bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of novel ferrocenyl glycidyl ether polymer, ferrocenyl poly (epichlorohydrin) and ferrocenyl poly (glycidyl azide)
Authors: Abbasi Hassan , Teimuri‐Mofrad Reza
Published: December 2019

Poly (ferrocenyl glycidyl ether) was synthesized by polymerization of 2‐[(4‐ferrocenylbutoxy)methyl]oxirane (FcEpo) using toluene solution of methylaluminoxane as the catalyst. Copolymerization of 2‐[(4‐ferrocenylbutoxy)methyl]oxirane with epichlorohydrin was used for the synthesis of another ferrocenyl based poly (epichlorohydrin). Ferrocenyl based poly (glycidyl azide), GAP, was synthesized by treatment of sodium azide with this copolymer in DMF as solvent at room temperature. The synthesized ferrocenyl based polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, 1HNMR, UV–Vis, TGA, DSC and GPC analysis. The UV–Vis spectra of synthesized polymers show the absorption band of ferrocene moiety at about 450 nm. The TGA and DSC analysis show that poly (ferrocenyl glycidyl ether) has good thermal stability. The TGA analysis shows that the copolymerization of 2‐[(4‐ferrocenylbutoxy)methyl]oxirane with epichlorohydrin improved the thermal stability of the copolymer. The GPC analysis of poly (ferrocenyl glycidyl ether), ferrocenyl based poly (epichlorohydrin) and Ferrocenyl based poly (glycidyl azide) show the PDI between 1.14–1.17. The electrochemical behavior of synthesized polymers was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. The CV curves of synthesized polymers show good electrochemical performance and there is one redox system with the single‐electron reversible reaction that associated with ferrocene moiety in polymers structure. The anodic and cathodic peak currents increased with scan rate confirmed redox reactions in the system are kinetically fast diffusion‐controlled reactions.
Multicentre study of the risk of invasive cancer and use of sentinel node biopsy in women with a preoperative diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Munck F , Clausen E W , Balslev E , Kroman N , Tvedskov T F , Holm-Rasmussen E V
Published: December 2019

Background

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the breast that is diagnosed by biopsy implies a risk of upstaging to invasive carcinoma (IC) on final pathology. These patients require a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for axillary staging. A two-stage procedure is not always feasible and precise selection of patients who should be offered SLNB is crucial. The aims were: to determine the rate of upstaging, and use of redundant and required SLNB in women with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS; and to identify patient and tumour characteristics that increase the risk of upstaging.

Methods

Patients with DCIS treated between 2008 and 2016 were identified using Orbit operation planning system software, and those suitable for the study were selected based on review of the medical records. Upstaging rates and proportions of redundant and required SLNBs were calculated. Associations between clinicopathological characteristics and upstaging were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of 1368 patients initially identified, 975 women with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS were included in the study. Tumours in 246 of these patients (25·2 per cent) were upstaged to IC. Redundant SLNB was performed in 392 of 975 women (40·2 per cent). Forty-four patients (4·5 per cent) with a final diagnosis of IC were not offered SLNB and thus potentially undertreated. In adjusted analysis, DCIS size, palpability and mass formation identified by breast imaging were associated with increased risk of upstaging. The Van Nuys classification was not associated with upstaging.

Conclusion

Most patients with IC on final pathology underwent SLNB, but a considerable number of patients with DCIS had a redundant SLNB. Lesion size, palpability and mass formation, but not Van Nuys classification group, are suggested risk factors for upstaging.
Optimization of chromatography to overcome matrix effect for reliable estimation of four small molecular drugs from biological fluids using LC–MS/MS
Authors: Trivedi Vikas , Shah Priyanka A. , Shrivastav Pranav S. , Sanyal Mallika
Published: December 2019

The article describes a systematic study to overcome the matrix effect during chromatographic analysis of gemfibrozil, rivastigmine, telmisartan and tacrolimus from biological fluids using LC–ESI–MS/MS. All four methods were thoroughly developed by the appropriate choice of analytical column, elution mode and pH of mobile phase for improved chromatography and overall method performance. Matrix effect was assessed by post‐column analyte infusion, slope of calibration line approach and post‐extraction spiking. The best chromatographic conditions established were: Acquity BEH C18 (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column with 5.0 mm ammonium acetate, pH 6.0–methanol as the mobile phase under gradient program for gemfibrozil; Luna CN (50 × 2.0 mm, 3 μm) column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–10 mm ammonium acetate, pH 7.0 (90:10, v/v) for rivastigmine; Inertsustain C18 (100 × 2.0 mm, 5 μm) column using methanol–2.0 mm ammonium formate, pH 5.5 (80: 20, v/v) as the mobile phase for isocratic elution of telmisartan; and Acquity BEH C18 (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with methanol–10 mm ammonium acetate, pH 6.0 (95:5, v/v) as mobile phase for tacrolimus. The methods were thoroughly validated as per European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration guidance and were successfully applied for pharmacokinetic studies in healthy subjects.
EGFR enhances the stemness and progression of oral cancer through inhibiting autophagic degradation of SOX2
Authors: Lv Xiao‐Xi , Zheng Xiao‐Yu , Yu Jiao‐Jiao , Ma Hua‐Rui , Hua Cheng , Gao Run‐Tao
Published: December 2019

