bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of plyometric training on lower and upper extremity power in karate practitioners
Authors: Nowakowska Magdalena , Zatoń Marek , Wierzbicka-Damska Iwona
Published: February 2018

Introduction. It has been suggested that the performance characteristics of competitive karate formats (intermittent high-intensity activity of brief duration with short recovery periods) involve a large anaerobic component. Hence, performance and effectiveness may be improved by enhancing anaerobic power and capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week plyometric-based intervention in adolescent karate practitioners.
Material and methods. Nineteen male karate practitioners were divided into an experimental and control group. The control group performed traditional karate training (four sessions per week). Training in the experimental group was amended to include plyometric-based exercises targeting the lower and upper body but maintained the same training volume as the control group (four sessions per week). Pre- and post-intervention anaerobic performance was measured by calculating peak power (PP) and the time to reach PP (tPP) in a 10-s variation of the Wingate Anaerobic Test separately for the upper and lower extremities.
Results. PP and tPP magnitudes significantly increased in the experimental group and the between-group differences at post-intervention were also significant.
Conclusions. The introduction of plyometric exercises in a traditional karate training protocol can significantly increase upper- and lower-extremity anaerobic performance.
The impact on global warming potential of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from polymer and container manufacturer
Authors: McPherson Brett , Sharip Mihray , Grimmond Terry
Published: February 2018

Background. Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but, in finding transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes, recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC.

Methods. The study examined the alternate use of DSC and RSC at a large US university hospital where: the source of polymer was distant from the RSC manufacturing plant; both manufacturing plants were over 3,000 km from the HCF; and the RSC disposal plant was considerably further from the HCF than was the DSC disposal plant. Using a “cradle to grave” life cycle assessment (LCA) tool we calculated annual GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2eq) to assess the impact on global warming potential (GWP) of each container system. Primary energy input data was used wherever possible and region-specific impact conversions used to calculate GWP of each activity over a 12-month period. Unit process GHG were collated into Manufacture, Transport, Washing, and Treatment & disposal. Emission totals were workload-normalized and analysed using CHI2 test with P ≤0.05 and rate ratios at 95% CL.

Results. The hospital reduced its annual GWP by 168 MTCO2eq (-64.5%; p < 0.001), and annually eliminated 50.2 tonnes of plastic DSC and 8.1 tonnes of cardboard from the sharps waste stream. Of the plastic eliminated, 31.8 tonnes were diverted from landfill and 18.4 from incineration.

Discussion. Unlike GHG reduction strategies dependent on changes in staff behaviour (waste segregation, recycling, turning off lights, car-pooling, etc), purchasing strategies can enable immediate, sustainable and institution-wide GHG reductions to be achieved. Medical waste containers contribute significantly to the supply chain carbon footprint and, although non-sharp medical waste volumes have decreased significantly with avid segregation, sharps wastes have increased, and can account for 50% of total medical waste volume. Thus converting from DSC to RSC can assist reduce the GWP footprint of the medical waste stream. This study confirmed that large transport distances between polymer manufacturer and container manufacturer; container manufacturer and user; and/or between user and processing facilities, can significantly impact the GWP of sharps containment systems. However, even with large transport distances, we found that a large university health system significantly reduced the GWP of their sharps waste stream by converting from DSC to RSC.
Application of self organizing map, SAHN clustering and spatial analysis on the diversity of plant resource in homegardens: Case study in Perak, Malaysia
Authors: Ramli Mohd Raznan , Malek Sorayya , Milow Pozi
Published: February 2018

Homegardens are defined as less complex agroforests which look like and function as natural forest ecosystems but are integrated into agricultural management systems located around houses. Study on the factor affecting the diversity of plant resource in homegardens is paramount important to improve productivity and sustainability. Previous studies related to homegradens analysis are conducted using ordination techniques (e.g. Principal Component Analysis, Correspondence Analysis). In this study, we introduced the application of Self-Organizing Map (SOM) a type of Artificial neural networks (ANNs) to analyze the effects of socioeconomic variable and homegardens characteristic toward diversity of plant resource and to investigate the spatial configuration occurring within homegardens. The inter-relationships among the socioeconomic variable and homegardens characteristic were extracted and interpreted using the pattern analysis visualized in component planes. Sequential agglomerative hierarchical non-overlapping (SAHN) clustering technique was also used to verify results obtained from SOM by using the unweighted pair grouping method with arithmetic-mean (UPGMA). Ten homegardens were identified from SOM U-Matrix and each of the homegardens was investigated for their horizontal and vertical profile. Inspection of SOM indicates that the region with high d-values for size of homegardens coincides with those of food, ornamental, and medicinal plants. Region of high d-value in Shannon index coincides with region of high d-value in Evenness index. Region of low d-value in income coincides with high d-values in both the Shannon and Evenness indices. Region of high d-value in age of household also coincides with high d-values in both the Shannon and Evenness indices. Combination of SOM, SAHN and spatial analysis techniques has a potential to analyst and monitor not only the factors affecting homegardens biodiversity but also their development and improvement which to our best knowledge has yet been reported in literature.
Applying geoscience to biodiversity monitoring: Case studies from an Australian marine park
Authors: Przeslawski Rachel , Picard Kim , Nichol Scott , Radford Ben , Bouchet Phil
Published: February 2018

