bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the potential of humour in EFL classrooms: An attitudinal study
Authors: Gonulal Talip
Published: June 2018

Studies on humour have indicated that humour has a lot to offer to both language teachers and learners. Creating a positive classroom environment and lowering affective barriers to language learning are among the several effects of humour. However, the appreciation of humour can be culture-specific and context-dependent. For example, greater values may lie in the employment of humour in English as a foreign language (EFL) settings such as Turkey where the communicative-oriented teaching methods are still in their infancy stage. The current study, therefore, examined the potentials of humour from Turkish EFL learners’ perspective to elicit their opinions regarding the importance and potent roles of humour in EFL classrooms. In this attitudinal study, a mixed-methods design was used. A comprehensive humour perception questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were employed. Two hundred and fifty college EFL students completed the humour survey and eight of them participated in the follow-up interviews. The results indicated that Turkish college-level EFL students have largely positive attitudes towards using humour in English classrooms. Additionally, students considered humour as an effective pedagogical tool that can increase their attentiveness, attention span, confidence in English classrooms, and teacher-student solidarity, as well.
Jokes, aporia and undecidability
Authors: Segal Alex Phillip
Published: June 2018

Derrida saw laughter as a version of aporia; and he linked aporia to an undecidability that he ties to fiction. I argue that such undecidability contributes to some jokes. Sometimes this undecidability enables the joke to combine plausibility and delightfulness. More interesting and more aporetic is the way that undecidability contributes to jokes that foreground their textual status (some meta-jokes for instance) and those that have an effect of unfathomability. The jokes considered include one on which Derrida commented and another which was told at his Columbia University memorial service.
Light‐Activatable Assembled Nanoparticles to Improve Tumor Penetration and Eradicate Metastasis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Ji Jianfeng , Ma Fei , Zhang Hongbo , Liu Fengyong , He Jian , Li Wanlin , Xie Tingting , Zhong Danni , Zhang Tingting , Tian Mei , Zhang Hong , Santos Hélder A. , Zhou Min
Published: June 2018

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a kind of aggressive malignancy with fast metastatic behavior. Herein, a nanosystem loaded with a near‐infrared (NIR) agent is developed to achieve chemo‐photothermal combination therapy for inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in TNBC. The NIR agent of ultrasmall sized copper sulfide nanodots with strong NIR light‐absorbing capability is entrapped into the doxorubicin‐contained temperature‐sensitive polymer‐based nanosystem by a self‐assembled method. The temperature sensitive nanoclusters (TSNCs) can significantly enhance the drug penetration depth and significantly kill the cancer cells under the near‐infrared laser irradiation. Importantly, it is plausible that the tumor penetrating nanosystem combined with NIR laser irradiation can prevent lung and liver metastasis via extermination of the cancer stem cells. The in vivo characteristics, evaluated by photoacoustic imaging, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution, confirm their feasibility for tumor treatment owing to their long blood circulation time and high tumor uptake. Thanks to the high tumor uptake and highly potent antitumor efficacy, the doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity can be avoided when the TSNC is used. Taken together, it is believed that the nanosystem has excellent potential for clinical translation.
The Advanced Designs of High‐Performance Platinum‐Based Electrocatalysts: Recent Progresses and Challenges
Authors: Shao Qi , Li Fumin , Chen Yu , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: June 2018

Platinum (Pt) is considered “the Holy Grail” of electrocatalysts, which has emerged as an important branch in electrocatalysts. Designing electrocatalysts is the first and most important step to achieve Pt with advanced performance. However, the traditional composition and morphology strategies have been unable to further promote the performances of Pt‐based materials. Therefore, some new strategies for advanced Pt‐based catalysts, including phase‐, surface‐, interface‐, and strain‐engineered, emerged at a historic moment, which have harvested unprecedented electrochemical improvements. Herein, recent advances of the above new strategies for designing high‐performance Pt‐based electrocatalysts are highlighted. In each section, the authors first introduce the basic concepts of phase‐, surface‐, interface‐, and strain‐engineered strategies and their essences for improving the electrocatalyic performances. The synthetic methods and electrochemical applications of these catalysts are summarized and demonstrated by representative examples. Finally, the recent challenges and valuable perspectives for the future development of advanced Pt‐based catalysts are proposed.
Highly Doped 3D Graphene Na‐Ion Battery Anode by Laser Scribing Polyimide Films in Nitrogen Ambient
Authors: Zhang Fan , Alhajji Eman , Lei Yongjiu , Kurra Narendra , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: June 2018

