bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Unconventional Oil Reservoirs’ Nano Pore Size on the Stability of Asphaltene During Carbon Dioxide Injection
Authors: Fakher Sherif , Ahdaya Mohamed , Elturki Mukhtar , Imqam Abdulmohsin , Elgahawy Youssef
Published: November 2019

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been proven to be an extremely successful enhanced oil recovery method to increase oil recovery from hydrocarbon reservoirs. It has also been proposed as a novel production method for unconventional shale reservoirs with nano pores as well. One of the main drawbacks of CO2 injection is asphaltene precipitation and deposition, which may result in severe pore plugging, and thus a significant decrease in oil recovery. Even though asphaltene precipitation during CO2 injection in conventional oil reservoirs has been researched extensively, not much research has been conducted to evaluate asphaltene precipitation and pore plugging in unconventional nano pores. This research investigates the impact of several factors on asphaltene precipitation and deposition, and asphaltene pore plugging in nano pores. Composite nano-filter membranes with 10, and 100 nm pore size were used to conduct all experiments. A specially designed high pressure high temperature filtration vessel was constructed and utilized to accommodate both the filter membrane, and the crude oil. The impact of varying the CO2 injection pressure, temperature, filter membrane pore size, and the CO2 soaking time on asphaltene deposition, and pore plugging were investigated. Results showed that higher CO2 injection pressures resulted in a higher oil recovery, a lower asphaltene concentration in the unproduced, bypassed oil, and a higher asphaltene concentration in the produced oil compared to the lower CO2 injection pressures. An opposite trend was observed with the temperature however, due to the temperature resulting a severe disturbance in the asphaltene thermodynamic equilibrium with the other crude oil components. Increasing the pore size resulted in a less severe asphaltene pore plugging, whereas increasing the CO2 soaking time resulted in an increase in the asphaltene deposition and pore plugging. This research performs an experimental study to show the main factors that will impact asphaltene precipitation, deposition, and pore plugging in nano pores during CO2 injection. This may help in improving oil recovery from CO2 injection projects in unconventional shale reservoirs, especially those with a high asphaltene percentage in their crude oils.
The Impact of Thermodynamic Conditions on CO2 Adsorption in Unconventional Shale Reservoirs Using the Volumetric Adsorption Method
Authors: Fakher Sherif , Ahdaya Mohamed , Elturki Mukhtar , Imqam Abdulmohsin
Published: November 2019

Carbon dioxide (CO2) injection is an enhanced oil recovery method that can increase oil recovery from different types of oil reservoirs. It has been recently applied in unconventional shale reservoirs for both enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage applications. This research explains the main mechanism of adsorption, which is the main force by which CO2 can be stored in shale reservoirs, and then performs an experimental study to investigate the factors impacting CO2 adsorption using the volumetric adsorption method. The review will cover the main definition of adsorption and how it can help in CO2 storage. It will also include the mathematical equations used to obtain adsorption for the volumetric adsorption method. The experimental study then investigates the impact of three major parameters including CO2 injection pressure, temperature, and shale volume on the adsorption capacity of the shale. The experimental results showed that the factors studies had a strong influence on the CO2 storage potential. Increasing the CO2 injection pressure increased the adsorption capacity, whereas increasing the temperature reduced the adsorption greatly. The shale volume strongly impacted the accuracy of the results obtained using the volumetric method and thus is an extremely important parameter in the design of adsorption experiments if the volumetric method is to be used. The parameters studied in this research should be accounted for when designing a CO2 enhanced oil recovery operation if CO2 storage is a part of the project.
Deficit-Based Indigenous Health Research and the Stereotyping of Indigenous Peoples
Authors: Hyett Sarah Louise , Gabel Chelsea , Marjerrison Stacey , Schwartz Lisa
Published: November 2019

Health research tends to be deficit-based by nature; as researchers we typically quantify or qualify absence of health markers or presence of illness. This can create a narrative with far reaching effects for communities already subject to stigmatization. In the context of Indigenous health research, a deficit-based discourse has the potential to contribute to stereotyping and marginalization of Indigenous Peoples in wider society. This is especially true when researchers fail to explore the roots of health deficits, namely colonization, Westernization, and intergenerational trauma, risking conflation of complex health challenges with inherent Indigenous characteristics. In this paper we explore the incompatibility of deficit-based research with principles from several ethical frameworks including the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2) Chapter 9, OCAP® (ownership, control, access, possession), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami National Inuit Strategy on Research, and Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR) Principles for Global Health Research. Additionally we draw upon cases of deficit-based research and stereotyping in healthcare, in order to identify how this relates to epistemic injustice and explore alternative approaches.
Favoriser l'autonomie du patient face aux données additionnelles en médecine génomique
Authors: Durand Guillaume , Guillet Manon , Mercier Sandra
Published: November 2019

