bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentiation of P2RX7 as a host-directed strategy for control of mycobacterial infection
Authors: Matty Molly A , Knudsen Daphne R , Walton Eric M , Beerman Rebecca W , Cronan Mark R , Pyle Charlie J , Hernandez Rafael E , Tobin David M
Published: January 2019

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the leading worldwide cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Existing anti-tuberculous therapies require long treatments and are complicated by multi-drug-resistant strains. Host-directed therapies have been proposed as an orthogonal approach, but few have moved into clinical trials. Here, we use the zebrafish-Mycobacterium marinum infection model as a whole-animal screening platform to identify FDA-approved, host-directed compounds. We identify multiple compounds that modulate host immunity to limit mycobacterial disease, including the inexpensive, safe, and widely used drug clemastine. We find that clemastine alters macrophage calcium transients through potentiation of the purinergic receptor P2RX7. Host-directed drug activity in zebrafish larvae depends on both P2RX7 and inflammasome signaling. Thus, targeted activation of a P2RX7 axis provides a novel strategy for enhanced control of mycobacterial infections. Using a novel explant model, we find that clemastine is also effective within the complex granulomas that are the hallmark of mycobacterial infection.
Mi-2/NuRD complex protects stem cell progeny from mitogenic Notch signaling
Authors: Zacharioudaki Evanthia , Falo Sanjuan Julia , Bray Sarah
Published: January 2019

To progress towards differentiation, progeny of stem cells need to extinguish expression of stem-cell maintenance genes. Failures in such mechanisms can drive tumorigenesis. In Drosophila neural stem cell (NSC) lineages, excessive Notch signalling results in supernumerary NSCs causing hyperplasia. However, onset of hyperplasia is considerably delayed implying there are mechanisms that resist the mitogenic signal. Monitoring the live expression of a Notch target gene, E(spl)mγ, revealed that normal attenuation is still initiated in the presence of excess Notch activity so that re-emergence of NSC properties occurs only in older progeny. Screening for factors responsible, we found that depletion of Mi-2/NuRD ATP remodeling complex dramatically enhanced Notch-induced hyperplasia. Under these conditions, E(spl)mγ was no longer extinguished in NSC progeny. We propose that Mi-2 is required for decommissioning stem-cell enhancers in their progeny, enabling the switch towards more differentiated fates and rendering them insensitive to mitogenic factors such as Notch.
A systematic approach to identify recycling endocytic cargo depending on the GARP complex
Authors: Eising Sebastian , Thiele Lisa , Fröhlich Florian
Published: January 2019

Proteins and lipids of the plasma membrane underlie constant remodeling via a combination of the secretory- and the endocytic pathway. In the yeast endocytic pathway, cargo is sorted for recycling to the plasma membrane or degradation in vacuoles. Previously we have shown a role for the GARP complex in sphingolipid sorting and homeostasis (Fröhlich et al. 2015). However, the majority of cargo sorted in a GARP dependent process remain largely unknown. Here we use auxin induced degradation of GARP combined with mass spectrometry based vacuolar proteomics and lipidomics to show that recycling of two specific groups of proteins, the amino-phospholipid flippases and cell wall synthesis proteins depends on a functional GARP complex. Our results suggest that mis-sorting of flippases and remodeling of the lipid composition are the first occurring defects in GARP mutants. Our assay can be adapted to systematically map cargo of the entire endocytic pathway.
Design, optimization and validation of genes commonly used in expression studies on DMH/AOM rat colon carcinogenesis model
Authors: Bars-Cortina David , Riera-Escamilla Antoni , Gou Gemma , Piñol-Felis Carme , Motilva María-José
Published: January 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as colon cancer, is the third most common form of cancer worldwide in men and the second in women and is characterized by several genetic alterations, among them the expression of several genes. 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and its metabolite azoxymethane (AOM) are procarcinogens commonly used to induce colon cancer in rats (DMH/AOM rat model). This rat model has been used to study changes in mRNA expression in genes involved in this pathological condition. However, a lack of proper detailed PCR primer design in the literature limits the reproducibility of the published data. The present study aims to design, optimize and validate the qPCR, in accordance with the MIQE (Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments) guidelines, for seventeen genes commonly used in the DMH/AOM rat model of CRC (Apc, Aurka, Bax, Bcl2, β-catenin, Ccnd1, Cdkn1a, Cox2, Gsk3beta, IL-33, iNOs, Nrf2, p53, RelA, Smad4, Tnfα and Vegfa) and two reference genes (Actb or β-actin and B2m). The specificity of all primer pairs was empirically validated on agarose gel, and furthermore, the melting curve inspection was checked as was their efficiency (%) ranging from 90 to 110 with a correlation coefficient of r2 > 0.980. Finally, a pilot study was performed to compare the robustness of two candidate reference genes.
WT1‐interacting protein inhibits cell proliferation and tumorigenicity in non‐small‐cell lung cancer via the AKT/FOXO1 axis
Authors: Wu Zhiqiang , Qiu Minghan , Mi Zeyun , Meng Maobin , Guo Yu , Jiang Xiangli , Fang Jiaping , Wang Hui , Zhao Jinlin , Liu Zhuang , Qian Dong , Yuan Zhiyong
Published: January 2019

Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide; hence, it is imperative that the mechanisms underlying the malignant properties of lung cancer be uncovered in order to efficiently treat this disease. Increasing evidence has shown that WT1‐interacting protein (WTIP) plays important roles both physiologically and pathologically in humans; however, the role of WTIP in cancer is unknown. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of WTIP in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We report that WTIP is a tumor suppressor in human NSCLC. We found that WTIP expression was significantly reduced in both NSCLC cell lines and clinical specimens compared to that in normal controls; this reduction was largely attributed to promoter hypermethylation. Downregulation of WTIP significantly correlates with poor prognosis and predicts a shorter overall survival and progression‐free survival among NSCLC patients. Moreover, ectopic overexpression of WTIP dramatically inhibits cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo; conversely, depletion of WTIP expression shows the opposite effects. Mechanistically, WTIP impairs AKT phosphorylation and activation, leading to enhanced expression and transcriptional activity of FOXO1, which further increases p21Cip1 and p27Kip1, and decreases cyclin D1, which consequently results in cell cycle arrest. Collectively, the results of the current study indicate that WTIP is an important proliferation‐related gene and that WTIP expression may represent a novel prognostic biomarker for NSCLC.
Serious violent behavior and antisocial outcomes as consequences of exposure to ethnic‐political conflict and violence among Israeli and Palestinian youth
Authors: Dubow Eric F. , Huesmann L. Rowell , Boxer Paul , Smith Cathy , Landau Simha F. , Dvir Gvirsman Shira , Shikaki Khalil
Published: January 2019

We examine whether cumulative‐past and concurrent exposure to ethnic‐political violence among Israeli and Palestinian youth predict serious violent behavior and antisocial outcomes toward the in‐group and the out‐group. We collected four waves of data from 162 Israeli Jewish and 400 Palestinian youths (three age cohorts: 8, 11, and 14 years old) and their parents. The first three waves were consecutive annual assessments, and the fourth was conducted 4 years after the third wave, when the three age cohorts were 14, 17, and 20 years old, respectively. Based on social‐cognitive‐ecological models of the development of aggression (Dubow et al., 2009, Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 12, 113‐126; Huesmann, 1998) and models of the development of beliefs about the “other,” (Bar‐Tal, 2004, European Journal of Social Psychology, 34, 677‐701; Tajfel & Turner, 1986), we predicted that serious violent outcomes directed toward both the in‐group and the out‐group would be related to both concurrent and to persistent‐past exposure to ethnic political violence. Bivariate regression models (prior to including covariates) indicated that both early cumulative exposure to ethnic‐political violence during childhood and adolescence and concurrent exposure during late adolescence/early adulthood predicted all six serious violent and antisocial outcomes. When we added to the models the covariates of ethnic subgroup, age, sex, parents’ education, and youths’ prior physical aggression, concurrent exposure to ethnic‐political violence was still significantly associated with a greater likelihood of concurrently perpetrating all six serious violent and nonviolent forms of antisocial behavior, and earlier cumulative exposure remained significantly related to three of these: severe physical aggression, participating in violent demonstrations, and our overall index of violent/antisocial behavior.
Highly Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: Surface Modification of Cobalt‐Phosphate‐Loaded Co3O4/Fe2O3 p–n Heterojunction Nanorod Arrays
Authors: Yi Sha‐Sha , Wulan Ba‐Ri , Yan Jun‐Min , Jiang Qing
Published: January 2019

Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) as a photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting suffers from the two problems of poor charge separation and slow water oxidation kinetics. The construction of p–n junction nanostructures by coupling of highly stable Co3O4 in aqueous alkaline environment to Fe2O3 nanorod arrays with delicate energy band positions may be a challenging strategy for efficient PEC water oxidation. It is demonstrated that the designed p‐Co3O4/n‐Fe2O3 junction exhibits superior photocurrent density, fast water oxidation kinetics, and remarkable charge injection and bulk separation efficiency (ηinj and ηsep), attributing to the high catalytic behavior of Co3O4 for the oxygen evolution reaction as well as the induced interfacial electric field that facilitates separation and transportation of charge carriers. In addition, a cocatalyst of cobalt phosphate (Co‐Pi) is introduced, which brings the PEC performance to a high level. The resultant Co‐Pi/Co3O4/Ti:Fe2O3 photoanode shows a photocurrent density of 2.7 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE (V vs reversible hydrogen electrode), 125% higher than that of the Ti:Fe2O3 photoanode. The optimized ηinj and ηsep of 91.6 and 23.0% at 1.23 VRHE are achieved on Co‐Pi/Co3O4/Ti:Fe2O3, respectively, corresponding to the 70 and 43% improvements compared with those of Ti:Fe2O3. Furthermore, Co‐Pi/Co3O4/Ti:Fe2O3 shows a low onset potential of 0.64 VRHE and long‐time PEC stability.
Modulating Blue Phosphorene by Synergetic Codoping: Indirect to Direct Gap Transition and Strong Bandgap Bowing
Authors: Tian Xiaoqing , Duan Jingyi , Wei Yadong , Feng Naixing , Wang Xiangrong , Gong Zhirui , Du Yu , Yakobson Boris I.
Published: January 2019

