bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional Polypyrrole‐Coated Mesoporous TiO2 Nanocomposites for Photothermal, Sonodynamic, and Chemotherapeutic Treatments and Dual‐Modal Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Imaging of Tumors
Authors: He Yue , Wan Jingyuan , Yang Yang , Yuan Pei , Yang Cheng , Wang Zhigang , Zhang Liangke
Published: March 2019

TiO2 nanoparticles have emerged as satisfactory sonosensitizers in sonodynamic therapy over the years, but shortcomings such as poor drug loading capability and inadequate techniques to construct suitable TiO2 nanoparticles, limit their broader applications. Hence, in this paper, versatile nanocomposites that combine mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles (mTiO2s) with the promising photothermal material, polypyrrole (PPY) to exert synergistic therapeutic effects on tumors are fabricated. The PPY‐coated mesoporous TiO2 nanocomposites (mTiO2@PPYs) act as drug delivery vehicles and ultrasonically activated sonosensitizers as well as photothermal agents. Besides, mTiO2@PPY may have potential as an ultrasound/photoacoustic (US/PA) imaging contrast agent. The mTiO2@PPY shows a favorable drug loading and good photothermal conversion ability. Moreover, intracellular reactive oxygen species generation is verified. The in vitro cell experiments on HepG2 and 4T1 cells demonstrate that honokiol (HNK)‐loaded mTiO2@PPY has satisfactory cytotoxicity under laser and US irradiation, and the results are further validated by animal experiments. The ability of mTiO2@PPY as a contrast agent for US and PA imaging is investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The results indicate that mTiO2@PPY‐HNK has multitherapeutic effects and bimodal imaging property, which shows great prospect as a novel nanosystem in antitumor applications.
Buoyancy‐Driven Gradients for Biomaterial Fabrication and Tissue Engineering
Authors: Li Chunching , Ouyang Liliang , Pence Isaac J. , Moore Axel C. , Lin Yiyang , Winter Charles W. , Armstrong James P. K. , Stevens Molly M.
Published: March 2019

The controlled fabrication of gradient materials is becoming increasingly important as the next generation of tissue engineering seeks to produce inhomogeneous constructs with physiological complexity. Current strategies for fabricating gradient materials can require highly specialized materials or equipment and cannot be generally applied to the wide range of systems used for tissue engineering. Here, the fundamental physical principle of buoyancy is exploited as a generalized approach for generating materials bearing well‐defined compositional, mechanical, or biochemical gradients. Gradient formation is demonstrated across a range of different materials (e.g., polymers and hydrogels) and cargos (e.g., liposomes, nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, macromolecules, and small molecules). As well as providing versatility, this buoyancy‐driven gradient approach also offers speed (<1 min) and simplicity (a single injection) using standard laboratory apparatus. Moreover, this technique is readily applied to a major target in complex tissue engineering: the osteochondral interface. A bone morphogenetic protein 2 gradient, presented across a gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel laden with human mesenchymal stem cells, is used to locally stimulate osteogenesis and mineralization in order to produce integrated osteochondral tissue constructs. The versatility and accessibility of this fabrication platform should ensure widespread applicability and provide opportunities to generate other gradient materials or interfacial tissues.
Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Using Electrons Generated from Photoelectrocatalytic Phenol Oxidation
Authors: Guo Chenyan , He Peng , Cui Rongrong , Shen Qi , Yang Nianjun , Zhao Guohua
Published: March 2019

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECCO2R) requires electrons, for example, from oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, such a multiple‐electron‐involved reaction is complicated and kinetically slow, leading to high overpotential. Herein, OER is replaced with photoelectrocatalytic phenol oxidation reaction (PECPOR) that provides electrons for ECCO2R. In an integrated cell, ECCO2R is conducted on the cathode of Cu nanowires and PECPOR is performed on the anode of SnO2 and Sb coated TiO2 nanotubes. Significant improvement of ECCO2R into CO and hydrocarbons is realized when PECPOR is conducted at a high current density. The use of this integrated system results in the reduction of the specific energy consumption by a factor of 51.33%, compared with the utilization of two half‐cells for individual ECCO2R and PECPOR. This study thus proposes a novel strategy to couple ECCO2R with PECPOR and eventually to tackle the problems of environmental pollution and energy crisis.
Collective Efficacy as a Key Context in Neighborhood Support for Urban Youth
Authors: Prince Dana M. , Hohl Bernadette , Hunter Bronwyn A. , Thompson Azure B. , Matlin Samantha L. , Hausman Alice J. , Tebes Jacob Kraemer
Published: March 2019

Neighborhood context, including the physical and social environment, has been implicated as important contributors to positive youth development. A transactional approach to neighborhood asserts that place and people are mutually constitutive; negative perceptions of place are intrinsically bound with negative portrayals of stigmatized groups, including youth. Adult perceptions of neighborhood youth may contribute to an increased sense of alienation and youth antisocial behavior. This study uses street‐intercept interviews with adults (N = 408) to examine the relationship between neighborhood conditions and adult support for neighborhood youth. A path model was used to examine the direct and indirect relationship of neighborhood constructs (safety, aesthetic quality, and walkability) on adult support for neighborhood youth. Neighborhood aesthetic quality and the walking environment were directly associated with adult support for youth, whereas perceived safety was indirectly associated. Collective efficacy partially explained these relationships. Findings support theorized relationships between people and places; improvements to neighborhood physical environment may directly impact resident adults’ perceptions of neighborhood young people.
Doyle‐Kirmse Rearrangement Reactions of Difluoroacetates
Authors: Jana Sripati , Koenigs Rene M.
Published: March 2019