Following the establishment of the world’s largest network of marine protected areas, Australia is now tasked with implementing national plans to manage a huge range of marine environments, from tropical to sub-Antarctic climates and shallow reef to abyssal depths. Monitoring (i.e. condition assessment and trend detection) is one of the key objectives of associated management plans. As part of a national effort to acquire baseline data for future monitoring purposes from 2009 to 2012, we collected geoscientific (bathymetry, backscatter, sub-bottom profiles, sediment grain-size) and biological data (assemblages and richness of infauna, sponges and pelagic fish) using a variety of gear (grab, sled, pelagic baited video, multibeam sonar, sparker) from the Oceanic Shoals Australian Marine Park in northern Australia. In this presentation, we describe how the integration of such data (including derived geoscientific products) helped to inform sampling design, map habitats, predict the distribution of benthic and pelagic communities at varying spatial scales, and better understand ecosystem processes. We hope to encourage ecologists and marine managers to incorporate geoscientific methods into their research and policy in order to further improve sampling design, data collection, robust modelling, and informed decision-making.
The axial skeleton ofPoposaurus langstoni(Pseudosuchia: Poposauroidea) and its implications for accessory intervertebral articulation evolution in pseudosuchian archosaurs
Authors: Stefanic Candice M. , Nesbitt Sterling J.
Published: February 2018

Dinosaurs and their close relatives grew to sizes larger than any other terrestrial animal in the history of life on Earth, and many enormous dinosaurs (e.g.,Diplodocus,Spinosaurus,Tyrannosaurus) have accessory intervertebral articulations that have been suggested to support these large body sizes. Some pseudosuchian archosaurs have been reported to have these articulations as well, but few have been characterized in these taxa because of a lower abundance of complete, three-dimensional pseudosuchian vertebral material in relation to dinosaurs. We describe the axial column of the large (∼4–5 m) poposauroid pseudosuchianPoposaurus langstonifrom the Upper Triassic of Texas (TMM Locality 31025 of the Otis Chalk localities; Dockum Group, Howard County, TX, USA).P. langstoniwas originally named from pelvic girdle elements and vertebrae; here we describe newly discovered and prepared presacral vertebrae and a presacral rib from the original excavation of the holotype in the 1940s. The well-preserved vertebrae have well-defined vertebral laminae and clear hyposphene–hypantrum intervertebral articulations, character states mentioned in pseudosuchians but rarely described. The new material demonstrates variation present in the hyposphene–hypantrum articulation through the vertebral column. We compared these morphologies to other pseudosuchians with and without the hyposphene–hypantrum articulation. Based on these careful comparisons, we provide an explicit definition for the hyposphene–hypantrum articulation applicable across Archosauria. Within Pseudosuchia, we find the hyposphene–hypantrum appeared independently in the clade at least twice, but we also see the loss of these structures in clades that had them ancestrally. Furthermore, we found the presence of large body sizes (femoral lengths >∼300 mm) and the presence of the hyposphene–hypantrum is correlated in most non-crocodylomorph pseudosuchian archosaurs with a few exceptions. This result suggests that the presence of the hyposphene–hypantrum is controlled by the increases and decreases in body size and not strictly inheritance.
Different intensities of basketball drills affect jump shot accuracy of expert and junior players
Authors: Marcolin Giuseppe , Camazzola Nicola , Panizzolo Fausto Antonio , Grigoletto Davide , Paoli Antonio
Published: February 2018

Background

In basketball a maximum accuracy at every game intensity is required while shooting. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effect of three different drill intensity simulation protocols on jump shot accuracy in expert and junior basketball players.

Materials & Methods

Eleven expert players (age 26 ± 6 yrs, weight 86 ± 11 kg, height 192 ± 8 cm) and ten junior players (age 18 ± 1 yrs, weight 75 ± 12 kg, height 184 ± 9 cm) completed three series of twenty jump shots at three different levels of exertion. Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) height was also measured after each series of jump shots. Exertion’s intensity was induced manipulating the basketball drills. Heart rate was measured for the whole duration of the tests while the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected at the end of each series of shots.

Results

Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were statistically different in the three conditions for both expert and junior players. CMJ height remained almost unchanged in both groups. Jump shot accuracy decreased with increasing drills intensity both in experts and junior players. Expert players showed higher accuracy than junior players for all the three levels of exertion (83% vs 64%, p < 0.001; 75% vs 57%, p < 0.05; 76% vs 60%, p < 0.01). Moreover, for the most demanding level of exertion, experts showed a higher accuracy in the last ten shots compared to the first ten shots (82% vs 70%, p < 0.05).