Conventional graphite anodes can hardly intercalate sodium (Na) ions, which poses a serious challenge for developing Na‐ion batteries. This study details a novel method that involves single‐step laser‐based transformation of urea‐containing polyimide into an expanded 3D graphene anode, with simultaneous doping of high concentrations of nitrogen (≈13 at%). The versatile nature of this laser‐scribing approach enables direct bonding of the 3D graphene anode to the current collectors without the need for binders or conductive additives, which presents a clear advantage over chemical or hydrothermal methods. It is shown that these conductive and expanded 3D graphene structures perform exceptionally well as anodes for Na‐ion batteries. Specifically, an initial coulombic efficiency (CE) up to 74% is achieved, which exceeds that of most reported carbonaceous anodes, such as hard carbon and soft carbon. In addition, Na‐ion capacity up to 425 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 has been achieved with excellent rate capabilities. Further, a capacity of 148 mAh g−1 at a current density of 10 A g−1 is obtained with excellent cycling stability, opening a new direction for the fabrication of 3D graphene anodes directly on current collectors for metal ion battery anodes as well as other potential applications.
Heterogeneous Molten Salt Design Strategy toward Coupling Cobalt–Cobalt Oxide and Carbon for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Yan Chunshuang , Zhu Yue , Fang Zhiwei , Lv Chade , Zhou Xin , Chen Gang , Yu Guihua
Published: June 2018

Strong coupling between non‐noble metal and carbon materials that enables fast electrochemical reaction kinetics is highly desired in many energy‐related applications. Herein, a volatile organic salt–induced heterogeneous molten salt method is proposed to couple embedded cobalt oxide nanocrystals and encapsulated cobalt nanoparticles on a 2D graphitic carbon matrix, featuring enhanced charge transport and increased exposed active sites. Originating from its unique structure, this hybrid delivers excellent electrocatalytic and electrochemical activity with impressive stability. This work represents a new synthetic strategy to create bridged bonds in 2D‐encapsulated nanostructures for various energy applications.
Highly Stretchable Separator Membrane for Deformable Energy‐Storage Devices
Authors: Shin Myoungsoo , Song Woo‐Jin , Son Hye Bin , Yoo Seungmin , Kim Sungho , Song Gyujin , Choi Nam‐Soon , Park Soojin
Published: June 2018

With the emergence of stretchable electronic devices, there is growing interest in the development of deformable power accessories that can power them. To date, various approaches have been reported for replacing rigid components of typical batteries with elastic materials. Little attention, however, has been paid to stretchable separator membranes that can not only prevent internal short circuit but also provide an ionic conducting pathway between electrodes under extreme physical deformation. Herein, a poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) (SBS) block copolymer–based stretchable separator membrane is fabricated by the nonsolvent‐induced phase separation (NIPS). The diversity of mechanical properties and porous structures can be obtained by using different polymer concentrations and tuning the affinity among major components of NIPS. The stretchable separator membrane exhibits a high stretchability of around 270% strain and porous structure having porosity of 61%. Thus, its potential application as a stretchable separator membrane for deformable energy devices is demonstrated by applying to organic/aqueous electrolyte–based rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries. As a result, these batteries manifest good cycle life and stable capacity retention even under a stretching condition of 100%, without compromising the battery's performance.
SbOx‐promoted pt nanoparticles supported on CNTs as catalysts for base‐free oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone
Authors: Duan Xuezhi , Zhang Yanfang , Pan Minjian , Dong Hua , Chen Bingxu , Ma Yuanyuan , Qian Gang , Zhou Xinggui , Yang Jia , Chen De
Published: June 2018

Understanding of selective base‐free oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (DHA) over Pt‐based catalysts is of paramount scientific and industrial importance. In this work, a comparative study between differently sized SbOx‐promoted and unpromoted Pt/CNTs catalysts is carried out to decouple the promoter effects from the metal size effects. The introduction of SbOx appears to enhance both the glycerol oxidation activity and the DHA selectivity, and the largely sized promoted Pt/CNTs catalysts afford a relatively high DHA yield and less C–C bond cleavage. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements reveal that the Sb species are mainly in the form of SbOx, and the differently sized promoted catalysts show similar metal binding energies. Furthermore, theoretical studies on the promotional effects of SbOx are carried out by DFT calculations. It is found that the presence of the promoter on the catalyst surface favors the preferential activation of the secondary hydroxyl group. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3979–3987, 2018
Assessment of mesoscale solid stress in coarse‐grid TFM simulation of Geldart A particles in all fluidization regimes
Authors: Gao Xi , Li Tingwen , Rogers William A.
Published: June 2018

This study focused on assessing the effect of mesoscale solid stress in the coarse grid two‐fluid model (TFM) simulation of gas–solid fluidized beds of Geldart Group A particles over a broad range of flow regimes, including bubbling, turbulent, fast, and pneumatic transport fluidization regimes. Particularly, the impact of mesoscale solid pressure, mesoscale solid viscosity, and mesoscale solid stress anisotropy were investigated by comparing six different coarse‐grid TFM settings. Compared with the available experimental data, it is found that both the kinetic theory‐based TFM with only drag correction and the filtered TFM can predict the flow behavior in all fluidization regimes. Mesoscale solid pressure and viscosity have the opposite impact on flow hydrodynamics; they compete and offset each other, which confirms the assumption employed in many previous studies that the mesoscale solid stress could be neglected in coarse‐grid TFM simulation. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. AIChE J, 64: 3565–3581, 2018
Investigation of hydrodynamic performance and effective mass transfer area for Sulzer DX structured packing
Authors: Gao Hongxia , Liu Sen , Luo Xiao , Zhang Haiyan , Liang Zhiwu
Published: June 2018

