bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localized Electrons Enhanced Ion Transport for Ultrafast Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Chen Jiewei , Luo Bi , Chen Qiushui , Li Fei , Guo Yanjiao , Wu Tom , Peng Peng , Qin Xian , Wu Gaoxiang , Cui Mengqi , Liu Lehao , Chu Lihua , Jiang Bing , Li Yingfeng , Gong Xueqing , Chai Yang , Yang Yongping , Chen Yonghua , Huang Wei , Liu Xiaogang , Li Meicheng
Published: February 2020

The rate‐determining process for electrochemical energy storage is largely determined by ion transport occurring in the electrode materials. Apart from decreasing the distance of ion diffusion, the enhancement of ionic mobility is crucial for ion transport. Here, a localized electron enhanced ion transport mechanism to promote ion mobility for ultrafast energy storage is proposed. Theoretical calculations and analysis reveal that highly localized electrons can be induced by intrinsic defects, and the migration barrier of ions can be obviously reduced. Consistently, experiment results reveal that this mechanism leads to an enhancement of Li/Na ion diffusivity by two orders of magnitude. At high mass loading of 10 mg cm−2 and high rate of 10C, a reversible energy storage capacity up to 190 mAh g−1 is achieved, which is ten times greater than achievable by commercial crystals with comparable dimensions.
Flow Alters the Interfacial Reactions of Upconversion Nanocrystals Probed by In Situ Sum Frequency Generation
Authors: Xi Yonglan , Xiao Qingbo , Du Jing , Ye Xiaomei , Kong Xiangping , Chang Zhizhou , Li Tie , Jin Hongmei , Wang Jian , Lin Hongzhen
Published: February 2020

Particle moving is a fundamental phenomenon of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs), but its influence on the interfacial interaction is far from been clarified. Herein, by mimicking the particle moving of upconverting fluoride NPs in a flowing cell, highly dependence of interfacial reactions on the particle moving of the colloidal NPs is clearly revealed by adopting combined in situ sum frequency generation and photoluminescence spectroscopies. It is found that particle moving can induce the rearrangement of the adsorbed interfacial water due to generating a more positively charged surface. More importantly, besides more prone to adsorb negatively charged carboxyl group of Rhodamine B via enhanced electrostatical interaction, particle moving at pH of 6.8 could reorient the xanthene ring of the dye parallel to the NP surface, via repelling the positively charged diethylamino groups. As a consequence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency from the upconverting NPs to Rhodamine B can be reversibly modulated by only tuning the flow. This work provides new insight into the interfacial interactions of the colloidal NPs, which are expected to guide their surface modification and practical applications.
Vertical‐Resolved Composition and Aggregation Gradient of Conjugated‐Polymer@Insulator‐Matrix for Transistors and Memory
Authors: Wei Peng , Li Xianglong , Wang Lei , Liu Nannan , He Shi , Ren Yurong , Zhu Yuanwei , Yang Yaodong , Lu Guanghao , Bu Laju
Published: February 2020

Conjugated polymers are of interest for next‐generation electronics due to their improved flexibility, low cost, and solution processability. However, a conjugated polymer is not a chemically “pure” material because the polymer chains are polydispersed in terms of molecular weights and/or chemical stereoregularities, leading to dispersions of both localized order and electronic properties. Taking advantage of these properties, a one‐step self‐refinement method is proposed to induce film‐depth‐resolved composition and aggregation gradient of conjugated‐polymer@insulator‐matrix for high‐performance organic field‐effect transistors and nonvolatile memories. During solvent evaporation, the higher ordered sub‐components of conjugated polymers are substantially enriched at the top surface of the blend film to form a morphologically continuous sublayer serving as high‐quality transport pathways to warrant high‐performance transistors. The less ordered sub‐components are distributed within insulator‐matrix in the bottom part of the film without connection with each other, which guarantees a reliable composite electret to help store sufficient immobilized charges to tune the operation of the device. Moreover, these conjugated‐polymer@insulator‐matrix films with insulator content as high as 95% show excellent optical transparency (>90%) and environmental stability (for months), which demonstrates great potential for use in transparent electronics.
Expanding the spectrum of CEP55‐associated disease to viable phenotypes
Authors: Barrie Elizabeth S. , Overwater Eline , van Haelst Mieke M. , Motazacker M. Mahdi , Truxal Kristen V. , Crist Erin , Mostafavi Roya , Pivnick Eniko K. , Choudhri Asim F. , Narumanchi TaraChandra , Castelluccio Valerie , Walsh Laurence E. , Garganta Cheryl , Gastier‐Foster Julie M.
Published: February 2020