Discussion

Experts coped better with the different exertion’s intensities, thus maintaining a higher level of performance. The introduction of technical short bouts of high-intensity sport-specific exercises into skill sessions should be proposed to improve jump shot accuracy during matches.
Codominant grasses differ in gene expression under experimental climate extremes in native tallgrass prairie
Authors: Hoffman Ava M. , Avolio Meghan L. , Knapp Alan K. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: February 2018

Extremes in climate, such as heat waves and drought, are expected to become more frequent and intense with forecasted climate change. Plant species will almost certainly differ in their responses to these stressors. We experimentally imposed a heat wave and drought in the tallgrass prairie ecosystem near Manhattan, Kansas, USA to assess transcriptional responses of two ecologically important C4 grass species, Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans. Based on previous research, we expected that S. nutans would regulate more genes, particularly those related to stress response, under high heat and drought. Across all treatments, S. nutans showed greater expression of negative regulatory and catabolism genes while A. gerardii upregulated cellular and protein metabolism. As predicted, S. nutans showed greater sensitivity to water stress, particularly with downregulation of non-coding RNAs and upregulation of water stress and catabolism genes. A. gerardii was less sensitive to drought, although A. gerardii tended to respond with upregulation in response to drought versus S. nutans which downregulated more genes under drier conditions. Surprisingly, A. gerardii only showed minimal gene expression response to increased temperature, while S. nutans showed no response. Gene functional annotation suggested that these two species may respond to stress via different mechanisms. Specifically, A. gerardii tends to maintain molecular function while S. nutans prioritizes avoidance. Sorghastrum nutans may strategize abscisic acid response and catabolism to respond rapidly to stress. These results have important implications for success of these two important grass species under a more variable and extreme climate forecast for the future.
Topside Electron Density Representations for Middle and High Latitudes: A Topside Parameterization for E‐CHAIM Based On the NeQuick
Authors: Themens David R. , Jayachandran P. T. , Bilitza Dieter , Erickson Philip J. , Häggström Ingemar , Lyashenko Mykhaylo V. , Reid Benjamin , Varney Roger H. , Pustovalova Ljubov
Published: February 2018

In this study, we present a topside model representation to be used by the Empirical Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Model (E‐CHAIM). In the process of this, we also present a comprehensive evaluation of the NeQuick's, and by extension the International Reference Ionosphere's, topside electron density model for middle and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Using data gathered from all available incoherent scatter radars, topside sounders, and Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation satellites, we show that the current NeQuick parameterization suboptimally represents the shape of the topside electron density profile at these latitudes and performs poorly in the representation of seasonal and solar cycle variations of the topside scale thickness. Despite this, the simple, one variable, NeQuick model is a powerful tool for modeling the topside ionosphere. By refitting the parameters that define the maximum topside scale thickness and the rate of increase of the scale height within the NeQuick topside model function, r and g, respectively, and refitting the model's parameterization of the scale height at the F region peak, H0, we find considerable improvement in the NeQuick's ability to represent the topside shape and behavior. Building on these results, we present a new topside model extension of the E‐CHAIM based on the revised NeQuick function. Overall, root‐mean‐square errors in topside electron density are improved over the traditional International Reference Ionosphere/NeQuick topside by 31% for a new NeQuick parameterization and by 36% for a newly proposed topside for E‐CHAIM.
Multiyear Shallow Conduit Changes Observed With Lava Lake Eruption Seismograms at Erebus Volcano, Antarctica
Authors: Knox H. A. , Chaput J. A. , Aster R. C. , Kyle P. R.
Published: February 2018

We analyze near‐repeating broadband seismograms from nearly 3,000 eruptions (2003–2011) from the Erebus volcano lava lake to investigate temporal changes in the shallow eruptive dynamics of an open conduit volcano. Cross‐correlation analysis reveals progressive variable time lags between correlation‐aligned short period (SP) and very long period (VLP) seismogram components ranging over approximately ±1 s and evolving over weeks to months. Lava lake eruptions both excite an SP explosion seismic signal and gravitationally unload the conduit. After a delay of several seconds, this unloading excites a posteruptive, minute‐long VLP seismic signal that persist for several minutes until the lava lake is refilled. VLP‐SP lag variations are consistent across multiple seismic stations and are independent of eruption size, spectral characteristics, eruption frequency, and lava lake morphology changes. Lag changes are interpreted in terms of variable communication time between eruptions and the subsequent elastic and gravitational response of a tomographically imaged near‐summit magma storage and VLP source region several hundred meters below the lava lake. Tomographic and VLP moment tensor studies, combined with modeling, suggest that the elastodynamic communication time between the distinct SP and VLP source regions is mediated by conduit‐guided Stoneley waves within the uppermost magma‐filled conduit system that are sensitive to small shallow conduit geometry changes. Conduit geometry changes may be driven by internal or external processes, including conduit wall melting and refreezing, repeated eruptive slug erosion, and deformation from inner crater inflation or collapse.
Subyearling Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baeri Fed a Diet Supplemented with ImmunoGen: Effects on Growth Performance, Body Composition, and Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters
Authors: Ramezani Soad , Eshaghzadeh Hamid , Saeimee Hooman , Darvishi Samad
Published: February 2018

