bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the inflation strategy on the piezoelectric response of cellular poly(vinylidene fluoride) ferroelectret
Authors: Jahan Nusrat , Mighri Frej , Rodrigue Denis , Ajji Abdellah
Published: January 2019

Cellular poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐montmorillonite (MMT)‐calcium carbonate (CaCO3) based piezoelectret films were produced using uniaxial stretching and various gas diffusion expansion (GDE) treatments followed by corona charging. The cross section micrographs revealed that a cellular structure was developed at the interface between the solid CaCO3 particles and the polymer matrix. Sample characterization showed that the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) was a function of the external gas pressure and treatment temperature, as well as the way they were applied. The results also showed that the maximum d33 was obtained when the inflation pressure was increased stepwise from 3 to 5 MPa at a constant treatment temperature of 130°C for a certain period of time. Finally, the overall electromechanical performance of the cellular PVDF piezoelectrets is discussed in terms of the GDE procedure and the developed microstructures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47540.
Effect of Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Cochlear Function in an Experimental Rat Model
Authors: Mittal Rahul , Ocak Emre , Zhu Angela , Perdomo Mario M. , Pena Stefanie A. , Mittal Jeenu , Bohorquez Jorge , Eshraghi Adrien A.
Published: January 2019

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is an emerging treatment modality for various human diseases. Although induced pluripotent stem cells have been explored for the restoration of hearing, the potential of MSCs as a therapeutic strategy for various cochlear insults is not precisely known. MSCs possess anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptotic and neuroprotective properties, making them an attractive target for the treatment of inner ear disorders such as hair cell damage in response to inflammation. Most of the previous studies have used immunosuppression or the complex surgical techniques to deliver stem cells into the cochlea. However, no information is available regarding the biocompatibility and safety of MSCs in the inner ear in immunocompetent cochlea. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of non‐surgical administration of rodent bone marrow derived MSCs (BM‐MSCs) through transtympanic delivery on the cochlear function and to assess any adverse effects on the auditory system employing a rat model without immunosuppression. We observed that the transtympanic administration of BM‐MSCs has no significant effect on the hearing thresholds as determined by auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. Histopathological examination revealed no recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes and edema in the cochlea of BM‐MSCs administrated rats. The results of this study suggest that transtympanic administration of BM‐MSCs is safe and can be explored in providing otoprotection against cochlear insults. Anat Rec, 303:487–493, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
RuII and IrIII Complexes Containing ADA and DAD Triple Hydrogen Bonding Motifs: Potential Tectons for the Assembly of Functional Materials
Authors: McKay Aidan P. , Mapley Joseph I. , Gordon Keith C. , McMorran David A.
Published: January 2019

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of [RuII(bpy)2L] and [Ir(ppy)2L] complexes containing ligands L with the potential to engage in triple hydrogen bonding interactions is described. L1 and L2 comprise pyridyl triazole chelating units with pendant diaminotriazine units, capable of donor‐acceptor‐donor (DAD) hydrogen bonding, while L3 and L4 contain ADA hydrogen bonding units proximal to N^N and N^O cleating sites, respectively. X‐ray crystallography shows the L1 and L2 containing RuII complexes to assemble via
hydrogen bonding dimers, while [RuII(bpy)2L4] assembles via extended hydrogen bonding motifs to form one dimensional chains. By contrast, the expected hydrogen bonding patterns are not observed for the RuII and IrIII complexes of L3. Spectroscopic studies show that the absorption spectra of the complexes result from combinations of MLCT and LLCT transitions. The L1 and L2 complexes of IrIII and RuII complexes are emissive in the solid state and it seems likely that hydrogen bonding to complementary species may facilitate tuning of their 3ILCT emission. Low frequency Raman spectra provide further evidence for ordered interactions in the solid state for the L4 complexes, consistent with the results from X‐ray crystallography.
Effect of a Pendant Acceptor on Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Properties of Conjugated Polymers with Backbone‐Donor/Pendant‐Acceptor Architecture
Authors: Yang Yike , Li Kuofei , Wang Chenxu , Zhan Hongmei , Cheng Yanxiang
Published: January 2019

Three sets of conjugated polymers with backbone‐donor/pendant‐acceptor architectures, named PCzA3PyB, PCzAB2Py, and PCzAB3Py, are designed and synthesized. The three isomeric benzoylpyridine‐based pendant acceptor groups are 6‐benzoylpyridin‐3‐yl (3PyB), 4‐((pyridin‐2‐yl)carbonyl)phenyl (B2Py) and 4‐((pyridin‐3‐yl)carbonyl)phenyl (B3Py), whereas the identical backbone consists of 3,6‐carbazolyl and 2,7‐acridinyl rings. One acridine ring and each acceptor group constitute a definite thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) unit, incorporated into the main chain of the polymers through the 2,7‐position of the acridine ring with the varied content. All of the polymers display legible TADF features with a short microsecond‐scale delayed lifetime (0.56–1.62 μs) and a small singlet/triplet energy gap (0.10–0.19 eV). Progressively redshifted emissions are observed in the order PCzAB3Py, PCzA3PyB, and PCzAB2Py owing to the different substitution patterns of the pyridyl group. Photoluminescence quantum yields can be improved by regulating the molar content of the TADF unit in the range 0.5–50 %. The non‐doped organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) fabricated by solution‐processing technology emit yellow‐green to orange light. The polymers with 5 mol % of the TADF unit exhibit excellent comprehensive electroluminescence performance, in which PCzAB2Py5 achieves a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 11.9 %, low turn‐on voltage of 3.0 V, yellow emission with a wavelength of 573 nm and slow roll‐off with EQE of 11.6 % at a luminance of 1000 cd m−2 and driving voltage of 5.5 V.
Neuroprotection of mangiferin against oxidative damage via arousing Nrf2 signaling pathway in PC12 cells
Authors: Peng Shoujiao , Hou Yanan , Yao Juan , Fang Jianguo
Published: January 2019

