bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motion correction in magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Saleh Muhammad G. , Edden Richard A. E. , Chang Linda , Ernst Thomas
Published: April 2020

In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging (MRS/MRSI) are valuable tools to study normal and abnormal human brain physiology. However, they are sensitive to motion, due to strong crusher gradients, long acquisition times, reliance on high magnetic field homogeneity, and particular acquisition methods such as spectral editing. The effects of motion include incorrect spatial localization, phase fluctuations, incoherent averaging, line broadening, and ultimately quantitation errors. Several retrospective methods have been proposed to correct motion‐related artifacts. Recent advances in hardware also allow prospective (real‐time) correction of the effects of motion, including adjusting voxel location, center frequency, and magnetic field homogeneity. This article reviews prospective and retrospective methods available in the literature and their implications for clinical MRS/MRSI. In combination, these methods can attenuate or eliminate most motion‐related artifacts and facilitate the acquisition of high‐quality data in the clinical research setting.
Nesterov acceleration of alternating least squares for canonical tensor decomposition: Momentum step size selection and restart mechanisms
Authors: Mitchell Drew , Ye Nan , De Sterck Hans
Published: April 2020

We present Nesterov‐type acceleration techniques for alternating least squares (ALS) methods applied to canonical tensor decomposition. While Nesterov acceleration turns gradient descent into an optimal first‐order method for convex problems by adding a momentum term with a specific weight sequence, a direct application of this method and weight sequence to ALS results in erratic convergence behavior. This is so because ALS is accelerated instead of gradient descent for our nonconvex problem. Instead, we consider various restart mechanisms and suitable choices of momentum weights that enable effective acceleration. Our extensive empirical results show that the Nesterov‐accelerated ALS methods with restart can be dramatically more efficient than the stand‐alone ALS or Nesterov's accelerated gradient methods, when problems are ill‐conditioned or accurate solutions are desired. The resulting methods perform competitively with or superior to existing acceleration methods for ALS, including ALS acceleration by nonlinear conjugate gradient, nonlinear generalized minimal residual method, or limited‐memory Broyden‐Fletcher‐Goldfarb‐Shanno, and additionally enjoy the benefit of being much easier to implement. We also compare with Nesterov‐type updates where the momentum weight is determined by a line search (LS), which are equivalent or closely related to existing LS methods for ALS. On a large and ill‐conditioned 71×1,000×900 tensor consisting of readings from chemical sensors to track hazardous gases, the restarted Nesterov‐ALS method shows desirable robustness properties and outperforms any of the existing methods we compare with by a large factor. There is clear potential for extending our Nesterov‐type acceleration approach to accelerating other optimization algorithms than ALS applied to other nonconvex problems, such as Tucker tensor decomposition.
Invisible population: Understanding recruitment barriers of a nurse‐led support programme for families with caregiving children in Austria
Authors: Nagl‐Cupal Martin , Hauprich Julia
Published: April 2020

Aims

To evaluate why no families could be recruited for a nurse‐led and family‐centred support programme in Austria which aimed to prevent an age‐inappropriate caring role for young carers.

Design

A qualitative study incorporating qualitative e‐interviews and telephone interviews.

Method

Twenty‐one interviews were conducted with statistically significant project stakeholders (N = 17) and with adult family members of children with caring responsibilities (N = 4). Data collection and analysis were guided by the “Social Marketing Framework.” Relevant statements were assigned to the main categories: product; price; promotion; place; and working with partners.

Results

The lack of awareness towards young carers, the unfamiliar, open outcome approach of the intervention, the inappropriate language used in promotional materials and the families' fear of stigma while seeking support were identified as central obstacles for successful recruitment of families and implementation of the support programme.
Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development goals: A study of Indian companies
Authors: Mishra Lokanath
Published: April 2020

India completing five years since mandatory CSR was implemented under Sec 135 of Companies Act, 2013 compelling Indian companies to contribute 2 % of their last three‐year average net profit in few specified areas of CSR activities as mentioned in the seventh schedule of the Act. In the same period, United Nations outlined the 17 goals based on sustainable development that contains 169 objectives signed by various 193 countries around the globe contributing social, environmental causes to establish a glorious life and opportunities for everyone in the year 2015. The realization of sustainable development goals agenda 2030 lies with the Business sector, corporate as well as Government sector and also the civil society plays a significant role in this regard. The present study aims to map the CSR activities with sustainable development goals and review the mandatory CSR practices of 40 Indian companies and how companies are leveraging CSR thereby attaining sustainable and progressive target.
An application of the Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines in three population‐based cancer registries: The case of central nervous tumors
Authors: Sacerdote Carlotta , Mosso Maria Luisa , Alessi Daniela , Merletti Franco , Tagliabue Giovanna , D'Agostino Anna , Fabiano Sabrina , Savoia Fabio , Piga Patrizia , Sessa Marcella , Vetrano Francesco , Gatta Gemma , Maule Milena
Published: April 2020

Background

Cancer stage is a determinant of survival of childhood central nervous system (CNS) cancers and could help the interpretation of survival variability among countries. Consensus guidelines to stage childhood malignancies in population cancer registries (“Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines”) have been recently proposed with the goal of data comparability. Indeed, stage is not systematically recorded in all registries and, when it is, different classification systems are used.

