bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of graphene oxide on the molecules of a sodium alginate–krill protein composite system and characterization of the system's composite fiber morphology and mechanical properties
Authors: Zhang Rui , Guo Jing , Zhao Miao , Wu Jing , Zhang Sen , Yu Yue
Published: June 2018

Graphene oxide (GO), sodium alginate (SA), and Antarctic krill protein (AKP) were blended to get functional fibers. These GO–SA–AKP composite fibers were obtained by conventional wet spinning with 5% calcium chloride as a coagulation solution. The intermolecular interactions of the GO–SA–AKP composite system were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the GO–SA–AKP composites were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the number of GO layers decreased gradually during the process of wet spinning. The addition of GO promoted an increase in intramolecular hydrogen bonding and a decrease in intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the composite system. With increasing GO mass fraction, the intermolecular hydrogen‐bond content, crystallinity, breaking strength, and thermal stability in the composite system increased first and then decreased. At the same time, the mass fraction of GO and the draw ratio had significant effects on the surface morphologies of the composite fibers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46642.
Rapid declines across Australian fishery stocks indicate global sustainability targets will not be achieved without an expanded network of ‘no‐fishing’ reserves
Authors: Edgar Graham J. , Ward Trevor J. , Stuart‐Smith Rick D.
Published: June 2018

A continuing debate between environmental scientists and fisheries biologists on the sustainability of fisheries management practices, and the extent of fishing impacts on marine ecosystems, is unlikely to be resolved without fishery‐independent data spanning large geographic and temporal scales. Here, we compare continental‐ and decadal‐scale trends in fisheries catches with underwater reef monitoring data for 533 sites around Australia, and find matching evidence of rapid fish‐stock declines.

Regardless of a high global ranking for fisheries sustainability, catches from Australian wild fisheries decreased by 31% over the past decade. The biomass of large fishes observed on underwater transects decreased significantly over the same period on fished reefs (36% decline) and in marine park zones that allow limited fishing (18% decline), but with a negligible overall change in no‐fishing marine reserves. Populations of exploited fishes generally rose within marine reserves and declined outside the reserves, whereas unexploited species showed little difference in population trends within or outside reserves.

Although changing climate and more precautionary fisheries management contribute to declining fish catches, fisheries‐independent transect data suggest that excessive fishing also plays a major role.

The large number of fishery stocks that remain unmanaged or have poor data, coupled with continuing declines in the stock biomass of managed fish species, indicate that Aichi Target 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (i.e. ‘by 2020, all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably’) will not be achieved in Australia, or elsewhere.

In order to maintain some naturally functioning food webs supported by large predators and associated ecosystem services in this era of changing climate, a greatly expanded network of effective, fully protected marine protected areas is needed that encompasses global marine biodiversity. The present globally unbalanced situation, with >98% of seas open to some form of fishing, deserves immediate multinational attention.
Synthesis of Oxazolidin‐2‐ones from Unsaturated Amines with CO2 by Using Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Ye Jian‐Heng , Wu Dong‐Shan , Zhou Yu‐Qin , Yu Da‐Gang
Published: June 2018

Carbon dioxide (CO2), a well‐known greenhouse gas, is also a nontoxic, readily accessible, and renewable one‐carbon (C1) source. However, owing to its thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness, the efficient utilization of CO2 is challenging. Much effort has been devoted to achieving efficient and selective organic transformations of CO2. Recently, the synthesis of important oxazolidin‐2‐ones from unsaturated amines by using CO2 has attracted much attention and been heavily studied. This Focus Review presents recent advances in this area by using homogenous catalysis. The cyclization of amines that contain alkynes, alkenes, and allenes with CO2 is discussed, and possible reaction mechanisms and applications of these transformations are also described.
Unravelling the Specificity of Laminaribiose Phosphorylase from Paenibacillus sp. YM‐1 towards Donor Substrates Glucose/Mannose 1‐Phosphate by Using X‐ray Crystallography and Saturation Transfer Difference NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Kuhaudomlarp Sakonwan , Walpole Samuel , Stevenson Clare E. M. , Nepogodiev Sergey A. , Lawson David M. , Angulo Jesus , Field Robert A.
Published: June 2018

Glycoside phosphorylases (GPs) carry out a reversible phosphorolysis of carbohydrates into oligosaccharide acceptors and the corresponding sugar 1‐phosphates. The reversibility of the reaction enables the use of GPs as biocatalysts for carbohydrate synthesis. Glycosyl hydrolase family 94 (GH94), which only comprises GPs, is one of the most studied GP families that have been used as biocatalysts for carbohydrate synthesis, in academic research and in industrial production. Understanding the mechanism of GH94 enzymes is a crucial step towards enzyme engineering to improve and expand the applications of these enzymes in synthesis. In this work with a GH94 laminaribiose phosphorylase from Paenibacillus sp. YM‐1 (PsLBP), we have demonstrated an enzymatic synthesis of disaccharide 1 (β‐d‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐d‐glucopyranose) by using a natural acceptor glucose and noncognate donor substrate α‐mannose 1‐phosphate (Man1P). To investigate how the enzyme recognises different sugar 1‐phosphates, the X‐ray crystal structures of PsLBP in complex with Glc1P and Man1P have been solved, providing the first molecular detail of the recognition of a noncognate donor substrate by GPs, which revealed the importance of hydrogen bonding between the active site residues and hydroxy groups at C2, C4, and C6 of sugar 1‐phosphates. Furthermore, we used saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy to support crystallographic studies on the sugar 1‐phosphates, as well as to provide further insights into the PsLBP recognition of the acceptors and disaccharide products.
Bio‐industrial Waste Silk Fibroin Protein and Carbon Nanotube‐Induced Carbonized Growth of One‐Dimensional ZnO‐based Bio‐nanosheets and their Enhanced Optoelectronic Properties
Authors: Saravanan Adhimoorthy , Huang Bohr‐Ran , Kathiravan Deepa
Published: June 2018

