bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zwischen objektiver Verfassungssicherung und Individualrechtsschutz – Politisierungspotential im Verfassungsbeschwerdeverfahren
Authors: Sandhu Aqilah
Published: October 2024

Wenn sich eine Grundrechtsverletzung oder das Rechtsschutzbedürfnis vor der Entscheidung erledigt, der Beschwerdeführer verstirbt oder die Verfassungsbeschwerde zurückgenommen wird, können das grundlegende verfassungsrechtliche Interesse und die allgemeine Bedeutung die Fortführung des verfassungsgerichtlichen Verfahrens rechtfertigen. Dies ist Ausdruck der objektiven Dimension der Verfassungsbeschwerde. Je stärker dieser Charakter dominiert, desto eher liegt die Verfahrensherrschaft beim Gericht. Die vom subjektiven Rechtsschutz losgelöste objektive Kontrolle im Verfassungsbeschwerdeverfahren birgt aber auch ein gewisses Politisierungspotential und Unsicherheiten für Prozessbeteiligte.
Die Abhängigkeit von den Feststellungszielen im Kapitalanleger-Musterverfahren
Authors: Böttcher Wilhelm
Published: October 2024

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die in der Wissenschaft wenig besprochene, aber in der Praxis kaum zu unterschätzende Bedeutung des BGH-Beschlusses vom 30.4.2019 (BGH v. 30.4.2019 - XI ZB 13/18, MDR 2019, 1335) für den Verlauf von Kapitalanlegermusterverfahren. Durch die Auslegung des Merkmals der Abhängigkeit im Rahmen des § 8 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Kap- MuG durch den BGH sind die Fachgerichte gezwungen, alle Tatbestandsmerkmale vor Aussetzung des Musterverfahrens umfassend zu prüfen. Der Autor analysiert, welche Auswirkungen dieses Vorgehen auf die Verfahrensdauer, die Prozesskosten sowie das Beweismaß sowohl im Rahmen der Ausgangsverfahren als auch im Rahmen des Musterverfahrens hat. Das Ergebnis ist, dass die Auslegung nicht konsequent zu einer Rechtsschutzverstärkung führt. Anschließend wird daher untersucht, wie § 8 Abs. 1 Satz 1 KapMuG verständigerweise und verfassungskonform ausgelegt werden sollte.
Nanoscale Zr‐Based MOFs with Tailorable Size and Introduced Mesopore for Protein Delivery
Authors: Wang Zhe , Hu Shuanggang , Yang Jian , Liang Ajuan , Li Yongsheng , Zhuang Qixin , Gu Jinlou
Published: February 2018

Introduction of large pore in the primitive microporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with tailorable particle size can endow them with desired properties for potential applications in the intracellular delivery of membrane‐impermeable proteins. However, no research is found to focus on this topic until now. Herein, a monocarboxylic acid (MA) and organic base comodulation strategy is developed to synthesize the hierarchically porous UiO‐66 nanoparticles. MA of dodecanoic acid is utilized to control the pore size while trimethylamine (TEA) plays a key role in modulating the nucleation of crystallization to regulate the particle size. In comparison with microporous UiO‐66, a model protein of cytochrome c (Cyt c) could be efficiently loaded into the mesoporous MOFs (mesoMOFs). The size‐dependent cellular uptake is also evaluated, and it is verified that mesoMOFs with particle size of 90 nm could be endocytosed into living cells with highest efficiency. These outstanding merits enable the current mesoMOFs not only to exhibit efficient encapsulation of Cyt c but also facilitate the protein delivery into the cytosol and subsequent endosomal escape. Given the exceptional chemical stability, hierarchically porous structure as well as tunable particle size, the elaborated mesoUiO‐66 nanoparticles might offer a promising platform for a variety of biomedical applications.
Heterogeneous Single‐Atom Catalyst for Visible‐Light‐Driven High‐Turnover CO2 Reduction: The Role of Electron Transfer
Authors: Gao Chao , Chen Shuangming , Wang Ying , Wang Jiawen , Zheng Xusheng , Zhu Junfa , Song Li , Zhang Wenkai , Xiong Yujie
Published: February 2018

Visible‐light‐driven conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels is an intriguing approach to address the energy and environmental challenges. In principle, light harvesting and catalytic reactions can be both optimized by combining the merits of homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalysts; however, the efficiency of charge transfer between light absorbers and catalytic sites is often too low to limit the overall photocatalytic performance. In this communication, it is reported that the single‐atom Co sites coordinated on the partially oxidized graphene nanosheets can serve as a highly active and durable heterogeneous catalyst for CO2 conversion, wherein the graphene bridges homogeneous light absorbers with single‐atom catalytic sites for the efficient transfer of photoexcited electrons. As a result, the turnover number for CO production reaches a high value of 678 with an unprecedented turnover frequency of 3.77 min−1, superior to those obtained with the state‐of‐the‐art heterogeneous photocatalysts. This work provides fresh insights into the design of catalytic sites toward photocatalytic CO2 conversion from the angle of single‐atom catalysis and highlights the role of charge kinetics in bridging the gap between heterogeneous and homogeneous photocatalysts.
Amide‐Catalyzed Phase‐Selective Crystallization Reduces Defect Density in Wide‐Bandgap Perovskites
Authors: Kim Junghwan , Saidaminov Makhsud I. , Tan Hairen , Zhao Yicheng , Kim Younghoon , Choi Jongmin , Jo Jea Woong , Fan James , Quintero‐Bermudez Rafael , Yang Zhenyu , Quan Li Na , Wei Mingyang , Voznyy Oleksandr , Sargent Edward H.
Published: February 2018