In this report, we describe an application of ethyl difluoroacetate‐substituted allylic sulfides in Doyle‐Kirmse rearrangement reactions that allow efficient access to valuable fluorinated small molecules with applications in total synthesis and drug discovery. A cheap and readily available rhodium catalyst or – in a metal‐free variant – visible light was used to generate a carbene intermediate to access rearrangement reactions in high yield.
Carbene‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Decarboxylative Annulations to Access Dihydrobenzoxazinones and Quinolones
Authors: Lee Ansoo , Zhu Joshua L. , Feoktistova Taisiia , Brueckner Alexander C. , Cheong Paul H.‐Y. , Scheidt Karl A.
Published: March 2019

A direct decarboxylative strategy for the generation of aza‐o‐quinone methides (aza‐o‐QMs) by N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has been discovered and explored. This process requires no stoichiometric additives in contrast with current approaches. Aza‐o‐QMs react with trifluoromethyl ketones through a formal [4+2] manifold to access highly enantioenriched dihydrobenzoxazin‐4‐one products, which can be converted to dihydroquinolones through an interesting stereoretentive aza‐Petasis–Ferrier rearrangement sequence. Complementary dispersion‐corrected density functional theory (DFT) studies provided an accurate prediction of the reaction enantioselectivity and lend further insight to the origins of stereocontrol. Additionally, a computed potential energy surface around the major transition structure suggests a concerted asynchronous mechanism for the formal annulation.
Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, 1‐phenylethanol to acetophenone and fluorene to fluorenol catalysed by iron (II) complexes supported by pincer‐type ligands: Studies on rapid degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Singh Ovender , Gupta Priyanka , Singh Anshu , Maji Ankur , Singh Udai P. , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: March 2019

Hexacoordinated non‐heme iron complexes [FeII(L1)2](ClO4)2 (1) and [FeII(L2)2](PF6)2 (2) have been synthesized using ligands L1 = (E)‐2‐chloro‐6‐(2‐(pyridin‐2ylmethylene) hydrazinyl)pyridine and L2 = (E)‐2‐chloro‐6‐(2‐(1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl) pyridine]. These complexes are highly active non‐heme iron catalysts to catalyze the C (sp3)−H bonds of alkanes. These iron complexes have been characterized using ESI−MS analysis and molecular structures were determined by X‐ray crystallography. ESI − MS analysis also helped to understand the generation of intermediate species like FeIII−OOH and FeIV=O. DFT and TD−DFT calculations revealed that the oxidation reactions were performed through high‐valent iron center and a probable reaction mechanism was proposed. These complexes were also utilized for the degradation of orange II and methylene blue dyes.
Photoinitiated synthesis of poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate‐co‐diethyl amino ethyl methacrylate) superabsorbent hydrogels for dye adsorption
Authors: Alokour Mamoon , Yilmaz Elvan
Published: March 2019

Random copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGM), and diethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (DEAEM) were synthesized at low, and high conversions by photoinitiation. Crosslinked poly(PEGM‐co‐DEAEM) samples were obtained, and characterized by FTIR, SEM, DSC, TGA, and elemental analyses. Swelling behavior of the copolymers revealed that the copolymers acted as superabsorbent hydrogels. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated using Fineman Ross, Extended Kelen Tüdøs, and Mayo Lewis methods that gave r1(PEGM) = 0.90, r2(DEAEM) = 0.14 at low conversions. At high conversions r1 and r2 values were calculated as 1.01 and 0.40, respectively. Adsorption isotherms of methyl orange (MO) onto hydrogels were studied using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorption capacity for MO was 212.7 mg g−1 at pH = 3. The adsorption data gave best fit with the pseudo‐second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic evaluation showed spontaneous nature for MO adsorption onto poly(PEGM‐co‐DEAEM) hydrogels. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47707.
Temperature controls phenology in continuously flowering Protea species of subtropical Africa
Authors: Daru Barnabas H. , Kling Matthew M. , Meineke Emily K. , van Wyk Abraham E.
Published: March 2019

Premise of the Study

Herbarium specimens are increasingly used as records of plant flowering phenology. However, most herbarium‐based studies on plant phenology focus on taxa from temperate regions. Here, we explore flowering phenologic responses to climate in the subtropical plant genus Protea (Proteaceae), an iconic group of plants that flower year‐round and are endemic to subtropical Africa.

Methods

We present a novel, circular sliding window approach to investigate phenological patterns developed for species with year‐round flowering. We employ our method to evaluate the extent to which site‐to‐site and year‐to‐year variation in temperature and precipitation affect flowering dates using a database of 1727 herbarium records of 25 Protea species. We also explore phylogenetic conservatism in flowering phenology.