We applied the Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines to CNS cancer cases of three population‐based cancer registries with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of staging this type of cancer and the critical points in the classification of CNS tumors.

Procedures

The Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines were applied to 175 CNS patients, diagnosed from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2014 in three cancer registries in Italy, and the percentage of cases that could be staged was assessed.

Results

One hundred eight of 126 (86%) medulloblastomas and other embryonal CNS cancers and 22 of 49 (45%) ependymomas were staged. Using these guidelines, survival of children with localized tumors could be discriminated from that of children with metastatic disease.

Conclusions

The use of the Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines is feasible for staging medulloblastoma in Italian population‐based cancer registries, whereas it is more difficult for ependymomas. In Italy, cerebrospinal fluid examination, one of the decisive tests to stage CNS tumors, is not routinely performed as a first‐line diagnosis procedure in ependymoma pediatric patients.

A similar exercise by a larger number of cancer registries in different countries could suggest improvements in the childhood cancer staging system.
Comparative risk of Parkinsonism associated with olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine in older adults‐a propensity score matched cohort study
Authors: Chyou Te‐yuan , Nishtala Revathi , Nishtala Prasad S.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of Parkinsonism in new users of second‐generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in older adults (≥65 years). In the secondary analyses, we examined the risk of Parkinsonism by type and dose of SGA and conducted age‐sex interactions.

Method

This population‐based study included older adults who had a new‐onset diagnosis of Parkinsonism and who started taking olanzapine, risperidone or quetiapine between 1 January 2005, and 30 December 2016. The Cox proportional hazard (COXPH) model with inverse probability treatment weighted (IPTW) covariates was used to evaluate the risk of new‐onset Parkinsonism associated with SGAs, using quetiapine as the reference. We used the Generalized Propensity Score method to evaluate the dose‐response risk of Parkinsonism associated with SGAs.

Results

After IPTW adjustment for covariates, the COXPH model showed that compared to quetiapine, the use of olanzapine and risperidone were associated with an increased risk of Parkinsonism. The IPTW‐hazard ratios are 1.76 (95% confidence interval 1.57‐1.97) and 1.31 (95%CI 1.16‐1.49), respectively. The dose‐response risk of Parkinsonism was highest for olanzapine with a hazard ratio of 1.69 (95%CI 1.40‐2.05) and the least for quetiapine with a hazard ratio of 1.22 (95%CI 1.14‐1.31). The risk of Parkinsonism in the 65 to 74‐year age group was higher for both sexes with risperidone compared to olanzapine, but the risk increased with olanzapine for both sexes in the 85+ age group.

Conclusion

The study found that the risk of new‐onset Parkinsonism in older adults is 31% and 76% higher with risperidone and olanzapine respectively compared to quetiapine.
Improved stability in P3HT:PCBM photovoltaics by incorporation of well‐designed polythiophene/graphene compositions
Authors: Yuan Qingshan , Zhang Zunju , Li Lei , Agbolaghi Samira , Mousavi Saina
Published: April 2020

Morphological and photovoltaic stabilities of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) solar cells were investigated in pristine and modified states. To this end, four types of patterned/assembled nanostructures, namely reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐g‐poly(3‐dodecylthiophene)/P3HT patched‐like pattern, rGO–polythiophene/P3HT/PC71BM nanofiber, rGO‐g‐P3HT/P3HT cake‐like pattern and supra(polyaniline (PANI)‐g‐rGO/P3HT), were designed on the basis of rGO and various conjugated polymers. Intermediately covered rGO nanosheets by P3HT crystals (supra(PANI‐g‐rGO/P3HT)) performed better than sparsely (patched‐like pattern) and fully (cake‐like pattern) covered ones in P3HT:PC71BM solar cell systems. Supra(PANI‐g‐rGO/P3HT) nanohybrids largely phase‐separated in active layers (root mean square = 0.88 nm) and also led to the highest performance (power conversion efficiency of 5.74%). The photovoltaic characteristics demonstrated decreasing trends during air aging for all devices, but with distinct slopes. The steepest decreasing plots were obtained for the unmodified P3HT:PC71BM devices (from 1.77% to 0.28%). The two supramolecules with the most ordered structures, that is, cake‐like pattern (10.12 mA cm−2, 51%, 0.58 V, 2.2 × 10−6 cm2 V−1 s−1, 4.3 × 10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1, 0.69 nm and 2.99%) and supra(PANI‐g‐rGO/P3HT) (12.51 mA cm−2, 57%, 0.63 V, 1.2 × 10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1, 3.4 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1, 0.82 nm and 4.49%), strongly retained morphological and photovoltaic stabilities in P3HT:PC71BM devices after 1 month of air aging. According to the morphological, optical, photovoltaic and electrochemical results, the supra(PANI‐g‐rGO/P3HT) nanohybrid was the best candidate for stabilizing P3HT:PC71BM solar cells. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Prediction of leaf water potential and relative water content using terahertz radiation spectroscopy
Authors: Browne Marvin , Yardimci Nezih Tolga , Scoffoni Christine , Jarrahi Mona , Sack Lawren
Published: April 2020

