bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic‐related CO2 emissions analysis of Ordos Basin based on a refined STIRPAT model
Authors: Liu Shuangxing , Peng Bo , Liu Qi , Fan Chao
Published: August 2019

Identifying the impact factors of CO2 emissions is the basis of economic‐related CO2 emission analysis. In this study, we used the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model to investigate the extent of influence of each impact factor on the CO2 emissions of Ordos Basin, a typical heavy industrial region and the largest coal production area of China. A new parameter, exhaust gas treatment costs ratio (R), was introduced into the STIRPAT model to examine the relationship between abatement investment and CO2 emissions. The impact factors that were positively associated with the CO2 emissions of Ordos Basin (and the corresponding coefficient values, from the largest to the smallest) were the population count (1.0449), property of secondary industry (0.8366), energy intensity (0.7672), GDP per capita (0.7598), property of tertiary industry (0.6978), and urbanization level (0.4641). The only negatively associated parameter was the exhaust gas treatment costs ratio, which had a coefficient value of −0.1339. In addition, the technological factors (i.e., energy intensity and exhaust gas treatment costs ratio) could be used as indicators of CO2 emission control. This study systematically investigated and discussed the impact factors of CO2 emissions in coal‐producing areas, to gain insight into the emissions’ characteristics and to lay a foundation for CO2 reduction in such regions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Too much of a good thing: The interactive effects of cultural values and core job characteristics on hindrance stressors and employee performance outcomes
Authors: Naseer Saima , Donia Magda Bezerra Leite , Syed Fauzia , Bashir Fatima
Published: August 2019

This study contributes to research on core job characteristics by examining when employees may perceive enriched jobs as a hindrance stressor and in turn may experience lower performance at work. Utilizing time‐lagged data collected from a sample of 386 employee–coworker dyads and drawing on cognitive appraisal theory of stress and coping, we explore the mediating role of hindrance stressors on the relationship between core job characteristics and key employee performance outcomes (i.e., creativity, counterproductive work behaviors, in‐role performance, and organizational citizenship behaviors) and the moderating roles of cultural values (i.e., power distance and uncertainty avoidance) in influencing this mediation. The results supported the hypotheses, providing evidence that the experience of hindrance stressors mediates the relationship between core job characteristics and job performance outcomes when employees score high on power distance and uncertainty avoidance cultural values, and not when their scores on these cultural values were low. Practical implications and future research are discussed.
Ionic Liquids‐Based Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Separation
Authors: Xiong Shaohui , Yin Deming , Javaid Muhammad Umar , Li Liang , Pan Chunyue , Tang Juntao , Yu Guipeng
Published: August 2019

Ionic liquids (ILs) have gained wide‐spread focus owing to its negligible vapor pressure, low heat capacity, high thermal stability, and structural diversity. The solubility and selectivity toward carbon dioxide has made ILs a unique platform that possess the potential in gas separations. In particularly, combining functional ILs with membranes and porous supports is an efficient way to design task‐specific materials for CO2 separations. This minireview summarizes the developments and advances of ionic liquids‐based membranes for CO2 separations in recent three years, with an emphasis on the strategy of incorporating ionic liquids and CO2 separation performance.
Metamodel‐based robust simulation‐optimization assisted optimal design of multiloop integer and fractional‐order PID controller
Authors: Parnianifard Amir , Azfanizam Ahmad Siti
Published: August 2019

Classical proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) tuning methods such as Ziegler‐Nichols simply increase robustness against disturbances that may arise from the load. Thus, uncertainty in the load parameters has generally not been considered in previous methods, and tuning has been done only in fixed and under certain conditions. Moreover, when one or more load parameters are changed, the best previous results for the PID controller lose their validity and need to be adjusted according to the change in those load parameters. In such case, finding an optimal design for a PID controller might be too inefficient in terms of computational time and cost. This paper aims at proposing a new less time‐consuming method for tuning of a multiloop PID controller for robustness when the output of the model is varying due to the changeability of load parameters in multiple subsystems as a source of variability. Kriging and radial basis function (RBF) metamodels as two common global approximation models together with the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) method are used to fit input‐output models with the least number of running computer experiments. Robust design terminology in the class of dual response is applied to design a multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) mathematical programming model under disturbance factors. A MIMO numerical case in tuning a multiloop PID controller, proportional‐integral (PI) controller, and fractional‐order PID (FOPID) controller for speed control of a DC motor is provided as an example to show the flexibility and applicability of the proposed method.
Validation of the Normalized Laryngeal Constriction Ratio in Normal and Disordered Swallowing
Authors: Miller Melissa , Vose Alicia , Rivet Alycia , Smith‐Sherry May , Humbert Ianessa
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The timing of laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC) is important for airway protection during swallowing. However, it is unknown whether the extent of LVC contributes to airway protection. The goal of this study is to validate the extent of LVC via a measure called laryngeal constriction ratio (LCR).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of videofluoroscopic swallows was conducted on 38 stroke participants and 40 healthy controls. The LCR was calculated by deriving a size‐normalized area of airspace from a 1) maximum closed laryngeal vestibule and a 2) maximum open laryngeal airspace (at rest). Airway invasion severity was derived via the Penetration–Aspiration Scale score.

