bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed Ion and Electron‐Conducting Scaffolds for High‐Rate Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Guo Wenqing , Liu Shan , Guan Xuze , Zhang Xinyue , Liu Xinjiang , Luo Jiayan
Published: April 2019

Li metal batteries are considered a promising candidate for next‐generation rechargeable batteries. However, the practical application of Li metal batteries has been hindered by many challenges, especially the cycling stability of Li anodes due to their uncontrollable dendrite growth, volume fluctuation, and side reactions. These problems are more severe under high‐rate charge/discharge process. Therefore, the realization of stable cycling of Li anodes under high current density is crucial for the practical application of Li metal batteries. In this Progress Report, the authors focus on the stability of metallic Li through interphase design or microstructure construction. The advantages and drawbacks of the first‐generation 3D scaffolds are summarized, and a review of recent research progress in this area is generated. As high‐rate cycling of metallic Li is a complex dynamic problem, a scaffold with high mixed ionic and electronic conductivity may be a promising approach. The different design strategies of mixed ion and electron‐conductive scaffolds working with liquid and solid electrolytes are discussed, along with their technical challenges. Further directions of mixed ion and electron‐conductive scaffolds are also proposed.
Distal arthrogryposis type 5 and PIEZO2 novel variant in a Canadian family
Authors: Zapata‐Aldana Eugenio , Al‐Mobarak Sulaiman B. , Karp Natalya , Campbell Craig
Published: April 2019

The group of distal arthrogryposis (DA) disorders is characterized by congenital contractures of the distal joints. In most instances, these are genetic disorders are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion; however, there is wide genetic and phenotypic spectrum. Distal arthrogryposis type 5 (DA5) is clinically characterized by short stature, deep‐set eyes, ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, triangular facies, restrictive pulmonary function, and “firm” muscles. DA5 is produced by a gain‐of‐function mutations in PIEZO2 gene, encoding for an ion‐channel required to convert mechanical stimulus to biological signals in mammals essential to proprioception. Heterozygous mutations in PIEZO2 may lead to other phenotypes like Gordon Syndrome and Marden Walker syndrome. In this report, we present a 3‐generation family affected with DA5, who all carry a variant of unknown clinical significance c.8068A>C (p.Ser2690Arg) in the PIEZO2 gene. DA5 is a very rare condition with less than 20 cases previously reported. Our report expands the phenotype and contributes to evidence of this variant's pathogenicity.
Diagnosis of sepsis‐induced disseminated intravascular coagulation and coagulopathy
Authors: Iba Toshiaki , Umemura Yutaka , Watanabe Eizo , Wada Takeshi , Hayashida Kei , Kushimoto Shigeki ,   The Japanese Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guideline Working Group for disseminated intravascular coagulation
Published: April 2019

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a frequent complication in sepsis. Once patients develop DIC, the mortality rate increases significantly. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that coagulation disorder plays a significant role in the development of organ dysfunction in sepsis. Thus, the early detection of DIC is vital in sepsis care, and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine established a set of original diagnostic criteria in 2006 (JAAM DIC). Since then, the usefulness of the JAAM DIC has been repeatedly reported, and these criteria have been widely adopted in emergency and critical care settings in Japan. Different criteria have also been released by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH overt‐DIC), and the latter criteria are presently considered to be the international standard. Compared with the JAAM DIC, the ISTH overt‐DIC criteria are stricter and the timing of diagnosis is later. This discrepancy is because of conceptual differences. As many physicians think sepsis‐associated DIC is the target of anticoagulant therapies in Japan, the JAAM DIC criteria were designed to allow the early initiation of treatment. As other countries do not provide DIC‐specific treatments, early diagnosis is not necessary, and this situation has led to a significant gap. However, as overt‐DIC is a late‐phase coagulation disorder, a need for early detection has been advocated, and members of the ISTH have recently proposed the category of sepsis‐induced coagulopathy. In this review, we introduce the strengths and weaknesses of the major criteria including JAAM‐DIC, ISTH overt‐DIC, sepsis‐induced coagulopathy, and Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis‐DIC.
Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence in Metal‐Free Organic Materials
Authors: Ma Huili , Lv Anqi , Fu Lishun , Wang Shan , An Zhongfu , Shi Huifang , Huang Wei
Published: April 2019

Purely organic materials with room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) have attracted a growing interest for their potential applications in biological imaging, digital encryption, optoelectronic devices, and so on. To date, many strategies have succeeded in designing efficient organic RTP materials by overcoming the spin‐forbidden transition between singlet and triplet states. However, the underlying mechanisms of RTP still remain ambiguous. Such spin prohibition in phosphorescence are clarified, herein, from the perspective of perturbation theory, helping to understand the intrinsic relationship among various phosphorescence parameters, like phosphorescence efficiency, lifetime, intersystem crossing rate, as well as radiative and nonradiative rates. Taking into consideration the recent progress in organic RTP materials, these factors are further illustrated by a selection of the most relevant molecules. In addition, some novel RTP phenomena are also reviewed, thus providing an excellent guideline to constructing efficient RTP materials.
Motion Control of Polymeric Nanomotors Based on Host–Guest Interactions
Authors: Tu Yingfeng , Peng Fei , Heuvelmans Josje M. , Liu Shuwen , Nolte Roeland J. M. , Wilson Daniela A.
Published: April 2019

