bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
M
agnaporthe

and Its Relatives
Authors: Ortega‐Campayo Víctor , Pérez‐Martín Marta , Sesma Ane
Published: November 2018

One of the main current societal challenges is the production of food supplies to feed a constantly growing human population. In the forthcoming years, we will have to increase the global production of staple cereals such as rice to achieve this goal. Several factors compromise this objective, including the variation of raining patterns due to climate change and pathogen infections that drastically reduce crop yields. Wheat and rice are frequently affected by diseases caused by several root‐infecting species of
Magnaporthales
such as
Gaeumannomyces graminis
,
Magnaporthiopsis rhizophila
and
Nakatea oryzae
(syn.
Magnaporthe salvinii
). Other economically significant root pathogen of this fungal family is
Magnaporthiopsis poae
, which causes severe damages in turfs used for sport courts flooring and home lawns. The blast fungus
Magnaporthe oryzae
, an extremely damaging airborne fungal pathogen of wheat and rice, also infects underground tissues. This is in accordance with the distinct penetration strategies displayed by
M. oryzae
during aerial and underground plant colonisation.

Key Concepts

A clade is a phylogenetic group, which comprises a single common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor.

The appressorium in Magnaporthales is a melanised fungal structure required for penetration of aerial plant tissues, and it is formed at the tips of spore germ tubes or hyphae.

An hyphopodium in Magnaporthales is a specialised structure produced at the tip of the hyphae to penetrate roots.
Gaemannomyces sp
. can produce simple or lobed hyphopodia.
M. oryzae
produces simple hyphopodia.

Disease‐suppressive soils are soils in which little or no disease occurs under favorable conditions for disease development. Generally, this is due to the presence of indigenous soil microbes.

The immune response in rice roots and leaves against the blast disease differs.
Phylogeny and Evolution of Vascular Plants
Authors: Qiu Yin‐Long
Published: November 2018

Vascular plants play a major role in global carbon cycling and are of fundamental importance to life on earth. Over the last half‐century, phylogenetic studies of morphological and molecular data have brought tremendous progress in our understanding of origin, phylogeny and evolution of these plants. It is clear that they evolved from a bryophytic ancestor, which likely resembles hornworts in the modern earth flora. Among all living vascular plants, lycophytes represent the first diverging lineage. Ferns and other free‐sporing vascular plants make up a clade called monilophytes, which are sister to seed plants. Extant gymnosperms form a monophyletic group in most molecular studies, but this result may need further investigation as morphological support is lacking. Among living angiosperms,Amborella, Nymphaeales and Austrobaileyales have been unequivocally demonstrated to represent the oldest lineages, a result that will facilitate solving Darwin's abominable mystery – the origin of angiosperms.

Key Concepts

Origin of vascular plants: Current phylogenetic and fossil evidence tends to support bryophytes as a paraphyletic group and thus vascular plants originated from a bryophytic ancestor.

Phylogeny and evolution of life cycle in land plants: The bryophytic origin of vascular plants supports antithetic theory: The multicellular diploid sporophyte generation in land plants was an interpolation of a new structure derived from delay of meiosis in the life cycle, and continuously increased as plants evolved, eventually outweighing the haploid gametophyte generation.

Relationships among early vascular plants: The long‐standing issue of how several relictual vascular plant lineages are related to each other have been finally resolved, with lycophytes representing the oldest living member of vascular plants andEquisetumbeing sister to a group composed of Psilotaceae and eusporangiate and leptosporangiate ferns.

Monilophytes and origin of seed plants: Among extant free‐sporing vascular plants,Equisetum, Psilotaceae and ferns together make up a monophyletic group called monilophytes, which is sister to seed plants.

The first angiosperms: Among all living angiosperms,Amborella, a shrub from New Caledonia, and Nymphaeales represent the basalmost lineages and they could offer some clues to what the first angiosperms looked like.

Phylogenomics and phylogeny: The colossal amount of information that is being unearthed from genomes is enabling a new quantum leap in phylogenetics and evolutionary biology, but the data need to be carefully and rigorously analysed so that the results are not simply trees with high statistical support, and instead can withstand repeated falsification tests.
Role, Importance and Biosynthesis of Cell Wall‐Bound Phenolic Acids in Cereals
Authors: Hassan Ali S. , Burton Rachel A.
Published: November 2018

Ferulic acid (FA) and
p
‐coumaric acid (pCA) are the most abundant phenolic acids in cereals contributing 70–80% of the total phenolic acid pool (Harris and Hartley, 1980; Van Hung, 2016). They have roles in human health and nutrition (Van Hung, 2016) and cell wall cross‐linking
in planta
(de O Buanafina, 2009). These compounds are mainly bound to arabinoxylan polysaccharides and lignin polymers in cereals (Molinari et al., 2013). Such linkages may affect properties of the cell wall including adhesion and rigidity (Barrière et al., 2004), and might also limit the availability of wall polysaccharides in downstream processes due to the formation of polysaccharide–polysaccharide and polysaccharide–lignin complexes (Iiyama et al., 1990; Jung et al., 2012). Biosynthetic pathways that lead to the production of these phenolic compounds and their incorporation into the plant cell walls are complicated and there is still much to be understood. This article will cover the applications of cell wall‐bound phenolic acids, focusing on health benefits, and will discuss the possible routes currently thought to exist for the generation and incorporation of these compounds into the cell wall.
Kolodny: Pain patients need help, and it may be buprenorphine
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: November 2018

