bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilizing the Efficiency Beyond 20% with a Mixed Cation Perovskite Solar Cell Fabricated in Ambient Air under Controlled Humidity
Authors: Singh Trilok , Miyasaka Tsutomu
Published: September 2017

Perovskite solar cells have evolved to have compatible high efficiency and stability by employing mixed cation/halide type perovskite crystals as pinhole‐free large grain absorbers. The cesium (Cs)–formamidium–methylammonium triple cation‐based perovskite device fabricated in a glove box enables reproducible high‐voltage performance. This study explores the method to reproduce stable and high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a triple cation perovskite prepared using a one‐step solution deposition and low‐temperature annealing fully conducted in controlled ambient humidity conditions. Optimizing the perovskite grain size by Cs concentration and solution processes, a route is created to obtain highly uniform, pinhole‐free large grain perovskite films that work with reproducible PCE up to 20.8% and high preservation stability without cell encapsulation for more than 18 weeks. This study further investigates the light intensity characteristics of open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of small (5 × 5 mm2, PCE > 20%) and large (10 × 10 mm2, PCE of 18%) devices. Intensity dependence of Voc shows an ideality factor in the range of 1.7‐1.9 for both devices, implying that the triple cation perovskite involves trap‐assisted recombination loss at the hetero junction interfaces that influences Voc. Despite relatively high ideality factor, perovskite device is capable of supplying high power conversion efficiency under low light intensity (0.01 Sun) whereas maintaining Voc over 0.9 V.
Microstructural Characterisations of Perovskite Solar Cells – From Grains to Interfaces: Techniques, Features, and Challenges
Authors: Rothmann Mathias Uller , Li Wei , Etheridge Joanne , Cheng Yi‐Bing
Published: September 2017

Organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells form a new type of thin film photovoltaic technology, which has achieved extraordinary improvements in power conversion efficiency in a relatively short time. To further improve the efficiency and stability of the perovskite solar cells, it is critical to understand and control the microstructure of both the functional materials and their interfaces. Much effort has already been made to understand the microstructure of perovskite solar cells and its influence on their performance. This has proved particularly challenging due to the fragile nature of the organic‐inorganic perovskites and the consequent potential for generating artefacts through the application of the characterization methods themselves. In this progress report, an overview of some of the more commonly used characterization methods is given, their possible impact on the materials analyses is evaluated, and the latest developments in the understanding of the microstructure of perovskite solar cells are summarized. The heterogenic nature of the individual perovskite grains and the polycrystalline film as a whole is illustrated, the features and properties of the grain boundaries and the effect they can have on solar cell performance are described, and the interface characterization between the layers in the solar cell devices is discussed.
A case of paraplegia that developed 6 years after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt traumatic aortic injury
Authors: Takahashi Hiroyuki , Shoko Tomohisa , Taketazu Fumino , Kuriyama Keiichi , Yoshikawa Kazuhide , Deguchi Yoshizumi
Published: September 2017

Case

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is becoming the standard therapy for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI). However, the long‐term outcomes of TEVAR for BTAI remain unclear. A 36‐year‐old man was admitted to our emergency department with dyspnea. He had been involved in a serious traffic accident 6 years earlier, requiring TEVAR for BTAI.

Outcome

Acute heart failure and pneumonia were diagnosed on this admission. His respiratory condition improved, but paraplegia developed 10 h after hospitalization. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intraspinal longitudinal area of signal hyperintensity, and spinal cord infarction was diagnosed.

Conclusion

Although the causal relationship between the TEVAR and spinal cord infarction remains unclear, paraplegia as a long‐term complication after TEVAR does not appear to have been reported previously, and so represents a potentially important complication.
Synthesis of Acylborons by Ozonolysis of Alkenylboronates: Preparation of an Enantioenriched Amino Acid Acylboronate
Authors: Taguchi Jumpei , Ikeda Toshiki , Takahashi Rina , Sasaki Ikuo , Ogasawara Yasushi , Dairi Tohru , Kato Naoya , Yamamoto Yasunori , Bode Jeffrey W. , Ito Hajime
Published: September 2017

A concise synthesis of acylborons was achieved by ozonolysis of alkenyl MIDA (N‐methyliminodiacetic acid) boronates. This reaction exhibits excellent functional‐group tolerance and is applicable to various acyl MIDA boronates and potassium acyltrifluroborates (KATs) which could not be synthesized by previous methods. In addition, α‐amino acylborons, which would be essential for peptide ligations, were prepared for the first time. The acylboron of l‐alanine was obtained in high enantiopurity and found to be configurationally stable. Oligopeptide synthesis between the α‐amino KATs and amino acid in dilute aqueous media was studied.
Verringerung der Virulenz von multiresistentem Staphylococcus aureus mithilfe eines chemischen Disruptors des ClpX‐Chaperon‐Komplexes
Authors: Fetzer Christian , Korotkov Vadim S. , Thänert Robert , Lee Kyu Myung , Neuenschwander Martin , von Kries Jens Peter , Medina Eva , Sieber Stephan A.
Published: September 2017