Depuis ces dernières années, nous assistons à une révolution technologique en génétique moléculaire avec l’avènement du séquençage de nouvelle génération (NGS). Lors des consultations médicales de génétique à l’hôpital, le patient est confronté à la question difficile de la recherche et de la divulgation des données dites additionnelles, qui ne sont pas en lien avec sa pathologie, la donnée primaire. Il peut s’agir de données incidentes (la découverte est fortuite) ou de données secondaires, c’est-à-dire des données recherchées activement dans une liste de gènes définie. Comment s’assurer de l’autonomie suffisante des patients face à cette question? Quel est le rôle de l’équipe soignante? Peut-on harmoniser les pratiques relativement à ces données? Nous proposons une stratégie de l’échelle variable appliquée à la génétique qui consiste à adapter le degré d’autonomie exigé en fonction de l’impact médical et du niveau de fiabilité des données génétiques transmises au patient. Nous apportons également des éléments pour favoriser l’autonomie du patient. Il nous paraît nécessaire de dissocier distinctement la donnée primaire des données additionnelles, de développer les moyens visant à délivrer une information adéquate au patient et enfin d’accompagner le patient dans sa démarche par un soutien psychologique et de respecter un délai de réflexion. De manière ultime, il appartient à l’équipe médicale d’évaluer au cas par cas du bienfondé de la recherche de ces données et de leur révélation au patient.
Opposition to “gender” in academia and beyond
Authors: Korolczuk Elżbieta
Published: November 2019

The rise of ultraconservative, often religious movements and the right-wing electoral victories in many European countries, such as Poland, limit the opportunities for inserting feminist agenda in academia, institutional settings and public debates. In my presentation I will argue that national and transnational campaigns against “gender ideology” should be interpreted a new phase of the struggle around politics of expertise and knowledge-policy nexus, highlighting issues such as the sources of scientific authorization, the status of an expert, and the ways in which the relations between academia, politics, the media and public are shaped. Right-wing populists and religious fundamentalists opposing “gender” seek not only political but also epistemic power. They attempt to build up their own sources of legitimacy, which include forming new institutions, promoting new public intellectuals and producing new body of gender knowledge. How does this increasingly hostile political context re-shape the formation and mobilization of competing gender knowledges, and how women’s movements can succeed in achieving social change?
Resisting the White Possessive
Authors: Svendsen Stine H. Bang
Published: November 2019

At the turn to the 20th century settler colonialist and racist policies of land theft and systematic devaluation of Sámi livelihoods had produced an acute and dire political situation in Sápmi. Elsa Laula (1877-1931) and Karin Stenberg (1884-1969) were central activists and writers in the anticolonial Sámi national movement that organised in the south of Sápmi at this time. The political analyses in Laula´s book Inför lif eller död (1904) and Stenberg and collegues´ Dat läh mijen situd! (1920) offer scathing critiques of the settler colonial racism of the Swedish state at the time. Their contributions theorize the relationship between whiteness and property in the colonization of Sápmi, and the crucial role that racialization of the Sámi people have played in this process. These theoretical contributions are largely unknown to Nordic feminist scholarship on race and racism, however. In this paper I show how Laula and Stenberg´s analysis of racism offered insights that feminists would lend from American and British black feminist scholarship, as well as Australian indigenous feminism almost a hundred years after they were first formulated in the Nordic context. Finally, I consider possible reasons for the denial of this scholarly history in Nordic feminism. Merk: Selv om abstractet er på engelsk kan jeg godt holde innlegget på norsk.
Prediction of clusters of miRNA binding sites in mRNA candidate genes of breast cancer subtypes
Authors: Aisina Dana , Niyazova Raigul , Atambayeva Shara , Ivashchenko Anatoliy
Published: November 2019

The development of breast cancer (BC) subtypes is controlled by distinct sets of candidate genes, and the expression of these genes is regulated by the binding of their mRNAs with miRNAs. Predicting miRNA associations and target genes is thus essential when studying breast cancer. The MirTarget program identifies the initiation of miRNA binding to mRNA, the localization of miRNA binding sites in mRNA regions, and the free energy from the binding of all miRNA nucleotides with mRNA. Candidate gene mRNAs have clusters (miRNA binding sites with overlapping nucleotide sequences). mRNAs of EPOR, MAZ and NISCH candidate genes of the HER2 subtype have clusters, and there are four clusters in mRNAs of MAZ, BRCA2 and CDK6 genes. Candidate genes of the triple-negative subtype are targets for multiple miRNAs. There are 11 sites in CBL mRNA, five sites in MMP2 mRNA, and RAB5A mRNA contains two clusters in each of the three sites. In SFN mRNA, there are two clusters in three sites, and one cluster in 21 sites. Candidate genes of luminal A and B subtypes are targets for miRNAs: there are 21 sites in FOXA1 mRNA and 15 sites in HMGA2 mRNA. There are clusters of five sites in mRNAs of ITGB1 and SOX4 genes. Clusters of eight sites and 10 sites are identified in mRNAs of SMAD3 and TGFB1 genes, respectively. Organizing miRNA binding sites into clusters reduces the proportion of nucleotide binding sites in mRNAs. This overlapping of miRNA binding sites creates a competition among miRNAs for a binding site. From 6,272 miRNAs studied, only 29 miRNAs from miRBase and 88 novel miRNAs had binding sites in clusters of target gene mRNA in breast cancer. We propose using associations of miRNAs and their target genes as markers in breast cancer subtype diagnosis.
False Black Pepper (Embelia ribes) Seeds-natural Colour Source for Wool Dyeing
Authors: Kale Sunita , Karhale Manisha
Published: November 2019

