bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aliphatic Polycarbonate‐Based Solid‐State Polymer Electrolytes for Advanced Lithium Batteries: Advances and Perspective
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Yang Jinfeng , Dong Tiantian , Zhang Min , Chai Jingchao , Dong Shanmu , Wu Tianyuan , Zhou Xinhong , Cui Guanglei
Published: August 2018

Conventional liquid electrolytes based lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) might suffer from serious safety hazards. Solid‐state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are very promising candidate with high security for advanced LIBs. However, the quintessential frailties of pristine polyethylene oxide/lithium salts SPEs are poor ionic conductivity (≈10−8 S cm−1) at 25 °C and narrow electrochemical window (<4 V). Many innovative researches are carried out to enhance their lithium‐ion conductivity (10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C), which is still far from meeting the needs of high‐performance power LIBs at ambient temperature. Therefore, it is a pressing urgency of exploring novel polymer host materials for advanced SPEs aimed to develop high‐performance solid lithium batteries. Aliphatic polycarbonate, an emerging and promising solid polymer electrolyte, has attracted much attention of academia and industry. The amorphous structure, flexible chain segments, and high dielectric constant endow this class of polymer electrolyte excellent comprehensive performance especially in ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and thermally dimensional stability. To date, many types of aliphatic polycarbonate solid polymer electrolyte are discovered. Herein, the latest developments on aliphatic polycarbonate SPEs for solid‐state lithium batteries are summarized. Finally, main challenges and perspective of aliphatic polycarbonate solid polymer electrolytes are illustrated at the end of this review.
Intrinsically Fluorescent, Stealth Polypyrazoline Nanoparticles with Large Stokes Shift for In Vivo Imaging
Authors: Mane Shivshankar R. , Hsiao I‐Lun , Takamiya Masanari , Le Dao , Straehle Uwe , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Weiss Carsten , Delaittre Guillaume
Published: August 2018

Recent advances in super‐resolution microscopy and fluorescence bioimaging allow exploring previously inaccessible biological processes. To this end, there is a need for novel fluorescent probes with specific features in size, photophysical properties, colloidal and optical stabilities, as well as biocompatibility and ability to evade the reticuloendothelial system. Herein, novel fluorescent nanoparticles are introduced based on an inherently fluorescent polypyrazoline (PPy) core and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) shell, which address all aforementioned challenges. Synthesis of the PPy‐PEG amphiphilic block copolymer by phototriggered step‐growth polymerization is investigated by NMR spectroscopy, size‐exclusion chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The corresponding nanoparticles are characterized for their luminescent properties and hydrodynamic size in various aqueous environments (e.g., cell culture media). PPy nanoparticles particularly exhibit a large Stokes shift (Δλ = 160 nm or Δν > 7000 cm−1) with visible light excitation and strong colloidal stability. While clearance by macrophages and endothelial cells is minimal, PPy displays good biocompatibility. Finally, PPy nanoparticles prove to be long circulating when injected in zebrafish embryos, as observed by in vivo time‐lapse fluorescence microscopy. In summary, PPy nanoparticles are highly promising to be further developed as fluorescent nanodelivery systems with low toxicity and exquisite retention in the blood stream.
Black Phosphorus Nanosheets Passivation Using a Tripeptide
Authors: Wang Huaying , Hu Kuan , Li Zhe , Wang Chan , Yu Min , Li Zigang , Li Zhou
Published: August 2018

In the past several years, 2D black phosphorus (BP) has captured the research community's interest because of its unique electronic, photonic, and mechanical properties. However, the intrinsic instability of BP limits its preservation and practical application. Despite kinds of BP passivation strategies being well‐documented, the use of metal ligand coordination or polymer modification may have potential long‐term detrimental effects on human bodies. Here, a tailored tripeptide Fmoc‐Lys‐Lys‐Phe (Fmoc‐KKF) is synthesized for surface modification of BP nanosheets. Compared with bare BP with rapid degradation, the BP@FKK complex exhibits excellent stability, thereby significantly increasing the life span. Significantly, the BP@FKK shows favorable cell compatibility and enhanced cellular uptake compared to the bare BP.
High‐Efficient, Stable Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution in Acid Media by Amorphous FexP Coating Fe2N Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Yu Peng , Wang Lei , Xie Ying , Tian Chungui , Sun Fanfei , Ma Jingyuan , Tong Miaomiao , Zhou Wei , Li Jinghong , Fu Honggang
Published: August 2018

Development of efficient and durable non‐Pt catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acid media is highly desirable. Iron nitride has emerged as a promising catalyst for its cost‐effective nature, but the corresponding acidic stability must be promoted. Herein, phosphorus‐decorated Fe2N and reduced graphene oxide (P‐Fe2N/rGO) composite are designed and synthesized. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) show that a thin layer amorphous iron phosphide is coated on the surface of Fe2N nanoparticles, which could be responsible for the well resistance of chemical corrosion in acidic media. Meanwhile, the P‐decoration could tune the electronic state and coordination environment of iron atom as evidenced by XAFS, resulting in dramatically enhanced electrocatalytic activity of P‐Fe2N/rGO. Density functional theory calculations reveal that both the P‐connected N atoms and the Fe atoms in P‐Fe2N/rGO catalyst are the main active sites for H* adsorption. The hydrogen‐binding free energy |ΔGH*| value is close to zero for P‐Fe2N/rGO, suggesting a good balance between the Volmer and Heyrovsky/Tafel steps in HER kinetics. As expected, P‐Fe2N/rGO catalyst could achieve a low ηonset of 22.4 mV, a small Tafel plot of 48.7 mV dec−1, and remarkable stability for HER in acid electrolyte.
Alkylated Meso‐Macroporous Metal–Organic Framework Hollow Tubes as Nanocontainers of Octadecane for Energy Storage and Thermal Regulation
Authors: Tang Jia , Chen Xingyu , Zhang Liguo , Yang Mu , Wang Peng , Dong Wenjun , Wang Ge , Yu Fang , Tao Jinzhang
Published: August 2018