Die ClpXP‐Protease von Staphylococcus aureus ist ein wichtiger Regulator der Zellhomöostase und Virulenz. Mithilfe eines Hochdurchsatz‐Screenings gegen den ClpXP‐Komplex wurde ein spezifischer Inhibitor des ClpX‐Chaperons identifiziert, der den oligomeren Zustand zerstört. Die Synthese von 34 Derivaten offenbarte, dass das molekulare Grundgerüst nur eingeschränkte Veränderungen ermöglicht und nur geringe Änderungen toleriert werden. Eine Analyse der aktivsten Verbindungen zeigte eine starke Verringerung der Toxinproduktion von S. aureus, die durch eine maßgeschneiderte, MS‐basierte Assayplattform quantifiziert wurde. Transkriptom‐ und Gesamtproteomstudien bestätigten die globale Virulenzreduktion und enthüllten eine charakteristische Signatur der Proteinexpression in mit Substanz behandelten Zellen. Obwohl diese Signatur teilweise mit dem Muster der ClpX‐Deletionszellen übereinstimmte, wurde eine weitere Verringerung der Toxine beobachtet, was zu der vielversprechenden Möglichkeit führt, dass weitere Virulenzpfade direkt oder indirekt von der niedermolekularen Verbindung adressiert werden könnten.
Humidity regulation by stretched PP and PLA films with dispersed CaCl2
Authors: Sängerlaub Sven , Miesbauer Oliver , Michael Linda , Müller Kajetan , Stramm Cornelia , Pecyna Marek , Langowski Horst‐Christian
Published: September 2017

Polymer materials that regulate the relative humidity in their environment are relevant for applications in the packaging and building sectors. By integration of salts in polymer structures, such materials are able to absorb and desorb high amounts of water vapor. In this study, films of polylactic acid and polypropylene with dispersed calcium chloride (2 and 4 wt %) were produced and biaxially stretched to induce the formation of cavities. The resulting cavities in these films account up to 10 vol % and are able to contain emerging calcium chloride solution formed by water vapor absorption. These films absorb reversibly up to 15 wt % water vapor at 75% relative humidity at 23 °C. This absorption behavior is described by effective diffusion and effective sorption coefficients. Using a simple model, the effective water vapor diffusion coefficient of these films can be estimated from the permeation coefficient of the polymer and the sorption coefficient of the absorber. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45713.
Dual‐extrusion 3D printing of anatomical models for education
Authors: Smith Michelle L. , Jones James F.X.
Published: September 2017

Two material 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular, inexpensive and accessible. In this paper, freely available printable files and dual extrusion fused deposition modelling were combined to create a number of functional anatomical models. To represent muscle and bone FilaFlex3D flexible filament and polylactic acid (PLA) filament were extruded respectively via a single 0.4 mm nozzle using a Big Builder printer. For each filament, cubes (5 mm3) were printed and analyzed for X, Y, and Z accuracy. The PLA printed cubes resulted in errors averaging just 1.2% across all directions but for FilaFlex3D printed cubes the errors were statistically significantly greater (average of 3.2%). As an exemplar, a focus was placed on the muscles, bones and cartilage of upper airway and neck. The resulting single prints combined flexible and hard structures. A single print model of the vocal cords was constructed which permitted movement of the arytenoids on the cricoid cartilage and served to illustrate the action of intrinsic laryngeal muscles. As University libraries become increasingly engaged in offering inexpensive 3D printing services it may soon become common place for both student and educator to access websites, download free models or 3D body parts and only pay the costs of print consumables. Novel models can be manufactured as dissectible, functional multi‐layered units and offer rich possibilities for sectional and/or reduced anatomy. This approach can liberate the anatomist from constraints of inflexible hard models or plastinated specimens and engage in the design of class specific models of the future. Anat Sci Educ 11: 65–72. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.
Learning to reformulate long queries for clinical decision support
Authors: Soldaini Luca , Yates Andrew , Goharian Nazli
Published: September 2017

The large volume of biomedical literature poses a serious problem for medical professionals, who are often struggling to keep current with it. At the same time, many health providers consider knowledge of the latest literature in their field a key component for successful clinical practice. In this work, we introduce two systems designed to help retrieving medical literature. Both receive a long, discursive clinical note as input query, and return highly relevant literature that could be used in support of clinical practice. The first system is an improved version of a method previously proposed by the authors; it combines pseudo relevance feedback and a domain‐specific term filter to reformulate the query. The second is an approach that uses a deep neural network to reformulate a clinical note. Both approaches were evaluated on the 2014 and 2015 TREC CDS datasets; in our tests, they outperform the previously proposed method by up to 28% in inferred NDCG; furthermore, they are competitive with the state of the art, achieving up to 8% improvement in inferred NDCG.
Simultaneous determination of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and soil under field conditions by gas chromatography/tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Haizhen , Zhang A'wei , Huang Min , Yu Weiwei , Li Zhurui , Wu Sizhuo , Zheng Kunming , Zhang Kankan , Hu Deyu
Published: September 2017

A gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and soil samples. These samples were extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile and purified using a mixed primary secondary amine/octadecylsilane sorbent. The method showed good linearity (R2 > 0.99) in the calibration range 0.005–2 μg/mL for both pesticides. The limits of detection and quantification for the two analytes in grape and soil were 0.006 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Fungicide recoveries in grape and soil were 81.18–92.11% for boscalid and 82.73–97.67% for fludioxonil with relative standard deviations of 1.31–10.31%. The established method was successfully applied to the residual analysis of boscalid and fludioxonil in real grape and soil samples. The terminal residue concentrations of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape samples collected from Anhui and Guizhou were <5 mg/kg (the maximum residue limit set by China) 7 days after the last application and 1 mg/kg (the maximum residue limit set by USA) 14 days after the last application. These results could provide guidance for the proper and safe use of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and help the Chinese government to establish an MRL for fludioxonil in grape.
Anti‐inflammatory activities and glycerophospholipids metabolism in KLA‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by diarylheptanoids from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum
Authors: Zhang Guogai , Zhao Lifang , Zhu Jiancheng , Feng Yifan , Wu Xia
Published: September 2017

