bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Brief Review on Measuring Methods of Thermal Conductivity of Organic and Hybrid Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Wang Hanfu , Chu Weiguo , Chen Guangming
Published: June 2019

Organic and hybrid thermoelectric (OHT) materials have attracted increasing research interest over the past decade. Thermal conductivity measurement plays a critical role in evaluating and improving the thermoelectric performance of various types of these novel materials, ranging from bulks to low‐dimensional structures. Commonly used and newly developed techniques for thermal conductivity measurement, most of which have been applied to OHT materials in recent years, are reviewed. They are categorized as steady‐state methods, time‐domain methods, or frequency‐domain methods. The operating principles, merits and limitations, technical issues, and application examples for each technique are also discussed.
Pentacoordinated Al3+‐Stabilized Active Pd Structures on Al2O3‐Coated Palladium Catalysts for Methane Combustion
Authors: Duan Huimei , You Rui , Xu Shutao , Li Zhaorui , Qian Kun , Cao Tian , Huang Weixin , Bao Xinhe
Published: June 2019

Supported Pd catalysts are active in catalyzing the highly exothermic methane combustion reaction but tend to be deactivated owing to local hyperthermal environments. Herein we report an effective approach to stabilize Pd/SiO2 catalysts with porous Al2O3 overlayers coated by atomic layer deposition (ALD). 27Al magic angle spinning NMR analysis showed that Al2O3 overlayers on Pd particles coated by the ALD method are rich in pentacoordinated Al3+ sites capable of strongly interacting with adjacent surface PdOx phases on supported Pd particles. Consequently, Al2O3‐decorated Pd/SiO2 catalysts exhibit active and stable PdOx and Pd–PdOx structures to efficiently catalyze methane combustion between 200 and 850 °C. These results reveal the unique structural characteristics of Al2O3 overlayers on metal surfaces coated by the ALD method and provide a practical strategy to explore stable and efficient supported Pd catalysts for methane combustion.
Synthesis of Chiral Aldehyde Catalysts by Pd‐Catalyzed Atroposelective C−H Naphthylation
Authors: Liao Gang , Chen Hao‐Ming , Xia Yu‐Nong , Li Bing , Yao Qi‐Jun , Shi Bing‐Feng
Published: June 2019

Chiral aldehyde catalysis opens new avenues for the activation of simple amines. However, the lack of easy access to structurally diverse chiral aldehyde catalysts has hampered the development of this cutting‐edge field. Herein, we report a Pd‐catalyzed atroposelective C−H naphthylation with 7‐oxabenzonorbornadienes for the preparation of axially chiral biaryls with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). This reaction is scalable and robust, which serves as a key step to provide a rapid access to axially chiral aldehyde catalysts through a three‐step C−H functionalization sequence. These chiral aldehydes exhibit better activities and enantioselectivities than the previously reported organocatalysts in the asymmetric activation of glycine derived amides and dipeptides. Moreover, preliminary investigation also discloses that the aldehyde catalyst can effectively override the intrinsic facial selectivity of chiral dipeptide substrates, showcasing the strong chiral induction ability of this type of novel aldehyde catalysts.
Data‐Driven Identification of Hydrogen Sulfide Scavengers
Authors: Yang Chun‐tao , Wang Yingying , Marutani Eizo , Ida Tomoaki , Ni Xiang , Xu Shi , Chen Wei , Zhang Hui , Akaike Takaaki , Ichinose Fumito , Xian Ming
Published: June 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule whose up‐ and down‐regulation have specific biological consequences. Although significant advances in H2S up‐regulation, by the development of H2S donors, have been achieved in recent years, precise H2S down‐regulation is still challenging. The lack of potent/specific inhibitors for H2S‐producing enzymes contributes to this problem. We expect the development of H2S scavengers is an alternative approach to address this problem. Since chemical sensors and scavengers of H2S share the same criteria, we constructed a H2S sensor database, which summarizes key parameters of reported sensors. Data‐driven analysis led to the selection of 30 potential compounds. Further evaluation of these compounds identified a group of promising scavengers, based on the sulfonyl azide template. The efficiency of these scavengers in in vitro and in vivo experiments was demonstrated.
Foam fractionation for enhancing silica gel adsorption of urokinase from human urine
Authors: Xu Na , Wang Lu , Dou Nongxiao , Zhang Lili , Guan Jing , Chang Yunkang , Li Rui
Published: June 2019

In this work, foam fractionation (FF), a cost‐effective method, was used to enhance the silica gel adsorption (SGA) of urokinase from human urine. The analysis of how FF enhanced the adsorption/desorption of urokinase onto silica gel was conducted. The results show that FF increased both the adsorption rate of urokinase onto silica gel and the activity concentration of urokinase adsorbed at silica gel by pre‐enriching urokinase from urine. It also reduced the activity loss of urokinase in the desorption process. Then, a coupled technology of FF and SGA was developed. The effects of pH, superficial air flow rate, beta‐cyclodextrin concentration, and amount of silica gel added on activity recovery yield and purification fold of urokinase were studied. At pH 7.5, superficial air flow rate 1.70 mm/s, beta‐cyclodextrin concentration 0.2 g/L, and amount of silica gel added 0.9%, the activity recovery and purification fold of urokinase reached 89.5% and 56.8 in the coupled technology, which were 25.3% and 79.2% higher than those obtained by SGA alone, respectively. Furthermore, the amount of silica gel added in the coupled technology was 40.0% lower than that in SGA alone. Therefore, FF effectively enhanced the SGA of urokinase from human urine.
Typical perceptual organization in autism: Perceptual grouping and spatial distortion
Authors: Avraam Ravit , Binur Nahal , Hadad Bat‐Sheva
Published: June 2019