Wide‐bandgap (WBG) formamidinium–cesium (FA‐Cs) lead iodide–bromide mixed perovskites are promising materials for front cells well‐matched with crystalline silicon to form tandem solar cells. They offer avenues to augment the performance of widely deployed commercial solar cells. However, phase instability, high open‐circuit voltage (Voc) deficit, and large hysteresis limit this otherwise promising technology. Here, by controlling the crystallization of FA‐Cs WBG perovskite with the aid of a formamide cosolvent, light‐induced phase segregation and hysteresis in perovskite solar cells are suppressed. The highly polar solvent additive formamide induces direct formation of the black perovskite phase, bypassing the yellow phases, thereby reducing the density of defects in films. As a result, the optimized WBG perovskite solar cells (PSCs) (Eg ≈ 1.75 eV) exhibit a high Voc of 1.23 V, reduced hysteresis, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.8%. A PCE of 15.2% on 1.1 cm2 solar cells, the highest among the reported efficiencies for large‐area PSCs having this bandgap is also demonstrated. These perovskites show excellent phase stability and thermal stability, as well as long‐term air stability. They maintain ≈95% of their initial PCE after 1300 h of storage in dry air without encapsulation.
A Sulfur–Limonene‐Based Electrode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: High‐Performance by Self‐Protection
Authors: Wu Feixiang , Chen Shuangqiang , Srot Vesna , Huang Yuanye , Sinha Shyam Kanta , van Aken Peter A. , Maier Joachim , Yu Yan
Published: February 2018

The lithium–sulfur battery is considered as one of the most promising energy storage systems and has received enormous attentions due to its high energy density and low cost. However, polysulfide dissolution and the resulting shuttle effects hinder its practical application unless very costly solutions are considered. Herein, a sulfur‐rich polymer termed sulfur–limonene polysulfide is proposed as powerful electroactive material that uniquely combines decisive advantages and leads out of this dilemma. It is amenable to a large‐scale synthesis by the abundant, inexpensive, and environmentally benign raw materials sulfur and limonene (from orange and lemon peels). Moreover, owing to self‐protection and confinement of lithium sulfide and sulfur, detrimental dissolution and shuttle effects are successfully avoided. The sulfur–limonene‐based electrodes (without elaborate synthesis or surface modification) exhibit excellent electrochemical performances characterized by high discharge capacities (≈1000 mA h g−1 at C/2) and remarkable cycle stability (average fading rate as low as 0.008% per cycle during 300 cycles).
Rational Design of Multifunctional Fe@γ‐Fe2O3@H‐TiO2Nanocomposites with Enhanced Magnetic and Photoconversion Effects for Wide Applications: From Photocatalysis to Imaging‐Guided Photothermal Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wang Meifang , Deng Kerong , Lü Wei , Deng Xiaoran , Li Kai , Shi Yanshu , Ding Binbin , Cheng Ziyong , Xing Bengang , Han Gang , Hou Zhiyao , Lin Jun
Published: February 2018

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely investigated and used in many areas due to its high refractive index and ultraviolet light absorption, but the lack of absorption in the visible–near infrared (Vis–NIR) region limits its application. Herein, multifunctional Fe@γ‐Fe2O3@H‐TiO2nanocomposites (NCs) with multilayer‐structure are synthesized by one‐step hydrogen reduction, which show remarkably improved magnetic and photoconversion effects as a promising generalists for photocatalysis, bioimaging, and photothermal therapy (PTT). Hydrogenation is used to turn white TiO2in to hydrogenated TiO2(H‐TiO2), thus improving the absorption in the Vis–NIR region. Based on the excellent solar‐driven photocatalytic activities of the H‐TiO2shell, the Fe@γ‐Fe2O3magnetic core is introduced to make it convenient for separating and recovering the catalytic agents. More importantly, Fe@γ‐Fe2O3@H‐TiO2NCs show enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency due to more circuit loops for electron transitions between H‐TiO2and γ‐Fe2O3, and the electronic structures of Fe@γ‐Fe2O3@H‐TiO2NCs are calculated using the Vienna ab initio simulation package based on the density functional theory to account for the results. The reported core–shell NCs can serve as an NIR‐responsive photothermal agent for magnetic‐targeted photothermal therapy and as a multimodal imaging probe for cancer including infrared photothermal imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and photoacoustic imaging.
Continuous manufacturing: Is the process mean stationary?
Authors: Simon Levente L.
Published: February 2018

The statistical framework to systematically detect mean stationarity in the context of continuous manufacturing is described in this article. The methods presented in this article use econometric and financial time‐series analysis concepts in the form of unit‐root and stationarity hypothesis tests. The tests under discussion are the augmented Dickey‐Fuller, Philips‐Perron, Leybourne‐McCabe, and Kwiatkowski‐Phillips‐Schmidt‐Shin. These hypothesis tests are evaluated on data generated by a focused‐beam reflectance measurement sensor implemented on‐line in a continuous plug‐flow crystallizer. This contribution has shown that the hypothesis tests can be used to detect steady‐state conditions on‐line in a plug‐flow crystallizer. Furthermore, this econometric framework can be used as a mean stationarity “certificate” of collected samples to document that the process was mean stationary during the sampling. The statistical framework described in this article can be applied to any continuously operated unit operation or sensor measurement. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 64: 2426–2437, 2018
Relative time‐averaged gain array (RTAGA) for distributed control‐oriented network decomposition
Authors: Tang Wentao , Babaei Pourkargar Davood , Daoutidis Prodromos
Published: February 2018