Increases in the frequency and severity of droughts across many regions worldwide necessitate an improved capacity to determine the water status of plants at organ, whole plant, canopy, and regional scales. Noninvasive methods have most potential for simultaneously improving basic water relations research and ground‐, flight‐, and space‐based sensing of water status, with applications in sustainability, food security, and conservation. The most frequently used methods to measure the most salient proxies of plant water status, that is, water mass per leaf area (WMA), relative water content (RWC), and leaf water potential (Ψleaf), require the excision of tissues and laboratory analysis, and have thus been limited to relatively low throughput and small study scales. Applications using electromagnetic radiation in the visible, infrared, and terahertz ranges can resolve the water status of canopies, yet heretofore have typically focused on statistical approaches to estimating RWC for leaves before and after severe dehydration, and few have predicted Ψleaf. Terahertz radiation has great promise to estimate leaf water status across the range of leaf dehydration important for the control of gas exchange and leaf survival. We demonstrate a refined method and physical model to predict WMA, RWC, and Ψleaf from terahertz transmission across a wide range of levels of dehydration for given leaves of three species, as well as across leaves of given species and across multiple species. These findings highlight the powerful potential and the outstanding challenges in applying in vivo terahertz spectrometry as a remote sensor of water status for a range of applications.
Retrospective assessment of acute poisoning incidents by nonpharmaceutical agents in Jordan: Data from Pharmacy One™ Poison Call Center, 2014 to 2018—Part I
Authors: Albals Dima , Yehya Alaa , Issa Reem , Fawadleh Aida
Published: April 2020

The Pharmacy One™ Poising Call Center (P1PCC), located in Amman, Jordan, was created to address deficiencies identified by the pharmacy service, including in the management of poisoning cases. The aims of this study were to analyze the patterns of poisoning cases reported to the P1PCC and to describe the role of the P1PCC pharmacist in ensuring preparedness and managing the response to poisoning cases. In addition, the information from these interventions was used to survey human poisoning in Jordan. This is a retrospective descriptive study of acute poisoning incidents in the Jordanian population, as recorded by the P1PCC during the period 2014‐2018. Inquiries received by the P1PCC were recorded on a predesigned form. The year, patient demographics, toxic agent involved, and circumstances of the poisoning event were all fully documented utilizing Oracle and Excel spreadsheets. A total of 1992 poisoning incidents were reported to the P1PCC, predominately (68.59%) via 911 phone calls. Reports were predominantly from males (1.67:1). Children were the second most common age group after adolescents (22.62% and 42.49%, respectively). The most frequent causative nonpharmaceutical agents were household products (17%) in preschool children and animal bites (20%) in adolescents. Most of the poisoning incidents (74.63%) occurred at home. Unintentional poisoning (54.12%), with mild medical outcomes (61.45%), accounted for most of the poisoning incidents caused by exposure to household products. These data may represent the most recent picture of poisoning incidents in Jordan. Emergency medical services were provided by experienced pharmacy practitioners at the P1PCC, to respond to emergency needs in the community in a professional manner. Therefore, the need for unnecessary hospitalization and the cost of ambulance dispatch were minimized, which are highly valuable outcomes.
β2‐adrenergic stimulation induces interleukin‐6 by increasing Arid5a, a stabilizer of mRNA, through cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Tanaka Shota , Imaeda Atsuki , Matsumoto Kotaro , Maeda Makiko , Obana Masanori , Fujio Yasushi
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose

In cardiovascular diseases, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) participate in the myocardial inflammation by producing pro‐inflammatory cytokines, worsening the prognosis. β2‐adrenergic receptor (AR) and β3AR are expressed in CFs, and β‐adrenergic stimulation promotes CFs to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines. However, the mechanism of the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in response to β‐adrenergic stimulation remains to be fully elucidated.

Experimental Approach

CFs were isolated from adult wild‐type or AT‐rich interactive domain‐containing protein 5A (Arid5a) knockout mice. The expression of mRNA was measured by real‐time RT‐PCR. Interleukin (IL)‐6 protein was measured by ELISA. The activity of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) was assessed by ELISA‐like assay or Western blotting.

Key Results

The β‐adrenergic stimulation remarkably induced IL‐6 mRNA and protein through β2AR in CFs. The activation of adenylate cyclase and the enhancement of intracellular cAMP resulted in the upregulation of IL‐6 mRNA expression. The induction of IL‐6 transcript by β2AR signaling was independent of NF‐κB. Concomitant with IL‐6, the expression of Arid5a, an IL‐6 mRNA stabilizing factor, was enhanced by β2‐adrenergic stimulation and by cAMP increase. Importantly, β2AR signaling‐mediated IL‐6 induction was suppressed in Arid5a knockout CFs. Finally, β2AR stimulation phosphorylated CREB via PKA pathway, and the activation of CREB was essential for the induction of Arid5a and IL‐6 mRNA.

