bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Se former pour éduquer : la spatialité comme ressource(s). Exercices de pensée critique géographique d’étudiantes et d’étudiants
Authors: Le Guern Anne-Laure
Published: January 2020

La question posée dans cet article est de savoir si les étudiantes et les étudiants qui se forment pour enseigner la discipline scolaire appelée, en France, « histoire-géographie » ont une appréhension particulière de leur futur métier d’enseignant en raison même de leur discipline de formation et d’exercice professionnel. Les savoirs disciplinaires leur servent-ils de ressources professionnelles? L’étude d’un corpus de portfolios de formation et d’évaluation d’étudiantes et d’étudiants se préparant à l’exercice du métier montre des usages différenciés de la spatialité. L’article expose une grille d’analyse qui permet d’identifier les mobilisations disciplinaires et les conditions d’un exercice de pensée réflexive et critique à fort enjeu éducatif.
Enseigner l’histoire pour éduquer les élèves aux droits humains? Le cas de l’histoire de l’apartheid dans des classes québécoises
Authors: Moisan Sabrina
Published: January 2020

Comment l’histoire scolaire contribue-t-elle à une éducation citoyenne portant sur l’enjeu des droits humains?Ce lien entre histoire scolaire et formation citoyenne n’est pas aisé à implanter, et sa raison d’être se voit même parfois contestée. Cet article, qui cherche à contribuer à la réflexion et au débat, s’intéresse aux pratiques d’enseignement mises en place par trois enseignants d’histoire du secondaire (une enseignante et deux enseignants) au sujet de l’histoire de l’apartheid. Dans un premier temps, l’analyse compare les finalités prescrites dans le programme d’études à celles poursuivies par l’enseignante et les deux enseignants. Ensuite, les pratiques mises en place sont analysées de manière à comprendre comment un sujet, comme les luttes antiapartheid, est enseigné et quel peut être son apport pour l’éducation aux droits humains. Les résultats montrent que le programme d’histoire et ses documents afférents (notamment laProgression des apprentissages) ont un effet important sur l’organisation des contenus, et donc de la classe, ce qui n’encouragerait pas la formation citoyenne critique ni une compréhension politique des enjeux des droits humains. L’article contribue ainsi à la réflexion sur les liens entre l’enseignement de l’histoire, l’éducation aux droits humains et l’éducation à la citoyenneté, tout en éclairant également les habitudes professionnelles d’enseignantes et d’enseignants d’histoire au secondaire.
Les intra-actions sociomatérielles au service de l’apprentissage mathématique
Authors: Forte Magali , Sinclair Nathalie
Published: January 2020

Dans le cadre de ce numéro thématique sur les interactions sociales au service des apprentissages mathématiques, nous souhaitons mettre l’accent sur des éléments théoriques nouveaux, issus des courants du nouveau matérialisme et du posthumanisme, qui permettent de réexaminer le concept d’interaction sociale afin de mieux comprendre l’aspect matériel de l’activité mathématique. Comment peut-on considérer les interactions entre élèves, et entre enseignant ou enseignante et élèves, d’une manière différente afin de formuler une théorie de l’apprentissage ou du concept qui reconnaisse l’aspect matériel du monde physique, du langage, des interactions sociales et des concepts, y compris des concepts mathématiques, et qui nous amène ainsi à redéfinir la notion même d’interaction? En mêlant transcription narrative de l’enregistrement vidéo d’une leçon de mathématiques, qui a eu lieu dans une classe de première année d’immersion française dans une école de Colombie-Britannique, avec notre interprétation du concept d’intra-action, nous proposons de repenser l’acte d’enseignement-apprentissage comme un acte certes social, mais aussi, avant tout, matériel.
Una seguridad (muy) interior del Estado. El trabajo de la prevención en familias de reclusos
Authors: Aedo Angel
Published: January 2020

This article analyses the work of prevention within a specific social field: the families of prisoners. From this place of experience, it examines how prevention takes shape as a technology of government that guides practices, thoughts and ways of being. Within this relational movement, this article theorizes the concept of “subject of prevention” in order to explain how a framework of subjectivation emerges as an agent of moral discipline, which is conceived through a neoliberal grammar of state programs, translated into ordinary language by NGO workers and driven by the imperative to prevent.
Los impactos de la ideología técnica y la cultura algorítmica en la sociedad: una aproximación crítica
Authors: García Ramírez Diego , Valle Jiménez Dune
Published: January 2020

This article aims to reflect on a type of ideology that considers technological advances as the solution to all of humanity’s problems, and to understand how computational algorithms delineate everyday behaviors and practices that shape an algorithmic culture. The reflection is framed within the technical–social relationship, a long-standing discussion, in which certain discourses have exalted only the benefits of technological advances, leaving aside the critical thinking that makes it possible to recognize the social, political, economic, and cultural implications that are generated from them.
Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed genes involved in the fruiting body development ofOphiocordyceps sinensis
Authors: Tong Xinxin , Zhang Han , Wang Fang , Xue Zhengyao , Cao Jing , Peng Cheng , Guo Jinlin
Published: January 2020

