bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly(ether sulfone) nanoparticles and controllably modified nanoparticles obtained through temperature‐dependent cryogelation
Authors: Liu Lukuan , Yang Kaiguang , Li Senwu , Zhang Lihua , Zhang Yukui
Published: January 2019

Poly(ether sulfone) (PES) nanoparticles (NPs) have broad application prospects in the field of nanomedicine. However, the current techniques could not be used to create PES‐based NPs because of a lack of sophisticated equipment. In this study, a temperature‐dependent cryogelation process was developed to fabricate PES NPs through PES self‐assembly under unusually low polymer concentrations in the absence of any nanomanufacturing equipment or synthesis steps. The morphologies of the prepared NPs varied with the concentration difference of the initial PES solutions, and the diameter of the polymer particles reached about 50 nm with a high monodispersity. Furthermore, cocryogelation was explored in a novel manner to introduce two representative reversible addition−fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) agents onto the PES NPs separately for the following modification. Then, surface‐initiated RAFT polymerization was also conducted to enable the controllable variation of the polymer brushes outside the NPs to verify their scalability for further application. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47485.
STABILITYSOFT: A new online program to calculate parametric and non‐parametric stability statistics for crop traits
Authors: Pour‐Aboughadareh Alireza , Yousefian Mohsen , Moradkhani Hoda , Poczai Peter , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: January 2019

Premise of the Study

Access to improved crop cultivars is the foundation for successful agriculture. New cultivars must have improved yields that are determined by quantitative and qualitative traits. Genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GEI) occur for quantitative traits such as reproductive fitness, longevity, height, weight, yield, and disease resistance. The stability of genotypes across a range of environments can be analyzed using GEI analysis. GEI analysis includes univariate and multivariate analyses with both parametric and non‐parametric models.

Methods and Results

The program STABILITYSOFT is online software based on JavaScript and R to calculate several univariate parametric and non‐parametric statistics for various crop traits. These statistics include Plaisted and Peterson's mean variance component (θi), Plaisted's GE variance component (θ(i)), Wricke's ecovalence stability index (Wi2), regression coefficient (bi), deviation from regression (Sdi2), Shukla's stability variance (σi2), environmental coefficient of variance (CVi), Nassar and Huhn's statistics (S(1), S(2)), Huhn's equation (S(3) and S(6)), Thennarasu's non‐parametric statistics (NP(i)), and Kang's rank‐sum. These statistics are important in the identification of stable genotypes; hence, this program can compare and select genotypes across multiple environment trials for a given data set. This program supports both the repeated data across environments and matrix data types. The accuracy of the results obtained from this software was tested on several crop plants.

Conclusions

This new software provides a user‐friendly interface to estimate stability statistics accurately for plant scientists, agronomists, and breeders who deal with large volumes of quantitative data. This software can also show ranking patterns of genotypes and describe associations among different statistics with yield performance through a heat map plot. The software is available at https://mohsenyousefian.com/stabilitysoft/.
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Alkenylation of Benzylsulfonium Salts
Authors: Otsuka Shinya , Nogi Keisuke , Rovis Tomislav , Yorimitsu Hideki
Published: January 2019

Visible light‐mediated radical alkenylation of benzylsulfonium salts was achieved by means of fac‐Ir(ppy)3 as a photocatalyst, giving allylbenzenes as products. A variety of functional groups, such as halogen, ester, and cyano, were well tolerated in this transformation. Starting benzylsulfonium salts could be readily prepared from benzyl alcohols by an acid‐mediated substitution, increasing the synthetic utility of this transformation.
Try 8 apps to streamline your professional, personal life
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2019

If you could use some help making your personal and professional life more efficient, organized, and streamlined, then you'll want to consider downloading the following eight apps. Beth Ziesenis, writer, editor, and owner of the website Your Nerdy Best Friend, recommended some of the most helpful and interesting apps during a presentation at the annual conference for the Society for College and University Planning.
Dinorcassane Diterpenoid from Boesenbergia rotunda Rhizomes Collected in Lower Myanmar
Authors: Win Nwet Nwet , Kyaw May Mon , Prema  , Ngwe Hla , Ito Takuya , Asakawa Yoshinori , Okamoto Yasuko , Tanaka Masami , Abe Ikuro , Morita Hiroyuki
Published: January 2019

A new dinorcassane diterpenoid, seikphoochinal A (1), and four known compounds, pinostrobin (2), 4′,7‐dimethylkaempferol (3), and galanals A (4) and B (5), were isolated from the chloroform‐soluble crude extract of wild type Boesenbergia rotunda rhizomes collected in Lower Myanmar. The chemical structures of these compounds were identified, using a combination of spectroscopic methods. The presence of the diterpenoids 1, 4, and 5 demonstrated the structural diversity of wild type B. rotunda. Among the isolates, compounds 4 and 5 exhibited significant antiproliferative activities against a small panel of human cancer cell lines, including lung (LK‐2, A549), stomach (ECC4), breast (MCF7), cervix (HeLa), and prostate (DU145).
Rapid resolution of concussion related symptoms in an 11‐month‐old male with integrative medicine assessment and treatment: Case report
Authors: Chung Myung Kyu , LaRiccia Patrick J.
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