Results

We show that herbarium data combined with our sliding window approach successfully captured independently reported flowering phenology patterns (r = 0.93). Both warmer sites and warmer years were associated with earlier flowering of 3–5 days/°C, whereas precipitation variation had no significant effect on flowering phenology. Although species vary widely in phenological responsiveness, responses are phylogenetically conserved, with closely related species tending to shift flowering similarly with increasing temperature.

Discussion

Our results point to climate‐responsive phenology for this important plant genus and indicate that the subtropical, aseasonally flowering genus Protea has temperature‐driven flowering responses that are remarkably similar to those of better‐studied northern temperate plant species, suggesting a generality across biomes that has not been described elsewhere.
The role of domain knowledge in document selection from search results
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: March 2019

It is a frequently seen scenario that when people are not familiar with their search topics, they use a simple keyword search, which leads to a large amount of search results in multiple pages. This makes it difficult for users to pick relevant documents, especially given that they are not knowledgeable of the topics. To explore how systems can better help users find relevant documents from search results, the current research analyzed document selection behaviors of users with different levels of domain knowledge (DK). Data were collected in a laboratory study with 35 participants each searching on four tasks in the genomics domain. The results show that users with high and low DK levels selected different sets of documents to view; those high in DK read more documents and gave higher relevance ratings for the viewed documents than those low in DK did. Users with low DK tended to select documents ranking toward the top of the search result lists, and those with high in DK tended to also select documents ranking down the search result lists. The findings help design search systems that can personalize search results to users with different levels of DK.
Smart Microdevices Laying “Breadcrumbs” to Find the Way Home: Chemotactic Homing TiO2/Pt Janus Microrobots
Authors: Kong Lei , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Guan Jianguo , Pumera Martin
Published: March 2019

Synthetic microrobots or micromotors are known to show “intelligent” behavior such as magnetotaxis, phototaxis, chemotaxis, active detection, and chemical communication. Herein, we present the concept of micromotors laying “breadcrumbs”; that is, these micromachines can move/return to a home position without external guidance after their external energy input is stopped. As a demonstration, TiO2/Pt Janus micromotors that move forward with UV light can return back following the previous path when the UV light is turned off. Such autonomy of motion opens the door for truly independent applications of micromotors in the “deliver‐and‐return” fashion.
Suboptimal time management of discrete event systems with uncontrollable events modeled by Petri nets
Authors: Yazdani Mojtaba , Dideban Abbas
Published: March 2019

Preventing systems from entering to forbidden states is a crucial issue in discrete event systems control. Adding supervisors to the system is a common method to avoid entering to forbidden states. In discrete event systems modeled by Petri net adding a supervisor could be done by means of control places. Since, the time is not considered in designing this supervisor, in presence of uncontrollable transitions adding control places can lead to increase the operation time of the system modeled by timed Petri net. Because, the firing of some transitions is prevented when it is not necessary. So, to design a more efficient controller, we will be required to use time information of the system component. Therefore, in this paper, a method for optimizing the time behavior of a supervised timed Petri net will be proposed. To obtain an efficient operation, some timed places as timer will be added to the net. The time of this timer places is calculated to permit firing of some controllable transitions in order to enter into some weakly forbidden states while entering to forbidden states is prevented. This concept leads to increase the speed of system as well as obtain an acceptable operation. This method can be applied for all systems modeled by Petri nets. The efficiency of proposed approach will be discussed and validated with a case study.
Computation of controllability and observability Gramians in modeling of discrete‐time noncommensurate fractional‐order systems
Authors: Rydel Marek , Stanisławski Rafał
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a new algorithm for computation of controllability and observability Gramians for an expanded state space form of integer‐order approximator to linear time‐invariant discrete‐time noncommensurate fractional‐order systems. The introduced methodology can significantly reduce the time complexity of the Gramians' calculation, being the main computational burden in modeling of discrete‐time fractional‐order systems by means of a high integer‐order expanded state space approximator and the balanced truncation reduction method. Simulation experiments illustrate an efficiency of the introduced methodology, in particular for low‐dimension fractional‐order systems and high implementation lengths.
A consolidated road map for economically gainful efficient utilization of agro‐wastes for eco‐friendly products
Authors: Gajula Sampath , Antonyraj Churchil A. , Odaneth Annamma A. , Srinivasan Kannan
Published: March 2019

The replacement of fossil carbon with biomass is currently crucial for ecological, environmental, and economic reasons. Although the use of biomass‐derived eco‐friendly products is appealing to the public and to industry, research is slow to meet the demand for it. This may be due to lack of awareness and cooperation among different sectors of science and stakeholders. This paper takes a holistic perspective. It discusses the importance of agro‐waste as a biomass resource and provides suggestions for its effective utilization to make economical and eco‐friendly products. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it discusses the opportunities for direct, economical, and environmentally friendly research fields such as the modification of plant structure, increasing biomass yield, and conversion of agro‐waste to materials and chemicals. It suggests how these various fields can benefit industry and the public, and also discusses the importance of dialogue between the different stakeholders to accelerate growth in innovation, implementation, and development. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Determination of d‐limonene in mice plasma and tissues by a new GC–MS/MS method: Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution by oral and inhalation administration in mice
Authors: Chen Chen , Sheng Yunhua , Hu Yue , Sun Jie , Li Wei , Feng Hongmin , Tang Liming
Published: March 2019