The extensive literature on global–local processing in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has recently shifted from arguing for a processing impairment among those with ASD to positing an attenuated preference for global processing. One suggestion is that the fast extraction of the global gist is less efficient in ASD, in contrast to the superior attention‐driven processing of local elements. To examine this claim of attenuated global processing, the present study tested how perceptual grouping affected the global organization of visual scenes, specifically testing the claim of less mandatory, more optional global processing in ASD. Participants judged the distance between grouped and ungrouped elements in displays in which illusory distortions were inherent in configurations exemplifying the Gestalt principles of organization. Results from six experiments manipulating different Gestalt cues showed a consistent pattern, indicating that for individuals with ASD, as for typically developed (TD) individuals, grouping processes are organizational in nature, incorporating the grouping of related elements while parsing these from other unrelated elements. This parsing is accompanied by distortions in the spatial relationships perceived in the visual scene. ASD participants exhibited an overall larger tendency to overestimate the distances, but they also demonstrated typical perceptual organization processes that were robust and mandatory and, as in neurotypicals, affected the perception of the whole scene. Autism Res 2019. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

It is known that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive the world in a different way than their typically developed (TD) peers. While TD individuals exhibit strong bias toward processing the global structure of visual scenes, individuals with ASD exhibit enhanced perception of the local elements. We showed that when the local and global levels are not competing, individuals with autism demonstrate robust global organization that operates even when not directly instructed.
Explication of bovine serum albumin binding with naphthyl hydroxamic acids using a multispectroscopic and molecular docking approach along with its antioxidant activity
Authors: Agrawal Rainy , Siddiqi Mohammad Khursheed , Thakur Yamini , Tripathi Mamta , Asatkar Ashish K. , Khan Rizwan Hasan , Pande Rama
Published: June 2019

In the present investigation, the protein‐binding properties of naphthyl‐based hydroxamic acids (HAs), N‐1‐naphthyllaurohydroxamic acid (1) and N‐1‐naphthyl‐p‐methylbenzohydroxamic acid (2) were studied using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and UV–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy–Fourier transform infrared (DRS–FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), and cyclic voltammetry along with computational approaches, i.e. molecular docking. Alteration in the antioxidant activities of compound 1 and compound 2 during interaction with BSA was also studied. From the fluorescence studies, thermodynamic parameters such as Gibb's free energy (ΔG), entropy change (ΔS) and enthalpy change (ΔH) were calculated at five different temperatures (viz., 298, 303, 308, 313 or 318 K) for the HAs–BSA interaction. The results suggested that the binding process was enthalpy driven with dominating hydrogen bonds and van der Waals’ interactions for both compounds. Warfarin (WF) and ibuprofen (IB) were used for competitive site‐specific marker binding interaction and revealed that compound 1 and compound 2 were located in subdomain IIA (Sudlow's site I) on the BSA molecule. Conclusions based on above‐applied techniques signify that various non‐covalent forces were involved during the HAs–BSA interaction. Therefore the resulted HAs–BSA interaction manifested its effect in transportation, distribution and metabolism for the drug in the blood circulation system, therefore establishing HAs as a drug‐like molecule.
What does targeting ecological sustainability mean for company financial performance?
Authors: De Mendonca Taryn , Zhou Yan
Published: June 2019

This study empirically examines the effects of companies' environmental orientation on their long‐run financial performance. It also examines the mediating roles of environmental legitimacy and environmental performance. We use PLS‐SEM among a sample of large U.S.‐based companies. The results show that an environmental orientation that targets ecological sustainability is directly and positively associated with the debt ratio and with long‐run market value but to a lesser degree than what is obtained by not targeting ecological sustainability. Targeting ecological sustainability has a greater positive impact on environmental legitimacy than not targeting ecological sustainability. Environmental legitimacy, but not environmental performance, mediates the link between environmental orientation and long‐run profitability and market value. These findings suggest that targeting ecological sustainability is important for improving environmental legitimacy, but companies are not proactive in improving environmental performance. This study offers insights to managers for improving financial performance by targeting ecological sustainability.
Elusive expectations for a novel program design: Contrast between program intentions and student recruitment and retention
Authors: Exter Marisa , Ashby Iryna , Caskurlu Secil
Published: June 2019

Background

Student recruitment and retention are essential to the vitality of any program, but are often difficult to achieve, particularly for new and/or alternative programs.

Aims

This qualitative study explores the factors that influence students' enrollment in, and subsequent decision to continue in or leave a pilot on‐campus program within a large traditional university. The program design integrated nontraditional components that likely have not previously been combined in this form.