Ophiocordyceps sinensisis a highly valued fungus that has been used as traditional Asian medicine. This fungus is one of the most important sources of income for the nomadic populations of the Tibetan Plateau. With global warming and excessive collection, the wildO. sinensisresources declined dramatically. The cultivation ofO. sinensishasn’t been fully operational due to the unclear genetic basis of the fruiting body development. Here, our study conducted pairwise comparisons between transcriptomes acquired from different growth stages ofO. sinensisincluding asexual mycelium (CM), developing fruiting body (DF) and mature fruiting body (FB). All RNA-Seq reads were aligned to the genome ofO. sinensisCO18 prior to comparative analyses. Cluster analysis showed that the expression profiles of FB and DF were highly similar compared to CM. Alternative splicing analysis (AS) revealed that the stage-specific splicing genes may have important functions in the development of fruiting body. Functional enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in protein synthesis and baseline metabolism during fruiting body development, indicating that more protein and energy might be required for fruiting body development. In addition, some fruiting body development-associated genes impacted by ecological factors were up-regulated in FB samples, such as the nucleoside diphosphate kinase gene (ndk), β subunit of the fatty acid synthase gene (cel-2) and the superoxide dismutase gene (sod). Moreover, the expression levels of several cytoskeletons genes were significantly altered during all these growth stages, suggesting that these genes play crucial roles in both vegetative growth and the fruiting body development. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to validate the gene expression profile and the results supported the accuracy of the RNA-Seq and DEGs analysis. Our study offers a novel perspective to understand the underlying growth stage-specific molecular differences and the biology ofO. sinensisfruiting body development.
Evaluation of Enzymes Production Activity of Trichoderma, Aspergillus and Rhizopus Species in Paraeforce (Herbicide) Degradation
Authors: Onianwah F. I. , Stanley H. O. , Eze V. C. , Ifeanyi V. O. , Ugboma C. J.
Published: January 2020

The study aims to evaluate enzymes that facilitate fungal degradation of paraeforce. Soil samples for fungal isolation were collected from impacted sites and inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The isolates were screened for growth and tolerance to paraefoce in 50 mg/l concentration of the test herbicides. Trichoderma, Aspergillus and Rhizopus species were found to grow in paraeforce supplemented PDA. Qualitative and quantitative assay for different enzyme production in hydrogen peroxide, methyl red, guaiacol and hydrogen peroxide-pyrogallol complex proved potential for catalase, lignin peroxidase, laccase and manganese peroxidase production, respectively. The results showed that these three fungi have great potential for catalase, peroxidase and laccase production after six days aerobic incubation in paraeforce and these enzymes facilitated the utilization of the paraeforce.
A
zotobacter

Cysts
Authors: Segura Daniel , Núñez Cinthia , Espín Guadalupe
Published: January 2020

Azotobacter
is a genus of soil bacteria able to form cysts, which are dormant cells resistant to deleterious conditions. A cyst consists of a contracted oval cell, covered with a two‐layered capsule. Although many physiological and morphological studies about encystment were published decades ago, the biosynthetic pathways of the major components of the cyst (alginate, polyhydroxybutyrate and the phenolic lipids alkylresorcinols and alkylpyrones) and how they are regulated, remained largely unknown. More recent work elucidated their biosyntheses and the regulators controlling their formation and changes occurring during encystment, such as the loss of flagella. Among these regulators are the alternative sigma factors AlgU and RpoS, the global regulatory systems Gac/Rsm and the transcriptional regulators AlgR, ArpR and CydR. Lately, stress‐related proteins have been shown to contribute to the resistance of the cysts. A recent proteomic analysis confirmed many of the metabolic and structural changes observed and revealed new participants in the resistance mechanisms of the cysts.

Key Concepts

The encysting process results in a dormant cell more resistant to adverse conditions than the vegetative cell.

During the encysting process, a coordinated array of metabolic and morphological changes take place to produce a dormant cell.

The central body of the cyst is surrounded by a protective two‐layered capsule, which is composed of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.

The exopolysaccharide alginate constitutes a structural part of the cyst envelope and is essential for desiccation resistance.

Several regulators of gene expression control the differentiation process, leading to the production of cyst.

Heat‐shock and LEA proteins prevent misfolding and aggregation of proteins exposed to stress (osmotic, freezing, heat, UV radiation, desiccation, etc.) in multiple organisms, including bacteria plants and animals.
Bacterial Intracellular Membranes
Authors: Stolz John F
Published: January 2020

This article describes the occurrence, structure, arrangement and function of bacterial intracytoplasmic membranes (ICMS) including magnetosomes of magnetotactic bacteria, the thylakoids of cyanobacteria and chloroxybacteria, the ICMS of purple bacteria and chemoautotrophic bacteria, the chlorosomes of green bacteria and the anammoxosome of ammonia‐oxidising bacteria.

Key Concepts

Intracellular membranes provide additional surface area for key biological processes.

Phototrophic bacteria exhibit a diversity of light‐harvesting structures with unique pigment composition.

Although the presence of thylakoids, intracellular cytoplasmic membranes and chlorosomes can indicate photosystem, they are not useful as a taxonomic trait.

Magnetosomes control both the morphology and composition of the magnetic mineral.

