bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shipping and Trade
Authors: Davis Ralph
Published: January 2019

This chapter explores the demand for trade in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries through analysis of statistics that reflected the value of commodities. It examines the demand for tonnage; international competition for outward cargo; commodities and their fluctuating values; the seasonality of crops; the increase in merchant wealth in the eighteenth century; the consequences of fluctuating demand; the coastal trade; the function of tramps and liners; and shipping costs and monopolies. Resultingly, British shipping declined considerably in the early eighteenth century, though this was also exacerbated in large part due to the declaration of peace after the Dutch Wars. It concludes with a summary of statistical sources used in this chapter and the subsequent five.
Requests in tourist information office service encounters
Authors: Salazar Patricia , Orts Sara
Published: January 2019

Traditionally, the speech act of requesting has been regarded as a face-threatening act (Brown & Levinson, 1987) due to the impositive nature on the addressee’s negative face. Yet, in specific service encounters, requests can no longer be seen as threatening (Antonopoulou, 2001). This is the case of tourist information offices, where mitigators may not be present due to the task-oriented nature of the exchange. This study aims to widen the scope of research on service encounters by examining 147 naturally occurring requests by native speakers of English in a tourist information office taking into account the variable of gender. Our findings suggest that females used more direct questions whereas men employed want statements to a much higher extent. These results have to be understood within the context of this specific service encounter, in which direct requests do not imply impoliteness or threats to the requestee’s negative face.
Study of accuracy and grammatical complexity in EFL writing
Authors: Lahuerta Ana Cristina
Published: January 2019

The present study seeks to compare the writing products of EFL undergraduates using as measures accuracy and grammatical complexity. It also intends to describe the evolution of the morphological and syntactic errors as English is used by learners. A total of 100 learners of English as a foreign language participated in the study. They were divided into two groups according to their Oxford Placement Test score: group A was formed by 36 advanced students; and group B was made up of 64 upper intermediate students. Compositions were collected as the basis of this study. Results show that upper intermediate students exhibited a higher error mean in each of the error categories, namely, grammatical morphemes, lexical choice and syntax, as well as punctuation and spelling. However, an analysis of variance shows the differences between groups to be significant only in spelling errors and in punctuation errors.
Promotion through claiming centrality in L1 and L2 English Research Article Introductions
Authors: Abdi Jalil , Sadeghi Karim
Published: January 2019

Marketization in all public spheres including academic discourse has led to the increased importance of promotion. One of the promotional tools usually used in Research Articles Introductions (RAIs) is claiming centrality which can be realized through different linguistic and textual resources. In this study, our aim was to explore differences between native and non-native writers in the use of strategies for claiming centrality in RAIs. To this end, a corpus of 50 RAIs (25 L1 and 25 L2 which were written by native English and non-native Iranian writers, respectively) was compiled and analyzed in terms of the strategies used for claiming centrality introduced by Wang and Yang (2015). The introductions were read through closely and the types and orientations of the strategies were identified. Then, the two sub-corpora were compared to highlight differences and/or similarities. The results showed that the mean occurrence of centrality claims in general is nearly the same in both groups of texts while in terms of the specific strategies employed to make such claims there are some differences between them. The findings of this study can serve EAP/ESP practitioners and learners as well as those wishing to publish their research internationally by raising their awareness in this regard and helping them report their research findings more convincingly.
The construction of authorial voice in writing research articles: A corpus-based study from an APPRAISAL theory perspective
Authors: Zhang Weiyu , Cheung Yin Ling
Published: January 2019

This study explores voice from an APPRAISAL theory perspective. It aims to investigate how published research writers deploy ATTITUDE and GRADUATION resources to review existing literature in the field. The study is based on a corpus of literature reviews (LRs) from 204 research articles (RAs) in computer networks and communications (CNC) and second language writing (SLW). Findings show that 1) writers demonstrate a strong preference to express their attitude through APPRECIATION rather than AFFECT and JUDGEMENT resources; 2) more FORCE than FOCUS resources are used to upgrade attitudinal meanings realized through ATTITUDE resources or to evoke APPRECIATION; and 3) one-way ANOVA and post hoc tests have detected significant differences in the use of AFFECT and JUDGEMENT resources and in two sub-categories of FORCE and FOCUS resources. The study contributes to new knowledge by relating ATTITUDE and GRADUATION resources to the construction of voice in the disciplines of CNC and SLW.
Analysis of pragmatic items in an ESL online adaptive placement test
Authors: Carrió-Pastor María Luisa , Martín Marchante Beatriz
Published: January 2019

The work at hand is part of a wider study the aim of which was to determine what kind of factors influence pragmatic failure in an online adaptive placement test taken by Spanish students in their first year at university. A preceding analysis (Carrió and Martín, 2016) showed the type of personal factors that caused the exam takers pragmatic failure according to their own perception. In this paper, we go deeper and search about what specific pragmatic categories the items more frequently failed in the test belong to, so that we can reach some conclusions about its content validity and state whether the pragmatics construct is underrepresented or not in this test.
АНАЛИЗА ПРОМЈЕНА ЕКСТРЕМНИХ КЛИМАТСКИХ ИНДЕКСА У МОСТАРУ
Authors: Попов Татјана , Гњато Слободан , Трбић Горан
Published: January 2019

