bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs): An Overview of Synthesis, Properties, and Potential Applications
Authors: Wu Di , Cheng Wei , Ban Xiangtao , Xia Jianlong
Published: September 2018

Cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) have attracted significant attention from theoretical, synthetic, supramolecular and material chemists owing to their aesthetical structures. Since Jasti and co‐workers reported the landmark synthesis of [9]CPP, [12]CPP and [18]CPP, the past ten years have witnessed a remarkable burst in the development of CPP research, from synthetic methodologies to the applications in optoelectronic devices. In this Focus Review, we highlight the representative synthetic strategies to CPPs and attempts on bottom‐up synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and mainly focus on the optoelectronic properties studies of functionalized CPPs as well as heteroatoms doped CPP derivatives. Additionally, the potential applications of CPP derivatives in material science are discussed.
The effects of adenoidectomy on the smell perception of children
Authors: Fornazieri Marco Aurélio , Araújo Rafael Goulart , Lima João Vitor Fernandes , Favareto Felipe Bays , Pinna Fábio de Rezende , Voegels Richard Louis , Doty Richard L.
Published: September 2018

Background

In this study, we employed a novel children's olfactory test in order to more accurately assess the relationship between nasopharyngeal obstruction and odor identification ability. We quantified the impact of adenoidectomy on olfactory function, established whether the influences of the operation were related to the preoperative amount of nasopharyngeal obstruction, and determined whether sex influenced the olfactory measures.

Methods

Fifty‐three boys and 23 girls were administered a standardized children's olfactory test, the Pediatric Smell Wheel™, before and 45 days after adenoidectomy. They ranged in age from 5 to 12 years and exhibited varying degrees of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and histories of recurrent adenotonsillitis. Radiographs of the nasopharynx were used to grade the degree of nasopharyngeal obstruction.

Results

Significant postoperative improvement in smell function occurred more frequently in children with >50% preoperative obstruction of the nasopharynx. In this group, average function improved 50.8% after surgery (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.1% to 64%). Improvement on 9 of the 11 odors was present, with significant differences occurring for the odors of bubble gum, baby powder, mint, and cinnamon. No sex differences were evident.

Conclusion

Olfactory dysfunction occurs primarily in children whose nasopharyngeal obstruction is >50%. Removal of the hypertrophied adenoids returned smell function back to normal in these cases. This study suggests that smell loss may be of value in decisions regarding whether or not to perform adenoidectomy in children with nasopharyngeal obstruction.
In Situ Thermal Atomization To Convert Supported Nickel Nanoparticles into Surface‐Bound Nickel Single‐Atom Catalysts
Authors: Yang Jian , Qiu Zongyang , Zhao Changming , Wei Weichen , Chen Wenxing , Li Zhijun , Qu Yunteng , Dong Juncai , Luo Jun , Li Zhenyu , Wu Yuen
Published: September 2018

The arrangement of the active sites on the surface of a catalysts can reduce the problem of mass transfer and enhance the atom economy. Herein, supported Ni metal nanoparticles can be transformed to thermal stable Ni single atoms, mostly located on the surface of the support. Assisted by N‐doped carbon with abundant defects, this synthetic process not only transform the nanoparticles to single atoms, but also creates numerous pores to facilitate the contact of dissolved CO2 and single Ni sites. The proposed mechanism is that the Ni nanoparticles could break surface C−C bonds drill into the carbon matrix, leaving pores on the surface. When Ni nanoparticles are exposed to N‐doped carbon, the strong coordination splits Ni atoms from Ni NPs. The Ni atoms are stabilized within the surface of carbon substrate. The continuous loss of atomic Ni species from the NPs would finally result in atomization of Ni NPs. CO2 electroreduction testing shows that the surface enriched with Ni single atoms delivers better performance than supported Ni NPs and other similar catalysts.
Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclopropanes from Carboxylic Acids by a Radical Addition–Polar Cyclization Cascade
Authors: Shu Chao , Mega Riccardo S. , Andreassen Björn J. , Noble Adam , Aggarwal Varinder K.
Published: September 2018

Herein, we describe the development of a photoredox‐catalyzed decarboxylative radical addition–polar cyclization cascade approach to functionalized cyclopropanes. Reductive termination of radical–polar crossover reactions between aliphatic carboxylic acids and electron‐deficient alkenes yielded carbanion intermediates that were intercepted in intramolecular alkylations with alkyl chlorides appended to the alkene substrate. The mild conditions, which make use of a readily available organic photocatalyst and visible light, were demonstrated to be amenable to a broad range of structurally complex carboxylic acids and a wide variety of chloroalkyl alkenes, demonstrating exquisite functional group tolerance.
Nucleophilic versus Electrophilic Reactivity of Bioinspired Superoxido Nickel(II) Complexes
Authors: Panda Chakadola , Chandra Anirban , Corona Teresa , Andris Erik , Pandey Bhawana , Garai Somenath , Lindenmaier Nils , Künstner Silvio , Farquhar Erik R. , Roithová Jana , Rajaraman Gopalan , Driess Matthias , Ray Kallol
Published: September 2018