Results

Six hundred forty‐nine videofluoroscopic swallows were analyzed. A mixed model analysis revealed a statistically significant mean difference between the normalized laryngeal constriction ratios of healthy individuals (mean (m) = 0.003) versus older dysphagic patients (m = .026) (P = 0.001), quantifying less closure in older patients with dysphagia. Additionally, swallows with airway compromise had a statistically worse LCR when compared to swallows without airway compromise (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The normalized LCR might be a valid fluoroscopic surrogate measure for LVC and, furthermore, airway compromise during swallowing. By investigating spatial measurements in the laryngeal vestibule during safe and unsafe swallows, the LCR provides a direction for further research to allow for critical examination of the physiology relating to closure degree in order to precisely detect and treat abnormalities during swallowing.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:E190–E198, 2020
Time‐series metatranscriptomes reveal conserved patterns between phototrophic and heterotrophic microbes in diverse freshwater systems
Authors: Linz Alexandra M. , Aylward Frank O. , Bertilsson Stefan , McMahon Katherine D.
Published: August 2019

Microbial communities form the base of food webs in freshwater ecosystems, yet the interactions within these diverse assemblages are poorly understood. Based on evidence showing that primary production and respiration follow diurnal trends in lakes, we hypothesized that gene expression in freshwater microbes would have similar diel cycles. We used three 2‐d time series of metatranscriptomes to test this hypothesis in a eutrophic lake, an oligotrophic lake, and a humic lake. We identified prominent diel cycles in all three lakes, particularly in genes related to photosynthesis, sugar transport, and carbon fixation. The maximal time of expression for sugar transport genes tended to trail that of photosynthesis genes by several hours, indicating possible metabolic exchange between co‐occurring microbial lineages. These results provide an initial step in understanding sophisticated multispecies transcriptional organization within freshwater microbial communities.
Gender‐minority students face large mental health disparities
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2019

Transgender students are more than four times as likely to have at least one mental health problem compared to cisgender students, according to Boston University researchers examining mental health status by gender identity among undergraduate and graduate students. The new research is currently published online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Momentum builds for proposed three‐digit crisis phone number
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2019

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Aug. 15 approved a measure to create a national three‐digit phone number — similar to 911 for emergencies — for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system. Support for the new number, 988, is part of a report the FCC sent to Congress recommending that the number will improve access for Americans in crisis. The report was mandated by the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018.
Trouble at the junction: When myopathy and myasthenia overlap
Authors: Nicolau Stefan , Kao Justin C. , Liewluck Teerin
Published: August 2019

Although myopathies and neuromuscular junction disorders are typically distinct, their coexistence has been reported in several inherited and acquired conditions. Affected individuals have variable clinical phenotypes but typically display both a decrement on repetitive nerve stimulation and myopathic findings on muscle biopsy. Inherited causes include myopathies related to mutations in BIN1, DES, DNM2, GMPPB, MTM1, or PLEC and congenital myasthenic syndromes due to mutations in ALG2, ALG14, COL13A1, DOK7, DPAGT1, or GFPT1. Additionally, a decrement due to muscle fiber inexcitability is observed in certain myotonic disorders. The identification of a defect of neuromuscular transmission in an inherited myopathy may assist in establishing a molecular diagnosis and in selecting patients who would benefit from pharmacological correction of this defect. Acquired cases meanwhile stem from the co‐occurrence of myasthenia gravis or Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome with an immune‐mediated myopathy, which may be due to paraneoplastic disorders or exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Safety and Tolerance of Intraoperative Enteral Nutrition Support in Pediatric Burn Patients
Authors: Sunderman Christina A. , Gottschlich Michele M. , Allgeier Chris , Warden Glenn
Published: August 2019

Background

Multiple surgical procedures required by patients with extensive thermal injuries impedes delivery of adequate nutrition support, leading to caloric deficits, weight loss, delayed wound healing, and increased length of stay. The standard practice at our institution for >20 years has been to continuously infuse postpyloric enteral nutrition (EN) during surgery. The purpose of this review was to examine the safety and efficacy of intraoperative EN support.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with burn injuries >30% total body surface area provided a 20‐year (1995–2014) safety assessment associated with intraoperative feeding along with an evaluation of gastrointestinal tolerance and efficacy. Continuous variables were summarized by mean and SD, whereas categorical variables were summarized by counts and percentages.

Results

The 20‐year review confirmed the safety of intraoperative feeding, as the assessment of 434 patients revealed no incidence of aspiration. Patients were successfully fed during an average of 8.4 ± 6.5 surgical procedures and received EN support for a mean of 49.9 ± 31.7 days. Uninterrupted nutrition delivery was well tolerated with minimal gastrointestinal intolerance. Patients achieved an average nitrogen balance of 3.1 ± 2.8 and 70% maintained ±10% of their body weight at time of discharge.