Alpinia officinarum is used for its anti‐inflammatory activity historically in China. Diarylheptanoids isolated from A. officinarum play important biological roles in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders. Seven diarylheptanoids (1–7) were isolated from A. officinarum. The cell viabilities and anti‐inflammatory activities of diarylheptanoids were evaluated by MTT assay and tumor necrosis factor‐α production in Kdo2‐lipid A‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. The relationships between their anti‐inflammatories and structure‐activities are discussed. The results indicated that compounds 1 and 3–7 had significant anti‐inflammatory activities. The relationships between inflammation and phospholipids metabolism were elucidated by multivariate data analysis. Twenty‐two potential biomarkers were identified in inflammatory group vs. blank group, and 11 potential biomarkers were identified for inflammatory group vs. drug‐treatment groups. Ten common phospholipids were characterized. On the basis of a previous study in our laboratory, we found that phosphatidylethanolamine (18:0/18:1) might be the important glycerophospholipid biomarker in inflammation. In this study, we firstly combined anti‐inflammatory activities and glycerophospholipids changes of traditional Chinese medicine. This work suggests that the anti‐inflammatory activities of diarylheptanoids might be significantly related to glycerophospholipids and could provide a useful database for investigating the anti‐inflammatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine.
β‐carotene suppresses Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide‐mediated cytokine production in THP‐1 monocytes cultured with high glucose condition
Authors: Kajiura Yukari , Nishikawa Yasufumi , Lew Jung Hwan , Kido Jun‐ichi , Nagata Toshihiko , Naruishi Koji
Published: September 2017

Periodontitis is associated with development of diabetes mellitus. Although lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a major pathogen of periodontitis, may lead the progression of diabetes complications, the precise mechanisms are unclear. We, therefore, investigated the effects of β‐carotene on production of Pg LPS‐induced inflammatory cytokines in human monocytes cultured high glucose (HG) condition. THP‐1 cells were cultured under 5.5 mM or 25 mM glucose conditions, and cells were stimulated with Pg LPS. To investigate the productivity of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and MCP‐1, cell supernatants were collected for ELISA. To examine the effects of NF‐kB signals on cytokine production, Bay11‐7082 was used. HG enhanced Pg LPS‐induced production of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and MCP‐1 via NF‐kB signals in THP‐1. β‐carotene suppressed the enhancement of the Pg LPS‐induced cytokine production in THP‐1 via NF‐κB inactivation. Our results suggest that β‐carotene might be a potential anti‐inflammatory nutrient for circulating Pg LPS‐mediated cytokine production in diabetic patients with periodontitis.
On the Mechanism of Connecting Deltahedral Zintl Clusters via Conjugated Buta‐1,3‐dien‐1,4‐diyl Functionalities: Synthesis and Structure of [Ge9−CH=CH−CH=CH−Ge9]6−
Authors: Bentlohner Manuel M. , Frischhut Sabine , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: September 2017

We report on the synthesis and structure, as well as on the mechanism of formation of the [Ge9−CH=CH−CH=CH−Ge9]6− unit. As shown by in situ NMR spectroscopy (1H, COSY, HSQC, HMBC), both (1Z,3Z)‐ and (1E,3Z)‐[Ge9−CH=CH−CH=CH−Ge9]6− are formed during the reaction of a mixture of 1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)butadiyne and A4Ge9 (A=K, Rb) with ethylenediamine. However, upon layering of the obtained solution with 222‐crypt/toluene (222‐crypt=4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo‐[8.8.8]hexacosan) only the (1Z,3Z)‐isomer crystallizes as {[A(222‐crypt)]6[(1Z,3Z)‐(Ge9−CH=CH−CH=CH−Ge9)]}(tol)2(en)2 (A=K, Rb) salts. Single crystals of these salts were characterized by X‐ray structure analysis and Raman spectroscopy, indicating the presence of three superimposed conformers of (1Z,3Z)‐[Ge9−CH=CH−CH=CH−Ge9]6−, which show different orientations of the cluster units with respect to the planar (1Z,3Z)‐buta‐1,3‐dien‐1,4‐diyl linker unit.
Phosphorus and Fluorine Co‐Doping Induced Enhancement of Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Bimetallic Nitride Nanorods Arrays: Ionic Liquid‐Driven and Mechanism Clarification
Authors: Bai Xue , Wang Qin , Xu Guangran , Ning Yunkun , Huang Keke , He Feng , Wu Zhi‐jian , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2017

