bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descartes and Spiritual Exercises
Authors: Eksen Kerem ,   DePaul University
Published: June 2019

The present study is an attempt to contribute to the debates on the relationship between spiritual traditions and Descartes’s Meditations. Taking its point of departure from Pierre Hadot’s inspiring studies, the article aims to describe the nature of the philosophical practice that Meditations embodies and to discuss the ways in which the work can be located in the history of the relations between theory and practice. To this end, Hadot’s suggestion that Meditations should be read as a set of spiritual exercises will be criticized through an analysis of the nature of the “non-argumentative” or “experiential” level that is at work in Descartes’s text. By showing that the transformation intended by Descartes does not reach beyond the level of cognition, it will be argued that even though Descartes makes use of certain key elements of the spiritualist literature, he belongs to the modern age of “philosophy without spirituality.”
The Face behind the Fountain: What Heidegger did Not See in Origin
Authors: Arvanitopoulos Michael ,   A. Dourou Publications
Published: June 2019

Heidegger claimed that world beings, existing or extant, including artworks, become intelligible in the preservation of perceptual determinations instigated by some extraordinary art that stands apart in being world-disclosive. In the lack of adequate premising scholarship has found this claim so incoherent, that it dismissed its seriousness and has treated all art Heidegger pointed to as equal. Besides being an issue in itself, this relinquishing leaves unanswered the biggest liability in Heidegger’s philosophy, the so-called “Münchhausen circularity” between Being and Dasein in the creation of world. But there is evidence to actually validate the exorbitant claim, evidence Heidegger himself did not see emerging as a potential from within his own conjectures. A phenomenological reduction that allows the implementation of suprasegmental theory of prosody suggests that Blonde Youth, an early fifth century Greek statue is the missing art through which all art, and with it all world constituency, has become intelligible.
Controle e gerenciamento na gestão de estoque nas empresas
Authors: Souza Wanessa dos Santos , Sousa Júnior Alvani Bomfim de
Published: June 2019

Considerando a grande concorrência entre as empresas diante do cenário globalizado, as organizações precisam estar atentas a todos os ativos da empresa e o estoque simboliza um grande valor investido e que a princípio não gera lucro, mas a falha no controle e gerenciamento da gestão de estoque pode gerar prejuízo e deixar de ser uma vantagem competitiva. Sendo assim, o artigo tem como objetivo geral analisar como a gestão de estoques pode ajudar na lucratividade organizacional das empresas. Os objetivos específicos pretendem identificar os níveis de estoque de segurança de acordo com a demanda e o tempo de ressuprimento; abordar periodicidade de inventários, sem impactar na confiabilidade do estoque contábil; compreender o volume de estoque em busca da otimização e entender os métodos utilizados nos atendimentos das solicitações dos clientes, em busca de um retorno rápido e com eficiência nos pedidos e prestação dos serviços. Para atingir estes objetivos utilizou-se o método de pesquisa qualitativo, de cunho descritivo-exploratório. E abordando os conceitos de estoque, quais os tipos e os custos de estoque, administração de estoque com os objetivos e funções, os princípios e os sistemas de controle de estoque e a classificação dos materiais de acordo com a curva ABC.
Evolução espaço-temporal do uso do solo na estação ecológica do rangedor e seu entorno
Authors: Almeida Rosângela Borges , De Castro Antonio Carlos Leal , De Araújo Gisele Cardoso , Soares Leonardo Silva
Published: June 2019

A criação de Unidades de Conservação (UC) representa um instrumento essencial para a conservação de ambientes naturais, principalmente nas regiões metropolitanas, como é o caso da Estação Ecológica do Rangedor - ESEC, caracterizada como unidade de Proteção Integral que permite somente o uso indireto dos recursos naturais. Neste trabalho aborda-se a evolução espaço-temporal do uso da terra da ESEC do Rangedor e seu entorno (1 km), nos anos de 1976, 2001 e 2012, a fim de analisar a dinâmica das mudanças espaço-temporais e se a UC está sendo efetiva na sua função ecológica. Com este propósito, utilizaram-se as ferramentas de geoprocessamento e sensoriamento remoto, além de expedições de campo, visando compreender a dinâmica dos impactos ambientais no comprometimento dos habitats e componentes ecológicos da área protegida e os aspectos geoambientais e socioeconômicos que permeiam a problemática hídrica na Estação Ecológica do Rangedor Constatou-se que houve uma expressiva redução da drenagem na área protegida, além da ocorrência de outros impactos como desmatamento, invasão de espécies alóctones, queimadas e deposição de resíduos sólidos, que comprometem os atributos e o enquadramento da unidade de conservação na categoria de proteção integral. Por outro lado, apesar de todos os problemas ambientais observados neste estudo, a existência da ESEC oferece a possibilidade de recuperação da vegetação natural e atua efetivamente contra a ameaça de expansão imobiliária para o interior da área protegida.
Drawing Graphs on Few Circles and Few Spheres
Authors: Kryven Myroslav , Ravsky Alexander , Wolff Alexander
Published: June 2019

