bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure Validation of G‐Rich RNAs in Noncoding Regions of the Human Genome
Authors: Binas Oliver , Bessi Irene , Schwalbe Harald
Published: January 2020

We present the rapid biophysical characterization of six previously reported putative G‐quadruplex‐forming RNAs from the 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR) of silvestrol‐sensitive transcripts for investigation of their secondary structures. By NMR and CD spectroscopic analysis, we found that only a single sequence—[AGG]2[CGG]2C—folds into a single well‐defined G‐quadruplex structure. Sequences with longer poly‐G strands form unspecific aggregates, whereas CGG‐repeat‐containing sequences exhibit a temperature‐dependent equilibrium between a hairpin and a G‐quadruplex structure. The applied experimental strategy is fast and provides robust readout for G‐quadruplex‐forming capacities of RNA oligomers.
ASSURED clinical study: New GORE® CARDIOFORM ASD occluder for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect
Authors: Sommer Robert J. , Love Barry A. , Paolillo Joseph A. , Gray Robert G. , Goldstein Bryan H. , Morgan Gareth J. , Gillespie Matthew J. ,   for the ASSURED Investigators
Published: January 2020

Objective

Assess clinical performance of a new device for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD).

Background

Previously‐approved ASD Closure devices have known limitations. Device erosion has been associated with the AMPLATZER® septal occluder in patients with retro‐aortic rim deficiency (<5 mm), while defects ≥18 mm are too large for the GORE® CARDIOFORM septal occluder. The GORE® CARDIOFORM ASD occluder (GCA), a hybrid of the approved devices, was designed to expand the eligible ASD population.

Methods

One‐hundred and twenty‐five ASD patients were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter registry. Descriptive clinical endpoints included: technical implant success, closure success, serious adverse events (SAE), clinically significant new arrhythmia, and wire frame fracture. Procedural outcomes and adverse events were adjudicated by an Echocardiography Core Lab and Independent Data Review Board, respectively.

Results

Median subject age was 12.3 years (range 2.9–84.7), with 72% of patients ≤18 years old. Median ASD stop‐flow diameter was 17.0 mm (8.0–30.0), with 43% ≥18 mm. Deficient retro‐aortic rim occurred in 57% of subjects, and 30% had both diameter ≥ 18 mm and deficient rim. Technical Implant Success was achieved in 120/125 (96%), though three devices were removed within 24 hr. At the scheduled 6‐month evaluation, 112/117 returned for evaluation. All 112 had closure success. SAE occurred in 6/125 (4.8%) and 6/125 (4.8%) had clinically significant new arrhythmia. Wire frame fractures occurred in 37/104 (36%), without any associated clinical sequelae, residual shunt, or device instability.

Conclusion

The GCA performed effectively and safely in this initial cohort, and led to FDA approval based on this data.
Hydrocephalus as the presenting symptom of sarcoidosis: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Saban Rachel J. , Berns Meaghan M. , Al‐Hakim Mazen M. , Patino Gustavo A.
Published: January 2020

Hydrocephalus is rare in sarcoidosis, especially as the presenting symptom. Neurosarcoidosis as a cause of unexplained communicating hydrocephalus should be considered in cases of abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and negative infectious and tumoral studies.
Towards Sustainable Catalysis – Highly Efficient Olefin Metathesis in Protic Media Using Phase Labelled Cyclic Alkyl Amino Carbene (CAAC) Ruthenium Catalysts
Authors: Nagyházi Márton , Turczel Gábor , Balla Áron , Szálas Gábor , Tóth Imre , Gál Gyula Tamás , Petra Bombicz , Anastas Paul T. , Tuba Róbert
Published: January 2020

New generations of Hoveyda and bis‐carbene type of ruthenium‐based olefin metathesis catalysts (10 and 12), containing cationic cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) ligands, have been synthetized. The catalysts show exceptional stability and activity in environmentally benign, protic media. Various olefin metatheses reactions of OH functionalized feedstock (e. g. RCM, ROMP CM) can be carried out at as low as 0.05 mol % catalyst loading in methanol, isopropanol, water or methanol/water solvent mixture, accomplishing the lowest applied catalyst loading reported so far in these media. The facile olefin metathesis of renewable feedstocks including phospholipids (23) and vegetable oils (20) in protic media has also been demonstrated.
Facile Transformation of Ni‐based Colloids into Highly Stable Nanocatalysts Embedded within h‐BN for the Water‐Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Gao Lijun , Ta Na , Dong Jinhu , Song Tongyuan , Chen Siru , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2020

Advances in colloidal chemistry allow to prepare well‐controlled nanostructures, while application of the colloids in heterogeneous catalysis is strongly impeded by the presence of organic capping layers. However, removal of the protection layers inevitably results in changes of the well‐defined nanostructures such as sintering and agglomeration. Here, a simple way is suggested to solve the dilemma by replacing the organic capping layers with another flexible but robust capping layers made of two‐dimensional materials. We show simultaneous removal of surfactant layers in B‐containing Ni, Co, and Fe colloids and formation of hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) capping layers over metal nanoparticles. Metal particle size can be well kept even upon thermal treatment at 850 °C and Ni nanocatalysts embedded within h‐BN shells present high catalytic performance in water‐gas shift reaction. This work suggests a facile strategy to promote the application of metal colloids in heterogeneous catalysis.
Effect of Axial Ligands on Easy‐Axis Anisotropy and Field‐Induced Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Heptacoordinated FeII Complexes
Authors: Mondal Arpan , Wu Shu‐Qi , Sato Osamu , Konar Sanjit
Published: January 2020