Electrocatalytic splitting of water is becoming increasingly crucial for renewable energy and device technologies. As one of the most important half‐reactions for water splitting reactions, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a kinetically sluggish process that will greatly affect the energy conversion efficiency. Therefore, exploring a highly efficient and durable catalyst to boost the OER is of great urgency. In this work, we develop a facile strategy for the synthesis of well‐defined phosphorus and fluorine co‐doped Ni1.5Co1.5N hybrid nanorods (HNs) by using ionic liquids (ILs; 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate). In comparison to the IrO2 catalyst, the as‐obtained PF/Ni1.5Co1.5N HNs manifests a low overpotential of 280 mV at 10 mA cm−2, Tafel slope of 66.1 mV dec−1, and excellent durability in 1.0 m KOH solution. Furthermore, the iR‐corrected electrochemical results indicate it could achieve a current density of 100 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 350 mV. The combination of cobalt and nickel elements, 1D mesoporous nanostructure, heteroatom incorporation, and ionic liquid‐assisted nitridation, which result in faster charge transfer capability and more active surface sites, can facilitate the release of oxygen bubbles from the catalyst surface. Our findings confirm that surface heteroatom doping in bimetallic nitrides could serve as a new class of OER catalyst with excellent catalytic activity.
Total Synthesis of Skyllamycins A–C
Authors: Giltrap Andrew M. , Haeckl F. P. Jake , Kurita Kenji L. , Linington Roger G. , Payne Richard J.
Published: September 2017

The skyllamycins are a family of highly functionalized non‐ribosomal cyclic depsipeptide natural products which contain the extremely rare α‐OH‐glycine functionality. Herein the first total synthesis of skyllamycins A–C is reported, together with the biofilm inhibitory activity of the natural products. Linear peptide precursors for each natural product were prepared through an efficient solid‐phase route incorporating a number of synthetic modified amino acids. A novel macrocyclization step between a C‐terminal amide and an N‐terminal glyoxylamide moiety served as a key transformation to install the unique α‐OH‐glycine unit and generate the natural products in the final step of the synthesis.
Bis‐Copper(II)/π‐Radical Multi‐Heterospin System with Non‐innocent Doubly N‐Confused Dioxohexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) Ligand
Authors: Yamasumi Kazuhisa , Nishimura Keiichi , Hisamune Yutaka , Nagae Yusuke , Uchiyama Tomoki , Kamitani Kazutaka , Hirai Tomoyasu , Nishibori Maiko , Mori Shigeki , Karasawa Satoru , Kato Tatsuhisa , Furukawa Ko , Ishida Masatoshi , Furuta Hiroyuki
Published: September 2017

A contracted doubly N‐confused dioxohexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) complex consisting of two paramagnetic copper metals and open‐shell π‐radical ligand was synthesized as a new multi‐heterospin motif. X‐ray spectroscopy supported the divalent character of the inner copper centers, and electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetometric studies suggested the presence of unpaired d electrons strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with π‐radicals delocalized on the macrocycle. The 25 π non‐innocent dioxohexaphyrin ligand allowed the facile interconversion between antiaromatic 24 π and aromatic 26 π species, respectively, upon redox reactions.
Selective Oxidation of Methane with Hydrogen Peroxide Towards Formic Acid in a Micro Fixed‐Bed Reactor
Authors: Zuo Hualiang , Meynen Vera , Klemm Elias
Published: September 2017

Selective oxidation of methane by using aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as oxidant was investigated. Colloidal nanosized Cu‐Fe‐silicalite‐1 was prepared and a micro reactor was used to intensify mass transport. It was found that the oxygenate productivity could be enhanced nearly three orders of magnitude while simultaneously ensuring high turn‐over‐frequencies of some 100 h−1. However, the main product in liquid phase was not methanol, but formic acid. At optimized reaction conditions, a selectivity to formic acid of 96.7 % at a methane conversion of 10.3 % could be achieved.
Optimized PEI‐based Transfection Method for Transient Transfection and Lentiviral Production
Authors: Yang Shaozhe , Zhou Xiaoling , Li Rongxiang , Fu Xiuhong , Sun Pingnan
Published: September 2017

Polyethyleneimine (PEI), a cationic polymer vehicle, forms a complex with DNA which then can carry anionic nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. PEI‐based transfection is widely used for transient transfection of plasmid DNA. The efficiency of PEI‐based transfection is affected by numerous factors, including the way the PEI/DNA complex is prepared, the ratio of PEI to DNA, the concentration of DNA, the storage conditions of PEI solutions, and more. Considering the major influencing factors, PEI‐based transfection has been optimized to improve its efficiency, reproducibility, and consistency. This protocol outlines the steps for ordinary transient transfection and lentiviral production using PEI. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Activated in Situ by Embedded Nickel through the Mott–Schottky Effect for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Chen Teng , Guo Siqi , Yang Jie , Xu Yida , Sun Jie , Wei Dali , Chen Zhaoxu , Zhao Bin , Ding Weiping
Published: September 2017

The development of low‐cost non‐precious‐metal electrocatalysts with high activity and stability in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a great challenge. Heteroatom‐doped carbon materials are receiving increased attention in research as effective catalysts. However, the uncontrolled doping of heteroatoms into a carbon matrix tends to inhibit the activity of a catalyst. Here, the in situ activation of a uniquely structured nitrogen‐doped carbon/Ni composite catalyst for the ORR is demonstrated. This well‐designed catalyst is composed of a nitrogen‐doped carbon shell and embedded metallic nickel. The embedded Ni nanoparticles, dispersed on stable alumina with a high specific surface area for protecting them from agglomeration and in an unambiguous composite structure, are electron‐donating and are shielded by the nitrogen‐doped carbon from oxidation/dissolution in harsh environments. The electronic structure of the nitrogen‐doped carbon shell is modulated by the transfer of electrons at the interface of nitrogen‐doped carbon–Ni heterojunctions owing to the Mott–Schottky effect. The electrochemically active surface area result implies that the active sites do not relate to Ni directly and the enhanced catalytic activity mainly arises from the modulation of nitrogen‐doped carbon by nickel. XPS and theoretical calculations suggest that the donated electrons are transferred to pyridinic N primarily, which ought to enhance the catalytic activity intrinsically. Benefiting from these transferred electrons, the half‐wave potential of the nitrogen‐doped carbon/Ni composite catalyst is 94 mV positively shifted compared to the Ni‐free sample.
Covalently Assembled Monolayers of Homo‐ and Heteroleptic FeII‐Terpyridyl Complexes on SiOx and ITO‐Coated Glass Substrates: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Mondal Prakash Chandra , Singh Vikram , Manna Arun K. , Zharnikov Michael
Published: September 2017

