bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are healthcare organizations healthy? Quality of life in healthcare work in Northern and Southern Europe
Authors: Bäck-Wiklund Margareta , Guerreiro Maria Das Dores , Szücs Stefan , Billquist Leila , Barroso Margarida Martins , Rodrigues Eduardo Alexandre
Published: March 2019

From a gender perspective, this article analyses the concept of “healthy organization” through the study of the “dual agenda” of healthcare organizations. Based in the EU funded project “Quality of Life in a Changing Europe”, which priviledged a multi-method approach, we analyse data from an extensive survey applied in eight European countries (Germany, Bulgaria, Finland, The Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, United Kingdom and Sweden) and present two case studies undergone at university public hospitals in Sweden and in Portugal. Results show that the perceptions of what is a healthy organization are developed around the notions of social support, life satisfaction, work engagement and work-life reconciliation. Gender variations are a common feature in each of these dimensions. Organizational policies, professional trajectories and family resources are directly related to these variations.
Fault lines in education: dualization and diversification of pathways over 40 years of debate on education policy in Portugal
Authors: Álvares Maria
Published: March 2019

The creation of Vocational Education Courses in 2012 rekindled recurring debates that shaped the process of institutionalization of basic education in Portugal and brought to light tensions between the need to diversify education pathways and to ensure equity. A diachronic analysis of educational policies was conducted based on legislation, parliamentary speeches and newspaper articles. The analysis traced the process of dualization of education in Portugal and identified six different periods that help to better understand the reasons for the recent change. It also revealed a story where actors, narratives and solutions reappear, even in face of new realities, raising theoretical questions about what drives change in policy.
Biodegradation of thiocyanate by a native groundwater microbial consortium
Authors: Spurr Liam P. , Watts Mathew P. , Gan Han M. , Moreau John W.
Published: March 2019

Gold ore processing typically generates large amounts of thiocyanate (SCN−)-contaminated effluent. When this effluent is stored in unlined tailings dams, contamination of the underlying aquifer can occur. The potential for bioremediation of SCN−-contaminated groundwater, either in situ or ex situ, remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to enrich and characterise SCN−-degrading microorganisms from mining-contaminated groundwater under a range of culturing conditions. Mildly acidic and suboxic groundwater, containing ∼135 mg L−1SCN−, was collected from an aquifer below an unlined tailings dam. An SCN−-degrading consortium was enriched from contaminated groundwater using combinatory amendments of air, glucose and phosphate. Biodegradation occurred in all oxic cultures, except with the sole addition of glucose, but was inhibited by NH4+and did not occur under anoxic conditions. The SCN−-degrading consortium was characterised using 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, identifying a variety of heterotrophic taxa in addition to sulphur-oxidising bacteria. Interestingly, few recognised SCN−-degrading taxa were identified in significant abundance. These results provide both proof-of-concept and the required conditions for biostimulation of SCN−degradation in groundwater by native aquifer microorganisms.
Proteomics alterations in chicken jejunum caused by 24 h fasting
Authors: Simon Ádám , Gulyás Gabriella , Mészár Zoltán , Bhide Mangesh , Oláh János , Bai Péter , Csősz Éva , Jávor András , Komlósi István , Remenyik Judit , Czeglédi Levente
Published: March 2019

The small intestine is the longest part of the chicken (Gallus gallus) gastrointestinal system that is specialized for nutrient absorption. It is known that decrease in intestinal villi area or height in early age can cause a reduction in essential nutrient intake, which may lead to delayed growth and consequently poorer performance of broiler chickens. The small intestinal absorptive surface is known to be affected by various factors, among others things the nutritional state. In our experiment, we aimed to investigate the possible protein expression alterations that lie behind the villus area and height decrease caused by feed deprivation. A total of 24 chickens were divided into three groups, namely ad libitum fed, fasted for 24 h, fasted for 24 h then refed for 2 h. The morphometric parameters were also measured in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum tissue sections using image analysis. Differential proteome analyses from jejunum samples were performed using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis followed by tryptic digestion and protein identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Overall 541 protein spots were detected after 2D. Among them, eleven showed 1.5-fold or higher significant difference in expression and were successfully identified. In response to 24 h fasting, the expression of nine proteins was higher and that of two proteins was lower compared to the ad libitum fed group. The functions of the differentially expressed proteins indicate that the 24 h fasting mainly affects the expression of structural proteins, and proteins involved in lipid transport, general stress response, and intestinal defense.
Pharmacokinetic comparison of quercetin, isoquercitrin, and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide in rats by HPLC-MS
Authors: Yin Hongli , Ma Ji , Han Jichun , Li Maoru , Shang Jing
Published: March 2019

Background

Quercetin (Qr), isoquercitrin (IQ), and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide (QG) are powerful phytochemicals that have been shown to exhibit disease prevention and health promotion properties. However, there may exist transformations between Qr, IQ, and QG in vivo. And the pharmacokinetic profiles of Qr, IQ, and QG have not been systematically compared. The pharmacokinetics study would be helpful to better understand the pharmacological actions of them.

Methods

Herein, we developed a reliable HPLC-MS method to compare the pharmacokinetics of Qr, IQ, and QG after separate (50 mg/kg) oral administration of them in rats, using puerarin as internal standard. The detection was performed using negative selected ion monitoring. This method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability; and shows reliabilities in monitoring the pharmacokinetic behaviors of these three compounds.