The hydrodynamic performance in terms of pressure drop (▵P) and liquid holdup (hL), and tshe effective mass transfer area (ae) of Sulzer DX structured packing were investigated at 293.15 K and 101.3 kPa. In addition, the flooding velocity (uF) was also calculated based on the experimental results of liquid holdup, and the effective voidage correction factor (ς) was obtained by combining the Billet model and the experimental effective fraction. The liquid volume method and pressure difference from just below to above the column packing approach are used to describe the hydrodynamic performance in a structured packing column. Experimental results showed that the operational conditions in terms of gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, viscosity, and liquid systems strongly affect the hydrodynamic performance. The experimental comparison between the pressure drop profiles in air‐water (polyethylene oxide [PEO]) and MEA‐H2O‐CO2 systems indicated that both the reacting MEA and CO2 partial pressure can enhance the pressure drop value. In addition, the Bain‐Haugen correlation model was developed to predict the flooding velocity data with an acceptable AARD of 8.1%, and a model was also successfully proposed to predict the values of liquid holdup with an AARD of 11.8%, which is lower than 14.7% in Billet model. Furthermore, the effective mass transfer area was found to be increased by increasing both the liquid and gas flow rate by using NaOH‐H2O‐CO2 system. A model was also proposed to calculate the experimental ae with an acceptable AARD% of 19.52, and this built model (Eq. 39) can reasonably explain the experimental phenomenon. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3625–3637, 2018
Three‐dimensionally printed bioinspired superhydrophobic PLA membrane for oil‐water separation
Authors: Xing Ruizhe , Huang Renliang , Qi Wei , Su Rongxin , He Zhimin
Published: June 2018

A novel lotus‐leaf‐inspired superhydrophobic poly(lactic acid) (PLA) porous membrane was fabricated for oil‐water separation based on fused deposition modeling three‐dimensional printing and subsequent chemical etching and the decoration of polystyrene nanospheres. A superhydrophobic PLA fractal surface with a water contact angle of 151.7° and low water adhesion force of 21.8 μN was achieved. The membrane pore size could be easily adjusted from 40 to 600 μm via a computer‐aided design program to optimize separation performance. The maximal oil‐water separation efficiency of 99.4% was achieved with a pore size of 250 μm, which also exhibited a high flux of 60 kL m−2 h−1. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3700–3708, 2018
Cubosomen: die nächste Generation intelligenter Lipid‐Nanopartikel?
Authors: Barriga Hanna M. G. , Holme Margaret N. , Stevens Molly M.
Published: June 2018

Cubosomen sind hochstabile Nanopartikel, die aus einer kubischen Lipidphase gebildet und durch eine polymerbasierte äußere Hülle stabilisiert werden. Lipidische kubische Phasen bestehen aus einer einzigen Lipid‐Doppelschicht, die eine kontinuierliche periodische Membran‐Gitterstruktur mit Poren aufweist, die von zwei miteinander verwobenen Wasserkanälen gebildet wird. Die Porengröße kann durch die Cubosom‐Zusammensetzung angepasst werden. Dabei können die Cubosomen auch bioaktive Lipide enthalten. Zusätzlich kann die äußere Polymerhülle als Target verwendet werden und ist unter physiologischen Bedingungen sehr stabil. Die Cubosomstruktur bietet eine deutlich höhere Membranoberfläche für die Beladung von Membranproteinen und kleinen Wirkstoffmolekülen als Liposomen. Aufgrund der jüngsten Fortschritte können sie in vitro sowohl als Bulkmaterial als auch als Nanopartikel für Wirkstoff‐Transporte, Membranbioreaktoren, künstliche Zellen und Biosensoren genutzt werden. Dieser Aufsatz skizziert die jüngsten Fortschritte in der Cubosom‐Technologie und liefert Empfehlungen für die zielgerichtete Entwicklung neuer Systeme für biomedizinische Anwendungen.
Benzofurazan‐based fluorophore for the selective determination of flupentixol dihydrochloride: Application to content uniformity testing
Authors: Mostafa Islam M. , Derayea Sayed M. , Nagy Dalia M. , Omar Mahmoud A.
Published: June 2018

One of the most commonly used drugs in treatment of schizophrenia is flupentixol dihydrochloride, therefore it is important to develop a simple, low cost and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the estimation of flupentixol dihydrochloride. The yellow fluorescent product that is generated from the nucleophilic substitution reaction of the free lone pair of the alcoholic hydroxyl group of the drug and 4‐chloro‐7‐nitrobenzofurazan (NBD‐Cl) in Mcllvaine buffer pH 7.0 was estimated at 510 nm (λex 460 nm). The variables that affect the development of the reaction product were explored and optimized. The linear range of this method was 0.5–2.5 μg ml−1 with a limit of quantitation equal to 0.29 μg ml−1. Our method was successfully applied for the assurance of flupentixol in tablet form with average percentage recovery of 99.08 ± 1.01% without obstruction from the basic excipients exhibits. Furthermore, our strategy was extended to study the content uniformity testing of flupentixol in Fluaxnol® tablets.
Breast-conserving surgery followed by whole-breast irradiation offers survival benefits over mastectomy without irradiation
Authors: de Boniface J , Frisell J , Bergkvist L , Andersson Y
Published: June 2018

Background

The prognostic equivalence between mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy was shown in pivotal trials conducted decades ago. Since then, detection and treatment of breast cancer have improved substantially and recent retrospective analyses point towards a survival benefit for less extensive breast surgery. Evidence for the association of such survival data with locoregional recurrence rates is largely lacking.