The aim of the present study was to develop a method based on gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) to determine and quantify the d‐limonene in mouse plasma and tissue samples. This new method was validated for the quantification of d‐limonene with the linearity ranges 1.0–1000.0 ng/mL (r2 > 0.9952) for plasma samples and 5.0–5000.0 ng/g (r2 > 0.9940) for tissue samples. The intra‐ and inter‐day assay of precisions in plasma and tissues were <13.4% and the accuracies were within 91.1–105.8%. In the oral/inhalation administration pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution studies, the main pharmacokinetic parameters were the peak concentration = (97.150 ± 34.450)/(4336.415 ± 1142.418) ng/mL, the area under the curve = (162.828± 27.447)/(2085.721 ± 547.787) h ng/mL and the half‐life = (3.196 ± 0.825)/(0.989 ± 0.095) h. The tissue distribution of d‐limonene in mice after oral/inhalation administration demonstrated a decreasing tendency in different tissues (liver > kidney > heart > lung > spleen).
Genetic variations in miR‐125 family and the survival of non‐small cell lung cancer in Chinese population
Authors: Wu Shuangshuang , Shen Wei , Yang Lu , Zhu Meng , Zhang Mingjiong , Zong Feng , Geng Liguo , Wang Yuzhuo , Huang Tongtong , Pan Yun , Cao Songyu , Dai Juncheng , Ma HongXia , Wu Jianqing
Published: March 2019

To investigate the associations between the functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the miR‐125 family and the survival of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, we systematically selected six functional SNPs located in three pre‐miRNAs (miR‐125a, miR‐125b‐1, miR‐125b‐2). Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were conducted to estimate the crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Reporter gene luciferase assay was performed to examine the relationship between the SNPs and transcriptive activity of the miRNAs. The expression of miRNAs in different cells was detected using quantitative real‐time PCR assay. We found that rs2241490 (upstream of miR‐125b‐1, G > A, adjusted HR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.05‐1.48, P = 0.014, in dominant model; adjusted HR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.03‐1.35, P = 0.014, in additive model), rs512932 (upstream of miR‐125b‐1, A > G, dominant model: adjusted HR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.05‐1.48, P = 0.013) and rs8111742 (upstream of miR‐125a, G > A, dominant model: adjusted HR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.71‐1.00, P = 0.047) were associated with the prognosis of 1001 Chinese NSCLC patients. The combined analysis of the three SNPs related the number of risk alleles (rs2241490‐A, rs512932‐G and rs8111742‐G) to death risk of NSCLC in a locus‐dosage mode (P for trend <0.001). Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene assay showed significantly higher levels of luciferase activity with rs512932 variant G than that with A allele in 293T, SPC‐A1 and A549 cell lines. Besides, miR‐125b was highly expressed in lung cancer cells than the normal lung cell. Our study indicated that genetic variations in miR‐125 family were implicated in the survival of NSCLC patients. Larger population‐based and functional studies are needed to verify these findings.
Understand how access rights apply to service animals at athletics events
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: March 2019

Media reports of people attempting to bring their emotional support animals, ranging from peacocks to pigs, along with them on airline flights have become more commonplace than ever. The range and types of these animals have varied greatly, leaving many people to wonder about the legitimacy of their characterization as true and necessary emotional support animals and/or their potential qualification as service animals. This has resulted in perceptions that some individuals are abusing the policies and regulations that govern access and reasonable accommodation. Those perceptions, coupled with an increased use of these types of animals, have brought a renewed focus on the access rights of animals to all types of public facilities, including athletics venues.
Structural Characterization and Biological Evaluation of 18‐Nor‐ent‐labdane Diterpenoids from Grazielia gaudichaudeana
Authors: Balbinot Rodolfo B. , de Oliveira Josiane A. M. , Bernardi Darlon I. , Melo Ulisses Z. , Zanqueta Érica B. , Endo Eliana H. , Ribeiro Fabianne M. , Volpato Hélito , Figueiredo Mariana C. , Back Davi F. , Basso Ernani A. , Ruiz Ana L. T. G. , de Carvalho João E. , Foglio Mary Ann , Prado Filho Benedito D. , Nakamura Tania U. , Nakamura Celso V. , do Carmo Marta R. B. , Sarragiotto Maria H. , Baldoqui Debora C.
Published: March 2019

