bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Francophones et Franco-Ontariens dans l’univers agricole canadien, 1851-1911 : perspectives comparatives
Authors: Ouellet Fernand
Published: September 2017

Fernand Ouellet, historien de l’Université York, s’intéresse à la spécificité de l’expérience franco-ontarienne dans l’univers agricole canadien. Son étude fouillée, fruit d’une longue enquête statistique pour les années 1851 à 1911, présente plusieurs aspects de nouveauté : comparative et régionale, elle permet de corriger les erreurs de perspective et d’isoler les données relatives aux concentrations ethniques partout au Canada durant cette période. L’auteur peut ainsi mettre en évidence les disparités régionales canadiennes, puis relever celles qui existent entre le Québec et l’Ontario, et enfin distinguer même les populations françaises et anglaises de l’Ontario. Bien que « préliminaire », cette recherche oblige le chercheur à conclure que les Franco-Ontariens ont amélioré leur sort en s’établissant dans cette province, car, pourtant moins riches qu’ailleurs en Ontario, leurs terres, comme celles de leurs nouveaux compatriotes, affichaient un meilleur rendement que celles, plus fertiles, de la région de Montréal ; comme quoi la qualité des terres ne peut seule tout expliquer.
Translation Methods and Experience: A Comparative Analysis of Human Translation and Post-editing with Students and Professional Translators
Authors: Daems Joke , Vandepitte Sonia , Hartsuiker Robert J. , Macken Lieve
Published: September 2017

While the benefits of using post-editing for technical texts have been more or less acknowledged, it remains unclear whether post-editing is a viable alternative to human translation for more general text types. In addition, we need a better understanding of both translation methods and how they are performed by students as well as professionals, so that pitfalls can be determined and translator training can be adapted accordingly. In this article, we aim to get a better understanding of the differences between human translation and post-editing for newspaper articles. Processes are registered by means of eye tracking and keystroke logging, which allows us to study translation speed, cognitive load, and the use of external resources. We also look at the final quality of the product as well as translators’ attitude towards both methods of translation. Studying these different aspects shows that both methods and groups are more similar than anticipated.
À la recherche d’un titre littéraire idéalement traduit : le cas du chinois vers le français
Authors: Poizat-Xie Honghua , Zhang Yongzhao
Published: September 2017

Recensant 237 ouvrages littéraires chinois traduits en français publiés par les éditeurs français entre 2000 et 2014, cette étude tente d’explorer les règles et les conventions régissant la traduction de titres littéraires du chinois au français. Elle montre la complexité du processus et les multiples défis du traducteur. Nous examinons les différents procédés employés par les traducteurs, qui sont globalement au nombre de quatre : la traduction littérale, l’adaptation, l’explicitation et l’implicitation. Parfois, plusieurs procédés sont mis au service du traitement d’un titre. Nous constatons que le choix du titre ne consiste pas toujours uniquement à saisir les mots et/ou la structure de l’original. Le traducteur essaie, par toutes sortes de stratégies, d’être fidèle à l’intention de l’auteur et à l’esprit de son texte. Par ailleurs, il prend aussi en considération les caractéristiques de la langue française et les attentes du lectorat français. Il jouit d’un assez grand espace de liberté et peut raccourcir ou rallonger un titre, en condensant ou en décomposant certains mots ou structures ; il lui arrive parfois d’en réinventer un. Notre analyse montre que la majorité des titres traduits sont pertinents.
When Translation Competence Is Not Enough: A Focus Group Study of Medical Translators
Authors: Nisbeth Brøgger Matilde
Published: September 2017

Functionalist approaches to translation brought about a shift in the status and role of the translator: the translator is now considered to be an active, responsible agent in the communication process, which increases the importance of translation expertise and translation competence. Translation competence has thus attracted mounting research interest; however, empirical studies have primarily been conducted in controlled environments, omitting the translation context that professional translators usually work within. This study offers empirical evidence of the importance of the translation context when investigating translation competence. Based on a previous empirical study of translated Patient Information Leaflets, which showed a lack of translation competence, this study includes the translators’ perception using the focus group methodology. Results show the strong influence of contextual constraints on medical translators’ processes and thus products. The study concludes that an analysis of translation products alone may give a skewed picture of translators’ competence.
An exploration of strategies used by dressage horses to control moments around the center of mass when performing passage
Authors: Clayton Hilary M. , Hobbs Sarah Jane
Published: September 2017

Background

Locomotion results from the generation of ground reaction forces (GRF) that cause translations of the center of mass (COM) and generate moments that rotate the body around the COM. The trot is a diagonally-synchronized gait performed by horses at intermediate locomotor speeds. Passage is a variant of the trot performed by highly-trained dressage horses. It is distinguished from trot by having a slow speed of progression combined with great animation of the limbs in the swing phase. The slow speed of passage challenges the horse’s ability to control the sagittal-plane moments around the COM. Footfall patterns and peak GRF are known to differ between passage and trot, but their effects on balance management, which we define here as the ability to control nose-up/nose-down pitching moments around the horse’s COM to maintain a state of equilibrium, are not known. The objective was to investigate which biomechanical variables influence pitching moments around the COM in passage.