Results

Our results showed that after separate oral administration of Qr, IQ, and QG, all of the compounds could be detected in plasma. In addition, QG could be detected in the Qr group; Qr and QG could be measured in the IQ group; and Qr could be found in rat plasma after 1.5 h of QG administration. Moreover, the AUC0−t of Qr in the; Qr group (2,590.5 ± 987.9 mg/L*min), IQ group (2,212.7 ± 914.1 mg/L*min), and QG group (3,505.7 ± 1,565.0 mg/L*min) was larger than the AUC0−t of QG in the; Qr group (1,550.0 ± 454.2 mg/L*min), IQ group (669.3 ± 188.3 mg/L*min), and QG group (962.7 ± 602.3 mg/L*min). The AUC0−t of IQ was the lowest among all groups.

Discussion

Quercetin, IQ, and QG can all be absorbed into plasma. A mutual transformation exists between Qr and QG, and IQ can be metabolized into Qr and QG in SD rats. These results would provide a meaningful basis for understanding the pharmacological actions of these three compounds.
Habitações de interesse social: práticas distorcidas do Programa Minha Casa Minha Vida em Viçosa-MG
Authors: Guerra Francismara Fernandes , Teixeira Karla Maria Damiano
Published: March 2019

A realidade das negociações ocorridas dentro do Programa Minha Casa, Minha Vida mostra, muitas vezes, práticas que distorcem sua função social. Nesse sentido, pretende-se investigar como as propostas do programa são realmente aplicadas, principalmente quanto ao público atendido, e as negociações das habitações de interesse social, especialmente. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo, na qual foram investigados diversos agentes do mercado de imóveis, com a finalidade de levantar pontos que necessitem de interferências para se combater o défcit habitacional com mais eficiência. Conclui-se que tais moradias são vendidas diretamente no mercado acima do valor estabelecido no programa e compradas por famílias cuja renda excede os limites da modalidade que, contudo, é ajustada a fim de se conseguir maiores subsídios. Nesse sentido, coloca-se que o próprio programa é um dos responsáveis por esta situação, já que suas diretrizes acabam se tornando restrições sociais.
Efficacy of Extracts of Some Plants against Post Harvest Fungal Deterioration of Cassava Root (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Nigeria
Authors: Amadioha A. C. , Chidi Kenkwo Promise
Published: March 2019

Fungitoxic potentials of Piper guineense, Ocimum graticimum, Casia alata, and Tagetes erecta extracts in the management of postharvest fungal deterioration of cassava root were investigated. Pathogenicity tests revealed Aspergillus niger, and Trichodderma viride as causal organisms of root rot of cassava which utilized the substrate for their growth and development. A. niger was found to be more virulent having the highest rot incidence of 75% followed by T. viride which depicted a lower pathogenic effect with rot incidence of 33.3%. The result of the inhibitory potentials of the water and ethanolic extracts of P. guineense, O. graticimum, C. alata, and T. erecta against the two fungal pathogens showed significant differences (p≤0.5) in their rates of fungitoxicity on A. niger, and T. viride. The ethanolic extract of T. erecta gave the highest mean inhibitory effect of 63.8% on A. niger while the least mean growth inhibition of 9.20% was recorded by water extract of P. guineense on T. viride. The results of in vivo test of the plant extracts applied before and after inoculation with spore suspension of test fungi indicated high significant effect on the rot incidence and severity. Piper guineense water extract was less effective in controlling the development and spread of the pathogens during pathogenesis hence the highest percentage disease incidence and severity when it was applied after the inoculation with spore suspension of A. niger. The lowest incidence of rot was recorded with water and ethanol extracts of T. erecta applied before inoculation of T. viride. A. niger showed a stronger resistance to the plant extracts than T. viride in the control of cassava root rot in storage.
Polymeric Composite Membranes Enabled by Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Water Purification
Authors: Pandele Andreea Madalina , Tuncel (Netoiu) Cristina , Voicu Stefan Ioan
Published: March 2019

A membrane is a functional material that acts essentially as a barrier to certain species of ions, molecules, and particles but remains permeable to the rest of the species in a multicomponent system. Composite membranes can provide increased selectivity, separation efficiency, and improved properties (e.g. mechanical and thermal resistance) by using specific fillers. Among various fillers, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene occupy a special place due to their remarkable properties, such as high mechanical and thermal resistance as well as high adsorption capacity at the surface. This article overviews synthesis, characterization, and performance of composite polymer membranes with CNT and graphite for water purification of any kind of pollutants – from dyes to heavy metals.
Hard Magnetic Properties of
MnBi
Low‐Temperature Phase
Authors: Yang Jinbo , Yang Wenyun , Zhao Hui , Shao Zhuyin
Published: March 2019