Andrew Kolodny, M.D., co‐director of opioid policy research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, spoke earlier this month at the Opioid Crisis conference of the Summit for Clinical Excellence in Bedford, Massachusetts. He noted that the opioid epidemic is different in different states.
Mussel‐Inspired Contact‐Active Antibacterial Hydrogel with High Cell Affinity, Toughness, and Recoverability
Authors: Gan Donglin , Xu Tong , Xing Wensi , Ge Xiang , Fang Liming , Wang Kefeng , Ren Fuzeng , Lu Xiong
Published: November 2018

Antibacterial hydrogel has received extensive attention in soft tissue repair, especially preventing infections those associated with impaired wound healing. However, it is challenging in developing an inherent antibacterial hydrogel integrating with excellent cell affinity and superior mechanical properties. Inspired by the mussel adhesion chemistry, a contact‐active antibacterial hydrogel is proposed by copolymerization of methacrylamide dopamine (MADA) and 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and forming an interpenetrated network with quaternized chitosan. The reactive catechol groups of MADA endow the hydrogel with contact intensified bactericidal activity, because it increases the exposure of bacterial cells to the positively charged groups of the hydrogel and strengthens the bactericidal effect. MADA also maintains the good adhesion of fibroblasts to the hydrogel. Moreover, the hybrid chemical and physical cross‐links inner the hydrogel network makes the hydrogel strong and tough with good recoverability. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrate that this tough and contact‐active antibacterial hydrogel is a promising material to fulfill the dual functions of promoting tissue regeneration and preventing bacterial infection for wound‐healing applications.
An Exploration of New Energy Storage System: High Energy Density, High Safety, and Fast Charging Lithium Ion Battery
Authors: Wu Yingqiang , Wang Wenxi , Ming Jun , Li Mengliu , Xie Leqiong , He Xiangming , Wang Jing , Liang Shuquan , Wu Yuping
Published: November 2018

Rechargeable lithium ion battery (LIB) has dominated the energy market from portable electronics to electric vehicles, but the fast‐charging remains challenging. The safety concerns of lithium deposition on graphite anode or the decreased energy density using Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) anode are incapable to satisfy applications. Herein, the sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) is explored for the first time as a high capacity and safer anode in LIBs, in which the high voltage cathode of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM‐H) is further introduced to configure a new SPAN|NCM‐H battery with great fast‐charging features. The LIB demonstrates a good stability with a high capacity retention of 89.7% after 100 cycles at a high voltage of 3.5 V (i.e., 4.6 V vs Li+/Li). Particularly, the excellent rate capability is confirmed and 78.7% of initial capacity can still be delivered at 4.0C. In addition, 97.6% of the battery capacity can be charged within 2.0C, which is much higher than 80% in current fast‐charging application standards. The feature of lithiation potential (>1.0 V vs Li+/Li) of SPAN avoids the lithium deposition and improves the safety, while the high capacity over 640 mAh g−1 promises 43.5% higher energy density than that of LTO‐based battery, enabling its great competitiveness to conventional LIBs.
Controlled Synthesis of 2D Palladium Diselenide for Sensitive Photodetector Applications
Authors: Zeng Long‐Hui , Wu Di , Lin Sheng‐Huang , Xie Chao , Yuan Hui‐Yu , Lu Wei , Lau Shu Ping , Chai Yang , Luo Lin‐Bao , Li Zhong‐Jun , Tsang Yuen Hong
Published: November 2018

Palladium diselenide (PdSe2), a thus far scarcely studied group‐10 transition metal dichalcogenide has exhibited promising potential in future optoelectronic and electronic devices due to unique structures and electrical properties. Here, the controllable synthesis of wafer‐scale and homogeneous 2D PdSe2 film is reported by a simple selenization approach. By choosing different thickness of precursor Pd layer, 2D PdSe2 with thickness of 1.2–20 nm can be readily synthesized. Interestingly, with the increase in thickness, obvious redshift in wavenumber is revealed by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, in accordance with density functional theory (DFT) calculation, optical absorption and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) analyses confirm that the PdSe2 exhibits an evolution from a semiconductor (monolayer) to semimetal (bulk). Further combination of the PdSe2 layer with Si leads to a highly sensitive, fast, and broadband photodetector with a high responsivity (300.2 mA W−1) and specific detectivity (≈1013 Jones). By decorating the device with black phosphorus quantum dots, the device performance can be further optimized. These results suggest the as‐selenized PdSe2 is a promising material for optoelectronic application.
The Absence and Importance of Operando Techniques for Metal‐Free Catalysts
Authors: Yuan Yifei , Li Matthew , Bai Zhengyu , Jiang Gaopeng , Liu Bin , Wu Tianpin , Chen Zhongwei , Amine Khalil , Lu Jun
Published: November 2018