Methods

Three highly-trained dressage horses were captured by a 10-camera motion analysis system (120 Hz) as they were ridden in passage over four force platforms (960 Hz). A full-body marker set was used to track the horse’s COM and measure balance variables including total body center of pressure (COP), pitching moments, diagonal dissociation timing, peak force production, limb protraction–retraction, and trunk posture. A total of twenty passage steps were extracted and partial correlation (accounting for horse) was used to investigate significant (P < 0.05) relationships between variables.

Results

Hindlimb mean protraction–retraction correlated significantly with peak hindlimb propulsive forces (R = 0.821;P < 0.01), mean pitching moments (R = 0.546,P = 0.016), trunk range of motion, COM craniocaudal location and diagonal dissociation time (P < 0.05).

Discussion

Pitching moments around the COM were controlled by a combination of kinematic and kinetic adjustments that involve coordinated changes in GRF magnitudes, GRF distribution between the diagonal limb pairs, and the moment arms of the vertical GRFs. The moment arms depend on hoof placements relative to the COM, which were adjusted by changing limb protraction–retraction angles. Nose-up pitching moments could also be increased by providing a larger hindlimb propulsive GRF.
Quantifying How Observations Inform a Numerical Reanalysis of Hawaii
Authors: Powell B. S.
Published: September 2017

When assimilating observations into a model via state‐estimation, it is possible to quantify how each observation changes the modeled estimate of a chosen oceanic metric. Using an existing 2 year reanalysis of Hawaii that includes more than 31 million observations from satellites, ships, SeaGliders, and autonomous floats, I assess which observations most improve the estimates of the transport and eddy kinetic energy. When the SeaGliders were in the water, they comprised less than 2.5% of the data, but accounted for 23% of the transport adjustment. Because the model physics constrains advanced state‐estimation, the prescribed covariances are propagated in time to identify observation‐model covariance. I find that observations that constrain the isopycnal tilt across the transport section provide the greatest impact in the analysis. In the case of eddy kinetic energy, observations that constrain the surface‐driven upper ocean have more impact. This information can help to identify optimal sampling strategies to improve both state‐estimates and forecasts.
Katabatic Wind‐Driven Exchange in Fjords
Authors: Spall Michael A. , Jackson Rebecca H. , Straneo Fiammetta
Published: September 2017

The general issue of katabatic wind‐driven exchange in fjords is considered using an idealized numerical model, theory, and observations. Two regimes are identified. For fjords narrower than a viscous boundary layer width, the exchange is limited by a balance between wind and friction in lateral boundary layers. For the nonlinear viscous parameterization used here, this boundary layer thickness depends on the properties of the fjord, such as stratification and length, as well as on the wind stress and numerical parameters such as grid spacing and an empirical constant. For wider fjords typical of east Greenland, the balance is primarily between wind, the along‐fjord pressure gradient, and acceleration, in general agreement with previous two‐layer nonrotating theories. It is expected that O(10%) of the surface layer will be flushed out of the fjord by a single wind event. Application of the idealized model to a typical katabatic wind event produces outflowing velocities that are in general agreement with observations in Sermilik Fjord, a large glacial fjord in southeast Greenland. The presence of a sill has only a minor influence on the exchange until the sill penetrates over most of the lower layer thickness, in which cases the exchange is reduced. It is concluded that the multiple katabatic wind events per winter that are experienced by the fjords along east Greenland represent an important mechanism of exchange between the fjord and shelf, with implications for the renewal of warm, salty waters at depth and for the export of glacial freshwater in the upper layer.
Bottom Water Acidification and Warming on the Western Eurasian Arctic Shelves: Dynamical Downscaling Projections
Authors: Wallhead P. J. , Bellerby R. G. J. , Silyakova A. , Slagstad D. , Polukhin A. A.
Published: September 2017

The impacts of oceanic CO2uptake and global warming on the surface ocean environment have received substantial attention, but few studies have focused on shelf bottom water, despite its importance as habitat for benthic organisms and demersal fisheries such as cod. We used a downscaling ocean biogeochemical model to project bottom water acidification and warming on the western Eurasian Arctic shelves. A model hindcast produced 14–18 year acidification trends that were largely consistent with observational estimates at stations in the Iceland and Irminger Seas. Projections under SRES A1B scenario revealed a rapid and spatially variable decline in bottom pH by 0.10–0.20 units over 50 years (2.5%–97.5% quantiles) at depths 50–500 m on the Norwegian, Barents, Kara, and East Greenland shelves. Bottom water undersaturation with respect to aragonite occurred over the entire Kara shelf by 2040 and over most of the Barents and East Greenland shelves by 2070. Shelf acidification was predominantly driven by the accumulation of anthropogenic CO2, and was concurrent with warming of 0.1–2.7°C over 50 years. These combined perturbations will act as significant multistressors on the Barents and Kara shelves. Future studies should aim to improve the resolution of shelf bottom processes in models, and should consider the Kara Sea and Russian shelves as possible bellwethers of shelf acidification.
Evaluation of WRF Simulations With Different Selections of Subgrid Orographic Drag Over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhou X. , Beljaars A. , Wang Y. , Huang B. , Lin C. , Chen Y. , Wu H.
Published: September 2017

Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations with different selections of subgrid orographic drag over the Tibetan Plateau have been evaluated with observation and ERA‐Interim reanalysis. Results show that the subgrid orographic drag schemes, especially the turbulent orographic form drag (TOFD) scheme, efficiently reduce the 10 m wind speed bias and RMS error with respect to station measurements. With the combination of gravity wave, flow blocking and TOFD schemes, wind speed is simulated more realistically than with the individual schemes only. Improvements are also seen in the 2 m air temperature and surface pressure. The gravity wave drag, flow blocking drag, and TOFD schemes combined have the smallest station mean bias (−2.05°C in 2 m air temperature and 1.27 hPa in surface pressure) and RMS error (3.59°C in 2 m air temperature and 2.37 hPa in surface pressure). Meanwhile, the TOFD scheme contributes more to the improvements than the gravity wave drag and flow blocking schemes. The improvements are more pronounced at low levels of the atmosphere than at high levels due to the stronger drag enhancement on the low‐level flow. The reduced near‐surface cold bias and high‐pressure bias over the Tibetan Plateau are the result of changes in the low‐level wind components associated with the geostrophic balance. The enhanced drag directly leads to weakened westerlies but also enhances the a‐geostrophic flow in this case reducing (enhancing) the northerlies (southerlies), which bring more warm air across the Himalaya Mountain ranges from South Asia (bring less cold air from the north) to the interior Tibetan Plateau.
Relict Mountain Permafrost Area (Loess Plateau, China) Exhibits High Ecosystem Respiration Rates and Accelerating Rates in Response to Warming
Authors: Mu Cuicui , Wu Xiaodong , Zhao Qian , Smoak Joseph M. , Yang Yulong , Hu Lian , Zhong Wen , Liu Guimin , Xu Haiyan , Zhang Tingjun
Published: September 2017

Relict permafrost regions are characterized by thin permafrost and relatively high temperatures. Understanding the ecosystem respiration rate (ERR) and its relationship with soil hydrothermal conditions in these areas can provide knowledge regarding the permafrost carbon cycle in a warming world. In this study, we examined a permafrost area, a boundary area, and a seasonally frozen ground area within a relict permafrost region on the east edge of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, China. Measurements from July 2015 to September 2016 showed that the mean annual ecosystem CO2 emissions for the boundary area were greater than the permafrost area. The Q10 value of the ERRs in the seasonally frozen ground area was greater than the permafrost area, indicating that the carbon emissions in the nonpermafrost areas were more sensitive to warming. The 1 year open‐top chamber (OTC) warming increased soil temperatures in both the permafrost and seasonally frozen ground areas throughout the year, and the warming increased the ERRs by 1.18 (0.99–1.38, with interquartile range) and 1.13 (0.75–1.54, with interquartile range) μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 in permafrost and seasonally frozen ground areas, respectively. The OTC warming increased annual ERRs by approximately 50% for both permafrost and seasonally frozen ground areas with half the increase occurring during the nongrowing seasons. These results suggest that the ERRs in relict permafrost are high in comparison with arctic regions, and the carbon balance in relict permafrost areas could be greatly changed by climate warming.
Modeling Global Soil Carbon and Soil Microbial Carbon by Integrating Microbial Processes into the Ecosystem Process Model TRIPLEX‐GHG
Authors: Wang Kefeng , Peng Changhui , Zhu Qiuan , Zhou Xiaolu , Wang Meng , Zhang Kerou , Wang Gangsheng
Published: September 2017

Microbial physiology plays a critical role in the biogeochemical cycles of the Earth system. However, most traditional soil carbon models are lacking in terms of the representation of key microbial processes that control the soil carbon response to global climate change. In this study, the improved process‐based model TRIPLEX‐GHG was developed by coupling it with the new MEND (Microbial‐ENzyme‐mediated Decomposition) model to estimate total global soil organic carbon (SOC) and global soil microbial carbon. The new model (TRIPLEX‐MICROBE) shows considerable improvement over the previous version (TRIPLEX‐GHG) in simulating SOC. We estimated the global soil carbon stock to be approximately 1195 Pg C, with 348 Pg C located in the high northern latitudes, which is in good agreement with the well‐regarded Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD) and the Northern Circumpolar Soil Carbon Database (NCSCD). We also estimated the global soil microbial carbon to be 21 Pg C, similar to the 23 Pg C estimated by Xu et al. (2014). We found that the microbial carbon quantity in the latitudinal direction showed reversions at approximately 30°N, near the equator and at 25°S. A sensitivity analysis suggested that the tundra ecosystem exhibited the highest sensitivity to a 1°C increase or decrease in temperature in terms of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and mineral‐associated organic carbon (MOC). However, our work represents the first step toward a new generation of ecosystem process models capable of integrating key microbial processes into soil carbon cycles.
Are Model Transferability And Complexity Antithetical? Insights From Validation of a Variable‐Complexity Empirical Snow Model in Space and Time
Authors: Lute A. C. , Luce Charles H.
Published: September 2017

