bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Au(III) extraction using ketone compounds with physical properties superior to current commercial extractants
Authors: Oshima Tatsuya , Miyake Kota
Published: January 2021

Dibutyl carbitol (DBC) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) are commercially available for the extraction of Au(III) from acidic chloride media through ion solvation. These extractants show high Au(III) extractability, but their physical properties have drawbacks in extraction processes. In this study, Au(III) extraction using a series of aliphatic ketone compounds was studied to find a novel extractant with advantageous properties compared with conventional extractants. These ketone compounds showed desirable Au(III) extractability, with those bearing shorter aliphatic chains showing higher extractability. Furthermore, their Au(III) extraction capacities exceeded industrial requirements. These compounds also had improved properties for metal processing compared with commercial extractants, namely, lower solubility in water, lower viscosity, and high flash points. A representative extractant, 2‐nonanone, selectively extracted Au(III) over various metal ions. Gold extracted with 2‐nonanone was recovered quantitatively as metallic gold by reduction using oxalic acid.
Fast versus turbulent fluidization of Geldart Group B particles
Authors: Chew Jia Wei , Cocco Ray A.
Published: January 2021

Both fast and turbulent fluidized beds exhibit entrainment, but the differences in the flow phenomena are not well understood. This study targeted a comparative analysis of the cluster (or streamer), mass flux, and segregation datasets from these two fluidization regimes. The particle systems were narrow particle size distributions (PSDs), binary mixtures, or broad PSDs of Geldart Group B particles. Relative to the fast fluidized bed, the turbulent bed exhibited (i) higher cluster probability and frequency, but lower cluster duration; (ii) lower local mass flux; and (iii) similar segregation extents. Regarding clusters, the relative dominance of the variables on probability was similar for both regimes, but there was a difference for probability and frequency. For overall mass flux, particle‐related properties were more dominant with the turbulent bed. As for segregation, the radial position was the most influential in the fast fluidized bed, but the least in the turbulent one.
Dinaphtho[1,8‐bc:1′,8′‐fg][1,5]dithiocine Bisimide
Authors: Tanaka Yuki , Tajima Keita , Fukui Norihito , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

V‐shaped π‐systems are attractive research targets in organic chemistry and materials science. Our group has recently demonstrated that the conceptual insertion of a heteroatom into a perylene bisimide (PBI) core is an effective guideline for the design of non‐planar PBI derivatives. Here we report the synthesis and properties of dinaphtho[1,8‐bc:1′,8′‐fg][1,5]dithiocine bisimide (DNDTBI), which represents a doubly sulfur‐inserted PBI derivative. The X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that DNDTBI adopted a V‐shaped structure with a dihedral angle of 67°. DNDTBI exhibited higher electron‐donating ability than singly sulfur‐inserted PBI derivative owing to the antibonding interaction between the two neighboring sulfur atoms. The inversion barrier of the flipping motion of DNDTBI was ca. 30 kcal mol−1, indicating the rigid nature of the V‐shaped structure.
Medieval injuries: Skeletal trauma as an indicator of past living conditions and hazard risk in Cambridge, England
Authors: Dittmar Jenna M. , Mitchell Piers D. , Cessford Craig , Inskip Sarah A. , Robb John E.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To explore how medieval living conditions, occupation, and an individual's role within society impacted their risk of skeletal trauma.

Materials

The skeletal remains of 314 individuals from medieval Cambridge that were buried in the parish cemetery of All Saints by the Castle (n = 84), the Augustinian friary (n = 75), and the cemetery of the Hospital of St John the Evangelist (n = 155) were analyzed.

Methods

Macroscopic examination and plain radiographs were used to classify fracture type. The causative mechanisms and forces applied to a bone were inferred based on fracture morphology.

Results

The skeletal trauma observed represents accidental injuries, likely sustained through occupational or everyday activities, and violence. The highest prevalence rate was observed on the individuals buried at All Saints by the Castle (44%,n= 37/84), and the lowest was seen at the Hospital of St John (27%,n= 42/155). Fractures were more prevalent in males (40%,n= 57/143) than females (26%,n= 25/95).

Conclusions

Skeletal trauma was highest in All Saints parish burial ground, indicating that the poor, whether working urban or rurally, had the highest risk of injury. The pattern and types of fractures observed suggests that males experienced more severe traumatic events than females. However, females that were routinely involved in manual labor were also at increased risk of injury.

Significance

This article enhances our understanding of how traumatic injuries differed by age, sex, and burial locations in the medieval period.

Further research

Additional comparative studies in different geographical regions are needed to determine how representative these findings are.
Nano‐Biomedicine based on Liquid Metal Particles and Allied Materials
Authors: Sun Xuyang , Yuan Bo , Wang Hongzhang , Fan Linlin , Duan Minghui , Wang Xuelin , Guo Rui , Liu Jing
Published: January 2021

Liquid metals (LMs) have emerged as a new class of functional materials with attractive characteristics of low melting points and metal properties. Remarkable features, such as biocompatibility, injectability, plasticity, conductivity, and shape transformability, have rendered them as excellent candidates to tackle challenging biomedical issues, such as tumor clinics, tissue engineering, and even nerve connection. Scaling down the droplet size offers more opportunities in surface engineering and functionalization, thus providing broad biomedical scenarios expanding from drug delivery, enhanced bioheat transfer, tumor therapeutics, and bioelectronics to nanorobots. Despite in its infancy stage, a summary about the advancement of LM biomedical nanomaterials is urgently needed. This review aims to highlight the advantages of gallium‐based LM nanoparticles enabled nano‐biomedicine, to summarize the recent synthesis methods with diverse LM compositions, structures and surface modifications, and to introduce their typical state‐of‐the‐art biomedical applications. Challenges and opportunities are also discussed in the end.
Oxidative Indole Dearomatization for Asymmetric Furoindoline Synthesis by a Flavin‐Dependent Monooxygenase Involved in the Biosynthesis of Bicyclic Thiopeptide Thiostrepton
Authors: Lin Zhi , Xue Yufeng , Liang Xiao‐Wei , Wang Jian , Lin Shuangjun , Tao Jiang , You Shu‐Li , Liu Wen
Published: January 2021