Conclusion

EN has been safely provided with marginal intolerance during surgical procedures over the past 20 years. Continuous nutrition support with negligible interruption is integral to meet nutrient needs for wound healing, preservation of weight and nutrition parameters, and optimize length of stay in pediatric patients with extensive thermal injuries.
Changes in hepatitis B antibody status after chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Choi Young Bae , Lee Na Hee , Yi Eun Sang , Kim Yae‐Jean , Koo Hong Hoe
Published: August 2019

Background

Children with cancer may be at an increased risk of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) when levels of hepatitis B antibodies are reduced owing to chemotherapy‐induced immunosuppression. This study evaluated the changes in HBV antibody status and HBV infections after chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Procedure

The data of patients with ALL diagnosed between April 2007 and March 2013 were retrospectively collected. Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titers were defined as negative at levels <10 IU/L. The HBsAb titers were individually compared before and after chemotherapy.

Results

A total of 88 patients were included in this study. At the time of diagnosis, 32 (36.4%) and 56 (63.6%) patients were HBsAb negative and HBsAb positive, respectively. The 56 HBsAb‐positive patients were categorized into two groups, namely, group A with 44 patients (78.6%, 44/56) who became HBsAb negative after chemotherapy, and group B with 12 patients (21.4%) who remained HBsAb positive. On multivariate analysis, lower initial levels of HBsAb titers were associated with HBsAb negativity after chemotherapy (relative risk: 1.003, 95% confidence interval: 1.001‐1.006; P = .009).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that patients with a low level of prechemotherapy HBsAb titers were likely to become HBsAb negative after chemotherapy. Therefore, evaluation of HBsAb status may be necessary after the completion of chemotherapy in children with ALL.
2,6‐Diaminopyridine and Acrylamide‐Based Copolymers with Upper Critical Solution Temperature‐type Behavior in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Asadujjaman Asad , Ahmadi Vahid , Michel Claude Franc Antoine , Bertin Annabelle
Published: August 2019

A novel copolymer based on supramolecular motif 2,6‐diaminopyridine and water‐soluble acrylamide, poly[N‐(6‐acetamidopyridin‐2‐yl) acrylamide‐co‐acrylamide], was synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with various monomer compositions. The thermoresponsive behavior of the copolymers was studied by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The obtained copolymers showed an upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type phase transition behavior in water and electrolyte solution. The phase transition temperature was found to increase with decreasing amount of acrylamide in the copolymer and increasing concentration of the solution. Furthermore, the phase transition temperature varied in aqueous solutions of electrolytes according to the nature and concentration of the electrolyte in accordance with the Hoffmeister series. A dramatic solvent isotope effect on the transition temperature was observed in this study, as the transition temperature was almost 10–12 °C higher in D2O than in H2O at the same concentration and acrylamide composition. The size of the aggregates below the transition temperature was larger in D2O compared to that in H2O that can be explained by deuterium isotope effect. The thermoresponsive behavior of the copolymers was also investigated in different cell medium and found to be exhibited UCST‐type phase transition behavior in different cell medium. Such behavior of the copolymers can be useful in many applications including biomedical, microfluidics, optical materials, and in drug delivery. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2064–2073
Energetics of reactions in a dielectric barrier discharge with argon carrier gas: VIII hydrofluoromethanes
Authors: Watson Sean , Nisol Bernard , Wertheimer Michael R.
Published: August 2019

The method we have developed for understanding energetic exchanges between precursor molecules and argon (Ar) carrier gas in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has much‐proven merit. The present article focuses on hydrofluoromethanes, CHxFy. The precursors (‰ concentrations) were mixed with Ar in a 20 kHz, 8 kV (peak‐to‐peak) DBD. For each compound, Em, the energy absorbed per molecule, was plotted as a function of precursor flow rate. Besides the determination of Em, we have used optical emission spectroscopy as a diagnostic of the plasma physicochemistry. The influence of chemical structure has been investigated by depositing thin plasma polymer coatings; we have measured their deposition rates and water contact angles, which have been correlated with Em values and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.
Validation of a Multi‐Dimensional Model for Unsteady Combustion of AP/HTPB Propellants
Authors: López‐Munoz Carmen , Sánchez Velasco Francisco‐Javier , García‐Cascales José‐Ramón , Mur Ramón , Otón‐Martínez Ramón‐Antonio
Published: August 2019

In this work, a model for the characterization of unsteady combustion of AP/HTPB composite propellants is benchmarked against experimental data. The model describes a change of phase of the propellant from condensed to gas phase and afterwards its combustion by a simplified chemistry scheme. A Finite Volume approximation is used to solve the system of equations. Firstly, the conservation equations including all source terms but combustion source terms are solved, in this case the numerical fluxes are computed by using Rusanov numerical scheme. Diffusive source terms are solved explicitly. After this, a first order Euler scheme is used to solve the system of ordinary differential equations resulting after considering the combustion source terms. The code is validated with two tests: the burning of a strand composed by AP and HTPB in sandwich configuration and the burning of a strand composed by AP particles uniformly distributed within HTPB. In both cases, simulation results are compared with experimental data. Influence of the pressure in burning rate, AP mass fraction, temperature and gas velocity are examined for sandwich test. For the strand, the effect of the pressure and initial temperature is also analyzed. Results show a good agreement between experimental and numerical data.
Efficient Synthesis by Mono‐Carboxy Methylation of 4,4′‐Biphenol, X‐ray Diffraction, Spectroscopic Characterization and Computational Study of the Crystal Packing of Ethyl 2‐((4′‐hydroxy‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl)oxy)acetate
Authors: Khan Burhan , Khalid Muhammad , Shah Muhammad Raza , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Khan Muhammad Usman , Ali Akbar , Muhammad Shabbir
Published: August 2019