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegeneration. As NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis, small molecules with the ability in activation of Nrf2 pathway are promising neuroprotective agents. Mangiferin (Mg) is a xanthone glucoside extracted from mangoes and papayas, and has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated neuroprotective effects of Mg in the neuron‐like rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12 cells). Mg scavenges different kinds of free radicals in vitro and attenuates hydrogen peroxide‐ or 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced cell death. After treatment with Mg, a range of antioxidant genes governed by Nrf2 were upregulated, and the expressions and activities of these gene products were also elevated. Moreover, knockdown of Nrf2 antagonized the protective effect of Mg, indicating that Nrf2 is an essential factor in this cytoprotective process. In summary, our study demonstrates that Mg is a potent antioxidant that can provide neuroprotection against oxidative stress‐mediated damage of PC12 cells. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):381–392, 2019
Investigation of fouling mechanisms of virus filters during the filtration of protein solutions using a high throughput filtration screening device
Authors: Bieberbach Marc , Kosiol Peter , Seay Alexander , Bennecke Moritz , Hansmann Björn , Hepbildikler Stefan , Thom Volkmar
Published: January 2019

The downstream process development of novel antibodies (Abs) is often challenged by virus filter fouling making a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms highly desirable. The present study combines the protein characterization of different feedstreams with their virus filtration performance using a novel high throughput filtration screening system. Filtration experiments with Ab concentrations of up to 20 g/L using either low interacting or hydrophobically interacting pre‐filters indicate the existence of two different fouling mechanisms, an irreversible and a reversible one. At the molecular level, size exclusion chromatography revealed that the presence of large amount of high molecular weight species—considered as irreversible aggregates—correlates with irreversible fouling that caused reduced Ab throughput. Results using dynamic light scattering show that a concentration dependent increase of the mean hydrodynamic diameter to the range of dimers (17 nm at 20 g/L) together with a negative DLS interaction parameterkD(−18 mL/g) correlate with the propensity to form reversible aggregates and to cause reversible fouling, probably by a decelerated Ab transport velocity within the virus filter. The two fouling mechanisms are further supported by buffer flush experiments. Finally, concepts for reversible and irreversible fouling mechanisms are discussed together with strategies for respective fouling mitigation. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical EngineersBiotechnol. Prog., 35: e2776, 2019.
A comparison between continuous and batch processes to produce phosphatidylserine in the efficient and green aqueous‐solid system
Authors: Li Binglin , Wang Jiao , Li Jing , Zhang Xiaoli , Yu Wenyu , Wang Huan , Duan Dandan , Zhao Binxia
Published: January 2019

The efficient and environmentally friendly aqueous‐solid systems employed Triton‐X‐100‐modified silica as the “artificial interface” to adsorb phosphatidylcholine (PC) in purely aqueous solutions and silica‐adsorbed PC was successfully used for phospholipase D (PLD)‐mediated transphosphatidylation. Three kinds of silicas with different sizes were employed to investigate advantages and disadvantages of batch and continuous technologies for PLD‐catalyzed transphosphatidylation in aqueous‐solid systems. The highest yields of product were obtained in the batch technology, but the continuous production had the simplest operational process and highest space–time yield. After transphosphatidylation, the product adsorbed on carriers were eluted by coconut oil and used to manufacture relevant hard, soft, and micro‐capsules. Special attention has been paid to the preparation of microcapsules. Toxic solvents were completely avoided in the whole technological process including production and product packaging. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2777, 2019.
Regional thickness of facial skin and superficial fat: Application to the minimally invasive procedures
Authors: Kim You‐Soo , Lee Kang‐Woo , Kim Ji‐Soo , Gil Young‐Chun , Tanvaa Tansatit , Shin Dong Hoon , Kim Hee‐Jin
Published: January 2019

