bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Dihydrofuro[3,4‐b]quinolines from o‐Alkynylquinoline‐MBH Adducts and Evaluation of their Photophysical Properties
Authors: Kumar Vipin , Tiwari Sandip Kumar , Singh Virender
Published: January 2020

A simple and facile approach is described for the regioselective synthesis of dihydrofuro[3,4‐b]quinolines from ortho‐alkynylquinoline‐Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman adducts under mild reaction conditions. Interestingly, in case of aromatic alkynes, 5‐exo‐dig cyclization was observed, while in case of aliphatic long chain alkynes, 6‐endo‐dig cyclized products were obtained. The present approach does not require any dry conditions, tedious work‐up or inert atmosphere for the production of dihydrofuro[3,4‐b]quinolines. The exact structures and stereochemistry of the synthesized molecules were assigned by NMR and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Their photophysical properties were also evaluated.
Synthesis of Axially Chiral Styrenes through Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric C−H Olefination Enabled by an Amino Amide Transient Directing Group
Authors: Song Hong , Li Ya , Yao Qi‐Jun , Jin Liang , Liu Lei , Liu Yan‐Hua , Shi Bing‐Feng
Published: January 2020

The atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral styrenes remains a formidable challenge due to their relatively lower rotational barriers compared to the biaryl atropoisomers. Herein, we describe the construction of axially chiral styrenes through PdII‐catalyzed atroposelective C−H olefination, using a bulky amino amide as a transient chiral auxiliary. Various axially chiral styrenes were produced with good yields and high enantioselectivity (up to 95 % yield and 99 %ee). Carboxylic acid derivatives of the resulting axially chiral styrenes showed superior enantiocontrol over the biaryl counterparts in CoIII‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp3)−H amidation of thioamide. Mechanistic studies suggest that C−H cleavage is the enantioselectivity‐determining step.
Application of titanium nanoparticles containing natural compounds in cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Ahmeda Ahmad , Abbasi Naser , Ghaneialvar Hori , Zangeneh Mohammad Mahdi , Zangeneh Akram
Published: January 2020

The aim of the study was the rapid green synthesis of titanium nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Falcaria vulgaris leaves (TiNPs@FV) and exploring their antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antifungal, antibacterial, and cutaneous wound healing activities under in vitro and in vivo condition. These nanoparticles were characterized by UV‐Vis, Fourier transform‐infrared(FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction XRD), field emission‐scanning electron microscopy FE‐SEM), and transmission electron microscopy TEM) analyses. The synthesized TiNPs@FV had great cell viability on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and indicted this method was nontoxic. DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for F. vulgaris, TiNPs@FV, and butylated hydroxytoluene. All data of antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing tests were analyzed by SPSS 22 software. In the antimicrobial part of this study, TiNPs@FV indicated higher antifungal and antibacterial effects than all standard antibiotics (p ≤ 0.01). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration of TiNPs@FV against all fungi were at 2–4 mg/mL and 2‐8 mg/mL ranges, respectively. But, MIC and minimal bactericidal concentration of TiNPs@FV against all bacteria were at 2‐8 mg/mL and 2‐16 mg/mL ranges, respectively. In the part of cutaneous wound healing, use of TiNPs@FV ointment significantly (p ≤ 0.01) raised the wound contracture, vessel, hydroxyl proline, hexuronic acid, hexosamine, fibrocyte, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate and significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte compared to other groups in rats. The results of FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, XRD, TEM, and FE‐SEM confirm that the aqueous extract of F. vulgaris leaves can be used to yield titanium nanoparticles with a notable amount of remedial effects.
Direct oxidative C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling reaction using recyclable Sr‐doped LaCoO3 perovskite catalyst
Authors: Trinh Khang H. , Tran Phuong H. , Nguyen Thanh T. , Doan Son H. , Le Minh‐Vien , Nguyen Tung T. , Phan Nam T.S.
Published: January 2020

A strontium‐doped lanthanum cobaltite perovskite, La0.6Sr0.4CoO3, was prepared and utilized as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the direct oxidative C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling reaction between cyclic ethers and alkenes or coumarins to achieve corresponding α‐functionalized ethers. The α‐functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins was also achieved via this protocol. The La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 catalyst exhibited better performance than a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Utilizing a recyclable catalyst would offer a greener option for the direct oxidative C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling reaction. To our best knowledge, the C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling between olefins and ethers to generate α‐functionalized ethers using a heterogeneous catalyst has not been previously reported, and the α‐functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins is new.
Investigation on agglomeration kinetics of acetaminophen using fluidized bed wet granulation
Authors: Pathi Suresh , Kumar Rajesh , Surasani Vikranth Kumar
Published: January 2020