Homozygosity for nonsense variants in CEP55 has been associated with a lethal condition characterized by multinucleated neurons, anhydramnios, renal dysplasia, cerebellar hypoplasia, and hydranencephaly (MARCH syndrome) also known as Meckel‐like syndrome. Missense variants in CEP55 have not previously been reported in association with disease. Here we describe seven living individuals from five families with biallelic CEP55 variants. Four unrelated individuals with microcephaly, speech delays, and bilateral toe syndactyly all have a common CEP55 variant c.70G>A p.(Glu24Lys) in trans with nonsense variants. Three siblings are homozygous for a consensus splice site variant near the end of the gene. These affected girls all have severely delayed development, microcephaly, and varying degrees of lissencephaly/pachygyria. Here we compare our seven patients with three previously reported families with a prenatal lethal phenotype (MARCH syndrome/Meckel‐like syndrome) due to homozygous CEP55 nonsense variants. Our series suggests that individuals with compound heterozygosity for nonsense and missense variants in CEP55 have a different viable phenotype. We show that homozygosity for a splice variant near the end of the CEP55 gene is also compatible with life.
Aktivierung von Kohlenstoffdioxid an Metallzentren: Entwicklung des Ladungstransfers von Mg .+ auf CO2 in [MgCO2(H2O)n].+, n=0–8
Authors: Barwa Erik , Pascher Tobias F. , Ončák Milan , van der Linde Christian , Beyer Martin K.
Published: February 2020

Wir untersuchen die Aktivierung von Kohlenstoffdioxid durch einfach geladene, hydratisierte Magnesium‐Kationen Mg .+(H2O)n mittels Infrarot‐Mehrfach‐Photonendissoziationsspektroskopie (IRMPD) und quantenchemischen Rechnungen. Die Spektren von [MgCO2(H2O)n].+ von 1250 bis 4000 cm−1 zeigen einen scharfen Übergang von n=2 auf n=3 für die Position der antisymmetrischen Streckschwingung des CO2‐Moleküls. Dies ist ein klarer Beleg für die Aktivierung des CO2‐Moleküls durch Ladungstransfer von Mg .+ auf CO2 für n≥3. In kleineren Clustern koordiniert lineares CO2 an die Metallzentren. Ab n=5 wird eine weitere Konformationsänderung beobachtet, wobei die Koordination von CO2.− an Mg2+ allmählich von zwei‐ zu einzähnig wechselt, konsistent mit der Präferenz des Mg2+‐Ions für Hexakoordination. Die Ergebnisse zeigen im Detail wie Hydratation die CO2‐Aktivierung durch Ladungstransfer an Metallzentren begünstigt.
Smoothed particle inference analysis and abundance calculations of DEM L71, and comparison to SN explosion models
Authors: Siegel Jared , Dwarkadas Vikram V. , Frank Kari , Burrows David N. , Panfichi Aldo
Published: February 2020

We analyze the X‐ray emission from the supernova remnant DEM L71 using the smoothed particle inference (SPI) technique. The high Fe abundance found appears to confirm the Type Ia origin. Our method allows the separation of the material ejected in the supernova explosion from the material swept up by the supernova shock wave. We are able to calculate the total mass of this swept‐up material to be about 228 ± 23 M⊙. We plot the posterior distribution for the number density parameter, and create a map of the density structure within the remnant. While the observed density shows substantial variations, we find our results are generally consistent with a two‐dimensional hydrodynamical model of the remnant that we have run. Assuming the ejected material arises from a Type Ia explosion, with no hydrogen present, we use the predicted yields from Type Ia models available in the literature to characterize the emitting gas. We find that the abundance of various elements match those predicted by deflagration‐to‐detonation transition (DDT) models. Our results, compatible with the Type Ia scenario, highlight the complexity of the remnant and the nature of the surrounding medium.
Use of Curcumin in Multiple Myeloma patients intolerant of steroid therapy
Authors: Ramakrishna Rajeev , Diamond Terrence H. , Alexander William , Manoharan Arumugam , Golombick Terry
Published: February 2020

Curcumin, when used in a combination regimen in multiple myeloma patients, has comparable progression‐free survival without the adverse effects of steroid‐based combination therapies that is curcumin may be a viable alternative to corticosteroids in combination with an immunomodulatory drug or proteasome inhibitor.
Mesosalpinx hernia of the sigmoid colon: A cause of lower abdominal pain in women
Authors: Higaki Taiki , Urushidani Seigo , Kuriyama Akira , Ikegami Tetsunori
Published: February 2020

Diseases of the uterus and adnexa uteri should be considered when evaluating female patients with lower abdominal pain. Diseases caused by defects in the supporting ligaments of the female reproductive system should also be considered.
Clinical effects of polymyxin B‐immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion for severe bacterial meningitis: A series of 10 cases
Authors: Suzuki Yoko , Kawakami Shingo , Yamada Minako , Sohmiya Makoto , Shibuya Ken , Maeda Nobuya
Published: February 2020

Our results suggest a possible role for Polymyxin B‐immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion in combination with standard therapy in the rapid improvement of impaired consciousness in patients with severe bacterial meningitis.
Modulation classification in the presence of adjacent channel interference using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Al‐Makhlasawy Rasha M. , Hefnawy Alaa A. , Abd Elnaby Mustafa M. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: February 2020

This paper investigates a vital issue in wireless communication systems, which is the modulation classification. A proposed framework for modulation classification based on deep learning (DL) is presented in the presence of adjacent channel interference (ACI). This framework begins with the generation of constellation diagrams from the received data. These constellation diagrams are fed to convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for modulation classification. The objective of this process is to eliminate the manual feature extraction from the received data and make feature extraction process as a built‐in step with CNNs. Three types of CNNs are considered in this paper and compared for this objective. These types are AlexNet, VGG‐16, and VGG‐19. The proposed classifier is applied on Rayliegh and Rician fading channels.
A prospective investigation of factors associated with depressive symptoms in older adults' post‐hospitalisation
Authors: Brown Aimee , Peres Lisa , Brown Ted , Haines Terence , Stolwyk Rene
Published: February 2020

Objective

The transition from hospital to home is a period where older adults are at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The present study applied the Social Antecedent Model of Psychopathology (SAMP) to identify factors present at hospital discharge associated with depressive symptoms at discharge and future symptoms at 3‐ and 6‐month post‐discharge home.