Controlling the motion of artificial self‐propelled micro‐ and nanomotors independent of the fuel concentration is still a great challenge. Here we describe the first report of speed manipulation of supramolecular nanomotors via blue light‐responsive valves, which can regulate the access of hydrogen peroxide fuel into the motors. Light‐sensitive polymeric nanomotors are built up via the self‐assembly of functional block copolymers, followed by bowl‐shaped stomatocyte formation and incorporation of platinum nanoparticles. Subsequent addition of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) leads to the formation of inclusion complexes with the trans‐isomers of the azobenzene derivatives grafted from the surfaces of the stomatocytes. β‐CDs attachment decreases the diffusion rate of hydrogen peroxide into the cavities of the motors because of partly blocking of the openings of the stomatocyte. This results in a lowering of the speed of the nanomotors. Upon blue light irradiation, the trans‐azobenzene moieties isomerize to the cis‐form, which lead to the detachment of the β‐CDs due to their inability to form complexes with the cis‐isomer. As a result, the speed of the nanomotors increases accordingly. Such a conformational change provides us with the unique possibility to control the speed of the supramolecular nanomotor via light‐responsive host–guest complexation. We envision that such artificial responsive nano‐systems with controlled motion could have potential applications in drug delivery.
Stable and Highly Efficient Photocatalysis with Lead‐Free Double‐Perovskite of Cs2AgBiBr6
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Liang Yongqi , Huang Hanlin , Liu Xingyi , Li Qi , Chen Langxing , Xu Dongsheng
Published: April 2019

Composition engineering of halide perovskite allows the tunability of the band gap over a wide range so that photons can be effectively harvested, an aspect that is of critical importance for increasing the efficiency of photocatalysis under sunlight. However, the poor stability and the low photocatalytic activity of halide perovskites prevent use of these defect‐tolerant materials in wide applications involving photocatalysis. Here, an alcohol‐based photocatalytic system for dye degradation demonstrated high stability through the use of double perovskite of Cs2AgBiBr6. The reaction rate on Cs2AgBiBr6 is comparable to that on CdS, a model inorganic semiconductor photocatalyst. The fact of fast reaction between free radicals and dye molecules indicates the unique catalytic properties of the Cs2AgBiBr6 surface. Deposition of metal clusters onto Cs2AgBiBr6 effectively enhances the photocatalytic activity. Although the stability (five consecutive photocatalytic cycles without obvious decrease of efficiency) requires further improvements, the results indicate the significant potential of Cs2AgBiBr6‐based photocatalysis.
Semantic web or web of data? a diachronic study (1999 to 2017) of the publications of tim berners‐lee and the world wide web consortium
Authors: Machado Luís Miguel Oliveira , Souza Renato Rocha , da Graça Simões Maria
Published: April 2019

The web has been, in the last decades, the place where information retrieval achieved its maximum importance, given its ubiquity and the sheer volume of information. However, its exponential growth made the retrieval task increasingly hard, relying in its effectiveness on idiosyncratic and somewhat biased ranking algorithms. To deal with this problem, a “new” web, called the Semantic Web (SW), was proposed, bringing along concepts like “Web of Data” and “Linked Data,” although the definitions and connections among these concepts are often unclear. Based on a qualitative approach built over a literature review, a definition of SW is presented, discussing the related concepts sometimes used as synonyms. It concludes that the SW is a comprehensive and ambitious construct that includes the great purpose of making the web a global database. It also follows the specifications developed and/or associated with its operationalization and the necessary procedures for the connection of data in an open format on the web. The goals of this comprehensive SW are the union of two outcomes still tenuously connected: the virtually unlimited possibility of connections between data—the web domain—with the potentiality of the automated inference of “intelligent” systems—the semantic component.
Environmental noise induces the release of stress hormones and inflammatory signaling molecules leading to oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction—Signatures of the internal exposome
Authors: Daiber Andreas , Kröller‐Schön Swenja , Frenis Katie , Oelze Matthias , Kalinovic Sanela , Vujacic‐Mirski Ksenija , Kuntic Marin , Bayo Jimenez Maria Teresa , Helmstädter Johanna , Steven Sebastian , Korac Bato , Münzel Thomas
Published: April 2019

Environmental noise is a well‐recognized health risk and part of the external exposome—the World Health Organization estimates that 1 million healthy life years are lost annually in Western Europe alone due to noise‐related complications, including increased incidence of hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Previous data suggest that noise works through two paired pathways in a proposed reaction model for noise exposure. As a nonspecific stressor, chronic low‐level noise exposure can cause a disruption of sleep and communication leading to annoyance and subsequent sympathetic and endocrine stress responses leading to increased blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormone levels, and in particular more oxidative stress, being responsible for vascular dysfunction and representing changes of the internal exposome. Chronic stress generates cardiovascular risk factors on its own such as increased blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and activation of blood coagulation. To this end, persistent chronic noise exposure increases cardiometabolic diseases, including arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, diabetes mellitus type 2, and stroke. The present review discusses the mechanisms of the nonauditory noise‐induced cardiovascular and metabolic consequences, focusing on mental stress signaling pathways, activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis and sympathetic nervous system, the association of these activations with inflammation, and the subsequent onset of oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. © 2019 BioFactors, 45 (4):495–506, 2019
Toward a clinical antifungal peptoid: Investigations into the therapeutic potential of AEC5
Authors: Spicer Sabrina K. , Subramani Aarthi , Aguila Angelica L. , Green R. Madison , McClelland Erin E. , Bicker Kevin L.
Published: April 2019