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and correlates with poor prognosis. EGFR has been demonstrated to be associated with cancer stem cell traits in HNSCC. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is far from elucidated. Here, SOX2, one of the most important stem cell markers, was identified as a binding partner and substrate of EGFR. EGFR signaling inhibition decreases SOX2 expression by promoting its autophagic degradation. Mechanistically, EGFR activation induces SOX2 phosphorylation at the Y277 site and reduces its ubiquitination, which inhibits its association with p62 and subsequent autophagic degradation. Gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows in vitro and in vivo protective effects against oral cancer cells that can be reversed through autophagy inhibition. Our study suggests that EGFR plays an important role in the development of cancer stem cells by stabilizing SOX2. Targeting EGFR in combination with conventional chemotherapy might be a promising strategy for the treatment of HNSCC through elimination of cancer stem cells.
Palladium‐Catalyzed [3+2] and [2+2+2] Annulations of 4‐Iodo‐2‐quinolones with Activated Alkynes through Selective C−H Activation
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihiko , Jiang Jiyue , Yasui Takeshi
Published: December 2019

The palladium‐catalyzed reaction of 4‐iodo‐2‐quinolones with activated alkynes was investigated. Cyclopenta[de]quinoline‐2(1 H)‐ones and/or phenanthridine‐6(5 H)‐ones were obtained through [3+2] annulation involving aromatic C−H activation or [2+2+2] annulation involving vinylic C−H activation, respectively. Reasonable mechanisms for the formation of these annulation products have been proposed based on density functional theory calculations.
Facile Fabrication of Bio‐ and Dual‐Functional Poly(2‐oxazoline) Bottle‐Brush Brush Surfaces
Authors: Du Yunhao , Zhang Tao , Gieseler Dan , Schneider Maximilian , Hafner Daniel , Sheng Wenbo , Li Wei , Lange Fred , Wegener Erik , Amin Ihsan , Jordan Rainer
Published: December 2019

Poly(2‐oxazoline)s (POx) bottle‐brush brushes have excellent biocompatible and lubricious properties, which are promising for the functionalization of surfaces for biomedical devices. Herein, a facile synthesis of POx is reported which is based bottle‐brush brushes (BBBs) on solid substrates. Initially, backbone brushes of poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PIPOx) were fabricated via surface initiated Cu0 plate‐mediated controlled radical polymerization (SI‐Cu0CRP). Poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PMeOx) side chains were subsequently grafted from the PIPOx backbone via living cationic ring opening polymerization (LCROP), which result in ≈100 % increase in brush thickness (from 58 to 110 nm). The resultant BBBs shows tunable thickness up to 300 nm and high grafting density (σ) with 0.42 chains nm−2. The synthetic procedure of POx BBBs can be further simplified by using SI‐Cu0CRP with POx molecular brush as macromonomer (Mn=536 g mol−1, PDI=1.10), which results in BBBs surface up to 60 nm with well‐defined molecular structure. Both procedures are significantly superior to the state‐of‐art approaches for the synthesis of POx BBBs, which are promising to design bio‐functional surfaces.
High Temperature Co‐electrolysis for Power‐to‐X
Authors: Dueñas Diana María Amaya , Riedel Marc , Riegraf Matthias , Costa Rémi , Friedrich Kaspar Andreas
Published: December 2019

High temperature solid oxide cells are attractive electrochemical reactors to perform simultaneous reduction of steam and CO2 into syngas with the possibility of delivering a tailored composition to downstream processes. The main thermodynamic considerations, performance and impedance curves of electrolyte supported cells in co‐electrolysis are shown as a function of temperature and pressure. In dynamic operation, the thermal changes that the reactor undergoes appear stronger in co‐electrolysis mode than in steam electrolysis and should be considered in the development of operating strategies.
A buck‐boost integrated high gain non‐isolated half‐bridge series resonant converter for solar PV/battery fed multiple load LED lighting applications
Authors: Veeramallu Venkata Kondala Satyakar , S. Porpandiselvi , B. L. Narasimharaju
Published: December 2019

Solar photovoltaic (SPV) or battery fed multiple load LED lighting applications are gaining importance these days, which require independent voltage regulation and dimming control. Half‐bridge resonant converters are mostly used due to their simple structure. In this paper, a buck‐boost integrated high gain non‐isolated symmetrical half‐bridge series resonant converter is proposed for multiple load LED lighting applications. With the aid of integrated buck‐boost operation, the output voltage can be regulated below and above the nominal input voltage effectively and can produce twice the gain as compared with classical half‐bridge converters. Frequency modulation is implemented for output voltage regulation. Pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming has been adopted for illumination control. The proposed driver results in several advantages such as low cost, compact size, improved efficiency due to soft‐switching, simple control, independent dimming, and effective operation for multiple loads. Thus, the proposed non‐isolated driver configuration is well suited for SPV/battery fed multiple load LED lighting applications. The proposed configuration is tested with single LED load of 22 W and dual‐LED loads of 22 W and 43 W. There is an excellent consensus between the simulation and the experimental outcomes.
Using a trait‐based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of hillslope seep wetland vegetation cover to disturbances in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Libala Notiswa , Palmer Carolyn G. , Odume Oghenekaro Nelson
Published: December 2019