MnBi low‐temperature phase (LTP) with NiAs‐type hexagonal crystal structure exhibits attractive magnetic and structural properties. In contrast to most of the ferromagnetic materials, coercivity of the LTP MnB increases with increasing temperature, which is above 20 kOe at 270 °C, making it a promising candidate as high‐temperature magnet. The high coercivity at high temperature is attributed to its large magnetocrystalline anisotropy and microstructure. In this work, the melt‐spinning MnBi ribbons, its powders, and bulk magnets were used to investigate the high‐temperature properties of MnBi compounds. It was found that the high‐temperature properties of the MnBi magnets show strong dependence on the initial composition and forms since there exists always a small amount of extra Bi and Mn/MnO phases in the magnetic powders as a result of the peritectic reaction and processing. It should be noted that the bulk magnets show better stability and magnetic properties compared to the ribbons. In addition, the mechanism of magnetization reversal for the bulk magnet changes with increasing temperature. At
T
 = 300 and 350 K, the coercivity is mainly controlled by nucleation, while both inhomogeneous pinning and nucleation determine the magnetization reversal at temperatures higher than 400 K. The impurity phases of Bi and MnO at grain boundaries may act as a pinning center of the domain wall, thus reducing the exchange coupling and enhancing the coercivity at high temperatures.
On‐Package Heterogeneous System Integration
Authors: Swaminathan Raja , Viswanath Ram , Mahajan Ravi , Radhakrishnan Kaladhar , Aygun Kemal , Mokler Scott , Sabi Babak
Published: March 2019

New architectures for semiconductor growth in the future are projected to be driven more by heterogeneous integration enabled by package and microsystem scaling compared to those in the last few decades, which were driven by silicon scaling and homogeneous system on chip integration. With an increasing need to add diverse functionality at smaller form factors for continued performance scaling, packaging is expected to deliver power‐efficient, high‐bandwidth on‐package links as well as enable a diversity of off‐package IO protocols, manage increasing cooling demands, provide complex power delivery architectures, and meet a broad spectrum of reliability requirements for different market segments and applications and provide cost‐effective, high‐precision quick‐turn assembly. New 3D and 2D multichip architectures are projected to be major enablers to sustain and enhance industry growth. This article provides a framework for the key building blocks of design/architecture, signaling, power delivery, and system in package (with specific product examples) to achieve successful on‐package heterogeneous integration, increasingly complement silicon scaling and continue to provide improved functionality.
The interpersonal context of depression and violent behavior: A social psychological interpretation
Authors: Berg Mark T. , Rogers Ethan M. , Liu Weiwei , Mumford Elizabeth A. , Taylor Bruce G.
Published: March 2019

Depression is a particularly prevalent form of psychopathology affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It is associated with a variety of adverse social and behavioral outcomes. Numerous observational studies have found that depressed individuals have significantly elevated rates of interpersonal violence. As of now, the social mechanisms that explain the association between depression and violence remain understudied and not well understood. Drawing on the aggression and social psychology literatures, we argue that depressed actors suffer skills deficits and exhibit hostile communication styles that provoke grievances and disputes. We suggest that, because of these interpersonal tendencies, depression increases involvement in verbal disputes, and that frequent participation in verbal disputes foments social contexts where interpersonal violence is more common. Findings from a series of regression models based on a nationally representative sample of 2171 respondents offer support for our assumptions. The study suggests a consideration of interpersonal dynamics, particularly verbal disputes, might unlock clues about the association between depression and violence involvement.
Nonmyopic sensor scheduling for target tracking with emission control
Authors: Qiao Chenglin , Shan Ganlin , Yan Liping , Duan Xiusheng
Published: March 2019

Active sensors obtain the measurements of targets by emitting energy that can be intercepted by enemy surveillance sensors. To satisfy the target tracking requirement and control the whole system emission, we propose a nonmyopic sensor scheduling to minimize the emission cost while maintaining a desired tracking accuracy. The processes of target tracking and emission control are formulated as a partially observable Markov decision process. Then, we translate our scheduling problem to a discrete unconstrained optimization problem, which consists of multistep emission cost and multistep tracking accuracy cost. Furthermore, the cubature Kalman filter is utilized to update the target belief state and predict the multistep tracking accuracy cost, whereas the multistep emission cost is obtained by hidden Markov model filter. Scheduling is implemented efficiently by constructing a decision tree and using a search algorithm, which combines uniform cost search with augmented branch and bound technique. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Ultrafast Fabrication of Gradient Nanoporous All‐Polysaccharide Films as Strong, Superfast, and Multiresponsive Actuators
Authors: Cui Huilin , Pan Na , Fan Wenxin , Liu Chunzhao , Li Yanhui , Xia Yanzhi , Sui Kunyan
Published: March 2019

The design of smart hydrogel actuators fully constructed from natural polymers for assessing the biomedical applications is important but challenging. Herein, an extremely simple, green, and ultrafast strategy is presented for preparing robust gradient all‐polysaccharide polyelectrolyte complex hydrogel actuators. Driven by diffusing of low molecular weight chitosan into high molecular weight sodium alginate solution, a nanoporous, ultrastrong, and gradient chitosan/sodium alginate complex hydrogel film with adjustable thickness can be directly generated on the interface of two solutions within minutes. The as‐prepared film can provide superfast temperature, ionic strength, and pH‐triggered programmable deformations, and perform a distinct sequential double folding behavior due to the competitive effect between complexed and noncomplexed segments of polyelectrolyte. Besides, patterning Ca2+ to locally crosslink sodium alginate in the film enables various more complex shape transformations. This green and simple diffusion‐driven strategy provides significant guidance for fabricating bio‐friendly actuators with applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, soft robotics, and active implants.
Anomalous Wave Propagation in Topological Transition Metasurfaces
Authors: Zheng Peixia , Xu Quan , Su Xiaoqiang , Wang Dongyang , Xu Yuehong , Zhang Xueqian , Li Yanfeng , Tian Zhen , Gu Jianqiang , Liu Liyuan , Ouyang Chunmei , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: March 2019