Herein, mono‐carboxy methylation of 4,4′‐Biphenol was accomplished to give ethyl 2‐((4′‐hydroxy‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl)oxy)acetate (EBPA). The chemical structure of EBPA was determined using single crystal XRD and characterized by FT‐IR, UV‐Visible, 1H‐NMR, EIMS and elemental analysis. Additionally, computational studies of EBPA were performed using density functional theory (DFT) at M06‐2X/6‐311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) levels of theory to get optimized structures and countercheck the experimental findings. Overall, DFT findings at M06‐2X/6‐311+G(d,p) level show good concurrence with the experimental data which confirms the purity of EBPA. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO), molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were explored at M06‐2X/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory. UV‐Vis analysis at TDDFT/M06‐2X/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory showed that experimental absorption wavelength was in good agreement with DFT calculated absorption wavelength. NBO analysis disclosed that hyperconjugative interactions and hydrogen bonding network are responsible for the stability of EBPA. The global reactivity parameters indicate that EBPA holds more donating capability and stability. The NLO results were observed better than standard molecule recommended the NLO activity of EBPA. We hope that this synergistic experimental‐computational study may provide new ways for the utilization of EBPA as NLO material for hi‐tech applications.
3D Hierarchical N, O Co–Doped MoS2/NiO Hollow Microspheres as Reusable Catalyst for Nitrophenols Reduction
Authors: Chen Qiushuang , Li Yang , Li Qiuhao , Jia Yanlin , Qiao Xiuqing
Published: August 2019

The exploitation of efficient noble metal free catalyst for nitrophenols is of great importance. Herein, 3D hierarchical N, O‐MoS2/NiO hollow microspheres have been successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. Characterizations reveal that the as‐obtained hollow microspheres were assembled by amorphous N, O co‐doped MoS2 and NiO nanosheets. Catalytic experiments show that the hollow microspheres displayed remarkably enhanced catalytic activity for 2, 3, 4‐nitrophenol reduction with the kapp reaching 1.72 min−1 for 4‐nitrophenol, among the best reported non‐noble metal catalysts. The greatly enhanced catalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects of abundant exposed catalytic edge sites, intimate P−N heterojunction between NiO and N, O‐MoS2, as well as the hollow porous structure. Moreover, the recovered N, O‐MoS2/NiO hollow microspheres can be reused in successive 8 cycles without much losing its activity. These results suggest that the novel N, O‐MoS2/NiO hollow microspheres had significant application potential for wastewater treatment.
Chiral Zinc Complexes Used as Fluorescent Sensor for Natural Amino Acids
Authors: Li Ge , Zhao Xiaoxi , Wang Li , Liu Weisheng
Published: August 2019

Metal complexes have been used as “enzyme mimics” to sense many biologically relevant molecules. Herein, a pair of chiral mononuclear zinc complexes have been used as biomimetic models to sense natural amino acids. These chiral zinc complexes were easy to prepare and the ligands were derived from the cheap and readily available natural chiral lactic acids. They exhibited the ability to distinguish Cys (cysteine) and His (histidine) from other natural amino acids at the same time in aqueous solution. Moreover, they also performed effectively enantioselective discrimination for enantiomers of Leu, Met, Val and Phe in acetonitrile.
Porous Copper Microspheres for Selective Production of Multicarbon Fuels via CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Zou Chengqin , Xi Cong , Wu Deyao , Mao Jing , Liu Min , Liu Hui , Dong Cunku , Du Xi‐Wen
Published: August 2019

The electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) toward high‐value fuels can reduce the carbon footprint and store intermittent renewable energy. The iodide‐ion‐assisted synthesis of porous copper (P‐Cu) microspheres with a moderate coordination number of 7.7, which is beneficial for the selective electroreduction of CO2 into multicarbon (C2+) chemicals is reported. P‐Cu delivers a C2+ Faradaic efficiency of 78 ± 1% at a potential of −1.1 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode, which is 32% higher than that of the compact Cu counterpart and approaches the record (79%) reported in the same cell configuration. In addition, P‐Cu shows good stability without performance loss throughout a continuous operation of 10 h.
Exceedingly Small Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles with Remarkable Relaxivities for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors
Authors: Shen Zheyu , Fan Wenpei , Yang Zhen , Liu Yijing , Bregadze Vladimir I. , Mandal Swadhin K. , Yung Bryant C. , Lin Lisen , Liu Ting , Tang Wei , Shan Lingling , Liu Yuan , Zhu Shoujun , Wang Sheng , Yang Weijing , Bryant L. Henry , Nguyen Duong T. , Wu Aiguo , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: August 2019

