bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facile preparation of a crosslinked hydrophilic UHMWPE membrane
Authors: Fei Zhengdong , Ying Songsong , Fan Ping , Chen Feng , Haque Enamul , Zhong Mingqiang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractUltra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) filters are widely used in water treatment. In the present work, a facile crosslinking technique is first applied to a UHMWPE flat membrane as a model to realize long‐lasting hydrophilicity and improved water treatment efficiency. In the presence of a crosslinker, N, N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (MBA), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), a hydrophilic modifier, is soaked into the surface of UHMWPE particles by blending. Then, a crosslinking reaction occurs during the initial sintering stage. Finally, sintering is completed at high temperature and pressure. The FTIR and SEM results show that HEMA is successfully crosslinked on the UHMWPE particle surface. Compared to a pristine membrane, the crosslinked UHMWPE flat membrane presents a lower water contact angle and is more rapidly penetrated by water. As a result, the crosslinked membrane can realize pressureless filtration. Another meaningful result is that the water flux recovery rate (FRR) is extremely high both for BSA and sludge filtration tests. Also a parameter K of 1 was obtained to represent the efficiency of the membrane treatment of water under pressureless conditions. These findings demonstrate that the crosslinking strategy is an effective method for realizing long‐lasting hydrophilicity and is very promising for UHMWPE filters and other engineering applications.
Development of chloroplast microsatellite markers for giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)
Authors: Sharma Himanshu , Hyvönen Jaakko , Poczai Péter 
Published: January 2020

PremisePlant invasions are increasing globally, and extensive study of the genetic background of the source and invading populations is needed to understand such biological processes. For this reason, chloroplast microsatellite markers were identified to explore the genetic diversity of the noxious weed Ambrosia trifida (Asteraceae).Methods and ResultsThe complete chloroplast genome of A. trifida was mined for microsatellite loci, and 15 novel chloroplast primers were identified to assess the genetic diversity of 49 Ambrosia samples. The number of alleles amplified ranged from two to six, with an average of 3.2 alleles per locus. Shannon's information index varied from 0.305 and 1.467, expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.178 to 0.645, and the polymorphism information content value ranged from 0.211 to 0.675 (average 0.428). The cross‐species transferability of the 15 microsatellite loci was also evaluated in four related Ambrosia species (A. artemisiifolia, A. maritima, A. psilostachya, and A. tenuifolia).ConclusionsThe novel chloroplast microsatellite markers developed in the current study demonstrate substantial cross‐species transferability and will be helpful in future genetic diversity studies of A. trifida and related species.
Targeting apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 in acute and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Tesch Greg H. , Ma Frank Y. , Nikolic‐Paterson David J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractApoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a member of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAP3K) family which acts as an upstream regulator for the activation of p38 MAPK and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). Experimental studies have demonstrated a pathogenic role for p38 MAPK and JNK activation in a number of kidney disease models; however, clinical studies targeting these kinases directly have been problematic due to their role in homeostatic functions. In comparison, ASK1 is activated in pathological states and is not essential for homeostatic functions, suggesting that ASK1 may be a safe and effective therapeutic target to inhibit p38 MAPK and JNK signaling in disease. Animal model studies using Ask1 gene deficient mice or a selective ASK1 inhibitor have demonstrated that ASK1 blockade is effective in a variety of acute and chronic kidney diseases; preventing cell injury, inflammation, fibrosis, albuminuria, and renal function impairment. Positive outcomes from these experimental studies have led to the current evaluation of an ASK1 inhibitor in patients with moderate to advanced diabetic kidney disease. This review summarizes the preclinical studies of ASK1 blockade in models of acute and chronic kidney injury and a clinical study examining ASK1 inhibitor treatment in diabetic kidney disease.
