bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of the Processing Solvent on the Electrical Conductivity of PEDOT:PSS
Authors: Dong Jingjin , Portale Giuseppe
Published: July 2020

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is one of the most studied conductive polymers, holding great potential in many applications such as thermoelectric generators, solar cells, and memristors. Great efforts have been invested in trying to improve its mechanical and electrical properties and to elucidate the structure–property relationship. In this work, a systematic and quantitative study of the effect of solvent polarity and solution processing on the film structure and conductivity is presented. By using grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) together with atomic force microscopy (AFM), the importance of the quality of the PEDOT crystal packing is highlighted as a key factor to reach improved electrical conductivity, rather than the overall degree of crystallinity. Moreover, the (re)structuring mechanisms occurring during the film formation and film exposure processes are also studied by in situ GIWAXS. Different intermediate precursor stages and different pathways to reach improved crystallinity are reported depending on the used solvent. The structural results are interpreted looking at the solvent nature and the PSS/solvent affinity. With this contribution, a guidance is hoped to be given not only on how to improve the PEDOT:PSS electrical conductivity, but also on how to tune the film structural or electrical property for different applications.
Synthesis and Applications of β‐Aminoalkylboronic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Li Xiangyu , Hall Dennis G.
Published: August 2020

α‐Aminoalkylboronic acids display a distinct role in medicinal chemistry, and their utility has been demonstrated by the successful commercialization of three drugs: bortezomib, ixazomib, and vaborbactam. Just as α‐aminoalkylboronic acids are a bioisostere of α‐amino acids, β‐aminoalkylboronates are a bona fide bioisostere of β‐amino acids, thus they also hold promising potential in drug discovery. Moreover, β‐aminoalkylboronates are versatile synthetic intermediates that are amenable to many of the established C−B bond derivatization reactions of chiral optically enriched alkylboronates, leading to the stereocontrolled preparation of valued classes of products such as β‐amino alcohols, 1,2‐diamines, and hemiboronic acid heterocycles. In addition, β‐aminoalkylboronates were shown to act as catalysts in certain organic reactions. This review presents an overview of the strengths and limitations of current preparative methods to access β‐aminoalkylboronic acid derivatives stereoselectively with various substitution patterns. Strategically, several disconnections can be exploited to establish both functional groups. Some of the key methods include the classical Matteson asymmetric homologation chemistry, transition metal‐catalyzed aminoboration of alkenes and formal hydroboration of enamine derivatives, nucleophilic additions of boryl‐substituted carbanions onto N‐functionalized imines, borylative ring openings of aziridines, and functionalization of alpha‐boryl aldehydes.

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Recent Progress in the Nanoscale Evaluation of Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties via Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Kwon Owoong , Seol Daehee , Qiao Huimin , Kim Yunseok
Published: July 2020

Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials have garnered significant interest owing to their excellent physical properties and multiple potential applications. Accordingly, the need for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties has also increased. The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties are evaluated macroscopically using laser interferometers and polarization–electric field loop measurements. However, as the research focus is shifted from bulk to nanosized materials, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques have been suggested as an alternative approach for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. In this Progress Report, the recent progress on the nanoscale evaluation of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of diverse materials using SPM‐based methods is summarized. Among the SPM techniques, the focus is on recent studies that are related to piezoresponse force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy; further, the utilization of these two modes to understand piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale level is discussed. This work can provide guidelines for evaluating the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of materials based on SPM techniques.
Paying for animal welfare? A hedonic analysis of egg prices
Authors: Vukina Tomislav , Nestic Danijel
Published: July 2020

We investigate whether consumers are willing to pay a premium price for animal welfare attributes of foods they eat. To answer this question, we carry out a hedonic analysis of the retail eggs prices in Croatia. Scientific evidence clearly supports the notion that birds' wellbeing is higher in cage‐free systems than in a typical cage system. Therefore, there is a clear link between production systems and animal welfare. We use the retail level monthly data for 2017 on sales quantities and unit values of all fresh egg stock keeping units from all stores belonging to one of the largest retail chains in the country. The estimation results of the equilibrium hedonic price equation model shows that holding other attributes constant, the clean price premium for cage‐free eggs is 15 cents per 10‐egg carton or 7.8% of the retail price. Although the implicit price premium for cage‐free eggs is relatively modest, there are not that many people actually willing to buy them. Because only 2.2% of all eggs sold by the retail chain were actually cage‐free, the average per‐person willingness to pay for cage‐free eggs is only 0.3 cents for a 10‐egg carton [EconLit Citations: D12, L66, M31].
Spatio‐Temporally Reporting Dose‐Dependent Chemotherapy via Uniting Dual‐Modal MRI/NIR Imaging
Authors: Ma Yiyu , Yan Chenxu , Guo Zhiqian , Tan Guang , Niu Dechao , Li Yongsheng , Zhu Wei‐Hong
Published: July 2020