Gd chelates have occupied most of the market of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for decades. However, there have been some problems (nephrotoxicity, non‐specificity, and low r1) that limit their applications. Herein, a wet‐chemical method is proposed for facile synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) stabilized exceedingly small gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (ES‐GON‐PAA) with an excellent water dispersibility and a size smaller than 2.0 nm, which is a powerful T1‐weighted MRI contrast agent for diagnosis of diseases due to its remarkable relaxivities (r1 = 70.2 ± 1.8 mM−1 s−1, and r2/r1 = 1.02 ± 0.03, at 1.5 T). The r1 is much higher and the r2/r1 is lower than that of the commercial Gd chelates and reported gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (GONs). Further ES‐GON‐PAA is developed with conjugation of RGD2 (RGD dimer) (i.e., ES‐GON‐PAA@RGD2) for T1‐weighted MRI of tumors that overexpress RGD receptors (i.e., integrin αvβ3). The maximum signal enhancement (ΔSNR) for T1‐weighted MRI of tumors reaches up to 372 ± 56% at 2 h post‐injection of ES‐GON‐PAA@RGD2, which is much higher than commercial Gd‐chelates (<80%). Due to the high biocompatibility and high tumor accumulation, ES‐GON‐PAA@RGD2 with remarkable relaxivities is a promising and powerful T1‐weighted MRI contrast agent.
Combining Fused‐Ring and Unfused‐Core Electron Acceptors Enables Efficient Ternary Organic Solar Cells with Enhanced Fill Factor and Broad Compositional Tolerance
Authors: Zhan Lingling , Li Shuixing , Zhang Shuhua , Lau Tsz-Ki , Andersen Thomas Rieks , Lu Xinhui , Shi Minmin , Li Chang-Zhi , Li Gang , Chen Hongzheng
Published: August 2019

The ternary blend strategy has shown great potential to improve the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Usually, adopting two acceptors with similar chemical structures shows good compatibility but limited enhancement in performance, whereas adopting two acceptors with different chemical structures always has a compositional sensitivity issue. Herein, a highly efficient ternary OSC with an enhanced fill factor (FF) and a broad compositional tolerance is demonstrated by introducing the fused‐ring acceptor IT‐M to a binary blend based on an unfused‐core acceptor HC‐PCIC and polymer donor PBDB‐TF. Detailed studies on the optical, electrical, and morphological properties of ternary blends reveal the process of charge dynamics and work mechanisms in the ternary device. It is found that the addition of IT‐M into the PBDB‐TF:HC‐PCIC binary blend not only adapts to the parallel‐like model, but also optimizes the morphology and domain sizes in the ternary blend, resulting in a reduced trap‐assisted recombination and suppressed bimolecular recombination. Consequently, open‐circuit voltage (Voc), short‐circuit current density (Jsc), and FF are synergistically enhanced, leading to an improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.34% with a high Voc of 0.88 V, an increased Jsc of 18.69 mA cm−2, and an enhanced FF of 73.82% for the ternary device with 5% IT‐M content. Moreover, the PCEs of ternary OSCs remain above 11% within an IT‐M ratio of 2.5–50%, exhibiting a broad compositional tolerance, which is rarely reported in fullerene‐free ternary OSCs.
Sexually dimorphic responses of rats to fluoxetine in the forced swimming test are unrelated to the function of the serotonin transporter in the brain
Authors: Domingues Karolina , Lima Fernanda Barbosa , Linder Aurea Elizabeth , Melleu Fernando Falkenburger , Poli Anicleto , Spezia Inaê , Suman Patrick Remus , Theindl Laís Cristina , Lino de Oliveira Cilene
Published: August 2019

Due to the prevalence of depression in women, female rats may be a better models for antidepressant research than males. In male rats, fluoxetine inhibited the serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) transporter (SERT) which is reducing the immobility time in the repeated forced swimming test (rFST). The performance of female rats in this test is unknown. In this study, responses of male and female rats in the rFST under chronic treatment with fluoxetine and the function of SERT in their brains were examined. Wistar rats received oral fluoxetine (females: 0, 1, 2.5, or 5 mg kg‐1 day‐1; males: 0 or 2.5 mg kg‐1 day‐1; in sucrose 10%, 1.5 ml/rat) 1 hr before the test daily for 12 days over the course of the rFST. rFST consisted of a 15 min pretest followed by 5 min sessions of swimming at 1 (test), 7 (retest 1), and 14 (retest 2) days later. SERT functioning was assessed by ex vivo assays of the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats. Fluoxetine reduced immobility time of males in the rFST while it failed to do so in females. In vitro treatment with fluoxetine inhibited the uptake of 5‐HT of both sexes similarly, while in vivo chronic administration of fluoxetine failed to do so. In summary, rats responded to the chronic treatment with fluoxetine in a sexually dimorphic fashion during the rFST despite the functioning of SERT in their brains remaining equally unchanged. Hence, our data suggest that sexually dimorphic responses to fluoxetine in rFST may be unrelated to the function of SERT in rat brains.
Über die Gleitkurvennetze der ebenen plastischen Spannungsverteilungen bei beliebigem Fließgesetz
Authors: Sauer Robert
Published: August 2019

Die Gleitkurvennetze der ebenen plastischen Spannungsverteilungen werden mit Hilfe der Charakteristikenmethode für ein beliebiges Fließgesetz σy = f (σx, τ) ermittelt. Dabei ergeben sich analoge Beziehungen wie bei den Mach ‐Netzen der ebenen wirbelfreien Überschallströmungen. Einige spezielle plastische Spannungsverteilungen, insbesondere die Spannungsverteilungen bei konstanter maximaler Schubspannung, werden eingehender besprochen.
Der Propeller als rotierende Schallquelle
Authors: Merbt H. , Billing H.
Published: August 2019