The interest in indole dearomatization, which serves as a useful tool in the total synthesis of related alkaloid natural products, has recently been renewed with the intention of developing new methods efficient in both yield and stereoselective control. Here, we report an enzymatic approach for the oxidative dearomatization of indoles in the asymmetric synthesis of a variety of furoindolines with a vicinal quaternary carbon stereogenic center. This approach depends on the activity of a flavin‐dependent monooxygenase, TsrE, which is involved in the biosynthesis of bicyclic thiopeptide antibiotic thiostrepton. TsrE catalyzes 2,3‐epoxidation and subsequent epoxide opening in a highly enantioselective manner during the conversion of 2‐methyl‐indole‐3‐acetic acid or 2‐methyl‐tryptophol to furoindoline, with up to >99 % conversion and >99 % ee under mild reaction conditions. Complementing current chemical methods for oxidative indole dearomatization, the TsrE activity‐based approach enriches the toolbox in the asymmetric synthesis of products possessing a furoindoline skeleton.
Nanoskaliger hybrider amorph/graphitischer Kohlenstoff als Schlüssel zur nächsten Generation von kohlenstoffbasierten Katalysatoren für oxidative Dehydrierungen
Authors: Herold Felix , Prosch Stefan , Oefner Niklas , Brunnengräber Kai , Leubner Oliver , Hermans Yannick , Hofmann Kathrin , Drochner Alfons , Hofmann Jan P. , Qi Wei , Etzold Bastian J. M.
Published: January 2021

Eine neue Synthesestrategie liefert “Nicht‐nano”‐Kohlenstoffmaterialien als Dehydrierungskatalysatoren, die eine ähnliche katalytische Leistung wie Nanokohlenstoffe aufweisen. Schlüsselelement sind hierbei Kohlenstoffpräkursoren auf Polymerbasis, die eine Soft‐Templat‐Strategie mit Ionenadsorption und katalytischer Graphitisierung kombinieren, um eine Kontrolle der makroskopischen Form, Textur und Kristallinität zu ermöglichen und nach der Pyrolyse einen hybriden amorph/graphitischen Kohlenstoff zu erhalten. Aus diesem Zwischenprodukt wird der aktive Kohlenstoffkatalysator hergestellt, indem die amorphen Anteile des Hybridkohlenstoffs durch selektive Oxidation entfernt werden. Die oxidative Dehydrierung von Ethanol wurde als Testreaktion gewählt. Die neuen Kohlenstoffkatalysatoren zeigen eine vergleichbar hohe Selektivität (82 %) wie ein Benchmark mit Kohlenstoffnanoröhren, jedoch mit 10‐mal höheren Raum‐Zeit‐Ausbeuten bei 330 °C. Diese neuartigen Kohlenstoffmaterialien sind über einen technisch skalierbaren, reproduzierbaren Syntheseweg zugänglich und weisen kugelförmige Partikel mit Durchmessern um 100 μm auf, was eine unproblematische Handhabung ermöglicht.
Robust Biological Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework with Post‐Functionalized Rhenium(I) Sites for Efficient Heterogeneous Visible‐Light‐Driven CO2 Reduction
Authors: Yu Baoqiu , Li Lianjie , Liu Shanshan , Wang Hailong , Liu Heyuan , Lin Chenxiang , Liu Chao , Wu Hui , Zhou Wei , Li Xiyou , Wang Tianyu , Chen Banglin , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: January 2021

A robust 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy)‐derived biological hydrogen‐bonded framework (HOF‐25) has been realized depending on guanine‐quadruplex with the assistance of π‐π interaction, which reacts with Re(CO)5Cl to give a post‐functionalized HOF‐25‐Re. X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic study on HOF‐25‐Re confirms the covalent attachment of Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl segments to this HOF. Robust and recycled HOF‐25‐Re bearing photocatalytic Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl centers displays good heterogeneous catalytic activity towards carbon dioxide photoreduction in the presence of [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 and triisopropanolamine in CH3CN under visible‐light irradiation, with both high CO production rate of 1448 μmol g−1 h−1 and high selectivity of 93 %. Under the same conditions, the experimental turnover number of HOF‐25‐Re (50) is about 8 times as that of the homogeneous control Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl. The sustainably regenerated HOF‐25‐Re via crystallization and post‐modification processes shows recovered photocatalytic performance.
Operando‐Untersuchung von Ag‐dekorierten Cu2O‐Nanowürfel‐Katalysatoren mit verbesserter CO2‐Elektroreduktion zu Flüssigprodukten
Authors: Herzog Antonia , Bergmann Arno , Jeon Hyo Sang , Timoshenko Janis , Kühl Stefanie , Rettenmaier Clara , Lopez Luna Mauricio , Haase Felix T. , Roldan Cuenya Beatriz
Published: January 2021