Given a drawing of a graph, its visual complexity is
defined as the number of geometrical entities in the drawing, for
example, the number of segments in a straight-line drawing or the
number of arcs in a circular-arc drawing (in 2D). Recently,
Chaplick et al. [GD 2016] introduced a different measure
for the visual complexity, the affine cover number, which is
the minimum number of lines (or planes) that together cover a
crossing-free straight-line drawing of a graph $G$ in 2D (3D).
In this paper, we introduce the spherical cover number, which
is the minimum number of circles (or spheres) that together cover a
crossing-free circular-arc drawing in 2D (or 3D). It turns out that
spherical covers are sometimes significantly smaller than affine
covers.
For complete, complete bipartite, and platonic graphs,
we analyze their spherical cover numbers and compare them to their
affine cover numbers as well as their segment and arc numbers. We
also link the spherical cover number to other graph parameters such
as
treewidth and linear arboricity.
Fast approximation of eccentricities and distances in hyperbolic graphs
Authors: Chepoi Victor , Dragan Feodor , Habib Michel , Vaxès Yann , Alrasheed Hend
Published: June 2019

We show that the eccentricities
of all vertices of a $\delta$-hyperbolic graph $G=(V,E)$ can be computed in
linear time with an additive one-sided error of at most $c\delta$, i.e., after a linear time preprocessing, for every vertex $v$ of $G$ one can compute in $O(1)$ time an estimate $\hat{e}(v)$ of its
eccentricity $ecc_G(v):=\max\{d_G(u,v): u\in V\}$ such that $ecc_G(v)\leq \hat{e}(v)\leq ecc_G(v)+ c\delta$ for a small constant $c$. We prove that every $\delta$-hyperbolic graph $G$
has a shortest path tree $T$, constructible in linear time, such that for every vertex $v$ of $G$, $ecc_G(v)\leq ecc_T(v)\leq ecc_G(v)+ c\delta$, where $ecc_T(v):=\max\{d_T(u,v): u\in V\}$. These results are based
on an interesting monotonicity property of the eccentricity function of hyperbolic graphs: the closer a vertex is to the center of $G$, the smaller its eccentricity is.
We also show that the distance matrix
of $G$ with an additive one-sided error of at most $c'\delta$ can be computed in $O(|V|^2\log^2|V|)$ time, where $c'< c$ is a small constant.
Recent empirical studies show that many real-world graphs (including Internet application
networks, web networks, collaboration networks, social networks, biological networks,
and others) have small hyperbolicity. So, we analyze the performance of our algorithms for approximating eccentricities and distance matrix on
a number of real-world networks. Our experimental results show that the obtained estimates are even better than the theoretical bounds.
Editorial. EU cohesion policy and domestic territorial governance. What chances for cross-fertilization?
Authors: Cotella Giancarlo
Published: June 2019

Territorial governance is an extremely heterogeneous activity. Each European country is characterised by a complex system of legal acts, tools, discourses and practices that had consolidated through time, as a consequence of peculiar path-dependent processes. At the same time, since more than 30 years the European Union is developing territorially relevant actions and interventions, ultimately aiming at achieving the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the continent. The mutual relations entangling domestic and supranational territorial governance remain unclear: on the one hand, the European Union is required to produce a framework for delivering its policies that is flexible enough to accommodate domestic differences; on the other hand, domestic territorial governance and spatial planning systems should adapt in order to allow room for cross-fertilization with supranational interventions. This contribution builds on the evidence collected by the research project ESPON COMPASS to frame and explore this issue. In doing so, it serves as an introduction for this special issue that, in the following contributions, presents a number of concrete examples of interaction between EU spatial policies and domestic territorial governance and spatial planning.
Metabolic network percolation quantifies biosynthetic capabilities across the human oral microbiome
Authors: Bernstein David B , Dewhirst Floyd E , Segrè Daniel
Published: June 2019

The biosynthetic capabilities of microbes underlie their growth and interactions, playing a prominent role in microbial community structure. For large, diverse microbial communities, prediction of these capabilities is limited by uncertainty about metabolic functions and environmental conditions. To address this challenge, we propose a probabilistic method, inspired by percolation theory, to computationally quantify how robustly a genome-derived metabolic network produces a given set of metabolites under an ensemble of variable environments. We used this method to compile an atlas of predicted biosynthetic capabilities for 97 metabolites across 456 human oral microbes. This atlas captures taxonomically-related trends in biomass composition, and makes it possible to estimate inter-microbial metabolic distances that correlate with microbial co-occurrences. We also found a distinct cluster of fastidious/uncultivated taxa, including several Saccharibacteria (TM7) species, characterized by their abundant metabolic deficiencies. By embracing uncertainty, our approach can be broadly applied to understanding metabolic interactions in complex microbial ecosystems.
Rapid and iterative genome editing in the malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi provides new tools for P. vivax research
Authors: Mohring Franziska , Hart Melissa Natalie , Rawlinson Thomas A , Henrici Ryan , Charleston James A , Diez Benavente Ernest , Patel Avnish , Hall Joanna , Almond Neil , Campino Susana , Clark Taane G , Sutherland Colin J , Baker David A , Draper Simon J , Moon Robert William
Published: June 2019

Tackling relapsing Plasmodium vivax and zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi infections is critical to reducing malaria incidence and mortality worldwide. Understanding the biology of these important and related parasites was previously constrained by the lack of robust molecular and genetic approaches. Here, we establish CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in a culture-adapted P. knowlesi strain and define parameters for optimal homology-driven repair. We establish a scalable protocol for the production of repair templates by PCR and demonstrate the flexibility of the system by tagging proteins with distinct cellular localisations. Using iterative rounds of genome-editing we generate a transgenic line expressing P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP), a lead vaccine candidate. We demonstrate that PvDBP plays no role in reticulocyte restriction but can alter the macaque/human host cell tropism of P. knowlesi. Critically, antibodies raised against the P. vivax antigen potently inhibit proliferation of this strain, providing an invaluable tool to support vaccine development.
Biographical introduction, Summary of Contents (Danish edition) and Summary of Contents (English edition)
Authors: Moss Kira
Published: June 2019