The formation and detailed spectroscopic characterization of the first biuret‐containing monoanionic superoxido‐NiII intermediate [LNiO2]− as the Li salt [2; L=MeN[C(=O)NAr)2; Ar=2,6‐iPr2C6H3)] is reported. It results from oxidation of the corresponding [Li(thf)3]2[LNiIIBr2] complex M with excess H2O2 in the presence of Et3N. The [LNiO2]− core of 2 shows an unprecedented nucleophilic reactivity in the oxidative deformylation of aldehydes, in stark contrast to the electrophilic character of the previously reported neutral Nacnac‐containing superoxido‐NiII complex 1, [L′NiO2] (L′=CH(CMeNAr)2). According to density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations, the remarkably different behaviour of 1 versus 2 can be attributed to their different charges and a two‐state reactivity, in which a doublet ground state and a nearby spin‐polarized doublet excited‐state both contribute in 1 but not in 2. The unexpected nucleophilicity of the superoxido‐NiII core of 2 suggests that such a reactivity may also play a role in catalytic cycles of Ni‐containing oxygenases and oxidases.
Boron(III)‐Catalyzed C2‐Selective C−H Borylation of Heteroarenes
Authors: Zhong Qi , Qin Shengxiang , Yin Youzhi , Hu Jiajun , Zhang Hua
Published: September 2018

A BF3⋅Et2O‐catalyzed C2‐selective C−H borylation of indoles with bis(pinacolato)diboron was developed to afford indole‐2‐boronic acid pinacol esters. A variety of functional groups were tolerated, and other heteroarenes like pyrrole and benzo[b]thiophene were also suitable substrates. An electrophilic substitution mechanism was proposed based on the preliminary mechanistic studies. This novel transformation utilizes simple and cheap BF3⋅Et2O as catalyst and exhibits unusual C2 regioselectivity, providing a significant non‐transition‐metal‐catalyzed C−H borylation and an efficient method towards the synthesis of C2‐functionalized heteroarenes.
Chelated Diborenes and Their Inverse‐Electron‐Demand Diels–Alder Reactions with Dienes
Authors: Stennett Tom E. , Mattock James D. , Pentecost Leanne , Vargas Alfredo , Braunschweig Holger
Published: September 2018

A doubly base‐stabilised diborane based on a benzylphosphine linker was prepared by a salt elimination reaction between 2‐LiC6H4CH2PCy2⋅Et2O and B2Br4. This compound was reduced with KC8 to its corresponding diborene, with the benzylphosphine forming a five‐membered chelate. The diborene reacts with butadiene, 2‐trimethylsiloxy‐1,3‐butadiene, and isoprene to form 4,5‐diboracyclohexenes, which interconvert between their 1,1‐ (geminal) and 1,2‐ (vicinal) chelated isomers. The 1,1‐chelated diborene undergoes a halide‐catalysed isomerisation into its thermodynamically favoured 1,2‐isomer, which undergoes Diels–Alder reactions more slowly than the kinetic product.
Spatial properties of sessile benthic organisms and the design of repeat visual survey transects
Authors: Perkins Nicholas R. , Hosack Geoffrey R. , Foster Scott D. , Hill Nicole A. , Barrett Neville S.
Published: September 2018

Monitoring the impacts of pressures, such as climate change, on marine benthic ecosystems is of high conservation priority. Novel imaging technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and towed systems, now give researchers the ability to monitor benthic ecosystems over large spatial and temporal scales.

The design of monitoring programmes that use such technologies is currently hindered by a lack of information about the typical abundance and spatial distributions of target indicators and the level of sampling required to detect changes. A further complicating factor is that these sampling platforms are often not able to be exactly relocated when conducting repeat surveys.

How the spatial properties of benthic organisms influence the estimates of cover, given alternative designs that vary in the geolocation precision of transects and the sampling intensity of images, is explored. A geostatistical modelling approach is used to quantify the spatial distribution of 20 key deep‐water invertebrate species at a long‐term monitoring site. The parameter estimates from these models are then used to simulate repeat transects with geolocation error and different levels of sampling.

Results suggest that species with short effective ranges (i.e. those with strong spatial dependence over relatively short distances) and large spatial variance, which suggests strong spatial dependence effects, will require greater sampling effort to achieve a given standard of precision.

Spatial offsets of 2 m, typical of an AUV, are unlikely to have dramatic impacts on the precision of estimates when sufficient images are sampled, but offsets of 10 m that are typical of towed systems may require a prohibitively high sampling effort for some species. These findings have important implications for benthic monitoring programmes, and highlight the importance of considering the interactions between sampling design, the technical limitations of survey equipment, and the spatial properties of indicator species.
Genetic connectivity and phylogeography of the night shark (Carcharhinus signatus) in the western Atlantic Ocean: Implications for conservation management
Authors: Domingues Rodrigo R. , Bruels Christine C. , Gadig Otto B.F. , Chapman Demian D. , Hilsdorf Alexandre W.S. , Shivji Mahmood S.
Published: September 2018

The night shark, Carcharhinus signatus, is a mesopelagic, semi‐oceanic shark species found only in the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most frequently caught sharks in pelagic longline fisheries and is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite their prevalence in commercial fisheries, the population genetic structure of the night shark has not been assessed.

The present study investigated the genetic diversity, genetic connectivity, and phylogeography of the species throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, based on complete mitochondrial control region (mtCR) sequence data (n = 152) and genotypic data from nine nuclear microsatellites (n = 119).