Unpredictable in vivo therapeutic feedback of hydroxyl radical (.OH) efficiency is the major bottleneck of chemodynamic therapy. Herein, we describe novel Fenton‐based nanotheranostics NQ‐Cy@Fe&GOD for spatio‐temporally reporting intratumor .OH‐mediated treatment, which innovatively unites dual‐channel near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. Specifically, MRI signal traces the dose distribution of Fenton‐based iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with high‐spatial resolution, meanwhile timely fluorescence signal quantifies .OH‐mediated therapeutic response with high spatio‐temporal resolution. NQ‐Cy@Fe&GOD can successfully monitor the intracellular release of IONPs and .OH‐induced NQO1 enzyme in living cells and tumor‐bearing mice, which makes a breakthrough in conquering the inherent unpredictable obstacles on spatio‐temporally reporting chemodynamic therapy, so as to manipulate dose‐dependent therapeutic process.
Enabling NMR Studies of High Molecular Weight Systems Without the Need for Deuteration: The XL‐ALSOFAST Experiment with Delayed Decoupling
Authors: Rößler Philip , Mathieu Daniel , Gossert Alvar D.
Published: August 2020

Current biological research increasingly focusses on large human proteins and their complexes. Such proteins are difficult to study by NMR spectroscopy because they often can only be produced in higher eukaryotic expression systems, where deuteration is hardly feasible. Here, we present the XL‐ALSOFAST‐[13C,1H]‐HMQC experiment with much improved sensitivity for fully protonated high molecular weight proteins. For the tested systems ranging from 100 to 240 kDa in size, 3‐fold higher sensitivity was obtained on average for fast relaxing signals compared to current state‐of‐the‐art experiments. In the XL‐ALSOFAST approach, non‐observed magnetisation is optimally exploited and transverse relaxation is minimized by the newly introduced concept of delayed decoupling. The combination of high sensitivity and superior artefact suppression makes it ideal for studying inherently unstable membrane proteins or for analysing therapeutic antibodies at natural13C abundance. The XL‐ALSOFAST and delayed decoupling will therefore expand the range of biomolecular systems accessible to NMR spectroscopy.
Effect of ultraviolet radiation on inactivation of microorganisms present in Brazilian diesel fuel
Authors: Neves Andressa C. , Polinarski Marcos A. , Rosado Fábio R. , Fiorini Adriana , da Silva Edson A. , Alves Helton J.
Published: July 2020

This work aimed to apply ultraviolet radiation as an alternative treatment to inhibit microbial growth in diesel fuel. Samples of fuel were placed in a reactor equipped with ultraviolet C (UV‐C) radiation lamps (40 W, 253 nm) and a fuel recirculation system. Assays were performed using different UV‐C exposure times (0–360 min), volume (40 and 60 L), and with / without a circulation system. The microorganisms present in diesel were quantified using the drop‐plate technique and spectrophotometric detection (600 nm), and were identified by genetic sequencing. Parameters such as color, specific mass, and kinematic viscosity were evaluated to verify whether UV radiation promotes changes in phyco‐chemical fuel properties. The assay with 360 min of radiation exposure, with a circulation system, caused the microorganism concentration to decrease from 1.50 × 1010 to 3.33 × 102 CFU mL−1, but otherwise did not lead to any significant changes in fuel physicochemical properties. Microorganisms of the genera Staphylococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Clostridium sp., Enterobacter sp. and Bacillus sp. were identified. It could be concluded that the use of UV radiation as a microbiological control method resulted in a reduction of around 99% in the concentration of the microorganisms. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Low‐cost medium for 1,3‐propanediol production from crude glycerol by Clostridium butyricum
Authors: Martins Fernanda F , Liberato Vanessa da S S , Ribeiro Cláudia Maria S , Coelho Maria Alice Z , Ferreira Tatiana F
Published: July 2020

Bio‐based 1,3‐propanediol demand has increased in recent years; however, its production costs are still not competitive in some markets. In this study, Plackett–Burman designs were used to cost medium reduction and 1,3‐propanediol production improvement with Clostridium butyricum. A simple culture medium for 1,3‐propanediol production from crude glycerol using the strain C. butyricum NCIMB 8082 was obtained by eliminating nine components of the usual culture medium. A 5 L fermentation using this simple culture medium was carried out in two steps. The final 1,3‐propanediol concentration was 73.07 g.L−1, achieving a productivity of 3.7 g.L−1.h−1 during the fed‐batch step. The low‐cost medium resulted in a 37% reduction in culture medium cost and a saving of 31% per kg for 1,3‐propandiol produced in comparison with other non‐complex media for 1,3‐propanediol production from crude glycerol reported in the literature © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics of Soybean Oil Hydrolysis on Niobium Catalysts
Authors: Andrade Maciel Samia Tássia , Lopes da Silva Alexander Andrey , Guimarães Pedro Yasmin , Nunes da Silva Cristiano , Tavares Câmara Leôncio Diógenes , Ribeiro de Almeida João Monnerat Araújo , Schwingel Ribeiro Emerson , da Silva Gabriel Francisco , Santos Freitas Lisiane , Gomes Aranda Donato Alexandre
Published: August 2020