Neural therapy may have promise as a helpful, fast acting, and safe method of treating concussion symptoms.
Kemp Eliminases of the AlleyCat Family Possess High Substrate Promiscuity
Authors: Caselle Elizabeth A. , Yoon Jennifer H. , Bhattacharya Sagar , Rempillo Joel J. L. , Lengyel Zsófia , D'Souza Areetha , Moroz Yurii S. , Tolbert Patricia L. , Volkov Alexander N. , Forconi Marcello , Castañeda Carlos A. , Makhlynets Olga V. , Korendovych Ivan V.
Published: January 2019

Minimalist enzymes designed to catalyze model reactions provide useful starting points for creating catalysts for practically important chemical transformations. We have shown that Kemp eliminases of the AlleyCat family facilitate conversion of leflunomide (an immunosuppressor pro‐drug) to its active form teriflunomide with outstanding rate enhancement (nearly four orders of magnitude) and catalytic proficiency (more than seven orders of magnitude) without any additional optimization. This remarkable activity is achieved by properly positioning the substrate in close proximity to the catalytic glutamate with very high pKa.
Electroreduction of CO2 on Cu Clusters: The Effects of Size, Symmetry, and Temperature
Authors: Bu Yi‐Fan , Zhao Ming , Zhang Guo‐Xu , Zhang Xinge , Gao Wang , Jiang Qing
Published: January 2019

Copper is a potential electrocatalyst for CO2 electroreduction, although controlling the selectivity towards hydrocarbons and CO is still a major challenge. It is known that Cu nanoparticles show a better performance for CO2 electro‐reduction than bulk Cu. However, the roles of the size and symmetry of the Cu clusters as well as the temperature in the CO2‐reduction process remain elusive, which hinders the development of advanced catalysts. In this study, the density functional theory (DFT) method is applied to investigate these factors. We find that the decrease of icosahedron Cu clusters’ size but the increase of truncated octahedron Cu clusters’ size contributes to the selectivity of CO2 reduction. In addition, the symmetry of Cu clusters modulates the selectivity of CO2 reduction at room temperature: the (111)‐like surfaces prefer to produce hydrocarbons but the synergistic effect between (100)‐ and (111)‐ like ones favors the formation of CO, which are in reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements that distinct products are detected on different Cu nanoparticles during CO2 reduction. We also note that the increase of temperature is favorable to CO production. Our findings not only contribute to a thorough understanding of CO2 reduction on Cu clusters, but also provide clues for designing catalysts in future experiments.
Significance of Protein–Substrate Hydrogen Bonding for the Selectivity of P450‐Catalysed Oxidations
Authors: Slessor Kate E. , Stok Jeanette E. , Chow Sharon , De Voss James J.
Published: January 2019

P450cin and P450cam are bacterial cytochromes P450 that specifically hydroxylate bicyclic monoterpenes. Protein–substrate H bonding has been previously proposed as crucial in the selectivity of P450cin oxidations, but not as essential for P450cam. To examine the difference in importance of H bonds in these two model P450s, the P450‐catalysed oxidation products from thiocamphor were compared. Surprisingly, both P450s oxidised thiocamphor predominantly to the corresponding S‐oxides, in contrast to previous reports, and this is the first report of P450‐catalysed sulfine generation from a thioketone. Additionally, the result emphasised the importance of the protein–substrate H bond to selectivity in both P450cin and P450cam. The H bonding in P450cam was re‐examined using camphane, another substrate for which the protein–substrate H bond is absent. The results indicated that both H bonding and hydrophobic interactions between substrate and protein play a role in selectivity. Interestingly, the protein–substrate H bond was not a factor in substrate affinity for the enzyme.
Statistical Design of Experiments for Screening and Optimization
Authors: Lee Robert
Published: January 2019

Design of experiments (DoE) is a family of methods for performing experiments that are maximally informative for a chosen mathematical model. Statistical design of experiments focuses on empirical models that are sufficiently flexible as to describe a wide variety of systems, while having favorable mathematical properties for convenient estimation and optimization. This review describes approaches in statistical DoE for screening through many potential influencing factors and finding optimum process conditions.
Priorities, concerns, and regret among patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Windon Melina J. , D’Souza Gypsyamber , Faraji Farhoud , Troy Tanya , Koch Wayne M. , Gourin Christine G. , Kiess Ana P. , Pitman Karen T. , Eisele David W. , Fakhry Carole
Published: January 2019

Background

In the era of deintensification, little data are available regarding patients’ treatment preferences. The current study evaluated treatment‐related priorities, concerns, and regret among patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

Methods

A total of 150 patients with HNSCC ranked the importance of 10 nononcologic treatment goals relative to the oncologic goals of cure and survival. The level of concern regarding 11 issues and decision regret was recorded. Median rank was reported overall, and factors associated with odds of rank as a top 3 priority were modeled using logistic regression.

