bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FGF mediated MAPK and PI3K/Akt Signals make distinct contributions to pluripotency and the establishment of Neural Crest
Authors: Geary Lauren , LaBonne Carole
Published: January 2018

Early vertebrate embryos possess cells with the potential to generate all embryonic cell types. While this pluripotency is progressively lost as cells become lineage restricted, Neural Crest cells retain broad developmental potential. Here, we provide novel insights into signals essential for both pluripotency and neural crest formation in Xenopus. We show that FGF signaling controls a subset of genes expressed by pluripotent blastula cells, and find a striking switch in the signaling cascades activated by FGF signaling as cells lose pluripotency and commence lineage restriction. Pluripotent cells display and require Map Kinase signaling, whereas PI3 Kinase/Akt signals increase as developmental potential is restricted, and are required for transit to certain lineage restricted states. Importantly, retaining a high Map Kinase/low Akt signaling profile is essential for establishing Neural Crest stem cells. These findings shed important light on the signal-mediated control of pluripotency and the molecular mechanisms governing genesis of Neural Crest.
Chimeras could help in the fight against leptospirosis
Authors: Santos Jademilson C , Nascimento Ana Lucia TO
Published: January 2018

Understanding the structure of an antigen can guide the design of improved antigen-based vaccines.
Are trampling effects by wild tundra reindeer understudied?
Authors: Heggenes Jan , Odland Arvid , Bjerketvedt Dag K.
Published: January 2018

Grazing and trampling by the wide-ranging wild tundra reindeer may have major top down landscape effects by causing vegetation changes. Grazing, as the collective effect of eating, trampling, defecation, and urination, has been studied extensively. In contrast, trampling effects per se are rarely studied, and almost never quantified, even though considered very important. The main reason appears to be methodological; effects of trampling imprints are difficult to measure and quantify systematically. In particular, in winter reindeer may largely subsist on slow-growing ground lichens. They grow in habitats with little snow cover and extensive soil frost, and dry lichen may be particularly susceptible to trampling, generating a likely substantial forage loss.
Bifurcación léxica en los proto-dobletes doctor/ dostor, fuerte/juerte, buena/güena, último/úrtimo y humilde/humirde: evidencias a partir de la distribución morfosintáctica y la reacción de un focus group
Authors:   Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (Chile), Cifuentes Edgardo , Salamanca Gastón ,   Universidad de Concepción (Chile)
Published: January 2018

Esta presentación es parte de una investigación más general, cuyo objetivo es describir el estado actual en la lengua y el proceso de cambio sufrido por cinco formas usadas en castellano de Chile: dostor, úrtimo, güena, juerte y humirde. La descripción de estos casos es relevante para el estudio de la formación de dobletes etimológicos, ya que hay importantes similitudes entre estos ejemplos y algunos dobletes históricos. En Cifuentes (2015a, 2015b), se focaliza, por una parte, la conciencia del valor distintivo de los fonemas consonánticos en posición de neutralización en el español de Chile y el lugar que ocupa este fenómeno en el proceso de innovación léxica, y, por otra, los resultados de una encuesta aplicada a 200 hablantes del español de Chile, respecto del significado de los proto-dobletes, respectivamente. En el artículo que nos ocupa, focalizamos otros dos aspectos que constituyen evidencias de la bifurcación léxica en estos casos: la distribución morfosintáctica y la reacción de un focus group respecto de los integrantes de los proto-dobletes mencionados. Se concluye que, en general, las formas que integran los proto-dobletes estudiados tienen una distribución morfosintáctica diferente y que los hablantes establecen una diferencia semántica consistente entre ellas.
Zenith: A Radiosonde Detector for Rapid‐Response Ionizing Atmospheric Radiation Measurements During Solar Particle Events
Authors: Dyer A. C. R. , Ryden K. A. , Hands A. D. P. , Dyer C. , Burnett C. , Gibbs M.
Published: January 2018

Solar energetic particle events create radiation risks for aircraft, notably single‐event effects in microelectronics along with increased dose to crew and passengers. In response to this, some airlines modify their flight routes after automatic alerts are issued. At present these alerts are based on proton flux measurements from instruments onboard satellites, so it is important that contemporary atmospheric radiation measurements are made and compared. This paper presents the development of a rapid‐response system built around the use of radiosondes equipped with a radiation detector, Zenith, which can be launched from a Met Office weather station after significant solar proton level alerts are issued. Zenith is a compact, battery‐powered solid‐state radiation monitor designed to be connected to a Vaisala RS‐92 radiosonde, which transmits all data to a ground station as it ascends to an altitude of ~33 km. Zenith can also be operated as a stand‐alone detector when connected to a laptop, providing real‐time count rates. It can also be adapted for use on unmanned aerial vehicles. Zenith has been flown on the Met Office Civil Contingency Aircraft, taken to the European Organization for Nuclear Research‐EU high energy Reference Field facility for calibration and launched on a meteorological balloon at the Met Office's weather station in Camborne, Cornwall, UK. During this sounding, Zenith measured the Pfotzer‐Regener maximum to be at an altitude of 18–20 km where the count rate was measured to be 1.15 c s−1 cm−2 compared to 0.02 c s−1 cm−2 at ground level.
Multiscale Modeling of Microstructure‐Property Relationships of Polycrystalline Metals during Thermo‐Mechanical Deformation
Authors: Knezevic Marko , Beyerlein Irene J.
Published: January 2018

