bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multigene phylogeny of root-knot nematodes and molecular characterization of Meloidogyne nataliei Golden, Rose & Bird, 1981 (Nematoda: Tylenchida)
Authors: Álvarez-Ortega Sergio , Brito Janete A. , Subbotin Sergei. A.
Published: August 2019

The root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne are highly adapted, obligate plant parasites, consisting of nearly one hundred valid species, and are considered the most economically important group of plant-parasitic nematodes. Six Meloidogyne species: M. arenaria, M. hapla, M. incognita, M. microtyla, M. naasi and M. nataliei were previously reported in Michigan, USA. For this study, Meloidogyne nataliei was isolated from the grapevine Vitis labrusca from the type locality in Michigan, USA, and was characterized using isozyme analysis and ribosomal and mitochondrial gene sequences. No malate dehydrogenase activity was detected using macerate of one, five, six, seven or ten females of M. nataliei per well. However, one strong band (EST = S1; Rm: 27.4) of esterase activity was detected when using homogenates of ten egg-laying females per well. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the partial 18S ribosomal RNA, D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer of rRNA, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I genes and the cytochrome oxidase subunit II-16S rRNA intergeneric fragment from fifty-five valid Meloidogyne species and M. nataliei were conducted using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. From these results, we infer 11 distinct clades among studied species, with M. nataliei and M. indica composing a basal lineage. Seventy five percent of these species belong to seven clades within the Meloidogyne superclade. Characterization of these clades is provided and evolutionary trends within the root-knot nematodes are discussed.
Metabolomic characterization of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Surendran Arun , Aliani Michel , Ravandi Amir
Published: August 2019

Aim: The aim of the study was to discover the metabolomic changes in plasma that occur during human Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) injury and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of plasma metabolomic biomarkers for determination of myocardial injury. Deciphering the details of plasma metabolome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients before and after primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCI) would allow for better understanding of the mechanisms involved during acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in humans. We performed a detailed non-targeted metabolomic analysis of plasma from 27 STEMI patients who had undergone PPCI in the first 48 hrs employing a LC-MS approach. Plasma metabolome at ischemic condition was compared to multiple time points after PPCI which allowed us to focus on changes in the reperfusion phase. Classification of the differential metabolites based on chemical taxonomy identified a major role for lipids and lipid-derived molecules. Biochemical pathway analysis identified valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, vitamin B6 metabolism and glutathione metabolism as the most significant metabolic pathways representing early response to I/R injury. We also identified phenyl alanine, tyrosine, linoleic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism as the most significant pathways representing late response to I/R injury. A panel of three metabolites pentadecanoic acid, linoleoyl carnitine and 1-linoleoylglycerophosphocholine was discovered to have diagnostic value in determining the extent of I/R injury based on cardiac biomarkers. Using a non-targeted LC-MS approach, we have successfully generated the most comprehensive data to date on significant changes in the plasma metabolome in STEMI patients who had undergone PPCI in the first 48 hrs showing that lipid metabolites represent the largest cohort of molecules undergoing significant change.
DF2726A, a new IL-8 signalling inhibitor, is able to counteract chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain
Authors: Brandolini Laura , Castelli Vanessa , Aramini Andrea , Giorgio Cristina , Bianchini Gianluca , Russo Roberto , De Caro Carmen , d’Angelo Michele , Catanesi Mariano , Benedetti Elisabetta , Giordano Antonio , Cimini Annamaria , Allegretti Marcello
Published: August 2019

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common dose-limiting side effect of several anti-neoplastics and a main cause of sensory disturbances in cancer survivors, negatively impacting patients’ quality of life. Peripheral nerve degeneration or small fibre neuropathy is generally accepted as the underlying mechanism in the development of CIPN. Recent evidence has contributed to clarify the determinant role of cytokines and chemokines in the process leading to neuronal hyperexcitability. Exposure to oxaliplatin triggers alterations in peripheral neuropathic pathways previously linked to IL-8 pathway. We investigated a novel selective inhibitor of IL-8 receptors, DF2726A, and showed its effects in counteracting CINP pathways, extending the relevance of the activation of IL-8 pathway to the class of platinum chemotherapeutics. Based on our results, we suggest that DF2726A might be a promising candidate for clinical treatment of CIPN conditions due to its efficacy and optimized pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile.
Feasibility of a T-Shirt-Type Wearable Electrocardiography Monitor for Detection of Covert Atrial Fibrillation in Young Healthy Adults
Authors: Fukuma Nobuaki , Hasumi Eriko , Fujiu Katsuhito , Waki Kayo , Toyooka Tsuguyoshi , Komuro Issei , Ohe Kazuhiko
Published: August 2019