Well‐defined FeII‐terpyridyl monolayers were fabricated on SiOx and conductive ITO‐coated glass substrates through covalent‐bond formation between the metallo‐organic complexes and a preassembled coupling layer. Three different homo‐ and heteroleptic complexes with terminal pyridyl, amine, and phenyl groups were tested. All the films were found to be densely packed and homogeneous, and consist of molecules standing upright. They exhibited high thermal (up to ≈220 °C) and temporal (up to 5 h at 100 °C) stability. The UV/Vis spectra of the monolayers showed pronounced metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer bands with a significant redshift compared with the solution spectra of the metallo‐ligands with a pendant pyridyl group quaternized with the coupling layer, whereas the shift was significantly smaller when the coupling layer was bonded to the primary amine (−NH2) group of the complex. Cyclic voltammograms of the monolayers showed reversible, one‐electron redox behavior and suggested strong electronic coupling between the confined molecules and the underlying substrate. Analysis of the electrochemistry data allowed us to estimate the charge‐transfer rate constant between the metal center and the substrate. Additionally, detailed quantum‐chemical calculations were performed to support and rationalize the experimentally observed photophysical properties of the FeII‐terpyridyl complexes both in the solution state and when bound to a SiOx‐based substrate.
Improved Thermal Stability of Lithium‐Rich Layered Oxide by Fluorine Doping
Authors: Kapylou Andrei , Song Jay Hyok , Missiul Aleksandr , Ham Dong Jin , Kim Dong Han , Moon San , Park Jin Hwan
Published: September 2017

The thermal stability of lithium‐rich layered oxide with the composition Li(Li1/6Ni1/6Co1/6Mn1/2)O2−xFx (x=0.00 and 0.05) is evaluated for use as a cathode material in lithium‐ion batteries. Thermogravimetric analysis, evolved gas analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry show that, upon fluorine doping, degradation of the lithium‐rich layered oxides commences at higher temperatures and the exothermic reaction is suppressed. Hot box tests also reveal that the prismatic cell with the fluorine‐doped powder does not explode, whereas that with the undoped one explodes at about 135 °C with a sudden temperature increase. XRD analysis indicates that fluorine doping imparts the lithium‐rich layered oxide with better thermal stability by mitigating oxygen release at elevated temperatures that cause an exothermic reaction with the electrolyte. The origin of the reduced oxygen release from the fluorinated lithium‐rich layered oxide is also discussed.
Surface glycan pattern of canine, equine, and ovine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Desantis Salvatore , Accogli Gianluca , Crovace Antonio , Francioso Edda G. , Crovace Alberto Maria
Published: September 2017

The use of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for clinical and experimental studies is increasing, but full characterization of MSCs in veterinary species is hindered by the variability in species‐specific cell surface marker expression and antibody cross reactivity. Recent studies demonstrated that the glycans in the glycocalyx of MSCs are promising candidates as cell biomarkers. In the present study, we analyzed the glycocalyx of canine MSCs (cMSCs), ovine MSCs (oMSCs), and equine MSCs (eMSCs) using a cell microarray procedure in which MSCs were spotted on microarray slides and incubated with a panel of 14 biotinylated lectins and Cy3‐conjugated streptavidin. The signal intensity was then detected using a microarray scanner. The lectin‐binding signals indicated that the MSC surface of the investigated species contained both N‐ and O‐linked glycan types, with N‐glycosylation predominating over O‐glycosylation and fucosylation being more abundant than sialylation. Relative quantification revealed an interspecific difference between these glycans. In addition, cMSCs expressed more α2,3‐linked sialic acid (MAL II), terminal lactosamine (RCA120), and α1,6 and α1,3 fucosylated oligosaccharides (PSA, LTA); oMSCs exhibited more T antigen (Jacalin), GalNAcα1,3(LFucα1,2)Galβ1,3/4GlcNAcβ1 (DBA), chitotriose (succinylated WGA), and α1,2‐linked fucose (UEA I); and eMSCs showed a higher density of α2,6 sialic acids (SNA) and high mannose N‐glycans (Con A). Using cell microarray methodology, we have for the first time demonstrated differences in the glycosylation profiles of cMSC, oMSC, and eMSC surfaces. These results could be valuable as resources and references for MSC differentiation and molecular remodeling in clinical cell‐based therapy and tissue engineering studies. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Linking fishing pressure with ecosystem thresholds and food web stability on coral reefs
Authors: Houk P. , Cuetos‐Bueno J. , Kerr A. M. , McCann K.
Published: September 2017

