bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetative Development and Productivity of the Watermelon under Different Irrigation Depths in the Northwest Region of Espírito Santo
Authors: Posse Robson Prucoli , Dos Santos Elio José , Valani Francielly , Oliveira Vinicius De Souza , Prucoli Posse Sheila Cristina , Moreira Raphael Magalhães Gomes , Costa Geilson Silva
Published: May 2019

Brazil is one of the main producers of watermelon crops (Citrullus lanatus), which present great water requirement and offer in their irrigated cultivation, when well managed, the possibility of productive gains and fruit quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and the vegetative development of the plant and the watermelon fruits of the ‘Top Gun’ cultivar submitted to different irrigation depths in the Northwestern region of Espírito Santo. The experiment was carried out in the horticulture sector of the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo-Campus Itapina, from September 30, 2017 to December 15, 2017. A completely randomized design was used consisting of six treatments corresponding to 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150% and 175% of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) calculated daily, with four repetitions of each treatment. The length of the branches of all the selected plants and the longitudinal and transverse lengths of their fruits were evaluated weekly. In the last analysis, the fruit weight was also collected and the productivity was estimated. Development and differentiated production responses were verified with the different depths applied. Water replacements corresponding to the 125% ETo leaf gave the best vegetative and productive development of the watermelon ‘Top Gun’ cultivar, cultivated in the northwestern region of Espírito Santo.
Phytochemical Study and Antidepressant Effect of Essential Oil of Apium graveolens L.
Authors: Shahrani Mehrdad , Asgharzadeh Najmeh , Amini- Khoei Hossein , Mirzaeian Zahra , Ahmadi Ali , Goeini Zahra Lori
Published: May 2019

Background and Purpose: Depression is a common and debilitating disease.The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of Apium graveolens essential oil and its anti-depressant effect in mice and the effect on motor balance, serum and brain antioxidant capacity.

Materials and Methods: 60 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (N=10), Control, reserpine 5 mg/kg IP, reserpine + fluoxetine 20mg/kg, reserpine + essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg). The intervention group received 5 mg/kg reserpine and 18 hours later, essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg). Assessment of depression done with forced swimming and open field tests and motor balance with a Rotarod. Serum and brain antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels were measured.

Results: Reserpin increased the immobilization time in the forced swimming test, the number of motor units in the open field test, serum and brain malondialdehyde and reduced the antioxidant capacity and the motor balance. Fluoxetine and essential oil of Apium graveolens 50 and 75 mg/kg reduced the time of immobilization time, number of motor units, serum and brain malondialdehyde and increased serum and brain antioxidant capacity and motor balance. Apium graveolens essential oil 100 mg/kg increased serum antioxidant capacity and reduced number of motor units.

Conclusion: Chemical compounds of essential oil of Apium graveolens have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regulating of chemical neurotransmitters properties that are known mechanisms of depression.
HIC2, a new transcription activator of SIRT1
Authors: Song Ji‐Yang , Lee Seung‐Hyun , Kim Min‐Kyeong , Jeon Bu‐Nam , Cho Su‐Yeon , Lee Sun‐Ho , Kim Kyung‐Sup , Hur Man‐Wook
Published: May 2019

The protein deacetylase SIRT1 is crucial to numerous physiological processes, such as aging, metabolism, and autoimmunity, and is repressed by various transcription factors, including HIC1. Conversely, we found that HIC2, which is highly homologous to HIC1, is a transcriptional activator of SIRT1 due to opposite activity of the intermediate domains of the two homologs. Importantly, this relationship between HIC2 and SIRT1 could be important for cardiac development, where both proteins are implicated. Here, we assessed whether ectopic expression of HIC2, and subsequent upregulation of SIRT1, might decrease apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes under simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury conditions. Our results demonstrate that unlike its structural homolog HIC1, HIC2 is a pivotal transcriptional activator of SIRT1 and, consequently, may protect the heart from I/R injury.
Melatonin promotes proliferation of neural stem cells from adult mouse spinal cord via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Yu Shuntai , Zhang Xuefeng , Xu Zilan , Hu Changlong
Published: May 2019

In this study, we tested the effect of melatonin on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) obtained from adult mouse spinal cord. We found that melatonin increases neurosphere formation from adult spinal cord NSPCs but does not alter the differentiation of the cells. Western blot results show that adult spinal cord NSPCs express both MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors. The melatonin receptor antagonist 4P‐PDOT abrogates the melatonin‐induced neurosphere formation. Melatonin increases the phosphorylation level of protein kinase B (AKT). Blockage of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), a kinase upstream of AKT, abolishes the stimulatory effect of melatonin on spinal cord NSPCs. We conclude that melatonin promotes the proliferation of adult spinal cord NSPCs via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Network analysis of aging acceleration reveals systematic properties of 11 types of cancers
Authors: Xia Xiaoqiong , Zhou Mengyu , Yan Hao , Li Sijia , Sha Xianzheng , Wang Yin
Published: May 2019