Operando characterization techniques have played a crucial role in modern technological developments. In contrast to the experimental uncertainties introduced by ex situ techniques, the simultaneous measurement of desired sample characteristics and near‐realistic electrochemical testing provides a representative picture of the underlying physics. From Li‐ion batteries to metal‐based electrocatalysts, the insights offered by real‐time characterization data have enabled more efficient research programs. As an emerging class of catalyst, much of the mechanistic understanding of metal‐free electrocatalysts continues to be elusive in comparison to their metal‐based counterparts. However, there is a clear absence of operando characterization performed on metal‐free catalysts. Through the proper execution of operando techniques, it can be expected that metal‐free catalysts can achieve exceptional technological progress. Here, the motivation of using operando characterization techniques for metal‐free carbon‐based catalyst system is considered, followed by a discussion of the possibilities, difficulties and benefits of their applications.
Imine Reductase‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Reduction of Bulky α,β‐Unsaturated Imines en Route to a Pharmaceutically Important Morphinan Skeleton
Authors: Yao Peiyuan , Xu Zefei , Yu Shanshan , Wu Qiaqing , Zhu Dunming
Published: November 2018

The morphinan skeleton is an important sub‐structure in many medicines such as dextromethorphan, and can be constructed from 1‐benzyl‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroisoquinoline (1‐benzyl‐OHIQ) derivatives. 1‐Benzyl‐3,4,5,6,7,8‐hexahydroisoquinolines (1‐benzyl‐HHIQs), the precursors of 1‐benzyl‐OHIQs, constitute a type of bulky α, β‐unsaturated imines. Until now, the application of imine reductases (IREDs) to α, β‐unsaturated imines has only rarely been reported. In this study, through evaluation of 48 IREDs, both enantiomers of 1‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroisoquinoline (1‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐OHIQ) were obtained in high yield and excellent optical purity. Among the enzymes, the most steric hindrance‐tolerant IRED from Sandarearacinus amylolyticus (IR40) was able to convert various phenyl substituted 1‐benzyl‐HHIQ to the corresponding 1‐benzyl‐OHIQ derivatives with excellent enantiometric excess. These results provide an effective route to synthesize these important compounds via enantioselective reduction of bulky α, β‐unsaturated imine precursors, which can be readily prepared from 2‐(1‐cyclohexenyl)ethylamine and corresponding aryl acetic acids.

magnified image
Hysteresis‐Free Hexagonal Boron Nitride Encapsulated 2D Semiconductor Transistors, NMOS and CMOS Inverters
Authors: Liu Shuai , Yuan Kai , Xu Xiaolong , Yin Ruoyu , Lin Der‐Yuh , Li Yanping , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Meng Yongqiang , Dai Lun , Ye Yu
Published: November 2018

Graphene and subsequently discovered layered semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) exhibit numerous exotic physical properties and broad potential device applications. These 2D semiconducting TMDCs have become particularly interesting in next‐generation electronic device applications due to their atomic thickness and nonzero bandgap. However, as there is no bulk volume, the 2D nature makes the electronic transport in these crystals highly sensitive to the environmental conditions, such as humidity, adsorbates, and trapped charges in neighboring dielectrics. Due to this environmental sensitivity, 2D‐based circuits and devices suffer from a large and undesirable environment‐induced hysteresis, which must be eliminated for reliable operation and computation. By mechanically assembling van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures and edge‐contacted graphite electrodes, the 2D semiconducting channel is sealed completely and protected. Here, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) encapsulated high‐performance, hysteresis‐free 2D semiconductor transistors, n‐type metal‐oxide semiconductor, and complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor inverters are fabricated. The hBN encapsulation provides excellent protection of semiconducting n‐MoS2 and p‐WSe2 from environmental factors, resulting in hysteresis‐free 2D electronics characteristics that are necessary for the realization of 2D electronics and computing.
Synergistic Crystal and Interface Engineering for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics
Authors: Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Saliba Michael , Yadav Pankaj , Holzhey Philippe , Hagfeldt Anders , Zakeeruddin Shaik Mohammed , Grätzel Michael
Published: November 2018

The presence of bulk and surface defects in perovskite light harvesting materials limits the overall efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The formation of such defects is suppressed by adding methylammonium chloride (MACl) as a crystallization aid to the precursor solution to realize high‐quality, large‐grain triple A‐cation perovskite films and that are combined with judicious engineering of the perovskite interface with the electron and hole selective contact materials. A planar SnO2/TiO2 double layer oxide is introduced to ascertain fast electron extraction and the surface of the perovskite facing the hole conductor is treated with iodine dissolved in isopropanol to passivate surface trap states resulting in a retardation of radiationless carrier recombination. A maximum solar to electric power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.65% and open circuit photovoltage (Voc) of ≈1.24 V with only ≈370 mV loss in potential with respect to the band gap are achieved, by applying these modifications. Additionally, the defect healing enhances the operational stability of the devices that retain 96%, 90%, and 85% of their initial PCE values after 500 h under continuously light illumination at 20, 50, and 65 °C, respectively, demonstrating one of the most stable planar PSCs reported so far.
Assembling narratives: Tensions in collaborative construction of knowledge
Authors: Khazraee Emad
Published: November 2018