The structural and electronic properties of synergistically modified blue phosphorene (BP) is investigated. The inversion and threefold rotational symmetries of BP are broken. The codoping of group IV and VI impurities can turn monolayer BP into direct bandgap semiconductors. The underlying physical mechanism is that group IV and VI impurities tailor the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum, respectively, and move them to Γ. All the bandgaps of monolayer, nanoribbons, and quantum dots of BP can be modulated in a wide range, and the strong bandgap bowing is found. In addition, the Coulomb interactions between the screened impurities are revealed. Lower formation energies indicate the fabricating practicability of synergeticly modified BP. Spin–orbit coupling (SOC) can also be tuned by the introduction of impurities.
Liquid Metal‐Based Transient Circuits for Flexible and Recyclable Electronics
Authors: Teng Long , Ye Shichao , Handschuh‐Wang Stephan , Zhou Xiaohu , Gan Tiansheng , Zhou Xuechang
Published: January 2019

Transient electronics, arising electronic devices with dissolvable or degradable features on demand, is still at an early stage of development due to the limited choices of materials and strategies. Herein, a facile fabrication method for transient circuits by the combination of room‐temperature liquid metals (RTLMs) as the electronic circuit and water‐soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the packaging material is reported. The as‐made transient circuits exhibit remarkable durability and stable electric performance upon bending and twisting, while possessing short transience times, owing to the excellent solubility of PVA substrates and the intrinsic flexibility of RTLM patterns. Moreover, the RTLM‐based transient circuit shows an extremely high recycling efficiency, up to 96% of the employed RTLM can be recovered. As such, the economic and environmental viability of transient electronics increases substantially. To validate this concept, the surface patterning of RTLMs with complicated shapes is demonstrated, and a transient antenna is subsequently applied for passive near‐field communication tag and a transient capacitive touch sensor. The application of the RTLM‐based transient circuit for sequentially turning off an array of light‐emitting‐diode lamps is also demonstrated. The present RTLM‐based PVA‐encapsulated circuits substantially expand the scope of transient electronics toward flexible and recyclable transient systems.
Arched Bamboo Charcoal as Interfacial Solar Steam Generation Integrative Device with Enhanced Water Purification Capacity
Authors: Li Zhengtong , Wang Chengbing , Lei Tao , Ma Hailing , Su Jinbu , Ling San , Wang Wei
Published: January 2019

Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) has received increasing attention in both industry and academia, and is considered a method with great potential for wastewater treatment and desalination. These practical applications require materials that fulfil several requirements: being low cost, being scalable in terms of processing, being environmentally friendly, and having a high, stable optical–thermal conversion efficiency of solar vaporization. Currently, biomass materials show very promising prospects for ISSG systems. Here, it is observed that bamboo charcoal (BC) possesses a series of unique advantages that make it a highly efficient ISSG device. The broadband light absorption and the arched and porous structural features of BC fulfil all the basic requirements of an ISSG device in localized heating, heat management, and water supply. The self‐contained arched BC device demonstrates high evaporation efficiency (84% under 1 sun radiation) and superb stability under strongly acidic, strongly alkaline, and intense light environment conditions. More importantly, the porous BC device can provide stable fresh water production that simultaneously promotes the purification of water via evaporation by heating. Finally, the low cost, environmentally sustainable, mechanically robust, and long‐term stable BC device is a potential opportunity for wastewater treatment and desalination in underdeveloped areas.
Cinnamate‐Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals as UV‐Shielding Nanofillers in Sunscreen and Transparent Polymer Films
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Zhang Boya , Grishkewich Nathan , Berry Richard , Tam Kam C.
Published: January 2019

Sustainable and environmentally friendly UV‐shielding materials offer new opportunities in the formulation of the next generation cosmetic products. Cinnamate‐functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (Cin‐CNCs) prepared by esterifying CNCs with cinnamoyl chloride display strong UV absorption and high visible light transmittance. They are suitable for use as UV‐shielding nanofillers for sunscreen and transparent polymer films. The aqueous Cin‐CNC dispersion is waterborne, alcohol‐free, nonwhitening, waterproof, photo‐stable, and possesses a high sun protection factor (SPF). The SPF of Cin‐CNC aqueous dispersion is more than twice that of a popular commercial sunscreen at similar concentration. The Cin‐CNCs can serve as UV‐shielding and reinforcing nanofillers in hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer matrices. The polyvinyl alcohol and polystyrene films incorporated with Cin‐CNCs display excellent UV‐shielding capacity and their Young's moduli are significantly enhanced.
Non‐Thermal Plasma as a Unique Delivery System of Short‐Lived Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species for Immunogenic Cell Death in Melanoma Cells
Authors: Lin Abraham , Gorbanev Yury , De Backer Joey , Van Loenhout Jinthe , Van Boxem Wilma , Lemière Filip , Cos Paul , Dewilde Sylvia , Smits Evelien , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: January 2019

Breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapies have demonstrated considerable success, though not without limitations. Non‐thermal plasma (NTP) for cancer therapy has been emerging as a potential adjuvant treatment via induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Cancer cells undergoing ICD stimulate a patient's immune system to mount an anticancer response. While promising, the underlying mechanisms of NTP‐induced ICD must be closely examined. Here, the interaction between non‐thermal plasma and cancerous cells is studied. The short‐lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (e.g., hydroxyl radicals, atomic oxygen, nitric oxide) produced by plasma are the main effectors that elicit ICD in melanoma while, surprisingly, persistent species do not. This is demonstrated in vitro using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma system and is validated in a vaccination assay in vivo. Plasma generation of reactive species appears to be dictated by the total energy. Collectively, this work provides fundamental insight into plasma interactions with biological material. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future development of NTP systems for clinical translation. The addition of plasma systems into the existing arsenal of cancer therapies opens the possibility for new combination strategies for safer and more robust control of cancer.
High Thermoelectric Performance in p‐type Polycrystalline Cd‐doped SnSe Achieved by a Combination of Cation Vacancies and Localized Lattice Engineering
Authors: Shi Xiaolei , Wu Angyin , Feng Tianli , Zheng Kun , Liu Weidi , Sun Qiang , Hong Min , Pantelides Sokrates T. , Chen Zhi‐Gang , Zou Jin
Published: January 2019