Alkylated meso‐macroporous Cr‐MIL‐101 hollow tubes (ACHT) are synthesized through the coordination of Cr3+ with alkylated bridged ligands. The alkylated ligands work as both bridging ligands and structure‐directing agents, which presents a new strategy for synthesizing meso‐macroporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). This is the first example of 1D meso‐macroporous MOF hollow tubes with large pore diameter (5–136 nm). Furthermore, the octadecane@ACHT form‐stable phase change materials (FSPCMs) are prepared using ACHT as nanocontainers for octadecane. The nanocavity of ACHT possesses enough storage space for octadecane, and the large number of alkyl chains on the ACHT framework induces octadecane molecules to crystallize from α‐ to β‐crystals. Considering the comfortable phase transition temperature (27.7 °C) and the relatively large thermal storage capacity (187 J g−1), the octadecane@ACHT FSPCMs can be used in interior wall of building to improve the indoor thermal comfort or in the field of thermal‐regulated textiles and clothing.
Colloids of Holey Gd2O3 Nanosheets Converted from Exfoliated Gadolinium Hydroxide Layers
Authors: Jeon Ki‐Wan , Zhang Luojiang , Choi Seonyeong , Lee In Su
Published: August 2018

This paper proposes a confined solid‐state conversion approach using layered metal‐hydroxides for the production of a colloidal suspension of porous 2D crystalline metal oxide layers with superior electrochemical H2O2 sensing performance. This study investigates the conversion chemistry of delaminated layers of gadolinium hydroxide (LGdH), [Gd2(OH)5]+, encapsulated in a silica nanoshell that provides an antistacking and antisintering environment during the phase‐transition at high temperature. Thermal treatment of the LGdH layers within the protected environment results in a dimensionally confined phase‐transition into crystalline Gd2O3 nanosheets with an isomorphic 2D structure. Furthermore, annealing at higher temperatures leads to the evolution of in‐plane mesoporous structure on the Gd2O3 nanosheet. Based on insight acquired from in‐depth investigation, the evolution of in‐plane porosity proceeds through the in‐plane dominant silicate‐formation reaction at the interface with the surrounding silica shell. Their 2D‐anisotropic and mesoporous morphological features are preserved, producing a colloidal suspension of holey nanosheets that can be used to fabricate a thin and porous film through wet‐coating deposition. This study also demonstrates the superior electrochemical H2O2 sensing ability of the resultant porous Gd2O3 film, which represents a ≈1000‐ and 10‐fold enhancement of the detection limit and sensitivity, respectively, in comparison to previously reported Gd2O3 films.
Preventing unauthorized access in information centric networking
Authors: AbdAllah Eslam G. , Zulkernine Mohammad , Hassanein Hossam S.
Published: August 2018

The increasing traffic volume and new requirements of highly scalable and efficient distribution of contents exceed the capabilities of the current Internet architecture. Information centric networking (ICN) is a new communication paradigm for the next generation internet (NGI), which focuses mainly on contents. ICN has in‐network caching capability, which enables any node to cache any content coming from any publisher. ICN subscribers are able to access contents from different distributed locations. This capability maximizes the problem of unauthorized access to ICN contents. In this paper, we propose a decentralized elliptic curve‐based access control (ECAC) protocol for ICN architectures. In this protocol, fewer public messages are needed for access control enforcement between ICN subscribers and ICN nodes than the existing access control protocols. ECAC protocol depends on ICN self‐certifying naming scheme. We perform security analysis on ECAC for the following attacks: man‐in‐the‐middle, forward security, replay attacks, integrity, and privacy violations. We also evaluate communication, computational, and storage overhead for performance analysis to ECAC. Based on our results that are obtained under various scenarios, ECAC efficiently prevents unauthorized access to ICN contents.
Mobilization of innovation and investment resources for environmental management in Russian federation regions
Authors: Nagoev Alim Beslanovich , Rokotyanskaya Violetta Valerievna , Batova Bella Zaurbekovna , Bischekova Fatima Ruslanovna , Hokonova Madina Zurovna
Published: August 2018

Investments in environmental management and environmental protection have a decisive influence on the future of a region and its place in the economic development of the country as a whole. In this article, the principal differences between investment in environmental management and the financing of other projects are discussed. It is proven that, at present, the investment policy in the field of environmental protection of a region is oriented primarily toward current results. In such cases, it is possible to achieve only short‐term goals, and ultimately, to miss the prospect of further conservation of resources. Hence, short‐term investments in environmental protection activities and the achievement of rapid results are replaced by the commitment to promising, long‐term strategic growth. This article notes that the most effective form of implementing environmental monitoring is through environmental auditing, as auditing is performed at the expense of customers and does not require public financing. Furthermore, the effects of implementing environmental policies based on the results of environmental auditing can be even more significant than the results achieved under the State's environmental protection measures
Perinatal changes in cardiac geometry and function in growth‐restricted fetuses at term
Authors: Patey O. , Carvalho J. S. , Thilaganathan B.
Published: August 2018

Objective

To evaluate the effect of fetal growth restriction (FGR) at term on fetal and neonatal cardiac geometry and function.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 87 pregnant women delivering at term, comprising 54 normally grown and 33 FGR pregnancies. Fetal and neonatal conventional and spectral tissue Doppler and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography were performed a few days before and within hours after birth. Fetal cardiac geometry, global myocardial deformation and performance and systolic and diastolic function were compared between normal and FGR pregnancies before and after birth.