Scientific and scholarly research is heterogeneous in that divergent viewpoints, and different interests must be brought together to achieve coherent accounts of research. The tensions caused by this multiplicity of interests and singularity of output frame most collaborative research practice. The goal of present study is to identify areas of tension in such collaborative and heterogeneous efforts. To this end, the present study investigates the co‐construction of archeological narrative at one of the largest multinational archeological campaigns in the world, the Çatalhöyük project in Turkey. This study conceptualizes archeological narratives as epistemic assemblages. Following Actor Network theorists, the archeological process is conceptualized as a series of translation processes (of heterogeneous engineering) that inscribe the found material remains of archeological investigation into a narrative. This complex process takes place within a heterogeneous sociotechnical network. This study decomposes this heterogeneous network to identify the areas of tension and struggle. Two sources of such tensions are identified asfragmentationandfault lines. Overcoming fragmentation and fault lines is key for the success of heterogeneous scientific work and maintaining productive scientific collaboration. The findings of this study have applications beyond archeology and can inform the design of cyberinfrastructure for heterogeneous collaborations.
An exploration of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic counsellors' experiences of working with White clients
Authors: Spalding Beverley , Grove Jan , Rolfe Alison
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Counselling and Psychotherapy have been described in the past as White middle‐class professions. However, over recent years Britain has become a more multiracial society, with therapists increasingly likely to find themselves working with clients from different ethnic backgrounds to their own. However, investigating Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) counsellors working with a White client is an under‐researched area in this country. This qualitative study investigated the experiences of BAME counsellors who had worked with White clients.

Method

Eight BAME participants took part in semi‐structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

There were three overarching themes: Training as colour blind; Experiencing client reactions; and Working with “race” in the counselling process. These form a narrative in which participants commonly described inadequate training around “race” and culture, then dealing with the experience of encountering issues of “race” as they present in the counselling room, and developing ways of managing and working with these issues.

Discussion

Participants clearly stated their need for further support both within training and in the way in which they manage difference in the counselling room. Implications for training organisations are discussed, including the recommendation that difference within training groups is identified, and that trainers take responsibility to raise issues and facilitate the learning within a safe environment. This is a small‐scale study and further research is needed, extending this to a wider geographical area, and using this to inform the development of more inclusive training programmes.
Simulation and Exergy Analysis of Recovering Acetaldehyde and Ethanol in 1,3‐Butadiene Production
Authors: Liu Cheng , Wu Linlin , Sun Huanhuan , Chen Yixuan , Geng Zhongfeng
Published: November 2018

The production of butadiene from bioethanol as a non‐oil route has become a new research focus. Due to the incomplete conversion of ethanol and acetaldehyde in a single pass it is necessary to recycle the unreacted raw material. On the basis of economic optimization, a new acetaldehyde and ethanol recovery process with optimized operation conditions was developed. The purity of ethanol and acetaldehyde returned to the reactor can be guaranteed. The energy bottleneck of the process was identified by exergy analysis and improved by the proposed thermal integration. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to seek proper parameters for each operation unit. Total utilities cost, energy consumption, and exergy loss in the thermal integrated scheme could be significantly reduced.
Mechanical Tuning of Giant Magnetoresistance and Spin Filtering in Manganese Diporphyrin‐Based Molecular Junction
Authors: Zhao Wenkai , Zou Dongqing , Sun Zhaopeng , Xu Yuqing , Yu Yongjiang , Yang Chuanlu
Published: November 2018

By employing spin‐polarized density functional theory (DFT) combined with non‐equilibrium Green's function technique (NEGF), we have investigated the spin transport properties of a series of manganese diporphyrins (MnDPs) with different torsion angle (θ=0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°). It is found that the spin transport properties of molecular junctions can be modulated by mechanical tuning of different dihedral angle. In addition, the molecular junctions have characterized Giant magnetoresistance (GMR), spin filtering effect (SFE) and negative differential resistance (NDR). More interestingly, our results show that the MR could reach over 14000 % at low bias voltage, and nearly perfect spin filtering efficiency can be obtained when the torsion angle θ=20°. The numerical analysis reveals that the matching of PDOS for two parts of MnDP molecule is the physical mechanism which is causing the appearance of GMR in the low bias voltage. Our findings might be useful for the application of MnDP‐based molecular devices.
Feasibility of a microalgal wastewater treatment for the removal of nutrients under non‐sterile conditions and carbon limitation
Authors: Ramos Ana C. , Regan Sharon , McGinn Patrick J. , Champagne Pascale
Published: November 2018

Microalgal treatment of municipal wastewater has been discussed as a novel strategy for the removal of excess nutrients and metals. Additionally, a number of products can be obtained from the resulting microalgal biomass, including energy products that can be utilized within the treatment plant. However, the effectiveness of these microalgal systems can be significantly affected by the natural biota, which could consequently impact the quality of the wastewater effluent. This study evaluated the performance of two microalgal species in the removal of nutrients from non‐sterile, highly concentrated synthetic wastewater. The results showed that monocultures of Scenedesmus sp. AMDD and Chlorella sorokiniana could remove up to 60 % NH4+, and 44 and 35 % PO43‐, respectively, in a semi‐continuous cultivation mode without negatively affecting effluent quality.
Can interfaces at bracket‐wire and between teeth in multi‐teeth finite element model be simplified?
Authors: Liu Yanzhi , Jiang Feifei , Chen Jie
Published: November 2018

Objective

Finite element (FE) method's correctness depends heavily on modeling method. This study aimed at determining whether the interfaces at bracket‐wire and between teeth can be simplified for multi‐teeth FE analysis.

