bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing electrical conductivity and electrical stability of polypyrrole‐coated cotton fabrics via surface microdissolution
Authors: He Qingqing , Lv Jingchun , Xu Hong , Zhang Linping , Zhong Yi , Sui Xiaofeng , Wang Bijia , Chen Zhize , Mao Zhiping
Published: January 2019

High electrical conductivity and electrical stability play a significant role in building the component devices of wearable electronics textiles. In this study, an implementable and effective approach was established that involved successive steps of surface microdissolution and in situ polymerization of pyrrole on fabric surfaces. The cotton fabrics were pretreated using a NaOH/urea aqueous solution system at low temperature so as to add more adsorption sites to the surface and obtain a rough surface. Then more polypyrrole was firmly deposited on the surface of the cotton fabrics. The results showed that the treated fabrics had a lower surface resistance of 1.98 Ω/sq, and the value was almost unchanged after 10 washing cycles. The dry rubbing fastness degree of the treated fabrics can reach 4 grades, and good flexibility was maintained under different bending states. Higher electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the treated cotton fabrics (15.4–62.9 dB) at a frequency range from 1 to 3000 MHz and excellent ultraviolet protection performance could be obtained, which can provide a theoretical reference for the design and research of flexible wearable electrode materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47515.
Efficient preparation and characterization of paraffin‐based microcapsules by emulsion polymerization
Authors: Xu Dong , Yang Rui
Published: January 2019

Microencapsulated phase‐change materials (MEPCMs) with paraffin as the core and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA copolymers as the shell were prepared by emulsion polymerization using redox initiators at low temperatures. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the chemical composition of MEPCMs. The thermal properties and thermal stabilities of MEPCMs were tested by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphologies and sizes of the microcapsules were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and particle size distribution analysis. The results indicated that the yield of microcapsules is as high as 96.2%, and the encapsulation efficiency of paraffin is nearly 100% when the paraffin content in MEPCM is 70%. The MEPCMs have good stability: the leakage ratios of MEPCMs can be less than 1% after 50 heating–cooling cycles. Therefore, the microencapsulation of paraffin using redox initiators has good production and application prospects. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47552.
Synergic enhancement of the anticorrosion properties of an epoxy coating by compositing with both graphene and halloysite nanotubes
Authors: Xu Huan‐Yan , Li Bo , Han Xu , Wang Yuan , Zhang Xiao‐Rui , Komarneni Sridhar
Published: January 2019

The aim of this research was to improve the corrosion resistance of metal surfaces with polymer coatings. Both graphene and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were introduced together into the epoxy resin coating for the enhanced barrier protection of the metallic surface. The anticorrosion behaviors of different coatings were comparatively evaluated by the potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and neutral salt spray (NSS) tests. The potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that the coating containing 0.5 wt % HNTs and 0.8 wt % graphene (H05G08EP) together had the most positive corrosion potential and the minimum corrosion current density. The EIS results revealed that graphene endowed the composite coatings with excellent electrochemical performance for anticorrosive purposes. The NSS tests indicated that H05G08EP endured the longest NSS time. These results suggest that H05G08EP had the best corrosion resistance. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47562.
Wenn Brücken die Antwort sind, wie lautet die Frage?
Authors: Knight Martin , Halaczek Bartlomiej
Published: January 2019

Die Beteiligten an Planungsprozessen erkennen zunehmend die Notwendigkeit, die positiven Effekte unserer Infrastrukturprojekte frühzeitig zu vermitteln, aber auch die gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen von diesen zu erkennen und entsprechende Maßnahmen zu ergreifen. Es muss jedem Planer klar sein, dass, je größer ein Projekt ist, desto größer die Notwendigkeit ist, die Vorteile für die Bevölkerung und den gesellschaftlichen Mehrwert, die von diesem Projekt ausgehen, an die Bürger zu vermitteln. Diese Kommunikation muss aber deutlich über das bloße Abzählen quantifizierbarer Prognosen hinausgehen. Es müssen langfristige soziale, ökonomische und ökologische Vorteile aufgezeigt und im Dialog vermittelt werden.

Ein solcher Ansatz, im Britischen „Stakeholder Management“ genannt, setzt auf einen exzellent durchgearbeiteten Entwurf, gepaart mit langfristig geplanter und gut durchdachter Informations‐ und Beteiligungskampagne für die Bürger. Dies klappt aber nur, wenn Zeichnungen, Bilder und allen voran die Sprache klar, verständlich und transparent sind. Die Aufgabe liegt darin, Vertrauen zum Bürger aufzubauen, dessen Respekt zu gewinnen und bestehende Ängste abzutragen. Im Gegensatz zu dem aktuell bestehenden Ansatz, sich auf die Klärung der Fragen „Was?“ und „Wie?“ zu konzentrieren, sollten bei der Vermittlung öffentlicher Projekte die ersten zwei Fragen lauten: „Warum?“ und „Wer?“.
Powerful testing via hierarchical linkage disequilibrium in haplotype association studies
Authors: Balliu Brunilda , Houwing‐Duistermaat Jeanine J. , Böhringer Stefan
Published: January 2019

