bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deriving a water quality guideline for protection of aquatic communities exposed to triclosan in the Canadian environment
Authors: Hill Katie L , Breton Roger L , Manning Gillian E , Teed R Scott , Capdevielle Marie , Slezak Brian
Published: March 2018

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal chemical used in a variety of consumer products, including soaps, detergents, moisturizers, and cosmetics. Aquatic ecosystems may be exposed to triclosan following the release of remaining residues in wastewater effluents and biosolids. In December 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released a federal environmental quality guideline (FEQG) report that contained a federal water quality guideline (FWQG) for triclosan. This guideline will be used as an adjunct to the risk assessment and risk management of priority chemicals identified under the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The FWQG value for triclosan (0.47 μg/L) was derived by ECCC using a hazardous concentration for 5% of species (HC5) from a species sensitivity distribution (SSD). We recalculated the FWQG after performing an independent analysis and evaluation of the available aquatic toxicity data for triclosan and compared our results with the ECCC FWQG value. Our independent analysis of the available aquatic toxicity data entailed conducting a literature search of all available and relevant studies, evaluating the quality and reliability of all studies considered using thorough and consistent study evaluation criteria, and thereby generating a data set of high-quality toxicity values. The selected data set includes 22 species spanning 5 taxonomic groups. An SSD was developed using this data set following the ECCC approaches. The HC5 from the SSD derived based on our validated data set is 0.76 μg/L. This HC5 value is slightly greater (i.e., less sensitive) than the value presented in ECCC's final FWQG. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:437–441. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)

Key Points

Using a similar approach to Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC's) Federal Environmental Quality Guideline (FEQG) to derive a chronic HC5 for Canadian freshwater communities, several differences from the FEQG dataset were identified in both species and endpoints selected. An HC5 of 0.76 µg/L for chronic exposure of triclosan to freshwater aquatic life was generated in the present study, which is slightly greater (i.e., less sensitive) than the HC5 calculated by ECCC in their FEQG.
Hypergraph‐driven mitigation of cyberattacks
Authors: Gonzalez‐Granadillo Gustavo , Doynikova Elena , Kotenko Igor , Garcia‐Alfaro Joaquin
Published: March 2018

We extend a mitigation model that evaluates individual and combined countermeasures against multistep cyberattack scenarios. The goal is to anticipate the actions of an attacker that wants to disrupt a given system (eg, an information system). The process is driven by a hypergraph formalism, enforced with a stateful return on response investment metric that optimally evaluates, ranks, and selects appropriate countermeasures to handle ongoing and potential attacks.
SOCS1 is associated with clinical progression and acts as an oncogenic role in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Qian Qian , Lv Yuetao , Li Peng
Published: March 2018

Suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a member of SOCS family and acts as negative regulators of cytokine signaling by direct inhibition of receptor‐associated janus kinases. The clinical significance and biological function of SOCS1 in variant tumor tissues and at variant tumor stages is still controversial. The aim of our study is to confirm the expression status of SOCS1 in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues and cell lines, and explore the clinical value and biological function of SOCS1 in TNBC. In microarray data sets (GDS2250 and GDS817), we observed SOCS1 was overexpressed in TNBC tissues and cell line compared with normal mammary tissues and mammary epithelial cell line, or non‐TNBC tissues and cell line. Furthermore, SOCS1 mRNA and protein overexpression were confirmed in TNBC tissues and cell lines compared with normal mammary tissues and mammary epithelial cell lines or non‐TNBC tissues and cell lines. SOCS1 protein overexpression was obviously associated with advanced clinical stage, large tumor size, more lymph node metastasis, present distant metastasis, and malign histological grade. Downregulation of SOCS1 expression suppressed TNBC cells proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. In conclusion, SOCS1 is associated with clinical progression in TNBC patients and acts as an oncogenic role in regulating TNBC cells proliferation and apoptosis. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(4):320–327, 2018
Multiple Functional Variants at 13q14 Risk Locus for Osteoporosis Regulate RANKL Expression Through Long-Range Super-Enhancer
Authors: Zhu Dong-Li , Chen Xiao-Feng , Hu Wei-Xin , Dong Shan-Shan , Lu Bing-Jie , Rong Yu , Chen Yi-Xiao , Chen Hao , Thynn Hlaing Nwe , Wang Nai-Ning , Guo Yan , Yang Tie-Lin
Published: March 2018

