bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterizations of inherent flame retarded polyamide 66 containing the phosphorus linking pendent group
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Liu Ke , Zhang Jidong , Xiao Ru
Published: November 2017

Polyamide 66 (PA66) containing the phosphorus linking pendent group with inherent flame retardancy property was prepared by condensation polymerization of hexamethylene diammonium adipate (AH salt) and 9,10‐dihydro‐10‐[2,3‐di(hydroxycarbonyl)propyl]‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DDP) as a co‐monomer. Prior to condensation polymerization, DDP was reacted with hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), which made DDP easier to react with AH salt. Then, the DDP‐HMDA was introduced into AH salt solution to prepare inherent flame retarded PA66 (FRPA66). Fourier transform infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile test, vertical burning test, limiting oxygen index test, cone calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to investigate the properties of FRPA66. Experimental results indicated that the bulky pendent phosphorus group tended to destroy the structure regularity of FRPA66 and the molecular weight, crystallinity, and thermal stability reduced. The tensile strength of FRPA66 containing 5 wt% of DDP was 58.44 MPa, and it can achieve a V‐0 rating according to the vertical burning test with the limiting oxygen index value of 33.2%. This indicated that the inherent flame retarded PA66 expanded the application of PA66 materials.
Chitosan as a biosorbent for adsorption of iron (II) from fracking wastewater
Authors: Kaveeshwar Aditya R. , Sanders Melanie , Ponnusamy Senthil Kumar , Depan Dilip , Subramaniam Ramalingam
Published: November 2017

In this work, porous chitosan (CS) was investigated as a biosorbent for the removal of iron (II) from the synthetic fracking wastewater. The underlying problem with the production water from fracking industries is that it contains iron (II) up to 55 mg/L, which needs to be eliminated. Porous CS had a specific surface area of 1.05 m2/g with the average pore diameter of 319 A, as determined by using Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area analysis. The kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamic analysis confirm that the porous CS can be a potential candidate for iron (II) removal. Both the pseudo‐first‐order model and pseudo‐second‐order model have good fit on iron (II) adsorption with the porous CS. Kinetic studies revealed that the CS‐iron (II) adsorption system was controlled by intraparticle diffusion. The monolayer adsorption capacity of the porous CS from Langmuir model was found to be 51.81 mg/g. The experimental data were fitted against common adsorption isotherms and yielded excellent fits in the following order: Langmuir > Temkin > Freundlich > Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherms. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption of iron (II) onto porous CS was feasible and spontaneous. The adsorption process is endothermic, and the entropy is the driving force.
Flexural and fracture behavior of natural fiber knitted fabric reinforced composites
Authors: Tiber Bahar , Balcıoğlu H. Ersen
Published: November 2017

Decreasing natural resources and increasing environmental destructions dispatch researchers to find more ecological solutions in material industry. Natural fibers have recently become an interesting topic as an alternative reinforcement material for fiber reinforced polymer composites for researchers. In this study; the effect of knitting density, natural fiber type, crack length, and fabric direction (wale or course) on the fracture strength and fracture toughness of laminated composites reinforced with natural fiber knitted fabric were investigated. For this aim, plain fabrics made of 50/50 bamboo/cotton, 50/50 viscose/cotton, and 50/50 modal/cotton blended yarns were knitted with three different knitting density. After that; bamboo/epoxy, viscose/epoxy, and modal/epoxy laminated composites were produced by using hand lay‐up method. Quasi‐static three‐point bending tests have been carried out on the single‐edge notched bending composite specimens, which have a crack in wale or course directions. Fractured surfaces investigated through the Scanning Electron Microscopy describing different failure mechanisms are also reported. Test results showed that fabric which knitted in cellulosic fibers, reinforced composites, had higher flexural strength and fracture toughness in the wale direction. It has also been observed that the knitting density and crack geometry affect the crack propagation behavior. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:217–228, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Core–Shell Engineering to Enhance the Spectral Stability of Heterogeneous Luminescent Nanofluids
Authors: Labrador‐Páez Lucía , Pedroni Marco , Smits Krisjanis , Speghini Adolfo , Jaque Francisco , García‐Solé José , Jaque Daniel , Haro‐González Patricia
Published: November 2017

The tendency to the miniaturization of devices and the peculiar properties of the nanoparticles have raised the interest of the scientific community in nanoscience. In particular, those systems consisting of nanoparticles dispersed in fluids, known as nanofluids, have made it possible to overcome many technological and scientific challenges, as they show extraordinary properties. In this work, the loss of the spectral stability in heterogeneous luminescent nanofluids is studied revealing the critical role played by the exchange of ions between different nanoparticles. Such ion exchange is favored by changes in the molecular properties of the solvent, making heterogeneous luminescent nanofluids highly unstable against temperature changes. This work demonstrates how both temporal and thermal stabilities of heterogeneous luminescent nanofluids can be substantially improved by core–shell engineering. This simultaneously avoids the leakage of luminescent ions and the effects of the solvent molecular changes.
Coarse and nano emulsions for effective delivery of the natural pest control agent pulegone for stored grain protection
Authors: Golden Gilad , Quinn Elazar , Shaaya Eli , Kostyukovsky Moshe , Poverenov Elena
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

One of the most significant contributors to the global food crisis is grain loss during storage, mainly caused by pest insects. Currently, there are two main methods used for insect pest control: fumigation and grain protection using contact insecticides. As some chemical insecticides can harm humans and the environment, there is a global tendency to reduce their use by finding alternative eco‐friendly approaches.