The mtCR sequence revealed 19 haplotypes, with overall haplotype and nucleotide diversities of 0.74 (±0.027) and 0.0034 (±0.0019), respectively, whereas the nuclear microsatellite observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.408 and 0.421, respectively. There was significant population structure (ФST = 0.429; P < 0.01) and isolation by distance (r = 0.65, P = 0.03) based on mtCR sequence data, but no genetic differentiation based on nuclear microsatellite analyses.

The phylogenetic analyses support the existence of two matrilineal lineages, which diverged during the Pleistocene. Mitochondrial demographic analyses indicated a historical bottleneck effect followed by population expansion during the Pleistocene, whereas nuclear microsatellites did not detect a recent or a strong bottleneck.

For conservation purposes, we advocate that the species should be considered to comprise at least two management units (MUs) in the western Atlantic Ocean. MU‐specific catch quotas should be implemented throughout the range of the species given its low genetic diversity and vulnerability to overexploitation.
The origins of the Kula Ring: Archaeological and maritime perspectives from the southern Massim and Mailu areas of Papua New Guinea
Authors: IRWIN GEOFFREY , SHAW BEN , MCALISTER ANDREW
Published: September 2018

This paper is focused on the archaeology of Massim exchange and the development of the Kula Ring. It establishes an ethnographic baseline for the European contact period, and summarises fieldwork in the southern Massim. It provides a first description of the prehistoric pottery sequence and draws together previous information from the northern Massim and the Mailu area into a study of the archaeological origins of the Kula Ring. In the last centuries of prehistory the Massim became isolated from the PNG mainland by warfare and, at the same time, islands of the Massim became more connected. The geographical configuration of the Kula was influenced by seasonal winds and the sailing performance of nagega canoes. Some islands were advantaged in their location, but others lay upwind from the Kula islands and outside the Ring. Among the Kula islands, exchanges resolved into a gyre and concepts of Kula magic and ritual spread across the open borders of adjacent communities. In late prehistory the small southern island of Tubetube became a dominant centre when it established a direct connection with the trade in industrial stone from Woodlark Island. Finally, when the Massim was pacified by the colonial government the ethnographic Kula was free to sail, and sea lanes to the mainland opened again.
Hierarchical FeCo2S4 Nanotube Arrays Deposited on 3D Carbon Foam as Binder‐free Electrodes for High‐performance Asymmetric Pseudocapacitors
Authors: Huang Yunpeng , Cui Fen , Hua Mingqing , Xu Le , Zhao Yan , Lian Jiabiao , Bao Jian , Li Huaming
Published: September 2018

The ever‐increasing global demand for green energy resources calls for more research attention on the development of cheap and efficient energy storage systems. Herein, we propose the rational design of a 3D carbon foam electrode deposited with perpendicularly oriented FeCo2S4 nanotubes arrays (FeCo2S4/CMF) for high‐performance asymmetric supercapacitors. In this work, the macroporous CMF served as conducting backbone not only to enhance the electrical conductivity of the composite, but also to promote the uniform growth of FeCo2S4 nanotubes. Deposited hierarchical FeCo2S4 nanotubes arrays with open hollow structures can afford numerous exposed electroactive sites for Faradaic redox reaction and provide short interior channels for fast electrolyte transmission. Due to these unique features, obtained 3D hierarchical FeCo2S4/CMF composite foam exhibits a high specific capacitance of 2430 F g−1 (specific capacity of 337.5 mAh g−1) at 1 A g−1, and excellent capacitance retention of 91 % after 5000 cycles at a high current density of 9 A g−1, which is superior to most of those previously reported binary metal sulfide‐based electrodes. Moreover, asymmetric supercapacitor device assembled using the FeCo2S4/CMF as positive electrode also delivers a high energy density of 78.7 W h kg−1 at a power density of 800.3 W kg−1. Therefore, this work provides a new strategy for the low‐cost synthesis of 3D foam electrodes towards high‐performance supercapacitor devices.
Tuning the Electron Affinity and Stacking Properties of Corannulene by Introduction of Fluorinated Thioethers
Authors: Haupt Axel , Lentz Dieter
Published: September 2018

Trifluoromethylthio‐substituted corannulene can be easily synthesized in good yield by the reaction of iodocorannulene with CuSCF3. Oxidation with meta‐chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) yields the corresponding sulfonyl compound which exhibits the largest anodic shift of the redox potential caused by a single substituent. Similarly, four SCF3, SC6F5 and SeC6F5 substituents are introduced in the 1,2,5,6‐positions of corannulene starting with 1,2,5,6‐tetraiodo‐ or 1,2,5,6‐tetrabromocorannulene, respectively. The reactions are performed in polar aprotic solvents and are believed to follow SNAr‐type substitution mechanisms. Crystal and molecular structures of selected compounds were elucidated by X‐ray crystallography. Trifluoromethanesulfonyl corannulene and the fourfold‐substituted trifluoromethylthioether exhibit a perfect columnar stacking of the bowls. The substituted corannulenes were investigated electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry giving raise to large anodic shifts owing to substitution with electron‐withdrawing groups.
Sex differences in social attention in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Harrop Clare , Jones Desiree , Zheng Shuting , Nowell Sallie W. , Boyd Brian A. , Sasson Noah
Published: September 2018