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. Existing antifungal treatment plans have high mammalian toxicity and increasing drug resistance, demonstrating the dire need for new, nontoxic therapeutics. Antimicrobial peptoids are one alternative to combat this issue. Our lab has recently identified a tripeptoid, AEC5, with promising efficacy and selectivity against C. neoformans. Here, we report studies into the broad‐spectrum efficacy, killing kinetics, mechanism of action, in vivo half‐life, and subchronic toxicity of this compound. Most notably, these studies have demonstrated that AEC5 rapidly reduces fungal burden, killing all viable fungi within 3 hours. Additionally, AEC5 has an in vivo half‐life of 20+ hours and no observable in vivo toxicity following 28 days of daily injections. This research represents an important step in the characterization of AEC5 as a practical treatment option against C. neoformans infections.
Long non‐coding RNA PCAT6 targets miR‐204 to modulate the chemoresistance of colorectal cancer cells to 5‐fluorouracil‐based treatment through HMGA2 signaling
Authors: Wu Haijun , Zou Qiongyan , He Hong , Liang Yu , Lei Mingjun , Zhou Qin , Fan Dan , Shen Liangfang
Published: April 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still the third most common cancer in the world with a limited prognosis due to the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐based chemotherapy. In our previous study, we revealed that miR‐204 overexpression could sensitize CRC cell to 5‐FU treatment through targeting HMGA2/PI3K signaling pathway; however, miR‐204 expression in CRC tissues is abnormally downregulated. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation has been reported in human diseases, including cancer. Also, lncRNA can regulate cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, as well as chemoresistance. LncRNA prostate cancer‐associated transcript 6 (PCAT6) acts as an oncogene in many cancers; herein, PCAT6 expression was abnormally upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines, suggesting its potential role in CRC. Further, we assessed the specific function and mechanism of PCAT6 in CRC. Furthermore, we revealed that PCAT6 knockdown attenuated CRC chemoresistance to 5‐FU through miR‐204/HMGA2/PI3K; miR‐204 inhibition could partially reverse the effect of PCAT6 knockdown. Taken together, we demonstrate that the abnormal PCAT6 overexpression inhibits miR‐204 expression in CRC, thereby promoting HMGA2/PI3K signaling activity, ultimately enhancing the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5‐FU; PCAT6 represents a promising target for dealing with CRC chemoresistance.
Novel Surgical Approach for Root Coverage of Single Deep Recessions on Mandibular Incisors: Gingival Pedicle With Split‐Thickness Tunnel Technique
Authors: Agusto Michele , Simpson Kerri Thomas , Salman Arif , Schincaglia Gian Pietro
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Gingival recession is a very common mucogingival defect in the adult population, with mandibular central and lateral incisors being the most frequently affected teeth. Limited information is available about the management of isolated deep recession lesions in the mandibular anterior area, where the predictability of the root coverage is reduced by unfavorable anatomical conditions. The purpose of this case report is to present a novel surgical technique for deep labial recessions on mandibular incisors, based on a gingival pedicle with split‐thickness tunneling (GPST), in combination with connective tissue graft (CTG).

Case Presentation

A 25‐year‐old female patient presented with a Class II Miller isolated buccal recession on #24, 5 × 3 mm. The recipient site design consisted of a laterally positioned flap with a width of 4 mm, in combination with a split‐thickness tunnel preparation that reached the mesial line angle of #25 and extended beyond the mucogingival junction. A CTG (13 × 7 mm) was harvested from the palate and properly adapted over the root surface. Graft and flap were secured with internal mattress and single‐interrupted sutures. Complete root coverage was obtained and maintained at 6 months with excellent esthetic outcomes.

Conclusion

This novel surgical approach, based on the combination of laterally displaced pedicle flap and tunneling in addition to CTG, seems to lead to promising results for the treatment of single deep mandibular anterior recessions.
Heteroatom‐Enhanced Metal‐Free Catalytic Performance of Carbocatalysts for Organic Transformations
Authors: Shang Sen S. , Gao Shuang
Published: April 2019

