbulent events are collected and used to predict bed load transport rates. The results demonstrate that the presence of boulders at various interboulder spacings altered the flow field in their vicinity causing (1) flow deceleration, wake formation, and vortex shedding; (2) enhanced outward and inward interaction turbulence events downstream of the boulders; and (3) a redistribution of the local bed shear stress around the boulder consisting of pockets of high and low bed shear stresses. The spatial variety of the predicted bed load transport rate qs based on local bed shear stress is visualized and is shown to depend greatly on the boulder concentration. Quantitative bed load transport calculations demonstrate that the reach‐averaged bed load transport rate may be overestimated by up to 25 times when including the form‐drag‐generated shear stress of the immobile boulders in the chosen bed load formula. Further, the reach‐averaged bed load transport rate may be underestimated by 11% if the local variability of the bed shear stress is not accounted for. Finally, it is shown that for the small‐spaced boulder array, the bed load transport rates should no longer be predicted using a normal distribution with standard deviation of the shear stress distribution σ.
A Generalized Crystallographic Description of All Tellurium Nanostructures
Authors: Kim Min‐Seok , Ma Xing‐Hua , Cho Ki‐Hyun , Jeon Seung‐Yeol , Hur Kahyun , Sung Yun‐Mo
Published: December 2017

Despite tellurium being less abundant in the Earth's crust than gold, platinum, or rare‐earth elements, the number of industrial applications of tellurium has rapidly increased in recent years. However, to date, many properties of tellurium and its associated compounds remain unknown. For example, formation mechanisms of many tellurium nanostructures synthesized so far have not yet been verified, and it is unclear why tellurium can readily transform to other compounds like silver telluride by simply mixing with solutions containing silver ions. This uncertainty appears to be due to previous misunderstandings about the tellurium structure. Here, a new approach to the tellurium structure via synthesized structures is proposed. It is found that the proposed approach applies not only to these structures but to all other tellurium nanostructures. Moreover, some unique tellurium nanostructures whose formation mechanism are, until now, unconfirmed can be explained.
Piecewise Phototuning of Self‐Organized Helical Superstructures
Authors: Qin Lang , Gu Wei , Wei Jia , Yu Yanlei
Published: December 2017

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) exhibit selective reflection that can be tuned owing to the dynamic control of inherent self‐organized helical superstructures. Although phototunable reflection is reported, these systems hitherto suffer from a limitation in that the tuning range is restricted to one narrow period and the optically addressed images have to sacrifice one color in the visible spectrum to serve as the background, resulting from the insufficient variation in helical twisting power of existing photoresponsive chiral switches that are all bistable. Here, delicate patterns of three primary red, green, and blue (RGB) colors with a black background are presented, which is realized based on piecewise reflection tuning of the CLC induced by a newly designed photoresponsive tristable chiral switch. Three stable configurations of the chiral switch endow the CLC with two continuous and adjacent tuning periods of the reflection, covering not only entire visible spectrum, but also one more wide period within near‐infrared region. Therefore, the concept of piecewise tuning in CLC system demonstrates a new strategy for phototunable RGB and black reflective display.
Revisiting the Optical Band Gap in Epitaxial BiFeO3 Thin Films
Authors: Sando Daniel , Carrétéro Cécile , Grisolia Mathieu N. , Barthélémy Agnès , Nagarajan Valanoor , Bibes Manuel
Published: December 2017

A detailed structural and optical band gap characterization study for more than 40 epitaxial bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3—BFO) thin films, measured by X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and optical transmission spectroscopy, is reported. The films are grown in different deposition systems to varying thicknesses (10–140 nm), on several substrates, and under different growth and cooling conditions. Using the results and literature data, first it is shown that the band gap measured by transmission is systematically lower than the gap found by ellipsometry, suggesting that sufficient caution must be exercised when comparing optical properties of BFO thin films. Then, statistical analysis is used to look for correlations between the band gap and structural parameters. While earlier works show the band gap to be sensitive to epitaxial (homogeneous) strain, it is found that it appears not to exhibit a dependence on inhomogeneous strain, out‐of‐plane lattice constant, or substrate/film interface roughness. Rather, it is found that surface roughness as well as film thickness generally tends to enhance the gap. Overall, the insensitivity of the band gap to structural parameters—aside from homogeneous strain—makes BiFeO3 largely immune to deviations in processing parameters, which should be an asset for photonic devices based on this material.
Electrochemically Synthesized Nanoporous Molybdenum Carbide as a Durable Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Kang Jin Soo , Kim Jin , Lee Myeong Jae , Son Yoon Jun , Chung Dong Young , Park Subin , Jeong Juwon , Yoo Ji Mun , Shin Heejong , Choe Heeman , Park Hyun S. , Sung Yung‐Eun
Published: December 2017