Рад анализира промјене екстремних климатских индекса у Мостару (Босна и Херцеговина) у периоду1961−2015. године. Функције густине вјероватноће за 30 индекса екстремних температура и падавина израчунатесу за два потпериода: 1961−1990. и 1991−2015. године. Резултати показују да је већина топлих температурнихиндекса забиљежила значајно помјерање дистрибуције према вишим вриједностима индекса у другом периоду.Мање изражено помјерање према нижим вриједностима индекса утврђено је за хладне температурне индексе.Међутим, оба обрасца промјена указују да је на истраживаном подручју од 1990-их присутан изражен трендзагријавања. Анализе су показале да су најизраженије промјене забиљежене у сезони љето. Дистрибуцијаиндекса екстремних падавина није показала једноставан образац помјерења у расподјели између два наведенапериода. Промјене вриједности параметара дистрибуције Генерализованих екстремних вриједности (локацијскогпараметра, параметра дисперзије и параметра облика) сугеришу да су у посматраном периоду интензитет иваријабилност температура и падавина повећани.
Generating single cell-derived knockout clones in mammalian cells with CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Giuliano Christopher J , Lin Ann , Sheltzer Jason
Published: January 2019

CRISPR/Cas9 technology enables the rapid and efficient generation of total loss-of- function mutations in a targeted gene in mammalian cells. A single cell that harbors those mutations can be used to establish a new cell line, thereby creating a CRISPR-induced knockout clone. These clonal cell lines serve as crucial tools for exploring protein function, analyzing the consequences of gene loss, and investigating the specificity of various biological reagents. However, the successful derivation of knockout clones may be technically challenging and can be complicated by multiple factors, including incomplete target ablation and inter-clonal heterogeneity. Here, we describe optimized protocols and plasmids for generating clonal knockouts in mammalian cell lines. We provide strategies for guide RNA design, CRISPR delivery, and knockout validation that facilitate the derivation and identification of true knockout clones and that are amenable to multiplexed gene targeting. These protocols will be broadly useful for researchers seeking to apply CRISPR to study gene function in mammalian cells.
Generative modeling of multi-mapping reads with mHi-C advances analysis of Hi-C studies
Authors: Zheng Ye , Ay Ferhat , Keles Sunduz
Published: January 2019

Current Hi-C analysis approaches are unable to account for reads that align to multiple locations, and hence underestimate biological signal from repetitive regions of genomes. We developed and validated mHi-C, a multi-read mapping strategy to probabilistically allocate Hi-C multi-reads. mHi-C exhibited superior performance over utilizing only uni-reads and heuristic approaches aimed at rescuing multi-reads on benchmarks. Specifically, mHi-C increased the sequencing depth by an average of 20% resulting in higher reproducibility of contact matrices and detected interactions across biological replicates. The impact of the multi-reads on the detection of significant interactions is influenced marginally by the relative contribution of multi-reads to the sequencing depth compared to uni-reads, cis-to-trans ratio of contacts, and the broad data quality as reflected by the proportion of mappable reads of datasets. Computational experiments highlighted that in Hi-C studies with short read lengths, mHi-C rescued multi-reads can emulate the effect of longer reads. mHi-C also revealed biologically supported bona fide promoter-enhancer interactions and topologically associating domains involving repetitive genomic regions, thereby unlocking a previously masked portion of the genome for conformation capture studies.
Quantitative uniqueness of human brain evolution revealed through phylogenetic comparative analysis
Authors: Miller Ian F , Barton Robert A , Nunn Charles L
Published: January 2019

While the human brain is clearly large relative to body size, less is known about the timing of brain and brain component expansion within primates and the relative magnitude of volumetric increases. Using Bayesian phylogenetic comparative methods and data for both extant and fossil species, we identified that a distinct shift in brain-body scaling occurred as hominins diverged from other primates, and again as humans and Neanderthals diverged from other hominins. Within hominins, we detected a pattern of directional and accelerating evolution towards larger brains, consistent with a positive feedback process in the evolution of the human brain. Contrary to widespread assumptions, we found that the human neocortex is not exceptionally large relative to other brain structures. Instead, our analyses revealed a single increase in relative neocortex volume at the origin of haplorrhines, and an increase in relative cerebellar volume in apes.
Identification, expression, and phylogenetic analyses of terpenoid biosynthesis-related genes in secondary xylem of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) based on transcriptome analyses
Authors: Mao Jipeng , He Zidi , Hao Jing , Liu Tianyi , Chen Jiehu , Huang Shaowei
Published: January 2019