Although reduced social attention and increased nonsocial attention have been reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the studies have relied on predominantly male samples and have been underpowered to examine sex differences. These processes may differ for females with ASD, who have been shown to be dissimilar to males in social motivation and nonsocial features, including circumscribed interests (CI). The goal of this study was to compare social and nonsocial visual attention between males and females with ASD on a validated eye‐tracking paradigm. Eighty‐five school‐aged (6–10 years) males and females with and without ASD completed a paired preference task of face and object stimuli (half of which related to common CI). After covarying for chronological and mental age, the presence of concurrently presented CI images reduced prioritization and attention to faces for males more than females, replicating previous findings. ASD females maintained comparable attention patterns to typically developing females, suggesting that previous findings of reduced social attention and increased attention to CI‐related objects in autism may be specific to males. These findings are also inconsistent with the “extreme male brain” theory of autism. The more normative orienting and attention to social stimuli for females with ASD may indicate distinct phenotypic characteristics relative to males and possibly serve as a protective effect. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1264–1275. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

As autism is more commonly diagnosed in males, less is known about females with autism. Two areas of interest include the interests held by individuals with autism and how socially motivated they are. We used eye tracking as a way to understand these two areas. Our data reveal that elementary school‐aged females (6–10 years) with autism attended to faces comparatively to females without autism, suggesting that (1) they were more socially motivated than males with autism and (2) the images of common interests were less motivating to them.
Comparison of different approaches for dose response analysis
Authors: Saha Saswati , Brannath Werner
Published: September 2018

Characterizing an appropriate dose‐response relationship and identifying the right dose in a clinical trial are two main goals of early drug‐development. MCP‐Mod is one of the pioneer approaches developed within the last 10 years that combines the modeling techniques with multiple comparison procedures to address the above goals in clinical drug development. The MCP‐Mod approach begins with a set of potential dose‐response models, tests for a significant dose‐response effect (proof of concept, PoC) using multiple linear contrasts tests and selects the “best” model among those with a significant contrast test. A disadvantage of the method is that the parameter values of the candidate models need to be fixed a priori for the contrasts tests. This may lead to a loss in power and unreliable model selection. For this reason, several variations of the MCP‐Mod approach and a hierarchical model selection approach have been suggested where the parameter values need not be fixed in the proof of concept testing step and can be estimated after the model selection step. This paper provides a numerical comparison of the different MCP‐Mod variants and the hierarchical model selection approach with regard to their ability of detecting the dose‐response trend, their potential to select the correct model and their accuracy in estimating the dose response shape and minimum effective dose. Additionally, as one of the approaches is based on two‐sided model comparisons only, we make it more consistent with the common goals of a PoC study, by extending it to one‐sided comparisons between the constant and alternative candidate models in the proof of concept step.
Visualizing cellular stress: A hypothesis‐driven confocal laboratory exercise to identify compounds that activate heat shock factor binding at Hsp70 loci
Authors: Choi Annette , Wang Mengqi , Hrizo Stacy , Buckley Martin S.
Published: September 2018

Exposure of organisms to high temperatures and various chemical and physical stressors can cause protein misfolding and aggregation. In turn, this can disrupt the functions of proteins, threatening both development and homeostasis. To overcome this, cells can initiate the highly conserved heat shock (HS) stress response pathway. In eukaryotes, this is a coordinated cellular response, in which the master HS activator, heat shock factor (HSF), is rapidly recruited to the HS protein genes, and triggers the recruitment of additional coactivator proteins that facilitate gene expression. This results in the production of HS proteins that function as nuclear and cytosolic molecular chaperones, to promote refolding of proteins and prevent aggregation and increase protein degradation pathways. Here, we describe a laboratory exercise in which students visualize and quantify Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)‐tagged HSF binding to the HS protein genes in living Drosophila salivary gland nuclei as an output of chemically induced protein misfolding. Students are assigned an array of chemicals, and using the scientific literature, predict impacts of these chemicals on protein folding. Students then test the effects of their chemicals by measuring GFP‐tagged HSF binding to the HS genes in salivary glands using confocal microscopy. Designed for junior and senior level students in a cell/molecular biology course, this is a two‐part lab, in which student work closely with an instructor to help familiarize them with developing hypotheses supported by scientific literature and testing these hypotheses by quantitating the levels of GFP‐HSF binding, using confocal microscopy of living Drosophila cells. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):445–452, 2018.
A new validated HPLC method for the determination of levodopa: Application to study the impact of ketogenic diet on the pharmacokinetics of levodopa in Parkinson's participants
Authors: Elbarbry Fawzy , Nguyen Van , Mirka Alar , Zwickey Heather , Rosenbaum Richard
Published: September 2018

A simple, accurate, and reproducible HPLC‐UV method has been developed and validated for the quantification of levodopa (l‐Dopa) in human plasma. The method involves a simple protein precipitation procedure to extract both l‐Dopa and methyldopa, the internal standard. The chromatographic analysis was achieved on a Shimadzu LC 20A HPLC system equipped with a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C18 column and an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 20 mm KH2PO4 (pH 2.5) and methanol (95:5, v/v) run at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The UV detection wavelength was set at 230 nm. The method exhibited good linearity (R2 > 0.999) over the assayed concentration range (0.1–10 μg/mL) and demonstrated good intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy (relative standard deviations and the deviation from predicted values were <15%). This method was also successfully applied for studying the potential effect of ketogenic diet on the pharmacokinetics of l‐Dopa in Parkinson's participants. Our data analysis indicates that ketogenic diet does not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of l‐Dopa.
Variations in pelvic dimensions: An anatomical and computed tomography study
Authors: Augustine Angelica S. , Ewen Alistair M. , Wallace David T. , Picard Frederic
Published: September 2018