The catalytic hydrolysis of soybean oil was used as an alternative for the production of monoglycerides (MG) and diglycerides (DG). The reactions were conducted in a stainless‐steel tubular reactor in the temperature range of 240–290 °C, on niobium phosphate (NBP) and niobium oxide (NBO) as catalysts. In the hydrolysis reactions at 270 °C, the maximum selectivities of the products of interest were obtained at 22 % MG and 48 % DG for the reaction with NBP, and 7 % MG and 33 % DG with NBO, for 59 % and 36 % of triglyceride conversion in 10 min, respectively. The proposed kinetic model presented a good fit of the theoretical model with the experimental data, showing that the previous hypotheses considered for the mechanism development are suitable for describing the kinetics of soybean oil hydrolysis.
Stereoselective Remote Functionalization via Palladium‐Catalyzed Redox‐Relay Heck Methodologies
Authors: Bonfield Holly E. , Valette Damien , Lindsay David M. , Reid Marc
Published: August 2020

Exploration of novel, three‐dimensional chemical space is of growing interest in the drug discovery community and with this comes the challenge for synthetic chemists to devise new stereoselective methods to introduce chirality in a rapid and efficient manner. This Minireview provides a timely summary of the development of palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric redox‐relay Heck‐type processes. These reactions represent an important class of transformation for the selective introduction of remote stereocenters, and have risen to prominence over the past decade. Within this Minireview, the vast scope of these transformations will be showcased, alongside applications to pharmaceutically relevant chiral building blocks and drug substances. To complement this overview, a mechanistic summary and discussion of the current limitations of the transformation are presented, followed by an outlook on future areas of investigation.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Bis(silylene)‐Coordinated Calcium and Divalent Lanthanide Complexes
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Simler Thomas , Reiter Kevin , Weigend Florian , Roesky Peter W.
Published: August 2020

Divalent lanthanide complexes of Eu (1) and Yb (2) coordinated by a chelating pyridine‐based bis(silylene) ligand were isolated and fully characterized. Compared to the EuII complex 1, the YbII complex 2 presents a lower thermal stability, resulting in the activation of one SiII−N bond and formation of an YbIII complex (3), which features a unique silylene‐pyridyl‐amido ligand. The different thermal stability of 1 and 2 points towards reduction‐induced cleavage of one SiII−N bond of the bis(silylene) ligand. Successful isolation of the corresponding redox‐inert bis(silylene) CaII complex (5) was achieved at low temperature and thermal decomposition into a CaII complex (4) bearing the same silylene‐pyridyl‐amido ligand was identified. In this case, the thermolysis reaction proceeds through another, non‐redox induced, mechanism. An alternative higher yielding route to 4 was developed through an in situ generated silylene‐pyridyl‐amine proligand.
Experimental and Computational Studies on a Base‐Free Terminal Uranium Phosphinidene Metallocene
Authors: Wang Deqiang , Ding Wanjian , Hou Guohua , Zi Guofu , Walter Marc D.
Published: August 2020

The first stable base‐free terminal uranium phosphinidene metallocene is presented; and its structure and reactivity have been studied in detail and compared to that of the corresponding thorium derivative. Salt metathesis reaction of the methyl iodide uranium metallocene Cp’’’2U(I)Me (2, Cp’’’=η5‐1,2,4‐(Me3C)3C5H2) with Mes*PHK (Mes*=2,4,6‐(Me3C)3C6H2) in THF yields the base‐free terminal uranium phosphinidene metallocene, Cp’’’2U=PMes* (3). In addition, density functional theory (DFT) studies suggest substantial 5f orbital contributions to the bonding within the uranium phosphinidene [U]=PAr moiety, which results in a more covalent bonding between the [Cp’’’2U]2+ and [Mes*P]2− fragments than that for the related thorium derivative. This difference in bonding besides steric reasons causes different reactivity patterns for both molecules. Therefore, the uranium derivative 3 may act as a Cp’’’2U(II) synthon releasing the phosphinidene moiety (Mes*P:) when treated with alkynes or a variety of hetero‐unsaturated molecules such as imines, thiazoles, ketazines, bipy, organic azides, diazene derivatives, ketones, and carbodiimides.
Siderophore‐Assisted Dissolution of Iron(III) Hydroxide Oxides from Iron‐Rich Fossil Matrices
Authors: da Costa Justin , Cohen David R. , Magalhães M. Clara F. , Hibbert D. Brynn , Archer Michael , Myers Troy J. , Hand Suzanne J.
Published: July 2020

Current paleontological techniques to separate vertebrate fossils from encasing iron‐rich cements by chemical means are limited by the low solubility of common iron(III) hydroxide oxides such as hematite and goethite. This study examines novel geochemical extractions capable of selectively dissolving iron(III) hydroxide oxides, in aqueous solutions of pH 9–11, without damaging fossilised bones or teeth (hydroxidecarbonate‐apatite). This involves the siderophore ligands pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH), salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH), and acetohydroxamic acid (aHA), whose coordination complexes with iron(III) show exceptionally high formation stability constants. The methods have been tested on natural hematite and fossil containing samples from the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Australia. Both 0.01 mol dm−3 aHA and 0.001 mol dm−3 PIH at pH 9.7 were able to dissolve over 0.1 mmol dm−3 of the goethite coating bone fragments.
Exploring germline recombination in Nestin‐Cre transgenic mice using floxed androgen receptor
Authors: McLeod Victoria M. , Cuic Brittany , Chiam Mathew D. F. , Lau Chew L. , Turner Bradley J.
Published: August 2020

