bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct Ink Writing of DNTF Based Composite with High Performance
Authors: Xu Chuanhao , An Chongwei , He Yining , Zhang Yuruo , Li Qianbing , Wang Jingyu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDirect ink writing (DIW) of energetic materials has been an area of interest for micro size charge. In this work, 3, 4‐dinitrofurazanofuroxan (DNTF) based composite was prepared with nitrocotton (NC) and Viton as binders by DIW. Scanning Electro Microscope (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction were employed to characterize the composite samples. The impact sensitivity and thermal decomposition of the composites were also tested and analyzed. In addition, the critical size of detonation and detonation velocity were measured. The results show that DNTF based composite has a high density with whose value is 1.785 g cm−3, reaching 93.16 % of theoretical maximum density (TMD). The particles in composites are spheroidal with size ranging from 1 to 2 μm. Compared with raw DNTF, the obtained composite has a lower impact sensitivity and higher thermal stability. Moreover, the composites exhibit excellent detonation properties, whose critical size of detonation is around 0.01 mm and the mean detonation velocity is 8580 m s−1 at the charging width of 1 mm. Furthermore, part performances of this composite are contrasted with previous reported CL‐20 based composite and show better characters.
Parity Anomaly and Duality Web
Authors: Ma Chen‐Te 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe review the parity anomaly and a duality web in 2+1 dimensions. An odd dimensional non‐interacting Dirac fermion theory is not parity invariant at quantum level. We demonstrate the parity anomaly in a three dimensional non‐interacting Dirac fermion theory and a one dimensional non‐interacting Dirac fermion theory. These theories can generate non‐gauge invariant Abelian Chern‐Simons terms at a finite temperature through an effective action. The parity anomaly also leads us to study the duality web in 2+1 dimensions, in which the 2+1 dimensional duality web begins from the conjecture of a duality between a three dimensional Dirac fermion theory and a three dimensional interacting scalar field theory at the Wilson‐Fisher fixed point. We first review the duality web for the flat background, then we discuss its extension to the spinc manifold to avoid inconsistency from the spin structure. This also leads a global effect. We discuss that the composite fermions approach of the quantum Hall system also suffers from the same issue of the global description. Finally, we use perspective of the electric‐magnetic duality of the Abelian gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions to study the 2+1 dimensional duality web.
A novel bacterial l‐arginine sensor controlling c‐di‐GMP levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Paiardini A , Mantoni F , Giardina G , Paone A , Janson G , Leoni L , Rampioni G , Cutruzzolà F , Rinaldo S 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNutrients such as amino acids play key roles in shaping the metabolism of microorganisms in natural environments and in host–pathogen interactions. Beyond taking part to cellular metabolism and to protein synthesis, amino acids are also signaling molecules able to influence group behavior in microorganisms, such as biofilm formation. This lifestyle switch involves complex metabolic reprogramming controlled by local variation of the second messenger 3′, 5′‐cyclic diguanylic acid (c‐di‐GMP). The intracellular levels of this dinucleotide are finely tuned by the opposite activity of dedicated diguanylate cyclases (GGDEF signature) and phosphodiesterases (EAL and HD‐GYP signatures), which are usually allosterically controlled by a plethora of environmental and metabolic clues. Among the genes putatively involved in controlling c‐di‐GMP levels in P. aeruginosa, we found that the multidomain transmembrane protein PA0575, bearing the tandem signature GGDEF‐EAL, is an l‐arginine sensor able to hydrolyse c‐di‐GMP. Here, we investigate the basis of arginine recognition by integrating bioinformatics, molecular biophysics and microbiology. Although the role of nutrients such as l‐arginine in controlling the cellular fate in P. aeruginosa (including biofilm, pathogenicity and virulence) is already well established, we identified the first l‐arginine sensor able to link environment sensing, c‐di‐GMP signaling and biofilm formation in this bacterium.
