bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocannabinoid System: An Update
Authors: Battista Natalia , Maccarrone Mauro , Bari Monica
Published: September 2017

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is nowadays considered as an important neurotransmitter system and, although the chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology of endocannabinoids (eCBs) have been widely investigated, quite some pieces are still missing to fully understand how this system works. The discovery of anandamide (AEA) and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) dates back to the beginning of 1990 and, since then, their molecular targets, biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes have been identified. In addition, selective pharmacological and genetic tools have been developed both to explore alternative metabolic routes and to produce eCB‐based drugs as therapeutics for the prevention/treatment of a variety of diseases.

In this article, we will review the metabolic pathways of eCBs, and the latest advances on their potential receptor targets.

Key Concepts

The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous network including endocannabinoids, a complex array of receptors, biosynthetic and hydrolytic enzymes, as well as membrane transporters.

Endocannabinoids are derivatives of the arachidonic acid.

The two most important endocannabinoid transmitters, anandamide and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol, are produced and eliminated through several enzyme pathways.

Endocannabinoids play their main roles by targeting both cannabinoid and other membrane and nuclear receptors.

The binding of endocannabinoids to cannabinoid, vanilloid and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors triggers several signal transduction pathways.

The endocannabinoid system is a pleiotropic signalling system that is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Alterations of circulating endocannabinoids levels are involved in the dysregulation of activity of important physiological systems.

A deep knowledge of the endocannabinoid system signalling might be translated into the development of pathway‐selective drugs for therapeutic benefit.
Genetics of Isolated Hereditary Nail Disorder
Authors: Basit Sulman
Published: September 2017

Recent advances in molecular genetics and emergence of next‐generation genomic tools have led to the identification of many genes expressed in nail matrix/bed. However, the precise roles of these genes in the nail development and regeneration have not completely been disclosed. Using the methods of forward genetics, a series of genes responsible for hereditary nail disorders have recently been identified. Furthermore, expression and functional analyses have gradually revealed that these genes are directly or indirectly related with each other. This article briefly discusses the clinical and genetic perspective on defining and classifying isolated hereditary nail disorders and the overlapping genetic pathways. The journey towards unravelling the molecular basis of hereditary nail disorders will contribute to better understanding of the complex mechanisms for nail morphogenesis and development in humans.

Key Concepts

Genetic and non‐genetic factors contribute to nail diseases.

Hereditary nail disorders may exist as an isolated entity or associated with other diseases.

Underlying genes in nail disorders and signalling pathways in nail development can provide a logical basis for the classification of genetic disorders of nail.

To date, mutations in five genes have been identified as a cause of isolated hereditary nail disorders.

Development of nail unit requires epithelial–mesenchymal interactions.

Wnt signalling pathway is crucial for maintaining epithelial–mesenchymal interaction.

Lipid biosynthesis is required for the development and maintenance of proper nail structure.
RAGE
– The Receptor of Advanced Glycation End Products
Authors: Rojas Armando , Morales Miguel A , Araya Paulina , González Ileana
Published: September 2017

The receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multi‐ligand binding protein that was initially described as an AGEs‐binding protein. Other proteins, some of them classified as danger signals or alarmins have been described as RAGE ligands. Of note, RAGE shares some of its ligands with some member of the Toll‐like receptor family. Once RAGE is engaged by any of its ligands, the receptor is able to trigger robust pro‐inflammatory cellular responses. At present, RAGE has emerged as a relevant actor in the onset and development of chronic inflammation, which underlies many human diseases.

Key Concepts

The receptor of advanced glycation end products is a multi‐ligand receptor.

RAGE variants are mainly originated by alternative splicing or proteolytic cleavage.

RAGE and TLRs share common ligands and signalling pathways.

RAGE activation is associated with activation of pro‐inflammatory signalling.

RAGE activation by AGEs play a key a role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Most of the misfolded proteins linked to neurodegeneration act as RAGE ligands.

RAGE activation plays a key role in the disturbance of endothelial functions and cardiovascular homeostasis.

RAGE has been regarded as the bridge association between chronic inflammation and cancer.

