bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trimethylamin [MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2018]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2018

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated a momentary value for trimethylamine [
75‐50‐3
].

Critical effect is the irritation of the respiratory epithelia in the nose of rats and a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of 2 ml/m
3
has been set. This value was established by analogy with cyclohexylamine. In addition to the MAK value, a momentary value of 5 ml/m
3
for cyclohexylamine has been established which must not be exceeded at any time to prevent from local irritation. Therefore, a momentary value of 5 ml/m
3
is also set for N,N‐trimethylamine.
Zitronensäure und ihre Alkalisalze [MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2018]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2018

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated citric acid [77‐92‐9] and its alkali metal salts, considering all toxicological endpoints.

The critical effect of citric acid is the irritation of the respiratory tract with an acute LOAEC of 225 mg/m3in humans and 81 mg/m3in guinea pigs. At this concentration coughing is induced due to the lowering of the pH value. The NOAEC in guinea pigs is 31 mg/m3, the corresponding NOAEC in humans is not known. Studies with repeated inhalation are not available. Therefore, the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) has been set by analogy with the MAK value for phosphoric acid of 2 mg/m3as inhalable fraction. Since a local effect is critical, Peak Limitation Category I is designated. The excursion factor of 2 is set by analogy with phosphoric acid.

The alkali metal salts of citric acid are not irritating, which precludes setting the same MAK value for the salts as for citric acid. However, a higher MAK value cannot be established because the systemic NOAEL is unclear. Therefore, no MAK value can be set for the alkali metal salts of citric acid.

The oral NOAEL for developmental toxicity in rats, mice, rabbits and hamsters is higher than 200 mg citric acid/kg body weight, which after toxicokinetic scaling corresponds to more than 200 mg/m3at the workplace. Therefore, damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely when the MAK value is observed and citric acid is assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group C.

Citric acid does not possess a relevant genotoxic potential in vivo. The same is assumed for its alkali metal salts. There are no valid carcinogenicity studies with citric acid. A tumour promoting effect of sodium citrate but not citric acid in the rat urinary bladder is due to excessively high sodium concentration in the urine and is therefore not relevant for humans at the workplace.

According to skin absorption models, percutaneous absorption of citric acid does not contribute significantly to systemic toxicity. The same is assumed for its alkali metal salts. Citric acid and its alkali metal salts are not sensitizing to skin or airways.
Mineralöle (Erdöl), stark raffiniert [MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2018]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2018

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated 4 severely refined mineral oils [92062‐35‐6,72623‐83‐7,92045‐45‐9,92045‐44‐8] considering all toxicological endpoints.

These mineral oils are severely refined to eliminate olefins and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The critical effect is lung toxicity which is observed as microgranulomas in two long‐term studies with rats and dogs at a respirable aerosol concentration of 100 mg/m3with a NOAEC of 5 mg/m3. A MAK value of 5 mg/m3has been set as the respirable fraction (R). Severely refined mineral oils have been assigned to Peak Limitation Category II, because the lung effects are due to a cumulative overload and an excursion factor of 4 has been set. Severely refined mineral oils are not genotoxic and not carcinogenic after oral, dermal or subcutaneous application to rats and mice.

Developmental toxicity studies with a white mineral oil show a NOAEC of 1000 mg/m3and a NOAEL of 5000 mg/kg body weight in rats. After toxicokinetic scaling, the differences of the resulting respective concentrations at the workplace to the MAK value are sufficient. Therefore, damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely when the MAK value is observed and severely refined mineral oils are assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group C.

Skin absorption is very limited and does not contribute to systemic toxicity. Severely refined mineral oils are not regarded as skin or respiratory sensitizers.
Multimodal Chemosensor‐Based, Real‐Time Biomaterial/Cell Interface Monitoring
Authors: Kubon Massimo , Hartmann Hanna , Moschallski Meike , Burkhardt Claus , Link Gorden , Werner Simon , Lavalle Philippe , Urban Gerald , Vrana Nihal Engin , Stelzle Martin
Published: April 2018

Real‐time monitoring of the cell/biomaterial interface for biomedical applications can significantly improve the assessment of biomaterials. However, currently there are no multiparametric real‐time monitoring systems for the ex vivo assessment of biomaterials. This study presents a method for monitoring of cell and tissue response to biomaterials based on microsensor read‐outs of pH, O2, and impedance. In vitro, the sensors are compatible with cells implants. For ex vivo measurements, either a biodegradable polymer poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) or a protein‐repellent plasma polymer nanofilm is coated onto sensor arrays and placed on the chorioallantoic membrane of avian embryo ex ovo cultures. Signals related to dissolved oxygen, pH, and electrical impedance are continuously acquired for up to 90 h. Optical observation, immunohistochemical examination of CD45, and Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining show different unspecific immune responses. Tissue inflammation, capsule formation, and neovascularization are observed. These results correlate well with the type of coating material and the signal patterns acquired by the chemosensors. In addition, tissue death can be inferred from sensor signal patterns. This system is intended to enable continuous monitoring of biomaterials and is envisioned as a prescreening tool to provide real‐time monitoring of cell/biomaterial interface and also to reduce animal testing for biomaterial assessment purposes.
Intraparticle FRET for Enhanced Efficiency of Two‐Photon Activated Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Cao Hongqian , Yang Yang , Qi Yanfei , Li Yue , Sun Bingbing , Li Ying , Cui Wei , Li Juan , Li Junbai
Published: April 2018