Die direkte Umwandlung von Kohlendioxid zu flüssigen Brennstoffen durch die elektrochemische Reduktion von CO2 (CO2RR) kann zu der Dekarbonisierung der weltweiten Wirtschaft beitragen. Hier wurden wohldefinierte Cu2O‐Nanowürfel (NW, 35 nm) synthetisiert, die einheitlich mit Ag‐Nanopartikeln (5 nm) bedeckt wurden. Verglichen mit den reinen Cu2O‐NW zeigte der Katalysator mit 5 at % Ag auf den Cu2O‐NW einen zweifachen Anstieg in der Faraday‐Effizienz für C2+‐Flüssigprodukte (30 % bei −1.0 VRHE) einschließlich Ethanol, 1‐Propanol und Acetaldehyd. Dagegen wurden Formiat und Wasserstoff unterdrückt. Operando‐Röntgenabsorptionsspektroskopie enthüllte die teilweise Reduktion von Cu2O während CO2RR, begleitet von einer reaktionsgetriebenen Redispersion von Ag auf den CuOx‐NW. Operando‐oberflächenverstärkte Raman‐Spektroskopie deckte außerdem signifikante Veränderungen in der CO‐Bindung zu Cu auf, die wir auf die während der CO2RR neugebildeten Ag‐Cu‐Zentren zurückführen. Folglich spielt Ag‐Cu eine zentrale Rolle für die C‐C‐Kupplung und der damit verbundenen erhöhten Ausbeute an Flüssigprodukten.
Nucleation and Growth Mechanism of Anion‐Derived Solid Electrolyte Interphase in Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Yan Chong , Jiang Li‐Li , Yao Yu‐Xing , Lu Yang , Huang Jia‐Qi , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2021

Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has been widely employed to describe the new phase formed between anode and electrolyte in working batteries. Significant advances have been achieved on the structure and composition of SEI as well as on the possible ion transport mechanism. However, the nucleation and growth mechanism of SEI catches little attention, which requires the establishment of isothermal electrochemical crystallization theory. Herein we explore the virgin territory of electrochemically crystallized SEI. By using potentiostatic method to regulate the decomposition of anions, an anion‐derived SEI forms on graphite surface at atomic scale. After fitting the cur‐rent‐time transients with Laviron theory and Avrami formula, we conclude that the formation of anion‐derived interface is surface reaction controlled and obeys the two‐dimensional (2D) progressive nucleation and growth model. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images emphasize the conclusion, which reveals the mystery of isothermal electrochemical crystallization of SEI.
Delicate Control on the Shell Structure of Hollow Spheres Enables Tunable Mass Transport in Water Splitting
Authors: Hou Ping , Li Dan , Yang Nailiang , Wan Jiawei , Zhang Chunhui , Zhang Xiqi , Jiang Hongyu , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin , Wang Dan
Published: January 2021

In the study of structure–property relationships for rational materials design, hollow multishell structures (HoMSs) have attracted tremendous attention owing to the optimal balance between mass transfer and surface exposure. Considering the shell structure can significantly affect the properties of HoMSs, in this paper, we provide a novel one‐step strategy to continually regulate the shell structures of HoMSs. Through a simple phosphorization process, we can effectively modify the shell from solid to bubble‐like and even duplicate the shells with a narrow spacing. Benefitting from the structure merits, the fabricated CoP HoMSs with close duplicated shells can promote gas release owing to the unbalanced Laplace pressure, while accelerating liquid transfer for enhanced capillary force. It can provide effective channels for water and gas and thus exhibits a superior electrocatalytic performance in the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction.
Oxo‐vanadium(IV) unsymmetrical Schiff base complex immobilized on γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles: A novel and magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides and oxidative coupling of thiols
Authors: Mahdian Abolfazl , Ardakani Mehdi Hatefi , Heydari‐Bafrooei Esmaeil , Saeednia Samira
Published: January 2021

In this research, an unsymmetrical salen‐type oxo‐vanadium(IV) complex, [VO(salenac‐OH)] (salenac‐OH = [9‐(2′,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐5,8‐diaza‐4‐methylnona‐2,4,8‐trienato](‐2)), was synthesized and covalently immobilized on the surface of magnetic γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The resulting γ‐Fe2O3@[VO(salenac‐OH)] nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and elemental analysis. The prepared γ‐Fe2O3@[VO(salenac‐OH)] nanoparticle was utilized as an efficient catalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using 30% H2O2 as oxidant and oxidative coupling of thiols into disulfides with urea/H2O2 (UHP) as an oxidizing reagent. The products were achieved with good to excellent yields at room temperature with no over‐oxidation of sulfoxides and disulfides to unexpected by‐products. This catalyst can be magnetically recovered by applying an external magnet and reused for five continuous cycles in both oxidation reactions without a significant loss in its catalytic activity. Furthermore, the FT‐IR spectrum and XRD pattern of the recovered catalyst showed no critical change to those of the fresh one.
Polyetheretherketone, hexagonal boron nitride, and tungsten carbide cobalt chromium composite coatings: Mechanical and tribological properties
Authors: Lebga‐Nebane Janice L. , Sankarasubramanian Malavarayan , Chojecki Gregory , Ning Bo , Yuya Philip A. , Moosbrugger John C. , Rasmussen Don H. , Krishnan Sitaraman
Published: January 2021