The anammoxosome is most likely the site of ammonia oxidation.
Room‐Temperature Operation of a p‐Type Molecular Spin Photovoltaic Device on a Transparent Substrate
Authors: Bairagi Kaushik , Romero David Garcia , Calavalle Francesco , Catalano Sara , Zuccatti Elisabetta , Llopis Roger , Casanova Fèlix , Hueso Luis E.
Published: January 2020

The coupling of diverse degrees of freedom opens the door to physical effects that go beyond each of them individually, making multifunctionality a much sought‐after attribute for high‐performance devices. Here, the multifunctional operation of a single‐layer p‐type organic device, displaying both spin transport and photovoltaic effect at the room temperature on a transparent substrate, is shown. The generated photovoltage is almost three times larger than the applied bias to the device which facilitates the modulation of the magnetic response of the device with both bias and light. The device shows an increase in power conversion efficiency under magnetic field, an ability to invert the current with magnetic field and under certain conditions it can act as a spin photodetector with zero power consumption in the standby mode. The room‐temperature exploitation of the interplay among light, bias, and magnetic field in the single device with a p‐type molecule opens a way toward the development of efficient high‐performance spin photovoltaic cells.
Fano‐Enhanced Circular Dichroism in Deformable Stereo Metasurfaces
Authors: Liu Zhiguang , Xu Yi , Ji Chang‐Yin , Chen Shanshan , Li Xiangping , Zhang Xiangdong , Yao Yugui , Li Jiafang
Published: January 2020

2D metasurfaces have emerged as a paradigm‐shifting platform for light management with considerable miniaturization and alleviated fabrication challenges than their 3D counterparts. However, the appearance of in‐plane mirror symmetry and reduced dimensions impose fundamental restraints to advanced chiroptical responses and reconfiguration capabilities. Here, a new concept of Fano‐enhanced circular dichroism by introducing a reconfigurable stereo metasurface, which possesses deformable out‐of‐plane twists that are readily achieved by a simple nano‐kirigami fabrication method, is demonstrated. The stereo height and twisting geometries can be reproducibly controlled, providing a facile and automated fashion to tailor the distinct profiles of Fano resonances under circularly polarized incidence. As a result, a recorded high efficiency of circular dichroism generation per unit sample thickness is achieved with Fano resonances in opposite lineshapes. Leveraging this feature, large‐range reconfiguration of circular dichroism at optical wavelengths is demonstrated through reversible compression of the stereo metasurfaces with a fiber tip. The studied stereo metasurface unfolds a new degree of freedom for advanced photonic applications in a quasi‐flat optical platform, and the proposed concept of Fano‐enhanced circular dichroism opens new venues to explore interesting fundamental phenomena of chiral optics.
Electrochemical Selective Oxidative Functionalization of Caffeine
Authors: Liang Xing‐An , Liu Dingdong , Sun He , Jiang Chongyu , Chen Hong , Niu Linbin , Mahato Karuna , Abdelilah Takfaoui , Zhang Heng , Lei Aiwen
Published: January 2020

Direct electrochemical oxidative functionalization of caffeine under metal‐free and external‐oxidant‐free conditions was achieved. Nucleophiles such as various substituted pyrazoles, alcohols, and sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate can be utilized with high diastereoselectivity for the dearomatizative functionalization of caffeine. In addition, selective C2 functionalization of caffeine has also been realized with the modification of solvent and reaction time. A gram‐scale experiment demonstrates the potential application in the derivatization of caffeine.

magnified image
Phosphorus runoff risk assessment in karstic regions of the United States
Authors: Sharpley Andrew N. , Hays Phillip D. , VanDevender Karl W. , Daniels Mike B.
Published: January 2020

The Phosphorus (P) Index risk assessment tool has been widely adopted across the United States to identify and rank site vulnerability to P runoff as part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service nutrient management planning (NMP) process. However, limited success has been achieved in addressing the risk of P loss by subsurface flow pathways, despite its relative importance in certain areas of the United States, particularly in those U.S. states dominated by karst terrain. Here we review how states with varying land areas classified as having karst features address the risk of P runoff during the NMP process. Indices adopted in Illinois and Indiana require setbacks (widths 15–72 m) around surface karst features. The remaining states with karst address the risk of P loss in NMP development rather than the application of a P Index. Given the spatially variable hydrogeologic properties of karst, technically rigorous field‐scale factors are unlikely to be developed in the near future.
Development of Safe and Sustainable Dual‐Ion Batteries Through Hybrid Aqueous/Nonaqueous Electrolytes
Authors: Wrogemann Jens Matthies , Künne Sven , Heckmann Andreas , Rodríguez‐Pérez Ismael A. , Siozios Vassilios , Yan Bo , Li Jie , Winter Martin , Beltrop Kolja , Placke Tobias
Published: January 2020