Demands for sustainable production of hydrogen are rapidly increasing because of environmental considerations for fossil fuel consumption and development of fuel cell technologies. Thus, the development of high‐performance and economical catalysts has been extensively investigated. In this study, a nanoporous Mo carbide electrode is prepared using a top‐down electrochemical process and it is applied as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Anodic oxidation of Mo foil followed by heat treatment in a carbon monoxide (CO) atmosphere forms a nanostructured Mo carbide with excellent interconnections, and these structural characteristics lead to high activity and durability when applied to the HER. Additionally, characteristic behavior of Mo is observed; metallic Mo nanosheets form during electrochemical anodization by exfoliation along the (110) planes. These nanosheets are viable for chemical modification, indicating their feasibility in various applications. Moreover, the role of carbon shells is investigated on the surface of the electrocatalysts, whereby it is suggested that carbon shells serve as a mechanical barrier against the oxidative degradation of catalysts that accompanies unavoidable volume expansion.
Redox‐Active Separators for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Pan Ruijun , Ruan Changqing , Edström Kristina , Strømme Maria , Nyholm Leif
Published: December 2017

A bilayered cellulose‐based separator design is presented that can enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) via the inclusion of a porous redox‐active layer. The proposed flexible redox‐active separator consists of a mesoporous, insulating nanocellulose fiber layer that provides the necessary insulation between the electrodes and a porous, conductive, and redox‐active polypyrrole‐nanocellulose layer. The latter layer provides mechanical support to the nanocellulose layer and adds extra capacity to the LIBs. The redox‐active separator is mechanically flexible, and no internal short circuits are observed during the operation of the LIBs, even when the redox‐active layer is in direct contact with both electrodes in a symmetric lithium–lithium cell. By replacing a conventional polyethylene separator with a redox‐active separator, the capacity of the proof‐of‐concept LIB battery containing a LiFePO4 cathode and a Li metal anode can be increased from 0.16 to 0.276 mA h due to the capacity contribution from the redox‐active separator. As the presented redox‐active separator concept can be used to increase the capacities of electrochemical energy storage systems, this approach may pave the way for new types of functional separators.
Site‐Selective In Situ Electrochemical Doping for Mn‐Rich Layered Oxide Cathode Materials in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Choi Aram , Lim Jungwoo , Kim Hyung‐Jin , Jung Sung Chul , Lim Hyung‐Woo , Kim Hanseul , Kwon Mi‐Sook , Han Young Kyu , Oh Seung M. , Lee Kyu Tae
Published: December 2017

Various doped materials have been investigated to improve the structural stability of layered transition metal oxides for lithium‐ion batteries. Most doped materials are obtained through solid state methods, in which the doping of cations is not strictly site selective. This paper demonstrates, for the first time, an in situ electrochemical site‐selective doping process that selectively substitutes Li+ at Li sites in Mn‐rich layered oxides with Mg2+. Mg2+ cations are electrochemically intercalated into Li sites in delithiated Mn‐rich layered oxides, resulting in the formation of [Li1−xMgy][Mn1−zMz]O2 (M = Co and Ni). This Mg2+ intercalation is irreversible, leading to the favorable doping of Mg2+ at the Li sites. More interestingly, the amount of intercalated Mg2+ dopants increases with the increasing amount of Mn in Li1−x[Mn1−zMz]O2, which is attributed to the fact that the Mn‐to‐O electron transfer enhances the attractive interaction between Mg2+ dopants and electronegative Oδ− atoms. Moreover, Mg2+ at the Li sites in layered oxides suppresses cation mixing during cycling, resulting in markedly improved capacity retention over 200 cycles. The first‐principle calculations further clarify the role of Mg2+ in reduced cation mixing during cycling. The new concept of in situ electrochemical doping provides a new avenue for the development of various selectively doped materials.
Dynamics and scaling of explosion cratering in granular media
Authors: Gao Ming , Liu Xiao , Vanin Luana Pasetti , Sun Ting‐Pi , Cheng Xiang , Gordillo Leonardo
Published: December 2017

Granular cratering is a ubiquitous phenomenon occurring in various natural and industrial contexts. Although impact‐induced granular cratering has been extensively studied, fewer experiments have been conducted on granular cratering via low‐energy explosions. Here, we study the dynamics and scaling of explosion granular cratering by injecting short pulses of pressurized air in quasi‐two‐dimensional granular media. Through an analysis of the dynamics of explosion processes at different explosion pressures, explosion durations, and burial depths, we identify two regimes, the bubbling and the eruption regimes, in explosion granular cratering. Our experiments explore the distinctive dynamics and crater morphologies of these regimes and show the energy scaling of the size of explosion craters. We compare high‐energy and low‐energy explosion cratering as well as explosion and impact cratering in terms of their energy scalings. Our work illustrates complex granular flows in explosion cratering and provides new insights into the general scaling of granular cratering processes. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2972–2981, 2018
Manifestation of recessive combined D‐2‐, L‐2‐hydroxyglutaric aciduria in combination with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Eguchi Mariko , Ozaki Erina , Yamauchi Toshifumi , Ohta Masaaki , Higaki Takashi , Masuda Kiyoshi , Imoto Issei , Ishii Eiichi , Eguchi‐Ishimae Minenori
Published: December 2017