Es werden Methoden entwickelt zur Berechnung des Schallfeldes rotierender Luftschrauben in Abhängigkeit von den geometrischen Abmessungen, Drehzahl, Anstellwinkel und Fortschrittsgrad der Luftschrauben. Die theoretischen Ergebnisse werden mit Ernsthausens Messungen an Modelluftschrauben verglichen.
Correction to: Vital Forces, Teleology and Organization
Authors: Gambarotto Andrea
Published: August 2019

In the previous version, while the source is cited in the text, footnote and/or bibliography, mostly including exact page number, the report of its content is sometimes incomplete paraphrasis and/or lack of inverted commas. The mis-referenced passages are reported below.
From prescription to guidance: a European framework for generic competencies
Authors: van der Aa Jessica E. , Aabakke Anna J. M. , Ristorp Andersen Betina , Settnes Annette , Hornnes Peter , Teunissen Pim W. , Goverde Angelique J. , Scheele Fedde
Published: August 2019

In postgraduate medical education, required competencies are described in detail in existing competency frameworks. This study proposes an alternative strategy for competency-based medical education design, which is supported by change management theories. We demonstrate the value of allowing room for re-invention and creative adaptation of innovations. This new strategy was explored for the development of a new generic competency framework for a harmonised European curriculum in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The generic competency framework was developed through action research. Data were collected by four European stakeholder groups (patients, nurses, midwives and hospital boards), using a variety of methods. Subsequently, the data were analysed further in consensus discussions with European specialists and trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. These discussions ensured that the framework provides guidance, is specialty-specific, and that implementation in all European countries could be feasible. The presented generic competency framework identifies four domains: ‘Patient-centred care’, ‘Teamwork’, ‘System-based practice’ and ‘Personal and professional development’. For each of these four domains, guiding competencies were defined. The new generic competency framework is supported by European specialists and trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, as well as by their European stakeholders. According to change management theories, it seems vital to allow room for re-invention and creative adaptation of the competency framework by medical professionals. Therefore, the generic competency framework offers guidance rather than prescription. The presented strategy for competency framework development offers leads for implementation of competency-based medical education as well as for development of innovations in postgraduate medical education in general.
Single or multiple spawning? Comparison of breeding strategies of freshwater Unionidae mussels under stochastic environmental conditions
Authors: Ćmiel Adam M. , Zając Tadeusz , Zając Katarzyna , Lipińska Anna M. , Najberek Kamil
Published: August 2019

The life cycle of unionids is characterized by a obligatory period of larval parasitism on a fish host, any disturbance of which might cause a large-scale decline in the mussel population. Because the probability of fish infestation is so important, we modelled what would happen to a population (in terms of population growth and probability of extinction), if the same number of glochidia were released in one or more separate spawning events, by a hypothetical mussel population living in conditions differing in the probability of fish infestation (a “neutral” scenario, a “good” one and three variants of a “bad” one). The single brood strategy was the best in the “good” scenario. However, when the frequency of unfavourable stochastic events increased (“bad” scenarios), all strategies led to population decline, the single brood strategy being the worst. In “good” and moderately “bad” conditions the double brood strategy performed better than the other multiple brood strategies, but as infestation conditions deteriorated, a greater number of spawning events ensured a slower population decline and longer persistence. Our model can facilitate a better understanding of this problem and set up a framework for further tests in other unionid species and their environmental conditions.
Plasma reforming of toluene as a model tar compound from biomass gasification: effect of CO2 and steam
Authors: Liu Shiyun , Mei Danhua , Wang Yaolin , Ma Yichen , Tu Xin
Published: August 2019

In this study, plasma reforming of toluene as a tar model compound from biomass gasification has been carried out using an AC gliding arc discharge reactor. The influence of steam and CO2 addition on the reforming of toluene has been evaluated. The results show that the highest toluene conversion (59.9%) was achieved when adding 3 vol% CO2 at a toluene concentration of 16.1 g/Nm3 and a specific energy input of 0.25 kWh/m3. Further increasing CO2 concentration to 12 vol% decreased the conversion of toluene. The presence of steam in the plasma CO2 reforming of toluene creates oxidative OH radicals which contribute to the enhanced conversion of toluene and energy efficiency of the plasma reforming process through stepwise oxidation of toluene and reaction intermediates. Hydrogen and C2H2 were identified as the major gas products in the plasma reforming of toluene without CO2 or steam, with a yield of 9.7% and 14.5%, respectively, while syngas was the primary products with a maximum yield of 58.3% (27.5% for H2 and 30.8% for CO) in the plasma reforming with the addition of 12 vol% CO2. The plausible reaction pathways and mechanism in the plasma reforming of toluene have been proposed through the combination of the analysis of gas and condensed products and spectroscopic diagnostics.
C3
: Consensus Cancer Driver Gene Caller
Authors: Zhu Chen-Yu , Zhou Chi , Chen Yun-Qin , Shen Ai-Zong , Guo Zong-Ming , Yang Zhao-Yi , Ye Xiang-Yun , Qu Shen , Wei Jia , Liu Qi
Published: August 2019