The phytochemical investigation of Grazielia gaudichaudeana aerial parts yielded 15 compounds, including diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols and flavonoids. With exception to ent‐kaurenoic acid diterpenes, the compounds isolated are being described for the first time in this species. Some unusual 1H‐NMR chemical shifts of 18‐nor‐ent‐labdane (7–9) led us carry out a conformational analysis by theoretical calculations in order to support the experimental data. Moreover, due to the limitation of studies focused on pharmacological potential of Grazielia gaudichaudeana, the present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiviral, antileishmanial and antimicrobial activities from the extract, fractions and isolated compounds obtained from this species. Ethyl acetate fraction showed significant activity in the antiproliferative assay, with GI50 range of 3.9 to 27.2 μg mL−1. Dichloromethane fraction, rich in diterpenoids, inhibited all human tumor cell lines tested, and the nor‐labdane 7 showed potent cytotoxic activity against glioma and ovary cancer cell lines.
Future Securing of the Raw Materials Base
Authors: Bertau Martin
Published: March 2019

The growth in human population results in an increasing demand for raw materials. Recycling is a way to reduce the primary raw materials demand, but growing dilution of technology metals in consumer products and continuous shortening of life cycles lead to an increasing demand for such primary raw materials. In addition, the quality of secondary raw materials is lower compared to primary mining products. However, in circular resources chemistry, the raw materials are processed independent from their source, i.e., it does not matter if they come from mining, recycling, or renewable resources, and they always have primary product quality.
Management of pregnancy complicated by ankylosing spondylitis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Midorikawa Asumi , Wang Liangcheng , Kuwata Tomoyuki , Taniguchi Yoshie , Horiuchi Isao , Matsushita Chikako , Chikazawa Kenro , Takagi Kenjiro
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical Message

Pregnancy complicated by ankylosing spondylitis is rare. Labor assistance and instrumental delivery may be difficult due to hip stiffness. Restriction in lumbar flexion may cause difficulties in administering neuraxial analgesia. Difficult intubation for general anesthesia due to limited neck mobility is another potential risk that must be considered.
Modular Coiled Flow Inverter with Narrow Residence Time Distribution for Process Development and Production
Authors: Schmalenberg Mira , Krieger Waldemar , Kockmann Norbert
Published: March 2019

The ideal plug flow reactor is a common model with narrow residence time distribution in reaction engineering. This contribution explains a design strategy of a coiled flow inverter (CFI) with narrow residence time and flexible adjustable process conditions. The design space diagram illustrates the design limits of inner diameter and coil diameter on the base of dimensionless numbers. Standard coil tube diameters allow for rational design of a limited number of devices. The reactor performance diagram enables the facile scale‐up and adaption of new process conditions with the CFI with economic boundary conditions.
Hot Charge Carriers in Quantum Dots: Generation, Relaxation, Extraction, and Applications
Authors: Singhal Pallavi , Ghosh Hirendra N.
Published: March 2019

This article discusses the hot charge carriers in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs): their generation, relaxation, extraction and applications in different technologically relevant areas. It has been reported that the most common ways to generate hot charge carriers are photo‐excitation by energy more than the band gap energy. However, recently the other means to generate hot charge carriers such as doping, and semiconductor plasmon interaction have also been evolved and their advantages over the conventional method have been discussed. Relaxation dynamics of hot charge carriers and different processes related to this such as multiple exciton generation, Auger recombination, phonon vibrations and ligand assisted charge carrier relaxation are mentioned. It was shown that the relaxation mechanism of hot charge carriers (both hot electron and hot hole) follow different pathways and either of the mechanism is playing a role depending on the QDs structure and the surrounding conditions. Studies pertaining to interaction of QDs with other semiconductors, metal nanoparticles or with different molecular adsorbates suggest that the hot charge carrier extraction is possible in these heterojunctions with extraction time in sub‐ps scale. Application of hot charge carriers in different fields such as photovoltaics, photo‐catalysis, infrared detectors, and H2 detection have been shown and it was observed that the efficiency of the above‐mentioned processes is much higher when the hot charge carriers are involved, suggesting their importance in these areas.
Insight into Catalytic Mechanisms for the Reduction of Nitrophenol via Heterojunctions of Gold Nanoclusters on 2D Boron Nitride Nanosheets
Authors: Liu Bingping , Yan Shihai , Zhang Aitang , Song Zhongqian , Sun Qinxing , Huo Bingbing , Yang Wenrong , Barrow Colin J. , Liu Jingquan
Published: March 2019

Gold nanoclusters were synthesized and homogeneously distributed on boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) to form AuNC@BNNSs nanohybrids. Compared to pure gold nanoclusters, the nanohybrid not only exhibits much better catalytic activity for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), but also prevents gold nanoclusters from aggregation. We found that the catalytic performance of AuNC@BNNSs nanohybrid increased with decreasing pH and increasing temperature of the reaction environment. The catalytic mechanism of the nanohybrid was thoroughly explored by density functional theory (DFT). It was concluded that the catalytic activity should be caused by repeated electron transfer on HOMO between 4‐NP and BNNSs, which was mediated by the surface‐bound gold nanoclusters. Furthermore, it was observed that the actual reducing agent is molecular hydrogen rather than borohydride. The present methodology could be generalized to the synthesis of other metallic nanoparticle@BNNSs nanohybrids as promising heterogeneous catalysts for varied catalytic reactions.
Twister2: Design of a big data toolkit
Authors: Kamburugamuve Supun , Govindarajan Kannan , Wickramasinghe Pulasthi , Abeykoon Vibhatha , Fox Geoffrey
Published: March 2019