Input‐output partitioning for decentralized control has been studied extensively using various methods, including those based on relative gains and those based on relative degrees and sensitivities. These two concepts are characterizations of long‐time and short‐time input‐output response, respectively. A unifying new input‐output interaction measure, called relative time‐averaged gain, which characterizes the input‐output interactions during a time scale of interest for linear time‐invariant systems is proposed. This measure is used as a basis for community detection in the input‐output bipartite graph of a process network to produce subnetworks whose responses are weakly coupled in the time scale of interest. As such, the resulting decomposition accounts for both response characteristics and the network topology, and can be used efficiently for distributed control architecture design. In a case study, the proposed decomposition is applied to the distributed model predictive control of a reactor‐separator benchmark process. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1682–1690, 2018
Constructing a broadly inclusive seed plant phylogeny
Authors: Smith Stephen A. , Brown Joseph W.
Published: February 2018

Premise of the Study

Large phylogenies can help shed light on macroevolutionary patterns that inform our understanding of fundamental processes that shape the tree of life. These phylogenies also serve as tools that facilitate other systematic, evolutionary, and ecological analyses. Here we combine genetic data from public repositories (GenBank) with phylogenetic data (Open Tree of Life project) to construct a dated phylogeny for seed plants.

Methods

We conducted a hierarchical clustering analysis of publicly available molecular data for major clades within the Spermatophyta. We constructed phylogenies of major clades, estimated divergence times, and incorporated data from the Open Tree of Life project, resulting in a seed plant phylogeny. We estimated diversification rates, excluding those taxa without molecular data. We also summarized topological uncertainty and data overlap for each major clade.

Key Results

The trees constructed for Spermatophyta consisted of 79,881 and 353,185 terminal taxa; the latter included the Open Tree of Life taxa for which we could not include molecular data from GenBank. The diversification analyses demonstrated nested patterns of rate shifts throughout the phylogeny. Data overlap and inference uncertainty show significant variation throughout and demonstrate the continued need for data collection across seed plants.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a means for combining available resources to construct a dated phylogeny for plants. However, this approach is an early step and more developments are needed to add data, better incorporating underlying uncertainty, and improve resolution. The methods discussed here can also be applied to other major clades in the tree of life.
Cocrystals Strategy towards Materials for Near‐Infrared Photothermal Conversion and Imaging
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhu Weigang , Du Wenna , Liu Xinfeng , Zhang Xiaotao , Dong Huanli , Hu Wenping
Published: February 2018

A cocrystal strategy with a simple preparation process is developed to prepare novel materials for near‐infrared photothermal (PT) conversion and imaging. DBTTF and TCNB are selected as electron donor (D) and electron acceptor (A) to self‐assemble into new cocrystals through non‐covalent interactions. The strong D–A interaction leads to a narrow band gap with NIR absorption and that both the ground state and lowest‐lying excited state are charge transfer states. Under the NIR laser illumination, the temperature of the cocrystal sharply increases in a short time with high PT conversion efficiency (η=18.8 %), which is due to the active non‐radiative pathways and inhibition of radiative transition process, as revealed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. This is the first PT conversion cocrystal, which not only provides insights for the development of novel PT materials, but also paves the way of designing functional materials with appealing applications.
A Benzene‐1,3,5‐Triaminyl Radical Fused with ZnII‐Porphyrins: Remarkable Stability and a High‐Spin Quartet Ground State
Authors: Shimizu Daiki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: February 2018

A benzene‐1,3,5‐triaminyl radical fused with three ZnII‐porphyrins was synthesized through a three‐fold oxidative fusion reaction of 1,3,5‐tris(ZnII‐porphyrinylamino)benzene followed by oxidation with PbO2 as key steps. This triaminyl radical has been shown to possess a quartet ground state with a doublet–quartet energy gap of 3.1 kJ mol−1 by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) studies. Despite its high‐spin nature, this triradical is remarkably stable, which allows its separation and recrystallization under ambient conditions. Moreover, this triradical can be stored as a solid for more than one year without serious deterioration. The high stability of the triradical is attributed to effective spin delocalization over the porphyrin segments and steric protection at the nitrogen centers and the porphyrin meso positions.
Study on the tribological properties of modified polyurethane material for water‐lubricated stern bearing
Authors: Jiang Shaoli , Guo Zhiwei , Yuan Chengqing , Liu Aixue , Bai Xiuqin
Published: February 2018

Polyurethane (PU) has been studied as alternative bearing material for marine water‐lubricated stern tube due to its excellent wear resistance, remarkable mechanical properties and so on. In this study, nine types of PU samples which are composed of different additives were prepared and tested in order to investigate their tribological properties under various working conditions. A pin‐on‐disc tribo‐tester was used to conduct tests. Then comparison analyses were conducted from three aspects, including the friction coefficient, wear mass loss, and the wear surface topography. The analysis results showed that: (1) the different additives as well as the mass fraction of these additives lead to significant difference in terms of tribological properties of PU; (2) the lubricating grease, as one of additives, improved the wear resistance and friction performance effectively; (3) modified PU is eligible to work as matrix because of satisfied mechanical properties and specific internal morphology. It is believed that understandings in this study are beneficial to the improvement of the tribological properties of PU and also provide the real practical basis for the studies of polymer materials which applied on water‐lubricated marine stern tube bearing. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46305.
Secondary dispersion‐based reactive pressure‐sensitive adhesives with improved tack
Authors: Kutlug Özgür , Reck Stephan , Hartwig Andreas
Published: February 2018