A rational approach to modulating easy‐axis magnetic anisotropy by varying the axial donor ligand in heptacoordinated FeII complexes has been explored. In this series of complexes with formulae of [Fe(H4L)(NCS)2]⋅3 DMF⋅0.5 H2O (1), [Fe(H4L)(NCSe)2]⋅3 DMF⋅0.5 H2O (2), and [Fe(H4L)(NCNCN)2]⋅DMF⋅H2O (3) [H4L=2,2′‐{pyridine‐2,6‐diylbis(ethan‐1‐yl‐1‐ylidene)}bis(N‐phenylhydrazinecarboxamide)], the axial positions are successively occupied by different nitrogen‐based π‐donor ligands. Detailed dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the existence of easy‐axis magnetic anisotropy for all of the complexes, with 1 [Ueff=21 K, τ0=1.72×10−6 s] and 2 [Ueff=25 K, τ0=2.25×10−6 s] showing field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior. However, both experimental studies and theoretical calculations indicate the magnitude of the D value of complex 3 to be larger than those of complexes 1 and 2 due to the axial bond angle being smaller than that for an ideal geometry. Detailed analysis of the field and temperature dependences of relaxation time for 1 and 2 has revealed that multiple relaxation processes (quantum tunneling of magnetization, direct, and Raman) are involved in slow magnetic relaxation for both of these complexes. Magnetic dilution experiments support the role of intermolecular short contacts.
Synthesis and Biological Characterization of Monomeric and Tetrameric RGD‐Cryptophycin Conjugates
Authors: Borbély Adina , Thoreau Fabien , Figueras Eduard , Kadri Malika , Coll Jean‐Luc , Boturyn Didier , Sewald Norbert
Published: January 2020

The effective delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumor cells is a key challenge in anticancer therapy. Multivalent integrinspecific ligands are considered a promising tool to increase the binding affinity, selectivity, and internalization efficiency of small‐molecule drug conjugates. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a multimeric conjugate containing the high‐affinity integrin αvβ3 binding ligand RAFT‐c(RGDfK)4, a lysosomally cleavable Val‐Cit linker, and cryptophycin‐55 glycinate, a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization. In vitro cytotoxicity assays verified that the multimeric RGD‐cryptophycin conjugate displays improved potency compared to the monomeric analogue in integrin αvβ3 overexpressing tumor cell lines, while significantly reduced activity was observed in the integrin‐negative cell line.
Electron‐Rich, Lewis Acidic Diborane Meets N‐Heterocyclic Aromatics: Formation and Electron Transfer in Cyclophane Boranes
Authors: Widera Anna , Filbeck Erik , Wadepohl Hubert , Kaifer Elisabeth , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: January 2020

Herein reported are the reactions of an electron‐rich, Lewis acidic diborane with N‐heterocyclic aromatics to give first members of an unprecedented family of highly charged cationic cyclophanes with diboranyl units. Tetracationic cyclophanes with 4,4‘‐bipyridine/ 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene and diboranyl units were synthesized and their redox chemistry was studied. Cyclisation of two diboranyl and two pyrazine units is accompanied by electron transfer from the diboranyl unit to the pyrazine. Our results pave the way for the integration of redox‐active diboranyl units into cyclophanes and supramolecular structures.
Sustainable Syngas Production by High‐Temperature Co‐electrolysis
Authors: Theuer Trutz , Schäfer Dominik , Dittrich Lucy , Nohl Markus , Foit Severin , Blum Ludger , Eichel Rüdiger‐A. , de Haart L. G. J.
Published: January 2020

High‐temperature co‐electrolysis shows comparable performance to steam electrolysis. Current densities above 1 A cm−2 can be reached between 700 °C and 800 °C. Tailor‐made syngas is produced, mainly determined by the reactant ratio. The experimental results are supported by modeling. Durability tests with cathode‐supported cells show increased voltage degradation rates during electrolysis compared to fuel cell operation. Nickel depletion is found to be the main cause.
Nab‐paclitaxel in older patients with non–small cell lung cancer who have developed disease progression after platinum‐based doublet chemotherapy
Authors: Weiss Jared M. , Pennell Nathan , Deal Allison M. , Morgensztern Daniel , Bradford Daniel S. , Crane Jeffrey , West Howard Jack , Lee Carrie , Pecot Chad , Stevenson James P. , Irvin William , Socinski Mark , Stinchcombe Tom , Villaruz Liza C. , Muss Hyman B.
Published: January 2020

Background

The selection of later‐line treatment for older patients with AJCC (version 7) stage IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Nanoparticle albumin–bound (nab)‐paclitaxel is approved with carboplatin for the first‐line treatment of patients with NSCLC and subgroup analysis of phase 3 data has suggested superior survival in older patients.