Cancers are known to be associated with accelerated aging, but to date, there has been a paucity of systematic and in‐depth studies of the correlation between aging and cancer. DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles can be used as aging markers and utilized to construct aging predictors. In this study, we downloaded 333 paired samples of DNAm, expression and mutation profiles encompassing 11 types of tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas public access portal. The DNAm aging scores were calculated using the Support Vector Machine regression model. The DNAm aging scores of cancers revealed significant aging acceleration compared to adjacent normal tissues. Aging acceleration‐associated mutation modules and expression modules were identified in 11 types of cancers. In addition, we constructed bipartite networks of mutations and expression, and the differential expression modules related to aging‐associated mutations were selected in 11 types of cancers using the expression quantitative trait locus method. The results of enrichment analyses also identified common functions across cancers and cancer‐specific characteristics of aging acceleration. The aging acceleration interaction network across cancers suggested a core status of thyroid carcinoma and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the aging process. In summary, we have identified correlations between aging and cancers and revealed insights into the biological functions of the modules in aging and cancers.
Secondary monitor unit calculations for VMAT using parallelized Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Bhagroo Stephen , French Samuel B. , Mathews Joshua A. , Nazareth Daryl P.
Published: May 2019

We have developed a fast and accurate in‐house Monte Carlo (MC) secondary monitor unit (MU) check method, based on the EGSnrc system, for independent verification of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment planning system dose calculations, in accordance with TG‐114 recommendations. For a VMAT treatment plan created for a Varian Trilogy linac, DICOM information was exported from Eclipse. An open‐source platform was used to generate input files for dose calculations using the EGSnrc framework. The full VMAT plan simulation employed 107 histories, and was parallelized to run on a computer cluster. The resulting 3ddose matrices were converted to the DICOM format using CERR and imported into Eclipse. The method was evaluated using 35 clinical VMAT plans of various treatment sites. For each plan, the doses calculated with the MC approach at four three‐dimensional reference points were compared to the corresponding Eclipse calculations, as well as calculations performed using the clinical software package, MUCheck. Each MC arc simulation of 107 particles required 13–25 min of total time, including processing and calculation. The average discrepancies in calculated dose values between the MC method and Eclipse were 2.03% (compared to 3.43% for MUCheck) for prostate cases, 2.45% (3.22% for MUCheck) for head and neck cases, 1.7% (5.51% for MUCheck) for brain cases, and 2.84% (5.64% for MUCheck) for miscellaneous cases. Of 276 comparisons, 201 showed greater agreement between the treatment planning system and MC vs MUCheck. The largest discrepancies between MC and MUCheck were found in regions of high dose gradients and heterogeneous densities. By parallelizing the calculations, point‐dose accuracies of 2‐7%, sufficient for clinical secondary checks, can be achieved in a reasonable amount of time. As computer clusters and/or cloud computing become more widespread, this method will be useful in most clinical setups.
Prevalence of Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Alamanda Vignesh K. , Wally Meghan K. , Seymour Rachel B. , Springer Bryan D. , Hsu Joseph R. ,   the Prescription Reporting With Immediate Medication Utilization Mapping Group
Published: May 2019

Objective

Opioids and benzodiazepines are commonly used for management of osteoarthritis, despite evidence‐based recommendations to the contrary. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing for osteoarthritis. Additionally, we aimed to characterize risk factors for prescription drug misuse, abuse, and diversion among this population.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive analysis of adult outpatient encounters with a primary diagnosis of osteoarthritis during a 1‐year period at a large health care system, excluding cancer and outpatient procedures. Demographic data, prescription data, and patient‐specific risk factors were collected. Descriptive analysis was conducted to characterize arthritis patients who received and did not receive prescription opioids.

Results

During 1 year, our system had 31,123 outpatient encounters for osteoarthritis. Opioids and benzodiazepines were prescribed for nearly 27% of the encounters (n = 8,420). In all, 43% of the encounters involved patients age ≥65 years. Hydrocodone‐acetaminophen was the most common medication prescribed (34.3%). Most prescriptions were written by pain specialists (53%). A total of 35.5% of patients had a risk factor for prescription misuse, the most prevalent being early refill and a history of receiving ≥3 prescriptions in the past month.

Conclusion

Prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines continue to be written for osteoarthritis. These prescriptions may pose a risk for adverse outcomes since >1 in 5 patients receiving prescriptions had a risk factor for misuse. Continued efforts to improve compliance with evidence‐based guidelines as well as multimodal and alternative pain management pathways are critical to help curb the use of opioids for management of osteoarthritis‐related pain. Level of evidence: level IV.
Polyhedron Transformation toward Stable Narrow‐Band Green Phosphors for Wide‐Color‐Gamut Liquid Crystal Display
Authors: Liao Hongxu , Zhao Ming , Zhou Yayun , Molokeev Maxim S. , Liu Quanlin , Zhang Qinyuan , Xia Zhiguo
Published: May 2019