The exploitation and design of metal‐free catalysts for chemical transformation is always a fascinating theme from the prospective of fundamental and applied research. In addition to their distinct advantages such as lower cost, higher biocompatibility and reliability and thus higher sustainability, metal‐free materials often unexpectedly render different reaction pathway or mechanism from conventional metal catalysts. As a consequence, metal‐free catalysts have revolutionized and expanded the platform of catalysis. Among them, carbons are a typical class of nonmetallic materials. To date, a series of elements (e. g., B, N, P or S) as heteroatom dopants have equipped pristine carbons with enhanced performance and even new chemical functionality. It was proposed to attribute to modulated electrical properties and surface physicochemical features originated from structural distortions and changes of charge densities. In this minireview, we overviewed the catalytic application of heteroatom‐doped carbocatalysts in oxidation, oxidative coupling, reduction and hydrogenation reactions with special emphasis on the role of heteroatoms and consequently enhanced performance. This minireview highlights the structure‐activity correlations, thereby directing the rational design of advanced metal‐free catalysts for organic synthesis. Some controversies about active sites and challenges in catalyst design are also discussed here.
Biocatalytic Promiscuity of Lipases in Carbon‐Phosphorus Bond Formation
Authors: Koszelewski Dominik , Ostaszewski Ryszard
Published: April 2019

A promiscuous lipase‐catalyzed carbon‐phosphorus bond formation is presented. The developed enzymatic Pudovik‐Abramov reaction of various aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with dialkyl phosphonates provides biologically and pharmacologically relevant α‐hydroxy phosphonates with the yields from 11 % to 85 %. The developed protocol proceeds in the presence of porcine pancreas lipase under environmentally sustainable conditions. The influence of the reaction conditions including enzyme origin, organic solvent, and temperature on the reaction course was examined. The developed protocol is applicable to a range of aldehydes, including synthetically relevant heterocyclic furfural and 2‐thiophenecarbaldehyde.
Theoretical Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of the Chemical Vapor Deposition Process for the Manufacturing of a Highly Porous 3D Carbon Foam
Authors: Marx Janik , Berns Jan-Christoph , Spille Claas , Mintken Mona , Adelung Rainer , Schlüter Michael , Fiedler Bodo
Published: April 2019

Aerographite is a three‐dimensional carbon foam with a tetrapodal morphology. The manufacturing of aerographite is carried out in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, based on a zinc oxide (ZnO) template, in which the morphology is replicated into a hollow carbon shell. During the replication process, the template is reduced by the simultaneous formation of the carbon structure. The CVD process is one of the most efficient methods for the manufacturing of various carbon nanostructures, such as graphene or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Based on the growth mechanism of aerographite, a computational fluid dynamics model is presented for the fundamental investigations of the temperature and flow/microflow behavior during the replication process. This allows a deeper process understanding and further optimizations.
An Intelligent Tray Efficiency Estimation Method for the Fractionation System of Industrial Hydrocracking Processes
Authors: Wang Yalin , Chen Guanyu , Sun Bei , Xue Yongfei , Sun Jiazhou
Published: April 2019

An engineering‐oriented tray efficiency estimation method for the hydrocracking fractionation system is proposed. As key parameter of the fractionation system, estimation of the tray efficiency is important and challenging due to the large computational burden given by the complexity of the fractionation system. Here, the high‐dimensional tray efficiencies are screened first and divided into groups according to the spatial position. Then, an improved artificial bee colony algorithm is proposed to estimate the tray efficiencies of each group, in which two taboo lists are introduced to avoid repetitive search. The proposed method is validated using real industry data. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach is efficient in terms of estimation accuracy.
Effect of Stearic Acid as a Co‐solvent on the Solubility Enhancement of Aspirin in Supercritical CO2
Authors: Behjati Rad Hadi , Karimi Sabet Javad , Varaminian Farshad
Published: April 2019

The solubility of aspirin in supercritical CO2 (SC‐CO2) with stearic acid as a co‐solvent was measured at various pressures and temperatures. The experimental data were obtained by a static method. Stearic acid had a significant effect on the enhancement of solubility, as the aspirin solubility increased by up to 16 times. Further, the effect of stearic acid on the solubility enhancement of aspirin was compared with that of other co‐solvents. Different semi‐empirical models from the literature were applied for correlating the experimental data, proving good agreement with the experimental data. The model of Sung and Shim exhibited the lowest deviation from the obtained data. The results of the solubility test can be employed to produce aspirin‐based pharmaceuticals using supercritical fluid technology (SFT).
Adsorption of the Inhalation Anesthetic Isoflurane from Dry and Humid Atmosphere
Authors: Bucher Dirk , Pasel Christoph , Luckas Michael , Bathen Dieter
Published: April 2019

For environmental and occupational safety reasons, the inhalation anesthetic isoflurane must be removed from indoor air in hospitals. The present work investigated experimentally the coadsorption of isoflurane and water on four different commercial adsorbents: two activated carbons and two zeolites. Adsorption isotherms from dry and humid atmosphere are shown and discussed, i.e., mixture data are compared with those of the pure substances. For all four adsorbents the dominant parameter regarding structural properties is the pore size distribution. In the case of the zeolites, the surface chemistry, especially the aluminum content, plays a role, too.
Full‐scale shear capacity testing of an existing prestressed concrete bridge
Authors: Gehrlein Sebastian Felix , Fischer Oliver
Published: April 2019