Constrained adaptive backstepping control of a semi‐active suspension considering suspension travel limits
Authors: Yıldız Ali Suat , Sivrioğlu Selim 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this article, a new constrained adaptive backstepping control design is presented for vibration suppression of the quarter car suspension system equipped with a magnetorheological (MR) damper. In the controller design, parametric uncertainties related to suspension parameter and the semi‐active actuator are considered. Also, the proposed controller is investigated, along with the designed road profiles based on the International Standard Organization (ISO) 8608 classification and tested under different speed conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed controller has been validated through comparisons with uncontrolled, passive, and separately designed adaptive control cases. According to the simulation and experimental results, the proposed control approach improves ride comfort and ride safety without violating suspension rattle space constraint despite the uncertainties in suspension parameters.
Promoting corporate sustainability in small and medium‐sized enterprises: Key determinants of intermediary performance in Africa
Authors: Quartey Samuel Howard , Oguntoye Olamide 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study explores the key determinants of intermediary performance in promoting corporate sustainability in small and medium‐sized enterprises in Africa. Despite being a critical link in the delivery of sustainability support services to small and medium‐sized enterprises, intermediaries have only received limited research attention. Research exploring intermediaries of corporate sustainability in small and medium‐sized enterprises have focused broadly on their roles but narrowly on performance. Those exploring intermediary performance have often focused on larger companies, sometimes, neglecting the specifics of small and medium‐sized enterprises, especially in African countries. Improving intermediary performance in promoting corporate sustainability requires an in‐depth understanding of the factors that determine their performance. As a qualitative study, interview responses from 32 experts working in National Cleaner Production Centres in four African countries were analysed using inductive thematic approach. The findings suggest that programme constraints, external profile, small and medium‐sized enterprises context, impact strategy, and service networks are the key determinants of intermediary performance in promoting corporate sustainability in small and medium‐sized enterprises. These determinants facilitate and inhibit intermediaries’ ability to promote corporate sustainability in small and medium‐sized enterprises. The implications concern the need for intermediaries and small and medium‐sized enterprises to manage these determinants in promoting corporate sustainability.
Does it pay to be green? A disaggregated analysis of U.S. firms with green patents
Authors: Hoang Thi‐Hong‐Van , Przychodzen Wojciech , Przychodzen Justyna , Segbotangni Elysé A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between environmental performance and financial performance on a sample of 361 U.S. firms over the 2007–2016 period. We contribute to the literature by considering firms active in sustainable innovations by obtaining green patents. We also contribute to the literature by using disaggregated measures of environmental performance collected from the Bloomberg ESG database, including environmental disclosure score, greenhouse gas emissions, waste emissions and water use. Panel data regressions' results show that environmental transparency positively influences current accounting and stock market performance, but negatively influences the return on capital employed. Furthermore, lower pollution emissions tend to improve the current return on assets, while being harmful for the efficiency of long‐term capital employment at the same time. The empirical results also indicate that the Global Financial Crisis (2007–2010) increased the environmental transparency of firms with green patents but negatively impacted their price to earnings ratio. At the same time, lower waste disposal diminishes stock valuation while the opposite is true with water use. Taken together, our results suggest that environmental transparency and greenhouse gas emissions generally appear to be the most important environmental variables influencing financial performance, with increasing importance attributed to them by the market after the global crisis period.
Pyrrolic and Dipyrrolic Chlorophyll Degradation Products in Plants and Herbivores
Authors: Ritter Marcel , Oetama Vincensius S. P. , Schulze Daniel , Muetzlaff Katrin , Meents Anja K. , Seidel Raphael A. , Görls Helmar , Westerhausen Matthias , Boland Wilhelm , Pohnert Georg 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe degradation of chlorophyll, the omnipresent green pigment, has been investigated intensively over the last 30 years resulting in many elucidated tetrapyrrolic degradation products. With a comparison to the degradation of the structurally similar heme, we hereby propose a novel additional chlorophyll degradation mechanism to mono‐ and dipyrrolic products. This is the first proof of the occurrence of a family of mono‐ and dipyrrols in leaves that are previously only known as heme degradation products. This product family is also found in spit and feces of herbivores with specific metabolomic patterns reflecting the origin of the samples. Based on chromatographic and mass spectrometric evidence as well as on mechanistic considerations we also suggest several tentative new degradation products. One of them, dihydro BOX A, was fully confirmed as a novel natural product by synthesis and comparison of its spectroscopic data.