The plastic deformation of polycrystalline metals is primarily carried by the crystallographic glide of dislocations and growth of deformation twins. According to the thermodynamic theory of slip, dislocation motion is thermally activated, while deformation twinning is an athermal process. Dislocations must overcome barriers in order to move, while twins must relax the stored energy while growing. These concepts define the critical activation stresses on a slip or twin crystallographic system and how they evolve with plastic strain. This article reviews recent advances in the development of a model for the critical activation stresses for thermally activated glide and the expansion of deformation twins, its implementation into polycrystal plasticity models, and several applications for predicting the constitutive response of polycrystalline metals. Calculations are performed for a range of polycrystalline metals differing in microstructural complexity and crystal structure. These examples include face‐centered cubic AA6022‐T4, IN718, Haynes 25, and pure Cu, body‐centered cubic Nb, Ta, Ta‐10W, and steel DP590, hexagonal close‐packed pure Be, pure Zr, pure Ti, AZ31, Mg4Li, and orthorhombic U. Excellent agreement with experimental measurement are demonstrated in terms of texture, stress–strain response, and geometrical changes in the samples during deformation for all these metals.
3D Carbon Electrocatalysts In Situ Constructed by Defect‐Rich Nanosheets and Polyhedrons from NaCl‐Sealed Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Tao Li , Xiao Zhaohui , Chen Ru , Jiang Zhongqing , Wang Shuangyin
Published: January 2018

The proper structure design and defect engineering are of essential importance to develop advanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is a critical reaction in both fundamental science and industrial applications. Herein, a three‐dimensional carbon electrocatalyst is prepared by in‐situ linking carbon polyhedrons with nanosheets through high‐temperature pyrolysis of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) confined in a salt‐sealed reactor. In the transformation to polyhedrons, the organic species partially decompose and form carbon nanosheets due to being confined in the salt reactor. The in ‐situ‐formed carbon nanosheets surround the carbon polyhedrons to form a 3D carbon network. Due to the confinement effect, the transformation of MOFs to carbon networks in the salt reactor is of high yield without significant loss of active carbon species, which would enhance the electron and mass transport for electrocatalysis. More interestingly, the as‐prepared 3D nanosheet‐linked‐polyhedron carbon (NLPC) is defect‐rich with high N‐doping levels and enriched active sites for electrocatalysis. With enhanced mass, electron transport, and enriched active sites, the material shows excellent activity as ORR electrocatalyst which is even comparable with Pt/C. The primary zinc‐air batteries assembled by the NLPC as the cathode also show outstanding performance.
Use of Mesoscopic Host Matrix to Induce Ferrimagnetism in Antiferromagnetic Spinel Oxide
Authors: Park Chaewoon , Wu Rui , Lu Ping , Zhao Hui , Yang Jinbo , Zhang Bruce , Li Weiwei , Yun Chao , Wang Haiyan , MacManus‐Driscoll Judith L. , Cho Seungho
Published: January 2018

Despite the advances in the methods for fabricating nanoscale materials, critical issues remain, such as the difficulties encountered in anchoring, and the deterioration in their stability after integration with other components. These issues need to be addressed to further increase the scope of their applicability. In this study, using epitaxial mesoscopic host matrices, materials are spatially confined at the nanoscale, and are supported, anchored, and stabilized. They also exhibit properties distinct from the bulk counterparts proving their high quality nanoscale nature. ZnFe2O4 and SrTiO3 are used as the model confined material and host matrix, respectively. The ZnFe2O4 phases are spatially confined by the SrTiO3 mesoscopic matrix and have strongly enhanced ferrimagnetic properties as compared to bulk and plain thin films of ZnFe2O4, with a Curie temperature of ≈500 K. The results of a series of control experiments and characterization measurements indicate that cationic inversion, which originates from the high interface‐to‐volume ratio of the ZnFe2O4 phase in the ZnFe2O4–SrTiO3 nanocomposite film, is responsible for the magnetization enhancement. An exchange bias is observed, owing to the coexistence of ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic regions in the confined ZnFe2O4 phase. The magnetic properties are dependent on the ZnFe2O4 crystallite size, which can be controlled by the growth conditions.
New Class of Efficient Terahertz Generators: Effective Terahertz Spectral Filling by Complementary Tandem Configuration of Nonlinear Organic Crystals
Authors: Kang Bong Joo , Lee Seung‐Heon , Kim Won Tae , Lee Seung‐Chul , Lee Kanghee , Benacchio Giordano , Montemezzani Germano , Jazbinsek Mojca , Kwon O‐Pil , Rotermund Fabian
Published: January 2018