Acetaminophen is a well‐known medicine frequently used as analgesic in fever treatment. In pharmaceutical formulation procedure, batch fluidized bed wet granulation is a bottleneck process for the continuous processing of acetaminophen from powder to solid dosage form. To meet the market demand and reduce operating costs, fluid bed wet granulation needs process intensification by converting batch to continuous process. For the scale‐up and batch to continuous conversion procedure, investigation on acetaminophen agglomeration kinetics is necessary. Therefore, this work investigates agglomeration kinetics of acetaminophen through batch fluidized bed wet granulation experiments, and the kinetic parameters are estimated using inverse modeling. Experiments are conducted on a 5‐L capacity pilot scale batch fluidized bed granulator. The effects of various process parameters, namely, binder concentration, spray rate, atomization pressure, and batch size, on particle size distribution are investigated. A 1‐D population balance model with Equi‐Kinetic Energy kernel for agglomeration is simulated to compare with the experimental data. The mean particle diameter increased when binder spray rate and binder concentration are increased and that the mean particle diameter decreased with increase in the atomization pressure and batch size. Experiments data comparison with the model can be used for process intensification with reasonable accuracy.
Role of Low‐Density Lipoprotein in Early Vascular Aging Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Chan Hua‐Chen , Chan Hsiu‐Chuan , Liang Chan‐Jung , Lee Hsiang‐Chun , Su Hung , Lee An‐Sheng , Shiea Jentaie , Tsai Wen‐Chan , Ou Tsan‐Teng , Wu Cheng‐Chin , Chu Chih‐Sheng , Dixon Richard A. , Ke Liang‐Yin , Yen Jeng‐Hsien , Chen Chu‐Huang
Published: January 2020

Objective

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often have atherosclerotic complications at a young age but normal low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of LDL composition in promoting early vascular aging in SLE patients.

Methods

Plasma LDL from 45 SLE patients (SLE‐LDL) and from 37 normal healthy controls (N‐LDL) was chromatographically divided into 5 subfractions (L1–L5), and the subfraction composition was analyzed. Correlations between subfraction levels and signs of early vascular aging were assessed. Mechanisms of lipid‐mediated endothelial dysfunction were explored using in vitro assays and experiments in apoE−/− mice.

Results

The L5 percentage was increased 3.4 times in the plasma of SLE patients compared with normal controls. This increased percentage of SLE‐L5 was positively correlated with the mean blood pressure (r = 0.27, P = 0.04), carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) (right carotid IMT, r = 0.4, P = 0.004; left carotid IMT, r = 0.36, P = 0.01), pulse wave velocity (r = 0.29, P = 0.04), and blood levels of CD16+ monocytes (r = 0.35, P = 0.004) and CX3CL1 cytokines (r = 0.43, P < 0.001) in SLE patients. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed that plasma levels of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and platelet‐activating factor (PAF) were increased in SLE‐LDL and in the SLE‐L5 plasma subfraction. Injecting SLE‐LDL, SLE‐L5, or LPC into young, male apoE−/− mice caused increases in plasma CX3CL1 levels, aortic fatty‐streak areas, aortic vascular aging, and macrophage infiltration into the aortic wall, whereas injection of N‐LDL or SLE‐L1 had negligible effects (n = 3–8 mice per group). In vitro, SLE‐L5 lipid extracts induced increases in CX3CR1 and CD16 expression in human monocytes; synthetic PAF and LPC had similar effects. Furthermore, lipid extracts of SLE‐LDL and SLE‐L5 induced the expression of CX3CL1 and enhanced monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion in assays with bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Conclusion

An increase in plasma L5 levels, not total LDL concentration, may promote early vascular aging in SLE patients, leading to premature atherosclerosis.
Understanding Language Evolution: Beyond Pan‐Centrism
Authors: Lameira Adriano R. , Call Josep
Published: January 2020

Language does not fossilize but this does not mean that the language's evolutionary timeline is lost forever. Great apes provide a window back in time on our last prelinguistic ancestor's communication and cognition. Phylogeny and cladistics implicitly conjure Pan (chimpanzees, bonobos) as a superior (often the only) model for language evolution compared with earlier diverging lineages, Gorilla and Pongo (orangutans). Here, in reviewing the literature, it is shown that Pan do not surpass other great apes along genetic, cognitive, ecologic, or vocal traits that are putatively paramount for language onset and evolution. Instead, revived herein is the idea that only by abandoning single‐species models and learning about the variation among great apes, there might be a chance to retrieve lost fragments of the evolutionary timeline of language.
Engineering Tools for the Development of Recombinant Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Cho Sung Won , Yim Jaewoo , Seo Sang Woo
Published: January 2020

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is mainly used in food fermentation. In addition, LAB fermentation technology has been studied in the development of industrial food additives, nutrients, or enzymes used in food processing. In the field of red biotechnology, LAB is approved and is generally recognized as a safe organism and is considered safe for biotherapeutic treatments. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the medicinal value of therapeutic recombinant LAB and the suitability of innate mechanisms of secretion and anchoring for therapeutic applications such as antibody or vaccine production. However, the gram‐positive phenotypic trait of LAB creates challenges for genetic modifications when compared to other conventional workhorse bacteria, resulting in exclusive developments of genetic tools for engineering LAB. In this review, several distinct approaches in gene expression for engineering LAB are discussed.
Technologies to improve the sensitivity of existing chromatographic methods used for bioanalytical studies
Authors: Chen Zhendong , Gao Yuxiong , Zhong Dafang
Published: January 2020