In this study, a new dual‐ion battery (DIB) concept based on an aqueous/non‐aqueous electrolyte is reported, combining high safety in the form of a nonflammable water‐in‐salt electrolyte, a high cathodic stability by forming a protective interphase on the negative electrode (non‐aqueous solvent), and improved sustainability by using a graphite‐based positive electrode material. Far beyond the anodic stability limit of water, the formation of a stage‐2 acceptor‐type graphite intercalation compound (GIC) of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (TFSI) anions from an aqueous‐based electrolyte is achieved for the first time, as confirmed by ex‐situ X‐ray diffraction. The choice of negative electrode material shows a huge impact on the performance of the DIB cell chemistry, i.e., discharge capacities up to 40 mAh g−1 are achieved even at a high specific current of 200 mA g−1. In particular, lithium titanium phosphate (LiTi2(PO4)3; LTP) and lithium titanium oxide (Li4Ti5O12; LTO) are evaluated as negative electrodes, exhibiting specific advantages for this DIB setup. In this work, a new DIB storage concept combining an environmentally friendly, transition‐metal‐free, abundant graphite positive electrode material, and a nonflammable water‐based electrolyte is established, thus paving the path toward a sustainable and safe alternative energy storage technology.
Asclepiadospermumgen. nov., the earliest fossil record of Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) from the early Eocene of central Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, and its biogeographic implications
Authors: Del Rio Cédric , Wang Teng‐Xiang , Liu Jia , Liang Shui‐Qing , Spicer Robert A. , Wu Fei‐Xiang , Zhou Zhe‐Kun , Su Tao
Published: January 2020

Premise

Apocynaceae is common in the fossil record, especially as seed remains from the Neogene of Europe and North America, but rare in Asia. Intrafamilial assignment is difficult due to the lack of diagnostic characters, and new fossil and modern data are needed to understand the paleobiogeography of this group.

Methods

We studied three Apocynaceae seed impressions from the Lower Eocene Niubao Formation, Jianglang village, Bangor County, central Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Morphological data from living and fossil species were phylogenetically mapped to enable systematic assignment.

Results

We describe a new genus,Asclepiadospermumgen. nov., and two new species,A. marginatumsp. nov. andA. ellipticumsp. nov. These species are characterized by an elliptical seed, a margin surrounding the central part of the seed, and polygonal, irregular, and small epidermal cells, and differ mainly in terms of the size of the margin and the shape of the apex. All these characters indicate that this new genus belongs to the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae).

Conclusions

These fossils represent the earliest fossil seed records of Asclepiadoideae.Asclepiadospermumindicates a humid tropical to subtropical flora during the early Eocene in central Tibet. Moreover, our discoveries indicate a close floristic connection between Eurasia and Africa during the early Eocene, which expands our knowledge of the floristic linkage between Tibet and other regions at that time.
Coenzyme und ihre Rolle in der Evolution des Lebens
Authors: Kirschning Andreas
Published: January 2020

Die Evolution der Coenzyme oder ihr Einfluss auf den Ursprung des Lebens ist grundlegend für das Verständnis unserer eigenen Existenz. Hypothesen über die Entstehung präbiotischer chemischer Bausteine, die unter paläogeochemischen Bedingungen wahrscheinlich entstanden – hierzu zählen auch niedermolekulare Verbindungen wie die Coenzyme – führen zu komplexeren Makromolekülen wie RNA. Damit erhält die Frage der Herkunft von Coenzymen und ihrer Beziehung in der Evolution der funktionellen Biochemie neuen Auftrieb. Viele Coenzyme weisen eine einfache chemische Struktur auf und leiten sich von Nukleotiden ab, was darauf hindeutet, dass sie mit der Entstehung der RNA koexistiert und eine zentrale Rolle im frühen Metabolismus gespielt haben könnten. Auf der Grundlage aktueller Theorien der präbiotischen Evolution werden in diesem Aufsatz plausible Hypothesen über die präbiotische Bildung von Schlüsselelementen innerhalb ausgewählter Coenzyme diskutiert. In Kombination mit präbiotischer RNA haben Coenzyme möglicherweise die frühen protometabolischen Netzwerke und die katalytischen Möglichkeiten der RNA während der Evolution des Lebens deutlich erweitert.
Probing Long‐Range Anisotropic Interactions: a General and Sign‐Sensitive Strategy to Measure 1H–1H Residual Dipolar Couplings as a Key Advance for Organic Structure Determination
Authors: Sinnaeve Davy , Ilgen Julian , Di Pietro Maria Enrica , Primozic Johann J. , Schmidts Volker , Thiele Christina M. , Luy Burkhard
Published: January 2020

Residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) are amongst the most powerful NMR parameters for organic structure elucidation. In order to maximize their effectiveness in increasingly complex cases such as flexible compounds, a maximum of RDCs between nuclei sampling a large distribution of orientations is needed, including sign information. For this, the easily accessible one‐bond 1H–13C RDCs alone often fall short. Long‐range 1H–1H RDCs are both abundant and typically sample highly complementary orientations, but accessing them in a sign‐sensitive way has been severely obstructed due to the overflow of 1H–1H couplings. Here, we present a generally applicable strategy that allows the measurement of a large number of 1H–1H RDCs, including their signs, which is based on a combination of an improved PSYCHEDELIC method and a new selective constant‐time β‐COSY experiment. The potential of 1H–1H RDCs to better determine molecular alignment and to discriminate between enantiomers and diastereomers is demonstrated.
Chemical characterization and anti‐hemolytic anemia potentials of tin nanoparticles synthesized by a green approach for bioremediation applications
Authors: Ahmeda Ahmad , Mahdavi Behnam , Zaker Farhad , Kaviani Saeid , Hosseini Soudabeh , Zangeneh Mohammad Mahdi , Zangeneh Akram , Paydarfar Sogand , Moradi Rohallah
Published: January 2020