Method

286 older adults aged over 65 (M = 78.38, SD = 7.68, 57% female) reported on a range of variables that were mapped to the SAMP at hospital discharge, 3‐ and 6‐month post‐discharge.

Results

At baseline assessment, male gender, increased anxiety symptoms, low social support and low perceived coping ability were associated with concurrent baseline depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms at baseline were strongly associated with future depressive symptoms at 3‐ and 6‐month post‐discharge. Low household physical activity was also associated with depressive symptoms at 3 months and elevated baseline anxiety symptoms and low social support were associated with depressive symptoms at 6‐month post‐discharge.

Conclusion

Pre‐discharge screening of depressive and anxiety symptoms, social support, household physical activity and coping ability may assist in identifying elderly patients at risk of developing depressive symptoms during the hospital‐to‐home transition. These factors may also serve as potential targets for preventative interventions post‐discharge for older adults.
Structured illumination imaging with quasi‐periodic patterns
Authors: Xu Dongli , Ding Jun , Peng Leilei
Published: February 2020

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is a well‐established method for optical sectioning and super‐resolution. The core of structured illumination is using a periodic pattern to excite image signals. This work reports a method for estimating minor pattern distortions from the raw image data and correcting these distortions during SIM image processing. The method was tested with both simulated and experimental image data from two‐photon Bessel light‐sheet SIM. The results proves the method is effective in challenging situations, where strong scattering background exists, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is low and the sample structure is sparse. Experimental results demonstrate restoring synaptic structures in deep brain tissue, despite the presence of strong light scattering and tissue‐induced SIM pattern distortion.
lncRNA TTN‐AS1 facilitates proliferation, invasion, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells by regulating miR‐139‐5p/ZEB1 axis
Authors: Fang Jun , Huang Chen , Ke Jing , Li Jia , Zhang Wei , Xue Huimin , Chen Jinpeng
Published: February 2020

Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor suffered predominantly by women worldwide, which results in serious levels of morbidity and mortality. To control the effects of the cancer, it is critically important to elucidate the pathophysiological processes by which it occurs and develops. Reports have demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs perform a critical role in the development and metastasis of cancers. The lncRNA TTN‐AS1 is considered carcinogenic. Nevertheless, the importance and biological functions of TTN‐AS1 in breast cancer require greater exploration. In the current paper, we observed that TTN‐AS1 expression was significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues/cells compared with those that are healthy. TTN‐AS1 enhanced the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a direct target of TTN‐AS1, miR‐139‐5p was negatively regulated. In addition, zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is an important nuclear transcription factor, the expression of which is increased in multiple tumors. Here, we also found that ZEB1 is a target of miR‐139‐5p, of which TTN‐AS1 could regulate the expression through competition with miR‐139‐5p. That is, TTN‐AS1 promoted proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells by interaction with the miR‐139‐5p/ZEB1 axis. In conclusion, the present study aimed to illustrate the significance of TTN‐AS1 in breast cancer metastasis and contribute to potentially innovative strategies for its treatment.
Computational screening of transition metal/p‐block hybrid electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction
Authors: Ananthaneni Sahithi , Rankin Rees B.
Published: February 2020

Among all the pollutants in the atmosphere, CO2 has the highest impact on global warming, and with the rising levels of this pollutant, studies on developing various technologies to convert CO2 into carbon‐neutral fuels and chemicals have become more valuable. In this work, we present a detailed computational study of electrochemical reduction of CO2 reaction (the CO2RR) to methane and/or methanol over different transition metal‐p block catalysts using density functional theory calculations. In addition to the catalyst structure, we studied reaction mechanisms using free energy diagrams that explain the product selectivity with respect to the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. Furthermore, we developed scaling relations between all the active C bound intermediate species with ΔG(CO*) and O bound species with ΔG(OH*) The limiting potential lines with ΔG(OH*) as the descriptor are much less negative compared to UL lines with ΔG(CO*) as the descriptor indicating that catalyst materials following pathways via OH− bound intermediate species require more negative potentials than CO*→ HCO* and CO2→ COOH* steps to convert into products. We developed thermodynamic volcano plots with two descriptors; the CO* and OH* binding free energies and determined the best catalyst material among the initially investigated catalyst materials expecting this plot will provide guidance to the future work on improving the activity of transition metal‐p block catalysts for this important reduction reaction.
The value of ascitic neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in decompensated liver cirrhosis with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Liu Hua , Zhu Ping , Nie Caiyun , Ye Qing , Gao Yanying , Liu Huaiping , Pang Guoju , Han Tao
Published: February 2020

Background

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most critical complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to assess whether ascitic neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), a reliable inflammation biomarker, can be used to detect SBP in decompensated cirrhosis patients and to predict mortality from decompensated cirrhosis‐related SBP.