High performance UV/Visible photodetectors are successfully fabricated from ZnO/fibroin protein‐carbon nanotube (ZFPCNT) composites using a simple hydrothermal method. The as‐fabricated ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) and ZFPCNT nanostructures were measured under different light illuminations. The measurements showed the UV‐light photoresponse of the as‐fabricated ZFPCNT nanostructures (55,555) to be approximately 26454 % higher than that of the as‐prepared ZnO NRs (210). This photodetector can sense photons with energies considerably smaller (2.75 eV) than the band gap of ZnO (3.22 eV). It was observed that the finest distribution of fibroin and CNT into 1D ZnO resulted in rapid electron transportation and hole recombination via carbon/nitrogen dopants from the ZFPCNT. Carbon dopants create new energy levels on the conduction band of the ZFPCNT, which reduces the barrier height to allow for charge carrier transportation under light illumination. Moreover, the nitrogen dopants increase the adsorptivity and amount of oxygen vacancies in the ZFPCNT so that it exhibits fast response/recovery times both in the dark and under light illumination. The selectivity of UV light among the other types of illumination can be ascribed to the deep‐level energy traps (ET) of the ZFPCNT. These significant features of ZFPCNT lead to the excellent optical properties and creation of new pathways for the production of low‐cost semiconductors and bio‐waste protein based UV/Visible photodetectors.
Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots Gated, Carbon‐Coated Fe3O4 Nanocapsules (BPQDs@ss‐Fe3O4@C) with Low Premature Release Could Enable Imaging‐Guided Cancer Combination Therapy
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Wentao , Wu Fan , Graveran Kathleen , Zhang Jun , Wu Changzhu
Published: June 2018

Combination therapies for tumors based on different therapeutic approaches should try to improve treatment efficacy, but also to reduce side‐effects related to the exogenous stimulus and premature release. In the following study, we established and validated a pH/near‐infrared (NIR)/glutathione (GSH)/‐responsive multifunctional disulfide cross‐linked Fe3O4@C nanocarriers (ss‐Fe3O4@C NCs) with black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) as a capping agent. BPQDs and carbon shell of Fe3O4@C nanoparticles (NPs) were used as a photothermal agents, while the inner empty nucleus that allows for a high drug payload served as an effective drug carrier. These magnetofluorescent BPQDs@DOX@ss‐Fe3O4@C NPs were conjugated with a targeting aptamer (epidermal growth factor receptor: EGFR), denoted as BPQDs@DOX@ss‐Fe3O4@C‐EGFR NPs, for targeting dual modal magnetic resonance (MR)/fluorescence imaging. The synthetic NCs showed that drug release was dependent on pH, near‐infrared (NIR), and intracellular GSH levels, with minimum systemic release in the blood and maximum drug release within the tumors. Also, the photothermal effect resulting from the Fe3O4@C NPs and BPQDs upon application to NIR light caused a rapid rise in local temperature, which accounted for the highest enhancement of cell cytotoxicity. Thus, a theranostic system consisting of BPQDs@DOX@ss‐Fe3O4@C‐EGFR NPs is shown to generate excellent advantages in combined chemotherapy/photothermal therapy (PTT) with minimal side effects.
Comparing the Halogen Bond to the Hydrogen Bond by Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy: Anion Coordinated Dimers from 2‐ and 3‐Iodoethynylpyridine Salts
Authors: Szell Patrick M. J. , Cavallo Gabriella , Terraneo Giancarlo , Metrangolo Pierangelo , Gabidullin Bulat , Bryce David L.
Published: June 2018

Halogen bonding is an increasingly important tool in crystal engineering, and measuring its influence on the local chemical and electronic environment is necessary to fully understand this interaction. Here, we present a systematic crystallographic and solid‐state NMR study of self‐complementary halogen‐bonded frameworks built from the halide salts (HCl, HBr, HI, HI3) of 2‐iodoethynylpyridine and 3‐iodoethynylpyridine. A series of single crystal X‐ray structures reveals the formation of discrete charged dimers in the solid state, directed by simultaneous X−⋅⋅⋅H−N+ hydrogen bonds and C−I⋅⋅⋅X− halogen bonds (X=Cl, Br, I). Each compound was studied using multinuclear solid‐state magnetic resonance spectroscopy, observing 1H to investigate the hydrogen bonds and 13C, 35Cl, and 79/81Br to investigate the halogen bonds. A natural localized molecular orbital analysis was employed to help interpret the experimental results. 1H SSNMR spectroscopy reveals a decrease in the chemical shift of the proton participating in the hydrogen bond as the halogen increases in size, whereas the 13C SSNMR reveals an increased 13C chemical shift of the C−I carbon for C−I⋅⋅⋅X− relative to C−I⋅⋅⋅N halogen bonds. Additionally, 35Cl and 79/81Br SSNMR, along with computational results, have allowed us to compare the C−I⋅⋅⋅X− halogen bond involving each halide in terms of NMR observables. Due to the isostructural nature of these compounds, they are ideal cases for experimentally assessing the impact of different halogen bond acceptors on the solid‐state NMR response.
Unraveling the Mechanism of 1,3‐Diyne Cross‐Metathesis Catalyzed by Silanolate‐Supported Tungsten Alkylidyne Complexes
Authors: Schnabel Tobias M. , Melcher Daniel , Brandhorst Kai , Bockfeld Dirk , Tamm Matthias
Published: June 2018