The therapeutic properties of tin nanoparticles have been proved in recent years. One of their probable effects is anti‐anemia. In this study, tin nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized in aqueous medium usingZiziphora clinopodioidesLam leaf aqueous extract as the reducing and stabilizing agent. We also assessed the antihemolytic anemia potential of tin nanoparticles (SnNPs) in an animal model of hemolytic anemia. Tin nanoparticles were characterized using many techniques including Fourier transform‐infrared and UV‐visible spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, and field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). FE‐SEM images showed a uniform spherical morphology in size of 18.12 nm for the green synthesized nanoparticles. According to XRD analysis, SnNPs crystal size was17.94 nm. SnNPs had low cell viability dose‐dependently against human umbilical vein endothelial cell line. in vivo design, induction of hemolytic anemia was done by phenylhydrazine in 40 mice. Tin nanoparticles significantly (p≤ 0.01) reduced the weight and volume of liver and spleen and the concentration of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and increased the body weight, anti‐inflammatory cytokines concentration, total platelet, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, and basophil counts, and red blood cell parameters compared to the untreated mice. For the biochemical parameters, SnNPs significantly (p≤ 0.01) increased the concentrations of GPx, CAT, and SOD in serum, liver, and spleen and decreased the concentration of GR in serum, liver, and spleen, and also erythropoietin, ferritin, and ferrous in serum as compared to the anemic mice. The 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl test showed similar antioxidant activities for SnNPs and butylated hydroxytoluene. The results demonstrate the excellent antihemolytic anemia, hematoprotective, cytotoxicity, and antioxidant potentials of SnNPs compared to other experimental groups.
Synthesis of Edible Vegetable Oils Enriched with Healthy 1,3‐Diglycerides Using Crude Glycerol and Homogeneous/Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Dosso Liza A. , Luggren Pablo J. , Di Cosimo Juana Isabel
Published: January 2020

Commercial edible vegetable oils in which part of their triglycerides are substituted with 1,3‐diglycerides are healthier for human consumption than the original oils. This is because the human metabolism of 1,3‐diglycerides is believed to occur through a distinct pathway with less probability of being deposited as fat in the body tissues. To obtain these enriched oils, conversion of triglycerides into diglycerides is carried out by glycerolysis using commercial crude glycerol containing dissolved alkali cations that homogeneously catalyze the reaction. The addition of a food production‐compatible MgO as a supplementary solid basic catalyst, shortens the reaction time by half due to a combination of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis processes. In either homogeneously or homogeneous‐heterogeneously catalyzed glycerolysis, the increase of the reaction temperature in the range of 453–493 K increases the final 1,3‐diglyceride content. Furthermore, in both glycerolysis processes the triglyceride content can be decreased in more than 60% with the consequent increase of total diglycerides to 50%, 70% of which are the 1,3‐isomers. The glycerolysis reaction proceeds without altering the fatty acid distribution of the original oils.
Use of photodegradable inhibitors in UV‐curable compositions to form polymeric 2D‐structures by visible light
Authors: Mensov Sergey Nickolayevich , Abakumov Gleb A. , Arsenyev Maxim V. , Baten'kin Maxim A. , Chesnokov Sergey A. , Konev Alexey N. , Polushtaytsev Yuri V. , Shurygina Margarita P. , Zakharina Maria Yu.
Published: January 2020

The process of two‐wave photopolymerization of a UV‐curable composition with an optically degrading inhibitor is considered. By numerical simulation, it is shown that in the composition layer uniformly exposed to UV‐radiation, such systems allow getting segments with different conversion under the action of inhomogeneous visible light. Based on the data on the photopolymerization kinetics of the compositions from triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and bisphenol‐A glycidyl dimethacrylate (bis‐GMA) with the UV‐initiator 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone (DMPA), it was shown that 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐o‐benzoquinone (35Q) with N,N‐dimethylaniline (DMA, “Aldrich”, 99%) can serve as an inhibitor that degrades under action of visible radiation. Combining inhomogeneous visible light generated with a conventional DLP‐projector and uniform UV‐radiation of LED (365 nm) the two‐wave lithographic process was implemented to create polymeric 2D‐structures in 20 μm layer of the compositions from TEGDMA (70)/bis‐GMA (30)/DMPA (0.05 wt%)/35Q (0.5 wt%)/DMA (1 wt%).
Development of small‐scale models to understand the impact of continuous downstream bioprocessing on integrated virus filtration
Authors: Lute Scott , Kozaili Julie , Johnson Sarah , Kobayashi Kazuya , Strauss Daniel
Published: January 2020

We designed small‐scale virus filtration models to investigate the impact of the extended process times and dynamic product streams present in continuous manufacturing. Our data show that the Planova 20N and BioEX virus filters are capable of effectively removing bacteriophage PP7 (>4 log) when run continuously for up to 4 days. Additionally, both Planova 20N and BioEX filters were able to successfully process a mock elution peak of increased protein, salt, and bacteriophage concentrations with only an increase in filtration pressure observed during the higher protein concentration peak. These experiments demonstrated that small‐scale viral clearance studies can be designed to model a continuous virus filtration step with specific process parameters.
New aluminum mesh from recyclable material for immobilization of TiO2 in heterogeneous photocatalysis
Authors: Barbosa Ada A. , de Aquino Ramon V. S. , Silva Marina G. , do Nascimento Júnior Welenilton J. , Duarte Marta M. M. B. , Dantas Renato F. , da Rocha Otidene R. S.
Published: January 2020