Conclusion and Implications

β2‐adrenergic stimulation post‐transcriptionally upregulates the expression of IL‐6 by the induction of Arid5a through cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in adult CFs. β2AR/Arid5a/IL‐6 axis could be a therapeutic target against cardiac inflammation.
Where your heart belongs to shapes how you feel about yourself: Migration, social comparison and subjective well‐being in China
Authors: Liu Ye , Pan Zhuolin , Liu Yuqi , Chen Hongsheng , Li Zhigang
Published: April 2020

This study uses a large‐scale and multicity survey dataset to examine the relationship between objective socio‐economic status, perceived social status (PSS) and subjective well‐being (SWB) among China's internal migrants living in large cities. It particularly focuses on how migrants' dual frame of reference and their intention to settle in the destination shape their PSS and SWB. Results show that migrants' PSS mediates the relationship between their objective socio‐economic status and SWB. The presence of friends, relatives and colleagues in the destination city outweighs that of those left behind in the homeplace when migrants evaluate their standings in the social hierarchy. Migrants with an intention to settle in the host city rely more on social comparison with peers in the destination city than on comparison with those left in the place of origin. This study enhances our understanding of migrants' SWB in the Chinese context by empirically testing migration theories regarding social comparison and by considering migrants' socio‐psychological diversification.
High‐Performance and Stable Dopant‐Free Silicon Solar Cells with Magnesium Acetylacetonate Electron‐Selective Contacts
Authors: Yao Zhirong , Cai Lun , Meng Lanxiang , Qiu Kaifu , Lin Wenjie , Jin Jingsheng , Duan Weiyuan , Ding Kaining , Li Shenghao , Ai Bin , Liang Zongcun , Shen Hui
Published: April 2020

One of the challenges in fabricating high‐performance n‐type crystalline silicon (n‐type c‐Si) solar cells is the high‐quality n‐type c‐Si/metal contact. Schottky barriers are commonly found on the n‐type c‐Si/metal contact, which suppresses electron transportation. Herein, novel stacks of magnesium acetylacetonate (Mg(Acac)2)/magnesium (Mg)/silver (Ag) to form electron‐selective contacts for n‐type c‐Si solar cells are presented, which enables a dopant‐free process. An ohmic contact on n‐type c‐Si is formed using the Mg(Acac)2/Mg/Ag stacks. The transmission spectrum and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show negligible conduction‐band offset and large valence‐band offset between Mg(Acac)2 and n‐type c‐Si, which indicates the electron‐transporting and hole‐blocking properties of Mg(Acac)2/n‐type c‐Si heterocontacts. Moreover, the contact resistivities (ρc) between the Mg(Acac)2/Mg/Ag electron‐selective heterocontacts and n‐type c‐Si substrates are lower than 10 mΩ cm2, which demonstrates the good electrode properties of the Mg(Acac)2/Mg/Ag stacks. The Mg(Acac)2/Mg/Ag electron‐selective stacks are applied on n‐type c‐Si solar cells with partial rear contact, and >20% efficiency is achieved, which is higher than that in a reference cell with only Ag contact. The stability of the n‐type c‐Si solar cell performance equipped with Mg(Acac)2/Mg/Ag contacts is verified under ambient conditions. This novel low‐temperature contact technique offers a reliable alternative for high‐performance n‐type c‐Si solar cells.
Correlated Structural and Luminescence Analysis of B‐Doped Si‐Nanocrystals Embedded in Silica
Authors: Demoulin Rémi , Muller Dominique , Mathiot Daniel , Pareige Philippe , Talbot Etienne
Published: April 2020

Structural characteristics and luminescence properties of B‐doped silicon nanocrystals (Si‐ncs) embedded in a SiO2 matrix elaborated by ion beam synthesis are investigated. The use of atom probe tomography gives a unique opportunity to experimentally evidence the exact location and composition of B atoms in doped Si‐ncs. These experiments allow to conclude about a favored B location at the periphery of the Si‐ncs depending on their size. In this way, two categories of Si‐ncs can be described: 1) largest Si‐ncs that are B‐doped and where B atoms are located at the Si‐ncs/SiO2 interface, and 2) smallest Si‐ncs that remain undoped but seem to be surrounded by a B‐rich SiO2 shell. These structural characteristics (composition and diameters) are correlated to the photoluminescence properties of these Si‐ncs. These measurements show the well‐known quenching of Si‐ncs luminescence due to high B doping, which allows us to conclude about the environment changes brought by the presence of B in Si‐ncs or of B‐rich shell around Si‐ncs.
Cryptotanshinone protects dextran sulfate sodium‐induced experimental ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting intestinal inflammation
Authors: Min Xiangjing , Zeng Xi , Zhao Wenwen , Han Zhiwu , Wang Ying , Han Yantao , Pei Lixia , Chen Xiuping
Published: April 2020

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing in recent years. The protective effect of cryptotanshinone, a natural compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, on UC was investigated both in vivo and in vitro models. UC model was established by dextran sulfate sodium administration in drinking water and cryptotanshinone was orally administrated. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without cryptotanshinone pretreatment. The body weights and disease activity index (DAI) were recorded. The pathological alterations were evaluated by H&E staining. The levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues and cell culture medium were determined with enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The protein expression was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that cryptotanshinone significantly increased the body weight and colon length, reduced the score of DAI, and improved pathological changes. Furthermore, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3, NF‐κB p65 and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α, IL‐6 in colon tissues and LPS‐stimulated cells were significantly inhibited by cryptotanshinone. Besides, cryptotanshinone significantly inhibited LPS‐triggered toll‐like receptor 4 luciferase reporter activity with an IC50 at 7.2 μM. In conclusion, cryptotanshinone ameliorated experimental UC possibly by inhibiting intestinal inflammation.
Using the Weibull distribution to characterise road transport vibration levels
Authors: Rouillard Vincent , Lamb Matthew James
Published: April 2020