Methods

Students (N = 33) were surveyed and interviewed throughout the year to explore their reasons for enrolling the program and reasons why they decided to continue with the program or leave. Constant comparative method for naturalistic inquiry was used to identify themes.

Results

Results showed that many of the factors influencing students' decisions to join, stay, or leave, such as university reputation and perception of program fit, were similar to those for traditional programs. However, program novelty and unique program design elements also contributed to students' decision to join, stay, or leave the program. Students' uncertainty about transfer of credit, grading, and how to succeed in the program also contributed to these decisions. The very traits some students found most attractive were unattractive to others. We contend that new, nontraditional programs need to ensure institutional alignment, provide scaffolding to support new students in acclimating to nontraditional program aspects, and align recruitment materials with program aspects to attract diverse students for whom the program is a good fit. Implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.
Atomically Dispersed Bimetallic FeNi Catalysts as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Catalysts for Reversible Oxygen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction Reactions
Authors: Cheng Yi , He Shuai , Veder Jean‐Pierre , De Marco Roland , Yang Shi‐ze , Ping Jiang San
Published: June 2019

Bimetallic atomically dispersed FeNi catalysts anchored on N‐doped carbon nanotube with catalyst loading of 2–7 wt % with different Fe : Ni ratio have been developed as highly active and stable bifunctional catalyst for reversible oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for metal air batteries via a modified one‐pot synthesis method. Compared with atomically dispersed single Fe and Ni catalysts, the bimetallic FeNi catalysts exhibit outstanding performance for reversible OER and ORR, achieving a low potential gap (ΔE) of 0.81 V to deliver an OER current density of 10 mA cm−2 and an ORR current density of 3 mA cm−2. The FeNi electrodes also show a much better stability in the cyclic tests, compared to that of the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C and Pt/C+Ir/C electrodes for reversible OER and ORR. The high performance is likely due to the significantly enhanced OER activity contributed by the introduction of Ni atoms, forming bridged FeNi bimetallic dual atom active sites for OER. This study provides a new platform for the development of highly active bimetallic atomic catalysts based bifunctional electrocatalysts for metal‐air batteries. The modified one‐pot synthesis methods demonstrated in this study can also be applicable to other atomically dispersed catalysts on CNTs or graphenes.
Fabrication of a Light‐Weight Dual‐Function Modified Separator towards High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Yi Ruowei , Lin Xiangfei , Zhao Yinchao , Liu Chenguang , Li Yinqing , Hardwick Laurence J. , Yang Li , Zhao Cezhou , Geng Xianwei , Zhang Qian
Published: June 2019

A light‐weight dual‐functional modified separator for lithium–sulfur batteries is prepared through a physical blend and blade‐coating approach. The separator is coated with carbon black/poly(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (CB/PEDOT:PSS), remarkably improving the utilization of sulfur by serving as the co‐current collector. Moreover, the PEDOT:PSS effectively inhibits the diffusion of polysulfides and promotes the migration of lithium ions by providing chemical absorption and cation transport acceleration. When assembling this modified separator into the coin cell, an initial specific capacity of 1315 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C is achieved with a capacity of 956 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, showing a superior performance compared to the cell without an interlayer. Meanwhile, the cell exhibits a rate capability with a discharge capacity of 699 mAh g−1 at a current density of 2 C. Notably, the areal density of CB/PEDOT:PSS coating is as low as 0.604 mg cm−2, bringing a specific electrode capacity of 522 mAh g−1 at 1 C.
Template‐Assisted Synthesis of Honeycomb‐Like CoFe2O4/CNTs/rGO Composite as Anode Material for Li/Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhao Min , Xiong Jian , Yang Yang , Zhao Jinbao
Published: June 2019

CoFe2O4 is a fascinating anode material due to its high theoretical capacity. However, the low electronic conductivity, limited electrochemical kinetics and huge volume expansion lead to poor electrochemical performance. Here, the CoFe2O4/CNTs/rGO ternary composite with a honeycomb‐like structure (PS‐CFO/CNTs/rGO) has been synthesized via a spray drying method assisted by polystyrene (PS) soft template. The rational 3D porous structure design not only enhances the transport capacity of Li/Na ions, but also provides buffer spaces for alleviating volume expansion, resulting in rapid electrochemical kinetics and improved electrode integrity during cycling. In particular, to improve the electrochemical performance, a facile pre‐treatment process combining heat‐treatment and pre‐sodiation treatment is first developed for the anode materials of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). As a result, at 1 A g−1 after 365 cycles, the pronounced capacity of PS‐CFO/CNTs/rGO composite can be maintained at 750 mAh g−1 for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), and after 5000 cycles, maintained at 195 mAh g−1 for the SIBs.
On‐Surface Synthesis and Characterization of Acene‐Based Nanoribbons Incorporating Four‐Membered Rings
Authors: Sánchez‐Sánchez Carlos , Dienel Thomas , Nicolaï Adrien , Kharche Neerav , Liang Liangbo , Daniels Colin , Meunier Vincent , Liu Junzhi , Feng Xinliang , Müllen Klaus , Sánchez‐Valencia Juan Ramón , Gröning Oliver , Ruffieux Pascal , Fasel Roman
Published: June 2019