Managing fisheries for ecosystem resilience is essential, but practical guidance is limited by food‐web complexity. Processes, mechanisms, and thresholds associated with ecosystem overfishing were investigated by combining traditional concepts in fisheries biology with recent advances in food‐web modeling. Diverse coral‐reef food webs were simplified by grouping species into guilds based on the way they capture, store, and transfer energy, rather than taxonomically, as is traditionally done. Biomass fluxes between the guilds were then quantified using an allometric trophic model. The model was calibrated by linking parameters describing growth, predation, and competition with known body size and metabolic constraints, and then adjusting the base rate of parameters to match fish biomass estimates from a “pristine” coral reef system. The calibrated model was then tested by replacing equilibrium fish biomasses with observations from fished systems across the Pacific, spanning nine islands and numerous major‐reef habitats. Encouraging relationships were found between predicted algal accumulation and field observations, and between modelled and observed guild restructuring. In terms of food‐web ecology, “pristine” food webs were characterized by asynchronous population dynamics between the guilds (i.e., offsetting fluctuations), which maximized their persistence and the net accumulation of biomass within food webs. Beneficial, offsetting fluctuations were driven by the contrasting roles of density dependence, apparent competition, and predation. Fishing for predators synchronized the population fluctuations between the guilds, resulting in larger amplitudes (i.e., highs and lows), and a growing dominance of small herbivores. Continued fishing for large herbivores eventually led to an inflection point where algal biomass accumulated exponentially, revealing an ecosystem‐based fisheries benchmark. Management targets that maximized fisheries yields while controlling for algal accumulation required simultaneous exploitation across the guilds; a significant challenge because maximum yields of predators, large herbivores, and small herbivores were magnitudes of order apart. This strategy also represented a departure from modern commercial fisheries policies that place catch quotas on entire fish families taxonomically, committing systems to smaller fish, higher biomass turnover, and undesirable algal accumulation. Moving forward, the model provided a flexible and adaptable framework to consider economic and ecosystem objectives of fisheries simultaneously, ultimately balancing resilient food webs against higher fisheries productivity.
Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity Degradation Kinetics During Long‐Term Storage of Rapeseed Oil Pressed From Microwave‐Treated Seeds
Authors: Rękas Agnieszka , Siger Aleksander , Wroniak Małgorzata , Ścibisz Iwona
Published: September 2017

The present study focuses on the kinetics of degradation of phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity during long‐term storage of rapeseed oils prepared from microwave (MV) pre‐treated seeds (2–10 min, 800 W). A maximum tocochromanols (90.48 mg/100 g) and phenolic compounds (mainly canolol, 1692.15 μg g−1) concentration is achieved after 10 min of seeds MV pre‐treatment, while the highest content of carotenoids (1017.51 μg/100 g) is found in the oils pressed from seeds exposed to microwaves for 6 min. During storage, the tocochromanols and carotenoids decrease following zero‐order kinetic, the reduction of phenolic compounds display pseudo first‐order kinetic. Storage stability of tocochromanols in the oils obtained from MV pre‐treated seeds is comparable to that of the control oil. Oils produced from 8 min MV pre‐treated seeds show the slowest progress of carotenoids reduction, as the values of degradation rate constant (k) are lower (14.678 μg/100 g/month) than that of the control oil (18.168 μg/100 g/month). The half‐life (t1/2) of oils phenolic compounds increases with longer seeds exposition to MV.

Practical Applications: Numerous studies have shown favorable effect of oilseeds thermal pre‐processing on the concentration of phytochemicals in the resulting oil. However, there is lack of information regarding storage stability of oils prepared from microwave pre‐treated seeds. As the prediction of shelf‐life is a desirable goal in the food industry, evaluation of phytochemicals degradation based on the kinetic models will provide information on cost‐effectiveness of the seeds thermal pre‐treatment prior to oil cold‐pressing.

The present study focuses on the kinetics of degradation of phytochemicals during long‐term storage of rapeseed oils prepared from microwave pre‐treated seeds. The study includes a comparative study of kinetics of tocochromanols, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds in correlation with changes in the antioxidant capacity. It is shown that the content of phytochemicals in the oil and their storage stability is significantly affected by the time of seeds microwave pre‐treatment prior to pressing.
The Effect of Dairy Fat Source on Viscoelastic Properties of Full‐Fat Processed Cheese Spreads
Authors: Černíková Michaela , Pachlová Vendula , Holas Ondřej , Moudrá Kateřina , Slintáková Kateřina , Buňka František
Published: September 2017

During production of processed cheese, different sources of dairy fat are used, that contain different concentrations of surface active compounds (SAC), for example, natural cheeses (the fat is present in the form of fat globules with membranes with SAC) or butter (practically without membrains with SAC). It is known that SAC concentrations could influence the structure and therefore consistency of processed cheese. The objective of the work is to produce processed cheeses with various SAC contents, and to study how various SAC contents affect the viscoelastic properties of full‐fat processed cheeses (dry matter content 35% w/w and fat content in dry matter 50% w/w) over the course of a 56 day storage period. The elastic, loss, and complex moduli are monitored. The SAC concentration is indirectly controlled by the use of natural cheeses with various fat contents (e.g., ingredients containing fat in the form of fat globules coated by SAC) and butter (an ingredient in which SAC is practically not found at all). The various fat contents of the natural cheeses, and the balancing of this parameter in the raw material composition of the processed cheeses with milk fat (practically without SAC) do not significantly affect the consistency of the processed cheeses (p ≥ 0.05). This finding is positive for industrial practice, where natural cheeses with various fat contents are commonly used.