The anterior pelvic plane (APP) is a useful anatomical reference with both clinical and research applications in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine. It is used as a marker for computer‐assisted total hip replacement and image‐guided assessment of the hip center in clinical gait analysis. Despite its common use, no published data exist on the variations in height and width in an adult population. The aim of this study was to determine the range of dimensions for the anterior pelvic plane found in the Scottish adult population. Thirty‐five human cadavers and 100 pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans were examined. Pelvic height and width were measured, and the ratios were determined. The mean width and height for combined cadaver and CT pelves were found to be 238.0 mm (SD 20.1, range 188.3–273.8) and 92.7 mm (SD 10.5, range 71.2–114.7), respectively. The mean width‐to‐height ratio for all pelves was 2.59 (SD 0.31, range 1.73–3.50). There were no statistically significant differences in means between males and females. The variations of APP dimensions within an adult population are presented. These will be of value in the validation of algorithms for computer navigation and hip joint center calculation in total hip arthroplasty and gait analysis. Furthermore, differences in dimensions between cadaveric and CT measurements have been shown which may have implications for further research and the validity of reference data dependent on data‐point acquisition. Clin. Anat. 31:981–987, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unraveling Substrate Specificity and Catalytic Promiscuity of Aspergillus oryzae Catechol Oxidase
Authors: Penttinen Leena , Rutanen Chiara , Jänis Janne , Rouvinen Juha , Hakulinen Nina
Published: September 2018

Catechol oxidases and tyrosinases are coupled binuclear copper enzymes that oxidize various o‐diphenolic compounds to corresponding o‐quinones. Tyrosinases have an additional monooxygenation ability to hydroxylate monophenol to o‐diphenol. It is still not clear what causes the difference in the catalytic activities. We solved a complex structure of Aspergillus oryzae catechol oxidase with resorcinol bound into the active site. Catalytic activity of A. oryzae catechol oxidase was studied, for the first time, by high‐resolution FT‐ICR mass spectrometry to shed light on the reaction mechanism. The enzyme was also found to catalyze monooxygenation of small phenolics, which provides a novel perspective for the discussion of differences in the catalytic activity between tyrosinases and catechol oxidases. According to the results, two binding modes for resorcinol are suggested and a reaction mechanism for coupled binuclear copper enzymes is discussed.
Inhibition of microRNA‐143‐3p attenuates myocardial hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammatory response
Authors: Yu Bo , Zhao Yanan , Zhang Hongli , Xie Di , Nie Wei , Shi Kaiyao
Published: September 2018

MicroRNA‐143‐3p (miR‐143‐3p) is involved in the initiation of inflammatory response and the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Myocardial hypertrophy is a common symptom in numerous cardiovascular diseases. In the current study, we attempted to demonstrate the role of miR‐143‐3p in the development of myocardial hypertrophy by focusing on its association with inflammation. Myocardial hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) method in vivo and by H2O2 administration in vitro. The expression status of miR‐143‐3p and downstream effectors were detected in animal heart tissues and H9c2 cells. Furthermore, the effect of miR‐143‐3p inhibition on H2O2‐induced changes in ERK5/PPARδ/NF‐κB axis was assessed. TAC induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rat heart tissues, which was associated with the increased expressions of miR‐143‐3p and p‐ERK5. However, the up‐regulated expression of miR‐143‐3p had no effect on the expression of ERK5, which was a direct target of miR‐143‐3p. The results of in vitro assays showed that H2O2 administration increased the levels of miR‐143‐3p and p‐EKR5 and induced the activation of NF‐κB pathway. After the inhibition of miR‐143‐3p, the activation of EKR5 and NF‐κB pathway was suppressed, whereas the expression of PPARδ was up‐regulated. The current study demonstrated that miR‐143‐3p is crucial to the initiation of inflammatory response induced by myocardial hypertrophy. The activation of ERK5 following miR‐143‐3p up‐regulation appears to be a complementary response to induce the subsequent anti‐inflammatory signaling transduction, which needed further exploration.
Quercetin preferentially induces apoptosis in KRAS‐mutant colorectal cancer cells via JNK signaling pathways
Authors: Yang Yiwen , Wang Tao , Chen Degao , Ma Qizhao , Zheng Yanjiang , Liao Shiping , Wang Yufang , Zhang Ji
Published: September 2018

