bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flame retardant polycyanurate thermosets from the cyanate esters of triphenylphosphine oxide
Authors: Davis Matthew C. , Garrison Michael D. , Ghiassi Kamran B. , Groshens Thomas J. , Redeker Neil D.
Published: March 2018

Three cyanate esters containing phosphorus are synthesized in good overall yields starting from bromoanisoles. Di‐ and tricyanates with meta configuration are most stable while para is less so. The para dicyanate ester isomer is particularly affected by water from the atmosphere. The meta dicyanate ester 2 has good thermal properties with glass transition at 268 °C and char yield of 65% in air at 600 °C. All three phosphorus‐containing cyanate esters are low flammability in an open flame. They make highly combustible cyanate esters resins less flammable simply by blending. Mixing 10 wt% dicyanate ester 2 into bisphenol A or E dicyanate esters makes them rate V‐0. Published 2018.† J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1100–1110
Water exercise in coronary artery disease patients, effects on heart rate variability, and body composition: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fiogbé Elie , Ferreira Rafaela , Sindorf Márcio Antônio Gonçalves , Tavares Silvia Aparecida , de Souza Keiti Passoni , de Castro Cesar Marcelo , Lopes Charles Ricardo , Moreno Marlene Aparecida
Published: March 2018

Background and Purpose

It is important to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of water‐based training programs in order to prescribe it as an alternative in cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have coronary artery disease (CAD). In these patients, autonomic dysfunction is an important physiological change strongly associated with adverse outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. Given that the beneficial effects of physical training in CAD patients have been traditionally evidenced with programs involving land‐based aerobic exercises, this study aims to evaluate the effects of water aerobic exercise training (WAET) on the autonomic modulation of heart rate (HR) and body composition, in the rehabilitation of CAD patients.

Methods

Twenty‐six male subjects with CAD were randomly divided into a training group (n = 14), submitted to the WAET, and a control group (n = 12). The WAET consisted of 3 weekly sessions on alternate days, totalling 48 sessions. The analysis of HR variability was used to evaluate the autonomic modulation of HR, from the recording of R‐R intervals for 15 min, at rest in the supine position, and the body composition was evaluated through the bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results

Only the training group participants had improvement in the HR variability indices; patterns without variation decreased (0V, p = .005) and an increase of patterns of two different variations (p < .001), Shannon entropy (p = .02), and normalized conditional entropy (p = .03), whereas the control group had an increase of 0V (p = .04) and a decrease of normalized conditional entropy (p = .01). All body composition variables remained unchanged.

Conclusions

The WAET protocol improved the cardiac autonomic modulation of patients with CAD and can be considered as exercise training strategy in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Molecular characterization and evolution of a chemosensory receptor gene family in three notorious rice planthoppers, Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera and Laodelphax striatellus, based on genome and transcriptome analyses
Authors: He Peng , Engsontia Patamarerk , Chen Guang‐Lei , Yin Qian , Wang Jun , Lu Xu , Zhang Ya‐Nan , Li Zhao‐Qun , He Ming
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The white‐backed planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera, the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens, and the small brown planthopper (SBPH) Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) are rice pests that damage rice plants by sap‐sucking and by transmitting viruses. Host‐seeking behavior involves chemosensory receptor genes that include odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs) and gustatory receptors (GRs).

RESULTS

We used genome and transcriptome data to identify 141 ORs, 28 GRs and 25 IRs in BPH; 135 ORs, 18 GRs and 16 IRs in WBPH; and 37 ORs, 14 GRs and 6 IRs in SBPH. A phylogenetic analysis identified several specific OR clades of rice planthoppers, the results indicating that these OR members might be used to respond to specific host volatiles. OR co‐receptor (Orco) is the most conserved and essential OR gene among these species and RNA interference (RNAi) can decrease their mRNA expression level to <50%. RNAi knockdown rice planthoppers were anosmia and were unable to seek or locate rice plants in behavioral tests.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate the importance of the planthopper Orco genes in locating rice plants. This information may aid in the development of RNAi‐based transgenic rice and other pest management technologies. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Photoluminescence and EPR of In‐Doped ZnO Superlattice Nanorods
Authors: Yang Qianhui , Lou Liren , Wang Guanzhong
Published: March 2018

In2O3(ZnO)m (IZO) superlattice nanorods are synthesized via a chemical vapor transport method. By comparing the photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral changes of the IZO nanorods under different annealing atmospheres, it is found that the deep level emissions could be attributed to VZn/VZn‐related acceptor defects (VZn‐R), or Oi/Oi‐R defects. The EPR spectrum of the IZO nanorods shows two EPR signals in a region near g ≈1.96, i.e., at g = 1.9524 and 1.9443, which come from and defects, respectively. The intensities of the g ≈1.96 lines gradually decrease after continuous illumination by white light, and increase to their starting value after the light is switched off, showing a well‐reversible process. The EPR signal change under illumination reveals that initially the defects of and are in paramagnetic charge state, and a two‐charge‐state model is suggested to interpret the photoexcitation kinetic of VZn involved.
All‐Inorganic Hetero‐Structured Cesium Tin Halide Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes With Current Density Over 900 A cm−2 and Its Amplified Spontaneous Emission Behaviors
Authors: Yuan Fang , Xi Jun , Dong Hua , Xi Kai , Zhang Wenwen , Ran Chenxin , Jiao Bo , Hou Xun , Jen Alex K.‐Y. , Wu Zhaoxin
Published: March 2018