Chromatographic method has long been recognized as the most widely used separation method in bioanalytical research. However, the relatively low sensitivity of existing chromatographic methods remains a significant challenge, as the requirements for experimental procedures become more demanding. This review discusses the main causes for the low sensitivity of chromatographic methods and aims to introduce different technologies for enhancing their sensitivity in the following aspects: (i) different pretreatment methods for improving clean‐up efficiency and recovery; (ii) derivatization step for altering the chromatographic behavior of analytes and enhancing MS ionization efficiency; (iii) optimal LC–MS conditions and appropriate separation mechanism; and (iv) applications of other chromatographic methods, including miniaturized LC, 2D‐LC, 2D‐GC, and supercritical fluid chromatography. Altogether, this review is devoted to summarizing the recent technologies reported in the literature and providing new strategies for the detection of bioanalytes.
Comparative proteomic analysis of round and elongated spermatids during spermiogenesis in mice
Authors: Li Meining , Li Huahua , Yang Hong , Cheng Rina , Zheng Pengdou , Guo Rui
Published: January 2020

Spermiogenesis in mammals is an exclusive process during which haploid round spermatids mature into spermatozoa in the testis. Any abnormality in the process of spermiogenesis may result in male infertility. The aim of the present study was to characterize the differentially expressed proteins between round and elongated spermatids in mice using label‐free quantitative mass spectrometry. Of the 2411 proteins identified in this study, 333 were differentially expressed with a ≥10‐fold change, including 208 upregulated proteins and 125 downregulated proteins in round spermatids relative to elongated spermatids. Gene Ontology analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins were categorized into 10 types of subcellular localizations, 9 molecular functions, and were involved in 9 biological processes. All the identified proteins participated in 268 different pathways. In addition, ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis and the proteasome pathway, autophagy, lysosome, and apoptosis pathways were involved in the mechanism of spermiogenesis. Our data may provide valuable information for a better understanding of spermiogenesis and help improve the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility.
Upregulation of AMPA receptor GluA1 phosphorylation by blocking adenosine A1 receptors in the male rat forebrain
Authors: Mao Li‐Min , Wang John Q.
Published: January 2020

Objective

The adenosine A1 receptor is a Gαi/o protein‐coupled receptor and inhibits upon activation cAMP formation and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. As a widely expressed receptor in the mammalian brain, A1 receptors are implicated in the modulation of a variety of neuronal and synaptic activities. In this study, we investigated the role of A1 receptors in the regulation of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in the adult rat brain in vivo.

Methods

Adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. After a systemic injection of the A1 antagonist DPCPX, rats were sacrificed and several forebrain regions were collected for assessing changes in phosphorylation of AMPA receptors using Western blots.

Results

A systemic injection of the A1 antagonist DPCPX induced an increase in phosphorylation of AMPA receptor GluA1 subunits at a PKA‐dependent site, serine 845 (S845), in the two subdivisions of the striatum, the caudate putamen, and nucleus accumbens. DPCPX also increased S845 phosphorylation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. The DPCPX‐stimulated S845 phosphorylation was a transient and reversible event. Blockade of Gαs/olf‐coupled dopamine D1 receptors with a D1 antagonist SCH23390 abolished the responses of S845 phosphorylation to DPCPX in the striatum, mPFC, and hippocampus. DPCPX had no significant impact on phosphorylation of GluA1 at serine 831 and on expression of total GluA1 proteins in all forebrain regions surveyed.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that adenosine A1 receptors maintain an inhibitory tone on GluA1 S845 phosphorylation under normal conditions. Blocking this inhibitory tone leads to the upregulation of GluA1 S845 phosphorylation in the striatum, mPFC, and hippocampus via a D1‐dependent manner.
Challenges in perishable food supply chains for sustainability management: A developing economy perspective
Authors: Kumar Anish , Mangla Sachin Kumar , Kumar Pradeep , Karamperidis Stavros
Published: January 2020

Perishable food supply chains (PFSCs) are characterized with rising food quality and safety concerns, alarming food wastages and losses, and poor economic sustainability. Because of the perishable nature of products and limited shelf life, management of sustainability in PFSCs is critical. Many studies on sustainability in PFSCs have considered developed countries; however, developing countries have not gathered the required research attention in this domain. In this paper, a decision theory‐based framework is adopted, where a prescriptive decision analysis methodology is used to generate preferences among the challenges to sustainability in PFSC. An integrated interpretive structural modelling–analytic network process (ISM–ANP) decision framework is formulated to identify and model key challenges to sustainability in PFSCs, keeping a developing economy like India under consideration. The contextual relationships amongst the extracted challenges are analyzed using the ISM methodology. The relationships identified from ISM are used as inputs in the ANP methodology, to generate the priority weights of the challenges. The findings of the integrated methodology show that “lack of horizontal integration of farmers,” “poor pre‐harvest management,” and “lack of government regulation and support” are the most critical challenges for sustainability in PFSCs. The results show that organizations must work on aggregation of farm produce and integration of farmers with the market. Development of infrastructures and cold chain facilities at the farm level is necessary to mitigate these challenges to reduce wastages in PFSC. The study facilitates managers and planners to understand and enable sustainable practices in PFSCs.
Exploring the effect of environmental orientation on financial decisions of businesses at the bottom of the pyramid: Evidence from the microlending context
Authors: Shevchenko Anton , Pan Xiaodan , Calic Goran
Published: January 2020