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Matthias Tamm at the Technische Universität Braunschweig. The image depicts an ambitious karateka opting to break the carbon–carbon triple bond rather than the single bond. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201801651.
Functionalization of nanostructured gold substrates with chiral chromophores for SERS applications: The case of 5‐Aza[5]helicene
Authors: Zanchi Chiara , Lucotti Andrea , Cancogni Damiano , Fontana Francesca , Trusso Sebastiano , Ossi Paolo M. , Tommasini Matteo
Published: June 2018

Nanostructured gold thin films can be fabricated by controlled pulsed laser deposition to get efficient sensors, with uniform morphology and optimized plasmon resonance, to be employed as plasmonic substrates in surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. By attaching 5‐aza[5]helicen‐6‐yl‐6‐hexanethiol to such gold nanostructures, used in a previous work for label‐free drug sensing with biomedical purposes, we successfully prepared functionalized substrates with remarkable surface enhanced Raman scattering activity. The long‐term motivation is to develop probes for drug detection at low concentrations, where sensitivity to specific chiral targets is required.
Cellulose type chiral stationary phase based on reduced graphene oxide@silica gel for the enantiomer separation of chiral compounds
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Li Qiang , Zhu Nan , Gao Zhuxian , Ma Yulong
Published: June 2018

The graphene oxide (GO) was covalently coupled to the surfaces of silica gel (SiO2) microspheres by amide bond to get the graphene oxide@silica gel (GO@SiO2). Then, the GO@SiO2 was reduced with hydrazine to the reduced graphene oxide@silica gel (rGO@SiO2), and the cellulose derivatives were physically coated on the surfaces of rGO@SiO2 to prepare a chiral stationary phase (CSP) for high performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimum experimental conditions, eight benzene‐enriched enantiomers were separated completely, and the resolution of trans‐stilbene oxide perfectly reached 4.83. Compared with the blank column of non‐bonded rGO, the separation performance is better on the new CSP, which is due to the existence of rGO to produce special retention interaction with analytes, such as π‐π stacking, hydrophobic effect, π‐π electron‐donor–acceptor interaction, and hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the obtained CSP shows special selectivity for benzene‐enriched enantiomers, improves separation selectivity and efficiency, and rGO plays a synergistic effect with cellulose derivatives on enantioseparation.
A flow analysis and preemption framework for periodic traffic in an SDN network
Authors: Bull Peter , Murphy Stephen , Bruno Junior Nelson , Austin Ron , Sharma Mak
Published: June 2018

Software Defined Networking (SDN) utilises the concept of centralised command and control to significantly improve network manageability. However, this is at the expense of performance, with the controller(s) now being a bottleneck. This paper further develops the authors' concept of using a Preemptive Flow Installation Mechanism (PFIM) to improve SDN performance for periodic traffic by limiting the number of controller look‐ups through predicting when a flow is likely to need a particular rule. Unlike previous work in this area, the paper uses real SDN hardware and a series of experiments containing varying amounts of temporally predictable and random flows, along with a modified version of the POX controller. The work goes on to discuss issues found pairing the controller with hardware, before presenting results that demonstrate that the system can detect majority of temporally periodic flows and preemptively install a flow rule, facilitating the performance comparable to layer two switching speeds. The paper also suggests that the performance of the modified controller is approximately equivalent to the unmodified version when dealing with non‐periodic traffic.
Study on wear mechanism of gear pump end plate of combined harvester based on CFD fluid analysis
Authors: Gao Liqiang , Hu Xiong , Liu Wei , Sun Dejian
Published: June 2018

Aiming at the floating end plate wear of the high pressure gear pump of combine harvester, the key factors that lead to overturning moment of the end plate and the dynamic equilibrium mechanism of the end plate were studied emphatically. The internal flow field of gear pump with a model of gear pump of a certain type combine harvester was analyzed using CFD software, and according to the characteristics of the end plate structure, the differential equation about the compression force and the anti – thrust was established, and the overturning moment change rules of the end plate in the meshing period of 1 wheel tooth can be obtained. Meanwhile, the experimental system was established to verify the theoretical analysis results. The experimental data show that the error of the overturning moment test and the theoretical value is 4.18% under rated condition and when the gear angle φ = 14°, the overturning moment reaches the maximum value Ms = 82.16 N·m. The research provides theoretical basis and technical support for the structural optimization design to reduce the wear of end plates.
Hierarchically Structured FeNiOxHy Electrocatalyst Formed by In Situ Transformation of Metal Phosphate for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wu Xiujuan , Zhao Yimeng , Xing Tongyu , Zhang Peili , Li Fusheng , Lee Husileng , Li Fei , Sun Licheng
Published: June 2018