Marginal tests based on individual SNPs are routinely used in genetic association studies. Studies have shown that haplotype‐based methods may provide more power in disease mapping than methods based on single markers when, for example, multiple disease‐susceptibility variants occur within the same gene. A limitation of haplotype‐based methods is that the number of parameters increases exponentially with the number of SNPs, inducing a commensurate increase in the degrees of freedom and weakening the power to detect associations. To address this limitation, we introduce a hierarchical linkage disequilibrium model for disease mapping, based on a reparametrization of the multinomial haplotype distribution, where every parameter corresponds to the cumulant of each possible subset of a set of loci. This hierarchy present in the parameters enables us to employ flexible testing strategies over a range of parameter sets: from standard single SNP analyses through the full haplotype distribution tests, reducing degrees of freedom and increasing the power to detect associations. We show via extensive simulations that our approach maintains the type I error at nominal level and has increased power under many realistic scenarios, as compared to single SNP and standard haplotype‐based studies. To evaluate the performance of our proposed methodology in real data, we analyze genome‐wide data from the Wellcome Trust Case‐Control Consortium.
A Designed Experiment: Polymorphism Analysis of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Gene from Human Buccal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Jiao Li , Xueli Li , Xiujuan Shi , Song Jia , Jie Xu , Lixia Lv , Wenzhuo Yang , Lei Xu
Published: January 2019

For medical students, we combine the laboratory practice with clinical applications by developing biochemical and molecular biology experiments. In this experiment, students first collect their own buccal epithelial cells by a noninvasive mouthwash method. Then, they extract genomic DNA and perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene using genomic DNA as a template. Finally, the polymorphism of ACE gene is observed by electrophoresis. Students not only learn the techniques but also acquire knowledge of the ACE gene polymorphism. By establishing the relationship among ACE polymorphism and high blood pressure and myocardial hypertrophy, students should be able to understand the gene polymorphism and its association with susceptibility to disease. This laboratory practice teaching can also stimulate desire to do scientific research. Experimental results from many individuals can help us determine and analyze the fractions of ACE gene types in Chinese cohorts. Such an experiment strongly activates students and provides a solid foundation for the medical students' future research and clinical application. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(2): 168–174, 2019.
Quantitative analysis of different batches of raw, wine‐processed, and vinegar‐processed Paeoniae Alba Radix using ultra‐performance convergence chromatography coupled with photo diode array detection
Authors: Yang Liu , Jiang Hai , Guo Xinyue , Hou Ajiao , Man Wenjing , Xing Xudong , Yan Meiling , Yang Bingyou , Wang Qiuhong , Kuang Haixue
Published: January 2019

Supercritical fluid chromatography is a safe and ecofriendly analytical technique that has not been fully applied to the analysis of traditional Chinese medicine. This is the first study on the separation of six quality markers—paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoyl paeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, gallic acid and benzoic acid—from raw, wine‐baked and vinegar‐baked Paeoniae Alba Radix (PAR) by Supercritical fluid chromatography. Optimum separation was achieved on an HSS C18 SB column (100 × 3.0 mm, 1.8 μm particles) with a gradient elution of high‐purity carbon dioxide as mobile phase A and methanol–acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) with 0.10% phosphoric acid as mobile phase B. The flow rate was set at 0.7 mL/min for 15.0 min. The method was validated in terms of the overall intraday and interday precision, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.87–2.87 and 1.47–3.63%, respectively. The recoveries were 98.10–103.60% with an RSD of 1.00–3.40%. The stability of the RSD values was in the range 1.10–3.78%. The developed approach was successfully applied and provides a valuable reference for the quality assessment of PAR and processed PAR. The results also revealed that the standardization of processing technology is of great significance to the fluctuations in quality before and after the processing of traditional Chinese medicine.
Harnessing sustainable development from niche marketing and coopetition in social enterprises
Authors: Herbst Judith M.
Published: January 2019

This article reports on strategic practices within social enterprises to drive social, economic, and environmental value. Multiple case studies were conducted across diverse third sector organisations to examine how managers deploy commercial and social marketing activities to fulfil sustainable missions. Results showed social enterprises attract target audiences by engaging in inclusive forms of niche marketing. The organisations leverage relationships across their horizontal and vertical value chains to enhance their own resources and capabilities while advancing wider social and environmental interests. Deep collaboration between social enterprises and their stakeholders sometimes extends to forging alliances with competitors. This research contributes the first empirical evidence of how coopetition leads to competitive advantage in profit‐for‐purpose organisations, and it proposes a model to show how cocreation of shared value with actors across multilevels of interdependent systems paves the way for sustainable development outcomes to be achieved.
Explaining the procedural justice–perceived legitimacy relationship: Relying on relational concern or instrumental concern?
Authors: Liang Juan , Li Xiaona
Published: January 2019