Methods

The Swedish Multicentre Cohort Study prospectively included clinically node-negative patients with breast cancer who had planned sentinel node biopsy between 2000 and 2004. Axillary lymph node dissection was undertaken only in patients with sentinel node metastases. For the present investigation, adjusted survival analyses were used to compare patients who underwent BCS and postoperative radiotherapy with those who received mastectomy without radiotherapy.

Results

Of 3518 patients in the Swedish Multicentre Cohort Study, 2767 were included in the present analysis; 2338 had BCS with postoperative radiotherapy and 429 had mastectomy without radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 156 months. BCS followed by whole-breast irradiation was superior to mastectomy without irradiation in terms of both overall survival (79·5 versus 64·3 per cent respectively at 13 years; P < 0·001) and breast cancer-specific survival (90·5 versus 84·0 per cent at 13 years; P < 0·001). The local recurrence rate did not differ between the two groups. The axillary recurrence-free survival rate at 13 years was significantly lower after mastectomy without irradiation (98·3 versus 96·2 per cent; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

The present data support the superiority of BCS with postoperative radiotherapy over mastectomy without radiotherapy. The axillary recurrence rate differed significantly, and could be one contributing factor in a complex explanatory model.
Surgery in space
Authors: Panesar S S , Ashkan K
Published: June 2018

Background

There has been renewed public interest in manned space exploration owing to novel initiatives by private and governmental bodies. Long-term goals include manned missions to, and potential colonization of, nearby planets. Travel distances and mission length required for these would render Earth-based treatment and telemedical solutions unfeasible. These issues present an anticipatory challenge to planners, and novel or adaptive medical technologies must therefore be devised to diagnose and treat the range of medical issues that future space travellers will encounter.

Methods

The aim was to conduct a search of the literature pertaining to human physiology, pathology, trauma and surgery in space.

Results

Known physiological alterations include fluid redistribution, cardiovascular changes, bone and muscle atrophy, and effects of ionizing radiation. Potential pathological mechanisms identified include trauma, cancer and common surgical conditions, such as appendicitis.

Conclusion

Potential surgical treatment modalities must consist of self-sufficient and adaptive technology, especially in the face of uncertain pathophysiological mechanisms and logistical concerns.
A genome‐wide analysis of long noncoding RNA profile identifies differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with Esophageal cancer
Authors: Liu Wenjia , Zhang Yiyang , Chen Min , Shi Liangliang , Xu Lei , Zou Xiaoping
Published: June 2018

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. However, the mechanism of esophageal cancer pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation have been reported to involve in various human cancers, which highlights the potential of lncRNAs used as novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Although more efforts have been made to identify novel lncRNAs signature in esophageal cancer, the expression pattern, prognostic value, and biological function of most lncRNAs in esophageal cancer still need to be systematically investigated. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the expression profile of lncRNAs in more than 200 esophageal cancer patients tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We identified thousands of lncRNAs are differentially expressed in esophageal cancer tissues, and many of those lncRNAs expression are associated with patients overall survival or recurrence‐free survival time. Moreover, copy number variation analyses revealed that genomic loci copy number amplification or deletion might contribute to these lncRNAs dysregulation. Among these lncRNAs, DUXAP8 and LINC00460 were significantly upregulated, and GO enrichment analyses indicated that the two lncRNAs associated protein‐coding genes involve with many known biological processes, such as cell cycle and cell‐cell adherens junction. Further experimental validation revealed that knockdown of DUXAP8 could impair esophageal cancer cells proliferation and invasion in vitro. Taken together, our findings identified more aberrantly expressed lncRNAs in esophageal cancer that may provide a useful resource for identifying novel esophageal cancer associated lncRNAs.
Positive and negative behavioural intentions towards refugees in Turkey: The roles of national identification, threat, and humanitarian concern
Authors: Yitmen Şenay , Verkuyten Maykel
Published: June 2018

The present research investigated positive and negative behavioural intentions towards Syrian refugees in Turkey. The behavioural intentions were examined in relation to national identification, perception of threat, and humanitarian concerns. A questionnaire was conducted among Turkish participants (n = 605) and the results showed that respondents made a distinction between negative and positive behavioural intentions towards Syrian refugees. Further, higher national identification was associated with more negative and less positive behavioural intentions, and perception of threat was responsible for these associations. In addition, humanitarian concern was associated with more positive behavioural intentions and less negative ones. Additionally, stronger humanitarian concern weakened the association between threat perceptions and negative behavioural intentions but also strengthened the association between higher threat and lower positive behavioural intentions.
A human and group behavior simulation evaluation framework utilizing composition and video analysis
Authors: Dupre Rob , Argyriou Vasileios
Published: June 2018