The related challenges of predictions in ungauged basins and predictions in ungauged climates point to the need to develop environmental models that are transferable across both space and time. Hydrologic modeling has historically focused on modelling one or only a few basins using highly parameterized conceptual or physically based models. However, model parameters and structures have been shown to change significantly when calibrated to new basins or time periods, suggesting that model complexity and model transferability may be antithetical. Empirical space‐for‐time models provide a framework within which to assess model transferability and any tradeoff with model complexity. Using 497 SNOTEL sites in the western U.S., we develop space‐for‐time models of April 1 SWE and Snow Residence Time based on mean winter temperature and cumulative winter precipitation. The transferability of the models to new conditions (in both space and time) is assessed using non‐random cross‐validation tests with consideration of the influence of model complexity on transferability. As others have noted, the algorithmic empirical models transfer best when minimal extrapolation in input variables is required. Temporal split‐sample validations use pseudoreplicated samples, resulting in the selection of overly complex models, which has implications for the design of hydrologic model validation tests. Finally, we show that low to moderate complexity models transfer most successfully to new conditions in space and time, providing empirical confirmation of the parsimony principal.
Simulating Small‐Scale Rainfall Fields Conditioned by Weather State and Elevation: A Data‐Driven Approach Based on Rainfall Radar Images
Authors: Oriani Fabio , Ohana‐Levi Noa , Marra Francesco , Straubhaar Julien , Mariethoz Gregoire , Renard Philippe , Karnieli Arnon , Morin Efrat
Published: September 2017

The quantification of spatial rainfall is critical for distributed hydrological modeling. Rainfall spatial patterns generated by similar weather conditions can be extremely diverse. This variability can have a significant impact on hydrological processes. Stochastic simulation allows generating multiple realizations of spatial rainfall or filling missing data. The simulated data can then be used as input for numerical models to study the uncertainty on hydrological forecasts. In this paper, we use the direct sampling technique to generate stochastic simulations of high‐resolution (1 km) daily rainfall fields, conditioned by elevation and weather state. The technique associates historical radar estimates to variables describing the daily weather conditions, such as the rainfall type and mean intensity, and selects radar images accordingly to form a conditional training image set of each day. Rainfall fields are then generated by resampling pixels from these images. The simulation at each location is conditioned by neighbor patterns of rainfall amount and elevation. The technique is tested on the simulation of daily rainfall amount for the eastern Mediterranean. The results show that it can generate realistic rainfall fields for different weather types, preserving the temporal weather pattern, the spatial features, and the complex relation with elevation. The concept of conditional training image provides added value to multiple‐point simulation techniques dealing with extremely nonstationary heterogeneities and extensive data sets.
The impact of a high‐definition multileaf collimator for spine SBRT
Authors: Younge Kelly C. , Kuchta John R. , Mikell Justin K. , Rosen Benjamin , Bredfeldt Jeremy S. , Matuszak Martha M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Advanced radiotherapy delivery systems designed for high‐dose, high‐precision treatments often come equipped with high‐definition multi‐leaf collimators (HD‐MLC) aimed at more finely shaping radiation dose to the target. In this work, we study the effect of a high definition MLC on spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment plan quality and plan deliverability.

Methods and Materials

Seventeen spine SBRT cases were planned with VMAT using a standard definition MLC (M120), HD‐MLC, and HD‐MLC with an added objective to reduce monitor units (MU). M120 plans were converted into plans deliverable on an HD‐MLC using in‐house software. Plan quality and plan deliverability as measured by portal dosimetry were compared among the three types of plans.

Results

Only minor differences were noted in plan quality between the M120 and HD‐MLC plans. Plans generated with the HD‐MLC tended to have better spinal cord sparing (3% reduction in maximum cord dose). HD‐MLC plans on average had 12% more MU and 55% greater modulation complexity as defined by an in‐house metric. HD‐MLC plans also had significantly degraded deliverability. Of the VMAT arcs measured, 94% had lower gamma passing metrics when using the HD‐MLC.

Conclusion

Modest improvements in plan quality were noted when switching from M120 to HD‐MLC at the expense of significantly less accurate deliverability in some cases.
Porous Polymer Membranes by Hard Templating – A Review
Authors: Stucki Mario , Loepfe Michael , Stark Wendelin J.
Published: September 2017

Membranes are designed to bridge a precise separation process at the nanoscale with industrial applications running at cubic meters per hour. This review outlines materials applied in membrane production with a particular focus on polymers. Membrane performance and created value are directly linked to controlled pore formation. Their economic relevance has created a number of large companies and associated academic research at top institutions. The authors review, therefore, starts from well‐established techniques applied in products and then moves on to evolving concepts from academia. Pore formation through hard templating is a versatile field for separation processes. A more detailed view is given on the two known concepts for nanopore formation, namely colloidal templates and random hard salt templating. A comparison between these two concepts underlines their relevance to combine a process specific separation with large scale manufacturing requirements (i.e., upscale possibility, flexible process control and environmental impact).
Organometal Trihalide Perovskites with Intriguing Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties
Authors: Ding Ran , Zhang Xiaoli , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: September 2017