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. Licheng Sun at the Dalian University of Technology. The image shows the evolution of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas in an electrocatalytic system with water as the hydrogen and oxygen source. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201800407.
Litter chemistry influences decomposition through activity of specific microbial functional guilds
Authors: Bhatnagar Jennifer M. , Peay Kabir G. , Treseder Kathleen K.
Published: June 2018

Niche differentiation among species is a key mechanism by which biodiversity may be linked to ecosystem function. We tested a set of widely invoked hypotheses about the extent of niche differentiation in one of the most diverse communities on Earth, decomposer microorganisms, by measuring their response to changes in three abundant litter resources: lignin, cellulose, and nitrogen (N). To do this, we used the model system Arabidopsis thaliana to manipulate lignin, cellulose, and N availability and then used high‐throughput sequencing to measure the response of microbial communities during decay. Resequencing the decomposer communities after incubation of decomposed litter with pure substrates showed that groups of species had unique substrate use profiles, such that species organized into functional “guilds” of decomposers that were associated with individual litter chemicals. Low concentrations of lignin, cellulose, or N in the litter caused unique shifts in decomposer community composition after 1 yr of decay. Low cellulose plants had low levels of fungi in all decomposer guilds, low lignin plants had high levels of fungi in all decomposer guilds, and low N plants had low levels of fungi in decomposer guilds associated with sucrose and lignin. The relative abundance of decomposer guilds correlated with the total loss of individual litter chemicals during litter decay in the field. In addition, N fertilization shifted decomposer communities during both the early and later stages of decay to those dominated by decomposers in the cellulose guild. Our results contrast the assumption that major carbon (C) and N degradation mechanisms are uniform across whole decomposer communities and instead suggest that decomposition arises from complementarity among groups of metabolically distinct taxa.
Integrating larval connectivity with local demography reveals regional dynamics of a marine metapopulation
Authors: Johnson Darren W. , Christie Mark R. , Pusack Timothy J. , Stallings Christopher D. , Hixon Mark A.
Published: June 2018

Many ocean species exist within what are called marine metapopulations: networks of otherwise isolated local populations connected by the exchange of larval offspring. In order to manage these species as effectively as possible (e.g., by designing and implementing effective networks of marine protected areas), we must know how many offspring are produced within each local population (i.e., local demography), and where those offspring disperse (i.e., larval connectivity). Although there is much interest in estimating connectivity in the relatively simple sense of identifying the locations of spawning parents and their settling offspring, true measures of demographic connectivity that account for among‐site variation in offspring production have been lacking. We combined detailed studies of local reproductive output and larval dispersal of a coral reef fish to quantify demographic connectivity within a regional metapopulation that included four widely spaced islands in the Bahamas. We present a new method for estimating demographic connectivity when the levels of dispersal among populations are inferred by the collection of genetically “tagged” offspring. We estimated that 13.3% of recruits returned to natal islands, on average (95% CI = 1.1–50.3%), that local retention was high on one of the islands (41%, 95% CI = 6.0–97.0%), and that larval connectivity was appreciable, even between islands 129 km apart (mean = 1.6%, 95% CI = 0.20–8.8%). Our results emphasize the importance of properly integrating measurements of production with measurements of connectivity. Had we not accounted for among‐site variation in offspring production, our estimates of connectivity would have been inaccurate by a factor as much as 6.5. At a generational timescale, lifetime offspring production varied substantially (a fivefold difference among islands) and the importance of each island to long‐term metapopulation growth was dictated by both larval production and connectivity. At the scale of our study (local populations inhabiting 5‐ha reefs), the regional metapopulation could not grow without external input. However, an exploratory analysis simulating a network of four marine protected areas suggested that reserves of >65 ha each would ensure persistence of this network. Thus, integrating studies of larval connectivity and local demography hold promise for both managing and conserving marine metapopulations effectively.
Patient‐shared TCRβ‐CDR3 clonotypes correlate with favorable prognosis in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Jiang Qiong , Zhao Tingting , Zheng Wenhong , Zhou Jijun , Wang Haoliang , Dong Hui , Chen Yongwen , Tang Xiaoqin , Liu Cong , Ye Lilin , Mao Qing , Wang Chunlin , Han Jian , Shang Xiaoyun , Wu Yuzhang
Published: June 2018

The presence of shared T‐cell clonotypes was found in several different diseases, but its relationship with the progression of disease remains unclear. By sequencing the complementary determining region 3 of T‐cell receptor (TCR) β chains from the purified antigen‐experienced CD8+ T cells, we characterized the T‐cell repertoire in a prospective cohort study among 75 patients with chronic hepatitis B in China, as well as a healthy control and a validation cohort. We found that most T‐cell clones from patients harbored the “patient‐specific” TCR sequences. However, “patient‐shared” TCR clonotypes were also widely found, which correlated with the favorable turnover of disease. Interestingly, the frequency of the “patient‐shared” clonotypes can serve as a biomarker for favorable prognosis. Based on the clonotypes in those patients with favorable outcomes, we created a database including several clusters of protective anti‐HBV CD8+ T‐cell clonotypes that might be a reasonable target for therapeutic vaccine development or adoptive cell transfer therapy. These findings were validated in an additional independent cohort of patients. These results suggest that the “patient‐shared” TCR clonotypes may serve as a valuable prognostic tool in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and possibly other chronic viral diseases.
Ferrocene‐Decorated Phenol Derivatives by Trapping ortho‐Quinone Methide Intermediates with Ferrocene
Authors: González‐Pelayo Silvia , López Enol , Borge Javier , de‐los‐Santos‐Álvarez Noemí , López Luis A.
Published: June 2018