In this work, we present the modular crowd simulation evaluation through composition framework, which provides a quantitative comparison between different pedestrian and crowd simulation approaches. Evaluation is made based on the comparison of source footage against synthetic video created through novel composition techniques. The proposed framework seeks to reduce the complexity of simulation evaluation and provide a platform from which the comparison of differing simulation algorithms and parametric tuning can be conducted to improve simulation accuracy or provide measures of similarity between crowd simulation algorithms and source data. Through the use of features designed to mimic the human visual system, specific simulation properties can be evaluated relative to sample footage. Validation was performed on a number of popular crowd data sets and through comparisons of multiple pedestrian and crowd simulation algorithms.
Sequence‐Based In‐silico Discovery, Characterisation, and Biocatalytic Application of a Set of Imine Reductases
Authors: Velikogne Stefan , Resch Verena , Dertnig Carina , Schrittwieser Joerg H. , Kroutil Wolfgang
Published: June 2018

Imine reductases (IREDs) have recently become a primary focus of research in biocatalysis, complementing other classes of amine‐forming enzymes such as transaminases and amine dehydrogenases. Following in the footsteps of other research groups, we have established a set of IRED biocatalysts by sequence‐based in silico enzyme discovery. In this study, we present basic characterisation data for these novel IREDs and explore their activity and stereoselectivity using a panel of structurally diverse cyclic imines as substrates. Specific activities of >1 U/mg and excellent stereoselectivities (ee>99 %) were observed in many cases, and the enzymes proved surprisingly tolerant towards elevated substrate loadings. Co‐expression of the IREDs with an alcohol dehydrogenase for cofactor regeneration led to whole‐cell biocatalysts capable of efficiently reducing imines at 100 mM initial concentration with no need for the addition of extracellular nicotinamide cofactor. Preparative biotransformations on gram scale using these ‘designer cells’ afforded chiral amines in good yield and excellent optical purity.
Sintering‐Resistant Metal Catalysts Supported on Concave‐Convex Surface of TiO2 Nanoparticle Assemblies
Authors: Duriyasart Farkfun , Irizawa Akito , Hayashi Kahoko , Ohtani Masataka , Kobiro Kazuya
Published: June 2018

We herein describe a novel use of spherical nanoparticle assemblies of TiO2 with ultrafine surface concave‐convex structure as a catalyst support to prevent the sintering of dispersed metal nanoparticles. Owing to the unique surface structure derived from their fine primary particles, the TiO2 nanoparticle assemblies show excellent dispersion ability of Au nanoparticles on their rough surface. Extremely exothermic CO oxidation as a probe reaction confirmed the high catalytic activity and stability of Au nanoparticles on the TiO2 support and sintering resistance even after several cycles of the heat stress reaction at high temperatures.
Terminal Alkenes from Acrylic Acid Derivatives via Non‐Oxidative Enzymatic Decarboxylation by Ferulic Acid Decarboxylases
Authors: Aleku Godwin A. , Prause Christoph , Bradshaw‐Allen Ruth T. , Plasch Katharina , Glueck Silvia M. , Bailey Samuel S. , Payne Karl A. P. , Parker David A. , Faber Kurt , Leys David
Published: June 2018

Fungal ferulic acid decarboxylases (FDCs) belong to the UbiD‐family of enzymes and catalyse the reversible (de)carboxylation of cinnamic acid derivatives through the use of a prenylated flavin cofactor. The latter is synthesised by the flavin prenyltransferase UbiX. Herein, we demonstrate the applicability of FDC/UbiX expressing cells for both isolated enzyme and whole‐cell biocatalysis. FDCs exhibit high activity with total turnover numbers (TTN) of up to 55000 and turnover frequency (TOF) of up to 370 min−1. Co‐solvent compatibility studies revealed FDC's tolerance to some organic solvents up 20 % v/v. Using the in‐vitro (de)carboxylase activity of holo‐FDC as well as whole‐cell biocatalysts, we performed a substrate profiling study of three FDCs, providing insights into structural determinants of activity. FDCs display broad substrate tolerance towards a wide range of acrylic acid derivatives bearing (hetero)cyclic or olefinic substituents at C3 affording conversions of up to >99 %. The synthetic utility of FDCs was demonstrated by a preparative‐scale decarboxylation.
Alloy‐Mediated Ultra‐Low CO Selectivity for Steam Reforming over Cu−Ni Bimetallic Catalysts
Authors: Ma Kui , Cui Zhonghui , Zhang Zhitao , Huang Jingjing , Sun Zhirui , Tian Ye , Ding Tong , Li Xingang
Published: June 2018