Methods

The authors conducted a phase 2 study of nab‐paclitaxel in 42 patients aged ≥70 years who had been treated previously with a platinum doublet regimen; patients also could have received a PD‐1 inhibitor. The primary endpoint of the current study was grade 3 to 5 toxicity (according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). In addition to response rate, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), geriatric assessments also were performed before and during treatment, associations between baseline sarcopenia and outcomes were explored, and changes in T lymphocyte p16 before and during treatment were measured. The authors also performed a retrospective subgroup analysis of 19 older patients who were treated with nab‐paclitaxel as part of a larger, randomized, phase 2 study; data were not combined.

Results

The rate of grade 3 to 5 toxicities was 33.7%. The most common grade 3 to 5 toxicities were decreased white blood cell count (11.9%), neutropenia (9.5%), and fatigue (11.9%). The response rate was 34.2% (2.6% complete response rate and 31.6% partial response rate). The median PFS was 5.2 months and the median OS was 9.3 months. Adverse prognostic factors were common: 42% of patients were frail and 39% of patients were prefrail, whereas 21% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 and 27% were sarcopenic. Only frailty was found to be predictive of inferior survival. A subgroup analysis of 19 older patients treated with nab‐paclitaxel alone in a prior trial demonstrated a response rate of 15.8%, a PFS of 4.2 months, and an OS of 13.6 months.

Conclusions

Fit and prefrail older patients with stage IV NSCLC should be considered for treatment with nab‐paclitaxel after disease progression with doublet chemotherapy.
Systemic therapy for elderly patients with non–small cell lung cancer: Where do we stand in 2019?
Authors: Aggarwal Charu , Langer Corey J.
Published: January 2020

The 2 articles by Youn et al and Weiss et al in this issue of Cancer confirm that there is no longer room for therapeutic nihilism in the management of older adults with non–small cell lung cancer. Fit elderly patients with preserved Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status should be treated with standard‐of‐care therapies similar to their younger counterparts.
An improved spinal injury parameter model for underbody impulsive loading scenarios
Authors: R Naveen Raj , Krishnapillai Shankar
Published: January 2020

Underbody blast events such as aircraft ejection, mine blast, and helicopter crashes pose a serious threat to occupants. These impulsive excitations exert substantial axial loads on the thoracolumbar spine causing severe injuries. The Dynamic Response Index (DRI), which is commonly used as the injury parameter for underbody loading scenarios, suffers from inherent disadvantages and has been reported to underpredict the chances of injury. The main reasons are the inability of the DRI model to account for bending loads and posture of the spine. Thus, a novel lumped full spine model capable of modelling the spine in different posture along the sagittal plane is formulated. The unavailable data for the model were obtained using inverse parameter identification approach by eigenfrequency matching. Each vertebra has three degrees of freedom: axial, shear, and rotary motion to model the flexion of the spine. A new injury parameter is proposed based on the sum of compressions caused due to axial and rotary springs at each vertebral level, to account for wedge compression and burst fractures. The results indicate that the model was able to predict the motions of vertebrae under different postures of the spine according to trends in literature.
Effect of nonextensivity on the characteristics of supersolitons in a two‐temperature electron plasma
Authors: Kakoti Rajkamal , Saharia K.
Published: January 2020

Ion‐acoustic supersolitons are investigated in an unmagnetized two‐temperature electron plasma comprising cold fluid ions, hot nonextensive electrons, and cool Maxwellian electrons by using the Sagdeev pseudopotential technique. Existence domain of positive polarity supersolitons in terms of Mach number is computed, which is found to exist for Mach numbers beyond the existence of positive double layers. The domain of existence of supersolitons diminishes with the decrease of the nonextensive parameter (q). The amplitude and width of the supersolitons are dependent on the cool‐to‐hot electron temperature ratio (τ), cool electron density (f), and nonextensive parameter (q). The increase of cool electron density increases the amplitude of the supersolitons. For fixed values of f, q, and Mach numbers, the decrease of τ exhibits more distinct wiggles in the electric fields of supersolitons. The present work may be helpful for further study of supersolitons in the auroral plasma.
Teachers as curriculum‐makers: the case of citizenship education in Dutch schools
Authors: Leeman Y. , Nieveen N. , de Beer F. , van der Steen J.
Published: January 2020

Due to socio‐political issues in Dutch society, citizenship education (CE) became obligatory by law in the Netherlands in 2006. Schools were to decide on their local CE curriculum. This contribution intends to open up the black box of school‐based curriculum‐making efforts for CE. It reports on a four‐year study in four schools for secondary education. In each school, teachers designed (parts of) their CE curriculum with guidance during weekly coaching sessions. The central question is, what are the professional experiences and results of teachers who are involved in guided school‐based CE curriculum‐making? The qualitative data set comprised of interview and focus group data as well as artefacts such as CE‐activities designed by teachers. Findings show teachers' preference for broad and integrated approaches to CE, and that teachers needed guidance not only to improve their CE‐knowledge and design abilities, but also to increase their socio‐political skills for school‐wide implementation. These results are discussed in view of the current tendency in the Netherlands to define CE in a more centralised and content‐specific manner and in doing so limiting the space for teachers as curriculum‐makers.
Prolong network lifetime and improve efficiency in WSN‐UAV systems using new clustering parameters and CSMA modification
Authors: Tarighi Reza , Farajzadeh Kamran , Hematkhah Hooman
Published: January 2020