RESULTS

In this study, the natural pest‐managing agent pulegone was encapsulated into coarse and nano emulsions. The emulsions were characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic methods and their stability and pulegone release ability were examined. The insecticidal activity of the prepared formulations against two stored product insects, rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) and red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst), was demonstrated. The nano emulsion‐based formulation offered significant advantages and provided powerful bioactivity, with high (> 90%) mortality rates for as long as 5 weeks for both insects, whereas coarse emulsions showed high efficacy for only 1 week.

CONCLUSION

The developed pulegone‐based nano emulsions could serve as a model for an effective alternative method for pest control. Although pulegone is from a natural source, toxicological studies should be performed before the widespread application of pulegone or pulegone‐containing essential oils to dry food products. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
High carbon dioxide concentration and elevated temperature impact the growth of weeds but do not change the efficacy of glyphosate
Authors: Jabran Khawar , Doğan Mehmet Nedim
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Global climate changes may impact the growth and management of weed species. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of recent climate changes on the growth of weeds and herbicide efficacy. The effects of temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2), and herbicide on growth and control of Bromus tectorum L., Hordeum murinum L., and Lactuca serriola L. were studied. Treatments included: control or ambient environment (CO2 concentration 400–450 ppm; temperature 20/10 °C day/night); elevated temperature (CO2 concentration 400‐450 ppm; temperature 25/15 °C day/night); high CO2 and elevated temperature (CO2 concentration 800‐900 ppm; temperature 25/15 °C day/night); high CO2 (CO2 concentration 800‐900 ppm; temperature 20/10 °C day/night). Glyphosate rates (active ingredient) used in the experiment were: 0 g ha−1 (untreated control); 360 g ha−1; 720 g ha−1; 1080 g ha−1; 1440 g ha−1 (recommended rate), and 2880 g ha−1.

RESULTS

High CO2 concentration and high CO2 concentration plus high temperature improved the biomass and growth parameters of weeds in the studies. In general, high temperature had a neutral, negative or slightly positive effect on the growth of weed species. Climatic conditions did not affect the activity of glyphosate; its application provided equal and effective weed control under both CO2 and temperature levels and their combinations.

CONCLUSION

The positive effect of high CO2 concentration on the growth of weeds does not impact the activity of glyphosate. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Excitation‐Dependent Photoluminescence from Single‐Carbon Dots
Authors: van Dam Bart , Nie Hui , Ju Bo , Marino Emanuele , Paulusse Jos M. J. , Schall Peter , Li Minjie , Dohnalová Katerina
Published: November 2017

Carbon dots (CDs) are carbon‐based fluorescent nanoparticles that can exhibit excitation‐dependent photoluminescence (PL) “tunable” throughout the entire visible range, interesting for optoelectronic and imaging applications. The mechanism underlying this tunable emission remains largely debated, most prominently being ascribed to dot‐to‐dot variations that ultimately lead to excitation‐dependent ensemble properties. Here, single‐dot spectroscopy is used to elucidate the origin of the excitation‐dependent PL of CDs. It is demonstrated that already single CDs exhibit excitation‐dependent PL spectra, similar to those of the CD ensemble. The single dots, produced by a facile one‐step synthesis from chloroform and diethylamine, exhibit emission spectra with several characteristic peaks differing in emission peak position and spectral width and shape, indicating the presence of distinct emission sites on the CDs. Based on previous work, these emission sites are related to the sp2 subregions in the carbon core, as well as the functional groups on the surface. These results confirm that it is possible to integrate and engineer different types of electronic transitions at the nanoscale on a single CD, making these CDs even more versatile than organic dyes or inorganic quantum dots and opening up new routes toward light‐emission engineering.
A Microribbon Hybrid Structure of CoOx‐MoC Encapsulated in N‐Doped Carbon Nanowire Derived from MOF as Efficient Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts
Authors: Huang Tan , Chen Yu , Lee Jong‐Min
Published: November 2017