This study presents a new aluminium mesh made out of soda can rings as a support for titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the degradation of the synthetic dyes Bordeaux Red (BR) and Tartrazine (TT). Three pre‐treatments including calcination and acidification steps were investigated in order to select the most efficient immobilization procedure for photocatalysis application. Raw and titania‐aluminum meshes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The material presented itself as a suitable alternative in the immobilization of titania for wastewater treatment. Preliminary tests selected H2O2/TiO2(suspension) oxidation systems under natural sunlight and germicidal lamps (UVC) exhibiting 97.2% and 99.5% of degradation in 180 minutes, respectively. Immobilized TiO2 systems reached high degradation rates (>99%) after 180 minutes in both UVC and solar light‐based processes. An experimental planning study was carried out for the processes in order to find the best operational conditions and pseudo‐first‐order model fit well the removal data (discolouration rates of in the order of 0.0274 and 0.0145 min−1 for UVC and solar light systems, respectively). Parameters such as TOC, COD, and turbidity, revealed a great improvement in the environmental quality of the water after the treatment and acute toxicity bioassays demonstrated a significant decrease in toxicity for both systems after the treatments. The TiO2‐meshes demonstrated high performance in the removal after five cycles of operation. Therefore, the new immobilization procedure demonstrated that the TiO2‐aluminum mesh is a feasible option for wastewater treatment and photocatalysis.
Kinetic Isotope Effect as a Tool To Investigate the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt‐based Electrocatalysts – Part I: High‐loading Pt/C and Pt Extended Surface
Authors: George Thomas Y. , Asset Tristan , Avid Arezoo , Atanassov Plamen , Zenyuk Iryna V.
Published: January 2020

Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) was used to study the rate‐determining step for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on dispersed Pt/C electrocatalyst and polycrystalline Pt (Pt‐poly). KIE is defined as the ratio of the kinetic current measured in protonated electrolyte versus deuterated electrolyte, with KIE values larger than one indicating proton participation in the rate‐determining step. The effect of poisoning anions on the platinum rate determining step is investigated by assessing the KIE in perchloric (non‐poisoning) and sulfuric acid‐based electrolytes. The kinetics currents were calculated using the Koutechy‐Levich and Tafel analysis. A KIE of 1 was observed for Pt/C (with a 40 wt.% Pt loading) and Pt‐poly, thus indicating that, on 40 wt. % Pt/C and Pt‐poly, the rate determining step is proton independent.
Variations in seasonal (not mean) temperatures drive rapid adaptations to novel environments at a continent scale
Authors: Tourneur Jean‐Claude , Meunier Joël
Published: January 2020

The recent development of human societies has led to major, rapid, and often inexorable changes in the environment of most animal species. Over the last decades, a growing number of studies formulated predictions on the modalities of animal adaptation to novel or changing environments, questioning how and at what speed animals should adapt to such changes, discussing the levels of risks imposed by changes in the mean and/or variance of temperatures on animal performance, and exploring the underlying roles of phenotypic plasticity and genetic inheritance. These fundamental predictions, however, remain poorly tested using field data. Here, we tested these predictions using a unique continental‐scale data set in the European earwigForficula auriculariaL., a univoltine insect introduced in North America one century ago. We conducted a common garden experiment, in which we measured 13 life‐history traits in 4,158 field‐sampled earwigs originating from 19 populations across North America. Our results first demonstrate that 10 of the 13 measured life‐history traits are associated with two sets of variations in seasonal temperatures, that is, winter–summer and autumn–spring. We found, however, no association with the overall mean monthly temperatures of the invaded locations. Furthermore, our use of a common garden setup reveals that the observed patterns of variation in earwigs’ life‐history traits are not mere plastic responses to their current environment, but are either due to their genetic background and/or to the environmental conditions they experienced during early life development. Overall, these findings provide continent‐scale support to the claims that adaptation to thermal changes can occur quickly (in less than 100 generations), even in insects with long life cycles, and emphasize the importance of variation in seasonal temperature over mean population temperatures in climate adaptation.
Kin discrimination, negative relatedness, and how to distinguish between selfishness and spite
Authors: Patel Matishalin , West Stuart A. , Biernaskie Jay M.
Published: January 2020

Spiteful behaviors occur when an actor harms its own fitness to inflict harm on the fitness of others. Several papers have predicted that spite can be favored in sufficiently small populations, even when the harming behavior is directed indiscriminately at others. However, it is not clear that truly spiteful behavior could be favored without the harm being directed at a subset of social partners with relatively low genetic similarity to the actor (kin discrimination, causing a negative relatedness between actor and harmed recipient). Using mathematical models, we show that (1) the evolution of spite requires kin discrimination; (2) previous models suggesting indiscriminate spite involve scenarios where the actor gains a direct feedback benefit from harming others, and so the harming is selfish rather than spiteful; (3) extreme selfishness can be favored in small populations (or, more generally, under local competition) because this is where the direct feedback benefit of harming is greatest.
Cholesky–ANN models for predicting multivariate realized volatility
Authors: Bucci Andrea
Published: January 2020