In this work the effect of milk fat source and the concentration of SAC originating from the fat globule membranes on the viscoelastic properties of model processed cheeses are studied.Dependence of the elastic (G′; full symbols; Pa) and the loss (G″; open symbols; Pa) after 1 day (•○) and 56 days (▴△) of storage at 6 ± 2 °C on frequency.
SUR1‐TRPM4 and AQP4 form a heteromultimeric complex that amplifies ion/water osmotic coupling and drives astrocyte swelling
Authors: Stokum Jesse A. , Kwon Min S. , Woo Seung K. , Tsymbalyuk Orest , Vennekens Rudi , Gerzanich Volodymyr , Simard J. Marc
Published: September 2017

Astrocyte swelling occurs after central nervous system injury and contributes to brain swelling, which can increase mortality. Mechanisms proffered to explain astrocyte swelling emphasize the importance of either aquaporin‐4 (AQP4), an astrocyte water channel, or of Na+‐permeable channels, which mediate cellular osmolyte influx. However, the spatio‐temporal functional interactions between AQP4 and Na+‐permeable channels that drive swelling are poorly understood. We hypothesized that astrocyte swelling after injury is linked to an interaction between AQP4 and Na+‐permeable channels that are newly upregulated. Here, using co‐immunoprecipitation and Förster resonance energy transfer, we report that AQP4 physically co‐assembles with the sulfonylurea receptor 1—transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (SUR1‐TRPM4) monovalent cation channel to form a novel heteromultimeric water/ion channel complex. In vitro cell‐swelling studies using calcein fluorescence imaging of COS‐7 cells expressing various combinations of AQP4, SUR1, and TRPM4 showed that the full tripartite complex, comprised of SUR1‐TRPM4‐AQP4, was required for fast, high‐capacity transmembrane water transport that drives cell swelling, with these findings corroborated in cultured primary astrocytes. In a murine model of brain edema involving cold‐injury to the cerebellum, we found that astrocytes newly upregulate SUR1‐TRPM4, that AQP4 co‐associates with SUR1‐TRPM4, and that genetic inactivation of the solute pore of the SUR1‐TRPM4‐AQP4 complex blocked in vivo astrocyte swelling measured by diolistic labeling, thereby corroborating our in vitro functional studies. Together, these findings demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism involving the SUR1‐TRPM4‐AQP4 complex to account for bulk water influx during astrocyte swelling. These findings have broad implications for the understanding and treatment of AQP4‐mediated pathological conditions.
The mTOR kinase inhibitor everolimus synergistically enhances the anti‐tumor effect of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor PLS‐123 on Mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Li Jiao , Wang Xiaogan , Xie Yan , Ying Zhitao , Liu Weiping , Ping Lingyan , Zhang Chen , Pan Zhengying , Ding Ning , Song Yuqin , Zhu Jun
Published: September 2017

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive and incurable malignant disease. Despite of general chemotherapy, relapse and mortality are common, highlighting the need for the development of novel targeted drugs or combination of therapeutic regimens. Recently, several drugs that target the B‐cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, especially the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib, have demonstrated notable therapeutic effects in relapsed/refractory patients, which indicate that pharmacological inhibition of BCR pathway holds promise in MCL treatment. Here, we have developed a novel irreversible BTK inhibitor, PLS‐123, that has more potent and selective anti‐tumor activity than ibrutinib in vitro and in vivo. Using in vitro screening, we discovered that the combination of PLS‐123 and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus exert synergistic activity in attenuating proliferation and motility of MCL cell lines. Simultaneous inhibition of BTK and mTOR resulted in marked induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, which were accompanied by upregulation of pro‐apoptotic proteins (cleaved Caspase‐3, cleaved PARP and Bax), repression of anti‐apoptotic proteins (Mcl‐1, Bcl‐xl and XIAP), and downregulation of regulators of the G1/S phase transition (CDK2, CDK4, CDK6 and Cyclin D1). Gene expression profile analysis revealed simultaneous treatment with these agents led to inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3, AKT/mTOR signaling pathways and SGK1 expression. Finally, the anti‐tumor and pro‐apoptotic activities of combination strategy have also been demonstrated using xenograft mice models. Taken together, simultaneous suppression of BTK and mTOR may be indicated as a potential therapeutic modality for the treatment of MCL.
A longitudinal examination of perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, public ethnic regard, and depressive symptoms in Latino youth
Authors: Stein Gabriela Livas , Taylor Laura , Kulish Andrea , Gonzalez Laura McLaughlin
Published: September 2017

This longitudinal study examined the role of perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and public ethnic regard on depressive symptoms in an adolescent Latino sample (n = 141) living in an emerging immigrant community. Using a cross lagged model, this study found that Time 1 (T1) discrimination did not predict T2 depressive symptoms, nor did depressive symptoms predict T2 discrimination. However, public ethnic regard served as a significant moderator of the longitudinal association of discrimination. For youth who reported high public ethnic regard and high racial/ethnic discrimination at T1, they reported greater discrimination at T2 compared to those who reported low public ethnic regard. These findings suggest that an internalized positive perception of the public's view of one's ethnic group is a potential vulnerability factor that needs to be better understood. These findings imply the need for additional research on the unique role of public ethnic regard in emerging immigrant communities.
Self‐Calibrating Wave‐Encoded Variable‐Density Single‐Shot Fast Spin Echo Imaging
Authors: Chen Feiyu , Taviani Valentina , Tamir Jonathan I. , Cheng Joseph Y. , Zhang Tao , Song Qiong , Hargreaves Brian A. , Pauly John M. , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: September 2017

Background

It is highly desirable in clinical abdominal MR scans to accelerate single‐shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) imaging and reduce blurring due to T2 decay and partial‐Fourier acquisition.