It is a need of the time to try out different sources of natural dyes to colour the textiles as the synthetic dyes used on textiles are carcinogenic and can create havoc in the human life system. The research was carried out for optimizing different conditions for dyeing wool with dye extracted from False Black Pepper seeds. The study was conducted in Department of Textiles and Apparel Designing, College of Community Science, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra (India). The dyeing conditions optimized for dyeing wool were, medium of dye extraction, dye extraction time, dye material concentration, dyeing time and mordant concentrations. The colour fastness of wool dyed by adopting optimized conditions were tested for different parameters. The   alkaline medium was most suitable for extracting dye from False Black Pepper seeds for dyeing wool. On the basis of percent dye absorption the standardized dye extraction and dyeing time was 30 min, dye material concentration was 5%.  The highest dye absorption percent was seen when wool was dyed with 10% Potassium Aluminum Sulphate  (Alum) mordant in a simultaneous mordanting while for Copper Sulphate mordant 3%  in post mordanting and  for Ferrous Sulphate it was 3% in pre-mordanting. Wool dyed with False Black Pepper dye using different mordents adopting different mordanting methods exhibited very good to excellent colour fastness to sunlight, washing, rubbing and perspiration except wet rubbing as noticeable  colour staining was observed in all the samples.  The subtle,attractive colour range of light brown  to dark brown  acquired by the wool when dyed with False Black Pepper dye using different mordents.
Acceptability of Yoghurt Prepared from Milk Substituted with Benth Seed (Adenopus breviflorus) Protein Isolate
Authors: Ishaya F. A. , Onipede A. E. , Omowaye-Taiwo O. A.
Published: November 2019

Protein has been isolated from Adenopus breviflorus seed flour and used as a supplement to the production of yoghurt. The chemical composition of the seed flour and protein isolate was determined using standard methods. The yoghurt so produced was analysed for its pH, total solids, titratable acidity and the sensory qualities evaluated using the nine point Hedonic scale from dislike extremely (1) and like extremely (9). The results obtained from the chemical composition of the seed flour and protein isolates showed that they are good sources of protein (30.44% and 94.14% respectively). There was s significant reduction in the mineral content and antinutrients of the seed flour after protein isolation. The result obtained from the sensory evaluation showed that milk can be substituted for Adenopus breviflorus protein isolate from the production of yoghurt up to 25%   level of substitution without affecting the sensory qualities.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Interaction with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) of Two α-Aminophosphonic Acids Derivatives
Authors: Huang Wei , Wang Wen-Ling
Published: November 2019

Two α-amino-phosphonate derivatives (1 & 2) were synthesized and their compositions and structures were characterized by Elemental Analysis (EA), FT-IR Spectrascopy (FT-IR), Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR, 1H, 13C and 31P) and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 & 2 were crystallized in monoclinic system with the space group P2(1)/n and P2(1)/c, respectively. The interaction effects of two α-aminophosphonate derivatives (1 & 2) with BSA were investigated and the binding constants were 1.07 × 104 M-1, 1.68 × 104 M-1, respectively. Besides, the values of n were indicated that 1:1 complex was formed between BSA and 1&2.
Effect of Different Varieties and Silicon Fertilizer on the Rooting Efficiency and Productivity of Mini-Cuttings and Powdery Mildew Disease of Eucalypt
Authors: Fernandes Caiafa Karine , De Paiva Haroldo Nogueira , Oliveira Sartori Laiz de
Published: November 2019

Considering that silicon (Si) is a nutrient that stands out in the control of fungal diseases and in the increase in productivity of several cultures, this study intend to evaluate its influence on the productivity and severity of mildew in mini-stumps, as well as rooting of eucalyptus mini-cuttings. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with four replications in split plot scheme, the first factor related to Silicon doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 mmol L-1) and the second factor related to five clones of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla hybrids (I144, I224, 3334, GG100, GG680). The following variables were evaluated: Si content in mini-cuttings, powdery mildew severity and mini-stumps productivity, and rooting of mini-cuttings. The highest absorption of Si was obtained with a dose of 1.22 mmol L-1 (0.14%). There was no influence of the nutrient solution containing Si on the productivity of mini-stumps, powdery mildew severity or rooting of eucalyptus mini-cuttings. Clones GG100 and 3334 presented, respectively, the best and worst results for all evaluated variables.
Preliminary Phytochemical Profile, in vitro Antioxidant and Sun Protective Activities of Alhagi pseudalhagi and Elaeagnus angustifolia L.
Authors: Amini Mohammad Humayoon , Ahmady Amina , Zhakfar Aqa Mohammad , Sediqi Mohammad Nasim , Babak Gulalai
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives: Alhagi pseudalhagi and Elaeagnus angustifolia are among the medicinal plants used traditionally in Afghanistan. The aim of present work was to study A. pseudalhagi herbs and E. angustifolia leaves for their preliminary phytochemical profile, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), in vitro antioxidant activity and sun protective factor (SPF).