RANKL is a key regulator involved in bone metabolism, and a drug target for osteoporosis. The clinical diagnosis and assessment of osteoporosis are mainly based on bone mineral density (BMD). Previous powerful genomewide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple intergenic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located over 100 kb upstream of RANKL and 65 kb downstream of AKAP11 at 13q14.11 for osteoporosis. Whether these SNPs exert their roles on osteoporosis through RANKL is unknown. In this study, we conducted integrative analyses combining expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL), genomic chromatin interaction (high-throughput chromosome conformation capture [Hi-C]), epigenetic annotation, and a series of functional assays. The eQTL analysis identified six potential functional SNPs (rs9533090, rs9594738, r8001611, rs9533094, rs9533095, and rs9594759) exclusively correlated with RANKL gene expression (p < 0.001) at 13q14.11. Co-localization analyses suggested that eQTL signal for RANKL and BMD-GWAS signal shared the same causal variants. Hi-C analysis and functional annotation further validated that the first five osteoporosis SNPs are located in a super-enhancer region to regulate the expression of RANKL via long-range chromosomal interaction. Particularly, dual-luciferase assay showed that the region harboring rs9533090 in the super-enhancer has the strongest enhancer activity, and rs9533090 is an allele-specific regulatory SNP. Furthermore, deletion of the region harboring rs9533090 using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing significantly reduced RANKL expression in both mRNA level and protein level. Finally, we found that the rs9533090-C robustly recruits transcription factor NFIC, which efficiently elevates the enhancer activity and increases the RANKL expression. In summary, we provided a feasible method to identify regulatory noncoding SNPs to distally regulate their target gene underlying the pathogenesis of osteoporosis by using bioinformatics data analyses and experimental validation. Our findings would be a potential and promising therapeutic target for precision medicine in osteoporosis. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Moral injury process and its psychological consequences among Israeli combat veterans
Authors: Zerach Gadi , Levi‐Belz Yossi
Published: March 2018

Objectives

We aim to examine the link between exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS). We also aim to explore the mediating roles of depressive attributions, trauma‐related guilt and shame, and self‐disgust in the relationship between PMIEs and PTSS among combat veterans.

Method

A volunteers' sample of 191 Israeli combat veterans responded to self‐report questionnaires in a cross‐sectional design study.

Results

More than one‐fifth of the sample reported experiencing PMIEs but only betrayal based experience was related to PTSS. Importantly, betrayal based experience was associated with depressive attributions which increased the level of trauma‐related distressing guilt, intrinsic shame and self‐disgust, which in turn were associated with high levels of PTSS.

Conclusions

PMIEs, and especially betrayal based experiences, are related to PTSS among Israeli veterans. Depressive attributions, trauma‐related distressing guilt, intrinsic shame, and self‐disgust might serve as possible mechanisms for the links between PMIEs and PTSS.
Victims of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in long‐lasting disillusionment phase
Authors: Nakano Mari , Hibiya Taketoshi
Published: March 2018

This study describes the existence of the long‐lasting disillusionment phase for the victims after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. Through analyzing the mental situation of the victims, the situations were categorized into 2 groups for forced evacuees: “in the disillusionment phase” and “in the reconstruction phase,” Other 2 groups are for host Iwaki residents: “with negative feelings against evacuees” and “leading their life constructively.” The negative feeling enhances the vicious psychological cycle for the evacuees in the long‐lasting disillusionment phase and repeating emotion of survivor's guilt in the reconstruction phase. We propose that people who were getting back to a normal life while leading their life constructively should raise their voices in favor of living together with evacuees.
Gate‐to‐gate life cycle assessment of biosurfactants and bioplasticizers production via biotechnological exploitation of fats and waste oils
Authors: Kopsahelis Alexandros , Kourmentza Constantina , Zafiri Constantina , Kornaros Michael
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the biotransformation of fats and waste oils to glycolipid biosurfactants and bioplasticizers. The ecological performance and environmental impacts of the bioprocesses were evaluated aiming to assess their present environmental status and thus suggest future improvements using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.

RESULTS

Biosurfactants, namely rhamnolipids and sophorolipids, were obtained via fermentation. Bioplasticizers, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) and monoglycerides (MAG), were developed via enzymatic catalysis with selected enzymes in mesophilic temperatures via ethanolysis and glycerolysis, respectively. The study revealed that air emissions, electricity and thermal energy requirements are the key contributors to the potential environmental impacts in the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). More specifically, rhamnolipids production has less energetic needs compared with sophorolipids manufacturing, resulting in lower environmental impacts. The increased thermal requirements of the MAG production phase is the main contributor to their negative environmental performance, with the overall energy consumption for MAG production being 3‐fold higher than for the FAEE formation phase.

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment identified that among the biosurfactant production processes, sophorolipids production resulted in 22.7% higher environmental impact compared with rhamnolipids. Similarly, FAEE production can be classified as a more environment‐ friendly process compared with MAG, resulting in 67% lower environmental impact based on the environmental indicators assessed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Growing Chlorella vulgaris on mixed wastewaters for biodiesel feedstock production and nutrient removal
Authors: Deng Xiangyuan , Gao Kun , Addy Min , Chen Paul , Li Da , Zhang Renchuan , Lu Qian , Ma Yiwei , Cheng Yanling , Liu Yuhuan , Ruan Roger
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Large water footprint and nutrients demand are two of the major issues during microalgae cultivation. In this study, anaerobically digested swine manure was mixed with centrate at different minimal dilution multiples (2×, 3×, 4×, 6× and 8×), which was used as media to cultivate Chlorella vulgaris (UTEX 2714) for reducing the production cost of algae cultivation and balancing the nutrient profiles of culture media.