The sixth volume in the series consists of Sophus Tromholt's monograph Under Nordlysets Straaler, first published in Danish in 1885 and then in a slightly different English version (Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis, in two vols.) later in the same year. Both editions are included here, digitized from copies kept by the University Library of UiT The Arctic University of Norway. They are introduced by a biographical essay and summaries of contents by Kira Moss, UiT in Tromsø.
Age at menarche and depression: results from the NHANES 2005–2016
Authors: Shen Yun , Varma Deepthi S. , Zheng Yi , Boc Jenny , Hu Hui
Published: June 2019

Objective

The association between early age at menarche and depression among adolescent girls and adult women has been examined in many studies. However, inconsistent results and limitations such as small sample size, low generalizability, and measurement error exist. We aimed to address these issues to assess the association between age at menarche and depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of US women aged 18 years and older.

Methods

We used the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data with a total of 15,674 women aged 18 years and older included in our study. Logistic regression models were used after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors.

Results

The crude-adjusted model suggests that women with early age of menarche had 1.36 (95% CI [1.16–1.61]) times the odds of current depressive symptoms compared with the normal menarche group, after controlling for age, race/ethnicity, education, poverty income ratio (PIR) and marital status. In the fully-adjusted model, women with early menarche had 1.25 (95% CI [1.05–1.48]) times the odds of current depressive symptoms, after additionally adjusting for smoking status and body mass index (BMI). However, no significant difference was observed between the normal and late menarche groups.

Conclusion

Further studies are warranted to determine the causal relationship and mechanisms between early menarche and increased risk of depression.
PREDICTION OF THE HEIGHT OF TIDAL DUNES IN ESTUARIES
Authors: Nasner Horst
Published: June 2019

In this paper prototype data of echo soundings of tidal dunes are analysed. A good relation between the fresh water discharge and the sand wave migration velocity in the upper part of a tidal river could be determined. The limitation of the dune heights as a function of the mean current velocities over the crests and the bed material characteristics is presented. States of equilibrium are described by dimensionless parameters and the latter compared with model tests.
TIME SCALES OF NEARSHORE PROFILE CHANGES
Authors: Birkemeier William A.
Published: June 2019

Time scales of nearshore profile change are examined using a unique set of highly accurate surveys collected over a 3% year period at CERC's Field Research Facility. The data are analyzed in terms of the formation and movement of the nearshore bars and with empirical eigenfunctions. The largest and most rapid changes in the profiles occurred during storms. The inner bar (depth of -0.6 to 1.5 m, 1.6 to 4.5 ft) moved offshore during even minor storms and recovered relatively quickly. The outer bar (depth of 3 to 4 m, 9 to 13 ft) formed during the largest storms and recovery was considerably slower, requiring six months or longer. The eigenvector analysis confirmed the importance of storms but identified a seasonal shift of material from the beach and inner bar to the offshore.
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN THE NEARSHORE ZONE
Authors: Sternberg R.W. , Shi N.C. , Downing John P.
Published: June 2019

The suspended sediment distribution and longshore sediment transport characteristics at Leadbetter Beach, Santa Barbara, California were investigated using a series of miniature optical backseatter sensors which can measure particle concentrations as high as 180 gm/£ and have 10 Hz frequency response. Vertical arrays of sensors were maintained at up to four positions across the surf zone during 7-25 February 1980 and were operated concurrently with pressure sensors and current meters. Data were collected on a daily basis over 2-4 hour periods. The data were analyzed to reveal concentration profiles of suspended sediment, the average suspended sediment loads, and the longshore particle flux in relation to varying wave conditions. Results show that sediment transport occurs as individual suspension events related to incident wave motions and infragravity motion oscillations within the surf zone; suspended sediment concentration decreases approximately logarithimically away from the seabed; the maximum values of longshore transport rates occur in the mid-surf zone; and the measured suspended sediment longshore transport rate is equal to the total longshore transport rate as predicted by existing transport equations.
LARGE DIAMETER POLYETHYLENE SUBMARINE OUTFALLS
Authors: Jackson L.A.
Published: June 2019

This paper presents the state of the art that has now evolved in Australia and shows the trend towards using high density polyethylene pipes for submarine conditions and the varying techniques and materials utilised. Prior to 1981 High Density Polyethylene (H.D.P.E.) was not produced in Australia in diameters larger than 630mm and even in the available sizes submarine outfalls were in the main constructed of mild steel or concrete pipes. In 1980 the Gold Coast City Council called tenders for the supply and installation of a 1500 metre, 1 metre diameter, outfall across the Southport Broadwater which is an active tidal estuary area. The proposed route crossed a main navigation channel and required trenching up to 8 metres into sand and sandstone. After consideration of the special requirements and high tender prices for conventional materials, Council constructed a temporary 400mm diameter H.D.P.E. outfall while the design of the permanent outfall was re-evaluated. The outfall was eventually constructed by day labour utilising a 1 metre diameter H.D.P.E. at a cost saving of approximately $1.5 million over the lowest tender price utilising steel pipes. Manufacturing facilities were imported into Australia for this job and now other large diameter submarine H.D.P.E. outfalls have been constructed in Australia and this material is now gaining acceptance.
Phosphoric Acids and Phosphates
Authors: Gilmour Rodney B.
Published: June 2019

Most commercial applications of phosphorus‐containing materials are based on phosphoric acids and phosphates. Uses, other than as fertilizer, include applications in detergency, foods and food processing, dental materials, dentifrices, metal surface treatments, flame retardants, etc. Structures and properties of orthophosphoric acid and condensed phosphoric acids are presented. The manufacture of technical‐ and food‐grade phosphoric acids by thermal and wet‐acid purification processes and some uses of various phosphoric acids are discussed.