Results

Compared with normally grown fetuses, FGR fetuses exhibited more globular ventricular geometry and poorer myocardial deformation and cardiac function (left ventricular (LV) sphericity index (SI), 0.54 vs 0.49; right ventricular (RV) SI, 0.60 vs 0.54; LV torsion, 1.2 °/cm vs 3.0 °/cm; LV isovolumetric contraction time normalized by cardiac cycle length, 121 ms vs 104 ms; interventricular septum early diastolic myocardial peak velocity/atrial contraction myocardial diastolic peak velocity ratio, 0.60 vs 0.71; P < 0.01 for all). The poorest perinatal outcomes occurred in FGR fetuses with the most impaired cardiac functional indices. When compared with normally grown neonates, FGR neonates showed persistent alteration in cardiac parameters (LV‐SI, 0.53 vs 0.50; RV‐SI, 0.54 vs 0.44; LV torsion, 1.1 °/cm vs 1.4 °/cm; LV myocardial performance index (MPI′), 0.52 vs 0.42; P < 0.01 for all). Paired comparison of fetal vs neonatal cardiac indices in FGR demonstrated that birth was associated with a significant improvement in some, but not all, cardiac indices (RV‐SI, 0.60 vs 0.54; RV‐MPI′, 0.49 vs 0.39; P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

Compared with normal pregnancies, FGR fetuses and neonates at term exhibit altered cardiac indices indicative of myocardial impairment that reflect adaptation to placental hypoxemia and alterations in hemodynamic load around the time of birth. Elucidating potential mechanisms that contribute to the alterations in perinatal cardiac adaptation in FGR could improve management and aid the development of better therapeutic strategies to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Geochemistry of rare-earth elements in thermal waters of Uzon–Geyzernaya hydrothermal system (Kamchatka)
Authors: Karpov G.A. , Schroeder P.A. , Nikolaeva A.G.
Published: August 2018

Precisional analyses of the abundances of La, Ce, and major elements in thermal waters and rocks of the Uzon–Geyzernaya volcanotectonic depression, supplemented by published data on a number of modern high-temperature hydrothermal systems of Kamchatka and two other areas of the world, allowed defining genetically important patterns of rare-earth elements (REE) distribution. The La and Ce abundances positively correlate with silica contents both in fresh igneous rocks of the study areas and in the products formed by hydrothermal processes. All studied hydrothermal clays are enriched in La and Ce. The general enrichment trend is similar to the pattern of positive correlation between the La and Ce abundances. Geothermal waters display a strong relationship between REE enrichment and pH. Enhanced REE enrichment trend is observed in thermal waters with abundant SO42− and K. The REE versus Cl and B diagrams show two individual fields reflecting the level of acidity–alkalinity of thermal waters. These data demonstrate that La and Ce concentrations in the products of modern hydrothermal systems (in fluids and secondary mineral phases) are governed by wallrock composition, anionic water composition, and pH/Eh-dependent adsorption processes.
Platinum-group mineral assemblage of the Prizhimny Creek (Koryak Highland)
Authors: Kutyrev A.V. , Sidorov E.G. , Antonov A.V. , Chubarov V.M.
Published: August 2018

In the alluvial deposits of the Prizhlimny Creek (southern part of the Koryak Highland), grains of platinum-group minerals are found along with gold. We have established that the grains are native platinum (Pt, Fe) containing Cu (up to 5 wt.%), Os (up to 8 wt.%), and Rh (up to 2 wt.%). Inclusions in the platinum are native osmium (the content of Ir impurity reaches 12 wt.%, the average content being 0.2–4 wt.%), an unnamed intermetallic compound of composition PtRh, sulfides and arsenides of PGE (cooperite, laurite, malanite, cuproiridsite, cuprorhodsite, sperrylite, hollingworthite, unnamed compounds PdS, (Ir,Ru)S2, (Ir,Pt)S2, Cu, and Fe (bornite, chalcopyrite), chromite, and Cr-magnetite. Replacement of native-osmium crystals by compound IrO2 is described. It has been established that this compound formed during oxidation accompanied by the replacement of isoferroplatinum by native platinum. The data obtained agree with the results of study of platinum-group mineral assemblages from placers localized in weakly eroded Ural–Alaskan-type massifs whose apical parts formed under high oxygen activity conditions. Clinopyroxenites of the Prizhimny massif are considered to be the potential source of PGE.
The source of sulfur in sulfide deposits in the Siberian Platform traps (from isotope data)
Authors: Ryabov V.V. , Simonov O.N. , Snisar S.G. , Borovikov A.A.
Published: August 2018