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer, and its incidence and mortality are markedly increasing worldwide. Oncogenic mutations of KRAS occur in up to 40% of CRC cases and pose a great challenge in the treatment of the disease. Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid that exerts anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐cancer properties. The current study investigated the anti‐proliferative effect of quercetin on CRC cells harboring mutant or wild‐type KRAS. The effect of quercetin on cell viability was investigated by MTT and colony formation assays, and apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry by labeling cells with Annexin V‐FITC. The expression of the relevant proteins was examined by Western blotting. The data revealed that KRAS‐mutant cells were more sensitive to quercetin‐induced apoptosis than wild‐type cells. Caspase activation was involved in quercetin‐induced apoptosis. In addition, quercetin selectively activated the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in KRAS‐mutant cells, while inhibition of phospho‐JNK by SP600125 blocked quercetin‐induced apoptosis. The results of the present study suggest that treatment with quercetin, a common flavonoid in plants, is potentially a useful strategy for the treatment of CRCs carrying KRAS mutations.
Students in poverty: Maintaining understanding and engagement
Authors: Lichtenstein David P. , Donovan Sue
Published: September 2018

“To help children grow into prepared, productive adults, parents need well‐paying jobs, affordable housing and the ability to invest in their children's future. When parents are unemployed or earn low wages, their ability to support their kids' development is more limited, which can undermine their children's prospects for success in school and beyond.”
DBT effective at suicide and self‐harm reduction among teens in first RCT
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

The first randomized controlled trial (RCT) with adolescents on the use of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) has shown it is effective at decreasing suicide attempts, nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), and self‐harm in young people selected for elevated risk of suicide. The results of the study were published in the August issue of JAMA Psychiatry.
Dehydration of 1,5‐Pentanediol over CeO2‐MeOx Catalysts
Authors: Gnanamani Muthu Kumaran , Martinelli Michela , Badoga Sandeep , Hopps Shelley D. , Davis Burtron H.
Published: September 2018

The dehydration reaction of 1,5‐pentanediol was performed over CeO2 and modified CeO2 (CeO2−MnOx, CeO2−ZnO, CeO2−MgO, CeO2−CaO, CeO2−Na2O) catalysts in a fixed‐bed tubular reactor at 350 °C and an atmospheric pressure. The undoped CeO2 produced a mixture of the products containing mainly 4‐penten‐1‐ol, 1‐pentanol, cyclopentanol, cyclopentanone and tetrahydropyran‐2‐one from 1,5‐pentanediol, while additions of MgO, MnOx, or ZnO to CeO2 was found to enhance the overall production rate of unsaturated alcohol. On the other hand, more basic metals like CaO or Na2O tend to decline the dehydration activity of CeO2. The porous structure of CeO2 did not change appreciably with the addition of metal oxides. Temperature programmed desorption of adsorbed CO2 on an activated catalyst suggest more CO2 remain on the catalyst surface, particularly CeO2−CaO and CeO2−Na2O indicating that fewer defect sites are only available for reaction. The defect sites or oxygen vacancy on CeO2 controls both activity and selectivity for the dehydration of 1,5‐pentanediol.
Direct Electron Transfer between Glucose Oxidase and Gold Nanoparticles; When Size Matters
Authors: Malel Esteban , Mandler Daniel
Published: September 2018

We studied the direct electron transfer (DET) between glucose and electrogenerated AuCl4− catalysed by glucose oxidase (GOx) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Well‐defined AuNPs were prepared and attached onto an insulating surface. Studying the current transients of a gold microelectrode held within a few microns from the surface revealed that the AuNPs interacted with the GOx and were crucial for the DET from the glucose. We investigated very carefully the effect of pH and the size of the AuNPs on electron transfer. AuNPs of 16, 40 and 80 nm diameter were applied. The kinetics of electron transfer was analysed by the Michael‐Menten kinetic mechanism. Interestingly, we found that the fastest DET was exhibited by the 40 nm AuNPs at pH 3 and 5. At higher pH, electron transfer was better catalysed by the 80 nm AuNPs. This was rationalized by the effect of the pH on the enzymatic structure and the charge of the AuNPs.
Phase and Morphology Evolution Induced Lithium Storage Capacity Enhancement of Porous CoO Nanowires Intertwined with Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets
Authors: Jiang Yu , Jiang Zhongqing , Jiang Zhong‐Jie , Liu Meilin
Published: September 2018

A simple and cost‐effective process is developed for the synthesis of a high‐performance anode consisting of porous CoO nanowires intertwined with reduced graphene oxide sheets (CoO−NWs/rGO). When tested in a lithium‐ion battery, the CoO−NWs/rGO exhibits high initial reversible capacity (∼960 mAh g−1) and excellent rate capability. More importantly, its performance is further enhanced when CoO−NWs/rGO is discharged/charged for >100 cycles. For example, the specific capacity of the CoO−NWs/rGO can reach up to 1195 mAh g−1 after ∼130 cycles. This enhancement of the electrochemical performance of the CoO−NWs/rGO is attributed to two effects during the repeated discharge/charge cycling: a gradual evolution in morphology and crystal structure of electrode materials and the transformation of CoO onto the surface of rGO sheets. While the initial porous structure and the wire‐shaped morphology of CoO NWs may help to alleviate the strains/stresses induced by the volume change associated with cycling, they do not seem to be the primary attributes to the observed performance enhancement. The implication of this finding is very important to the rational design of high‐performance electrode materials: the equilibrium structure and morphology of electrode materials under repeated cycling conditions are far more important than the initial structure and morphology in designing nanostructured electrodes with desired performance and durability.
Bioinspired Transition‐Metal Complexes as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhao Ye‐Min , Yu Guo‐Qiang , Wang Fei‐Fei , Wei Ping‐Jie , Liu Jin‐Gang
Published: September 2018