A robust and stable narrow‐band green emitter is recognized as a key enabler for wide‐color‐gamut liquid crystal display (LCD) backlights. Herein, an emerging rare earth silicate phosphor, RbNa(Li3SiO4)2:Eu2+ (RN:Eu2+) with exceptional optical properties and excellent thermal stability, is reported. The resulting RN:Eu2+ phosphor presents a narrow green emission band centered at 523 nm with a full width at half maximum of 41 nm and excellent thermal stability (102%@425 K of the integrated emission intensity at 300 K). RN:Eu2+ also shows a high quantum efficiency, an improved chemical stability, and a reduced Stokes shift owing to the modified local environment, in which [NaO8] cubes replace [LiO4] squares in RbLi(Li3SiO4)2:Eu2+ via polyhedron transformation. White light‐emitting diode (wLED) devices with a wide color gamut (113% National Television System Committee (NTSC)) and high luminous efficacy (111.08 lm W−1) are obtained by combining RN:Eu2+ as the green emitter, K2SiF6:Mn4+ as the red emitter, and blue‐emitting InGaN chips. Using these wLEDs as backlights, a prototype 20.5 in. LCD screen is fabricated, demonstrating the bright future of stable RN:Eu2+ for wide‐color‐gamut LCD backlight application.
Liquid Polydimethylsiloxane Grafting to Enable Dendrite‐Free Li Plating for Highly Reversible Li‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Meng Junwei , Chu Fulu , Hu Jiulin , Li Chilin
Published: May 2019

Li‐metal is considered as the most promising anode material to advance the development of next‐generation energy storage devices owing to its unparalleled theoretical specific capacity and extremely low redox electrochemical potential. However, safety concerns and poor cycling retention of Li‐metal batteries (LMBs) caused by uncontrolled Li dendrite growth still limit their broad application. Herein, liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) terminated by –OCH3 groups is proposed as a graftable additive to reinforce the anode dendrite suppression for LMBs. Such a grafting triggers the formation of a conformal hybrid solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with increased fractions of LiF and Li–Si–O‐based moieties, which serve as a rigid barrier and ionic conductor for uniform Li‐ion flow and Li‐mass deposition. The grafting protected anode endows Li/Li symmetric cells with a long lifetime over 1800 h with a much smaller voltage gap (≈25 mV) between Li plating and stripping, than the naked anode. The coulombic efficiency values for Li/Cu asymmetric cells in carbonate electrolyte can reach up to 97% even at a high current density of 3 mA cm−2 or high capacity up to 4 mAh cm−2. The liquid PDMS additive shows advantage over solid siloxane additives with poor grafting ability in terms of Li surface compaction and SEI stabilization.
Ultrasound‐Induced Wireless Energy Harvesting for Potential Retinal Electrical Stimulation Application
Authors: Jiang Laiming , Yang Yang , Chen Ruimin , Lu Gengxi , Li Runze , Xing Jie , Shung K. Kirk , Humayun Mark S. , Zhu Jianguo , Chen Yong , Zhou Qifa
Published: May 2019

Retinal electrical stimulation for people with neurodegenerative diseases has shown to be feasible for direct excitation of neurons as a means of restoring vision. In this work, a new electrical stimulation strategy is proposed using ultrasound‐driven wireless energy harvesting technology to convert acoustic energy to electricity through the piezoelectric effect. The design, fabrication, and performance of a millimeter‐scale flexible ultrasound patch that utilizes an environment‐friendly lead‐free piezocomposite are described. A modified dice‐and‐fill technique is used to manufacture the microstructure of the piezocomposite and to generate improved electrical and acoustic properties. The as‐developed device can be attached on a complex surface and be driven by ultrasound to produce adjustable electrical outputs, reaching a maximum output power of 45 mW cm−2. Potential applications for charging energy storage devices and powering commercial electronics using the device are demonstrated. The considerable current signals (e.g., current >72 µA and current density >9.2 nA µm−2) that are higher than the average thresholds of retinal stimulation are also obtained in the ex vivo experiment of an implanted environment, showing great potential to be integrated on implanted biomedical devices for electrical stimulation application.
Human Platelet Membrane Functionalized Microchips with Plasmonic Codes for Cancer Detection
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Han Jae‐A , Michael Issac J. , Ki Dongyeob , Sunkara Vijaya , Park Juhee , Gautam Shreedhar , Ha Hong Koo , Zhang Liangfang , Cho Yoon‐Kyoung
Published: May 2019

The possibility of functional roles played by platelets in close alliance with cancer cells has inspired the design of new biomimetic systems that exploit platelet–cancer cell interactions. Here, the role of platelets in cancer diagnostics is leveraged to design a microfluidic platform capable of detecting cancer‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ultrasmall volumes (1 µL) of human plasma samples. Further, the captured EVs are counted by direct optical coding of plasmonic nanoprobes modified with EV‐specific antibodies. Owing to the inherent properties of platelets for multifaceted interaction with cancer cells, the microfluidic chip equipped with a biologically interfaced platelet membrane‐cloaked surface (denoted “PLT‐Chip”) can capture a significantly higher number of EVs from multiple types of cancer cell lines (prostate, lung, bladder, and breast) than the normal cell‐derived EVs. Furthermore, this chip allows the monitoring of the growth of tumor spheroids (100 µm–2.5 mm) and clearly distinguishes the plasma of cancer patients from that of normal healthy controls. This robust, multifaceted, and cancer‐specific binding affinity, coupled with excellent biocompatibility, is a unique feature of platelet membrane‐cloaked surfaces, which therefore represent promising alternatives to antibodies for application in EVs‐based cancer theranostics.
On the Role of Interfaces on Spin Transport in Magnetic Insulator/Normal Metal Heterostructures
Authors: Fontcuberta Josep , Vasili Hari Babu , Gàzquez Jaume , Casanova Fèlix
Published: May 2019