Intense table‐top terahertz (THz) sources, which have progressed tremendously in the last decade, are becoming more important for advanced THz science to study light–matter interactions and subsequent applications. Nonlinear optical organic crystals exhibit great potential for intense broadband THz wave generation due to their large nonlinearities and advantageous phase‐matching characteristics. However, the phonon‐induced absorption of most organic crystals in the THz region leads to undesired modulation of the spectrum and limits the THz output efficiency. To overcome such drawbacks, phonon‐mode engineering by modification of molecular structures is suggested, but intrinsic limitations still remain. Here, an efficient alternative approach has been recently proposed for generating intense broadband THz waves based on a tandem configuration that combines two complementary nonlinear organic crystals. Such configuration compensates for the spectral gap of the generated THz waves mainly caused by phonon absorption and additionally enhances the optical‐to‐THz conversion efficiency. The proposed organic tandem generator indicates a substantial enhancement of the peak‐to‐peak THz electric field due to effective spectral filling at phonon absorption gaps. As a result, such tandem configuration provides a versatile platform to generate gapless broadband THz spectra with suppressed phonon absorption and contributes to advancing the development of intense broadband coherent THz sources.
Biomimetic Architectures for Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Review of Biofabrication Strategies
Authors: Wieringa Paul A. , Gonçalves de Pinho Ana Rita , Micera Silvestro , van Wezel Richard J. A. , Moroni Lorenzo
Published: January 2018

Biofabrication techniques have endeavored to improve the regeneration of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), but nothing has surpassed the performance of current clinical practices. However, these current approaches have intrinsic limitations that compromise patient care. The “gold standard” autograft provides the best outcomes but requires suitable donor material, while implantable hollow nerve guide conduits (NGCs) can only repair small nerve defects. This review places emphasis on approaches that create structural cues within a hollow NGC lumen in order to match or exceed the regenerative performance of the autograft. An overview of the PNS and nerve regeneration is provided. This is followed by an assessment of reported devices, divided into three major categories: isotropic hydrogel fillers, acting as unstructured interluminal support for regenerating nerves; fibrous interluminal fillers, presenting neurites with topographical guidance within the lumen; and patterned interluminal scaffolds, providing 3D support for nerve growth via structures that mimic native PNS tissue. Also presented is a critical framework to evaluate the impact of reported outcomes. While a universal and versatile nerve repair strategy remains elusive, outlined here is a roadmap of past, present, and emerging fabrication techniques to inform and motivate new developments in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration.
Efficient Metacoupler for Complex Surface Plasmon Launching
Authors: Xu Quan , Zhang Xueqian , Wei Minggui , Ren Guanhua , Xu Yuehong , Li Yanfeng , Wang Huabin , Ouyang Chunmei , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: January 2018

Surface plasmons (SPs) promise versatile potential applications in many aspects and thus have been a subject of enormous interest. As the most essential functionality, efficient coupling of free‐space light into complex SP field is of particular interest in current research. Most existing methods only focus on either efficient coupling or complex SP field generation, which is insufficient to support the ever‐increasing demand of practical applications. Herein, it is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally that a metasurface composed of properly designed C‐shaped slit resonators can function as an efficient SP coupler. More importantly, it is shown that the phase and amplitude of the coupled SPs can be simultaneously manipulated, which would offer considerable design flexibilities for complex SP launching. This methodology can provide a wide platform for the design and fabrication of high‐performance plasmonic devices in the future, especially large‐area ones in practical applications.
Carboxyl‐Directed Conjugate Addition of C−H Bonds to α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones in Air and Water
Authors: Han Wen‐Jing , Pu Fan , Li Chao‐Jun , Liu Zhong‐Wen , Fan Juan , Shi Xian‐Ying
Published: January 2018

A simple ruthenium‐catalyzed conjugate addition of C−H bonds to α,β‐unsaturated ketones directed by a removable carboxyl group was developed as an effective protocol to synthesize ortho‐alkylated benzoic acids in a greener manner. Without any additives, satisfactory to excellent yields of the targeted products were achieved in neat water, and the process characterizes in mild reaction conditions (in air and water), simple operations, and broad substrate scope. Noteworthy features of this method include mild reaction conditions (in air and water), operational simplicity and broad substrate scope. The versatility and utility of the addition products were demonstrated through further transformation into commonly inaccessible but highly useful motifs of meta‐substituted alkylbenzenes and 3‐substituted isochromanones.

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Conversion of Primary Amines to Symmetrical Secondary and Tertiary Amines using a Co‐Rh Heterobimetallic Nanocatalyst
Authors: Chung Hyunho , Han Seulgi , Chung Young Keun , Park Ji Hoon
Published: January 2018

Symmetrical tertiary amines have been efficiently realized from amine and secondary amines via deaminated homocoupling with heterogeneous bimetallic Co2Rh2/C as catalyst (molar ratio Co:Rh=2:2). Unsymmetric secondary anilines were produced from the reaction of anilines with symmetric tertiary amines. The Co2Rh2/C catalyst exhibited very high catalytic activity towards a wide range of amines and could be conveniently recycled ten times without considerable leaching.

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I2‐Triggered Reductive Generation of N‐Centered Iminyl Radicals: An Isatin‐to‐Quinoline Strategy for the Introduction of Primary Amides
Authors: Gao Qinghe , Liu Zhaomin , Wang Yakun , Wu Xia , Zhang Jixia , Wu Anxin
Published: January 2018

An efficient and alternative isatin‐to‐quinoline strategy illustrates the metal‐like behavior of molecular iodine in the N−O reduction of ketoxime acetates. This process involves N−O/C−N bond cleavages and C−C/C−N bond formation to furnish pharmacologically significant quinoline‐4‐carboxamide derivatives. In this process, metal catalysts and extra oxidants are unnecessary. Mechanistic studies confirm the crucial role of molecular iodine in the iminyl radical generation process, in that molecular iodine can catalyze single‐electron reduction coupling reactions in a manner similar to transition metals.