People can extract relational information (i.e., relational concern) as well as instrumental information (i.e., instrumental concern) from decision‐making procedures. Thus, both instrumental and relational concerns are assumed to influence the procedural justice–perceived legitimacy relationship. Drawing from social exchange theory, the different kinds of concerns may lead to form different exchange relationships (social exchange relationship vs. economic relationship), which can be indicated by two forms of trust (affect‐based trust vs. cognition‐based trust). We built a model of trust mediation in which procedural justice predicted affect‐based and cognition‐based trust. Further, we also tested the hypothesis that high (compared with low) group identification individuals are more likely to rely on relational concern to construct procedural justice and judge legitimacy of authority, because they use procedural fairness information to infer the quality of their relationships with the authority. The results of an experiment (Study 1) demonstrated that both affect‐based trust and cognition‐based trust mediated the procedural justice–perceived legitimacy relationship. Moreover, a field study (Study 2) showed that affect‐based trust mediated the relationship between procedural justice and perceived legitimacy primarily among individuals with high group identification whereas cognition‐based trust mediated this relationship primarily among those with low group identification.
Evolution of C‐Terminal Modification Tolerance in Full‐Length and Split T7 RNA Polymerase Biosensors
Authors: Pu Jinyue , Disare Michael , Dickinson Bryan C.
Published: January 2019

T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a powerful protein scaffold for the construction of synthetic biology tools and biosensors. However, both T7 RNAP and its split variants are intolerant to C‐terminal modifications or fusions, thus placing a key limitation on their engineering and deployment. Here, we use rapid continuous‐evolution approaches to evolve both full‐length and split T7 RNAP variants that tolerate modified C termini and fusions to entire other proteins. Moreover, we show that the evolved split C‐terminal RNAP variants can function as small‐molecule biosensors, even in the context of large C‐terminal fusions. This work provides a panel of modified RNAP variants with robust activity and tolerance to C‐terminal fusions, and provides insights into the biophysical requirements of the C‐terminal carboxylic acid functional group of T7 RNAP.
Targeted Rediscovery and Biosynthesis of the Farnesyl‐Transferase Inhibitor Pepticinnamin E
Authors: Santa Maria Kevin C. , Chan Andrew N. , O'Neill Erinn M. , Li Bo
Published: January 2019

The natural product pepticinnamin E potently inhibits protein farnesyl transferases and has potential applications in treating cancer and malaria. Pepticinnamin E contains a rare N‐terminal cinnamoyl moiety as well as several nonproteinogenic amino acids, including the unusual 2‐chloro‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐N‐methyl‐L‐phenylalanine. The biosynthesis of pepticinnamin E has remained uncharacterized because its original producing strain is no longer available. Here we identified a gene cluster (pcm) for this natural product in a new producer, Actinobacteria bacterium OK006, by means of a targeted rediscovery strategy. We demonstrated that the pcm cluster is responsible for the biosynthesis of pepticinnamin E, a nonribosomal peptide/polyketide hybrid. We also characterized a key O‐methyltransferase that modifies 3,4‐dihydroxy‐l‐phenylalanine. Our work has identified the gene cluster for pepticinnamins for the first time and sets the stage for elucidating the unique chemistry required for biosynthesis.
Direct Coal Liquefaction Using Iron Carbonyl Powder Catalyst
Authors: Lokhat David , Carsky Milan
Published: January 2019

Direct coal liquefaction involves catalyzed interactions between molecular hydrogen and coal‐oil slurries at elevated pressure and temperature, typically in the presence of an iron‐based catalyst. Iron carbonyl powder as an alternative first‐stage catalyst was investigated. A series of experimental tests under mild liquefaction conditions were carried out with a high‐pressure batch reactor in order to compare the performance of the iron carbonyl precursor to the traditional superfine iron oxide catalyst. The carbonyl iron powder performed very well in terms of total conversion of coal as well as yield of coal oil product. The iron carbonyl powder acts as an effective precursor for the in situ generation of active iron sulfide. The simple kinetic models for coal liquefaction in the literature were found to be qualitatively consistent with the yields of preasphaltenes, asphaltenes, and oils obtained from the experiments.
The Mechanism of Sugar C−H Bond Oxidation by a Flavoprotein Oxidase Occurs by a Hydride Transfer Before Proton Abstraction
Authors: Wongnate Thanyaporn , Surawatanawong Panida , Chuaboon Litavadee , Lawan Narin , Chaiyen Pimchai
Published: January 2019

Understanding the reaction mechanism underlying the functionalization of C−H bonds by an enzymatic process is one of the most challenging issues in catalysis. Here, combined approaches using density functional theory (DFT) analysis and transient kinetics were employed to investigate the reaction mechanism of C−H bond oxidation in d‐glucose, catalyzed by the enzyme pyranose 2‐oxidase (P2O). Unlike the mechanisms that have been conventionally proposed, our findings show that the first step of the C−H bond oxidation reaction is a hydride transfer from the C2 position of d‐glucose to N5 of the flavin to generate a protonated ketone sugar intermediate. The proton is then transferred from the protonated ketone intermediate to a conserved residue, His548. The results show for the first time how specific interactions around the sugar binding site promote the hydride transfer and formation of the protonated ketone intermediate. The DFT results are also consistent with experimental results including the enthalpy of activation obtained from Eyring plots, as well as the results of kinetic isotope effect and site‐directed mutagenesis studies. The mechanistic model obtained from this work may also be relevant to other reactions of various flavoenzyme oxidases that are generally used as biocatalysts in biotechnology applications.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Fluorinated Galactopyranosides as Potential Molecular Probes for Galactophilic Proteins: Assessment of Monofluorogalactoside–LecA Interactions
Authors: Denavit Vincent , Lainé Danny , Bouzriba Chahrazed , Shanina Elena , Gillon Émilie , Fortin Sébastien , Rademacher Christoph , Imberty Anne , Giguère Denis
Published: January 2019