Methods: Alhagi pseudalhagi herb crude extract (APCE) and E. angustifolia leaves crude extract (EACE) were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. Standard qualitative phytochemical tests were performed to detect various phytochemicals in the crude drugs. Both of APCE and EACE were purified as per previously described method to obtain A. pseudalhagi herb purified extract (APPE) and E. angustifolia leaves purified extract (EAPE). The TPC, TFC, and SPF of the extracts were determined, Following prescribed methods. To evaluate in vitro antioxidative potential of the extracts, DPPH radical scavenging assay method was performed. The experiments were performed in three replications.

Results: Carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, and saponins were present in all tested extracts. The TPC of tested extracts ranged from 71.14 ± 2.10 to 203.76±2.07 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) / g dried extract, as recorded for APCE and EAPE, respectively. TFC values of 33.24±3.23 and 135.85 ±3.83 mg rutin equivalent (RUE) / g dried extract were found for EACE and EAPE, respectively. TFC values of 59.61±3.40 and 121.06±3.37 were recorded for APCE and APPE, respectively. DPPH radicals scavenging capacity and SPF of the tested extracts were positively correlated with their TPC and TFC. The EAPE and APPE produced IC50 value of 4.5 and 14.31, respectively. The higher SPF of 29.73 ± 0.31 was produced by EAPE, while APPE exhibited SPF of 17.83 ± 0.88, as calculated for 2mg/ml methanol solution of the extracts.

Conclusion: Based on present study, EAPE revealed higher TPC and TFC values and hence, showed potent in vitro antioxidant potential and higher SPF value, as compared with A. pseudalhagi herb extracts. Therefore, EAPE could be highly recommended to be used in development of herbal sunscreen formulations.
Āta
Authors: Pohatu Taina Whakaatere
Published: November 2019

He Whakarāpopoto
Kai te reo ōna ake whakaaro e pupūtia ai ngā take-pū Māori. He mea tuku iho tēnei e ngā mātua tīpuna ki ngā whakatupuranga o nāianei. Ki te kaha te tangata ki te raparapa haere, ka kitea tonutia te hōhonutanga o ngā takepū nei, hai arataki paitia i a ia. Ko te kaupapa o te tuhituhi nei, he arotahi i te takepū o te āta. Kai konei ka kitea ētahi tauira, hai whakamahitanga ki ngā wāhi maha, kai reira te hunga tangata. E whakapaetia kai konei anō ngā take-pū hai mahinga mā te tangata i a ia e tipu ana.
Abstract
The language has its own capacity to give a depth of meaning to Māori concepts. This was passed down by the ancestors to the present generations. A determined researcher can access the depth of these principles and find it most rewarding. This paper focuses on the principle of “āta” and examples are given which can be applied in workplaces. The claim is made that these principles can be applied to one’s own development.
Imprinted X‐chromosome inactivation impacts primitive endoderm differentiation in mouse blastocysts
Authors: Fukuda Atsushi , Motosugi Nami , Ando Mikiko , Kimura Minoru , Umezawa Akihiro , Akutsu Hidenori
Published: November 2019

Epigenetic and transcriptome alterations are essential for lineage specification, represented by imprinted X‐chromosome inactivation (iXCI) in female mouse preimplantation embryos. However, how various factors affect transcriptome states and lineage commitment remains unclear. We found that in vitro culture duration strongly influences transcriptional variation compared to iXCI loss. Single‐cell analysis of the inner cell mass (ICM) for major transcription and epigenomic factors revealed that sex‐specific differences in expression are diminished by loss of iXCI in the primitive endoderm (PrE) but not in the epiblast. Females had a higher proportion of ICM compared to that in males, and PrE development was affected by iXCI states in female embryos. Our findings provide insight into sex differences and iXCI function in lineage specification.
Adenoviral strategies to overcome innate cellular responses to infection
Authors: Sohn Sook‐Young , Hearing Patrick
Published: November 2019

Viruses alter host cell processes to optimize their replication cycle. Human adenoviruses (Ad) encode proteins that promote viral macromolecular synthesis and counteract innate and adaptive responses to infection. The focus of this review is on how Ad evades innate cellular responses to infection, including an interferon (IFN) response and a DNA damage response (DDR). Ad blocks the IFN response by inhibiting cytoplasmic signaling pathways and the activation of IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs), as well as the functions of ISG products, such as PML. Ad also inhibits DDR sensors, for instance, the Mre11‐Rad50‐Nbs1 complex, and DDR effectors like DNA ligase IV. These innate cellular responses impact many different viruses, and studies on Ad have provided broad insight into these areas.
Study partner‐reported decline identifies cognitive decline and dementia risk
Authors: Nosheny Rachel L. , Jin Chengshi , Neuhaus John , Insel Philip S. , Mackin Robert Scott , Weiner Michael W. ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative investigators
Published: November 2019

Objective

Identifying individuals at risk for cognitive decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a critical need. Functional decline is associated with risk and can be efficiently assessed by participants and study partners (SPs). We tested the hypothesis that SP‐reported functional decline is an independent predictor of dementia risk and cognitive decline.

Methods

In 1048 older adults in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), we measured associations between Everyday Cognition Scale scores (ECog, self‐ and SP‐reported versions) and (1) baseline and longitudinal change in neuropsychological test (NPT scores) across multiple cognitive domains; (2) diagnostic conversion to MCI or dementia. Models included Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) score and ApoE ε4 genotype (APOE) as predictors. Model fits were compared with and without predictors of interest included.