The chemistry and properties of orthophosphates and condensed phosphates are presented. Emphasis is placed on alkali metal and calcium salts and their solution properties. Properties specific to condensed phosphate salts such as hydrolysis and metal ion complexation are outlined. Manufacturing schemes for phosphates are described.
NMDA
Receptors
Authors: Gibb Alasdair J
Published: June 2019

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors are one type of glutamate receptor. They play key roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity in the central nervous system. They are uniquely activated by simultaneous binding of the amino acids glycine and
l
‐glutamate. These receptors are proteins that form an ion channel across the cell membrane, commonly formed by assembly of two glutamate‐binding GluN2 subunits and two glycine‐binding GluN1 subunits. The ion channel opens following receptor activation, allowing Na
+
and Ca
2+
ions to cross the cell membrane, thus translating the transient chemical signal provided by release of glutamate from a presynaptic neuron, into postsynaptic electrical and biochemical Ca
2+
signals. Crucially, the characteristics of NMDA receptor signalling depend on the receptor subunit composition, particularly the nature of the GluN2 subunits which can be of four different types, creating unique and important variations in properties that provide a rich diversity of NMDA receptor signalling in the brain.

Key Concepts

NMDA receptor functional diversity is determined by the receptor subunit composition.

Key functional attributes of NMDA receptors are the Ca
2+
permeability and Mg
2+
block of the transmembrane ion channel and the slow kinetics of receptor activation which can last for hundreds of milliseconds.

The receptor subunits are somewhat modular in nature with key functional attributes depending on particular domains of the subunit protein.

Domain interactions are an emerging concept in understanding NMDA receptor structure–function relationships.

Allosteric modulators of NMDA receptors can both enhance or inhibit receptor function and provide the future possibility of novel therapeutic approaches to diseases of the nervous system associated with altered NMDA receptor function.
Forensic Genomics
Authors: Amorim Antonio
Published: June 2019

Application of genetics to forensics has been multifactorial, that is analysing various inherited characteristics (genes or gene products) in the same court case. However, only when DNA fast and cheap sequencing technologies became available can we speak of forensic genomics proper, that is the use of genome‐wide data to forensic applications. These advances allow a significant increase in the informative power of classical forensic analyses and open new application avenues that were unthinkable when a reduced amount of genetic markers was at hand. These include the assessment and inference of remote kinship, biogeographic ancestry, and physical appearance. However, these developments still face serious problems, which may be difficult to resolve, or seriously conflict social and individual rights. In fact, full use of forensic genomics face statistical, technical, theoretical, ethical and legal obstacles, which may remain insurmountable in the near future.

Key Concepts

Science applied to forensics produces and evaluates evidence in criminal or civil litigations at a formal judicial system.

Forensic genetics and genomics are increasingly contributing to the prevention of litigation, alleviating court workloads.

Current litigation fields involving genetic expertise are much broader than traditional legal medicine and include the use of nonhuman material.

DNA technology has contributed significantly to the expansion and precision of FG.

Forensic application of genome‐wide data is loaded with ethical, technical, theoretical and problems.
Neanderthals and Their Diet
Authors: Power Robert C
Published: June 2019

Neanderthals are a Late Pleistocene hominin adapted to cool high‐latitudes environments. Popular views on how Neanderthals adapted to these environments have changed over time. While once thought of as a largely scavenging hominin, Neanderthals are now accepted to be competent hunters who sourced a major part of their nutrition from ungulates. Neanderthal diet appears to be highly terrestrial but there are difficulties ruling out a contribution of marine foods in many regions. While the important role of large and medium ungulates in debates about Neanderthal diet has largely been settled, recent discussions about Neanderthal diet have explored the extent of their diet varied, the role of minor foods (plant, small mammal and marine foods) and dietary flexibility.

Key Concepts

Zooarchaeology mortality profiles show Neanderthals were competent hunters.

Neanderthals predominantly relied on large‐ and medium‐sized ungulates.

There is little clear evidence of Neanderthal hunting methods, important but this is also the case for the earliest modern human in Europe. Neanderthals appear to have relied on thrown or thrusted spears, which were both hafted and unhafted.

Plants played a crucial role in diet, even though meat was nutritionally much more important.

Important questions remain concerning how diet was processed and how much diet varied.
Mechanisms of Enhancer Action
Authors: Nizovtseva Ekaterina V , Studitsky Vasily M
Published: June 2019

Genomic studies have revealed a large number of distantly acting regulatory DNA regions (enhancers) activating transcription both in bacteria and in eukaryotes. Enhancers contain multiple specific binding sites for activator proteins that can locally disturb chromatin structure after binding to DNA and activate transcription initiated from enhancer targets (promoters) localised at variable distances from the enhancer. Typically, interactions between enhancer‐ and promoter‐bound proteins involve chromatin looping of intervening stretches of DNA organised in chromatin. These dynamic regulatory chromatin loops of different size and stability operate both in bacteria and in higher organisms where they form extensive and complex three‐dimensional networks that largely define gene expression patterns and identity of eukaryotic cells. Misalignment of these networks results in development of numerous human diseases including cancer.