Various recently introduced minimally invasive treatment modalities are now widely used for enhancing the aging face. In a special, filler is used to increase the volume of tissue, and so understanding the regional thickness and distribution of the facial superficial fat is essential for optimizing minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to establish the overall facial skin and superficial fat thicknesses using a three‐dimensional (3D) scanning system. From 53 adult Korean and Thai embalmed adult cadavers, the undissected and serially‐dissected facial specimens were scanned and reconstructed. The facial skin and superficial fat thicknesses on seven facial regions were calculated from the superimposed images. The facial skin tended to become thicker in the order of the radix and dorsum, and the temple, supraorbital, forehead, perioral, cheek, and infraorbital areas. The skin was thinnest at radix and dorsum (1.51 ± 0.55 mm), and thickest in infraorbital region (1.97 ± 0.84 mm). The facial superficial fat thickness tended to increase in the order of the radix and dorsum, supraorbital, forehead, temple, cheek, infraorbital, and perioral regions. The superficial fat was thinnest at the radix and dorsum (1.61 ± 1.07 mm), and thickest in the perioral region (5.14 ± 3.31 mm). The facial superficial fat thickness tended to increase in the order of the radix and dorsum, supraorbital, forehead, temple, cheek, infraorbital, and perioral regions. The present findings indicate that 3D scanning system can yield crucial anatomical information about depths of the facial skin and superficial fat layers for utilization in various clinical procedures. Clin. Anat. 32:1008–1018, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Marital status and survival in patients with soft tissue sarcoma: A population‐based, propensity‐matched study
Authors: Zhang Shi‐long , Wang Wen‐rong , Liu Ze‐juan , Wang Zhi‐ming
Published: January 2019

Background

Marital status serves as an independent prognostic factor for survival in a variety of cancers. However, its prognostic impact on soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has not yet been established.

Objective

To investigate the impact of marital status on survival outcomes among STS patients.

Methods

A total of 18 013 STS patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 were extracted from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The marital status was classified into married, divorced, widowed, and single. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were conducted to establish the impact of marital status on the overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, SEER historic stage and surgery condition. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to perform a 1:1 matched‐pair analysis to minimize the group differences caused by covariates.

Results

Married patients enjoyed better 5‐year overall survival (OS) and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS), compared with patients who were divorced, widowed, and single, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that marital status was an independent prognostic and protective factor for survival among STS patients, and unmarried status was associated with higher mortality hazards for both OS and CSS. Additionally, widowed individuals had the highest risks of overall and cancer‐specific mortality compared to other unmarried groups. In the subgroup analyses, similar associations were also found. Furthermore, marital status still remained an independent prognostic and protective factor for both OS and CSS even in 1:1 matched‐pair analysis.

Conclusions

Marital status was an independent prognostic and protective factor for survival for STS patients. Widowed patients suffered the highest death risks among the unmarried groups.
Radiotherapy after surgery has significant survival benefits for patients with triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Yao Yi , Chu Yuxin , Xu Bin , Hu Qinyong , Song Qibin
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The value of adjuvant radiotherapy for triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been controversial recently. This study aims to clarify the influence of radiotherapy on the survival of TNBC patients after surgery based on a large population analysis.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was exploited to select eligible patients from 2010 to 2014. The categorical variables were examined by chi‐square tests. Breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among patients who received or not received adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery by Kaplan‐Meier method with log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis of BCSS and OS were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Totally 22 802 patients were enrolled in this study, of which 10 905 patients received radiotherapy after surgery while 11 897 patients did not receive radiotherapy. Compared with those patients who did not receive radiotherapy, the radiation group had a larger proportion of tumor size <2.0 cm (45.8% vs 38.8%) and chemotherapy (82.5% vs 67.4%). The Kaplan‐Meier plots displayed that patients in the radiation group had better survival than the no radiation group in both BCSS and OS (P < 0.001, respectively). In univariate Cox analysis of BCSS, age 40‐60, married status, white and other race, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery were associated with better survival (HR < 1, P < 0.05). Specifically, patients who received radiotherapy exhibited better BCSS (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.48‐0.57, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors by multivariable Cox regression analysis, receipt of radiotherapy was still associated with improved BCSS (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.72‐0.87, P < 0.001). Survival analysis of OS produced similar results. Generally, these data indicate that radiotherapy after surgery has significant survival benefits for the TNBC patients.

Conclusions

This study has confirmed the survival advantage of adjuvant radiotherapy for the TNBC patients. These findings may optimize the current individualized treatment decisions for this patient population.
Donation to charity and purchase of cause‐related products: The influence of existential guilt and experience
Authors: Urbonavicius Sigitas , Adomaviciute Karina , Urbutyte Ieva , Cherian Joseph
Published: January 2019

Charity donation is an important prosocial behaviour that is often generated/strengthened by emotional stimuli from advertising. A similar strategy is often used to trigger the purchase of cause‐related products. The two activities represent direct and indirect methods of financial support and are important topics for researchers and practitioners. Charity donation and purchase of cause‐related products are typically investigated on the basis of different theoretical backgrounds; therefore, they are almost never directly compared with each other. However, the two share some similarities from the perspectives of the donor/buyer and the donation recipient. This article aims to analyse how direct and indirect donation behaviours are influenced by the same emotional stimulus (existential guilt generated by a visual advertisement). In parallel, this article examines the possible moderation effect of similar past behaviours. The study is performed by surveying 374 respondents in Lithuania. Results confirmed that the same emotion (existential guilt) had a direct positive impact on the intention towards both studied behaviours. However, the moderation effect of experience was observed only in the relationship between existential guilt and the intention to donate to charity, signalling the difference in its influence on the two behaviours. These findings enrich the knowledge of the similarities and differences between direct (donating to charity) and indirect (purchasing cause‐related products) donation behaviours. Additionally, it fills in the knowledge gap regarding the relation between the intentions of prosocial behaviours and existential guilt as an advertising appeal.
ER stress differentially affects pro‐inflammatory changes induced by mitochondrial dysfunction in the human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP‐1
Authors: Heo Jae‐Nyoung , Kim Dong‐Yeon , Lim Su‐Geun , Lee Kiboo , Suk Kyoungho , Lee Won‐Ha
Published: January 2019