The source of sulfur in giant Norilsk-type sulfide deposits is discussed. A review of the state of the problem and a critical analysis of existing hypotheses are made. The distribution of δ34S in sulfides of ore occurrences and small and large deposits and in normal sedimentary, metamorphogenic, and hypogene sulfates is considered. A large number of new δ34S data for sulfides and sulfates in various deposits, volcanic and terrigenous rocks, coals, graphites, and metasomatites are presented. The main attention is focused on the objects of the Norilsk and Kureika ore districts. The δ34S value varies from –14 to + 22.5‰ in sulfides of rocks and ores and from 15.3 to 33‰ in anhydrites. In sulfide–sulfate intergrowths and assemblages, δ34S is within 4.2–14.6‰ in sulfides and within 15.3–21.3‰ in anhydrites. The most isotopically heavy sulfur was found in pyrrhotite veins in basalts (δ34S = 21.6‰), in sulfate veins cutting dolomites (δ34S = 33‰), and in subsidence caldera sulfates in basalts (δ34S = 23.2–25.2‰). Sulfide ores of the Tsentral’naya Shilki intrusion have a heavy sulfur isotope composition (δ34S = + 17.7‰ (n = 15)). Thermobarogeochemical studies of anhydrites have revealed inclusions of different types with homogenization temperatures ranging from 685 °C to 80 °C. Metamorphogenic and hypogene anhydrites are associated with a carbonaceous substance, and hypogene anhydrites have inclusions of chloride-containing salt melts. We assume that sulfur in the trap sulfide deposits was introduced with sulfates of sedimentary rocks (δ34S = 22–24‰). No assimilation of sulfates by basaltic melt took place. The sedimentary anhydrites were “steamed” by hydrocarbons, which led to sulfate reduction and δ34S fractionation. As a result, isotopically light sulfur accumulated in sulfides and hydrogen sulfide, isotopically heavy sulfur was removed by aqueous calcium sulfate solution, and “residual” metamorphogenic anhydrite acquired a lighter sulfur isotope composition as compared with the sedimentary one. The wide variations in δ34S in sulfides and sulfates are due to changes in the physicochemical parameters of the ore-forming system (first of all, temperature and PCH4) during the sulfate reduction. The regional hydrocarbon resources were sufficient for large-scale ore formation.
Thermal field and geothermal models of the lithosphere in the continent–ocean transition zone of northeastern Eurasia
Authors: Gornov P.Yu. , Gil’manova G.Z.
Published: August 2018

The region under study is located in the active “transition zone” from the Eurasian continent to the Pacific Ocean. The zone occupies not only the continent–ocean border area (continental coastline, marginal seas, island arcs, and deep-sea trenches) but also the margins of intracontinental regions of the Eurasian continent with different structures and regimes of development. The transition zone is a natural buffering and damping regulator of the interaction between the Eurasian and Pacific plates and is characterized by intense orogenesis, contemporary volcanism, active seismicity, diverse geothermal regime, and highly nonuniform measured heat-flow values. Available geothermal data for the region are not sufficiently generalized. After the latest maps compiled in the 1990s, new data have been obtained and new geoinformation technologies have been developed. In the study presented in this paper, available geothermal information has been generalized and a detailed heat flow distribution map has been compiled and used to calculate Moho temperatures, to determine the thickness of the “geothermal” lithosphere, and to construct distribution maps of these parameters.
STRONG JUMP-TRACEABILITY
Authors: GREENBERG NOAM , TURETSKY DAN
Published: August 2018

We review the current knowledge concerning strong jump-traceability. We cover the known results relating strong jump-traceability to randomness, and those relating it to degree theory. We also discuss the techniques used in working with strongly jump-traceable sets. We end with a section of open questions.
Rising of the Phoenix: Mitigating Political Risk through Knowledge Management—Behn, Meyer & Co., 1840–1959
Authors: YACOB SHAKILA
Published: August 2018

This article examines how a German firm in the Malay Peninsula—Behn, Meyer & Co.—capitalized on its knowledge management to overcome political risks during the period from 1840 until 1959. During the two world wars, all assets and properties of the Behn Meyer firm were systematically expropriated because of the introduction of the Alien Enemies (Winding Up) Act of 1914 and the subsequent imposition of a ten-year ban by the British colonial administration in the Malay Peninsula. However, Behn Meyer’s resilience and flexible outlook, as demonstrated by its management of political risks during these tumultuous periods, enabled it to rebuild its business interests and reestablish a foothold in postcolonial Malaysia and the region. This article argues that Behn Meyer displayed an exemplary business strategy, utilized its understanding of the geopolitics of the area, and leveraged its local and international networks to ensure its survival and longevity in the most tumultuous period in the history of the world.
Magnetohydrodynamic stability of large scale liquid metal batteries
Authors: Tucs A. , Bojarevics V. , Pericleous K.
Published: August 2018

The aim of this paper is to develop a stability theory and a numerical model for three density-stratified electrically conductive liquid layers. Using regular perturbation methods to reduce the full three-dimensional problem to the shallow layer model, the coupled wave and electric current equations are derived. The problem set-up allows for weakly nonlinear velocity field action and an arbitrary vertical magnetic field. Further linearisation of the coupled equations is used for the linear stability analysis in the case of a uniform vertical magnetic field. New analytical stability criteria accounting for the viscous damping are derived for particular cases of practical interest and compared to the numerical solutions for a variety of materials used in batteries. These new criteria are equally applicable to the aluminium electrolysis cell magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability estimates.
Simulation study of particle clouds in oscillating shear flow
Authors: Howard Amanda A. , Maxey Martin R.
Published: August 2018