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is one of the most important species for oleoresin (a mixture of terpenoids) in South China. The high oleoresin content of loblolly pine is associated with resistance to bark beetles and other economic benefits. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analyses of loblolly pine secondary xylem to gain insight into the genes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. A total of 372 unigenes were identified as being critical for oleoresin production, including genes for ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) protein family, and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis enzymes. Six key genes involved in terpenoid biosynthetic pathways were selected for multiple sequence alignment, conserved motif prediction, and phylogenetic and expression profile analyses. The protein sequences of all six genes exhibited a higher degree of sequence conservation, and upstream genes were relatively more conserved than downstream genes in terpenoid biosynthetic pathways. The N-terminal regions of these sequences were less conserved than the C-terminal ends, as the N-terminals were quite diverse in both length and composition. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that most genes originated from gene duplication after species divergence, and partial genes exhibited incomplete lineage sorting. In addition, the expression profile analyses showed that all six genes exhibited high expression levels during the high-oleoresin-yielding phase.
GRID-independent molecular descriptor analysis and molecular docking studies to mimic the binding hypothesis of γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 (GAT1) inhibitors
Authors: Zafar Sadia , Jabeen Ishrat
Published: January 2019

Background

The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT1 is involved in GABA transport across the biological membrane in and out of the synaptic cleft. The efficiency of this Na+coupled GABA transport is regulated by an electrochemical gradient, which is directed inward under normal conditions. However, in certain pathophysiological situations, including strong depolarization or an imbalance in ion homeostasis, the GABA influx into the cytoplasm is increased by re-uptake transport mechanism. This mechanism may lead to extra removal of extracellular GABA which results in numerous neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Thus, small molecule inhibitors of GABA re-uptake may enhance GABA activity at the synaptic clefts.

Methods

In the present study, various GRID-independent molecular descriptor (GRIND) models have been developed to shed light on the 3D structural features of human GAT1 (hGAT1) inhibitors using nipecotic acid and N-diarylalkenyl piperidine analogs. Further, a binding hypothesis has been developed for the selected GAT1 antagonists by molecular docking inside the binding cavity of hGAT1 homology model.

Results

Our results indicate that two hydrogen bond acceptors, one hydrogen bond donor and one hydrophobic region at certain distances from each other play an important role in achieving high inhibitory potency against hGAT1. Our docking results elucidate the importance of the COOH group in hGAT1 antagonists by considering substitution of the COOH group with an isoxazol ring in compound37, which subsequently leads to a three order of magnitude decrease in biological activity of37(IC50= 38 µM) as compared to compound1(IC50= 0.040 µM).

Discussion

Our docking results are strengthened by the structure activity relationship of the data series as well as by GRIND models, thus providing a significant structural basis for understanding the binding of antagonists, which may be useful for guiding the design of hGAT1 inhibitors.
Recent updates on metabolite composition and medicinal benefits of mangosteen plant
Authors: Aizat Wan Mohd , Jamil Ili Nadhirah , Ahmad-Hashim Faridda Hannim , Noor Normah Mohd
Published: January 2019

Background

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostanaL.) fruit has a unique sweet-sour taste and rich in beneficial compounds such as xanthones. Mangosteen has been originally used in various folk medicines to treat diarrhea, wound, and fever. More recently, it has been used as a major component in health supplement products for weight loss and promoting general health. This is perhaps due to its known medicinal benefits including as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation. Interestingly, the publications related to mangosteen has surged in recent years suggesting its popularity and usefulness in research laboratories. However, there is still no updated reviews (up to 2018) in this booming research area, particularly on its metabolite composition and medicinal benefits.

Method

In this review, we have covered recent articles within the year of 2016 to 2018, which focuses on several aspects including the latest findings on compound composition from mangosteen fruit as well as its medicinal usages.

Result

Mangosteen has been vastly used in medicinal areas including as anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetes treatments. Furthermore, we have also described the benefits of mangosteen extract in protecting various human organs such as liver, skin, joint, eye, neuron, bowel, and cardiovascular tissues against disorders and diseases.

Conclusion

All in all, this review describes the numerous manipulations of mangosteen extracted compounds in medicinal areas and highlights the current trend of its research. This will be important for future directed research and may allow researchers to tackle the next big challenge in mangosteen study; drug development and human applications.
Maternal temperature exposure impairs emotional and cognitive responses and triggers dysregulation of neurodevelopment genes in fish
Authors: Colson Violaine , Cousture Morgane , Damasceno Danielle , Valotaire Claudiane , Nguyen Thaovi , Le Cam Aurélie , Bobe Julien
Published: January 2019

Fish are sensitive to temperature, but the intergenerational consequences of maternal exposure to high temperature on offspring behavioural plasticity and underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that a thermal maternal stress induces impaired emotional and cognitive responses in offspring rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Thermal stress in mothers triggered the inhibition of locomotor fear-related responses upon exposure to a novel environment and decreased spatial learning abilities in progeny. Impaired behavioural phenotypes were associated with the dysregulation of several genes known to play major roles in neurodevelopment, includingauts2(autism susceptibility candidate 2), a key gene for neurodevelopment, more specifically neuronal migration and neurite extension, and critical for the acquisition of neurocognitive function. In addition, our analysis revealed the dysregulation of another neurodevelopment gene (dpysl5) as well as genes associated with human cognitive disorders (arv1,plp2). We observed major differences in maternal mRNA abundance in the eggs following maternal exposure to high temperature indicating that some of the observed intergenerational effects are mediated by maternally-inherited mRNAs accumulated in the egg. Together, our observations shed new light on the intergenerational determinism of fish behaviour and associated underlying mechanisms. They also stress the importance of maternal history on fish behavioural plasticity.
Self‐aggression, reactive aggression, and spontaneous aggression: Mediating effects of self‐esteem and psychopathology
Authors: Otte Stefanie , Streb Judith , Rasche Katharina , Franke Irina , Segmiller Felix , Nigel Stefanie , Vasic Nenad , Dudeck Manuela
Published: January 2019