Developing highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution is vital for renewable and sustainable energy production and storage. Herein, nitrogen‐doped carbon encapsulated CoOx‐MoC heterostructures are reported for the first time as high performance oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. The composition can be tuned by the addition of a Mo source to form a nanowire‐assembled hierarchically porous microstructure, which can enlarge the specific surface area, thus exposing more active sites, facilitating mass transport and charge transfer. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the formation of CoOx‐MoC heterostructures and the resulting synergistic effect between MoC and Co facilitate the reaction kinetics, leading to significantly improved oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with an onset overpotential of merely 290 mV, and a low overpotential of 330 mV to afford a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The well‐constructed microarchitecture contributes to superior long term stability electrochemical behaviors. This work provides a facile strategy via composition tuning and structure optimization for the development of next‐generation nonprecious metal‐based OER electrocatalysts.
Displaced vertices from pseudo-Dirac dark matter
Authors: Davoli Alessandro , De Simone Andrea , Jacques Thomas , Sanz Verónica
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Displaced vertices are relatively unusual signatures for dark matter searches at the LHC. We revisit the model of pseudo-Dirac dark matter (pDDM), which can accommodate the correct relic density, evade direct detection constraints, and generically provide observable collider signatures in the form of displaced vertices. We use this model as a benchmark to illustrate the general techniques involved in the analysis, the complementarity between monojet and displaced vertex searches, and provide a comprehensive study of the current bounds and prospective reach.
Line defect Schur indices, Verlinde algebras and U(1)r fixed points
Authors: Neitzke Andrew , Yan Fei
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Given an

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

superconformal field theory, we reconsider the Schur index ℐ
L
(q) in the presence of a half line defect L. Recently Cordova-Gaiotto-Shao found that ℐ
L
(q) admits an expansion in terms of characters of the chiral algebra

$$ \mathcal{A} $$

A

introduced by Beem et al., with simple coefficients υ

L,β
(q). We report a puzzling new feature of this expansion: the q → 1 limit of the coefficients υ

L,β
(q) is linearly related to the vacuum expectation values 〈L〉 in U(1)
r
-invariant vacua of the theory compactified on S
1. This relation can be expressed algebraically as a commutative diagram involving three algebras: the algebra generated by line defects, the algebra of functions on U(1)
r
-invariant vacua, and a Verlindelike algebra associated to

$$ \mathcal{A} $$

A

. Our evidence is experimental, by direct computation in the Argyres-Douglas theories of type (A
1, A
2), (A
1, A
4), (A
1, A
6), (A
1, D
3) and (A
1, D
5). In the latter two theories, which have flavor symmetries, the Verlinde-like algebra which appears is a new deformation of algebras previously considered.
Discrete theta angle from an O5-plane
Authors: Hayashi Hirotaka , Kim Sung-Soo , Lee Kimyeong , Yagi Futoshi
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We consider 5d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 Sp(1) gauge theory based on a brane configuration with an O5-plane. At the UV fixed point, the theory with no matter enjoys enhanced global symmetry SU(2) or U(1) depending on the discrete theta angle θ = 0, π (mod 2π). A naive brane configuration with an O5-plane, however, does not distinguish two different theories, as it describes the weak coupling region. We devise a technique for computing 5d Seiberg-Witten curve of the two theories from the brane web with an O5-plane. Their Seiberg-Witten curves show that their M5 configurations under the presence of OM5-planes are different. The decompactification limit of each Seiberg-Witten curve also shows distinct phase structures in their Coulomb branch leading to significantly different (p, q) 5-brane configurations with an O5-plane in the strong coupling region.
Formal verification and quantitative metrics of MPSoC data dynamics
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wu Jinzhao
Published: November 2017

Multiprocessor system on chip (MPSoC) implements system functions through tasks. It is necessary to estimate system behaviors early in the design process without actual hardware implementation. As there are a huge variety in freedom of choices in the mapping of tasks, existing researches mainly focus on the schedulability analysis and resource constraints, with a lack of concerning on how data in tasks “behaves” in different schedulings. In practical applications, tasks are achieved by sequential executions of code blocks, which change the variables accordingly. Some variables are shared by all the tasks through global memory, such as public data, critical signals and so on. Changes of these data reflect functions of the system which also deserves attention. Data dynamics can illustrate data changes within a task as well as data exchanges between tasks, and thus can depict scheduling with more detail than just telling whether they can be scheduled. This paper proposes a new formal approach by combing hybrid automata and probabilistic timed automata to model MPSoC data dynamics, describing its real-time scheduling characteristics, concurrency, and probability. Furthermore, we also propose a new quantitative metric for measuring data dynamics named “reach-ratio” to compute the probability, weighted over tasks, of starting a task from which a certain area of the state space can be reached, where the tasks must be started within a time-bound that varies from task to task. The reach-ratio metric, as a supplement of traditional properties such as safety, liveness and fairness, reflects the extent of which the system achieves the intended function at a given scheduling strategy. Case study investigations of our new formal approach provide empirical evidence for MPSoC designers to balance controller policy without hardware implementation.
Protective effect of antirheumatic drugs on dementia in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Judge Andy , Garriga Cesar , Arden Nigel K. , Lovestone Simon , Prieto‐Alhambra Dani , Cooper Cyrus , Edwards Christopher J.
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease, and classical disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) have proven efficacy. It is unknown what impact cDMARDs might have on dementia as an outcome.

Methods

Incident diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis in persons over 18 years from 1995 to 2011 were identified from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. There were 3876 cDMARD users and were propensity score matched to 1938 nonusers, on a wide range of confounders. Impact on dementia was assessed using survival models.

Results

cDMARD users were at reduced risk of dementia (hazard ratio: 0.60; 95% confidence interval: 0.42–0.85). The effect was strongest in methotrexate users (hazard ratio: 0.52; 95% confidence interval; 0.34–0.82).