Results

Among the treatment effects analyzed, the odds of being a top 3 priority was especially high for cure (odds, 9.17; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 5.05‐16.63), followed by survival and swallow (odds, 1.26 [95% CI, 0.88‐1.80] and odds, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.59‐1.21], respectively). Prioritization of cure, survival, and swallow was similar based on human papillomavirus (HPV) tumor status. By increasing decade of age, older participants were found to be significantly less likely than younger individuals to prioritize survival (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52‐1.00). Concerns regarding mortality (P = .04) and transmission of HPV to the patient’s spouse (P = .03) were more frequent among participants with HPV‐associated HNSCC. Regret increased with additional treatment modalities (P = .02).

Conclusions

Patients with HNSCC overwhelming prioritize cure, followed by survival and swallow. The decreased prioritization of survival by older age supports further examination of treatment preference by age. The precedence of oncologic over nononcologic priorities among patients regardless of HPV tumor status supports the conservative adoption of deintensification regimens until the interplay between competing oncologic and nononcologic treatment goals is better understood.
An Analytical Bond Order Potential for Mg−H Systems
Authors: Zhou Xiaowang , Kang Shinyoung , Heo Tae Wook , Wood Brandon C. , Stavila Vitalie , Allendorf Mark D.
Published: January 2019

Magnesium‐based materials provide some of the highest capacities for solid‐state hydrogen storage. However, efforts to improve their performance rely on a comprehensive understanding of thermodynamic and kinetic limitations at various stages of (de)hydrogenation. Part of the complexity arises from the fact that unlike interstitial metal hydrides that retain the same crystal structures of the underlying metals, MgH2 and other magnesium‐based hydrides typically undergo dehydrogenation reactions that are coupled to a structural phase transformation. As a first step towards enabling molecular dynamics studies of thermodynamics, kinetics, and (de)hydrogenation mechanisms of Mg‐based solid‐state hydrogen storage materials with changing crystal structures, we have developed an analytical bond order potential for Mg−H systems. We demonstrate that our potential accurately reproduces property trends of a variety of elemental and compound configurations with different coordinations, including small clusters and bulk lattices. More importantly, we show that our potential captures the relevant (de)hydrogenation chemical reactions 2H (gas)→H2 (gas) and 2H (gas)+Mg (hcp)→MgH2 (rutile) within molecular dynamics simulations. This verifies that our potential correctly prescribes the lowest Gibbs free energies to the equilibrium H2 and MgH2 phases as compared to other configurations. It also indicates that our molecular dynamics methods can directly reveal atomic processes of (de)hydrogenation of the Mg−H systems.
Assessing eukaryotic biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary through environmental DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Sawaya Natalie A. , Djurhuus Anni , Closek Collin J. , Hepner Megan , Olesin Emily , Visser Lindsey , Kelble Christopher , Hubbard Katherine , Breitbart Mya
Published: January 2019

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the DNA suspended in the environment (e.g., water column), which includes cells, gametes, and other material derived from but not limited to shedding of tissue, scales, mucus, and fecal matter. Amplifying and sequencing marker genes (i.e., metabarcoding) from eDNA can reveal the wide range of taxa present in an ecosystem through analysis of a single water sample. Metabarcoding of eDNA provides higher resolution data than visual surveys, aiding in assessments of ecosystem health. This study conducted eDNA metabarcoding of two molecular markers (cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes) to survey eukaryotic diversity across multiple trophic levels in surface water samples collected at three sites along the coral reef tract within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) during four research cruises in 2015. The 18S rRNA gene sequences recovered 785 genera while the COI gene sequences recovered 115 genera, with only 33 genera shared between the two datasets, emphasizing the complementarity of these marker genes. Community composition for both genetic markers clustered by month of sample collection, suggesting that temporal variation has a larger effect on biodiversity than spatial variability in the FKNMS surface waters. Sequences from both marker genes were dominated by copepods, but each marker recovered distinct phytoplankton groups, with 18S rRNA gene sequences dominated by dinoflagellates and COI sequences dominated by coccolithophores. Although eDNA samples were collected from surface waters, many benthic species such as sponges, crustaceans, and corals were identified. These results show the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for cataloging biodiversity to establish an ecosystem baseline against which future samples can be compared in order to monitor community changes.
The integrative effects of behavior and morphology on amphibian movement
Authors: Bredeweg Evan M. , Morzillo Anita T. , Thurman Lindsey L. , Garcia Tiffany S.
Published: January 2019