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) still faces two main problems on cancer therapy. One is how to improve PDT efficiency against hypoxic environment of tumors. The other one is how to overcome the limit of short wavelength light to increase PDT treatment depth. In this work, an intraparticle fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) platform is designed to address these problems together. The nanoparticles are doped with multicomponents, such as catalase, two‐photon dyes, and traditional photosensitizers, with a simple “one‐pot” and green method. On the one hand, catalase can catalyze intracellular H2O2 into O2 and promote PDT efficiency. One the other hand, photosensitizers can be excited indirectly by two‐photon lasers through an intraparticle FRET mechanism, which results in deeper tissue penetration for PDT. These properties are verified through the material induced cytotoxicity in light or in dark and in vivo blocking blood‐vessel experiment.
Biaxially Stretchable Fully Elastic Transistors Based on Rubbery Semiconductor Nanocomposites
Authors: Kim Hae‐Jin , Thukral Anish , Sharma Sahil , Yu Cunjiang
Published: April 2018

A transistor that can be stretchable biaxially is a basic and indispensable component for many emerging applications ranging from wearables to organ implants and to soft robotics. A general approach to enable mechanical stretchability in transistors from existing nonstretchable materials is to create certain mechanical architectures such as in‐plane serpentines, out‐of‐plane wavy structures, kirigami structures, and the hybridization of elastic interconnectors and rigid components. Different from general stretchable transistors, the development of elastic transistors based on rubbery semiconductors nanocomposite of poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) nanofibrils percolated in the silicone rubber matrix is reported. The transistor is fully with elastic materials and manufactured all by solution process. The transistor exhibits a field‐effect mobility of 3.3 cm2 V−1 s−1. The elastic transistor can be stretched biaxially with 50% linear strain and 125% areal strain and it retains its electrical performances. The exhibited reliable electrical functions upon mechanically poked or expanded as a skin for pneumatically actuated soft robots illustrate some practical applications of such biaxially stretchable transistors.
Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C‐H Activation of Benzoylacetonitriles and Cyclization with Sulfoxonium Ylides to Naphthols
Authors: Zhou Chaofan , Fang Feifei , Cheng Yilang , Li Yazhou , Liu Hong , Zhou Yu
Published: April 2018

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C−H activation of benzoylacetonitriles in coupling with sulfoxonium ylides was developed to synthesize diversified substituted naphthols, in which aryl, heterocyclic and alkyl groups in sulfoxonium ylides are tolerated. Intriguingly, we have further implemented transformation for 1‐naphthols to give some intriguing fused tricyclic compounds and derivatives of propranolol, which demonstrate the practical utility of this methodology.

magnified image
LncRNA MT1DP Aggravates Cadmium‐Induced Oxidative Stress by Repressing the Function of Nrf2 and is Dependent on Interaction with miR‐365
Authors: Gao Ming , Li Changying , Xu Ming , Liu Yun , Cong Min , Liu Sijin
Published: April 2018

Although cadmium (Cd)‐induced hepatoxicity is well established, pronounced knowledge gaps remain existed regarding the inherent cellular signaling that dictates Cd toxicity. Specifically, the molecular basis for determining the equilibrium between prosurvival and proapoptotic signaling remains poorly understood. Thus, it is recently revealed that long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) MT1DP, a pseudogene in the metallothionein (MT) family, promoted Cd‐induced cell death through activating the RhoC‐CCN1/2‐AKT pathway and modulating MT1H induction. Here, first the dependency of MT1DP induction on MTF1, an important transcriptional factor in driving the mRNA expression of MT1 members is defined. Additionally, a bridge molecule between MT1DP and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is established: miR‐365. Mechanistically, MT1DP induction under Cd stress decreases the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) level to evoke oxidative stress through the elevation of miR‐365, which acted to repress the Nrf2 level via direct binding to its 3'UTR. In contrast to the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism, a new mechanism is proposed: MT1DP elevated the miR‐365 level though stabilizing its RNA via direct binding. Collectively, the combined data demonstrate a crucial role of MT1DP in reducing the Nrf2‐mediated protection of cells, and this is dependent on the interplay with miR‐365. Hence, the study further expands the knowledge of inducible endogenous lncRNA in modulating oxidative stress.
Highly Efficient Construction of 2‐Fluoroalkyl Quinolines through a Palladium‐Catalyzed 6‐endo‐trig Heck Cyclization Reaction
Authors: Han Fangwai , Yang Wenqing , Zhao Aichun , Zheng Ruihong , Ji Chenhui , Liu Xinqi , Liu Guiyan , Chen Chen
Published: April 2018

A highly efficient Pd0‐catalyzed 6‐endo‐trig Heck cyclization reaction has been developed for the construction of 2‐fluoroalkyl quinolines, which are important structural motifs for bioactive molecules. This process offers broad substrate scope, with excellent 6‐endo selectivity, and affords quinoline derivatives in moderate‐to‐excellent yields.
Canola Protein: A Promising Protein Source for Delivery, Adhesive, and Material Applications
Authors: Bandara Nandika , Akbari Ali , Esparza Yussef , Wu Jianping
Published: April 2018