Spin currents have emerged as a new tool in spintronics, with promises of more efficient devices. A pure spin current can be generated in a nonmagnetic metallic (NM) layer by a charge current (spin Hall effect). When the NM layer is placed in contact with a magnetic material, a magnetoresistance (spin Hall magnetoresistance) develops in the former via the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). In other novel spin‐dependent phenomena, such as spin pumping or spin Seebeck effect, spin currents are generated by magnetic resonance or thermal gradients and detected via ISHE in a neighboring normal metal layer. All cases involve spin transport across interfaces between nonmagnetic metallic layers and magnetic materials; quite commonly, magnetic insulators. The structural, compositional, and electronic differences between these materials and their integration to form an interface, challenge the control and understanding of the spin transport across it, which is known to be sensitive to sub‐nanometric interface features. Here, the authors review the tremendous progress in material's science achieved during the last few years and illustrate how the spin Hall magnetoresistance can be used as a probe for surface magnetism. The authors end with some views on concerted actions that may allow further progress.
Silicanes Modified by Conjugated Substituents for Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Nakano Hideyuki , Tanaka Yuki , Yamamoto Kazuaki , Kadowaki Haruna , Nakashima Makoto , Matsui Takayuki , Shirai Soichi , Ohashi Masataka , Ohshita Joji
Published: May 2019

Silicanes are predicted to be a candidate for next‐generation (opto‐)electronics nanomaterials. However, their low carrier or hole densities hinder their practical use in electronic materials. If conjugated substituents (e.g., electron donators or electron acceptors) could be attached to the surfaces of silicanes, these would be effective channel materials for phototransistors and exhibit the corresponding characteristic optoelectronic properties. Herein, the synthesis of silicanes modified by conjugated substituents is reported, and the performances of organo‐modified silicanes/graphene hybrid phototransistors are also evaluated. The room temperature hole mobility of the demonstrated phototransistors is ≈5 cm2 V−1 s−1. In this phototransistor, electron transfer from organo‐modified silicanes to graphene is observed after irradiation with visible light. This approach is applicable to other group IV elemental 2D materials, including germanane and stanane.
The cost of forward contracting in the Mississippi barge freight river market
Authors: Isbell Bradley , McKenzie Andrew M. , Wade Brorsen B.
Published: May 2019

Barges on the Mississippi River system are traded via a forward market. We find that risk premiums to use this market vary by season and in terms of which party bares the cost of forward contracting. During the summer season barge operators pay a risk premium. Yet during the rest of the year, elevator operators pay a premium to lock in rates.
Carbon‐Support‐Based Heterogeneous Nanocatalysts: Synthesis and Applications in Organic Reactions
Authors: Bahuguna Ashish , Kumar Ajay , Krishnan Venkata
Published: May 2019

Carbon‐based‐materials, owing to their wide availability and low cost, have been utilized for a variety of applications including heterogeneous catalysis. Various carbonaceous materials have been used as supports for transition metals or other materials. These support materials have shown their potential for development of green and sustainable approaches to heterogeneous catalysis. In this review, we discuss the utilization of carbon‐based materials as supports for heterogeneous catalysts, especially in organic transformations. We have focused our discussions predominantly on four categories of carbonaceous supports, namely graphene (including, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO)), graphitic carbon nitride (GCN), carbon nanotubes (CNT) and activated carbon (AC) for various organic transformation reactions. Several approaches for the synthesis of these materials along with their application as heterogeneous catalysts for organic transformation reactions have been elaborated in detail. In addition, different aspects of organic synthesis, including hydrogenation, oxidation, reduction, condensation, and multi‐component reactions, catalyzed by these materials have been discussed. Furthermore, organic transformations leading to the sustainable synthesis of valuable products from biomass have also been discussed. Finally, after a brief summary, the future perspectives of this very interesting class of materials are provided.
Coordinatively Unsaturated Fe3+ Based Activatable Probes for Enhanced MRI and Therapy of Tumors
Authors: Zhang Peisen , Hou Yi , Zeng Jianfeng , Li Yingying , Wang Zihua , Zhu Ran , Ma Tiancong , Gao Mingyuan
Published: May 2019

Exogenous FeIII can be used for cancer magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and potentially for cancer treatment by a ferroptosis pathway or photothermal ablation. To achieve this, effective and accurate delivery of FeIII to cancerous sites is critical, requiring a balance of release kinetics of Fe3+ in tumorous and normal tissues. A nanoprobe is described consisting of upconversion luminescence (UCL) nanoparticles as a core and a coordinatively unsaturated FeIII‐containing Fe3+/gallic acid complex as a shell. Owing to the introduction of an unsaturated coordination structure, FeIII in the nanoprobe can be released only in the tumor microenvironment in response to the lightly acidic pH. The multiple UCLs are used for quantitatively visualizing the release of Fe3+ in vivo, whilst the release resultant serves as a photothermal agent. This nanoprobe exhibited ligand‐free tumor targeting ability, activatable MR imaging performance, and efficacious therapeutic effects against tumors in vivo.
A Stable N‐Hetero‐Rh‐Metallacyclic Silylene
Authors: Takahashi Shintaro , Bellan Ekaterina , Baceiredo Antoine , Saffon‐Merceron Nathalie , Massou Stéphane , Nakata Norio , Hashizume Daisuke , Branchadell Vicenç , Kato Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2019