The InCl3‐catalyzed reaction of ferrocene with ortho‐hydroxybenzyl alcohols is reported and represents a convenient route for the synthesis of ferrocenyl phenols. This carbon–carbon bond forming process is believed to proceed through an ortho‐quinone methide intermediate that can be intercepted by ferrocene through a Friedel–Crafts‐type process. Preliminary cytotoxic screening carried out on several cancer cell lines revealed that some of the compounds exhibit moderate cytotoxicity.
Toward the Synthesis of Sceptrin and Benzosceptrin: Solvent Effect in Stereo‐ and Regioselective [2+2] Photodimerization and Easy Access to the Fully Substituted Benzobutane
Authors: Binh Nguyen Thanh , Anh Nguyen Le , Corbin Mathilde , Retailleau Pascal , Ermolenko Ludmila , Al‐Mourabit Ali
Published: June 2018

By simply switching solvents, two sets of conditions for the total regio‐ and stereoselective photodimerization of (E)‐3‐(imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐2‐yl)acrylic acid [(E)‐7a] have been found. In acetonitrile in the presence of benzophenone as photosensitizer or in cyclohexane, the head‐to‐head cis‐trans‐cis isomer 8a was the only observable cycloadduct. In DMSO, the head‐to‐head trans‐trans‐trans isomer 10a was obtained as the unique cycloadduct. The diester 9a, derived from 8a, was cyclized to the challenging, fully substituted diimidazobenzobutane system 13 present in benzosceptrins.
A Phenyl‐Ethynyl‐Macrocycle: A Model Compound for “Geländer” Oligomers Comprising Reactive Conjugated Banisters
Authors: Bannwart Linda Maria , Jundt Lukas , Müntener Thomas , Neuburger Markus , Häussinger Daniel , Mayor Marcel
Published: June 2018

Macrocycle 1 is assembled as smallest member of a series of “Geländer” oligomers with a conjugated banister comprising exclusively sp2‐ and sp‐hybridized carbon atoms. The synthesis of 1 is based on an acetylene scaffolding approach, comprising Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions in combination with protection group strategies and a final cyclization based on an oxidative acetylene coupling using Eglinton‐Breslow reaction conditions. Macrocycle 1 serves as model compound for the investigation of the structural integrity of the strained 1,3‐diyne subunit. An enhanced reactivity of the strained 1,3‐diyne subunit is documented by its engagement in Huisgen's (2+3) cycloaddition when exposed to an azide at elevated temperature. Both structures, macrocycle 1 and cycloaddition‐product 2, are fully characterized including their solid‐state structure obtained by X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Operation with High‐purity Hydrogen Produced by a Membrane Reactor
Authors: Foresti S. , Manzolini G.
Published: June 2018

An innovative micro‐cogeneration system (m‐CHP) based on membrane reformer and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is developed within the FluidCELL project. The purity of the hydrogen separated by the membrane reformer can decrease over time, due to membrane/sealing degradation, therefore a methanator is adopted to prevent CO poisoning of the fuel cell. This paper investigates the optimal control strategies of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell at different hydrogen purities by using a detailed 1D model, including the CO poisoning on the anode Pt‐Ru catalyst, and calibrated against experimental data. Simulation results show that the system is able to work also with low‐purity hydrogen thanks to the effectiveness of the methanator, the resistance to CO poisoning of the Pt‐Ru anode catalyst, the small voltage drop due to inert gases accumulation in the anode recirculation loop: at 0.3 A cm−2 as current density, the stack efficiency is always above 60% even when the membranes selectivity drops to 5 102.
Petrogenesis of theEarlyCretaceousKada igneous rocks fromTethyanHimalaya: Implications for initial break‐up of easternGondwana
Authors: Huang Yong , Zhang Linkui , Liang Wei , Li Guangming , Dong Suiliang , Wu Jianyang , Xia Xiangbiao
Published: June 2018

Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks associated with the Kerguelen mantle plume are widespread in the Comei area with a chronology concentrated from 134 to 130 Ma. However, less data for the earliest Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks cropping out in the Comei area have been reported. The earliest Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks from the Kada area comprise mafic rock (diabase) and felsic rocks (granite, dacite, and quartz monzonite). This paper presents a detailed LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb chronology with major and minor (trace) elements and Lu–Hf isotope data from Kada igneous rocks to identify the extent of the early activity of the Kerguelen mantle plume and the initial break‐up of eastern Gondwanaland. The LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dates reveal that the age of Kada magmatic rocks range from 136.9 to 143.5 Ma. Kada mafic rocks exhibit both OIB (Samples KD3 and KD06) and N‐MORB (Sample KD7‐1) characteristics. The N‐MORB‐type mafic rocks were derived from partial melting of depleted spinel lherzolite. However, the OIB‐type mafic rocks were derived from partial melting (~60–80 km) of spinel + garnet lherzolite. Kada felsic rocks show obvious enrichment of light rare earth elements and negative Eu anomaly features. Among these, dacite and quartz monzonite rocks show flat heavy rare earth elements and clear Nb, Ta, P, and Ti negative anomalies with depleted εHf(t) characteristics (−11.0 to −21.0). This is indicative of partial melting of specific crustal rocks in an intraplate environment caused by underplating of coeval basaltic magmas. However, granite is characterized by high heavy rare earth element fractionation and high and dispersed εHfcomposition (−1.5 to +8.9), thus indicating that granite is derived from extensive fractional crystallization of mantle‐derived melts from an AFC process. The Kada felsic rocks show A‐type granitic characteristics in an extensional environment. Based on the evidence from palaeomagnetism reconstructions, Kada rocks and Bunbury basalts are both distributed in and influence the scope of the Kerguelen mantle plume. They are also coeval with the initial break‐up of eastern Gondwana. We suggest that Kada magmatic rocks in southern Tibet represent the earliest activity of the Kerguelen mantle plume and that they played a role in the initial break‐up of eastern Gondwana.
High‐silica Ediacaran volcanism in the Dom Feliciano Belt, southernmost Brazil
Authors: Noll Filho Roberto J. , Sommer Carlos A. , de Lima Evandro F. , Philipp Ruy P. , Basei Miguel A.S.
Published: June 2018

The Cerro Chato region is located in southernmost Brazil and is characterized by associations of acid volcanic and subvolcanic rocks. The region is affected by NW and NE‐ trending faults and is grouped into 2 geomorphologically distinct features: Cerro Chato and Cerro Partido. Cerro Chato is represented by ignimbrites that occur in 2 main facies: lithic‐rich ignimbrites and crystal‐rich ignimbrites. They are poorly sorted and consist of lapilli‐sized pyroclasts in a tuffaceous matrix with eutaxitic texture. Hemi‐crystalline rhyolitic flows represent effusive events, with porphyritic texture, flow structures, and spherulites. Cerro Partido is characterized by a subvolcanic rhyolitic body, with porphyritic texture, elongated in the NE–SW direction. Through geochemical data, the lithologies were characterized as high‐silica type rhyolites, correlated to the alkaline series, close to the subalkaline series limit; display metaluminous to peraluminous character and high contents of alkalis, FeOt/FeOt + MgO and agpaitic index. The Cerro Partido rhyolites were classified as high‐Ti with higher CaO, P2O5, FeOt, MgO, and K2O contents than the Cerro Chato low‐Ti rhyolites. The REE pattern is slightly enriched in LREE in relation to the HREE and has a strong negative Eu anomaly. U–Pb zircon dating indicates an age of 561 ± 2 Ma for Cerro Partido, suggesting contemporaneity with the granitoids of Dom Feliciano Suite. Additionally, Cerro Chato rhyolites indicate an age of 630.4 ± 2.8 Ma. These ages are in agreement with those obtained in the syn‐sedimentary volcanism at the base of the Maricá Formation, Camaquã Basin.
Dealing with severe dementia in clinical practice: A validity and reliability study of Severe Mini‐Mental State Examination in Greek population
Authors: Mougias Antonios A. , Christidi Foteini , Kiosterakis Giorgos , Messinis Lambros , Politis Antonios
Published: June 2018

Objective

Considering the floor effect problems of many cognitive instruments administered in patients with dementia, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Severe Mini‐Mental State Examination (SMMSE) for monitoring patients with moderate to severe dementia in the Greek population.

Methods

We included 210 patients with dementia, mostly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and administered the SMMSE, the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Global Deterioration Scale, and the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL). Demographic effects on SMMSE, validity, and reliability properties were initially tested for the total sample; SMMSE diagnostic accuracy was examined between subgroups of patients according to their MMSE performance; longitudinal changes over a 6‐month period were assessed for a subgroup of 100 patients.

Results

None of the demographic variables correlated with SMMSE score. Reliability analysis revealed high indices regarding internal consistency, inter‐rater, and test‐retest reliability. Validity analysis showed high correlation coefficients between SMMSE, MMSE, Global Deterioration Scale, and Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale (concurrent validity) and excellent discriminant validity of SMMSE to correctly categorize patients based on their MMSE score. In the longitudinal analysis, we found significant differences (1) only on SMMSE for patients with an MMSE = 0 to 6 at baseline and (2) both on SMMSE and MMSE for patients with an MMSE = 7 to 16 at baseline. No differences were detected for patients with an MMSE = 17 to 22 at baseline.

Conclusions

We suggest the SMMSE as quick, reliable, valid, and insensitive to demographic effects psychometric instrument to monitor cognitive changes in patients with profoundly severe dementia.
Parental acceptance of HPV vaccines in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors: Juntasopeepun Phanida , Thana Kanjana
Published: June 2018

Objective

To identify variables associated with the acceptance of HPV vaccination among Thai parents/primary caregivers.

Methods

The present prospective cross‐sectional study recruited the parents/caregivers of female adolescents aged 12–18 years from schools in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between January 1 and February 29, 2016. A four‐part questionnaire was distributed to assess demographics, HPV vaccine acceptance, knowledge, and beliefs toward HPV and cervical cancer. Predictors of HPV vaccine acceptance were determined by logistic regression analysis.