Palladium Complexes Based on Ylide‐Functionalized Phosphines (YPhos): Broadly Applicable High‐Performance Precatalysts for the Amination of Aryl Halides at Room Temperature
Authors: Tappen Jens , Rodstein Ilja , McGuire Katie , Großjohann Angela , Löffler Julian , Scherpf Thorsten , Gessner Viktoria H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPalladium allyl, cinnamyl, and indenyl complexes with the ylide‐substituted phosphines Cy3P+−C−(R)PCy2 (with R=Me (L1) or Ph (L2)) and Cy3P+−C−(Me)PtBu2 (L3) were prepared and applied as defined precatalysts in C−N coupling reactions. The complexes are highly active in the amination of 4‐chlorotoluene with a series of different amines. Higher yields were observed with the precatalysts in comparison to the in situ generated catalysts. Changes in the ligand structures allowed for improved selectivities by shutting down β‐hydride elimination or diarylation reactions. Particularly, the complexes based on L2 (joYPhos) revealed to be universal precatalysts for various amines and aryl halides. Full conversions to the desired products are reached mostly within 1 h reaction time at room temperature, thus making L2 to one of the most efficient ligands in C−N coupling reactions. The applicability of the catalysts was demonstrated for aryl chlorides, bromides and iodides together with primary and secondary aryl and alkyl amines, including gram‐scale applications also with low catalyst loadings of down to 0.05 mol %. Kinetic studies further demonstrated the outstanding activity of the precatalysts with TOF over 10.000 h−1.
Three‐Dimensional Carbon Framework Anchored Polyoxometalate as a High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jia Xueying , Wang Jiaxin , Hu Hanbin , Song Yu‐Fei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRecently, it has become very important to develop cost‐effective anode materials for the large‐scale use of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Polyoxometalates (POMs) have been considered as one of the most promising alternatives for LIB electrodes owing to their reversible multi‐electron‐transfer capacity. Herein, Keggin‐type [PMo12O40]3− (donated as PMo12) clusters are anchored onto a 3D microporous carbon framework derived from ZIF‐8 through electrostatic interactions. The PMo12 clusters can be immobilized steadily and uniformly on the carbon framework, which provides enhanced electrical conductivity and high stability. Compared with PMo12 itself, the as‐prepared novel 3D Carbon‐PMo12 composite displays a significantly improved Li‐ion storage performance as an LIB anode, with excellent reversible specific capacity and rate capacity, as well as high cycling performance (discharge capacity of 985 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles), which are superior to other POM‐based anode materials reported so far. The high performance of the Carbon‐PMo12 composite can be attributed to the 3D conductive network with fast electron transport, high ratio of pseudocapacitive contribution, and evenly distributed PMo12 clusters with reversible 24‐electron transfer capacity. This work offers a facile way to explore novel LIB anodes consisting of electroactive molecule clusters.
Synthesis of enantiopure (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol using whole‐cell Lactobacillus paracasei biotransformation
Authors: Şahin Engin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractChromane, which has a fused cyclic structure, is a significant molecule that can be found in the structure of many important compounds. Lactobacillus paracasei BD101 was demonstrated as whole‐cell biocatalyst for the synthesis of (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol with immense enantioselectivity. The conditions of asymmetric reduction were optimized one factor by one factor using L paracasei BD101 to achieve enantiomerically pure product and complete conversion. Using these obtained optimization conditions, asymmetric reduction of 6‐chlorochroman‐4‐one was performed under environmentally friendly conditions; 6‐chlorochroman‐4‐one, having a fused cyclic structure as previously noted to be difficult to asymmetric reduction with biocatalysts, was enantiomerically reduced to (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol with an enantiomeric excess >99% on a high gram scale. This study is the first example in the literature for the enantiopure synthesis of (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol using a biocatalyst. Also notably, the optical purity of (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol obtained in this study through asymmetric bioreduction using whole‐cell biocatalyst is the highest value in the literature. In this study, (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol was produced on a gram scale by an easy, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly method, which has shown the production of valuable chiral precursors for drug synthesis and other industrial applications. This study provides a convenient method for the production of (S)‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol, which can meet the industrial green production demand of this chiral secondary alcohol.