A cyclic (amino)metal‐substituted dicoordinated silylene derivative has been synthesized and fully characterized. Of particular interest is that the N‐hetero‐RhI‐metallacyclic silylene exhibits a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the rhodium atom and a considerably shortened Si−Rh bond (2.138 Å) compared to classical Si−Rh single bonds (ca. 2.30–2.35 Å). A theoretical investigation reveals that the geometrical deviation around the rhodium center from the classical square‐planar to a tetrahedral geometry increases the π‐donating and σ‐accepting character of the rhodium atom, thereby efficiently stabilizing the silylene moiety.
Isoflavone biochanin A, a novel nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)‐antioxidant response element activator, protects against oxidative damage in HepG2 cells
Authors: Liang Fuqiang , Cao Weiwei , Huang Yuting , Fang Yajing , Cheng Yuxin , Pan Siyi , Xu Xiaoyun
Published: May 2019

Isoflavones are one group of the major flavonoids and possess multiple biological activities due to their antioxidant properties. However, a clear antioxidant mechanism of dietary isoflavones is still remained to be answered. In this study, the effects of isoflavones on the nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. Results showed that isoflavones are potential Nrf2–ARE activators while their activities were structure dependent. Biochanin A (BCA), an O‐methylated isoflavone with low direct antioxidant activity, can effectively protect HepG2 cells against tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BHP)‐induced oxidative damage via activation of the Nrf2 signaling, and thereby the induction of downstream cytoprotective enzymes including NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase‐1, heme oxygenasae‐1, and glutamate‐cysteine ligase catalytic subunit. A molecular docking study revealed that BCA could directly bind into the pocket of Kelch‐like erythroid cell‐derived protein with CNC homology (ECH)‐associated protein 1 (Keap1), a cytoplasmic suppressor of Nrf2, to facilitate Nrf2 activation. The upstream mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were also involved in the activation of Nrf2 signaling. These findings indicate that the protective actions of dietary isoflavones against oxidative damage may be at least partly due to their ability to enhance the intracellular antioxidant response system by modulating the Nrf2−ARE signaling pathway.
The environmental value and impact of the Maker movement—Insights from a cross‐case analysis of European maker initiatives
Authors: Unterfrauner Elisabeth , Shao Jing , Hofer Margit , Fabian Claudia M.
Published: May 2019

The aim of this paper is to explore the environmental value of the Maker movement, which is driving digital fabrication into the mainstream. Makers are inspiring each other to create smart solutions for all types of individual needs and address societal and environmental challenges at the same time. They share their creative ideas and solutions in collaborative work spaces and Maker Faires or on social media platforms. Is this grassroots innovation the beginning of the next industrial revolution? This paper will explore the environmental value and impact of makers' innovative business model and discuss on how to increase the circularity. At the same time, we will describe the role of maker communities and how to help to play a better role. In the framework of a case study analysis based on 10 different Maker initiatives across Europe, 39 interviews were conducted with makers and Maker initiatives managers evaluating core questions such as potential environmental value and impact, value chains, and energy efficient behaviours. This study is expected to contribute to building an explorative but yet empirically rooted analysis of the environmental value and impact of the Maker movement. Furthermore, the challenges in the future and the suggestions for policy makers are provided.
Innovation shock, outsourcing strategy, and environmental performance: The roles of prior green innovation experience and knowledge inheritance
Authors: Khurshid Faisal , Park Woo‐Yong , Chan Felix T.S.
Published: May 2019

To investigate under what conditions an outsourcing strategy can show superior environmental performance, one stream of scholars has underscored the importance of prior green innovation experience, and another stream of scholars has underscored the importance of the in‐house possession of outsourced component knowledge. However, the empirical findings regarding the positive role of both scholarly streams when studied separately are mixed and sometimes contradictory. This study bridges these two distinct but related streams and suggests that prior green innovation experience and in‐house knowledge regarding outsourced components play a complementary role in enhancing environmental performance. The U.S. hybrid electric vehicle market lends support to the argument of this study. In so doing, this study increases our understanding of the role of prior green innovation experience and outsourced component knowledge on environmental performance while pursuing an outsourcing strategy. This study also provides guidance for managers and policymakers on how to achieve superior environmental performance in outsourcing.
Investigation of the hepatic respiration and liver zonation on rat hepatocytes using an integrated oxygen biosensor in a microscale device
Authors: Matsumoto Satomi , Safitri Astia R. , Danoy Mathieu , Maekawa Toshiro , Kinoshita Haruyuki , Shinohara Marie , Sakai Yasuyuki , Fujii Teruo , Leclerc Eric
Published: May 2019