Pursuing novel new materials for fabricating efficient electrically pumped lasers is the emphasis of researchers for decades. Although organic semiconductors with high gain have been reported previously, a significant challenge remains in using them for electrically pumped lasers due to their low carrier mobility. Recently, hybrid halide perovskites have been reported to possess high carrier mobility and optical gain which allows them to be used for various optoelectronic applications. To explore the feasibility of using them as possible candidates for electrically pumped lasers, tin (Sn)‐based perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with all‐inorganic heterostructure are fabricated by the vapor‐deposition process. The all‐inorganic hetero‐structured PeLEDs exhibited a maximum EQE of ≈0.34%, and withstood current density up to 915 A cm−2 with small emission zone of 0.01 mm2. In addition, by vacuum vapor deposition, extremely smooth and uniform cesium tin halide perovskite films with small grain size (≈60 nm) are obtained, in which low threshold (≈7 µJ cm−2) of their amplified spontaneous emission was presented. These characteristics demonstrate the great potential of using them as gain media for electrically pumped lasers.
An Asparagus polysaccharide fraction inhibits MDSCs by inducing apoptosis through toll‐like receptor 4
Authors: Zhang Wensheng , He Wanzhuo , Shi Xiaodong , Li Xiao , Wang Yuanyuan , Hu Minghua , Ma Fangli , Tao Ning , Wang Guiqin , Qin Zhihai
Published: March 2018

Despite decades of research, malignant tumors are extremely difficult to eliminate with conventional methods. Although surgical resection potentially eradicates the problem, only a few cases are suitable for operation, and other approaches often involve harmful consequences. Revolutionary methods are desperately needed to improve patient outcomes and diminish harmful side effects. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), downregulators of the innate and adaptive immune systems, have been widely studied over the past 2 decades. MDSCs inhibit the antitumor immune response by suppressing T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and tumor cell killing. With MDSCs becoming novel targets in cancer therapy, our research has focused on the anti‐MDSC function of Asparagus polysaccharide (AP), extracted from asparagus, a traditional Chinese herb. In this study, we have used MDSCs isolated from the spleen of mice with colon cancer as an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of AP. Treatment of MDSCs with AP significantly decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death through a toll‐like receptor 4 dependent way. Subsequent studies showed that the AP treatment enhanced the expression of Bax and Caspase‐9 and inhibited the expression of Bcl‐2, suggesting that AP induced apoptosis in the MDSCs via the intrinsic pathway. Altogether, the results showed that AP exhibited a significant anti‐MDSC activity and attenuated suppression of the antitumor immune response, thereby indicating its potential use in cancer therapy.
Performance evaluation of EWMA and CUSUM control charts to detect anomalies in social networks using average and standard deviation of degree measures
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Soheil , Noorossana Rassoul
Published: March 2018

Detection of communication outbreak among members of a network or a subgroup of a network has been a topic of interest in the literature of social network analysis. One approach to monitoring changes in a social network is to monitor graph measures related to the network representation in each period and detecting anomalies by applying a control chart. In this paper, we compare the performance of average degree and standard deviation of degree measures of a network for detecting outbreaks on a weighted undirected network using exponentially weighted moving average and cumulative sum control charts. Evaluation results indicate that average degree measure is better in detecting small changes than standard deviation of degree measure. Whereas for greater changes and outbreaks consisting of more members of the network, the opposite is true. In addition, exponentially weighted moving average control charts perform better than cumulative sum in detecting smaller changes and outbreaks consisting of less members of the network.
Cross‐sectional versus longitudinal designs for function estimation, with an application to cerebral cortex development
Authors: Reiss Philip T.
Published: March 2018

Motivated by studies of the development of the human cerebral cortex, we consider the estimation of a mean growth trajectory and the relative merits of cross‐sectional and longitudinal data for that task. We define a class of relative efficiencies that compare function estimates in terms of aggregate variance of a parametric function estimate. These generalize the classical design effect for estimating a scalar with cross‐sectional versus longitudinal data, and are shown to be bounded above by it in certain cases. Turning to nonparametric function estimation, we find that longitudinal fits may tend to have higher aggregate variance than cross‐sectional ones, but that this may occur because the former have higher effective degrees of freedom reflecting greater sensitivity to subtle features of the estimand. These ideas are illustrated with cortical thickness data from a longitudinal neuroimaging study.
Cd(II) Pseudohalide Complexes with N, N′‐Bis(3‐ethoxysalicylidenimino) 1,3‐Diaminopropane: Crystal Structures, Hirshfeld Surface, Antibacterial and Anti‐Biofilm Properties
Authors: Majumdar Dhrubajyoti , Biswas Jayanta Kumar , Mondal Monojit , Babu Manabolu Surya Surendra , Das Sourav , Metre Ramesh K. , SreeKumar Sreejith S. , Bankura Kalipada , Mishra Dipankar
Published: March 2018