Composite powder coatings consisting of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and tungsten carbide cobalt chromium (WC‐CoCr) particles were prepared by mechanical grinding and applied on steel substrates by thermal fusion of the thermoplastic polymer. The coatings contained about 20–60 vol% of hBN and WC‐CoCr, and were designed to maximize modulus and hardness and minimize friction coefficient and wear rate. The mechanical and tribological properties of single‐ and double‐layered coatings were characterized using nanoindentation and sliding friction and wear measurements. When the hBN concentration was about 30 vol%, the PEEK–hBN composite modulus was lower than that of neat PEEK, which is attributed to the disruption of PEEK crystallization by the filler particles. Upon the inclusion of WC‐CoCr particles, the composite's modulus, and hardness showed a substantial increase beyond PEEK values. Elastic moduli of the mixed‐filler systems were closer to the Reuss bound than the Voigt bound and could be correlated well with the coating composition using volume‐fraction‐weighted powers of component properties. Fitted values of the exponent (called the microstructural coefficient) were consistent with the expected continuity and connectivity of the composite's hard and soft phases. Viscoplastic energy dissipation increased with an increase in the polymer‐filler interfacial area but decreased with the soft‐phase volume fraction. The plasticity index was found to increase logarithmically with the coating modulus. The specific wear rate increased sharply beyond a composition‐dependent critical value of the plasticity index. Mechanical polishing of the coating surfaces using abrasive slurries lowered the friction coefficient but increased the wear rate.
Seasonal distribution of the Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins: Implications for coastal habitat management
Authors: Wang Chun‐Chieh , Xu Youhou , Li Na , Peng Chongwei , Wu Haiping , Huang Shiang‐Lin
Published: January 2021

Organisms utilize suitable habitat patches wherein they optimize fitness. For marine megafauna such as cetaceans, foraging is generally the explanation for their utilization distribution. However, an explicit link between cetaceans' distribution and spatio‐temporal pattern of food resource is usually lacking.

The Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis; VU listed in the IUCN Red List) inhabits the coastal waters from south‐east China to eastern India. Seasonal distribution of the humpback dolphin was explored in the northern Beibu Gulf, China. Sightings of the humpback dolphin were systematically collected at monthly intervals from 2012 winter till 2018 spring and used to derive distribution patterns from kernel density estimates. Satellite remotely sensed net primary productivity (NPP) and bathymetry were used to present oceanographic characteristics in the study region.

Seasonal variations were observed in oceanographic characteristics and spatial distribution of the humpback dolphin. Although the core distribution area of the humpback dolphin showed seasonal expansion and contraction, it had consistently higher NPP and shallower depth than the survey range throughout the seasons.

Our findings indicate a clear profile of these two oceanographic characteristics (i.e. NPP and bathymetry) in the humpback dolphin's core distribution area. Food resource utilization could play an important role in the humpback dolphin's distribution within the study site. The seasonal dynamics imply that not only food abundance, but also efficiency in accessing/capturing the prey may affect distribution of the humpback dolphin.

In the study site, human activities that can change regional topography and productivity of the coastal water through land reclamation, dredging, sand mining and bottom trawling, should be mitigated, regulated or avoided. Proactive conservation should incorporate catchment management of the main rivers to address potential sediment and nutrient load into the estuary to protect local habitat configuration in terms of NPP and bathymetry.
Adding large woody material into a headwater stream has immediate benefits for macroinvertebrate community structure and function
Authors: Al‐Zankana Ahmed , Matheson Tom , Harper David
Published: January 2021

Hydromorphological rehabilitation through installing large woody material (LWM) is increasingly being used to reverse degradation of stream ecosystems. There have been many criticisms of stream rehabilitation projects, because many have not met their goals and many others have not been monitored well enough to assess whether their goals were met.

In a before–after–control design (with samples collected 1 year before and two successive years after LWM installation), instream biotopes and their macroinvertebrate assemblages were used as structural and functional units to assess the effectiveness of LWM installed at the Rolleston Brook, a headwater tributary of the River Welland in Leicestershire, UK.

The project was successful in enhancing the coefficient of variation of channel water depth and width, wetted surface area, number of instream biotopes, and the biotope diversity in the rehabilitated reach.

LWM installation led to significant increases in macroinvertebrate total density, total biomass, and taxon richness. Macroinvertebrate community composition was also enhanced, so that it became more similar to that of the control reach.

Small increases in the number of instream biotopes (appearance of gravel and leaf litter) and changes in biotope proportions (decreasing percentage of silt) were significantly related to changes in the macroinvertebrate community metrics in the rehabilitated reach.

The results show that using macroinvertebrate community composition is more effective than only using taxon richness and/or diversity metrics for understanding the relationship between LWM installation and macroinvertebrate community responses. To be effective, samples must also be collected in a predefined sampling protocol stratified at the instream biotope level. This approach would be of great benefit in evaluating biodiversity conservation value, and could be incorporated into the advice provided by Natural England concerning restoration and protection of English rivers that are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest under UK legislation or Special Areas of Conservation under European legislation.
Hsa_circ_0045714 induced by eupatilin has a potential to promote fracture healing
Authors: Sun Yan , Ge Junbo , Tang Weiwei , Hong Huanyu , Liu Dong , Lin Jiangtao
Published: January 2021