High performing multimedia transmission approach based on QoS support and admission control over IEEE 802.11e networks
Authors: Al‐Maqri Mohammed A. , Mansoor Ali Mohammed , Sabri Aznul Qalid , Ravana Sri Devi , Yaseein Hussein Soubhi 
Published: January 2020

SummaryHybrid coordination function controlled channel access (HCCA) is a medium to enhance quality of service (QoS) via the IEEE 802.11e standard. The main limitation of HCAA is that it is only efficient for constant bit rate (CBR) applications. This is due to the nature of its scheduler that allocates transmission opportunities (TXOPs) based on traffic stream (TS) specifications (TSPECs) that are determined during the traffic setup time. Variable bit rate (VBR) traffics used in HCCA have nondeterministic profile, making it not optimally and efficiently supported by HCCA. The result of this inefficiency is a deterioration of the transmission performance of multimedia data as well as a drop in the number of served QoS video traffics. We propose a novel approach to deal with this issue, which is the feedback‐based admission control unit (FACU). FACU works by optimizing the usage of extra bandwidth to ensure optimal transmission performance of multimedia data. FACU achieves this by exploiting piggybacked information concerning sequential video frames in order to accurately assign the TXOP. The proposed approach is evaluated by utilizing various video sequences. It is demonstrated that FACU maximizes the overall number of video streams and optimizes the overall usage of the network without having any adverse effects on the QoS constraints determined.
An energy‐efficient clustering and multipath routing for mobile wireless sensor network using game theory
Authors: Thandapani Preethiya , Arunachalam Muthukumar , Sundarraj Durairaj 
Published: January 2020

SummaryMost of the current generation sensor nodes of mobile wireless sensor network (MWSN) are designed to have heterogeneous mobility to adapt itself in the applied environment. Energy optimization in MWSN with heterogeneous mobility is very challenging task. In this paper, a heterogeneous game theoretical clustering algorithm called mobile clustering game theory–1 (MCGT‐1) is proposed for energy optimization in a heterogeneous mobile sensor environment. Energy optimization is achieved through energy‐efficient cluster head election and multipath routing in the network. A heterogeneous clustering game is modelled with varying attributes and located an asymmetric equilibrium condition for a symmetric game with mixed strategies. The real‐time parameters, namely, predicted remaining energy, distance between a base station and nodes, distance between nodes, and mobility speed, were used to calculate the probability to elect the cluster head (CH). The efficient multipath routing is achieved through prior energy prediction strategy. It has mitigated the generation of “hot spots,” reducing its delay and improving the overall residual energy of the network. Simulation results showed that the average lifetime of MCGT‐1 has increased by 6.33 %, 13.1% and 14.2% and the PDR has improved by 4.8%,11.8%, and 17.2% than MCGT, LEACH‐ME and LEACH‐M respectively. The hot spot delay is reduced to 0.063025 seconds, improving the efficiency of the network.
2,6‐Bis(diazaboryl)pyridine – A Ligand with Hemilabile Donor and Lewis Acid Functionalities
Authors: Schröder Jan , Böttcher Tobias 
Published: January 2020

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Tobias Böttcher from Universität Freiburg, Germany. The cover image shows the similarity of the chemistry presented to a game of Tetris.