Method

A three‐dimensional FE model of a mandible was created from cone‐beam computed tomography scan. Due to symmetry, only a half of the mandible was modeled, which consisted of five teeth (first premolar extraction and only first molar), brackets and archwire, periodontal ligament (PDL), cortical bone, and cancellous bone. All the bone, teeth, and PDL were considered to be isotropic and linear. The En‐masse retraction case was simulated. A detailed model, which has contact elements between the bracket and archwire and between teeth, was developed to allow relative motion at the interfaces. A model with simplified interfacial conditions, which does not allow the relative motion, was also created. The stresses and displacements as results of the treatment on these two models were calculated and compared.

Results

The stress and displacement distributions from the detailed model were more close to reality based on the expected displacement pattern of the clinical case than from the simplified model. The maximum stresses from the two methods were also different. The highest stress from the detailed model is twice as high as from the simplified model.

Conclusions

The detailed model provides much more reasonable results than the simplified model. Thus, the simplified model should not be used to replace the detailed model if the stress magnitude and highest stress location are the expected outcomes.
Special issue on stem cell and tissue engineering in development, disease, and repair
Authors: Shcheglovitov Aleksandr , Rao Mahendra , Yoo Andrew
Published: November 2018

Key Findings

Stem cells

Tissue Engineering

Development

Disease

Repair
L‐selectin expression is regulated by CXCL8‐induced reactive oxygen species produced during human neutrophil rolling
Authors: Domínguez‐Luis María Jesús , Armas‐González Estefanía , Herrera‐García Ada , Arce‐Franco María , Feria Manuel , Vicente‐Manzanares Miguel , Martínez‐Ruiz Antonio , Sánchez‐Madrid Francisco , Díaz‐González Federico
Published: November 2018

Neutrophils destroy invading microorganisms by phagocytosis by bringing them into contact with bactericidal substances, among which ROS are the most important. However, ROS also function as important physiological regulators of cellular signaling pathways. Here, we addressed the involvement of oxygen derivatives in the regulation of human neutrophil rolling, an essential component of the inflammatory response. Flow experiments using dihydroethidium‐preloaded human neutrophils showed that these cells initiate an early production of intracellular ROS during the rolling phase of the adhesion cascade, a phenomenon that required cell rolling, and the interaction of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 with their ligand CXCL8. Flow cytometry experiments demonstrated that L‐selectin shedding in neutrophils is triggered by ROS through an autocrine–paracrine mechanism. Preincubation of neutrophils with the NADPH oxidase complex inhibitor diphenyleniodonium chloride significantly increased the number of rolling neutrophils on endothelial cells. Interestingly, the same effect was observed when CXCL8 signaling was interfered using either a blocking monoclonal antibody or an inhibitor of its receptor. These findings indicate that, in response to CXCL8, neutrophils initiate ROS production during the rolling phase of the inflammatory response. This very early ROS production might participate in the modulation of the inflammatory response by inducing L‐selectin shedding in neutrophils.
Suitability of starch extracted from fresh pasta by‐product in biodegradable film production
Authors: Zouari‐Ellouzi Soumaya , Chaari Fatma , Bouaziz Amira , Kallel Fatma , Mechim Monia , Jaziri Mohamed , Bougatef Ali , Ellouze‐Ghorbel Raoudha
Published: November 2018

Starch (PS) isolated from fresh pasta by‐product was plasticized with different amount of glycerol (10, 15, and 20%). X‐ray diffraction highlighted that after PS plasticization, the obtained bio‐films showed a partial change in the crystallinity and typical saccharide bands were put in evidence by peaks associated with C‐C, C‐O, C‐H, and ‐OH stretching from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra. The differential scanning calorimetry measurements demonstrated that glass transition temperature (Tg) of bio‐films decreased with increasing glycerol content. In addition, their total soluble matter released in distilled water increased with increasing the glycerol content; and an increase in relative humidity and in plasticizer content resulted in the highest values of water uptake. The tensile properties revealed a significant decrease in both Young's modulus and tensile strength but an increase in elongation at break with increasing the glycerol content. The biodegradation tests proved that bio‐films were more biodegradable than the extracted starch implying a strong connection between plasticizer and biodegradability. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 527–533, 2019
C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N substrains differentially influence phenotype severity in the Scn1a+/− mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Kang Seok K. , Hawkins Nicole A. , Kearney Jennifer A.
Published: November 2018