Results

SP‐reported ECog was the strongest predictor of cognitive decline across multiple domains, as well as diagnostic conversion. Self‐reported ECog was associated with baseline NPT scores in some cognitive domains, and diagnostic conversion to MCI in participants with biomarker evidence for AD (elevated brain β‐amyloid, Aβ). Models including SP‐reported ECog were significantly stronger at predicting outcomes.

Conclusions

SP‐reported functional decline is an independent indicator of cognitive decline and dementia risk, even when accounting for cognitive screening, genetic risk, demographics, and self‐report decline. The results provide a rationale for greater utilization of SP‐reported functional decline to identify those at risk for dementia due to AD and other causes.
New Anthraquinone‐Based Conjugated Microporous Polymer Cathode with Ultrahigh Specific Surface Area for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Molina Antonio , Patil Nagaraj , Ventosa Edgar , Liras Marta , Palma Jesús , Marcilla Rebeca
Published: November 2019

Redox‐active conjugated microporous polymers (RCMPs) polymerized by conventional methods are commonly obtained as irregular insoluble solid particles making the electrode processing difficult. In this work, the synthesis of RCMP based on anthraquinone moieties (IEP‐11) is developed via a two‐step pathway combining miniemulsion and solvothermal techniques that results in polymer nanostructures that are much easier to disperse in solvents facilitating the fabrication of electrodes. Interestingly, this synthetic approach is also found to have an important impact on the inherent morphology of IEP‐11 that exhibits a dual porosity combining micro and mesopores with a specific surface area as high as 2200 m2 g−1, which is one of the highest values reported for RCMPs. Moreover, the compactness of the electrodes is also improved, the resulting electrodes have triple the density than those obtained with conventional methods. Consequently, when these electrodes are tested as cathodes in Li‐ion battery, they deliver high gravimetric capacities (≈100 mAh g−1) and extraordinary rate capability keeping 76% of discharge capacity when charged–discharged in only 12 min (@5 C). Moreover, the insoluble and robust conjugated porous structure provides IEP‐11‐E12 with an unprecedented cycling stability retain ≈90% and ≈60% of its initial capacity after 5000 (@2 C) and 80 000 cycles (@30 C), respectively.
Inkjet‐Printed Soft Resistive Pressure Sensor Patch for Wearable Electronics Applications
Authors: Lo Li‐Wei , Shi Hongyang , Wan Haochuan , Xu Zhihao , Tan Xiaobo , Wang Chuan
Published: November 2019

Soft pressure sensors may find a wide range of applications in soft robotics, biomedical devices, and smart wearables. Here, an inkjet‐printed resistive pressure sensor that offers high sensitivity and can be fabricated using a very simple process is reported. The device is composed of a conductive silver nanoparticle (AgNP) layer directly printed onto a polydimethylsiloxane substrate and encapsulated by a VHB tape. The pressure is measured through change in electrical resistance caused by pressure‐induced strain in the printed AgNP thin film. The influence of substrate stiffness and thickness on the sensitivity and achieved sensors with an optimized configuration that exhibit highly repeatable response with a sensitivity of up to 0.48 kPa−1 is systematically studied. It is further demonstrated that such a printed soft sensor patch is capable of measuring arterial pulse waveforms or detecting acoustic vibrations under various sound pressure levels. With its simple and low‐cost fabrication process and high sensitivity, the inkjet‐printed resistive pressure sensor is promising for future biomedical and smart wearable device applications.
Rb2CuX3 (X = Cl, Br): 1D All‐Inorganic Copper Halides with Ultrabright Blue Emission and Up‐Conversion Photoluminescence
Authors: Creason Tielyr D. , Yangui Aymen , Roccanova Rachel , Strom Amanda , Du Mao‐Hua , Saparov Bayrammurad
Published: November 2019

All‐inorganic metal halides such as Cs4PbX6 and CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) are attracting global attention owing to their promise in optoelectronic applications. However, the presence of the toxic heavy metal lead (Pb) in these materials is a major concern. Here, a family of nontoxic high‐efficiency blue‐emitting all‐inorganic halides Rb2CuX3 (X = Br and Cl) is reported; the compounds exhibit 1D crystal structures featuring anionic 2− ribbons separated by Rb+ cations. The measured record high photoluminescence quantum yield values range from 64% to 100% for Rb2CuBr3 and Rb2CuCl3, respectively. Furthermore, the measured emission linewidths are quite narrow with full width at half maximum values of 54 and 52 nm for Rb2CuBr3 and Rb2CuCl3, respectively. Single crystals of Rb2CuCl3 demonstrate an anti‐Stokes photoluminescence signal, shown for the first time for Pb‐free metal halides. The discovery of highly efficient narrow blue emitters based on a nontoxic and inexpensive metal copper paves a way for the consideration of low‐cost and environmentally friendly copper halides for practical applications.
Non‐Covalently Immobilized Chiral Imidazolidinone on Sulfated‐Chitin: Reusable Heterogeneous Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Diels‐Alder Reaction
Authors: Watanabe Mirai , Sakai Takuya , Oka Marina , Makinose Yuki , Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Iida Hiroki
Published: November 2019

A heterogeneous chiral imidazolodinone catalyst was synthesized by immobilization on a sulfated chitin through non‐covalent ionic interactions. The chitin‐based organocatalyst promoted the asymmetric Diels‐Alder reaction with high enantioselectivity under heterogeneous conditions and was successfully reused multiple times without apparent loss of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity.