Covert atrial fibrillation (AF) accounts for cryptogenic stroke aetiology in elderly patients and in younger populations. However, asymptomatic AF is difficult to diagnose based on a short electrocardiography (ECG) recording. We evaluated the feasibility of a self-applied continuous ECG monitoring device that can record automatically, easily, and noninvasively in a younger population. We investigated community screening for asymptomatic AF using a wireless single-lead ECG with an electrode embedded in a T-shirt. One hundred men with a CHADS2 score ≥1 who were free from AF and <65 years of age were enrolled. We instructed the participants to wear ECG monitoring devices for at least 4 days/week over 2 months. The proportion of participants with newly detected AF (NDAF) and the monitoring time were evaluated. The mean CHADS2 score was 1.43 ± 0.62. The mean patient age was 52.5 ± 5.4 years. The mean monitoring time was 222 ± 199 hours. NDAF continuing for >30 seconds was detected in 10 participants (10.0%). AF continuing for >6 minutes was detected in 2 participants (2.0%). The T-shirt-type wearable ECG monitoring system was suitable for continuous, daily long-term use among young people with high physical activity, and it had the distinct capability of identifying covert AF.
Sinus node-like pacemaker mechanisms regulate ectopic pacemaker activity in the adult rat atrioventricular ring
Authors: Logantha Sunil Jit R. J. , Kharche Sanjay R. , Zhang Yu , Atkinson Andrew J. , Hao Guoliang , Boyett Mark R. , Dobrzynski Halina
Published: August 2019

In adult mammalian hearts, atrioventricular rings (AVRs) surround the atrial orifices of atrioventricular valves and are hotbed of ectopic activity in patients with focal atrial tachycardia. Experimental data offering mechanistic insights into initiation and maintenance of ectopic foci is lacking. We aimed to characterise AVRs in structurally normal rat hearts, identify arrhythmia predisposition and investigate mechanisms underlying arrhythmogenicity. Extracellular potential mapping and intracellular action potential recording techniques were used for electrophysiology, qPCR for gene and, Western blot and immunohistochemistry for protein expression. Conditions favouring ectopic foci were assessed by simulations. In right atrial preparations, sinus node (SN) was dominant and AVRs displayed 1:1 impulse conduction. Detaching SN unmasked ectopic pacemaking in AVRs and pacemaker action potentials were SN-like. Blocking pacemaker current If, and disrupting intracellular Ca2+ release, prolonged spontaneous cycle length in AVRs, indicating a role for SN-like pacemaker mechanisms. AVRs labelled positive for HCN4, and SERCA2a was comparable to SN. Pacemaking was potentiated by isoproterenol and abolished with carbachol and AVRs had abundant sympathetic nerve endings. β2-adrenergic and M2-muscarinic receptor mRNA and β2-receptor protein were comparable to SN. In computer simulations of a sick SN, ectopic foci in AVR were unmasked, causing transient suppression of SN pacemaking.
A next generation setup for pre-fractionation of non-denatured proteins reveals diverse albumin proteoforms each carrying several post-translational modifications
Authors: Rhode Heidrun , Muckova Petra , Büchler Rita , Wendler Sindy , Tautkus Bärbel , Vogel Michaela , Moore Thomas , Grosskreutz Julian , Klemm Andree , Nabity Mary
Published: August 2019

Proteomic biomarker search requires the greatest analytical reproducibility and detailed information on altered proteoforms. Our protein pre-fractionation applies orthogonal native chromatography and conserves important features of protein variants such as native molecular weight, charge and major glycans. Moreover, we maximized reproducibility of sample pre-fractionation and preparation before mass spectrometry by parallelization and automation. In blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), most proteins, including candidate biomarkers, distribute into a multitude of chromatographic clusters. Plasma albumin, for example, divides into 15-17 clusters. As an example of our technique, we analyzed these albumin clusters from healthy volunteers and from dogs and identified cluster-typical modification patterns. Renal disease further modifies these patterns. In human CSF, we found only a subset of proteoforms with fewer modifications than in plasma. We infer from this example that our method can be used to identify and characterize distinct proteoforms and, optionally, enrich them, thereby yielding the characteristics of proteoform-selective biomarkers.
Reconstructing commuters network using machine learning and urban indicators
Authors: Spadon Gabriel , Carvalho Andre C. P. L. F. de , Rodrigues-Jr Jose F. , Alves Luiz G. A.
Published: August 2019

Human mobility has a significant impact on several layers of society, from infrastructural planning and economics to the spread of diseases and crime. Representing the system as a complex network, in which nodes are assigned to regions (e.g., a city) and links indicate the flow of people between two of them, physics-inspired models have been proposed to quantify the number of people migrating from one city to the other. Despite the advances made by these models, our ability to predict the number of commuters and reconstruct mobility networks remains limited. Here, we propose an alternative approach using machine learning and 22 urban indicators to predict the flow of people and reconstruct the intercity commuters network. Our results reveal that predictions based on machine learning algorithms and urban indicators can reconstruct the commuters network with 90.4% of accuracy and describe 77.6% of the variance observed in the flow of people between cities. We also identify essential features to recover the network structure and the urban indicators mostly related to commuting patterns. As previously reported, distance plays a significant role in commuting, but other indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and unemployment rate, are also driven-forces for people to commute. We believe that our results shed new lights on the modeling of migration and reinforce the role of urban indicators on commuting patterns. Also, because link-prediction and network reconstruction are still open challenges in network science, our results have implications in other areas, like economics, social sciences, and biology, where node attributes can give us information about the existence of links connecting entities in the network.
Neural circuitry of social learning in Drosophila requires multiple inputs to facilitate inter-species communication
Authors: Kacsoh Balint Z. , Bozler Julianna , Hodge Sassan , Bosco Giovanni
Published: August 2019