RAGE activation in tumour cells promotes proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.
The Evolution of Ownership Acceptance
Authors: Sherratt Thomas N , Mesterton‐Gibbons Mike
Published: September 2017

Respect for ownership is widespread in the animal kingdom. Thus, the first individuals to find resources are frequently unchallenged by potential competitors and tend to win contests when disputes arise. Game theory has shown that ownership acceptance can arise as an arbitrary convention to avoid costly disputes, even when there are small differences in the value of the resource to individuals or in their fighting ability. However, if possessors make significant non‐transferable investments in resources, then possessors will also be more motivated to retain them. Similarly, if fighting ability affects fighting outcome and can be reliably assessed, then alternative conventions in which poor fighters concede to good fighters are also favoured. Both sources of asymmetry can ultimately reinforce the ownership advantage and broaden the conditions under which owners remain unchallenged. So, respect for possession readily evolves to avoid costly disputes and is especially favoured when possession reflects an underlying asymmetry.

Key Concepts

Respect for ownership is widespread in the animal kingdom and is maintained without third‐party enforcement.

Classical game‐theory models successfully explain how respect for ownership can evolve as a convention to avoid costly disputes.

Differences in fighting ability and value of resource between individuals help explain why respect for property is typically conditional, such that, for example, larger intruders will occasionally challenge owners.

If owners tend to be better fighters or value the resource more highly, then this asymmetry will further promote recognition of ownership, taking it above and beyond a convention.

As might be expected, the most intense fights between individuals arise when conventional solutions break down – for example, when both individuals believe themselves to be the rightful owner.

Other aspects of ownership, such as inheritance and/or division of property, are amenable to game theoretical analysis, but they have seen much less work.
Characterization of Edge Contact: Atomically Resolved Semiconductor–Metal Lateral Boundary in MoS2
Authors: Kwon Hyeokshin , Lee Kiyoung , Heo Jinseong , Oh Youngtek , Lee Hyangsook , Appalakondaiah Samudrala , Ko Wonhee , Kim Hyo Won , Jung Jin‐Wook , Suh Hwansoo , Min Hongki , Jeon Insu , Hwang Euyheon , Hwang Sungwoo
Published: September 2017

Despite recent efforts for the development of transition‐metal‐dichalcogenide‐based high‐performance thin‐film transistors, device performance has not improved much, mainly because of the high contact resistance at the interface between the 2D semiconductor and the metal electrode. Edge contact has been proposed for the fabrication of a high‐quality electrical contact; however, the complete electronic properties for the contact resistance have not been elucidated in detail. Using the scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy techniques, the edge contact, as well as the lateral boundary between the 2D semiconducting layer and the metalized interfacial layer, are investigated, and their electronic properties and the energy band profile across the boundary are shown. The results demonstrate a possible mechanism for the formation of an ohmic contact in homojunctions of the transition‐metal dichalcogenides semiconductor–metal layers and suggest a new device scheme utilizing the low‐resistance edge contact.
Iron‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp3) Bond Formation in 3,4‐Dihydro‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐2‐ones
Authors: Dong Jie , Min Wenjian , Li Haitao , Quan Zhengjun , Yang Caixia , Huo Congde
Published: September 2017

A convenient iron‐catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative coupling reaction of 3,4‐Dihydro‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐2‐ones with malonic esters or ketones was performed under mild reaction conditions to construct alkyl–alkyl C(sp3)−C(sp3) bonds. This transformation can be catalyzed efficiently by magnetically recoverable iron nanoparticles and the catalyst can be recycled easily for 7 times without decreasing activity.

magnified image
The economic impacts of agricultural cooperatives on smallholder farmers in rural China
Authors: Ma Wanglin , Abdulai Awudu
Published: September 2017

This paper examines the impacts of agricultural cooperative membership on output price, gross income, farm profit, and return on investment (ROI) utilizing a recent household survey data of 481 apple producers in China. We employ a treatment effects model to account for potential selection bias that arises from the fact that cooperative members and nonmembers are systematically different in terms of both observable and unobservable factors. Our analysis reveals that cooperative membership has a positive and statistically significant impact on apple price, gross income, farm profit, and ROI. In addition, we find that the highest profit effect of cooperative membership does not in fact result in the highest ROI effect of the membership, revealing differences in farm income and profitability of investment. [EconLit citations: C35, D71, Q12, Q13].
We didn't say that: Challenges in the Public Dissemination of a Research Finding with Controversial Implications
Authors: Neal Zachary P. , Neal Jennifer Watling
Published: September 2017