This study examined whether the associations between self‐aggression and different forms of externalized aggression (reactive and spontaneous aggression) are influenced by self‐esteem and current psychopathological symptoms. For this purpose, we asked 681 participants from the general population (GP) and 282 general psychiatric patients (PPs) to answer the German versions of the Short Questionnaire for Assessing Factors of Aggression (K‐FAF), the Multidimensional Self‐Esteem Scale (MSWS), and the Brief Symptom Inventory 25 Forensic (BSI‐25‐F). Statistically, we performed descriptive and mediation analyses. Our findings indicated that in both samples the association between self‐aggression and reactive aggression was mediated by self‐esteem but not by current psychological problems. The association between self‐aggression and spontaneous aggression was mediated by self‐esteem in the GP sample and by psychopathological symptoms in the PP sample. We conclude that when examining the association between self‐aggression and externalized aggression it is important to consider the various subtypes of externalized aggression and differences between populations.
Achieving High Volumetric Lithium Storage Capacity in Compact Carbon Materials with Controllable Nitrogen Doping
Authors: Jin Jinyin , Wang Zhiwei , Wang Rui , Wang Jialiang , Huang Zhendong , Ma Yanwen , Li Hai , Wei Su‐Huai , Huang Xiao , Yan Jiaxu , Li Shaozhou , Huang Wei
Published: January 2019

Although nanostructured/nanoporous carbon and silicon‐based materials are a potential replacement for graphite as cost‐effective anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), their extremely low packing density leads to considerably reduced volumetric capacities. Herein, a highly compact carbon anode material constructed from sub‐2 nm nanosized graphitic domains is reported that exhibits excellent capacity density. By introducing a coordination agent in the synthesis precursors, an unusually high concentration of N‐doping (≈26.56 wt%) is achieved, which is mainly confined at the graphitic edges with the pyrrolic‐N and pyridinic‐N configurations. As further supported experimentally and theoretically, the edge‐N dopants, particularly the pyrrolic‐N, favor both ion diffusion kinetics and lithium storage via adsorption. Based on the lithiation‐state electrode volume, the compact anode shows a capacity density of 951 mAh cmtotal−3that is comparable with Si anodes and surpasses all reported carbon‐based anodes, revealing its potential in promoting the performance of future LIBs.
Strategic Design of Clay‐Based Multifunctional Materials: From Natural Minerals to Nanostructured Membranes
Authors: Zhou Yi , LaChance Anna Marie , Smith Andrew T. , Cheng Hongfei , Liu Qinfu , Sun Luyi
Published: January 2019

Nature not only carefully prepares ingenious raw materials but also continuously inspires and guides human beings to create a wide variety of intelligent materials. As the most abundant mineral resource on earth, clay minerals are no longer synonymous with ceramics and cements. Many natural clay minerals can be exfoliated into single‐ or few‐layered nanosheets with exquisite physicochemical properties, which can be reassembled into functional membranes with a macroscopic controllable size and microscopic ordered structure. They are thus used in many fields including chemistry, biology, energy, and environmental science. Strategic design represents one of the key processes to enhance the value of clay minerals and broaden their applications. In this work, the three frequently used approaches of exfoliation are highlighted and the six routes of assembly including casting, dip‐coating, spray coating, vacuum filtration, electrophoretic deposition, and 3D printing are compared. The corresponding principles and advantages are summarized. Representative applications of clay‐based multifunctional membranes in protection, separation, responsiveness, flexible electronics, and energy conversion are presented. The challenges and future perspectives of the clay‐based multifunctional membranes are discussed.
AsP/InSe Van der Waals Tunneling Heterojunctions with Ultrahigh Reverse Rectification Ratio and High Photosensitivity
Authors: Wu Feng , Xia Hui , Sun Haiding , Zhang Junwei , Gong Fan , Wang Zhen , Chen Long , Wang Peng , Long Mingsheng , Wu Xing , Wang Jianlu , Ren Wencai , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei , Hu Weida
Published: January 2019