The functional and physical interaction between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been the subject of intense study. To test the effect of this interaction on macrophage inflammatory activation, the human macrophage‐like monocytic leukemia cell line THP‐1 was treated with oligomycin, rotenone, or sodium azide, which induce mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) by blocking the electron transport chain (ETC). MD induced by these agents triggered activation of various sensors and markers of ER stress. This linkage affected macrophage function since LPS‐induced expression of IL‐23 was enhanced by the MD inducers, and this enhancing effect was abolished by inhibition of pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) activity. This MD‐mediated ER stress may be universal since it was observed in human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells and colon cancer SW480 cells. On the other hand, MD regulated LPS‐induced activation of the AKT/GSK3β/β‐catenin pathway in a manner not affected by inhibition of PERK or inositol‐requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) activities. These results indicate that the occurrence of MD can lead to ER stress and these two events, separately or in combination, can affect various cellular processes.
Effect of oatmeal on texture, water mobility, and starch retrogradation properties of Chinese steamed bread
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Xiaolong , Ren Tian , Ma Zhen , Liu Liu , Li Xiaoping , Guo Qingbin , Hu Xinzhong
Published: January 2019

Background and objectives

The study aimed to characterize the effect of oatmeal on the texture, water mobility, and starch retrogradation properties in Chinese steamed bread (CSB). Oatmeal substitution was set as 0%, 10%, and 30%.

Findings

With the addition of oatmeal in CSB, higher hardness and chewiness and lower resilience were observed compared to the control (p < 0.05); CSB with addition of oatmeal exhibited a lower rate of increase in hardness than that of the control. Oatmeal increased the water holding capacity of CSB and restricted water migration, which resulted in a lower content of immobilized water (S22, 76.72%–77.03%) and higher content of free water (S23, 1.01%–1.07%) in NMR. Results from differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and fourier transform infrared suggested that with the increase in oatmeal, the enthalpy and the relative crystallinity of CSB reduced. The addition of oatmeal retarded a stable and ordered state of starch structure formed in CSB during storage at room temperature. Oatmeal decreased the starch retrogradation rate constant k and CSB with 30% of addition of oatmeal had the lowest k value (10.1), indicating its inhibitory effect on the formation of starch crystals.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that oatmeal could increase the free water of CSB and restrict water migration, thus retarding starch retrogradation in CSB.

Significance and novelty

Oatmeal could effectively inhabit water migration and starch retrogradation of CSB, consequently inhibiting the staling, and there could be a potential utility of oatmeal in the development of flour‐based food products.
Bilateral lower extremity ulcerations, less is more
Authors: Potter Kathryn Mooneyham , Ruth Garrett , Radhakrishnan Nila S.
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

The differential diagnosis of lower extremity ulcers must be broad since debridement can be harmful in certain conditions such as pyoderma gangrenosum. Biologic agents may be helpful in the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum.
Effect of Vapor‐phase‐treatment to CuZnZr Catalyst on the Reaction Behaviors in CO2 Hydrogenation into Methanol
Authors: Chen Shuyao , Zhang Junfeng , Wang Peng , Wang Xiaoxing , Song Faen , Bai Yunxing , Zhang Meng , Wu Yingquan , Xie Hongjuan , Tan Yisheng
Published: January 2019

CuZnZr catalysts prepared by co‐precipitation method were treated by vapor‐phase‐treatment (VPT) method, and used for the synthesis of methanol for CO2 hydrogenation. Compared with conventional co‐precipitation method, this VPT with TPABr (TPABr: tetrapropylammonium bromide) induces obvious increases in the particles size of CuO, ZnO and ZrO2, promotes the formation of the rod‐like structure, Zn and Zr enrichments on surface and the presence of more concentration of oxygen vacancies. Due to the increases of particle size especially for CuO particles, the activity of the catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation to CO (RWGS reaction) is furthest suppressed, leading to dramatical decrease in conversion of CO2. However, methanol productivity is affected relatively modestly due to the enrichments of Zn and Zr as another active species on the catalyst surface. In addition, catalyst properties and methanol selectivity can be regulated through adjusting the processing time. The catalyst with the processing time of 3 day (CuZnZr‐TPABr‐3d catalyst) shows a methanol selectivity above 90 % and no obvious deactivation appeared in a period of 100 h reaction.
Chemically Modified CaO/Fe3O4 Nanocomposite by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate for Cr(III) Removal from Water
Authors: Tamjidi Sajad , Esmaeili Hossein
Published: January 2019