A bottom up method for the synthesis of unique tetracene‐based nanoribbons, which incorporate cyclobutadiene moieties as linkers between the acene segments, is reported. These structures were achieved through the formal [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of ortho‐functionalized tetracene precursor monomers. The formation mechanism and the electronic and magnetic properties of these nanoribbons were comprehensively studied by means of a multitechnique approach. Ultra‐high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy showed the occurrence of metal‐coordinated nanostructures at room temperature and their evolution into nanoribbons through formal [2+2] cycloaddition at 475 K. Frequency‐shift non‐contact atomic force microscopy images clearly proved the presence of bridging cyclobutadiene moieties upon covalent coupling of activated tetracene molecules. Insight into the electronic and vibrational properties of the so‐formed ribbons was obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Magnetic properties were addressed from a computational point of view, allowing us to propose promising candidates to magnetic acene‐based ribbons incorporating four‐membered rings. The reported findings will increase the understanding and availability of new graphene‐based nanoribbons with high potential in future spintronics.
Empowering Synthesis of Complex Natural Products
Authors: Hernandez Lucas W. , Sarlah David
Published: June 2019

Synthesis of natural products remains a daring task. Their richly diverse and intricate structures often encompass a large degree of unsaturation, contain fused and/or bridged rings, or possess numerous stereogenic centers. Thus, their preparation requires significant synthetic overhead, detracting from their overall practicality as well as hampering the ability of medicinal chemists to synthesize derivatives for pharmaceutical optimization and structure‐activity relationship studies. The purpose of this Minireview is to showcase recent examples of efficient total syntheses. Emphasis was not given to the evaluation of ideality or economies (quality), but rather to the practicality (quality with quantity).
Laser‐Assisted Doping and Architecture Engineering of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Highly Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Cai Mingyong , Pan Rui , Liu Weijian , Luo Xiao , Chen Changhao , Zhang Hongjun , Zhong Minlin
Published: June 2019

The design and synthesis of cost‐effective and highperformance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts for water splitting based on earth‐abundant elements is urgent but challenging. A synergistic doping and architecture engineering strategy by nanosecond laser ablation is used to generate a unique kind of highly disordered Ni‐doped Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters. Ni dopant and increased oxygen vacancies are simultaneously incorporated into Fe3O4 frameworks and thereby modulate the electronic configuration for an optimal binding affinity towards OER intermediates. Nanoparticles with average size of around 5 nm assemble randomly during laser ablation and construct a fluffy and porous architecture, which not only optimizes the number of exposed active sites but also accelerates mass transfer. Consequently, Ni‐doped Fe3O4 clusters are revealed as a superior OER catalyst with a small overpotential of 272 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 39.4 mV dec−1, surpassing almost all spinel Fe‐based OER catalysts. This work provides a new strategy to fabricate advanced cation‐doped metal oxide nanostructures for related energy applications.
Are cytologic and histopathologic features of hot thyroid nodules different from cold thyroid nodules?
Authors: Baser Husniye , Topaloglu Oya , Bilginer Muhammet C. , Ulusoy Serap , Kılıcarslan Aydan , Ozdemir Elif , Ersoy Reyhan , Cakir Bekir
Published: June 2019

Background

We aimed to compare the cytology and histopathology results of hot, cold, and warm nodules in patients who had thyroidectomy due to toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG).

Methods

Five hundred and nine thyroid nodules from 413 patients who had operation with TMNG were included in this retrospective study. The nodules were categorized as hot, cold, and warm groups. The cytology and histopathology results were compared.

Results

The 509 thyroid nodules were grouped as hot (n = 364 [71.5%]), cold (n = 122 [24.0%]), and warm (n = 23 [4.5%]) according to scintigraphy. Cytological evaluations of 364 hot nodules were as follows: 80 (22%) nondiagnostic (ND), 259 (71.2%) benign, 17 (3.6%) atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/ FLUS), 2 (0.5%) follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), 2 (0.5%) suspicious for malignancy (SM), and 4 (1.1%) malignant. The cytology of 122 cold nodules were ND in 25 (20.5%), benign in 86 (70.5%), AUS/FLUS in 8 (6.6%), FN/SFN in 1 (0.8%), and finally SM in 2 (1.6%). The 23 warm nodules were determined as ND, benign, and FN/SFN in 7 (30.4%), 15 (65.2%) and 1 (4.3%), respectively. There were no differences according to cytological results between groups (P = .616).

However, malignancy rate was 3.8% in hot nodules, it was found as 6.6% in cold nodules. The malignancy was detected in 4.3% of warm nodules. There were no differences in malignancy rates between groups (P = .459).

Conclusion

We demonstrated similar malignancy rates in hot nodules when compared with cold and warm nodules.
Improving ROSE: Discrepant touch preparation and histology findings in cytology of renal masses: A 10‐year retrospective review
Authors: Shachner Tracy R. , Nodit Laurentia , Hubbard Elizabeth , Van Meter Stuart
Published: June 2019

Background

The number of “renal incidentalomas” is on the rise due to increasing use of radiologic studies. Image‐guided core needle biopsies (CNB) with touch preparations are performed to guide specimen collection and triage of sample for additional studies. Results allow the clinical team to make appropriate treatment decisions.