22q11.2 deletion syndrome is one of the most common human microdeletion syndromes. The clinical phenotype of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is variable, ranging from mild to life‐threatening symptoms, depending mainly on the extent of the deleted region. Brain malformations described in association with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome include polymicrogyria, cerebellar hypoplasia, megacisterna magna, and agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), although these are rare. We report here for the first time a patient who manifested combined D‐2‐ and L‐2‐hydroxyglutaric aciduria as a result of a hemizygous mutation in SLC25A1 in combination with 22q11.2 deletion. The girl was diagnosed to have ACC shortly after birth and a deletion of 22q11.2 was identified by genetic analysis. Although the patient showed cardiac anomalies, which is one of the typical symptoms of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, her rather severe phenotype and atypical face prompted us to search for additional pathogenic mutations. Three genes present in the deleted 22q11.2 region, SLC25A1, TUBA8, and SNAP29, which have been reported to be associated with brain malformation, were analyzed for the presence of pathogenic mutations. A frameshift mutation, c.18_24dup (p.Ala9Profs*82), was identified in the first exon of the remaining SLC25A1 allele, resulting in the complete loss of normal SLC25A1 function in the patient's cells. Our results support the notion that the existence of another genetic abnormality involving the retained allele on 22q11.2 should be considered when atypical or rare phenotypes are observed.
The expanding phenotype of RNU4ATAC pathogenic variants to Lowry Wood syndrome
Authors: Farach Laura S. , Little Mary E. , Duker Angela L. , Logan Clare V. , Jackson Andrew , Hecht Jaqueline T. , Bober Michael
Published: December 2017

RNU4ATAC pathogenic variants to date have been associated with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism, type 1 and Roifman syndrome. Both conditions are clinically distinct skeletal dysplasias with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism, type 1 having a more severe phenotype than Roifman syndrome. Some of the overlapping features of the two conditions include developmental delay, microcephaly, and immune deficiency. The features also overlap with Lowry Wood syndrome, another rare but well‐defined skeletal dysplasia for which the genetic etiology has not been identified. Characteristic features include multiple epiphyseal dysplasia and microcephaly. Here, we describe three patients with Lowry Wood syndrome with biallelic RNU4ATAC pathogenic variants. This report expands the phenotypic spectrum for biallelic RNU4ATAC disorder causing variants and is the first to establish the genetic cause for Lowry Wood syndrome.
Selected Methods for the Chemical Phosphorylation and Thiophosphorylation of Phenols
Authors: Kozak Witold , Rachon Janusz , Daśko Mateusz , Demkowicz Sebastian
Published: December 2017

This Focus Review gathers together a selection of methods for the chemical phosphorylation of phenols that employ three‐ and four‐coordinate phosphorus compounds. Phosphorylated scaffolds can exhibit enhanced properties compared to their non‐phosphorylated analogues, such as increased biological activity and increased/decreased solubility; as such, phosphorus compounds have gained more and more interest in organic and medicinal chemistry. Phosphate esters are valuable intermediates in drug synthesis and, from this point of view, a knowledge of effective and selective methods for chemical phosphorylation is essential. Furthermore, phosphates form the basis of a large number of herbicides, insecticides, and nerve agents and they can act as flame retardants and plasticizers to protect or enhance the properties of various materials, such as textiles, furniture, or plastics.
Treatment of a patient with acute aortic dissection using extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation after an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest: a case report
Authors: Yukawa Takahiro , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Miyazaki Kazuki , Tanabe Takahiro , Ishikawa Susumu , Hamabe Yuichi
Published: December 2017

Case

Circulatory support using veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for aortic disease is conventionally contraindicated. In this case, a 66‐year‐old man experienced cardiopulmonary arrest caused by acute aortic dissection. When exercising in the gym, he experienced chest discomfort, so the staff immediately called an ambulance. While in the ambulance, he experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. His initial electrocardiogram showed ventricular fibrillation. At the emergency department, we immediately performed extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We suspected acute coronary syndrome, so coronary angiography was carried out. Enlargement of ascending aorta was noted. Whole‐body enhanced computed tomography was subsequently performed, leading to a final diagnosis of acute aortic dissection.

Outcome

Emergency ascending aorta prosthesis implantation was performed. The patient received intensive care and was discharged on day 49 of hospitalization. His cerebral performance category score was 4 at discharge.

Conclusion

This case suggests that veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be used for patients with aortic dissection presenting with cardiac arrest.
A prospective trial of magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for essential tremor: Results at the 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Chang Jin Woo , Park Chang Kyu , Lipsman Nir , Schwartz Michael L. , Ghanouni Pejman , Henderson Jaimie M. , Gwinn Ryder , Witt Jennifer , Tierney Travis S. , Cosgrove G. Rees , Shah Binit B. , Abe Keiichi , Taira Takaomi , Lozano Andres M. , Eisenberg Howard M. , Fishman Paul S. , Elias W. Jeffrey
Published: December 2017

Objective

Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has recently been investigated as a new treatment modality for essential tremor (ET), but the durability of the procedure has not yet been evaluated. This study reports results at a 2‐ year follow‐up after MRgFUS thalamotomy for ET.