Self‐assemblies of N2O4 donor Schiff base ligands, that is, N,N′‐Bis(3‐ethoxysalicylidenimino) 1, 3‐diaminopropane (H2LOEt) with cadmium acetate salts in presence of auxiliary co‐ligands thiocyanato/azido/chloride allow the formation of three anion control complexes, specifically, [Cd2LOEt(μ1,3‐SCN)(η1‐SCN)]n (1), {Cd4(LOEt)2(μ1,1‐N3)3(η1‐N3)]2 (2) and [Cd2(LOEt)(Cl)2.CH3OH].CH3OH] (3). Crystal structures of complexes 1–3 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed that complex 1 is an one‐dimensional polymeric chain in which Cd(II) ions are bridged by one thiocyanate group bonding in an end‐to‐end fashion. Complex 2 is a centrosymmetric octanuclear complex with double end‐on azide (μ1,1‐N3−) as linker. On the other hand, 3 is a dinuclear complex with terminally bound Cl− ions. Analysis of the structure revealed that all the complexes possess a 4‐membered Cd2 (μ2‐O)2 core fastened by the combined coordination action of a doubly deprotonated ligand. Complexes 1–3 have been successfully characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The luminescent properties of complexes 1–3 have been studied in DMSO solution. The antibacterial and antibiofilm potential for complexes 1–3 were investigated against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains. Intermolecular interactions with respect to percentages of hydrogen bonding of cadmium complexes were quantified by Hirshfeld surface.
New Examples of Phase Control in the Preparation of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles and Deposition of Thin Films by AACVD from Bis(piperidinedithiocarbamato)copper(II) Complex
Authors: Khan Malik D. , Akhtar Masood , Malik Mohammad A. , Revaprasadu Neerish , O'Brien Paul
Published: March 2018

Bis(piperidinedithiocarbamato)copper(II) was used as a precursor for the synthesis of copper sulfide nanoparticles in solutions of different compositions derived from: dodecanethiol (DT), oleylamine (OLA) and trioctylphosphine (TOP) which can be viewed as components acting as, solvents, surfactants or ligands. The powder‐X‐Ray diffraction of the nanoparticles showed predominately roxbyite, and/or djurleite phase based on the solvent mixture used, and covellite or dignite in OLA depending on the temperature. The morphology changed from spherical to hexagonal discs with variation of the solvent from DT to DT/TOP (2:1) mixture. Thin films of copper sulfide were also deposited by the Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD). Djurleite was the only phase deposited by AACVD (350, 400 and 450 °C). Cubes, short rods and spherical microstructures were observed in the SEM images, with average size increasing with temperature.
Water‐Soluble Copper Complex Derived from Ligand TETATA Having NNN Donors: Studies on Rapid Degradation of Organic Dyes, Catecholase and Phenoxazinone Synthase Activities
Authors: Singh Ovender , Maji Ankur , Singh Udai P. , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: March 2018

Water‐soluble copper complex [Cu(TETATA)(Cl2)] (1) derived from tridentate ligand (TETATA) (L=2‐(2‐((2‐((2‐aminoethyl)amino)ethyl)‐ amino)ethyl)isoindoline‐1,3‐dione) having NNN donor, was synthesized, characterized and its molecular structure was determined using X‐ray crystallography. This water soluble copper complex was found to be an efficient catalyst for rapid degradation of organic dyes like orange II, rhodamine B and methylene blue dyes were investigated. This catalyst was also utilised for the oxidation of catechol, giving rise to catecholase activity as well as oxidative coupling of 2‐aminophenol providing phenoxazinone synthase activity. DFT and TD‐DFT calculations were performed to understand the electronic properties of this molecule using B3LYP/LANL2DZ basis set.
Green Synthesis of 1,4‐Dihydropyridine Derivative in Water
Authors: Isomura Shigeki , Horigome Ami , Kubo Kotaro , Yoshizawa Yukari , Okuno Yoshinori , Okayasu Misaki , Azumaya Isao , Sato Yasuo
Published: March 2018

A simple and environmentally clean synthesis of 4‐methoxycarbonylmethyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester was achieved by heating methyl propiolate with an amine salt in water. Excess amine salt accelerated the reaction in the case of aliphatic amines, while stoichiometric amounts of propiolate ester and amine salt resulted in low yield. In the case of aniline, a 1:3 ratio of amine salt and methyl propiolate afforded 77% yield in 24 h. The free amine is proposed to serve as nucleophile for Michael addition reaction, and the liberated proton acts as an electrophilic catalyst.
Impact of the Type of Reactor and the Catalytic Conditions on the Photocatalytic Production of Hydrogen Using a Fully Noble‐Metal‐Free System
Authors: Reim Immanuel , Wriedt Benjamin , Tastan Ümit , Ziegenbalg Dirk , Karnahl Michael
Published: March 2018

For efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production not only the photocatalytic system itself, but also the reactor design and appropriate catalytic conditions play a central role for achieving high overall activity and long lifetimes. To investigate these points further, a fully noble‐metal‐free system for the light‐driven reduction of protons to hydrogen, consisting of a copper photosensitizer and an iron carbonyl catalyst, was chosen as a model. The traditional batch reactor was replaced by a semi‐batch photoreactor with a continuously perfused gas phase in combination with in situ gas chromatography. This allowed for the time resolved analysis of all gases formed and enabled a systematic investigation of the impact of different light sources, light intensities and carrier gases. The results revealed a significant change in activity due to CO removal from the catalyst caused by the continuous gas flow. This effect can be counteracted by supplying additional CO through the gas phase.
Electrochemical Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Polymicrobial Environments
Authors: Santiveri Clara Romero , Sismaet Hunter J. , Kimani Martin , Goluch Edgar D.
Published: March 2018

A major cause of hospital‐acquired infections is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram‐negative bacterial pathogen. This bacterium secretes a unique, redox‐active molecule known as pyocyanin that can serve as a useful biomarker for identification and detection of this opportunistic pathogen. This current study investigates the impact to pyocyanin production and ability to electrochemically distinguish pyocyanin when P. aeruginosa is co‐cultured with other bacterial pathogens. To accomplish this, P. aeruginosa was co‐cultured with up to four different clinically‐relevant bacteria typically found in a wound infection. P. aeruginosa’s production of pyocyanin was electrochemically monitored over a three day period and the results demonstrated that pyocyanin can be readily measured and that there were no observed enhancements or inhibitory effects to the production of pyocyanin. This information is valuable in the development of this sensing platform for clinical point‐of‐care diagnostics, where polymicrobial growth at the site of infection is common.
Sandwich‐like MoS2@SnO2@C with High Capacity and Stability for Sodium/Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Zhi , Yin Dangui , Zhang Ming
Published: March 2018

Sandwich‐like MoS2@SnO2@C nanosheets are prepared by facile hydrothermal reactions. SnO2 nanosheets can attach to exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets to prevent restacking of adjacent MoS2 nanosheets, and carbon transformed from polyvinylpyrrolidone is coated on MoS2@SnO2, forming a sandwich structure to maintain cycling stability. As an anode for sodium‐ion batteries, the electrode greatly deliverers a high initial discharge specific capacity of 530 mA h g−1 and maintains at 396 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. Even at a large current density of 1 A g−1, it can hold 230 mA h g−1 after 450 cycles. Besides, as an anode for K+ storage, the electrode also shows a discharge capacity of 312 mA h g−1 after 25 cycles at 0.05 A g−1. This work may provide a new strategy to prepare other composites which can be applied to new kind of rechargeable batteries.
NiO as a Bifunctional Promoter for RuO2 toward Superior Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Jinlong , Zheng Yao , Jiao Yan , Wang Zhenyu , Lu Zhouguang , Vasileff Anthony , Qiao Shi‐Zhang
Published: March 2018

Conventional development of nanomaterials for efficient electrocatalysis is largely based on performance‐oriented trial‐and‐error/iterative approaches, while a rational design approach at the atomic/molecular level is yet to be found. Here, inspired by a fundamental understanding of the mechanism for both oxygen and hydrogen evolution half reactions (OER/HER), a unique strategy is presented to engineer RuO2 for superior alkaline water electrolysis through coupling with NiO as an efficient bifunctional promoter. Benefitting from desired potential‐induced interfacial synergies, NiO‐derived NiOOH improves the oxygen binding energy of RuO2 for enhanced OER, and NiO also promotes water dissociation for enhanced HER on RuO2‐derived Ru. The resulting hybrid material exhibits remarkable bifunctional activities, affording 2.6 times higher OER activity than that of RuO2 and an HER activity comparable to Pt/C. As a result, the simple system requires only 1.5 V to deliver 10 mA cm−2 for overall alkaline water splitting, outperforming the benchmark PtC/NF||IrO2/NF couple with high mass loading. Comprehensive electrochemical investigation reveals the unique and critical role of NiO on the optimized RuO2/NiO interface for synergistically enhanced activities, which may be extended to broader (electro)catalytic systems.
Etching‐Assisted Crumpled Graphene Wrapped Spiky Iron Oxide Particles for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor
Authors: Kim Eunji , Kim Hyeri , Park Byung‐Jun , Han Young‐Hee , Park Jong Hyuk , Cho Jinhan , Lee Sang‐Soo , Son Jeong Gon
Published: March 2018