Herein, a high figure of merit (ZT) of ≈1.7 at 823 K is reported in p‐type polycrystalline Cd‐doped SnSe by combining cation vacancies and localized‐lattice engineering. It is observed that the introduction of Cd atoms in SnSe lattice induce Sn vacancies, which act as p‐type dopants. A combination of facile solvothermal synthesis and fast spark plasma sintering technique boosts the Sn vacancy to a high level of ≈2.9%, which results in an optimum hole concentration of ≈2.6 × 1019 cm−3 and an improved power factor of ≈6.9 µW cm−1 K−2. Simultaneously, a low thermal conductivity of ≈0.33 W m−1 K−1 is achieved by effective phonon scattering at localized crystal imperfections, as observed by detailed structural characterizations. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the role of Cd atoms in the SnSe lattice is to reduce the formation energy of Sn vacancies, which in turn lower the Fermi level down into the valence bands, generating holes. This work explores the fundamental Cd‐doping mechanisms at the nanoscale in a SnSe matrix and demonstrates vacancy and localized‐lattice engineering as an effective approach to boosting thermoelectric performance. The work provides an avenue in achieving high‐performance thermoelectric properties of materials.
Grain Boundary Scattering of Charge Transport in n‐Type (Hf,Zr)CoSb Half‐Heusler Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Qiu Qinyi , Liu Yintu , Xia Kaiyang , Fang Teng , Yu Junjie , Zhao Xinbing , Zhu Tiejun
Published: January 2019

High thermoelectric figure of merit zT of ≈1.0 has been reported in both n‐ and p‐type (Hf,Zr)CoSb‐based half‐Heusler compounds, and further improvement of thermoelectric performance relies on the insightful understanding of electron and phonon transport mechanisms. In this work, the thermoelectric transport features are analyzed for (Hf0.3Zr0.7)1−xNbxCoSb (x = 0.02–0.3) with a wide range of carrier concentration. It is found that, although both temperature and energy dependencies of charge transport resemble ionized impurity scattering, the grain boundary scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism near room temperature. With increasing carrier concentration and grain size, the influence of the grain boundary scattering on electron transport weakens. The dominant scattering mechanism changes from grain boundary scattering to acoustic phonon scattering as temperature rises. The lattice thermal conductivity decreases with increasing Nb doping content due to the increased strain field fluctuations. These results provide an in‐depth understanding of the transport mechanisms and guidance for further optimizing thermoelectric properties of half‐Heusler alloys and other thermoelectric systems.
The FluxMax approach for simultaneous process synthesis and heat integration: Production of hydrogen cyanide
Authors: Liesche Georg , Schack Dominik , Sundmacher Kai
Published: January 2019

Resource and energy efficiency are essential in process synthesis of chemical plants as they combine economic with ecological benefits. The two main targets of the process synthesis problem—mass and energy flux optimization—are typically split into two steps: single unit optimization and subsequent energy integration preventing the identification of the globally optimal solution. This article presents a single‐step procedure for resource‐efficient process synthesis through simultaneous heat and mass flux optimization called FluxMax approach (FMA), which is demonstrated for the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The impact of simultaneous heat integration on the optimal process structure is demonstrated and two resource‐optimal processes for HCN production are identified consisting of a combination of different reactor and recycling strategies reducing total variable cost by 68%. For convex objective functions, the globally most resource‐efficient process is identified highlighting the potential of the FMA for site planning and retrofitting of existing plants.
Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Aminotrifluoromethoxylation of Unactivated Alkenes using CsOCF3 as a Trifluoromethoxide Source
Authors: Chen Chaohuang , Pflüger Philipp Miro , Chen Pinhong , Liu Guosheng
Published: January 2019

Asymmetric PdII‐catalyzed intramolecular aminotrifluoromethoxylation of unactivated alkenes using readily accessible and stable CsOCF3 as a trifluoromethoxide source has been developed, which affords a wide variety of enantiomerically enriched β‐substituted OCF3‐containing piperidines in good yields. Introducing a sterically bulky group into pyridine‐oxazoline (Pyox) ligands is crucial to increasing both reactivity and enantioselectivity for the reaction. Additionally, the reaction features good functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions.
Towards DNA Nanomachines for Cancer Treatment: Achieving Selective and Efficient Cleavage of Folded RNA
Authors: Nedorezova Daria D. , Fakhardo Anna F. , Nemirich Daria V. , Bryushkova Ekaterina A. , Kolpashchikov Dmitry M.
Published: January 2019