The Cre‐loxP strategy for tissue selective gene deletion has become a widely employed tool in neuroscience research. The validity of these models is largely underpinned by the temporal and spatial selectivity of recombinase expression under the promoter of the Cre driver line. Ectopic Cre‐recombinase expression gives rise to off‐target effects which can confound results and is especially detrimental if this occurs in germline cells. The Nestin‐Cre transgenic mouse is broadly used for selective gene deletion in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Here we have crossed this mouse with a floxed androgen receptor (AR) transgenic to generate double transgenic neuronal ARKO mice (ARflox::NesCre) to study germline deletion in male and female transgenic breeders. In male ARflox::NesCre breeders, a null AR allele was passed on to 86% of progeny regardless of the inheritance of the NesCre transgene. In female ARflox/wt::NesCre breeders, a null AR allele was passed on to 100% of progeny where ARflox was expected to be transmitted. This surprisingly high incidence of germline recombination in the Nestin‐Cre driver line warrants caution in devising suitable breeding strategies, consideration of accurate genotyping approaches and highlights the need for thorough characterization of tissue‐specific gene deletion in this model.
Foliar water uptake of fog confers ecophysiological benefits to four common tree species of southeastern freshwater forested wetlands
Authors: Carmichael Mary Jane , White Joseph C. , Cory Scott T. , Berry Z. Carter , Smith William K.
Published: July 2020

Fog, dew and cloud‐borne mist are sources of water to vegetation in many ecosystems. The importance of fog as a water source has been documented well beyond ecosystems where plants experience fog for extensive periods over the course of the day (e.g. cloud forests); however, relatively little is known regarding the roles of fog and foliar water uptake in ecosystems such as coastal freshwater wetlands that do not experience fog for extensive periods over the course of the day. Coastal freshwater wetland ecosystems lie on the forefront of climate change‐associated stressors that threaten freshwater supplies to vegetation. Considering the potential impact of climate warming on diminishing coastal fog regimes, an improved understanding of the ecophysiological benefits of fog immersion to the vegetation in these ecosystems is critical for understanding the response of these ecosystems to global climate change. Herein, we investigate the potential for foliar water deposition from fog to act as a direct freshwater subsidy to four tree species (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich., Nyssa aquatica L., Nyssa biflora Walter and Liquidambar styraciflua L.) that are common in coastal freshwater wetlands. All four species showed the capacity for foliar water uptake across the leaf/needle surface, with a ca. 5–10% increase in leaf water content after a 3‐h submersion experiment. Stable isotopes of water provided strong evidence for foliar water uptake in all four species and for bark water uptake in T. distichum after a 24‐h fogging experiment. Fog exposure also resulted in several ecophysiological benefits to the saplings, including significant improvements in pre‐dawn water status and net photosynthesis.
Ionic‐Liquid Controlled Nitration of Double Bond: Highly Selective Synthesis of Nitrostyrenes and Benzonitriles
Authors: Casiello Michele , Caputo Daniela , Fusco Caterina , Cotugno Pietro , Rizzi Vito , Dell'Anna Maria Michela , D'Accolti Lucia , Nacci Angelo
Published: August 2020

Unprecedented in literature, the conversion of aryl alkenes into β‐nitrostyrenes (2) or benzonitriles (3) with sodium nitrite can be governed by an appropriate choice of ionic liquid (IL) medium. A general trend was found for the selectivity of these processes, which depends on the nature of IL, with imidazolium‐based ILs, such as [Bmim]Cl, that favor the C–H nitration leading to β‐nitrostyrenes, while tetraalkylammonium‐based ILs, such as TBAA, privilege the C=C bond cleavage affording benzonitriles. Besides a substrate scope, mechanistic hypotheses were provided on the origin of the different selectivity in the two kinds of ILs, based on their own tunable properties such as polarity, viscosity, and solvent cage effects.
Large‐scale production, purification, and function of a tumor multi‐epitope vaccine: Peptibody with bFGF/VEGFA
Authors: Zhang Ligang , Jiang Chengcheng , Chen Xi , Gu Jiangtao , Song Qifang , Zhong Hui , Xiong Sheng , Dong Qingfeng , Yu Jin‐Chen , Deng Ning
Published: July 2020