The replacement of hydroxyl groups by fluorine atoms on hexopyranoside scaffolds may allow access to invaluable tools for studying various biochemical processes. As part of ongoing activities toward the preparation of fluorinated carbohydrates, a systematic investigation involving the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of mono‐ and polyfluorinated galactopyranosides is described. Various monofluorogalactopyranosides, a trifluorinated, and a tetrafluorinated galactopyranoside have been prepared using a Chiron approach. Given the scarcity of these compounds in the literature, in addition to their synthesis, their biological profiles were evaluated. Firstly, the fluorinated compounds were investigated as antiproliferative agents using normal human and mouse cells in comparison with cancerous cells. Most of the fluorinated compounds showed no antiproliferative activity. Secondly, these carbohydrate probes were used as potential inhibitors of galactophilic lectins. The first transverse relaxation‐optimized spectroscopy (TROSY) NMR experiments were performed on these interactions, examining chemical shift perturbations of the backbone resonances of LecA, a virulence factor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, taking advantage of the fluorine atom, the 19F NMR resonances of the monofluorogalactopyranosides were directly monitored in the presence and absence of LecA to assess ligand binding. Lastly, these results were corroborated with the binding potencies of the monofluorinated galactopyranoside derivatives by isothermal titration calorimetry experiments. Analogues with fluorine atoms at C‐3 and C‐4 showed weaker affinities with LecA as compared to those with the fluorine atom at C‐2 or C‐6. This research has focused on the chemical synthesis of “drug‐like” low‐molecular‐weight inhibitors that circumvent drawbacks typically associated with natural oligosaccharides.
Access to Metal‐Bridged Osmathiazine Derivatives by a Formal [4+2] Cyclization
Authors: Li Jinhua , Lin Yu‐Mei , Zhang Hong , Chen Yuan , Lin Zhenyang , Xia Haiping
Published: January 2019

Treatment of osmacyclopentadiene derivatives 1 with phenyl or isopropyl isothiocyanate gave the fused five and six‐membered osmacycles 2–5 by a formal [4+2] cyclization. The facile protonation of the newly generated exocyclic imine in complexes 2–5 afforded conjugation‐extended osmacycle derivatives 6–9. Compounds 2–9 each contain two main‐group heteroatoms (N and S) in the fused six‐membered ring located at the ortho (for S) and para (for N) positions relative to the osmium centre; these species can be regarded as rare osma‐1,3‐thiazine derivatives and represent the first fused metallathiazine derivatives. In contrast to the non‐planar organic 6H‐1,3‐thiazine, nearly coplanar metallathiazines 8 and 9 can be achieved by tuning the groups on the two nitrogen atoms. These unique metal‐bridged osma‐1,3‐thiazine derivatives exhibit remarkable stabilities, broad spectral absorptions spanning the visible spectra, and considerable photothermal properties, which suggests their potential applications in material science.
A phase 2 study of glembatumumab vedotin, an antibody‐drug conjugate targeting glycoprotein NMB, in patients with advanced melanoma
Authors: Ott Patrick A. , Pavlick Anna C. , Johnson Douglas B. , Hart Lowell L. , Infante Jeffrey R. , Luke Jason J. , Lutzky Jose , Rothschild Neal E. , Spitler Lynn E. , Cowey C. Lance , Alizadeh Aaron R. , Salama April K. , He Yi , Hawthorne Thomas R. , Bagley Rebecca G. , Zhang Joshua , Turner Christopher D. , Hamid Omid
Published: January 2019

Background

Glembatumumab vedotin is an antibody‐drug conjugate that produced preliminary clinical activity against advanced melanoma in a phase 1 dose‐escalation trial. The objective of the current study was to investigate further the antitumor activity of glembatumumab vedotin at the recommended phase 2 dose in heavily pretreated patients with melanoma.

Methods

This single‐arm, phase 2 study enrolled patients with stage IV melanoma who were refractory to checkpoint inhibition and to B‐raf proto‐oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibition (in the presence of a BRAF valine mutation at codon 600). Patients received 1.9 mg/kg glembatumumab vedotin intravenously every 3 weeks until they developed disease progression or intolerance. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), which was determined according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS), duration of response, overall survival (OS), safety, and clinical efficacy versus tumor glycoprotein NMB (gpNMB) expression. Tumor expression of gpNMB was assessed using immunohistochemistry.

Results

In total, 62 patients received treatment. The ORR was 11% and the median response duration was 6.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1 months to not reached). The median PFS was 4.4 months (95% CI, 2.6‐5.5 months), and the median OS was 9.0 months (95% CI, 6.1‐11.7 months). For patients who developed rash during the first cycle versus those who did not, the ORR was 21% versus 7%, respectively, and there was an overall improvement in PFS (hazard ratio, 0.43; P = .013) and OS (hazard ratio, 0.43; P = .017). The most frequent adverse events were alopecia, neuropathy, rash, fatigue, and neutropenia. With one exception, all evaluable tumors were positive for gpNMB, and 46 of 59 tumors (76%) had 100% gpNMB‐positive epithelial cells.