Design

Our electronic database was searched for a 10‐year period to identify 180 image‐guided biopsies of renal masses with rapid on‐site evaluations (ROSE) and corresponding biopsy/resection specimens. Touch preparations were classified as non‐diagnostic, negative/benign, adequate/positive for malignancy/oncocytic predominance, or atypical. These results were compared to the final diagnosis on the biopsy or resection specimen (if available). Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were determined. Non‐diagnostic cases and cases in which ROSE and final diagnosis were discordant were reviewed by cytopathologists blinded to the original interpretation to reconcile discrepancies and highlight interpretation pitfalls.

Results

A ROSE diagnosis was rendered in 133 of 180 cases; 47 cases were non‐diagnostic. Of the 133 diagnostic cases, the ROSE diagnosis was concordant with the core biopsy final diagnosis in 125 cases, yielding a diagnostic accuracy of 94%. The overall sensitivity was calculated to be 80.1%; specificity 72.4%; positive predictive value 94%; and negative predictive value 41.2%.

Conclusions

Touch preparation slides are vital but imperfect tools in evaluating renal masses. In our study, distinction between malignant and benign samples was accomplished in most cases (94% accuracy), but there are limitations. Awareness of interpretation pitfalls allows informed decisions to be made regarding specimen collection and patient management.
Sensitivity of plant species to warming and altered precipitation dominates the community productivity in a semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Su Fanglong , Wei Yanan , Wang Fuwei , Guo Jiuxin , Zhang Juanjuan , Wang Yi , Guo Hui , Hu Shuijin
Published: June 2019

Global warming and changes in precipitation patterns can critically influence the structure and productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We conducted two independent but complementary experiments (one with warming and precipitation manipulation (+ or – 30%) and another with selective plant removal) in a semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau, northwestern China, to assess how warming and altered precipitation affect plant community. Our results showed that warming and altered precipitation affected community aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) through impacting soil moisture. Results of the removal experiment showed competitive relationships among dominant grasses, the dominant subshrub and nondominant species, which played a more important role than soil moisture in the response of plant community to warming and altered precipitation. Precipitation addition intensified the competition but primarily benefited the dominant subshrub. Warming and precipitation reduction enhanced water stresses but increased ANPP of the dominant subshrub and grasses, indicating that plant tolerance to drought critically meditated the community responses. These findings suggest that specie competitivity for water resources as well as tolerance to environmental stresses may dominate the responses of plant communities on the Loess Plateaus to future climate change factors.
A burrowing ecosystem engineer positively affects its microbial prey under stressful conditions
Authors: Bell Laura , Cuddington Kim
Published: June 2019

Species that facilitate others under stressful conditions are often ecosystem engineers: organisms that modify or create physical habitat.

However, the net effect of an engineering species on another depends on both the magnitude of the direct interactions (e.g., competition or predation) and the specific environmental context.

We used a laboratory system to isolate the trophic and engineering impacts of a predator, the nematodeCaenorhabditis remanei, on its prey,Escherichia coliunder different levels of environmental stress. We predicted that under stressful surface conditions the nematodes would positively impact their prey by creating burrows which protected the bacteria.

Colony plate counts ofE. coliindicated that there was a stress‐induced change in the net impact of nematodes on bacteria from neutral to positive. Predator engineering in the form of burrowing allowed larger bacteria populations to survive.

We conclude that even in a simple two‐species system a predator can positively impact prey via ecosystem engineering.
Cardanol‐Based Epoxy Monomers for High Thermal Properties Thermosets
Authors: Mora Anne‐Sophie , Decostanzi Mélanie , David Ghislain , Caillol Sylvain
Published: June 2019

In this paper, epoxy‐anhydride networks are synthesized from a new product of Cardolite Corporation: the Cardolite GX‐2551 epoxy monomer. Due to the complexity of the GX‐2551 structure, an NMR study is performed first to characterize this new commercial product. This epoxy monomer is then reacted with an anhydride (MHHPA) to form polyepoxide thermosets. After curing, dynamic mechanical and thermal analyses are performed for the different thermosets, and then the results are compared to each other.

Practical Applications: The cardanol‐derived epoxy monomer described in this contribution, i.e., fully epoxidized molecular cardanol, is a new fully biobased monomer for further epoxy thermoset synthesis. The resulting polyepoxide networks exhibit much higher thermo‐mechanical properties than previous cardanol‐derived epoxy thermosets.

Two cardanol‐based epoxy monomers are fully characterized. The GX2551 is reported for the first time and exhibits a higher renewable carbon content. Both monomers are reacted with hexahydro‐4‐methylphtalic anhydride to yield bio‐based aromatic polyepoxide networks with interesting mechanical and thermal properties.
On the Effect of Minor Oil Components on β‐Sitosterol/γ‐oryzanol Oleogels
Authors: Scharfe Maria , Ahmane Yassin , Seilert Julia , Keim Jonathan , Flöter Eckhard
Published: June 2019