Due to the relatively high average age of the existing bridges, a dramatic increase both in traffic volume and axle loads and because of modified design standards, a realistic prediction of the shear capacity of existing prestressed concrete bridges with little shear reinforcement has become an important topic in German research. In 2017, the Chair of Concrete and Masonry Structures of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, was given the unique opportunity to conduct full‐scale field tests at the Hammelburg Bridge built in 1955. According to systematic strength evaluations, many concrete bridges in Germany, especially those which were built prior to 1966, show severe (theoretical) deficits regarding longitudinal shear capacity. The results of the strength evaluation can often not be verified in the real bridges though. The primary objective of the field test therefore was to determine the actual shear capacity of existing prestressed bridges aiming at closing the gap between structural analyses and experience in regard to older concrete bridges. The article at hand presents the conceptual approach, the test set‐up and the execution of the in‐situ testing, the used measuring equipment and essential findings gained from the conducted full‐scale experiments. Furthermore, the results are discussed and the measured maximum loads of all five tests are compared to the results of different theoretical approaches and engineering models, respectively.
A pH‐Sensitive Zwitterionic Iron Complex Probe with High Biocompatibility for Tumor‐Specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Han Jiamei , Liang Guohai , Xing Da
Published: April 2019

Accurate diagnosis of tumor characteristics, including its location and boundary, is of immense value to subsequent therapy. Activatable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that respond to tumor‐specific microenvironments, such as the redox state, pH, and enzyme activity, enable better mapping of tumor tissue. However, the practical application of most reported activatable agents is hampered by problems including potential toxicity, inefficient elimination, and slow activation. In this study, we developed a zwitterionic iron complex (Fe‐ZDS) as a positive MRI contrast agent for tumor‐specific imaging. Fe‐ZDS could dissociate in weakly acidic solution rapidly, accompanied by clear longitudinal relaxivity (r1) enhancement, which enabled the complex to act as a pH‐sensitive contrast agent for tumor‐specific MR imaging. In vivo experiments showed that Fe‐ZDS rapidly enhanced the tumor‐to‐normal contrast ratio by >40 %, which assisted in distinguishing the tumor boundary. Furthermore, Fe‐ZDS circulated freely in the bloodstream and was excreted relatively safely via kidneys owing to its zwitterionic nature. Therefore, Fe‐ZDS is an ideal candidate for a tumor‐specific MRI contrast agent and holds considerable potential for clinical translation.
Tuning Interfacial Structures for Better Catalysis of Water Electrolysis
Authors: Xiang Rui , Peng Lishan , Wei Zidong
Published: April 2019

Interface modulation, as an old concept of heterogeneous catalysis, represents an emerging, fast‐growing and exciting direction in the field of water electrolysis. Over the past five years, diverse hetero‐nanostructures have been synthesised as water electrolysis catalysts by taking advantage of interface modulation. However, it seems that the performance (i.e., efficiency and durability) of these materials needs to be further improved. Therefore, a comprehensive summary of recent achievements and the challenging issues concerning the regulation of material functionalities through interface modulation is necessary and helpful. Herein, firstly, the fundamentals of water electrolysis are outlined, and then the delicate design and fine control of well‐defined interfaces, as well as related mechanisms for performance improvement are discussed. Finally, future opportunities and challenges in the everlasting pursuit of highly efficient and robust water electrolysis catalysts are highlighted.
Ortsaufgelöste Stromdichtemessung in PEM‐Elektrolyse‐Zellen
Authors: Immerz Christoph , Bensmann Boris , Trinke Patrick , Suermann Michel , Hanke‐Rauschenbach Richard
Published: April 2019

Die vorliegende Analyse zeigt lokale Stromdichte‐ und Impedanzmessungen (EIS) entlang einer Einkanal‐Polymer‐Elektrolyt‐Membran‐Wasserelektrolysezelle, die mit einem ausreichend hohen und einem unzureichend niedrigen stöchiometrischen Wasseranteil betrieben wird. Mithilfe der örtlich verteilten Stromdichtemessung in Kombination mit globalen und lokalen EIS‐Messungen können die jeweiligen Einzelspannungsverluste in beiden Fällen voneinander unterschieden und verglichen werden. Die Kombination der beiden Methoden zeigt, dass der Wassergehalt der Membran und der anodenseitigen Katalysatorschicht unter niedrigen stöchiometrischen Bedingungen sehr inhomogen in Längsrichtung verteilt ist, wobei der niedrigste Wassergehalt am Ende des Kanals auftritt.
Rationale and design of the impact of anticoagulation therapy on the Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation (CAF) Trial: A Vanguard study
Authors: Bunch T. Jared , Jacobs Victoria , May Heidi , Stevens Scott M. , Crandall Brian , Cutler Michael , Day John D. , Mallender Charles , Olson Jeff , Osborn Jeffrey , Weiss J. Peter , Woller Scott C.
Published: April 2019