Methods

A total of 76 patients with moderate‐to‐severe ET, who had not responded to at least two trials of medical therapy, were enrolled in the original randomized study of unilateral thalamotomy and evaluated using the clinical rating scale for tremor. Sixty‐seven of the patients continued in the open‐label extension phase of the study with monitoring for 2 years. Nine patients were excluded by 2 years, for example, because of alternative therapy such as deep brain stimulation (n = 3) or inadequate thermal lesioning (n = 1). However, all patients in each follow‐up period were analyzed.

Results

Mean hand tremor score at baseline (19.8 ± 4.9; 76 patients) improved by 55% at 6 months (8.6 ± 4.5; 75 patients). The improvement in tremor score from baseline was durable at 1 year (53%; 8.9 ± 4.8; 70 patients) and at 2 years (56%; 8.8 ± 5.0; 67 patients). Similarly, the disability score at baseline (16.4 ± 4.5; 76 patients) improved by 64% at 6 months (5.4 ± 4.7; 75 patients). This improvement was also sustained at 1 year (5.4 ± 5.3; 70 patients) and at 2 years (6.5 ± 5.0; 67 patients). Paresthesias and gait disturbances were the most common adverse effects at 1 year—each observed in 10 patients with an additional 5 patients experiencing neurological adverse effects. None of the adverse events worsened over the period of follow‐up, and 2 of these resolved. There were no new delayed complications at 2 years.

Interpretation

Tremor suppression after MRgFUS thalamotomy for ET is stably maintained at 2 years. Latent or delayed complications do not develop after treatment. Ann Neurol 2018;83:107–114
Visible‐Light‐Responsive Photoanodes for Highly Active, Stable Water Oxidation
Authors: Seo Jeongsuk , Nishiyama Hiroshi , Yamada Taro , Domen Kazunari
Published: December 2017

Solar energy is a natural and effectively permanent resource and so the conversion of solar radiation into chemical or electrical energy is an attractive, although challenging, prospect. Photo‐electrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a key aspect of producing hydrogen from solar power. However, practical water oxidation over photoanodes (in combination with water reduction at a photocathode) in PEC cells is currently difficult to achieve because of the large overpotentials in the reaction kinetics and the inefficient photoactivity of the semiconductors. The development of semiconductors that allow high solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiencies and the utilization of these materials in photoanodes will be a necessary aspect of achieving efficient, stable water oxidation. This Review discusses advances in water oxidation activity over photoanodes of n‐type visible‐light‐responsive (oxy)nitrides and oxides.
Three sources of motivation
Authors: Touré‐Tillery Maferima , Fishbach Ayelet
Published: December 2017

This article explores three sources of motivation in goal pursuit: obtaining external rewards, obtaining internal rewards, and maintaining a positive self‐concept. First, when people pursue a goal to obtain an external reward (outcome focus), their motivation increases as a function of the extent to which they value the reward and their expectancy that achieving the reward is within reach. Second, when people pursue a goal to obtain internal rewards (process focusor intrinsic motivation), the degree to which an activity is closely associated or fused with the goal increases their motivation. Third, when people pursue a goal to maintain a positive self‐concept (self‐signaling), their motivation is mainly a function of the extent to which they can make internal attributions for their goal‐related actions and their expectations that they will remember these actions. We review empirical evidence from psychology and consumer research in support of each of these sources of motivation and discuss the theoretical and practical implications of distinguishing between these sources.
Visible‐light‐driven Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of Organic Azides to Amines over CdS Sheet–rGO Nanocomposite
Authors: Singha Krishnadipti , Mondal Aniruddha , Ghosh Subhash Chandra , Panda Asit Baran
Published: December 2017

CdS sheet–rGO nanocomposite as a heterogeneous photocatalyst enables visible‐light‐induced photocatalytic reduction of aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic and sulfonyl azides to the corresponding amines using hydrazine hydrate as a reductant. The reaction shows excellent conversion and chemoselectivity towards the formation of the amine without self‐photoactivated azo compounds. In the adopted strategy, CdS not only accelerates the formation of nitrene through photoactivation of azide but also enhances the decomposition of azide to a certain extent, which entirely suppressed formation of the azo compound. The developed CdS sheet‐rGO nanocomposite catalyst is very active, providing excellent results under irradiation with a 40 W simple household CFL lamp.
Effects of gender, digit ratio, and menstrual cycle on intrinsic brain functional connectivity: A whole‐brain, voxel‐wise exploratory study using simultaneous local and global functional connectivity mapping
Authors: Donishi Tomohiro , Terada Masaki , Kaneoke Yoshiki
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Gender and sex hormones influence brain function, but their effects on functional network organization within the brain are not yet understood.

Methods

We investigated the influence of gender, prenatal sex hormones (estimated by the 2D:4D digit ratio), and the menstrual cycle on the intrinsic functional network organization of the brain (as measured by 3T resting‐state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI)) using right‐handed, age‐matched university students (100 males and 100 females). The mean (±SD) age was 20.9 ± 1.5 (range: 18–24) years and 20.8 ± 1.3 (range: 18–24) years for males and females, respectively. Using two parameters derived from the normalized alpha centrality analysis (one for local and another for global connectivity strength), we created mean functional connectivity strength maps.