This paper reviews the various ways that have been proposed to characterise road transport vehicle vibrations and recommends a new approach to characterise the vibrations levels during a transport journey. Some 47 road vehicle vibration records, obtained from a broad range of conditions, were analysed, and results show that the root‐mean‐square (rms) distribution of the vibrations can be accurately modelled with a reduced version of the three‐parameter Weibull distribution (shape parameter set to 2). This statistical approach to characterising road vehicle vibrations takes into account the random fluctuations in rms levels that occur naturally during a road journey and can be used to classify the severity of RVV. This offers significant improvement on the simplistic mean rms value that has, so far, been the sole parameter to describe vibration levels during transport. The Weibull location parameter represents the low threshold of the rms level in the record (except when xo is less than zero, in which case the low rms threshold is zero), whereas the Weibull range parameter is proportional to the range of rms level. Results also reveal a strong relationship between the rms mean and the sum of the location and scale parameters. In addition, this enables generation of rms distributions from the mean power density spectrum (PDS) alone. The modified (fixed‐shape) Weibull distribution can be used to faithfully describe the entire statistical distribution of the rms level of a journey or transport mode with just two parameters. This new approach can be used in a practical way for quantifying and comparing transport vibration rms levels for design and testing purposes.
Quantifying and mapping inundation regimes within a large river‐floodplain ecosystem for ecological and management applications
Authors: Van Appledorn Molly , De Jager Nathan R. , Rohweder Jason J.
Published: April 2020

Spatial information on the distribution of ecosystem patterns and processes can be a critical component of designing and implementing effective management programs in river‐floodplain ecosystems. For example, translating how flood pulses detected within a stream gauge record are spatially manifested across a river‐valley bottom can be used to evaluate whether the current distribution of physical conditions has the potential to support priority habitats or if intervention is needed to meet desired goals. The size and complexity of large river‐floodplain systems can make mapping inundation dynamics a challenging task. We used a geospatial model to simulate 40 years (1972–2011) of daily surface‐water inundation depths for 11,331 km2 of the Upper Mississippi River System floodplain. We identified discrete inundation events at each 4‐m × 4‐m pixel in the model as sequential days of submergence. We then quantified and mapped four aspects of inundation regime – event frequency, duration, magnitude, and timing – for each pixel. The spatial distribution of inundation regime attributes varied within and among multiple levels of river organization, including navigation pools and geomorphic reaches, but only event timing exhibited a strong down‐river trend. Non‐linear relations among inundation attributes and their geospatial distributions likely reflect complex interactions among topographic, hydrologic, and anthropogenic constraints on flooding dynamics. Together, our results reveal spatial gradients in inundation dynamics not captured by hydrologic data alone. Characterizing such diversity in inundation dynamics is important for testing hypotheses about ecological processes, developing models of ecosystem functions, and informing management actions.
Orthoesters: Multiple Role Players in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Nazarian Zohreh , Dabiri Minoo
Published: April 2020

Orthoesters are characterized by three alkoxy groups attached to a single carbon atom. This functional group is used primarily as a masking group for carboxylic acids, due to its robust stability towards strong nucleophiles and bases. Besides this protection role, orthoesters have further utility as versatile precursors in organic synthesis. This review focuses on the latter role of orthoesters as well as their applications in stereoselective synthesis.
2‐Aryl‐3‐Vinyl Substituted Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines and Fluorescent Electrocyclization Derivatives therefrom
Authors: Benzi Alice , Bianchi Lara , Giorgi Gianluca , Maccagno Massimo , Petrillo Giovanni , Tavani Cinzia
Published: April 2020

A collection of 2‐aryl‐3‐vinylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines, substituted on the pyridine ring and/or the aryl substituent, can be obtained by reaction of 2‐aminopyridines with properly substituted nitrobutadienes, originated by an initial ring opening of a nitrothiophenic precursor. Although the aza‐Michael addition of 2‐aminopyridine on a nitrovinyl moiety is the starting point of classic approaches to imidazopyridines, the final structures generated herein are the result of a cascade process made possible by the particular functionalization on the conjugated systems. Beside the general interest inherent to the pharmacologically versatile imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine structural motif, the substituents present in the obtained compounds allow specific synthetic elaboration to e. g. polycyclic fluorescent heterocycles.
Improvement of Ultrasound‐Assisted Removal of Rifampin in the Presence of N: ZnO/GO Nanocomposite as Sonocatalyst
Authors: Afroozān Bāzghale Ādeleh , Mohammad‐Khāh Ali
Published: April 2020