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Formic Acid‐Based Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier System with Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Zhong Heng , Iguchi Masayuki , Chatterjee Maya , Himeda Yuichiro , Xu Qiang , Kawanami Hajime
Published: January 2018

Formic acid (HCOOH), with a hydrogen capacity of 4.3 wt%, has attracted increasing interest in the utilization as a promising H2 carrier. The CO2HCOOH cycle is believed to be a simple and environmental friendly process for the charge and discharge of H2. In this review, the state‐of‐the‐art technologies and recent results of the heterogeneously catalyzed dehydrogenation of formic acid are summarized. Based on these achievements, future outlooks for improving this system for practical applications are proposed.
Estimation and application of semiparametric stochastic volatility models based on kernel density estimation and hidden Markov models
Authors: Hao Hong‐Xia , Lin Jin‐Guan , Huang Xing‐Fang , Wang Hong‐Xia , Zhao Yan‐Yong
Published: January 2018

Discrete‐time stochastic volatility models play a key role in the analysis of financial time series. However, the parametric assumption of conditional distribution for asset returns, given the volatility, has been questioned. When the conditional distribution is unknown and unspecified, in this paper, a maximum‐likelihood estimation approach for the semiparametric stochastic volatility models is proposed based on kernel density estimation and hidden Markov models. Several numerical studies are conducted to evaluate the finite sample performance of the proposed estimation method. Implementation on empirical studies also illustrates the validity of the proposed method in practice.
The radial and rotational velocity of ζ Ophiuchi
Authors: Zehe T. , Mugrauer M. , Neuhäuser R. , Pannicke A. , Lux O. , Bischoff R. , Wöckel D. , Wagner D.
Published: January 2018

We present the results of our spectroscopic monitoring campaign of ζ Oph, carried out at the University observatory Jena with the spectrograph FLECHAS between July 2015 and September 2016. The main aim of the project was to determine the radial velocity of the star precisely, as a wide range of radial velocity measurements of ζ Oph are given in the literature. Besides the proper motion and parallax, the radial velocity is an important input parameter for the calculation of the space motion of the star. ζ Oph is considered to be a runaway star and potential former companion of the progenitor star of the pulsar PSR J1932+1059, both of which may have been located in a binary system and were then released during a supernova explosion about 1 Myr ago in the Upper Scorpius OB association. For the conclusion that the pulsar and ζ Oph could have been at the same place, a radial velocity of −9.0 km s−1 for ζ Oph was used in the literature. By analyzing the hydrogen and helium lines in 48 FLECHAS spectra, we determined the radial velocity of ζ Oph to be 12.2 ± 3.3 km s−1 and the projected rotational velocity to be 432 ± 16 km s−1 with no indication of variability.
Formation of Rhodium Metal Ensembles that Facilitate Nitric Oxide Reduction over Rhodium/Ceria in a Stoichiometric Nitric Oxide–Carbon Monoxide–Propene–Oxygen Reaction
Authors: Ohyama Junya , Nishiyama Takumi , Satsuma Atsushi
Published: January 2018

A series of ceria‐supported Rh nanoparticles (NPs) that have various particle sizes of 2–7 nm was prepared to investigate the size effect of Rh NPs on NO reduction in NO–CO–C3H6–O2 under stoichiometric conditions. The turnover frequency (TOF) for NO reduction on Rh NPs increased drastically according to their particle size. The strong size dependence of the TOF was attributed to the oxidation states of Rh NPs but not to particle geometries, which include fractions of surface local sites (e.g., corner, edge, plane) and the surface crystal structures (e.g., Rh(1 1 1), (1 0 0)). The variation of the TOF with the Rh metal fraction suggested that Rh metal ensembles are highly active species for NO reduction.
A Phase 1, Randomized, Placebo‐ and Active‐Controlled Crossover Study to Determine the Effect of Single‐Dose Ertugliflozin on QTc Interval in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Sahasrabudhe Vaishali , Saur Didier , Matschke Kyle , Terra Steven G. , Hickman Anne , Huyghe Isabelle , Shi Haihong , Cutler David L.
Published: January 2018