In this research, the effect of ImmunoGen (IMNO) on the growth indices, hematological parameters, and carcass composition of Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baeri was investigated. After acclimation, fish (274.8 ± 16.2 g) were allocated into 12 tanks (10 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed a control diet (0%) or diets containing 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5% IMNO for 75 d. At the end of the experiment, final length, final weight, and weight gain were significantly higher in the fish fed the diet containing 1.0% IMNO, though no significant differences were observed between the control and experimental diets containing 0.5% and 1.5% IMNO. In addition, there were no significant differences among diets in terms of hematological parameters and carcass composition. However, dietary IMNO significantly affected the serum biochemical parameters of Siberian Sturgeon, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and IgM, with the highest level of IgM occurring in the 1.0% IMNO treatment and the lowest levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the 1.5% IMNO treatment. The findings of this study thus indicate that the administration of 1.0% IMNO in diet positively affects the growth factors and some serum biochemical parameters of Siberian Sturgeon.
Diabetes and obesity are the main metabolic drivers of peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Callaghan Brian C. , Gao LeiLi , Li Yufeng , Zhou Xianghai , Reynolds Evan , Banerjee Mousumi , Pop‐Busui Rodica , Feldman Eva L. , Ji Linong
Published: February 2018

Objective

To determine the associations between individual metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and peripheral neuropathy in a large population‐based cohort from Pinggu, China.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, randomly selected, population‐based survey of participants from Pinggu, China was performed. Metabolic phenotyping and neuropathy outcomes were performed by trained personnel. Glycemic status was defined according to the American Diabetes Association criteria, and the MetS using modified consensus criteria (body mass index instead of waist circumference). The primary peripheral neuropathy outcome was the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) examination. Secondary outcomes were the MNSI questionnaire and monofilament testing. Multivariable models were used to assess for associations between individual MetS components and peripheral neuropathy. Tree‐based methods were used to construct a classifier for peripheral neuropathy using demographics and MetS components.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the 4002 participants was 51.6 (11.8) and 51.0% were male; 37.2% of the population had normoglycemia, 44.0% prediabetes, and 18.9% diabetes. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy increased with worsening glycemic status (3.25% in normoglycemia, 6.29% in prediabetes, and 15.12% in diabetes, P < 0.0001). Diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 2.60, 95% CI 1.77–3.80) and weight (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.18) were significantly associated with peripheral neuropathy. Age, diabetes, and weight were the primary splitters in the classification tree for peripheral neuropathy.

Interpretation

Similar to previous studies, diabetes and obesity are the main metabolic drivers of peripheral neuropathy. The consistency of these results reinforces the urgent need for effective interventions that target these metabolic factors to prevent and/or treat peripheral neuropathy.
Photoinduced Proton Transfer between Photoacid and pH‐Sensitive Dyes: Influence Factors and Application for Visible‐Light‐Responsive Rewritable Paper
Authors: Zhang Ting , Sheng Lan , Liu Junning , Ju Le , Li Jianhua , Du Zhen , Zhang Weiran , Li Minjie , Zhang Sean Xiao‐An
Published: February 2018

Ink‐free printing based on rewritable paper is an efficient and environmental friendly way to reuse paper, protect resources, and save energy for sustainable development of human society. Among various kinds of rewritable media, light responsive rewritable paper (LRP) is one of the most popular research areas due to its clean and favorable noncontact writing. Visible light is more suitable for LRP for its superior penetration and much less damages to organic molecules than UV light. However, visible‐light‐responsive rewritable paper (VLRP) has only limited successes so far. Herein, a VLRP is newly designed and fabricated based on photoinduced proton transfer (PPT) between photoacid and pH‐sensitive dyes. Success of it is highly benefited from systematical investigation and in‐depth understanding on the key influence factors, such as concentration‐induced undesired isomerization, temperature, humidity, and light intensity, on the PPT and its inverse process. As‐prepared VLRP shows long‐awaited properties, such as, high color contrast and resolution, appropriate legible time of prints, excellent reversibility (>100 cycles), easiness to achieve multicolor prints, and agreeing well with environmental concept of green printing. In addition, study of influence factors on PPT in this work, to some extent, may also help people understand complex photocycle process in biosystem.
Plasmonic‐Functionalized Broadband Perovskite Photodetector
Authors: Du Bowen , Yang Wenqiang , Jiang Qiao , Shan Hangyong , Luo Deying , Li Bowen , Tang Weichen , Lin Feng , Shen Bo , Gong Qihuang , Zhu Xing , Zhu Rui , Fang Zheyu
Published: February 2018