A CaO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was modified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and used for Cr(III) removal from aqueous solution. The physical and surface characteristics of the adsorbent were studied by different analysis techniques. The effects of key parameters such as pH, contact time, temperature, initial concentration of Cr(III) ions, and adsorbent dose were investigated at a fixed mixing rate. Parameters were optimized to attain the best possible removal efficiency of Cr(III) ions. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir model were determined. The results of equilibrium and kinetic studies indicate that the adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption process was suitable, spontaneous, and exothermic.
Water Electrolysis Carried Out on Microelectrodes to Obtain New Insights into the Regulation of Cytosolic pH
Authors: Munteanu Raluca‐Elena , Stănică Luciana , Gheorghiu Mihaela , Gáspár Szilveszter
Published: January 2019

In this study, the use of electrochemistry in cell biology is extended by showing that electrochemically generated microscale pH gradients can be used to gain new insights into the regulation of cytosolic pH of normal and cancer cells. The developed procedure involves positioning a carbon fiber microelectrode into the extracellular space of adherently growing cells and setting its potential to values suitable for electrooxidation or electroreduction of water. While the electrooxidation of water decreases the pH of the solution surrounding the microelectrode (because it produces hydronium ions), the electroreduction of water increases the pH of the same solution (because it produces hydroxide ions). Fluorescence microscopy is then used to observe the impact of the electrochemically generated microscale pH gradient on the cytosolic pH of cells loaded with a fluorescent pH sensor. The obtained results indicate that electrochemically induced acid stress affects the cytosolic pH of normal cells significantly faster than that of cancer cells while electrochemically induced alkaline stress appears to have very limited impact on the cytosolic pH of both cell types. In comparison to classic experiments concerning the regulation of cytosolic pH using perfusion chambers, the developed, electrochemistry‐based, approach has the advantages of a better spatial and temporal resolution and elimination of the flow‐induced shear stress.
Whole cell application of Lactobacillus paracasei BD101 to produce enantiomerically pure (S)‐cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanol
Authors: Şahin Engin , Serencam Hüseyin , Dertli Enes
Published: January 2019

In this study, a total of 10 bacterial strains were screened for their ability to reduce cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanone 1 to its corresponding alcohol. Among these strains, Lactobacillus paracasei BD101 was found to be the most successful biocatalyst to reduce the ketones to the corresponding alcohols. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized for the reducing agent L paracasei BD101, which showed high enantioselectivity and conversion for the bioreduction. The preparative scale asymmetric reduction of cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanone (1) by L paracasei BD101 gave (S)‐cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanol (2) with 92% yield and >99% enantiomeric excess. The preparative scale study was carried out, and a total of 5.602 g of (S)‐cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanol in high enantiomerically pure form (>99% enantiomeric excess) was produced. L paracasei BD101 has been shown to be an important biocatalyst in asymmetric reduction of bulky substrates. This study demonstrates the first example of the effective synthesis of (S)‐cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanol by the L paracasei BD101 as a biocatalyst in preparative scale.
Environmental monitoring system for intelligent stations
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Guogang , Choi Junho
Published: January 2019

With the rapid development of China's social economy, the transportation needs of its residents continue to increase and encourage rapid and continual development of the Chinese high‐speed railway system. The design of China's high‐speed railway station is the integration of a new model that includes the layout of upcoming booking, traffic, waiting, tickets, and other functions to be set in the area known as the waiting hall. As such, the waiting hall has become an extremely important element of the environmental monitoring system. This paper proposes the design of a high‐speed rail station environmental monitoring system based on the LoRa communication technology. This system aims to enable the real‐time monitoring of temperature, humidity, illuminance, and noise decibels in high‐speed railway stations. The wireless communication present in the proposed system adopts the LoRa technology features of low power consumption, low cost, and long‐range communication. In this study, we set up a prototype of a LoRa enabled network in the lab building of Hohai University to transmit the environmental data. Moreover, we analyzed the signal propagation of LoRa in an indoor environment.
Amide‐Functionalized Porous Carbonaceous Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lee Dong‐Geon , Yim Taeeun , Woo Sang‐Gil , Yu Ji‐Sang
Published: January 2019

Porous carbonaceous anode materials have received considerable attention as an alternative anode material, however, there is a critical bottleneck as it suffers from a large irreversible specific capacity loss over several initial cycles owing to undesired surface reactions. In order to suppress undesired surface reactions of porous carbonaceous anode material, here, we suggest a simple and convenient two‐step surface modification approach that allows the embedding of an amide functional group on the surface of a porous carbonaceous anode, which effectively improves the surface stability. In this approach, the porous carbonaceous anode material is firstly activated by means of strong acid treatment comprising a combination of H2SO4 and HNO3, and it is subjected to further modification by means of an amide coupling reaction. Our additional systematic analyses confirm that the acid functional group effectively transforms into the amide functional group. The resulting amide‐functionalized porous carbon exhibits an improved electrochemical performance: the initial discharge specific capacity is greatly reduced to less than 2,620 mA h g−1 and charge specific capacity is well still remained, indicating stabling cycling performance of the cell.
Synthesis of Ni‐Doped Copper Cobalt Sulfide Nanoparticles and its Enhanced Properties as an Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Sun Yanpu , Li Deli , Lu Jiaxue , Zhang Yingying , Li Li , Liang Jun
Published: January 2019