Estimating the contribution of folding stability to nonspecific epistasis in protein evolution
Authors: Dasmeh Pouria , Serohijos Adrian W. R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe extent of nonadditive interaction among mutations or epistasis reflects the ruggedness of the fitness landscape, the mapping of genotype to reproductive fitness. In protein evolution, there is strong support for the importance and prevalence of epistasis but the quantitative and relative contribution of various factors to epistasis are poorly known. Here, we determine the contribution of selection for folding stability to epistasis in protein evolution. By combining theoretical estimates of the rates of molecular evolution and the nonlinear mapping between protein folding thermodynamics and fitness, we show that the simple selection for folding stability imposes at least ~30% to ~40% epistasis in long‐term protein evolution. Estimating the contribution of governing factors in molecular evolution such as protein folding stability to epistasis will provide a better understanding of epistasis that could improve methods in molecular evolution.
Application of nSMOL coupled with LC‐MS bioanalysis for monitoring the Fc‐fusion biopharmaceuticals Etanercept and Abatacept in human serum
Authors: Iwamoto Noriko , Yokoyama Kotoko , Takanashi Megumi , Yonezawa Atsushi , Matsubara Kazuo , Shimada Takashi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe principle of nano‐surface and molecular‐orientation limited (nSMOL) proteolysis has a unique characteristic Fab‐selective proteolysis for antibody bioanalysis that is independent of a variety of monoclonal antibodies by the binding antibody Fc via Protein A/G in a pore with 100 nm diameter and modified trypsin immobilization on the surface of nanoparticles with 200 nm diameter. Since minimizing peptide complexity and protease contamination while maintaining antibody sequence specificity enables a rapid and broad development of optimized methods for liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) bioanalysis, the application of regulatory LC‐MS for monitoring antibody biopharmaceuticals is expected. nSMOL is theoretically anticipated to be applicable for representative Fc‐fusion biopharmaceuticals, because Protein A/G‐binding site Fc exists on the C‐terminus, and its functional domain is available to orient and interact with the reaction solution. In this report, we describe the validated LC‐MS bioanalysis for monitoring Ethanercept and Abatacept using nSMOL technology. The quantitation range of Ethanercept in human serum was from 0.195 to 100 μg/mL using the signature peptide VFCTK (aa.43‐47), and that of Abatacept was from 0.391 to 100 μg/mL using the signature peptide MHVAQPAVVLASSR (aa.1‐14). Both proteins fulfilled the guideline criteria for low‐molecular‐weight drug compounds. The results indicate that the clinical and therapeutic monitoring for antibody and Fc‐fusion biopharmaceuticals are adequately applicable using nSMOL proteolysis coupled with LC‐MS bioanalysis.
On optimal replacement of systems with failure rates described by a random jump process
Authors: Cha Ji Hwan , Finkelstein Maxim , Levitin Gregory 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPreventive maintenance (age replacement) of items operating in a random environment modeled by a Poisson shock process, resulting in random jump process in the system failure rate, is considered. The corresponding univariate and bivariate models are described. In the univariate model, an item is replaced either on failure or on the predetermined replacement time, whichever comes first. In the bivariate model, the preventive maintenance is performed also on the occurrence of the mth shock. Each shock in our stochastic model has a triple effect. On one hand, it acts directly on the failure rate of an item, increasing it by a random amount or resulting in a failure. On the other hand, each shock causes additional ‘damage’, which can be attributed, eg, to a short drop in the output of an item. The corresponding optimization problem is formulated and illustrated by detailed numerical examples.