Conclusions

Glembatumumab vedotin had modest activity and an acceptable safety profile in patients with advanced melanoma who were refractory to checkpoint inhibitors and MEK/BRAF inhibition. Treatment‐related rash may be associated with response.
Meaningful differences and validity for the NCCN/FACT‐P Symptom Index: An analysis of the ALSYMPCA data
Authors: Beaumont Jennifer L. , Butt Zeeshan , Li Rui , Cella David
Published: January 2019

Background

The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate (FACT‐P) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network/Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate Symptom Index‐17 (NFPSI‐17) are 2 commonly used measures for patient‐reported outcomes in prostate cancer trials. Their use may be enhanced by a better understanding of how change scores on the measures should be interpreted.

Methods

Using data from the phase 3 Alpharadin in Symptomatic Prostate Cancer Patients trial, this study estimated important change scores on the FACT‐P and the NFPSI‐17 via a combination of distribution‐ and anchor‐based methods. These data were also used to establish evidence for the validity of the NFPSI‐17.

Results

The available data suggested the following important difference ranges: 2 to 4 points for the Prostate Cancer Subscale, 5.5 to 8.5 points for the Trial Outcome Index, 1 to 1.5 points for the 3‐item Pain Scale, 1 to 2 points for the 4‐item Pain Scale, 4 to 6 points for the NFPSI‐17, 2 to 3.5 points for NFPSI–Disease‐Related Symptoms–Physical, 0.5 points for NFPSI–Disease‐Related Symptoms–Emotional, 1 to 1.5 points for NFPSI–Treatment Side Effects, and 0.5 to 1 point for NFPSI–Function/Well‐Being. The internal consistency reliability of the NFPSI‐17 and most of its subscales was good to excellent (>.70). Significant support was also found for the known groups validity of the NFPSI‐17 (and most of its subscales) on the basis of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, the total alkaline phosphatase, the presence of a skeletal‐related event during treatment, and the prostate‐specific antigen response before the end of treatment.

Conclusions

The secondary analysis supports the continued use of the FACT‐P, the NFPSI‐17, and its related subscales in future research on the quality of life of patients with symptomatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases.
Tumor dormancy in bone
Authors: Mayhew Vera , Omokehinde Tolu , Johnson Rachelle W.
Published: January 2019

Background

Bone marrow is a common site of metastasis for a number of tumor types, including breast, prostate, and lung cancer, but the mechanisms controlling tumor dormancy in bone are poorly understood. In breast cancer, while advances in drug development, screening practices, and surgical techniques have dramatically improved survival rates in recent decades, metastatic recurrence in the bone remains common and can develop years or decades after elimination of the primary tumor.

Recent Findings

It is now understood that tumor cells disseminate to distant metastatic sites at early stages of tumor progression, leaving cancer survivors at a high risk of recurrence. This review will discuss mechanisms of bone lesion development and current theories of how dormant cancer cells behave in bone, as well as a number of processes suspected to be involved in the maintenance of and exit from dormancy in the bone microenvironment.

Conclusions

The bone is a complex microenvironment with a multitude of cell types and processes. Many of these factors, including angiogenesis, immune surveillance, and hypoxia, are thought to regulate tumor cell entry and exit from dormancy in different bone marrow niches.
Possible Routes for Efficient Thermo‐Electric Energy Conversion in a Molecular Junction
Authors: Chakraborty Suvendu , Maiti Santanu K.
Published: January 2019

In the context of designing an efficient thermoelectric energy‐conversion device at nanoscale level, we suggest several important tuning parameters to enhance the performance of thermoelectric converters. We consider a simple molecular junction, which is always helpful to understand the basic mechanisms in a deeper way, where a benzene molecule is coupled to two external baths having unequal temperatures. The key component responsible for achieving better performance is associated with the asymmetric nature of transmission function, and in the present work, we show that it can be implemented in different ways by regulating the physical parameters involving the system. Employing a tight‐binding framework we calculate electrical and thermal conductances, thermopower, and figure of merit (FOM) by using Landauer integrals, and thoroughly examine the critical roles played by molecule‐to‐lead (ML) interface geometry, magnetic field, chemical substituent group, ML coupling, and the direct coupling between the two leads. Our results show that a reasonably large FOM (≫1) can be obtained and lead to a possibility of regulating the efficiency by selectively tuning the physical parameters. We believe that the present analysis will enhance the understanding of designing efficient thermoelectric devices, and can be verified in a laboratory.
Effect of Annealing on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of CoNiAl FSMA
Authors: Hossain Md. Sarowar , Ghosh Tanmoy , Kanth Bhoguju Rajini , Mukhopadhyay Pratip K.
Published: January 2019