Canola is second only to soy with regard to production volume, but the meal after extraction has limited value‐added applications, apart from its use as feed. Emerging interest in the meal is to develop nonfood applications such as delivery systems, adhesives, or plastics. This review critically evaluates the recent progress in research on the applications of value‐added canola protein, especially on nonfood applications such as plastics, films, packaging materials, adhesives, and drug delivery applications, and presents the perspectives on the future directions of canola protein utilization. Canola protein with suitable surface activity, gelation, interaction with other polymers, gastric and heat resistance, and biodegradability has the ability to form carriers to encapsulate, protect, and deliver bioactives/drugs. Canola‐based adhesives prepared by denaturation, chemical modification, cross‐linking, blending with synthetic resins, and nanomaterial addition show promising results in applications as adhesives. Canola protein‐based plastic films are mostly prepared by solution casting with the aid of plasticizers to improve the ductility of the protein network through increasing the mobility of protein chains; incorporation of cross‐linking agents could also increase protein–protein interactions toward the formation of stronger films. Canola proteins show wide potential for use as an encapsulant in delivery systems, as an adhesive, and as a plastic; however, further research is needed to improve the performance and to make it cost effective.
Toll‐Like Receptor 9 Deficiency Breaks Tolerance to RNA‐Associated Antigens and Up‐Regulates Toll‐Like Receptor 7 Protein in Sle1 Mice
Authors: Celhar Teja , Yasuga Hiroko , Lee Hui Yin , Zharkova Olga , Tripathi Shubhita , Thornhill Susannah I. , Lu Hao K. , Au Bijin , Lim Lina H. K. , Thamboo Thomas P. , Akira Shizuo , Wakeland Edward K. , Connolly John E. , Fairhurst Anna‐Marie
Published: April 2018

Objective

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 9 are important innate signaling molecules with opposing roles in the development and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). While multiple studies support the notion of a dependency on TLR‐7 for disease development, genetic ablation of TLR‐9 results in severe disease with glomerulonephritis (GN) by a largely unknown mechanism. This study was undertaken to examine the suppressive role of TLR‐9 in the development of severe lupus in a mouse model.

Methods

We crossed Sle1 lupus‐prone mice with TLR‐9–deficient mice to generate Sle1TLR‐9−/− mice. Mice ages 4.5–6.5 months were evaluated for severe autoimmunity by assessing splenomegaly, GN, immune cell populations, autoantibody and total Ig profiles, kidney dendritic cell (DC) function, and TLR‐7 protein expression. Mice ages 8–10 weeks were used for functional B cell studies, Ig profiling, and determination of TLR‐7 expression.

Results

Sle1TLR‐9−/− mice developed severe disease similar to TLR‐9–deficient MRL and Nba2 models. Sle1TLR‐9−/− mouse B cells produced more class‐switched antibodies, and the autoantibody repertoire was skewed toward RNA‐containing antigens. GN in these mice was associated with DC infiltration, and purified Sle1TLR‐9−/− mouse renal DCs were more efficient at TLR‐7–dependent antigen presentation and expressed higher levels of TLR‐7 protein. Importantly, this increase in TLR‐7 expression occurred prior to disease development, indicating a role in the initiation stages of tissue destruction.

Conclusion

The increase in TLR‐7–reactive immune complexes, and the concomitant enhanced expression of their receptor, promotes inflammation and disease in Sle1TLR9−/− mice.
A Robust Backstepping Sensorless Control for Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Using a Super‐Twisting Based Torque Observer
Authors: Wu Shaofang , Zhang Jianwu , Chai Benben
Published: April 2018

In order to achieve high‐performance speed regulation for sensorless interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMS), a robust backstepping sensorless control is presented in this paper. Firstly, instead of a real mechanical sensor, a robust terminal sliding mode observer is used to provide the rotor position. Then, a new super‐twisting algorithm (STA) based observer is designed to obtain estimates of load torque and speed. The proposed observer ensures finite‐time convergence, maintains robust to uncertainties, and eliminates the common assumption of constant or piece‐wise constant load torque. Finally, a sensorless scheme is designed to realize speed control despite parameter uncertainties, by combining the robust backstepping control with sliding mode actions and the presented sliding mode observers. The stability of the observer and controller are verified by using Lyapunov's second method to determine the design gains. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Small‐scale dynamos in simulations of stratified turbulent convection
Authors: Käpylä P. J. , Käpylä M. J. , Brandenburg A.
Published: April 2018