Many disease‐relevant phenotypes modeled in inbred mice have been shown to be strain‐dependent, indicating the important influence of genetic background on disease phenotypes. Although C57BL/6 mice are one of the most commonly used inbred strains in laboratory research, there are multiple substrains (eg, B6J vs B6N) that have been separated for more than 50 years. Thus, understanding the substrain differences is important for scientific rigor and reproducibility. In this study, seizure susceptibility, spontaneous seizures, and survival were compared between Scn1a+/− mice on (C57BL/6J × 129S6/SvEvTac)F1 (F1J) vs (C57BL/6N × 129S6/SvEvTac)F1 (F1N) strain backgrounds. F1N.Scn1a+/− mice were more susceptible to hyperthermia‐induced seizures, yet had milder spontaneous seizures and improved survival relative to F1J.Scn1a+/− mice. Our results indicate that choice of C57BL/6 substrain may significantly alter disease phenotypes and should be considered carefully in experimental design using the Scn1a+/− Dravet mouse model, as well as other mouse models of epilepsy.
CO2 capture and attrition performance of competitive eco‐friendly calcium‐based pellets in fluidized bed
Authors: Su Chenglin , Duan Lunbo , Anthony Edward John
Published: November 2018

A system incorporating spent bleaching clay (SBC) into the calcium looping (CaL) process has been proposed. In this paper, prepared sorbents doped with regenerated SBC and cement were tested in a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) to examine in detail their cyclic CO2 capture capacity and attrition properties. The results revealed that the cyclic CO2 capture capacity of pellets modified by pyrolyzed SBC and/or cement showed significantly better performance than limestone, which is consistent with the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) results. This is due to the improvement of pore structure and enhanced sintering resistance created by adding support materials to the sorbent. The elutriation rates of the composites prepared with pyrolyzed SBC and/or cement were consistently lower than for crushed limestone. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the pellets possessed higher sphericity than limestone particles, thus reducing surface abrasion. Limestone exhibited a high attrition rate (diameter reduction rate) of 10.7 μm/cycle, which could be eliminated effectively by adding regenerated SBC and/or cement. ‘L‐5PC‐10CA’ (85% lime/5% pyrolyzed SBC/10% cement) exhibited an attrition rate of only 7.9 μm/cycle. Based on the analysis of breakage and probability density function (PDF) for particle size distribution, it appeared that pellets without cement experienced breakage (mostly chipping and disintegration) and surface abrasion, whereas ‘L‐10CA’ (90% lime/10% cement) and ‘L‐5PC‐10CA’ mainly suffered surface abrasion, combined with some chipping. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dedifferentiated Schwann cells secrete progranulin that enhances the survival and axon growth of motor neurons
Authors: Hyung Sujin , Im Sun‐Kyoung , Lee Bo Yoon , Shin Jihye , Park Jong‐Chul , Lee Cheolju , Suh Jun‐Kyo Francis , Hur Eun‐Mi
Published: November 2018

Schwann cells (SCs), the primary glia in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), display remarkable plasticity in that fully mature SCs undergo dedifferentiation and convert to repair SCs upon nerve injury. Dedifferentiated SCs provide essential support for PNS regeneration by producing signals that enhance the survival and axon regrowth of damaged neurons, but the identities of neurotrophic factors remain incompletely understood. Here we show that SCs express and secrete progranulin (PGRN), depending on the differentiation status of SCs. PGRN expression and secretion markedly increased as primary SCs underwent dedifferentiation, while PGRN secretion was prevented by administration of cAMP, which induced SC differentiation. We also found that sciatic nerve injury, a physiological trigger of SC dedifferentiation, induced PGRN expression in SCs in vivo. These results suggest that dedifferentiated SCs express and secrete PGRN that functions as a paracrine factor to support the survival and axon growth of neighboring neurons after injury.
An online investigation of the relationship between the frequency of word puzzle use and cognitive function in a large sample of older adults
Authors: Brooker Helen , Wesnes Keith A. , Ballard Clive , Hampshire Adam , Aarsland Dag , Khan Zunera , Stenton Rob , McCambridge Laura , Corbett Anne
Published: November 2018

Objective

The identification of modifiable lifestyle factors to preserve cognitive function in older individuals becomes increasingly of importance. This study examines whether word puzzle use is related to cognitive function in older adults.

Methods

Cognitive data from 19 078 cognitively healthy individuals aged 50 to 93 years enrolled into the online PROTECT study were evaluated for self‐reported frequency of performing word puzzles on a six‐point scale, ranging from “more than once per day” to “never”. Nine cognitive tests covered a range of domains including focussed and sustained attention, information processing, executive function, working memory, and episodic memory. Analyses of covariance were used to determine any differences between the six response groups.

Results

Each of the 14 cognitive measures analysed showed highly statistically significant main effects of the frequency of performing word puzzles. For each measure, the group who never performed word puzzles performed most poorly, with the group who reported occasional puzzle use also performing more poorly than virtually every other group. Measures of speed provided the greatest discriminations, with a grammatical reasoning score differentiating the two highest frequency groups, performing word puzzles daily or more than once daily.