Hill slope seep wetlands are ecologically and economically important ecosystems as they supply a variety of ecosystem services to society. In South Africa, livestock grazing is recognized as one of the most important disturbance factors changing the structure and function of hill slope seep wetlands. This study sought to investigate the potential effect of livestock grazing on the resilience and vulnerability of hillslope seep wetland vegetation cover using a trait‐based approach (TBA). Changes in vegetation cover were used as a surrogate for indicating grazing intensity. The degree of human disturbances was assessed using the Anthropogenic Activity Index. A TBA was developed using seven plant traits, resolved into 27 trait attributes. Based on the developed approach, plant species were grouped into vulnerable and resilient groups in relation to grazing pressure. It was then predicted that species belonging to the vulnerable group would be less dominant at the highly disturbed sites, as well as in the winter season when grazing pressure is at its peak. The approach developed enabled accurate predictions of the responses of hillslope plant species to grazing pressure seasonally, but spatially, only for the summer season. The predicted responses during the winter season across sites did not match the observed results, which could be attributed to the difficulty in species identification and accurate estimation of vegetation cover during winter. Overall, the approach developed here provides a general framework for applying the TBA and can thus be tested and applied elsewhere.
The use of quantitative sensory testing in cancer pain assessment: A systematic review
Authors: Martland Maisie E. , Rashidi Ahmad S. , Bennett Michael I. , Fallon Marie , Jones Chris , Rolke Roman , Mulvey Matthew R.
Published: December 2019

Objective

To summarize the literature on the use of quantitative sensory testing (QST) in the assessment of pain in people with cancer and to describe which QST parameters consistently demonstrate abnormal sensory processing in patients with cancer pain.

Databases and Data Treatment

Medline, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, SCOPUS and CENTRAL were searched for observational or experimental studies using QST in patients with a cancer diagnosis and reporting pain. Search strategies were based on the terms “quantitative sensory testing”, “cancer”, “pain”, “cancer pain” and “assessment”. Databases were searched from inception to January 2019. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively, structured around the different QST modalities and sub‐grouped by cancer pain aetiology (tumour‐ or treatment‐related pain).

Results

Searches identified 286 records of which 18 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Three studies included patients with tumour‐related pain, and 15 studies included patients with pain from chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Across all studies, 50% (9/18) reported sensory abnormities using thermal detection thresholds (cool and warm), 44% (8/18) reported abnormal mechanical detection thresholds using von‐Frey filaments and 39% (7/18) found abnormal pinprick thresholds. Abnormal vibration and thermal pain (heat/cold) thresholds were each reported in a third of included studies.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights the lack of published data characterizing the sensory phenotype of tumour‐related cancer pain. This has implications for our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cancer pain. Understanding the multiple mechanisms driving cancer pain will help to move towards rational individualized analgesic treatment choices.

Significance

This systematic review found that pain in cancer patients is associated with abnormal sensory responses to thermal, mechanical and pinprick stimuli. However, these findings are based primarily on studies of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy and data on tumour‐related pain are lacking, warranting further research.
Sensor Platform with a Custom‐tailored Aptamer for Diagnosis of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Authors: Balaban Simge , Man Ezgi , Durmus Ceren , Bor Gulsah , Ceylan Ayse Elcin , Pinar Gumus Z. , Evran Serap , Coskunol Hakan , Timur Suna
Published: December 2019

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the large group of abused drugs and detection of them is still a challenge. Hence, new methods for analysis of SCs are being investigated. We aimed to develop a novel system for selective analysis of SCs. First, various custom‐tailored aptamers against the target SCs were selected through GO‐SELEX process. Toggling between different SC analytes during successive rounds of selection was performed to generate cross‐reactive aptamers. Then, the amino‐capped aptamers were synthesized and easily attached to the cysteamine‐covered gold electrodes. Analytical parameters and selectivity of the aptasensors were compared by using electrochemical techniques. After comparison of the analytical features and selectivity towards target analytes, one of the aptamers designated as Apta‐1 was chosen for further measurements. The aptasensor was tested by using differential pulse voltammetry technique against JWH‐018 (5‐pentanoic acid), selected as a model for SCs. The linearity and limit of detection were determined as 0.01–1.0 ng/mL and 0.036 ng/mL. Finally, sample application in synthetic urine samples was successfully performed with standard addition method, as confirmed by LC‐QTOF/MS. JWH‐018 (4‐hydroxypentyl), JWH‐073 (3‐hydroxybutyl), JWH‐250 (5‐hidroxypentyl) and HU‐210 were used to test the selectivity of the aptasensor and the system was shown to recognize all these SCs. Also other illegal drugs did not significantly interfere with the signal responses.
Touch and look: The role of visual‐haptic cues for categorical learning in primary school children
Authors: Broadbent Hannah , Osborne Tamsin , Kirkham Natasha , Mareschal Denis
Published: December 2019

Benefits of synchronous presentation of multisensory compared to unisensory cues are well established. However, the generality of such findings to children's learning with visual and haptic sensory cue pairings is unclear. Children aged 6 to 10 years (N = 180) participated in a novel tabletop category‐learning paradigm with visual, haptic, or visuohaptic informative cues. The results indicated that combinations of complimentary visual and haptic cues facilitated learning above unisensory visual cues only in 8‐year‐old children. Primarily, however, haptic information was found to dominate children's category learning across ages, particularly in the youngest children (6‐year‐olds), even with equal discriminability of haptic and visual exemplars. These findings suggest developmental changes in the ability to effectively combine unrelated visual and haptic information for categorical learning. Implications for the use of nonpertinent visuohaptic cues in learning tasks within educational settings at different ages, and in particular the dominance of haptic stimuli for children's learning, are discussed.