Drosophila species communicate the threat of parasitoid wasps to naïve individuals. Communication of the threat between closely related species is efficient, while more distantly related species exhibit a dampened, partial communication. Partial communication between D. melanogaster and D. ananassae about wasp presence is enhanced following a period of cohabitation, suggesting that species-specific natural variations in communication ‘dialects’ can be learned through socialization. In this study, we identify six regions of the Drosophila brain essential for dialect training. We pinpoint subgroups of neurons in these regions, including motion detecting neurons in the optic lobe, layer 5 of the fan-shaped body, the D glomerulus in the antennal lobe, and the odorant receptor Or69a, where activation of each component is necessary for dialect learning. These results reveal functional neural circuits that underlie complex Drosophila social behaviors, and these circuits are required for integration several cue inputs involving multiple regions of the Drosophila brain.
Functionalization of 2D materials for enhancing OER/ORR catalytic activity in Li–oxygen batteries
Authors: Ostadhossein Alireza , Guo Jack , Simeski Filip , Ihme Matthias
Published: August 2019

A major barrier toward the practical application of lithium-oxygen batteries is the high overpotential caused by the precipitation of oxygen-reduction products at the cathode, resulting in poor cyclability. By combining first-principle calculations and reactive molecular dynamics simulations, we show that surface functionalization of 2D MXene nanosheets offers a high degree of tunability of the catalytic activity for oxygen-reduction and oxygen-evolution reactions (ORR/OER). We show that the controlled creation of active vacancy sites on the MXene surface enhances ORR in excess of a factor of 60 compared to graphene-based cathode materials. Furthermore, we find that increasing the ratio of fluorine vs. oxygen termination of the functionalized Ti4N3-MXene catalyst reduces the charge overpotential by up to 70% and 80% compared with commercial platinum-on-carbon and graphene catalysts, respectively. These results provide direct guidance toward the rational design of functionalized 2D materials for modulating the catalytic activity for a wide range of electrocatalytic applications.
Doxorubicin-loaded nanoscale metal–organic framework for tumor-targeting combined chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy
Authors: Xue Ting , Xu Caina , Wang Yu , Wang Yanbing , Tian Huayu , Zhang Yingchao
Published: August 2019

DMH NPs were prepared and could effectively induce MCF-7 cell death through the combination of chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy.
Electricity-driven 7α-hydroxylation of a steroid catalyzed by a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in engineered yeast
Authors: Zhang Ziyin , Li Feng , Cao Yingxiu , Tian Yao , Li Jiansheng , Zong Yongchao , Song Hao
Published: August 2019

Schematic diagram of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-catalyzed BES.
Can Hammett indicators accurately measure the acidity of zeolite catalysts with confined space? Insights into the mechanism of coloration
Authors: Chen Wei , Yi Xianfeng , Huang Ling , Liu Wentao , Li Guangchao , Acharya Dinesh , Sun Xianyong , Zheng Anmin
Published: August 2019

The acidic properties of zeolite catalysts play a crucial role in governing catalytic performances, which makes the acidity characterization an important subject in the field of zeolite catalysis.
Unexpectedly high dimethyl sulfide concentration in high-latitude Arctic sea ice melt ponds
Authors: Park Keyhong , Kim Intae , Choi Jung-Ok , Lee Youngju , Jung Jinyoung , Ha Sun-Yong , Kim Joo-Hong , Zhang Miming
Published: August 2019

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) production in the northern Arctic Ocean has been considered to be minimal because of high sea ice concentration and extremely low productivity.
Natural alkaloids from lotus plumule ameliorate lipopolysaccharide-induced depression-like behavior: integrating network pharmacology and molecular mechanism evaluation
Authors: Chen Sixuan , Guo Wanyi , Qi Xiaoxiao , Zhou Jiuyao , Liu Zhongqiu , Cheng Yuanyuan
Published: August 2019

Alkaloids from lotus plumule regulated BDNF-mediated ER stress and autophagy, subsequently attenuating neuroinflammation in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia and LPS-induced depressive C56BL/6N mice.
Improvement of carotenoid bioaccessibility from spinach by co-ingesting with excipient nanoemulsions: impact of the oil phase composition
Authors: Yao Kangfei , McClements David Julian , Xiang Jiaxin , Zhang Ziying , Cao Yong , Xiao Hang , Liu Xiaojuan
Published: August 2019

This study revealed the impact of the oil phase composition on carotenoid bioaccessibility when they were co-ingested with spinach, using an in vitro model.
Computational screening for nested organic cage complexes
Authors: Berardo Enrico , Greenaway Rebecca L. , Miklitz Marcin , Cooper Andrew I. , Jelfs Kim E.
Published: August 2019

Computational simulations were used to screen 8712 combinations of porous organic cages for energetically favourable nested cage complexes.
Selective deposition of silver and copper films by condensation coefficient modulation
Authors: Varagnolo Silvia , Lee Jaemin , Amari Houari , Hatton Ross A.
Published: August 2019

Patterning evaporated silver and copper films without metal removal using extremely thin printed organofluorine films to modulate metal vapour condensation.
Common responses of fish embryos to metals: an integrated analysis of transcriptomes and methylomes in zebrafish embryos under the stress of copper ions or silver nanoparticles
Authors: Tai ZhiPeng , Guan PengPeng , Wang ZiYang , Li LingYa , Zhang Ting , Li GuoLiang , Liu Jing-Xia
Published: August 2019