Since unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been introduced as mobile nodes for data gathering, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have progressed considerably. The resulting WSN‐UAV systems are employed for emergency applications and also for remote monitoring purposes. WSN‐UAV systems yield an optimum data gathering method using the WSN. In the proposed method, the nodes' data are transferred using a remotely operated vehicle (drone) rather than the conventional data transferring methods like the direct and hop‐to‐hop data transmission approaches. Then, the gathered data are delivered in the pre‐determined destination point. WSN‐UAV systems, in fact, are a special case of the systems with the mobile sink in which the sink path is previously specified and controlled. In this paper, the effects of clustering parameters on the WSNs are studied; then, the network's lifetime is prolonged by applying some parameters. In addition, the network's performance is enhanced to some extent by assigning some changes in the media access control (MAC) layer. Also, the effect of drone's path pattern on the lifetime of the network is studied.
Novel 3‐aryl‐5‐substituted‐coumarin analogues: Synthesis and bioactivity profile
Authors: Kavetsou Eleni , Katopodi Annita , Argyri Letta , Chainoglou Eirini , Pontiki Eleni , Hadjipavlou‐Litina Dimitra , Chroni Angeliki , Detsi Anastasia
Published: January 2020

Eighteen 3‐aryl‐5‐substituted‐coumarins—six 5‐acetyloxy‐derivatives, six 5‐hydroxy‐derivatives, and six 5‐geranyloxy‐derivatives—were synthesized, structurally characterized and their antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase inhibitory ability, as well as their cytotoxic activity against human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH and HeLa adenocarcinoma cell lines were evaluated. The 5‐acetyloxy‐compounds 3a‐3f were found to be the best cytotoxic agents among all the compounds studied. The bromo‐substituted coumarins 3a and 3b were remarkably active against HeLa cell line showing IC50 1.8 and 6.1 μM, respectively. Coumarin 5e possessing a geranyloxy‐chain on position 5 of the coumarin scaffold presented dual bioactivity, while 5‐geranyloxy‐coumarin 5f was the most competent soybean lipoxygenase inhibitor of this series (IC50 10 μM). As shown by in silico docking studies, the studied molecules present allosteric interactions with soybean lipoxygenases.
Impact of diabetes mellitus on immature platelet fraction and its association with coronary artery disease
Authors: Verdoia Monica , Nardin Matteo , Rolla Roberta , Pergolini Patrizia , Suryapranata Harry , Kedhi Elvin , Carriero Alessandro , De Luca Giuseppe ,   Novara Atherosclerosis Study Group (NAS)
Published: January 2020

Background

Higher prothrombotic status and alterations in platelet function and thrombopoiesis are associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). We assessed the impact of diabetes and glucose control on the immature platelet fraction (IPF) and their relationship with prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography were included. Significant CAD was defined as at least one vessel stenosis greater than 50%. IPF levels were measured at admission by routine blood cells count (A Sysmex XE‐2100).

Results

We included 1781 patients, of whom 660 (37.1%) suffered from diabetes. Diabetes was associated with advanced age and a higher cardiovascular risk profile. No difference in the mean values of IPF were observed between patients with or without DM (3.6 ± 2.5 vs 3.5 ± 2.5, P = 0.39) and neither in the rate of patients with IPF above the median (2.9%) (51.6% vs 50.6%, P = 0.73). In patients with DM, the IPF levels did not relate with glucose control parameters (glycaemia:
r = −0.024, P = 0.54, glycosylated haemoglobin: r = 0.11, P = 0.72). The prevalence of CAD was significantly lower in patients with DM and IPF greater than the median (80.5% vs 86.5%, P = 0.04, adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval {CI}] = 0.57[0.36–0.91], P = 0.02), while not left main/three‐vessel CAD (36.9% vs 38.2%, P = 0.75, adjusted OR [95%CI] = 0.91[0.64–1.28], P = 0.90).

Conclusion

In the present study, neither DM nor glucose control are independent predictors of IPF above the median. In patients with DM, higher IPF levels were associated with a lower prevalence of CAD and with a similar extent of severe CAD and angiographic findings. Therefore, until new data become available, elevated IPF should not be systematically applied on a large scale as cardiovascular risk marker in patients with diabetes.
Competition among native and invasive Phragmites australis populations: An experimental test of the effects of invasion status, genome size, and ploidy level
Authors: Pyšek Petr , Čuda Jan , Šmilauer Petr , Skálová Hana , Chumová Zuzana , Lambertini Carla , Lučanová Magdalena , Ryšavá Hana , Trávníček Pavel , Šemberová Kristýna , Meyerson Laura A.
Published: January 2020