Simulations of cylindrical clouds of concentrated, neutrally buoyant, suspended particles are used to investigate the dispersion of the particles in an oscillating Couette flow. In experiments by Metzger & Butler (Phys. Fluids, vol. 24 (2), 2012, 021703) with spherical clouds of non-Brownian particles, the clouds are shown to elongate at volume fraction $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0.4$ but form ‘galaxies’ where the cloud rotates as a single body with extended arms when $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}>0.4$ and the ratio of the cloud radius to particle radius, $R/a$, is sufficiently large. The simulations, which use the force coupling method, are completed for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0.4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0.55$, with $R/a$ between $5$ and $20$. The cloud shape for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0.4$ is shown to be reversible at low strain amplitude, and extend in the streamwise direction along the centre of the cloud at moderate strain amplitude. For higher strain amplitude the clouds extend near the channel walls to form a parallelogram. The results demonstrate that the particle contact force determines the transition between these states and plays a large role in the irreversibility of the parallelograms. Rotating galaxies form at $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0.55$ with $R/a\geqslant 15$, and are characterized by a particle-induced flow in the wall-normal direction.
Examining a Most Likely Case for Strong Campaign Effects: Hitler’s Speeches and the Rise of the Nazi Party, 1927–1933
Authors: SELB PETER , MUNZERT SIMON
Published: August 2018

Hitler’s rise to power amidst an unprecedented propaganda campaign initiated scholarly interest in campaign effects. To the surprise of many, empirical studies often found minimal effects. The predominant focus of early work was on U.S. elections, though. Nazi propaganda as the archetypal and, in many ways, most likely case for strong effects has rarely been studied. We collect extensive data about Hitler’s speeches and gauge their impact on voter support at five national elections preceding the dictatorship. We use a semi-parametric difference-in-differences approach to estimate effects in the face of potential confounding due to the deliberate scheduling of events. Our findings suggest that Hitler’s speeches, while rationally targeted, had a negligible impact on the Nazis’ electoral fortunes. Only the 1932 presidential runoff, an election preceded by an extraordinarily short, intense, and one-sided campaign, yielded positive effects. This study questions the importance of charismatic leaders for the success of populist movements.
Précis of Regard for Reason in the Moral Mind
Authors: May Joshua
Published: August 2018

Regard for Reason in the Moral Mind argues that a careful examination of the scientific literature reveals a foundational role for reasoning in moral thought and action. Grounding moral psychology in reason then paves the way for a defense of moral knowledge and virtue against a variety of empirical challenges, such as debunking arguments and situationist critiques. The book attempts to provide a corrective to current trends in moral psychology, which celebrate emotion over reason and generate pessimism about the psychological mechanisms underlying commonsense morality. Ultimately, there is rationality in ethics not just despite but in virtue of the neurobiological and evolutionary materials that shape moral cognition and motivation.
Trends in women's informal eldercare in China, 1991–2011: an age–period–cohort analysis
Authors: Luo Meng Sha , Chui Ernest Wing Tak
Published: August 2018

Although many studies have described society-wide changes in adult women's care-giving for ageing family members, few have examined how this informal eldercare has changed across care-givers’ lifecourse and the temporal changes across different time periods and birth cohorts. Using a hierarchical age–period–cohort model to disentangle the confounding effects of age, period and cohort, this study examines the lifecourse and temporal changes in women's informal eldercare in China that can be attributed to the processes of ageing and social transformation. It advances understanding of the extent to which urbanisation and education have affected women's care-giving over time. The results reveal positive age, period and cohort effects which, together, indicate that the tradition ofxiao(filial piety) is in a stable state or even resurgent. Higher education and urban residency are both positively related to women's care-giving behaviour. As women age, the gap between residency differences in eldercare decreases. This study supports the argument thatxiaoculture is resilient and resistant to change, and that education can function as an enabler to promote it.
Detection of modified measles and super-spreader using a real-time reverse transcription PCR in the largest measles outbreak, Yamagata, Japan, 2017 in its elimination era
Authors: Seto J. , Ikeda T. , Tanaka S. , Komabayashi K. , Matoba Y. , Suzuki Y. , Takeuchi S. , Yamauchi T. , Mizuta K.
Published: August 2018

We aimed to verify the effectiveness of real-time reverse transcription (rRT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting cases of modified measles (M-Me) and for predicting super-spreader candidates through the experience of a measles outbreak dominated by M-Me in Yamagata, Japan, during March–April 2017. We applied rRT-PCR to specimens from 35 cases of M-Me, nine cases of typical measles (T-Me) and nine cases of prodromal stage of T-Me (P-Me). From rRT-PCR among the M-Me cases, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed the highest positive rate (80.0%), followed by throat swab (48.6%), urine (33.3%) and serum (3.1%). The negative result of PBMC in M-Me cases was recovered by the result of a throat swab. In specimens of PBMC, throat swab and urine, M-Me group showed the significantly higher cycle of threshold (i.e., lower viral load) in the rRT-PCR than T-Me and P-Me groups, respectively. Furthermore, three super-spreaders in T-Me or P-Me showed an extremely low cycle of threshold in their throat swab specimens. rRT-PCR using PBMC and throat swab might be helpful for clinical management and measles control by certain detection of M-Me cases and by predicting super-spreading events resulting from measles cases with the high viral load.
An improved method for the rapid isolation of RNA from Arabidopsis and seeds of other species high in polyphenols and polysaccharides
Authors: Footitt Steven , Awan Sajjad , Finch-Savage William E.
Published: August 2018