Methods

This study included 204 hospitalized patients with ascites of decompensated liver cirrhosis and follow‐up of 28 days. We measured ascitic NGAL levels by the latex‐enhanced immunoturbidimetric method. Simultaneously, we observed the patterns of ascitic NGAL levels in the SBP group after 7 days of anti‐infection treatment with third‐generation cephalosporins.

Results

The ascitic NGAL levels significantly increased in the SBP group compared with that in the non‐SBP group, 111(83.9, 178) ng/mL vs 48(35.4, 63) ng/mL, P < .001. Likewise, the ascitic NGAL levels of SBP were higher than non‐SBP with or without renal dysfunction. There was a positive relationship between ascitic NGAL and ascitic polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte and a negative relationship between ascitic NGAL and ascitic albumin in the SBP group. An ascitic NGAL cutoff of 108.95 ng/mL was used for predicting a poor prognosis for SBP patients. Ascitic NGAL and the model for end‐stage liver disease score were independent risk factors in decompensated liver cirrhosis patients with SBP through multivariate Cox regression. A dynamic trend of ascitic NGAL in SBP patients was consistent with the clinical prognosis.

Conclusion

Ascitic NGAL may not only be a biomarker for monitoring SBP but also a predictor for more severe outcomes in decompensated cirrhosis‐related SBP.
Study on the correlation between hTREC and HPV load and cervical CINI/II/III lesions and cervical cancer
Authors: He Haizhen , Pan Qionghui , Pan Jiajia , Chen Yumei , Cao Liqin
Published: February 2020

Objective

To investigate the correlation between hTREC and human papillomavirus (HPV) load and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade II/III lesions and cervical cancer.

Methods

A total of 135 patients with cervical lesions of different degrees admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to February 2017 were selected, including CIN I/III 65 cases, grade III 39 cases, and cervical cancer 31 cases. The expression of hTERC gene was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in three groups, and the HPV load was detected by second‐generation hybridization capture (HC II) method, and its relationship with cervical lesion grade was analyzed. Department.

Results

The positive expression rate of hTERC gene amplification was cervical cancer > CIN I/II lesion > CIN III lesion; the positive expression rate of HPV was cervical cancer > CIN I/II lesion > CIN III lesion. After treatment, the positive rate of hTERC gene amplification and HPV expression decreased significantly within 1 year (P < .05). Spearman's analysis showed that the degree of cervical lesion was positively correlated with hTREC and HPV load (P < .05).

Conclusion

hTREC and HPV are closely related to the occurrence and development of cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The abnormal amplification of hTERC gene increases with the grade of cervical lesions. Both of them can be used as auxiliary indicators for early screening, treatment, and prognosis of cervical cancer.
Quantitation of endogenous amount of ethanol, methanol and acetaldehyde in ripe fruits of different Spanish olive varieties
Authors: Boudebouz Abdelaziz , Romero Agustí , Boqué Ricard , Aceña Laura , Busto Olga , Mestres Montserrat
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The use of healthy olives and their good management along the production process are necessary to obtain the best quality virgin olive oils. One parameter related to the health of the olives is the content of fatty acid alkyl esters. Because these come from the esterification of C16 and C18 free fatty acids with short chain alcohols, the control of methanol, ethanol and acetaldehyde (precursor of ethanol) and their origin (endogenous or from fermentation) is essential.

The present study reports the endogenous amount of these compounds in some of the main Spanish olive varieties. For their analyses, headspace solid phase micro‐extraction was applied and, to ensure quantitation reliability, the matrix‐matched technique was used to build the calibration lines.

RESULTS

For healthy and mature olives, the contents of ethanol and methanol are much higher and vary within a wider range than those corresponding to acetaldehyde. Because olives were not directly analyzed but previously homogenized, there was no correlation between the olive size parameters and the contents of the compounds investigated. However, these contents are characteristic of each variety. When comparing healthy and unhealthy olives, significant differences were only observed for ethanol contents.

CONCLUSION

Higher contents of short alcohols are not only the result of an unhealthy or poor state of the fruits, but also the variety. Therefore, because these alcohols are precursors of fatty acid alkyl esters, the maximum permissible content of the latter should not be set at a single value for all olive varieties. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Insight into effects of isolated Eurotium cristatum from Pingwu Fuzhuan brick tea on the fermentation process and quality characteristics of Fuzhuan brick tea
Authors: Xiao Yue , Zhong Kai , Bai Jin‐Rong , Wu Yan‐Ping , Gao Hong
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Pingwu Fuzhuan brick tea is a type of post‐fermented tea manufactured from leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, the quality of which is influenced by numerous factors, especially microorganisms. Currently, there is little research on the effect of microorganisms on the fermentation and quality characteristics of Pingwu Fuzhuan brick tea. Investigation of the main fungus in this tea and its effect on the fermentation process and tea quality can provide insights into the manufacturing of ‘western road’ border‐selling tea and could lay the foundation for the popularization of Pingwu Fuzhuan brick tea.