Small‐scale dynamo action is often held responsible for the generation of quiet Sun magnetic fields. We aim to determine the excitation conditions and saturation level of small‐scale dynamos in nonrotating turbulent convection at low magnetic Prandtl numbers. We use high‐resolution direct numerical simulations of weakly stratified turbulent convection. We find that the critical magnetic Reynolds number for dynamo excitation increases as the magnetic Prandtl number is decreased, which might suggest that small‐scale dynamo action is not automatically evident in bodies with small magnetic Prandtl numbers, such as the Sun. As a function of the magnetic Reynolds number (Rm), the growth rate of the dynamo is consistent with an Rm1/2 scaling. No evidence for a logarithmic increase of the growth rate with Rm is found.
Reappraisal of classification of distal cholangiocarcinoma based on tumour depth
Authors: Aoyama H , Ebata T , Hattori M , Takano M , Yamamoto H , Inoue M , Asaba Y , Ando M , Nagino M ,   Nagoya Surgical Oncology Group, Aoba T , Kaneoka Y , Arai T , Shimizu Y , Kiriyama M , Sakamoto E , Miyake H , Takara D , Shirai K , Ohira S , Kobayashi S , Kato Y , Yamaguchi R , Hayashi E , Miyake T , Mizuno S , Sato T , Suzuki K , Hashimoto M , Kawai S , Matsubara H , Kato K , Yokoyama S , Suzumura K
Published: April 2018

Background

In the eighth edition of the AJCC cancer staging classification, the T system for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) has been revised from a layer-based to a depth-based approach. The aim of this study was to propose an optimal T classification using a measured depth in resectable DCC.

Methods

Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for DCC at 32 hospitals between 2001 and 2010 were included. The distance between the level of the naive bile duct and the deepest cancer cells was measured as depth of invasion (DOI). Invasive cancer foci were measured as invasive tumour thickness (ITT). Log rank χ2 scores were used to determine the cut-off points, and concordance index (C-index) to assess the survival discrimination of each T system.

Results

Among 404 patients, DOI was measurable in 182 (45·0 per cent) and ITT was measurable in all patients, with median values of 2·3 and 5·6 mm respectively. ITT showed a positive correlation with DOI (rs = 0·854, P < 0·001), and the cut-off points for prognosis were 1, 5 and 10 mm. Median survival time was shorter with increased ITT: 12·4 years for ITT below 1 mm, 5·2 years for ITT at least 1 mm but less than 5 mm, 3·0 years for ITT at least 5 mm but less than 10 mm, and 1·5 years for ITT 10 mm or more (P < 0·001). This classification exhibited more favourable prognostic discrimination than the T systems of the seventh and eighth editions of the AJCC (C-index 0·646, 0·622 and 0·624 respectively).

Conclusion

ITT is an accurate approach for depth assessment in DCC. The four-tier ITT classification with cut-off points of 1, 5 and 10 mm seems to be a better T system than those in the seventh and eighth editions of the AJCC classification.
Genetic influences on prefrontal activation during a verbal fluency task in children: A twin study using near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Sakakibara Eisuke , Takizawa Ryu , Kawakubo Yuki , Kuwabara Hitoshi , Kono Toshiaki , Hamada Kasumi , Okuhata Shiho , Eguchi Satoshi , Ishii‐Takahashi Ayaka , Kasai Kiyoto
Published: April 2018

Objective

The genetic and environmental influences on prefrontal function in childhood are underinvestigated due to the difficulty of measuring prefrontal function in young subjects, for which near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a suitable functional neuroimaging technique that facilitates the easy and noninvasive measurement of blood oxygenation in the superficial cerebral cortices.

Method

Using a two‐channel NIRS arrangement, we measured changes in bilateral prefrontal blood oxygenation during a category version of the verbal fluency task (VFT) in 27 monozygotic twin pairs and 12 same‐sex dizygotic twin pairs ages 5–17 years. We also assessed the participant's full‐scale intelligence quotient (FIQ) and retrieved parental socioeconomic status (SES). Classical structured equation modeling was used to estimate the heritability.

Results

The heritability of VFT‐related brain activation was estimated to be 44% and 37% in the right and left prefrontal regions, respectively. We also identified a significant genetic contribution (74%) to FIQ, but did not to VFT task performance. Parental SES was not correlated with FIQ, task performance, or task‐related prefrontal activation.

Conclusions

This finding provides further evidence that variance in prefrontal function has a genetic component since childhood and highlights brain function, as measured by NIRS, as a promising candidate for endophenotyping neurodevelopmental disorders.
Altered somatosensory neurovascular response in patients with Becker muscular dystrophy
Authors: Lindberg Ulrich , Kruuse Christina , Witting Nanna , Jørgensen Stine Lundgaard , Vissing John , Rostrup Egill , Larsson Henrik Bo Wiberg
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Patients with dystrophinopathies show low levels of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), due to reduced or absent dystrophin expression, as nNOS is attached to the dystrophin‐associated protein complex. Deficient nNOS function leads to functional ischemia during muscle activity. Dystrophin‐like proteins with nNOS attached have also been identified in the brain. This suggests that a mechanism of cerebral functional ischemia with attenuation of normal activation‐related vascular response may cause changes in brain function.

Methods

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the brain response of patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is dysfunctional compared to that of healthy controls. To investigate a potential change in brain activation response in patients with BMD, median nerve somatosensory evoked stimulation, with stimulation durations of 2, 4, and 10 s, was performed while recording electroencephalography and blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Results in 14 male patients with BMD (36.2 ± 9.9 years) were compared with those of 10 healthy controls (34.4 ± 10.9 years). Compared to controls, the patients with BMD showed sustained cortical electrical activity and a significant smaller BOLD activation in contralateral primary somatosensory cortex and bilaterally in secondary somatosensory cortex. In addition, significant activation differences were found after long duration (10 s) stimuli in thalamus.