Metasurfaces become an effective route to the control of not only free‐space waves but also surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). SPPs, propagating along the interface between a metal and a dielectric, show properties of strong enhancement of the local field. Thanks to these essential functionalities, manipulating SPPs in metasurfaces is of particular interest in current research. Here, observation of anomalous SPP propagation is presented when SPPs traverse an interface between two metasurfaces whose topologies of eigenmode equal‐frequency contours are different. By combining various complementary meta‐resonators, SPP propagation was ready to be redirected at the topological transition interface at will. The proposed integrated metasurfaces open unprecedented avenues for anomalous wave propagation and guidance, showing exceptional capabilities for designing photonic devices.
Transhalogenation Catalysed by Haloalkane Dehalogenases Engineered to Stop Natural Pathway at Intermediate
Authors: Beier Andy , Damborsky Jiri , Prokop Zbynek
Published: March 2019

Haloalkane dehalogenases (HLDs) are α/β‐hydrolases that convert halogenated compounds to their corresponding alcohols. The overall kinetic mechanism proceeds via four steps: (i) binding of halogenated substrate, (ii) bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) leading to the cleavage of a carbon‐halogen bond and the formation of an alkyl‐enzyme intermediate, (iii) nucleophilic addition of a water molecule resulting in the hydrolysis of the intermediate to the corresponding alcohol and (iv) release of the reaction products – an alcohol, a halide ion and a proton. Although, the overall reaction has been reported as irreversible, several kinetic evidences from previous studies suggest the reversibility of the first SN2 chemical step. To study this phenomenon, we have engineered HLDs to stop the catalytic cycle at the stage of the alkyl‐enzyme intermediate. The ability of the intermediate to exchange halides was confirmed by a stopped‐flow fluorescence binding analysis. Finally, the transhalogenation reaction was confirmed with several HLDs and 2,3‐dichloropropene in the presence of a high concentration of iodide. The formation of the transhalogenation product 3‐iodo‐2‐chloropropene catalysed by five mutant HLDs was identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Hereby we demonstrated the reversibility of the cleavage of the carbon‐halogen bond by HLDs resulting in a transhalogenation. After optimization, the transhalogenation reaction can possibly find its use in biocatalytic applications. Enabling this reaction by strategically engineering the enzyme to stop at an intermediate in the catalytic cycle that is synthetically more useful than the product of the natural pathway is a novel concept.

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New‐onset diabetes increases risk of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotics with ascites: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Huang Yi‐Wen , Lee Chia‐Long , Hu Jui‐Ting , Yang Sien‐Sing
Published: March 2019

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication of cirrhosis, and the management of HE is an important issue. The link between new‐onset diabetes and the risk of HE in cirrhotic patients with ascites remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the risk of HE in cirrhotic patients with new‐onset diabetes. The Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database comprises records of more than 99% of the entire population. Among randomly sampled one million enrollees, 4503 cirrhotic patients with ascites were enrolled. New‐onset diabetes was defined as patients who were given the diagnosis in the years 1999 to 2009 but not in 1997 to 1998. The cohorts of cirrhotic patients with new‐onset diabetes (n = 462) and 1:1 ratio age‐, gender‐, and inception point (onset date of diabetes)‐matched nondiabetes (n = 462) were followed up from the inception point until development of HE, withdrawal from insurance, or December 2009. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate HE risk associated with new‐onset diabetes in the study cohort. Cumulative incidence curve and Gray's test were used to explore the difference in the risk distribution by considering death a competing risk. Patients with new‐onset diabetes had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of HE (P = 0.03) compared to nondiabetes patients. After adjustment for age, gender, comorbidity index, decompensated cirrhosis, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sepsis, hepatitis C infection, chronic pancreatitis, lactulose use after HE diagnosis, benzodiazepine/barbiturate, spironolactone, furosemide, potassium‐sparing diuretic, and diabetes treatment, diabetes was still an independent predictor for HE (hazard ratio = 1.920, 95% confidence interval = 1.135‐3.246, P = 0.02). Cirrhotic patients with ascites who develop newly diagnosed diabetes have an increased risk of HE.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of fistulizing Crohn's disease: One single‐center experience in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Tony , Kuo Chia‐Jung , Lin Wey‐Ran , Chiu Cheng‐Tang , Su Ming‐Yao , Lin Wei‐Pin , Lin Chun‐Jung , Hsu Jun‐Te , Tsai Wen‐Sy , Wu Ren‐Chin
Published: March 2019