Animal movement and dispersal are key factors in population dynamics and support complex ecosystem processes like cross‐boundary subsidies. Juvenile dispersal is an important mechanism for many species and often involves navigation in unfamiliar habitats. For species that metamorphose, such as amphibians, this transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments involves the growth and use of new morphological traits (e.g., legs). These traits strongly impact the fundamental ability of an organism to move in novel landscapes, but innate behaviors can regulate choices that result in the realized movements expressed. By assessing the integrative role of morphology and behavior, we can improve our understanding of juvenile movement, particularly in understudied organisms like amphibians. We assessed the roles of morphological (snout‐vent length and relative leg length) and performance (maximal jump distance) traits in shaping the free movement paths, measured through fluorescent powder tracking, in three anuran species, Pacific treefrog (Hyliola regilla), Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), and Cascades frog (Rana cascadae). We standardized the measurement of these traits to compare the relative role of species' innate differences versus physical traits in shaping movement. Innate differences, captured by species identity, were the most significant factor influencing movement paths via total movement distance and path sinuosity. Relative leg length was an important contributor but significantly interacted with species identity. Maximal jump performance, which was significantly predicted by morphological traits, was not an important factor in movement behavior relative to species identity. The importance of species identity and associated behavioral differences in realized movement provide evidence for inherent species differences being central to the dispersal and movement of these species. This behavior may stem from niche partitioning of these sympatric species, yet it also calls into question assumptions generalizing anuran movement behavior. These species‐level effects are important in framing differences as past research is applied in management planning.
Multiple facets of stream macroinvertebrate alpha diversity are driven by different ecological factors across an extensive altitudinal gradient
Authors: Li Zhengfei , Jiang Xiaoming , Wang Jun , Meng Xingliang , Heino Jani , Xie Zhicai
Published: January 2019

Environmental filtering and spatial structuring are important ecological processes for the generation and maintenance of biodiversity. However, the relative importance of these ecological drivers for multiple facets of diversity is still poorly understood in highland streams. Here, we examined the responses of three facets of stream macroinvertebrate alpha diversity to local environmental, landscape‐climate and spatial factors in a near‐pristine highland riverine ecosystem. Taxonomic (species richness, Shannon diversity, and evenness), functional (functional richness, evenness, divergence, and Rao's Quadratic entropy), and a proxy of phylogenetic alpha diversity (taxonomic distinctness and variation in taxonomic distinctness) were calculated for macroinvertebrate assemblages in 55 stream sites. Then Pearson correlation coefficient was used to explore congruence of indices within and across the three diversity facets. Finally, multiple linear regression models and variation partitioning were employed to identify the relative importance of different ecological drivers of biodiversity. We found most correlations between the diversity indices within the same facet, and between functional richness and species richness were relatively strong. The two phylogenetic diversity indices were quite independent from taxonomic diversity but correlated with functional diversity indices to some extent. Taxonomic and functional diversity were more strongly determined by environmental variables, while phylogenetic diversity was better explained by spatial factors. In terms of environmental variables, habitat‐scale variables describing habitat complexity and water physical features played the primary role in determining the diversity patterns of all three facets, whereas landscape factors appeared less influential. Our findings indicated that both environmental and spatial factors are important ecological drivers for biodiversity patterns of macroinvertebrates in Tibetan streams, although their relative importance was contingent on different facets of diversity. Such findings verified the complementary roles of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity, and highlighted the importance of comprehensively considering multiple ecological drivers for different facets of diversity in biodiversity assessment.
Ecological drift and competitive interactions predict unique patterns in temporal fluctuations of population size
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Puchałka Radosław , Koprowski Marcin , Strona Giovanni , Gotelli Nicholas J.
Published: January 2019

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of higher‐order competitive interactions in stabilizing population dynamics in multi‐species communities. But how does the structure of competitive hierarchies affect population dynamics and extinction processes? We tackled this important question by using spatially explicit simulations of ecological drift (10 species in a homogeneous landscape of 64 patches) in which birth rates were influenced by interspecific competition. Specifically, we examined how transitive (linear pecking orders) and intransitive (pecking orders with loops) competitive hierarchies affected extinction rates and population dynamics in simulated communities through time. In comparison to a pure neutral model, an ecological drift model including transitive competition increased extinction rates, caused synchronous density‐dependent population fluctuations, and generated a white‐noise distribution of population sizes. In contrast, the drift model with intransitive competitive interactions decreased extinctions rates, caused asynchronous (compensatory) density‐dependent population fluctuations, and generated a brown noise distribution of population sizes. We also explored the effect on community stability of more complex patterns of competitive interactions in which pairwise competitive relationships were assigned probabilistically. These probabilistic competition models also generated density‐dependent trajectories and a brown noise distribution of population sizes. However, extinction rates and the degree of population synchrony were comparable to those observed in purely neutral communities. Collectively, our results confirm that intransitive competition has a strong and stabilizing effect on local populations in species‐poor communities. This effect wanes with increasing species richness. Empirical assemblages characterized by brown spectral noise, density‐dependent regulation, and asynchronous (compensatory) population fluctuations may indicate a signature of intransitive competitive interactions.
Increasing water availability and facilitation weaken biodiversity–biomass relationships in shrublands
Authors: Guo Yanpei , Schöb Christian , Ma Wenhong , Mohammat Anwar , Liu Hongyan , Yu Shunli , Jiang Youxu , Schmid Bernhard , Tang Zhiyao
Published: January 2019