Conclusion

An altered neurovascular response in patients with BMD may increase our understanding of neurovascular coupling and the pathogenesis related to dystrophinopathy and nNOS.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Study of Novel 1‐Benzylated Water‐Soluble Isatin‐3‐hydrazones
Authors: Bogdanov Andrei V. , Zaripova Ilyuza F. , Voloshina Alexandra D. , Sapunova Anastasia S. , Kulik Natalia V. , Voronina Julia K. , Mironov Vladimir F.
Published: April 2018

A high‐yield synthesis of some novel isatin‐3‐acylhydrazones on the base of 5‐ethylisatin derivatives and Girard's reagent T is described. Antimicrobial activity preliminary SAR study of both 1‐benzylated isatins and water‐soluble hydrazones was established. The most active against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus are ammonium salts bearing 3,4‐dichloro‐ or 4‐CF3 substituents in benzyl fragment.
Anchoring Ni2P on the UiO‐66‐NH2/g‐C3N4‐derived C‐doped ZrO2/g‐C3N4 Heterostructure: Highly Efficient Photocatalysts for H2 Production from Water Splitting
Authors: Xu Jixiang , Gao Jianyang , Qi Yinhong , Wang Chao , Wang Lei
Published: April 2018

Constructing heterostructured photocatalysts and depositing an appropriate co‐catalyst to facilitate charge separation are crucial steps to improve photocatalytic H2 evolution from water splitting. Herein, we reported the synthesis of C‐doped ZrO2/g‐C3N4/Ni2P (C‐ZrO2/g‐C3N4/Ni2P) composite based on the UiO‐66‐NH2 material for photocatalytic H2 production under visible‐light irradiation. The optimal H2 evolution rate over C‐ZrO2/g‐C3N4/20 %Ni2P was 10.04 mmol g−1 h−1, which was more than 10 times higher than that of C‐ZrO2/20 %Ni2P (0.90 mmol g−1 h−1). The apparent quantum yield of C‐ZrO2/g‐C3N4/20 %Ni2P at 420 nm reached 35.5 %. A detailed analysis of the action mechanism revealed that the improved photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the highly efficient spatial separation of the photoinduced charge carriers between C‐ZrO2 and g‐C3N4, as a result of the tightly bound structure of C‐ZrO2/g‐C3N4/20 %Ni2P and its staggered band energy. The presence of the Ni2P co‐catalyst accelerates the surface reaction as well. This work demonstrates that anchoring appropriate co‐catalysts onto a metal–organic framework (MOF)/g‐C3N4‐derived metal oxide/g‐C3N4 hybrid is an effective way to obtain heterostructured photocatalysts for H2 production.
Highly Durable and Active Ternary Pt–Au–Ni Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Liu Fei , Sun Kui , Rui Zhiyan , Liu Jianguo , Juan Tian , Liu Ruirui , Luo Jun , Wang Zhongwei , Yao Yingfang , Huang Lin , Wang Peng , Zou Zhigang
Published: April 2018

Long‐term stable and high active catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are required for the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Platinum (Pt) catalyst is the preferred choose for ORR, but the stability and activity of existing Pt catalyst are unsatisfactory for the commercialization of PEMFCs. Here the ternary Pt–Au–Ni/C and binary Pt–Ni/C are synthesized by a rapid microwave‐assisted polyol reduction. The Pt–Au–Ni/C exhibits superior ORR activity to both of Pt–Ni/C and commercial Pt/C. Moreover, the Pt–Au–Ni/C exhibited the long‐term stability in both of half‐cell and single‐cell accelerated degradation tests. The above results indicate that the addition of Au into binary Pt–Ni catalyst can not only enhance the stability but also improve the electrocatalytic activity.
Commercial Gold(I) and Gold(III) Compounds Supported on Carbon Materials as Greener Catalysts for the Oxidation of Alkanes and Alcohols
Authors: Carabineiro Sónia A. C. , Martins Luísa M. D. R. S. , Pombeiro Armando J. L. , Figueiredo José L.
Published: April 2018

The front cover artwork for issue 8/2018 stems from a collaboration between the Universities of Porto and Lisbon (Portugal). The image shows two reactions of industrial importance, namely the oxidation of cyclohexane and the oxidation of methyl benzyl alcohol, catalyzed by commercial gold complexes anchored on functionalized carbon nanotubes, in “greener conditions”. See the Full Paper itself at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201701886.
Remixing Analysis of Four‐Product Dividing‐Wall Columns
Authors: Ling Hao , Qiu Jie , Hua Tao , Wang Zhifeng
Published: April 2018

Dividing‐wall columns can separate multicomponent mixtures and offer large energy savings over conventional column sequences. The separation of a mixture of four alcohols was studied in a Kaibel column and a fully extended Petlyuk column or Sargent arrangement, respectively. The flow paths of intermediates are different so that the Sargent arrangement could save more energy. Remixing of intermediates is unavoidable in the Kaibel column because each of them cannot detour all around both ends of the dividing wall. The Sargent arrangement exhibits the desired detouring paths and the remixing of intermediates is alleviated but still occurs in the prefractionator and the middle column. Finally, an alternative configuration of the Sargent arrangement is proposed which presents a better thermodynamic efficiency.
Sulfur‐Containing Molecules Grafted on Carbon Nanotubes as Highly Cyclable Cathodes for Lithium/Organic Batteries
Authors: Charrier Gaëlle , Kamaleddine Hanine , Barchasz Céline , Cornut Renaud , Jousselme Bruno , Campidelli Stéphane
Published: April 2018