The development of an in vitro functional liver zonation model is a major issue to reproduce physiological liver features. Oxygen concentration is one of the potential explanations of a primary regulating factor of zonation. In this frame, we investigated the oxygen gradient inside a microfluidic device containing rat hepatocyte cultures. The device integrated a platinum (Pt) (II) octaethylporphyrin sensor, allowing a 2D mapping of the oxygen concentration. After 3 hr adhesion of the hepatocytes, the sensor indicated an intense oxygen depletion, leading to an oxygen shortage in the center of the device. After a 30 min perfusion of the culture medium, we monitored the formation of the oxygen gradient along the culture due to cellular respiration. The profile of the oxygen gradient was modulated and controlled by increasing either the perfusion flow rate or the device thickness. In addition, the oxygen gradient was time dependent as far as it decreased with the time of culture. Perivenous and periportal liver patterns were characterized by the immunostaining of the hepatic markers. We put in evidence a spatio temporal hepatic organization. We observed the overexpression since 24 hr of perfusion of the APC and PCK1 proteins upstream in the oxygen‐rich area of the device. The overexpression of GS, GCK, CYP1A, and HIFα proteins were observed downstream in the oxygen‐poor area. Then, CYP3A2 and β‐catenin spatial reorganization was achieved after 48 hr of culture. The results presented a partial zonation‐like pattern that was superimposed with an oxygen gradient profile.
Sketch2VF: Sketch‐based flow design with conditional generative adversarial network
Authors: Hu Zhongyuan , Xie Haoran , Fukusato Tsukasa , Sato Takahiro , Igarashi Takeo
Published: May 2019

We present an interactive user interface to support sketch‐based fluid design with a perceptual understanding of human sketches. In particular, the proposed system generates a 2D fluid animation from hand‐drawn sketches. The proposed system utilizes a conditional generative adversarial network model to generate stationary velocity fields from a sketch input. The network model is trained with hand‐drawn strokes and corresponding 2D velocity fields. On the basis of the generated velocity field, the system calculates fluid dynamics using a semi‐Lagrangian method. We ran a user study of the proposed system and confirmed that the proposed interface is effective for a 2D fluid design and that the system achieves good results based on user input.
Shape‐constrained flying insects animation
Authors: Chen Qiang , Luo Guoliang , Tong Yang , Jin Xiaogang , Deng Zhigang
Published: May 2019

During the past decades, high‐fidelity realistic simulations of various flying insects exhibiting collective behavior have been broadly used in entertainment industries and virtual reality applications. However, due to the intrinsic complexity and high computational cost, shape constrained simulation of collective behaviors remains a challenging topic. In this paper, we present a robust multi‐agent model for large‐scale controllable shape constrained simulation of flying insects. Specifically, we design an internal force model to biologically mimic an individual insect. We also propose an external force model based on a trade‐off mechanic to guide the insects smoothly deforming into a target shape. Our experimental results and comparative studies show our method is able to simulate realistic and dynamic flying insects with various user‐specified shape constraints.
Polyfunctionalised Nanoparticles Bearing Robust Gadolinium Surface Units for High Relaxivity Performance in MRI
Authors: Chabloz Nicolas G. , Wenzel Margot N. , Perry Hannah L. , Yoon Il‐Chul , Molisso Susannah , Stasiuk Graeme J. , Elson Daniel S. , Cass Anthony E. G. , Wilton‐Ely James D. E. T.
Published: May 2019

The first example of an octadentate gadolinium unit based on DO3A (hydration number q=1) with a dithiocarbamate tether has been designed and attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (around 4.4 nm in diameter). In addition to the superior robustness of this attachment, the restricted rotation of the Gd complex on the nanoparticle surface leads to a dramatic increase in relaxivity (r1) from 4.0 mm−1 s−1 in unbound form to 34.3 mm−1 s−1 (at 10 MHz, 37 °C) and 22±2 mm−1 s−1 (at 63.87 MHz, 25 °C) when immobilised on the surface. The one‐pot synthetic route provides a straightforward and versatile way of preparing a range of multifunctional gold nanoparticles. The incorporation of additional surface units for biocompatibility (PEG and thioglucose units) and targeting (folic acid) leads to little detrimental effect on the high relaxivity observed for these non‐toxic multifunctional materials. In addition to the passive targeting attributed to gold nanoparticles, the inclusion of a unit capable of targeting the folate receptors overexpressed by cancer cells, such as HeLa cells, illustrates the potential of these assemblies.
On the Metal Cooperativity in a Dinuclear Copper–Guanidine Complex for Aliphatic C−H Bond Cleavage by Dioxygen
Authors: Schön Florian , Biebl Florian , Greb Lutz , Leingang Simone , Grimm‐Lebsanft Benjamin , Teubner Melissa , Buchenau Sören , Kaifer Elisabeth , Rübhausen Michael A. , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: May 2019

Selective oxidation reactions of organic compounds with dioxygen using molecular copper complexes are of relevance to synthetic chemistry as well as enzymatic reactivity. In the enzyme peptidylglycine α‐hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM), the hydroxylating activity towards aliphatic substrates arises from the cooperative effect between two copper atoms, but the detailed mechanism has yet to be fully clarified. Herein, we report on a model complex showing hydroxylation of an aliphatic ligand initiated by dioxygen. According to DFT calculations, the proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) process leading to ligand hydroxylation in this complex benefits from cooperative effects between the two copper atoms. While one copper atom is responsible for dioxygen binding and activation, the other stabilizes the product of intramolecular PCET by copper–ligand charge transfer. The results of this work might pave the way for the directed utilization of cooperative effects in oxidation reactions.
Nachweis und Verfolgung von Membran‐Fouling
Authors: Arlt Bastian , Luxbacher Thomas
Published: May 2019