Positive biodiversity–ecosystem‐functioning (BEF) relationships are commonly found in experimental and observational studies, but how they vary in different environmental contexts and under the influence of coexisting life forms is still controversial. Investigating these variations is important for making predictions regarding the dynamics of plant communities and carbon pools under global change. We conducted this study across 433 shrubland sites in northern China. We fitted structural equation models (SEMs) to analyze the variation in the species‐richness–biomass relationships of shrubs and herbs along a wetness gradient and general liner models (GLMs) to analyze how shrub or herb biomass affected the species‐richness–biomass relationship of the other life form. We found that the positive species‐richness–biomass relationships for both shrubs and herbs became weaker or even negative with higher water availability, likely indicating stronger interspecific competition within life forms under more benign conditions. After accounting for variation in environmental contexts using residual regression, we found that the benign effect of greater facilitation by a larger shrub biomass reduced the positive species‐richness–biomass relationships of herbs, causing them to become nonsignificant. Different levels of herb biomass, however, did not change the species‐richness–biomass relationship of shrubs, possibly because greater herb biomass did not alter the stress level for shrubs. We conclude that biodiversity in the studied plant communities is particularly important for plant biomass production under arid conditions and that it might be possible to use shrubs as nurse plants to facilitate understory herb establishment in ecological restoration.
Towards an evidence base on the value of social learning‐oriented approaches in the context of climate change and food security
Authors: Van Epp Marissa , Garside Ben
Published: January 2019

Attention to social learning's potential to improve development outcomes in the context of climate change and food security challenges is growing. Yet evidence supporting the wide range of assertions about the outcomes of social learning processes is insufficient. More work is needed to understand when and how a social learning‐oriented approach is effective. We respond to the gap in evidence by piloting the Climate Change and Social Learning initiative's monitoring and evaluation framework for social learning. Our objectives are to begin building an evidence base and to test the theory of change behind the framework. Using a peer‐assist approach, we apply the framework to eight case studies in partnership with five initiatives. We analyse trends in evidence gathered across the case studies in four dimensions of social learning (engagement, iterative learning, capacity development, and challenging institutions) along three dimensions of change (process, learning outcomes, and changes in values and practice).
Carbon Paste Composite with Co3O4 as a New Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Allura Red by Reduction
Authors: Penagos‐Llanos Johisner , García‐Beltrán Olimpo , Calderón J. A. , Nagles Edgar , Hurtado J. J.
Published: January 2019

The detection of Allura red (AR) by electrochemical reduction using a different electrode from the conventional mercury electrode is presented. A carbon paste with cobalt (II, III) oxide composite electrode (CoOx/CPE) is reported for the first time for the detection of AR. Moreover, others dyes such as tartrazine (TZ), sunset yellow (SY), amaranth (AM), Ponceaut 4‐R (P‐4R), and Sudan (SD) as well as pharmaceutical agents such as paracetamol (PMC) that are present in samples that contained AR did not show a reduced signal between 0.0 and −0.3 V, which is the potential range where AR reduction was observed. The surface electroactivity was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of CoOX increased the cathodic peak current for AR by more than 50 % and 65 % via CV and square wave voltammetry (SWV), respectively, compared with an unmodified carbon paste electrode. Under the optimal parameters, (pH=3.0, accumulation time (tACC)=60 s and accumulation potential (EACC)=0.50 V), the detection limit for AR was 0.05 μmol L−1. The new sensor was sensitive and stable for the detection of AR. Moreover, it was easily manufactured and very convenient for food samples such as soft and isotonic drinks as well as chili sauce.
Facile Synthesis of Porous Carbon Via Self‐Activation of Potassium Acetate for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes with Excellent Cyclic Stability
Authors: Kang Seok Hun , Kim Bit Na , Kim In Gyoo
Published: January 2019

The capacitance of an electric double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) is largely determined by the surface area and the electrical conductivity of the electrode material. To enhance the performance of EDLCs, a separate activation procedure is commonly used to increase the porosity of the electrode. A facile and scalable method of producing highly porous carbon electrodes for high‐performance supercapacitors without a separate activation procedure via simple thermal treatment of potassium acetate is reported. Potassium acetate‐derived carbon (PAC) exhibits a high specific surface area of 1704 m2 g−1 and superior electrical conductivity of 22 950 S cm−1 without further treatment. When used for EDLC electrodes, PAC displays a high specific capacitance of 195 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and excellent cyclic stability with capacitance retention of 99.0% over 80 000 charge/discharge cycles. Carbonization and simultaneous self‐activation of PAC demonstrates a facile and efficient method of producing carbon electrodes with a high surface area without an additional activation procedure, which provides an efficient solution for producing high‐performance supercapacitor electrodes at low cost.
Methane adsorption constrained by pore structure in high‐rank coals using FESEM, CO2 adsorption, and NMRC techniques
Authors: Yin Tingting , Liu Dameng , Cai Yidong , Zhou Yingfang
Published: January 2019