In tumor tissue, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) promote tumorigenesis by activating angiogenesis, but targeting single factor may produce drug resistance and compensatory angiogenesis. The Peptibody with bFGF/VEGFA was designed to simultaneously blockade these two factors. We were aiming to produce this Fc fusion protein in a large scale. The biological characterizations of Peptibody strains were identified as Escherichia coli and the fermentation mode was optimized in the shake flasks and 10‐L bioreactor. The fermentation was scaled up to 100 L, with wet cell weight (WCW) 126 g/L, production 1.41 g/L, and productivity 0.35 g/(L·h) of IPTG induction. The target protein was isolated by cation‐exchange, hydrophobic and Protein A chromatography, with total recovery of 60.28% and HPLC purity of 86.71%. The host cells protein, DNA, and endotoxin residues were within the threshold. In mouse model, immunization of Peptibody vaccine could significantly suppressed the tumor growth and angiogenesis, with inhibition rate of 57.73 and 39.34%. The Peptibody vaccine could elicit high‐titer anti‐bFGF and anti‐VEGFA antibodies, which inhibited the proliferation and migration of Lewis lung cancer cell cells by decreasing the Akt/MAPK signal pathways. Therefore, the Peptibody with bFGF/VEGFA might be used as a therapeutic tumor vaccine. The large‐scale process we developed could support its industrial production and pre‐clinical study in the future.
Manipulated Optical Absorption and Accompanied Photocurrent Using Magnetic Field in Charger Transfer Engineered C/ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Lin Jun‐Xiao , Chen Guan‐Xun , Liao Yen‐Fa , Hsu Tzu‐Chun , Chen Wei‐Jhong , Hung Kuo‐Yi , Huang Ting‐Yi , Lee Jiann‐Shing , Remes Zdenek , Hsu Hua‐Shu
Published: August 2020

The rarely explored, spin‐polarized band engineering, enables direct dynamic control of the magneto‐optical absorption (MOA) and associated magneto‐photocurrent (MPC) by a magnetic field, greatly enhancing the range of applicability of photosensitive semiconductor materials. It is demonstrated that large negative and positive MOA and MPC effects can be tuned alternately in amorphous carbon (a‐C)/ZnO nanowires by controlling the sp2/sp3 ratio of a‐C. A sizeable enhancement of the MPC ratio (≈15%) appears at a relatively low magnetic field (≈0.2 T). Simulated two peaks spin‐polarized density of states is applied to explain that the alternate sign switching of the MOA is mainly related to the charge transfer between ZnO and C. The results indicate that the enhanced magnetic field performance of (a‐C)/ZnO nanowires may have applications in renewable energy‐related fields and tunable magneto‐photonics.
Early Palaeozoic reduction of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean: Evidence from the Ordovician strata and ophiolitic mélanges of northern West Junggar, NW China
Authors: Zong Ruiwen , Gong Yiming
Published: July 2020

West Junggar is an important part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, which is the evolutionary product of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). In this area, sporadically distributed ophiolitic mélanges and associated Palaeozoic stratal succession provided research materials revealing the reduction and closure of the PAO. Based on the systematically reviewed Ordovician strata in the northern West Junggar, we find that the Lower Ordovician is mainly composed of ultramafic and mafic rocks of ophiolitic mélanges, the Middle Ordovician is made up of island arc volcanic rocks and pelagic sedimentary rocks from the ophiolitic mélanges, and the Upper Ordovician consists of coarse volcaniclastic turbidites. The geochemical characteristics of the Middle Ordovician radiolarian‐bearing siliceous rocks show that these deposits formed in a limited oceanic basin controlled by terrestrial sources, and that the basin‐filling succession began with the occurrence of the Upper Ordovician proximal turbidites. The above shows that the Ordovician PAO underwent an evolutionary process from oceanic basin to limited oceanic basin and to marginal sea in northern West Junggar, and constrains the age of the ocean–continent transformation to the Middle–Late Ordovician transition, with northern West Junggar entering the evolutionary stage of marginal sea in the Late Ordovician.
Medicaid expansion and non‐alcoholic beverage choices by low‐income households
Authors: He Xi , Lopez Rigoberto A. , Boehm Rebecca
Published: August 2020

This article investigates the impact of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the healthfulness of non‐alcoholic beverage (NAB) choices of low‐income households. A theoretical analysis proposes an income effect that increases unhealthy beverage purchases after Medicaid expansion and a nutrition education effect that decreases them. To empirically test these effects, we utilize household‐level data for NAB purchases in 52 U.S. metropolitan areas. Our identification strategy is based on eligible households following the 2012 Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to opt out of Medicaid expansion. We examine changes in purchases across NAB categories and in purchases at the product‐brand level. Empirical results indicate that Medicaid expansion resulted in eligible households buying more diet carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and bottled water, with no effect on regular CSDs, fruit juice, fruit drinks, milk, or tea. Moreover, the expansion led to decreases in sugar purchases and increases in purchases of NAB products with lower sugar content, highlighting the benefits of supplementing the medical benefits of Medicaid with diet quality programs, such as nutrition education.
The role of emotion regulation in the relationship between pretense and executive function in early childhood: For whom is the relationship strongest?
Authors: Thibodeau‐Nielsen Rachel B. , Gilpin Ansley T.
Published: July 2020

Executive functions (EF) have been identified as important predictors of children's proximal and distal development. Recent research highlights pretend play as a potential mechanism for EF development, and there has been a call to identify for whom pretense in most beneficial. The current study investigated whether an association found between children's propensity towards pretend play in preschool and EF skills 2 years later depended on an aspect of their temperament, specifically their ability to regulate their emotions. Importantly, this was examined in a Head Start population (N = 188 children, ages 4–5), where EF skills are often delayed. Results revealed that pretense was only related to EF among children who had poor ER skills; among children who had trouble regulating their emotions in preschool, engaging in high levels of pretend play was associated with better EF outcomes in first grade. These findings suggest the need for future studies to determine if pretense interventions can assist in the development of EF among children with poor ER skills.