Ertugliflozin, a selective sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor, is being developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This randomized, 6‐sequence, 3‐period crossover study assessed the effect of ertugliflozin (100 mg; supratherapeutic dose) vs placebo and moxifloxacin (400 mg; positive control) on the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) in 42 male or female healthy subjects. Triplicate electrocardiograms were performed predose and serially over 48 hours postdose in each treatment period. The maximum observed least‐squares mean (90% CI) difference in QTc using the Fridericia correction (QTcF) between ertugliflozin and placebo was 2.99 (1.68, 4.30) milliseconds, 24 hours postdose, below the 5‐millisecond threshold of potential clinical concern. The upper limits of the 2‐sided 90% CI were less than 10 milliseconds at all postdose time points. The lower 90% CIs for the least‐squares mean QTcF difference between moxifloxacin and placebo were greater than 5 milliseconds at the preselected time points of 2, 3, and 4 hours postdose, establishing study sensitivity. The majority of adverse events were mild in severity. In healthy volunteers, at a supratherapeutic dose of 100 mg, ertugliflozin was not associated with QTc interval prolongation.
Paleoecological evidence for decadal increase in phytoplankton biomass off northwestern Australia in response to climate change
Authors: Yuan Zineng , Liu Dongyan , Keesing John K. , Zhao Meixun , Guo Shixin , Peng Yajun , Zhang Hailong
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Ocean warming can modify the phytoplankton biomass on decadal scales. Significant increases in sea surface temperature (SST) and rainfall in the northwest of Australia over recent decades are attributed to climate change. Here, we used four biomarker proxies (TEX86 index, long‐chain n‐alkanes, brassicasterol, and dinosterol) to reconstruct approximately 60‐year variations of SST, terrestrial input, and diatom and dinoflagellate biomass in the coastal waters of the remote Kimberley region. The results showed that the most significant increases in SST and terrestrial input occurred since 1997, accompanied by an abrupt increase in diatom and dinoflagellate biomasses. Compared with the results before 1997, the average temperature during 1997–2011 increased approximately 1°C, rainfall increased 248.2 mm, brassicasterol and dinosterol contents increased 8.5 and 1.7 times. Principal component analysis indicated that the warming SST played a more important role in the phytoplankton increase than increased rainfall and river discharge.
Development of an EUV Microscope with Focused Coherent EUV Based on Coherent Diffraction Imaging Method for Defect Evaluation on an EUV Mask
Authors: HARADA TETSUO , HASHIMOTO HIRAKU , WATANABE TAKEO
Published: January 2018

For evaluation of defects on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) masks at the blank state of manufacturing, we developed a microcoherent EUV scatterometry microscope (micro‐CSM). The illumination source is coherent EUV light with a 140‐nm focus diameter on the defect using a Fresnel zoneplate. This system directly observes the reflection and diffraction signals from a phase defect. The phase and the intensity image of the defect is reconstructed with the diffraction images using ptychography, which is an algorithm of the coherent diffraction imaging. We observed programmed phase defect on a blank EUV mask. Phase distributions of these programmed defects were well reconstructed quantitatively. We also observed actual defects which were inspected by the ABI tool. Actual amplitude defect and phase defect images were reconstructed with intensity and phase contrast. The reconstructed image indicated the defect type of these defect. The micro‐CSM is very powerful tool to evaluate an EUV phase defect.
Severity of hypoglycaemia and health‐related quality of life, work productivity and healthcare costs in patients with type 2 diabetes in Europe
Authors: Pawaskar Manjiri , Witt Edward A. , Engel Samuel S. , Rajpathak Swapnil N. , Iglay Kristy
Published: January 2018

Aims

Hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with poor health outcomes, such as reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of hypoglycaemic events by severity on HRQoL, work productivity and healthcare costs in patients with T2DM.

Materials and Methods

European patients with T2DM selected from the National Health and Wellness Survey who were currently receiving pharmacologic therapy were stratified into 3 groups based on the reported history and severity of hypoglycaemic events (no event, nonsevere, severe) experienced in the previous 3 months. Patients’ work productivity, HRQoL, healthcare resource use (HCRU) and associated costs were assessed as self‐reported outcomes.

Results

Of 1269 patients included in the study, 652 (51.4%) patients had not experienced an event, while 533 (42.0%) and 84 (6.6%) patients had experienced nonsevere and severe hypoglycaemic events, respectively, in the previous 3 months. An increase in hypoglycaemia severity was associated with a decrease in HRQoL, and an increase in HCRU and healthcare costs.

Conclusions

The impact of hypoglycaemia varies by severity and has a negative impact on HRQoL and overall HCRU and costs.
Hydrozirconation of C=X Functionalities with Schwartz's Reagent
Authors: Więcław Michał M. , Stecko Sebastian
Published: January 2018

Hydrozirconation of various C=X functionalities with Schwartz's reagent is a powerful method for preparing functionalized organic molecules, for instance aldehydes, amines, and amides. The reactions of [Cp2Zr(H)Cl] with amides, lactams, nitriles or isocyanates proceed under mild conditions. These transformations are remarkably chemoselective as Schwartz's reagent is compatible with various functional groups, including electrophilic functionalities such as ester, nitrile, nitro, and halogens. This compatibility enables many hydrozirconation reactions to be combined with other synthetic methods, and enables performing the reactions in a one‐pot fashion as multicomponent processes.
Increased pain sensitivity in migraine and tension‐type headache coexistent with low back pain: A cross‐sectional population study
Authors: Ashina S. , Lipton R.B. , Bendtsen L. , Hajiyeva N. , Buse D.C. , Lyngberg A.C. , Jensen R.
Published: January 2018

Background

Low back pain is common in the general population and in individuals with primary headaches. We assessed the relative frequency of self‐reported back pain in persons with and without primary headaches and examined pain sensitivity.

Method

A population of 796 individuals completed a headache interview based on ICHD criteria and provided data of interest in a self‐administered questionnaire. Headache cases were classified into chronic (≥15) (CH) or episodic (<15 headache days/month) (EH). A total of 495 had a pericranial total tenderness score (TTS), and 494 had cephalic and extracephalic pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) assessed.