To evaluate the impacts of nanopores of high‐rank coals on coalbed methane adsorption and storage, 12 anthracite and semianthracite coal samples from Yangquan and Shouyang blocks in the Qinshui Basin were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and CO2 adsorption combined with nuclear magnetic resonance cryoporometry (NMRC) experiments were used to evaluate the pore structure with diameters ranging from 0 to 500 nm and their impact on adsorption capacity based on qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results show that a coalification jump from semianthracite to anthracite occurred in the study area due to the magmatic intrusion. In the process, the volume of supermicropores and micropores largely increased while the volume of transition pores and mesopores decreased slightly. Additionally, vitrinite gets purified and enriched during the rapid maturation of coal reservoir, which is beneficial to the microporous structure development. The pore size distribution (PSD) of anthracite is mainly divided into two types, which are in serrated and decreasing forms, respectively. Higher vitrinite content can promote the formation of decreasing type (type II), which corresponds to a lower degree of complexity. The fractal dimensions indicate that the heterogeneity of coal samples is increasing with the decrease in pore size. Accordingly, the increase in pore heterogeneity corresponds to the lower adsorption capacity. The main pore sizes that contribute to CBM adsorption include two parts: 25‐30 nm and 50‐60 nm. For the supermicropores with large specific surface areas, the pore system detected by CO2 molecules is not conducive to CBM adsorption, while the increase in pore volume can improve the adsorption rate and capacity of CO2. These findings are vital for a precisely understanding of nanoscale pores as well as future CBM exploitation.
Forecasting in long horizons using smoothed direct forecast
Authors: Baek Yaein
Published: January 2019

This paper constructs a forecast method that obtains long‐horizon forecasts with improved performance through modification of the direct forecast approach. Direct forecasts are more robust to model misspecification compared to iterated forecasts, which makes them preferable in long horizons. However, direct forecast estimates tend to have jagged shapes across horizons. Our forecast method aims to “smooth out” erratic estimates across horizons while maintaining the robust aspect of direct forecasts through ridge regression, which is a restricted regression on the first differences of regression coefficients. The forecasts are compared to the conventional iterated and direct forecasts in two empirical applications: real oil prices and US macroeconomic series. In both applications, our method shows improvement over direct forecasts.
Numerical simulation on the dynamics of continental lithosphere extension and break‐up
Authors: Shen Yibo , Zhang Guowei
Published: January 2019

This study simulated continental lithosphere extension and break‐up through performing 2D numerical modelling with the “I2VIS” code. Based on the simulation results, the process of continental lithosphere extension and break‐up at different stages under different boundary conditions is quantitatively analysed, and its major controlling factors were determined. Through a comparative analysis of different simulation results, the following findings could be obtained: (a) During slow extension, increasing extension rate leads to increased thinning of the continental lithosphere, further increasing the corresponding thickness of sediments. Meanwhile, a centre of settlement appears on the terrestrial side of the initial basin, and sediment deposition occurred. This slow extension mode does not induce intense destruction of the lithosphere with low‐angle fault, which does not control deposition in the basin. Therefore, low extension rate is possibly a dominant factor controlling the formation of a depression‐type basin. (b) In the fast extension mode (at a rate of 10 mm/a), when hydrated mantle is absent, the continental crust experiences noticeable destruction. According to the simulation results, several translithospheric faults are observed in the absence of hydrated mantle. This indicates that continental lithosphere destruction is closely related to extension rate and lithospheric rheology.
The basement and volcanic activities of the Xisha Islands: Evidence from the kilometre‐scale drilling in the northwestern South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yu Kefu , Qian Handong , Fan Tianlai , Yue Yuanfu , Wang Rui , Jiang Wei , Xu Shendong , Wang Yinghui
Published: January 2019

As one of the microcontinents dispersed in the South China Sea (SCS), the Xisha microcontinent lacks the petrological evidence of the Cenozoic magmatic activity and basement. Well CK‐2, as a full‐coring kilometre‐scale major scientific drilling in Xisha Islands in the northwestern SCS, drilled through the thick reefal limestone and into the underlying basaltic pyroclastic rocks basement. This paper presents zircon U–Pb age and mineral chemistry of clinopyroxenes from the basaltic pyroclastic rocks. Mineral composition of the clinopyroxenes suggests that most of the clinopyroxenes are composed of diopside, which contains relatively high Al(w(Al2O3) = 5.03%–10.25%) and Ti(w(TiO2) = 2.2%–4.95%). The clinopyroxene discrimination diagrams show that the primary magma is alkaline basalt and likely generated in an intraplate tectonic setting. U–Pb dating of zircons by LA‐ICP‐MS yielded a wide range of ages: 36–33, 116–104, 148–140, 207–196, 255–236, 440, 808–749, and 2,440–1185 Ma. The youngest group has an average age of 35.5 ± 0.9 Ma, which is considered as the maximum age of the basalt eruption. The 2440 ± 19 Ma, which is the oldest zircons in the SCS, are firstly found in the basaltic pyroclastic rocks from the SCS, suggesting that the SCS may contain very old materials. The ages of the inherited zircons are comparable to magmatic activities that occurred around the SCS, implying that they were probably once linked and an integrated part of Gondwana. The ancient continental basement has experienced multistages magmatic events.
Mechanical Loading Promotes the Expansion of Primitive Osteoprogenitors and Organizes Matrix and Vascular Morphology in Long Bone Defects
Authors: Liu Chao , Cabahug-Zuckerman Pamela , Stubbs Christopher , Pendola Martin , Cai Cinyee , Mann Kenneth A , Castillo Alesha B
Published: January 2019