RESULTS

The main ‘golden flower fungus’ in Pingwu Fuzhuan brick tea was isolated and identified as Eurotium cristatum (GenBank accession number: MF800948.1; strain PW‐1). Compared with natural fermentation, PW‐1 inoculated fermentation accelerated biotransformation of phenolic compounds, which provided tea samples with better taste and tea infusion color. The proportions of velvety and sweet‐tasting amino acids increased after 16‐day fermentation with PW‐1. Alcohols were the most abundant volatiles, with 40.13% and 39.43% content in NF16d and IF16d tea samples, respectively. Orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) further revealed that naturally fermented and PW‐1 fermented teas were significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Strain PW‐1 plays an important role in the fermentation process of Fuzhuan brick tea. Considering fermentation efficiency and tea quality, fermentation inoculated with E. cristatum PW‐1 can be applied in the manufacturing of ‘western road’ border‐selling tea. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects ofFusarium graminearumandFusarium poaeon disease parameters, grain quality and mycotoxin contamination in barley (part II)
Authors: Martínez Mauro , Ramirez Albuquerque Lady D , Dinolfo María I , Biganzoli Fernando , F Pinto Virginia , Stenglein Sabastian A
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Barley is one of the most sown crops in the world, with multiple uses such as human consumption, animal feed and for the malting industry. This crop is affected by different diseases, such as Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), that causes losses in yield and quality. In the last yearsF. graminearumandF. poaewere two of the most frequently isolated species in barley grains, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between theseFusariumspecies and the effects on disease parameters, grain quality and mycotoxin contamination on five barley genotypes under field conditions.

RESULTS

Statistical differences betweenFusariumtreatments for some parameters depending mainly on the year/genotype were found. The results showed that the germination process was affected by bothFusariumspecies. As to grain quality and the different hordein fractions, it was observed thatF. graminearumaffects preferentially D and C‐hordeins. Different concentrations of nivalenol, deoxynivalenol and their acetylated derivatives (3‐acetyl deoxynivalenol (3‐ADON), 15‐acetyl deoxynivalenol (15‐ADON)) were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present work, no evidence of synergism betweenF. graminearumandF. poaewere found regarding disease parameters and mycotoxin contamination. However, at least in the years with favorable climatic conditions to FHB development and depending on the barley genotype, a continuous monitoring is deemed necessary to prevent the negative impact on protein composition and germinative parameters © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Biodegradable Polymers: Present Opportunities and Challenges in Providing a Microplastic‐Free Environment
Authors: Agarwal Seema
Published: February 2020

The stability of polymers against environmental factors, chemicals, microorganisms, and hydrolysis has challenged society with the accumulation of plastic waste and its management worldwide. Large amounts of plastic litter accumulate in the environment and disintegrate into microplastics (small pieces less than 5 mm in size), a topic of real concern especially for products and applications where the plastics are used for a short time before becoming waste, and where they are difficult to recover after use and remain in the environment. Whether biodegradable polymers can be one of the solutions to the problem of plastic waste is a question very often raised in this context. Although the use of biodegradable polymers appears to be highly promising based on recent and past studies, several aspects need to be considered further regarding environmental sustainability, acceptability, and degradability in the complex natural environment. Intensive efforts need to be invested in developing new environmentally biodegradable polymers and smart mechanisms of degradation after use in the environment. The present viewpoint article discusses the present scenario of the environmental acceptability of biodegradable polymers and the opportunities and challenges they offer regarding solving the problem of microplastics and their impact on the environment.
Unveiling a sudden unexplained death case by whole exome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Modena Martina , Castiglione Vincenzo , Aretini Paolo , Mazzanti Chiara M. , Chiti Enrica , Giannoni Alberto , Emdin Michele , Di Paolo Marco
Published: February 2020

Background

Sudden unexplained death (SUD) refers to cases of sudden death where autopsy fails to identify any cardiac or extracardiac underlying cause. Guideline‐directed standard genetic testing identifies a disease‐causing mutation in less than one‐third of cases of SUD. Conversely, whole exome sequencing (WES) may provide the key to solve most cases of SUD even after several years from the subject's death.

Methods

We report on a case of sudden unexpected death of a 37‐year‐old male, with inconclusive autopsy conducted 14 years ago. A recent reevaluation through WES was performed on DNA extracted from left ventricular samples. A multiple step process including several “in silico” tools was applied to identify potentially pathogenic variants. Data analysis was based on a 562 gene panel, including 234 candidate genes associated with sudden cardiac death or heart diseases, with the addition of 328 genes highly expressed in the heart. WebGestalt algorithms were used for association enrichment analysis of all genes with detected putative pathogenic variants.

Results

WES analysis identified four potentially pathogenic variants: RYR2:c.12168G>T, TTN:c.11821C>T (rs397517804), MYBPC3:c.1255C>T (rs368770848), and ACADVL:c.848T>C (rs113994167). WebGestalt algorithms indicated that their combination holds an unfavorable arrhythmic susceptibility which conceivably caused the occurrence of the events leading to our subject's sudden death.