Organometal trihalide perovskites (OTPs) as a new subclass of perovskite materials have recently aroused increasing interest due to their numerous advantages of facile low‐temperature processing, tunable bandgaps, diverse compositions, and superior charge transfer dynamics, which have been widely used in various applications. In particular, solar cells composed of these perovskites have made unprecedented progress in just a few years with maximum power conversion efficiency, evolving from 3.8 to 21.6%. In spite of such impressive achievement, a fundamental understanding of intrinsic optoelectronic and physiochemical properties is a key challenge impeding the development of the OTPs. This review article aims to provide a concise overview of the current status of OTPs research, highlighting the unique properties of OTPs, especially ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, which are vital to photovoltaic and piezoelectric applications but still not adequately explained. Various material synthesis strategies of OTPs are surveyed, exhibiting that the OTPs architecture can serve as a promising and robust platform for opening new horizons in ferroelectric and piezoelectric researches. Several applications, including piezoelectric generators, solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, lasers, photodetectors, and water‐splitting cells, demonstrate the latent potentialities of OTPs.
Multicolor Printing Using Electric‐Field‐Responsive and Photocurable Photonic Crystals
Authors: Chen Ke , Fu Qianqian , Ye Siyun , Ge Jianping
Published: September 2017

Efficient and large scale printing of photonic crystal patterns with multicolor, multigrayscale, and fine resolution is highly desired due to its application in smart prints, sensors, and photonic devices. Here, an electric‐field‐assisted multicolor printing is reported based on electrically responsive and photocurable colloidal photonic crystal, which is prepared by supersaturation‐induced self‐assembly of SiO2 particles in the mixture of propylene carbonate (PC) and trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate (ETPTA). This colloidal crystal suspension, named as E‐ink, has tunable structural color, controllable grayscale, and instantly fixable characteristics at the same time because the SiO2/ETPTA‐PC photonic crystal has metastable and reversible assembly as well as polymerizable features. Lithographical printing with photomask and maskless pixel printing techniques are developed respectively to efficiently prepare multicolor and high‐resolution photonic patterns using a single‐component E‐ink.
Strategies for Optimizing the Soft Tissue Seal around Osseointegrated Implants
Authors: Abdallah Mohamed‐Nur , Badran Zahi , Ciobanu Ovidiu , Hamdan Nader , Tamimi Faleh
Published: September 2017

Percutaneous and permucosal devices such as catheters, infusion pumps, orthopedic, and dental implants are commonly used in medical treatments. However, these useful devices breach the soft tissue barrier that protects the body from the outer environment, and thus increase bacterial infections resulting in morbidity and mortality. Such associated infections can be prevented if these devices are effectively integrated with the surrounding soft tissue, and thus creating a strong seal from the surrounding environment. However, so far, there are no percutaneous/permucosal medical devices able to prevent infection by achieving strong integration at the soft tissue–device interface. This review gives an insight into the current status of research into soft tissue–implant interface and the challenges associated with these interfaces. Biological soft/hard tissue interfaces may provide insights toward engineering better soft tissue interfaces around percutaneous devices. In this review, focus is put on the history and current findings as well as recent progress of the strategies aiming to develop a strong soft tissue seal around osseointegrated implants, such as orthopedic and dental implants.
Metal‐Ion‐Modified Black Phosphorus with Enhanced Stability and Transistor Performance
Authors: Guo Zhinan , Chen Si , Wang Zhongzheng , Yang Zhenyu , Liu Fei , Xu Yanhua , Wang Jiahong , Yi Ya , Zhang Han , Liao Lei , Chu Paul K. , Yu Xue‐Feng
Published: September 2017

Black phosphorus (BP), a burgeoning elemental 2D semiconductor, has aroused increasing scientific and technological interest, especially as a channel material in field‐effect transistors (FETs). However, the intrinsic instability of BP causes practical concern and the transistor performance must also be improved. Here, the use of metal‐ion modification to enhance both the stability and transistor performance of BP sheets is described. Ag+ spontaneously adsorbed on the BP surface via cation–π interactions passivates the lone‐pair electrons of P thereby rendering BP more stable in air. Consequently, the Ag+‐modified BP FET shows greatly enhanced hole mobility from 796 to 1666 cm2 V−1 s−1 and ON/OFF ratio from 5.9 × 104 to 2.6 × 106. The mechanisms pertaining to the enhanced stability and transistor performance are discussed and the strategy can be extended to other metal ions such as Fe3+, Mg2+, and Hg2+. Such stable and high‐performance BP transistors are crucial to electronic and optoelectronic devices. The stability and semiconducting properties of BP sheets can be enhanced tremendously by this novel strategy.
Coupling Diffusion Welding Technique and Mesh Screen Creates Heterogeneous Metal Surface for Droplets Array
Authors: Xie Jian , Xu Jinliang , Liu Qi , Li Xiang
Published: September 2017