It is thought that maintaining preosteoblast viability is constructive to fracture healing. Here, we explored the effects of eupatilin on preosteoblast and addressed the mechanism associated with hsa_circ_0045714. Blood specimens were collected from 32 patients with hand fracture or calcaneus fracture. MC3T3‐E1 cells were treated with eupatilin. Small interfering‐RNA was transfected into MC3T3‐E1 cells. The ability of MC3T3‐E1 cells to survive, proliferate, migrate, and express fracture‐associated proteins was examined by 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiahiazo (‐z‐y1)‐3,5‐di‐ phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), 5‐bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), 24‐Transwell, Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and Western blot. Hsa_circ_0045714 was detected by qRT‐PCR. NF‐κB and PI3K/AKT were evaluated by Western blot. Eupatilin enhanced the survival, proliferation, and migration of MC3T3‐E1 cells. Cyclin D1, cyclin E, collagen II, aggrecan, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) were upregulated, while MMP‐13 was downregulated in eupatilin‐treated cells. Hsa_circ_0045714 was increased in patients with hand and calcaneus fractures with the time‐lapse of surgical operation. In eupatilin‐treated cells, Hsa_circ_0045714 was also elevated. However, the beneficial effects of eupatilin were weakened in hsa_circ_0045714‐deficient cells. Molecularly, eupatilin‐induced blockage of NF‐κB and activation of PI3K/AKT were abrogated in hsa_circ_0045714‐silenced cells. Our results confirmed the beneficial effects of eupatilin in preosteoblast, indicating eupatilin was a promising candidate for fracture healing.
Actor or recipient role matters: Neural correlates of self‐serving bias
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Zheng Li , Li Lin , Sun Peng , Guo Xiuyan
Published: January 2021

Introduction

When involved in interpersonal events, people often play the role of an initiative actor (e.g., “I hit Tom”) or a passive recipient (e.g., “Paul hit me”). Numerous studies have documented that people manifest a self‐serving bias (SSB), that is, they tend to attribute positive interpersonal events to themselves and negative events to other external factors. Recent studies have identified the neural regions associated with the SSB; yet little is known about the neural mechanism of its modulation by the actor or recipient role.

Methods

In this study, participants were scanned while they attributed the positive or negative events in which the self played the actor or recipient role.

Results

The results showed that people manifested more SSB than non‐SSB (NONSSB) attributions and spent less time on making the former. Importantly, more SSB attributions and shorter reaction times were found in the actor than in the recipient condition. Greater activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) was observed in responding to NONSSB than SSB attributions only in the actor condition. Furthermore, the greater the difference in dmPFC activity in responding to NONSSB and SSB attributions, the smaller the difference in corresponding attribution response.

Conclusion

The results suggest that people prefer making heuristic SSB attributions, and more cognitive resources are needed when they make NONSSB attributions. The activity of the dmPFC may be associated with inhibiting the heuristic SSB, especially when they play the actor role at interpersonal events.
Non‐Proteasomal Urine Activity in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Gruba Natalia , Stachurski Lech , Lesner Adam
Published: January 2021

Bladder cancer (BC) is the sixth common cancer in the world, characterized by high recurrent rate and poor prognosis. In most cases is asymptomatic and it can take years until symptoms develop. What is more, diagnosed patients need regular re‐examinations which are invasive and expensive. Here, we used chromogenic substrates for the qualitative determination of specific activity of urine enzymes in healthy and bladder cancer patients. The peptide ABZ‐Met‐Lys‐Val‐Trp‐ANB‐NH2 appears at low absorbance at 410 nm. During the hydrolysis, a free ANB‐NH2 is released which has a maximum absorbance at 410 nm. Using the peptide, we identified proteolytic activity in the majority of urine samples collected from patients with diagnosed bladder cancer, while the proteolytic activity in urine samples from healthy volunteers was not detected.
Spermidine promotes melanin production through an MITF signalling pathway
Authors: Kang Seong‐Hee , Kim Moon‐Moo
Published: January 2021

Melanin plays an important role in determining skin colour. Apoptosis of melanocytes and defect in melanin production cause vitiligo. Various studies have been conducted to treat the disease, but its treatment is still difficult. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of spermidine, which is known as an inhibitor of ageing‐related oxidized proteins, on melanogenesis. Even though spermidine above 50 μM had no effect on antioxidant activity and DOPA oxidation, it displayed tyrosinase activity. However, spermidine at 2000 μM was cytotoxic in B16F1 cells using MTT assay. Spermidine above 125 μM decreased the amount of intracellular hydrogen peroxide in a concentration‐dependent manner in DCFH‐DA analysis. It was also found that spermidine above 2000 μM increased melanin synthesis in living cells. However, spermidine above 1000 μM increased melanin synthesis in a concentration‐dependent manner in H2O2‐treated B16F1 cells. Furthermore, spermidine enhanced the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase via MITF transcription factor involved in melanogenesis in H2O2‐treated B16F1 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that spermidine could be applied as a potential stimulator of melanin synthesis for the prevention of hair greying.
Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in the extrahepatic bile duct wall: A case report
Authors: Matsumoto Taku , Yoshida Toshihiko , Yamagishi Takashi , Goto Hironobu , Otsubo Dai , Furutani Akinobu , Yamane Hisoka , Fujino Yasuhiro , Tominaga Masahiro
Published: January 2021

We should know that hepatocellular carcinoma can progress as if it replaces the bile duct wall itself.
Acetonitrile Recovery by Distillation Techniques Combined with Salting‐Out or Sugaring‐Out in Tandem
Authors: Mendonça da Silva Amorim Patrícia , Busko Di Vitta Patricia , Converti Attilio , Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira Ricardo
Published: January 2021