A Review on the Synergistic Features of Hexagonal Boron Nitride (White Graphene) as Adsorbent‐Photo Active Nanomaterial
Authors: Mishra Nirmalendu S. , Saravanan Pichiah 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHexagonal boron nitride, known as white graphene has attracted the water industry as a replacement to both classical bulk and nano‐adsorbent. Its structural resemblance to graphene, resistance to corrosion, chemical oxidation, high thermal stability has attracted the focus of the researchers. On top of that its intrinsic material properties such as porosity, surface functional groups, band gap, etc. can be engineered to complement the real‐time applications. All the aforementioned strengthened their potential candidature as alternative nano‐adsorbent as well as energy material. The distinct characteristics like high selectivity, affinity, and the polar nature are auxiliary benefits for the adsorptive process. Further, the higher thermal stability of the material paves facile and ease regeneration. However, the wider band position limits its attributes as energy materials and was resolved by simple doping with suitable impurities. The authors drafted review, learning the vacuum that consolidates the mechanistic features like the development of nanoarchitecture, porosity, and bandgap engineering of the said material. Hence, the present review unambiguously discusses the role of various governing parameters for the development of novel porous Hexagonal boron nitride, along with characteristics of typical energy materials.
Activist‐impelled divestitures and shareholder value
Authors: Chen Siwen , Feldman Emilie R. 
Published: July 2018

Research Summary: This study analyzes how the divestitures that are impelled by activist investors in their campaigns against public corporations affect shareholder value. Using hand‐collected data on the activist campaigns that were launched against and the divestitures that were undertaken by Fortune 500 companies between 2007 and 2015, we find that activist‐impelled divestitures are more positively associated with immediate and longer‐term measures of shareholder value than comparable manager‐led divestitures. These performance differences persist for nearly two years after the completion of these deals. Our results empirically test the idea that firms with agency problems unlock shareholder value when they divest, and support the notion that activist investors fulfill an important external governance function. Our work also opens new research opportunities and offers practical implications as well.Managerial Summary: This study investigates how divestitures that are undertaken at the behest of activist investors affect shareholder value. We find that divestitures that were undertaken under pressure from activist investors are associated with more positive shareholder returns than comparable divestitures that were undertaken voluntarily by managers. These performance differences persist for nearly two years after the completion of these deals, alleviating concerns about the purported short‐termism of activist investors. Our findings suggest that activist investors may fulfill an important governance function by inducing managers to undertake strategies that they might not otherwise pursue, thereby unlocking shareholder value.
Colloidal Assembly Approaches to Micro/Nanostructures of Complex Morphologies
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Li Zhiwei , Yin Yadong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe ability to programmatically assemble colloidal micro/nanostructures into highly ordered superstructures is of great importance in both fundamental studies and practical applications. In addition to the sophisticated manipulation of the short‐range and long‐range interactions imposed on the colloidal building blocks, the intrinsic shape elements including face, edge, corner, concave, convex, and curvature also play very important roles in solving the “jigsaw puzzle” of the superstructures. Here, the recent progress in the development of colloidal assembly strategies for the formation of complex superstructures is reviewed, with a primary focus on the unique effects of the morphology of the building blocks to the assembly processes and the final structures. Overall, this Review aims to shed light on the fundamental understanding of the colloidal behaviors of complex micro/nanostructures and promote the continued development of effective strategies for the creation of functional materials with complex compositions and morphologies.
Dibenzothiophene‐S,S‐Dioxide‐Based Conjugated Polymers: Highly Efficient Photocatalyts for Hydrogen Production from Water under Visible Light
Authors: Dai Chunhui , Xu Shidang , Liu Wei , Gong Xuezhong , Panahandeh‐Fard Majid , Liu Zitong , Zhang Deqing , Xue Can , Loh Kian Ping , Liu Bin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThree dibenzothiophene‐S,S‐dioxide‐based alternating copolymers were synthesized by facile Suzuki polymerization for visible light–responsive hydrogen production from water (> 420 nm). Without addition of any cocatalyst, FluPh2‐SO showed a photocatalytic efficiency of 3.48 mmol h−1 g−1, while a larger hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 4.74 mmol h−1 g−1 was achieved for Py‐SO, which was ascribed to the improved coplanarity of the polymer that facilitated both intermolecular packing and charge transport. To minimize the possible steric hindrance of FluPh2‐SO by replacing 9,9′‐diphenylfluorene with fluorene, Flu‐SO exhibited a more red‐shifted absorption than FluPh2‐SO and yielded the highest HER of 5.04 mmol h−1 g−1. This work highlights the potential of dibenzothiophene‐S,S‐dioxide as a versatile building block and the rational design strategy for achieving high photocatalytic efficiency.