Highlights

A novel category learning task examined the role of unisensory and multisensory visual and haptic information in children's learning.

Haptic cues dominated learning from 6 to 10 years of age, particularly when combined with visual information in older children.

Findings infer protracted development of benefits in combining visuohaptic cues, and dominance of haptic over visual information for category learning.
The passive investment bubble
Authors: Tokic Damir
Published: December 2019

Since the 2008 financial crisis, investors have significantly increased their allocation to passive investment vehicles, such as the exchange traded funds. At the same time, the active investment funds experienced significant outflows as their performance underperformed the major indices. As the result of these capital flows, the market participation balance potentially changed, which increased the possibility of a market bubble—which some already define as the passive investment bubble.
Prognostic value of infiltrating immune cells in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)
Authors: Liu Shiyi , Li Saijiao , Wang Yanqing , Wang Feiyan , Zhang Li , Xian Shu , Yang Dongyong , Yuan Mengqin , Dai Fangfang , Zhao Xin , Liu Yuping , Jin Yumeng , Zeng Zihang , Mahgoub Omer Kamal Ahmed , Zhou Chenliang , Cheng Yanxiang
Published: December 2019

In this study, we attempted to evaluate the prognostic value of infiltrating immune/stromal cells in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), by using the immune scores and stromal scores based on the “Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumours using Expression data” algorithm to represent the levels of infiltrating immune cells and stromal cells. We found that the infiltrating immune cells were associated with poor prognosis of ccRCC. To assess the role of infiltrating immune cells in ccRCC cells, first, we performed differentially expressed genes analysis and functional analysis for validation. The results showed that the underlying mechanism by which infiltrating immune cells promoted cancer progression involved in regulating the nuclear division, angiogenesis, and immune response. Next, we investigated the relationship between infiltrating immune cells and mutations in ccRCC cells. We found that the infiltrating immune cells have certain effects on genetic mutations. In conclusion, infiltrating immune cells within the tumor microenvironment can be used to predict prognosis in ccRCC.
Design, synthesis, anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal evaluation of 4‐aminoquinoline‐1,3,5‐triazine derivatives
Authors: Bhat Hans Raj , Masih Anup , Shakya Anshul , Ghosh Surajit Kumar , Singh Udaya Pratap
Published: December 2019

A series of 4‐aminoquinoline 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for anticancer activity against cancer cell lines HeLa, MCF‐7, HL‐60, HepG2 where these derivatives exert significant anticancer activity. The molecules found nontoxic against MCF‐12A. The molecules also showed potent inhibition of EGFR‐TK as compared to eroltinib in enzyme‐based assay. The newly synthesized derivatives were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus using cefixime and fluconazole as standard. Antibacterial screening results suggest that compound 7c showed potent activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and P. vulgaris. In antifungal screening, compound 7b showed significant activity against A. niger, A. fumigatus and moderate activity against C. albicans.
Negative‐ion/positive‐ion coincidence spectroscopy as a tool to identify anionic fragments: The case of core‐excited CHF3
Authors: Kivimäki Antti , Stråhlman Christian , Sankari Rami , Richter Robert
Published: December 2019

We have studied the dissociation of the trifluoromethane molecule, CHF3, into negative ionic fragments at the C 1s and F 1s edges. The measurements were performed by detecting coincidences between negative and positive ions. We observed five different negative ions: F−, H−, C−, CF−, and F2−. Their production was confirmed by the analysis of triple coincidence events (negative‐ion/positive‐ion/positive‐ion or NIPIPI coincidences) that were recorded with cleaner signals than those of the negative‐ion/positive‐ion coincidences. The intensities of the most intense NIPIPI coincidence channels were recorded as a function of photon energy across the C 1s and F 1s excitations and ionization thresholds. We also observed dissociation channels involving the formation of one negative ion and three positive ions. Our results demonstrate that negative‐ion/positive‐ion coincidence spectroscopy is a very sensitive method to observe anions, which at inner‐shell edges are up to three orders of magnitude less probable dissociation products than cations.
Clinical Application of Ultrasound Guidance for Parametrial Treatment of Advanced Cervical Cancer
Authors: Lin Yuanqiang , Cheng Guanghui , Shi Dan , Li Hequn , Teng Dengke , Zhao Zhipeng , Mao Zhuang , Wang Hui
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound (US) in determining the positions of parametrial implants by comparing US with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for advanced cervical cancer.

Methods

Patients undergoing brachytherapy with parametrial implantation for cervical cancer from February 2017 to February 2019 were involved in the study. The transverse section of the cervix (surface S1) and the transverse section 1 cm above the external cervix (surface S2) were selected from MRI and US images as the observation planes. In the MRI observation plane, the distances between the uterine titanium needles and the uterine tube/implanter were set as M1 to M4; in the US observation plane, the distances between the uterine titanium needles and the uterine tube/implanter were set as D1 to D4. The differences and consistency in M and D of each group were then compared.