Van der Waals heterojunctions made of 2D materials offer competitive opportunities in designing and achieving multifunctional and high‐performance electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, due to the significant reverse tunneling current in such thin p–n junctions, a low rectification ratio along with a large reverse current is often inevitable for the heterojunctions. Here, a vertically stacked van der Waals heterojunction (vdWH) tunneling device is reported consisting of black arsenic phosphorus (AsP) and indium selenide (InSe), which shows a record high reverse rectification ratio exceeding 107 along with an unusual ultralow forward current below picoampere and a high current on/off ratio over 108 simultaneously at room temperature under the proper band alignment design of both the Schottky junction and the heterojunction. Therefore, the vdWH tunneling device can function as an ultrasensitive photodetector with an ultrahigh light on/off ratio of 1 × 107, a comparable responsivity of around 1 A W−1, and a high detectivity over 1 × 1012 Jones in the visible wavelength range. Furthermore, the device exhibits a clear photovoltaic effect and shows a spectral detection capability up to 1550 nm. The work sheds light on developing future electronic and optoelectronic multifunctional devices based on the van der Waals integration of 2D materials with designed band alignment.
A Safe‐by‐Design Strategy towards Safer Nanomaterials in Nanomedicines
Authors: Yan Liang , Zhao Feng , Wang Jing , Zu Yan , Gu Zhanjun , Zhao Yuliang
Published: January 2019

The marriage of nanotechnology and medicine offers new opportunities to fight against human diseases. Benefiting from their unique optical, thermal, magnetic, or redox properties, a wide range of nanomaterials have shown potential in applications such as diagnosis, drug delivery, or tissue repair and regeneration. Despite the considerable success achieved over the past decades, the newly emerging nanomedicines still suffer from an incomplete understanding of their safety risks, and of the relationships between their physicochemical characteristics and safety profiles. Herein, the most important categories of nanomaterials with clinical potential and their toxicological mechanisms are summarized, and then, based on this available information, an overview of the principles in developing safe‐by‐design nanomaterials for medical applications and of the recent progress in this field is provided. These principles may serve as a starting point to guide the development of more effective safe‐by‐design strategies and to help identify the major knowledge and skill gaps.
Metal–Organic Frameworks Based Nano/Micro/Millimeter‐Sized Self‐Propelled Autonomous Machines
Authors: Khezri Bahareh , Pumera Martin
Published: January 2019

Synthetic nano/micro/millimeter‐sized machines that harvest energy from the surrounding environment and then convert it to motion have had a significant impact on many research areas such as biology (sensing, imaging, and therapy) and environmental applications. Autonomous motion is a key element of these devices. A high surface area is preferable as it leads to increased propellant or cargo‐loading capability. Integrating highly ordered and porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with self‐propelled machines is demonstrated to have a significant impact on the field of nano/micro/millimeter‐sized devices for a wide range of applications. MOFs have shown great potential in many research fields due to their tailorable pore size. These fields include energy storage and conversion; catalysis, biomedical application (e.g., drug delivery, imaging, and cancer therapy), and environmental remediation. The marriage of motors and MOFs may provide opportunities for many new applications for synthetic nano/micro/millimeter‐sized machines. Herein, MOF‐based micro‐ and nanomachines are reviewed with a focus on the specific properties of MOFs.
Printed Diodes: Materials Processing, Fabrication, and Applications
Authors: Chu Yihang , Qian Chunqi , Chahal Premjeet , Cao Changyong
Published: January 2019

Printing techniques for the fabrication of diodes have received increasing attention over the last decade due to their great potential as alternatives for high‐throughput and cost‐effective manufacturing approaches compatible with both flexible and rigid substrates. Here, the progress achieved and the challenges faced in the fabrication of printed diodes are discussed and highlighted, with a focus on the materials of significance (silicon, metal oxides, nanomaterials, and organics), the techniques utilized for ink deposition (gravure printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, aerosol jet printing, etc.), and the process through which the printed layers of diode are sintered after printing. Special attention is also given to the device applications within which the printed diodes have been successfully incorporated, particularly in the fields of rectification, light emission, energy harvesting, and displays. Considering the unmatched production scalability of printed diodes and their intrinsic suitability for flexible and wearable applications, significant improvement in performance and intensive research in development and applications of the printed diodes will continuously progress in the future.
In Situ Atomic‐Scale Observation of Kinetic Pathways of Sublimation in Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Li Junjie , Wang Zhongchang , Li Yunping , Deepak Francis Leonard
Published: January 2019

Uncovering kinetics of sublimation atomically is critical to understanding both natural phenomena and advanced manufacturing technologies. Here, direct in situ atomic‐scale observations to understand the effects of size, surface, and defects in the sublimation process of supported silver nanoparticles upon heating within an aberration‐corrected transmission electron microscopy are conducted. Atomic‐scale evidence to sublimation and atomic rearrangement in small Ag nanoparticles during heating is provided, and it is demonstrated that the sublimation‐induced stable surfaces in the particles with a size smaller than ≈30 nm are {111} and {100} planes. The role of surface energy and defects in the uniform and nonuniform sublimation pathways at the atomic scale is also revealed, and it is found that the nanoparticles with low surface energy tend to undergo a uniform sublimation pathway, while those with high surface energy or five‐fold twin grain boundary proceed via a nonuniform sublimation pathway. Further dynamic analysis unravels a critical size of ≈8 nm for the transformation from linear to nonlinear sublimation rates in the two pathways. These findings demonstrate that the size, shape, and defects are of paramount importance for the sublimation dynamics in the first‐order phase transformation, helping to advance the general understanding of many technological applications.
Acoustic radiation force impulse sonography‐based noninvasive prediction of cirrhosis and esophageal varices
Authors: Wang Chi‐Chih , Tsai Ming‐Chang , Lin Ching‐Pin , Chang Ming‐Hui , Yang Tzu‐Wei , Tsai Chia‐Hsun , Chen Kwei‐Ming , Yeo Kai‐Fuan , Chen Hsuan‐Yi , Lin Chun‐Che
Published: January 2019