Highlights

Does the association between pretend play and executive function depend on a child's emotion regulation skills?

Results among 188 Head Start preschoolers revealed pretense was only related to executive function among children who had trouble regulating their emotions.

These findings suggest that adults may want to encourage pretend play among children with poor emotion regulation skills.
Determinants of the Portuguese government bond yields
Authors: Pinho André , Barradas Ricardo
Published: July 2020

This paper conducts an empirical examination of the determinants of the 10‐, 5‐ and 1‐year Portuguese government bond yields by performing a time series econometric analysis for the period between the first quarter of 2000 and the last quarter of 2016. The literature suggests that the evolution of government bond yields depends on three main risk drivers, namely credit risk, global risk aversion and liquidity risk. We estimate three equations for the 10‐, 5‐ and 1‐year Portuguese government bond yields, including eight independent variables (macroeconomic performance, fiscal conditions, foreign borrowing, the inflation rate, labour productivity, the demographic situation, global risk aversion and liquidity risk) to take into account all three risk drivers referred to in the literature. Our results show that there are no significant differences in the determinants of the Portuguese government bond yields among the different maturities, either in the long term or in the short term. Our results also confirm that all three of the risk drivers have exerted a strong influence on the evolution of the Portuguese government bond yields. Liquidity risk, foreign borrowing and the inflation rate are the main triggers of the rise in the Portuguese government bond yields, which does not counterweigh the beneficial effects played by the fiscal conditions, labour productivity and demographic situation.
Meditation for level of institutional quality to combat income inequality through financial development
Authors: Madni Ghulam Rasool , Anwar Awais
Published: July 2020

Institutional role to perpetuate the relationship between financial development and income inequality has significant importance from policy perspectives. The broadening income inequality and its procurement through financial sector is attracting the worldwide attention of researchers now days. This study is an attempt to investigate the relationship of income inequality and financial development varying with level of institutional quality. To this end, unbalanced panel data set for 124 countries covering the time span 1990–2015 is used applying the instrumental variable threshold regression approach. The estimated results highlight that embedded efficient institutional framework of a country assures more income equality with financial development. Moreover, GDP growth increases the income inequality if institutional quality is below the threshold level while educational attainment is a major factor to decrease it. In respect of policy implications, financial sector may be fruity to overcome income inequality if policy makers bring the level of institutional quality up to threshold level of that country.
Teaching caregivers to respond safely during agitated states before aggression using simulation training
Authors: Metoyer Caitlyn N. , Fritz Jennifer N. , Hunt Justin C. , Fletcher Victoria L.
Published: July 2020

Individuals who engage in aggression often display precursors or agitated behavior first, and it is important for caregivers to learn how to minimize risk of injury in the event that aggression were to occur. In this study, behavioral skills training was used to teach 4 caregivers of children who engage in aggression to position their body safely and prevent access to dangerous items during agitated states. Confederates were used during all baseline, training, and posttraining sessions to maintain consistency and the safety of the caregivers. All caregivers quickly learned to use these safety skills during agitated periods but not during calm periods with minimal between‐session feedback regarding correct responding.
Front Cover
Authors: Ivanov Deyan , Dremin Viktor , Bykov Alexander , Borisova Ekaterina , Genova Tsanislava , Popov Alexey , Ossikovski Razvigor , Novikova Tatiana , Meglinski Igor
Published: August 2020

The detection of colon cancer by using Poincaré sphere and 2D polarimetric imaging approach.

Further details can be found in the article by Deyan Ivanov, Viktor Dremin, Alexander Bykov, Ekaterina Borisova, et al. (e202000082).

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Pathophysiological mechanisms of statin‐associated myopathies: possible role of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system
Authors: Sahebkar Amirhossein , Cicero Arrigo F.G. , Di Giosia Paolo , Pomilio Irene , Stamerra Cosimo Andrea , Giorgini Paolo , Ferri Claudio , von Haehling Stephan , Banach Maciej , Jamialahmadi Tannaz
Published: August 2020

Background

Statins are the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. While these drugs are generally safe, treatment adherence is not optimal in a considerable proportion of patients because of the adverse effects on skeletal muscles in the forms of myopathy, myalgia, muscular pain, nocturnal muscle cramping, weakness, and rare rhabdomyolysis.

Methods

For the purpose of this narrative review, we searched for the literature suggesting the involvement of the ubiquitin–proteasome system in the development of statin–induced myopathy.

Results

Statins have been shown to up–regulate the expression of the muscle–specific ubiquitin–proteasome system as the major non–lysosomal intracellular protein degradation system. It has been postulated that statins may provoke instability in the myocyte cell membrane when subjected to eccentric exercise stress, triggering activation of intracellular proteolytic cascades and changes in protein degradation machinery. This is accompanied by the up–regulation of a series of genes implicated in protein catabolism, in addition to those of the ubiquitin–proteasome system.