A systems engineering–based approach for framing reliability, availability, and maintainability: A case study for subsea design
Authors: Zhang Juntao , Haskins Cecilia , Liu Yiliu , Lundteigen Mary Ann 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFraming reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) aspects are critical for an engineering design, as RAM is concerned with the sustained capability of a system throughout its useful life. RAM analysts are responsible to consider both functional and dysfunctional behavior of a given system beyond the perspective of system designer. However, the system concept baseline developed by RAM toolset is often a partial view, which is either too abstract when preparing RAM analysis or too overloaded when integrating RAM analysis with design process. Such practice may not give systemic insights of the design concept, considering specific subsea design challenges such as limited accessibility and requirement for automate control. For this reason, it is of great importance to ensure an effective and sufficient communication between the domain of design and domain of RAM. Integrating with a well‐known engineering discipline, such as systems engineering (SE), may help analysts to create the collaborative design environment necessary to control the design risks for a system with high complexity. This article proposes a new framework that links SE with RAM engineering by connecting relevant concepts and models used. A novel subsea design concept is offered as a case study to demonstrate the key changes in subsea design activities for addressing RAM with the proposed framework.
The hierarchical and perturbative forms of stochastic Schrödinger equations and their applications to carrier dynamics in organic materials
Authors: Wang Yu‐Chen , Ke Yaling , Zhao Yi 
Published: July 2018

A number of non‐Markovian stochastic Schrödinger equations, ranging from the numerically exact hierarchical form toward a series of perturbative expressions sequentially presented in an ascending degrees of approximations are revisited in this short review, aiming at providing a systematic framework which is capable to connect different kinds of the wavefunction‐based approaches for an open system coupled to the harmonic bath. One can optimistically expect the extensive future applications of those non‐Markovian stochastic Schrödinger equations in large‐scale realistic complex systems, benefiting from their favorable scaling with respect to the system size, the stochastic nature which is extremely suitable for parallel computing, and many other distinctive advantages. In addition, we have presented a few examples showing the excitation energy transfer in the Fenna‐Matthews‐Olson complex, a quantitative measure of decoherence timescale of hot exciton, and the study of quantum interference effects upon the singlet fission processes in organic materials, since a deep understanding of both mechanisms is very important to explore the underlying microscopic processes and to provide novel design principles for highly efficient organic photovoltaics.This article is categorized under:

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Reaction Dynamics and Kinetics
Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
Technoeconomic assessment of hydrothermal liquefaction oil from lignin with catalytic upgrading for renewable fuel and chemical production
Authors: Funkenbusch LiLu T. , Mullins Michael E. , Vamling Lennart , Belkhieri Tallal , Srettiwat Nattapol , Winjobi Olumide , Shonnard David R. , Rogers Tony N. 