RESULTS

Chlorella vulgaris (UTEX 2714) grew well on the mixed wastewaters with a biomass productivity of 132.2 to 440.3 mg L−1 d−1. Nutrients in the mixed wastewaters were removed effectively by this alga, and the removal efficiencies of ammonium (NH4+‐N), total nitrogen (TN), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus (TP) ranged from 98.3, 46.9, 30.2 and 21.8 to 99.3, 71.4, 42.2 and 80.4%, respectively. Additionally, chemical compositions, such as pigments, carbohydrate, protein and lipids, in this alga varied with the change of dilution multiple due to the different nutrient profiles of culture media. Predicted properties of biodiesel from the oils of this alga satisfied the specifications of biodiesel, ASTM D6751‐08 and EN 14214 standards.

CONCLUSION

Biomass of C. vulgaris (UTEX 2714) can be used as a good‐quality feedstock for biodiesel production when grown on mixed wastewaters. This novel integration of using mixed wastewaters to cultivate microalgae would be an effective way to reduce the production cost of algal biomass. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Histomorphometry of pancreas development in hybrid chicken (Galus galus) embryo and fetus
Authors: da Silva Andrezza Braga Soares , Fonseca Clarisse Maria Barbosa , Cavalcante Maria Michele Araújo de Sousa , de Oliveira Ingrid Macedo , Ferraz Maíra Soares , Viana Felipe José Costa , Fontenele Rayssa Dourado , Conde Júnior Airton Mendes
Published: March 2018

The pancreas comprises an important metabolic organ of endocrine and exocrine character that has embryonic origin of rudimentary buds that fuse to form the organ. The present work aims to describe the pancreatic histogenesis of hybrid chick embryos (Gallus gallus). The research was performed in the UFPI, previously approved by the CEUA with protocol no. 040/15. We used 120 fertilized eggs of hybrid chickens kept in an incubator with controlled temperature and humidity. Daily collections of embryos and fetuses were performed from 4 to 21 days of incubation through the anatomical dissection consecutive the euthanasia. The tissues, previously fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, were submitted to histological processing and stained with hematoxylin–eosin. Finally, the mounted slides were analyzed in image software to obtain histomorphometric data, which were submitted to statistical analysis. The pancreas of hybrid chicken embryos originates around the fourth day of incubation with the dorsal and ventral pancreatic bud formation, which are composed by epithelial and mesenchymal cells. These cells differ in exocrine and endocrine cells. Around twelve embryonic days occurs the buds fusion and the immature organ formation that will give continue with the ductal system development, vascularization and compartmentalization of the endocrine and exocrine parts. Until 21st day of incubation it is possible to identify undifferentiated tissue forms which suggesting postnatal histogenesis. The description of pancreas histogenesis using histometric data on hybrid chicken embryos contributes to the clarification of embryonic development and reaffirms the premise that chickens serve as an experimental model for embryonic study of mammals.
Reduced innate immunity of Cuban Treefrogs at leading edge of range expansion
Authors: Goetz Scott M. , Romagosa Christina M. , Appel Arthur G. , Guyer Craig , Mendonça Mary T.
Published: March 2018

During geographic range expansion, populations of non‐indigenous species at the invasion front may benefit from directing resources away from immune defense. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the strength of two innate immune components in populations of invasive Cuban Treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in a long‐colonized area (core region) and at the invasion front (leading‐edge region). First, we compared the region‐specific metabolic response of frogs injected with an endotoxin that induces systemic inflammation (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) to sham‐injected control frogs pooled from both regions. Males and females were analyzed independently because we detected a sex‐related difference in mass‐independent metabolism of control frogs, with males exhibiting a significantly higher metabolic rate (F1, 21 = 29.02, P < 0.001) than females. We observed a significantly higher metabolic rate in LPS‐injected core frogs compared with control frogs for both males (P = 0.041) and females (P = 0.007). Conversely, in leading‐edge populations, there was no significant difference in the metabolic rate of LPS‐injected and control frogs (males, P  = 0.195; females, P  = 0.132). Second, we directly compared bacterial killing ability of frog blood plasma between regions. Bactericidal ability of plasma was significantly greater in frogs from the core region in comparison with those at the leading edge (F1, 26  = 28.67, P < 0.001). For both immune components that we examined, populations from the core exhibited stronger immune responses. Our findings support hypotheses predicting an inverse relationship between immunity and range expansion.
Hexahydrospiro‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐4,1′‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinolines Derived from 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐1,2‐dione
Authors: Saatluo Bahman Ebrahimi , Baradarani Mehdi M. , Joule John A.
Published: March 2018

The tricyclic isatin, 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐1,2‐dione (1), reacts with a combination of an aryl cyanomethyl ketone 8 and a 5‐amino‐1‐arylpyrazole 7 to generate spirocyclic products 9.
Silicon Photonics Circuit Design: Methods, Tools and Challenges
Authors: Bogaerts Wim , Chrostowski Lukas
Published: March 2018

Silicon Photonics technology is rapidly maturing as a platform for larger‐scale photonic circuits. As a result, the associated design methodologies are also evolving from component‐oriented design to a more circuit‐oriented design flow, that makes abstraction from the very detailed geometry and enables design on a larger scale. In this paper, the state of this emerging photonic circuit design flow and its synergies with electronic design automation (EDA) are reviewed. The design flow from schematic capture, circuit simulation, layout and verification is covered. The similarities and the differences between photonic and electronic design, and the challenges and opportunities that present themselves in the new photonic design landscape, such as variability analysis, photonic‐electronic co‐simulation and compact model definition are discussed.
Ultrafast Raman fiber Laser with Random Distributed Feedback
Authors: Pan Weiwei , Zhang Lei , Jiang Huawei , Yang Xuezong , Cui Shuzhen , Feng Yan
Published: March 2018