In the March 2014 issue of American Journal of Community Psychology, we published an article that examined the tension between two core values in the field of community psychology: promoting contextual conditions that foster respect for diversity and promoting contextual conditions that foster sense of community. We concluded that processes of social network formation could help explain why diversity and sense of community are seemingly incompatible goals. The study's findings initially disseminated through the usual academic channels, and later through mainstream media outlets. However, they also eventually appeared on blogs and discussion forums devoted to white nationalism. The findings were viewed there as having demonstrated the evils of diversity, and thus having vindicated the white nationalist agenda. As a result, we were forced to consider whether and how to set the record straight. In this first‐person narrative, we describe our study's journey from AJCP to white nationalist blogs, discussing how we ultimately responded to the situation, and concluding with some lessons learned.
A clinically meaningful fetal hemoglobin threshold for children with sickle cell anemia during hydroxyurea therapy
Authors: Estepp Jeremie H. , Smeltzer Matthew P. , Kang Guolian , Li Chen , Wang Winfred C. , Abrams Christina , Aygun Banu , Ware Russell E. , Nottage Kerri , Hankins Jane S.
Published: September 2017

Hydroxyurea has proven clinical benefits and is recommended to be offered to all children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), but the optimal dosing regimen remains controversial. Induction of red blood cell fetal hemoglobin (HbF) by hydroxyurea appears to be dose‐dependent. However, it is unknown whether maximizing HbF% improves clinical outcomes. HUSTLE (NCT00305175) is a prospective observational study with a primary goal of describing the long‐term clinical effects of hydroxyurea escalated to maximal tolerated dose (MTD) in children with SCA. In 230 children, providing 610 patient‐years of follow up, the mean attained HbF% at MTD was >20% for up to 4 years of follow‐up. When HbF% values were ≤20%, children had twice the odds of hospitalization for any reason (P < .0001), including vaso‐occlusive pain (P < .01) and acute chest syndrome (ACS) (P < .01), and more than four times the odds of admission for fever (P < .001). Thirty day readmission rates were not affected by HbF%. Neutropenia (ANC <1000 × 106/L) was rare (2.3% of all laboratory monitoring), transient, and benign. Therefore, attaining HbF >20% was associated with fewer hospitalizations without significant toxicity. These data support the use of hydroxyurea in children, and suggest that the preferred dosing strategy is one that targets a HbF endpoint >20%.
Experimental asbestos studies in the UK: 1912‐1950
Authors: Greenberg Morris
Published: September 2017

The asbestos industry originated in the UK in the 1870s. By 1898, asbestos had many applications and was reported to be one of the four leading causes of severe occupational disease. In 1912, the UK government sponsored an experimental study that reported that exposure to asbestos produced no more than a modicum of pulmonary fibrosis in guinea pigs. In the 1930s, the newly established Medical Research Council, with assistance from industry, sponsored a study of the effects of exposing animals to asbestos by injection (intratracheal and subcutaneous) and by inhalation in the factory environment. Government reports, publications, and contemporary records obtained by legal discovery have been reviewed in the context of the stage of scientific development and the history of the times. Experimenters were engaged in a learning process during the 1912–1950 period, and their reports of the effects of asbestos were inconsistent. Pathologists who studied the effects of asbestos experimentally, at whole animal, tissue and cellular levels, advanced experimental methodology and mechanistic knowledge. In the hands of public relations experts, however, research was exploited to preserve an industry and perpetuate preventable diseases, a practice that continues to this day.
Testing support for the northern and southern dispersal routes out of Africa: an analysis of Levantine and southern Arabian populations
Authors: Vyas Deven N. , Al‐Meeri Ali , Mulligan Connie J.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The Northern Dispersal Route (NDR) and Southern Dispersal Route (SDR) are hypothesized to have been used by modern humans in the dispersal out of Africa. The NDR follows the Nile into Northeast Africa and crosses the Red Sea into the Levant. The SDR emerges from the Horn of Africa and crosses the Bab el‐Mandeb into southern Arabia. In this study, we analyze genetic data from populations living along the NDR and SDR to test support for each dispersal route.