Reactive pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSA) have to meet the requirements for sufficient tack prior to crosslinking but also high shear after crosslinking. This article examines the use of secondary acrylic dispersions with reactive groups and epoxy resin dispersions for such PSA. Long‐term stable secondary PSA dispersions with high tack after film formation were obtained. Tack was dependent on the amount of carboxylic acid groups in the polymer as well as the base used for partial neutralization of the solvent‐borne copolymers. Reactive PSA were prepared by mixing a secondary dispersion with high amounts of carboxylic acid groups with an epoxy resin dispersion providing no tack. Variation of mixing ratio gave reactive PSA with sufficient tack, peel, and shear prior to crosslinking. Crosslinking of these reactive PSA at elevated temperatures led to high shear which was limited by incomplete molecular mixing of both phases. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46315.
Morphological and rheological footprints corroborating optimum foam processability of PP/ethylene acrylic elastomer blend
Authors: Dutta Anindya , Ghosh Anup K.
Published: February 2018

The focus of the present work is optimization of microcellular foam processing of Polypropylene (PP)/ethylene acrylic elastomer blends, through design of experiment approach using Taguchi technique and establishing correlation among foamability, morphological, and rheological parameters of blends. PP and elastomer are melt blended in a twin screw extruder and thereafter foaming parameter optimization is carried out using Taguchi method followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for batch foaming setup. Scanning electron microscope reveals development of submicron elastomer domains, which increase with the elastomer content. Further, complex viscosity and van Grup–Palmen plots are found to have a vital role in attaining cellular morphology development in blends. From Taguchi and ANOVA analysis it is established that foaming temperature has a great influence and major contribution on foamability. Blends with low elastomer content are optimized for better foamability using statistical approach and proved to be consistent with the morphological and rheological outcomes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46322.
The virtual microscopy database—sharing digital microscope images for research and education
Authors: Lee Lisa M. J. , Goldman Haviva M. , Hortsch Michael
Published: February 2018

Over the last 20 years, virtual microscopy has become the predominant modus of teaching the structural organization of cells, tissues, and organs, replacing the use of optical microscopes and glass slides in a traditional histology or pathology laboratory setting. Although virtual microscopy image files can easily be duplicated, creating them requires not only quality histological glass slides but also an expensive whole slide microscopic scanner and massive data storage devices. These resources are not available to all educators and researchers, especially at new institutions in developing countries. This leaves many schools without access to virtual microscopy resources. The Virtual Microscopy Database (VMD) is a new resource established to address this problem. It is a virtual image file‐sharing website that allows researchers and educators easy access to a large repository of virtual histology and pathology image files. With the support from the American Association of Anatomists (Bethesda, MD) and MBF Bioscience Inc. (Williston, VT), registration and use of the VMD are currently free of charge. However, the VMD site is restricted to faculty and staff of research and educational institutions. Virtual Microscopy Database users can upload their own collection of virtual slide files, as well as view and download image files for their own non‐profit educational and research purposes that have been deposited by other VMD clients. Anat Sci Educ 11: 510–515. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.
Improving near‐peer teaching quality in anatomy by educating teaching assistants: An example from Sweden
Authors: Johansson Ellen , Holmin Tobias E. , Johansson Bengt R. , Braide Magnus
Published: February 2018

Peer‐assisted learning has gained momentum in a variety of disciplines, including medical education. In Gothenburg, Sweden, medical students who have finished their compulsory anatomy courses have the option of working as teaching assistants (TAs). Teaching assistants provide small group teaching sessions as a complement to lectures given by faculty. Previously, TAs were left to handle the role as junior teachers by themselves, but since 2011, a continuation course in anatomy has been developed with the aim of providing the TAs better anatomy knowledge and guidance for teaching. The course was designed to comprise 7.5 ECTS credits (equivalent to 5 weeks of full‐time studies), and today all TAs are required to take this course before undertaking their own teaching responsibilities. This study aims to compare course evaluations of TA teaching before and after the introduction of the anatomy continuation course, in order to understand how students perceived teaching performed by self‐learned versus trained TAs. The results of this study demonstrate that there was a trend towards better teaching performed by trained TAs. The variability in rankings decreased significantly after the introduction of the continuation course. This was mainly due to an improvement among the TAs with the lowest levels of performance. In addition to comparing student rankings, TAs were interviewed regarding their experiences and perceptions within the continuation course. The course was generally positively regarded. The TAs described a sense of cohesion and appreciation since the institute invested in a course dedicated specifically for them. Anat Sci Educ 11: 403–409. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.
Isomeric N‐Annulated Perylene Diimide Dimers for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Zetong , Fu Huiting , Meng Dong , Jiang Wei , Sun Yanming , Wang Zhaohui
Published: February 2018