Among the traits whose relevance for plant invasions has recently been suggested are genome size (the amount of nuclear DNA) and ploidy level. So far, research on the role of genome size in invasiveness has been mostly based on indirect evidence by comparing species with different genome sizes, but how karyological traits influence competition at the intraspecific level remains unknown. We addressed these questions in a common‐garden experiment evaluating the outcome of direct intraspecific competition among 20 populations of Phragmites australis, represented by clones collected in North America and Europe, and differing in their status (native and invasive), genome size (small and large), and ploidy levels (tetraploid, hexaploid, or octoploid). Each clone was planted in competition with one of the others in all possible combinations with three replicates in 45‐L pots. Upon harvest, the identity of 21 shoots sampled per pot was revealed by flow cytometry and DNA analysis. Differences in performance were examined using relative proportions of shoots of each clone, ratios of their aboveground biomass, and relative yield total (RYT). The performance of the clones in competition primarily depended on the clone status (native vs. invasive). Measured in terms of shoot number or aboveground biomass, the strongest signal observed was that North American native clones always lost in competition to the other two groups. In addition, North American native clones were suppressed by European natives to a similar degree as by North American invasives. North American invasive clones had the largest average shoot biomass, but only by a limited, nonsignificant difference due to genome size. There was no effect of ploidy on competition. Since the North American invaders of European origin are able to outcompete the native North American clones, we suggest that their high competitiveness acts as an important driver in the early stages of their invasion.
Estimating the inbreeding level and genetic relatedness in an isolated population of critically endangered Sichuan taimen (Hucho Bleekeri) using genome‐wide SNP markers
Authors: Zhang Yongquan , Luan Peixian , Ren Guangming , Hu Guo , Yin Jiasheng
Published: January 2020

Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri) is critically endangered fish listed in The Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF‐seq)‐based genotyping was performed for Sichuan taimen with 43 yearling individuals from three locations in Taibai River (a tributary of Yangtze River) that has been sequestered from its access to the ocean for more than 30 years since late 1980s. Applying the inbreeding level and genetic relatedness estimation using 15,396 genome‐wide SNP markers, we found that the inbreeding level of this whole isolated population was at a low level (2.6 × 10−3 ± 0.079), and the means of coancestry coefficients within and between the three sampling locations were all very low (close to 0), too. Genomic differentiation was negatively correlated with the geographical distances between the sampling locations (p < .001), and the 43 individuals could be considered as genetically independent two groups. The low levels of genomic inbreeding and relatedness indicated a relatively large number of sexually mature individuals were involved in reproduction in Taibai River. This study suggested a genomic‐relatedness‐guided breeding and conservation strategy for wild fish species without pedigree information records.
Evaluating the effectiveness of retention forestry to enhance biodiversity in production forests of Central Europe using an interdisciplinary, multi‐scale approach
Authors: Storch Ilse , Penner Johannes , Asbeck Thomas , Basile Marco , Bauhus Jürgen , Braunisch Veronika , Dormann Carsten F. , Frey Julian , Gärtner Stefanie , Hanewinkel Marc , Koch Barbara , Klein Alexandra‐Maria , Kuss Thomas , Pregernig Michael , Pyttel Patrick , Reif Albert , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Segelbacher Gernot , Schraml Ulrich , Staab Michael , Winkel Georg , Yousefpour Rasoul
Published: January 2020

Retention forestry, which retains a portion of the original stand at the time of harvesting to maintain continuity of structural and compositional diversity, has been originally developed to mitigate the impacts of clear‐cutting. Retention of habitat trees and deadwood has since become common practice also in continuous‐cover forests of Central Europe. While the use of retention in these forests is plausible, the evidence base for its application is lacking, trade‐offs have not been quantified, it is not clear what support it receives from forest owners and other stakeholders and how it is best integrated into forest management practices. The Research Training Group ConFoBi (Conservation of Forest Biodiversity in Multiple‐use Landscapes of Central Europe) focusses on the effectiveness of retention forestry, combining ecological studies on forest biodiversity with social and economic studies of biodiversity conservation across multiple spatial scales. The aim of ConFoBi is to assess whether and how structural retention measures are appropriate for the conservation of forest biodiversity in uneven‐aged and selectively harvested continuous‐cover forests of temperate Europe. The study design is based on a pool of 135 plots (1 ha) distributed along gradients of forest connectivity and structure. The main objectives are (a) to investigate the effects of structural elements and landscape context on multiple taxa, including different trophic and functional groups, to evaluate the effectiveness of retention practices for biodiversity conservation; (b) to analyze how forest biodiversity conservation is perceived and practiced, and what costs and benefits it creates; and (c) to identify how biodiversity conservation can be effectively integrated in multi‐functional forest management. ConFoBi will quantify retention levels required across the landscape, as well as the socio‐economic prerequisites for their implementation by forest owners and managers. ConFoBi's research results will provide an evidence base for integrating biodiversity conservation into forest management in temperate forests.
Plant invasions alter settlement patterns of breeding grassland birds
Authors: Andersen Erik M. , Steidl Robert J.
Published: January 2020