Membranverschmutzung ist ein negativer Kontaminationseffekt: Verbindungen in der Feed‐Lösung setzen sich auf der Membranoberfläche oder in den Poren ab und begrenzen somit die Effizienz und Trennleistung der Membranen. Dieser Effekt tritt für verschiedene Membrantypen auf, wie Umkehrosmose, Ultra‐, Nano‐ und Mikrofiltrationsmembran. Eine Methode wird vorgestellt, wie Membran‐Fouling anhand des Zetapotenzials, das aus Strömungsstrommessungen berechnet wird, identifiziert und verfolgt werden kann.
Persistent Homology to Quantify the Quality of Surface‐Supported Covalent Networks
Authors: Gutierrez Abraham , Buchet Mickaël , Clair Sylvain
Published: May 2019

Covalent networks formed by on‐surface synthesis usually suffer from the presence of a large number of defects. We report on a methodology to characterize such two‐dimensional networks from their experimental images obtained by scanning probe microscopy. The computation is based on a persistent homology approach and provides a quantitative score indicative of the network homogeneity. We compare our scoring method with results previously obtained using minimal spanning tree analyses and we apply it to some molecular systems appearing in the existing literature.
Synthesis and Properties of NaSICON‐type LATP and LAGP Solid Electrolytes
Authors: DeWees Rachel , Wang Hui
Published: May 2019

Inorganic solid electrolytes play a critical role in solid‐state lithium batteries achieving high safety levels and high energy densities. The synthetic approaches to solid electrolytes are important for both fundamental research and practical applications. Li1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3 (LATP) and Li1+xAlxGe2−x(PO4)3 (LAGP) are two representative solid electrolytes with a sodium superionic conductor (NaSICON) structure. Herein, LATP and LAGP solid electrolytes are reviewed from the synthesis perspective, and correlated with their structure and conductive properties, as well as their electrochemical applications in batteries. First, the solid‐ and liquid‐based synthetic methods to LATP and LAGP solid electrolytes and the key influencing factors are described. Second, the crystal structures and phase purities obtained from different synthetic approaches are introduced. Third, the conductive mechanisms, composition effects, and synthetic effects on the conductivities of LATP and LAGP solid electrolytes are compared. Fourth, the electrochemical applications of these two solid electrolytes in full batteries are discussed, including roles as solid electrolytes, composite components in electrodes, and surface coatings on electrodes. In the last section, a brief outlook is provided on the future development of NaSICON‐type solid electrolytes for all‐solid‐state batteries.
The generation of granule cells during the development and evolution of the cerebellum
Authors: Iulianella Angelo , Wingate Richard J. , Moens Cecilia B. , Capaldo Emily
Published: May 2019

The cerebellum coordinates vestibular input into the hindbrain to control balance and movement, and its anatomical complexity is increasingly viewed as a high‐throughput processing center for sensory and cognitive functions. Cerebellum development however is relatively simple, and arises from a specialized structure in the anterior hindbrain called the rhombic lip, which along with the ventricular zone of the rostral‐most dorsal hindbrain region, give rise to the distinct cell types that constitute the cerebellum. Granule cells, being the most numerous cell types, arise from the rhombic lip and form a dense and distinct layer of the cerebellar cortex. In this short review, we describe the various strategies used by amniotes and anamniotes to generate and diversify granule cell types during cerebellar development.
Mismatches between breeding phenology and resource abundance of resident alpine ptarmigan negatively affect chick survival
Authors: Wann Gregory T. , Aldridge Cameron L. , Seglund Amy E. , Oyler‐McCance Sara J. , Kondratieff Boris C. , Braun Clait E.
Published: May 2019

Phenological mismatches—defined here as the difference in reproductive timing of an individual relative to the availability of its food resources—occur in many avian species. Mistiming breeding activities in environments with constrained breeding windows may have severe fitness costs due to reduced opportunities for repeated breeding attempts. Therefore, species occurring in alpine environments may be particularly vulnerable.

We studied fitness consequences of timing of breeding in an alpine‐endemic species, the white‐tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), to investigate its influence on chick survival. We estimated phenological mismatch by measuring plant and arthropods used by ptarmigan in relation to their timing of breeding.

We monitored 120 nests and 67 broods over a three‐year period (2013–2015) at three alpine study sites in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. During this same period, we actively monitored food resource abundance in brood‐use areas to develop year and site‐specific resource phenology curves. We developed several mismatch indices from these curves that were then fit as covariates in mark‐recapture chick survival models.

A correlation analysis between seasonal changes in arthropod and food plant abundance indicated that a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was likely the best predictor for food available to hens and chicks. A survival model that included an interaction between NDVI mismatch and chick age received strong support and indicated young chicks were more susceptible to mismatch than older chicks.