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite photodetectors have been reported to possess superior optoelectronic properties, such as high sensitivity, ultrafast response, and capability of strongly absorbing the light in the visible range. While in the near‐infrared range, the performances of these photodetectors deteriorate seriously, originating from the weak coupling of infrared light to the perovskites. In this study, an organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite photodetector on arrays of Au nanostructures is fabricated, which exhibits a remarkable photocurrent enhancement in the visible and near‐infrared range, ascribed to the huge localized electric field induced by the surface plasmon resonance of Au nanostructures. The maximum external quantum efficiency of this photodetector is as high as about 65%, 2.5 times that on a usual Si/SiO2 substrate without Au nanostructures. Obviously, by exploiting Au nanostructures, the light harvesting ability of the photodetector breaks through the perovskite absorption edge, and extends to the near‐infrared range.
High‐Quality White OLEDs with Comparable Efficiencies to LEDs
Authors: Jeon Sohee , Lee Sunghun , Han Kyung‐Hoon , Shin Hyun , Kim Kwon‐Hyeon , Jeong Jun‐Ho , Kim Jang‐Joo
Published: February 2018

The solid‐state lighting sources require high efficiency and high‐quality illumination at the same time. Here, highly efficient white organic light emitting diodes (WOLEDs) comparable to LEDs are demonstrated using a random vacuum nanohole array and a half‐spherical lens as internal and external light extraction layers, respectively, exhibiting the maximum external quantum efficiency of 78% and luminous efficacy of 164 lm W−1. These high efficiencies are achieved by extracting all the waveguided and substrate‐confined modes, minimizing surface plasmon polariton loss by elongating the distance from emitting dipole to reflective electrode and selection of phosphorescent dyes having high horizontal emitting dipole ratios. In addition, the WOLEDs satisfy the requirements as a high‐quality lighting source with a high color temperature of 3400 K, the color rendering index of 80, uniform emission pattern, and little variation of color with viewing angle. It is supposed that the present research reaches the ultimate goal of light extraction technology for practical applications.
Natural Light‐Scattering Nanoparticles Enable Visible through Short‐Wave Infrared Color Modulation
Authors: Kumar Amrita , Osgood Richard M. , Dinneen Sean R. , Koker Brian D. , Pang Richard , Deravi Leila F.
Published: February 2018

Color is ubiquitous in nature; however, the ability to rapidly change color in response to environmental cues is unique to few biological systems. Cephalopods are one such system; they employ a sophisticated ensemble of optical organs that assist in adaptive coloration in different environments. While these animals have been a subject of research for decades, the photophysics underlying their color modulation is still not well understood. This is especially true in the context of their pigmentary chromatophore organs, which are considered one of the active elements of coloration. This paper describes diffuse and specular scattering originating in materials made from the nanoparticles that populate the chromatophore organs and shows for the first time how a film as few as two particle layers thick (≈1 µm) contributes to over 20% forward scattering in the visible, near‐infrared, and short‐wave infrared (SWIR) regions. The intensity of scattered light across this broad spectrum increases when films or fibers containing these nanoparticles are placed above a back‐reflecting material, suggesting a tunable feature that can be controlled under different conditions. This nano‐enhanced visible through SWIR scattering may lead to better spectral purity of reflected and back‐scattered light, illustrating an important role in color and future color‐changing materials.
Trap‐Filling‐Induced Charge Carrier Dynamics in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Hou Tianyu , Liu Fuchuan , Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Yangqian , Wei Qi , Li Bin , Zhang Shiming , Xing Guichuan
Published: February 2018

Traps, which are inevitable in organic solar cells, will result in trap‐assisted recombination, an important loss mechanism that limits device performance. Trap‐filling is an efficient approach to suppress the charge traps, and can improve charge transport and modify the electronic properties. This approach fills the defect states where traps reside by introducing additional carriers, rendering the states electronically inert. Herein, charge carrier dynamics in the prototypical system PCE10/PC71BM with/without doping at different concentrations is directly targeted by employing transient absorption spectroscopy. It is found that the charge carriers' lifetime enhances, and the recombination centers can be filled at high doping concentrations, which is beneficial for achieving high power conversion efficiency. These findings indicate that charge transport and electronic characteristics can be improved by trap‐filling, which is the key to pushing the efficiencies of organic solar cells toward theoretical limits.
A Modular Strategy to Engineer Complex Tissues and Organs
Authors: Dikina Anna D. , Alt Daniel S. , Herberg Samuel , McMillan Alexandra , Strobel Hannah A. , Zheng Zijie , Cao Meng , Lai Bradley P. , Jeon Oju , Petsinger Victoria Ivy , Cotton Calvin U. , Rolle Marsha W. , Alsberg Eben
Published: February 2018