Existing research has accumulated substantial evidence on the effect that an environmental orientation has on businesses' economic performance. Yet this research does not cover small businesses from bottom‐of‐the‐pyramid (BOP) markets. In fact, despite increasing interest in research on BOP markets, the effect of environmental orientation on the financial decision‐making of small businesses from BOP markets has gone largely unexplored. Using a large multicountry data set from a microlending platform, we investigate how the environmental orientation of BOP businesses impacts their financial decisions related to microlending, which ultimately shapes their economic performance. The results indicate that an environmental orientation necessitates BOP businesses to request a higher level of financial capital and ask for longer time to pay it back. Surprisingly, environmental orientation increases the odds of BOP businesses paying back the borrowed capital. These results show that environmental orientation gives rise to both challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in BOP markets.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 2‐(2‐Bromo‐3‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole Derivatives as Possible Anti‐Breast Cancer Agents
Authors: Ananth Arjun H. , Manikandan Natarajan , Rajan Ravi Kumar , Elancheran Ramakrishnan , Lakshmithendral Kunasekaran , Ramanathan Muthiah , Bhattacharjee Atanu , Kabilan Senthamaraikannan
Published: January 2020

Breast Cancer (BCa) is the most often diagnosed cancer among women who were in the late 1940’s. Breast cancer growth is largely dependent on the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor. Breast cancer cells may have one, both, or none of these receptors. The treatment for breast cancer may involve surgery, hormonal therapy (Tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor, etc.) and oral chemotherapeutic drugs. The molecular docking technique reported the findings on the potential binding modes of the 2‐(2‐bromo‐3‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives with the estrogen receptor (PDB ID: 3ERT). The 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives 4a–4j have been synthesized and described by spectroscopic method. 2‐(2‐Bromo‐6‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (4c) was reconfirmed by single‐crystal XRD. All the compounds have been tested in combination with generic Imatinib pharmaceutical drug against breast cancer cell lines isolated from Caucasian woman MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐453 and MCF‐10A non‐cancer cell lines. The compounds with the methoxy (in 4c) and methyl (in 4j) substitution were shown to have significant cytotoxicity, with 4c showing dose‐dependent activation and decreased cell viability. The mechanism of action was reported by induced apoptosis and tested by a DNA enzyme inhibitor experiment (ELISA) for Methyl Transferase. Molecular dynamics simulations were made for hit molecule 4c to study the stability and interaction of the protein−ligand complex. The toxicity properties of ADME were calculated for all the compounds. All these results provide essential information for further clinical trials.
Selectivity Control in Catalytic Reductive Amination of Furfural to Furfurylamine on Supported Catalysts
Authors: Gould Nicholas S. , Landfield Harrison , Dinkelacker Brian , Brady Casper , Yang Xuan , Xu Bingjun
Published: January 2020

Amines are widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, polymers, and surfactants. However, amines are mostly produced via petrochemical means, which motivates amine production from renewable resources, such as biomass. However, biomass compounds present added challenges involving poor carbon balances. We show that furfural reacts homogeneously with ammonia to produce reactive primary imines, which form large side products and leads to significant carbon losses. The carbon balance is improved by mixing furfural with furfurylamine prior to reaction to form a secondary imine for use as the reaction substrate. While controlling the primary to secondary amine selectivity is a common challenge in reductive amination, supported metal catalysts, including Ni/SiO2, Co/SiO2, and Ru/SiO2 optimize the primary amine yield to 90 to 94 % by using the secondary imine as the reaction substrate. A qualitative correlation between the primary to secondary amine selectivity with the nitrogen binding energy of metals is identified.
Probing Interactions of γ‐Alumina with Water via Multinuclear Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Shen Li , Wang Yang , Du Jia‐Huan , Chen Kuizhi , Lin Zhiye , Wen Yujie , Hung Ivan , Gan Zhehong , Peng Luming
Published: January 2020

Interactions of γ‐alumina with water are important in controlling its structure and catalytic properties. We apply solid‐state multinuclear NMR spectroscopy to investigate these interactions by monitoring 1H and 17O spectra in real‐time. Surface‐selective detection is made possible by adsorbing 17O‐enriched water on γ‐alumina nanorods. Structural evolution on the surface was selectively probed by 1H/17O double resonance NMR and 27Al NMR at ultrahigh 35.2 T magnetic field. Formation of hydroxyl species on the surface of nanorods is rapid upon the exposure of water, which involves low coordinated aluminum ions with doubly bridging and isolated hydroxyl species being generated first. Fast exchange occurs between oxygen atoms in the water molecules and bare surface sites, indicating high reactivity of these oxygen species. These results provide new insights into the structure and dynamics on the surface of γ‐alumina and the methods applied here can be extended to study the interaction of other oxides with water.
Effect of Cp‐Ligand Methylation on Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Annulations of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids with Alkynes: Synthesis of Isocoumarins and PAHs for Organic Light‐Emitting Devices
Authors: Molotkov Alexander P. , Arsenov Mikhail A. , Kapustin Daniil A. , Muratov Dmitry V. , Shepel' Nikolay E. , Fedorov Yury V. , Smol'yakov Alexander F. , Knyazeva Elena I. , Lypenko Dmitry A. , Dmitriev Artem V. , Aleksandrov Alexey E. , Maltsev Eugeny I. , Loginov Dmitry A.
Published: January 2020