Conclusion

Associating WES technique with online prediction algorithms may allow the recognition of genetic mutations potentially responsible for otherwise unexplained deaths.
A compact planar Moxon‐Yagi composite antenna with end‐fire radiation for dual‐band applications
Authors: Fu Shiqiang , Xiong Angyu , Chen Weining , Fang Shaojun
Published: February 2020

A compact planar composite antenna with dual‐band performance and good unidirectional radiation is proposed for handheld radio frequency identification reader application. The novelty of the proposed antenna is that it adopts the combination of planar Moxon and quasi‐Yagi interleaved structures. The Moxon structure due to its compact size is designed to operate in the lower band, while the quasi‐Yagi structure with the shared area is designed for the higher band. The lower and higher frequency bands of the antenna can be designed independently. Detailed design ideas and experimental results are presented. Measured results show that the fabricated antenna has a moderate gain of better than 5 dB and a large front‐to‐back ratio of more than 15 dB in both ultrahigh frequency 902‐928 MHz and industrial scientific and medical 2.4‐2.4835 GHz bands with low cross‐polarization levels. The antenna has the advantages of simple structure, easy processing, and excellent performance in terms of impedance matching and radiation patterns. It can be easily adjusted for other wireless applications, where both end‐fire radiation and dual‐band operation are required.
Myositis ossificans traumatica with associated pseudarthroses in an adult from Late Bronze Age Athens, Greece
Authors: Smith Susan Kirkpatrick , Liston Maria A.
Published: February 2020

This case study documents an unusual heterotopic ossification with associated pseudarthroses of the lumbar spine. We examined the partial skeletal remains of an adult from a Late Bronze Age (Mycenaean Late Helladic IIB‐IIIA1 period, approximately1400–1375 BCE) chamber tomb from the Athenian Agora excavations in Greece. This individual had a large bony mass in the region of the intertransversarius muscle that spanned L3–L5 vertebrae and formed pseudarthroses at the superior and inferior ends. The differential diagnosis of the bony mass included dystrophic and neoplastic calcifications and myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT). MOT is a benign heterotopic bone growth typically found in skeletal muscles. MOT usually results from a trauma and is most commonly found in the thigh, buttocks, or upper arm, although it has been documented clinically in other areas as well, such as in paravertebral muscles. The mature, remodelled cortex of the bony mass and the two well‐developed pseudarthroses indicate that this individual lived with this condition for a number of years.
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polycarbonate Composites for Laser Direct Structuring and Electroless Copper Plating
Authors: Yu Zhixing , Wang James H. , Li Yingcheng , Bai Yu
Published: February 2020

Glass fiber (GF) reinforced polycarbonate (PC) composites were prepared for laser direct structuring (LDS) applications. A small amount of styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) was introduced to enhance GF/PC interfacial interactions. The PC/SMA/GF LDS composites using metal complex as LDS additive were investigated for applicability in copper circuit development. Rough surface patterns by laser irradiation under different laser parameters were measured by microscopy and Fourier infrared spectrometry. Copper particles and plating layer by subsequent electroless copper plating procedure was observed using microscopy. Thickness of plating layer and adhesion between layer and matrix were also evaluated. The results showed that laser repetition and scanning speed led to different resolutions and ablated surfaces without structural changes of composites. Copper particles gradually deposited, grew, and interconnected during metallization procedure. Plating layer was successfully formed at an optimum LDS additive loading, and appropriate scanning speed and repetition of laser. In addition, the plating layer displayed disparate thickness and distribution, owing to different activated surfaces by irradiation. Severe ablation or unetched parallel regions resulted in leaky or discontinuous plating layer. Better plating microstructure and higher adhesion were obtained for the composite material with 1.0 wt% LDS additive loading, supporting its extensive development and practical application in LDS technology. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:860–871, 2020. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ground temperature and snow depth variability within a subarctic peat plateau landscape
Authors: Sannel A. Britta K.
Published: February 2020

Subarctic permafrost peatlands cover extensive areas and store large amounts of soil organic carbon that can be remobilized as active layer deepening and thermokarst formation increase in a future warmer climate. Better knowledge of ground thermal variability within these ecosystems is important for understanding future landscape development and permafrost carbon feedbacks. In a peat plateau complex in Tavvavuoma, northern Sweden, ground temperatures and snow depth have been monitored in six different landscape units: on a peat plateau, in a depression within a peat plateau, along a peat plateau edge (close to a thermokarst lake), at a thermokarst lake shoreline, in a thermokarst lake and in a fen. Permafrost is present in all three peat plateau landscape units, and mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) in the central parts of the peat plateau is −0.3°C at 2 m depth. In the three low‐lying wetter or saturated landscape units (along the thermokarst lake shoreline, in the lake and the fen) taliks are present and MAGT at 1 m depth is 1.0–2.7°C. Topographical differences between the elevated and low‐lying units affect both local snow depth and soil moisture, and are important for ground thermal patterns in this landscape. Permafrost exists in landscape units with a shallow mean December–April snow depth (<20 cm) whereas snow depths >40 cm mostly result in absence of permafrost.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Novel Underground Mining Emulsion Explosive Containing Thickening Microcapsules
Authors: Tao Chen , Cheng Yang‐Fan , Fang Hua , Yao Yu‐Le , Wang Yu‐Xiang , Ma Hong‐Hao , Shen Zhao‐Wu , Chen Yuan
Published: February 2020

In order to solve the sloughing problem of explosives in upward blast holes, a novel underground mining emulsion explosive with thickening microcapsules was developed. The microcapsules in the emulsion explosive would be damaged by high‐speed shearing at the moment of entering the blast hole, releasing their internal thickening agents to the emulsion explosive in the blast holes. These thickening agents were evenly distributed with a linear network structure in the emulsion explosive to make it thickened in the hole. The microcapsules were spherical and could encapsulate the thickening agent effectively, and the viscosity of the emulsion matrix with 2 mass % of them was close to that of the reference emulsion matrix at ca. 127.9 Pa s. Experimental results of TG‐DSC and detonation performance showed that the novel underground mining emulsion explosive had a good thermal stability and its detonation velocity was 5133 m s−1 and still up to 4618 m s−1 after storing at the temperature of −20 °C for 12 h. The novel underground mining emulsion explosive with thickening microcapsules not only achieved the goal of thickening in the blast holes, but also had excellent detonation performance and low‐temperature resistance capability.
Quantum Antennas
Authors: Slepyan Gregory Ya. , Vlasenko Svetlana , Mogilevtsev Dmitri
Published: February 2020