Currently, there are no synthetic or biologic materials suitable for long‐term treatment of large tracheal defects. A successful tracheal replacement must (1) have radial rigidity to prevent airway collapse during respiration, (2) contain an immunoprotective respiratory epithelium, and (3) integrate with the host vasculature to support epithelium viability. Herein, biopolymer microspheres are used to deliver chondrogenic growth factors to human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded in a custom mold that self‐assemble into cartilage rings, which can be fused into tubes. These rings and tubes can be fabricated with tunable wall thicknesses and lumen diameters with promising mechanical properties for airway collapse prevention. Epithelialized cartilage is developed by establishing a spatially defined composite tissue composed of human epithelial cells on the surface of an hMSC‐derived cartilage sheet. Prevascular rings comprised of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and hMSCs are fused with cartilage rings to form prevascular–cartilage composite tubes, which are then coated with human epithelial cells, forming a tri‐tissue construct. When prevascular– cartilage tubes are implanted subcutaneously in mice, the prevascular structures anastomose with host vasculature, demonstrated by their ability to be perfused. This microparticle–cell self‐assembly strategy is promising for engineering complex tissues such as a multi‐tissue composite trachea.
Enhanced Stability of Coated Carbon Electrode for Li‐O2 Batteries and Its Limitations
Authors: Bae Youngjoon , Ko Dong‐Hyun , Lee Sunyoung , Lim Hee‐Dae , Kim Yun‐Jung , Shim Hyun‐Soo , Park Hyeokjun , Ko Youngmin , Park Sung Kwan , Kwon Hyuk Jae , Kim Hyunjin , Kim Hee‐Tak , Min Yo‐Sep , Im Dongmin , Kang Kisuk
Published: February 2018

Li‐O2 batteries are promising next‐generation energy storage systems because of their exceptionally high energy density (≈3500 W h kg−1). However, to achieve stable operation, grand challenges remain to be resolved, such as preventing electrolyte decomposition and degradation of carbon, a commonly used air electrode in Li‐O2 batteries. In this work, using in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, it is demonstrated that the application of a ZnO coating on the carbon electrode can effectively suppress side reactions occurring in the Li‐O2 battery. By probing the CO2 evolution during charging of 13C‐labeled air electrodes, the major sources of parasitic reactions are precisely identified, which further reveals that the ZnO coating retards the degradation of both the carbon electrode and electrolyte. The successful suppression of the degradation results in a higher oxygen efficiency, leading to enhanced stability for more than 100 cycles. Nevertheless, the degradation of the carbon electrode is not completely prevented by the coating, because the Li2O2 discharge product gradually grows at the interface between the ZnO and carbon, which eventually results in detachment of the ZnO particles from the electrode and subsequent deterioration of the performance. This finding implies that surface protection of the carbon electrode is a viable option to enhance the stability of Li‐O2 batteries; however, fundamental studies on the growth mechanism of the discharge product on the carbon surface are required along with more effective coating strategies.
Experimental and numerical investigation of structure and hydrodynamics in packed beds of spherical particles
Authors: Lovreglio P. , Das S. , Buist K. A. , Peters E. A. J. F. , Pel L. , Kuipers J. A. M.
Published: February 2018

In chemical industry, flows often occur in nontransparent equipment, for example in steel pipelines and vessels. Magnetic resonance imaging is a suitable approach to visualize the flow, which cannot be performed with classical optical techniques, and obtain quantitative data in such cases. It is therefore a unique tool to noninvasively study whole‐field porosity and velocity distributions in opaque single‐phase porous media flow. In this article, experimental results obtained with this technique, applied to the study of structure and hydrodynamics in packed beds of spherical particles, are shown and compared with detailed computational fluid dynamics simulations performed with an in‐house numerical code based on an immersed boundary method‐direct numerical simulation approach. Pressure drop and the radial profiles of porosity and axial velocity of the fluid for three packed beds of spheres with different sizes were evaluated, both experimentally and numerically, in order to compare the two approaches. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1896–1907, 2018
Framework for work‐heat exchange network synthesis (WHENS)
Authors: Nair Sajitha K. , Nagesh Rao Harsha , Karimi Iftekhar A.
Published: February 2018

Work and heat are the two predominant forms of energy in the process industry. Considerable savings can be achieved by synergizing the work and heat requirements of process streams. A generalized framework for integrating heat and work simultaneously is proposed based on a mixed‐integer nonlinear programing model for work‐heat exchange network synthesis. Starting with a set of streams with known flows, temperatures, and pressures, a network of single‐shaft‐turbine‐compressors with motors/generators, valves, heat exchangers, and utility heaters/coolers is synthesized for minimized total annualized cost. In contrast to existing works, (1) streams are not preclassified as hot/cold or high/low pressure, (2) pressure changes are allowed for streams with no net pressure change, (3) liquid‐vapor phase changes are allowed, and (4) phase‐based property correlations are used. Successful application of our approach to C3 splitting yields a nonintuitive configuration. Another application of an offshore natural gas liquefaction process is also studied. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2472–2485, 2018
The functional and psychological burden of empty nose syndrome
Authors: Manji Jamil , Nayak Jayakar V. , Thamboo Andrew
Published: February 2018

Background

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a debilitating disorder thought to arise as a postsurgical phenomenon from excessive loss of nasal tissues. Affected patients often report a profound impact on all aspects of life, but the extent of this burden has not been quantified. We sought to determine the association of ENS with mental health and functional impairments.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed of individuals with ENS recruited from online ENS forums. ENS status was validated based on a positive 6‐item Empty Nose Syndrome Questionnaire (ENS6Q) score and sinus computed tomography imaging or supporting medical documentation. Subjects completed the ENS6Q, the 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) for depression, the 7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD‐7), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale for daytime somnolence (ESS), the Work Productivity and Impairment questionnaire (WPAI), and the 5‐dimension EuroQol General Health State Survey (EQ‐5D‐5L). Pearson correlation analysis was performed with α = 0.05 to determine significance.