Purpose

To develop and investigate the clinical feasibility of wave‐encoded variable‐density SSFSE imaging for improved image quality and scan time reduction.

Study Type

Prospective controlled clinical trial.

Subjects

With Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, the proposed method was assessed on 20 consecutive adult patients (10 male, 10 female, range, 24–84 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

A wave‐encoded variable‐density SSFSE sequence was developed for clinical 3.0T abdominal scans to enable high acceleration (3.5×) with full‐Fourier acquisitions by: 1) introducing wave encoding with self‐refocusing gradient waveforms to improve acquisition efficiency; 2) developing self‐calibrated estimation of wave‐encoding point‐spread function and coil sensitivity to improve motion robustness; and 3) incorporating a parallel imaging and compressed sensing reconstruction to reconstruct highly accelerated datasets.

Assessment

Image quality was compared pairwise with standard Cartesian acquisition independently and blindly by two radiologists on a scale from –2 to 2 for noise, contrast, confidence, sharpness, and artifacts. The average ratio of scan time between these two approaches was also compared.

Statistical Tests

A Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests with a P value under 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

Wave‐encoded variable‐density SSFSE significantly reduced the perceived noise level and improved the sharpness of the abdominal wall and the kidneys compared with standard acquisition (mean scores 0.8, 1.2, and 0.8, respectively, P < 0.003). No significant difference was observed in relation to other features (P = 0.11). An average of 21% decrease in scan time was achieved using the proposed method.

Data Conclusion

Wave‐encoded variable‐density sampling SSFSE achieves improved image quality with clinically relevant echo time and reduced scan time, thus providing a fast and robust approach for clinical SSFSE imaging.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 6

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:954–966.
Prevalence of anal, oral, penile and urethral Human Papillomavirus in HIV infected and HIV uninfected men who have sex with men
Authors: Ucciferri Claudio , Tamburro Manuela , Falasca Katia , Sammarco Michela Lucia , Ripabelli Giancarlo , Vecchiet Jacopo
Published: September 2017

Aims of the study were to evaluate Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and type‐specific prevalence in four anatomical sites in HIV infected men who have sex with men (MSM) compared with HIV uninfected MSM. Participants were recruited among the attendees of Infectious Diseases Clinics in Central Italy. A trained medical practitioner collected by interview sociodemographic data and information on medical history, sexual behavior, and drug use. Swabs from anal canal, oral cavity, urethral mucosa, and coronal sulcus were tested for HPV DNA and genotyping. Ninety MSM were enrolled, 45 subjects within each group. Overall, 48.9% MSM were HPV positive and prevalence was higher in HIV infected men (60.0% vs 37.8%, P = 0.035). HPV at multiple anatomic sites occurred in 59.1% MSM, with 34.1% and 22.7% at two and three sites, respectively. Prevalence of anal, coronal sulcus, oral, and urethral HPV was 96.3%, 37%, 21.6%, and 18.5% in HIV infected MSM, and 70.6%, 70.6%, 29.4%, and 23.5% among HIV uninfected. A similar proportion of HIV infected and uninfected MSM (59.2% and 58.8%) carried at least one high‐risk genotype. Prevalence of types covered by nonavalent vaccine was 77.8% in HIV infected compared with 82.3% in HIV uninfected MSM. HPV 58 and 16 were mostly detected in HIV positive (43.7% and 31.2%) and negative MSM (50.0% and 40.0%). HPV detection rate underlined the high vulnerability of MSM to acquire multisite infections, characterized by various genotype combinations. Since nonavalent vaccine could have prevented 80% of HPV infections, study findings support the implementation of vaccination programs among MSM.
Why seeking feedback from diverse sources may not be sufficient for stimulating creativity: The role of performance dynamism and creative time pressure
Authors: Sijbom Roy B. L. , Anseel Frederik , Crommelinck Michiel , De Beuckelaer Alain , De Stobbeleir Katleen E. M.
Published: September 2017

We explore how the impact of seeking feedback from different sources (i.e., feedback source variety) on employee creativity is shaped by perceptions of the work environment. Specifically, we argue that two contextual factors, namely, performance dynamism (Study 1) and creative time pressure (Study 2), moderate the relationship between feedback source variety and creativity such that under conditions of high performance dynamism and low creative time pressure, individuals benefit from diverse feedback information. In Study 1 (N = 1,031), the results showed that under conditions of high performance dynamism, the relationship between feedback source variety and self‐reported creativity was nonlinear, with employee creativity exponentially increasing as a function of feedback source variety. Similarly, in Study 2 (N = 181), we found that under conditions of low creative time pressure, the relationship between feedback source variety and employee creativity was nonlinear, with supervisor‐rated creative performance exponentially increasing at higher levels of feedback source variety. Such results highlight that the relationship between feedback source variety and creative performance is affected by the perceptions of the work environment in which feedback is sought.