From graphene oxide wrapped iron oxide particles with etching/reduction process, high‐performance anode and cathode materials of lithium‐ion hybrid supercapacitors are obtained in the same process with different etching conditions, which consist of partially etched crumpled graphene (CG) wrapped spiky iron oxide particles (CG@SF) for a battery‐type anode, and fully etched CG for a capacitive‐type cathode. The CG is formed along the shape of spikily etched particles, resulting in high specific surface area and electrical conductivity, thus the CG‐based cathode exhibits remarkable capacitive performance of 210 F g−1 and excellent rate capabilities. The CG@SF can also be ideal anode materials owing to spiky and porous morphology of the particles and tightly attached crumpled graphene onto the spiky particles, which provides structural stability and low contact resistance during repetitive lithiation/delithiation processes. The CG@SF anode shows a particularly high capacitive performance of 1420 mAh g−1 after 270 cycles, continuously increases capacity beyond the 270th cycle, and also maintains a high capacity of 170 mAh g−1 at extremely high speeds of 100 C. The full‐cell exhibits a higher energy density up to 121 Wh kg−1 and maintains high energy density of 60.1 Wh kg−1 at 18.0 kW kg−1. This system could thus be a practical energy storage system to fill the gap between batteries and supercapacitors.
Toward Unraveling the High Temperature Microstructure Processing Properties Relationship in a Ni‐Free High Nitrogen Bearing Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Khatami‐Hamedani Hossein , Zarei‐Hanzaki Abbas , Ghambari Mohammad , Mohamadizadeh Alireza , Jafari Rahim , Moallemi Mohammad
Published: March 2018

The present study deals with thermomechanical processing behavior of a Ni‐free high nitrogen bearing duplex stainless steel. This is performed through compressing the material over a wide range of temperature (700–1000 °C) under the strain rates of 0.001–0.1 s−1. The microstructural observations show that continuous and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization are taken place simultaneously in austenite at 900 and 1000 °C by generating subgrains and bulging along the prior austenite grain boundaries, respectively. Electron backscattered diffraction analysis also reveals that the occurrence of continuous dynamic recrystallization is the governing restoration phenomenon in ferrite over the studied conditions. At last, to consolidate the experimental results, a strain‐compensated constitutive model is developed to predict the flow behavior of N‐bearing duplex steel.
Effect of Nb on the Performance of 409 Stainless Steel for Automotive Exhaust Systems
Authors: Li Mingxuan , Zhang Wei , Wang Xuelin , Chen Erhu , Chen Chao , Zhang Hongwei , Shang Chengjia
Published: March 2018

In this article, the performance of Ti single‐stabilized 409 ferritic stainless steel and Ti–Nb dual‐stabilized 409 ferritic stainless steels with Nb contents of 0.15 and 0.3 wt% are studied to develop low‐cost ferritic stainless steel for automotive exhaust systems. The results show that the performance of dual‐stabilized 409 Ti–Nb stainless steels is superior to 409Ti stainless steel in condensed liquid corrosion resistance, high temperature strength, and high temperature fatigue resistance. The investigation of mechanisms indicates that the refinement of inclusions by Nb addition can enhance the corrosion resistance significantly, and the better high‐temperature performance, that is, strength and fatigue resistance, can also be attributed to the precipitation of NbC.
Model‐based systems engineering for life‐sciences instrumentation development
Authors: Patou François , Dimaki Maria , Maier Anja , Svendsen Winnie E. , Madsen Jan
Published: March 2018

Next‐generation genome sequencing machines and Point‐of‐Care (PoC) in vitro diagnostics devices are precursors of an emerging class of Cyber‐Physical Systems (CPS), one that harnesses biomolecular‐scale mechanisms to enable novel “wet‐technology” applications in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science. Although many such applications exist, testifying the importance of innovative life‐sciences instrumentation, recent events have highlighted the difficulties that designing organizations face in their attempt to guarantee safety, reliability, and performance of this special class of CPS. New regulations and increasing competition pressure innovators to rethink their design and engineering practices, and to better address the above challenges. The pace of innovation will be determined by how organizations manage to ensure the satisfaction of aforementioned constraints while also streamlining product development, maintaining high cost‐efficiency and shortening time‐to‐market. Model‐Based Systems Engineering provides a valuable framework for addressing these challenges. In this paper, we demonstrate that existing and readily available model‐based development frameworks can be adopted early in the life‐sciences instrumentation design process. Such frameworks are specifically helpful in describing and characterizing CPS including elements of a biological nature both at the architectural and performance level. We present the SysML model of a smartphone‐based PoC diagnostics system designed for detecting a particular molecular marker. By modeling components and behaviors spanning across the biological, physical‐nonbiological, and computational domains, we were able to characterize the important systemic relations involved in the specification of our system's Limit of Detection. Our results illustrate the suitability of such an approach and call for further work toward formalisms enabling the formal verification of systems including biomolecular components.
Factors Regulating Year‐Class Strength of Silver Carp Throughout the Mississippi River Basin
Authors: Sullivan Christopher J. , Weber Michael J. , Pierce Clay L. , Wahl David H. , Phelps Quinton E. , Camacho Carlos A. , Colombo Robert E.
Published: March 2018