The sonocatalytic Removal of Rifampin by Nitrogen‐doped Zinc oxide/Graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposite (N: ZnO/GO) is reported in this study. The structural properties of the nanocomposites were confirmed by the X‐ray diffraction (XRD), the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the X‐ray energy spectroscopy (EDX) and the diffraction reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The experiments were investigated by applying the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Design of Experiments software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that the quadratic model has good reliability for predicting the sonocatalytic efficiency with different operational factors (R2=0.9958 and Adjusted R2=0.9920). According to the RSM data, the optimized nanocomposite (N: ZnO (0.2 M)/GO (0.1 g)) demonstrated a reasonable catalytic activity for sonocatalytic degradation of RIF at the initial concentration (30 mg L−1), the ultrasonic irradiation time (60 min), natural pH and under the ultrasonic irradiation power of 400 W with a reaction rate constant of 0.0466 min−1which was higher compared with the other ones. The residual RIF amount has determined by the spectrophotometric method. The percentage of the RIF minerals was 80.8 % after 60 min of RIF degradation over N: ZnO (0.2 M)/GO.
Novel Pyrimidinone Derivatives Show Anticancer Activity and Induce Apoptosis: Synthesis, SAR and Putative Binding Mode
Authors: Roy Ashis , Kundu Mrinalkanti , Dhar Pranab , Chakraborty Arnish , Mukherjee Soumen , Naskar Jayatri , Rarhi Chhanda , Barik Rajib , Mondal Susanta Kumar , Wani Mushtaq Ahmad , Gajbhiye Rahul , Roy Kuldeep K. , Maiti Arup , Manna Priyadarshi , Adhikari Susanta
Published: April 2020

A series of novel bicyclic, substituted pyrimidinone compounds were designed, synthesized and characterized. In vitro anti‐proliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against six different human cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Among all twenty four compounds tested, compound 22 (N‐([1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl)‐2‐((3‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro‐4Hpyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐2‐yl)oxy)acetamide) exhibited significant cell growth inhibition of human liver cancer cells HepG2 with GIC50 (50% growth inhibitory concentration) value of 120+10 nM and was found to be selective over healthy human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line (33.1% inhibition at 20 μM). Further studies demonstrated that compound 22 induced cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells and resulted in similar effect to Staurosporine, a well known proapoptopic compound widely used to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. Compound 22 also rendered acceptable aqueous solubility (3.5+0.37 μM, at pH 7.4) and attractive metabolic stability against human liver microsomes with a half‐life of 34.63+0.33 minutes. Based on the similarity observed between the known tankyrase‐1 inhibitors available in literature and compound 22, in silico docking study was performed and the results suggested that the compound interacted with the key amino acid residues present in the tankyrase‐1 enzyme active site.
Economically Viable and Efficient Catalysts for Esterification and Cross Aldol Condensation Reactions under Mild Conditions
Authors: Bano Kulsum , Jain Archana , Sarkar Ratan , Panda Tarun K.
Published: April 2020

Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) have been used as catalyst and solvent in organic synthesis, due to their negligible volatility, remarkable solubility, good catalytic activity, and easily structurally tunable properties. In the present study, we have investigated the catalytic efficiency of economically viable ionic liquids bearing different cations pyridinium ([PyH]+ and triethylammonium [TEAH]+) for the esterification of aromatic acid with various aliphatic alcohols and crossed aldol condensation of aromatic aldehydes with cyclohexanone under ambient condition. We also examined the effect of various process parameters on the yield of aromatic esters and α,α’‐bis(arylidene)cycloalkanones.
An Efficient Vanadia Supported SrTiO3 Nanocatalyst for the Selective Oxidation of Benzylalcohol to Benzaldehyde
Authors: Srilakshmi Chilukoti , Basava Vikram , Ramesh Ganduri , Manjunath M.
Published: April 2020

In the present study, SrTiO3 (STO) was synthesized using oxalate method. A series of V2O5 nanoparticles supported on SrTiO3 (V2O5 / STO) with the vanadia content ranging from 0.5 to 2 wt. % was synthesized by wet impregnation method. Physicochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts were determined by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, N2 physisorption and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and acidity by pyridine adsorption method. XPS studies of the catalysts reveal that vanadium is in +5 oxidation state. Particle size of the catalysts calculated from TEM image analysis was found to be in the range of 86–92 nm. Pyridine adsorption studies reveals presence of Lewis acidity in the catalysts and the number of Lewis acid sites increase with vanadium content of the catalysts. Their catalytic activity was evaluated for the liquid phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. STO is found to be least active and highly selective for the formation of benzaldehyde product where as V2O5/STO catalysts were found to be highly active and selective for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol reaction. Among all the catalysts the one with 1 wt. % loading of vanadia contains a greater number of active sites is found to be highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst system for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol with 100 % benzaldehyde selectivity. The catalytic activity of the catalysts was correlated with the physico‐chemical properties of the catalysts.
Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol with Molybdenum‐Carbide‐Based Carbon Catalysts
Authors: Vasilevich Anastasia V. , Baklanova Olga N. , Lavrenov Alexander V.
Published: April 2020

Molybdenum carbide‐based carbon materials were investigated as a catalyst for hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol. Mechanochemical synthesis has been used as a novel approach to obtain a fine molybdenum carbide‐based carbon catalysts. Guaiacol was chosen as a bio‐oil model compound to estimate the potential of the catalysts. The catalytic tests were carried out at 4 MPa initial hydrogen pressure, 320 °C for 180 min in a batch autoclave reactor. Insert abstract text here. A feed mixture was 3.5 g guaiacol in 66.5 g hexadecane as a solvent.
Transition‐Metal‐Free Coupling Reactions: PPh3‐Promoted Sonogashira‐Type Cross‐Couplings of Heteroaryl Halides with Terminal Alkynes
Authors: Tian Wan‐Fa , He Ke‐Han , Li Na , Fen  , Liu  , Mai Xi , Feng Li‐Hua , He Yong‐Qin
Published: April 2020