Seeds are notoriously high in polyphenols and polysaccharides, which reduce RNA quality and yield, and interfere with downstream applications. We present simple modifications to a rapid RNA extraction protocol for use with seeds. The inclusion of polyethylene glycol in place of polyvinylpyrrolidone reduced polyphenol and polysaccharide contamination. In addition, replacing NaCl with KCl improved the RNA yield from Arabidopsis seeds still bound by mucilage. On extraction of Arabidopsis seed recovered from field soils clean RNA pellets with no accompanying gelatinous matrix (polysaccharide) were seen, with A260/230 ratios greater than 1.8 confirming the lack of polysaccharide carry-over. WhenBrassica oleraceaandSinapis arvensisseeds were extracted, 260/230 ratios greater than 1.8 were seen. RNA yields in excess of 10 µg per 100 mg seed suitable for RT-QPCR were obtained.
Relative validity and reproducibility of dietary quality scores from a short diet screener in a multi-ethnic Asian population
Authors: Whitton Clare , Ho Jolene Chien Yee , Rebello Salome A , van Dam Rob M
Published: August 2018

Objective

Short screeners for assessing dietary quality are lacking in Asia. We recently developed a short thirty-seven-item diet screener (DS). The present study aimed to evaluate reproducibility and relative validity of the DS in assessinga prioridietary quality indices (DQI; i.e. the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMed) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet) and intakes of selected foods.

Design

DS administration and biomarker measurement took place twice within a 4-month interval. A 163-item FFQ was administered one month after the second DS administration.

Setting

Singapore, a multi-ethnic urban Asian country.

Subjects

Singapore residents (n161) aged 18–79 years, of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicity.

Results

Reproducibility coefficients for the two DS were 0·71 (DQI) and 0·65 (food groups). Correlations (ρ) between mean DS and FFQ DQI scores were 0·51 (AHEI-2010), 0·50 (aMed) and 0·61 (DASH; allP<0·05). Cohen’s weighted kappa indicated moderate agreement between the two measures (κw=0·48–0·58). DS DQI scores were associated with concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin (AHEI-2010,ρ=0·26;P<0·05), odd-chain SFA (aMed,ρ=0·24; DASH,ρ=0·25; bothP<0·05), and enterolactone, total carotenoids, PUFA and α-linolenic acid (all scores,ρ=0·17–0·30; allP<0·05). Scores were not associated with isoflavone or long-chainn-3 PUFA concentrations.

Conclusions

A short screener can be used to assess DQI with good reproducibility and relative validity compared with a longer FFQ in an Asian population.
A new tetrapod from Romer's Gap reveals an early adaptation for walking
Authors: Smithson Timothy R. , Clack Jennifer A.
Published: August 2018

A new early tetrapod,Mesanerpeton woodi gen. et sp. nov., collected by Stan Wood from the Ballagan Formation, Tournaisian CM palynozone, at Willie's Hole, Scottish Borders, is described. It includes vertebrae like those ofCrassigyrinus,with poorly developed neural arches, a well ossified ulna with a large olecranon, and a humerus that is structurally intermediate between the pleisiomorphic condition of Devonian taxa and that of all later forms. A comparative analysis of this new material and other tetrapodomorph humeri revealed how an increase in humeral torsion transformed the course of the brachial artery and median nerve through the bone, from an entirely ventral path to one in which the blood vessel and nerve passed through the entepicondyle from the dorsal to the ventral surface. Increasing humeral torsion is suggested to improve walking in early tetrapods by potentially contributing to an increase in stride length, and is one of a number of changes to limb morphology during the Early Carboniferous that led to the development of terrestrial locomotion.
ACrassigyrinus-like jaw from the Tournaisian (Early Mississippian) of Scotland
Authors: Clack Jennifer A. , Porro Laura B. , Bennett Carys E.
Published: August 2018

The early tetrapodCrassigyrinus scoticuswas a large aquatic predator from the mid Carboniferous (late Viséan or early Serpukovian) of Scotland, around 330 My in age. There are five main specimens with cranial remains: an articulated skeleton; two incomplete skulls; and two lower jaws.Crassigyrinusretains several apparently primitive features of the palatal dentition and lower jaw, and its phylogenetic position is disputed. A partial lower jaw resembling that ofCrassigyrinuswas discovered at Burnmouth in the Borders region of Scotland. The horizon in which it was found is dated as late Tournaisian, CM palynozone, around 350 My in age. Though it lacks dentition, the jaw preserves much of the postsplenial, angular and surangular, whose appearance externally and internally is almost identical to that ofC. scoticus. Internally, the jaw shows a similarly limited extent of the suturing between the splenial series and the prearticular, a primitive condition. Externally, the type and distribution of dermal ornamentation closely matches that ofC. scoticus, as does the deeply excavated and marginally positioned lateral line groove. As well as external and internal features, all specimens ofC. scoticusare of similar skull size, though the Burnmouth jaw is somewhat smaller. If correctly attributable toCrassigyrinus, this specimen extends the existence of the genus by approximately 20 million years towards the base of the Carboniferous.
Glencartholm revisited: describing for the first time Stan Wood's discovery and excavation of Mumbie Quarry, adjacent to the important Palaeozoic fossil site of Glencartholm
Authors: Wood Margaret
Published: August 2018