Two isomeric N‐annulated perylene diimide dimers, namely, p‐BDNP and m‐BDNP were designed and synthesized via geometric tuning. The distinct molecular geometry and packing arrangements of isomers with almost identical optical and electrochemical properties rendered us an in‐depth understanding of the molecular structure–aggregation state–photovoltaic performance relationship. Blended with the commercially available donor PCE‐10, p‐BDNP and m‐BDNP showed distinct differences in photovoltaic performance with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.01 % and 4.15 %, respectively.
Vorgehensmodell zur vergaberechtskonformen Ausschreibung und Bieterauswahl bei BIM‐Projekten am Beispiel des Pilotprojekts ABS Stendal–Uelzen
Authors: Bergmann Matthias , Schenkel Marcus
Published: February 2018

Die DB Netz AG, als Eisenbahninfrastrukturunternehmen (EIU) im integrierten Konzern der Deutschen Bahn AG, investiert jedes Jahr ca. 7 Mrd. Euro in den Aus‐ und Neubau sowie in den Ersatz des vorhandenen Streckennetzes. Insbesondere Projekte des Aus‐ und Neubaus sind gekennzeichnet durch sehr lange Projektlaufzeiten – oft mehrere Dekaden – zwischen Projektidee und Inbetriebnahme (IBN) der oft dringend benötigten zusätzlichen Netzkapazität und – damit auch verbunden – wesentlichen Kostensteigerungen in den Projekten selbst.
Impacts of feedstock properties on the process economics of fast‐pyrolysis biorefineries
Authors: Ou Longwen , Kim Hoyong , Kelley Stephen , Park Sunkyu
Published: February 2018

Feedstock properties are an important factor affecting the process yields and economics of fast‐pyrolysis biorefineries. This study develops a fast‐pyrolysis process model sensitive to feedstock properties based on experimental results. Sixty‐four simulations are run to evaluate the impacts of carbon, ash, and moisture content in biomass feedstocks on process yields and energy consumptions. An economic analysis is conducted for each run to quantify process economics under different feedstock properties. With biomass feedstocks of 48% carbon and 15% moisture, minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) increases from $0.97/L to $1.06/L when ash content increases from 1% to 7%, due to reduced hydrocarbon yields. With biomass feedstocks of 48% carbon and 3% ash content, MFSP increases from $1.03/L to $1.08/L when feedstock moisture increases from 15% to 45% as a consequence of increased energy demand for feedstock drying. The impact of feedstock ash content decreases gradually as ash content increases. Feedstock carbon content has less significant impacts on process economics in this study. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Characterization of neuropeptide K processing in rat spinal cord S9 fractions using high‐resolution quadrupole–Orbitrap mass spectrometry
Authors: Salem Jennifer Ben , Nkambeu Bruno , Beaudry Francis
Published: February 2018

Tachykinins are a family of pronociceptive neuropeptides with a specific role in pain and inflammation. Several mechanisms regulate endogenous tachykinins levels, including the differential expression of protachykinin mRNA and the controlled secretion of tachykinin peptides from neurons. We suspect that proteolysis regulates extracellular neuropeptide K (NPK) and neurokinin A (NKA) concentrations and NPK is a precursor of NKA. Here, we provide evidence that proteolysis controls NPK and NKA levels in the spinal cord, leading to the formation of active C‐terminal peptide fragments. Using high‐resolution mass spectrometry, specific tachykinin fragments were identified and characterized. The metabolic stability in rat spinal cord fractions of NPK and NKA was very short, resulting in half‐lives of 1.9 and 2.2 min respectively. Following the degradation of NPK, several C‐terminal fragments were identified, including NPK1–26, NKA, NKA2–10, NKA3–10, NKA5–10 and NKA6–10, which conserve affinity for the neurokinin 2 receptor but also for the neurokinin 1 receptor. Interestingly, the same fragments were identified following the degradation of NKA. A specific proprotein convertases inhibitor was used and showed a significant reduction in the rate of formation of NKA, providing strong evidence that proprotein convertase is involved in C‐terminal processing of NPK in the spinal cord, leading to the formation of NKA.
High expression of DJ‐1 promotes growth and invasion via the PTEN‐AKT pathway and predicts a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Yong , Chen Qian , Liu Quan‐xing , Zhou Dong , Lu Xiao , Deng Xu‐feng , Yang Hua , Zheng Hong , Qiu Yuan
Published: February 2018

Cancer cell invasion and unlimited proliferation are key factors in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased protein deglycase DJ‐1 in cancer cells is known to promote tumor growth; however, its role in CRC progression is not well defined. In this study, we investigated 100 CRC patients with disease stages I–IV to determine whether DJ‐1 could serve as a prognostic biomarker in CRC. These results showed that DJ‐1 expression in CRC tissues was higher than that in normal colon tissues and was associated with the (Tumor Node Metastasis) TNM stage. CRC patients with low DJ‐1 expression had a longer overall survival than those with high expression, and multivariate and univariate analyses indicated that DJ‐1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in CRC. Furthermore, DJ‐1 overexpression in two colon cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480, activated protein kinase AKT and downregulated tumor suppressor PTEN, whereas DJ‐1 knockdown upregulated PTEN expression and effectively suppressed CRC cell invasion and proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, revealing a mechanism underlying DJ‐1 pro‐oncogenic activity in CRC. Treatment of MK2206, the specific AKT inhibitor, significantly decreased DJ‐1‐mediated cell proliferation and mobility in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that DJ‐1 may be a novel prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in human CRC.
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor CIP2A indicates resistance to radiotherapy in rectal cancer
Authors: Birkman Eva‐Maria , Elzagheid Adam , Jokilehto Terhi , Avoranta Tuulia , Korkeila Eija , Kulmala Jarmo , Syrjänen Kari , Westermarck Jukka , Sundström Jari
Published: February 2018

Preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy, (C)RT, is an essential part of the treatment of rectal cancer patients, but tumor response to this therapy among patients is variable. Thus far, there are no clinical biomarkers that could be used to predict response to (C)RT or to stratify patients into different preoperative treatment groups according to their prognosis. Overexpression of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) has been demonstrated in several cancers and is frequently associated with reduced survival. Recently, high CIP2A expression has also been indicated to contribute to radioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but few studies have examined the connection between CIP2A and radiation response regarding other malignancies. We have evaluated CIP2A protein expression levels in relation to tumor regression after preoperative (C)RT and survival of rectal adenocarcinoma patients. The effects of CIP2A knockdown by siRNA on cell survival were further investigated in colorectal cancer cells exposed to radiation. Patients with low‐CIP2A‐expressing tumors had more frequently moderate or excellent response to long‐course (C)RT than patients with high‐CIP2A‐expressing tumors. They also had higher 36‐month disease‐specific survival (DSS) rate in categorical analysis. In the multivariate analysis, low CIP2A expression level remained as an independent predictive factor for increased DSS. Suppression of CIP2A transcription by siRNA was found to sensitize colorectal cancer cells to irradiation and decrease their survival in vitro. In conclusion, these results suggest that by contributing to radiosensitivity of cancer cells, low CIP2A protein expression level associates with a favorable response to long‐course (C)RT in rectal cancer patients.
Mortality risk after cancer diagnosis in kidney transplant recipients: the limitations of analyzing hospital administration data alone
Authors: Jackson‐Spence Francesca , Gillott Holly , Tahir Sanna , Nath Jay , Mytton Jemma , Evison Felicity , Sharif Adnan
Published: February 2018

Administrative data are frequently used for epidemiological studies but its usefulness to analyze cancer epidemiology after kidney transplantation is unclear. In this retrospective population‐based cohort study, we identified every adult kidney‐alone transplant performed in England (2003–2014) using administrative data from Hospital Episode Statistics. Results were compared to the hospitalized adult general population in England to calculate standardized incidence and mortality ratios. Data were analyzed for 19,883 kidney allograft recipients, with median follow‐up 6.0 years' post‐transplantation. Cancer incidence was more common after kidney transplantation compared to the general population in line with published literature (standardized incidence ratio 2.47, 95% CI: 2.34–2.61). In a Cox proportional hazards model, cancer development was associated with increasing age, recipients of deceased kidneys, frequent readmissions within 12 months post‐transplant and first kidney recipients. All‐cause mortality risk for kidney allograft recipients with new‐onset cancer was significantly higher compared to those remaining cancer‐free (42.0% vs. 10.3%, respectively). However, when comparing mortality risk for kidney allograft recipients to the general population after development of cancer, risk was lower for both cancer‐related (standardized mortality ratio 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71–0.79) and noncancer‐related mortality (standardized mortality ratio 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85–0.95), which contradicts reported literature. Although some plausible explanations are conceivable, our analysis likely reflects the limitations of administrative data for analyzing cancer data. Future studies require record linkage with dedicated cancer registries to acquire more robust and accurate data relating to cancer epidemiology after transplantation.
Chemical Composition of Cacti Wood and Comparison with the Wood of Other Taxonomic Groups
Authors: Maceda Agustín , Soto‐Hernández Marcos , Peña‐Valdivia Cecilia B. , Terrazas Teresa
Published: February 2018

The aims of this study were to determine the wood chemical composition of 25 species of Cactaceae and to relate the composition to their anatomical diversity. The hypothesis was that wood chemical components differ in relationship to their wood features. The results showed significant differences in wood chemical compounds across species and genera (P < 0.05). Pereskia had the highest percentage of lignin, whereas species of Coryphantha had the lowest; extractive compounds in water were highest for Echinocereus, Mammillaria, and Opuntia. Principal component analysis showed that lignin proportion separated the fibrous, dimorphic, and non‐fibrous groups; additionally, the differences within each type of wood occurred because of the lignification of the vascular tissue and the type of wall thickening. Compared with other groups of species, the Cactaceae species with fibrous and dimorphic wood had a higher lignin percentage than did gymnosperms and Acer species. Lignin may confer special rigidity to tracheary elements to withstand desiccation without damage during adverse climatic conditions.
ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation were essential for MGF E peptide regulating cell morphology and mobility but not proangiogenic capacity of BMSCs under severe hypoxia
Authors: Sha Yongqiang , Yang Li , Lv Yonggang
Published: February 2018

Severe hypoxia inhibits the adhesion and mobility of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and limits their application in bone tissue engineering. In this study, CoCl2 was used to simulate severe hypoxia and the effects of mechano‐growth factor (MGF) E peptide on the morphology, adhesion, migration, and proangiogenic capacity of BMSCs under hypoxia were measured. It was demonstrated that severe hypoxia (500‐μM CoCl2) significantly caused cell contraction and reduced cell area, roundness, adhesion, and migration of BMSCs. RhoA and ROCK1 expression levels were upregulated by severe hypoxia, but p‐RhoA and mobility‐relevant protein (integrin β1, p‐FAK and fibronectin) expression levels in BMSCs were inhibited. Fortunately, MGF E peptide could restore all abovementioned indexes except RhoA expression. MEK‐ERK1/2 pathway was involved in MGF E peptide regulating cell morphological changes, mobility, and relevant proteins (except p‐FAK). PI3K‐Akt pathway was involved in MGF E peptide regulating cell area, mobility, and relevant proteins. Besides, severe hypoxia upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor α expression but was harmful for proangiogenic capacity of BMSCs. Our study suggested that MGF E peptide might be helpful for the clinical application of tissue engineering strategy in bone defect repair.