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Metal Free Sulfonylative Spirocyclization of Alkenyl and Alkynyl Amides via Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide
Authors: Nair Akshay M. , Halder Indranil , Khan Salman , Volla Chandra M. R.
Published: November 2019

Herein, we report an efficient synthesis of azaspiro[4,5]‐decanes and azaspiro[4,5]‐trienones by the radical cascade spirocyclization of N‐benzylacrylamides or N‐arylpropiolamides respectively. These reactions proceed under metal free conditions and involve in situ generation of aryl sulfonyl radicals from DABSO and aryl diazonium salts. Furthermore, a catalyst free visible light mediated protocol was developed for the sulfonylative spirocyclization of N‐aryl alkynamides using diaryliodonium salts. The utility of these protocols were justified by the excellent compatability of a wide range of functional groups, good yields and scalablity under mild conditions at room temperature.

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Midlife Atherosclerosis and Development of Alzheimer or Vascular Dementia
Authors: Gustavsson Anna‐Märta , van Westen Danielle , Stomrud Erik , Engström Gunnar , Nägga Katarina , Hansson Oskar
Published: November 2019

Objective

To investigate whether midlife atherosclerosis is associated with different dementia subtypes and related underlying pathologies.

Methods

Participants comprised the cardiovascular cohort of the Swedish prospective population‐based Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (N = 6,103). Carotid plaques and intima media thickness (IMT) were measured at baseline (1991–1994). Dementia incidence until 2014 was obtained from national registers. Diagnoses were reviewed and validated in medical records. In a cognitively unimpaired subcohort (n = 330), β‐amyloid42 and tau were quantified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and white matter hyperintensity volume, lacunar infarcts, and cerebral microbleeds were estimated on magnetic resonance imaging (2009–2015).

Results

During 20 years of follow‐up, 462 individuals developed dementia (mean age at baseline = 57.5 ± 5.9 years, 58% women). Higher IMT in midlife was associated with an increased hazard ratio (HR) of all‐cause dementia (adjusted HR = 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.26]) and vascular dementia (adjusted HR = 1.32 [95% CI = 1.10–1.57]) but not Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia (adjusted HR = 0.95 [95% CI = 0.77–1.17]). Carotid plaques were associated with vascular dementia when assessed as a 3‐graded score (adjusted HR = 1.90 [95% CI = 1.07–3.38]). In the cognitively unimpaired subcohort (53.8 ± 4.6 years at baseline, 60% women), higher IMT in midlife was associated with development of small vessel disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.47 [95% CI = 1.05–2.06]) but not significantly with abnormal CSF AD biomarkers (adjusted OR = 1.28 [95% CI = 0.87–1.90] for Aβ42 and 1.35 [95% CI = 0.86–2.13] for Aβ42/p‐tau). Carotid plaques revealed no significant association with any of the underlying brain pathologies.

Interpretation

Our findings support an association between midlife atherosclerosis and development of vascular dementia and cerebral small vessel disease but not between atherosclerosis and subsequent AD dementia or AD pathology. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:52–62
Direct Evidence of Local pH Change and the Role of Alkali Cation during CO2 Electroreduction in Aqueous Media
Authors: Zhang Fen , Co Anne C.
Published: November 2019

We report, for the first time, utilizing a rotating ring‐disc electrode (RRDE) assembly for detecting changes in the local pH during aqueous CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Using Au as a model catalyst where CO is the only product, we show that the CO oxidation peak shifts by −86±2 mV/pH during CO2RR, which can be used to directly quantify the change in the local pH near the catalyst surface during electrolysis. We then applied this methodology to investigate the role of cations in affecting the local pH during CO2RR and find that during CO2RR to CO on Au in an MHCO3 buffer (where M is an alkali metal), the experimentally measured local basicity decreased in the order Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Cs+, which agreed with an earlier theoretical prediction by Singh et al. Our results also reveal that the formation of CO is independent of the cation. In summary, RRDE is a versatile tool for detecting local pH change over a diverse range of CO2RR catalysts. Additionally, using the product itself (i.e. CO) as the local pH probe allows us to investigate CO2RR without the interference of additional probe molecules introduced to the system. Most importantly, considering that most CO2RR products have pH‐dependent oxidation, RRDE can be a powerful tool for determining the local pH and correlating the local pH to reaction selectivity.
Xantphos‐ligated palladium dithiolates: An unprecedented and convenient catalyst for the carbonylative Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction with high turnover number and turnover frequency
Authors: Gaikwad Vinayak V. , Mane Pravin A. , Dey Sandip , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: November 2019