Developing high‐efficiency electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is vitally important in electrochemical water splitting technology. Herein, ultra‐small Ni‐doped CuCo2S4 nanoparticles (NCCS NPs) are easily achieved in a single step by a facile hydrothermal method. The investigations, using powder X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and TEM, reveal that the as‐prepared NCCS products are composed of a large number of uniform nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 20 to 50 nm. Triethanolamine is of vital importance for the formation of the NCCS NPs during the sulfidation process. As a promising electrocatalyst for HER, the NCCS NPs not only display a lower overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 current density than that of bare CuCo2S4 nanoparticles (CCS NPs), but also show better long‐term durability than CCS NPs during the galvanostatic electrolysis. Furthermore, Ni doping for NCCS NPs are proved to play a particular important role in the HER process. This finding provides a strategy in compositional tuning of mixed polymetallic sulfides catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen evolution.
Multilayered Hematite Nanowires with Thin‐Film Silicon Photovoltaics in an All‐Earth‐Abundant Hybrid Tandem Device for Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Urbain Félix , Tang Pengyi , Smirnov Vladimir , Welter Katharina , Andreu Teresa , Finger Friedhelm , Arbiol Jordi , Morante Joan Ramón
Published: January 2019

The concept of hybrid tandem device structures that combine metal oxides with thin‐film semiconducting photoabsorbers holds great promise for large‐scale, robust, and cost‐effective bias‐free photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC‐WS). This work highlights important steps toward the efficient coupling of high‐performance hematite photoanodes with multijunction thin‐film silicon photocathodes providing high bias‐free photocurrent density. The hybrid PEC‐WS device is optimized by testing three types of multijunction silicon photocathodes with the hematite photoanode: amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) tandem: a‐Si:H/a‐Si:H and triple junction with microcrystalline silicon (μc‐Si:H): a‐Si:H/a‐Si:H/μc‐Si:H and a‐Si:H/μc‐Si:H/μc‐Si:H. The results provide evidence that the multijunction structures offer high flexibility for hybrid tandem devices with regard to tunable photovoltages and spectral matching. Furthermore, both photoanode and photocathode are tested under various electrolyte and light concentration conditions, respectively, with respect to their photoelectrochemical performance and stability. A 27 % enhancement in the solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency is observed upon concentrating light from 100 to 300 mW cm−2. Ultimately, bias‐free water splitting is demonstrated, with a photocurrent density of 4.6 mA cm−2 (under concentrated illumination) paired with excellent operation stability for more than 24 h of the all‐earth‐abundant and low‐cost hematite/silicon tandem PEC‐WS device.
Evaluating the popularity of R in ecology
Authors: Lai Jiangshan , Lortie Christopher J. , Muenchen Robert A. , Yang Jian , Ma Keping
Published: January 2019

The programming language R is widely used in many fields. We explored the extent of reported R use in the field of ecology using the Web of Science and text mining. We analyzed the frequencies of R packages reported in more than 60,000 peer‐reviewed articles published in 30 ecology journals during a 10‐yr period ending in 2017. The number of studies reported using R as their primary tool in data analysis increased linearly from 11.4% in 2008 to 58.0% in 2017. The top 10 packages reported were lme4, vegan, nlme, ape, MuMIn, MASS, mgcv, ade4, multcomp, and car. The increasing popularity of R has most likely furthered open science in ecological research because it can improve reproducibility of analyses and captures workflows when scripts and codes are included and shared. These findings may not be entirely unique to R because there are other programming languages used by ecologists, but they do strongly suggest that given the relatively high frequency of reported use of R, it is a significant component of contemporary analytics in the field of ecology.
Untangling “NETosis” from NETs
Authors: Yousefi Shida , Stojkov Darko , Germic Nina , Simon Dagmar , Wang Xiaoliang , Benarafa Charaf , Simon Hans‐Uwe
Published: January 2019

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is a cellular function of neutrophils that facilitates the immobilization and killing of invading microorganisms in the extracellular milieu. To form NETs, neutrophils release a DNA scaffold consisting of mitochondrial DNA binding granule proteins. This process does not depend on cell death, but requires glycolytic ATP production for rearrangements in the microtubule network and F‐actin. Such cytoskeletal rearrangements are essential for both mitochondrial DNA release and degranulation. However, the formation of NETs has also been described as a distinct form of programed, necrotic cell death, a process designated “NETosis.” Necrotic cell death of neutrophils is associated with the permeabilization of both plasma and nuclear membranes resulting in a kind of extracellular cloud of nuclear DNA. The molecular mechanisms eliciting necrotic neutrophil death have been investigated and appear to be different from those responsible for NET formation following mitochondrial DNA release. Here, we discriminate between the mechanisms responsible for the release of mitochondrial versus nuclear DNA and address their respective functions. Our aim is to clarify existing differences of opinion in the fields of NET formation and neutrophil death.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Isoindolinones via Amide‐Directed Addition of Aromatic C‐H Bonds to Aldimines
Authors: Miura Hiroki , Kimura Yuriko , Terajima Sachie , Shishido Tetsuya
Published: January 2019