We provide evidence that individual females of a resident alpine species can be negatively affected by phenological mismatch. Our study focused on individual females and did not examine if phenological mismatch was present at the population level. Future work in animal populations occurring in mountain systems focusing on a combination of both individual‐ and population‐level metrics of mismatch will be beneficial.
High‐resolution peat volume change in a northern peatland: Spatial variability, main drivers, and impact on ecohydrology
Authors: Nijp Jelmer J. , Metselaar Klaas , Limpens Juul , Bartholomeus Harm M. , Nilsson Mats B. , Berendse Frank , van der Zee Sjoerd E.A.T.M.
Published: May 2019

The depth of the groundwater table below the surface and its spatiotemporal variability are major controls on all major biogeophysical processes in northern peatlands, including ecohydrology, carbon balance, and greenhouse gas exchange. In these ecosystems, water table fluctuations are buffered by compression and expansion of peat. Controls on peat volume change and its spatial variability, however, remain elusive, hampering accurate assessment of climate change impact on functioning of peatlands. We therefore (1) analysed patterning of seasonal surface elevation change at high spatial resolution (0.5 m); (2) assessed its relationship with vegetation, geohydrology, and position within the peatland; and (3) quantified the consequences for peatland surface topography and ecohydrology. Changes in surface elevation were monitored using digital close‐range photogrammetry along a transect in a northern peatland from after snowmelt up to midgrowing season (May–July). Surface elevation change was substantial and varied spatially from −0.062 to +0.012 m over the measurement period. Spatial patterns of peat volume change were correlated up to 40.8 m. Spatial variation of peat volume change was mainly controlled by changes in water table, and to a lesser extent to vegetation, with peat volume change magnitude increasing from lawn < hollow < flark. Our observations suggest that patchiness and vertical variability of peatland surface topography are a function of the groundwater table. In dry conditions, the variability of surface elevation increases and more localized groundwater flows may develop. Consequently, spatially variable peat volume change may enhance peatland water retention and thereby sustain carbon uptake during drought.
Analyzing community structure subject to incomplete sampling: hierarchical community model vs. canonical ordinations
Authors: Yamaura Yuichi , Blanchet F. Guillaume , Higa Motoki
Published: May 2019

Recently developing hierarchical community models (HCMs) accounting for incomplete sampling are promising approaches to understand community organization. However, pros and cons of incorporating incomplete sampling in the analysis and related design issues remain unknown. In this study, we comparedHCMand canonical redundancy analysis (RDA) carried out with 10 different dissimilarity coefficients to evaluate how each approach restores true community abundance data sampled with imperfect detection. We conducted simulation experiments with varying numbers of sampling sites, visits, mean detectability and mean abundance. Performance ofHCMwas measured by estimates of “expected” (mean) abundance () and realized abundance (: direct estimate of site‐ and species‐specific abundance). We also comparedHCMand different types ofRDA(normal, partial, and weighted), all performed with the same ten different dissimilarity coefficients, with unequal number of visits to sampling sites. In addition, we applied the models to a virtual survey carried out on the Barro Colorado Island tree plot data for which we know true community abundance. Simulation experiments showed that yielded byHCMbest restored the underlying abundance of constituent species among 12 abundance estimates byHCMandRDAregardless if the sampling was equal or unequal. Mean abundance predominantly affected the performance ofHCMandRDAwhile yielded byHCMhad comparable performance to percentage difference and Gower dissimilarity coefficients ofRDA. Relative performance ofRDAtypes depended on the combination of dissimilarity coefficients and the distribution of sampling effort. Best performance of followed by , percentage difference and Gower dissimilarity were also observed for the analysis of tree plot data, and graphical plots (triplots) based on rather than clearly separated the effects of two environmental covariates on the abundance of constituent species. Under our conditions of model evaluation and the method, we concluded that, in terms of assessing the environmental dependence of abundance,HCMs andRDAcan have comparable performance if we can choose appropriate dissimilarity coefficients forRDA. However, sinceHCMs provide straightforward biological interpretations of parameter estimates and flexibility of the analysis,HCMs would be useful in many situations as well as conventional canonical ordinations.
Nonstationary environmental and community relationships in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Litzow Michael A. , Ciannelli Lorenzo , Puerta Patricia , Wettstein Justin J. , Rykaczewski Ryan R. , Opiekun Michael
Published: May 2019

Common approaches for summarizing multivariate environmental or community data assume that relationships among variables are stationary over time, and this assumption is often not tested. Here we test the hypothesis that relationships among environmental and community time series are nonstationary in the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem (North Pacific Ocean) over multidecadal time scales. Dynamic factor analysis (DFA) is applied to environmental and community data from before and after 1988/1989, corresponding to the timing of an abrupt decline in temporal variance of the Aleutian Low atmospheric pattern, a leading driver of Gulf of Alaska climate. Results show that covariance among local atmosphere and ocean environmental variables weakened simultaneous to the decline in Aleutian Low variance. At the same time, community‐wide responses of 14 fish and crustacean populations to physical forcing weakened, as indicated by nonstationary environment–biology regression coefficients. In line with theoretical predictions, this loss of a shared response to environmental variability was accompanied by weakening community covariance. Individual populations also showed nonstationary relationships with shared trends of community variability. We conclude that assumptions of fixed environmental and community relationships are likely to produce mistaken inference in this ecosystem. Similar concerns may apply in other ecosystems subject to changing climate patterns.