A ferromagnetic shape memory alloy is a very interesting system that has various structural transformation, microstructural phases and magnetic properties, and interplays among them. The system studied here is Co39Ni34Al27 that comprises a mixture of β (body‐centered cubic) and γ (face‐centered cubic) structural phases. Here the β phase is responsible for the FSMA behavior and the γ phase improves the mechanical properties necessary for practical applications. Herein, it is showed through resistivity and magnetization measurements that post‐annealing to a higher temperature significantly alters the ratio of β and γ phases in the system, resulting in increasing the austenite to martensite transition temperature and significantly modifying the magnetic properties. Additionally, it is also shown that the low‐temperature magnetic phase of this FSMA system is a disordered magnetic system.
Computational Approaches to Photoelectrode Design through Molecular Functionalization for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Iyer Ashwathi , Kearney Kara , Ertekin Elif
Published: January 2019

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising carbon‐free approach to produce hydrogen from water. A photoelectrochemical cell consists of a semiconductor photoelectrode in contact with an aqueous electrolyte. Its performance is sensitive to properties of the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface, which may be tuned through functionalization of the photoelectrode surface with organic molecules. This can lead to improvements in the photoelectrode's properties. This Minireview summarizes key computational investigations on using molecular functionalization to modify photoelectrode stability, barrier height, and catalytic activity. It is discussed how first‐principles density functional theory, first‐principles molecular dynamics, and device modeling simulations can provide predictive insights and complement experimental investigations of functionalized photoelectrodes. Challenges and future directions in the computational modeling of functionalized photoelectrode/electrolyte interfaces within the context of experimental studies are also highlighted.
Electromodified NiFe Alloys as Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation: Mechanistic Implications of Time‐Resolved UV/Vis Tracking of Oxidation State Changes
Authors: Loos Stefan , Zaharieva Ivelina , Chernev Petko , Lißner Andreas , Dau Holger
Published: January 2019

Facile electromodification of metallic NiFe alloys leads to a series of NiFe oxyhydroxide surface films with excellent electrocatalytic performance in alkaline water oxidation. During cyclic voltammetry and after sudden potential jumps between noncatalytic and catalytic potentials, Ni oxidation/reduction was tracked with millisecond time resolution by a UV/Vis reflectance signal. Optimal catalysis at intermediate Ni/Fe ratios is explained by two opposing trends for increasing Fe content: a) pronounced slowdown of the Ni2+/Ni3+ oxidation step and b) increased reactivity of the most oxidized catalyst state detectable at catalytic potentials. This state may involve an equilibrium between Ni4+ ions and Ni2+ ions with neighboring ligand holes, possibly in the form of bound peroxides.
Bismuth Halide Perovskite‐Like Materials: Current Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Zhang Long , Wang Kai , Zou Bo
Published: January 2019

Metal halide perovskites have recently emerged as promising photovoltaic materials for application in solar cells with high power conversion efficiencies exceeding 23 %. In the years since such high efficiencies have been attained, investigations have mainly focused on the state‐of‐the‐art 3 D Pb‐based halide perovskite materials. However, the high toxicity of Pb and intrinsic instability of the pristine perovskite materials have become great obstacles to their industrial application and commercialization. To address these serious issues, it is imperative to explore low‐toxicity metal halide perovskites or their derivatives to substitute Pb‐based materials for better future development. Currently, Bi‐based halide perovskite‐like materials are attracting increased interest as environmentally friendly alternatives for photovoltaic applications. This Concept highlights recent advances of Bi‐based halide perovskite‐like materials in terms of understanding and modifying their fundamental properties and related device performance, with a focus on current challenges, opportunities for future development, and diversification of device applications.
Highly Selective and Pollution‐Free Electrochemical Extraction of Lithium by a Polyaniline/LixMn2O4 Cell
Authors: Zhao Along , Liu Jincheng , Ai Xinping , Yang Hanxi , Cao Yuliang
Published: January 2019

Conventional lithium extraction processes are inefficient or inadaptable for application in salt‐lake brines with high Mg/Li ratios of ≥6. A new electrochemical cell, polyaniline (PANI)/LixMn2O4, was proposed to solve this problem for selective recovery of Li+ ions from brine water with high impurity cations (K+, Na+, Mg2+, etc). Benefiting from the unique selectivity of spinel LixMn2O4 for Li+ insertion and the high capacity of the PANI polymer for Cl− doping, this PANI/LixMn2O4 cell could simultaneously extract LiCl from a simulated brine with a high average current efficiency of 95 %, an energy consumption of 3.95 W h molLiCl−1, and a strong cycle ability with 70.8 % capacity retention over 200 cycles. In particular, this method avoids the use of additional chemicals, offering a highly efficient, pollution‐free technology for Li+ extraction from brine waters.
Multispecies hierarchical modeling reveals variable responses of African carnivores to management alternatives
Authors: Farr Matthew T. , Green David S. , Holekamp Kay E. , Roloff Gary J. , Zipkin Elise F.
Published: January 2019