Next-generation sequencing has allowed identification of millions of somatic mutations in human cancer cells. A key challenge in interpreting cancer genomes is to distinguish drivers of cancer development among available genetic mutations. To address this issue, we present the first web-based application, consensus cancer driver gene caller (C3), to identify the consensus driver genes using six different complementary strategies, i.e., frequency-based, machine learning-based, functional bias-based, clustering-based, statistics model-based, and network-based strategies. This application allows users to specify customized operations when calling driver genes, and provides solid statistical evaluations and interpretable visualizations on the integration results. C3 is implemented in Python and is freely available for public use at http://drivergene.rwebox.com/c3.
Assessment and Relationships of Conditional Motivational Regulation Strategy Knowledge as an Aspect of Undergraduates' Self-regulated Learning Competencies
Authors: Steuer Gabriele , Engelschalk Tobias , Eckerlein Nicole , Dresel Markus
Published: August 2019

Abstract. For learners, motivational regulation represents a daily challenge in terms of initiating, increasing and maintaining motivation. Crucial here is conditional knowledge about which motivational regulation strategies are appropriate for which specific motivational problems. This paper addresses the relationships between this type of strategy knowledge and regulatory effectiveness and characteristics of learning behavior. In a sample of 188 undergraduates, this strategy knowledge – assessed with a newly developed Situational Judgement Test – showed moderately positive correlations with motivational regulation on the behavioral level. Moreover, it was positively related to the effectiveness of motivational regulation and effort. Hence, conditional motivational regulation strategy knowledge is relevant and contributes to an extended understanding of motivational regulation in the higher education context.
Towards Probabilistic Multivariate ENSO Monitoring
Authors: Zhang Tao , Hoell Andrew , Perlwitz Judith , Eischeid Jon , Murray Donald , Hoerling Martin , Hamill Thomas M.
Published: August 2019

A probabilistic approach to describing El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), based on consideration of the signal‐to‐noise ratio for the coupled ocean‐atmosphere ENSO state, is presented. The ENSO signal is estimated using an ensemble of historical atmospheric model simulations forced by observed sea surface temperatures and sea ice during 1980–2016. The noise is estimated from departures of individual model realizations from their ensemble average when subjected to identical forcing. It is found that this atmospheric noise effect is substantial and yields considerable uncertainty in detecting the true coupled ENSO mode. This uncertainty exceeds analysis errors by an order of magnitude. Greater atmospheric noise is found to prevail during El Niño than La Niña, suggesting that the intensity of the monitored ENSO state during El Niño is prone to greater misattribution. Our results demonstrate that a deterministic state estimate of ENSO conditions may not be representative of the true real‐time coupled ENSO mode.
Radar‐Detected Englacial Debris in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Authors: Winter Kate , Woodward John , Ross Neil , Dunning Stuart A. , Hein Andrew S. , Westoby Matthew J. , Culberg Riley , Marrero Shasta M. , Schroeder Dustin M. , Sugden David E. , Siegert Martin J.
Published: August 2019

Structural glaci‐geological processes can entrain basal sediment into ice, leading to its transportation and deposition downstream. Sediments potentially rich in essential nutrients, like silica and iron, can thus be transferred from continental sources to the ocean, where deposition could enhance marine primary productivity. However, a lack of data has limited our knowledge of sediment entrainment, transfer, and distribution in Antarctica, until now. We use ice‐penetrating radar to examine englacial sediments in the Weddell Sea sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Radargrams reveal englacial reflectors on the leeside of nunataks and subglacial highlands, where Mie scattering analysis of the reflectors suggests particle sizes consistent with surface moraine sediments. We hypothesize that these sediments are entrained at the thermal boundary between cold and warm‐based ice. Conservative estimates of >130 × 109 kg of englacial sediment in Horseshoe Valley alone suggest that the ice sheet has significant entrainment potential unappreciated previously.
Engineered CRISPRa enables programmable eukaryote-like gene activation in bacteria
Authors: Liu Yang , Wan Xinyi , Wang Baojun
Published: August 2019

Transcriptional regulation by nuclease-deficient CRISPR/Cas is a popular and valuable tool for routine control of gene expression. CRISPR interference in bacteria can be reliably achieved with high efficiencies. Yet, options for CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) remained limited in flexibility and activity because they relied on σ70 promoters. Here we report a eukaryote-like bacterial CRISPRa system based on σ54-dependent promoters, which supports long distance, and hence multi-input regulation with high dynamic ranges. Our CRISPRa device can activate σ54-dependent promoters with biotechnology relevance in non-model bacteria. It also supports orthogonal gene regulation on multiple levels. Combining our CRISPRa with dxCas9 further expands flexibility in DNA targeting, and boosts dynamic ranges into regimes that enable construction of cascaded CRISPRa circuits. Application-wise, we construct a reusable scanning platform for readily optimizing metabolic pathways without library reconstructions. This eukaryote-like CRISPRa system is therefore a powerful and versatile synthetic biology tool for diverse research and industrial applications.
Modeling heat transport in crystals and glasses from a unified lattice-dynamical approach
Authors: Isaeva Leyla , Barbalinardo Giuseppe , Donadio Davide , Baroni Stefano
Published: August 2019