Results

There was a significant difference between the male mean map and female mean map in the distributions of network properties in almost all cortical regions and the basal ganglia but not in the medial parietal, limbic, and temporal regions and the thalamus. A comparison between the mean map for the low 2D:4D digit ratio group (indicative of high exposure to testosterone during the prenatal period) and that for the high 2D:4D digit ratio group revealed a significant difference in the network properties of the medial parietal region for males and in the temporal region for females. The menstrual cycle affected network organization in the brain, which varied with the 2D:4D digit ratio. Most of these findings were reproduced with our other datasets created with different preprocessing steps.

Conclusions

The results suggest that differences in gender, prenatal sex hormone exposure, and the menstrual cycle are useful for understanding the normal brain and investigating the mechanisms underlying the variable prevalence and symptoms of neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Consistent hypersocial behavior in mice carrying a deletion of Gtf2i but no evidence of hyposocial behavior with Gtf2i duplication: Implications for Williams–Beuren syndrome and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Martin Loren A. , Iceberg Erica , Allaf Gabriel
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a developmental disorder caused by hemizygous deletion of human chromosome 7q11.23. Hypersocial behavior is one symptom of WBS and contrasts with hyposociality observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, duplications of 7q11.23 have been associated with ASD. The social phenotype of WBS has been linked to GTF2I or general transcription factor IIi (TFII‐I). Duplication of GTF2I has also been associated with ASD.

Methods

We compared mice having either a deletion (Gtf2i+/−) or duplication (Gtf2i+/dup) of Gtf2i to wild‐type (Gtf2i+/+) littermate controls in a series of behavioral tasks including open‐field activity monitoring, olfactory probes, a social choice task, social transmission of food preference, habituation–dishabituation, and operant social motivation paradigms.

Results

In open‐field observations, Gtf2i+/− and Gtf2i+/dup mice demonstrated normal activity and thigmotaxis, and surprisingly, each strain showed a significant preference for a stimulus mouse that was not observed in Gtf2i+/+ siblings. Both Gtf2i+/− and Gtf2i+/dup mice demonstrated normal olfaction in buried food probes, but the Gtf2i+/− mice spent significantly more time investigating urine scent versus water, which was not observed in the other strains. Gtf2i+/− mice also spent significantly more time in nose‐to‐nose contact compared to Gtf2i+/+ siblings during the open‐field encounter of the social transmission of food preference task. In operant tasks of social motivation, Gtf2i+/− mice made significantly more presses for social rewards than Gtf2i+/+ siblings, while there was no difference in presses for the Gtf2i+/dup mice.

Discussion

Results were remarkably consistent across testing paradigms supporting a role for GTF2i in the hypersocial phenotype of WBS and more broadly in the regulation of social behavior. Support was not observed for the role of GTF2i in ASD.
Corporate Biodiversity Management through Certifiable Standards
Authors: Boiral Olivier , Heras‐Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Brotherton Marie‐Christine
Published: December 2017

This article analyzes the motivations, internalization challenges and outcomes of implementing certifiable standards for corporate biodiversity management. For this purpose, a qualitative study based on interviews with 39 environmental managers, auditors, consultants and other experts in the field was conducted. The findings show that the adoption of new standards for biodiversity management is essentially driven by the need to improve the social acceptability of activities that can have a significant impact on natural habitats. The possible benefits of certification, particularly in terms of stakeholder relationships, and the difficulty of measuring the intangible aspects of biodiversity issues are also discussed. The study contributes to the emerging literature on organizational biodiversity management and to the debates on the symbolic versus substantial adoption of certifiable environmental standards. Managerial implications for organizations interested in biodiversity management are also discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Institutional Antecedents of the Corporate Social Responsibility Narrative in the Developing World Context: Implications for Sustainable Development
Authors: Melissen Frans , Mzembe Andrew Ngawenja , Idemudia Uwafiokun , Novakovic Yvonne
Published: December 2017

Efforts to understand the background to perceptions and manifestation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the developing world need to focus on establishing their link with the challenges of socio‐economic governance and societal expectations and cultural traditions. This signifies a departure from a western centric understanding of CSR but also an over‐focus on CSR as philanthropy. This study considers the Malawian tourism industry and finds that its colonial legacy, post‐colonialism development thinking and the national education system explain the prevalence of a ‘CSR as philanthropy’ agenda. When these factors interact with challenges of socio‐economic governance and societal expectations, however, the universality thesis that has often been associated with the theory and implementation CSR can be challenged. These findings therefore suggest a shift from the western centric CSR thinking to a CSR perspective that is strongly grounded in local values and norms and which meets the expectations of the global society. This indicates a way forward if CSR is to be adequately institutionalized in the developing world. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Unleashing the Power of Networks: Shareholder Activism, Sustainable Development and Corporate Environmental Policy
Authors: Yang Aimei , Uysal Nur , Taylor Maureen
Published: December 2017