Steam reforming of simple oxygenated hydrocarbons without C−C bonds is suitable for small‐scale decentralized H2 production for fuel cells. However, the relatively high CO concentration in H2‐rich reformates produced by traditional Cu‐based catalysts will poison the Pt‐based anode in fuel cells. Here, we describe a new approach to the design of Cu−Ni bimetallic catalysts based on nickel‐phyllosilicate for steam reforming of dimethyl ether (DME). With the tunable formation of the Cu−Ni alloy, we can modulate the selectivity of CO and CH4 in steam reforming and achieve H2‐rich reformates with an ultra‐low concentration of CO (below 1000 ppm). This process only requires simple and low‐energy purification pretreatments to meet the requirements of commercial fuel cells. Mechanistic studies reveal that the Cu−Ni alloy can adsorb CO, particularly at high temperatures, and simultaneously suppress CO dissociation to methane.
Hierarchically Dual‐Mesoporous TiO2 Microspheres for Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties and Lithium Storage
Authors: Xiao Sa , Lu Yi , Li Xin , Xiao Bing‐Yu , Wu Liang , Song Jian‐Ping , Xiao Yu‐Xuan , Wu Si‐Ming , Hu Jie , Wang Yong , Chang Gang‐Gang , Tian Ge , Lenaerts Silvia , Janiak Christoph , Yang Xiao‐Yu , Su Bao‐Lian
Published: June 2018

Hierarchically dual‐mesoporous TiO2 microspheres have been synthesized by a solvothermal process in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF4]) and diethylenetriamine (DETA) as co‐templates. Secondary mesostructured defects in the hierarchical TiO2 microspheres produce oxygen vacancies, which not only significantly enhance photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (1.7 times that with P25) and acetone (2.9 times that with P25), but are also beneficial for lithium storage. Moreover, we propose a mechanism to rationalize the role of this dual mesoporosity of the TiO2 microspheres in enhancing molecular diffusion, ion transportation, and electronic transitions.
Circularly Polarised Luminescence in Enantiopure Samarium and Europium Cryptates
Authors: Kreidt Elisabeth , Arrico Lorenzo , Zinna Francesco , Di Bari Lorenzo , Seitz Michael
Published: June 2018

Circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) is a chiroptical phenomenon gaining more and more attention, as the availability of the necessary spectrometers is getting better and first applications in bioimaging or for the preparation of OLEDs (organic light emitting diodes) are coming within range. Until now most examples of distinctly CPL‐active compounds were europium and terbium complexes though theoretically the electronic structure of samarium should be as suitable as the one of terbium. This discrepancy can be accounted for by the high susceptibility of samarium to non‐radiative deactivation processes. The aim of this study was to strategically circumvent this difficulty by the use of a ligand scaffold which has already proven to efficiently suppress these processes, namely the cryptates. The prepared partly deuterated samarium and europium complexes exhibit distinct circularly polarised luminescence with dissymmetry factors up to glum=+0.13 (SmIII) or glum=−0.19 (EuIII).
Eulerian study of flights discharge in a rotating drum
Authors: Nascimento Suellen M. , Lima Rondinelli M. , Brandão Rodolfo J. , Duarte Claudio R. , Barrozo Marcos A. S.
Published: June 2018

The theoretical modelling of flow in a rotary drum is still a great challenge. In this study, the charge of solids in the flights as a function of angular position, rotational speed, number of flights, and granular material was investigated. The prediction of the flow of solids by simulation using a Euler‐Euler approach was also investigated. The simulated results were compared with experimental data using granulated sugar and glass beads as material, with the rotary drum operating with 12 and 15 flights. The results showed that the Eulerian approach along with the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) agreed with the experimental results obtained with the rotary drum operating in several configurations, with average deviations between numerical and experimental data being smaller than 15 %. The CFD approach allowed the development of a more generalized model compared to the empirical and geometrical equations used in the literature to predict the solids holdup.
Fe1‐xCoxS2 Solid Solutions with Tunable Energy Structures to Enhance the Performance of Triiodide Reduction in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Dui , Zai Jiantao , Wang Yan , Qiao Qiquan , Qian Xuefeng
Published: June 2018

The electrocatalytic performances of semiconductors are closely correlated to their energy structures, and solid solutions can continuously tune the energy structures by controlling their composition. Herein, a series of Fe1‐xCoxS2 (x=0–0.5) solid solutions have been synthesized and served as counter electrodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The Fermi level of Fe1‐xCoxS2 solid solutions shifted negatively as the x value changed from 0 to 0.5, and the electrocatalytic performance for I3− reduction gradually enhanced due to the facilitated electron transfer process from electrode to I3−. Benefitting from its negative Fermi level, Fe0.5Co0.5S2 exhibited the smallest charge transfer resistance (Rct) and remarkable electrocatalytic properties. The DSSCs using Fe0.5Co0.5S2 as a counter electrode achieve the lowest Rct (0.84 Ω cm2) and the highest power conversion efficiency (η=8.36%) of these solid solution materials.
Probing the Entropic Effect in Molecular Noncovalent Interactions between Resin‐Bound Polybrominated Arenes and Small Substrates
Authors: Yamamoto Masanori , Obara Miyuki , Ochi Keisuke , Yamamoto Atsushi , Takenaka Katsuhiko , Tanaka Tsunehiro , Sato Kazunori
Published: June 2018