Discussion

The strong effect of cDMARD use on halving of dementia risk requires replication in a trial and may provide an important therapeutic pharmacological treatment.
The characterisation of engineering activity through email communication and content dynamics, for support of engineering project management
Authors: Snider C. , Škec S. , Gopsill J. A. , Hicks B. J.
Published: November 2017

Significant challenge exists in the effective monitoring and management of engineering design and development projects. Due to traits such as contextual variation and scale, detailed understanding of engineering projects and activity are difficult to form, with monitoring hence reliant on interpretation of managerial personnel and adherence to defined performance indicators. This paper presents a novel approach to the quantitative monitoring and analysis of engineering activity through computational topic identification and analysis of low-level communication data. Through three metrics of communication activity, this approach enables detailed detection and tracking of activity associated with specific project work areas. By application to 11,832 emails within two industry email corpora, this work identifies four distinct patterns in activity, and derives seven characteristics of communication activity within engineering design and development. Patterns identified are associated with background discussion, focused working, and the appearance of issues, supporting detailed managerial understanding. Characteristics identified relate to through-process norms against which a manager may compare and assess. Such project-specific information extends the ability of managers to understand the activity within their specific project scenario. Through detailed description of activity and its characteristics, in tandem with existing toolsets, a manager may be supported in their interpretation and decision-making processes.
The Moral Economy of the Scottish Coalfields: Managing Deindustrialization under Nationalization c.1947–1983
Authors: GIBBS EWAN
Published: November 2017

This article examines conceptions of social justice and economic fairness with regard to employment. It does so through an analysis of the management of deindustrialization in the Scottish coalfields between the 1940s and 1980s. Emphasis is placed on the historical roots and social and political constitutions of labor market practices. The analysis is grounded within Karl Polanyi’sGreat Transformation; industrial relations within coal mining are conceived through an ongoing conflict between commodifying, liberalizing market forces and a “counter-movement” of worker and community resistance and state regulation, which works to embed markets within social and political priorities. E. P. Thompson’s moral economy provides the basis for an understanding of the formulation of communal expectations and employment practices that acted to mitigate the disruption caused by pit closures. The analysis grounds the historical roots of the moral economy within Poalnyi’s counter-movement and illuminates the operation of specific practices of a Thompsonian character within the nationalized industry, which maintained individual and collective employment stability. This is constructed utilizing interviews with former mineworkers and members of mining families. These are supplemented by archival sources that include the minutes of Colliery Consultative Committee meetings, which took place before pit closures. They reveal the moral economy was fundamentally centered on the control of resources, collieries, and the employment they provided rather than simply elements of financial compensation for those suffering from labor market instability. Resultantly procedure centering on collective consultation was fundamental in legitimating colliery closures.
Dating Human Settlement in the East-Central Tibetan Plateau during the Late Holocene
Authors: Ren LeLe , Dong GuangHui , Li HaiMing , Rhode Dave , Flad Rowan K. , Li GuoQiang , Yang Ying , Wang ZhongXin , Cai LinHai , Ren XiaoYan , Zhang DongJu , Chen FaHu
Published: November 2017

Recent multidisciplinary research indicates that prehistoric agriculture innovation promoted permanent human settlements of areas up to 3400 m above sea level (asl) in the northern Tibetan Plateau, but when and how ancient humans extensively occupied areas above that altitude remains uncertain. In this paper, we investigated 12 archaeological sites situated above 3600 m asl in the Yushu autonomous prefecture, east-central Tibetan Plateau, to explore this issue. We determined the ages of five sites using the radiocarbon (14C) dating method and identified animal bones sampled from three sites. The dating results show that humans occasionally occupied the Yushu area around 900 BC, and permanently inhabited the area between AD 540 and 1620. Preliminary faunal identifications indicate human-raised livestock including yak, sheep, and horse during the latter period. Stone-constructed tombs and rock painting were found at some investigated sites, suggesting humans perhaps engaged in a pastoral lifestyle during the very late Holocene in the high altitude Yushu area, where nomadic livestock production remains the current primary subsistence strategy focus.
Social network type and informal care use in later life: a comparison of three Dutch birth cohorts aged 75–84
Authors: SUANET BIANCA , BROESE VAN GROENOU MARJOLEIN I. , VAN TILBURG THEO G.
Published: November 2017

Recent societal changes have increased the salience of non-kin relationships. It can be questioned whether network types that are more strongly non-kin-based give more informal care nowadays. We study how informal care use differs according to network type for three birth cohorts. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) on older adults aged 75–84 years, interviewed in 1992, 2002 and 2012, respectively (total sample size N = 2,151, analytical sample having functional limitations N = 926). We found four network types: restricted, family-focused with a partner, family-focused without a partner and wider community-focused diverse networks. Wider community-focused diverse networks are more common in the late birth cohort, whereas restricted networks and family-focused networks without a partner are less common. Logistic regression analyses reveal that those in a family-focused network with a partner use informal care more often than those in the other three network types, and insignificant interaction terms show that this does not differ by birth cohort. Irrespective of their network type, those in the late birth cohort use informal care less often. However, after controlling for need, predisposing and context factors, this cohort-difference is no longer significant. We conclude that despite large-scale societal changes, wider community-focused diverse networks do not provide more informal care than before and that among the functionally impaired, the odds of receiving informal care does not decline across birth cohorts.
Football and Public Opinion: A Partial Replication and Extension
Authors: Busby Ethan C. , Druckman James N.
Published: November 2017

