bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Freestanding Nanolayers of a Wide‐Gap Topological Insulator through Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation
Authors: Lê Anh Mai , Potapov Pavel , Wolf Daniel , Lubk Axel , Glatz Bernhard , Fery Andreas , Doert Thomas , Ruck Michael 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe layered salt Bi14Rh3I9 is a weak three‐dimensional (3D) topological insulator (TI), that is, a stack of two‐dimensional (2D) TIs. It has a wide non‐trivial band gap of 210 meV, which is generated by strong spin‐orbit coupling, and possesses protected electronic edge‐states. In the structure, charged layers of
(Bi4Rh)3I]2+ honeycombs and
Bi2I8]2− chains alternate. The non‐trivial topology of Bi14Rh3I9 is an inherent property of the 2D intermetallic fragment. Here, the exfoliation of Bi14Rh3I9 was performed using two different chemical approaches: (a) through a reaction with n‐butyllithium and poly(vinylpyrrolidone), (b) through a reaction with betaine in dimethylformamide at 55 °C. The former yielded few‐layer sheets of the new compound Bi12Rh3I, while the latter led to crystalline sheets of Bi14Rh3I9 with a thickness down to 5 nm and edge‐lengths up to several ten microns. X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy proved that the structure of Bi14Rh3I9 remained intact. Thus, it was assumed that the particles are still TIs. Dispersions of these flakes now allow for next steps towards the envisioned applications in nanoelectronics, such as the study of quantum coherence in deposited films, the combination with superconducting particles or films for the generation of Majorana fermions, or studies on their behavior under the influence of magnetic or electric fields or in contact with various materials occurring in devices. The method presented generally allows to exfoliate layers with high specific charges and thus the use of layered starting materials beyond van der Waals crystals.
Effect of the cooling temperature of a PET sheet on the crystallinity and mould removal time for thermoforming applications
Authors: Erchiqui Fouad , Annasabi Zouheir , Kaddami Hamid , Ben Hamou Karima , Ngoma Guyh‐Dituba 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn thermoforming process, the mechanical and thermal properties induced in the moulded product depend, on one hand, on the type of polymer material, and, on the other, on the two following processing conditions: (a) the optical and the thermal properties of the infrared ovens, and (b) the temperature and mechanical properties of the mould. In addition, for semi‐crystalline polymers, the quality of product also depends on the crystallization processes. In this paper, the effect of the cooling temperature on a semi‐crystalline polymers sheet, heated beforehand by infrared radiation, on crystallinity is numerically analyzed. For this, the energy equation is coupled to the kinetics of the polymer. For this purpose, the heat equation is expressed in terms of enthalpy, and its numerical resolution is carried out using the 3D finite element method. An example of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet is presented.
Compound lower limb vibration training rehabilitation robot
Authors: Yin Qiang , Hu Ao , Li Qian , Wei Xin , Yang Hongjun , Wang Beihai , Zhang Guoquan 
Published: October 2020

SummaryThis paper uses a bionic lower limb rehabilitation mechanism combined with a running frame structure to simulate human gait movement for lower limb rehabilitation training. The vibration excited by the vertical vibration module causes the muscle to oscillate, and the mechanical vibration excites the neuromuscular system to obtain corresponding rehabilitation functions. The robot system is modeled in three dimensions, and the static analysis and modal analysis of the running frame are carried out. The mechanism and application of vertical vibration in the key technology are clarified, and the vibration element in the vertical vibration device is analyzed. The vibration theory is deduced, and the vibration displacement figure is drawn using simulation software. The related cooperative vibration spring has also been analyzed with single‐degree‐of‐freedom damping vibration, and the spring's center of mass movement, momentum, and position changes over time are illustrated. The design of the robot system solves the current situation of single movement of the lower limb rehabilitation robot and unsatisfactory rehabilitation effect, laying a foundation for the practical application of the subsequent lower limb rehabilitation robot system.