In recent years, a new trend has emerged in which shareholder activists have formed networks to empower shareholders and magnify shareholder voices. This study explores the structural patterns and effectiveness of shareholder activism networks and shows how those networks affect corporate sustainability policies. We draw upon stakeholder influence theory, stakeholder network management theory and recent studies on activism networks to examine a shareholder activism network formed around environmental issues. The study found that (1) the structure of shareholder activist networks is largely driven by organizational attributes such as organization type, organizations’ human resources, media visibility and history; and (2) activist organizations with high centralities and eigenvector centralities enjoy more efficient results. This study contributes to our understanding of the business responses to shareholder demands on improving environmental performance and paves the way for future research on sustainable development through partnerships with shareholder networks. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Conventional and New Materials for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhao Jun , Lee Jong‐Min
Published: December 2017

It is important and necessary to minimize NOx pollutant released into the atmosphere owing to the harmful environmental and health effects brought by NOx emission. Many techniques are available to reduce NOx emission, among of them, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is considered as one of the most efficient techniques. Conventional SCR systems involve ammonia (NH3) or urea (CO(NH2)2) as a reducing reagent to reduce NOx to N2 and H2O at high temperatures 300–400 °C. Research on developing novel low‐temperature catalysts (LTC) for SCR of NOx still remains of interest. This work reviewed and compared conventional SCR catalysts with newly emerging Metal‐Organic‐Frame (MOFs) materials as potential alternatives for SCR catalysts.
Individual Detection and Characterization of Non‐Electrocatalytic, Redox‐Inactive Particles in Solution by using Electrochemistry
Authors: Laborda Eduardo , Molina Angela , Batchelor‐McAuley Christopher , Compton Richard G.
Published: December 2017

The fundamentals and recent examples of applications of electrochemical techniques to study individual entities in solution are overviewed. Specifically, strategies that enable rapid and simple investigation of redox‐inactive and non‐catalytic particles are highlighted, broadening the range of entities that can be examined and, therefore, the value and capabilities of electrochemistry in the field.
Strategies for Plasmonic Hot‐Electron‐Driven Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Ghobadi Turkan Gamze Ulusoy , Ghobadi Amir , Ozbay Ekmel , Karadas Ferdi
Published: December 2017

Photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC‐WS) was inspired by the natural photosynthesis process that utilizes sunlight energy to produce chemical energy through splitting water to form hydrogen and oxygen. One recent promising and innovative approach in this field is to implement the concept of plasmonic to PEC‐WS devices. This Review provides a systematic overview of the plasmonic and hot‐electron‐driven PEC‐WS and elucidates their possible mechanisms for plasmon‐mediated energy transfer. In the first section, we provide a brief summary of the basics of PEC‐WS and the strategies employed to maximize its conversion efficiency. Highlighting the advantages of the plasmonic‐based PEC system, in the next part we cluster our discussion based on the basics of plasmonics and the involved energy transfer mechanisms, which are classified as radiative (scattering, optical near field coupling) and nonradiative energy transfer (hot electron injection, plasmon resonant energy transfer) processes for plasmonic metal–semiconductor junctions as a photoactive material. Then, the recent research efforts in this field are categorized and discussed in three main sections: 1) nanoplasmonic units, 2) nanostructured support scaffolds, and 3) interface engineering with state‐of‐the‐art demonstrations. Finally, we conclude our Review with pointing out the challenges and perspectives of the plasmonic‐based architectures for future water‐splitting devices.
W‐Doped MoO2/MoC Hybrids Encapsulated by P‐Doped Carbon Shells for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Lv Cuncai , Huang Zhipeng , Yang Qianpeng , Zhang Chi
Published: December 2017

Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP), as an industrially‐scalable synthetic technique used to prepare mesoporous products, has rarely been developed for accessing porous metal carbide hybrids for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we report a mesoporous hybrid consisting of tungsten (W)‐doped molybdenum oxide/molybdenum carbide (MoO2/MoC) nanoparticles encapsulated by phosphorus (P)‐doped carbon shells (W‐MoO2/MoC@PC) as an efficient electrocatalyst using this technique. The utilization of SiO2 as a hard template endows W‐MoO2/MoC@PC with a mesoporous structure, and the effective W‐doping further enhances the HER electrocatalytic performance of W‐MoO2/MoC@PC catalyst. As expected, W‐MoO2/MoC@PC shows a low overpotential (η20=208 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 209 mV in 1.0 m KOH for reaching a current density of 20 mA cm−2), and good stability in both acidic and basic electrolyte, which is a promising noble‐metal‐free HER catalyst. Moreover, this facile synthesis strategy is also suitable for preparing other metal‐doped Mo‐based nanocomposites, which can be used in the fields of electrocatalytic water splitting and energy conversion.
Thiamethoxam honey bee colony feeding study: Linking effects at the level of the individual to those at the colony level
Authors: Overmyer Jay , Feken Max , Ruddle Natalie , Bocksch Sigrun , Hill Marcus , Thompson Helen
Published: December 2017