An efficient protocol was developed for the synthesis of π‐extended isocoumarins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on the oxidative coupling of aromatic carboxylic acids with internal alkynes catalyzed by (cyclopentadienyl)rhodium complexes. The coupling chemoselectivity strongly depends on whether Cp or the methylated Cp* ligands are used. The pentamethyl derivative [Cp*RhCl2]2 predominantly gives isocoumarins, while the non‐methylated complex [CpRhI2]n produces naphthalene derivatives. The polyaromatic carboxylic acids (such as 1‐naphthoic acid, 1‐pyrenecarboxylic acid, fluorene‐1‐carboxylic acid, and dibenzofuran‐4‐carboxylic acid) are suitable for this approach. A mixture of Cp*H/RhCl3 can be used as a catalyst instead of [Cp*RhCl2]2. The structures of 3,4‐diphenylindeno[1,2‐h]isochromen‐1(11H)‐one and 7,10‐dimethyl‐8,9‐diphenylbenzo[pqr]tetraphene were determined by X‐ray diffraction. In addition, the optical properties of the prepared compounds were studied. 7,8‐Diphenyl‐10H‐phenaleno[1,9‐gh]isochromen‐10‐one was employed as an emissive layer for OLED manufacturing. The OLED emits yellow‐green light with a maximum intensity 1740 cd ⋅ m−2 at 15 V.
Assaying Fear Memory Discrimination and Generalization: Methods and Concepts
Authors: Bergstrom Hadley C.
Published: January 2020

Generalization describes the transfer of conditioned responding to stimuli that perceptually differ from the original conditioned stimulus. One arena in which discriminant and generalized responding is of particular relevance is when stimuli signal the potential for harm. Aversive (fear) conditioning is a leading behavioral model for studying associative learning and memory processes related to threatening stimuli. This article describes a step‐by‐step protocol for studying discrimination and generalization using cued fear conditioning in rodents. Alternate conditioning paradigms, including context generalization, differential generalization, discrimination training, and safety learning, are also described. The protocol contains instructions for constructing a cued fear memory generalization gradient and methods for isolating discrete cued‐from‐context cued conditioned responses (i.e., “the baseline issue”). The preclinical study of generalization is highly pertinent in the context of fear learning and memory because a lack of fear discrimination (overgeneralization) likely contributes to the etiology of anxiety‐related disorders and post‐traumatic stress disorder. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Tone cued fear generalization gradient

Basic Protocol 2: Quantification of freezing

Support Protocol: Alternate conditioning paradigms
Subjective experience of paranoid ideation in a virtual reality social environment: A mixed methods cross‐sectional study
Authors: Riches Simon , Bird Leanne , Chan Narelle , Garety Philippa , Rus‐Calafell Mar , Valmaggia Lucia
Published: January 2020

Virtual reality‐assisted cognitive‐behavioural therapy (VR‐CBT) has potential to support people who experience paranoid ideation in social settings. However, virtual reality (VR) research using overt social environments is limited, and lack of qualitative studies on paranoid ideation in VR restricts understanding. This study aimed to use predominantly qualitative methods to investigate subjective experience of paranoia in VR and identify target domains for VR‐CBT. Participants (N = 36) were non‐clinical adults with high trait paranoia, who entered an interactive VR bar‐room environment. After VR, they participated in brief audiotaped semi‐structured interviews designed for measuring persecutory ideation in virtual environments. Researchers scored transcripts on the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States Non‐Bizarre Ideas Global Rating Scale to rate the state paranoia represented by interview content. Thematic analysis of interviews employed superordinate themes of Social Evaluative Concerns, Ideas of Reference, and Ideas of Persecution to investigate participants' experience of paranoia. Mean score on the Non‐Bizarre Ideas scale was 3.06 (standard deviation 1.24, range 1–6), indicating “moderate” attenuated‐paranoid experiences. Nearly all participants reported Social Evaluative Concerns (N = 35) and Ideas of Reference (N = 32); half reported Ideas of Persecution (N = 19). Twelve subthemes were identified. Notably, participants believed they did not belong in the environment (N = 31), that they were the object of discussion (N = 20), and that they felt avatars were unfriendly (N = 27) and intentionally rejected them (N = 13). Subthemes reflect interpersonal and social processes that may constitute target areas for VR‐CBT, for example, cognitive appraisals and social skills. Identification of these domains indicates how personalized VR‐CBT may be operationalized.
Synthesis and Self‐Aggregation of Chlorophyll‐a Derivatives with Ethynylene and Phenylene Groups Inserted Between the Hydroxymethyl Group and the Chlorin π‐Skeleton
Authors: Nakano Takeo , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: January 2020