Results

There were no significant differences between M and D in each group (P = .058; P = .821; P = .870; and P = .936, respectively). The intraclass correlation coefficients of M and D in each group were 0.970, 0.968, 0.952, and 0.956. A regression analysis showed that the relationships between M and D in each group were as follows: M1 = 0.9449D1 + 0.1812; M2 = 0.9463D2 + 0.0965; M3 = 0.9176D3 + 0.1233; and M4 = 0.9253D4 + 0.1224.

Conclusions

In parametrial brachytherapy for cervical cancer, US can accurately determine the positions of parametrial implantation needles, which is already applicable on MRI, and can provide assistance in parametrial brachytherapy for advanced cervical cancer.
Passy muir valve tolerance in medically complex infants and children: Are there predictors for success?
Authors: Brooks Laura , Figueroa Janet , Edwards Tracy , Reeder Walter , McBrayer Sheila , Landry April
Published: December 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate if there are predictors for success with Passy Muir Valve (PMV) placement for medically complex pediatric patients.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 52 pediatric patients with a tracheostomy with or without ventilator dependence who received PMV assessments from October 2017 through October 2018 in intensive care units and acute care units within Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA). Univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling were used to identify factors associated with a successful PMV trial.

Results

Factors found to be associated with a successful PMV trial were as follows: transtracheal pressure measurement, presence of voicing, age of patient >2 years, weight of patient, and ventilator rate.

Conclusion

Medically complex infants and children in the intensive care units and acute care units on or off the ventilator can be considered candidates for PMV use; several factors can be predictive of a successful trial.

Level of Evidence

2C Laryngoscope, 130:E632–E639, 2020
Porphyrin Containing Polymersomes with Enhanced ROS Generation Efficiency: In Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Kyropoulou Myrto , DiLeone Stefano , Lanzilotto Angelo , Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E. , Meier Wolfgang P. , Palivan Cornelia G.
Published: December 2019

Porphyrins are molecules possessing unique photophysical properties making them suitable for application in photodynamic therapy. The incorporation of porphyrins into natural or synthetic nano‐assemblies such as polymersomes is a strategy to improve and prolong their therapeutic capacities and to overcome their limitations as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Here, 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(1‐(6‐ethoxy‐6‐oxohexyl)‐4‐pyridin‐1‐io)‐21H,23H‐porphyrin tetrabromide porphyrin is inserted into polymersomes in order to demonstrate that the encapsulation enhances its ability to generate highly reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) upon irradiation in vitro. The photoactivation of the free and polymersome‐encapsulated porphyrin is evaluated by electron spin resonance and cell viability assays on three different mammalian cell lines. The results indicate that by encapsulating the porphyrin, a controlled ROS delivery within the cells is achieved, at the same time avoiding side effects such as dark toxicity, non‐specific porphyrin release and over time decreased activity in vitro. This work focuses on showing a not‐toxic model system for modern therapeutic nanomedicine, which works under mild irradiation and dosage conditions.
Contact problems for bodies with complex coatings
Authors: Kazakov Kirill , Kurdina Svetlana
Published: December 2019

The paper deals with various statements and mathematical models of contact and contact‐wear problems for bodies with coatings. It is shown that the mathematical models for a number of such problems can be represented as a mixed integral equation or a system of mixed integral equations with additional conditions. It is also shown that these equations contain rapidly varying or even discontinuous functions in the case of interaction between bodies of complex shape and with some surface properties. Therefore, it is necessary to use a special approach for constructing efficient analytic solutions. Its implementation is demonstrated by an example.
Spectral deconvolution in electrophoretic NMR to investigate the migration of neutral molecules in electrolytes
Authors: Schmidt Florian , Pugliese Andrea , Santini Catherine C. , Castiglione Franca , Schönhoff Monika
Published: December 2019

Electrophoretic nuclear magnetic resonance (eNMR) is a powerful tool in studies of nonaqueous electrolytes, such as ionic liquids. It delivers electrophoretic mobilities of the ionic constituents and thus sheds light on ion correlations. In applications of liquid electrolytes, uncharged additives are often employed, detectable via 1H NMR. Characterizing their mobility and coordination to charged entities is desirable; however, it is often hampered by small intensities and 1H signals overlapping with major constituents of the electrolyte. In this work, we evaluate methods of phase analysis of overlapping resonances to yield electrophoretic mobilities even for minor constituents. We use phase‐sensitive spectral deconvolution via a set of Lorentz distributions for the investigation of the migration behavior of additives in two different ionic liquid‐based lithium salt electrolytes. For vinylene carbonate as an additive, no field‐induced drift is observed; thus, its coordination to the Li+ ion does not induce a correlated drift with Li+. On the other hand, in a solvate ionic liquid with tetraglyme (G4) as an additive, a correlated migration of tetraglyme with lithium as a complex solvate cation is directly proven by eNMR. The phase evaluation procedure of superimposed resonances thus broadens the applicability of eNMR to application‐relevant complex electrolyte mixtures containing neutral additives with superimposed resonances.
Fourier spectral method with an adaptive time strategy for nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation
Authors: Qu Haidong , She Zihang
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a Fourier spectral method with an adaptive time step strategy is proposed to solve the fractional nonlinear Schrödinger (FNLS) equation with periodic initial value problem. First, we prove the conservation law of the mass and the energy for the semi‐discrete Fourier spectral scheme. Second, the error estimation of the semi‐discrete scheme is given in the relevant fractional Sobolev space. Then, an adaptive time‐step strategy is designed to reduce central processing unit (CPU) time. Finally, the numerical experiments for the one‐, two‐ and three‐dimensional FNLSs, show that the adaptive strategy, compared to the constant time step, can reduce the CPU‐time by almost half.
A 10 nm Asymmetric Graphene–Rhenium Disulfide Field‐Effect Transistor for High‐Speed Application
Authors: Chawla Rashmi , Singhal Poonam , Garg Amit Kumar
Published: December 2019