Glencartholm in Dumfries and Galloway, Southern Scotland, is one of the most important Palaeozoic fossil fish sites in the world, with a fauna containing more than 30 species. Originally discovered in the bank of the River Esk in 1879, further collecting in the 1930s removed all the accessible fossiliferous strata. These strata were not known to occur elsewhere and despite the site's international importance, details of the section including the fossil bearing beds have not been described. An excavation of a new exposure at Mumbie, 50 metres east of the original site, was undertaken by Stan Wood in the 1990s. Sediments were logged over an 18-metre section. Three separate fish beds were identified and more than 200 specimens of ray-finned fish collected, including one possible new species. Differences in scale colour enables fishes from the different horizons to be distinguished. This should allow material collected previously to be more accurately assigned and assist palaeoecological analysis of the site. In addition to ray-finned fish, cartilaginous fishes were collected together with plants, bivalves, crustaceans, scorpions and horseshoe crabs which have not previously been reported from Glencartholm.
A Low-profile planar monopole internal antenna for GSM/DCS/PCS/IMT/UMTS/WLAN/ISM/LTE operation in the Mobile phones
Authors: Belrhiti Lakbir , Riouch Fatima , Tribak Abdelwahed , Terhzaz Jaouad , Sanchez Angel Mediavilla
Published: August 2018

In this paper, a novel low-profile planar monopole internal antenna for GSM/DCS/PCS/ IMT/UMTS/WLAN/ISM/LTE operation in the mobile phones is designed and developed. The proposed antenna is composed of multi-branches, F-shaped slots in the system ground plane and tapered feeding line which can improve the impedance matching at the feeding point. The antenna occupying a small area of 18.5 × 46 mm2is placed on the top no-ground portion of the system circuit board, which makes it suitable for practical mobile applications. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and tested. In addition, the planar monopole antenna can provide two wide lower and upper bands to respectively cover the frequency range of 848–1152 MHz, and 1736–3000 MHz, for the GSM850/GSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900/IMT2000/UMTS2100/WLAN2400/ISM2450/LTE2300/LTE2500 operation in the mobile phone. Good radiation patterns and antenna peak gain for frequencies over the operating bands have been observed. The antenna is simulated and designed by using Ansoft HFSS and CST Microwave Studio. Details of the antenna design, results on the reflection coefficient, radiation characteristics, directivity, antenna gain, realized gain, and efficiency of the antenna are given and discussed. Finally, the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the proposed antenna placed at the bottom of the mobile phone is also investigated. The obtained SAR values meet the limit of 1.6 W/kg for the 1 g head tissue and 2.0 W/kg for the 10 g head tissue.
Observation and Modeling of Hydrothermal Response to the 2015 Eruption at Axial Seamount, Northeast Pacific
Authors: Xu Guangyu , Chadwick William W. , Wilcock William S. D. , Bemis Karen G. , Delaney John
Published: August 2018

The 2015 eruption at Axial Seamount, an active volcano at a depth of 1500 m in the Northeast Pacific, marked the first time a seafloor eruption was detected and monitored by an in situ cabled observatory—the Cabled Array, which is part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative. After the onset of the eruption, eight cabled and noncabled instruments on the seafloor recorded unusual, nearly synchronous and spatially uniform temperature increases of 0.6–0.7°C across the southern half of the caldera and neighboring areas. These temperature signals were substantially different from those observed after the 2011 and 1998 eruptions at Axial and hence cannot be explained by emplacement of the 2015 lava flows on the seafloor. In this study, we investigate several possible explanations for the 2015 temperature anomalies and use a numerical model to test our preferred hypothesis that the temperature increases were caused by the release of a warm, dense brine that had previously been stored in the crust. If our interpretation is correct, this is the first time that the release of a hydrothermal brine has been observed due to a submarine eruption. This observation would have important implications for the salt balance of hydrothermal systems and the fate of brines stored in the subsurface. The observation of the 2015 temperature anomalies and the modeling presented in this study also demonstrate the importance of contemporaneous water column observations to better understand hydrothermal impacts of submarine eruptions.
Genetic association and meta-analysis of a schizophrenia GWAS variant rs10489202 in East Asian populations
Authors: Yang Yongfeng , Wang Lu , Li Lingyi , Li Wenqiang , Zhang Yan , Chang Hong , Xiao Xiao , Li Ming , Lv Luxian
Published: August 2018

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) suggest that rs10489202 in the intron of MPC2 (mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2) is a risk locus for schizophrenia in Han Chinese populations. To validate this discovery, we conducted a replication analysis in an independent case-control sample of Han Chinese ancestry (437 cases and 2031 controls), followed by a meta-analytic investigation in multiple East Asian samples. In the replication analysis, rs10489202 showed marginal association with schizophrenia (two-tailed P = 0.071, OR = 1.192 for T allele); in the meta-analysis using a total of 14,340 cases and 20,349 controls from ten East Asian samples, rs10489202 was genome-wide significantly associated with schizophrenia (two-tailed P = 3.39 × 10–10, OR = 1.161 for T allele, under the fixed-effect model). We then performed an explorative investigation of the association between this SNP and bipolar disorder, as well as a major depressive disorder, and the schizophrenia-predisposing allele was associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder in East Asians (two-tailed P = 2.49 × 10–2, OR = 1.103 for T allele). Furthermore, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis in lymphoblastoid cell lines from East Asian donors (N = 85 subjects) revealed that rs10489202 was specifically and significantly associated with the expression of TIPRL gene (P = 5.67 × 10–4). Taken together, our data add further support for the genetic involvement of this genomic locus in the susceptibility to schizophrenia in East Asian populations, and also provide preliminary evidence for the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Single-molecule detection with a millimetre-sized transistor
Authors: Macchia Eleonora , Manoli Kyriaki , Holzer Brigitte , Di Franco Cinzia , Ghittorelli Matteo , Torricelli Fabrizio , Alberga Domenico , Mangiatordi Giuseppe Felice , Palazzo Gerardo , Scamarcio Gaetano , Torsi Luisa
Published: August 2018