The associative interaction between resin‐bound polybrominated arenes and small molecules was analyzed by using various spectroscopic techniques as well as a synthetic molecular model to establish the thermodynamics. The binding in acetonitrile was three orders of magnitude stronger than that in methanol, partly owing to the tertiary conformational gating of the resin that controls the entropic terms. By using the entropic superiority, the associative binding of up to 3×104 m−1 is achieved with the non‐biological system. A modified Hill plot for the quantitative analysis of bindings was also devised, which enabled the interactions at the molecular level to be elucidated.
Generalized nonisolated high step‐up DC‐DC converter with reduced voltage stress on devices
Authors: Jalilzadeh Tohid , Babaei Ebrahim , Maalandish Mohammad
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a nonisolated high step‐up DC‐DC converter with low voltage stress on power devices is proposed. The proposed structure consists of a switch and n stages of inductor‐capacitor‐diode cells. The proposed topology combines the boost converter with the self‐lift circuit. Increasing the number of inductor‐capacitor‐diode cells leads to higher voltage gain with a small value of the switch duty cycle, which increases the controllability of the converter. Moreover, by increasing the number of stages, the normalized voltage stress of the power devices is reduced. As a consequence, the metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor switch with low RDS‐on and devices with low nominal voltage can be used in the proposed converter. Furthermore, due to the existence of one switch, the proposed converter has a simple control system. The analysis of the voltage and current stresses of the power devices is carried out. The circuit performance is compared with other proposed topologies in the literature in voltage gain and normalized voltage stress. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed converter, the experimental results are provided.
A comparative study on the performance of MIMO‐STBC subject to Weibull fading channels
Authors: El Bouanani Faissal , Bessate Abdelmajid
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we investigate the analytical performance of the multiple‐input multiple‐output system (MIMO) with orthogonal space‐time block codes (STBCs) subject to Weibull fading channels (WFC). Space‐time block code technique provides an efficient pattern for wireless transmission over various fading channels using multiple transmit antennas. Two approximating methods of the sum of independent Weibull random variables are studied. For each approach, we derive accurate approximate expressions for several performance metrics of MIMO‐STBC system operating under independent and nonidentical WFC. The proposed approximations are expressed in terms of 2 generalized hypergeometric functions, namely, Fox's H and Meijer's G functions. All the derived approximate expressions prove high accuracy, while compared with the simulation results established via Monte Carlo method and Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test as well. Although the 2 approaches have approximately the same accuracy, the second method approximate expressions are much less complex than those of the first method.
Predictors of social instability stress effects on social interaction and anxiety in adolescent male rats
Authors: Hodges Travis E. , Baumbach Jennet L. , McCormick Cheryl M.
Published: June 2018

Adolescence is an important phase of development of social behaviors, which may be disrupted by the experience of stressors. We previously reported that exposure to social instability stress in adolescence (SS; postnatal day [PND] 30–45) in rats reduced social interactions with unfamiliar peers compared with non‐stressed controls (CTL). In experiment 1, we replicated the effect of SS on social interaction and found that the pattern of neural activations based on Fos immunohistochemistry in brain regions during social interactions differed for SS and CTL rats. In experiment 2, we found that individual differences in novelty‐seeking behavior on PND 30 and SS exposure were unique predictors of anxiety in the elevated plus maze on PND 46, and interacted to predict social interaction on PND 47; among high novelty‐seeking rats, SS and CTL rats do not differ, whereas among low‐novelty seeking rats, SS rats engaged in less social interaction than did CTL rats. Thus, high novelty‐seeking may be a resilience factor against the effects of social stressors in adolescence.
Interacting and non‐linear avian responses to mixed‐severity wildfire and time since fire
Authors: Taillie Paul J. , Burnett Ryan D. , Roberts Lance Jay , Campos Brent R. , Peterson M. Nils , Moorman Christopher E.
Published: June 2018

Non‐linear and interacting effects of fire severity and time since fire may help explain how pyrodiversity promotes biodiversity in fire‐adapted systems. We built on previous research on avian responses to fire by investigating how complex effects of burn severity and time since fire influenced avian community composition across the northern Sierra Nevada, California. We conducted avian point counts from 2009 to 2015 in 10 fires that burned between 2000 and 2014, resulting in a chronosequence of 1–15 yr post‐fire. We estimated the effects of burn severity, time since fire, non‐linear and interacting effects of fire severity and time since fire, pre‐fire forest conditions, and several physiographic parameters on the density of 44 breeding bird species using hierarchical distance sampling models. In addition, we fit separate models to observations of each species in unburned forest to compare species’ densities between burned and unburned forests. At least one of the non‐linear or interaction fire effects was significant for 27 (61%) of the 44 bird species. The quadratic effect of time since fire was an important predictor of post‐fire densities of 20 species, illustrating the dynamic nature of this post‐wildfire avian community. Greater maximum densities were estimated at some combination of burn severity and time since fire than in unburned forest for 13 of the 44 (30%) species, only one of which reached maximum density following low‐severity fire. In contrast, all of the 12 species that were more abundant in unburned forest reached maximum post‐fire densities in fires that burned at low severity. Results from the study suggest that consideration of the non‐linear and interacting effects of fire severity and time since fire is important to fully understanding post‐wildfire responses for a majority of birds. Moreover, the study supports a growing body of literature that indicates mixed‐severity fire is essential for conserving avian diversity in many fire‐maintained systems.
Synthesis of 1,1‐Disubstituted N‐Acyl Tetrahydroisoquinolines from Enamides by Cascade Radical Addition and Cyclization
Authors: Yu Hui , Xuan Pengfei , Jiao Mingdong , Lin Jingbo
Published: June 2018