Ultrafast Raman fiber lasers are wavelength‐agile light sources for various scientific and medical applications. Pulse pumping is an efficient way to generate a high power ultrafast Raman fiber laser, which however requires real‐time synchronization between the pump pulses and laser cavity. A pulse pumped Raman fiber laser with random distributed feedback is investigated. Under repetitive pulse pumping, compound cavities based on distributed Rayleigh scattering are formed automatically to synchronize with the pump pulse train. In a proof of principle experiment, self‐synchronization is observed and a stable picosecond pulsed random laser is generated at 1120 nm with an average power of 170 mW. Raman gain and random distributed feedback are spatially separated in the present pulse pumped laser configuration. This allows a direct characterization of the random distributed feedback and a comparison between random lasing and amplified spontaneous emission, which is not possible in previous continuous wave pumped random Raman fiber lasers.
Diversity of microbial communities potentially involved in mercury methylation in rice paddies surrounding typical mercury mining areas in China
Authors: Liu Xin , Ma Anzhou , Zhuang Guoqiang , Zhuang Xuliang
Published: March 2018

Mercury can be a serious hazard to human health, especially in paddy soils surrounding mining areas. In this study, mercury (Hg)‐methylating microbes with the potential biomarker gene hgcA were obtained from 45 paddy soil samples in mercury mining areas in Fenghuang, Wanshan, and Xunyang. In different areas, the abundance of the hgcA gene was affected by different environmental factors, including organic matter, pH, total carbon content, total nitrogen content, and total mercury content. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hgcA microbes in paddy soils were potentially members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Chloroflexi, and two unnamed groups. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that pH and organic matter impacted the hgcA gene diversity and the microbial community structures in paddy soils. The identification of Hg‐methylating microbes may be crucial for understanding mercury methylation/demethylation processes, which would be helpful in assessing the risk of methylmercury contamination in the food chain.
Distributed dynamic load balancing with applications in radio access networks
Authors: Kreuger Per , Steinert Rebecca , Görnerup Olof , Gillblad Daniel
Published: March 2018

Managing and balancing load in distributed systems remains a challenging problem in resource management, especially in networked systems where scalability concerns favour distributed and dynamic approaches. Distributed methods can also integrate well with centralised control paradigms if they provide high‐level usage statistics and control interfaces for supporting and deploying centralised policy decisions. We present a general method to compute target values for an arbitrary metric on the local system state and show that autonomous rebalancing actions based on the target values can be used to reliably and robustly improve the balance for metrics based on probabilistic risk estimates. To balance the trade‐off between balancing efficiency and cost, we introduce 2 methods of deriving rebalancing actuations from the computed targets that depend on parameters that directly affects the trade‐off. This enables policy level control of the distributed mechanism based on collected metric statistics from network elements. Evaluation results based on cellular radio access network simulations indicate that load balancing based on probabilistic overload risk metrics provides more robust balancing solutions with fewer handovers compared to a baseline setting based on average load.
The Growth of Species and the Making of Timeless Forms: Divine Objects and Extraordinary Bodies in Fijian Ritual Polities
Authors: Abramson Allen
Published: March 2018

Oceanic polities and social organizations are often characterized as life‐giving systems that reproduce specific modes of humanity in ritual cycles of cosmogony or in regenerative flows of ancestral substance and relatedness. These portrayals typically enforce a strong ontological contrast between the properties of human beings and those of their immortal forebears. This paper shows in detail how, far from reproducing human life as a dilution of ancestral timelessness in a specifically human realm, Fijian ritual polities act as ‘paradise machines’, working to assemble precisely configured axes of natural species, human beings, manufactured objects, ancestors, and divinities as simulacra of the mythically narrated and danced domain of Nakauvadra. By comprehending Fijian ritual polities as hopeful denials of specifically human being, light is shed upon the cosmological significance of familiar modes of ritual hierarchy and ceremonial gift‐giving, but also of technical synthesis that has as its mission the material recomposition of these axes of timeless forms and relations: or, as in the case of sorcery, their deathly technical negation.
Impact of supramolecular interactions on swelling and release behavior of UPy functionalized HEMA‐based hydrogels
Authors: Maleki Sara E. , Shokrollahi Parvin , Barzin Jalal
Published: March 2018