Lithium/organic and lithium/sulfur batteries have attracted great interest lately due to their high theoretical specific capacity and potential low cost. However, two major roadblocks currently prevent industrial development of these kind of batteries: (i) the progressive dissolution of active material in the electrolyte which hinders cyclability of the devices and; (ii) the electrical insulating nature of organic or sulfur materials. In this work, we show an elegant solution to solve both, the conductivity and dissolution issues. We covalently functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with electrochemically active thiolated molecules. The MWNTs insure a well distributed electronic conductivity inside the positive electrode and serve as a support for a covalent immobilization of the thiolated active species. Compared to electrodes formed by simply mixing carbon nanotubes with thiol‐containing molecules, covalently functionalized MWNT materials present an excellent stability over prolonged cycling and a promising specific capacity, in the range of 100 mAh gelectrode−1, i. e., including carbon and current collector masses.
Pharmacokinetics of Upadacitinib With the Clinical Regimens of the Extended‐Release Formulation Utilized in Rheumatoid Arthritis Phase 3 Trials
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed‐Eslam F. , Zeng Jiewei , Marroum Patrick J. , Song In‐Ho , Othman Ahmed A.
Published: April 2018

Upadacitinib is a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor under development for the treatment of several inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Upadacitinib was administered in the phase 2 RA trials primarily as twice‐daily regimens of an immediate‐release (IR) formulation. The upadacitinib extended‐release (ER) formulation was developed to enable once‐daily dosing. In the present study, upadacitinib pharmacokinetics were characterized after the administration of single and multiple once‐daily doses of the ER formulation in healthy subjects relative to single and multiple twice‐daily doses of the IR formulation. Increase in upadacitinib exposure was dose‐proportional over the evaluated 15‐ to 30‐mg ER dose range. Single 15‐ and 30‐mg ER doses provided equivalent AUC0–inf compared with single 12‐ and 24‐mg IR doses, respectively. A high‐fat breakfast increased upadacitinib ER Cmax and AUC0–inf by only 20% and 17%, respectively, relative to fasting conditions. The median time to peak plasma concentrations was 2 to 4 hours for the ER formulation, and steady state was achieved by day 4 of once‐daily dosing. Doses of 15 and 30 mg once daily using the ER formulation provided equivalent AUC0–24, comparable Cmax and Cmin, and a fluctuation index over a 24‐hour period at steady state similar to 6 and 12 mg twice daily, respectively, using the IR formulation. These results supported the use of upadacitinib 15‐ and 30‐mg doses of the ER formulation in the phase 3 trials in RA.
30 Years of Crystal Growth Under Microgravity Conditions in Freiburg: An Overview of Past Activities
Authors: Sorgenfrei Tina
Published: April 2018

In the framework of this overview, the past four decades of research activities from the Freiburg Crystallography in the field of crystal growth in microgravity (µg) environments is presented. Crystal growth from the melt and solution phases of different materials was investigated onboard various manned and unmanned µg platforms such as parabolic flights, shuttle missions, satellite missions, and sounding rocket flights. The focus of material research in Freiburg was and is still in semiconducting materials; elemental semiconductors like Si, Ge, and GeSi as well as various compound semiconductors like InP, GaAs, and CdTe. The objectives of the single experiments, the results, and their further application and utilizations are summarized in this overview.
Iodine‐Catalyzed Isomerization of Dimethyl Muconate
Authors: Settle Amy E. , Berstis Laura , Zhang Shuting , Rorrer Nicholas A. , Hu Haiming , Richards Ryan M. , Beckham Gregg T. , Crowley Michael F. , Vardon Derek R.
Published: April 2018

cis,cis‐Muconic acid is a platform bio‐based chemical that can be upgraded to drop‐in commodity and novel monomers. Among the possible drop‐in products, dimethyl terephthalate can be synthesized via esterification, isomerization, Diels–Alder cycloaddition, and dehydrogenation. The isomerization ofcis,cis‐dimethyl muconate (ccDMM) to thetrans,trans‐form (ttDMM) can be catalyzed by iodine; however, studies have yet to address (i) the mechanism and reaction barriers unique to DMM, and (ii) the influence of solvent, potential for catalyst recycle, and recovery of high‐purityttDMM. To address this gap, we apply a joint computational and experimental approach to investigate iodine‐catalyzed isomerization of DMM. Density functional theory calculations identified unique regiochemical considerations owing to the large number of halogen‐diene coordination schemes. Both transition state theory and experiments estimate significant barrier reductions with photodissociated iodine. Solvent selection was critical for rapid kinetics, likely because of solvent complexation with iodine. Under select conditions,ttDMM yields of 95 % were achieved in <1 h with methanol, followed by high purity recovery (>98 %) with crystallization. Lastly, post‐reaction iodine can be recovered and recycled with minimal loss of activity. Overall, these findings provide new insight into the mechanism and conditions necessary for DMM isomerization with iodine to advance the state‐of‐the‐art for bio‐based chemicals.
Sperm morphology and the evolution of intracellular sperm–egg interactions
Authors: Southern Helen M. , Berger Mitchell A. , Young Philippe G. , Snook Rhonda R.
Published: April 2018