Chlorophyll(Chl)‐a derivatives containing some rigid linkers in the C3‐substituent, inserted between a hydroxymethyl group and a zinc 131‐oxo‐chlorin moiety, were synthesized as models of bacteriochlorophyll‐c/d/e molecules in the main light‐harvesting antennae (chlorosomes) of photosynthetic green bacteria. These model compounds were synthesized from a C3‐ethynylated Chl‐a derivative via several coupling reactions, and the lengths of the linkers were controlled by ethynylene and p‐phenylene groups. In less polar organic solvents or an aqueous micellar solution, some derivatives self‐aggregated in a J‐type fashion similar to that observed in natural chlorosomes, which was confirmed with UV/Vis absorption and CD spectroscopies. Their self‐aggregation abilities were dependent on the length of the inserted linkers and the conformation of the propargylic/benzylic alcoholic hydroxy groups.
Managing at a System Level—Considering 4R Nutrient Stewardship and Soil Health Together
Authors: Flis Sally , Peterson Todd , Vollmer‐Sanders Carrie
Published: January 2020

While it might not be easy to define soil health, soils with little erosion, higher water stable aggregation, higher organic matter, and incorporated nutrients can function differently than other, less healthy soils. Understanding how the soil functions at a chemical, physical, and biological level is critical to making effective system‐level management decisions. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/753.
A Comparative Investigation of the Role of the Anchoring Group on Perylene Monoimide Dyes in NiO‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Farré Yoann , Maschietto Federica , Föhlinger Jens , Wykes Mike , Planchat Aurélien , Pellegrin Yann , Blart Errol , Ciofini Ilaria , Hammarström Leif , Odobel Fabrice
Published: January 2020

The anchoring group of a sensitizer may strongly affect the overall properties and stability of the resulting dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and dye‐sensitized photoelectrosynthetic solar cells (DSPECs). The properties of seven perylene monoimide (PMI) dyes have been comprehensively studied for their immobilization on nanocrystalline NiO film. The PMI dyes differ only by the nature of the anchoring group, which are: carboxylic acid (PMI‐CO2H), phosphonic acid (PMI‐PO3H2), acetyl acetone (PMI‐acac), pyridine (PMI‐Py), aniline (PMI‐NH2), hydroxyquinoline (PMI‐HQ), and dipicolinic acid (PMI‐DPA). The dyes are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry and modeled by TD‐DFT quantum chemical calculations. The mode of binding of these anchoring groups is investigated by infrared spectroscopy and the stability of the binding to NiO surface is studied by desorption experiments in acidic and basic media. The phosphonic acid group is found to offer the strongest binding to the NiO surface in terms of stability and dye loading. Finally, a photophysical study by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy shows that all dyes inject a hole in NiO with rate constants on a subpicosecond timescale and display similar charge recombination kinetics. The photovoltaic properties of the dyes show that PMI‐HQ and PMI‐acac give the highest photovoltaic performances, owing to a lower degree of aggregation on the surface.
Single switch quadratic boost converter with continuous input current for high voltage applications
Authors: Mirzaee Afshin , Arab Ansari Sajad , Shokrollahi Moghani Javad
Published: January 2020

In this paper, a novel non‐isolated very high step‐up DC‐DC converter is presented. The introduced converter benefits from various advantages, namely, very high voltage gain, low voltage stress on the active switch, and continuous input current with low ripple. Therefore, the presented converter is suitable for renewable energy applications. In addition, the energy of the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor is successfully recovered, and the voltage spike of the active switch is clamped during the turn‐off process. Hence, a switch with low
can be used, which decreases the conduction losses as well as cost of the converter. Furthermore, the voltage stress of the output diode is decreased, which reduces the reverse recovery problem. The steady‐state analysis and design considerations of the proposed converter are discussed. Finally, the theoretical analysis is validated with the experimental results at an output power of 150 W.
Learning progression in the humanities: identifying tensions in articulating progression in humanities in Wales
Authors: Hughes Sioned , Makara Kara , Stacey Dave
Published: January 2020

The paper explores tensions in the articulation of progression in learning across the Humanities disciplines. Informed by our review of research in the Humanities disciplines, international curricula on progression in these areas and reflections from professional activity within the newly defined Humanities ‘Area of Learning and Experience’ in the new Welsh curriculum, this paper describes how learning progression in Humanities has been conceptualised within the new curriculum and then delineates and critically reviews four challenges that emerged when identifying and describing the progression in learning in the new Humanities curriculum. Tensions include the relationship between disciplines; the balance between knowledge, skills and values; the differences between underlying models of progression in Humanities; and balancing the complexity of learning with practical considerations for a national curriculum. Underpinned by the Integrity Model of Change, this paper makes a contribution, through providing new insights on broad aspects of learning progression in Humanities and highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of taking particular decisions within each of these four tensions. Implications for curriculum planning and future research are offered, including the fundamental role of professional learning in curriculum development and enactment.
High‐resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Middle Triassic Sunset Prairie Formation, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, north‐eastern British Columbia
Authors: Furlong Carolyn M. , Gingras Murray K. , Zonneveld John‐Paul
Published: January 2020