Results

The study enrolled 331 parents; more than half (195 [61.1%]) had heard of HPV vaccines. Their knowledge related to HPV and cervical cancer was moderate. A majority of parents (266/313 [85.0%]) indicated they would accept HPV vaccination if the costs were subsidized by the government. Acceptance of HPV vaccines was associated with perceived benefits of HPV vaccination (odds ratio [OR] 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–1.88), perceived susceptibility to disease (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.11–1.81), and household income (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.02–1.78).

Conclusion

Parental beliefs have an important role in their acceptance to vaccinate their daughters. These potentially modifiable beliefs offer strategies for future interventions designed to increase uptake for future HPV vaccination campaigns.
Information shocks and the empirical evaluation of training programs during unemployment spells
Authors: Crépon Bruno , Ferracci Marc , Jolivet Gregory , van den Berg Gerard J.
Published: June 2018

We study the role of notifications in the evaluation of training programs for unemployed workers. Using a unique administrative data set containing the dates when information is exchanged between job seekers and caseworkers, we address three questions: Do information shocks, such as notification of future training, have an effect on unemployment duration? What is the joint effect of notification and training programs on unemployment? Can ignoring information shocks lead to a large bias in the estimation of the effect of training programs? We discuss these issues through the lens of a job search model and then conduct an empirical analysis following a “random effects” approach to deal with selectivity. We find that notification has a strong positive effect on the training probability but a negative one on the probability of leaving unemployment. This “attraction” effect highlights the importance of accounting for notifications in the evaluation of active labor market policies.
Homogeneity pursuit in panel data models: Theory and application
Authors: Wang Wuyi , Phillips Peter C. B. , Su Liangjun
Published: June 2018

This paper studies the estimation of a panel data model with latent structures where individuals can be classified into different groups with the slope parameters being homogeneous within the same group but heterogeneous across groups. To identify the unknown group structure of vector parameters, we design an algorithm called Panel‐CARDS. We show that it can identify the true group structure asymptotically and estimate the model parameters consistently at the same time. Simulations evaluate the performance and corroborate the asymptotic theory in several practical design settings. The empirical application reveals the heterogeneous grouping effect of income on democracy.
Triose‐phosphate isomerase is a novel target of miR‐22 and miR‐28, with implications in tumorigenesis
Authors: Lone Saife Niaz , Maqbool Raihana , Parray Fazl Q. , Ul Hussain Mahboob
Published: June 2018

Aerobic glycolysis is the hallmark of many cancer cells that results in a high rate of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and, more importantly, biosynthetic intermediates, which are required by the fast‐growing tumor cells. The molecular mechanism responsible for the increased glycolytic influx of tumor cells is still not fully understood. In the present study, we have attempted to address the above question by exploring the role of the glycolytic enzyme, triose‐phosphate isomerase (TPI), in the cancer cells. The western blot analysis of the 30 human colorectal cancer samples depicted higher post‐transcriptional expression of TPI in the tumor tissue relative to the normal tissue. In addition, we identified two novel microRNAs, miR‐22 and miR‐28, that target the TPI messenger RNA (mRNA) and regulate its expression. miR‐22 and the miR‐28 showed significant inverse expression status viz‐a‐viz the expression of the TPI. The specificity of the miR‐22/28 regulation of the TPI mRNA was confirmed by various biochemical and mutagenic assays. Moreover, the hypoxia conditions resulted in an increased expression of the TPI protein, with a concomitant decrease in miR‐22/28. The physiological significance of the TPI and miR‐22/28 interaction for the glycolytic influx was confirmed by the l‐lactate production in the HCT‐116+/+ cells. Overall, our data demonstrate the novel microRNA mediated post‐transcriptional regulation of the TPI glycolytic enzyme, which may be one of the possible reasons for the increased glycolytic capacity of the tumor cells.
ARHGAP21 as a master regulator of multiple cellular processes
Authors: Rosa Lucas R. O. , Soares Gabriela M. , Silveira Leonardo R. , Boschero Antonio C. , Barbosa‐Sampaio Helena C. L.
Published: June 2018

The cellular cytoskeleton is involved with multiple biological processes and is tightly regulated by multiple proteins and effectors. Among these, the RhoGTPases family is one of the most important players. RhoGTPAses are, in turn, regulated by many other elements. In the past decade, one of those regulators, the RhoGAP Rho GTPase Activating Protein 21 (ARHGAP21), has been overlooked, despite being implied as having an important role on many of those processes. In this paper, we aimed to review the available literature regarding ARHGAP21 to highlight its importance and the mechanisms of action that have been found so far for this still unknown protein involved with cell adhesion, migration, Golgi regulation, cell trafficking, and even insulin secretion.
Synthesis and In Vitro Anticancer Evaluation of Symmetrically Bridged 1,3‐thiazine Derivatives
Authors: El Malah Tamer , Ishak Esam A. , Nour Hany F. , Shaker Raafat M. , Ali Mamdouh M. , Mahmoud Abeer E. , Soliman Salwa M.
Published: June 2018