Key Concepts

Enhancers are regulatory DNA sequences that regulate transcription both in bacteria and in higher organisms.

Enhancers are activated after binding of activator proteins to their specific binding sites localised within the enhancers.

Enhancers activate their targets (promoters) over variable distances.

An enhancer can work on multiple promoters and a promoter can be activated by multiple enhancers.

As a result, there is a dynamic regulatory network formed by regulatory chromatin loops of different size and stability.

Promoter activation involves interaction between proteins bound at the enhancers and promoters.

Enhancer–promoter interaction is accompanied by looping of intervening chromatin.

Gene activation involves a conformational change in promoter‐bound proteins or their covalent modification.
Lonely hearts and angry minds: Online dating rejection increases male (but not female) hostility
Authors: Andrighetto Luca , Riva Paolo , Gabbiadini Alessandro
Published: June 2019

The present work explores the hostile tendencies elicited by romantic rejection in the increasingly common context of online dating. To empirically investigate this issue, we created an ad hoc online dating platform in which fictitious online dating partners romantically rejected heterosexual male and female participants. Results revealed that male—but not female—participants who were rejected by desired dating partners displayed increased hostility. This pattern of findings was consistent across different measures, which considered both aggressive tendencies against the rejecting partners and hostile attitudes against the opposite gender. Further, increased feelings of anger explained the relationship between online romantic rejection and increased male hostility.

Our work and its findings have both theoretical and methodological implications for the understanding of interpersonal processes in online interactions and the growing body of literature on online dating.
Colloidal Photonic Crystal Strain Sensor Integrated with Deformable Graphene Phototransducer
Authors: Snapp Peter , Kang Pilgyu , Leem Juyoung , Nam SungWoo
Published: June 2019

Flexible, architectured, photonic nanostructures such as colloidal photonic crystals (CPCs) can serve as colorimetric strain sensors, where external applied strain leads to a noticeable color change. However, CPCs' response to strain is difficult to quantify without the use of optical spectroscopy. Integration of flexible electrical readout of CPCs' color change is a challenge due to a lack of flexible/stretchable electrical transducers. This work details a colorimetric strain sensor with optoelectrical quantification based on an integrated system of CPCs over a crumpled graphene phototransducer, which optoelectrically quantifies CPCs, response to strain. The hybrid system enables direct visual perception of strain, while strain quantification via electrical measurement of the hybrid system outperforms that of crumpled graphene strain sensors by more than 100 times. The unique combination of a photonic sensing element with a deformable transducer will allow for the development of novel, electrically quantifiable colorimetric sensors with high sensitivity.
Bioinspired Design of Light‐Powered Crawling, Squeezing, and Jumping Untethered Soft Robot
Authors: Ahn Chihyung , Liang Xudong , Cai Shengqiang
Published: June 2019

Light has been recently intensively explored to power robots. However, most existing light‐driven robots have limited locomotion modalities, with constrained locomotion capabilities. A light‐powered soft robot with a bioinspired design is demonstrated, which can crawl on ground, squeeze its way through a small channel, and jump over a barrier. The arch‐shaped robot is made up of liquid crystal elastomer–carbon nanotube composite. When a light source with a power intensity of around 1.57 W cm−2 is scanned over the surface of the robot, it deforms and crawls forward. With an increase in the light scanning speed, it can deform sufficiently to pass through a channel 25% lower than its body height. Subjected to light irradiation, it can also deform to a closed loop, gradually store elastic energy, and suddenly release it to jump over a wall or onto a step quickly, with a jumping distance around eight times its body length and jumping height around five times its body height. Mathematical models for quantitatively understanding the multimodal locomotion of this light‐powered soft robot are also presented.
Enzyme‐conjugated nanosensors with tunable detection limits for small biomolecule determination
Authors: Ferris Mark S. , Elms Makayla K. , Cash Kevin J.
Published: June 2019

Polymeric nanosensors are more appealing than electrochemical sensors for advanced biological imaging applications, but more development is required before polymeric nanosensors can achieve widespread application. The detection of small biomolecules without a suitable ionophore, such as the detection of glucose, depends on enzymatic recognition by mixing oxidase enzymes with nanosensors. However, conjugation schemes and response control methods are needed to make polymeric nanosensors suitable for real‐world applications. In this work, we develop enzyme‐conjugated nanosensors based on the biotin/avidin interaction with two unique structures. The response of the first structure is controllable through changes to the concentrations of enzyme and avidin as well as surface biotinylation level during synthesis, while the second structure requires a simpler synthesis and has a controllable response through changes to the surface biotinylation level. We also report findings about optimal avidin concentration and separation of unbound enzyme from the enzyme‐nanosensor conjugates through a magnetic purification approach.
Enhanced antipressure ability through graphene oxide membrane by intercalating g‐C3N4 nanosheets for water purification
Authors: Liu Lingfei , Zhou Yisa , Xue Jian , Wang Haihui
Published: June 2019