Conclusions

Based on the available literature, it seems that the involvement of ubiquitin–proteasome system is potentially implicated in the pathophysiology of statin–induced myopathy.
NLRP3 inflammasome priming: A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma
Authors: McKee Chloe M , Coll Rebecca C
Published: August 2020

The NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome is an immunological sensor that detects a wide range of microbial- and host-derived signals. Inflammasome activation results in the release of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and triggers a form of inflammatory cell death known as pyroptosis. Excessive NLRP3 activity is associated with the pathogenesis of a wide range of inflammatory diseases, thus NLRP3 activation mechanisms are an area of intensive research. NLRP3 inflammasome activation is a tightly regulated process that requires both priming and activation signals. In particular, recent research has highlighted the highly complex nature of the priming step, which involves transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms, and numerous protein binding partners. This review will describe the current understanding of NLRP3 priming and will discuss the potential opportunities for targeting this process therapeutically to treat NLRP3-associated diseases.
Baicalin attenuated Mycoplasma gallisepticum‐induced immune impairment in chicken bursa of fabricius through modulation of autophagy and inhibited inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: Ishfaq Muhammad , Zhang Wei , Liu Yuhao , Wang Jian , Wu Zhiyong , Shah Syed WA , Li Rui , Miao Yusong , Chen Chunli , Li Jichang
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the primary etiologic agent of chronic respiratory disease in poultry. However, the mechanism underlying MG‐induced immune dysregulation in chicken is still elusive. Baicalin shows excellent anti‐bacterial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐carcinogenic and anti‐viral properties. In the present study, the preventive effects of baicalin against immune impairment in chicken bursa of fabricius (BF) were studied in an MG infection model.

RESULTS

Histopathological examination showed increased inflammatory cell infiltrations and fragmented nuclei in the model group. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the phenomenon of apoptosis in bursal cells, along with the deformation of mitochondrial membrane and swollen mitochondria in the model group. However, these abnormal morphological changes were partially alleviated by baicalin. Meanwhile, baicalin treatment attenuated the level of proinflammatory cytokines, and suppressed nuclear factor‐kappa B expression at both protein and mRNA level. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick endlabeling assay showed extensive apoptosis in BF in the model group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis‐related genes were upregulated in BF, while baicalin treatment significantly alleviated apoptosis in BF. In addition, alterations in mRNA and protein expression levels of autophagy‐related genes and mitochondrial dynamics proteins were significantly alleviated by baicalin. Moreover, baicalin treatment significantly attenuated MG‐induced decrease in CD8+ cells and reduced bacterial load in chicken BF compared to the model group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that baicalin could effectively inhibit MG‐induced immune impairment and alleviate inflammatory responses and apoptosis in chicken BF. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel dextran‐grafted tetrapeptide resin for antibody purification
Authors: Fang Yu‐Ming , Zhu Hong‐Yun , Lin Dong‐Qiang , Yao Shan‐Jing
Published: July 2020

Short peptide biomimetic affinity chromatography as a novel antibody separation chromatography is a potential alternative to protein A chromatography. However, if directly attaching ligand to matrix, the adsorption capacity and mass transfer rate would be affected by pore blockage and steric effect. Grafting resin is an effective method to solve this problem by using polymer as a bridge between matrix and ligand. In this work, a novel resin was prepared by grafting a tetrapeptide to the dextran‐grafted matrix. Then, the adsorption properties for human immunoglobin G and BSA were determined. The results showed the saturation adsorption capacity could reach to 133 mg/g resin at pH 8.9 with a significantly low dissociation constant (0.03 mg/mL). The influence of flow rates to dynamic binding capacity of this resin was less than that of the non‐grafted resin. The separation performance of the resin showed monoclonal antibody could be well isolated from the Chinese hamster ovary culture supernatant at pH 9.0 with the purity of 93.0% and yield of 84.7% by one step. Overall, this resin could achieve higher binding capacity by the possible of gaining higher ligand density, indicating its potential significance for separation in larger scale systems.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Management of Advanced Therapies in Parkinson's Disease; Peculiar Needs for Deep Brain Stimulation Patients?
Authors: Cerroni Rocco , Scalise Simona , Stefani Alessandro
Published: July 2020

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Biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids covering 2014–2018
Authors: Shang Xiao‐Fei , Yang Cheng‐Jie , Morris‐Natschke Susan L. , Li Jun‐Cai , Yin Xiao‐Dan , Liu Ying‐Qian , Guo Xiao , Peng Jing‐Wen , Goto Masuo , Zhang Ji‐Yu , Lee Kuo‐Hsiung
Published: July 2020

Isoquinoline alkaloids, an important class of N‐based heterocyclic compounds, have attracted considerable attention from researchers worldwide since the early 19th century. Over the past 200 years, many compounds from this class were isolated, and most of them and their analogs possess various bioactivities. In this review, we survey the updated literature on bioactive alkaloids and highlight research achievements of this alkaloid class during the period of 2014–2018. We reviewed over 400 molecules with a broad range of bioactivities, including antitumor, antidiabetic and its complications, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, insecticidal, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and other activities. This review should provide new indications or directions for the discovery of new and better drugs from the original naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloids.
The influence of obesity on cerebral blood flow in young adults using arterial spin labeling MRI
Authors: Peng Shin‐Lei , Chen Chun‐Ming
Published: July 2020