Herein, we report a highly efficient Sonogashira‐type cross‐coupling reaction of heteroaryl halides with terminal alkynes under mild transition‐metal‐free conditions using PPh3 and Cs2CO3/NEt3, A wide range of functional groups was tolerated under optimized conditions. Furthermore, the protocol could be extended to the Suzuki‐type cross‐coupling of heteroaryl halides with phenylboronic acid, achieving the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. A test reaction on gram scale delivered the product in reasonably high yield and thus has the potential of promising applications in drug discovery and functional materials.
Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Polyacrylamide‐Polystyrene/Bentonite Nanocomposite as an Effective Immobilizing Adsorbent for Remediation of Soil
Authors: Mahdavi Amir Ebrahim Baradaran , Panahpour Ebrahim , Kalbasi Roozbeh Javad , Gholami Ali
Published: April 2020

Heavy metals are among the most important environmental pollutants. However, little attention has been devoted to immobilizing or fixing metal ions in soil for remediation of soil. Here, a novel and inexpensive, polymer nanocomposite (polyacrylamide‐polystyrene/bentonite) is introduced for successful immobilization of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) cations in the soil. The synthesized nanocomposite structure was characterized by X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy‐Dispersive X‐Ray Spectroscopy (FE‐SEM/EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET), and Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Various effective parameters such as pH, bentonite: polyacrylamide weight ratio, heavy metal concentration, and amount of adsorbent were investigated for fixing Pb and Cd cations in farm soil. Also, adsorption isotherms and kinetics of adsorption were investigated. Finally, under optimum conditions, the extent of adsorption of Pb and Cd cations by polyacrylamide‐polystyrene/bentonite nanocomposite, polyacrylamide, and bentonite was compared. The results revealed the superior adsorption activity of the nanocomposite for immobilizing heavy metal cations as compared to bentonite or polymer. Further, the nanocomposite indicated a reasonable reusability for fixing Cd and Pb cations. Overall, the prepared nanocomposite can be applied as a suitable and industrial adsorbent for immobilizing Pb and Cd cations in soil.
Expedient Synthesis of Dihydroisoquinolines by Cascade Annulation of Nitrovinylbenzoquinone
Authors: Zhao Sihan , Cheng Shaobing , Liu Hui , Zhang Jiayan , Yuan Weicheng , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: April 2020

1,2‐Dihydroisoquinolines are important building blocks of many natural products and phamarceuticals. In continuation of our ongoing research on transformations of quinone derivatives, herein we present a catalyst‐free cascade annulation of β‐enamino esters with 2‐(2‐nitrovinyl)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, which allowed for the synthesis of various novel 1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline derivatives in moderate to good yields (60 %–99 %). This method is applicable to a wide variety of β‐enamino esters. The structure of one product was determined by an x‐ray crystal analysis. Moreover, a plausible mechanism was proposed.
Dye Engineered Perovskite Solar Cells under Accelerated Thermal Stress and Prolonged Light Exposure
Authors: Zaky Alaa A. , Balis Nikolaos , Gkini Konstantina , Athanasekou Chrysoula , Kaltzoglou Andreas , Stergiopoulos Thomas , Falaras Polycarpos
Published: April 2020

Herein, the thermal and light stability enhancement of planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on the approach of dye‐sensitization of the titania compact layer with the triphenylamine‐based metal‐free organic (E)‐3‐(5‐(4‐(bis(2′,4′‐dibutoxy‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl) amino) phenyl) thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2‐cyanoacrylic acid (D35) dye is reported. The D35 molecule is chemically adsorbed via a bidentate anchor group upon the TiO2 underlayer. This enhances the power conversion efficiency of PSCs due to its well‐established versatile role, offering facilitation of electron charge transfer to the anode while favoring the growth of robust and homogenous perovskite layers. However, its influence in the PSC performance seems to expand further. The stability experiments showed an enhanced endurance for the devices after the insertion of D35, not only in shelf‐shield conditions but also after accelerated thermal tests and prolonged light exposure. This study confirms the plethoric role of dye sensitization strategy and its advantages to interfacial engineering via organic chromophores towards efficient and stable PSCs.
2D Titanium/Niobium Metal Oxide‐Based Materials for Photocatalytic Application
Authors: Liu Chao , Zhang Qinfang , Hou Wenhua , Zou Zhigang
Published: April 2020

2D titanium/niobium (Ti/Nb) metal oxide (TNMO)‐based compounds have attracted increasing attention due to the fact that the contained octahedral structure of Ti4+‐based TiO6 and/or Nb5+‐based NbO6 can be facilely modified so as to achieve an enhanced photocatalytic performance for environmental remediation and energy conversion. Herein, the different synthetic methods for the construction of various 2D TNMO‐based photocatalysts are presented. Many basic principles, such as nanostructure design, doping, and construction of heterojunctions, are introduced to enhance the photocatalytic performance of 2D TNMO compounds. The relationship between the photocatalytic performance and regulation methods is also described. Furthermore, the photocatalytic applications of 2D TNMO‐based materials are discussed, including H2 generation, removal of pollutants, CO2 reduction, nitrogen photofixation, disinfection, and organic synthesis. Finally, the challenges and future development of 2D TNMO‐based materials are also discussed.
A Multifaceted Reconstruction of the Population Structure and Life History Expressions of a Remnant Metapopulation of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout: Implications for Maintaining Intermittent Connectivity
Authors: Budy Phaedra , Thompson Paul D. , McKell Matt D. , Thiede Gary P. , Walsworth Tim E. , Conner Mary M.
Published: April 2020