Animals have evolved strategies to identify areas that provide the resources and environmental conditions they need to survive and reproduce. To explore how invasions by nonnative plants might disrupt this fundamental process, we evaluated settlement patterns of migratory birds that breed in grasslands being invaded by two structurally different congeneric grasses. We established 40, 2.25‐ha plots across an area where the composition of each nonnative grass ranged from 0% to nearly 100% of total grass cover, which provided individuals with the full range of alternatives in species composition. We then used the temporal sequence by which birds established territories to infer their habitat preferences. We evaluated responses of the most common species that settled the area, two confamilial sparrows that differed markedly in habitat breadth. The species with narrower habitat breadth, the grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus), first established territories in areas dominated by native grasses, where grass height and cover were substantially lower than in areas dominated by the nonnative grasses. As the settlement period progressed, they increasingly established territories in areas dominated by the smaller nonnative grass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), but never established territories in areas dominated by the larger grass (E. curvula). In contrast, the species with broader habitat breadth, the Botteri's sparrow (Peucaea botterii arizonae), established territories without regard to grass composition, likely because both nonnative grasses were within the structural range of native grasses used by this grassland generalist. Our results demonstrate that in areas invaded by nonnative plants, changes in habitat use by animals can reflect the interaction between their habitat breadth and the amount of structural contrast between invading plants and the native plant species that are displaced. This interaction provides a mechanism to explain the variation in responses among species to invasions by nonnative plants, which has consequences for broad‐scale changes in the geographic distribution of many species.
Increased eDNA detection sensitivity using a novel high‐volume water sampling method
Authors: Schabacker Jenna C. , Amish Stephen J. , Ellis Bonnie K. , Gardner Beth , Miller Dulaney L. , Rutledge Elizabeth A. , Sepulveda Adam J. , Luikart Gordon
Published: January 2020

Environmental DNA analysis has revolutionized the way we study rare, invasive, and endangered taxa. However, if eDNA testing is to become an increasingly reliable tool, high detection sensitivity is crucial. Current eDNA sampling methods, like filtration and precipitation, can only process small volumes of water per sample. If only a few samples are collected, eDNA from the target organism might be missed, leading to false‐negative results. We developed an eDNA collection method for lentic systems that improved detection sensitivity while keeping the total number of samples low. Unlike filtration and precipitation, which mainly target extracellular DNA, this method specifically targets eDNA in larger particle sizes and is not limited to processing small volumes of water. A 64‐micrometer mesh tow net was used to process >3,000 L of water per eDNA sample. We compared the tow net method to a common collection method, a 0.45 μm cellulose nitrate filter that processes about 1 L of water per eDNA sample. Paired tow and filter samples were collected at 37 locations and tested for two taxa: an aquatic plant, Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum), and aquatic mollusks, including Helisoma anceps, using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) assays. We detected M. sibiricum significantly more frequently in tow samples than filter samples. Mollusks were detected in all eDNA samples (tow nets and filters), but when eDNA samples were diluted 25‐fold to mimic a low target concentration scenario, mollusk DNA was detected significantly more frequently in tow samples than filter samples. This high‐volume eDNA sampling method, using a tow net to process thousands of liters of water, can improve detection sensitivity for multiple taxa, making it a useful tool for researchers and managers.
C3‐Functionalization of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines
Authors: Tashrifi Zahra , Mohammadi‐Khanaposhtani Mohammad , Larijani Bagher , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: January 2020

Among nitrogen‐containing organic compounds, imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines, and especially C3‐functionalized imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines, have a wide range of industrial applications in the fields of optics, material science, and organometallics. This scaffolds also have various medicinal uses due to their antiviral, cytotoxic, antibacterial, fungicidal, and antiinflammatory activities as they are found in many commercially available drugs such as Alpidem, Miroprofen, and Zolimidine. In this review, we summarized and classified the latest synthetic methods for the preparation of C3‐functionalized imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines based on the type of the substituents on the 3‐position of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine including C3‐alkylation, C3‐arylation, C3‐carbonylation, C3‐sulfenylation, C3‐selenation, C3‐N‐Substitution, C3‐phosphonation, and C3‐halogenation.
Modular Synthesis of Functionalized Butenolides by Oxidative Furan Fragmentation
Authors: Bao Jiajing , Tian Hailong , Yang Peicheng , Deng Jiachen , Gui Jinghan
Published: January 2020

The development of new chemical transformations to simplify the synthesis of valuable building blocks is a challenging task in organic chemistry and has been the focus of considerable research effort. Here we report a chemical transformation that enables the facile and modular synthesis of synthetically challenging yet biologically important functionalized butenolides from easily accessible furans. Specifically, Diels–Alder reactions between furans and singlet oxygen generate versatile hydroperoxide intermediates, which undergo iron(II)‐mediated radical fragmentation in the presence of Cu(OAc)2 or various radical trapping reagents to afford butenolides bearing a wide variety of appended remote functional groups, including olefins, halides, azides, and aldehydes. The practical utility of this transformation is demonstrated by easy diversification of the products by means of cross‐coupling reactions and, most importantly, by its ability to simplify the syntheses of known building blocks of eight biologically active natural products.
Evaluation of the Alicyclic Gauche Effect in 2‐Fluorocyclohexanone Analogs: a Combined NMR and DFT Study
Authors: Silva Daniela Rodrigues , Zeoly Lucas A. , Cormanich Rodrigo A. , Guerra Célia Fonseca , Freitas Matheus P.
Published: January 2020