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have shown great potential for water purification, but their permeability and antipressure ability are poor, which limits their practical applications. In this study, two‐dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) nanosheet‐intercalated GO (GOCN) membranes were developed to improve the separation performance of GO membranes, especially under high operating pressure. After incorporation of the g‐C3N4 nanosheets, the amount of permeable nanochannels (wrinkles or corrugation) in the membrane increased; hence, the water permeance was effectively improved (twice as high as that of GO membranes). Moreover, the antipressure performance of the GOCN membranes was significantly enhanced (even below 0.5 MPa pressure) as the nanochannels in the composite membranes become stable and rigid due to the support of the pressure‐resistant g‐C3N4 nanosheets. The good separation performance demonstrates that the intercalation of g‐C3N4 is an effective strategy to improve the GO‐based membrane properties, which can promote their application in water purification.
Understanding primate‐human interaction: Socioeconomic correlates of local awareness and attitude toward the endangered golden langur Trachypithecus geei (Khajuria, 1956) in Bhutan
Authors: Thinley Phuntsho , Rajaratnam Rajanathan , Tighe Matthew , Vernes Karl , Norbu Tshewang , Dorji Rinchen , Tenzin Sangay
Published: June 2019

Despite the golden langur's (Trachypithecus geei) endangered and totally protected status, local awareness and attitude toward this species is poorly understood. We investigated local awareness and attitude in Bhutan by interviewing 1,143 households in the districts of Dagana, Sarpang, Trongsa, Tsirang, and Zhemgang, and analyzing data through a conditional inference tree analysis. Most respondents were not aware of the golden langur's nationally protected (53%; n = 604) and globally endangered status (64%; n = 730), but their location of residence (inside/outside a protected area; p < .001) and education level (p < .001) significantly influenced awareness. The majority of respondents (87%; n = 999) liked the golden langur but the attitude was significantly influenced primarily by whether or not they experienced crop damage by golden langurs (p < .001), and subsequently by location of residence (p < .001), local belief (p < .01), gender (p < .05), and personal encounter with a golden langur (p < .001). Socioeconomic variables like age, education level, and annual income did not influence attitude. We recommend environmental education and awareness campaigns outside protected areas, and intensifying existing programs inside protected areas to forge harmonious human‐golden langur coexistence.
Hydrodeoxygenation Using Magnetic Induction: High‐Temperature Heterogeneous Catalysis in Solution
Authors: Asensio Juan M. , Miguel Ana B. , Fazzini Pier‐Francesco , van Leeuwen Piet W. N. M. , Chaudret Bruno
Published: June 2019

Magnetic heating has recently been demonstrated as an efficient way to perform catalytic reactions after deposition of the heating agent and the catalyst on a support. Here we show that in solution, and under mild conditions of mean temperature and pressure, it is possible to use magnetic heating to carry out transformations that are otherwise performed heterogeneously at high pressure and/or high temperature. As a proof of concept, we chose the hydrodeoxygenation of acetophenone derivatives and of biomass‐derived molecules, namely furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural. These reactions are difficult, require heterogeneous catalysts and high pressures, and, to the best of our knowledge, have no precedent in standard solution. Here, hydrodeoxygenations are fully selective under mild conditions (3 bar H2, moderate mean temperature of the solvent). The reason for this reactivity is the fast heating of the particles well above the boiling temperature of the solvent and the local creation of hot spots surrounded by a vapor layer, in which high temperature and pressure may be present. This technology may be practicable for many organic transformations.
Bundling mRNA Strands to Prepare Nano‐Assemblies with Enhanced Stability Towards RNase for In Vivo Delivery
Authors: Yoshinaga Naoto , Cho Eol , Koji Kyoko , Mochida Yuki , Naito Mitsuru , Osada Kensuke , Kataoka Kazunori , Cabral Horacio , Uchida Satoshi
Published: June 2019

Ribonuclease (RNase)‐mediated degradation of messenger RNA (mRNA) poses a huge obstruction to in vivo mRNA delivery. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to protect mRNA by structuring mRNA to prevent RNase attack through steric hinderance. Bundling of mRNA strands through hybridization of RNA oligonucleotide linkers allowed the preparation of mRNA nano‐assemblies (R‐NAs) comprised of 7.7 mRNA strands on average, mostly below 100 nm in diameter. R‐NA formation boosted RNase stability by around 100‐fold compared to naïve mRNA and preserved translational activity, allowing protein production. A mechanistic analysis suggests that an endogenous mRNA unwinding mechanism triggered by 5′‐cap‐dependent translation may induce selective R‐NA dissociation intracellularly, leading to smooth translation. R‐NAs showed efficient mRNA transfection in mouse brain, demonstrating the feasibility for in vivo administration.
Cavity Catalysis by Cooperative Vibrational Strong Coupling of Reactant and Solvent Molecules
Authors: Lather Jyoti , Bhatt Pooja , Thomas Anoop , Ebbesen Thomas W. , George Jino
Published: June 2019