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, which is more pronounced in patients with a history of clinical stroke. Observational trials suggest that the implementation and quality of long‐term anticoagulation impact dementia risk. Emerging evidence suggests that direct oral anticoagulants may improve long‐term risk of dementia in AF patients. This manuscript describes the rational and trial design of the the Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Atrial Fibrillation Patients (CAF) Trial. CAF investigates if AF patients randomized to dabigatran etexilate will have long‐term higher cognition scores and lower rates of dementia compared in the long term to dose‐adjusted warfarin (International Normalized Ratio [INR]: 2.0‐3.0). As of 27 February 2019, a total of 120 subjects will be enrolled at one investigational site in the United States and will be followed for 2 years after study enrollment. To date, 97 have been enrolled. The average age is 74.2 years, 53% are male, and 9% had a prior stroke. In this Vanguard study, patients will be followed for 2 years after study enrollment. These prospective, randomized data will inform the understanding of two anticoagulants in AF patients as it relates to risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Cranial imaging and biomarkers collected will assist in understanding mechanisms of brain injury.
Improving parallel efficiency for asynchronous graph analytics using Gauss‐Seidel‐based matrix computation
Authors: Luo Le , Liu Yi
Published: April 2019

Graph analytics is extensively used in big‐data applications such as social networks, web analysis, bio‐informatics, etc. Most graph processing frameworks adopt vertex‐centric model due to its ease of use and programming. However, when dealing with asynchronous graph analytics, frameworks based on vertex programming perform inefficiently. The reason is that first, vertex programming must guarantee the sequential consistency, which means frequent use of locks or atomic operations, and second, the algorithms are parallelized in vertex level and latent parallelism of the algorithms cannot be exploited. To improve parallel efficiency of asynchronous graph processing, the Gauss‐Seidel style algorithms in particular, this paper proposes a scheduling model using Gauss‐Seidel‐based matrix computation, which converts the vertex programming into two main matrix operations and then algorithms are parallelized by row and column vectors. Compared to vertex programming, our model parallelizes algorithms in a finer way to exploit more latent parallelism, while retains the ease‐of‐programming advantage of vertex programming. Instead of using locks to guarantee the sequential consistency, our model uses a hybrid synchronization policy to reduce serializability among threads and overheads of context switching. Furthermore, this model strengthens locality of the program. Experiment results show that our model outperforms vertex‐centric asynchronous frameworks in both performance and scalability. Moreover, it even surpasses the matrix‐based synchronous framework GraphMat with some non‐Gauss‐Seidel style algorithms.
Reactivity of the Indenyl Radical (C9H7) with Acetylene (C2H2) and Vinylacetylene (C4H4)
Authors: Zhao Long , Prendergast Matthew B. , Kaiser Ralf I. , Xu Bo , Lu Wenchao , Ablikim Utuq , Ahmed Musahid , Oleinikov Artem D. , Azyazov Valeriy N. , Mebel Alexander M. , Howlader A. Hasan , Wnuk Stanislaw F.
Published: April 2019

The reactions of the indenyl radicals with acetylene (C2H2) and vinylacetylene (C4H4) is studied in a hot chemical reactor coupled to synchrotron based vacuum ultraviolet ionization mass spectrometry. These experimental results are combined with theory to reveal that the resonantly stabilized and thermodynamically most stable 1‐indenyl radical (C9H7.) is always formed in the pyrolysis of 1‐, 2‐, 6‐, and 7‐bromoindenes at 1500 K. The 1‐indenyl radical reacts with acetylene yielding 1‐ethynylindene plus atomic hydrogen, rather than adding a second acetylene molecule and leading to ring closure and formation of fluorene as observed in other reaction mechanisms such as the hydrogen abstraction acetylene addition or hydrogen abstraction vinylacetylene addition pathways. While this reaction mechanism is analogous to the bimolecular reaction between the phenyl radical (C6H5.) and acetylene forming phenylacetylene (C6H5CCH), the 1‐indenyl+acetylene→1‐ethynylindene+hydrogen reaction is highly endoergic (114 kJ mol−1) and slow, contrary to the exoergic (−38 kJ mol−1) and faster phenyl+acetylene→phenylacetylene+hydrogen reaction. In a similar manner, no ring closure leading to fluorene formation was observed in the reaction of 1‐indenyl radical with vinylacetylene. These experimental results are explained through rate constant calculations based on theoretically derived potential energy surfaces.
The Use of Intracerebral Microdialysis to Elucidate Environmentally Induced Neurotoxic Mechanisms
Authors: Lasley Stephen M.
Published: April 2019

The technique of microdialysis permits the assessment of neurotransmitter activity and the monitoring of other cellular entities in tissue extracellular fluid. The method is widely used for quantifying biogenic amine and amino acid transmitters, peptides, administered drugs, and other molecules in response to various experimental treatments. This article provides an overview of the manner in which the methodology of intracerebral microdialysis is utilized in the field of neurotoxicology to elucidate the actions of environmental agents. The technique is employed in a variety of creative ways to address specific experimental goals involving myriad toxicants. With appropriate consideration of method parameters, investigators have also been able to address mechanistic issues in their studies. These investigations consist of sampling of neurotransmitters in extracellular fluid after various protocols of environmental metal exposure as well as assessments of blood–brain barrier permeability, the detection of reactive oxygen species, and description of the toxicodynamics of environmental agents. The purpose of this examination is not to review the investigational findings, per se, but to highlight the various approaches utilized with this methodology and the experimental questions that have been addressed. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A secure regenerating code‐based cloud storage with efficient integrity verification
Authors: V.S. Lakshmi , P.P. Deepthi
Published: April 2019