Enhanced Photochromism of Diarylethene Induced by Excitation of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance on Regular Arrays of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Yasukuni Ryohei , Félidj Nordin , Boubekeur‐Lecaque Leïla , Lau‐Truong Stéphanie , Aubard Jean 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLocalized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation on the photochromic reaction of a diarylethene derivative (DE) was studied by surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). UV and visible light irradiations transform reversibly DE between open‐form (OF) and closed‐form (CF) isomers, respectively. A mixture of PMMA and DE (either OF or CF isomer) was spin‐coated onto gold nanorods (GNRs) arrays, designed by electron beam lithography, with two localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) at distinct wavelengths, due to their anisotropy. The photochromic reaction rates from CF to OF isomers, under LSPR excitation, were monitored from SERS spectral changes under different polarizations, on the same GNR substrate to compare the effect of LSPR field strength. It appears that the photoisomerization rate was faster when LSPR was excited with the polarization parallel to the GNR long axis. The present results highlight a potential genuine mechanism, from near field LSPR excitation, involved in the photochromic enhancement of diarylethene photochromes.
Preparation Process and Growth Mechanism Analysis of Phenylacetyl‐7‐Aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic Acid Crystals with Controllable Morphology
Authors: Han Kang , Liu Baoshu , Zhang Zhefan , Li Zhengjie , Sun Hua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA recrystallization process for phenylacetyl‐7‐aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid (phenylacetyl‐7‐ADCA) is used to obtain the monoclinic and tetragonal crystal forms. The purity of the process product is 99.7%, which is much higher than the 97.1% of the raw material, while the median (D50) particle size is larger (144 µm) and the diameter span (DS) is reduced from 10.478 (raw material) to 2.070 (new process product). The results show that in water–ethanol systems when the mole fraction of water is less than 0.5, the products obtained are long rod‐shaped, while when the mole fraction of water is greater than 0.5, lamellar crystal products are obtained. The growth mechanism of phenylacetyl‐7‐ADCA with different habits is analyzed by Materials Studio molecular simulation software. The results show that a large number of oxygen and nitrogen atoms at both ends of the crystal are exposed to the crystal surfaces during the cooling recrystallization process and it is easy to form hydrogen bonds with free phenylacetyl‐7‐ADCA. Therefore, the crystal surfaces at both ends grow fastest and tend to disappear eventually. This work may provide a preparation process and simulation method for phenylacetyl‐7‐ADCA crystals, which would help improve the quality of cephalosporins.
p‐CuInS2/n‐Polymer Semiconductor Heterojunction for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Chae Sang Youn , Lee Myeongjae , Je Kim Min , Cho Jeong Ho , Kim BongSoo , Joo Oh‐Shim 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAn inorganic p‐type CuInS2 semiconductor was combined with the semiconducting polymer of PNDI3OT‐Se1 and PNDI3OT‐Se2 with different HOMO/LUMO levels for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. Charge transfer behaviors at polymer/CuInS2 junctions were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The heterojunction of p‐CuInS2 and n‐type polymer (both PNDI3OT‐Se1 and Se2) successfully made p‐n junctions and showed improved charge transfer. However, we found that higher HOMO levels of polymer than valence band maximum (VBM) of CuInS2 spurred charge recombination at interfaces. As a result, CuInS2/PNDI3OT‐Se1/TiO2/Pt, which has suitable energy levels matched between PNDI3OT‐Se1 and CuInS2, shows photocurrent (−15.67 mA cm−2) improved concretely when compared to a CuInS2/TiO2/Pt photoelectrode (−7.11 mA cm−2) at 0.0 V vs. RHE applied potential. Additionally, the photoelectrochemical stability of CuInS2/PNDI3OT‐Se1/TiO2/Pt photoelectrode was also investigated.