Here, we report the catalytic effect of vibrational strong coupling (VSC) on the solvolysis of para‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA), which increases the reaction rate by an order of magnitude. This is observed when the microfluidic Fabry–Perot cavity in which the VSC is generated is tuned to the C=O vibrational stretching mode of both the reactant and solvent molecules. Thermodynamic experiments confirm the catalytic nature of VSC in the system. The change in the reaction rate follows an exponential relation with respect to the coupling strength of the solvent, indicating a cooperative effect between the solvent molecules and the reactant. Furthermore, the study of the solvent kinetic isotope effect clearly shows that the vibrational overlap of the C=O vibrational bands of the reactant and the strongly coupled solvent molecules is critical for the catalysis in this reaction. The combination of cooperative effects and cavity catalysis confirms the potential of VSC as a new frontier in chemistry.
Rigid Coplanar Polymers for Stable n‐Type Polymer Thermoelectrics
Authors: Lu Yang , Yu Zi‐Di , Zhang Run‐Zhi , Yao Ze‐Fan , You Hao‐Yang , Jiang Li , Un Hio‐Ieng , Dong Bo‐Wei , Xiong Miao , Wang Jie‐Yu , Pei Jian
Published: June 2019

Low n‐doping efficiency and inferior stability restrict the thermoelectric performance of n‐type conjugated polymers, making their performance lag far behind of their p‐type counterparts. Reported here are two rigid coplanar poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives, LPPV‐1 and LPPV‐2, which show nearly torsion‐free backbones. The fused electron‐deficient rigid structures endow the derivatives with less conformational disorder and low‐lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels, down to −4.49 eV. After doping, two polymers exhibited high n‐doping efficiency and significantly improved air stability. LPPV‐1 exhibited a high conductivity of up to 1.1 S cm−1 and a power factor as high as 1.96 μW m−1 K−2. Importantly, the power factor of the doped LPPV‐1 thick film degraded only 2 % after 7 day exposure to air. This work demonstrates a new strategy for designing conjugated polymers, with planar backbones and low LUMO levels, towards high‐performance and potentially air‐stable n‐type polymer thermoelectrics.
Spectroscopic Measurement of a Halogen Bond Energy
Authors: Zhang Xinxing , Liu Gaoxiang , Ciborowski Sandra , Wang Wei , Gong Chu , Yao Yifan , Bowen Kit
Published: June 2019

Halogen bonding (XB) has emerged as an important bonding motif in supramolecules and biological systems. Although regarded as a strong noncovalent interaction, benchmark measurements of the halogen bond energy are scarce. Here, a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) study of XB in solvated Br− anions is reported. The XB strength between the positively‐charged σ‐hole on the Br atom of the bromotrichloromethane (CCl3Br) molecule and the Br− anion was found to be 0.63 eV (14.5 kcal mol−1). In the neutral complexes, Br(CCl3Br)1,2, the attraction between the free Br atom and the negatively charged equatorial belt on the Br atom of CCl3Br, which is a second type of halogen bonding, was estimated to have interaction strengths of 0.15 eV (3.5 kcal mol−1) and 0.12 eV (2.8 kcal mol−1).
Iron(II)‐Based Metalloradical Activation: Switch from Traditional Click Chemistry to Denitrogenative Annulation
Authors: Roy Satyajit , Khatua Hillol , Das Sandip Kumar , Chattopadhyay Buddhadeb
Published: June 2019

A unique concept for the intermolecular denitrogenative annulation of 1,2,3,4‐tetrazoles and alkynes was discovered by using a catalytic amount of Fe(TPP)Cl and Zn dust. The reaction precludes the traditional, more favored click reaction between an organic azide and alkynes, and instead proceeds by an unprecedented metalloradical activation. The method is anticipated to advance access to the construction of important basic nitrogen heterocycles, which will in turn enable discoveries of new drug candidates.
Sulfur and Ti3+ co‐Doping of TiO2 Nanotubes Enhance Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Without the Use of Any co‐catalyst
Authors: Ji Lei , Zhou Xuemei , Schmuki Patrik
Published: June 2019

TiO2 nanotubes were successfully co‐doped with sulfur and Ti3+ states using a facile annealing treatment in H2/H2S gas mixture. The obtained nanotubes were investigated for their photocatalytic performance and characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, EPR, IPCE, IMPS and Mott‐Schottky measurements. The synthesized co‐doped TiO2 nanotubes show an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production rate compared to tubes that were treated only in pure H2 or H2S atmosphere—this without the presence of any co‐catalyst. It was found that sulfur in co‐doped TiO2 exists in the form of S2− and a small quantity of S4+/S6+, which leads to a narrowing of the band gap. However, the enhanced absorption of light in the visible range is not the key reason for the improved photocatalytic performance. We ascribe the enhanced photocatalytic activity to a synergetic effect of S mid‐gap states and disordered Ti3+ defects that facilitate photo generated electron transfer.
Highly Effective Ru/BaCeO3 Catalysts on Supports with Strong Basic Sites for Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Shuang , Li Jinping
Published: June 2019

BaCeO3‐a and BaCeO3‐b, with strong basic sites, were synthesized by using a co‐precipitation method at different calcination temperatures, and used as supports to evaluate their performance in ammonia synthesis. The ammonia synthesis rate with the 1.25 % Ru/BaCeO3‐a catalyst is 24 mmol g−1 h−1, which is higher than that of 1.25 % Ru/BaCeO3‐b catalyst (18 mmol g−1 h−1) at 3 MPa and 450 °C. Moreover, the performance of the 4 % Cs‐1.25 % Ru/BaCeO3‐a catalyst was further improved to 28 mmol g−1 h−1, and no sign of deactivation was observed after a reaction time of 120 h. The XPS and H2 temperature‐programmed reduction analyses indicated that the Ru/BaCeO3‐a catalyst has more oxygen vacancies than the Ru/BaCeO3‐b catalyst. In addition, the average Ru particle size of the Ru/BaCeO3‐a catalyst is closer to 2 nm than the Ru/BaCeO3‐b catalyst, which promotes the generation of B5‐type sites (the active site for N2 dissociation). The CO2 temperature‐programmed desorption analysis indicates that BaCeO3‐a has a high basic density, which is beneficial for electron transfer to Ru and further facilitates the dissociation of N≡N bonds.
Steigerung der Durchstanztragfähigkeit und Duktilität durch die Zugabe moderner Hochleistungsstahlfasern
Authors: Landler Josef , Fischer Oliver
Published: June 2019