Cloud storage is gaining popularity as it relieves the data owners from the burden of data storage and maintenance cost. However, outsourcing data to third‐party cloud servers raise several concerns such as data availability, confidentiality, and integrity. Recently, regenerating codes have gained popularity because of their low repair bandwidth while ensuring data availability. In this paper, we propose a secure regenerating code‐based cloud storage (SRCCS) scheme, which utilizes the verifiable computation property of homomorphic encryption scheme to check the integrity of outsourced data. In this work, an error‐correcting code (ECC)–based homomorphic encryption scheme (HES) is employed to simultaneously provide data privacy as well as error correction while supporting efficient integrity verification. In SRCCS, server regeneration process is initiated on detection of data corruption events in order to ensure data availability. The ECC‐based HES significantly reduces the probability of server regeneration and minimizes the repair cost. Extensive theoretical analysis and simulation results validate the security, efficiency, and practicability of the proposed scheme.
MAAS: A mobile cloud assisted architecture for handling emergency situations
Authors: Sarkar Joy Lal , Panigrahi Chhabi Rani , Pati Bibudhendu , Saha Apu Kumar , Majumder Abhishek
Published: April 2019

Recent advancements in the area of Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) have significantly contributed towards assisting mankind to handle varied types of emergency situations that may arise as a result of different natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, fire, etc, which may cause huge damage to public property and result in loss of wealth of the nation. In this work, we have proposed a mobile cloud assisted architecture that supports the multicloud and hybrid‐cloud environments, together with Cloud Probing Service (CPS) and Cloud Ranking Service (CRS). The proposed algorithm consumes data from the sensor nodes and offloads the data to the most suitable cloud. A three‐layered architecture has been proposed, and the anchor points facilitate in the creation of the interface between the different layers. The simulation results indicate that the proposed mobile cloud assisted architecture for handling emergency situations (MAAS) approach performs better than the baseline algorithms.
Futuristic speed prediction using auto‐regression and neural networks for mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Theerthagiri Prasannavenkatesan , Thangavelu Menakadevi
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we propose a speed prediction model using auto‐regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and neural networks for estimating the futuristic speed of the nodes in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The speed prediction promotes the route discovery process for the selection of moderate mobility nodes to provide reliable routing. The ARIMA is a time‐series forecasting approach, which uses autocorrelations to predict the future speed of nodes. In the paper, the ARIMA model and recurrent neural network (RNN) trains the random waypoint mobility (RWM) dataset to forecast the mobility of the nodes. The proposed ARIMA model designs the prediction models through varying the delay terms and changing the numbers of hidden neuron in RNN. The Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), auto‐correlation function (ACF), and partial auto‐correlation function (PACF) parameters evaluate the predicted mobility dataset to estimate the model quality and reliability. The different scenarios of changing node speed evaluate the performance of prediction models. Performance results indicate that the ARIMA forecasted speed values almost match with the RWM observed speed values than RNN values. The graphs exhibit that the ARIMA predicted mobility values have lower error metrics such as mean square error (MSE), root MSE (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) than RNN predictions. It yields higher futuristic speed prediction precision rate of 17% to 24% throughout the time series as compared with RNN. Further, the proposed model extensively compares with the existing works.
A smart curtailment approach for reducing bat fatalities and curtailment time at wind energy facilities
Authors: Hayes Mark A. , Hooton Lauren A. , Gilland Karen L. , Grandgent Chuck , Smith Robin L. , Lindsay Stephen R. , Collins Jason D. , Schumacher Susan M. , Rabie Paul A. , Gruver Jeffrey C. , Goodrich‐Mahoney John
Published: April 2019

The development and expansion of wind energy is considered a key global threat to bat populations. Bat carcasses are being found underneath wind turbines across North and South America, Eurasia, Africa, and the Austro‐Pacific. However, relatively little is known about the comparative impacts of techniques designed to modify turbine operations in ways that reduce bat fatalities associated with wind energy facilities. This study tests a novel approach for reducing bat fatalities and curtailment time at a wind energy facility in the United States, then compares these results to operational mitigation techniques used at other study sites in North America and Europe. The study was conducted in Wisconsin during 2015 using a new system of tools for analyzing bat activity and wind speed data to make near real‐time curtailment decisions when bats are detected in the area at control turbines (N = 10) vs. treatment turbines (N = 10). The results show that this smart curtailment approach (referred to as Turbine Integrated Mortality Reduction, TIMR) significantly reduced fatality estimates for treatment turbines relative to control turbines for pooled species data, and for each of five species observed at the study site: pooled data (–84.5%); eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis, –82.5%); hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus, –81.4%); silver‐haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans, –90.9%); big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus, –74.2%); and little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus, –91.4%). The approach reduced power generation and estimated annual revenue at the wind energy facility by ≤ 3.2% for treatment turbines relative to control turbines, and we estimate that the approach would have reduced curtailment time by 48% relative to turbines operated under a standard curtailment rule used in North America. This approach significantly reduced fatalities associated with all species evaluated, each of which has broad distributions in North America and different ecological affinities, several of which represent species most affected by wind development in North America. While we recognize that this approach needs to be validated in other areas experiencing rapid wind energy development, we anticipate that this approach has the potential to significantly reduce bat fatalities in other ecoregions and with other bat species assemblages in North America and beyond.
Intricate trophic links between threatened vertebrates confined to a small island in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Lopes Ricardo J. , Pinho Catarina J. , Santos Bárbara , Seguro Mariana , Mata Vanessa A. , Egeter Bastian , Vasconcelos Raquel
Published: April 2019