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important reactions in life processes and energy conversion systems. To alleviate global warming and the energy crisis, the development of high‐performance electrocatalysts for the ORR for application in energy conversion and storage devices such as metal–air batteries and fuel cells is highly desirable. Inspired by the biological oxygen activation/reduction process associated with heme‐ and multicopper‐containing metalloenzymes, iron and copper‐based transition‐metal complexes have been extensively explored as ORR electrocatalysts. Herein, an outline into recent progress on non‐precious‐metal electrocatalysts for the ORR is provided; these electrocatalysts do not require pyrolysis treatment, which is regarded as desirable from the viewpoint of bioinspired molecular catalyst design, focusing on iron/cobalt macrocycles (porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and corroles) and copper complexes in which the ORR activity is tuned by ligand variation/substitution, the method of catalyst immobilization, and the underlying supporting materials. Current challenges and exciting imminent developments in bioinspired ORR electrocatalysts are summarized and proposed.
The Twisted Benzo[ghi]‐Perylenetriimide Dimer as a 3D Electron Acceptor for Fullerene‐Free Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Chen Hung‐Cheng , Jiang Bing‐Huang , Hsu Chao‐Ping , Tsai Yao‐Yu , Jeng Ru‐Jong , Chen Chih‐Ping , Wong Ken‐Tsung
Published: September 2018

A series of twisted N,N‐linked benzo[ghi]‐perylenetriimide dimers (t‐BPTI) with various lengths of the α‐branched alkyl side chain at the six‐membered imide ring position was designed, synthesized, and characterized. These compounds showed the low‐lying LUMO energy level of −3.78 eV, which was similar to that of PC61BM (−3.71 eV), but with intensive optical absorption in the range 350–500 nm. The twisted molecular geometry with two nearly perpendicular BPTI planes achieved a favorable nanoscale phase separation by relieving the self‐aggregation of rigid BPTI units in blend films. The acceptor t‐BPTI‐3 unit with the longest alkyl side chains has been demonstrated to be an efficient electron acceptor in solution‐processed bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaics (OPV), giving a power conversion efficiency of 3.68 % when using conjugated polymer PTB7‐Th as the donor and without additional treatments.
Bioinspired Architectures and Heteroatom Doping To Construct Metal‐Oxide‐Based Anode for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Qujiang , Zhou Lin , Sun Lianshan , Wang Chunli , Wu Yingqiang , Wang Xuxu , Wang Limin , Ming Jun
Published: September 2018

The pursuit of increased energy density and longer lifespan lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is urgently needed to satisfy a dramatically increased demand in the energy market. Currently, metal‐oxide‐based anodes are being intensively studied due to their higher capacities over current graphite anodes. This work introduces a sustainable strategy to construct a metal‐oxide‐based anode with high capacity and an extremely long lifecycle, in which the features of bioinspired architectures and heteroatom doping can contribute greatly to increased performances. In detail, 1D tubelike metal oxide (e.g., MnO) coated on an N‐doped carbon framework (i.e. MnO/N−C) has been designed by using the naturally abundant and renewable Metaplexis japonica fibers (MJFs) as the biotemplate and heteroatom source. Benefiting from the uniqueness of structure and compositions, as‐prepared MnO/N−C demonstrates extremely high rate capacities of 951, 777, 497, and 435 mAh g−1 at the rates of 0.5, 2, 4, and 5 Ag−1, respectively, with a good stability of more than 1000 cycles. It was found that the electrochemical performances are superior to most previous MnO‐based anodes, in which the faster kinetics of conversion due to the advantage of the ion/electron transportation and morphological evolution has been verified. It is hoped that the concept of bioinspired architectures with heteroatom doping can be applied in wider applications for increased capability.
In Vivo Anticancer Activity of a Nontoxic Inert Phenolato Titanium Complex: High Efficacy on Solid Tumors Alone and Combined with Platinum Drugs
Authors: Ganot Nitzan , Briaitbard Ori , Gammal Asaad , Tam Joseph , Hochman Jacob , Tshuva Edit Y.
Published: September 2018

Due to the toxicity of platinum compounds used in the clinic as anticancer chemotherapies, titanium serves as a safe and attractive alternative. Lately, we introduced a new family of Ti complexes based on readily available phenolato ligands, demonstrating incredibly high hydrolytic stability, with the lead compound phenolaTi demonstrating wide cytotoxic activity toward the NCI‐60 panel of human cancer cell lines, with an average GI50 value of 4.7±2 μm. Herein, we evaluated in vivo: a) the safety, and b) the growth inhibitory capacity (efficacy) of this compound. PhenolaTi was found to be effective in vivo against colon (CT‐26) and lung (LLC‐1) murine cell lines in syngeneic hosts and toward a human colon cancer (HT‐29) cell line in immune‐deficient (Nude) mice, with an efficacy similar to that of known chemotherapy. Notably, no clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the treated mice, namely, no effect on body weight, spleen weight or kidney function, unlike the effects observed with the positive control Pt drugs. Studies of combinations of phenolaTi and Pt drugs provided evidence that similar efficacy with decreased toxicity may be achieved, which is highly valuable for medicinal applications.
The use of neoadjuvant larotrectinib in the management of children with locally advanced TRK fusion sarcomas
Authors: DuBois Steven G. , Laetsch Theodore W. , Federman Noah , Turpin Brian K. , Albert Catherine M. , Nagasubramanian Ramamoorthy , Anderson Megan E. , Davis Jessica L. , Qamoos Hope E. , Reynolds Mark E. , Cruickshank Scott , Cox Michael C. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Mascarenhas Leo , Pappo Alberto S.
Published: September 2018

Background

The highly selective oral tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor larotrectinib has demonstrated significant activity in adult and pediatric TRK fusion cancers. In the current study, the authors describe the clinical course of children with locally advanced TRK fusion sarcoma who were treated preoperatively with larotrectinib and underwent subsequent surgical resection.