Materials and methods

We genotyped 90 Yemeni samples on the Affymetrix Human Origins array. We analyzed these data with published data from Levantine and other southern Arabian populations as well as 157 comparative populations for a total sample size of >550,000 genetic variants from >2,000 individuals in >160 populations. We calculated outgroup f3 statistics to test how Levantine and southern Arabian populations relate to African populations living along the NDR and SDR and to other non‐African populations.

Results

We find that Levantine and southern Arabian populations bear similar genetic relationships to both African and non‐African populations, thus providing no support for the use of one dispersal route over the other.

Discussion

Our results are consistent with a history of gene flow between the Levant and southern Arabia. Consideration of genetic, archaeological, and paleoclimate data provide a slight edge for the SDR but, ultimately, more data are needed to definitively identify which dispersal route out of Africa was used.
Semiautomatic extraction of cortical thickness and diaphyseal curvature fromCTscans
Authors: Dupej Ján , Lacoste Jeanson Alizé , Pelikán Josef , Brůžek Jaroslav
Published: September 2017

The understanding of locomotor patterns, activity schemes, and biological variations has been enhanced by the study of the geometrical properties and cortical bone thickness of the long bones measured using CT scan cross‐sections. With the development of scanning procedures, the internal architecture of the long bones can be explored along the entire diaphysis. Recently, several methods that map cortical thickness along the whole femoral diaphysis have been developed. Precise homology is vital for statistical examination of the data; however, the repeatability of these methods is unknown and some do not account for the curvature of the bones. We have designed a semiautomatic workflow that improves the morphometric analysis of cortical thickness, including robust data acquisition with minimal user interaction and considering the bone curvature. The proposed algorithm also performs automatic landmark refinement and rigid registration on the extracted morphometric maps of the cortical thickness. Because our algorithm automatically reslices the diaphysis into 100 cross‐sections along the medial axis and uses an adaptive thresholding method, it is usable on CT scans that contain soft tissues as well as on bones that have not been oriented specifically prior to scanning. Our approach exhibits considerable robustness to error in user‐supplied landmarks, suppresses distortion caused by the curvature of the bones, and calculates the curvature of the medial axis.
Regioselective Intermolecular Allylic C−H Amination of Disubstituted Olefins via Rhodium/π‐Allyl Intermediates
Authors: Burman Jacob S. , Blakey Simon B.
Published: September 2017

A method for catalytic intermolecular allylic C−H amination of trans‐disubstituted olefins is reported. The reaction is efficient for a range of common nitrogen nucleophiles bearing one electron‐withdrawing group, and proceeds under mild reaction conditions. Good levels of regioselectivity are observed for a wide range of electronically diverse trans‐β‐alkyl styrene substrates.
Merging [2+2] Cycloaddition with Radical 1,4‐Addition: Metal‐Free Access to Functionalized Cyclobuta[a]naphthalen‐4‐ols
Authors: Liu Feng , Wang Jia‐Yin , Zhou Peng , Li Guigen , Hao Wen‐Juan , Tu Shu‐Jiang , Jiang Bo
Published: September 2017

A metal‐free [2+2] cycloaddition and 1,4‐addition sequence induced by S‐centered radicals has been achieved by treating benzene‐linked allene‐ynes with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates and DABCO‐bis(sulfur dioxide) in a one‐pot procedure. The reaction provides a greener and more practical access to functionalized cyclobuta[a]naphthalen‐4‐ols with valuable applications. More than 50 examples are demonstrated with excellent diastereoselectivity and chemical yields. The reaction pathway is proposed to proceed by the following steps:[2+2] cycloaddition, insertion of SO2, 1,4‐addition, diazotization, and tautomerization.
A Freestanding Selenium Disulfide Cathode Based on Cobalt Disulfide‐Decorated Multichannel Carbon Fibers with Enhanced Lithium Storage Performance
Authors: Zhang Jintao , Li Zhen , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: September 2017