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening is currently suggested with a practice guideline for all cirrhosis patients, but the true EGD screening rate is low. Our study evaluates noninvasive variables—including liver stiffness (LS), spleen stiffness (SS), and spleen diameter—based on acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) sonography for noninvasive prediction of cirrhosis and esophageal varices (EVs). In our study, 118 patients (mean age 57.11 ± 11.23), who were classified into a cirrhosis group and a chronic liver disease group, were compared statistically on their blood data and ARFI sonography. To identify the most effective variable for noninvasive prediction of EVs, the cirrhosis group was further divided into two subgroups by the presence or absence of EVs. EV and non‐EV (NEV) patients were compared statistically using blood data, spleen diameter, LS, and SS. The LS cutoff value for predicting cirrhosis was determined as 1.64 m/s, which carried a sensitivity of 81.2% and a specificity of 93.9%. SS and spleen diameter met a significant difference for EV prediction. Spleen diameter with a cutoff value of 10.69 cm carried a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 56.3%; SS with a cutoff value of 2.82 m/s carried a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 50%. In our study, a new cutoff criterion composed of spleen diameter and SS was suggested as a better clinical tool for the screening of EVs.
Intravenous glycyrrhizin as a rescue therapy in a patient with latent hepatitis B virus reactivation and acute severe decompensation induced by chemotherapy with rituximab
Authors: Wang Su‐Hung , Sheu Ming‐Jen , Kuo Hsing‐Tao , Lin Ching‐Yih , Sun Chi‐Shu , Feng I‐Che
Published: January 2019

Latent hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation related to rituximab use is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. We report a case of latent HBV reactivation with decompensated hepatitis that occurred 10 months after the completion of rituximab therapy. Initially, the patient's condition deteriorated, even during combination antiviral drug therapy (tenofovir plus entecavir). However, it dramatically improved after treatment with intravenous Stronger Neo Minophagen C (SNMC). Glycyrrhizin is the main component of SNMC, which plays a role inbridging therapy to allow the efficiency of antiviral drugs to develop. In addition, prolonged use of the antiviral drug after the completion of rituximab and chemotherapy should be considered to extend beyond 6 months, which is currently advised by the National Health Insurance in Taiwan.
The Search for Variation of Fundamental Constants with Clocks
Authors: Safronova Marianna S.
Published: January 2019

In many theories beyond the Standard Model the quantities that we call “fundamental constants” become space‐time dependent, leading to corresponding variation of atomic and molecular spectra and clock frequencies. The extraordinary improvement of the atomic clock precision in the past fifteen years enabled testing the constancy of the fundamental constant at a very high level of precision. Herein, searches for the variation of fundamental constants with clocks are discussed, focusing on recent key results and future proposals, including highly charged ion, molecular, and nuclear clocks. The relevance of the recent searches for oscillatory and transient variation of fundamental constants to the major unexplained phenomena of our Universe, the nature of dark matter, is discussed.
Dihalobenzene Shape Sorting by Nonporous Adaptive Crystals of Perbromoethylated Pillararenes
Authors: Li Errui , Zhou Yujuan , Zhao Run , Jie Kecheng , Huang Feihe
Published: January 2019

The separation of dihalobenzene isomers, such as dichlorobenzene isomers and difluorobenzene isomers, has a high practical value in both synthetic chemistry and industrial production. Herein we provide a simple to operate and energy‐efficient adsorptive separation method using nonporous adaptive crystals of perbromoethylated pillar[5]arene (BrP5) and pillar[6]arene (BrP6). BrP6 crystals show a preference towards the ortho isomer of dichlorobenzene in isomer mixtures, but cannot discriminate difluorobenzene isomers. Single‐crystal structures reveal that this selectivity is derived from the stability of the new host–guest crystal structure of BrP6 after uptake of the preferred guest and the binding strength of the host–guest interactions. Furthermore, because of the reversible transition between guest‐free and guest‐loaded structures, BrP6 crystals are recyclable.
Selective Arene Hydrogenation for Direct Access to Saturated Carbo‐ and Heterocycles
Authors: Wiesenfeldt Mario P. , Nairoukh Zackaria , Dalton Toryn , Glorius Frank
Published: January 2019