Nonsilicon micromachining is a challenge, especially for large scale heterogeneous (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) surface fabrication. Here, mesh screen and diffusion welding technique are coupled to form a novel fabrication method. Mesh screen is used as mask. The diffusion welding technique sinters mesh screen on copper surface to form welding junction array. Chemical treatment of sintered package forms superhydrophobic nanostructures on surfaces except welding junction array. Separating mesh screen from copper substrate exposes hydrophilic dots array, corresponding to welding junction array. Thus, heterogeneous surface is created. By condensing wet air, main droplet and neighboring droplet occur on hydrophilic dot and superhydrophobic part, respectively. For horizontal surface, neighboring droplets initially generated on nanograsses behave consecutive events of coalescence, jump, and return, triggering contact/noncontact effect induced jumping. Thus, defect droplet area is formed and droplet size uniformity is broken. A nondimensional equation is proposed for the contact effect induced jumping analysis. Noncontact effect induced jumping is found for the first time. For vertical surface, droplet array behaves monodisperse size due to departure of merged neighboring droplets without returning, and equal opportunities of neighboring droplets captured by main droplets. The work opens a new way for large scale droplet array generation by controllable condensation.
Management of complicated diverticulitis of the colon
Authors: Tochigi Toru , Kosugi Chihiro , Shuto Kiyohiko , Mori Mikito , Hirano Atsushi , Koda Keiji
Published: September 2017

Diverticular disease of the colon occurs quite frequently in developed countries, and its prevalence has recently increased in Japan. The appearance of diverticulosis increases with age, although mostly remaining asymptomatic. Approximately 20% of cases require treatment. As the Western lifestyle and number of elderly people increase, the need for medical treatment also increases. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for diagnosing diverticulitis. Complicated diverticulitis is classified by the size and range of abscess formation and the severity of the peritonitis. Each case should be classified based on clinical and computed tomography (CT) findings and then treated appropriately. Most patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis (stages 0–Ia) can be treated conservatively. Diverticulitis with a localized abscess (stages Ib–II) is generally resolved with conservative treatment. If the abscess is larger or conservative treatment fails, however, percutaneous drainage or surgery should be considered. Operative treatment is considered standard therapy for severe diverticulitis with perforation and generalized peritonitis (stages III–IV). Colonic diverticulitis treated conservatively frequently recurs. Elective surgery after recovery should be considered carefully and decisions made on a case‐by‐case basis. Because cases of colonic diverticulitis will undoubtedly increase in Japan, it is likely that we will be confronted with increasing numbers of treatment decisions. We therefore need to have a systematic strategy for treating the various stages of colonic diverticulitis appropriately. We herein review the management of complicated diverticulitis.
BCL11A frameshift mutation associated with dyspraxia and hypotonia affecting the fine, gross, oral, and speech motor systems
Authors: Soblet Julie , Dimov Ivan , Graf von Kalckreuth Clemens , Cano‐Chervel Julie , Baijot Simon , Pelc Karin , Sottiaux Martine , Vilain Catheline , Smits Guillaume , Deconinck Nicolas
Published: September 2017

We report the case of a 7‐year‐old male of Western European origin presenting with moderate intellectual disability, severe childhood apraxia of speech in the presence of oral and manual dyspraxia, and hypotonia across motor systems including the oral and speech motor systems. Exome sequencing revealed a de novo frameshift protein truncating mutation in the fourth exon of BCL11A, a gene recently demonstrated as being involved in cognition and language development. Making parallels with a previously described patient with a 200 kb 2p15p16.1 deletion encompassing the entire BCL11A gene and displaying a similar phenotype, we characterize in depth how BCL11A is involved in clinical aspects of language development and oral praxis.
Proximitäts‐vermittelte kovalente Stabilisierung niedrig‐affiner Proteinkomplexe in vitro und in vivo
Authors: Cigler Marko , Müller Thorsten G. , Horn‐Ghetko Daniel , von Wrisberg Marie‐Kristin , Fottner Maximilian , Goody Roger S. , Itzen Aymelt , Müller Matthias P. , Lang Kathrin
Published: September 2017

Die Charakterisierung von Proteinkomplexen geringer Affinität ist wegen ihrer Dynamik sehr anspruchsvoll. Hier wird eine Methode vorgestellt, um transiente Proteinkomplexe in lebenden Zellen mit einer kovalenten, aber konformativ flexiblen Brücke zwischen den Wechselwirkungspartnern zu stabilisieren. Dazu wird eine hoch aktive Mutante der Pyrrolysyl‐tRNA‐Synthetase verwendet, die den Einbau nichtnatürlicher Aminosäuren mit langen Bromalkylketten (BrCnK) in Proteine ermöglicht. Erstmals wird gezeigt, dass Komplexe niedriger Affinität zwischen BrCnK‐haltigen Proteinen und deren Bindungspartnern in vivo in Bakterien sowie humanen Zellen stabilisiert werden können. Mit diesem Ansatz konnte die Kristallstruktur eines transienten, GDP‐gebundenen Komplexes zwischen einem kleinen G‐Protein und seinem GTP‐Austauschfaktor bestimmt werden. Die Methode kann als generelles Hilfsmittel zur Validierung und Charakterisierung von Protein‐Protein‐Wechselwirkungen in vitro und in vivo eingesetzt werden.
Low‐Temperature Molten‐Salt Production of Silicon Nanowires by the Electrochemical Reduction of CaSiO3
Authors: Dong Yifan , Slade Tyler , Stolt Matthew J. , Li Linsen , Girard Steven N. , Mai Liqiang , Jin Song
Published: September 2017