Selective Conversion of CO2 into para‐Xylene over a ZnCr2O4‐ZSM‐5 Catalyst
Authors: Gao Weizhe , Guo Lisheng , Cui Yu , Yang Guohui , He Yingluo , Zeng Chunyang , Taguchi Akira , Abe Takayuki , Ma Qingxiang , Yoneyama Yoshiharu , Tsubaki Noritatsu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAn oxide‐zeolite (ZnCr2O4‐ZSM‐5) catalyst for directly converting CO2 to aromatics was designed and developed. It showed high PX/X (the C‐mol ratio of p‐xylene to all xylene) and PX/aromatics (the C‐mol ratio of p‐xylene to aromatics) ratios, which reached 97.3 and 63.9 %, respectively.
Biobased Aldehydes from Fatty Epoxides through Thermal Cleavage of β‐Hydroxy Hydroperoxides**
Authors: De Dios Miguel Thomas , Duc Vu Nam , Lemaire Marc , Duguet Nicolas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe ring‐opening of epoxidized methyl oleate by aqueous H2O2 has been studied using tungsten and molybdenum catalysts to form the corresponding fatty β‐hydroxy hydroperoxides. It was found that tungstic acid and phosphotungstic acid gave the highest selectivities (92–93 %) towards the formation of the desired products, thus limiting the formation of the corresponding fatty 1,2‐diols. The optimized conditions were applied to a range of fatty epoxides to give the corresponding fatty β‐hydroxy hydroperoxides with 30–80 % isolated yields (8 examples). These species were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and HPLC‐HRMS, and their stability was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal cleavage of the β‐hydroxy hydroperoxide derived from methyl oleate was studied both in batch and flow conditions. It was found that the thermal cleavage in flow conditions gave the highest selectivity towards the formation of aldehydes with limited amounts of byproducts. The aldehydes were both formed with 68 % GC yield, and nonanal and methyl 9‐oxononanoate were isolated with 57 and 55 % yield, respectively. Advantageously, the overall process does not require large excess of H2O2 and only generates water as a byproduct.
Projected climate change threatens significant range contraction of Cochemiea halei (Cactaceae), an island endemic, serpentine‐adapted plant species at risk of extinction
Authors: Breslin Peter B. , Wojciechowski Martin F. , Albuquerque Fabio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimThreats faced by narrowly distributed endemic plant species in the face of the Earth's sixth mass extinction and climate change exposure are especially severe for taxa on islands. We investigated the current and projected distribution and range changes of Cochemiea halei, an endemic island cactus. This taxon is of conservation concern, currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List and as a species of special concern under Mexican federal law. The goals of this study are to (a) identify the correlations between climate variables and current suitable habitat for C. halei; (b) determine whether the species is a serpentine endemic or has a facultative relationship with ultramafic soils; and (c) predict range changes of the species based on climate change scenarios.LocationThe island archipelago in Bahía Magdalena on the Pacific coast, Baja California Sur, Mexico.MethodsWe used temperature and precipitation variables at 30‐arc second resolution and soil type, employing multiple species distribution modeling methods, to identify important climate and soil conditions driving current habitat suitability. The best model of current suitability is used to predict possible effects of four climate change scenarios based on best‐case to worst‐case representative concentration pathways, with projected climate data from two general circulation models, over two time periods.Main conclusionsThe occurrence of the species is found to be strongly correlated with ultramafic soils. The most important climate predictor for habitat suitability is annual temperature range. The species is predicted to undergo range contractions from 21% to 53%, depending on the severity and duration of exposure to climate change. The broader implications for a wide range of narrowly adapted, threatened, and endemic plant species indicate an urgent need for threat assessment based on habitat suitability and climate change modeling.