Xantphos‐ and dithiolate‐ligated macrocyclic palladium complexes as an efficient and stable catalyst for the carbonylative Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction have been synthesized. The catalysts were characterized by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), CHNS (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur) analysis, melting point analysis, and 31P‐NMR spectroscopy. Several sensitive functional groups (e.g., –NO2, –F, –Cl, –Br, –NH2, and –CN) on the aromatic ring were well tolerated in the carbonylative Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction. The present palladium complexes produce six times higher turnover number (TON) and five times higher turnover frequency (TOF) compared with conventional homogeneous palladium precursors. Maximum TONs in the range of 105 to 106 and TOF in the range of 104 to 105 could be generated by a very low amount of catalyst loading (10–5 mol%).
The new iron(III) 3‐oxo‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)butanamide complex promotes Ehrlich solid tumor regression in mice via induction of apoptosis
Authors: Saad Entsar A. , Elsayed Shadia A. , Hassanien Mohamed M. , AL‐Adl Menna S.
Published: November 2019

Currently used chemotherapeutic drugs had serious adverse effects e.g. myelo‐suppression, anemia and nephrotoxicity. Thus, developing new alternatives is of great importance. We aimed to develop a new prospective antitumor complex combines iron metal ion and 3‐oxo‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)butanamide ligand that may be effective with less toxicity towards healthy tissues. Anticancer activities of the developed complex were studied in vitro and in vivo using induced Ehrlich solid tumor in mice as animal model. In vitro, the complex (1 mmol/L) exhibited superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐like activity of 86.69 %, catalase‐like activity of 170 U/100 mL, and 99.06% mortality of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. Complex ability to interact with DNA was proved spectrophotometrically. Flow‐cytometrically, EAC cells treated with the complex showed higher apoptosis, caspase 3 activity, and p53 compared to the untreated EAC cells. In vivo, the complex showed prominent dose‐dependent antitumor activities. It reduced tumor volume and weight, prolonged mice life span, and reversed the hematological indices, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ALT and urea levels towards normal. Finally, our findings indicate that the complex motivates Ehrlich solid tumor regression in mice via induction of apoptosis. Its effect was better than that of cisplatin.
Morphological characteristics and thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystals‐containing biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blend composites
Authors: Motloung Mpho Phillip , Ojijo Vincent , Bandyopadhyay Jayita , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: November 2019

This work investigates the effect of cellulose nanocrystal (CN) loading on the properties of polylactide/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) (70/30) blend processed in a twin‐screw extruder as a potential material that can be utilized in various applications where biodegradation is highly desired. The morphological analysis revealed a reduction in droplet size of dispersed PCL phase upon addition of CN at low concentrations (1 and 2 wt %) with maximum reduction at 2 wt % which led to maximum improvement in mechanical properties. The reinforcing effect of CN in increasing the DMA storage modulus of the prepared systems was noticed when CN concentration was increased. Further, CN enhanced the crystallization of PCL, whereas the cold crystallization of PLA remained the same with CN addition. Both melt strength and viscosity of PLA improved with the incorporation of PCL and CN. In general, a green composite material with improved properties was successfully prepared using an environmentally friendly filler material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48665.
Tailoring the irreversible thermal expansion of 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene crystals by bioinspired polydopamine coating
Authors: Lin Congmei , Cheng Bibo , Zhang Haobin , Gong Feiyan , Yang Zhijian , Liu Shijun , Li Jiang , Guo Shaoyun
Published: November 2019

Bioinspired polydopamine (PDA) was selected for the fabrication of 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB)‐based microcapsules to improve the thermal stability via a facile in situ polymerization of dopamine on the surface of explosive crystals in a weak alkaline aqueous solution. The effects of experimental conditions, including TATB core size, PDA shell content, elevated‐temperature hold time, hold temperature, and test stress on the irreversible thermal expansion of TATB crystals, were comprehensively and comparatively studied. After coating, the strain change at each cooling and heating stage in a thermal cycling test from −54 to 74 °C visibly decreased, attributing to the fact that the highly crosslinked and dense PDA shell acted as a rigid pressure vessel to constrain the expansion of energetic crystals. The irreversible expansion strain at room temperature after a 23–113 °C cycle decreased with the increasing of PDA shell thickness. Compared with raw fine grains TATB (FTATB) crystals, FTATB enabled in 1.5 wt % PDA showed a dramatically drop in the irreversible expansion strain at room temperature by 27.7% (from 0.520 to 0.376%). The results demonstrated the excellent ability of PDA to alleviate irreversible thermal expansion of anisotropic energetic crystals. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48695.
Reconstruction and analysis of a three‐compartment genome‐scale metabolic model for Pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: Huang Xiaoyan , Lin Yen‐Han
Published: November 2019

With the versatile metabolic diversity, Pseudomonas fluorescens is a potential candidate in petroleum aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bioremediation. Genome‐scale metabolic model (GSMM) can provide systematic information to guide the development of metabolic engineering strategy to improve microbial activity. In this study, a GSMM for P. fluorescens SBW25 was reconstructed, which is termed as lCW1057. The reconstruction was based on automatic reannotation and manual curation. The periplasmic compartment was constructed to better represent the proton gradient profile. The reconstructed proton transport chain has a P/O (ATP generated per atom oxygen consumed by the respiratory chain) ratio of 11/8. Flux balance analysis (FBA) was performed to explore the whole‐cell metabolic flow. The model suggested that instead of Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway, Entner–Doudoroff pathway was used in glycolytic metabolism of P. fluorescens, indicating that the growth of P. fluorescens is more energy dependent. Furthermore, P. fluorescens can use nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor for the glucose metabolism. The β‐ketoadipate pathway was involved in catechol metabolism. The uptake of oxygen is mandatory for the aromatic ring cleavage. The in silico and in vitro maximum specific growth rate was compared, resulting in 10% difference when catechol was used as the sole carbon source.
Materiality in integrated and sustainability reporting: A paradigm shift?
Authors: Mio Chiara , Fasan Marco , Costantini Antonio
Published: November 2019