Silicon is an extremely important technological material, but its current industrial production by the carbothermic reduction of SiO2 is energy intensive and generates CO2 emissions. Herein, we developed a more sustainable method to produce silicon nanowires (Si NWs) in bulk quantities through the direct electrochemical reduction of CaSiO3, an abundant and inexpensive Si source soluble in molten salts, at a low temperature of 650 °C by using low‐melting‐point ternary molten salts CaCl2–MgCl2–NaCl, which still retains high CaSiO3 solubility, and a supporting electrolyte of CaO, which facilitates the transport of O2− anions, drastically improves the reaction kinetics, and enables the electrolysis at low temperatures. The Si nanowire product can be used as high‐capacity Li‐ion battery anode materials with excellent cycling performance. This environmentally friendly strategy for the practical production of Si at lower temperatures can be applied to other molten salt systems and is also promising for waste glass and coal ash recycling.
Visible‐Light‐Initiated Manganese Catalysis for C−H Alkylation of Heteroarenes: Applications and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Nuhant Philippe , Oderinde Martins S. , Genovino Julien , Juneau Antoine , Gagné Yohann , Allais Christophe , Chinigo Gary M. , Choi Chulho , Sach Neal W. , Bernier Louise , Fobian Yvette M. , Bundesmann Mark W. , Khunte Bhagyashree , Frenette Mathieu , Fadeyi Olugbeminiyi O.
Published: September 2017

A visible‐light‐driven Minisci protocol that employs an inexpensive earth‐abundant metal catalyst, decacarbonyldimanganese Mn2(CO)10, to generate alkyl radicals from alkyl iodides has been developed. This Minisci protocol is compatible with a wide array of sensitive functional groups, including oxetanes, sugar moieties, azetidines, tert‐butyl carbamates (Boc‐group), cyclobutanes, and spirocycles. The robustness of this protocol is demonstrated on the late‐stage functionalization of complex nitrogen‐containing drugs. Photophysical and DFT studies indicate a light‐initiated chain reaction mechanism propagated by .Mn(CO)5. The rate‐limiting step is the iodine abstraction from an alkyl iodide by .Mn(CO)5.
Carbene Footprinting Reveals Binding Interfaces of a Multimeric Membrane‐Spanning Protein
Authors: Manzi Lucio , Barrow Andrew S. , Hopper Jonathan T. S. , Kaminska Renata , Kleanthous Colin , Robinson Carol V. , Moses John E. , Oldham Neil J.
Published: September 2017

Mapping the interaction sites between membrane‐spanning proteins is a key challenge in structural biology. In this study a carbene‐footprinting approach was developed and applied to identify the interfacial sites of a trimeric, integral membrane protein, OmpF, solubilised in micelles. The diazirine‐based footprinting probe is effectively sequestered by, and incorporated into, the micelles, thus leading to efficient labelling of the membrane‐spanning regions of the protein upon irradiation at 349 nm. Areas associated with protein–protein interactions between the trimer subunits remained unlabelled, thus revealing their location.
A Radiolabeling‐Free, qPCR‐Based Method for Locus‐Specific Pseudouridine Detection
Authors: Lei Zhixin , Yi Chengqi
Published: September 2017

Pseudouridine (Ψ) is the most abundant post‐transcriptional RNA modification. Methods have been developed for locus‐specific Ψ detection; however, they often involve radiolabeling of RNA, require advanced experimental skills, and can be time‐consuming. Herein we report a radiolabeling‐free, qPCR‐based method to rapidly detect locus‐specific Ψ. Pseudouridine residues were labeled chemically, and the resulting adducts induced mutation/deletion during reverse transcription (RT) to generate qPCR products with different melting temperatures and hence altered melting curves. We validated our method on known Ψ sites in rRNA and then used it to sensitively detect Ψ residues in lncRNA and mRNA of low abundance. Finally, we applied our method to pseudouridine synthase identification and showed that Ψ616 in PSME2 mRNA is dependent on PUS7. Our facile and cost‐effective method takes only 1.5 days to complete, and with slight adjustment it can be applied to the detection of other epitranscriptomic marks.
A Water‐Containing Organopotassium Compound Based on Bis(4,6‐tBu‐benzoxazol‐2‐yl)methanide and Its Unexpected Stability to Hydrolysis
Authors: Koehne Ingo , Bachmann Sebastian , Herbst‐Irmer Regine , Stalke Dietmar
Published: September 2017

The bulky bis(4,6‐tBu‐benzoxazol‐2‐yl)methane ligand system enabled the synthesis of the water‐containing organometallic potassium complex [(18‐crown‐6)K{(4,6‐tBu‐OCNC6H2)2CH}⋅H2O] (2), which is an unprecedented example of a water‐stable reactive organopotassium compound. Furthermore, 2 is a rare example of a bis(benzoxazol‐2‐yl)methanide ligand displaying solely O‐coordination to a metal ion. Compound 2 was fully characterized through its solid‐state structure. Furthermore, its behavior in solution was investigated by NMR titration DOSY experiments. These revealed full protonation of the complex only after seven days and the addition of 114 equivalents of water.
Proximity‐Triggered Covalent Stabilization of Low‐Affinity Protein Complexes In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Cigler Marko , Müller Thorsten G. , Horn‐Ghetko Daniel , von Wrisberg Marie‐Kristin , Fottner Maximilian , Goody Roger S. , Itzen Aymelt , Müller Matthias P. , Lang Kathrin
Published: September 2017