SeS2 shows attractive advantages beyond bare S and Se as a cathode material for lithium storage. Here, a freestanding lotus root‐like carbon fiber network decorated with CoS2 nanoparticles (denoted as CoS2@LRC) has been designed and prepared as the SeS2 host for enhancing the lithium storage performance. The integrated electrode is constructed by three‐dimensional interconnected multichannel carbon fibers, which can not only accommodate high content of SeS2 (70 wt %), but also promise excellent electron and ion transport for achieving high capacity utilization of 1015 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. What is more, there are numerous CoS2 nanoparticles decorated all over the inner walls and surfaces of the carbon fibers, providing efficient sulfiphilic sites for restricting the dissolution of polysulfides and polyselenides during the electrochemical processes, thus successfully suppressing the shuttle effect and maintaining excellent cycling stability over 400 cycles at 0.5 A g−1.
Nanobodys: Strategien zur chemischen Funktionalisierung und intrazelluläre Anwendungen
Authors: Schumacher Dominik , Helma Jonas , Schneider Anselm F. L. , Leonhardt Heinrich , Hackenberger Christian P. R.
Published: September 2017

Nanobodys sind ein modernes Mittel zur Erkennung und Modulation von Antigenen, die für herkömmliche Antikörper unzugänglich sind. Aufgrund ihrer kompakten Form und ihrer hohen Stabilität werden sie häufig in der Grundlagenforschung verwendet. In diesem Aufsatz werden zentrale Aspekte der Funktionalisierung von Nanobodys nebst ausgewählten Anwendungen in der Molekularbiologie dargestellt. Während ältere Konjugationsstrategien auf der zufälligen Modifikation natürlicher Aminosäuren beruhen, basieren neuere Methoden auf ortsspezifischer Modifikation mit funktionellen Einheiten. Solche Techniken umfassen chemoenzymatische Ansätze, Ligation exprimierter Proteine und die Unterdrückung des Amber‐Codons in Kombination mit bioorthogonalen Modifikationsstrategien. Mit einer ständig wachsenden Auswahl an Methoden aus der Proteinsynthese und ‐konjugation sind auch die Anwendungen auf dem Vormarsch. Diese reichen von hochentwickelter Bildgebung und Massenspektrometrie bis hin zum Einschleusen von Nanobodys in lebende Zellen, um intrazelluläre Antigene zu visualisieren und zu manipulieren.
A Catalytic Microwave Process for Superfast Preparation of High‐Quality Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Liu Runze , Zhang Yu , Ning Zhenjian , Xu Yuxi
Published: September 2017

Herein we report that a small amount of graphite can unexpectedly act as the catalyst to greatly promote the microwave exfoliation and reduction of graphite oxide in ambient air. The reaction can be finished in a few seconds in contrast to more than ten minutes without catalyst. The catalytic microwave exfoliated graphite oxide (CMEGO) is of higher quality than the traditional microwave exfoliated graphite oxide, including a much higher exfoliation degree with thinner graphene sheets and higher specific surface area (886 m2 g−1 vs. 466 m2 g−1), a much larger C/O ratio (19.4 vs. 6.3) and a higher lattice crystallinity, as well as significantly improved electrical conductivity (53180 S m−1 vs. 5140 S m−1). The CMEGO is used as anode for lithium‐ion battery (LIB) and sodium‐ion battery (SIB), and delivers ultrahigh reversible capacities, remarkable rate capabilities, and superior cycling stabilities in both LIB and SIB.
Strand Displacement in Coiled‐Coil Structures: Controlled Induction and Reversal of Proximity
Authors: Gröger Katharina , Gavins Georgina , Seitz Oliver
Published: September 2017

Coiled‐coil peptides are frequently used to create new function upon the self‐assembly of supramolecular complexes. A multitude of coil peptide sequences provides control over the specificity and stability of coiled‐coil complexes. However, comparably little attention has been paid to the development of methods that allow the reversal of complex formation under non‐denaturing conditions. Herein, we present a reversible two‐state switching system. The process involves two peptide molecules for the formation of a size‐mismatched coiled‐coil duplex and a third, disruptor peptide that targets an overhanging end. A real‐time fluorescence assay revealed that the proximity between two chromophores can be switched on and off, repetitively if desired. Showcasing the advantages provided by non‐denaturing conditions, the method permitted control over the bivalent interactions of the tSH2 domain of Syk kinase with a phosphopeptide ligand.
Enzymatic Synthesis, Amplification, and Application of DNA with a Functionalized Backbone
Authors: Chen Tingjian , Romesberg Floyd E.
Published: September 2017