This paper investigates the implementation of integrated reporting (IR) by Generali, one of the most important listed companies in Italy. The research questions we aim at answering are the following: Is the IR approach to materiality inherently different from the sustainability reporting (SR) approach? Does IR lead to the identification of different material topics than does SR? On the one hand, institutional theory suggests that IR and SR material topics are going to be significantly different because IR is mainly driven by a market logic, whereas SR is inspired by a stakeholder logic. On the other hand, organizational change theory predicts there will be some resistance to change by the organization, therefore leading to IR and SR topics being similar. In order to answer our research questions, we implement two empirical analyses. First, we propose and develop an innovative methodological approach on the basis of content analysis, which allows measuring the materiality of different issues under the IR approach. Second, we rely on evidence obtained through interviews, which suggests that IR and SR approaches to materiality are inherently different.
Electronic and Physical Property Manipulations: Recent Achievements towards Heterogeneous Carbon‐based Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Nie Yao , Wei Zidong
Published: November 2019

Heterogeneous carbon‐based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts with distinctive properties afford new exciting opportunities of low‐cost processing, address critical issues in real‐world applications and strengthen economic competitiveness of catalytic process. This minireview is mainly centered on the recent achievements of new and interesting design concepts of carbon‐based ORR catalysts, especially focusing on the electronic structure manipulations of both metal‐free heteroatom doped‐carbons and M−N−C catalysts. Effect of other key physical factors including density and dispersity of active sites, pore structure and conductivity on ORR behavior and accordingly nichetargeting synthetic strategies will be also illustrated. In the end, a brief illumination of challenges and future research directions for heterogeneous carbon‐based ORR catalysts will be provided.
Dual Escherichia coli DNA Gyrase A and B Inhibitors with Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Fois Benedetta , Skok Žiga , Tomašič Tihomir , Ilaš Janez , Zidar Nace , Zega Anamarija , Peterlin Mašič Lucija , Szili Petra , Draskovits Gábor , Nyerges Ákos , Pál Csaba , Kikelj Danijel
Published: November 2019

The emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria is a global health threat necessitating the discovery of new antibacterials and novel strategies for fighting bacterial infections. We report first‐in‐class DNA gyrase B (GyrB) inhibitor/ciprofloxacin hybrids that display antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Whereas DNA gyrase ATPase inhibition experiments, DNA gyrase supercoiling assays, and in vitro antibacterial assays suggest binding of the hybrids to the E. coli GyrA and GyrB subunits, an interaction with the GyrA fluoroquinolone‐binding site seems to be solely responsible for their antibacterial activity. Our results provide a foundation for a new concept of facilitating entry of nonpermeating GyrB inhibitors into bacteria by conjugation with ciprofloxacin, a highly permeable GyrA inhibitor. A hybrid molecule containing GyrA and GyrB inhibitor parts entering the bacterial cell would then elicit a strong antibacterial effect by inhibition of both the GyrA and GyrB subunits of DNA gyrase and potentially slow bacterial resistance development.
Risk of malignancy in the various categories of the UK Royal College of Pathologists Thy terminology for thyroid FNA cytology: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Poller David N. , Bongiovanni Massimo , Trimboli Pierpaolo
Published: November 2019

Background

The UK Royal College of Pathologists Thy terminology for reporting thyroid fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), first published in 2009 is used throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, in some parts of Italy and Switzerland and elsewhere. There is no review of the literature or meta‐analysis of the risk of malignancy (ROM) in the various categories of the UK Thy terminology. The goal of this study was to establish the published ROM for each Thy category and compare the results with other existing terminology systems for which similar meta‐analyses are available.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of online databases was conducted in May 2019 to examine the ROMs for histologically proven nodules with preoperative FNAC classified according to the UK Thy terminology.

Results

Twenty‐five articles were identified that showed results of both cytology and histology. Twelve of these articles were excluded to prevent a selection bias because they showed data in just 1 Thy category. In the remaining 13 articles, the pooled ROMs were as follows: Thy1, 12% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5%‐22%); Thy2, 5% (95% CI, 3%‐9%); Thy3, 22% (95% CI, 18%‐26%); Thy3a, 25% (95% CI, 20%‐31%); Thy3f, 31% (95% CI, 24%‐39%); Thy4, 79% (95% CI, 70%‐87%); and Thy5, 98% (95% CI, 97%‐99%).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis shows results comparable to those of meta‐analyses of other internationally recognized reporting terminologies for the pooled ROMs for surgically excised nodules in the various Thy reporting categories. There is comparatively little difference (only 6%) between the pooled ROMs of Thy3a and Thy3f surgically excised nodules.