Sperm morphology is incredibly diverse, even among closely related species, yet the coevolution between males and females of fertilization recognition systems is necessary for successful karyogamy (male and female pronuclear fusion). In most species, the entire sperm enters the egg during fertilization so sperm morphological diversity may impact the intracellular sperm–egg interactions necessary for karyogamy. We quantified morphological variation of sperm inside eggs prior to and following karyogamy in several species of Drosophila to understand whether evolution of sperm morphology could influence intracellular sperm–egg interactions (ISEIs). We measured seven parameters that describe ISEIs among species to determine whether these parameters varied both within a species across development and across species at the same developmental stage. We used heterospecific crosses to test the relative role of male origin, female origin, and interaction between the male and female in determining ISEIs. We found that sperm shape changed within a species as development proceeded and, at particular development stages, species varied in some ISEIs. Parental origin had an effect on some ISEIs, with a general trend for a stronger female effect. Overall, our findings identify conserved and variable ISEIs among species and demonstrate the potential to contribute understanding to gamete evolution and development.
Resistance of a terrestrial plant community to local microhabitat changes
Authors: Tubay Jerrold M. , Yoshimura Jin
Published: April 2018

The number of plant and animal species that exist today is estimated to be around 8.7 million. Approximately 300,000 of these species are flora. This extremely high species diversity has been puzzling scientist since the beginning of ecological research because most of these species compete for limited resources that should lead to the exclusion of all but few superior species. This can be seen in a number of coexistence model today that can only maintain at most four species at a time. We have shown recently that by incorporating minute differences in microhabitat to a lattice competition model, about 13 species can coexist from an initial number of 20. Here, we improve the model further by considering that microhabitat differences are not fixed but can change over time which can affect coexistence. A primary driver to this alteration is climate change, both natural and human induced. To show the resistance of a lattice plant community model, a dynamic microhabitat locality is incorporated by changing the spatial and species‐specific heterogeneity of each lattice site. We show that even if the microhabitat locality of each plant species is dynamic, diversity can still be maintained in a lattice plant ecosystem model. This shows that natural communities of terrestrial plants can be resistant to the stress of microhabitat locality changes to a certain extent.
Genetic diversity of the Chinese goat in the littoral zone of the Yangtze River as assessed by microsatellite and mtDNA
Authors: E Guang‐Xin , Zhao Yong‐Ju , Chen Li‐Peng , Ma Yue‐Hui , Chu Ming‐Xing , Li Xiang‐Long , Hong Qiong‐Hua , Li Lan‐Hui , Guo Ji‐Jun , Zhu Lan , Han Yan‐Guo , Gao Hui‐Jiang , Zhang Jia‐Hua , Jiang Huai‐Zhi , Jiang Cao‐De , Wang Gao‐Fu , Ren Hang‐Xing , Jin Mei‐Lan , Sun Yuan‐Zhi , Zhou Peng , Huang Yong‐Fu
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of goats in the Yangtze River region using microsatellite and mtDNA to better understand the current status of those goat genetic diversity and the effects of natural landscape in fashion of domestic animal genetic diversity. The genetic variability of 16 goat populations in the littoral zone of the Yangtze River was estimated using 21 autosomal microsatellites, which revealed high diversity and genetic population clustering with a dispersed geographical distribution. A phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial D‐loop region (482 bp) was conducted in 494 goats from the Yangtze River region. In total, 117 SNPs were reconstructed, and 173 haplotypes were identified, 94.5% of which belonged to lineages A and B. Lineages C, D, and G had lower frequencies (5.2%), and lineage F haplotypes were undetected. Several high‐frequency haplotypes were shared by different ecogeographically distributed populations, and the close phylogenetic relationships among certain low‐frequency haplotypes indicated the historical exchange of genetic material among these populations. In particular, the lineage G haplotype suggests that some west Asian goat genetic material may have been transferred to China via Muslim migration.
Strategies for effective collaborative manuscript development in interdisciplinary science teams
Authors: Oliver Samantha K. , Fergus C. Emi , Skaff Nicholas K. , Wagner Tyler , Tan Pang‐Ning , Cheruvelil Kendra Spence , Soranno Patricia A.
Published: April 2018

Science is increasingly being conducted in large, interdisciplinary teams. As team size increases, challenges can arise during manuscript development, where achieving one team goal (e.g., inclusivity) may be in direct conflict with other goals (e.g., efficiency). Here, we present strategies for effective collaborative manuscript development that draw from our experiences in an interdisciplinary science team writing collaborative manuscripts for six years. These strategies are rooted in six guiding principles that were important to our team: to create a transparent, inclusive, and accountable research team that promotes and protects team members who have less power to influence decision‐making while fostering creativity and productivity. To help alleviate the conflicts that can arise in collaborative manuscript development, we present the following strategies: understand your team composition, create an authorship policy and discuss authorship early and often, openly announce manuscript ideas, identify and communicate the type of manuscript and lead author management style, and document and describe authorship contributions. These strategies can help reduce the probability of group conflict, uphold individual and team values, achieve fair authorship practices, and increase science productivity.
Effects of oil exposure, plant species composition, and plant genotypic diversity on salt marsh and mangrove assemblages
Authors: Hughes A. R. , Cebrian J. , Heck K. , Goff J. , Hanley T. C. , Scheffel W. , Zerebecki R. A.
Published: April 2018