Conclusions

The frequency of word puzzle use is directly related to cognitive function in adults aged 50 and over. Future work needs to determine whether engaging in such puzzles can favourably influence cognitive trajectory with age.
Impacts of the ACA Medicaid expansion on health behaviors: Evidence from household panel data
Authors: Cotti Chad , Nesson Erik , Tefft Nathan
Published: November 2018

A motivation for increasing health insurance coverage is to improve health outcomes for impacted populations. However, health insurance coverage may alternatively increase risky health behaviors due to ex ante moral hazard, and past research on this issue has led to mixed conclusions. This paper uses a panel of household purchases to estimate the effects of the recent state‐level Medicaid expansions resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on consumption goods that present adverse health risks. We utilize within‐household variation to identify whether increases in Medicaid availability impacted household purchase patterns of alcohol, nicotine‐related, snack food, and carbonated beverage products. Overall, we find little evidence that the ACA Medicaid expansion led to ex ante moral hazard across any of these products, but we find compelling evidence that the Medicaid expansions reduced cigarette consumption and increased smoking cessation product use among the Medicaid‐eligible population.
Chloroquine Is Effective for Maintenance of Remission in Autoimmune Hepatitis: Controlled, Double‐Blind, Randomized Trial
Authors: Raquel Benedita Terrabuio Débora , Augusto Diniz Marcio , Teofilo de Moraes Falcão Lydia , Luiza Vilar Guedes Ana , Akeme Nakano Larissa , Silva Evangelista Andréia , Roberto Lima Fabiana , Pires Abrantes‐Lemos Clarice , José Carrilho Flair , Luiz Rachid Cancado Eduardo
Published: November 2018

Between 50% and 86% of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) relapse after immunosuppression withdrawal; long‐term immunosuppression is associated with increased risk of neoplasias and infections. Chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) is an immunomodulatory drug that reduces the risk of flares in rheumatologic diseases. Our aims were to investigate the efficacy and safety of CQ for maintenance of biochemical remission of AIH in a double‐blind randomized trial and to define a subgroup that obtained a greater benefit from its use. A total of 61 patients with AIH in histologic remission (90.1% AIH type 1 [AIH‐1]) were randomized to receive CQ 250 mg/day or placebo for 36 months. Of the 61 patients, 31 received CQ and 30 placebo. At baseline, clinical, laboratory, histologic findings, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile were similar between the two groups. Relapse‐free survival was significantly higher in the CQ group compared to the placebo group (59.3% and 19.9%, respectively P = 0.039). For those patients completing 3‐year treatment, relapse rates were 41.6% and 0% after CQ and placebo withdrawal, respectively. Factors associated with a higher risk of relapse in multiple Cox regression were placebo use (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.055.5; P = 0.039) and anti‐soluble liver antigen/liver‐pancreas (anti‐SLA/LP) seropositivity (hazard ratio, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91‐15.3; P = 0.002). Although it was not possible to define a subgroup that obtained a greater benefit from CQ according to anti‐SLA/LP reactivity or HLA profile, 100% of patients who were anti‐SLA/LP‐positive (+) relapsed with placebo compared to 50% with CQ (P = 0.055). In the CQ group, 54.8% had side effects and 19.3% interrupted the drug regimen. Conclusion: CQ safely reduced the risk of relapse of AIH, but it was not possible to define a subgroup that obtained a greater benefit with CQ use, probably because of sample size.
Targeting hippocampal adult neurogenesis using transcription factors to reduce Alzheimer's disease‐associated memory impairments
Authors: Dard Robin F. , Dahan Lionel , Rampon Claire
Published: November 2018

Hippocampal adult neurogenesis results in the persisting formation of new neurons that contribute to hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory. This has led to the hypothesis that memory impairments associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease may involve abnormal neurogenesis. Supporting this idea, evidence for decreased adult neurogenesis has been reported in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients and in several mouse models of the disease. Thus, the development of strategies designed to stimulate the production of new neurons in the diseased brain has raised growing interest. In this review, we discuss putative strategies and present recent studies showing that it is now possible to instruct hippocampal endogenous neural progenitors to adopt an exclusive neuronal fate. We further report how such strategies lead to the rescue of cognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Altogether, these findings provide the proof‐of‐concept that neurogenesis can be stimulated in the adult brain in vivo, and consequently overcomes pathological memory deficits.
Coffee and pancreatic cancer risk among never‐smokers in the UK prospective Million Women Study
Authors: Zhou Charlie D , Kuan Ai Seon , Reeves Gillian K , Green Jane , Floud Sarah , Beral Valerie , Yang TienYu Owen ,   on behalf of the Million Women Study Collaborators
Published: November 2018