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by chronic and/or relapsing immune activation and inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 35% of patients with CD are complicated by fistulae. However, little is known about the incidence and natural history of fistulizing CD in Asia, especially enterocutaneous fistulae (ECF). In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical course and outcomes of patients with fistulizing CD. We performed a retrospective analysis using the database of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital to analysis the clinical characteristics, clinical course of CD, gender, age, medical and surgical treatment, complications, and long‐term outcomes. From January 1989 to November 2016, 97 patients were enrolled (73 males and 24 females) with a median age at diagnosis of CD of 32 years (average 36.28 ± 15.84 years). All of the patients were classified by Montreal classification. Montreal classifications A2 (age 16‐40 years; n = 56, 57.7%), L3 (ileocolonic type; n = 47, 48.5%), and B1 (nonstricturing and nonpenetrating type; n = 43, 44.3%) were the most common phenotypes. ECF occurred in five patients (5.1%), enterovaginal fistula in three patients (3.1%), and enterovesical fistula in two patients (2.0%). The duration of CD before the onset of ECF was 3.9 years, enterovaginal fistula was 2.5 years, and enterovesical fistula was 5 years, and most of the patients complicated with a fistula required surgical treatment.
Species‐area relationships of lemurs in a fragmented landscape in Madagascar
Authors: Steffens Travis S. , Lehman Shawn M.
Published: March 2019

We used species‐area relationships (SARs) to investigate the effects of habitat loss on lemur biogeography. We measured species richness via visual surveys on line transects within 42 fragments of dry deciduous forest at the Ambanjabe field site in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar. We measured human disturbance and habitat characteristics within 38 of the 42 fragments. We measured the distance between each fragment and the nearest settlement, continuous forest, and nearest neighboring fragment. We fit 10 candidate SAR models to the data using nonlinear least squares regression and compared them using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). To determine how habitat characteristics, as well as area, influenced species richness, we ran a hierarchical partitioning procedure to select which variables to include in generalized additive models (GAMs) and compared them using AIC. Contrary to expectations, we found that lemurs form convex SARs, without a “small island effect”, and with the power model being the most likely SAR model. Although we found that four variables (area, survey effort, and total human disturbance, and mean tree height) independently contributed greater than 10% of the variation in lemur species richness, only area was included in the most likely model. We suggest that the power model was the most likely SAR model and our inability to detect a “small island effect” are the result ofMicrocebusspp. being edge tolerant and capable of dispersing through matrix, scale issues in the study design, and low γ‐diversity in the landscape. However, more study is needed to determine what role human disturbance plays in influencing species richness in lemurs.
Automatic detection of tidal disruption events and other long‐duration transients in XMM‐Newton data
Authors: Webb N. A.
Published: March 2019

XMM‐Newton's large field of view and excellent sensitivity have resulted in hundreds of thousands of serendipitous X‐ray detections. While their spectra have been widely exploited, their variable nature has been little studied. Part of this is due to the way XMM‐Newton currently operates, where observations generally have a 12‐month proprietary period. It is often too late to follow‐up a serendipitous transient a year after detection. New robust software could be introduced into the pipeline to automatically identify bright transients that are not the target of the observation. Statistically, hundreds of tidal disruption events (TDEs) have been detected serendipitously by XMM‐Newton. With prior consent from the PI of the observation, an automatic alert to a new transient could be set up, allowing it to be followed‐up within weeks, ideal for TDEs that are bright for about a year. Over the next decade, hundreds more TDEs should be detected. Following‐up the brightest in quasi‐real time would allow constraints to be made on the black hole mass, spin and accretion regime, and identify intermediate‐mass black holes that are expected to be hidden in faint, low‐mass galaxies. This article discusses the advantages that such changes would have on the follow‐up of transients and TDEs.
η Carinae: Particle acceleration and multimessenger aspects
Authors: Walter R. , Balbo M.
Published: March 2019

η Carinae is composed of two very massive stars orbiting each other in 5.5 years. The primary star features the densest known stellar wind, colliding with that expelled by its companion. The wind collision region dissipates energy and accelerates particles up to relativistic energies, producing nonthermal X‐ray and γ‐ray emission detected by Beppo‐SAX, INTEGRAL, Swift, Suzaku, Agile, Fermi, and H.E.S.S. The orbital variability of the system provides key diagnosis of the physics involved and of the emission mechanisms. The low‐energy component, which cuts off below 10 GeV and varies by a factor <2 along the orbit, is likely of the inverse Compton origin. The high‐energy component varies by larger factors and differently during the two periastrons observed by Fermi. These variations match the predictions of simulations assuming a magnetic field in the range 0.4–1 kG at the surface of the primary star. The high‐energy component and the thermal X‐ray emission were weaker than expected around the 2014 periastron suggesting a modification of the inner wind density. Diffuse shock acceleration in the complex geometry of the wind collision zone provides a convincing match to the observations and new diagnostic tools to probe the geometry and energetics of the system. A future instrument sensitive in the MeV energy range could discriminate between lepto‐hadronic and hadronic models for the gamma‐ray emission. At higher energies, the Cherenkov Telescope Array will distinguish orbital modulations of the high‐energy component from those of ultraviolet‐TeV photoabsorption providing a wealth of information constraining acceleration physics under more extreme conditions than found in supernova remnants (SNR).
3D space‐dependent models for stochastic dosimetry applied to exposure to low frequency magnetic fields
Authors: Chiaramello Emma , Le Brusquet Laurent , Parazzini Marta , Fiocchi Serena , Bonato Marta , Ravazzani Paolo
Published: March 2019