Obesity causes damage to several organs, including the brain. Recent studies have been focusing on understanding the mechanisms through which obesity affects brain structure and function using neuroimaging techniques. A functional biomarker, such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), is a powerful tool that can be used to explore neural dysfunction. However, there is currently limited information regarding the association between CBF and obesity. The study was conducted to investigate the potential effect of obesity on brain perfusion in a young cohort aged 20‐30 years. A total of 21 obese (body mass index (BMI) > 26 kg/m2) and 21 lean (BMI < 24 kg/m2) right‐handed volunteers were included in this study. CBF was acquired using the 2D single post‐labeling delay (PLD) arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique on a 3 T MRI scanner. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the difference in global and regional gray matter (GM) CBF between the groups. CBF value was assigned as the dependent variable, whereas age, sex, and group (obese or lean) were considered as the independent variables. Results showed that group‐related differences in CBF were homogeneous across brain regions, as obese subjects had significantly lower global GM CBF than lean subjects (P < 0.05). In the voxelwise analysis, obese individuals had significantly lower CBF in the left pulvinar of the thalamus and visual association areas, including Brodmann area (BA) 7, BA18, and BA19, than lean subjects. Although the signal‐to‐noise ratio was slightly compromised for 2D sequences and subject‐specific arterial transit time was not estimated due to a single PLD sequence, this study demonstrated alterations in CBF in obese subjects, particularly in regions of the pulvinar of the thalamus and its synchronously related areas such as visual association areas. These results suggest that ASL provides a potential platform for further obesity‐related research.
Diffusion kurtosis imaging for characterizing tumor heterogeneity in an intracranial rat glioblastoma model
Authors: Lesbats Clémentine , Kelly Claire Louise , Czanner Gabriela , Poptani Harish
Published: July 2020

The utility of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for assessing intra‐tumor heterogeneity was evaluated in a rat model of glioblastoma multiforme. Longitudinal MRI including T2‐weighted and diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) was performed on six female Fischer rats 8, 11 and 14 days after intracranial transplantation of F98 cells. T2‐weighted images were used to measure the tumor volumes and DWI images were used to compute diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and DWI based parametric maps including mean diffusivity (MD), mean kurtosis (MK), axial diffusivity (AD), axial kurtosis, radial diffusivity, radial kurtosis, fractional anisotropy (FA) and kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA). Median values from the segmented normal contralateral cortex, tumor and edema from the diffusion parameters were compared at the three imaging time points to assess any changes in tumor heterogeneity over time. ex vivo DKI was also performed in a representative sample and compared with histology. Significant differences were observed between normal cortex, tumor and edema in both the DTI and DKI parameters. Notably, at the earliest time point MK and KFA were significantly different between normal cortex and tumor in comparison with MD or FA. Although a decreasing trend in MD, AD and FA values of the tumor were observed as the tumor grew, no significant changes in any of the DTI or DKI parameters were observed longitudinally. While DKI was equally sensitive to DTI in differentiating tumor from edema and normal brain, it was unable to detect longitudinal increases in intra‐tumoral heterogeneity in the F98 model of glioblastoma multiforme.
Network anomaly detection using a cross‐correlation‐based long‐range dependence analysis
Authors: AsSadhan Basil , Alzoghaiby Abraham , Binsalleeh Hamad , Kyriakopoulos Konstantinos G. , Lambotharan Sangarapillai
Published: July 2020

The detection of anomalies in network traffic is an important task in today's Internet. Among various anomaly detection methods, the techniques based on examination of the long‐range dependence (LRD) behavior of network traffic stands out to be powerful. In this paper, we reveal anomalies in aggregated network traffic by examining the LRD behavior based on the cross‐correlation function of the bidirectional control and data planes traffic. Specifically, observing that the conventional cross‐correlation function has a low measure of dissimilarity between the two planes, which leads to a reduced anomaly detection performance, we propose a modification of the cross‐correlation function to mitigate this issue. The performance of the proposed method is analyzed using a relatively recent Internet traffic captured at King Saud University. The results demonstrate that using the modified cross‐correlation function has the ability to detect low volume and short duration attacks. It also compensates for some misdetections exhibited by using the autocorrelation structures of the bidirectional traffic of the control, data, and WHOLE (combined control and data) planes traffic.
Delay‐dependentrobust control of stochastic systems with convex polynomial uncertainty
Authors: Chang Wen‐Jer , Ku Cheung‐Chieh , Hsu Chih‐Yuan , Chen Guan‐Wei
Published: August 2020

This article addresses a robust control problem of time‐varying stochastic systems with time‐delays. Through Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) modeling approach, the time‐varying parameters can be described via the convex combination. Therefore, the LPV stochastic system is interpreted by a weighting function and multiplicative noised linear systems. Furthermore, stabilization problem for the systems is investigated via Gain‐Scheduled (GS) technique to increase robustness. For the problem, some sufficient conditions are derived by Integral Lyapunov‐Krasovskii Function (ILKF) such that the conservatism caused by derivative of weighting function is ignored. Besides, an Iterative Linear Matrix Inequality algorithm is used to determine the auxiliary variable such that the problem can be solved via the convex calculation. Finally, some simulations are provided to demonstrate effectiveness and applicability of this article.