Herein, we have investigated the effect of an endocyclic group (forming the N–C–C–F fragment) on the conformational preferences of 2‐fluorocyclohexanone analogs. A combined approach of nuclear magnetic resonance and density functional theory calculations was employed to assess the conformational equilibrium in several media. In turn, natural bond orbital analysis and the conformational behavior of other 2‐halocyclohexanone analogs were used to get more insights about the intramolecular interactions governing the conformer stabilities. Our results reveal that any stabilization from interactions featured in the gauche effect is overcome by a short‐range interaction of the fluorine substituent with the carbonyl group. Consequently, the gauche effect in heterocyclic compounds is not as stabilizing as in their acyclic counterparts. Only the electrostatic gauche effect takes place even in polar solvents owing to an attraction between the axial fluorine and an endocyclic quaternary ammonium group.
Targeted Synthesis of 9‐Azabicyclo[4.2.1]nona‐2,4,7‐trienes by Cobalt(I)‐Catalyzed [6π+2π]‐Cycloaddition of Alkynes to N‐Substituted Azepines and Their Antitumor Activity
Authors: D'yakonov Vladimir A. , Kadikova Gulnara N. , Nasretdinov Ramil N. , Dzhemileva Lilya U. , Dzhemilev Usein M.
Published: January 2020

The catalytic [6π+2π]‐cycloaddition of terminal alkynes to N‐carbethoxyazepine and N‐carbophenoxyazepine catalyzed by the three‐component Co(acac)2(dppe)/Zn/ZnI2 system was accomplished for the first time to give a broad range of practically valuable substituted 9‐azabicyclo[4.2.1]nona‐2,4,7‐trienes in high yields (75–96 %). The structures of the azabicyclic products were proved using modern spectral methods and X‐ray crystallography. The synthesized 9‐azabicyclo[4.2.1]nona‐2,4,7‐trienes were found to exhibit high antitumor activity in vitro against the Jurkat, K562, U937, and HL60 tumor cell lines.
Adsorption of acetic acid and hydrogen sulfide using NaOH impregnated activated carbon for indoor air purification
Authors: Wang Shuang , Nam Hoseok , Gebreegziabher Tesfay Berhe , Nam Hyungseok
Published: January 2020

Excessive exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and acetic acid (CH3COOH) gases is extremely dangerous in a confined space. An effective indoor air pollutant removal porous carbon filter was developed using NaOH impregnated on activated carbon (NaOH/AC) for the adsorption of H2S and CH3COOH. Activated carbon (NaOH/AC) filter was characterized using various methods, indicating good physical and chemical properties (especially ‐OH functional groups) for the adsorption of air pollutants. The prepared NaOH/AC filter was cured at different curing temperatures and residence times to understand the effect of the curing conditions on the adsorption performance. The best results were obtained with NaOH/AC filter cured at 100°C for 20 minutes as it eliminated the initial concentration of 400 ppm of CH3COOH in 15 minutes and H2S in 30 minutes at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. Isotherm and kinetic models were used to analyze the adsorption process. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second order kinetic models provided the best fit to the adsorption of CH3COOH and H2S on NaOH/AC filter. The adsorption mechanism was controlled by the intraparticle diffusion combined with film diffusion. The maximum adsorption capacity of NaOH/AC filter was 473 mg/g for H2S adsorption, and 550 mg/g for CH3COOH adsorption. In addition, the spent NaOH/AC filter was regenerated for reuse. This study is expected to develop low‐cost and effective porous carbon filter using NaOH‐modified activated carbon for indoor air purification.
Methyl 2,2‐Difluoro‐2‐(Fluorosulfonyl) Acetate as a Novel Electrolyte Additive for High‐Voltage LiCoO2/Graphite Pouch Li‐Ion Cells
Authors: Xiang Fuyou , Wang Pipi , Cheng Hao
Published: January 2020

Herein, a novel sulfone‐based compound, methyl 2,2‐difluoro‐2‐(fluorosulfonyl) acetate (MDFA) is studied for its effects in improving LiCoO2/graphite pouch Li‐ion cell performance at high working voltage (4.45 V). Calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and electrochemical tests reveal that MDFA can be reduced preferentially compared with the electrolyte solvent. It helps form a robust interface film with high lithium‐ion conductivity, which will greatly reduce the interfacial impedance of cells. The pouch cells containing 1 wt% MDFA show excellent discharge performance at low temperature (−10 °C) and such concentration of MDFA can also inhibit the deposition of lithium on the anode. Moreover, this additive can promote stability of cell cycling at high voltage. The overall results indicate that the MDFA is a low‐impedance additive that can be well applied to improve the property of high‐voltage lithium‐ion batteries.
Template‐Free Synthesis of Hierarchical Composite Nanotubes with Superior Lithium and Sodium Storage Performance
Authors: Yang Zunxian , Huang Jianhua , Zhang Yufei , Ye Bingqing , Lin Shimin , Liu Jiahui , Ye Yuliang , Zheng Kang , Lu Ganzhen , Guo Tailiang , Yu Xuebin
Published: January 2020