Life history shifts in an exploited African fish following invasion by a castrating parasite
Authors: Gabagambi Nestory Peter , Skorping Arne , Chacha Mwita , Jonathan Kihedu Kwendwa , Mennerat Adele 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEvolutionary theory predicts that infection by a parasite that reduces future host survival or fecundity should select for increased investment in current reproduction. In this study, we use the cestode Ligula intestinalis and its intermediate fish host Engraulicypris sardella in Wissman Bay, Lake Nyasa (Tanzania), as a model system. Using data about infection of E. sardella fish hosts by L. intestinalis collected for a period of 10 years, we explored whether parasite infection affects the fecundity of the fish host E. sardella, and whether host reproductive investment has increased at the expense of somatic growth. We found that L. intestinalis had a strong negative effect on the fecundity of its intermediate fish host. For the noninfected fish, we observed an increase in relative gonadal weight at maturity over the study period, while size at maturity decreased. These findings suggest that the life history of E. sardella has been shifting toward earlier reproduction. Further studies are warranted to assess whether these changes reflect plastic or evolutionary responses. We also discuss the interaction between parasite and fishery‐mediated selection as a possible explanation for the decline of E. sardella stock in the lake.
How the ecology and evolution of the COVID‐19 pandemic changed learning
Authors: Lashley Marcus A. , Acevedo Miguel , Cotner Sehoya , Lortie Christopher J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic introduced an abrupt change in human behavior globally. Here, we discuss unique insights the pandemic has provided into the eco‐evolutionary role of pathogens in ecosystems and present data that indicates the pandemic may have fundamentally changed our learning choices. COVID‐19 has indirectly affected many organisms and processes by changing the behavior of humans to avoid being infected. The pandemic also changed our learning behavior by affecting the relative importance of information and forcing teaching and learning into a framework that accommodates human behavioral measures to avoid disease transmission. Not only are these indirect effects on the environment occurring through a unique mechanistic pathway in ecology, the pandemic along with its effects on us provides a profound example of the role risk can play in the transmission of information between the at risk. Ultimately, these changes in our learning behavior led to this special issue “Taking learning online in Ecology and Evolution.” The special issue was a call to the community to take learning in new directions, including online and distributed experiences. The topics examined include a significant component of DIY ecology and evolution that is experiential but done individually, opportunities to use online tools and apps to be more inclusive, student‐focused strategies for teaching online, how to reinvent conferences, strategies to retain experiential learning safely, emerging forms of teaching such as citizen science, apps and podcasting, and ideas on how to accommodate ever changing constraints in the college classroom, to name a few. The collective consensus in our fields is that these times are challenging but we can continue to improve and innovate on existing developments, and more broadly and importantly, this situation may provide an opportunity to reset some of the existing practices that fail to promote an effective and inclusive learning environment.
From nuclear energy developmental state to energy transition in South Korea: The role of the political epistemic community
Authors: Lee Taedong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhy did previous Korean governments adopt nuclear energy as a baseline for electricity generation and promote the exportation of nuclear energy? Why did the current Korean government dramatically change its energy policy to energy transition and postnuclear energy in 2017? How did politicians, bureaucrats, industries, civil society organizations, and political epistemic communities interact in the nuclear energy policymaking process? This study addresses contemporary changes in Korean nuclear energy policy by applying the concepts “nuclear energy developmental state” and “political epistemic community.” This paper attempts to identify the relevant actors in state transition, interactive matrices in policymaking processes, and the mechanisms by which the energy baseline has shifted. A comprehensive analysis of the President's National Policy Priority Agenda, National Energy Basic Plans, the Basic Plan of Long‐Term Electricity Supply and Demand, meeting minutes of relevant government committees, and interview data of relevant actors facilitates understanding of the formation, evolution, and transformation of the contemporary state of nuclear energy throughout different political administrations, including the Lee (2008–2012), Park (2013–2016), and Moon administrations (2017–Present). I argue that political coalitions are integral in nuclear energy policy change in specific and general energy policy. Compared to highlighted agents such as bureaucrats, antinuclear movements, and epistemic communities, the political epistemic community—closely connecting knowledge, value, and power—plays a role in developing different types of political coalitions through nuclear energy decision‐making. During the Lee and Park administrations, a nuclear energy developmental state emerged with a strong coalition between politicians, bureaucrats, and the nuclear industry with support from the nuclear energy epistemic community. However, the Moon administration is characterized by a different coalition that includes politicians, civil society organizations, and the postnuclear energy epistemic community, which propels energy transition from nuclear energy to a decentralized renewable energy system.