In this study, an innovative approach that combines Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Gaussian process regression (Kriging method), never used before in the assessment of human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), was applied to build space‐dependent surrogate models of the 3D spatial distribution of the electric field induced in central nervous system (CNS) of children of different ages exposed to uniform magnetic field at 50 Hz of 200 μT of amplitude with uncertain orientation. The 3D surrogate models showed very low normalized percentage mean square error (MSE) values, always lower than 0.16%, confirming the feasibility and accuracy of the approach in estimating the 3D spatial distribution of E with a low number of components. Results showed that the electric field values induced in CNS tissues of children were within the ICNIRP basic restrictions for general public, with 99th percentiles of the E values obtained for each orientation showing median values in the range 1.9–2.1 mV/m. Similar 3D spatial distributions of the electric fields were found to be induced in CNS tissues of children of different ages. Bioelectromagnetics. 9999:1–10, 2018. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Bemessung von ein‐ und zweiachsig kaltgebogenen Schalenstrukturen aus Dünnglas
Authors: Nehring Gordon , Siebert Geralt
Published: March 2019

Räumliche Tragstrukturen werden oft mit Hilfe von aneinandergereihten Stahl‐Glas‐Elementen in Form eines Netzes erstellt. Die installierten Gläser sind eben und weisen eine große Glasdicke auf. Heutzutage ist es möglich, ressourcensparende Materialien durch neue Fertigungstechniken zu verwenden, so z.B. dünnwandiges Verbundsicherheitsglas (tGlas ≈ 2 mm | tFolie = 0,76 mm | tGlas ≈ 2 mm), welches am Montageort auf formgebende Rahmenträgerelemente kaltgebogen und anschließend linienförmig gelagert wird. Dieses führt zu einer räumlichen Tragwirkung des einzelnen Tragelementes infolge äußerer Lasten. Die Verbundglas‐Zwischenschicht wird dabei schubverzerrt. Resultierend stellt sich eine volle Verbundwirkung im kaltegebogenen dünnwandigen Laminat ein, die durch den zeit‐ und temperaturabhängigen Relaxationsschubmodul G (t, T) beeinflusst wird. Das Ziel gekrümmter Tragelemente ist es, eine maximale statische Beanspruchbarkeit ERd zu erreichen. Hierzu werden folgende Einflussparameter (z.B. Glasart, Schubverbund, Geometrie inklusive Abmessung und Glasdicke sowie Lagerungsbedingung) für den Kaltbiege‐ und Lastzustand mathematisch, numerisch und experimentell untersucht.
Dünnglaskonzepte für architektonische Anwendungen
Authors: Louter Christian
Published: March 2019

Dieser Beitrag untersucht das Potenzial von Dünnglas für architektonische Anwendungen und berichtet über zwei Dünnglaskonzepte, die an der TU Delft in einer Reihe von Masterarbeiten unter der Leitung des Autors entwickelt wurden. Das erste Konzept thematisiert flexible und adaptive Dünnglasscheiben, die ihre Form als Reaktion auf externe Parameter verändern können. Das zweite Konzept untersucht dünne Glasverbundplatten, bei denen dünne Glasverkleidungen mit (3D‐gedruckten) Kernelementen kombiniert werden, um starke, steife und dennoch leichte Glasfassadenplatten herzustellen. Von ersten Designstudien bis hin zur Entwicklung von Prototypen zeigt sich, dass beide Konzepte sehr vielversprechend und für weitere vertiefende Untersuchungen geeignet sind. Dieser Beitrag ist weitestgehend aus [1] übersetzt.
Zukunft ist aus Glas gebaut – Aktuelle Projekte der seele Unternehmensgruppe
Authors: Teich Martien
Published: March 2019

seele entwickelt innovative Techniken und Konstruktionsprinzipien, um Glas in unterschiedlichsten Zusammenhängen einzusetzen. Ganzglas‐Konstruktionen von seele sind gleichermaßen reduziert wie komplex. Dabei werden die Bereiche Design, Engineering, Tragwerksplanung, Logistik, Fertigung und Montage eng vernetzt, um die Grenzen des Machbaren immer neu zu verschieben. Aber nicht nur Projekte, in denen Glas eine statisch tragende Rolle spielt, zählen zu den Highlights. Auch die Designanforderungen der Stahl‐Glas‐Konstruktionen werden zunehmend herausfordernder und komplexer. Anhand einiger Projektbeispiele wird die Vielfalt von Glas im Bauwesen aufgezeigt.
Self‐Assembly of C3 Symmetric Rigid Macrolactams into Very Polar and Porous Trigonal Crystals
Authors: Marmin Thomas , Dory Yves L.
Published: March 2019

Cyclohexane and cyclotri‐β‐alanyl have been used as scaffolds for the design of new C3‐symmetric rings incorporating conjugated alkenes and dienes. All three C3‐symmetric lactams share the same triangular shape and their crystal system is trigonal. They all belong to the R3 space group, R3m, R3 and R3c, for the increasingly large 12‐, 18‐ and 24‐membered rigid rings, respectively. All lactams stack on top of each other, through H‐bonds and van der Waals noncovalent interactions, leading to endless supramolecular cylinders and tubes. The largest member of the family leads to tubes, the central pores of which is wide enough to let water in. A common feature of all the lactams is their very large dipole, of around 9 D, according to DFT calculations. Surprisingly, all the resulting cylinders and tubes pack side by side in the crystals, with all the dipoles pointing to the same direction. As a result, all three crystals are anisotropic and appear to be the first members of a new kind of highly polar crystals.
Which Parameter is Governing for Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries with Organic Active Material?
Authors: Hofmann Jonas D. , Schröder Daniel
Published: March 2019