Supramolecular polymeric hydrogels based on copolymers of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and HEMA functionalized with ureidopyrimidinone (quadruple H‐bonding motifs and HU comonomer) were prepared at different HU comonomer ratios (PH‐Sn, n = HU mol%). For comparison, HEMA homopolymers (PH‐Cn, n = mol% of a chemical cross‐linker) were synthesized. In contrast to PH‐S0, PH‐Sn copolymers act like cross‐linked hydrogels and absorb large amounts of water while retaining shape. Viscosities of the hydrogels decreased, and elastic and loss moduli increased with increasing HU content. Compression modulus of the swollen PH‐Sn hydrogels increased with HU content and varied between 54 and 240 kPa. Study of metronidazole loading/release behaviors of PH‐S6 hydrogel against PH‐C6 revealed a negligible burst effect for the former and a sustained release that continued for about 120 hours. We conclude that modification of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with HU through urethane linkages is an effective strategy to developing physical hydrogels with predictable behavior for biomedical applications.
Characterization and analysis of torsion property of carbon fiber bundle combined with epoxy resin
Authors: Fan Haichao , Gu Yizhuo , Wang Shaokai , Li Min , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: March 2018

This study established a torsion testing method for carbon fiber bundle combined epoxy resin and investigated torsional properties of several kinds of carbon fiber with different epoxy matrix. Torsion strength and modulus were calculated to characterize the torsional properties. The effects of testing conditions including aspect ratio of sample, testing speed and resin content in bundle on measured torsional results were ascertained for choosing appropriate conditions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation on fractured sample and single fiber pull‐out test were carried out to illustrate the relationship between torsion property and the properties of carbon fiber, matrix, and interface. The experimental results show that the proposed method can obtain torsion strength and modulus with good data reliability using optimized testing conditions. Higher elongation of carbon fiber leads to larger torsion strength. SEM shows that low‐elongation carbon fiber tends to fail easier with brittle failure mode. Torsion modulus strongly depends on modulus of resin matrix, rather than tensile modulus of carbon fiber. Moreover, better interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix results in large torsion strength when matrix elongation is at equivalent level. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2529–E2539, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Divergent transcriptional profiles in pediatric asthma patients of low and high socioeconomic status
Authors: Miller Gregory E. , Chen Edith , Shalowitz Madeleine U. , Story Rachel E. , Leigh Adam K. K. , Ham Paula , Arevalo Jesusa M. G. , Cole Steve W.
Published: March 2018

Aim

There are marked socioeconomic disparities in pediatric asthma control, but the molecular origins of these disparities are not well understood. To fill this gap, we performed genome‐wide expression profiling of monocytes and T‐helper cells from pediatric asthma patients of lower and higher socioeconomic status (SES).

Method

Ninety‐nine children with asthma participated in a cross‐sectional assessment. Out of which 87% were atopic, and most had disease of mild (54%) or moderate (29%) severity. Children were from lower‐SES (n = 49; household income <$50 000) or higher‐SES (n = 50; household income >$140 000) families. Peripheral blood monocytes and T‐helper cells were isolated for genome‐wide expression profiling of mRNA.

Results

Lower‐SES children had worse asthma quality of life relative to higher‐SES children, by both their own and their parents’ reports. Although the groups had similar disease severity and potential confounds were controlled, their transcriptional profiles differed notably. The monocytes of lower‐SES children showed transcriptional indications of up‐regulated anti‐microbial and pro‐inflammatory activity. The T‐helper cells of lower‐SES children also had comparatively reduced expression of genes encoding γ‐interferon and tumor necrosis factor‐α, cytokines that orchestrate Type 1 responses. They also showed up‐regulated activity of transcription factors that polarize cells towards Type 2 responses and promote Th17 cell maturation.

Conclusion

Collectively, these patterns implicate pro‐inflammatory monocytes and Type 2 cytokine activity as mechanisms contributing to worse asthma control among lower‐SES children.
The timing and extent of acute physiotherapy involvement following lung transplantation: An observational study
Authors: Tarrant Benjamin James , Holland Anne , Le Maitre Caitlin , Robinson Rebecca , Corbett Monique , Bondarenko Janet , Button Brenda , Thompson Bruce , Snell Greg
Published: March 2018

Background and purpose

Physiotherapy “standard care” for the acute post lung transplant recipient has not yet been documented. We aimed to analyse how soon patients commence exercise and how much time is dedicated to this during physiotherapy sessions acutely post lung transplantation.

Methods

Prospective observational study of bilateral sequential and single lung transplant recipients for any indication, ≥18 years. Participants were observed during 6 physiotherapy sessions: 3 initial and 3 prior to acute inpatient discharge. Duration and content of each session was recorded, consisting of physical exercise and non‐exercise tasks.

Results

Thirty participants, 20 male, median age 58.5 (interquartile range 54.5–65.0) were observed over 173 sessions. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the most common transplant indication (n = 12, 40%). Bilateral lung transplant was performed in 90% (n = 27) of participants. First time to mobilise was 2 (2–3) days. Participants received 14 (12.8–23.8) sessions over 18 (17–31) days. The mean duration of physiotherapy in the initial phase was 107.8 (standard deviation 21.8) min, with 22.9 (7.5) min spent exercising. In the final phase, exercise time increased to 28.1 (11.4) min out of 84.1 (24.6) min. Assessment was the most common non‐exercise component, at 26.6 (7.9) and 22.1 (12.5) min across the three initial and final sessions.