Data‐driven applications are essential to handle the ever‐increasing volume, velocity, and veracity of data generated by sources such as the Web and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Simultaneously, an event‐driven computational paradigm is emerging as the core of modern systems designed for database queries, data analytics, and on‐demand applications. Modern big data processing runtimes and asynchronous many task (AMT) systems from high performance computing (HPC) community have adopted dataflow event‐driven model. The services are increasingly moving to an event‐driven model in the form of Function as a Service (FaaS) to compose services. An event‐driven runtime designed for data processing consists of well‐understood components such as communication, scheduling, and fault tolerance. Different design choices adopted by these components determine the type of applications a system can support efficiently. We find that modern systems are limited to specific sets of applications because they have been designed with fixed choices that cannot be changed easily. In this paper, we present a loosely coupled component‐based design of a big data toolkit where each component can have different implementations to support various applications. Such a polymorphic design would allow services and data analytics to be integrated seamlessly and expand from edge to cloud to HPC environments.
Synthesis of Tribenzo[a,c,e]cyclooctene Oligomers: Toward Negatively Curved Nanocarbons
Authors: Chen Han , Miao Qian
Published: March 2019

Tribenzo[a,c,e]cyclooctene oligomers, which are potential precursors for synthesis of negatively curved nanographenes and nanobelts, have been designed and synthesized. The key to this synthesis is connecting 1,3‐di(4‐t‐butylphenyl)‐dibenzo[e,i]‐2H‐cyclopentacycloocten‐2‐one, dibenzo[3,4 : 7,8]cycloocta[1,2‐c : 5,6‐c′]difuran and the Sondheimer‐Wong diyne through Diels‐Alder reactions. As revealed by X‐ray crystallography, the trimer with a C8−C6−C8−C6−C8 backbone is shaped like a letter C in the crystalline state.
Oral‐cancer knowledge, practice, and attitude assessment of dentists in Upper Egypt: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Khattab Nagwa Mohmmad Ali , Elheeny Ahmad Abdel Hamid , Tony Ghada Aslman
Published: March 2019

The aims of this study were to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dentists in Upper Egypt with regard to oral cancer (OC). Out of 1,200 licensed dental practitioners list, 424 dentists were randomly selected from three governorates in Upper Egypt (Minia, Assuit, and Sohag). The sample size was calculated using the equation considering the knowledge of dentists about OC, confidence level, and margins of error; then, an additional number of dentists were added to guard against nonresponse. Data were collected by face‐to‐face interview using 44 items divided into four sections; first part demonstrates sociodemographic. The second part concerned with the knowledge about OC clinical presentation and diagnosis (12 multiple‐choice questions) as well as its risk factors (17 close‐end questions). The third part consists of six questions focused on the practice of participants, and finally, the last part measures attitude of dentists. The chi‐square test was used to compare between the two or more proportions. A correlation was used for describing the relationship or association between two mutually numerical dependent variables. p < 0.05 was considered to indicate significance. Rate of response was 94.3%. The overall knowledge level in the current study was 31.8%. The awareness about OC risk factors was high especially, smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption. Also, over 80% of dentists identified family history and human papillomavirus (HPV) as risk factors. Only 37.5% of participants performed regular screening of oral mucosa, and 26.5% reported lymph‐node examination. Regarding attitude, only one quarter of dentists attended continuing educating programs about OC. A statistically significant relation (p < 0.0001) between knowledge level and most demographic variables was detected. There was a fair positive correlation (r = 0.47) between practice and knowledge scores. A predominant trouble among dentists in Upper Egypt was regarding OC knowledge and practice. Continues education and training programs are highly recommended.
Particle‐in‐cell simulation of the effect of curved magnetic field on wall bombardment and erosion in a hall thruster
Authors: Liu Jinwen , Li Hong , Hu Yanlin , Liu Xingyu , Ding Yongjie , Wei Liqiu , Yu Daren , Wang Xiaogang
Published: March 2019

A curved, convex towards the channel bottom magnetic field is an important feature of an advanced Hall thruster that allows confining the plasma flow in the channel center, reducing the divergence angle of the ejected ion beam, and improving the discharge performance. In this article, the discharge behaviour of a Hall thruster in magnetic fields with different degrees of curvature is simulated with a particle‐in‐cell numerical method, and the effect of curved magnetic field on the ion bombardment and wall erosion and the associated mechanisms are studied and analysed. The results show that, as the curvature of the magnetic field increases, the propellant ionization becomes more confined at the channel center, the potential drop inside the channel decreases, and the acceleration region shifts outside the channel, which lead to the attenuation of the ion energy bombarding the wall and the deviation of the bombardment angle from the optimal sputtering angle. Conversely, the ion flux bombarding the wall near the channel exit increases. Nevertheless, the bombardment energy and angle are the dominant factors for the wall erosion, and the wall erosion rate clearly decreases with the increasing curvature of the magnetic field. These findings are closely related to the behaviour of electron conduction under a curved magnetic field; the relevant mechanisms are clarified in this article.
Implementation of an inelastic collision operator into KIPP‐SOLPS coupling and its effects on electron parallel transport in the scrape‐off layer plasmas
Authors: Zhao Menglong , Chankin A.V. , Coster D.P.
Published: March 2019