Do events irrelevant to politics, such as the weather and sporting events, affect political opinions? A growing experimental literature suggests that such events can matter. However, extant experimental evidence may over-state irrelevant event effects; this could occur if these studies happen to focus on particular scenarios where irrelevant event effects are likely to occur. One way to address this possibility is through replication, which is what we do. Specifically, we replicate an experimental study that showed the outcome of a college football game can influence presidential approval. Our results partially replicate the previous study and suggest the impact is constrained to a limited set of outcome variables. The findings accentuate the need for scholars to identify the conditions under which irrelevant effects occur. While the effects clearly can occur, there relevance to politics remains unclear.
Neue Konzepte und Belege zu den Einsatzmöglichkeiten des AID in der Entwicklungs- und Pädagogischen Psychologie
Authors: Kubinger Klaus D.
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden neben einer Wiederholung der seit mehreren Jahrzehnten bekannten Vorzüge der Intelligenz-Testbatterie AID (Adaptives Intelligenz Diagnostikum) neue Konzepte und Befunde vorgestellt, die über die Berichte der aktuellen Auflage (AID 3; Kubinger & Holocher-Ertl, 2014 ) hinausgehen: Neue „Technologie“ beim Einsatz des AID, neue inhaltliche Konzepte und neue Befunde zu den Einsatzmöglichkeiten des AID sind dabei die wesentlichen Themen. Mit der Software AID_3_tailored ist es nunmehr möglich, die adaptive Vorgabestrategie des AID noch zu optimieren, so dass in den meisten Untertests durchschnittlich drei bis vier Aufgaben von 15 eingespart werden können; dabei dient der Computer (Note- bzw. Netbook) nur zur Unterstützung der Testleiter_innen, für die Testperson erfolgt die Testadministration wie gewohnt und bewährt. Schritt für Schritt wird mit dem AID versucht, die inhaltlichen Einkleidungen bei den einzelnen Aufgabenstellungen so zu gestalten, wie sie für die gegenwärtige multikulturell-internationalisierte Gesellschaft eines sehr weitgesteckten geografischen Raums passen; das jüngste Produkt ist eine englische Version des AID, eben mit Aufgabeninhalten, die international (betreffs England und Deutschland/Österreich) nachweislich gleichwertig sind. Im Vergleich zu den Wechsler Intelligenz-Testbatterien erwies sich die Testbatterie AID in Bezug auf die Differenziertheit des Testprofils, d. h. der Varianz der Testergebnisse einer Person zwischen den einzelnen Untertests, als deutlich besser; geht es um förderungsorientierte Diagnostik, kann also mit dem AID facettenreicher zwischen intraindividuellen Stärken und Schwächen unterschieden werden.
Lehrer_in werden?!
Authors: Köller Michaela M. , Aldrup Karen , Klusmann Uta
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Am Lehramt interessierten Abiturient_innen wird in vielen Bundesländern empfohlen, ihre Studienwahl anhand von Selbsterkundungsverfahren zu überprüfen. Diese Verfahren basieren auf Interessen- und Persönlichkeitstests und sollen Informationen vermitteln sowie eine Rückmeldung über die individuelle Passung zum Lehramtsstudiengang bzw. Lehrerberuf geben. Das Ziel ist, dass möglichst nur die geeigneten ein Lehramtsstudium aufnehmen. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, inwieweit das lehramtsspezifische Selbsterkundungsverfahren Career Counselling for Teachers (CCT) seine Informations- und Selektionsfunktion im Vergleich zu studienfachübergreifenden Verfahren und einer allgemeinen Studieninformation erfüllt und welchen subjektiven Nutzen Schüler_innen aus der Bearbeitung ziehen. Im Rahmen einer experimentellen Studie wurden 187 Schüler_innen der gymnasialen Oberstufe untersucht. Varianzanalysen zeigen, dass CCT weniger Informationen über Zugänge zu Studiengängen bot als die übrigen Selbsterkundungsverfahren und negativer bewertet wurde als die allgemeine Studieninformation. Mit Blick auf Informationen über die individuelle Passung zur beruflichen Umwelt und die positive Bewertung der Verfahren zeigten sich bei Abiturient_innen mit einem hohen Interesse am Lehrerberuf keine Unterschiede zwischen den Verfahren. Allerdings gewannen diejenigen mit eher niedrigem Interesse mehr Informationen durch die studienfachübergreifenden Verfahren und bewerteten die übrigen Instrumente positiver als CCT. Darüber hinaus fühlten sich Personen in ihren Studienwünschen bestätigt, wenn sie eine positive Eignungsrückmeldung im CCT erhalten hatten – unabhängig vom Interesse am Lehramtsstudium. Eine Überprüfung des Studienwunsches bei einer negativen Rückmeldung fand hingegen nur bei Personen mit einem hohen Interesse statt.
Erratum: Early improvement in food cravings are associated with long-term weight loss success in a large clinical sample
Authors: Dalton M , Finlayson G , Walsh B , Halseth A E , Duarte C , Blundell J E
Published: November 2017