A series of bis‐1,3‐thiazine derivatives 3a–o were synthesized from the condensation reactions of symmetric dialdehydes 1a–c possessing aliphatic ether spacer units with 3‐substituted‐amino‐2‐cyano‐3‐mercaptoacrylamides 2a–e. The chemical structures of the products were fully characterized by using different spectroscopic techniques, such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, electron impact mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Compounds 3a, 3f, and 3k underwent ring opening followed by recyclization and alkylation in basic medium to afford bis‐pyrimidinones 4a–c and 5a–c. The anticancer potential of the new bis‐1,3‐thiazines was assessed in vitro against six different human cell lines, including lung A549, colon HCT116, breast MCF‐7, prostate PC3, liver HepG2, and normal melanocyte HFB4. The results revealed a potent activity of compounds 3e and 3k against breast and liver cancer cell lines in comparison with the reference drug doxorubicin with no noticeable toxicity on normal cells.
Integrated delivery of antiretroviral treatment and pre‐exposure prophylaxis toHIV‐1 serodiscordant couples in East Africa: a qualitative evaluation study in Uganda
Authors: Ware Norma C , Pisarski Emily E , Nakku‐Joloba Edith , Wyatt Monique A , Muwonge Timothy R , Turyameeba Bosco , Asiimwe Stephen B , Heffron Renee A , Baeten Jared M , Celum Connie L , Katabira Elly T
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Serodiscordant couples are a priority population for delivery of newHIVprevention interventions in Africa. An integrated strategy of delivering time‐limited, oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to uninfected partners in serodiscordant couples as a bridge to long‐term antiretroviral treatment (ART) for infected partners has been implemented in East Africa, nearly eliminating new infections. We conducted a qualitative evaluation of the integrated strategy in Uganda, to better understand its success.

Methods

Data collection consisted of 274 in‐depth interviews with 93 participating couples, and 55 observations of clinical encounters between couples and healthcare providers. An inductive content analytic approach aimed at understanding and interpreting couples’ experiences of the integrated strategy was used to examine the data. Analysis sought to characterize: (1) key aspects of services provided; (2) what the services meant to recipients; and (3) how couples managed the integrated strategy. Themes were identified in each domain, and represented as descriptive categories. Categories were grouped inductively into more general propositions based on shared content. Propositions were linked and interpreted to explain “why the integrated strategy worked.”

Results

Couples found “couples‐focused” services provided through the integrated strategy strengthened partnered relationships threatened by the discovery of serodiscordance. They saw in services hope for “getting help” to stay together, turned joint visits to clinic into opportunities for mutual support, and experienced counselling as bringing them closer together.

Couples adopted a “couples orientation” to the integrated strategy, considering the health of partners as they made decisions about initiatingARTor accepting PrEP, and devising joint approaches to adherence. A couples orientation to services, grounded in strengthened partnerships, may have translated to greater success in using antiretrovirals to preventHIVtransmission.

Conclusions

Various strategies for delivering antiretrovirals forHIVprevention are being evaluated. Understanding how and why these strategies work will improve evaluation processes and strengthen implementation platforms. We highlight the role of service organization in shaping couples’ experiences of and responses toARTand PrEPin the context of the integrated strategy. Organizing services to promote positive care experiences will strengthen delivery and contribute to positive outcomes as antiretrovirals for prevention are rolled out.
Curse or Blessing? An Empirical Re‐examination of Natural Resource‐Growth Nexus
Authors: Yanıkkaya Halit , Turan Taner
Published: June 2018

This study re‐examines the natural resource abundance‐growth nexus for a large sample of countries. Our findings indicate that total resource, coal, mineral, natural gas and oil rents have significantly positive effects on growth while forest rents have negative effects. While estimation results show that coal and mineral rents raise growth for resource poor countries, natural gas and oil rents (forest rents) raise (lower) growth for resource‐rich countries. Overall, our results fail to support the natural resource curse hypothesis. On the contrary, we can conclude that, except for forest rents, resource rents appear to be a blessing rather than a curse. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Realization of RGB colors from top‐emitting white OLED by electron beam patterning
Authors: Bodenstein Elisabeth , Schober Matthias , Hoffmann Marie , Metzner Christoph , Vogel Uwe
Published: June 2018

We demonstrate the realization of red, green, and blue colors from top‐emitting white organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) for display applications. In our approach, red, green, and blue colors are realized by microcavity‐based mode selection from the spectrum of a white OLED. For the tuning of individual microcavities, the OLED hole transport layer is patterned by an electron beam process.
Hepatic artery infusion of melphalan in patients with liver metastases from ocular melanoma
Authors: Boone Brian A. , Perkins Samantha , Bandi Rupal , Santos Ernesto , McCluskey Kevin , Bartlett David L. , Pingpank James F.
Published: June 2018

Background and Objectives

Ocular melanoma has a predilection for liver metastases. Systemic treatment is ineffective and the optimal regional therapy approach is poorly defined. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) with melphalan has emerged as a viable treatment option, however a subset of patients are not candidates for this treatment. We therefore sought to determine if melphalan could be safely administered via the hepatic artery for these patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients treated with hepatic artery infusion (HAI) of melphalan was undertaken. All patients had contraindications to IHP and were without other therapy options. Melphalan infusion was repeated every four weeks with consideration for dose escalation in the absence of toxicity or significant disease progression.

Results

Fourteen patients were treated with HAI of melphalan from 2010 to 2015. All patients had hepatic dysfunction or prohibitive tumor volume precluding IHP. There were no procedure‐related complications. Three patients (21%) died within 30 days and the median survival was 2.9 months. Elevated baseline bilirubin > 2.5 mg/dL was associated with worse overall survival (0.93 vs 6.3 months, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

HAI of melphalan is safe and feasible for patients with metastatic ocular melanoma. Further study to determine the optimal utilization of this treatment approach is warranted.