Trophic networks in small isolated islands are in a fragile balance, and their disturbance can easily contribute toward the extinction vortex of species. Here, we show, in a small Atlantic island (Raso) in the Cabo Verde Archipelago, using DNA metabarcoding, the extent of trophic dependence of the Endangered giant wall gecko Tarentola gigas on endemic populations of vertebrates, including one of the rarest bird species of the world, the Critically Endangered Raso lark Alauda razae. We found that the Raso lark (27%), Iago sparrow Passer iagoensis (12%), Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii (15%), and the Cabo Verde shearwater Calonectris edwardsii (10%) are the most frequent vertebrate signatures found in the feces of the giant wall gecko. This work provides the first integrative assessment of their trophic links, an important issue to be considered for the long‐term conservation of these small and isolated island ecosystems.
Dynamic responses of picophytoplankton to physicochemical variation in the eastern Indian Ocean
Authors: Wei Yuqiu , Zhang Guicheng , Chen Ju , Wang Jing , Ding Changling , Zhang Xiaodong , Sun Jun
Published: April 2019

Picophytoplankton were investigated during spring 2015 and 2016 extending from near‐shore coastal waters to oligotrophic open waters in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO). They were typically composed of Prochlorococcus (Pro), Synechococcus (Syn), and picoeukaryotes (PEuks). Pro dominated most regions of the entire EIO and were approximately 1–2 orders of magnitude more abundant than Syn and PEuks. Under the influence of physicochemical conditions induced by annual variations of circulations and water masses, no coherent abundance and horizontal distributions of picophytoplankton were observed between spring 2015 and 2016. Although previous studies reported the limited effects of nutrients and heavy metals around coastal waters or upwelling zones could constrain Pro growth, Pro abundance showed strong positive correlation with nutrients, indicating the increase in nutrient availability particularly in the oligotrophic EIO could appreciably elevate their abundance. The exceptional appearance of picophytoplankton with high abundance along the equator appeared to be associated with the advection processes supported by the Wyrtki jets. For vertical patterns of picophytoplankton, a simple conceptual model was built based upon physicochemical parameters. However, Pro and PEuks simultaneously formed a subsurface maximum, while Syn generally restricted to the upper waters, significantly correlating with the combined effects of temperature, light, and nutrient availability. The average chlorophyll a concentrations (Chl a) of picophytoplankton accounted for above 49.6% and 44.9% of the total Chl a during both years, respectively, suggesting that picophytoplankton contributed a significant proportion of the phytoplankton community in the whole EIO.
The role of understory phenology and productivity in the carbon dynamics of longleaf pine savannas
Authors: Wiesner Susanne , Staudhammer Christina L. , Javaheri Chloe L. , Hiers J. Kevin , Boring Lindsay R. , Mitchell Robert J. , Starr Gregory
Published: April 2019

Savanna ecosystems contribute ~30% of global net primary production (NPP), but they vary substantially in composition and function, specifically in the understory, which can result in complex responses to environmental fluctuations. We tested how understory phenology and its contribution to ecosystem productivity within a longleaf pine ecosystem varied at two ends of a soil moisture gradient (mesic and xeric). We used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of the understory and ecosystem productivity estimates from eddy covariance systems to understand how variation in the understory affected overall ecosystem recovery from disturbances (drought and fire). We found that the mesic site recovered more rapidly from the disturbance of fire, compared to the xeric site, indicated by a faster increase inNDVI. During drought, understoryNDVIat the xeric site decreased less compared to the mesic site, suggesting adaptation to lower soil moisture conditions. Our results also show large variation within savanna ecosystems in the contribution of the understory to ecosystem productivity and recovery, highlighting the critical need to further subcategorize global savanna ecosystems by their structural features, to accurately predict their contribution to global estimates ofNPP.
Dinitrogen Activation and Functionalization Using β‐Diketiminate Iron Complexes
Authors: Bhutto Samuel M. , Holland Patrick L.
Published: April 2019

Iron catalysts are adept at breaking the N–N bond of N2, as exemplified by the iron‐catalyzed Haber–Bosch process and the iron‐containing clusters at the active sites of nitrogenase enzymes. This Minireview summarizes recent work that has identified a well‐characterized set of multiiron complexes that are capable of breaking and functionalizing N2 and are amenable to detailed mechanistic studies. We discuss the redox balancing, the potential intermediates during N2 activation, the variation of alkali metal reductant, the reversibility of N2 cleavage, and the formation of N–H and N–C bonds from N2.