Recently, the responses of embryos to Cu2+ or AgNP stresses have been investigated, but few studies have been performed on the common responses of embryos to both Cu2+ and AgNPs, the same kind of stressor metal. In this study, a large number of commonly down-regulated and up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were revealed in both Cu2+- and AgNP-stressed embryos. The down-regulated DEGs were enriched in myosin complex and muscle structure development, ion transport and metal ion binding, transmission of nerve impulses, etc., and the up-regulated DEGs were enriched in heart development, iron ion binding, etc. Based on the whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) in both Cu2+- and AgNP-stressed embryos, a total of 57 and 64 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified in Cu2+ embryos and AgNP embryos, with 15 and 12 of them being common ion-relevant genes, respectively. The correlation of the gene transcriptional expression and the methylated status of some common DMGs were further verified. The integrated analysis of transcriptomes and methylomes in zebrafish embryos stressed with Cu2+ or AgNPs revealed for the first time their common transcriptional and methylomic responses to the same kind of stressor metals, and revealed that ion-relevant genes were mostly differentially expressed and methylated genes in both Cu2+- and AgNP-stressed embryos.
MoS2 nanoflowers encapsulated into carbon nanofibers containing amorphous SnO2 as an anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Huanhui , He Jiao , Ke Guanxia , Sun Lingna , Chen Junning , Li Yongliang , Ren Xiangzhong , Deng Libo , Zhang Peixin
Published: August 2019

The MoS2–SnO2 heterostructures are encapsulated into carbon nanofibers via a simple and scalable process. The binder-free and robust structure exhibit high reversible capacity, long-term cycling stability, and excellent rate capability.
The role of hollow magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery
Authors: Mohammadi Ziarani Ghodsi , Malmir Masoumeh , Lashgari Negar , Badiei Alireza
Published: August 2019

The increasing number of scientific publications focusing on nanomaterials in the biomedical field indicates growing interest from the broader scientific community.
An acetylcholinesterase biosensor with high stability and sensitivity based on silver nanowire–graphene–TiO2 for the detection of organophosphate pesticides
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Wang Bo , Li Yiru , Shu Wenhao , Hu Huaying , Yang Lianqiao
Published: August 2019

An electrochemical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor based on silver nanowire, graphene stripped by 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, TiO2 sol–gel, chitosan and AChE has been fabricated successfully for the detection of organophosphate pesticides.
Highly efficient recovery of ruthenium from integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing wastewater by Al reduction and cementation
Authors: Le Van-Giang , Vu Chi-Thanh , Shih Yu-Jen , Huang Yao-Hui
Published: August 2019

Ruthenium (Ru) is a rare-earth metal, which is employed widely in metal-processing industries.
Expanding the chemical diversity of an endophytic fungusBulgaria inquinans, an ascomycete associated with mistletoe, through an OSMAC approach
Authors: Ariantari Ni P. , Daletos Georgios , Mándi Attila , Kurtán Tibor , Müller Werner E. G. , Lin Wenhan , Ancheeva Elena , Proksch Peter
Published: August 2019

OSMAC approach on endophyticBulgaria inquinansby addition of a mixture of salts (MgSO4, NaNO3and NaCl) to solid Czapek medium induced the accumulation of new secondary metabolites.
Structure properties and dielectric relaxation of Ca0.1Na0.9Ti0.1Nb0.9O3 ceramic
Authors: Ghoudi Hanen , Chkoundali Souad , Raddaoui Zeineb , Aydi Abdelhedi
Published: August 2019

In this paper, the synthesis of Ca0.1Na0.9Ti0.1Nb0.9O3 (CNTN) ceramic by a solid-state reaction is reported. The results of Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns at room temperature showed a pure tetragonal perovskite (P4mm space group).
Modification of a polyethersulfone membrane with a block copolymer brush of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-glycidyl methacrylate) and a branched polypeptide chain of Arg–Glu–Asp–Val
Authors: Niu Xiaoqin , Li Dan , Chen Yuhong , Ran Fen
Published: August 2019

A block copolymer involving chains of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-glycidyl methacrylate) and Arg–Glu–Asp–Val was designed and used for modification of polymer membrane for applications in separation and blood purification field.
Synthesis, growth mechanism and photocatalytic H2 evolution of CdS/CuS composite via hydrothermal method
Authors: Yang Xiande , Lu Guangwen , Wang Boyou , Wang Tinglan , Wang Yongqian
Published: August 2019

Photocatalysts used for energy shortage and environmental pollution under visible light have been drawn much attention. CdS has been regarded as an excellent photocatalysts, and CdS/CuS composite generates higher H2 production than that of CdS.
Study on thermal behavior and kinetics of Al/MnO2 poly(vinylidene fluorine) energetic nanocomposite assembled by electrospray
Authors: Song Jiaxing , Guo Tao , Ding Wen , Yao Miao , Bei Fengli , Zhang Xiaonan , Huang Junyi , Fang Xiang
Published: August 2019

To explore the effect of the addition of poly(vinylidene fluorine) (PVDF) to a nanothermite system, an Al/MnO2/PVDF energetic nanocomposite was prepared using an electrospray method, Al/MnO2 nanothermite was prepared as a control group.
Strain induced valley degeneracy: a route to the enhancement of thermoelectric properties of monolayer WS2
Authors: Bera Jayanta , Sahu Satyajit
Published: August 2019