The role of solvent composition (polar minor components, PC) on β‐sitosterol/γ‐oryzanol oleogel formation, appearance, and properties is studied. Solvent composition is altered via thermal treatment and the elimination of natural PC from untreated sunflower and canola oil. A maximum in oleogel hardness is found. DSC reveals that sol‐gel transition is increasingly suppressed with the level of PC. This is attributed to two distinct mechanisms: enlarged interactions of PC with the structuring elements and a reduction in diffusion due to a higher solvent viscosity. Gel‐sol‐transition consists of two concurrent processes: decomposition of tube bundles (peak fronting) and the dissolution of tubes (peak). The peak area decreases with increasing solvent permittivity while simultaneously the area of the fronting increases. Gel‐sol‐transition temperatures are practically invariable for all samples indicating that the maximum in gel hardness cannot be related to changes in the solubility of the sterols. AFM microscopy reveals that the arrangement of the elements of scaffolding changes considerably with the level of PC. This work demonstrates the strong impact of PC on the self‐assembly of β‐sitosterol/γ‐oryzanol and oleogel properties. A detailed characterization of the oils is thus inevitable to perform trustworthy research.

Practical Applications: It is widely known that a high intake of saturated fatty acids increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, their ability to provide unique texture to food products can hardly be met. Oleogelation has the potential to deliver the solid structure necessary for various fat‐based food products by transferring an oil rich in essential fatty acids into a solid‐like structure. Moreover, the nutritional value of these oils remains nearly unchanged. It is found that oil composition, precisely the fatty acid composition of the TAGs and minor oil components have a profound impact on oleogel properties. Fundamental understanding of network properties and formation of oleogels helps to maximize their capability for industrial application. The work presented reveals that detailed documentation of the quality of the oils, in particular the fatty acid composition and presence of polar minor components, is a necessary prerequisite to conduct reliable scientific work in the field oleogel research.

Hardness and spatial arrangement of network building blocks of of β‐sitosterol/γ‐oryzanol oleogels is modified in the presence/absence of polar minor components.
Multiscale method based on coupled lattice‐Boltzmann and Langevin‐dynamics for direct simulation of nanoscale particle/polymer suspensions in complex flows
Authors: Liu Zixiang , Zhu Yuanzheng , Clausen Jonathan R. , Lechman Jeremy B. , Rao Rekha R. , Aidun Cyrus K.
Published: June 2019

A hybrid computational method coupling the lattice‐Boltzmann (LB) method and a Langevin‐dynamics (LD) method is developed to simulate nanoscale particle and polymer (NPP) suspensions in the presence of both thermal fluctuation and long‐range many‐body hydrodynamic interactions (HIs). Brownian motion of the NPP is explicitly captured by a stochastic forcing term in the LD method. The LD method is two‐way coupled to the nonfluctuating LB fluid through a discrete LB forcing source distribution to capture the long‐range HI. To ensure intrinsically linear scalability with respect to the number of particles, a Eulerian‐host algorithm for short‐distance particle neighbor search and interaction is developed and embedded to LB‐LD framework. The validity and accuracy of the LB‐LD approach are demonstrated through several sample problems. The simulation results show good agreements with theory and experiment. The LB‐LD approach can be favorably incorporated into complex multiscale computational frameworks for efficiently simulating multiscale multicomponent particulate suspension systems such as complex blood suspensions.
Fluid‐structure interaction in two‐phase flow using a discrete forcing method
Authors: Benguigui W. , Laviéville J. , Merigoux N.
Published: June 2019

The numerical simulation of interaction between structures and two‐phase flows is a major concern for many industrial applications. Using a discrete forcing method (see the work of Benguigui et al) (implemented in a multiphase CFD code based on a two‐fluid approach) to track the solid motion in two‐phase flow, an iterative fluid‐structure coupling is developed to allow free‐motion of multiple solids (with any kind of geometry) due to two‐phase fluid forces. As the fluid‐structure interface is located thanks to a time and space dependent porosity on a cartesian grid, the fluid force computation is accommodated to the interface tracking method. A Newmark algorithm is used to estimate the solid motion. The iterative coupling is addressed in detail going from the algorithm to the determination of its convergence parameter. Three application cases are proposed to validate the method from motion under a single‐ to a two‐phase flow.
Conditions that Catalyze the Emergence of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions
Authors: Mac Jacqueline , Sarreal Adrianne D. , Wang Amy C. , Museus Samuel D.
Published: June 2019

Increased knowledge about the conditions that have catalyzed and enabled institutions to seek and effectively acquire federally recognized and supported Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) status can inform the work of potential and emerging AANAPISIs.
Individual and Group Child‐Centered Play Therapy: Impact on Social‐Emotional Competencies
Authors: Blalock Sarah M. , Lindo Natalya , Ray Dee C.
Published: June 2019

The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial study with 56 elementary school children to test the effectiveness of 16 sessions of individual and group child‐centered play therapy (CCPT) in improving social‐emotional assets, including self‐regulation/responsibility, social competence, and empathy. Parent reports indicated that treatment in both CCPT conditions was correlated with substantial gains in overall social‐emotional assets and in the constructs of self‐regulation/responsibility and social competence.
Relationships Between Treatment Attitudes, Psychological Symptoms, Emotional Competence, and Help‐Seeking Intentions
Authors: Ward‐Ciesielski Erin F. , Limowski Anne R. , Kreper Samuel N. , McDermott Michael J.
Published: June 2019