Despite decades of effort, gene therapy (GT) has failed to deliver clinically significant anticancer treatment, owing in part to low selectivity, low efficiency, and poor accessibility of folded RNA targets. Herein, we propose to solve these common problems of GT agents by using a DNA nanotechnology approach. We designed a deoxyribozyme‐based DNA machine that can i) recognize the sequence of a cancer biomarker with high selectivity, ii) tightly bind a structured fragment of a housekeeping gene mRNA, and iii) cleave it with efficiency greater than that of a traditional DZ‐based cleaving agent. An important advantage of the DNA nanomachine over other gene therapy approaches (antisense, siRNA, and CRISPR/cas) is its ability to cleave a housekeeping gene mRNA after being activated by a cancer marker RNA, which can potentially increase the efficiency of anticancer gene therapy. The DNA machine could become a prototype platform for a new type of anticancer GT agent.
Microenvironment‐Induced In Situ Self‐Assembly of Polymer–Peptide Conjugates That Attack Solid Tumors Deeply
Authors: Cong Yong , Ji Lei , Gao Yu‐Juan , Liu Fu‐Hua , Cheng Dong‐Bing , Hu Zhiyuan , Qiao Zeng‐Ying , Wang Hao
Published: January 2019

In cancer treatment, the unsatisfactory solid‐tumor penetration of nanomaterials limits their therapeutic efficacy. We employed an in vivo self‐assembly strategy and designed polymer–peptide conjugates (PPCs) that underwent an acid‐induced hydrophobicity increase with a narrow pH‐response range (from 7.4 to 6.5). In situ self‐assembly in the tumor microenvironment at appropriate molecular concentrations (around the IC50 values of PPCs) enabled drug delivery deeper into the tumor. A cytotoxic peptide KLAK, decorated with the pH‐sensitive moiety cis‐aconitic anhydride (CAA), and a cell‐penetrating peptide TAT were conjugated onto poly(β‐thioester) backbones to produce PT‐K‐CAA, which can penetrate deeply into solid tumors owing to its small size as a single chain. During penetration in vivo, CAA responds to the weak acid, leading to the self‐assembly of PPCs and the recovery of therapeutic activity. Therefore, a deep‐penetration ability for enhanced cancer therapy is provided by this in vivo assembly strategy.
One‐step synthesis of Ag@PS nanospheres via flash nanoprecipitation
Authors: Hu Xianxiang , Zhang Zhijie , Lu Yao , Liu Rui , Sun Lei , Parkin Ivan P. , Zhang Xia
Published: January 2019

In the work reported, we utilized a facile flash nanoprecipitation process to generate Ag nanoparticles@nanospheres polymer composites. Ag nanoparticles can be loaded onto the polymeric polystyrene (PS) nanosphere surface using a simple and inexpensive method through in situ growth; the amount of loaded Ag nanoparticles and the size of holes on the PS surface prepared by flash nanoprecipitation can be fine‐tuned by changing the pH of the water medium and the PS nanoparticles should have a greater specific area. The as‐synthesized Ag@PS composite nanoparticles obtained via the one‐step and continuous preparation route show high catalytic activity in the reduction reaction of 4‐nitrophenol. Importantly, the nanoparticles show no loss of catalytic performance over five cycles.
Construction of hole‐transported MoO3‐x coupled with CdS nanospheres for boosting photocatalytic performance via oxygen‐defects‐mediated Z‐scheme charge transfer
Authors: Wu Yan , Wang Hou , Tu Wenguang , Wu Shuyang , Chew Jia Wei
Published: January 2019

The establishment of Z‐scheme charge transfer between semiconductors is an effective method to improve the performance of hybridized semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, the novel photocatalysts consisting of MoO3‐x and varying amounts of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanospheres were successfully prepared via the one‐pot hydrothermal method in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). It is indicated that the PVP not only served as the reducing agent for the formation of oxygen defects in MoO3‐x, but also the cross‐linking agent for the coupling between MoO3‐x and CdS. The CdS/MoO3‐x composite allowed for higher visible‐light photocatalytic performance for enhanced removal of methylene blue and tetracycline with an efficiency of 97.6% and 85.5%, respectively. The improved performance of the CdS/MoO3‐x composite was found to be mainly attributable to the remarkable charge carrier separation and transfer between CdS and MoO3‐x based on the favorable hole‐transporting nature and oxygen deficiencies of MoO3‐x. In addition, the hole‐oxidized photocorrosion of CdS was efficiently suppressed due to the presence of hole‐attractive MoO3‐x. At the solid interface, an oxygen‐defects‐mediated Z‐scheme charge carrier transfer pathway was proposed as the underlying mechanism for the superior photocatalytic reaction.
The Effect of a Perioperative Clinical Immersion on Senior Nursing Students’ Perception of Readiness to Practice: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Doerner Mary E. , Swenty Constance F.
Published: January 2019

Health care organizations have tasked nursing education leaders with increasing enrollment and graduating nursing students ready to practice. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the effect of a perioperative clinical immersion on the perceptions of readiness for practice held by senior students working toward a bachelor of science in nursing. Seven senior nursing students participated in the perioperative clinical immersion at one midwestern university. At the end of the immersion, the students participated in an interview that was designed to capture their perceptions of the program. We performed data analysis and identified recurring key words that were evaluated further as attributes of critical thinking, skill competency, and role socialization. The data analysis revealed the students’ perceptions of growth and readiness for practice. We found that a perioperative clinical immersion provides senior nursing students with an opportunity for professional growth and possible employment in the perioperative area.
Effects of the printing parameters on short‐term creep behaviors of three‐dimensional printed polymers
Authors: Tezel Tugce , Kovan Volkan , Topal Eyup Sabri
Published: January 2019