Published: July 2018

Lignin is a readily available by‐product of the Kraft pulping process, and may be processed via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to produce a bio‐oil suitable for cofeeding into a petroleum refinery hydrotreatment unit. HTL of lignin is performed in near‐critical water and, in addition to the bio‐oil, produces an aqueous organic and solid char phase. The aqueous organics are primarily phenolics, which may be converted into valuable coproducts via liquid–liquid extraction and hydrotreatment to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) compounds. Three technological scenarios were developed: a current technology case, a state‐of‐the‐art research case, and an optimal case based on product targets provided by refiners. For a large Kraft pulp mill (400 metric tons/day of dry lignin), a renewable fuel production of 65–70 million L/year, with capital costs of $114–125 million and a final per liter cost of $0.41–0.44 were estimated. The BTEX coproduct yield ranged from 16.8–18.0 million L/year. An economic analysis of the process revealed that the hydrotreatment steps have the highest installed capital costs, while the liquid–liquid extraction process is the largest operating cost. Based on these results, the minimum selling price (MSP) of the biofuel is between $3.52 and $3.86/gallon, and the MSP of BTEX is between $1.65 and $2.00 per liter. With current technology, coproduction of BTEX does not offset the cost of biofuel production. Improved technology to further lower bio‐oil oxygen content and decrease both capital and operating costs are needed to make HTL‐based fuels competitive with fossil fuel‐based options.This article is categorized under:

Energy Research & Innovation > Science and Materials
Bioenergy > Economics and Policy
Bioenergy > Systems and Infrastructure
Coordinate free nonlinear incremental discrete mechanics
Authors: Lerbet J. , Challamel N. , Nicot F. , Darve F. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this paper we extend the Kinematic Structural Stability (KISS) issues obtained in the punctual linear case to a full non linear framework. Kinematic Structural Stability (KISS) refers to the stability of conservative or non‐conservative elastic systems under kinematic constraints. We revisite and sometimes introduce some new mechanical and geometrically‐related concepts, using the systematic language of vector bundles: transversality‐stability, tangent stiffness tensor, loading paths and KISS. We bring an intrinsic geometrical meaning to these concepts and we extend the main results to a general nonlinear framework. The lack of connection on the configuration manifold in order to make derivatives of sections is bypassed thanks to the key rule of the nil section of the cotangent bundle. Two mechanical examples illustrate the interest of the new concepts, namely a discrete nonconservative elastic system under non‐conservative loading (Ziegler's column) and, in more details, a four‐sphere granular system with nonconservative interactions called diamond pattern.
Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Antimicrobial Peptides Against Planktonic Culture and Biofilm of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Maciej , Neubauer Damian , Kazor Kamil , Bartoszewska Sylwia , Kamysz Wojciech 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most challenging pathogens, on account of its predisposition to develop resistance leading to severe, difficult-to-treat infections. As these bacteria are more usually isolated from nosocomial infections, the new therapeutic options are demanded. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are compounds likely to find application in the treatment of A. baumannii. These compounds exhibit a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity and were found to be effective against biofilm. In this study, eight AMPs, namely aurein 1.2, CAMEL, citropin 1.1., LL-37, omiganan, r-omiganan, pexiganan, and temporin A, were tested for their antimicrobial activity. A reference strain of A. baumannii ATCC 19606 was used. Antimicrobial assays included determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum biofilm eradication concentration. Considering the fact that the majority of A. baumannii infections are associated with mechanical ventilation and the use of indwelling devices, the activity against biofilm was assessed on both a polystyrene surface and tracheal tube fragments. In addition, cytotoxicity (HaCaT) was determined and in vitro selectivity index was calculated.
Combined Effects of Bag Holding and Obstacle Avoidance on Gait Characteristics: A Kinematic Study in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Demura Shinichi , Uchiyama Masanobu 
Published: July 2018

Objective This study examined the influence of holding a bag with one hand on a walkway with an obstacle on gait characteristics. Methods Ten healthy male students walked 5 m on obstructed and unobstructed walkways while holding loads corresponding to 0%, 10% and 20% of their body weights. General gait parameters (gait velocity, step length, etc.), the toe-obstacle clearance and the minimum toe clearance, the hip, knee and ankle joint angles of both limbs, and take-off and landing distances were analysed. Results With heavier loads, the step length, velocity and landing distance decreased, and flexion angles of the knee and ankle of the support limb increased on both walkways. Clearances were maintained constantly by flexion of the ankle joint in unobstructed trials and by flexion of the hip joint in obstructed trials. Conclusion Even in healthy adults, gait properties remarkably change owing to holding loads that equal to 10–20% of body weight on obstructed and unobstructed walkways. Clearance between toe and an obstacle/floor are maintained by using different strategies.