Results

Fifty‐three ENS individuals were included in the study. Overall, participants reported symptoms consistent with moderate anxiety (μ = 12.7; standard deviation [SD], 5.9) and moderately severe depression warranting treatment (μ = 17.9; SD, 6.8). Participants also noted a 62% reduction in productivity at work (n = 24) and 65% in all other activities (n = 53). ENS6Q symptom severity was correlated with more severe depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), overall pain/discomfort (p = 0.002), and impairment in activities of daily living (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

ENS individuals carry a clinically significant psychological burden and experience marked difficulties with many activities of daily living. A multimodal approach to address the tissue loss with surgery and cognitive‐behavioral therapy for the psychological burden may provide the most optimal outcome.
Effect of Cation–π Interaction on Macroionic Self‐Assembly
Authors: Luo Jiancheng , Chen Kun , Yin Panchao , Li Tao , Wan Gang , Zhang Jin , Ye Songtao , Bi Xiaoman , Pang Yi , Wei Yongge , Liu Tianbo
Published: February 2018

A series of rod‐shaped polyoxometalates (POMs) [Bu4N]7[Mo6O18NC(CH2O)3MnMo6O18(OCH2)3CNMo6O18] and [Bu4N]7[ArNMo6O17NC(CH2O)3MnMo6O18(OCH2)3CNMo6O17NAr] (Ar=2,6‐dimethylphenyl, naphthyl and 1‐methylnaphthyl) were chosen to study the effects of cation–π interaction on macroionic self‐assembly. Diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) techniques show that the binding affinity between the POMs and Zn2+ ions is enhanced significantly after grafting aromatic groups onto the clusters, leading to the effective replacement of tetrabutylammonium counterions (TBAs) upon the addition of ZnCl2. The incorporation of aromatic groups results in the significant contribution of cation–π interaction to the self‐assembly, as confirmed by the opposite trend of assembly size vs. ionic strength when compared with those without aromatic groups. The small difference between two aromatic groups toward the Zn2+ ions is amplified after combining with the clusters, which consequently triggers the self‐recognition behavior between two highly similar macroanions.
Mesoporous activated carbon prepared from macadamia nut shell waste by carbon dioxide activation: Comparative characterisation and study of methylene blue removal from aqueous solution
Authors: Wongcharee Surachai , Aravinthan Vasantha , Erdei Laszlo , Sanongraj Wipada
Published: February 2018

Activated carbons are the most widely used adsorbents; however, producing high‐performance mesoporous activated carbons with simple technology still remains a challenge. In this research, waste macadamia nut shell (MNS) was explored as precursor for preparing mesoporous activated carbons by carbon dioxide activation. The material characteristics of MNS‐based activated carbon (MAC) were thoroughly examined in comparison with a premium‐grade commercial activated carbon (CAC). MAC and CAC had specific surface areas of 830 and 1,299 m2 g−1, respectively. Although CAC had a predominantly microporous structure, about 74% of the pore volume of MAC is composed of mesopores. Adsorption performances were evaluated in batch experiments using methylene blue model pollutant and demonstrated 135 and 181 mg g−1 saturation capacities for MAC and CAC, respectively. Non‐linear regression found that the fractal‐like pseudo first‐order model accurately described sorption kinetics, and intraparticle diffusion was the rate‐limiting step. Among 6 established isotherm models, the Liu equilibrium model showed the best statistics. Thermodynamic analysis verified that the process was favourable and involved physisorption. These results show that valuable mesoporous activated carbons can be prepared from the biowaste MNS with simple production technology to suit environmental and industrial applications.
Synthesis of amino trimethylene phosphonic acid melamine salt and its application in flame‐retarded polypropylene
Authors: Gao Shang , Liu Gousheng
Published: February 2018

Amino trimethylene phosphonic acid melamine salt (MATMP) was synthesized and used as acid source and blowing agent in intumescent flame‐retarded polypropylene (PP); its compositions were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction. An intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system composed of MATMP, pentaerythritol (PER), and PP was tested by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, cone calorimeter tests, and thermogravimetric analysis and compared with an ammonium polyphosphate (APP)/PER system. The results showed that MATMP had better water resistance than APP, the LOI value of PP/MATMP/PER composite can reach 30.3%, and a UL‐94 V‐0 rating can be reached at 25 wt % IFR loading. The amount of residual char of IFR MATMP/PER was 20.3 and 9.5 wt % at 400 and 600 °C, respectively. A thermooxidative degradation route and a possible flame‐retardant mechanism of IFR were proposed according to the analysis of evolved gases and residual chars. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46274.
Analysis of the foaming mechanisms of materials based on high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) crosslinked with different irradiation doses
Authors: Lopez‐Gonzalez Eduardo , Salmazo L. O. , Lopez‐Gil A. , Laguna‐Gutierrez E. , Rodriguez‐Perez M. A.
Published: February 2018