Results

Adjusted for age, gender, education and poor self‐rated health, 1‐year relative frequency of back pain was higher in individuals with CH (82.5%) and EH (80.1%) compared to no headache group (65.7%). In persons with back pain, TTS was higher in CH, (26.3 ± 12.1) than in EH, (18.5 ± 10.0; p < 0.001) and higher in both groups than in those with no headache, 10.8 ± 8.5 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In persons with back pain, temporalis PPT were lower in CH, 169.3 ± 57.8, than in EH, 225.2 ± 98.1, and in no headache group, 244.3 ± 105.4 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). In persons with back pain, finger PPT were lower in CH, 237.1 ± 106.7, than in EH, 291.3 ± 141.3, or in no headache group, 304.3 ± 137.4 (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Back pain is highly frequent in individuals with CH, followed by EH and no headache. In persons with CH, back pain is associated with lower cephalic and extracephalic PPTs suggesting central sensitization may be a substrate or consequence of comorbidity.

Significance

We found that back pain has high relative frequency in individuals with CH followed EH and no headache. Back pain is associated with low cephalic and extracephalic PPTs in individuals with CH. Central sensitization may be a substrate or consequence of this comorbidity of back pain and CH.
Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers based on silica modified by deep eutectic solvents for the rapid simultaneous magnetic‐based solid‐phase extraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge, Glycine max (Linn.) Merr and green tea
Authors: Li Guizhen , Wang Xiaoqin , Row Kyung Ho
Published: January 2018

Novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) with multiple‐template based on silica were modified by four types of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the rapid simultaneous magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) of tanshinone Ⅰ, tanshinone ⅡA, and cryptotanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge; glycitein, genistein, and daidzein from Glycine max (Linn.) Merr; and epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate from green tea, respectively. The synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Single factor experiments were to explore the relationship between the extraction efficiency and four factors (the sample solution pH, amount of DESs for modification, amount of adsorbent, and extraction time). It was showed that the DES4‐MMIPs have better extraction ability than the MMIPs without DESs and the other three DESs‐modified MMIPs. The best extraction recoveries with DES4‐MMIP were tanshinone Ⅰ (85.57%), tanshinone ⅡA (80.58%), cryptotanshinone (92.12%), glycitein (81.65%), genistein (87.72%), daidzein (92.24%), epicatechin (86.43%), epigallocatechin gallate (80.92%), and epicatechin gallate (93.64%), respectively. The novel multiple‐template MMIPs materials modified by DES for the rapid simultaneous MSPE of active compounds were proved to reduce the experimental steps than single‐template technique, and increase the extraction efficiency.
Consider issues tied to criminal background checks in admissions process
Authors: Porter Michael
Published: January 2018

In the debate about whether to conduct criminal background checks in the admissions process, an institution's value of campus safety and the perception that a campus is safe bump up against the value of access to higher education. Many colleges and universities feel pressure to use criminal background checks because doing so might protect against potential liability and can also demonstrate the institution's commitment to campus safety.
Chromium(VI) removal by bone char–ZnO composite: Parameters optimization by response surface methodology and modeling
Authors: Ranjbar Neda , Hashemi Seyedenayat , Ramavandi Bahman , Ravanipour Masomeh
Published: January 2018

This study presents the efficiency of bone char‐ –ZnO for eliminating chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions. The bone char‐ –ZnO composite was provided using sol‐–gel method. The elemental, morphology, surface analysis of bone char‐ –ZnO were fully studied. The prepared composite was mostly composed of Ca5(PO4)3OH and had a specific surface area of 28.09 m2/g. Results indicated that central composite design (CCD) has a desirable ability (R2 > 0.87) to predict chromium(VI) removal by bone char‐ –ZnO. Furthermore, the results suggest that the removal efficiency increased with the elevation of adsorbent dose, shaking rate, temperature, and contact time. Isotherm and kinetics investigation indicated that chromium adsorption process follows Langmuir model (R2 > 0.97 and Qm= 84.03 mg/g) and second‐ order kinetic model (R2 > 0.999). The values of ΔH° and ΔS° of the chromium adsorption reaction by bone char‐ –ZnO were obtained as 580 kJ/mol and 5.5 kJ/mol K, respectively, suggesting spontaneity and endothermicity of the reaction. Desorption study was also performed by two desorbent agents of distilled water and nitric acid. Overall, it can be concluded that the bone char‐ –ZnO composite is an efficient and potential adsorbent to be used in water and wastewater treatment plants. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1684–1695, 2018
Decoupling analysis of transportation carbon emissions and economic growth in China
Authors: Han Xiaoyu , Xu Yanqing , Kumar Ashok , Lu Xinwei
Published: January 2018

The development of low‐carbon transportation is growing rapidly, which plays an increasingly important functional role in economic growth and dealing with climate change. The transport carbon emissions in China between 1995 and 2014 using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emission‐factor approach are estimated in this research. This article analyzes the decoupling relationship between transport carbon emissions and economic growth in China and puts forward a decoupling volatility index to evaluate the stability of decoupling by applying Tapio's decoupling model which is composed of structure, technology, and scale decoupling elasticity. From the results, the relationships between transport carbon emissions and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and transport carbon emission and its added value, appear to be complex characteristics of the stages and experience a process of weak decoupling. The relationship between added value of transportation and energy consumption intensity is relatively simple and experience a process of strong negative decoupling, while energy consumption intensity and GDP show a strong decoupling relationship. The four elastic decoupling fluctuation indices are large, which illustrate that the state of decoupling is not stable. Policies are made available to facilitate a better understanding of transportation structure, fuel type, and energy efficiency. Future research will focus on aspects of spatial analysis, formation mechanism, and driver factor analysis. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1696–1704, 2018
Location‐dependent sensing data collection and processing mechanism in vehicular network
Authors: Rui Lanlan , Zhang Yao , Zhang Pan , Qiu Xuesong
Published: January 2018