This paper develops an inelastic collision operator for the Kinetic Code for Plasma Periphery (KIPP) code to investigate the kinetic effects of electron cooling due to inelastic collisions. It is fully tested based on the self‐consistent KIPP‐SOLPS coupling algorithm by being compared to the ADAS database. The collisional radiative rate coefficients from the ADAS database for deuterium atomic physics can be recovered using the inelastic collision operator with assuming Maxwellian electrons, which shows that the inelastic collision operator works well for various plasma conditions. Across a wide range of plasma conditions in the scrape‐off layer, KIPP‐SOLPS coupling simulation results with the implementation of an inelastic collision operator are not significantly different from results using a simpler uniform cooling scheme. The uniform scheme is thus recommended rather than including computationally intensive inelastic collision physics.
The platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha promoter‐directed expression of cre recombinase in mouse placenta
Authors: Wattez Jean‐Sebastien , Qiao Liping , Lee Samuel , Natale David Renato Christopher , Shao Jianhua
Published: March 2019

Background

Numerous pathologies of pregnancy originate from placental dysfunction. It is essential to understand the functions of key genes in the placenta in order to discern the etiology of placental pathologies. A paucity of animal models that allow conditional and inducible expression of a target gene in the placenta is a major limitation for studying placental development and function.

Results

To study the platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα)‐directed and tamoxifen‐induced Cre recombinase expression in the placenta, PDGFRα‐CreER mice were crossed with mT/mG dual‐fluorescent reporter mice. The expression of endogenous membrane‐localized enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) and/or dTomato in the placenta was examined to identify PDGFRα promoter‐directed Cre expression. Pregnant PDGFRα‐CreER;mT/mG mice were treated with tamoxifen at various gestational ages. Upon tamoxifen treatment, reporter protein mEGFP was observed in the junctional zone (JZ) and chorionic plate (CP). Furthermore, a single dose of tamoxifen was sufficient to induce the recombination.

Conclusions

PDGFRα‐CreER expression is restricted to the JZ and CP of mouse placentas. PDGFRα‐CreER mice provide a useful tool to conditionally knock out or overexpress a target gene in these regions of the mouse placenta.
Dyslexic children are sluggish in disengaging spatial attention
Authors: Fu Wanlu , Zhao Jing , Ding Yun , Wang Zhiguo
Published: March 2019

Previous work has shown that inefficient attentional orienting is likely a causal factor for dyslexia; however, the nature of this attentional dysfunction remains unclear. The process of attentional orienting is characterized by an early facilitation effect, resulting from the successful engagement of attention, and a later inhibitory effect—frequently referred to as inhibition of return (IOR)—which encourages attentional disengagement and facilitates efficient visual sampling. The present study examined the time course of attentional orienting in dyslexic and typically developing children, by parametrically manipulating the cue‐target onset asynchronies in a spatial cueing task. Experiment 1 revealed an early facilitation effect in dyslexic children, suggesting that they have no issue in engaging attention to salient spatial locations. However, contrast to both age‐matched and reading level‐matched healthy controls, no reliable IOR effect was observed in dyslexic children, suggesting that they have difficulties in disengaging attention. When a second cue was presented to encourage attentional disengagement in Experiment 2, reliable IOR effects were observed in the same group of dyslexic children, and importantly, the onset time of IOR was comparable with that in healthy controls. These results clearly show a selective impairment of attentional disengagement in dyslexic children and provide a solid empirical basis for intervention programmes focusing on attentional shifting.
Interview‐based assessment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): A pilot study evaluating an ARFID module for the Eating Disorder Examination
Authors: Schmidt Ricarda , Kirsten Toralf , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland , Hilbert Anja
Published: March 2019

Objective

Although avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has been included as a new diagnostic entity of childhood feeding and eating disorders, there is a lack of measures to reliably and validly assess ARFID. In addition, virtually nothing is known about clinical characteristics of ARFID in nonclinical samples.

Method

The present study presents the development and validation of an ARFID module for the child and parent version of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) in a nonclinical sample of N = 39 children between 8 and 13 years with underweight and/or restrictive eating behaviors. For evaluating the ARFID module's reliability, the convergence of diagnoses between two independent raters and between the child and parent module was determined. The module's validity was evaluated based on the full‐length child version of the EDE, a 24 h food record, parent‐reported psychosocial functioning and self‐reported quality of life, and objective anthropometric measures.

Results

In total, n = 7 children received an ARFID diagnosis. The ARFID module showed high interrater reliability, especially for the parent version, and high convergence between child and parent report. Evidence for the module's convergent, divergent, and discriminant validity was provided. Specifically, children with versus without ARFID reported significantly less macro‐ and micronutrient intake and were more likely to be underweight.