A multitude of factors contribute to the performance of redox flow batteries with organic active material. In this work, experimental and theoretical methods are elucidated to give information about the most important of these: redox potential, kinetic rate constant, diffusion constant, and solubility. They are found to be highly interdependent – especially for different solvents. By implication, novel organic active materials have to be analyzed jointly by chemists, materials scientists, and by reaction and process engineers to propel the redox flow battery as future energy storage device.
Stabilization of Lead and Copper in a Contaminated Typic Torripsament Soil Using Humic Substances
Authors: Abuzaid Ahmed S. , Bassouny Mohamed A. , Jahin Hossam S. , Abdelhafez Ahmed A.
Published: March 2019

Potassium humate (KH) has been known as an effective metal stabilizer. Thus, contaminated soils amended with KH can be implied in horizontal expansion of forage maize to diminish the shortage in summer forage crops in Egypt. The implications of KH on the bioavailability, uptake and accumulation of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) in maize plants grown on a contaminated soil are investigated. A pot experiment is conducted using a typic Torripsament soil naturally contaminated with Pb and Cu and treated with KH at rates of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g kg−1 soil. The KH applications decrease the diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid and water‐extractable Pb and Cu significantly and accordingly decrease their contents in maize shoots and roots compared with control treatment. The highest KH rate of 2.0 g kg−1 soil lower Pb concentration in maize shoots below the safe limit for animal feeding (5 mg kg−1). On the other hand, the KH applications could not achieve a significant reduction of bioavailable Cu and the contents in maize remained far away from the safe limit (4–15 mg kg−1). These findings prove the success of KH in restricting Pb transfer to food chain via maize uptake, while further work with higher application rates is recommended for Cu.
Nonlinear Migration Dynamics of Excess Electrons along Linear Oligopeptides Controlled by an Applied Electric Field
Authors: Song Xiufang , Fu Qiang , Bu Yuxiang
Published: March 2019

Migration of an excess electron along linear oligopeptides governed by the external electric field (Eex) which is against the inner dipole electric field is theoretically investigated, including the effects of Eex on the structural and electronic properties of electron migration. Two structural properties including electron‐binding ability and the dipole moment of linear oligopeptides are sensitive to the Eex values and can be largely modulated by Eex due to the competition of Eex and the inner electric field and electron transfer caused by Eex. In the case of low Eex values, two structural properties decrease slightly, while for high Eex values, the electron‐binding ability continually increases strongly, with dipole moments firstly increasing significantly and then increasing more slowly at higher Eex. Additionally, linear oligopeptides of different chain lengths influence the modulation extent of Eex and the longer the chain length is, the more sensitive modulation of Eex is. In addition, electronic properties represented by electron spin densities and singly occupied molecular orbital distributions vary with Eex intensities, leading to an unusual electron migration behavior. As Eex increases, an excess electron transfers from the N‐terminus to the C‐terminus and jumps over a neighboring dipole unit of two termini to other units, respectively, instead of transferring by means of a one‐by‐one dipole unit hopping mechanism. These findings not only promote a deeper understanding of the connection between Eex and structural and electronic properties of electron transfer behavior in peptides, but also provide a new insight into the modulation of electron migration along the oligopeptides.
Emergent Soft Lithographic Tools for the Fabrication of Functional Polymeric Microstructures
Authors: Rose Mark A. , Bowen John J. , Morin Stephen A.
Published: March 2019

The front cover artwork is provided by the Morin Group, University of Nebraska ‐ Lincoln. The image shows an artistic rendering of emergent soft lithographic methods where each new technique is represented by an additional “card” in the expanding “deck” of soft lithography. Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/cphc.201801140.
A Systematic Study of Metal Triflates in Catalytic Transformations of Glucose in Water and Methanol: Identifying the Interplay of Brønsted and Lewis Acidity
Authors: Bodachivskyi Iurii , Kuzhiumparambil Unnikrishnan , Williams D. Bradley G.
Published: March 2019

The specific type of acidity associated with the given metal trifloromethanesulfonates (Brønsted or Lewis acidity) dramatically influences the course of reactions, and it is possible to select for disaccharides, fructose, methyl glucosides, or methyl levulinate. Glucose is transformed into a range of value‐added molecules in water and methanol under the action of acidic metal triflates as catalysts, including their analogous Brønsted acid‐assisted or Brønsted base‐modified systems. A systematic study is presented of a range of metal triflates in methanol and water, pinning down the preferred conditions to select for each product.
Band Alignment Engineering Towards High Efficiency Carbon‐Based Inorganic Planar CsPbIBr2 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhu Weidong , Zhang Zeyang , Chai Wenming , Zhang Qianni , Chen Dazheng , Lin Zhenhua , Chang Jingjing , Zhang Jincheng , Zhang Chunfu , Hao Yue
Published: March 2019