The authors examined whether emotional competence (i.e., awareness, coping strategies) predicted help‐seeking intentions above and beyond previously identified factors (i.e., attitudes and perceived stigma toward professional help, psychological symptom severity) in an undergraduate sample (N = 531). Emotional awareness predicted help‐seeking intentions for personal/emotional problems and suicidal thoughts. Emotional coping strategies predicted help‐seeking intentions for suicidal thoughts and moderated the relationship between symptom severity and help‐seeking intentions for suicidal thoughts. Efforts to increase help‐seeking should address students' emotional competence.
Movies as a Therapeutic Technique in School‐Based Counseling Groups to Reduce Parent–Adolescent Conflict
Authors: Tannous Haddad Lubna , Shechtman Zipora
Published: June 2019

The authors evaluated a school‐based group counseling program aimed at reducing parent–adolescent conflict and assessing the unique contribution of movie therapy. Participants were 173 Arab adolescents who scored high on conflict with parents. Students were divided among 3 conditions: a treatment intervention with movies, a treatment intervention without movies, and a no‐treatment control group. Results indicated more favorable outcomes in both interventions compared with the control group, with no effect of movies.
MicroRNA‐194 reduces inflammatory response and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells permeability through suppression of TGF‐β/SMAD pathway by inhibiting THBS1 in chronic idiopathic urticaria
Authors: Qu Shengming , Yang Lei , Liu Zhe
Published: June 2019

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a polyetiological dermatologic disease. Reports have stated that some microRNAs (miRNAs) have their roles to play in inflammatory response. In this present study, we aim to investigate whether miR‐194 has an effect on attenuating inflammatory response and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) permeability of CIU mast cells through TGF‐β/SMAD pathway by binding to thrombospondin 1 (THBS1). The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to obtain the CIU‐related microarray data, and then the analysis of differentially expressed genes was conducted and the miRNA regulated by THBS1 was predicted. After transfection of different mimic, inhibitor, or small interfering RNA, the effect of miR‐194 on inflammatory reaction, mast cell degranulation, histamine release rate, HDMECs permeability, and the expression of THBS1, interferon γ (IFN‐γ), TGF‐β, Smad3, and interleukin 4 (IL‐4) were detected. THBS1 was verified to be the miR‐194 target. After transfected with overexpressed miR‐194 and si‐THBS1, the degranulation rate, histamine release rate, and HDMECs permeability were significantly reduced, while the expression of IFN‐γ was higher, and the expression of THBS1, TGF‐β, Smad3, IL‐4 was significantly lower, accompanied with alleviated inflammatory reaction. Our study provides evidence that miR‐194 negatively modulates THBS1 and inhibits the activation of TGF‐β/SMAD pathway, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response and HDMECs permeability of mast cells in CIU.
Upregulation of the lncRNA MEG3 improves cognitive impairment, alleviates neuronal damage, and inhibits activation of astrocytes in hippocampus tissues in Alzheimer's disease through inactivating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Yi Jiping , Chen Bin , Yao Xiaoxi , Lei Yuanbiao , Ou Fuyong , Huang Fengzhen
Published: June 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the expression of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to explore its potential mechanisms.

Methods

An AD rat model was induced by microinjection of Aβ25‐35. On the first day after successful modeling, pcDNA3.1 plasmid and pcDNA3.1‐MEG3 plasmid were continuously infused into the third ventricle through a micro‐osmotic pump to interfere with the expression level of MEG3. The spatial learning ability and memory ability, the histopathological changes of hippocampus tissues, the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons, astrocyte activation as well as the survival and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in each group was observed. The expression of apoptosis, PI3/Akt signaling pathway‐related proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein, inflammatory factors, malondialdehyde, glutathione‐peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase levels were determined. The deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the hippocampus of rats by was observed by Aβ immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Downregulated MEG3 was detected in the tissues of AD rats. In addition, upregulation of MEG3 contributed to an improvement of spatial learning ability and memory ability, inhibited the pathological injury and its apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, decreased Aβ positive expression, inhibited oxidative stress injury and inflammatory injury as well as the activated astrocytes in AD rats via inactivation of the PI3/Akt pathway.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that upregulation of the lncRNA MEG3 improves cognitive impairment, alleviates neuronal damage, and inhibits activation of astrocytes in hippocampus tissues in AD through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Overexpression of miR‐623 suppresses progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by targeting XRCC5
Authors: Ren Feng , Su Hui , Jiang Haitao , Chen Yunjie
Published: June 2019