The impact of internal waves on upper continental slopes: insights from the Mozambican margin (southwest Indian Ocean)
Authors: Miramontes Elda , Jouet Gwenael , Thereau Estelle , Bruno Miguel , Penven Pierrick , Guerin Charline , Le Roy Pascal , Droz Laurence , Jorry Stephan J. , Hernández‐Molina F. Javier , Thiéblemont Antoine , Silva Jacinto Ricardo , Cattaneo Antonio 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEvidences of sedimentation affected by oceanic circulation, such as nepheloid layers and contourites are often observed along continental slopes. However, the oceanographic processes controlling sedimentation along continental margins remain poorly understood. Multibeam bathymetry and high‐resolution seismic reflection data revealed a contourite depositional system in the Mozambican upper continental slope composed of a contourite terrace (a surface with a gentle seaward slope dominated by erosion) and a plastered drift (a convex‐shape sedimentary deposit). A continuous alongslope channel and a field of sand dunes (mainly migrating upslope), formed during Holocene, were identified in the contourite terrace at the present seafloor. Seismic reflection data of the water column show internal waves and boluses propagating in the pycnocline near the upper slope. The channel and the dunes are probably the result of the interaction of the observed internal waves with the seafloor under two different conditions. The alongslope channel is located in a zone where intense barotropic tidal currents may arrest internal solitary waves, generating a hydraulic jump and focused erosion. However, upslope migrating dunes may be formed by bottom currents induced by internal solitary waves of elevation propagating landwards in the pycnocline. These small‐scale sedimentary features generated by internal waves are superimposed on large‐scale contouritic deposits, such as plastered drifts and contourite terraces, which are related to geostrophic currents. These findings provide new insights into the oceanographic processes that control sedimentation along continental margins that will help interpretation of palaeoceanographic conditions from the sedimentary record. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Central pathology review of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Ueda Kaori , Murase Takayuki , Nagao Toshitaka , Kusafuka Kimihide , Urano Makoto , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Nakaguro Masato , Taguchi Ken‐ichi , Masaki Ayako , Hirai Hideaki , Kawakita Daisuke , Tsukahara Kiyoaki , Hato Naohito , Nagao Toru , Fujimoto Yasushi , Sakurai Kazuo , Hanai Nobuhiro , Kano Satoshi , Onitsuka Tetsuro , Okami Kenji , Nibu Ken‐ichi , Tada Yuichiro , Kawata Ryo , Inagaki Hiroshi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the role of a central pathology review in the diagnosis of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC).MethodsSurgically resected salivary gland tumors diagnosed as AdCC (n = 219) in 15 reference hospitals in Japan were subjected to a retrospective pathological re‐evaluation.ResultsAfter the review, the AdCC diagnosis was revised in 21/219 cases (9.6%). The six benign tumors (2.7%) comprised five basal cell adenomas and one pleomorphic adenoma, and among these six patients, three received postoperative radiotherapy. The remaining 15 malignant tumors (6.8%) comprised nine basal cell adenocarcinomas and six other carcinomas. All revised basal cell adenoma/adenocarcinoma cases were of rare cribriform variants.ConclusionsA significant proportion of AdCC pathology reports were revised after the central pathology review. It should be emphasized that the greatest attention should be paid in differentiating AdCC from cribriform variant basal cell adenoma/adenocarcinoma, which is very rare in salivary gland tumors.
Performance assessment of ensemble learning systems in financial data classification
Authors: Lahmiri Salim , Bekiros Stelios , Giakoumelou Anastasia , Bezzina Frank 
Published: January 2020

SummaryFinancial data classification plays an important role in investment and banking industry with the purpose to control default risk, improve cash and select the best customers. Ensemble learning and classification systems are becoming gradually more applied to classify financial data where outputs from different classification systems are combined. The objective of this research is to assess the relative performance of existing state‐of‐the‐art ensemble learning and classification systems with applications to corporate bankruptcy prediction and credit scoring. The considered ensemble systems include AdaBoost, LogitBoost, RUSBoost, subspace, and bagging ensemble system. The experimental results from three datasets: one is composed of quantitative attributes, one encompasses qualitative data, and another one combines both quantitative and qualitative attributes. By using ten‐fold cross‐validation method, the experimental results show that AdaBoost is effective in terms of low classification error, limited complexity, and short time processing of the data. In addition, the experimental results show that ensemble classification systems outperform existing models that were recently validated on the same databases. Therefore, ensemble classification system can be employed to increase the reliability and consistency of financial data classification task.