Changing dynamics of the nuclear energy policy‐making process in Japan
Authors: Kikuchi Masao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo improve the effectiveness of environmental policy and governance, recent theoretical and empirical research increasingly suggests the adoption of multi‐level and more participatory policy‐making processes over traditionally centralized policy‐making processes. This article takes the Fukushima nuclear crisis of 2011 as a prime example in an attempt to assess the changing dynamics of the nuclear energy policy‐making process in Japan. To explore the changing dynamics, the paper focuses on the roles of the judicial branch and local governments in the nuclear energy policy‐making process. Nuclear energy policy in Japan has evolved along with industrial policies for economic growth. Before the Fukushima crisis, neither the judicial branch nor local governments were regarded as influential actors in nuclear energy policy‐making. The judicial branch basically supported government policy in litigation brought by civic groups. Local governments in rural areas tried to attract nuclear power plant construction because of promised subsidies from the national government and a solid tax base from construction and jobs. However, after the Fukushima crisis, both judicial branches and local governments became more influential in the nuclear energy policy‐making process. Local and high courts now actively issue injunctions against the reoperation of nuclear power plants. In gubernatorial or mayoral elections of local governments where nuclear power plants are located, candidates are politically pressured to express their stance on nuclear power plants more explicitly than in the past. Anti‐nuclear civic groups are also gradually changing the focus of their lobbying efforts to local elections.
Microfluidic Setup for Simultaneous Separation and Electrochemical Determination of Hg2+ and Ag+ Ions in Water
Authors: Di Masi Sabrina , Laschi Serena , Pennetta Antonio , Faraoni Paola , Ranaldi Francesco , De Benedetto Giuseppe Egidio , Malitesta Cosimino 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHere is presented a setup made of a combination of an injection valve, a hand‐made chromatographic microcolumn and an electrochemical detector for the simultaneous separation of Hg2+ and Ag+ ions in water. The microcolumns were packed with exchanger resin and used for the separation of Hg2+ and Ag+ ions, whereas a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was the amperometric detector. The performances of the SPCE towards ions were firstly studied in a FIA setup. The efficiency of ion separation was then evaluated. The reproducibility, stability, and the regeneration of the obtained microcolumns were also studied and discussed.
lncRNA HOTAIR knockdown suppresses gastric cancer cell biological activities
Authors: Chao Pan , Yongheng Feng , Jin Zhou , Yu Zhu , Shiyong Yang , Kunxing Yang , Yong Ma 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to characterize the involvement of long noncoding RNA HOTAIR in gastric cancer development. Measurement of HOTAIR and miRNA‐206 expression by in situ hybridization (ISH) and analyzed for the correlation between HOTAIR and miRNA‐206 in gastric cancer tissues. To evaluate the effects of HOTAIR in gastric cancer, MTT assay, flow cytometry, transwell, and wound healing assays were applied. To explain the mechanism behind HOTAIR's involvement, the expression of proteins related to it was also measured by Western blotting. Finally, correlations among related factors were determined by a luciferase target experiment. HOTAIR expression significantly increased, and miRNA‐206 expression significantly decreased in cancer tissues (p < .01 and p < .001, respectively); HOTAIR knockdown suppressed cell viability, increased cell apoptosis by maintaining cells in the G1 phase, and inhibited cell invasion and migration by regulating miRNA‐206 expression (p < .01 or p < .001). Meanwhile, with HOTAIR knockdown, CCND1 and CCND2 protein expressions were significantly suppressed, whereas miRNA‐206 expression increased (p < .01 or p < .001). HOTAIR was shown to target miRNA‐206 and miRNA‐206 targeted CCND1 and CCND2. HOTAIR knockdown had antitumor effects by suppressing CCND1 and CCND2 expression by stimulating miRNA‐206 in gastric cancer in vitro study.