Neonicotinoid insecticides have been used globally on a wide range of crops through seed treatment as well as soil and foliar applications and have been increasingly studied in relation to the potential risk to bees because of their detection in pollen and nectar of bee-attractive crops. The present article reports the results of laboratory studies (10-d adult and 22-d larval toxicity studies assessing the chronic toxicity of thiamethoxam to adult honey bees and larvae, respectively) and a colony feeding study, with 6 wk of exposure in an area with limited alternative forage, to provide a prewintering colony-level endpoint. The endpoints following exposure of individuals in the laboratory (10-d adult chronic no-observed-effect concentration [NOEC] for mortality 117 μg thiamethoxam/kg sucrose solution, 141 μg thiamethoxam/L sucrose solution; 22-d larval chronic NOEC 102 μg thiamethoxam/kg diet) are compared with those generated at the colony level, which incorporates sublethal effects (no-observed-adverse-effect concentration [NOAEC] 50 μg thiamethoxam/L sucrose solution, 43 μg thiamethoxam/kg sucrose solution). The data for sucrose-fed honey bee colonies support the lack of effects identified in previous colony-level field studies with thiamethoxam. However, unlike these field studies demonstrating no effects, colony feeding study data also provide a threshold level of exposure likely to result in adverse effects on the colony in the absence of alternative forage, and a basis by which to evaluate the potential risk of thiamethoxam residues detected in pollen, nectar, or water following treatment of bee-attractive crops. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:816–828. © 2017 SETAC
Securing the smart home: A real case study
Authors: Sicari Sabrina , Rizzardi Alessandra , Miorandi Daniele , Coen‐Porisini Alberto
Published: December 2017

Both people and organizations are widely accepting and adopting of the functionalities offered by the smart home or smart building applications. This is due to the many advantages, in easing users' everyday life and work, provided by the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and devices—equipped with sensors, cameras, or actuators—and the ability to either to acquire information from the environment or to perform proper tasks. The main features of smart homes/buildings include real‐time monitoring, remote control, safety from intruders, gas/fire alarm, and so on. Because sensitive and private information is managed within smart homes/buildings, security and privacy solutions must be put in place in order to protect users/businesses' data against violation attempts as well as to guarantee the provision of reliable services. To this end, rules—in the form of policies—associated with the smart home/building resources must be defined and correctly enforced by means of a robust framework for handling the huge amount of IoT data managed. In this paper, the effectiveness and potentialities of a strategy based on sticky policies, integrated into a security and privacy‐aware IoT middleware, are demonstrated within a smart home scenario. A test bed is developed using real datasets in order to conduct analysis on the execution times, response times to detected attacks, and memory occupancy of the proposed approach.
Rapid and label‐free optical detection of individual carbon air pollutant nanoparticulates in biomedical samples
Authors: Steuwe Christian , Bové Hannelore , Clerinx Jan , vandeVen Martin , Fron Eduard , Nawrot Tim , Ameloot Marcel , Roeffaers Maarten
Published: December 2017

Carbonaceous particle exposure and air pollution in general lead to a multitude of adverse human health effects and pose multiple challenges in terms of exposure, risk and safety assessment. Highly desirable for fast screening are label‐free approaches for detecting these particle types in biological or medical context. We report a powerful approach for detecting carbonaceous particles using photothermal pump‐probe microscopy, which directly probes their strong light absorption. The principle and reliability of this approach is demonstrated by examining 4 different carbon black (CB) species modeling soot with diameters ranging from 13 to 500 nm. Our results show that the proposed approach is applicable to a large number of CB types as well as black carbon. As the particles show a strong absorption over a wide spectral range as compared to other absorbing species, we can image CB particles almost background free. Our pump‐probe approach allows label‐free optical detection and unambiguous localization of CB particles in (bio)fluids and 3D cellular environments. In combination with fluorescence microscopy, this method allows for simultaneous colocalization of CB with different cellular components using fluorophores as shown here for human lung fibroblasts. We further demonstrate the versatility of pump‐probe detection in a flow cell.
Solvent extraction of Pt(IV), Pd(II), and Rh(III) with the ionic liquid trioctyl(dodecyl) phosphonium chloride
Authors: Firmansyah Mochamad L , Kubota Fukiko , Goto Masahiro
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Recycling of spent platinum group metals (PGMs) has attracted much attention in order to overcome the problems associated with the low natural abundance of these resources. To recycle such metals, efficient hydrometallurgical processes are required. To improve the efficiency of these processes, we have designed a new phosphonium‐based ionic liquid as an extraction solvent. This paper reports on the potential use of the ionic liquid for extraction and separation of PGMs, namely Pt(IV), Pd(II), and Rh(III).

RESULTS

An ionic liquid, trioctyl(dodecyl)phosphonium chloride, P88812Cl, which was newly synthesized, showed highly efficient extraction for Pt(IV), Pd(II), and Rh(III). P88812Cl features several advantages as an extraction solvent, such as high hydrophobicity and low viscosity compared with those features of a commercial analogue, trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride (P66614Cl). The favorable features of our novel ionic liquid were reflected by its high extraction efficiency and low release of phosphorus from the ionic liquid into the aqueous feed solution. Stripping operations were possible, and the high reusability of the ionic liquid was confirmed.