Correction to: International Journal of Obesity (2017) 41, 1232–1236; doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.89 Since publication the authors of this paper have requested that it be made open access under the CC BY licence.
Suppression of SRCAP chromatin remodelling complex and restriction of lymphoid lineage commitment by Pcid2
Authors: Ye Buqing , Liu Benyu , Yang Liuliu , Huang Guanling , Hao Lu , Xia Pengyan , Wang Shuo , Du Ying , Qin Xiwen , Zhu Pingping , Wu Jiayi , Sakaguchi Nobuo , Zhang Junyan , Fan Zusen
Published: November 2017

Lymphoid lineage commitment is an important process in haematopoiesis, which forms the immune system to protect the host from pathogen invasion. However, how multipotent progenitors (MPP) switch into common lymphoid progenitors (CLP) or common myeloid progenitors (CMP) during this process remains elusive. Here we show that PCI domain-containing protein 2 (Pcid2) is highly expressed in MPPs. Pcid2 deletion in the haematopoietic system causes skewed lymphoid lineage specification. In MPPs, Pcid2 interacts with the Zinc finger HIT-type containing 1 (ZNHIT1) to block Snf2-related CREBBP activator protein (SRCAP) activity and prevents the deposition of histone variant H2A.Z and transcription factor PU.1 to key lymphoid fate regulator genes. Furthermore, Znhit1 deletion also abrogates H2A/H2A.Z exchange in MPPs. Thus Pcid2 controls lymphoid lineage commitment through the regulation of SRCAP remodelling activity.
The industrial anaerobe Clostridium acetobutylicum uses polyketides to regulate cellular differentiation
Authors: Herman Nicolaus A. , Kim Seong Jong , Li Jeffrey S. , Cai Wenlong , Koshino Hiroyuki , Zhang Wenjun
Published: November 2017

Polyketides are an important class of bioactive small molecules valued not only for their diverse therapeutic applications, but also for their role in controlling interesting biological phenotypes in their producing organisms. While numerous polyketides are known to be derived from aerobic organisms, only a single family of polyketides has been identified from anaerobic organisms. Here we uncover a family of polyketides native to the anaerobic bacteriumClostridium acetobutylicum, an organism well-known for its historical use as an industrial producer of the organic solvents acetone, butanol, and ethanol. Through mutational analysis and chemical complementation assays, we demonstrate that these polyketides act as chemical triggers of sporulation and granulose accumulation in this strain. This study represents a significant addition to the body of work demonstrating the existence and importance of polyketides in anaerobes, and showcases a strategy of manipulating the secondary metabolism of an organism to improve traits relevant for industrial applications.
First-principles prediction of high-entropy-alloy stability
Authors: Feng Rui , Liaw Peter K. , Gao Michael C. , Widom Michael
Published: November 2017

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are multicomponent compounds whose high configurational entropy allows them to solidify into a single phase, with a simple crystal lattice structure. Some HEAs exhibit desirable properties, such as high specific strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance, while challenging the scientist to make confident predictions in the face of multiple competing phases. We demonstrate phase stability in the multicomponent alloy system of Cr–Mo–Nb–V, for which some of its binary subsystems are subject to phase separation and complex intermetallic-phase formation. Our first-principles calculation of free energy predicts that the configurational entropy stabilizes a single body-centered cubic (BCC) phase from T = 1700 K up to melting, while precipitation of a complex intermetallic is favored at lower temperatures. We form the compound experimentally and confirm that it develops as a single BCC phase from the melt, but that it transforms reversibly at lower temperatures.
Publisher Correction: First-principles calculation of intrinsic defect chemistry and self-doping in PbTe
Authors: Goyal Anuj , Gorai Prashun , Toberer Eric S. , Stevanović Vladan
Published: November 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this article.
Shock Synthesis of Decagonal Quasicrystals
Authors: Oppenheim J. , Ma C. , Hu J. , Bindi L. , Steinhardt P. J. , Asimow P. D.
Published: November 2017

The Khatyrka meteorite contains both icosahedral and decagonal quasicrystals. In our previous studies, icosahedral quasicrystals have been synthesized and recovered from shock experiments at the interface between CuAl5and stainless steel 304 alloys. In this study, we report a new shock recovery experiment aimed at synthesizing decagonal quasicrystals similar to decagonite, natural Al71Ni24Fe5. Aluminum 2024 and permalloy 80 alloys were stacked together and shocked in a stainless steel 304 recovery chamber. Abundant decagonal quasicrystals of average composition Al73Ni19Fe4Cu2Mg0.6Mo0.4Mn0.3with traces of Si and Cr were found along the recovered interface between the Al and permalloy. The experiment also synthesized AlNiFe alloy with the B2 (CsCl-type) structure and the metastable Al9Ni2phase. We present chemical (scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe) and structural (electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy) characterization of the recovered phases and discuss the implications of this shock synthesis for the stability of quasicrystals during high-pressure shocks and for the interpretation of the phase assemblage found in Khatyrka.
Potassium fertilisation reduces radiocesium uptake by Japanese cypress seedlings grown in a stand contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident
Authors: Komatsu Masabumi , Hirai Keizo , Nagakura Junko , Noguchi Kyotaro
Published: November 2017