Fishes that evolutionarily demonstrated a fluvial life history expression and migrated to spawning and rearing habitat by using lotic corridors are increasingly impacted by fragmentation. The overall goal of this study was to identify the contemporary importance of main‐stem connectivity and tributaries for maintaining life history expression, population structure, and viability of a large metapopulation of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (BCT) Oncorhynchus clarkii utah persisting in the highly fragmented Weber River, Utah. We used a multifaceted approach, including active sampling, mark–recapture, passive PIT tag detection, otolith microchemistry, and genetics. We collected BCT in all tributaries and the main stem, encountering age‐0 fish in three tributaries, indicating successful reproduction. In tributaries, the size structure was bimodal and consisted of smaller fish that were classified as resident and larger fish that were deemed to be fluvial, whereas all sizes and ages (age ≥ 1) were present in the main stem. We identified up to eight age‐classes; tributaries were dominated by ages 2 and 8, and the main stem was dominated by ages 2, 5, 6, and 7. Tributary BCT had lower growth rates than BCT in the main stem. We observed a surprising degree of fluvial life history expression, and fish also demonstrated very complex movement patterns across their life span. Average apparent survival (33%) was within the range estimated in similar studies for BCT, and the resight rate was best explained by angler management regulations. The fact that BCT in the Weber River and tributaries still reproduce successfully in most years and are still able to grow into large, fluvial fish suggests that connectivity must be occasionally available despite considerable fragmentation. Therefore, this metapopulation may need little further human intervention if barriers to fish passage can be removed, thereby improving connectivity, and it represents a high‐priority metapopulation for conservation, thus highlighting the utility of our approach.
Global profiling of N6‐methyladenosine methylation in maize callus induction
Authors: Du Xuemei , Fang Ting , Liu Yan , Wang Meng , Zang Maosen , Huang Liying , Zhen Sihan , Zhang Jie , Shi Zichen , Wang Guoying , Fu Junjie , Liu Yunjun
Published: April 2020

Callus induction is a dedifferentiation process that accompanies a cell fate transition, and epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in the process. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is an important mechanism in post‐transcriptional epigenetic regulation and functions in cell reprogramming. However, the function of m6A methylation during callus induction is still unknown. Here, we performed transcriptome‐wide m6A‐seq on immature maize embryos after culturing for 2, 4, or 8 days with or without the auxin analogue 2,4‐D. A total of 26,794 unique m6A peaks were detected from 17,456 maize genes; and 2,338 specific, 2,4‐D‐induced m6A peaks (D‐specific m6A) were detected only in embryos cultured with 2,4‐D. Furthermore, a positive correlation between m6A methylation and mRNA abundance was discovered in the genes with D‐specific m6A deposition, especially at the beginning of callus induction. Key genes involved in callus induction, i.e. BABY BOOM and LBD transcription factors, underwent m6A methylation, increasing their transcript levels, thus improving callus induction. These results revealed the importance of m6A methylation during the early stage of callus induction and provided new insights into the molecular mechanism of callus induction at an epitranscriptomic level.
Building Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Spaces for Emergent Bilinguals: Using Read‐Alouds to Promote Translanguaging
Authors: Osorio Sandra Lucia
Published: April 2020

Multilingual students arrive in classrooms with rich language knowledge and funds of knowledge. Educators must recognize that emergent bilinguals speak multiple languages. They have one unitary language system; their language is bilingualism. Whether in a monolingual classroom setting or a multilingual setting, when working with emergent bilinguals, it is important that all of the students’ linguistic resources are welcomed into the classroom. The author describes how, as a first‐grade dual‐language (Spanish–English) teacher, she used children's literature and translanguaging to support her emergent bilinguals in using all of their linguistic resources to make meaning and build a linguistically sustaining space. The use of the text created a space for the teacher to model translanguaging and for the students to use all of their linguistic resources.
Mixed Sessions
Authors: Vasconcelos Vasco T. , Casal Filipe , Almeida Bernardo , Mordido Andreia
Published: April 2020

Session types describe patterns of interaction on communicating channels. Traditional session types include a form of choice whereby servers offer a collection of options, of which each client picks exactly one. This sort of choice constitutes a particular case of separated choice: offering on one side, selecting on the other. We introduce mixed choices in the context of session types and argue that they increase the flexibility of program development at the same time that they reduce the number of synchronisation primitives to exactly one. We present a type system incorporating subtyping and prove preservation and absence of runtime errors for well-typed processes. We further show that classical (conventional) sessions can be faithfully and tightly embedded in mixed choices. Finally, we discuss algorithmic type checking and a runtime system built on top of a conventional (choice-less) message-passing architecture.