Discussion

This pilot study indicates the child and parent version of the EDE ARFID module to be promising for diagnosing ARFID in a structured way but still necessitates a validation in a larger clinical and community‐based sample.
Treating bulimia nervosa in the context of gender dysphoria using 10‐session cognitive behavior therapy
Authors: Cibich Mikaela , Wade Tracey D.
Published: March 2019

Objective

This case report describes the psychological treatment for bulimia nervosa of a 16‐year old with co‐occurring gender dysphoria. He reported restricting his food intake and purging for approximately 1 year prior to therapy commencing.

Method

Ten sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT‐T) were conducted with accommodations for gender‐specific body dissatisfaction.

Results

The client eliminated binging and purging from the second treatment session and had maintained this at the 3‐month follow‐up. The quantity and variety of foods he was eating had increased and he no longer reported subjective binges. Improvements were also evident in his depression, anxiety and stress symptoms.

Discussion

This suggests that bulimia nervosa may be effectively treated with CBT‐T in the context of gender dysphoria. Further research that investigates the generalizability of these outcomes would be beneficial.
Adrenal vein sampling with and without cosyntropin stimulation for detection of surgically remediable aldosteronism
Authors: Violari Elena G. , Arici Melih , Singh Charan K. , Caetano Celina M. , Georgiades Christos S. , Grady James , Tendler Beatriz R. , Shichman Steven J. , Malchoff Carl D.
Published: March 2019

Context and Objective

Bilateral adrenal vein sampling (AVS), the diagnostic standard for identifying surgically remediable aldosteronism (SRA), is commonly performed after cosyntropin stimulation (post‐ACTHstim). The role of AVS without cosyntropin stimulation (pre‐ACTHstim) has not been established. The selectivity index (SI), the adrenal vein (av) serum cortisol concentration divided by that in a peripheral vein, confirms av sampling. The minimally acceptable SI is controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine the role of pre‐ACTHstim AVS and a predetermined SI.

Design

Using biochemical cure as the endpoint, we performed a retrospective head‐to‐head comparison of pre‐ACTHstim AVS to post‐ACTHstim AVS. The specificity of a predetermined minimum SI of 1.5 in pre‐ACTHstim AVS was determined.

Patients

At a regional AVS referral centre, we analysed 32 patients who had undergone simultaneous bilateral AVS both pre‐ and post‐ACTHstim and had returned for postadrenalectomy evaluation.

Measurements

Simultaneous bilateral AVS was performed with measurements of venous concentrations of aldosterone and cortisol. End points were postadrenalectomy plasma renin activity, serum aldosterone concentration, and number of antihypertensive medications.

Results

All 32 patients achieved a biochemical cure following adrenalectomy. The two AVS protocols were complementary. Notably, seven patients (22%; CI = 11‐38) were found to have SRA by a lateralization index (LI) > 4 on the pre‐ACTHstim AVS, but not on the post‐ACTHstim AVS. SI pre‐ACTHstim was divided into tertiles. Specificity was 100% in all.

Conclusions

Simultaneous bilateral AVS performed both pre‐ACTHstim and post‐ACTHstim maximizes SRA identification. A SI of 1.5 pre‐ACTHstim does not reduce specificity.
Bio‐adrenomedullin as a marker of congestion in patients with new‐onset and worsening heart failure
Authors: ter Maaten Jozine M. , Kremer Daan , Demissei Biniyam G. , Struck Joachim , Bergmann Andreas , Anker Stefan D. , Ng Leong L. , Dickstein Kenneth , Metra Marco , Samani Nilesh J. , Romaine Simon P.R. , Cleland John , Girerd Nicolas , Lang Chim C. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Voors Adriaan A.
Published: March 2019

Background

Secretion of adrenomedullin (ADM) is stimulated by volume overload to maintain endothelial barrier function, and higher levels of biologically active (bio‐) ADM in heart failure (HF) are a counteracting response to vascular leakage and tissue oedema. This study aimed to establish the value of plasma bio‐ADM as a marker of congestion in patients with worsening HF.

Methods and results

The association of plasma bio‐ADM with clinical markers of congestion, as well as its prognostic value was studied in 2179 patients with new‐onset or worsening HF enrolled in BIOSTAT‐CHF. Data were validated in a separate cohort of 1703 patients. Patients with higher plasma bio‐ADM levels were older, had more severe HF and more signs and symptoms of congestion (all P < 0.001). Amongst 20 biomarkers, bio‐ADM was the strongest predictor of a clinical congestion score (r2 = 0.198). In multivariable regression analysis, higher bio‐ADM was associated with higher body mass index, more oedema, and higher fibroblast growth factor 23. In hierarchical cluster analysis, bio‐ADM clustered with oedema, orthopnoea, rales, hepatomegaly and jugular venous pressure. Higher bio‐ADM was independently associated with impaired up‐titration of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers after 3 months, but not of beta‐blockers. Higher bio‐ADM levels were independently associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality and HF hospitalization (hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.27, P = 0.002, per log increase). Analyses in the validation cohort yielded comparable findings.

Conclusions

Plasma bio‐ADM in patients with new‐onset and worsening HF is associated with more severe HF and more oedema, orthopnoea, hepatomegaly and jugular venous pressure. We therefore postulate bio‐ADM as a congestion marker, which might become useful to guide decongestive therapy.