CONCLUSION

The novel ionic liquid P88812Cl is potentially useful as an extraction solvent for PGMs. Results highlight the strengths of ionic liquids and the tuneability of their properties through design of their molecular structure. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Chronic impact of sulfamethoxazole: how does process kinetics relate to metabolic activity and composition of enriched nitrifying microbial culture?
Authors: Katipoglu‐Yazan Tugce , Ubay‐Cokgor Emine , Orhon Derin
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

This study investigated utilization kinetics of ammonia‐nitrogen induced by chronic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) exposure on biomass with an enriched nitrifying community. A lab‐scale activated sludge system was supplied with 100 mg COD L‐1 of peptone mixture and 50 mg N L‐1 of ammonia nitrogen at a SRT of 15 days. At steady‐state, the reactor was operated with additional daily SMX dosing of 50 mg L‐1 for 35 days. Profiles of oxygen uptake rates and nitrogen fractions obtained in respirometric/batch experiments were used for estimation of nitrification kinetics.

RESULTS

Acute inhibitory impact of SMX was expressed with high levels of half saturation constants and endogenous decay rates. After 35 days, half saturation constants significantly increased while higher active biomass fractions and recovered endogenous decay rates were estimated. At the end of the acclimation phase, 92% nitrification was achieved with 10 mg L‐1 SMX utilization.

CONCLUSION

Interpretation of modeling results with the outcomes of molecular analysis facilitated explanation of autotrophic/heterotrophic bacteria behavior in the course of SMX exposure. Removal of SMX may be attributed to co‐metabolism with ammonia oxidation and/or activity of SMX utilizing heterotrophic bacteria. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Sustainable Catalytic Process with a High Eco‐scale Score for the Synthesis of Novel Series of Bischalcones through Claisen–Schmidt Condensation
Authors: Arafa Wael A. A.
Published: December 2017

An efficient, sustainable, and green method for the synthesis of novel series of bischalcones was developed using an environmentally benign ionic liquid as catalyst under ultrasound irradiation. This new catalyst affords diverse bis‐α, β‐unsaturated ketones in excellent yields under ambient reaction conditions in water. Moreover, the catalyst found to be active down to 15 mol% and affords the products with up to 96% yield. The process is eco‐sustainable since this ionic liquid is ease of recovery and reuse for at least five successive cycles without diminishing of the yield and catalyst leaching. Other merits of this protocol comprise its operational simplicity, short reaction time, non‐chromatographic purification procedure, and wide functional groups tolerance. Furthermore, this catalytic system is applicable for the gram‐scale preparation of bischalcones, scoring well in a number of green metrics.
Role of negative regulation of immune signaling pathways in neutrophil function
Authors: Azcutia Veronica , Parkos Charles A , Brazil Jennifer C
Published: December 2017

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play a critical role in host defense against infection and in the resolution of inflammation. However, immune responses mediated by PMN must be tightly regulated to facilitate elimination of invading pathogens without inducing detrimental inflammation and host tissue damage. Specific engagement of cell surface immunoreceptors by a diverse range of extracellular signals regulates PMN effector functions through differential activation of intracellular signaling cascades. Although mechanisms of PMN activation mediated via cell signaling pathways have been well described, less is known about negative regulation of PMN function by immune signaling cascades. Here, we provide an overview of immunoreceptor-mediated negative regulation of key PMN effector functions including maturation, migration, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species release, degranulation, apoptosis, and NET formation. Increased understanding of mechanisms of suppression of PMN effector functions may point to possible future therapeutic targets for the amelioration of PMN-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
A preservation theorem for theories without the tree property of the first kind
Authors: Dobrowolski Jan , Kim Hyeungjoon
Published: December 2017

We prove the NTP1 property of a geometric theory T is inherited by theories of lovely pairs and H‐structures associated to T. We also provide a class of examples of nonsimple geometric NTP1 theories.
Failure analysis and durability of preinsulating district heat pipes
Authors: Puentes‐Parodi Alejandro , Gehde Michael , Leuteritz Andreas , Kuehnert Ines
Published: December 2017

In this work, surface analysis and failure of rigid polyurethane (PUR) near to the metal interface of an insulating district heat pipe were evaluated. The hybrid composite consists of a steel tube surrounded by a rigid and thick PUR layer for thermal isolation. Accurate life spam approximation of district heat pipes based on PUR and steel is a complex task because of a number of variables involved in the service life of the composite, such as corrosion on the metal pipe, unexpected variations in humidity and temperature, and the quality of raw materials. In this work, artificial aging, mechanical tests, thermogravimetric, and surface analysis were conducted to determine the failure mechanisms at the polymer‐metal interface. From thermogravimetric data, different methods were applied to identify parameters of the kinetics of solid decomposition, and subsequently, the lifetime of the product was estimated. From the methods evaluated, the Chang analysis gave the best approach when compared to results attained by mechanical tests and predictions established by the standard EN 253.