Acetonitrile recovery from a residual aqueous solution was performed by different techniques. Particularly, a residual acetonitrile‐water solution used in high‐performance liquid chromatography analyses at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo was investigated with the aim to identify the most feasible way to treat such a waste and recover acetonitrile within its dependencies. Three procedures were set up and tested, which consisted of different combinations of well‐known separation techniques, such as fractional distillation, cooling, salting‐out, and sugaring‐out. Cooling followed by distillation and subsequent addition of calcium chloride allowed to recover the highest amount of acetonitrile with a purity greater than 95 %.
Rhodamines with a Chloronicotinic Acid Fragment for Live Cell Superresolution STED Microscopy**
Authors: Grimm Florian , Rehman Jasmin , Stoldt Stefan , Khan Taukeer A. , Schlötel Jan Gero , Nizamov Shamil , John Michael , Belov Vladimir N. , Hell Stefan W.
Published: January 2021

Formylation of 2,6‐dichloro‐5‐R‐nicotinic acids at C‐4 followed by condensation with 3‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethylaniline gave analogs of the popular TAMRA fluorescent dye with a 2,6‐dichloro‐5‐R‐nicotinic acid residues (R=H, F). The following reaction with thioglycolic acid is selective, involves only one chlorine atom at the carbon between pyridine nitrogen and the carboxylic acid group and affords new rhodamine dyes absorbing at 564/ 573 nm and emitting at 584/ 597 nm (R=H/ F, in aq. PBS). Conjugates of the dyes with “small molecules” provided specific labeling (covalent and non‐covalent) of organelles as well as of components of the cytoskeleton in living cells and were combined with fluorescent probes prepared from 610CP and SiR dyes and applied in two‐color STED microscopy with a 775 nm STED laser.
Highly Emissive 9‐Borafluorene Derivatives: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties and Device Fabrication
Authors: Chen Xing , Meng Guoyun , Liao Guanming , Rauch Florian , He Jiang , Friedrich Alexandra , Marder Todd B. , Wang Nan , Chen Pangkuan , Wang Suning , Yin Xiaodong
Published: January 2021

A series of 9‐borafluorene derivatives, functionalised with electron‐donating groups, have been prepared. Some of these 9‐borafluorene compounds exhibit strong yellowish emission in solution and in the solid state with relatively high quantum yields (up to 73.6 % for FMesB‐Cz as a neat film). The results suggest that the highly twisted donor groups suppress charge transfer, but the intrinsic photophysical properties of the 9‐borafluorene systems remain. The new compounds showed enhanced stability towards the atmosphere, and exhibited excellent thermal stability, revealing their potential for application in materials science. Organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) devices were fabricated with two of the highly emissive compounds, and they exhibited strong yellow‐greenish electroluminescence, with a maximum luminance intensity of >22 000 cd m−2. These are the first two examples of 9‐borafluorene derivatives being used as light‐emitting materials in OLED devices, and they have enabled us to achieve a balance between maintaining their intrinsic properties while improving their stability.
Novel Arylindigoids by Late‐Stage Derivatization of Biocatalytically Synthesized Dibromoindigo
Authors: Schnepel Christian , Dodero Veronica I. , Sewald Norbert
Published: January 2021

Indigoids represent natural product‐based compounds applicable as organic semiconductors and photoresponsive materials. Yet modified indigo derivatives are difficult to access by chemical synthesis. A biocatalytic approach applying several consecutive selective C−H functionalizations was developed that selectively provides access to various indigoids: Enzymatic halogenation of l‐tryptophan followed by indole generation with tryptophanase yields 5‐, 6‐ and 7‐bromoindoles. Subsequent hydroxylation using a flavin monooxygenase furnishes dibromoindigo that is derivatized by acylation. This four‐step one‐pot cascade gives dibromoindigo in good isolated yields. Moreover, the halogen substituent allows for late‐stage diversification by cross‐coupling directly performed in the crude mixture, thus enabling synthesis of a small set of 6,6’‐diarylindigo derivatives. This chemoenzymatic approach provides a modular platform towards novel indigoids with attractive spectral properties.
Synthesis and Ambiphilic Reactivity of Metalated Diorgano‐Phosphonite Boranes
Authors: Hettich Thomas D. , Rudolf Richard , Feil Christoph M. , Birchall Nicholas , Nieger Martin , Gudat Dietrich
Published: January 2021

Unprecedented metalated phosphonite boranes were prepared from PH‐substituted precursors and silyl amides. Although potassium derivatives were thermally stable and could even be isolated and structurally characterised, lithiated analogues proved to be unstable towards self‐condensation under cleavage of LiOR at ambient temperature. Reaction studies revealed that the metalated phosphonite boranes exhibit ambiphilic character. Their synthetic potential as nucleophilic building blocks was demonstrated in the synthesis of the first stannylated phosphonite representing a new structural motif in phosphine chemistry.
Rapid and Mild Lactamization Using Highly Electrophilic Triphosgene in a Microflow Reactor
Authors: Fuse Shinichiro , Komuro Keiji , Otake Yuma , Masui Hisashi , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

Lactams are cyclic amides that are indispensable as drugs and as drug candidates. Conventional lactamization includes acid‐mediated and coupling‐agent‐mediated approaches that suffer from narrow substrate scope, much waste, and/or high cost. Inexpensive, less‐wasteful approaches mediated by highly electrophilic reagents are attractive, but there is an imminent risk of side reactions. Herein, a methods using highly electrophilic triphosgene in a microflow reactor that accomplishes rapid (0.5–10 s), mild, inexpensive, and less‐wasteful lactamization are described. Methods A and B, which use N‐methylmorpholine and N‐methylimidazole, respectively, were developed. Various lactams and a cyclic peptide containing acid‐ and/or heat‐labile functional groups were synthesized in good to high yields without the need for tedious purification. Undesired reactions were successfully suppressed, and the risk of handling triphosgene was minimized by the use of microflow technology.
Direct Asymmetric α‐Selective Mannich Reaction of β,γ‐Unsaturated Ketones with Cyclic α‐Imino Ester: Divergent Synthesis of Cyclocanaline and Tetrahydro Pyridazinone Derivatives
Authors: Geng Yu‐Huan , Hua Yuan‐Zhao , Jia Shi‐Kun , Wang Min‐Can
Published: January 2021