Elucidating the effects of mechanical stimulation on bone repair is crucial for optimization of the healing process. Specifically, the regulatory role that mechanical loading exerts on the osteogenic stem cell pool and vascular morphology during healing is incompletely understood. Because dynamic loading has been shown to enhance osteogenesis and repair, we hypothesized that loading induces the expansion of the osteoprogenitor cell population within a healing bone defect, leading to an increased presence of osteogenic cells. We further hypothesized that loading during the repair process regulates vascular and collagen matrix morphology and spatial interactions between vessels and osteogenic cells. To address these hypotheses, we used a mechanobiological bone repair model, which produces a consistent and reproducible intramembranous repair response confined in time and space. Bilateral tibial defects were created in adult C57BL/6 mice, which were subjected to axial compressive dynamic loading either during the early cellular invasion phase on postsurgical days (PSDs) 2 to 5 or during the matrix deposition phase on PSD 5 to 8. Confocal and two-photon microscopy was used to generate high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) renderings of longitudinal thick sections of the defect on PSD 10. Endomucin (EMCN)-positive vessels, Paired related homeobox 1 (Prrx1+) stem cell antigen-1 positive (Sca-1+) primitive osteoprogenitors (OPCs), and osterix positive (Osx+) preosteoblasts were visualized and quantified using deep tissue immunohistochemistry. New bone matrix was visualized with second harmonic generation autofluorescence of collagen fibers. We found that mechanical loading during the matrix deposition phase (PSD 5 to 8) increased vessel volume and number, and aligned vessels and collagen fibers to the load-bearing direction of bone. Furthermore, loading led to a significant increase in the proliferation and number of Prrx1+ Sca-1+ primitive OPCs, but not Osx+ preosteoblasts within the defect. Together, these data illustrate the adaptation of both collagen matrix and vascular morphology to better withstand mechanical load during bone repair, and that the mechanoresponsive cell population consists of the primitive osteogenic progenitors. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Radiology of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures Revisited
Authors: Lentle Brian , Koromani Fjorda , Brown Jacques P. , Oei Ling , Ward Leanne , Goltzman David , Rivadeneira Fernando , Leslie William D , Probyn Linda , Prior Jerilynn , Hammond Ian , Cheung Angela M. , Oei Edwin H. ,   on behalf of the Vertebral Fracture Research Groups of the CaMos, STOPP, and Rotterdam Studies
Published: January 2019

Until recently there has been little evidence available to validate any method by which to make an accurate diagnosis of an osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) from plain radiographs. In part this reflects a lack of a completely satisfactory “gold standard,” but primarily it relates to the absence of well-designed prospective studies in this context. Historically, OVFs were recognized by evidence of macroscopic structural failure in vertebrae using the criteria applied elsewhere in the skeleton. This comprised altered alignment, fragmentation, cortical disruptions, and breaks, among other changes. However, these morphological criteria were replaced by vertebral morphometry, referring to the use of quantitative or quasi-quantitative measurement tools for fracture diagnosis. Vertebral morphometry emerged as an understanding of and treatment for osteoporosis evolved, mainly in response to the need for expeditious assessments of large numbers of spine images for epidemiological and pharmaceutical purposes. Although most of the descriptions of such morphometric tools have stressed that they were not to be applied to clinical diagnosis with respect to individual patients, this constraint has been widely disregarded. Here we review the major attempts to develop a diagnostic strategy for OVF and describe their characteristics in adults and children. Recent evidence suggests that morphometric (quantitative; ie, based on measurement of dimensions and shape description) criteria are inferior to morphologic (qualitative; ie, based on structural integrity) vertebral damage assessment in identifying people with low bone density and at an increased risk of future fracture. Thus there is now an evidentiary basis for suggesting that morphological assessment is the preferred strategy for use in diagnosing OVF from radiographs. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
NOD1 activates autophagy to aggravate hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Xi Jiri , Yan Meiling , Li Shipeng , Song Hu , Liu Lei , Shen Zhongyang , Cai Jin‐Zhen
Published: January 2019

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is tissue damage resulting from return of the blood supply to the tissue after a period of ischemia or lack of oxygen. Much of the morbidity associated with liver transplantation and major hepatic resections is, in part, due to IRI. Both innate immunity and autophagy play important roles in hepatic IRI. With regard to innate immunity, one factor that plays a key role is NOD1, an intracellular pattern recognition receptor. NOD1 has recently been shown to be associated with autophagy, but the mechanisms involved with this process remain obscure. This relationship between NOD1 and autophagy prompted us to examine the role and potential mechanisms of NOD1 in regulating autophagy as related to hepatic IRI. We found that NOD1 was upregulated during hepatic IRI and was associated with an activation of the autophagic signaling pathway. Moreover, levels of Atg5, a critical protein associated with autophagy, were decreased when NOD1 was inhibited by NOD1 small interfering RNA. We conclude that NOD1 appears to exert a pivotal role in hepatic IRI by activating autophagy to aggravate hepatic IRI, and Atg5 was required for this process. The identification of this novel pathway, that links expression levels of NOD1 with Atg5‐mediated autophagy, may provide new insights for the generation of novel protective therapies directed against hepatic IRI.
Child delinquency in communal conflict areas in southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adeleke Fatai Gbadebo
Published: January 2019