Recruitment of many fish populations is inherently highly variable interannually. However, this variability can be synchronous at broad geographic scales due to fish dispersal and climatic conditions. Herein, we investigated recruitment synchrony of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix across the Mississippi River basin. Year‐class strength (YCS) and synchrony of nine populations (maximum linear distance = 806.4 km) were indexed using catch‐curve residuals correlated between sites and related to local and regional climatic conditions. Overall, Silver Carp YCS was not synchronous among populations, suggesting that local environmental factors are more important determinants of YCS than large‐scale environmental factors. Variation in Silver Carp YCS was influenced by river base flow and discharge variability at each site, indicating that extended periods of static local discharge benefit YCS. Furthermore, river discharge and air temperature were correlated and synchronized among sites, but only similarities in river discharge were correlated with Silver Carp population synchrony, indicating that similarities in discharge (i.e., major flood) among sites can positively synchronize Silver Carp YCS. The positive correlation between Silver Carp YCS and river discharge synchrony suggests that regional flood regimes are an important force determining the degree of population synchrony among Mississippi River Silver Carp populations.
TiO2 Nanostructures as Anode Materials for Li/Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Vazquez‐Santos Maria B. , Tartaj Pedro , Morales Enrique , Amarilla Jose Manuel
Published: March 2018

Here we summarize some results on the use of TiO2 nanostructures as anode materials for more efficient Li‐ion (LIBs) and Na‐ion (NIBs) batteries. LIBs are the leader to power portable electronic devices, and represent in the short‐term the most adequate technology to power electrical vehicles, while NIBs hold promise for large storage of energy generated from renewable sources. Specifically, TiO2 an abundant, low cost, chemically stable and environmentally safe oxide represents in LIBs an alternative to graphite for applications in which safety is mandatory. For NIBs, TiO2 anodes (or more precisely negative electrodes) work at low voltage, assuring acceptable energy density values. Finally, assembling different TiO2 polymorphs in the form of nanostructures decreases diffusion distances, increases the number of contacts and offering additional sites for Na+ storage, helping to improve power efficiency. More specifically, in this contribution we highlighted our work on TiO2 anatase mesocrystals of colloidal size. These sophisticate materials; showing excellent textural properties, have remarkable electrochemical performance as anodes for Li/Na‐ion batteries, with conventional alkyl carbonates electrolytes and safe electrolytes based on ionic liquids.
How concept familiarity and experience with scientific argumentation are related to the way groups participate in an episode of argumentation
Authors: Grooms Jonathon , Sampson Victor , Enderle Patrick
Published: March 2018

Scientific argumentation, as conceptualized in the literature, emphasizes the importance of students' social and epistemic interactions for the purposes of developing and critiquing knowledge. Students, therefore, must understand the scientific criteria for evaluating the quality of argumentative structures and interactions. Yet, a question remains as to how students' knowledge about a science concept influences their ability to productively engage in argumentative discourse about a topic. This study explored several hypotheses related to the interaction between the depth of students' familiarity with content involved in an argumentative interaction and their understanding of the scientific practice itself. Multiple triads of students completed a set of two argumentation tasks at two times during the year, in between which students had the opportunity to learn about scientific argumentation and one of the two chemistry concepts focused on in the tasks. Video records of the students' discussions were analyzed to determine the quality of their argumentation. The results indicate that a positive relationship does exist between content familiarity and high quality argumentation, especially as it relates to students epistemic and social interactions. Additional analyses suggest that students can also take up and use epistemic characteristics of scientific argumentation in contexts where the science content is unfamiliar. Further results and their implications are discussed.
Explaining Intra‐Africa Internationalization
Authors: Acheampong George
Published: March 2018

There is a paucity of literature on intra‐African trade on the continent despite clear indications that the phenomenon is on the increase on the African continent. This review focuses on some of the key issues and outcomes that have been raised in this recent book. The book provides an eclectic bag of theories to explain the phenomenon, but these theories can have a better explanatory power if situated within an Africapitalism context. Also, strategic, political, and digital considerations in internationalization on the African continent are espoused in Part 2 of the book. The final part of the book presents cases from different sectors in multiple countries to buttress the point that intra‐African trade and the emergence of African multinationals is on the rise. The editors have mapped out the nature of intra‐African internationalization but clearly note that the attempt is not exhaustive. Consequently, it represents a starting point for scholars to interrogate the issues that have been espoused in this book.
Paraphrase Without Plagiarism: Use RRLC (Read, Reread, List, Compose)
Authors: Kettel Raymond P. , DeFauw Danielle L.
Published: March 2018

Many students plagiarize unintentionally. Students are told that plagiarizing is claiming someone else's ideas or information as their own, and they are told to cite sources because failure to do so is dishonest and plagiarism has serious consequences. So, students are told to paraphrase, not plagiarize, but are they taught explicitly how to paraphrase? Even when a writer summarizes a source, plagiarism can result if the writer stays too close to the wording or sentence structure of the original source. Plagiarism can be avoided through students’ use of the RRLC (read, reread, list, compose) strategy. When students use the RRLC strategy to compose a summary and to paraphrase content from a bulleted list, they write using their own unique syntax, thus avoiding plagiarism.
Quantitative evaluation of fetal right and left ventricular fractional area change using speckle‐tracking technology
Authors: DeVore G. R. , Klas B. , Satou G. , Sklansky M.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To measure, using speckle‐tracking technology, the fractional area change (FAC) of the right and left ventricles in normal fetal hearts between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation.