Field‐effect transistor devices with exfoliated 2D materials are potent in various optical and electronics applications including photodetectors, valleytronics, spintronic, circuits, memory, and optical modulators. However, these devices endure limited gate control, low carrier mobility, and high operating voltage. This study introduces a new asymmetric graphene–rhenium disulfide heterojunction Schottky barrier metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor engineered with high graphene carrier mobility and high rhenium disulfide Ion–off ratio in a 10 nm channel‐length device. The proposed device has better gate control ability, Ion–off ratio of 106, high carrier mobility (87.44 cm2 V−1 s−1), and low subthreshold swing of 43.12 mV dec−1 in the subthreshold region at 0.05 V applied drain voltage. The significant reduction in subthreshold swing at low voltage opens a suite of high‐switching‐speed low‐powered nanologic applications for the upcoming Internet‐of‐Things era. The material properties of graphene–rhenium disulfide heterojunctions are derived using an ab initio quantum transport simulation tool.
Red‐Emitting InGaN‐Based Nanocolumn Light‐Emitting Diodes with Highly Directional Beam Profiles
Authors: Yanagihara Ai , Kishino Katsumi
Published: December 2019

Various InGaN/GaN pn‐junction nanocolumn arrays arranged in a triangle lattice are grown on the same substrate while changing the nanocolumn diameters (Dn‐GaN) of the underlying n‐side GaN region under the lattice constant (L) of 340 nm. The nanocolumn diameter increases during the growth of the active InGaN and p‐side GaN regions. The periodic arrangement of nanocolumns leads to a photonic crystal effect. Redshift of the band edge wavelength, from 573 to 629 nm, is observed as Dn‐GaN increases from 159 to 282 nm. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that the larger filling factor increases the effective refractive index of the nanocolumn system, resulting in a redshift of the band edge. The light diffraction at the photonic band edge induces the directional radiation beam from the surface of the nanocolumn system. Using the nanocolumn array with Dn‐GaN = 260 nm, the red‐emitting (λ = 637 nm) nanocolumn light‐emitting diodes with the radiation angle of ±30° are demonstrated.
The regulation and interaction of colon cancer‐associated transcript‐1 and miR7‐5p contribute to the inhibition of SP1 expression by solamargine in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Wu JingJing , Tang XiaoJuan , Ma ChangJu , Shi Yao , Wu WanYin , Hann Swei Sunny
Published: December 2019

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common head and neck malignancy with higher incidence in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Solamargine (SM), a steroidal alkaloid glycoside, has been shown to have anticancer properties. However, the underlying mechanism involved remains undetermined. In this study, we showed that SM inhibited the growth of NPC cells. Mechanistically, we found that solamargine decreased lncRNA colon cancer‐associated transcript‐1 (CCAT1) and increased miR7‐5p expression. There was a reciprocal interaction of CCAT1 and miR7‐5p. In addition, SM inhibited the expression of SP1 protein and promoter activity, which was strengthened by miR7‐5p mimics and inhibited by overexpressed CCAT1. MiR7‐5p could bind to 3'‐UTR of SP1 and attenuated SP1 gene expression. Exogenously expressed SP1 feedback resisted SM‐increased miR7‐5p expression and more importantly reversed SM‐inhibited growth of NPC cells. Finally, SM inhibited NPC tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, our results show that SM inhibits the growth of NPC cells through reciprocal regulation of CCAT1 and miR7‐5p, followed by inhibition of SP1 gene expression in vitro and in vivo. The interregulation and correlation among CCAT1, miR7‐5p and SP1, and the feedback regulatory loop unveil the novel molecular mechanism underlying the overall responses of SM in anti‐NPC.
Expressions of inhibitory checkpoint molecules in acute and chronic HBV and HCV infections: Implications for therapeutic monitoring and personalized therapy
Authors: Hakim Mohamad S. , Rahmadika Nofri , Jariah Rizka O. A.
Published: December 2019