Arene hydrogenation provides direct access to saturated carbo‐ and heterocycles and thus its strategic application may be used to shorten synthetic routes. This powerful transformation is widely applied in industry and is expected to facilitate major breakthroughs in the applied sciences. The ability to overcome aromaticity while controlling diastereo‐, enantio‐, and chemoselectivity is central to the use of hydrogenation in the preparation of complex molecules. In general, the hydrogenation of multisubstituted arenes yields predominantly the cis isomer. Enantiocontrol is imparted by chiral auxiliaries, Brønsted acids, or transition‐metal catalysts. Recent studies have demonstrated that highly chemoselective transformations are possible. Such methods and the underlying strategies are reviewed herein, with an emphasis on synthetically useful examples that employ readily available catalysts.
Small‐Molecule Permeation across Membrane Channels: Chemical Modification to Quantify Transport across OmpF
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Bafna Jayesh Arun , Bhamidimarri Satya Prathyusha , Winterhalter Mathias
Published: January 2019

Biological channels facilitate the exchange of molecules across membranes, but general tools to quantify transport are missing. Electrophysiology is the method of choice to study the functional properties of channels. However, analyzing the current fluctuation of channels typically does not identify successful transport, that is, distinguishing translocation from binding. To distinguish both processes, we added an additional barrier at the channel exit acting as a molecular counter. To identify permeation, we compare the molecule residence time in the native channel with one that is chemically modified at the exit. We use the well‐studied outer membrane channel from E. coli, OmpF. Position 181, which is below the constriction region, was subsequently mutated into cysteine (E181C) in an otherwise cysteine‐free system, then functionalized by covalent binding with one of the two blockers MTSES or GLT. We measured the passage of model peptides, mono‐, tri‐, hepta‐arginine and of norfloxacin, as an example for antibiotic permeation.
Multidimensional Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Morphological and Chemical Spectrum Graphics for Monitoring and Characterization of Polyunsaturated Fatty‐Acid Oxidation
Authors: Resende Maysa Teixeira , Campisi‐Pinto Salvatore , Linder Charles , Wiesman Zeev
Published: January 2019

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are components of many commercial products such as edible oils, foods, cosmetics, medication, and in biological systems such as phospholipids of cellular membranes. Although PUFA aggregates are important functional components, they are also related to system degradation, because PUFA are susceptible to oxidation via their multiple double bonds and allylic carbons. Current technologies are not effective in characterizing the morphological and chemical structural domains of saturated, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and PUFA materials, or how the morphological structures of fatty acids, at the mesomolecular, nanomolecular, and molecular levels, affect their oxidation mechanisms. In this article, the 1H low‐field (LF) NMR energy relaxation time technology is proposed as a tool to analyze PUFA oils undergoing thermal oxidation. This technology generates two‐dimensional (2D) chemical and morphological spectra using a primal‐dual interior method for the convex objectives (PDCO) optimization solver for computational processing of the energy relaxation time signals T1 (spin–lattice) and T2 (spin–spin). The 2D graphical maps of T1 vs. T2 generated for butter, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, and linseed oil show that the different degrees of unsaturation of fatty‐acid oils affect their chemical and morphological domains, which influences their oxidative propensity. The technology of the 1H LF‐NMR energy relaxation time proved to be an effective tool to characterize and monitor PUFA oxidation.
HPW/PDMAEMA‐b‐PMAA/ZIF‐8 Ternary Lamellar Composite and the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Ma Yehui , Wang Xiaobei , Ye Jin , Ge Kai , Wang Yuanyuan , He Jiahui , Zhang Yue , Yang Yongfang
Published: January 2019

PDMAEMA‐b‐PMAA block copolymers were prepared by the sequential RAFT polymerization of DMAEMA and tBMA, followed by hydrolysis. Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) was anchored to the PDMAEMA blocks through electrostatic interactions and the as‐obtained HPW/PDMAEMA‐b‐PMAA was added to the synthesis of ZIF‐8. During the formation of ZIF‐8, the PMAA blocks coordinated to the Zn2+ ions through their carboxy groups, along with the HPW groups that were anchored to the PDMAEMA blocks. In this way, the block copolymer could consolidate the interactions between HPW and ZIF‐8 and prevent the leakage of HPW. Finally, the HPW/PDMAEMA‐b‐PMAA/ZIF‐8 ternary lamellar composite was obtained and the structure of the HPW/PDMAEMA‐b‐PMAA/ZIF‐8 hybrid material was characterized by using powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As a photocatalyst, the HPW/PDMAEMA‐b‐PMAA/ZIF‐8 ternary lamellar composite showed excellent photoactivity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The rate of degradation of MB was 0.0240 min−1, which was 7.5‐times higher than that of commercially available P25 (0.0032 min−1). In the presence of H2O2, the kinetic degradation parameters of the composite reached 0.0634 min−1, which was about 19.8‐times higher than that of P25.
Tensor Product‐Based Model Transformation and Optimal Controller Design for High Order Nonlinear Singularly Perturbed Systems
Authors: Bouzaouache Hajer
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates the optimization of a general class of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. Tensor product‐based modeling, algebraic properties, and singular perturbation theory played a significant role in the formulation of the derived reduced model. The obtained reduced output is a nonlinear state and input dependent vector. In this case, solving the optimal control problem when minimizing a quadratic performance index becomes more difficult because the weighting matrices vary as functions of states. So the reformulation of the initial problem is needed and the resolution is discussed from an analytical point of view. A two‐step controller design procedure is suggested and an algorithm is proposed for the calculus of the gain matrices of the nonlinear control law. The Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach and the power of the implemented algorithm.
Development and validation of a solid‐phase extraction method coupled with LC–MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of 16 antibiotic residues in duck meat
Authors: Zheng Weijia , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Kim Seong‐Kwan , Choi Jeong‐Min , Park Da‐Hee , Yoo Kyung‐Hee , Kang Young‐Sun , Jeon Jong‐Sup , Hacımüftüoğlu Ahmet , Shim Jae‐Han , Shin Ho‐Chul
Published: January 2019