The characterization of low‐affinity protein complexes is challenging due to their dynamic nature. Here, we present a method to stabilize transient protein complexes in vivo by generating a covalent and conformationally flexible bridge between the interaction partners. A highly active pyrrolysyl tRNA synthetase mutant directs the incorporation of unnatural amino acids bearing bromoalkyl moieties (BrCnK) into proteins. We demonstrate for the first time that low‐affinity protein complexes between BrCnK‐containing proteins and their binding partners can be stabilized in vivo in bacterial and mammalian cells. Using this approach, we determined the crystal structure of a transient GDP‐bound complex between a small G‐protein and its nucleotide exchange factor. We envision that this approach will prove valuable as a general tool for validating and characterizing protein–protein interactions in vitro and in vivo.
Synthesis, characterization and biological application of cyclometalated heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes
Authors: Lunagariya Miral V. , Thakor Khyati P. , Patel Nikita J. , Patel Mohan N.
Published: September 2017

A series of square planar cyclometalated heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes of the type [(C^N)Pt(O^O)] [where, O^O is a β‐diketonato ligand of acetylacetone (acac), C^N = cyclometalating 7‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L1), 7‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L2), 7‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L3), 7‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L4), 5‐phenyl‐7‐(p‐tolyl)pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L5)] have been design, synthesized and characterized. All compounds have been screened for biological studies like in vitro antibacterial, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular level cytotoxicity, absorption titration, viscosity measurements, fluorescence quenching analysis, molecular docking and DNA nuclease. The intrinsic binding constants (Kb) of compounds with HS‐DNA has been obtained in range of 2.892–0.242 × 105 M−1. All the compounds bound with HS DNA by partial intercalative mode of binding. MIC study has been carried out against Gram(+ve) and Gram(−ve) bacterial species. In vitro cytotoxicity against brine shrimp lethality bioassay has been also carried out. The LC50 values of the ligands and complexes have been found in range of 56.49–120.22 μg/mL and 6.71–11.96 μg/mL, respectively.
Physical Limits on the Precision of Mitotic Spindle Positioning by Microtubule Pushing forces
Authors: Howard Jonathon , Garzon‐Coral Carlos
Published: September 2017

Tissues are shaped and patterned by mechanical and chemical processes. A key mechanical process is the positioning of the mitotic spindle, which determines the size and location of the daughter cells within the tissue. Recent force and position‐fluctuation measurements indicate that pushing forces, mediated by the polymerization of astral microtubules against­ the cell cortex, maintain the mitotic spindle at the cell center in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. The magnitude of the centering forces suggests that the physical limit on the accuracy and precision of this centering mechanism is determined by the number of pushing microtubules rather than by thermally driven fluctuations. In cells that divide asymmetrically, anti‐centering, pulling forces generated by cortically located dyneins, in conjunction with microtubule depolymerization, oppose the pushing forces to drive spindle displacements away from the center. Thus, a balance of centering pushing forces and anti‐centering pulling forces localize the mitotic spindles within dividing C. elegans cells.
Selective fluorescence quenching of papain–Au nanoclusters by self‐polymerization of dopamine
Authors: Peng Jun , Han Cai‐Ling , Ling Jian , Liu Chao‐Juan , Ding Zhong‐Tao , Cao Qiu‐E
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we synthesized a papain‐stabilized fluorescent Au nanocluster (NC) probe and studied its interaction with dopamine. As fluorescence of papain–Au NCs is quenched in the presence of dopamine under alkaline conditions, we were able to establish a simple, selective analytical method for dopamine determination. By studying the fluorescence lifetime and dynamic light scattering of the NCs before and after interaction with dopamine, we found that this fluorescence quenching mechanism was possibly due to dopamine self‐polymerization that produced polydopamine that cross‐linked papain–Au NCs. Based on this new phenomenon, we proposed a highly selective analytical method for dopamine detection. Other small organic molecules, such as amino acids, ascorbic acid and uric acid did not interfere with dopamine detection. Dopamine in the range 20–100 μM can be linearly detected by the fluorescence quenching ratio of gold nanoclusters. Dopamine detection could be visually realized by watching color changes of papain–Au NCs under UV light or daylight, as both fluorescence and absorption of the papain–Au NCs changed during dopamine polymerization.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Properties and chemical modification approaches for their functionalization
Authors: Raza Zulfiqar Ali , Riaz Shahina , Banat Ibrahim M.
Published: September 2017

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have become an attractive biomaterial in research in the past few years due to their extensive potential industrial applications. Being long chain hydroxyl fatty acid molecules, the PHAs are hydrophobic in nature, and have less functional groups. These features limit their applications in various areas. To enhance their usage, these polymers may need to be modified including surface and chemical modifications. Such modifications may alter their mechanical properties, surface structure, amphiphilic character and rate of degradation to fulfil the requirements for their future applications. Chemical modifications allow incorporation of functional groups to PHAs that could not be introduced through biotechnological methods. These chemically reformed PHAs, with enhanced properties, could be used for broad range of applications. This review aims to introduce different chemical modification approaches including some recent methods that had not been explored or discussed so far for PHAs as possible technologies for widening the range of product and application potentials. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:29–41, 2018