Strain induced valley degeneracy results enhancement of thermoelectric properties of monolayer WS2. Electron valleys and hole valleys become degenerate by applying compressive and tensile strain, respectively.
Ligand geometry controlling Zn-MOF partial structures for their catalytic performance in Knoevenagel condensation
Authors: He Zimo , Zhao Xi , Pan Xinbo , Li Yuanyuan , Wang XiaoXiao , Xu Haitao , Xu Zhenliang
Published: August 2019

Novel 1D to 3D structures of Zn-MOFs and their morphologies were assembled and showed high catalytic performance for Knoevenagel condensation.
Retracted Article: Berberine alleviates amyloid beta-induced injury in Alzheimer's disease by miR-107/ZNF217
Authors: Wang Jing , Jin Dong
Published: August 2019

Berberine plays a neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Recent progress in the imaging detection of enzyme activitiesin vivo
Authors: Yang Chunjie , Wang Qian , Ding Wu
Published: August 2019

Enzymatic activities are important for normal physiological processes and are also critical regulatory mechanisms for many pathologies.
Methods for direct C(sp2)–H bonds azidation
Authors: Liu Ying , Ebadi Abdol Ghaffar , Youseftabar-Miri Leila , Hassanpour Akbar , Vessally Esmail
Published: August 2019

Direct functionalization of C–H bonds has attracted great attention in recent years from the perspectives of atom and step economy.
Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and enhanced photocatalytic activity and toxicity studies of a rhombohedral Fe2O3nanomaterial
Authors: Abhilash Mavinakere Ramesh , Gangadhar Akshatha , Krishnegowda Jagadish , Chikkamadaiah Mahendra , Srikantaswamy Shivanna
Published: August 2019

The present investigation focuses on the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs)viaa facile hydrothermal route.
Ginsenoside Rk1 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in lung squamous cell carcinoma by calcium signaling pathway
Authors: An Xining , Fu Rongzhan , Ma Pei , Ma Xiaoxuan , Fan Daidi
Published: August 2019

Ginsenoside Rk1 (Rk1) is a rare saponin extracted from Sun Ginseng (SG) and has been shown to have an anti-tumor effect; however, the potential role of its in lung squamous cell carcinoma remains elusive.
Relation between the particle size and release characteristics of aromatic melamine microcapsules in functional textile applications
Authors: Zhao Hongbin , Fei Xuening , Cao Lingyun , Zhang Baolian , Liu Xin
Published: August 2019

The relation between the particle size and release characteristics of aromatic microcapsules with a melamine resin shell in functional textile applications have been investigated.
Developing a lesson plan on conventional and green pesticides in chemistry education – a project of participatory action research
Authors: Zowada Christian , Frerichs Nadja , Zuin Vânia Gomes , Eilks Ingo
Published: August 2019

The debate on the use of pesticides is very current in the public media when it comes to topics such as organic farming, bee mortality, and the use of glyphosate. The broad range of pesticide applications and their potential environmental impact makes pesticides an interesting topic for science education in general and for chemistry teaching in particular. This is particularly true when conventional pesticide use is contrasted with current chemistry research efforts to develop alternatives based on the ideas of green chemistry. This paper discusses the potential relevance of pesticides for chemistry education in connection with education for sustainable development. It gives a brief outlook on pesticides in science teaching and connects the topic to socio-scientific issue-based chemistry education. A case study which developed a lesson plan for secondary school students is presented here. It defines pesticides, before focusing on the development of green pesticides as potential alternatives to current products. The lesson is focusing learning about chemistry rather than learning of chemistry in the means that the lesson introduces quite young chemistry learners (age range 15–17) to ideas of green and sustainable chemistry and how green alternatives in chemistry can be assessed and compared to traditional alternatives. Video vignettes of a scientist are used to introduce the topic to students. Finally, both glyphosate as a conventional, industrial pesticide and orange oil as an example of a green pesticide are compared using spider chart diagrams. The lesson plan was cyclically designed by a group of ten chemistry teachers using participatory action research. It was piloted with the help of secondary school chemistry student teachers and then tested in five German secondary school classes (grades 10/11). The use of the spider charts was regarded as especially helpful by the learners, most of whom felt that they had been able to understand the controversy surrounding pesticides.
Mechanistic studies of a “Declick” reaction
Authors: Meadows Margaret K. , Sun Xiaolong , Kolesnichenko Igor V. , Hinson Caroline M. , Johnson Kenneth A. , Anslyn Eric V.
Published: August 2019

Detailed kinetic analysis reveals a complex multi-step mechanism for an amine-thiol “declick” reaction.
Tuning the structure, reactivity and magnetic communication of nitride-bridged uranium complexes with the ancillary ligands
Authors: Palumbo Chad T. , Barluzzi Luciano , Scopelliti Rosario , Zivkovic Ivica , Fabrizio Alberto , Corminboeuf Clémence , Mazzanti Marinella
Published: August 2019

The reactivity of the nitride ligand is increased in complexes of uranium(iv) when bound by the OSi(OtBu)3 ligand as opposed to N(SiMe3)2, but magnetic exchange coupling is decreased.
The partial dehydrogenation of aluminium dihydrides
Authors: Hooper Thomas N. , Lau Samantha , Chen Wenyi , Brown Ryan K. , Garçon Martí , Luong Karen , Barrow Nathan S. , Tatton Andrew S. , Sackman George A. , Richardson Christopher , White Andrew J. P. , Cooper Richard I. , Edwards Alison J. , Casely Ian J. , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: August 2019