Due to the recent groundbreaking developments of nanotechnologies, it became possible to create intrinsically quantum systems able to serve as high‐directional antennas in terahertz, infrared, and optical ranges. In fact, the quantum antennas, as devices shaping light on the level of single quanta, have already become key elements in nanooptics and nanoelectronics. The quantum antennas are actively researched for possible implementations in quantum communications, quantum imaging and sensing, and energy harvesting. However, the design and optimization of these emitting/receiving devices are still rather undeveloped in comparison with the well‐known methods for conventional radio‐frequency antennas. This review provides a discussion of the recent achievements in the concept of the quantum antenna as an open quantum system emitting via interaction with a photonic reservoir. The review is focused on bridging the gap between quantum antennas and their macroscopic classical analogues. Furthermore, the way of quantum‐antenna implementation is discussed for different configurations, based on such materials as plasmonic metals, carbon nanotubes, and semiconductor quantum dots.
Dengue: Status of current and under‐development vaccines
Authors: Redoni Marianna , Yacoub Sophie , Rivino Laura , Giacobbe Daniele Roberto , Luzzati Roberto , Di Bella Stefano
Published: February 2020

Dengue is an emerging mosquito‐borne viral infection with increasing reports of outbreaks. The clinical picture ranges from a benign febrile illness through to severe and potentially fatal manifestations. No specific anti‐viral treatment exists, and therapy only consists of supportive care. During the last three decades, several attempts to develop an effective vaccine have been made. The first dengue vaccine to obtain licensure was Dengvaxia, which was authorized in 2015 and is currently available in over 20 countries. Its use has been approved with strict limitations regarding age and serostatus of the recipients, highlighting the necessity for a more safe and efficacious vaccine. At present several vaccine, candidates are undergoing clinical and pre‐clinical trials. The most advanced candidates are TDV and TDV 003/005, two live‐attenuated vaccines, but another 15 vaccines are under development, introducing novel immunization strategies to the traditional dengue vaccine scenario. This work reviews the current research status on dengue vaccines.
Synthesis, Photophysical Studies of Blue‐Light‐Emitting Alternating Polymers from Substituted 9‐Sila Fluorenes and Substituted p‐Phenylacene
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Jayasree , Hasija Deepika C. , Patil Vishwanath R.
Published: February 2020

Five new alternating polymers were synthesized from 2,7‐dibromo‐3,6‐dimethoxy‐9‐sila fluorene with varied alkyl and aryl groups substituted at 9‐position and 2‐tert butyl‐9,10‐di (p hydroxyl phenyl) anthracene. The monomers and the polymers were synthesized in good yields at each stage of preparation and with high degree of reproducibility. The copolymers were soluble in common organic solvents like toluene, xylene, THF and chloroform. Chemical and optoelectronic characterizations of the polymers were done by 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, UV absorption, photoluminescence and cyclic voltammetric studies. Pure blue light emission, with the maximum absorption wavelength in the range of 445 to 457 nm and the PL quantum efficiency in the range of 0.55 to 0.91 were recorded for the synthesized copolymers in their solution in CHCl3. The ITO/CuPc/α‐NPD/ copolymer/ Alq3/LiF/Al devices fabricated from the polymers gave pure blue light emission irrespective of the substitution on silicon atom of the silafluorene moiety. The properties both photophysical and electrochemical, of the synthesized alternating polymers are quite suitable for the development of blue light emitting devices.
Enhanced Coke Resistance and Antioxidation Stability of γ‐Alumina‐Supported Nickel‐Based Catalysts via Decoration with Lanthanum for Propane Pre‐Reforming
Authors: Tan Mingwu , Yang Yanling , Wang Xueguang , Huang Haigen , Zou Xiujing , Lu Xionggang
Published: February 2020

La‐doped mesoporous γ‐alumina supported Ni oxides (xLa@NiO/γ‐MA) were prepared through one‐pot hydrolysis of inorganic salts, without the need for surfactants as in conventional practice. The catalysts were studied in the pre‐reforming of propane at a low steam to carbon molar ratio of 0.7. The results showed that the addition of La could promote the uniform dispersion of Ni species with reduced crystallite sizes, improving the catalytic properties. The 10La@Ni/γ‐MA catalyst (10 wt % La) exhibited the highest catalytic activity and excellent stability without carbon deposition for 150 hrs time‐on‐stream at 350 °C. This could be attributed to the presence of ultrafine Ni nanoparticles with an average metal particle size of 2.3 nm. Meanwhile, the doped La can donate electrons to the metallic Ni surface, preventing it from being oxidized. A minimum La/Ni atomic ratio of 1/11 (10 wt % La) was found to maintain the Ni antioxidation stability.
Influence of Dealumination by Acetylacetone on Acidity and Activity of Amorphous Silica‐Aluminas
Authors: Jin Xiaojing , Millot Yannick , Sayag Céline , Blanchard Juliette , Man Pascal P.
Published: February 2020