It has been reported that miR‐623 is deregulated in lung adenocarcinoma and inhibits tumor growth and invasion. However, it is unclear whether miR‐623 has a role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we found that miR‐623 was significantly downregulated in HCC, and that its expression was related to poor clinical outcomes of patients with HCC. Upregulation of miR‐623 decreased cell proliferation, viability, migration, and invasion and further promoted apoptosis in 7721, Huh7, and Bel‐7402 cells. Moreover, we also observed that miR‐623 regulated the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), Wnt/β‐catenin, and extracellular regulated protein kinases/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (ERK/JNK) signaling pathways as well as the expression level of related proteins. Further, X‐ray repair cross complementing 5 (XRCC5) was a direct target for miR‐623, and the suppression of PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‐catenin, and ERK/JNK signaling pathways and cell proliferation and invasion abilities caused by miR‐623 in HCC cells was significantly reversed by the upregulation of XRCC5. Collectively, our data suggested that miR‐623 suppressed the progression of HCC by regulating the PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‐catenin, and ERK/JNK pathways by targeting XRCC5 in HCC in vitro, indicating that miR‐623 may be a target for the therapy of HCC.
Antitumor activity of sevoflurane in HCC cell line is mediated by miR‐29a‐induced suppression of Dnmt3a
Authors: Song Guangming , Tian Ling , Cheng Yi , Liu Jinshan , Wang Kun , Li Shuai , Li Tianhua
Published: June 2019

Sevoflurane (SEVO) is widely applied as an anesthetic. More recently, its antitumor capacity has been reported. However, potent mechanisms are still incompletely ascertained. In our current study, we attempted to elucidate a potent mechanism associated with microRNA (miR)‐29a/DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (Dnmt3a) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. After transfection and stimulation with SEVO, biological activities of Huh7 and HepG2 cells were evaluated using the cell counting kit‐8, Annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate apoptosis detection kit, 24‐well cell migration assay kit, and tumor invasion 24‐well plates. miR‐29a and protein expression were quantified with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay, respectively. A Dual‐Luciferase Reporter Assay System was used to verify whether miR‐29a targets Dnmt3a. We found that SEVO alleviated cell viability, aggrandized apoptosis, and impeded migration and invasion of the Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Besides, SEVO enhanced phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression, and phosphorylated expression of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (AKT) was eliminated by SEVO. Of note, SEVO restored miR‐29a which was downregulated in HCC tissues and cells. miR‐29a inhibitor abolished the positive effects of SEVO on the biological processes. Dual‐Luciferase Reporter assay showed miR‐29a repressed Dnmt3a expression via targeting its 3′‐untranslated region. Further, exogenous expression of Dnmt3a partially repressed PTEN and enhanced phosphorylated expression of PI3K and AKT which were originally elevated or diminished by SEVO. In conclusion, SEVO restored the expression of miR‐29a, which posttranscriptionally downregulated Dnmt3a, and then exhibited an antitumor property in HCC cells.
RETRACTED: Downregulation of miR‐218 by nicotine promotes cell proliferation through targeting CDK6 in non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Zhen , Lu Cuiling , Zhao Guanren , Han Xue , Dong Kaisheng , Wang Chuanhai , Guan Jing‐Zhi , Wang Zhongyuan
Published: June 2019

Background

Nicotine, an important component of tobacco, is a major risk factor of lung cancer, but the mechanism through which nicotine promotes lung cancer development remains unclear.

Methods

Eighty patients with lung cancer were enrolled in this study, 34 of whom did not smoke and the others did. The expression of miR‐218 and CDK6 messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). A luciferase reporter system was used to identify the direct target of miR‐218. The protein expression of CDK6 was analyzed by using Western blotting. Cell proliferation was analyzed using an approach of calculation of cell number under a microscope.

Results

Nicotine decreased miR‐218 expression in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and promoted proliferation of NSCLC cells. Smoking patients with NSCLC had lower expression of miR‐218 in tumor compared with NSCLC patients who did not smoke. We found that miR‐218 directly targeted the CDK6 mRNA 3′untranslated region and inhibited its expression in NSCLC cells and also observed a negative correlation between the expression of miR‐218 and CDK6 mRNA in lung cancer tissues. Furthermore, miR‐218‐ or nicotine‐induced proliferative effects of NSCLC cells were rescued by the recovery of the expression level of CDK6.

Conclusion

Nicotine promotes proliferation of NSCLC cells through regulating the miR‐218/CDK6 axis, which may be a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.
The role of lncRNA RP11‐154D6 in steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through BMSC regulation
Authors: Xiang Shuai , Li Zeng , Weng Xisheng
Published: June 2019

Background

Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) are involved in steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to regulate functions of BMSCs, especially their differentiation, and have been reported to be implicated in diverse bone disorders. However, the roles of lncRNAs in the progression of steroid‐induced ONFH remain unknown.

Methods

BMSCs were isolated from healthy controls or patients with steroid‐induced ONFH. RNA‐sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed (DE) coding and noncoding transcripts and a lncRNA‐messenger RNA coexpression network were created. The function of lncRNA RP11‐154D6 in the proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of BMSCs was identified by overexpressing or silencing its expression.

Results

Altogether, 3114 DE messenger RNAs and 572 DE lncRNAs were identified and the expression of lncRNA RP11‐154D6 was significantly decreased in BMSCs of patients with ONFH. Although no effects on proliferation and apoptosis were identified, we proved lncRNA RP11‐154D6 promoted osteogenic differentiation while inhibiting adipogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Aberrant expression of lncRNA was identified in BMSCs of steroid‐induced patients with ONFH.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that lncRNA RP11‐154D6 might contribute to the progression of steroid‐induced ONFH through regulating the behavior of BMSCs and might provide new insights into the pathogenesis as well as treatment for steroid‐induced ONFH.