The function of T cells is tightly controlled by positive and negative regulations to ensure both successful pathogen elimination and limitation of immune‐mediated pathology. One of the mechanisms to negatively regulate the magnitude and duration of effector T cells is the expression of inhibitory checkpoint molecules (ICs) on the surface membrane of T cells. During acute viral infections, expression of these molecules is upregulated to limit the effector functions following T‐cell activation. The expression is subsequently downregulated following viral clearance. In contrast, these molecules are continuously expressed in virus‐specific T cells found in persistently infected patients, including cases of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The continuously high expression of ICs is responsible for the dysfunctional states of HBV‐ and HCV‐specific T cells in chronic phases, known as T‐cell exhaustion. Hence, understanding the regulation of their expression is essential to give insight into pathogenesis as well as the development of effective immune‐based antiviral therapies. This review discusses recent updated research on expression of ICs during acute and chronic phases of HBV and HCV infections as well as during the clinical course of antiviral therapy.
Output regulation by postprocessing internal models for a class of multivariable nonlinear systems
Authors: Bin Michelangelo , Marconi Lorenzo
Published: December 2019

In this paper we propose a new design paradigm, which employs a postprocessing internal model unit, to approach the problem of output regulation for a class of multivariable minimum‐phase nonlinear systems possessing a partial normal form. Contrary to previous approaches, the proposed regulator handles control inputs of dimension larger than the number of regulated variables, provided that a controllability assumption holds, and can employ additional measurements that need not to vanish at the ideal error‐zeroing steady state, but that can be useful for stabilization purposes or to fulfill the minimum‐phase requirement. Conditions for practical and asymptotic output regulation are given, underlying how in postprocessing schemes the design of internal models is necessarily intertwined with that of the stabilizer.
Effect of Vanadium Oxides Composition Loaded on γAl2O3 Catalyst for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane to Propylene
Authors: Guo Jinjie , Li Xiuyan , Tang Yanhui , Zhang Juhua
Published: December 2019

The catalysts were prepared by impregnation method, and the mass fraction of vanadium on γAl2O3 was 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, respectivley (denoted as 3 V‐γAl2O3, 6 V‐γAl2O3, 9 V‐γAl2O3, 12 V‐γAl2O3 and 15 V‐γAl2O3). X‐ray diffraction(XRD), Raman spectroscopy(Raman), cyclic voltammetry(CV) and in‐situ infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were used to study the properties of series of vanadium oxides composition loaded on γAl2O3 catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene. The results show that the V−O‐Al bond and the V=O bond are formed at the 3 V‐γAl2O3 and 6 V‐γAl2O3 catalysts, and the vanadium oxides are uniformly dispersed on γAl2O3. With the increasing of vanadium loading, for 9 V‐γAl2O3, 12 V‐γAl2O3 and 15 V‐γAl2O3 catalysts, except V−O‐Al and V=O bond, there was appeared V−O‐V bond, indicating the formation of V2O5 crystal supported on γAl2O3 obviously. The uniform dispersion for low vanadium loading on γAl2O3, is favorable for the selectivity of propylene, and for high vanadium loading catalysts, the V2O5 crystal will accelerate the deep oxidation of propane. At 500°C, the propylene selectivity of the 3 V‐γAl2O3 catalyst was 75.9%, and the propane conversion was 12.5%. Whereas the propylene selectivity of the 15 V‐γAl2O3 catalyst was 67.3%, and the propane conversion was 10.7%.
A Novel Evaluation Method Developed for the Denitrogenation and Deoxygenation on Molecules in Coal during Catalytic Treatments
Authors: Dong Xueming , Fan Xing , Wang Chu‐Fan , Saikia Binoy K. , Wang Rui‐Yu , Lu Yao , Bai Hong‐Cun , Wei Xian‐Yong
Published: December 2019

In‐depth understanding of coal conversion processes is a key step for clean and efficient utilization of coals in chemical industry. Currently, most analytic methods aim to evaluate heteroatom release on the entire molecules. However, the production of value‐added chemicals from complex mixtures like coals are technically demanding which inevitably requires in‐depth fundamental knowledge of the treatment processes for coals. In‐source collision‐activated dissociation (ISCAD), a mass spectrometric method, can obtain details of aromatic cores and was employed in this work to provide in‐depth understanding of the catalytic conversion process of a low‐rank coal under different solvent conditions. Different heteroatom release patterns on aromatic and alkyl locations were observed for the solvents. Each solvent exhibited a characteristic preference over deoxygenation/denitrogenation on aromatic versus alkyl positions. Such preference is important for developing a desired catalytic treatment for a targeted heteroatom release. Overall, this study provides novel insights in catalytic heteroatom release processes during coal conversion that may be critical for the production of value‐added chemicals from coals.
Silver‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Enones/α‐Iodoenones from Tertiary Propargyl Alcohols
Authors: Naveen Naganaboina , Ramesh Golla , Balamurugan Rengarajan
Published: December 2019

Tertiary propargyl alcohols undergo smooth Meyer‐Schuster rearrangement to give enones in the presence of silver catalyst alone at room temperature. The intermediate can be trapped using NIS to make useful tetra substituted α‐iodoenones.
Graphite‐Aligned Ni/Ni(OH)2 Nanowire‐Based Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitors Exhibiting Excellent Cycle Stability, High Rate Performance, and Wide Operation Voltage
Authors: Pandey Rakesh K. , Totake Yuichiro , Soh Siowling , Nakanishi Hideyuki
Published: December 2019