This study examines the influence of persistent communal conflicts on child delinquency. Within psychosociological models, the study investigates child delinquency in conflict areas in southwestern Nigeria. Triangulation of sampling techniques and methods of data collection were adopted (questionnaire, focus group discussions, in‐depth interview, records, journals, and publications). The records showed that there were more child delinquents in the communal conflict areas and the factors responsible were as follows: a gap in family communication, regulation and control mechanism deficiency, institutional and social lapses, excessive drugs abuse, persistent economic hardship and social disorganization, long communal hatred, and negative social variables. There was a significant relationship between the variables of communal conflicts and child delinquency. The study concludes that social control failed because of children learning violence acts from birth and the environment. There is a need for more cemented social ties among neighboring towns, for perpetrators of conflict to face the wrath of law, and for security agents to not overstay in conflict areas.
The effects of graphene quantum dots on the maturation of mouse oocytes and development of offspring
Authors: Lin Yan‐Hong , Zhuang Shu‐Xin , Wang Ya‐Long , Lin Sheng , Hong Zi‐Wei , Liu Yu , Xu Lin , Li Fei‐Ping , Xu Bai‐Hui , Chen Ming‐Huang , He Shu‐Wen , Liao Bao‐Qiong , Fu Xian‐Pei , Jiang Zhong‐Qing , Wang Hai‐Long
Published: January 2019

Recently, graphene nanomaterials have attracted tremendous attention and have been utilized in various fields because of their excellent mechanical, thermal, chemical, optical properties, and good biocompatibility, especially in biomedical aspects. However, there is a concern that the unique characteristics of nanomaterials may have undesirable effects. Therefore, in this study, we sought to systematically investigate the effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on the maturation of mouse oocytes and development of the offspring via in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro, we found that the first polar body extrusion rate in the high dosage exposure groups (1.0–1.5 mg/ml)
2 decreased significantly and the failure of spindle migration and actin cap formation after GQDs exposure was observed. The underlying mechanisms might be associated with reactive oxygen species accumulation and DNA damage. Moreover, transmission electron microscope studies showed that GQDs may have been internalized into oocytes, tending to accumulate in the nucleus and severely affecting mitochondrial morphology, which included swollen and vacuolated mitochondria accompanied by cristae alteration with a lower amount of dense mitochondrial matrix. In vivo, when pregnant mice were exposed to GQDs at 8.5 days of gestation (GD, 8.5), we found that high dosage of GQD exposure (30 mg/kg) significantly affected mean fetal length; however, all the second generation of female mice grew up normal, attained sexual maturity, and gave birth to a healthy offspring after mating with a healthy male mouse. The results presented in this study are important for the future investigation of GQDs for the biomedical applications.
Tamoxifen induces toxicity, causes autophagy, and partially reverses dexamethasone resistance in Jurkat T cells
Authors: Torres-López Liliana , Maycotte Paola , Liñán-Rico Andrómeda , Liñán-Rico Liliana , Donis-Maturano Luis , Delgado-Enciso Iván , Meza-Robles Carmen , Vásquez-Jiménez Clemente , Hernández-Cruz Arturo , Dobrovinskaya Oxana
Published: January 2019

Estrogens demonstrate biological activity in numerous organ systems, including the immune system, and exert their effects through estrogen receptors (ER) of two types: intracellular ERα and ERβ that activate transcriptional factors and membrane G protein-coupled ER GPER. The latter is capable to mediate fast activation of cytosolic signaling pathways, influencing transcriptional events in response to estrogens. Tamoxifen (TAM), widely used in chemotherapy of ERα-positive breast cancer, is considered as an ERα antagonist and GPER agonist. TAM was shown to possess “off-target” cytotoxicity, not related to ER in various tumor types. The present work was designed to study biological effects of TAM on the glucocorticoid (GC)-resistant cell line Jurkat, derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T lineage (T-ALL). We have shown that T-ALL cell lines, in contrast to healthy T cells, express only GPER, but not ERα or ERβ. TAM compromised mitochondrial function and reduced the viability and proliferation of Jurkat cells. Additionally, TAM induced autophagy in a GPER-dependent manner. Gene expression profiling revealed the up-regulation of autophagy-related gene ATG5. Interestingly, TAM sensitized Jurkat cells to dexamethasone (DEX) treatment, which may be related to its capacity to cause autophagy. We suggest that TAM-based adjuvant therapy may represent a novel strategy in T-ALL patients handling.