The Middle Triassic Sunset Prairie Formation has been recently identified between the Lower Triassic Montney Formation and the Middle Triassic Doig Formation in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Due to its recent recognition, the Sunset Prairie Formation has yet to be incorporated into sequence stratigraphic frameworks of the Triassic. Through the investigation of 25 cored wells, facies characteristics, vertical facies stacking and lateral facies distributions have been identified and described. Sequence stratigraphic surfaces were identified in core and extrapolated to geophysical wireline log signatures of 248 wells within the basin. The Sunset Prairie Formation can be divided into three, upward‐coarsening parasequences that exhibit a retrogradational stacking pattern. All parasequences of the Sunset Prairie Formation are truncated at their tops by the Doig phosphate zone. The Sunset Prairie Formation truncates the underlying Montney Formation, suggesting that the stratigraphic interval is unconformity bound by sequence boundaries and their correlative conformities. The addition of the Sunset Prairie Formation reveals a discrete sequence of transgressive deposits previously unaccounted for within the Triassic sequence stratigraphic framework of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.
Antidoping: From health tests to the athlete biological passport
Authors: Saugy Martial , Leuenberger Nicolas
Published: January 2020

The athlete biological passport (ABP) was implemented by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in 2008. However, this improvement in the fight against doping was preceded with different milestones since 1996. In this paper, a detailed evolution of the ABP from traditional direct (urine) testing for antidoping purposes is presented. A chronological overview of the ABP including earlier non‐disclosed information and contemporary documentation are shown and documented. The strategic development from on‐site competition blood testing, called “health tests”, to the structure of the ABP is explained in this historical overview which provides information to the antidoping community and general public regarding the beginning of blood doping tests.
From refugia to contact: Pine processionary moth hybrid zone in a complex biogeographic setting
Authors: İpekdal Kahraman , Burban Christian , Sauné Laure , Battisti Andrea , Kerdelhué Carole
Published: January 2020

Contact zones occur at the crossroad between specific dispersal routes and are facilitated by biogeographic discontinuities. Here, we focused on two Lepidoptera sister species that come in contact near the Turkish Straits System (TSS). We aimed to infer their phylogeographic histories in the Eastern Mediterranean and finely analyze their co‐occurrence and hybridization patterns in this biogeographic context.

We used molecular mitochondrial and nuclear markers to study 224 individuals from 42 localities. We used discordances between markers and complementary assignment methods to identify and map hybrids and parental individuals.

We confirmed the parapatric distribution ofThaumetopoea pityocampa(Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in the west andThaumetopoea wilkinsoniin the east and identified a narrow contact zone. We identified several glacial refugia ofT. wilkinsoniin southern Turkey with a strong east–west differentiation in this species. Unexpectedly,T. pityocampacrossed the TSS and occur in northern Aegean Turkey and some eastern Greek islands. We found robust evidence of introgression between the two species in a restricted zone in northwestern Turkey, but we did not identify any F1individuals. The identified hybrid zone was mostly bimodal.

The distributions and genetic patterns of the studied species were strongly influenced both by the Quaternary climatic oscillations and the complex geological history of the Aegean region.T. pityocampaandT. wilkinsonisurvived the last glacial maximum in disjoint refugia and met in western Turkey at the edge of the recolonization routes. Expanding population ofT. wilkinsoniconstrainedT. pityocampato the western Turkish shore. Additionally, we found evidence of recurrent introgression byT. wilkinsonimales in severalT. pityocampapopulations. Our results suggest that some prezygotic isolation mechanisms, such as differences in timing of the adult emergences, might be a driver of the isolation between the sister species.
Maternal predator‐exposure affects offspring size at birth but not telomere length in a live‐bearing fish
Authors: Monteforte Stefano , Cattelan Silvia , Morosinotto Chiara , Pilastro Andrea , Grapputo Alessandro
Published: January 2020

The perception of predation risk could affect prey phenotype both within and between generations (via parental effects). The response to predation risk could involve modifications in physiology, morphology, and behavior and can ultimately affect long‐term fitness. Among the possible modifications mediated by the exposure to predation risk, telomere length could be a proxy for investigating the response to predation risk both within and between generations, as telomeres can be significantly affected by environmental stress. Maternal exposure to the perception of predation risk can affect a variety of offspring traits but the effect on offspring telomere length has never been experimentally tested. Using a live‐bearing fish, the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), we tested if the perceived risk of predation could affect the telomere length of adult females directly and that of their offspring with a balanced experimental setup that allowed us to control for both maternal and paternal contribution. We exposed female guppies to the perception of predation risk during gestation using a combination of both visual and chemical cues and we then measured female telomere length after the exposure period. Maternal effects mediated by the exposure to predation risk were measured on offspring telomere length and body size at birth. Contrary to our predictions, we did not find a significant effect of predation‐exposure neither on female nor on offspring telomere length, but females exposed to predation risk produced smaller offspring at birth. We discuss the possible explanations for our findings and advocate for further research on telomere dynamics in ectotherms.
Dual‐action ambroxol in treatment of chronic pain in Gaucher Disease
Authors: Pawlinski Lukasz , Krawczyk Magdalena , Fiema Mateusz , Tobor Ewa , Kiec‐Wilk Beata
Published: January 2020