Ruthenium‐catalyzed addition of aromatic C‐H bonds to aldimines is described. [RuCl2(p‐cymene)]2 functions as an efficient catalyst to promote the coupling of aryl amides with aldimines in the presence of a catalytic amount of base to give the corresponding isoindolinone derivatives. The nature of the substituent at the N‐atom of the amides is crucial for the efficient conversion of the substrates, and a p‐toluenesulfonyl group is the functionality of choice. A variety of amides and aldimines participated in the present Ru‐catalyzed reaction to furnish the corresponding isoindolinones in moderate to high yield.
Fabrication of the First Disposable Three‐dimensional Paper‐based Concentration Cell as Ammonia Sensor with a New Method for Paper Hydrophobization by Laser Patterned Parafilm®
Authors: Rafatmah Elmira , Hemmateenejad Bahram
Published: January 2019

A new, simple and low‐cost method for patterning hydrophobic barriers in porous support such as paper by Parafilm® has been introduced. This method is then used for electrochemical paper‐based ammonia sensor construction. Ammonia sensor is based on electrochemical concentration cell which ammonia reaction with electrolyte in halves cell caused in concentration gradient and therefore potential difference dependent on ammonia concentration. The effect of concentrations of the involved chemicals, time periods of the required processes, the presence of Faraday cage as well as the effects of different salts used in the salt bridge on the response of the sensor, were investigated in order to find the optimized conditions.
Oxidation Behavior of Insecticide Azoxystrobin and its Voltammetric Determination Using Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode
Authors: Šelešovská Renáta , Herynková Marie , Skopalová Jana , Kelíšková‐Martinková Pavlína , Janíková Lenka , Cankař Petr , Bednář Petr , Chýlková Jaromíra
Published: January 2019

Electrochemical oxidation of azoxystrobin, a systemic fungicide commonly used in agriculture to protect a wide variety of crops, was investigated using cyclic voltammetry with a boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE) in aqueous buffer solutions. Two pH independent irreversible anodic current peaks controlled mostly by diffusion were observed in wide pH range (2 to 12) at potentials +1600 mV and +2150 mV vs. saturated silver‐silver chloride electrode. Mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation was proposed and supported with high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of azoxystrobin solutions electrolyzed on carbon fiber brush electrode. The main product of the first two‐electron oxidation step was identified as methyl 2‐(2‐{[6‐(2‐cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin‐4‐yl]oxy}phenyl)‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐oxopropanoate. An analytical method for the determination of azoxystrobin in water samples and pesticide preparation by differential pulse voltammetry with BDDE was developed. The method provides a wide linear dynamic range (3.0×10−7 to 2.0×10−4 mol L−1) with limit of detection 8×10−8 mol L−1. Accuracy of the method was evaluated by the addition and recovery method with recoveries ranging from 96.0 to 105.8 %. Interference study proved sufficient selectivity of the developed voltammetric method for the azoxystrobin determination in presence of azole fungicides as well as pesticides used to prevent the same crops.
Comparison of Glassy Carbon and Copper Microparticles as a Renewable Working Electrode Material for Amperometric Determination of Amino Acids Using Flow Through Detector
Authors: Mika Jan , Barek Jiří , Zima Jiří , Prokešová Edita , Dejmkova Hana
Published: January 2019

Flow‐through detector with renewable working material based on glassy carbon or copper microparticles was used for flow injection determination of tyrosine by direct oxidation and phenylalanine via the complexation reaction with copper ions, respectively. Copper‐based detector allows the determination of electrochemically inactive amino acid, but the detection conditions are limited and fabrication and handling of the detector are more demanding. Low working potential, applied for the detection on copper microparticles, makes the determination very selective. Moreover, low baseline noise compensates lower sensitivity of copper‐based detector, enabling to reach quantification limit 4.7×10−6 mol L−1, in comparison with quantification limit 1.6×10−6 mol L−1 obtained for tyrosine on carbon‐based detector.
Electrochemical Detection of Triglycerides Based on an Enzymatic Reaction and Electrocatalytic Oxidation with Nortropine‐N‐oxyl
Authors: Ono Tetsuya , Sato Katsuhiko , Sasano Yusuke , Yoshida Kentaro , Dairaku Takenori , Iwabuchi Yoshiharu , Kashiwagi Yoshitomo
Published: January 2019