Reported associations between coffee consumption and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer could be due to residual confounding by smoking and/or biased recall of coffee consumption in retrospective studies. Studying associations prospectively in never smokers should minimize these problems, but thus far such studies have included relatively small numbers of cases. In our study, 309,797 never‐smoking women self‐reported typical daily coffee consumption at a mean age of 59.5 years (SD 5.0 years) and were followed up for a median of 13.7 years (IQR: 12.2–14.9) through record linkage to national health cancer and death registries. During this period, 962 incident cases of pancreatic cancers were registered. Cox regression was used to calculate adjusted relative risks [RRs] of incident pancreatic cancer with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] in relation to coffee consumption at baseline. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, including body mass index and alcohol consumption, RRs of pancreatic cancer in never‐smokers who reported usually consuming 1–2, 3–4, and ≥ 5 cups of coffee daily, compared to nondrinkers of coffee, were 1.02 (CI 0.83–1.26), 0.96 (0.76–1.22), and 0.87 (0.64–1.18), respectively (trend p = 0.2). A meta‐analysis of results from this cohort and 3 smaller prospective studies found little or no statistically significant association between coffee consumption and pancreatic cancer risk in never smokers (summary RR = 1.00, CI 0.86–1.17 for ≥2 vs. zero cups of coffee per day).
Process intensification of biodiesel synthesis via ultrasound‐assisted in situ esterification of Jatropha oil seeds
Authors: Tan Shiou Xuan , Ong Hwai Chyuan , Lim Steven , Pang Yean Ling , Milano Jassinnee
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Non‐edible oil such as Jatropha oil has high free fatty acids (FFAs) content. Therefore, acid esterification is a suitable route to reduce its FFA content to an acceptable limit (2 FFA%) before being subjected to further transesterification. In the present study, Jatropha seeds were utilized as the feedstock directly instead of Jatropha oil during ultrasound‐assisted in situ esterification. The objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of in situ esterification of Jatropha oil seeds using sulphuric acid (H2SO4) as catalyst with the aid of ultrasound.

RESULTS

The reaction parameters (particle size, n‐hexane to methanol volume ratio, H2SO4 amount, reaction time and ultrasonic amplitude) were optimized and evaluated in term of extraction and esterification efficiencies as well as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield. The highest extraction efficiency of 83.96%, esterification efficiency of 71.10% and FAME yield of 38.58% were achieved at particle size of 1–2 mm, n‐hexane to methanol volume ratio of 3:1, 5 vol% of H2SO4 and ultrasonic amplitude of 60% with reaction time of 150 min.

CONCLUSION

Synthesis of biodiesel via ultrasound‐assisted in situ esterification of Jatropha oil seeds was successful with considerable yield, which could provide improvement in terms of process intensification and more value added by‐products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A rare complication of mitral valve replacement: Iatrogenic aortic valve perforation
Authors: Uygur Begum , Kahraman Serkan , Celik Omer , Erturk Mehmet
Published: November 2018

Iatrogenic aortic valve injury after mitral valve surgery is a well‐known but rare complication. Herein, we report a 62‐year‐old male patient who underwent mitral valve replacement surgery 12 years ago and developed moderate to severe aortic regurgitation immediately after surgery.
Mannich Reaction with Enaminones: Convenient Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydro‐pyrimidines, Dihydro‐1,3‐oxazines, and Dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazepines
Authors: Afsah Elsayed M. , El‐Desoky El‐Sayed I. , Etman Hassan A. , Youssef Ibrahim , Soliman Ahbarah M.
Published: November 2018

A series of tetrahydropyrimidines and bis‐(tetrahydropyrimidines) was synthesized by Mannich reaction of sec‐emaminones with formaldehyde and the appropriate amine or diamine. Whereas the reaction with formaldehyde gave the dihydro‐1,3‐oxazine. Tetrahydropyrimidines incorporating a phenolic Mannich base were obtained by Mannich reaction of the appropriate tetrahydropyrimidine. The bis(sec‐enaminones) were used as precursors in synthesis of bis(tetrahydropyrimidines) and bis(dihydro‐1,3‐oxazines). Treatment of the appropriate sec‐emaminone or bis(sec‐enaminone) with hydrazine hydrate or phenylhydrazine and a suitable aldehyde afforded dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazepines and the bis(dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazepines).
Ecological lifestyles and the scaling of shark gill surface area
Authors: Bigman Jennifer S. , Pardo Sebastián A. , Prinzing Tanya S. , Dando Marc , Wegner Nicholas C. , Dulvy Nicholas K.
Published: November 2018

Fish gill surface area varies across species and with respect to ecological lifestyles. The majority of previous studies only qualitatively describe gill surface area in relation to ecology and focus primarily on teleosts. Here, we quantitatively examined the relationship of gill surface area with respect to specific ecological lifestyle traits in elasmobranchs, which offer an independent evaluation of observed patterns in teleosts. As gill surface area increases ontogenetically with body mass, examination of how gill surface area varies with ecological lifestyle traits must be assessed in the context of its allometry (scaling). Thus, we examined how the relationship of gill surface area and body mass across 11 shark species from the literature and one species for which we made measurements, the Gray SmoothhoundMustelus californicus,varied with three ecological lifestyle traits: activity level, habitat, and maximum body size. Relative gill surface area (gill surface area at a specified body mass; here we used 5,000g, termed the ‘standardized intercept’) ranged from 4,724.98 to 35,694.39 cm2(mean and standard error: 17,796.65 ± 2,948.61 cm2) and varied across species and the ecological lifestyle traits examined. Specifically, larger‐bodied, active, oceanic species had greater relative gill surface area than smaller‐bodied, less active, coastal species. In contrast, the rate at which gill surface area scaled with body mass (slope) was generally consistent across species (0.85 ± 0.02) and did not differ statistically with activity level, habitat, or maximum body size. Our results suggest that ecology may influence relative gill surface area, rather than the rate at which gill surface area scales with body mass. Future comparisons of gill surface area and ecological lifestyle traits using the quantitative techniques applied in this study can provide further insight into patterns dictating the relationship between gill surface area, metabolism, and ecological lifestyle traits.