With the promotion of the Internet of Things, in which a growing number of objects in everyday life are able to communicate with each other, crowdsensing has attracted public attention. Among different devices, vehicles with various sensors can perform the traffic data collection tasks released by the traffic center, which is helpful for monitoring road conditions. Thus, we use crowdsensing between vehicles to improve the precision of traffic state estimation. We also propose a location‐dependent sensing task assignment mechanism for traffic data collection and a multisource data fusion model for traffic data processing in a vehicular network. First, we establish a mathematical model for the sensing task assignment considering the vehicle's time budget constraint, location, and collection task requirements. We then propose a task assignment algorithm consisting of determining the order for vehicle allocation and scheduling the optimal collection path for each vehicle, which aims to achieve maximum platform utility. Furthermore, we put forward a fusion model, including spatial fusion and temporal fusion, to better process the collected data. We use a power average operator for the spatial fusion and a temporal correlation–based data compression algorithm for the temporal fusion. The obtained simulation results validate the accuracy and correctness of our approach.
Directionality and volatility in high‐frequency time series
Authors: Mansor Mahayaudin M. , Green David A. , Metcalfe Andrew V.
Published: January 2018

We provide empirical evidence of directionality in high‐frequency multivariate time series of the five largest U.S. banks between 1999 and 2017. The directionality is more apparent during crisis periods than during noncrisis periods, and it has only a low association with volatility. We use directionality and volatility as a regime‐switching criterion between two‐regime threshold vector autoregressive (TVAR) models for forecasting share prices. We compare the forecasting performances using mean relative error squared, and a weighted average of the forecasting error, with weights based on the estimated conditional variance, for individual model components and as a group. We have demonstrated that moving directionality can provide early warning of increased volatility and crisis periods, and has potential for improving one‐step ahead forecasts usingTVAR(1) models.
An intutionistic approach based on failure mode and effect analysis for prioritizing corrective and preventive strategies
Authors: Can Gülin Feryal
Published: January 2018

Although Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a prominent approach that has been used with convenience as the most popular risk definition and evaluation tool related to a system, a product, or a service, it has several deficiencies. This study addresses these deficiencies and proposes a new intuitionistic approach, which combines FMEA and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) by implementing a new intuitionistic scale. Intuitionistic FMEA‐WASPAS can handle uncertainty, vagueness, and hesitancy of the risk evaluation process and provides flexibility for risk assessment. In this study, rankings of corrective‐preventive strategies for failure modes (FMs) are obtained by the proposed approach. To compute Intuitionistic Fuzzy Risk Priority Numbers, occurrence, severity, detection, cost, duration of exposure, and system safety factors are used. A numerical example is also illustrated to present the practicality and effectiveness of the Intuitionistic FMEA‐WASPAS approach.
Policy uncertainty and aggregate fluctuations
Authors: Mumtaz Haroon , Surico Paolo
Published: January 2018

This paper estimates the impact on the US economy of four types of uncertainty about (i) government spending, (ii) tax changes, (iii) public debt, and (iv) monetary policy. Uncertainty about government debt has a large and persistent effect on output, consumption, investment, consumer confidence, and business confidence. Uncertainty about tax changes also has detrimental consequences for real activity but the effect of spending and monetary policy uncertainty appears to be small. About 25%of output fluctuations are accounted for by policy uncertainty, with government debt making the largest contribution at longer horizons.
Self‐Assembly Behavior of Dendritic Liquid Crystals and its Implications in the Packing Structure of Functional Molecular Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Chien‐Lung , Prakoso Suhendro Purbo , Wu San‐Lien
Published: January 2018

In this mini‐review, the self‐assembly characteristics of dendritic liquid crystals (LCs) are summarized. By studying and comparing the mesomorphic behavior of dendritic LCs with various core units and peripheral mesogenic units, their packing principle is established. It is found that the chirality, connecting position, and curvature of the peripheral mesogenic units play significant roles in the resulting self‐assembly structures of dendritic LCs, whereas the core symmetry and strength of intramolecular interaction affect the geometry and conformational preferences of the dendritic LCs. This fundamental knowledge gives useful guidelines to predict the self‐assembly behaviors of novel functional molecular nanoparticles, which share very similar molecular architecture with dendritic LCs.
Over‐expression of DEC1 inhibits myogenic differentiation by modulating MyoG activity in bovine satellite cell
Authors: Huang Yongzhen , Lai Xinsheng , Hu Linyong , Lei Chuzhao , Lan Xianyong , Zhang Chunlei , Ma Yun , Zheng Li , Bai Yue‐Yu , Lin Fengpeng , Chen Hong
Published: January 2018