Seit der Veröffentlichung normativer Vorschriften zur Bemessung von Stahlfaserbeton in Deutschland und Europa gewinnt dessen Einsatz für tragende Konstruktionen des Hoch‐ und Ingenieurbaus stetig an Bedeutung. Nach Eintreten der Rissbildung im Beton ermöglichen Makrofasern aus Stahl eine effektive Übertragung von Zugspannungen über den Riss hinweg, was sich in Bezug auf das Durchstanztragverhalten als besonders vorteilhaft erweist. Während für die Durchstanztragfähigkeit stahlfaserbewehrter Flachdecken mit Plattendicken bis 150 mm zahlreiche Versuchsergebnisse vorliegen, fehlen Untersuchungen an praxisrelevanten Plattenstärken von 200 mm bis 300 mm nahezu gänzlich. Zudem versprechen Fortschritte in der Leistungsfähigkeit moderner Stahldrahtfasern ein verbessertes Trag‐ und Verformungsverhalten des Stahlfaserbetons.

Zur Untersuchung des Durchstanztragverhaltens stahlfaserbewehrter Flachdecken mit praxisrelevanten Plattendicken wurden acht Durchstanzversuche an Flachdeckenausschnitten mit unterschiedlichen Plattenstärken durchgeführt. Als weitere Einflussparameter standen der Stahlfasertyp und insbesondere der Stahlfasergehalt im Vordergrund. Der vorliegende Beitrag liefert einen Überblick über die durchgeführten Versuche und diskutiert die gewonnenen Ergebnisse. Anhand eines Vergleichs der experimentell gewonnenen Versagenslasten mit den rechnerischen Durchstanztragfähigkeiten nach der Richtlinie „Stahlfaserbeton“ des Deutschen Ausschusses für Stahlbeton (DAfStb) sowie nach fib Model Code 2010 erfolgt eine Bewertung der Bemessungsansätze.
Withaferin A ameliorates renal injury due to its potent effect on inflammatory signaling
Authors: Peddakkulappagari Chandra S. , Saifi Mohd A. , Khurana Amit , Anchi Pratibha , Singh Mandip , Godugu Chandraiah
Published: June 2019

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the major global health concerns and is responsible for end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) complications. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the progression of CKD. In the present study, we evaluated the renoprotective effects of a potent immunomodulator steroidal lactone, Withaferin A (WfA), in an animal model of renal injury (unilateral ureteral obstruction, UUO) and further investigated if the inhibition of inflammatory signaling can be a useful approach to reduce renal injury. Animals were randomly divided into five groups: Sham control, UUO control, WfA control, WfA low dose (1 mg/kg), and WfA high dose (3 mg/kg). Oxidative stress was measured by the estimation of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels. H&E and Picrosirius Red staining were performed to assess the extent of histological damage and collagen deposition. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of the WfA effects was explored by immunohistochemistry, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, multiplex analysis of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) pathway, and an array of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines. Interestingly, our pharmacological intervention significantly attenuated tissue collagen, inflammatory signaling, and macrophage signaling. WfA intervention abrogated the inflammatory signaling as evident from the modulated levels of chemokines and cytokines. The levels of TGF‐β along with downstream signaling molecules were also attenuated by WfA treatment as revealed by inhibition in the expression of TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2, p‐Smad2, p‐Smad3, total Smad4, p‐Akt, and p‐ERK. We, to the best of our knowledge, prove for the first time that WfA has potential renoprotective activity against UUO‐induced nephropathy due to its outstanding anti‐inflammatory properties.
Die Wasserlinse – eine unterschätzte Vielzweckpflanze
Authors: Ziegler Paul , Appenroth Klaus‐Jürgen
Published: June 2019

Das rasche Zuwachsen von Gewässeroberflächen macht die unscheinbaren, kleinen Wasserlinsengewächse (Lemnaceae) oft unbeliebt. Doch ihr Wachstumspotential, zusammen mit ihren besonderen morphologischen, klonalen und genomischen Eigenschaften sowie ihrer leichten Kultivierbarkeit machen Wasserlinsen zu wertvollen Modellpflanzen für die Untersuchung von pflanzenwissenschaftlichen Fragestellungen. Zudem wurden sie als Indikatorpflanzen in der aquatischen Ökotoxikologie etabliert. Wasserlinsen können zu der biologischen Reinigung von Abwässern beitragen, und die Biomasse, die ihr Wachstum dabei liefert, kann vielen Zwecken dienen, wie Energie‐ und Treibstoffproduktion sowie Verwendung als Dünger und Futtermittel. Wasserlinsen aus kontrollierter Anzucht können Nahrungsmittel für Menschen darstellen, und sie können auch als biologische Fabriken für die heterologe Proteinexpression dienen. Das vielfältige Nutzungspotential von Wasserlinsen ist noch sehr unvollständig umgesetzt worden: Dies zu tun, ist eine Aufgabe für die Zukunft.