Climate change is causing shifts in the distribution and abundance of many species. Because species vary in the rate and degree of these shifts, novel transition zones have developed where new combinations of species overlap. If climate‐mediated range shifts result in greater diversity, transition communities could have enhanced resistance and/or resilience, particularly if the resident and colonizing species differ in their response to environmental change. The range expansion of the tropical black mangrove,Avicennia germinans, into salt marshes dominated by the temperate cordgrass,Spartina alterniflora, provides an opportunity to examine the responses of climate‐mediated transition zones to disturbance. We conducted a yearlong mesocosm experiment testing the effects of plant species identity and composition (A. germinans,S. alterniflora), as well as plant genotypic diversity (S. alternifloraonly), on the response of coastal wetlands to oiling disturbance. Oil negatively impactedS. alternifloraandA. germinansboth above‐ and belowground, though the timing of these effects varied, withS. alterniflorashowing more immediate declines thanA. germinans. As hypothesized, the magnitude of the oil effect was reduced in the mixed plant species treatment compared to the single species treatment forA. germinanssurvival (12% vs. 21% reduction) and belowground biomass (19% vs. 71% reduction). In addition, when exposed to oil,A. germinanscrown area and volume were greater in the mixed species treatment compared to the single species treatment at the end of the experiment. However, we did not detect any benefit of mixed species communities orS. alternifloragenotypic diversity for theS. alternifloraresponse to oil. Our results suggest that transition habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico whereA. germinansandS. alternifloraco‐occur will be negatively impacted by future oiling events, but that they are no more susceptible, and perhaps slightly less so, than habitats dominated by either individual species.
Caught in transit: offshore interception of seafaring propagules from seven mangrove species
Authors: Van der Stocken Tom , Vanschoenwinkel Bram , De Ryck Dennis , Koedam Nico
Published: April 2018

Many organisms are transported passively and make use of the energy of natural phenomena or other organisms to disperse. However, not all species are equally likely to disperse over long distances. In mangroves, which possess seafaring propagules, it is largely unknown which species are more likely to reach the ocean and contribute to long‐distance dispersal. This is because dispersal has been mainly studied under reductionist laboratory conditions and via localized release–recapture experiments. Direct interceptions of propagules at sea have hardly been attempted because of the high labor intensity. Here, we set up a local citizen‐science network and engaged local fishermen to collect floating mangrove propagules over a period of 27 months. By comparing the dispersing community of propagules from the local stands in which they were produced, the open water of the bay, and the open ocean beyond the coral reef barrier, we could study the transition between local and long‐distance dispersal. The composition of the dispersing community changed from the local stands toward the ocean, suggesting that this transition imposes an important selective filter for leaving the local system. With the exception of three rare species (Lumnitzera racemosa, Pemphis acidula, and Xylocarpus moluccensis), we intercepted dispersing propagules of every mangrove species occurring in the East African region. Most intercepted propagules were produced by Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal, followed by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Avicennia marina, which also represent the most abundant species in the nearby mangrove forest. A larger number of propagules were intercepted during the wet season, with fewer propagules recovered during the dry season. Overall, our study indicates that differences in the dispersal capacity of mangrove propagules are not straightforward and that some species may better disperse at local scales within an estuary or embayment, while others might be more suitable for dispersal over longer distances. The presence of such trade‐offs may help explain why current attempts to use mangrove traits to predict mangrove species distributions at different scales have remained only moderately successful.
Synthesis of glucooligosaccharides with prebiotic potential by glucansucrase URE 13–300 acceptor reactions with maltose, raffinose and lactose
Authors: Bivolarski Veselin , Vasileva Tonka , Gabriel Valerie , Iliev Ilia
Published: April 2018

In the present work, we report an efficient synthesis of glucooligosaccharides (GOSs) with prebiotic potential by novel glucansucrase URE 13–300 fromLeuconostoc mesenteroidesURE 13 strain. The highest total yield of GOSs with degree of polymerization (DP) from 3 to 6 was obtained with maltose as an acceptor and maltose/sucrose (M/S) ratio 1–136 g/L. An efficient modulation of GOSs composition is achieved by varying the M/S ratio. At M/S = 1, 2, 4 and 7 the content of DP3 products gradually increase from 54.50 to 91.70%. When the M/S ratio was decreased the synthesis of DP>3 GOSs is predominant and reaches 75.60% (M/S = 0.25). In addition, the maltose derived GOSs with DP>3, as well as raffinose and lactose glucosylation products have a branched structure which is prerequisite for increased prebiotic potential. The synthesized GOSs were efficiently metabolized by probiotic strains ofLb. plantarumS26,Lb. brevisS27 andLb. sakeiS16, and the calculated values of specific growth rate (μ) were nearly identical to this on glucose media, when maltose derived GOSs were used as a carbohydrate source. Strain specific features were observed in the utilization of the synthesized GOSs, as well as in the production of lactic acid and acetic acid.