The present study was carried out to determine 16 antibiotics belonging to seven different groups (tetracyclines, sulfonamides, penicillins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, lincosamides and trimethoprims) in duck meat. A solid‐phase extraction method based on Oasis HLB cartridges coupled with liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed. Solutions of 0.1 m ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt and 2% trifluoroacetic acid were used for the preliminary extraction of the target antibiotics from duck meat and n‐hexane was used for purification prior to solid‐phase extraction. Mobile phases composed of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in distilled water (solvent A) and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in methanol (solvent B), combined with a reversed‐phase C18 analytical column, provided the optimal separation and signal intensity. The linearity of the method was assessed using six concentrations (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μg/kg), and the recoveries, which were calculated at three spiking concentrations (5, 10 and 20 μg/kg), were in the range 69.8–103.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤ 6.9% for the 16 tested antibiotics. Matrix effects ranging from −47.2 to −13.5% were observed for all the analytes, and the limits of quantitation (LOQ), which ranged from 4.93 to 26.21 μg/kg, were much lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by various regulatory authorities. Ten samples from a market were tested, and none of the target analytes were detected. Thus, a simple and versatile protocol has been developed to detect and quantify 16 antibiotics in duck meat samples.
Furanocoumarin Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Inhibitory Potential of Heracleum verticillatum, Heracleum sibiricum, Heracleum angustisectum, and Heracleum ternatum Extracts against Enzymes Involved in Alzheimer's Disease and Type II Diabetes
Authors: Ozek Gulmira , Yur Suleyman , Goger Fatih , Ozek Temel , Andjelkovic Boban , Godjevac Dejan , Sofrenic Ivana , Aneva Ina , Todorova Milka , Trendafilova Antoaneta
Published: January 2019

Hexane extracts of Heracleum verticillatum, H. sibiricum, H. angustisectum, and H. ternatum were studied for their furanocoumarin content antioxidant potential and acetylcholinesterase and α‐amylase inhibitory activities. Quantification of the furanocoumarins was performed by 1H‐NMR. Pimpinellin was found to be the main component in the roots of all studied species. Bergapten and imperatorin were the major compounds in the fruits of H. sibiricum and H. verticillatum, respectively, while byakangelicol dominated in H. angustisectum and H. ternatum fruits. The leaf and fruit extracts of H. angustisectum demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and TEAC (IC50 0.58 mg/mL and 1.83 mm, respectively). The root extracts of H. verticillatum and H. angustisectum were found to be the most effective against acetylcholinesterase (IC50 0.30 and 0.34 mg/mL, respectively). The studied extracts were not active or demonstrated a weak inhibitory effect (%Inh. up to 29.7) towards α‐amylase.
Outcomes and safety of same‐day discharge after percutaneous coronary intervention: A 10‐year single‐center study
Authors: Rubimbura Vladimir , Rostain Laura , Duval Anne‐Marie , Akakpo Servais , Boukantar Madjid , Boiron Philippe , Mouillet Gauthier , Gallet Romain , Belarbi Abdelkaoui , Le Corvoisier Philippe , Dubois‐Randé Jean‐Luc , Teiger Emmanuel
Published: January 2019

Aims

Same‐day discharge (SDD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was safe and cost‐effective in randomized and observational studies but faces limited acceptance due to concerns about early adverse events. Our aim was to evaluate early outcomes after SDD PCI in a high‐volume urban PCI center over 10 years.

Methods and results

From 2007 to 2016, 1,635 unselected patients had PCI at our ambulatory cardiac care unit, mainly for stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD). Among them, 1,073 (65.6%), most of whom underwent ad hoc PCI, were discharged on the same day and 562 (34.4%) were admitted, for adverse events during PCI (n = 60) or within the next 4–6 hr (n = 52) or chiefly due to physician preference (n = 450). In the SDD group, radial access was used in 98.5% of patients; 36% and 15% of patients had two‐ and three‐vessel disease, respectively; and two‐vessel PCI was performed in 11% of patients. No MACCEs (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, urgent repeat PCI/CABG, and major vascular complications) occurred within 24 hr post‐discharge. Two patients were readmitted on the next day for chest pain but did not require repeat PCI.

Conclusion

SDD after successful PCI without complications within the next 4–6 hr is safe and feasible in most patients with SIHD. Among 1,035 SDD patients treated over 10 years, only two required readmission, and none experienced major cardiac adverse events such as death or stent thrombosis. SDD is safe for the patient and cost‐effective for the healthcare system and should be implemented more widely.