Accurately forecasting multivariate volatility plays a crucial role for the financial industry. The Cholesky–artificial neural networks specification here presented provides a twofold advantage for this topic. On the one hand, the use of the Cholesky decomposition ensures positive definite forecasts. On the other hand, the implementation of artificial neural networks allows us to specify nonlinear relations without any particular distributional assumption. Out‐of‐sample comparisons reveal that artificial neural networks are not able to strongly outperform the competing models. However, long‐memory detecting networks, like nonlinear autoregressive model process with exogenous input and long short‐term memory, show improved forecast accuracy with respect to existing econometric models.
Molecular Formation upon Ionization of van der Waals Clusters and Implication to Astrochemistry
Authors: Stein Tamar , Jose Jeeno
Published: January 2020

The presence and formation of a large variety of organic molecules in the interstellar medium is evident from both astronomical data of absorption and emission bands at different regions of the spectrum. Specifically, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium (ISM). The mechanism for their formation in ISM‘s low temperature environment is, as of yet, a mystery nonetheless. Understanding the mechanism of formation of complex molecules such as PAHs and nitrogen‐based PAHs (PANH) in the ISM is a long‐standing challenge which has been drawing a growing attention for the past several decades. In this review we wish to emphasize two things: Firstly, the essential role quantum chemistry can play in the study of astrochemical reactions. Secondly, we wish to demonstrate that said variety of possibilities for chemical reaction, starting upon ionization of van der Waals clusters. The potential for different chemical reactions to occur within a cluster environment arises from the fact that such processes can take place at low temperatures as the systems pose large amounts of energy upon ionization. Moreover, the spectator molecules in the cluster can provide a dissipation route for energy by detachment from the cluster, thus the system can stabilize efficiently even at low densities. The spectator molecules can also change the potential energy surface, by which it will pose a catalytic effect for certain reactions. We will demonstrate this by presenting Ab Initio Molecular Dynamic results on ionization of small acetylene clusters.
Thermal coupled extractive distillation sequences with three entrainers for the separation of azeotrope isopropyl alcohol + diisopropyl ether
Authors: Zhang Yi , Li Ao , Gao Jun , Xu Dongmei , Zhang Lianzheng , Zhang Zhishan , Wang Yinglong
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

During the synthesis of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) by hydration of propylene, diisopropyl ether (DIPE) is usually produced as a by‐product. Because IPA and DIPE can form a binary homogeneous azeotrope with the minimum boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure, it is difficult to separate the binary mixture by simple distillation.

RESULT

For separating the azeotrope IPA + DIPE, side‐stream extractive distillation column (SSED) and extractive dividing wall column (EDWC) processes with three entrainers [2‐methoxyethanol (2‐MEA), 2‐ethoxyethanol and propylene glycol ethyl ether (PGEE)] were simulated and optimized based on the minimal total annual cost (TAC). Moreover, CO2 emissions of the six sequences were calculated and the impact on the environment evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

The sequence of SSED with PGEE as entrainer can reduce TAC by ≤34.48%, but EDWC with PGEE can offer TAC reduction of ≤52.46%. The results demonstrate that the EDWC sequence with PGEE as entrainer is favourable for separating the binary azeotrope IPA + DIPE. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Tail‐drain sediments are a potential hotspot for nitrous oxide emissions in furrow‐irrigated Vertisols used to grow cotton: A laboratory incubation study
Authors: Schwenke Graeme , Nachimuthu Gunasekhar , Mercer Clarence , McPherson Annabelle
Published: January 2020

The impacts of soil properties and urea fertigation on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from uncropped areas of furrow‐irrigated Vertisol paddocks are unknown. We sampled soils from the head‐ditch end (upslope) and sediments from the tail‐drain end (downslope) of 10 Vertisols under irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in northeastern Australia. Four replicates of each sample were incubated in open‐top polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chambers at 25 ± 2°C for 25 d. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured periodically after simulated irrigations on Days 0 and 15 with either water or, for soils, urea solution. Compared with the soils, sediments were enriched in silt, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium N, and dissolved organic C (DOC) but had lower pH and sand content. Sediments emitted more N2O than soils from the same paddocks after water irrigations. Nitrous oxide fluxes varied by two orders of magnitude between paddocks, with most variation explained by baseline nitrate N, TOC, pH (inversely), and sand content. Urea solution applied to soils at 30 kg N ha−1 irrigation−1 increased N2O emitted, but more so after the second irrigation. In irrigated cotton systems, tail‐drain sediments are a potential hotspot for N2O emissions that has not previously been documented.
The cellular stress response and temperature: Function, regulation, and evolution
Authors: Somero George N.
Published: January 2020