Polylactic acid (PLA), despite its widespread use in three‐dimensional (3D) printing technique, is lacking in the literature on creep behavior due to the printing parameters. Also, the potential use of carbon fiber‐reinforced composites as 3D printing materials is remarkable as it improves mechanical properties of the produced parts. Therefore, it is important to find out the positive/negative effects of composite filaments on creep strength. The main purpose of this research is to examine the creep behaviors of PLA and PLA composite produced with 3D printer and to reveal the effects of the printing parameters on the short‐term creep. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47564.
Synthesis and Structural Determination of the Disordered Bixbyite Cu3‐xSb1+xO5.5+3x/2 with Spin‐Glass Behaviour
Authors: Spasovski Martin , Avdeev Maxim , Söhnel Tilo
Published: January 2019

The ternary copper antimony oxide Cu3‐xSb1+xO5.5+3x/2 (x=0.23) has been synthesized under 0.8–1.3 MPa pO2 at 1022–1082 °C. Rietveld refinements of X‐ray and neutron powder diffraction patterns concluded that the oxide adopts a bixbyite type structure, crystallising in the cubic space group Ia‐3 with the unit cell parameter a=9.61164(4) Å at room temperature from powder neutron diffraction data. The cationic 8b and 24d sites were found to be occupationally disordered where both Cu and Sb could be found on both sites. This is supported by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy experiments showing more than one possible Cu environment. There was a significant net deficiency of oxygen in the compound which was first inferred from observations of a thermochromic‐like phenomena and also seen from in situ high temperature neutron diffraction experiments. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements show paramagnetic behaviour with spin‐glass like transition below 6 K.
Mg Cathode Materials and Electrolytes for Rechargeable Mg Batteries: A Review
Authors: Ma Zheng , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Kar Mega
Published: January 2019

The development of energy storage devices has been motivated by the growing availability of sustainable energy sources, as well as the wider application of portable devices and a variety of electric vehicles including bicycles, scooters, cars and buses. Concerns regarding the safety of lithium batteries in certain applications, and limited lithium and cobalt resources required for conventional cathode materials, have driven researchers to develop alternatives that are safer and cheaper, thereby using more abundant metals such as sodium, magnesium, aluminium, and calcium. Among them, rechargeable magnesium batteries have drawn special interest, since Mg does not plate in a dendritic form, which opens up the possibility of the safe use of a simple metal anode. In this review, we summarize typical Mg electrolyte systems that are compatible with reversible Mg deposition and stripping, focusing on the active Mg complexes. To fabricate a rechargeable device, an appropriate cathode is necessary, which must also be abundant and compatible with the electrolytes to suitable cathode materials are also briefly discussed.
Conceptualising poverty as a barrier to learning through ‘Poverty proofing the school day’: The genesis and impacts of stigmatisation
Authors: Mazzoli Smith Laura , Todd Liz
Published: January 2019

This article draws on an evaluation of the Poverty proofing the school day initiative. It outlines an argument arrived at through abductive reasoning to explain the generic and widespread instances of the stigmatisation of disadvantaged pupils that have been uncovered. The process of abductive reasoning necessitated broadening the conceptual framework through which we usually understand poverty and its impacts on education, and in so doing we take account of the affective or psychosocial dimensions and the attendant coping strategies that result. Listening to children's descriptions of poverty and its impacts on schooling is an essential aspect of better understanding these non‐material aspects of poverty and their ramifications for all involved. There is, however, a lack of time and appropriate structures in schools to attend to this wider conceptualisation of poverty, yet the outcomes of Poverty proofing the school day demonstrate that schools do have a significant role to play in reducing the barriers to learning that result. We make the case that the specific conditions of high‐stakes performativity in which schools operate, and the dominance of instrumental and metrics‐based responses to issues around poverty and learning, reduce the visibility of the affective dimension and in so doing enable unwitting stigmatisation to result.
Interim analysis incorporating short‐ and long‐term binary endpoints
Authors: Niewczas Julia , Kunz Cornelia U. , König Franz
Published: January 2019

Designs incorporating more than one endpoint have become popular in drug development. One of such designs allows for incorporation of short‐term information in an interim analysis if the long‐term primary endpoint has not been yet observed for some of the patients. At first we consider a two‐stage design with binary endpoints allowing for futility stopping only based on conditional power under both fixed and observed effects. Design characteristics of three estimators: using primary long‐term endpoint only, short‐term endpoint only, and combining data from both are compared. For each approach, equivalent cut‐off point values for fixed and observed effect conditional power calculations can be derived resulting in the same overall power. While in trials stopping for futility the type I error rate cannot get inflated (it usually decreases), there is loss of power. In this study, we consider different scenarios, including different thresholds for conditional power, different amount of information available at the interim, different correlations and probabilities of success. We further extend the methods to adaptive designs with unblinded sample size reassessments based on conditional power with inverse normal method as the combination function. Two different futility stopping rules are considered: one based on the conditional power, and one from P‐values based on Z‐statistics of the estimators. Average sample size, probability to stop for futility and overall power of the trial are compared and the influence of the choice of weights is investigated.
Effects of antibiotics on degradation and bioavailability of different vitamin E forms in mice
Authors: Ran Linwu , Liu Anna B. , Lee Mao‐Jung , Xie Ping , Lin Yong , Yang Chung S.
Published: January 2019

Tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3), all existing in α, β, γ, and δ‐forms, are the eight forms of vitamin E (VE). In this study, we investigated the effects of gut microbiota on the degradation and tissue levels of different VE forms by treating mice with antibiotics in drinking water for 12 days. The mice also received an intragastric (i.g.) dose of VE mixture (mVE; α‐T, γ‐T, δ‐T, γ‐T3, and δ‐T3, each at a dose of 75 mg/kg) every morning. Antibiotic treatment significantly increased the blood levels of all VE forms in mice that received an i.g. dose of mVE in the morning, 3 h before sacrifice. Without this morning dose, the blood levels of α‐T were at the normal physiological levels, but those of the other VE forms were much lower; and the levels of all VE forms were not significantly affected by antibiotics. The liver levels of these VE forms were generally higher and followed the same pattern as the serum. On the contrary, the levels of most side‐chain degradation metabolites of VE forms in the serum, liver, kidney, urine, and fecal samples were significantly decreased by antibiotics. The increased bioavailability of VE by antibiotics is probably due to increased absorption of VE or its decreased degradation by gut microbes. The results demonstrate the important roles of gut microbiota in the degradation of VE and in decreasing the bioavailabilities of VE forms. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):450–462, 2019
Meta-analysis of clinical outcome after treatment for achalasia based on manometric subtypes
Authors: Andolfi C , Fisichella P M
Published: January 2019

Background

The introduction of high-resolution manometry and the Chicago classification has made it possible to diagnose achalasia and predict treatment response accurately. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the different treatments available on symptomatic outcomes across all achalasia subtypes.

Methods

The study was conducted according to PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. A literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE databases was undertaken to identify all relevant articles reporting clinical outcomes of patients with achalasia after botulinum toxin injection, pneumatic dilatation, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) based on manometric subtypes. Patients were grouped according to the Chicago classification and the success rate in treating symptoms was measured as the primary endpoint.

Results

Twenty studies (1575 patients) were selected, and data on botulinum toxin, pneumatic dilatation, LHM and POEM were extracted. Success rates for LHM in type I, II and III achalasia were 81, 92 and 71 per cent respectively. Those for POEM were 95, 97 and 93 per cent respectively. POEM was more likely to be successful than LHM for both type I (odds ratio (OR) 2·97, 95 per cent c.i. 1·09 to 8·03; P = 0·032) and type III (OR 3·50, 1·39 to 8·77; P = 0·007) achalasia. The likelihood of success of POEM and LHM for type II achalasia was similar.

Conclusion

Pneumatic dilatation had a lower but still acceptable success rate compared with POEM or LHM in patients with type II achalasia. POEM is an excellent treatment modality for type I and type III achalasia, although it did not show any superiority over LHM for type II achalasia.
Triple‐Mode Bi2WO6/Pg‐C3N4@rGO Core‐Shell Synergistic Effect with Enhanced Light‐induced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Guo Xiaofeng , Wang Hongbo , Wang Liying , Zeng Defen , Xiang Qian , Chai Ba
Published: January 2019

Synthesizing composites is one of the most effective ways to reduce the recombination probability of electron–hole pairs and to improve photocatalytic activity. In this study, our research group first combined reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with porous graphitic carbon nitride (pg‐C3N4) to form pg‐C3N4@rGO core‐shell, and then loaded bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) onto the pg‐C3N4@rGO to acquire a ternary composite catalyst. The results of the experiment show that, the ternary photocatalyst exhibited better phototalytic performance than pure pg‐C3N4 and Bi2WO6. When the weight radio of pg‐C3N4@rGO and Bi2WO6 was 100:8, the ternary photocatalyst showed the best photocatalytic performance. Its photocatalytic kinetic constant reached 68 × 10−4 min−1, which was 13.6 times that of pg‐C3N4 and 7.6 times that of Bi2WO6. The photocatalytic performance was boosted by the heterojunction structure of the ternary composite, which can effectively separate electron–hole pairs rapidly, and thereby increased quantum yield, thus improving the photocatalytic performance.
Utility of group treatment for trauma‐affected refugees in specialised outpatient clinics in Denmark: A mixed methods study of practitioners’ experiences
Authors: Brochmann Helle Dølvik , Calundan Josefine Holst Nymand , Carlsson Jessica , Poulsen Stig , Sonne Charlotte , Palic Sabina
Published: January 2019

Objective

Group treatment (GT) is proposed as a relevant and cost‐effective intervention for trauma‐affected refugees. Due to heterogeneity in symptoms and culture, GT with trauma‐affected refugees is also assumed to pose certain challenges. The aim of this study was to explore practice‐based experiences and gather recommendations from practitioners working with GT of trauma‐affected refugees.

Methods

This sequential, explorative, mixed methods study included 32 practitioners with GT experience, representing all outpatient clinics in Denmark providing specialised treatment for trauma‐affected refugees. The study was conducted in two strands. Strand 1 comprised two questionnaires assessing characteristics of and experiences with various group programmes. Strand 2 comprised five semi‐structured interviews, which elaborated on findings from Strand 1. Descriptive statistics were applied on quantitative data. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Group treatment is widely utilised and most practitioners reported favourable treatment experiences. Groups were applied for varied purposes, most often psychoeducation, and organised in various ways. Practitioners experienced treatment guided by patient‐centred clinical objectives, such as interpersonal learning, as more meaningful and effective than treatment primarily aimed at accommodating administrative aims such as cost‐effectiveness. Interpersonal dynamics were identified as a significant challenge and potential advantage in GT of trauma‐affected refugees. Careful inclusion and establishment of safety were among factors identified by practitioners as beneficial for treatment delivery.