Implications for physiotherapy practice

Lung transplant recipients spent 21–34% of observed sessions performing physical exercise beginning 48 hr following surgery. Remaining physiotherapist time was spent on assessment, respiratory interventions, education, and patient‐specific duties. The use of physiotherapy assistants, structured, progressive exercise programs, and continued workplace innovation may enable a higher percentage of physiotherapist supervised physical exercise in the future.
GaN‐Based Vertical n‐Channel MISFETs on Free Standing Ammonothermal GaN Substrates
Authors: Treidel Eldad Bahat , Hilt Oliver , Stöver Julian , Hoffmann Veit , Brunner Frank , Ickert Karina , Hochheim Stefan , Naumann Franziska , Gargouri Hassan , Martinez Bryan , Weyers Markus , Würfl Joachim
Published: March 2018

In this work, a vertical n‐channel MISFET homoepitaxially grown on ammonothermal n‐type GaN substrates by MOVPE is demonstrated. The MIS gate module consists of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 combined with in‐situ NH3 plasma surface pre‐treatment. An annealing step performed at 350 °C in N2 ambient drastically improves device performance. It reduces the ON‐state resistance from ≈12.0 k Ω mm to ≈150 Ω mm, increases the ON‐OFF ratio from 106 to 108, and lifts up Ids_max from  ≈ 0.25 to ≈ 40 mA mm−1. The threshold voltage is above +5 V and the median vertical off‐state blocking voltage strength is ≈68 V μm−1. Accumulated C–V characterization of planar MIS‐capacitors on n‐GaN gives insight to mechanisms boosting device performance after annealing.
Thermal and Optical Properties of In and In2O3 Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Pulsed Plasma in Water
Authors: Kelgenbaeva Zhazgul , Khandaker Jahirul I. , Ihara Hirotaka , Omurzak Emil , Sulaimankulova Saadat , Mashimo Tsutomu
Published: March 2018

We present small indium (In) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4.5 nm synthesized by pulsed plasma in water. Slightly increased lattice constants and thermal stability of the tetragonal In are revealed by X‐ray diffraction analysis, Rietveld refinement, and thermogravimetric analysis. The highly crystalline body‐centered cubic indium oxide (In2O3) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 12 nm and various shapes (semispherical, semihexagonal, and semicubic) are obtained by annealing the as‐synthesized In nanoparticles at 450 °C. The bandgap energy of the In2O3 nanoparticles is 3.63 eV; the value is 25% higher than that of bulk In2O3 and comparable to those of In2O3 nanoparticles/thin films prepared by other methods, despite their smaller size.
Evaluating PFAS cross contamination issues
Authors: Bartlett Samuel A. , Davis Katherine L.
Published: March 2018

Avoiding cross contamination from per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may occur during sampling of environmental media is the key to ensure reliable analytical results during a PFAS sampling program. Due to the ubiquitous nature of PFAS in commonly used sampling materials and personal protective equipment, mitigating the risk of cross contamination is a challenge that requires a conservative approach when planning and executing a PFAS sampling program. This article describes a conservative approach to PFAS sampling and includes a case study that evaluated three insect repellent products to determine their suitability for use during PFAS investigation. The three products were verified to be PFAS‐free for the 17 PFAS included in the analysis and, therefore, these products are suitable for use during PFAS sampling activities without concern for cross contamination.
Electrochemical oxidation of PFOA and PFOS in concentrated waste streams
Authors: Liang Shangtao , Pierce Randall "David" , Lin Hui , Chiang Sheau‐Yun (Dora) , Huang Qingguo "Jack"
Published: March 2018

The electrochemical oxidation (EO) of environmentally persistent perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) with a Magnéli phase Ti4O7 electrode was investigated in this study. After 3 hours (hr) of electrolysis, 96.0 percent of PFOA (10 milligrams per liter [mg/L] in 100 milliliters [mL] 100 millimolar [mM] Na2SO4 solution) was removed following pseudo first‐order kinetics (k = 0.0226 per minute [min]) with the degradation half‐life of 30.7 min. Under the same treatment conditions, PFOS (10 mg/L in 100 mL 100 mM Na2SO4 solution) removal reached 98.9 percent with a pseudo first‐order degradation rate constant of 0.0491/min and the half‐life of 14.1 min. Although, the degradation of PFOA was slower than PFOS, when subjected to EO treatment in separate solutions, PFOA appeared to degrade faster than PFOS when both are present in the same solution, indicating possible competition between PFOA and PFOS during Ti4O7 anode‐based EO treatment with PFOA having the competitive advantage. Moreover, the EO treatment was applied to degrade highly concentrated PFOA (100.5 mg/L) and PFOS (68.6 mg/L) in ion‐exchange resin regenerant (still bottom) with high organic carbon content (15,800 mg/L). After 17‐hr electrolysis, the total removal of PFOA and PFOS was 77.2 and 96.5 percent, respectively, and the fluoride concentration increased from 0.84 mg/L to 836 mg/L. Also, the dark brown color of the original solution gradually faded during EO treatment. In another test using still bottom samples with lower total organic carbon (9,880 mg/L), the PFOA (15.5 mg/L) and PFOS (25.5 mg/L) concentrations were reduced to levels below the limits of quantification after 16‐hr treatment. In addition, the performance of EO treatment using different batch reactor setups was compared in this study, including one‐sided (one anode:one cathode) and two‐sided (one anode:two cathodes) setups. The two‐sided reactor configuration significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency, likely due to the larger anode area available for reactions.
Leveraging the Potential of Endomycorrhizal Spores and Montmorillonite for Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption from Aqueous Phase
Authors: Sathvika Talasila , Mudaliyar Manasi , Rajesh Vidya , Rajesh Nagarathnam
Published: March 2018