Perovskite CsPbIBr2 is attracting ever‐increasing attention for carbon‐based, all‐inorganic solar cells, owing to its well‐balanced band gap and stability features. However, significant interfacial recombination of charge carriers in solar cells fabricated with this active layer, which is intrinsically associated with the unwanted conduction band misalignment between CsPbIBr2 and the commonly used TiO2 electron transport layer, has limited power conversion efficiency (PCE) values. Herein, we demonstrate successful conduction band alignment engineering at the TiO2/CsPbIBr2 heterojunction by modifying TiO2 with CsBr clusters. Such modification triggers a beneficial increase in the conduction band minimum (CBM) of TiO2 from −4.00 to −3.81 eV and decreases the work function from 4.11 to 3.86 eV, thus promoting favorable band alignment at the heterojunction, suppressing recombination, and improving extraction and transport of charge carriers. As a result, the carbon‐based, all‐inorganic CsPbIBr2 solar cells exhibit over 20 % enhancement in average PCE. The champion device achieves a PCE of 10.71 %, a record among pure CsPbIBr2‐based cells, open‐circuit voltage of 1.261 V, and excellent stability.
A new six‐dimensional hyperchaotic system and its secure communication circuit implementation
Authors: Wang Jing , Yu Wenxin , Wang Junnian , Zhao Yanming , Zhang Jing , Jiang Dan
Published: March 2019

In the paper, a novel six‐dimensional hyperchaotic system is proposed for secure communication. A detailed analysis of some relevant features, such as equilibrium stability, dissipation, bifurcation, and Lyapunov exponents. The results show that there are hyperchaos, chaos, quasi‐periodic, and periodic dynamic behaviors for our constructed hyperchaotic system. Then the six‐dimensional hyperchaotic system is simulated and implemented, which verified its physical realizability. The six‐dimensional hyperchaotic system is applied to complete the signal encryption and decryption circuit design, then the circuit is tested. The results indicate that the proposed hyperchaotic system can play an important role in some key areas such as communication security and complex systems.
Know how to handle employee protests, refusals to engage in work
Authors: Porter Michael , Burris Erin
Published: March 2019

Silent Sam is a 105‐year‐old statue of a Confederate soldier on the University of North Carolina campus. Protesters have toppled it, and UNC's leadership has had to address the campus unrest concerning the statue's placement, which is governed in part by North Carolina state law.
Agr2‐interacting Prod1‐like protein Tfp4 from Xenopus laevis is necessary for early forebrain and eye development as well as for the tadpole appendage regeneration
Authors: Tereshina Maria B. , Ivanova Anastasiya S. , Eroshkin Fedor M. , Korotkova Daria D. , Nesterenko Alexey M. , Bayramov Andrey V. , Solovieva Elena A. , Parshina Elena A. , Orlov Eugeny E. , Martynova Natalia Y. , Zaraisky Andrey G.
Published: March 2019

The Agr family genes, Ag1, Agr2, and Agr3, encode for the thioredoxin domain containing secreted proteins and are specific only for vertebrates. These proteins are attracting increasing attention due to their involvement in many physiological and pathological processes, including exocrine secretion, cancer, regeneration of the body appendages, and the early brain development. At the same time, the mode by which Agrs regulate intracellular processes are poorly understood. Despite that the receptor to Agr2, the membrane anchored protein Prod1, has been firstly discovered in Urodeles, and it has been shown to interact with Agr2 in the regenerating limb, no functional homologs of Prod1 were identified in other vertebrates. This raises the question of the mechanisms by which Agrs can regulate regeneration in other lower vertebrates. Recently, we have identified that Tfp4 (three‐fingers Protein 4), the structural and functional homolog of Prod1 in Anurans, interacts with Agr2 in Xenopus laevis embryos. In the present work we show by several methods that the activity of Tfp4 is essential for the tadpole tail regeneration as well as for the early eye and forebrain development during embryogenesis. These data show for the first time the common molecular mechanism of regeneration regulation in amphibians by interaction of Prod1 and Agr2 proteins.
Genetic tagging in the Anthropocene: scaling ecology from alleles to ecosystems
Authors: Lamb Clayton T. , Ford Adam T. , Proctor Michael F. , Royle J. Andrew , Mowat Garth , Boutin Stan
Published: March 2019

The Anthropocene is an era of marked human impact on the world. Quantifying these impacts has become central to understanding the dynamics of coupled human‐natural systems, resource‐dependent livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. Ecologists are facing growing pressure to quantify the size, distribution, and trajectory of wild populations in a cost‐effective and socially acceptable manner. Genetic tagging, combined with modern computational and genetic analyses, is an under‐utilized tool to meet this demand, especially for wide‐ranging, elusive, sensitive, and low‐density species. Genetic tagging studies are now revealing unprecedented insight into the mechanisms that control the density, trajectory, connectivity, and patterns of human–wildlife interaction for populations over vast spatial extents. Here, we outline the application of, and ecological inferences from, new analytical techniques applied to genetically tagged individuals, contrast this approach with conventional methods, and describe how genetic tagging can be better applied to address outstanding questions in ecology. We provide example analyses using a long‐term genetic tagging dataset of grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies. The genetic tagging toolbox is a powerful and overlooked ensemble that ecologists and conservation biologists can leverage to generate evidence and meet the challenges of the Anthropocene.