Methods

The four‐chamber view of the fetal heart was obtained in 200 normal fetuses between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation. FAC was computed from the ventricular areas (((end‐diastolic area − end‐systolic area)/end‐diastolic area) × 100) for the right and left ventricles, and regressed against seven independent biometric and age variables. FAC was correlated with longitudinal fractional shortening (LFS) (((end‐diastolic longitudinal length − end‐systolic longitudinal length)/end‐diastolic longitudinal length) × 100) obtained from the mid‐ventricular basal–apical lengths of the right and left ventricular chambers and with transverse fractional shortening (TFS) (((end‐diastolic transverse length − end‐systolic transverse length)/end‐diastolic transverse length) × 100) from three transverse positions (base, mid, apical) located within each ventricular chamber. To evaluate potential clinical utility, FAC, LFS and TFS results were examined in nine fetuses with a congenital heart defect (CHD).

Results

Regression analysis demonstrated significant associations between FAC and the independent biometric and age variables (R2 = 0.13–0.15). FAC was significantly correlated with LFS (R2 = 0.18–0.28) and TFS (R2 = 0.13–0.33). Examination of the fetuses with CHD revealed that six of the nine had abnormal FAC Z‐score values for the index pathological ventricle. When abnormal LFS and TFS values were compared to the FAC in these fetuses, the FAC was either abnormally low or normal.

Conclusions

This study reports results from measuring the FAC of the right and left ventricles, and demonstrates a correlation with LFS and TFS. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Optimization of fusion behavior of the nanocomposites based on poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(epichlorohydrin‐co‐ethylene oxide)/organoclay
Authors: Moghri Mehdi , Seifi Leila , Reza Zanjanijam Ali , Ramezani Maryam
Published: March 2018

In this work, poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(epichlorohydrin‐co‐ethylene oxide) (PVC/ECO)/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared via melt processing and their fusion behaviors were comprehensively investigated. In this way, response surface methodology was employed to study the main and interactive effects of three parameters (Cloisite 30B content, ECO content, and rotor speed) on fusion of the PVC matrix. The results showed that ECO rubber has a negative influence on the fusion process, while optimal levels of other parameters are appropriate. Furthermore, the interactive plots revealed significant mutual effects of the parameters. Also, optimized levels of the parameters for achieving the best response were obtained by using contour plots. Since additives in PVC compounds have considerable effects on the fusion phenomenon, the results of the present study could be important from industrial point of view. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:98–105, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Radar‐based structural health monitoring of wind turbine blades: The case of damage localization
Authors: Arnold Philip , Moll Jochen , Mälzer Moritz , Krozer Viktor , Pozdniakov Dimitry , Salman Rahmi , Rediske Stephan , Scholz Markus , Friedmann Herbert , Nuber Andreas
Published: March 2018

This short communication reports on a radar approach for structural health monitoring of wind turbine blades. Therefore, a bistatic frequency‐modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar in the frequency range from 33.4 to 36.0 GHz has been developed and tested experimentally using a laboratory wind turbine demonstrator. A differential damage localization framework is presented here that exploits signal differences between measurements from the intact and the damaged structure for 3D imaging of the defect. We have achieved the localization of a 30‐mm cut in a glass fiber composite structure as well as the localization of a water pack at the backside of the specimen with a localization error of several centimeters.
Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) devices: Production and applications for sustained protein delivery
Authors: Lee Parker W. , Pokorski Jonathan K.
Published: March 2018

Injectable or implantable poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) devices for the sustained delivery of proteins have been widely studied and utilized to overcome the necessity of repeated administrations for therapeutic proteins due to poor pharmacokinetic profiles of macromolecular therapies. These devices can come in the form of microparticles, implants, or patches depending on the disease state and route of administration. Furthermore, the release rate can be tuned from weeks to months by controlling the polymer composition, geometry of the device, or introducing additives during device fabrication. Slow‐release devices have become a very powerful tool for modern medicine. Production of these devices has initially focused on emulsion‐based methods, relying on phase separation to encapsulate proteins within polymeric microparticles. Process parameters and the effect of additives have been thoroughly researched to ensure protein stability during device manufacturing and to control the release profile. Continuous fluidic production methods have also been utilized to create protein‐laden PLGA devices through spray drying and electrospray production. Thermal processing of PLGA with solid proteins is an emerging production method that allows for continuous, high‐throughput manufacturing of PLGA/protein devices. Overall, polymeric materials for protein delivery remain an emerging field of research for the creation of single administration treatments for a wide variety of disease. This review describes, in detail, methods to make PLGA devices, comparing traditional emulsion‐based methods to emerging methods to fabricate protein‐laden devices.