Carnivore communities face unprecedented threats from humans. Yet, management regimes have variable effects on carnivores, where species may persist or decline in response to direct or indirect changes to the ecosystem. Using a hierarchical multispecies modeling approach, we examined the effects of alternative management regimes (i.e., active vs. passive enforcement of regulations) on carnivore abundances and group sizes at both species and community levels in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Alternative management regimes have created a dichotomy in ecosystem conditions within the Reserve, where active enforcement of regulations maintains low levels of human disturbance in the Mara Triangle and passive enforcement of regulations in the Talek region permits multiple forms of human disturbance. Our results demonstrate that these alternative management regimes have variable effects on 11 observed carnivore species. As predicted, some species, such as African lions and bat‐eared foxes, have higher population densities in the Mara Triangle, where regulations are actively enforced. Yet, other species, including black‐backed jackals and spotted hyenas, have higher population densities in the Talek region where enforcement is passive. Multiple underlying mechanisms, including behavioral plasticity and competitive release, are likely causing higher black‐backed jackals and spotted hyena densities in the disturbed Talek region. Our multispecies modeling framework reveals that carnivores do not react to management regimes uniformly, shaping carnivore communities by differentially producing winning and losing species. Some carnivore species require active enforcement of regulations for effective conservation, while others more readily adapt (and in some instances thrive in response) to lax management enforcement and resulting anthropogenic disturbance. Yet, high levels of human disturbance appear to be negatively affecting the majority of carnivores, with potential consequences that may permeate throughout the rest of the ecosystem. Community approaches to monitoring carnivores should be adopted as single species monitoring may overlook important intra‐community variability.
Dung‐associated arthropods influence foraging ecology and habitat selection in Black‐necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Liu Wei , Wu Yongjie , DuBay Shane G. , Zhao Chenhao , Wang Bin , Ran Jianghong
Published: January 2019

Variation in grassland vegetation structure influences the habitat selection of insectivorous birds. This variation presents a trade‐off for insectivorous predators: Arthropod abundance increases with vegetation height and heterogeneity, but access to arthropod prey items decreases. In contrast, grazing by large herbivores reduces and homogenizes vegetation, decreasing total arthropod abundance and diversity. However, the presence of livestock dung may help counteract the overall reduction in invertebrates by increasing arthropods associated with dung. It is unclear, however, how the presence of arthropod prey in dung contributes to overall habitat selection for insectivorous birds or how dung‐associated arthropods affect trade‐offs between vegetation structure, arthropod abundance, and access to prey. To explore these relationships, we studied habitat selection of the Black‐necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), a large omnivorous bird that breeds on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. We assessed the relationships between habitat selection of cranes and vegetation structure, arthropod abundance, and the presence of yak dung. We found that Black‐necked Cranes disproportionately foraged in grassland patches with short sward height, low sward height heterogeneity, and high numbers of dry yak dung, despite these habitats having lower total arthropod abundance. Although total arthropod abundance is lower, these habitats are supplemented with dry yak dung, which are associated with coleopteran larvae, making dung pats an indicator of food resources for breeding Black‐necked Cranes. Coleopteran adults and larvae in yak dung appear to be an important factor influencing the habitat selection of Black‐necked Cranes and should be considered when assessing grassland foraging trade‐offs of insectivorous birds. This research provides new insights into the role of livestock dung in defining foraging habitats and resources for insectivorous predators.
Fitness costs associated with acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase mutations endowing herbicide resistance in American sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne Steud.)
Authors: Du Long , Qu Mingjing , Jiang Xiaojing , Li Xiao , Ju Qian , Lu Xingtao , Wang Jinxin
Published: January 2019

Weed resistance to herbicide can be conferred by gene mutations, and some mutations can cause pleiotropic effects in some cases. We investigated the pleiotropic effects associated with five specific ACCase mutations (Ile1781Leu, Trp2027Cys, Ile2041Asn, Asp2078Gly, and Gly2096Ala) on the plant growth, seed production, and resource competitiveness in American sloughgrass.

Resistant plants (M/M) homozygous for specific ACCase mutation and susceptible wild‐type plants (W/W) were derived from single heterozygous mother plant (M/W) by genotyping. Plant growth assay and neighborhood experiments were performed to quantify variation between M/M plants and W/W plants.

The Ile1781Leu mutation resulted in slight increases in plant growth in pure stands and improved resource competitiveness under low‐competition conditions in pot experiments, but no clear variation was observed under high competitive pressure or field conditions. During competition with wheat plants under field conditions, American sloughgrass plants containing Ile2041Asn ACCase exhibited a significantly lower (12.5%) aboveground biomass but no distinct differences in seed production or resource competitiveness. No significant detrimental pleiotropic effects associated with Gly2096Ala were detected in American sloughgrass.

The Trp2027Cys mutation distinctly reduced seed production, especially under high competitive pressure, but did not significantly alter plant growth. The Asp2078Gly mutation consistently reduced not only plant growth and seed production but also resource competitiveness.