The first regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective direct Mannich reaction of β,γ,‐unsaturated ketones with benzoxazinone cyclic imines was enabled by Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalysis. The dinuclear zinc complex catalyzed the reaction of a broad range of β,γ‐unsaturated ketones to proceed at the α‐site exclusively, leading to corresponding adducts with two consecutive tertiary carbon stereocenters in diastereomeric ratios of up to >20:1 and enantioselectivities generally in the 90–99 % ee range. These products were used as general intermediates in the synthesis of multisubstituted cyclocanalines, tetrahydro pyridazinones, and 4H‐furo[2,3‐b][1,4]benzoxazine derivatives.
Reliability of Thermal Energy Storage Technologies
Authors: Weishaupt Daniel , Müller Karsten
Published: January 2021

Thermal energy storage is considered an important element of future energy systems. However, it is mandatory that the storage technologies work reliably. More complex systems are usually more prone to failure. As system size increases and functionalities can be separated, a more differentiated analysis is necessary. Large‐scale applications often involve intrinsic redundancy because scale‐up to some extent is realized through numbering‐up. Therefore, failures of individual components do not cause total outage of the thermal energy storage, but only a certain loss in performance. A special feature of some thermochemical storage technologies is that separate parts of the whole system provide the functionalities of charging and discharging. Consequently, many failure modes do not cause a complete loss of functionality, but only of one of the two functionalities.
Solventless Mechanochemical Synthesis of Phase Pure Syngenite
Authors: Schiefer Christopher , Plank Johann
Published: January 2021

Syngenite (K2Ca(SO4)2 ⋅ H2O) presents an effective hydration activator (accelerator) for anhydrite (CaSO4) applied in construction systems. The current synthesis relies on co‐precipitation of K2SO4 and CaSO4 ⋅ 2H2O and produces large amounts of waste water holding excess amounts of potassium sulfate. Therefore, this method is deemed ineffective, uneconomical and environmentally unfriendly. Moreover, it produces large crystals (ℓ ∼5‐30 μm) which are less effective as nucleation seeds for gypsum crystallization. In this study, a novel, solventless mechanochemical process is proposed as a simple, eco‐friendly and reproducible method for large‐scale production of sub‐micrometer sized syngenite crystals of different morphology in high purity which strongly promote anhydrite hydration to gypsum. Optimal conditions for the mechanochemical synthesis were determined, and products obtained were characterized via X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and SEM imaging. The optimized mechanochemical product was compared with syngenite from co‐precipitation, the structural differences are discussed and its superiority as seeding material was evidenced.
Breast conservation among older patients with early‐stage breast cancer: Locoregional recurrence following adjuvant radiation or hormonal therapy
Authors: Tringale Kathryn R. , Berger Elizabeth R. , Sevilimedu Varadan , Wen Hannah Y. , Gillespie Erin F. , Mueller Boris A. , McCormick Beryl , Xu Amy J. , Cuaron John J. , Cahlon Oren , Khan Atif J. , Powell Simon N. , Morrow Monica , Heerdt Alexandra S. , Braunstein Lior Z.
Published: January 2021

Background

For patients with breast cancer undergoing breast‐conserving surgery (BCS), adjuvant radiation (RT) and hormonal therapy (HT) reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR). Although several studies have evaluated adjuvant HT ± RT, the outcomes of HT versus RT monotherapy remain less clear. In this study, the risk of LRR is characterized among older patients with early‐stage breast cancer following adjuvant RT alone, HT alone, neither, or both.

Methods

This study included female patients from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York) who were aged ≥65 years with estrogen receptor–positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) T1N0 breast cancer treated with BCS. The primary endpoint was time to LRR evaluated by Cox regression analysis.

Results

There were 888 women evaluated with a median age of 71 years (range, 65‐100 years) and median follow‐up of 4.9 years (range, 0.0‐9.5 years). There were 27 LRR events (3.0%). Five‐year LRR was 11% for those receiving no adjuvant treatment, 3% for HT alone, 4% for RT alone, and 1% for HT and RT. LRR rates were significantly different between the groups (P < .001). Compared with neither HT nor RT, HT or RT monotherapy each yielded similar LRR reductions: HT alone (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10‐0.68; P = .006) and RT alone (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11‐0.92; P = .034). Distant recurrence and breast cancer–specific survival rates did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusions

LRR risk following BCS is low among women aged ≥65 years with T1N0, ER+/HER2– breast cancer. Adjuvant RT and HT monotherapy each similarly reduce this risk; the combination yields a marginal improvement. Further study is needed to elucidate whether appropriate patients may feasibly receive adjuvant RT monotherapy versus the current standards of HT monotherapy or combined RT/HT.
Porous Organic Polymers for Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Cheng Yuan‐Zhe , Ding Xuesong , Han Bao‐Hang
Published: January 2021