Differentiated embryo chondrocyte 1 (DEC1), a member of basic‐helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor Bhlhe40, also called stimulated by retinoic acid 13, STRA13, plays an important role in the regulation of adipogenesis, tumorigenesis, peripheral circadian output, response to hypoxia, and development of metabolic syndrome. Previous studies suggested that DEC1 was involved in skeletal muscle development; however, its precise role in myoblast differentiation has not been determined. In the present study, we showed that DEC1 expressed ubiquitously in different bovine tissues and was down‐regulated in differentiated bovine satellite cells. Expression of muscle specific transcription factors (Myf5, MyoD, MyoG, and MHC) was significantly down‐regulated when DEC1 was over‐expressed by both CoCl2‐simulated hypoxia and Adenovirus‐mediated transduction in bovine satellite cells. Consistent with that, promoter analyses via luciferase reporter assay also revealed that overexpression of bovine DEC1 could inhibit MyoG promoter activity. In conclusion, overexpression of DEC1 blocked myogenesis by inhibiting MyoG promoter activity in bovine. Our results provided a new mechanism for the muscle growth, which would contribute to increase cattle meat productivity.
Obesity and Pediatric Drug Development
Authors: Vaughns Janelle D. , Conklin Laurie S. , Long Ying , Zheng Panli , Faruque Fahim , Green Dionna J. , van den Anker John N. , Burckart Gilbert J.
Published: January 2018

There is a lack of dosing guidelines for use in obese children. Moreover, the impact of obesity on drug safety and clinical outcomes is poorly defined. The paucity of information needed for the safe and effective use of drugs in obese patients remains a problem, even after drug approval. To assess the current incorporation of obesity as a covariate in pediatric drug development, the pediatric medical and clinical pharmacology reviews under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Amendments Act of 2007 and the FDA Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) of 2012 were reviewed for obesity studies. FDA labels were also reviewed for statements addressing obesity in pediatric patients. Forty‐five drugs studied in pediatric patients under the FDA Amendments Act were found to have statements and key words in the medical and clinical pharmacology reviews and labels related to obesity. Forty‐four products were identified similarly with pediatric studies under FDASIA. Of the 89 product labels identified, none provided dosing information related to obesity. The effect of body mass index on drug pharmacokinetics was mentioned in only 4 labels. We conclude that there is little information presently available to provide guidance related to dosing in obese pediatric patients. Moving forward, regulators, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical industry should consider situations in drug development in which the inclusion of obese patients in pediatric trials is necessary to facilitate the safe and effective use of new drug products in the obese pediatric population.
ANG II facilitated CD11+Ly6Chi cells reprogramming into M1-like macrophage through Erk1/2 or p38-Stat3 pathway and involved in EAM
Authors: Lu Hongxiang , Wu Yan , Shao Xiaoyi , Zhou Shanshan , Jiang Yuanyuan , Chen Rong , Zong Gangjun , Xu Huaxi , Su Zhaoliang
Published: January 2018

Macrophage, a highly plastic population, is widely distributed. Macrophage functions are settled and acquired polarization programs in response to microenvironmental signals and involved in many inflammatory disorders, such as experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Phenotypic and functional changes in macrophage are considered as an important determinant of disease progression and/or regression. Angiotensin II (ANG II), as a powerful proinflammatory factor, plays critical roles in inflammatory diseases and macrophage recruitment. It remains unclear whether ANG II contributed to the functional skewing of cardiac infiltrated monocytes/macrophage and involved in EAM development. Therefore, the present work was to address the above questions. Our data showed that ANG II contributed to CD11b+Ly6Chi (CD11b+Ly6G−Ly6C+) cells reprogramming into M1-like macrophage through Erk1/2 or p38/Stat3 pathway and the reprogramming M1-like cells promoted Th17 cells expansion; abrogation of ANG II-AT1R axis significantly ameliorated cardiac injury. The present work first demonstrated a novel immune regulation role of ANG II; ANG II, as a powerful immune factor, promoted CD11b+Ly6Chi inflammatory cells reprogramming into M1-like macrophage and involved in inflammatory disorders development; our results also indicated that ANG II may be a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases.
Mechanism of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition of glomerular endothelial cell inflammation
Authors: Zhen Yuxuan , Finkelman Fred D , Shao Wen-Hai
Published: January 2018

Endotoxin induces a variety of proinflammatory mediators and plays a crucial role in kidney inflammation. The receptor tyrosine kinase, Mer, diminishes renal inflammation by attenuating inflammatory responses. We previously reported that Mer is predominantly expressed on glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and that Mer deficiency is associated with increased renal inflammation when mice are challenged with nephrotoxic serum. We consequently hypothesized that Mer signaling down-regulates LPS-driven inflammatory responses in GECs. To test this hypothesis, primary GECs were isolated from the kidneys of Mer-KO and wild-type (WT) control mice. LPS treatment induced Akt and STAT3 activation along with Bcl-xl up-regulation in WT GECs; these responses were all increased in Mer-deficient GECs. In addition, STAT1 and ERK1/2 up-regulation and activation were observed in Mer-KO GECs exposed to LPS. In contrast, expression of the inhibitory signaling molecule, suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3), was much higher in LPS-stimulated WT than Mer-deficient GECs. Deficiency of Mer was also associated with significantly increased NF-κB expression and activation. These observations indicate that Mer functions as an intrinsic feedback inhibitor of inflammatory mediator-driven immune responses in GECs during kidney injury and suggest a new therapeutic strategy for glomerular diseases.