This work investigated a simple triglycerides (TGs) detection method combining an enzymatic reaction, using only lipase, and the electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol with nortropine‐N‐oxyl (NNO). Tributyrin was employed as a model TG. In this method, TGs are degraded by lipase to glycerol and fatty acids, after which the glycerol reacts with NNO. Preliminary cyclic voltammetry trials demonstrated that the anodic peak current increased along with the glycerol concentration, giving currents of 53.2 and 97.3 μA (at +0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl) in response to 10 and 100 mM glycerol, respectively. Amperometry confirmed the same response during constant potential electrolysis at+0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. This behavior was also observed in a system incorporating tributyrin and lipase, with increases in current proportional to the tributyrin concentration over the range of 0.1 to 10 mM.
Electrochemical Reduction of Vanadium(V)‐Cupferron Complex, VO(cupf)2OH
Authors: Kaplun Marina M. , Ivanov Vladimir D.
Published: January 2019

Electrochemical reduction of vanadium(V) complex with cupferron (N‐nitroso‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine), VVO(cupf)2OH, has been studied by polarography in wide potential range to verify the catalytic mechanism of electroreduction of coordinated cupferron ligand. Reduction of the complex was studied in the concentration range from 2 ⋅ 10−5 M to 10−3 M. Depending on the process conditions kinetics of catalytic reduction of coordinated cupferron is either controlled by adsorption step or governed by mixed control of diffusion and chemical reaction. Kinetic parameters of the reduction process are reported.

Reduction of VVO(cupf)2OH complex is accompanied by adsorption and autoinhibition phenomena. V(II) ion in the surface bound complex of vanadium with cupferron catalyzes reduction of coordinated cupferronate ligands. In 1 mM solutions, the catalytic reduction of coordinated cupferron ligand shifts to more cathodic potentials due to formation of a monolayer of adsorbed vanadium(III)‐cupferron complexes. Reduction kinetics in the presence of tetraalkylammonium salt is consistent with multilayer cooperative adsorption of anionic vanadium(II)‐cupferron complex and tetraalkylammonium cations.
Electrochemical Signal Enhancer Fabricated Using Lysine‐rich Peptide for Ultrasensitive Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Analysis
Authors: Yuan Ying , Xun Zhe , Zhang Bin , Guan Yifu
Published: January 2019

Here we present a novel design of electrochemical signal enhancer to increase the detection sensitivity of electrochemical DNA biosensors. The key element of this enhancer is a lysine‐rich peptide (LRP). Its C‐terminal is conjugated with a planer molecule, being able to intercalate into the base pairs of probe‐target duplexes. The lysine residues of LRP are covalently linked with electrochemical signal indicators, acting as an assembly of electrochemical signal indicators. Experimental results proved the feasibility of the novel design. We have examined the effects of the numbers of lysine residues and the hybridization conditions on the detection sensitivity. The optimization procedures have led to significant sensitivity enhancement, and the LOD (limit of detection) has been determined to be 1.4 amol. This enhancer demonstrates advantages of easy operation, simple instrumentation, and high exemption from environmental influence.
Quick and Easy Modification of Glassy Carbon Electrodes with Ionic Liquid and Tetraruthenated Porphyrins for the Electrochemical Determination of Atrazine in Water
Authors: Calfumán Karla , Honores Jessica , Isaacs Mauricio , Quezada Diego , Valdebenito Javier , Urzúa Marcela
Published: January 2019

Atrazine is a pesticide used to control broadleaf weeds, however its wide distribution and its high persistence in the soil and in surface waters has resulted in a public and environmental health problem. Present results shows the design, construction and characterization of glassy carbon electrodes modified with tetrarutenated metalloporphyrin (M=Ni (II) and Zn (II)) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, BMIMNTF2. The modification was reproducible and sensitive for the electrochemical detection of atrazine in neutral media. The detection limit was 230 nM when using GC/BMIMNTF2/ZnTRP and 540 nM with GC/BMIMNTF2/NiTRP, meaning that his methodology can be a feasible and inexpensive way to detect atrazine in trace levels.
Chemically‐reduced Graphene Oxide Sensor for Dipyrone Quantification in Pharmaceutical Samples Using Amperometric Detection
Authors: de Faria Lucas Vinícius , Lisboa Thalles Pedrosa , Azevedo Gustavo Chevitarese , Sousa Rafael Arromba , Costa Matos Maria Auxiliadora , Muñoz Rodrigo Alejandro Abarza , Camargo Matos Renato
Published: January 2019

Dipyrone (metamizole sodium) is one of the most consumed drugs in the world. In this work a novel analytical method was developed for dipyrone sensing. This method involves the amperometric detection on a chemically‐reduced graphene‐oxide (CRGO)‐modified glassy carbon electrode. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of multilayer graphene layers that contributed to the electrocatalytic oxidation of dipyrone and increase in the electroactive area. Advantages of this sensor include elimination of previous separations, solvent extraction, or sample filtration, low detection limit (0.13 μmol L−1) with a linear range from 48 to 246 μmol L−1 and adequate recovery values (97–103 %). Applied to commercial pharmaceutical samples, this method showed results ranging from 451 to 541 mg of dipyrone per tablet, which agreed with the expected values. The results obtained by amperometry were compared statistically with the official method recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (iodometric method), with no significant differences between them at 95 % confidence level. The proposed method is accurate for the monitoring of sodium dipyrone in pharmaceutical formulations, highlighting the lower reagent consumption and interferences in the analytical process.