Many porous organic polymers (POPs) possess excellent light absorption capacity and CO2absorption performance owing to their conjugated skeletons and large specific surface area values. Some of these fascinating materials have inherent reaction sites for CO2conversion and appropriate band structures to catalyze the CO2reduction reaction. Therefore, these POPs have been used as heterogeneous catalysts in the photocatalytic CO2reduction reaction. Among those POPs, four kinds of catalytic systems have been developed for realizing the CO2photoreduction reaction: POPs loaded with noble metals, POPs loaded with non‐noble metals, POPs combined with inorganic semiconductors, and metal‐free POPs. Each of these catalytic systems has its own advantages and drawbacks. In general, the catalytic system of supported metals has higher catalytic efficiency but lower durability than metal‐free POPs. It should be noted that in the process of catalyst development, the co‐catalyst is gradually minimizing in POPs to achieve a more green CO2photoreduction reaction. In this review, different types of POPs and the relationship between their structures and catalytic performance in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2are summarized.
Evaluation of urinary hydroxyproline and creatinine level in patients with benign mandibular odontogenic tumor
Authors: Onwuka Chidozie I. , Uguru Chibuzo C. , Onwuka Chidinma I. , Obiechina Ambrose E.
Published: January 2021

Background

Odontogenic tumors are relatively common oro‐facial tumors seen in our environment with challenges encountered with management in terms of inadequate infrastructure and high cost of treatment. They are often associated with bone resorption with concomitant collagen degradation and excretion of their by‐products in serum or urine. The aim of this present study was to evaluate urinary hydroxyproline level in patients with benign mandibular odontogenic tumors.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐two consecutive patients with histologically diagnosed mandibular odontogenic tumors were recruited. Twenty‐two controls who matched the study group for sex and age were also recruited. The study group had CT‐Scan of their lesions done. All participants were required to fast 12 hours overnight and their early morning second void urine collected between 7 a.m and 8 a.m. The collected urine samples were stored frozen at −20°C until analysis. Colorimetric method of analysis of urinary hydroxyproline and creatinine were done using Biovision hydroxyproline kit and Randox creatinine kit, respectively. The results were recorded as urinary hydroxyproline alone (μg/μl) and as urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 28.45 ± 6.8 years. The mean duration of the tumors in the study group was 5.9 ± 4.4 years. A mean urinary hydroxyproline/ creatinine ratio of 0.081 ± 0.129 was noted in the study group as compared to 0.016 ± 0.006 that was noted among healthy Nigerian who served as controls in the study.

Conclusion

There was a significant increase in urinary hydroxyproline level in patients with odontogenic tumors when compared with healthy Nigerians.
Hybrid Tetrameric Perylene Diimide Assemblies
Authors: Cann Jonathan , Farahat Mahmoud E. , Welch Gregory C.
Published: January 2021

Organic photovoltaics have found utility as indoor light recycling devices providing an opportunity for the sustainable powering of IoT sensors and related smart electronics. In the report, two organic π‐conjugated molecules consisting of four perylene diimide (PDI) chromophores each are presented and used as non‐fullerene acceptors in indoor photovoltaic devices. The new materials consist of a dimeric N‐annulated PDI core with single PDIs grafted onto the pyrrolic N‐atom positions of the core. Compounds PDI4e and PDI4i are PDI tetramers and differ with PDI4e having the terminal N‐annulated PDI with pyrrolic N‐atom distal to the core and PDI4i having the terminal N‐annulated PDI with pyrrolic N‐atom proximal to the core. The structural and optoelectronic properties were investigated using NMR spectroscopy, optical absorption and emission spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The compounds exhibit typical optical signatures for PDIs but notable is that the addition of grafted PDI molecules prevents significant aggregation of the dimeric PDI core, as compared to a reference dimer. Use as non‐fullerene acceptors in ternary bulk‐heterojunction blends with the polymer FBT and fullerene PC61BM lead to increased open‐circuit voltages and power conversion efficiencies upwards of 13.7 % at 2000 lux light intensity.
A streamlined whole blood CyTOF workflow defines a circulating immune cell signature of COVID‐19
Authors: Geanon Daniel , Lee Brian , Gonzalez‐Kozlova Edgar , Kelly Geoffrey , Handler Diana , Upadhyaya Bhaskar , Leech John , De Real Ronaldo M. , Herbinet Manon , Magen Assaf , Del Valle Diane , Charney Alexander , Kim‐Schulze Seunghee , Gnjatic Sacha , Merad Miriam , Rahman Adeeb H.
Published: January 2021

Mass cytometry (CyTOF) represents one of the most powerful tools in immune phenotyping, allowing high throughput quantification of over 40 parameters at single‐cell resolution. However, wide deployment of CyTOF‐based immune phenotyping studies are limited by complex experimental workflows and the need for specialized CyTOF equipment and technical expertise. Furthermore, differences in cell isolation and enrichment protocols, antibody reagent preparation, sample staining, and data acquisition protocols can all introduce technical variation that can confound integrative analyses of large data‐sets of samples processed across multiple labs. Here, we present a streamlined whole blood CyTOF workflow which addresses many of these sources of experimental variation and facilitates wider adoption of CyTOF immune monitoring across sites with limited technical expertise or sample‐processing resources or equipment. Our workflow utilizes commercially available reagents including the Fluidigm MaxPar Direct Immune Profiling Assay (MDIPA), a dry tube 30‐marker immunophenotyping panel, and SmartTube Proteomic Stabilizer, which allows for simple and reliable fixation and cryopreservation of whole blood samples. We validate a workflow that allows for streamlined staining of whole blood samples with minimal processing requirements or expertise at the site of sample collection, followed by shipment to a central CyTOF core facility for batched downstream processing and data acquisition. We apply this workflow to characterize 184 whole blood samples collected longitudinally from a cohort of 72 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients and healthy controls, highlighting dynamic disease‐associated changes in circulating immune cell frequency and phenotype.