Methods

A total of 24 children were treated on a pediatric phase 1 trial of larotrectinib (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02637687). Five children who had a documented TRK fusion sarcoma and underwent surgical resection were included in the current analysis. Tumor response (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors [RECIST] version 1.1) and surgical outcomes were collected prospectively.

Results

A total of 5 patients (median age, 2 years; range, 0.4‐12 years) had locally advanced infantile fibrosarcoma (3 patients) or soft‐tissue sarcoma (2 patients). Four patients had disease that was refractory to standard therapy. All 5 patients achieved a partial response to larotrectinib by version 1.1 of RECIST and underwent surgical resection after a median of 6 cycles (range, 4‐9 cycles) of treatment. Surgical resections were R0 (negative resection margins with no tumor at the inked resection margin) in 3 patients, R1 (microscopic residual tumor at the resection margin) in 1 patient, and R2 (macroscopic residual tumor at the resection margin) in 1 patient. Three patients achieved complete (2 patients) or near‐complete (>98% treatment effect; 1 patient) pathologic responses. These patients remained in follow‐up and were no longer receiving larotrectinib for a minimum of 7 to 15 months postoperatively. Two patients had viable tumor at the time of surgical resection and positive resection margins and continued to receive adjuvant larotrectinib. No patients experienced postoperative complications or wound healing issues.

Conclusions

Children with locally advanced TRK fusion sarcomas may proceed to surgical resection after treatment with the selective TRK inhibitor larotrectinib, thereby sparing them the potentially significant morbidity noted with current approaches. These results support the evaluation of larotrectinib as presurgical therapy in children with newly diagnosed TRK fusion sarcomas.
Cancer survivorship and palliative care: Shared progress, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Geerse Olaf P. , Lakin Joshua R. , Berendsen Annette J. , Alfano Catherine M. , Nekhlyudov Larissa
Published: September 2018

Despite seeming superficially paradoxical, palliative care and survivorship care may have more in common than in opposition. An increased focus on collaboration and a pursuit of shared strategies may foster significant opportunities to both fields.
Color and visual complexity in abstract images
Authors: Kocaoğlu Rengin , Olguntürk Nilgün
Published: September 2018

One of the more important aspects of vision is color perception, which involves aesthetic and psychological responses. The aim of this study is to understand the association between color and visual complexity in abstract images. It is hypothesized that, as the intelligibility of colors in an abstract image decreases, visual complexity and visual interest will increase until there is over unintelligibility where complexity and interest will decrease. In addition, as the difficulty in distinguishing the rules and the variety of colors used in images increases, visual complexity and visual interest will also increase. Abstract images are selected since they are independent from the visual references of the actual world, and are basics of art and architecture. The results revealed that images that were evaluated as visually complex and interesting were the ones that they had difficulty in finding a color harmony and indicate a huge variety of colors to the extent that differentiation between hues becomes very difficult.
Maximum of the Riemann Zeta Function on a Short Interval of the Critical Line
Authors: Arguin Louis‐Pierre , Belius David , Bourgade Paul , Radziwiłł Maksym , Soundararajan Kannan
Published: September 2018

We prove the leading order of a conjecture by Fyodorov, Hiary, and Keating about the maximum of the Riemann zeta function on random intervals along the critical line. More precisely, as T → ∞ for a set of t ∊ [T, 2T] of measure (1–o(1)) T, we have

urn:x-wiley:0010-3640:media:cpa21791:cpa21791-math-0001
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meaning in life among adolescents: Factorial invariance of the purpose in life test and buffering effect on the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness
Authors: García‐Alandete Joaquín , Gallego Hernández de Tejada Blanca , Pérez Rodríguez Sandra , Marco‐Salvador José H.
Published: September 2018

Objective

The purpose of the present study was threefold: first, to analyse the psychometric properties of a 10‐item Spanish version of the Purpose in Life Test, which assesses meaning in life (MiL), in a sample of community adolescents; second, to analyse the differences between the age and gender groups; and third, to analyse whether MiL buffers the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness.

Method

Participants were 1,599 adolescents from 12 to 19 years old, M = 15.69, SD = 2.14. The Purpose in Life Test‐10 Items, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale were used.

Results

A nine‐item version showed good fit, psychometric properties (internal consistency, construct, and concurrent validity), and factorial invariance across gender and age (12–15 years/16–19 years). Difference in MiL between boys and girls was not significant, whereas between age groups was significant. MiL had a strong buffering effect on the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness.

Discussion

It is desirable to promote the sense of MiL in adolescents. MiL plays a significant and strong mediator role in the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness, reinforcing the positive role of MiL in mental health and as a resource for facing adversity.