Copper(I)‐catalyzed radical 1,2‐benzylarylation of N‐phenethylenamides was developed and 1,1‐disubstituted N‐acyl tetrahydroisoquinolines were obtained in moderate to good yields. In this process, two new C–C bonds were formed in one‐step fashion with high atom economy. A possible reaction pathway for the formation of the products is also discussed.
The combined and interactive effects of zinc, temperature, and phosphorus on the structure and functioning of a freshwater community
Authors: Van de Perre Dimitri , Roessink Ivo , Janssen Colin R. , Smolders Erik , De Laender Frederik , Van den Brink Paul J. , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C.
Published: June 2018

Ecotoxicological studies mainly consist of single-species experiments evaluating the effects of a single stressor. However, under natural conditions aquatic communities are exposed to a mixture of stressors. The present study aimed to identify how the toxicity of zinc (Zn) is affected by increased temperature and increased phosphorus (P) supply and how these interactions vary among species, functional groups, and community structure and function. Aquatic microcosms were subjected to 3 Zn concentrations (background, no Zn added, and 75 and 300 μg Zn/L), 2 temperatures (16–19 and 21–24 °C), and 2 different P additions (low, 0.02, and high, 0.4 mg P L−1 wk−1) for 5 wk using a full factorial design. During the study, consistent interactions between Zn and temperature were only rarely found at the species level (4%), but were frequently found at the functional group level (36%), for community structure (100%) and for community function (100%; such as dissolved organic carbon concentrations and total chlorophyll). The majority of the Zn × temperature interactions were observed at 300 μg Zn/L and generally indicated a smaller effect of Zn at higher temperature. Furthermore, no clear indication was found that high P addition by itself significantly affected the overall effects of Zn on the community at any level of organization. Interestingly, though, 90% of all the Zn × temperature interactions observed at the species, group, and community composition level were found under high P addition. Collectively, the results of our study with the model chemical Zn suggest that temperature and phosphorus loading to freshwater systems should be accounted for in risk assessment, because these factors may modify the effects of chemicals on the structure and functioning of aquatic communities, especially at higher levels of biological organization. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2413–2427. © 2018 SETAC
A Portfolio Framework for Prioritizing Conservation Efforts for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Populations
Authors: Al-Chokhachy Robert , Shepard Bradley B , Burckhardt Jason C , Garren Dan , Opitz Scott , Koel Todd M , Nelson Lee , Gresswell Robert E
Published: June 2018

Managing and conserving native taxa are becoming increasingly challenging because of mounting threats and limited resources, predicating the need for frameworks to prioritize conservation actions. We integrated attributes of population persistence, genetic status, threats from nonnative species, and threats from climatic shifts to prioritize conservation actions for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri. We used the individual attributes to rank populations and provide a framework for identifying the benefits of individual conservation actions. The majority of extant populations (57%) had a high probability (>0.75) of persistence, but nearly 70% of populations were either slightly hybridized or sympatric with nonnative species, and 44% of extant populations occupied habitat with low climatic resilience. Overall, we found that 36% of populations ranked as high (>0.75) conservation priority, and these populations primarily occupied large, relatively high-elevation habitats. The prioritization framework provides a platform for identifying and ranking actions with the greatest conservation effectiveness.
Price discovery in the Chinese gold market
Authors: Jin Muzhao , Li Youwei , Wang Jianxin , Yang Yung Chiang
Published: June 2018

This study conducts price discovery analysis in the Chinese gold market. Our results indicate that Chinese gold market price discovery occurs predominantly in the futures market. The result is robust to numerous different measures of price discovery, namely, information share, component share, and information leadership share. Partitioning the daily trades into three trading sessions, we find that the dominance of the futures market occurs consistently in all trading sessions. Furthermore, we investigate sequential price discovery within the spot and futures markets; finding that price discovery of both markets occurs more in the night trading session.
Geoarchaeological investigations at Akko, Israel: New insights into landscape changes and related anchorage locations since the Bronze Age
Authors: Giaime Matthieu , Morhange Christophe , Marriner Nick , López‐Cadavid Gloria I. , Artzy Michal
Published: June 2018

Since the first archaeological excavations undertaken in the 1970s/1980s, Tel Akko is known to have been an important trade city from the early 2nd millennium B.C. onwards. Even if the site has been intensively excavated, no paleoenvironmental studies looking to understand coastal changes near the tell since the Bronze Age had been undertaken until recently. Our research is based on the study of sediment cores drilled at the foot of the tell and in the Old City of Akko, 1,500 m west of the tell. We validate the coastal changes, already proposed by previous studies, while clarifying the chronology of these changes. We propose that the southern anchorage was located in the river mouth of the Na'aman until the early Persian period. This anchorage shifted to the “open” western coast of the tell during the Persian period before its subsequent relocation to the rocky promontory of Akko in Hellenistic times. We attempted to locate the Hellenistic harbor of Akko by coring in the Old City, in proximity to the modern harbor. At that time, a harbor lay in a semi‐protected pocket beach at the foot of the promontory.