Conclusions

The findings support the potential of GT for trauma‐affected refugees. Results can be used to inform group programmes and inspire further empirical research in this area.
IL‐7 enhances the differentiation of adipose‐derived stem cells toward lymphatic endothelial cells through AKT signaling
Authors: Sun Yiyu , Lu Bolun , Deng Jingcheng , Jiang Zhaohua , Cao Weigang , Dai Tingting , Li Shengli
Published: January 2019

Our study was designed to investigate the effects of IL‐7 during the differentiation process of adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) toward lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). IL‐7 was added to the traditional induced medium, which was called the IL‐7 (+) group, while the group that used traditional induced medium was called the IL‐7 (−) group. After 7 days of induction of ADSCs, a comprehensive analysis was conducted between these two groups. We examined the changes in Prox1, LYVE‐1, Podoplanin and VEGFR‐3 on the RNA and protein level and found that the expression of LEC markers in the IL‐7 (+) group was higher than in the IL‐7 (−) group. The characteristics of differentiated cells were confirmed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. At the same time, we detected the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway involved in the differentiation process, and we found that the phosphorylation of AKT increased, however the expression of ERK was not significantly changed. In conclusion, our study found that IL‐7 could improve the differentiation efficiency of ADSCs toward LECs through AKT signaling pathways.
The Importance of Ligand‐Induced Backdonation in the Stabilization of Square Planar d10 Nickel π‐Complexes
Authors: Desnoyer Addison N. , He Weiying , Behyan Shirin , Chiu Weiling , Love Jennifer A. , Kennepohl Pierre
Published: January 2019

The electronic nature of Ni π‐complexes is underexplored even though these complexes have been widely postulated as intermediates in organometallic chemistry. Herein, the geometric and electronic structure of a series of nickel π‐complexes, Ni(dtbpe)(X) (dtbpe=1,2‐bis(di‐tert‐butyl)phosphinoethane; X=alkene or carbonyl containing π‐ligands), is probed using a combination of 31P NMR, Ni K‐edge XAS, Ni Kβ XES, and DFT calculations. These complexes are best described as square planar d10 complexes with π‐backbonding acting as the dominant contributor to M−L bonding to the π‐ligand. The degree of backbonding correlates with 2JPP from NMR and the energy of the Ni 1s→4pz pre‐edge in the Ni K‐edge XAS data, and is determined by the energy of the π*ip ligand acceptor orbital. Thus, unactivated olefinic ligands tend to be poor π‐acids whereas ketones, aldehydes, and esters allow for greater backbonding. However, backbonding is still significant even in cases in which metal contributions are minor. In such cases, backbonding is dominated by charge donation from the diphosphine, which allows for strong backdonation, although the metal centre retains a formal d10 electronic configuration. This ligand‐induced backbonding can be formally described as a 3‐centre‐4‐electron (3c‐4e) interaction, in which the nickel centre mediates charge transfer from the phosphine σ‐donors to the π*ip ligand acceptor orbital. The implications of this bonding motif are described with respect to both structure and reactivity.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Organometallic Molecular Cylinders Bearing Bulky Imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐Based N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands
Authors: Zhang Ya‐Wen , Das Rajorshi , Li Yang , Wang Yao‐Yu , Han Ying‐Feng
Published: January 2019

The metal‐controlled self‐assembly of organometallic molecular cylinders from a series of imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based tris‐NHC ligands is described in this report. The imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridinium salts H3‐L(PF6)3 (L=4 a–4 c) were treated with 1.5 equivalents of Ag2O to yield the trinuclear AgI hexacarbene cages [Ag3(L)2](PF6)3 (L=4 a–4 c), in which three AgI are sandwiched between the two tricarbene ligands. The silver(I) complexes [Ag3(L)2](PF6)3 underwent a facile transmetalation reaction in the presence of 3 equivalents of [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to furnish the trinuclear AuI cylinder‐like cages [Au3(L)2](PF6)3 (L=4 a–4 c) without destruction of the metallosupramolecular structure. The new hexacarbene assemblies feature a large cavity that can easily accommodate a molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide as molecular guest. This is the first study of a unique “host–guest” system containing an organometallic cylinder‐like cage derived exclusively from poly‐NHC ligands.
Review of fluid‐solid reaction analysis—Part 1: Single nonporous reactant solid
Authors: Sohn Hong Yong
Published: January 2019

Fluid‐solid reactions make up a large number of important processes in the chemical and metallurgical industries. Despite their enormous importance, much confusion still exists in the systematic and quantitative analysis of the kinetics of these reactions. Even more serious are the frequent misapplications of existing theories. This series of articles reviews the advances made in the quantitative analysis and mathematical models of fluid‐solid reactions with the aim of providing information on the principles involved in the correct approach for describing the rates of fluid‐solid reactions. This Part 1 of the series covers the analysis of the reactions in which the starting solid has little initial porosity.