Multidisciplinary approach involving biotechnology and chemistry opens up avenues to develop adsorbent materials that can be very useful to alleviate heavy metal toxicity. Towards this direction, we have explored the potential of endomycorrizhal fungal spores in conjunction with a clay mineral as a novel approach for chromium (VI) adsorption. The immobilization of AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungus) spores in montmorillonite (in its Na+ form) provides a good platform to adsorb hexavalent chromium. The adsorption was observed at pH 2.0‐3.0 involving the electrostatic interaction between the functional groups present in the fungi‐clay biosorbent surface and tetraoxohydrochromate (VI) anion. Diverse characterization techniques such as Fourier Transform‐Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to observe the interaction of chromium with the biosorbent. Batch adsorption studies involving the experimental variables such as pH variation, kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics were performed. Pseudo second order kinetics coupled with a Langmuir adsorption capacity of 11.185 mg g−1was realized for this biosorption process. The biosorbent was stable and regenerated for three adsorption‐desorption cycles using sodium hydroxide.
Magnetic Nanocomposite of Cross‐Linked Melamine Groups Decorated with Large Amounts of Gold NPs: Reduction of Nitro Compounds and Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reactions in Aqueous Media
Authors: Pourjavadi Porf. Ali , Keshavarzi Nahid , Moghaddam Firouz Matloubi , Hosseini Seyed Hassan
Published: March 2018

A magnetic nanocomposite was prepared based on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles entrapped into a cross‐linked nitrogen rich polymer which has high loading capacity for immobilization of gold nanoparticles. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using various methods including Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy ( FT‐IR), Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), VSM and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The catalyst was proven to be highly efficient for reduction of nitroarenes as well as Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction. The reduction of nitroarenes and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction were performed in water medium and excellent yields of the products were achieved. The catalyst was easily recovered and recycled several times without any significant loss of catalytic activity.
Synthesis, Theory and In Vitro Photodynamic Activities of New Copper(II)‐Histidinito Complexes
Authors: Musib Dulal , Banerjee Samya , Garai Aditya , Soraisam Uzeeta , Roy Mithun
Published: March 2018

The photo‐dynamic effect of four new copper(II)‐histidinito complexes with phenanthroline‐based ligands were studied in details. All the complexes were tested against HeLa (Human Cervical Carcinoma) and 3T3 (normal fibroblast) cells both in dark and in visible light. Although the complexes were toxic to HeLa cells (IC50 ∼ 10 μM), visible light (400‐700 nm) remarkably enhanced the cytotoxicity of the complexes to the extent of sub‐micromolar level. Several photo‐physical measurements along with the Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations rationalize the level of photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect of the complexes, which is related to the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) on photo‐activation. Presence of low lying, long‐lived triplet excited states facilitating the effective intersystem crossing was responsible for generation of higher level of singlet oxygen in pyrenyl complex. High level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on photo‐activation is primarily responsible for apoptotic photo‐cytotoxicity. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the cytosolic localization of the complex.Overall results are of paramount importance towards designing of next generation metal‐based PDT agents as the viable alternatives of porphyrins.
Novel Trifluoromethyl Pyridine Derivatives Bearing a 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Moiety as Potential Insecticide
Authors: Xu Fangzhou , Wang Yanyan , Luo Dexia , Yu Gang , Wu Yikun , Dai Ali , Zhao Yonghui , Wu Jian
Published: March 2018

A series of trifluoromethyl pyridine derivatives containing an 1,3,4‐oxadiazole moiety was synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 19F NMR, 13C NMR, and HR‐MS. The bio‐assay results indicated that some of the synthesized compounds exhibited good insecticidal activity against Mythimna separate and Plutella xylostella. Most of the synthesized compound showed 100% activity against the two pests at 500 mg⋅L−1; in practically, the value of median lethal concentration (LC50) for some title compounds was much lower than that of commercial chlorpyrifos. Preliminary structure‐activity relationship was also discussed.
A Novel Approach to Access Aryl Iodides and Disulfides via Dehydrazination of Arylhydrazines and Arylsulfonylhydrazides
Authors: Balgotra Shilpi , Kumar Verma Praveen , Kour Jaspreet , Gupta Sorav , Vishwakarma Ram A. , Sawant Sanghapal D.
Published: March 2018

The direct iodination of arylhydrazines was achieved using I2 and KOAc in excellent yields. In addition, disulfides were synthesized from arylsulfonylhydrazides in high yields using same catalytic system. The advantageous feature of the present protocol is the exclusion of transition metal catalyst from the reaction for dehydrazination. A number of labile functionalities remain intact during the reaction.
Nickel Doped Aluminophosphate‐5 as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Imine Synthesis by Direct Condensation of Alcohols and Amines at Room Temperature
Authors: Jin Yangxin , Ke Qingping , Li Dandan , Lei Zhao , Ling Qiang , Xu Jin , Cui Ping
Published: March 2018