We analysed suppressive effects of potassium (K) fertilisation on radiocesium (137Cs) uptake by hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) seedlings from soils contaminated after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Three-year-old seedlings were planted in a clear-cut forest (ca. 4 ha) during June–July 2014, and potassium chloride fertiliser (83 kg K ha−1) was applied twice (August 2014 and April 2015). 137Cs concentrations in the needles in the fertilised plots were one-eighth of those in the control (unfertilised) plots at the end of the second growing season (October 2015). Our results clearly indicated that K fertilisation reduced radiocesium transfer from soil to planted cypress seedlings. A linear mixed model analysis revealed that 137Cs concentrations in the needles were significantly affected by 137Cs inventory in the soil (Bq m−2) adjacent to the sampled seedlings, exchangeable K concentrations in surface mineral soils (0–5 cm) and fertilisation. The exchangeable K concentrations in surface soils in October 2015 did not differ from those in August 2014 (before fertilisation) in the fertilised plots and in the control plots. These results suggested that the levels of exchangeable K would temporarily increase by fertilisation during the growing season, and radiocesium uptake by tree roots was suppressed.
Maternal Exposure to Iodine Excess Throughout Pregnancy and Lactation Induces Hypothyroidism in Adult Male Rat Offspring
Authors: Serrano-Nascimento Caroline , Salgueiro Rafael Barrera , Pantaleão Thiago , Corrêa da Costa Vânia Maria , Nunes Maria Tereza
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to investigate the consequences of maternal exposure to iodine excess (IE; 0.6 mg NaI/L) throughout pregnancy and lactation on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis of the male offspring in adulthood. Maternal IE exposure increased hypothalamic Trh mRNA expression and pituitary Tsh expression and secretion in the adult male offspring. Moreover, the IE-exposed offspring rats presented reduced thyroid hormones levels, morphological alterations in the thyroid follicles, increased thyroid oxidative stress and decreased expression of thyroid differentiation markers (Tshr, Nis, Tg, Tpo, Mct8) and thyroid transcription factors (Nkx2.1, Pax8). Finally, the data presented here strongly suggest that epigenetic mechanisms, as increased DNA methylation, augmented DNA methyltransferases expression, hypermethylation of histone H3, hypoaceylation of histones H3 and H4, increased expression/activity of histone deacetylases and decreased expression/activity of histone acetyltransferases are involved in the repression of thyroid gene expression in the adult male offspring. In conclusion, our results indicate that rat dams’ exposure to IE during pregnancy and lactation induces primary hypothyroidism and triggers several epigenetic changes in the thyroid gland of their male offspring in adulthood.
Circulating miR-210 and miR-22 combined with ALT predict the virological response to interferon-alpha therapy of CHB patients
Authors: Li Jin , Zhang Xiaonan , Chen Liang , Zhang Zhanqing , Zhang Jiming , Wang Weixia , Wu Min , Shi Bisheng , Zhang Xinxin , Kozlowski Maya , Hu Yunwen , Yuan Zhenghong
Published: November 2017

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is constrained by limited response and side effects. We described a panel of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) which could potentially predict outcome of IFN-α therapy. Here, we report development of a simplified scoring model for personalized treatment of CHB patients. 112 CHB patients receiving IFN-α treatment were randomly divided into a training (n = 75) or a validation group (n = 37). The expression of 15 candidate miRNAs was detected in training group with 5 miRNAs exhibiting significantly different levels (p < 0.0001) between early virological response (EVR) and non-early virological response (N-EVR). These 5 miRNAs were further tested in validation phase. Refinement analyses of results from training phase established a model composed of miR-210, miR-22 and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), with area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.874 and 0.816 in training and validation groups, respectively. In addition, this model showed prognostic value for sustained virological response (SVR) (AUC = 0.821). Collectively, this simplified scoring model composed of miR-210, miR-22 and ALT can reproducibly predict the EVR and SVR of IFN-α therapy in CHB patients. The model should help to forecast the outcome of IFN-α treatment prior to therapy decision involving nucleoside analogs or IFNs.
Modifying response times in the Simon task with transcranial random noise stimulation
Authors: McIntosh James Robert , Mehring Carsten
Published: November 2017