The reactions of a series of β-diketiminate stabilised aluminium dihydrides with ruthenium bis(phosphine), palladium bis(phosphine) and palladium cyclopentadienyl complexes is reported.
Ultrathin carbon-coated Fe7S8 core/shell nanosheets towards superb Na storage in both ether and ester electrolyte systems
Authors: Xiong Zhao , Fuji Masayoshi , Zhou Jisheng
Published: August 2019

Ultrathin Fe7S8@CNS nanosheets with a 2-D core/shell structure were synthesized based on oriented attachment growth and exhibited superior Na storage properties.
Design, synthesis and lithium-ion storage capability of Al0.5Nb24.5O62
Authors: Fu Qingfeng , Li Renjie , Zhu Xiangzhen , Liang Guisheng , Luo Lijie , Chen Yongjun , Lin Chunfu , Zhao X. S.
Published: August 2019

Tungsten-free and niobium-rich Al0.5Nb24.5O62 with an intercalated nature is explored as a new and practical anode material for high-performance lithium-ion storage.
Intracellular transglutaminase-catalyzed polymerization and assembly for bioimaging of hypoxic neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Peng Bo , Zhao Xiao , Yang Miao-Sen , Li Li-Li
Published: August 2019

An intracellular polymerization and assembly strategy was proposed for selectively bioimaging of hypoxic neuroblastoma cells, which was prospected for further tracing and locating brain tumorsin vivo.
Polyelectrolyte complexation via viscoelastic phase separation results in tough and self-recovering porous hydrogels
Authors: Murakawa Kohei , King Daniel R. , Sun Taolin , Guo Honglei , Kurokawa Takayuki , Gong Jian Ping
Published: August 2019

Polyelectrolyte complexation is utilized to create bulk, porous hydrogels with high toughness and self-recovery due to reversible ionic associations.
Multilayer-structured transparent MXene/PVDF film with excellent dielectric and energy storage performance
Authors: Li Weiyan , Song Zhongqian , Zhong Jiaming , Qian Jing , Tan Zhongyang , Wu Xianyou , Chu Huiying , Nie Wei , Ran Xianghai
Published: August 2019

A novel multilayer-structured Ti3C2Tx MXene/poly(vinylidene fluoride) film with a high dielectric constant and ultralow dielectric loss is presented.
Butyldithiocarbamate acid solution processing: its fundamentals and applications in chalcogenide thin film solar cells
Authors: Liu Yuhao , Chen Chao , Zhou Ying , Kondrotas Rokas , Tang Jiang
Published: August 2019

Butyldithiocarbamate acid can dissolve a series of metal oxides; thus, it enables the fabrication of metal chalcogenide thin-film solar cells.
A facile synthesis of self-healing hydrogels toward flexible quantum dot-based luminescent solar concentrators and white LEDs
Authors: Hu Xia-Hong , Liu Ji-Dong , Du Xiang-Yun , Cheng Rui , Li Qing , Chen Su
Published: August 2019

A multifunctional hydrogel (transparent, self-healing, and pH-sensitive) towards new flexible luminescent solar concentrators is rapidly synthesized via frontal polymerization.
Radiation phenomenon for large meteoroids
Authors: Park C.
Published: August 2019

Aims. The relationship between the intrinsic properties of a large meteoroid, that is, mass, density, chemical composition, and flight velocity, and its spectrum are identified.

Methods. Assuming thermochemical equilibrium and inviscid flow and using a quasi-one-dimensional approach, the flow-field and radiative transfer problems are solved from the ablating wall of a meteoroid to the observer on the ground.

Results. The study discovers that the precursor region immediately ahead of the shock layer absorbs nitrogen and oxygen lines, and thereby modifies the spectrum received by the ground observer. The study leads to a computer code with which the observed spectra and light-curves for Benesov and Sumava meteoroids are numerically and approximately reproduced with the help of a meteoroid fragmentation theory. Luminous efficiency value is obtained as a byproduct.
Onset of planet formation in the warm inner disk
Authors: Demirci Tunahan , Krause Corinna , Teiser Jens , Wurm Gerhard
Published: August 2019

Aims. Collisional growth of dust occurs in all regions of protoplanetary disks with certain materials dominating between various condensation lines. The sticking properties of the prevalent dust species depend on the specific temperatures. The inner disk is the realm of silicates spanning a wide range of temperatures from room temperature up to sublimation beyond 1500 K.

Methods. For the first time, we carried out laboratory collision experiments with hot levitated basalt dust aggregates of 1 mm in size. The aggregates are compact with a filling factor of 0.37 ± 0.06. The constituent grains have a wide size distribution that peaks at about 0.6 μm. Temperatures in the experiments are varied between approximately 600 and 1100 K.

Results. Collisions are slow with velocities between 0.002 and 0.15 m s−1, i.e., relevant for protoplanetary disks. Aside from variations of the coefficients of restitution due to varying collision velocities, the experiments show low sticking probability below 900 K and an increasing sticking probability starting at 900 K.