2D transition metal disulfides are one of the most preferred materials for lithium‐/sodium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, complex processes and structural instability during cycling are challenges faced. Herein, the hierarchical composite nanotubes CeO2@C@MoS2 (MS/CNTs) are prepared by electrostatic spinning, followed by a simple carbon coating method. The as‐prepared composite nanotubes with self‐assembled layer structures are characterized by a more stable structure compared with traditional nanofibers due to the existence of a dense skeleton. As a result of the stable framework structure, MS/CNTs exhibit excellent electrochemical performance in LIBs (1002 mA hg−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 690 mA hg−1 at 1 A g−1 after 500 cycles) and super‐long cyclic stability and electrochemical performance (550 mA hg−1 at 2 A g−1 after 2400 cycles). MS/CNTs also show excellent storage performance in sodium batteries (440 mA hg−1 at 0.5 A g−1, 400 mA hg−1 at 1 A g−1). The stability of MoS2 nanotubes is effectively improved by chemical and physical methods, mainly due to the support of the CeO2@C, metal–organic framework (MOF) tube skeleton, which avoids the shedding of nanotubes after cycling, maintaining a unique structural topography even after 500 cycles.
Species discrimination and total polyphenol prediction of porcini mushrooms by fourier transform mid‐infrared (FT‐MIR) spectrometry combined with multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Li Xiu‐Ping , Li Jieqing , Li Tao , Liu Honggao , Wang Yuanzhong
Published: January 2020

The plateau specialty agricultural products, wild porcini mushrooms, have great value both as a superb cuisine and as a potential medication. Due to quality different between species added with the fraud behavior in sales process, make poor quality or poisonous sample inflow into the market, which pose a health risk for consumers, but also disrupted the mushroom market. Traditional analysis way is time‐consuming and laborious. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a way using fourier transform mid‐infrared (FT‐MIR) spectrometry and data fusion strategies for the fast and accurate species discrimination and predict amount of total polyphenol in four porcini mushrooms. The t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding based on mid‐level data fusion showed two species of Boletus edulis and B. umbriniporus have been identified. The order of correct rate of PLS‐DA models was mid‐level data fusionq (100%) > mid‐level data fusione (97.06%) = mid‐level data fusionv (97.06%) = stipes (97.06%) > low‐level data fusion (94.12%) > caps (91.18%). The order of correct rate of grid‐search support vector machine models was low‐level data fusion (100%) > caps (94.12%) > stipes (91.18%), and the order of particle swarm optimization support vector machine was low‐level data fusion (100%) > caps (97.06%) > stipes (88.24%). The mid‐level data fusionq and low‐level data fusion had best discrimination accuracy (100%) allowing each mushroom classed into its real species, which could be used for accurate discrimination of samples. B. edulis mushrooms had highest total polyphenol, with 14.76 mg/g dw and 17.33 in caps and stipes mg/g dw, respectively. The phenols were easier to accumulate in the caps in Leccinum rugosiceps (1.03) and B. tomentipes (1.19), and the opposite phenomenon is observed in B. edulis (0.85) and B. umbriniporus (0.95). The correlation coefficient and residual predictive deviation of best prediction model were 86.76% and 2.40%, respectively, indicating that that there is good relevance between FT‐MIR and total polyphenol content, which could be used to predict roughly polyphenols content in mushrooms.
Realizing the Benefits of Digitalization Through Standards
Authors: Trum Caroline
Published: January 2020

Digitalization is a concept some may write off as a mere buzzword when, in actuality, digital transformation has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry and, with it, change the world. Through new technologies that have significantly reduced burdens related to data collection, storage, and processing, society has an ever‐increasing quantity and quality of data available at its fingertips. These advancements, commonly referred to as digitalization, have allowed companies to increase performance, accuracy, and productivity in ways unimaginable even a decade ago. As expected, governments and private industry alike, including the energy, finance, and manufacturing sectors, to name a few, have already begun to explore manners in which to harness the potential benefits of the digital transformation. In the energy industry alone, between 2014 and 2016, investments in digital electricity infrastructure and software experienced an annual increase of approximately 20 percent, totaling $47 billion USD in 2016.
Holocene large lake development and desiccation: Changing habitats in the Kharga Basin of the Egyptian Sahara
Authors: Bunbury Judith , Ikram Salima , Roughley Corinne
Published: January 2020

The Sahara Desert, known today as one of the world's great wildernesses, was periodically dotted with large lakes that formed during the Holocene pluvial periods. As the lakes dried, the fertile and flat‐lying damp muds formed a rich habitat that was occupied by human settlers before being abandoned, as the area dried out completely. In Kharga, our work shows that a combination of pluvial periods with short term storage in the Upper Nubian aquifer, access to artesian water in the Lower Nubian Aquifer and over‐flow water from the Nile via the Wadi Toshka created a biodiverse environment which, although drier today, sustained refugia of plants and animals throughout the Holocene.
Losing body weight for money: How provider‐side financial incentives cause weight loss in Swiss low‐birth‐weight newborns
Authors: Hochuli Philip
Published: January 2020

Facing steadily rising health care costs, Switzerland introduced a system of diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs) for hospital payment in 2012 (SwissDRG) along with cost‐efficiency benchmarking between hospitals. On the one hand, SwissDRG puts hospitals at financial risk and strengthens incentives for efficiency by setting a fixed price per case. On the other hand, hospitals are incentivized to game the system and exploit adverse incentives. We investigate hospitals' behavioral response to financial incentives in Swiss neonatology. First, we provide strong evidence for manipulations of reported birth weight among low‐birth‐weight newborns. Using a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐difference design, we find that 14–27% of birth weights are manipulated around specific birth weight cutoffs. Second, we find evidence of an upward‐sloping supply curve of cheating, indicating that hospitals increasingly engage in fraudulent behavior as financial incentives increase. Our estimates indicate a supply‐sided price elasticity of cheating between 0.16 and 0.52.