Perceptual decisions pervade our every-day lives, and can align or conflict with inbuilt biases. We investigated these conflicting biases by applying transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) while subjects took part in a visual Simon task - a paradigm where irrelevant spatial cues influence the response times of subjects to relevant colour cues. We found that tRNS reduces the response time of subjects independent of the congruence between spatial and colour cues, but dependent on the baseline response time, both between subjects and across conditions within subjects. We consider the reduction in response time to be non-specific to the Simon task, and cast our interpretations in terms of drift-diffusion models, which have been previously used as mechanistic explanations for decision-making processes. However, there have been few extensions of the drift-diffusion model to the Simon effect, and so we first elaborate on this interpretation, and further extend it by incorporating the potential action of tRNS.
Influence of Large Reservoir Operation on Water-Levels and Flows in Reaches below Dam: Case Study of the Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Yang Yunping , Zhang Mingjin , Zhu Lingling , Liu Wanli , Han Jianqiao , Yang Yanhua
Published: November 2017

The Three Gorges Project (TGP) is the world’s largest water conservation project. The post-construction low-flow water level at the same discharge below the dam has declined, but there remains disagreement over whether the flood level has increased. Measured water levels and upstream and downstream flow data from 1955 to 2016 show that, post-construction: (1) the low-flow water level at the same discharge decreased, and the lowest water level increased due to dry-season reservoir discharge; (2) the decline of the low-flow water level below the dam was less than the undercutting value of the flow channel of the river; (3) the flood level at the same discharge below the dam was slightly elevated, although peak water levels decreased; (4) flood characteristics changed from a high discharge–high flood level to a medium discharge – high flood level; and (5) an expected decline in the flood level downstream was not observed. Channel erosion and the adjustment of rivers and lakes tend to reduce flood levels, while river bed coarsening, vegetation, and human activities downstream increase the flood level. Although the flood control benefits of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) and the upstream reservoirs are obvious, increased elevation of the downstream flood level remains a concern.
Proteomic study revealed cellular assembly and lipid metabolism dysregulation in sepsis secondary to community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Sharma Narendra Kumar , Tashima Alexandre Keiji , Brunialti Milena Karina Colo , Ferreira Eden Ramalho , Torquato Ricardo Jose Soares , Mortara Renato Arruda , Machado Flavia Ribeiro , Assuncao Murillo , Rigato Otelo , Salomao Reinaldo
Published: November 2017

Sepsis is a life-threatening disorder characterized by organ dysfunction and a major cause of mortality worldwide. The major challenge in studying sepsis is its diversity in such factors as age, source of infection and etiology. Recently, genomic and proteomic approaches have improved our understanding of its complex pathogenesis. In the present study, we use quantitative proteomics to evaluate the host proteome response in septic patients secondary to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Samples obtained at admission and after 7 days of follow-up were analyzed according to the outcomes of septic patients. The patients’ proteome profiles were compared with age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Bioinformatic analyses of differentially expressed proteins showed alteration in the cytoskeleton, cellular assembly, movement, lipid metabolism and immune responses in septic patients. Actin and gelsolin changes were assessed in mononuclear cells using immunofluorescence, and a higher expression of gelsolin and depletion of actin were observed in survivor patients. Regarding lipid metabolism, changes in cholesterol, HDL and apolipoproteins were confirmed using enzymatic colorimetric methods in plasma. Transcriptomic studies revealed a massive change in gene expression in sepsis. Our proteomic results stressed important changes in cellular structure and metabolism, which are possible targets for future interventions of sepsis.
Hyaluronic acid 35 normalizes TLR4 signaling in Kupffer cells from ethanol-fed rats via regulation of microRNA291b and its target Tollip
Authors: Saikia Paramananda , Roychowdhury Sanjoy , Bellos Damien , Pollard Katherine A. , McMullen Megan R. , McCullough Rebecca L. , McCullough Arthur J. , Gholam Pierre , de la Motte Carol , Nagy Laura E.
Published: November 2017

TLR4 signaling in hepatic macrophages is increased after chronic ethanol feeding. Treatment of hepatic macrophages after chronic ethanol feeding with small-specific sized hyaluronic acid 35 (HA35) normalizes TLR4 signaling; however, the mechanisms for HA35 action are not completely understood. Here we used Next Generation Sequencing of microRNAs to identify negative regulators of TLR4 signaling reciprocally modulated by ethanol and HA35 in hepatic macrophages. Eleven microRNAs were up-regulated by ethanol; only 4 microRNAs, including miR291b, were decreased by HA35. Bioinformatics analysis identified Tollip, a negative regulator of TLR4, as a target of miR291b. Tollip expression was decreased in hepatic macrophages from ethanol-fed rats, but treatment with HA35 or transfection with a miR291b hairpin inhibitor restored Tollip expression and normalized TLR4-stimulated TNFα expression. In peripheral blood monocytes isolated from patients with alcoholic hepatitis, expression of TNFα mRNA was robustly increased in response to challenge with lipopolysaccharide. Importantly, pre-treatment with HA35 reduced TNFα expression by more than 50%. Taken together, we have identified miR291b as a critical miRNA up-regulated by ethanol. Normalization of the miR291b → Tollip pathway by HA35 ameliorated ethanol-induced sensitization of TLR4 signaling in macrophages/monocytes, suggesting that HA35 may be a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of ALD.