Different crosslinked high‐density polyethylene based cellular polymers have been produced by a free foaming process using a chemical blowing agent. The polymer matrix was crosslinked by electron beam irradiation using different doses ranging from 25 to 175 kGy. The main aim of this work is to study the effect of the different irradiation doses on the density, cellular structure, and foaming mechanisms. Results show that irradiation doses as high as 175 kGy have to be used to obtain cellular materials with a low relative density (0.06), cell sizes of around 50 μm, and cell densities of 1.6 × 107 cells cm−3. The strain hardening of the polymer matrix increases with the irradiation dose leading to an increase of the polymer resistance to be stretched, which helps to avoid undesirable cellular degeneration processes. Irradiation doses lower than 175 kGy are not able to stabilize the cellular structure leading to foams with relative densities higher than 0.1 and degenerated cellular structures. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46276.
New Strategies in the Design of Nanomedicines to Oppose Uptake by the Mononuclear Phagocyte System and Enhance Cancer Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Dai Zhifei
Published: February 2018

The application of nanotechnology in the treatment of tumors has boomed owing to the vigorous development in cancer nanomedicine. Despite the great success achieved in this field, nanomedicine has not realized its full potential owing to a delivery barrier, the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS), which cuts off more than 95 % of the administrated nanoparticles. This results in an extremely low drug‐delivery efficacy to the tumor and leads to poor therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, the injection of excess nanoparticles also raises toxicity concerns induced by the accumulation of nanomaterials in organs, such as the liver and spleen. Therefore, a reduction in the uptake of nanomedicines by the MPS is vital to enhance the cancer therapeutic effect and decrease side effects. In this critical review, we will summarize the new strategies to reduce nanoparticle uptake by the MPS based on current knowledge of the bio–nano interaction. Further directions will also be highlighted for the development of cancer nanomedicine with a lower off‐target rate and better therapeutic outcomes.
Probing the Most Aromatic and Antiaromatic Pyrrolium Rings by Maximizing Hyperconjugation and Push–Pull Effect
Authors: Sun Tingting , Xie Qiong , Zhao Liang , Zhu Jun
Published: February 2018

Hyperconjugation, a weak interaction in organic chemistry, can have a strong effect on aromaticity, leading to the concept of hyperconjugative aromaticity, which was first proposed by Mulliken in 1939. However, most studies are limited to main group chemistry. Here we report the most aromatic and antiaromatic pyrrolium ring by maximizing the hyperconjugation caused by transition metal fragments and the push–pull effect. Our calculations reveal that the origin of the outperformance of transition metal substituents over main group ones on hyperconjugative aromaticity could be attributed to their higher highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs). Among the group 11 transition metals, a silver substituent results in the best performance. All these findings highlight the magic of the transition metal (silver) and could be particularly helpful for the design of other aromatic and antiaromatic counterparts based on a nonaromatic parent species.
Clinical significance of cortical lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis: A neuropsychological and neuroimaging study
Authors: Matsushita Futoshi , Kida Hirotaka , Tabei Ken‐ichi , Nakano Chizuru , Matsuura Keita , Ii Yuichiro , Sasaki Ryogen , Taniguchi Akira , Narita Yugo , Maeda Masayuki , Satoh Masayuki , Tomimoto Hidekazu
Published: February 2018

Introduction

This study aims to investigate the association between the presence and frequency of cortical lesions (CLs), and the clinical and psychological features of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

A total of 19 patients with MS were examined using double inversion recovery (DIR) sequences with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and classified into two groups: CL and non‐CL. In‐house software was used to quantitatively determine the atrophy of each brain region. Activities of daily living (ADL) were estimated using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Cognitive function was assessed using the following tests: Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT). Z‐scores were used to assess significant differences in the neuropsychological test outcomes between the groups.

Results

Six of 19 patients had subcortical and deep WM lesions (non‐CL group; diagnosed with relapsing–remitting MS). Thirteen of 19 patients had both subcortical and cortical lesions (CL group; 9—relapsing–remitting MS; 4—primary/secondary progressive MS). There were no significant differences in age, education, and disease duration, but EDSS scores were significantly higher in the CL group compared to the non‐CL group. There were no significant differences in gray and white matter volume between the CL and the non‐CL groups, but the white matter lesion volume was significantly higher in the CL group compared to the non‐CL group. Neuropsychological tests showed significant performance worsening in the CL group as compared to the standard values for healthy individuals in their age group, especially in the TMT data.

Conclusions

Progressive MS, which was associated with decreased physical functioning, ADL, and cognitive impairment, was found in patients in the CL group.