The influence of dealumination of two commercial amorphous silica‐aluminas (ASAs) with acetylacetone on their textural properties, acidity and catalytic activity was studied by N2‐sorption, NH3‐TPD, FTIR of adsorbed pyridine as well as 1H and 27Al MAS NMR. Acetylacetone treatment increases the pore volume and surface area (+20→+30%) of commercial ASA without changing the pore size. More than half of the Al species are extracted from ASA but the total acidity is preserved or even slightly increased (for the ASA with higher Al content). The percentage of acidic Al is increased by a factor 2. Dealumination results in a better access to acid sites and an increase of medium Brønsted acid sites (BAS), leading to a 1.5 higher catalytic activity for 3,3‐Dimethyl‐1‐butene (33DMB1) isomerization.
Synthesis of 2, 5‐Diamino‐p—benzoquinones via Aerobic Oxidative C(sp2)‐C(sp2) Bond Cleavage and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Asha Anandavally , Ravindran Jaice , Suma Subhadra , Suresh Cherumuttathu H. , Lankalapalli Ravi S.
Published: February 2020

A facile synthesis of 2, 5‐diamino‐p‐benzoquinones (DABQs) is reported under very mild conditions by mere crystallization. Mechanistic studies by density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations revealed an oxidative C(sp2)‐C(sp2) bond cleavage reaction mechanism via a dioxetane intermediate, from enamine oxidation of a mixture of ethyl vanillin and primary amines by triplet molecular oxygen. A second air oxidation event in the sequence of the reaction that results in C(sp2)‐C(sp2) bond formation is also described by DFT studies. The mechanistic insights enabled synthesis of both symmetric and unsymmetric DABQs from primary amines with a broad substrate scope.
Acid and alkali resistance of Acrylic polyurethane/R‐SiO2 nanocomposite coating
Authors: Mai Nguyen Thi , Anh Bui Thi Mai , Vuong Nguyen Thien
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of R‐SiO2 nanoparticles on acid and alkali resistance of acrylic polyurethane coating. The resistance of the coatings with and without 2.5 wt.% R‐SiO2 nanoparticles in 5 % HCl solution and 5 % NaOH solution was investigated by monitoring the variations in functional groups of the coatings using IR spectroscopic analysis and the changes in their morphology using FE‐SEM analysis, as well as their weight loss analysis. The results showed that R‐SiO2 nanoparticles at content of 2.5 wt.% significantly increased the acid and alkali resistance of acrylic polyurethane coating. After 20 days of immersion in 5 % HCl solution and 5 % NaOH solution, the nanocomposite coating containing 2.5 % R‐SiO2 nanoparticles changed negligibly with a weight loss of about 1 % while the coating not containing R‐SiO2 nanoparticles was deformed seriously with a weight loss of about 3 %.
Mixedligand complexes of uranium (VI) with dithiolophenols and hydrophobic amines in photometric analysis
Authors: Kuliev K. A. , Zalov A. Z. , Aliev S. G. , Maharramova L. M. , İsmailova R. A.
Published: February 2020

In this paper we studied the interaction of uranium (VI) with with dithiolphenols (2,6‐dithiophenol, 2,6‐dithiol‐4‐methylphenol, 2,6‐dithiol‐4‐ethylphenol, 2,6‐dithiol‐4‐tert‐butylphenol), and hydrophobic amines by absorption spectroscopy method. The sudied hydrophobic amines are aniline, N–methylaniline, N,N–dimethylaniline, diphenylguanidine, triphenylguanidine, benzylamine, phenantrolin, dipyridyl, p‐aninopyridin, 2‐(N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl)‐4‐methylphenol and 2‐(N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl)‐4‐bromphenol. The optimal conditions for the formation and extraction of ionic associates were found and the ratios of components in the complexes were established. It was found that associates are formed in a weakly acidic medium (pHopt = 3.5‐7.1). The maxima in the light absorption spectra are observed at λ = 434‐478 nm. Molar coefficient of absorption is equal ε = (2.65‐3.62)•104. On the basis of the obtained data, photometric methods of uranium determination in various objects have been developed.
Chemical compositions and bioefficacy against Spodoptera litura of essential oil and ethyl acetate fraction from Myoporum bontioides leaves
Authors: Minh Tran Thi , Ngoan Tran Thi , Thuong Nguyen Thi Minh , Toan Ho Khanh , Truong Nguyen Xuan , Huong Tran Thu , Ly Giang Thi Phuong , Ai Doan Thi Thuy , Khanh Nguyen Duc
Published: February 2020

Essential oil of fresh leaves from Myoporum bontioides A. Gray was analyzed by GC–MS. A total of nine components were identified in this volatile oil with epingaione (81.52 %) as a main constituent. Three flavonoids named isorhamnetin (1), 3,4’‐dimethoxy‐3’,5,7‐trihydroxyflavone (2) and luteolin (3) were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Myoporum bontioides A. Gray leaves. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and by comparison with their spectral data reported in literature. The essential oil and ethyl acetate fraction from the leaves of this species expressed the toxicity to Spodoptera litura. In the antifeedant bioassay more than 50 % insects were killed after 48 h at 1.6 % and 4.0 % concentrations of the essential oil and ethyl acetate fraction, respectively.