Conclusions. This implies that dust can grow to larger size in hot regions, which might change planet formation. One scenario is an enhanced probability for local planetesimal formation. Another scenario is a reduction of planetesimal formation as larger grains are more readily removed as a consequence of radial drift. However, the increased growth at high temperatures likely changes planetesimal formation one way or the other.
Detection of multiple stellar populations in extragalactic massive clusters with JWST
Authors: Salaris M. , Cassisi S. , Mucciarelli A. , Nardiello D.
Published: August 2019

The discovery of multiple stellar populations (multiple in the sense of inhomogeneous chemical abundances, with specific patterns of variations of a few light elements) in Galactic globular clusters and massive intermediate-age and old clusters in the Magellanic Clouds, both through spectroscopy and photometry, has led to a major change in our views about the formation of these objects. To date, none of the proposed scenarios are able to quantitatively explain all the chemical patterns observed in individual clusters. An extension of the study of multiple populations to resolved extragalactic massive clusters beyond the Magellanic Clouds would therefore be welcome, as it would enable the investigation and characterisation of the presence of multiple populations in different environments and age ranges. To this purpose, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) can potentially play a major role. On the one hand, the JWST promises direct observations of proto-globular cluster candidates at high redshift, and on the other hand, it can potentially push the sample of resolved clusters with detected multiple populations to larger distances. In this paper we address this second goal. Using theoretical stellar spectra and stellar evolution models, we investigated the effect of multiple population chemical patterns on synthetic magnitudes in the JWST infrared NIRCam filters. We identified the colours (F150W − F460M), (F115W − F460M) and pseudocolours CF150W, F460M, F115W = (F150W − F460M)−(F460M − F115W), CF150W, F277W, F115W = (F150W − F277W)−(F277W − F115W), as diagnostics able to reveal the presence of multiple populations along the red giant branches of old and intermediate-age clusters. Using the available online simulator for the NIRCam detector, we estimated that multiple populations can be potentially detected – depending on the exposure times, exact filter combination used, and extent of the abundance variations and the cluster [Fe/H] – out to a distance of ∼5 Mpc (approximately the distance to the M83 group).
Crédit de trésorerie des producteurs de coton au centre du Bénin : modalités et conséquences
Authors: Sossou Koffi Benoît , Fok Michel
Published: August 2019

Alors que les besoins de trésorerie sont accrus par la nécessité de rémunérer la main-d’œuvre pour compléter le travail fourni par la famille, l’octroi de crédit de trésorerie est peu pris en compte dans l’organisation de la production cotonnière en Afrique francophone. Cette étude est la première à aborder les conditions d’octroi et les impacts du crédit informel de trésorerie pour les producteurs de coton. L’étude est basée sur l’analyse d’une politique particulière menée au Bénin, en 2012, d’octroi formel de crédit de trésorerie aux producteurs de coton. L’étude concerne le centre du Bénin où la politique mise en œuvre de crédit formel a aussi attiré les opérateurs de crédit informel qui ont ainsi révélé les conditions de leur intervention. Avec la collaboration de 537 producteurs de coton relevant de 15 coopératives, l’étude montre que très peu d’entre eux ont échappé au recours aux opérateurs informels pour obtenir de la trésorerie, avec application d’un taux d’intérêt annuel pouvant dépasser 200 %. En valeur, le remboursement de ce crédit, utilisé pour diverses fins difficiles à suivre précisément, peut équivaloir, voire dépasser celui du crédit acquis pour les intrants, absorbant ainsi une grande partie de la marge monétaire dégagée par la culture du coton. Les conditions observées du crédit informel ont enfermé les producteurs dans une trappe d’endettement et de pauvreté, au bénéfice d’acteurs ignorés de la filière cotonnière. Une absence ou une inadaptation de politique de crédit formel de trésorerie aux paysans cultivant du coton peuvent ainsi transférer l’essentiel du profit de cette culture aux acteurs de crédit informel et usuraire. Le recours au crédit de trésorerie devrait être davantage étudié et pris en compte dans l’organisation et la gestion des filières cotonnières.
Experimental Analysis of Residential Ventilation and Dehumidification Strategies in Chongqing
Authors: Zhang Xin , Liu Junjie , Dai Xilei , Pei Jingjing
Published: August 2019

As a typical representative city of China’s hot and humid climate zone, Chongqing has an average annual relative humidity of 70% - 80%. Continuous online monitoring of indoor air quality (IAQ) were conducted in more than 20 residents of Chongqing city. It was found that the apartments in the area had excessive indoor absolute humidity in summer (far exceed the ASHRAE recommended comfort limit—12g/kg) and excessive indoor relative humidity in winter and transitional seasons. It is necessary to dehumidify the outdoor intake air during the summer and decrease the indoor related humidity during the winter and transition seasons. Based on the above two points, it is proposed to adopt a fresh air system with dehumidification function in Chongqing, which can remove excessive absolute humidity caused by outdoor air in high humidity month. The fresh air system, which changes natural ventilation to mechanical ventilation, increase indoor insulation effect and reduce relative humidity.
Compact ventilation and heat pump with recirculation air for renovation of small apartments
Authors: Calabrese Toni , Ochs Fabian , Siegele Dietmar , Dermentzis Georgios
Published: August 2019

A new compact and cost effective heating and ventilation concept for decentral renovation of small flats in multifamily houses was developed and investigated in the framework of the Austrian project “SaLüH!” through a dynamic building and HVAC simulation study based on results of laboratory measurements of functional models. The system consists of a façade integrated supply air/exhaust air heat pump equipped with a desuperheater allowing to increase the heating power and to add more freedom to control the system. The simulation results show that such a system is able to improve the thermal comfort of the flat (compared to the standard heating concept without desuperheater) with good indoor air quality and satisfying energy performance. The proposed system - because of its versatility and compactness - represents an ideal solution for decentral renovation of flats in multi-family houses, especially in case of limited space inside the flat and if central solutions are not possible for technical, economic or social reasons.
Evidence based residential ventilation: sizing procedure and system solutions addressed by REHVA Residential Ventilation Task Force
Authors: Kurnitski Jarek , Thalfeldt Martin , Weele Harry van , Toksoy Macit , Carlsson Thomas , Vladykova Bednarova Petra , Seppänen Olli
Published: August 2019