We introduce a novel approach to model heat transport in solids, based on the Green-Kubo theory of linear response. It naturally bridges the Boltzmann kinetic approach in crystals and the Allen-Feldman model in glasses, leveraging interatomic force constants and normal-mode linewidths computed at mechanical equilibrium. At variance with molecular dynamics, our approach naturally and easily accounts for quantum mechanical effects in energy transport. Our methodology is carefully validated against results for crystalline and amorphous silicon from equilibrium molecular dynamics and, in the former case, from the Boltzmann transport equation.
Unique transcriptional and protein-expression signature in human lung tissue-resident NK cells
Authors: Marquardt Nicole , Kekäläinen Eliisa , Chen Puran , Lourda Magda , Wilson Jennifer N. , Scharenberg Marlena , Bergman Per , Al-Ameri Mamdoh , Hård Joanna , Mold Jeffrey E. , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Michaëlsson Jakob
Published: August 2019

Human lung tissue-resident NK cells (trNK cells) are likely to play an important role in host responses towards viral infections, inflammatory conditions and cancer. However, detailed insights into these cells are still largely lacking. Here we show, using RNA sequencing and flow cytometry-based analyses, that subsets of human lung CD69+CD16− NK cells display hallmarks of tissue-residency, including high expression of CD49a, CD103, and ZNF683, and reduced expression of SELL, S1PR5, and KLF2/3. CD49a+CD16− NK cells are functionally competent, and produce IFN-γ, TNF, MIP-1β, and GM-CSF. After stimulation with IL-15, they upregulate perforin, granzyme B, and Ki67 to a similar degree as CD49a−CD16− NK cells. Comparing datasets from trNK cells in human lung and bone marrow with tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells identifies core genes co-regulated either by tissue-residency, cell-type or location. Together, our data indicate that human lung trNK cells have distinct features, likely regulating their function in barrier immunity.
Quantum localization and delocalization of charge carriers in organic semiconducting crystals
Authors: Giannini Samuele , Carof Antoine , Ellis Matthew , Yang Hui , Ziogos Orestis George , Ghosh Soumya , Blumberger Jochen
Published: August 2019

Charge carrier transport in organic semiconductors is at the heart of many revolutionary technologies ranging from organic transistors, light-emitting diodes, flexible displays and photovoltaic cells. Yet, the nature of charge carriers and their transport mechanism in these materials is still unclear. Here we show that by solving the time-dependent electronic Schrödinger equation coupled to nuclear motion for eight organic molecular crystals, the excess charge carrier forms a polaron delocalized over up to 10–20 molecules in the most conductive crystals. The polaron propagates through the crystal by diffusive jumps over several lattice spacings at a time during which it expands more than twice its size. Computed values for polaron size and charge mobility are in excellent agreement with experimental estimates and correlate very well with the recently proposed transient localization theory.
Vertical support use and primate origins
Authors: Yapuncich Gabriel S. , Feng Henry J. , Dunn Rachel H. , Seiffert Erik R. , Boyer Doug M.
Published: August 2019

Adaptive scenarios of crown primate origins remain contentious due to uncertain order of acquisition and functional significance of the clade’s diagnostic traits. A feature of the talus bone in the ankle, known as the posterior trochlear shelf (PTS), is well-regarded as a derived crown primate trait, but its adaptive significance has been obscured by poorly understood function. Here we propose a novel biomechanical function for the PTS and model the talus as a cam mechanism. By surveying a large sample of primates and their closest relatives, we demonstrate that the PTS is most strongly developed in extant taxa that habitually grasp vertical supports with strongly dorsiflexed feet. Tali of the earliest fossils likely to represent crown primates exhibit more strongly developed PTS cam mechanisms than extant primates. As a cam, the PTS may increase grasping efficiency in dorsiflexed foot postures by increasing the path length of the flexor fibularis tendon, and thus improve the muscle’s ability to maintain flexed digits without increasing energetic demands. Comparisons are made to other passive digital flexion mechanisms suggested to exist in other vertebrates. These results provide robust anatomical evidence that the habitual vertical support use exerted a strong selective pressure during crown primate origins.
Hunters select for behavioral traits in a large carnivore
Authors: Leclerc M. , Zedrosser A. , Swenson J. E. , Pelletier F.
Published: August 2019

Human harvest can induce selection on life history and morphological traits, leading to ecological and evolutionary responses. Our understanding of harvest-induced selection on behavioral traits is, however, very limited. Here, we assessed whether hunters harvest, consciously or not, individuals with specific behavioral traits. We used long-term, detailed behavioral and survival data of a heavily harvested brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Sweden. We found that hunters harvested male bears that were less active during legal hunting hours and had lower movement rates. Also, hunters harvested male and female bears that used habitats closer to roads. We provide an empirical example that individual behavior can modulate vulnerability to hunting and that hunters could exert a selective pressure on wildlife behaviors. This study increases our understanding of the complex interactions between harvest method, human behavior, and animal behavior that are at play in harvest-induced selection and provides better insight into the full effects of human harvest on wild populations.