Label-free single-molecule detection has been achieved so far by funnelling a large number of ligands into a sequence of single-binding events with few recognition elements host on nanometric transducers. Such approaches are inherently unable to sense a cue in a bulk milieu. Conceptualizing cells’ ability to sense at the physical limit by means of highly-packed recognition elements, a millimetric sized field-effect-transistor is used to detect a single molecule. To this end, the gate is bio-functionalized with a self-assembled-monolayer of 1012capturing anti-Immunoglobulin-G and is endowed with a hydrogen-bonding network enabling cooperative interactions. The selective and label-free single molecule IgG detection is strikingly demonstrated in diluted saliva while 15 IgGs are assayed in whole serum. The suggested sensing mechanism, triggered by the affinity binding event, involves a work-function change that is assumed to propagate in the gating-field through the electrostatic hydrogen-bonding network. The proposed immunoassay platform is general and can revolutionize the current approach to protein detection.
Post-polymerisation functionalisation of conjugated polymer backbones and its application in multi-functional emissive nanoparticles
Authors: Creamer Adam , Wood Christopher S. , Howes Philip D. , Casey Abby , Cong Shengyu , Marsh Adam V. , Godin Robert , Panidi Julianna , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Burgess Claire H. , Wu Tingman , Fei Zhuping , Hamilton Iain , McLachlan Martyn A. , Stevens Molly M. , Heeney Martin
Published: August 2018

Backbone functionalisation of conjugated polymers is crucial to their performance in many applications, from electronic displays to nanoparticle biosensors, yet there are limited approaches to introduce functionality. To address this challenge we have developed a method for the direct modification of the aromatic backbone of a conjugated polymer, post-polymerisation. This is achieved via a quantitative nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reaction on a range of fluorinated electron-deficient comonomers. The method allows for facile tuning of the physical and optoelectronic properties within a batch of consistent molecular weight and dispersity. It also enables the introduction of multiple different functional groups onto the polymer backbone in a controlled manner. To demonstrate the versatility of this reaction, we designed and synthesised a range of emissive poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT)-based polymers for the creation of mono and multifunctional semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) capable of two orthogonal bioconjugation reactions on the same surface.
Creating solvation environments in heterogeneous catalysts for efficient biomass conversion
Authors: Sun Qi , Wang Sai , Aguila Briana , Meng Xiangju , Ma Shengqian , Xiao Feng-Shou
Published: August 2018

Chemical transformations are highly sensitive toward changes in the solvation environment and solvents have long been used to control their outcome. Reactions display unique performance in solvents like ionic liquids or DMSO, however, isolating products from them is cumbersome and energy-consuming. Here, we develop promising alternatives by constructing solvent moieties into porous materials, which in turn serve as platforms for introducing catalytic species. Due to the high density of the solvent moieties, these porous solid solvents (PSSs) retain solvation ability, which greatly influences the performance of incorporated active sites via concerted non-covalent substrate–catalyst interactions. As a proof-of-concept, the -SO3H-incorporated PSSs exhibit high yields of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in THF, which exceeds the best results reported using readily separable solvents and even rivals those in ionic liquids or DMSO. Given the wide application, our strategy provides a step forward towards sustainable synthesis by eliminating the concerns with separation unfriendly solvents.
Pan-cancer deconvolution of tumour composition using DNA methylation
Authors: Chakravarthy Ankur , Furness Andrew , Joshi Kroopa , Ghorani Ehsan , Ford Kirsty , Ward Matthew J. , King Emma V. , Lechner Matt , Marafioti Teresa , Quezada Sergio A. , Thomas Gareth J. , Feber Andrew , Fenton Tim R.
Published: August 2018

The nature and extent of immune cell infiltration into solid tumours are key determinants of therapeutic response. Here, using a DNA methylation-based approach to tumour cell fraction deconvolution, we report the integrated analysis of tumour composition and genomics across a wide spectrum of solid cancers. Initially studying head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, we identify two distinct tumour subgroups: ‘immune hot’ and ‘immune cold’, which display differing prognosis, mutation burden, cytokine signalling, cytolytic activity and oncogenic driver events. We demonstrate the existence of such tumour subgroups pan-cancer, link clonal-neoantigen burden to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration, and show that transcriptional signatures of hot tumours are selectively engaged in immunotherapy responders. We also find that treatment-naive hot tumours are markedly enriched for known immune-resistance genomic alterations, potentially explaining the heterogeneity of immunotherapy response and prognosis seen within this group. Finally, we define a catalogue of mediators of active antitumour immunity, deriving candidate biomarkers and potential targets for precision immunotherapy.