Significance of the study

Sever hypoxia impairs bone defect repair with bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). This study proved that mechano‐growth factor E (MGF E) peptide could improve the severe hypoxia‐induced cell contraction and decline of cell adhesion and migration of BMSCs. Besides, MGF E peptide weakened the effects of severe hypoxia on the cytoskeleton arrangement‐ and mobility‐relevant protein expression levels in BMSCs. The underlying molecular mechanism was also verified. Finally, it was confirmed that MGF E peptide showed an adverse effect on the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor α in BMSCs under severe hypoxia but could make up for this deficiency through accelerating cell proliferation.
Optogenetic Control by Pulsed Illumination
Authors: Hennemann Julia , Iwasaki Roman S. , Grund Tamara N. , Diensthuber Ralph P. , Richter Florian , Möglich Andreas
Published: February 2018

Sensory photoreceptors evoke numerous adaptive responses in nature and serve as light‐gated actuators in optogenetics to enable the spatiotemporally precise, reversible, and noninvasive control of cellular events. The output of optogenetic circuits can often be dialed in by varying illumination quality, quantity, and duration. A programmable matrix of light‐emitting diodes has been devised to efficiently probe the response of optogenetic systems to intermittently applied light of varying intensity and pulse frequency. Circuits for light‐regulated gene expression markedly differed in their responses to pulsed illumination of a single color which sufficed for their sequential triggering. In addition to quantity and quality, the pulse frequency of intermittent light hence provides a further input variable for output control in optogenetics and photobiology. Pulsed illumination schemes allow the reduction of overall light dose and facilitate the multiplexing of several lightdependent actuators and reporters.
Uniform experimental design in chemometrics
Authors: Xu Qing‐Song , Xu Yuan‐Da , Li Lan , Fang Kai‐Tai
Published: February 2018

Experimental designs and modeling are very important in chemometrics and chemical engineering. There are many kinds of experimental designs, which include the fractional factorial design (including the orthogonal design), the optimal regression design, and the uniform design. The uniform experimental design can be regarded as a fractional factorial design with model uncertainty, a space filling design for computer experiments, a robust design against model specification, and a supersaturated design. This paper gives a brief introduction to the recent theoretical developments on uniform experimental design as well as its applications in chemometrics.
Augmenting Photoinduced Charge Transport in a Single‐Component Gel System: Controlled In Situ Gel–Crystal Transformation at Room Temperature
Authors: Satapathy Sitakanta , Prabakaran Palani , Prasad Edamana
Published: February 2018

Smart single‐component materials with versatile functions require pre‐programming of a higher order molecular assembly. An electroactive supergelator (c=0.07 wt %) triphenylamine core‐appended poly(aryl ether) dendron (TPAPAE) is described, where substantial dendritic effects improve the order and crystallinity by switching the local minima from self‐assembled molecular wires to thermodynamically favorable global minima of ordered crystals, ripened within the fibers. Controlled in situ phase change at room temperature ultimately stabilized the mixed valence states in the single‐component supramolecular assembly with photoluminescence and photoinduced charge transport amplified by two orders of magnitude.
Enhanced Drug Photosafety by Interchromophoric Interaction Owing to Intramolecular Charge Separation
Authors: Li Ming‐De , Yan Zhiping , Zhu Ruixue , Phillips David Lee , Aparici‐Espert Isabel , Lhiaubet‐Vallet Virginie , Miranda Miguel A.
Published: February 2018

Imatinib is a synthetic tyrosinase inhibitor that is employed for the treatment of some kinds of human cancer. This drug has a low phototoxicity towards DNA, but its pyridylpyrimidine (1) fragment by itself exhibits significant phototoxicitiy. The intrinsic mechanism that leads to the enhanced photosafety of Imatinib is not yet known. Here, the properties of the excited state and interchromophoric interactions of Imatinib have been explored by using ultrafast laser flash photolysis and agarose electrophoresis studies. An intramolecular charge separation was directly observed for the irradiated Imatinib, which accounts for the relaxation of its excited state. An anionic form of pyridylpyrimidine (1) was deduced from the results of time‐resolved resonance Raman spectra and by quenching experimental studies on compound 1 and diaminotoluene. In contrast, compound 1 efficiently transformed into triplet excited states with a long lifetime, which explained the phototoxicity associated with this fragment. This work provides insight into how to design drugs with lower phototoxicitiy or improved photostability by using interchromophoric interactions.
Electronic circular dichroism for the detection of microalbuminuria
Authors: Habartová Lucie , Logerová Hana , Tomaník Lukáš , Marešová Aneta , Setnička Vladimír
Published: February 2018