This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide‐Based Structures
Susceptibility of spring‐flowering garden plants to herbivory by mule deer
Authors: Conover Michael R. , Hulvey Kristin B. , Monroe Megan L. , Fitzgerald Collin B.
Published: March 2018

Many people look forward to spring flowers, only to discover that mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) have eaten the sprouting plants and flower buds. One potential method to prevent this problem is to grow unpalatable flowering plants in gardens where deer herbivory is expected, but this requires knowledge about the relative palatability of plant species. We examined spring‐flowering plants in gardens located in Cache County, Utah, USA (2010 through 2017), and recorded the proportion of leaves and flower buds browsed by mule deer. Mule deer browsing was greatest on tulips (Tulipa spp.), grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.), and crocuses (Crocus spp.) and lowest on iris (Iris spp.) and daffodils (Narcissus spp.) We hypothesized that the first plants to sprout in the spring experienced greater levels of deer herbivory because of the lack of alternate plants that deer can browse during that time of year. To test this hypothesis, we started plants in greenhouses so that they sprouted at the same time. We then placed these plants in locations throughout Cache Valley where there were deer trails and deer feces. Among these plants, tulip, liatris (Liatris spp.), and grape hyacinth were browsed heavily, suggesting that deer found these plants palatable. In contrast, crocus were rarely eaten, suggesting that deer damage on this plant results more from its early sprouting rather than its palatability. Planting unpalatable plants may be a viable approach to reducing homeowners’ angst from finding that their spring‐flowering plants have been browsed. Wildlife biologists and Cooperative Extension agents should find our results useful when guiding homeowners in selecting which spring‐flowering plants to grow in areas where deer herbivory can be expected. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Polarized double-virtual amplitudes for heavy-quark pair production
Authors: Chen L. , Czakon M. , Poncelet R.
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We present the two-loop virtual amplitudes for heavy-quark pair production in light quark-antiquark annihilation and gluon fusion channels, including full spin and color dependence. We use expansions around kinematical limits and numerical integration to obtain results for the involved master integrals. From these, we determine the renormalised infrared finite remainders of the coefficients of amplitude decompositions in terms of color and spin structures. The remainders are given in form of numerical interpolation grids supported by expansions around the production threshold and the high energy limit. Finally, we provide the spin density matrix, which encodes the heavy-quark spin correlations and is sufficient for phenomenological applications. Our results are necessary for the derivation of top-quark pair production cross sections in hadron collisions in the narrow width approximation with next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy in QCD.
The Impact of Total Body Prehabilitation on Post‐Operative Outcomes After Major Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Luther Alison , Gabriel Joseph , Watson Richard P. , Francis Nader K.
Published: March 2018

Background

Despite advances in perioperative care, post‐operative clinical and functional outcomes after major abdominal surgery can be suboptimal. Prehabilitation programmes attempt to optimise a patient’s preoperative condition to improve outcomes. Total body prehabilitation includes structured exercise, nutritional optimisation, psychological support and cessation of negative health behaviours. This systematic review aims to report on the current literature regarding the impact of total body prehabilitation prior to major abdominal surgery.

Methods

Relevant studies published between January 2000 and July 2017 were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed, and the Cochrane Database. All studies published in a peer‐reviewed journal, assessing post‐operative clinical and functional outcomes, following a prehabilitation programme prior to major abdominal surgery were included. Studies with less than ten patients, or a prehabilitation programme lasting less than 7 days were excluded.

Results

Sixteen studies were included, incorporating 2591 patients, with 1255 undergoing a prehabilitation programme. The studies were very heterogeneous, with multiple surgical sub‐specialties, prehabilitation techniques, and outcomes assessed. Post‐operative complication rate was reduced in six gastrointestinal studies utilising either preoperative exercise, nutritional supplementation in malnourished patients or smoking cessation. Improved functional outcomes were observed following a multimodal prehabilitation programme. Compliance was variably measured across the studies (range 16–100%).

Conclusions

There is substantial heterogeneity in the prehabilitation programmes used prior to major abdominal surgery. A multimodal approach is likely to have better impact on functional outcomes compared to single modality; however, there is insufficient data either to identify the optimum programme, or to recommend routine clinical implementation.
The Association Between Dissatisfaction with Debriefing and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Rescue and Recovery Workers for the Oklahoma City Bombing
Authors: Tran Duy Vu , North Carol S.
Published: March 2018

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate potential association between psychopathology and subjective evaluation of the experience of debriefing in disaster-exposed rescue and recovery workers.

Methods

Structured diagnostic interviews for DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders were conducted with 166 firefighters who served as rescue and recovery workers for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, who categorized their satisfaction with the debriefing on 4 levels. “Very dissatisfied” responses were examined for their association with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and with PTSD symptom groups.

Results

Being “very dissatisfied” with the debriefing was significantly associated with the DSM-III-R avoidance and numbing group and with PTSD.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that debriefing may be an unsatisfactory intervention for people with prominent avoidance and numbing symptoms, such as those with PTSD. These individuals might be better served by referral directly to psychiatric treatment (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:718-722).
Linear Surjective Maps Preserving at Least One Element from the Local Spectrum
Authors: Costara Constantin
Published: March 2018

LetXbe a complex Banach space and denote by${\cal L}(X)$the Banach algebra of all bounded linear operators onX. We prove that if φ:${\cal L}(X) \to {\cal L}(X)$is a linear surjective map such that for each$T \in {\cal L}(X)$andx∈Xthe local spectrum of φ(T) atxand the local spectrum ofTatxare either both empty or have at least one common value, then φ(T) =Tfor all$T \in {\cal L}(X)$. If we suppose that φ always preserves the modulus of at least one element from the local spectrum, then there exists a unimodular complex constantcsuch that φ(T) =cTfor all$T \in {\cal L}(X)$.