Ni doped hierarchical micro‐mesoporous AlPO‐5 molecule sieve (HP‐NiAlPO‐5) was prepared and evaluated as the heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of imines by direct condensation of amines and easily accessible alcohols. The catalyst exhibits encouraging efficiency with isolated yields up to 95% and turnover frequency (TOF) number up to 10.7 h−1 for a variety of amines and alcohols with varied substrates and properties. The moderate reaction conditions, namely, room temperature of 303 K and air as the oxidant, together with the decent stability and reusability after cycles, make HP‐NiAlPO‐5 a promising alternative for the future large‐scale applications. Characterizations and detailed comparison among catalysts with different compositions revealed that the superiority of HP‐NiAlPO‐5 can be attributed to synergistic effects of the uniform framework of the AlPO‐5 molecular sieve and readily accessibility of highly dispersed Ni nano particles on hierarchical micro‐mesoporous support. It was found that the levels of H2 consumption on several metals during H2 temperature programmed reduction are directly related to their catalytic performances.
Microfluidic Model Porous Media: Fabrication and Applications
Authors: Anbari Alimohammad , Chien Hung‐Ta , Datta Sujit S. , Deng Wen , Weitz David A. , Fan Jing
Published: March 2018

Complex fluid flow in porous media is ubiquitous in many natural and industrial processes. Direct visualization of the fluid structure and flow dynamics is critical for understanding and eventually manipulating these processes. However, the opacity of realistic porous media makes such visualization very challenging. Micromodels, microfluidic model porous media systems, have been developed to address this challenge. They provide a transparent interconnected porous network that enables the optical visualization of the complex fluid flow occurring inside at the pore scale. In this Review, the materials and fabrication methods to make micromodels, the main research activities that are conducted with micromodels and their applications in petroleum, geologic, and environmental engineering, as well as in the food and wood industries, are discussed. The potential applications of micromodels in other areas are also discussed and the key issues that should be addressed in the near future are proposed.
Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor Based on Synergistical Innerconnect Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanowires/Wrinkled Graphene Film
Authors: Liu Weijie , Liu Nishuang , Yue Yang , Rao Jiangyu , Cheng Feng , Su Jun , Liu Zhitian , Gao Yihua
Published: March 2018

Piezoresistive sensor is a promising pressure sensor due to its attractive advantages including uncomplicated signal collection, simple manufacture, economical and practical characteristics. Here, a flexible and highly sensitive pressure sensor based on wrinkled graphene film (WGF)/innerconnected polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanowires/interdigital electrodes is fabricated. Due to the synergistic effect between WGF and innerconnected PVA nanowires, the as‐prepared pressure sensor realizes a high sensitivity of 28.34 kPa−1. In addition, the device is able to discern lightweight rice about 22.4 mg (≈2.24 Pa) and shows excellent durability and reliability after 6000 repeated loading and unloading cycles. What is more, the device can detect subtle pulse beat and monitor various human movement behaviors in real‐time.
Finely Tuned Composition in Conjugated Polyelectrolytes for Interfacial Engineering of Efficient Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Xiang , Chen Zhiming , Xu Rongguo , Zhang Ruiwen , Hu Zhicheng , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: March 2018

Conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) work as highly efficient interface materials in organic optoelectronic devices. A series of CPEs is presented with tunable composition designed to study the evolution of backbones in CPEs and their effects on the properties and photovoltaic performance of the CPEs. The introduction of electron‐withdrawing moieties into the main chains can improve the photostability, doping strength, and electron mobility of these CPEs. These CPEs can work well as cathode interfacial layers and enhance device performance by improving interface contact and inducing interface doping, thus enabling efficient polymer solar cells with power conversion efficiencies greater than 10%. Moreover, CPEs with a greater content of electron‐withdrawing moieties possess greater mobility and can work as thickness‐insensitive cathode interfacial layers, which indicates great potential for application in future large‐scale polymer solar cells.
Colossal Broad Band Antireflection from Conformally Grown Cu2O on Pyramidally Textured Si and its Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Satpati Biswarup , Singh Avanendra , Som Tapobrata
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we show the efficacy of a conformally grown, self‐organized Cu2O overlayer on chemically synthesized, pyramidally textured silicon substrate for a colossal suppression of optical reflection loss. In particular, we demonstrate that p‐Cu2O film deposited on a chemically textured n‐Si substrate shows an ultra‐low average surface reflectance (≈0.25%) over the entire spectral range (300–2400 nm), whereas the same turns out to be ≈25% for the film deposited on an as‐obtained n‐type Si substrate. It is observed that in the former case, Cu2O grows in the form of leaf‐like nanostructures, which is attributed to be responsible for such a low reflectance. In addition, under both configurations, the p‐Cu2O/n‐Si heterostructure shows a non‐linear current–voltage characteristics, clearly suggesting the formation of barrier junctions. Further, it is found that a solar cell fabricated with p‐Cu2O overlayer grown on a pyramidally textured n‐Si substrate shows an eight times higher efficiency compared to the one grown on an as‐obtained n‐Si substrate. This study will pave the way to design cost‐effective and efficient copper oxide‐based solar cells.