Wider application of heat recovery ventilation in residential buildings brings attention to knowledge and regulatory gaps which call for research and other actions. In many technical questions there is no consensus in national regulations of EU Member States (MS). This applies for instance for air flow rates, i.e. how much ventilation is needed, restrictions of the use of some heat exchangers types, connection of cooker hoods to ventilation system and placement of exhaust air devices. While European standards are well detailed in these aspects for non-residential ventilation, there is very limited information available for residential ventilation systems. Recent European Guidebook REHVA GB No 25 has made an attempt to collect evidence based best practice technical solutions and design principles for residential ventilation. In this paper a recent evidence and common assumptions behind REHVA airflow rate selection procedure is discussed. Best practice solutions and open research questions related to cooker hood connection to heat recovery and compensation to enable balanced operation of ventilation in an airtight building are analyzed. The paper summarizes existing evidence in these questions and defines open research questions for future residential ventilation research agenda.
Air change efficiency of room ventilation units
Authors: Mikola Alo , Rehand Juhan , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the air change efficiency of commonly used residential room ventilation units with tracer gas concentration decay method. Carbon dioxide was used as a tracer gas in both laboratory and field measurements. The performance of room ventilation units was compared to the conventional mixing ventilation. Therefore, the laboratory measurements were conducted with horizontal supply air jet from the overhead air diffuser on the fixed supply airflow rate with various supply air temperatures. The test results showed that nearly fully mixing ventilation was achieved. Furthermore, lower supply air temperature increased the air change efficiency. In next step, the air change efficiency of three room ventilation systems were measured in the test room. Tested systems included pair-wise units, monoblock unit and ventilation radiator, which was combined with mechanical extract ventilation. The measurements were carried out both during the heating period and outside the heating period. The results confirmed that all three solutions were capable of producing fully mixed ventilation. The air change efficiency was not affected by the variation of the air flow rate. Finally, tracer gas measurements were carried out in naturally ventilated apartments and the air change efficiency of these measurements were compared with the results of rooms based ventilation units.
Local analysis of airflow distribution in open concept passive houses
Authors: Sabie Doru Daniel , Fatu Viorel , Ghiaus Adrian-Gabriel
Published: August 2019

This paper presents the analysis of local air currents distribution near the inlet and outlet openings in a living room of study a pre-certified passive house located in Cluj-Napoca by CFD numerical simulation. The simulation domain is represented by an open space concept, comprising the living room and the kitchen, situated at the ground floor of the building. The used heat recovery ventilation system controls both the supply of fresh air through the inlet grilles, located on the floor of the living room and the extraction of exhaust air through outlet grilles with circular cross section positioned on the other side, in the kitchen’s ceiling. An area of interest has been selected to define the simulation domain. Numerical modeling has been carried out by means of a commercial software based on the finite element method to simulate a series of interconnected phenomena encountered in the analysed application. The dry air was chosen as working agent for the field of simulation/calculation. Its thermo-physical properties were selected from the program database. No slip limit conditions have been imposed for all the delimiting surfaces of the computational field. Inlet and outlet grilles were considered open borders for circulated air volume flow in three distinct analysed cases. For the simulation of the flow of the working fluid through the computational domain, the following simplifying assumptions were considered: stationary regime, incompressible fluid, constant temperature, isothermal jet, adiabatic system, without internal heat sources, without taking into account the mass forces. The discretization of the simulation domain was divided into an optimal number of finite variable elements, with a greater density near the border areas. The results of air currents distribution in the vicinity of grid areas, for inlet fresh air and outlet exhaust air, was done by analyzing the current lines, the velocity vectors and the velocity contours.
Numerical analysis of the impact of natural ventilation on the Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in a classroom
Authors: Chitaru George-Mãdãlin , Istrate Andrei , Catalina Tiberiu
Published: August 2019

Indoor air quality (IAQ) inside educational institutions is an important topic in the field of building and health research. School absenteeism and educational performance have been linked to poor air quality inside classrooms. A numerical simulation software has been used to test 5 different scenarios of natural ventilation during summer and winter. CO2 levels, air relative humidity, operative temperature and PMV were used as indoor air quality and thermal comfort indicators. Results have shown high CO2 and humidity levels when all windows are closed, and a variable improvement when different natural ventilations strategies are employed. A detailed procedure for the numerical simulation has been presented.
Numerical Investigation of Thermal Comfort in an Aircraft Passenger Cabin
Authors: Sadrizadeh Sasan
Published: August 2019

This study presents the results of a pilot numerical study of the thermal comfort in the aircraft passenger cabin. The computations have been performed using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique. The overall thermal comfort at temperatures of 15 °C – 20 °C was discussed based on the PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) and PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) indexes. Results indicate that the air velocity and its direction toward the passengers have a considerable impact on their thermal comfort. However, a small variation in temperature has a limited effect on thermal sensation and thus do not jeopardize the overall thermal comfort.