A significant number of patients with Gaucher disease (GD) suffer from chronic or acute pain that reduces their quality of life. A mutation in lysosomal enzyme β‐glucosidase (GCase) leads to an accumulation of glucocerebroside in the macrophage‐lineage cells, causing the development of clinical symptoms. Novel studies have revealed that ambroxol (trans‐4‐(2‐amino‐3,5‐dibromobenzylamino)‐cyclohexanol), the well‐known mucolytic drug, acts as a chaperone for the mutant, misfolded enzyme. In addition, as has recently been shown, ambroxol is a Nav1.8 channel blocker in Aβ, Aδ and unmyelinated C fibres, and therefore reduces the transmission of sensory stimuli from the primary afferent neurons to the dorsal spinal cord. In this way, it can act analgetically. Thus, in addition to broncholytic properties, ambroxol combines two other important functions: it enhances enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and pain management in patients with GD. We present a 38‐year‐old female patient with type 3 GD who had reported permanent bone pain in the lumbar‐sacral part of the spine for over a year without any pathology evidenced in the undertaken, recommended diagnostic tests. The pain was partly controlled with standard analgesics, that is, paracetamol and tramadol. Ambroxol was introduced at a dose of 150mg/d without a noticeable effect. However, when the dose was increased up to 450mg/d, the intensity of pain diminished and subsided within the following months. Two of three attempts to reduce the dose of ambroxol resulted in a pain relapse within a week, which subsided after resetting the previous, higher dose. This observation of the effects of ambroxol in a GD patient is worth considering for other GD patients with chronic pain.
The Air Effect in the Burn‐In Thermal Degradation of Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Duan Leiping , Guli Mina , Zhang Yu , Yi Haimang , Haque Faiazul , Uddin Ashraf
Published: January 2020

Solution‐processed organic solar cells (OSCs) have become a promising photovoltaic technology in recent years. However, OSCs suffer from poor stability, and most of the OSCs exhibit dramatic burn‐in degradation at the initial stage of device operation. The burn‐in degradation has become an ineluctable barrier for OSCs to achieve long‐time stability and future commercialization, where an in‐depth understanding of the mechanism behind burn‐in degradation has become the precondition to conquer this barrier. To date, unlike the well‐studied air effect in the burn‐in light degradation, the air effect in the burn‐in thermal degradation is rarely studied. Herein, the air effect in the burn‐in thermal degradation in the nonfullerene OSCs is investigated. The air effect is shown to be closely related to the energy transfer and exciton dissociation process in the device, where the involvement of air can cause excessive degradation in both these processes. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results point out that the air‐induced phase separation is the leading cause for the excessive degraded exciton dissociation process in the thermal burn‐in degradation with air.
Development and validation of a progress monitoring tool tailored for use in intensive eating disorder treatment
Authors: Espel‐Huynh Hallie , Thompson‐Brenner Heather , Boswell James F. , Zhang Fengqing , Juarascio Adrienne S. , Lowe Michael R.
Published: January 2020

Objective

Despite calls for routine use of progress and outcome monitoring in private and intensive treatment centres for eating disorders (EDs), existing measures have limited relevance to these supervised treatment settings. This study sought to develop and validate the progress monitoring tool for eating disorders, a multidimensional measure for progress monitoring in the context of intensive ED treatment.

Method

Thirty‐seven items were generated by a team of content experts, clinicians, and administrative staff from the target treatment setting. Adolescent and adult females (N = 531) seeking residential ED treatment completed the items at admission as part of the clinic's routine assessment battery; 83% were retained for repeat assessment at discharge. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted for preliminary measure development.

Results

Results yielded a five‐factor, 26‐item structure explaining 50% of total variance. Final construct domains included weight and shape concern, ED behaviours and urges, emotion avoidance, adaptive coping, and relational connection. The measure demonstrated adequate internal consistency, sensitivity to change during treatment, and convergence with validated assessment measures.

Conclusions

Preliminary data support the progress monitoring tool for eating disorders as a novel and valid multidimensional measure of treatment‐relevant constructs. This measure may have utility in measuring treatment progress for patients receiving intensive treatment for EDs.
Numerical simulation of directional fracturing by shaped charge blasting
Authors: Meng Ningkang , Chen Yong , Bai Jianbiao , Wang Xiangyu , Wu Wenda , Wu Bowen
Published: January 2020

The hard roof leads to large deformation or failure of the entry and poses risks to mining safety. Shaped charge blasting is applied to directionally fracture the hard roof and release mining pressure in this paper. The stress condition around the blasting borehole required to induce fracture propagation is calculated by theoretical calculation and numerical simulation. Evolution of blasting‐induced fractures between adjacent boreholes, main fracture in the shaped charge jet direction and secondary fractures in other directions is analyzed. The reliability of Livemore software of explicit dynamics analysis code (LS‐DYNA) in simulating shaped charge blasting is validated by experimental results. A numerical model is established to reveal the formation processes of the shaped charge jet, disclose the evolution of the equivalent stress and understand the development of the main fractures and secondary fractures between adjacent boreholes. The failure type of the rock mass and the fracture development zone are identified. The results indicate that blasting‐induced fractures mainly initiate and propagate in the shaped charge jet direction between adjacent boreholes. Shaped charge blasting leads to the directional propagation of fractures. The field monitoring results show that shaped charge blasting is able to realize the directional propagation of blasting‐induced fractures and release mining pressure.