Over the past decades, chiroptical spectroscopy has proved its incomparable ability to elucidate the structure and spatial arrangement of chiral molecules. Systematic analysis of biomolecules in the natural environment of biofluids, however, remains challenging. In this study, we used chiroptical spectroscopy to monitor urinary levels of human serum albumin. Not only severe proteinuria but even just a slightly increased urinary excretion of albumin (microalbuminuria) may indicate serious health complications, especially for diabetic individuals. Given the chiral nature of albumin and its typical spectral pattern, it may be easily observable by chiroptical spectroscopy, particularly electronic circular dichroism. The performed chiroptical analysis of urine not only allowed the detection of clinically confirmed microalbuminuria but was also able to reveal this pathological condition in cases beyond the diagnostic capability of common clinical procedures. Thus, our approach suggests that electronic circular dichroism is a useful tool for the fast and reliable qualitative monitoring of microalbuminuria with the potential for a quantitative analysis in the future.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Biodistribution of a Dinuclear Gadolinium Complex with Improved Properties as a Blood Pool MRI Agent
Authors: La Cava Francesca , Fringuello Mingo Alberto , Miragoli Luigi , Terreno Enzo , Cappelletti Enrico , Lattuada Luciano , Poggi Luisa , Colombo Serra Sonia
Published: February 2018

A dinuclear gadolinium(III) chelate containing two moieties of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), covalently conjugated to an analogue of deoxycholic acid, was synthesized and thoroughly characterized. A full relaxometric analysis was carried out, consisting of 1) the acquisition of nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion (NMRD) profiles in various media; 2) the study of binding affinity to serum albumin; 3) the measurement of 17O transverse relaxation rate versus temperature, and 4) a transmetallation assay. In vivo biodistribution MRI studies at 1 T and blood pharmacokinetics assays were carried out in comparison with Gd‐DTPA (Magnevist) and gadocoletic acid trisodium salt (B22956/1), two well‐known Gd complexes that share the same chelating cage and the same deoxycholic acid residue of the Gd complex investigated herein ((GdDTPA)2‐Chol). High affinity for plasma protein and, in particular, the availability of more than one binding site, allows the complex to reach a fairly high relaxivity value in plasma (∼20 mm−1 s−1, 20 MHz, 310 K) as well as to show unexpectedly enhanced properties of blood pooling, with an elimination half‐life in rats approximately seven times longer than that of B22956/1.
Use of the TCNQF42− Dianion in the Spontaneous Redox Formation of [FeIII(L−)2][TCNQF4⋅−]
Authors: Gass Ian A. , Lu Jinzhen , Asadi Mousa , Lupton David W. , Forsyth Craig M. , Geoghegan Blaise L. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Cashion John D. , Martin Lisandra L. , Bond Alan M. , Murray Keith S.
Published: February 2018

The reaction of [FeII(L.)2](BF4)2 with Li2TCNQF4 results in the formation of [FeIII(L−)2][TCNQF4.−] (1) where L. is the radical ligand, 4,4‐dimethyl‐2,2‐di(2‐pyridyl)oxazolidine‐N‐oxide and TCNQF4 is 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane. This has been characterised by X‐ray diffraction, Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility, Mössbauer spectroscopy and electrochemistry. X‐ray diffraction studies, magnetic susceptibility measurements and Raman and FTIR spectroscopy suggest the presence of low‐spin FeIII ions, the anionic form (L−) of the ligand and the anionic radical form of TCNQF4; viz. TCNQF4.−. Li2TCNQF4 reduces the [FeII(L.)2]2+ dication, which undergoes a reductively induced oxidation to form the [FeIII(L−)2]+ monocation resulting in the formation of [FeIII(L−)2][TCNQF4.−] (1), the electrochemistry of which revealed four well‐separated, diffusion‐controlled, one‐electron, reversible processes. Mössbauer spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements suggest the presence of a minor second species, likely to be [FeII(L.)2][TCNQF42−].
Tunable Bifunctional Activity of MnxCo3−xO4 Nanocrystals Decorated on Carbon Nanotubes for Oxygen Electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhao Tingting , Gadipelli Srinivas , He Guanjie , Ward Matthew J. , Do David , Zhang Peng , Guo Zhengxiao
Published: February 2018

Noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts are attractive for cathodic oxygen catalysis in alkaline membrane fuel cells, metal–air batteries, and electrolyzers. However, much of the structure–activity relationship is poorly understood. Herein, the comprehensive development of manganese cobalt oxide/nitrogen‐doped multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrids (MnxCo3−xO4@NCNTs) is reported for highly reversible oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER, respectively). The hybrid structures are rationally designed by fine control of surface chemistry and synthesis conditions, including tuning of functional groups at surfaces, congruent growth of nanocrystals with controllable phases and particle sizes, and ensuring strong coupling across catalyst–support interfaces. Electrochemical tests reveal distinctly different oxygen catalytic activities among the hybrids, MnxCo3−xO4@NCNTs. Nanocrystalline MnCo2O4@NCNTs (MCO@NCNTs) hybrids show superior ORR activity, with a favorable potential to reach 3 mA cm−2 and a high current density response, equivalent to that of the commercial Pt/C standard. Moreover, the hybrid structure exhibits tunable and durable catalytic activities for both ORR and OER, with a lowest overall potential of 0.93 V. It is clear that the long‐term electrochemical activities can be ensured by rational design of hybrid structures from the nanoscale.