We present a new design for an asymmetric supercapacitor combining a vertically aligned Ni/Ni(OH)2 nanowire array electrode and a graphite‐based electrode. The arrangement of these two electrodes in a sandwiched fashion allows the device to function at a high operating voltage window of 2.0 V in an aqueous electrolyte. A thin layer of Ni(OH)2 can be readily formed on Ni nanowires (NiNWs) to yield a Ni/Ni(OH)2 structure. The redox reaction of Ni(OH)2 formed on the surface of NiNWs was crucial in achieving improved capacitance over this wide voltage window. The modification of the graphite electrode using graphene flakes was found to provide a more stable response at high current densities. The shape of the voltammogram can be retained up to high values and thus the device can operate at very rapid charge/discharge rates at an enhanced voltage window. Furthermore, the capacitance was found to be unchanged after 10000 continuous potential cycles.
Origin of Luminescence‐Based Detection of Metal Ions by Mn–Doped ZnS Quantum Dots
Authors: Devaiah Chonamada Trupthi , Sharma Bhagwati , Nagesh Jayashree , Shibu Abhishek , Das Shyamashis , Bramhaiah Kommula , Rajendar Nasani , John Neena S. , Santra Pralay K.
Published: December 2019

The health hazards associated with heavy metal ions in water demand the development of efficient and portable sensors, for rapid onsite detection of these ions. Several research groups have developed colorimetric/visual sensors based on plasmonic nanomaterials and quantum dots (QDs). Attempts for specific detection of metal ions have been partially achieved through the interaction between the metal ion and the passivating ligands around the QD. However, the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. Here, we have used water‐soluble Mn‐doped ZnS QD to effectively detect Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ through the quenching of QD emission and understand the mechanism of sensing. Stern‐Volmer plots indicate that the quenching is static in nature for Pb2+, and Cd2+, while for Hg2+, it is a combination of static and dynamic quenching. Overall, the metal ions bind to the QD through the passivating ligand. After excitation, the electron from the conduction band of the QD can get injected to the metal ion – which decreases the photoluminescence of the QD. The electron injection depends on the reduction potential of the metal ion, the orbital overlap and the overall stabilization energy of the metal ions bound to the QD. Hence, this method of sensing is not selective to a specific metal ion. A solid state sensor of QD‐rGO composite detects Pb2+ down to 0.4 ppb. The findings will be important for future improvement of colorimetric/visual sensors based on QD emission.
In Situ Fabrication of Hierarchical CuO@Cu Microspheres Composed of Nanosheets as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Zhimiao , Xu Yunlong , Chen Yue , Zhang Wei , Li Keqiang , Zhang Huang
Published: December 2019

Transition metal oxides have been regarded as promising anode candidates for high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries. Herein, we report the fabrication of hierarchical CuO@Cu microspheres composed of nanosheets by an in‐situ oxidation process for lithium‐ion batteries. As anodes, the composite delivers a reversible specific capacity of 850 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, and maintains at 643 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 for 600 cycles. The superior reversible capacity and cycling stability of the CuO@Cu microspheres can be attributed to their unique hierarchical structure, which not only alleviates the structural variation, shortens the ion diffusion length upon cycling, but also improves the electrical conductivity with remained metallic Cu. The presented results offer an efficient way to design hierarchical micro‐nanostructure for high‐performance anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries.
An Energy‐Efficient, Wood‐Derived Structural Material Enabled by Pore Structure Engineering towards Building Efficiency
Authors: He Shuaiming , Chen Chaoji , Li Tian , Song Jianwei , Zhao Xinpeng , Kuang Yudi , Liu Yang , Pei Yong , Hitz Emily , Kong Weiqing , Gan Wentao , Yang Bao , Yang Ronggui , Hu Liangbing
Published: December 2019

The development of high‐performance structural materials for high‐rise building applications is critical in achieving the energy conservation goal mandated by the Department of Energy (DOE). However, there is usually a trade‐off between the mechanical strength and thermal insulation properties for these materials. Here, the optimization is demonstrated of natural wood to simultaneously improve the mechanical properties and thermal insulation for energy efficient high‐rise wood buildings. The improved wood material (strong white wood) features a complete delignification followed by a partial densification process (pore structure control), which enables substantially enhanced mechanical properties (≈3.4× in tensile strength, ≈3.2× in toughness) and reduced thermal conductivity (≈44% decrease in the transverse direction). The complete delignification process removes all lignin and partial hemicellulose from the cell walls of the wood structure, leading to an all‐cellulose microstructure with numerous aligned cellulose nanofibers. The partial densification optimizes the porosity of the delignified cellulose scaffold while enhancing the effectiveness of hydrogen bonding among aligned cellulose nanofibers. The simultaneously improved mechanical and thermal insulation properties of the wood material render it highly desirable for a wide range of modern engineering applications, especially as an energy‐efficient, strong, lightweight, environmentally‐benign, scalable, and low‐cost building material.
Horndeski model in nonlinearly realized supergravity
Authors: Yamada Yusuke , Yokoyama Jun’ichi
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We construct the Horndeski Lagrangian within non-linearly realized super- gravity. We will show that the bosonic part of the Horndeski Lagrangian can be realized. Gravitino naturally couples to Horndeski sector in a super-covariant way. Such gravitino couplings are also free from ghosts.