Synthesis. The Trp2027Cys and Asp2078Gly mutations led to significant fitness costs, which may reduce the frequency of resistance alleles and reduce the propagation speed of resistant weeds in the absence of ACCase inhibitor herbicides. The Ile1781Leu, Ile2041Asn, and Gly2096Ala mutations displayed no obvious fitness costs or displayed very small fitness penalties, which would likely have no effect on the establishment of resistant weeds in the field.
Dominant tree species drive beta diversity patterns in western Amazonia
Authors: Draper Frederick C. , Asner Gregory P. , Honorio Coronado Eurídice N. , Baker Timothy R. , García‐Villacorta Roosevelt , Pitman Nigel C. A. , Fine Paul V. A. , Phillips Oliver L. , Zárate Gómez Ricardo , Amasifuén Guerra Carlos A. , Flores Arévalo Manuel , Vásquez Martínez Rodolfo , Brienen Roel J. W. , Monteagudo‐Mendoza Abel , Torres Montenegro Luis A. , Valderrama Sandoval Elvis , Roucoux Katherine H. , Ramírez Arévalo Fredy R. , Mesones Acuy Ítalo , Del Aguila Pasquel Jhon , Tagle Casapia Ximena , Flores Llampazo Gerardo , Corrales Medina Massiel , Reyna Huaymacari José , Baraloto Christopher
Published: January 2019

The forests of western Amazonia are among the most diverse tree communities on Earth, yet this exceptional diversity is distributed highly unevenly within and among communities. In particular, a small number of dominant species account for the majority of individuals, whereas the large majority of species are locally and regionally extremely scarce. By definition, dominant species contribute little to local species richness (alpha diversity), yet the importance of dominant species in structuring patterns of spatial floristic turnover (beta diversity) has not been investigated. Here, using a network of 207 forest inventory plots, we explore the role of dominant species in determining regional patterns of beta diversity (community‐level floristic turnover and distance‐decay relationships) across a range of habitat types in northern lowland Peru. Of the 2,031 recorded species in our data set, only 99 of them accounted for 50% of individuals. Using these 99 species, it was possible to reconstruct the overall features of regional beta diversity patterns, including the location and dispersion of habitat types in multivariate space, and distance‐decay relationships. In fact, our analysis demonstrated that regional patterns of beta diversity were better maintained by the 99 dominant species than by the 1,932 others, whether quantified using species‐abundance data or species presence–absence data. Our results reveal that dominant species are normally common only in a single forest type. Therefore, dominant species play a key role in structuring western Amazonian tree communities, which in turn has important implications, both practically for designing effective protected areas, and more generally for understanding the determinants of beta diversity patterns.
Governance of zero deforestation cocoa in West Africa: New forms of public–private interaction
Authors: Carodenuto Sophia
Published: January 2019

In March 2017, twelve of the world's leading cocoa and chocolate companies made a collective commitment to end the deforestation associated with the global cocoa supply chain. This marks one of the latest forms of transnational business governance, whereby state actors share the regulation of environmental and social externalities with private authority. This paper responds to the call for more contextual research into the complex policy ecosystems in which zero deforestation commitments are implemented and how transnational private authority is interacting with, and possibly being reconfigured by, domestic governance and territory. Combining policy analysis, field work on cocoa farms, focus groups, and over 45 interviews, this paper provides empirical evidence to explain how business commitments to zero deforestation cocoa interact with domestic political processes to reduce deforestation in key cocoa‐producing countries. The focus is on three top cocoa producer countries in West Africa, where smallholder cocoa farming causes environmental degradation due to deforestation, and socioeconomic progress for smallholders is difficult to achieve. In these countries, the private sector's commitment to reduce deforestation is situated in government‐led programs to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The findings show that a codependent relationship is evolving between corporate and state‐led efforts to reduce deforestation, where the success of zero deforestation cocoa relies on synergistic public–private interaction. Cocoa intensification without expansion, supply chain traceability, and jurisdictional commodity sourcing are the three main areas of future collaboration identified.
Differences between intravenous iron products: focus on treatment of iron deficiency in chronic heart failure patients
Authors: Martin‐Malo Alejandro , Borchard Gerrit , Flühmann Beat , Mori Claudio , Silverberg Donald , Jankowska Ewa A.
Published: January 2019

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anaemia and is highly prevalent in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Iron deficiency, with or without anaemia, can be corrected with intravenous (i.v.) iron therapy. In heart failure patients, iron status screening, diagnosis, and treatment of iron deficiency with ferric carboxymaltose are recommended by the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines, based on results of two randomized controlled trials in CHF patients with iron deficiency. All i.v. iron complexes consist of a polynuclear Fe(III)‐oxyhydroxide/oxide core that is stabilized with a compound‐specific carbohydrate, which strongly influences their physico‐chemical properties (e.g. molecular weight distribution, complex stability, and labile iron content). Thus, the carbohydrate determines the metabolic fate of the complex, affecting its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile and interactions with the innate immune system. Accordingly, i.v. iron products belong to the new class of non‐biological complex drugs for which regulatory authorities recognized the need for more detailed characterization by orthogonal methods, particularly when assessing generic/follow‐on products. Evaluation of published clinical and non‐clinical studies with different i.v. iron products in this review suggests that study results obtained with one i.v. iron product should not be assumed to be equivalent to other i.v. iron products that lack comparable study data in CHF. Without head‐to‐head clinical studies proving the therapeutic equivalence of other i.v. iron products with ferric carboxymaltose, in the highly vulnerable population of heart failure patients, extrapolation of results and substitution with a different i.v. iron product is not recommended.