The cellular stress response (CSR) is critical for enabling organisms to cope with thermal damage to proteins, nucleic acids, and membranes. It is a graded response whose properties vary with the degree of cellular damage. Molecular damage has positive, as well as negative, function‐perturbing effects. Positive effects include crucial regulatory interactions that orchestrate involvement of the different components of the CSR. Thermally unfolded proteins signal for rapid initiation of transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs), central elements of the heat shock response (HSR). Thermal disruption of messenger RNA (mRNA) secondary structures in untranslated regions leads to the culling of the mRNA pool: thermally labile mRNAs for housekeeping proteins are degraded by exonucleases; heat‐resistant mRNAs for stress proteins like HSPs then can monopolize the translational apparatus. Thus, proteins and RNA function as “cellular thermometers,” and evolved differences in their thermal stabilities enable rapid initiation of the CSR whenever cell temperature rises significantly above the normal thermal range of a species. Covalent DNA damage, which may result from increased production of reactive oxygen species, is temperature‐dependent; its extent may determine cellular survival. High levels of stress that exceed capacities for molecular repair can lead to proteolysis, inhibition of cell division, and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Onset of these processes may occur later in the stress period, after initiation of the HSR, to allow HSPs opportunity to restore protein homeostasis. Delay of these energy costly processes may also result from shortfalls in availability of adenosine triphosphate and reducing power during times of peak stress.
Association of metabolic syndrome and patatin‐like phospholipase 3 – rs738409 gene variant in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease among a Chennai‐based south Indian population
Authors: Narayanasamy Krishnasamy , Karthick Rajendran , Panneerselvam Priyadarshini , Mohan Nithya , Ramachandran Arunkumar , Prakash Radhika , Rajaram Muthukumaran
Published: January 2020

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is commonly diagnosed in patients presenting with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and has been associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs738409 in the patatin‐like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene. This association remains to be investigated in the South Indian population. We aimed to determine the association of the PNPLA3 rs738409 gene polymorphism with MetS and NAFLD among a Chennai‐based population.

Methods

The study comprised 105 NAFLD cases and 102 controls. All subjects were genotyped for the PNPLA3 rs738409 variant and MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program – Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Our case–control study showed the association of the variant with NAFLD and MetS.

Results

The PNPLA3 rs738409 variant was associated with NAFLD and the genotype frequencies (CC/CG/GG) were 19 (18.1%), 50 (47.6%) and 36 (34.3%) in the NAFLD group and 59 (57.8%), 29 (28.4%) and 14 (13.7%) in the control group respectively. We also confirmed the interaction between the PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism and MetS with respect tto elevated triglyceride levels. However, an association with elevated waist circumference, fasting glucose, blood pressure and decreased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was not observed in the present study.

Conclusions

The PNPLA3 rs738409 gene polymorphism increases the risk of NAFLD by up to four‐fold in subjects with an elevated level of triglyceride independent of other features of MetS.
A novel scoring system for evaluating the difficulty of lysis of adhesion and surgical risk at repeat hepatectomy
Authors: Kobayashi Yuta , Shindoh Junichi , Igata Yu , Okubo Satoshi , Hashimoto Masaji
Published: January 2020

Background

Repeat hepatectomy (ReHx) for recurrent hepatic malignancies reportedly provides oncological benefit for patients. However, severe adhesions at the time of ReHx may preclude safe and curative resection and there has been no reliable measure to estimate the surgical risk at ReHx. This study sought to create a new scoring system for evaluating the severity of adhesion after hepatectomy and tested its performance looking at the correlation with morbidity rate.

Methods

Operative videos of 66 patients undergoing a second hepatectomy were reviewed and the difficulty levels in lysis of adhesion around the hepatic hilum (A score) and surrounding the liver (B score) were scored by two examiners and validated by two additional reviewers.

Results

Very high interobserver agreement was confirmed between the two examiners (κ value, 0.960‐0.963) and reproducibility of results were validated with weighted kappa values of >0.8 in both surgical resident and hepatobiliary surgeon. Linear correlation was confirmed between the difficulty score and postoperative morbidity rate. Multivariate analyses confirmed that previous cholecystectomy or transection of visceral surface of segment 4 or 5 was an independent factor predicting hard to extreme adhesions at the hepatic hilum regardless of the use of anti‐adhesion materials.

Conclusions

The new difficulty scoring system for the lysis of adhesion at ReHx showed good interobserver agreement and reproducibility of the results. Given the strong correlation with postoperative morbidity rate, the present score could be used for evaluating the technical difficulties in ReHx and may offer a reliable measure for estimating the efficacy of anti‐adhesion materials in future analysis.
Minimally invasive surgery for the management of major bile duct injury due to cholecystectomy
Authors: Guerra Francesco , Coletta Diego , Gavioli Manuel , Coco Danilo , Patriti Alberto
Published: January 2020

Background

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the application of minimally invasive surgery in the management of cholecystectomy‐related injury to the biliary tract. The aim of this analysis was to identify and combine the available evidence on the argument, with particular reference to major injuries to the main bile duct requiring biliodigestive anastomosis.

Methods

The PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases were queried through May 2019. Inclusion criteria considered all studies reporting detailed data about patients with bile duct injury following cholecystectomy receiving minimally invasive (both laparoscopic and robotic) surgical repair. Clinical outcomes data were pooled and analyzed.

Results

A total of 31 studies reporting on the outcomes of 218 patients were eventually included in the analysis, whereby 148 patients with type D or E injury. Of these, there were 31 patients (21%) receiving direct bile duct repair and 117 patients (79%) undergoing bilioenteric reconstruction. Among patients with major bile duct injury, postoperative morbidity was 24%, being 12% the incidence of major complications and 6% the rate of patients requiring subsequent, further surgery.

Conclusions

The absence of high‐level evidences precludes the possibility to draw definitive conclusions. However, the available data derived from a growing number of centers demonstrate that minimally invasive surgery may offer its well‐known advantages on postoperative outcomes also in the setting of severe iatrogenic injury to the bile ducts.