The ability to amplify DNA along with its unprecedented sequence control has led to its use for different applications, but all are limited by the properties available to natural nucleotides. We previously reported the evolution of polymerase SFM4‐3, which better tolerates 2′‐modified substrates. To explore the utility of SFM4‐3, we now report the characterization of its recognition of substrates with 2′‐azido, 2′‐chloro, 2′‐amino, or arabinose sugars. We find that SFM4‐3 can efficiently synthesize polymers composed of these nucleotides, and most interestingly, that SFM4‐3 can also PCR amplify these modified oligonucleotides. When combined with post‐amplification modification, the latter allows for the exponential amplification of polymers that may be functionalized with desired moieties arrayed in a controlled fashion, the utility of which we demonstrate with extensive small molecule functionalization and the production and initial characterization of a novel DNA hydrogel.
Fluorine Effects on Group Migration via a Rhodium(V) Nitrenoid Intermediate
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Qiang , Zhang Yu , Feng Chao
Published: September 2017

An unprecedented rhodium(III)‐catalyzed hydroarylation of α,α‐difluoromethylene alkynes with N‐pivaloxyl aroylamides through sequential C−H activation and aryl migration is detailed herein. A large array of α,α‐difluoromethylene alkynes and N‐pivaloxyl aryl amides were amenable to this transformation, thus providing a novel synthetic protocol for the construction of difluorinated 2‐alkenyl aniline derivatives in high yields and with excellent regioselectivity. Notably, unique fluorine effects were found to underlie the thus unconventional reaction manifold.
Wireless Electrochemical Actuation of Conducting Polymers
Authors: Gupta Bhavana , Goudeau Bertrand , Kuhn Alexander
Published: September 2017

Electrochemical actuation of conducting polymers usually requires a direct connection to an electric power supply. In this contribution, we suggest to overcome this issue by using the concept of bipolar electrochemistry. This allows changing the oxidation state of the polymer in a gradual and wireless way. Free‐standing polypyrrole films were synthesized with an intrinsic morphological asymmetry of their two faces in order to form a bilayer structure. Immersing such objects in an electrolyte solution and exposing them to a potential gradient leads to the asymmetric oxidation/reduction of the polymer, resulting in differential shrinking and swelling along the main axis. This additional asymmetry is responsible for a structural deformation. Optimization allowed highly efficient bending, which is expected to open up completely new directions in the field of actuation due to the wireless mode of action.
Synthesis and structural and DNA binding studies of mono‐ and dinuclear copper(II) complexes constructed with ─O and ─N donor ligands: Potential anti‐skin cancer drugs
Authors: Gurudevaru Champaka , Gopalakrishnan Mohan , Senthilkumar Kabali , Hemachandran Hridya , Siva Ramamoorthy , Srinivasan Thothadri , Velmurugan Devadasan , Shanmugan Swaminathan , Palanisami Nallasamy
Published: September 2017

Mononuclear and dinuclear copper(II) complexes with thiophenecarboxylic acid, [Cu(3‐TCA)2(2,2′‐bpy)] (1), [Cu(3‐Me‐2‐TCA)2(H2O)(2,2′‐bpy)] (2), [Cu(5‐Me‐2‐TCA)2(H2O)(2,2′‐bpy)] (3) and [Cu2(2,5‐TDCA)(DMF)2(H2O)2(2,2′‐bpy)2](ClO4)2 (4) (where 3‐TCA = 3‐thiophenecarboxylic acid; 3‐Me‐2‐TCA = 3‐methyl‐2‐thiophenecarboxylic acid; 5‐Me‐2‐TCA = 5‐methyl‐2‐thiophenecarboxylic acid; 2,5‐TDCA = thiophene‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid; 2,2′‐bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridyl; DMF = N,N‐dimethylformamide), were synthesized. Compounds 1–4 were extensively characterized using both analytical and spectroscopic methods. Additionally, the solid‐state structures of 1 and 4 were unambiguously established from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The hexacoordinated Cu(II) centre in 1 (CuO4N2) is a distorted octahedral geometry whereas the pentacoodinated 4 (CuO3N2) has distorted square pyramidal geometry. Compounds 1 and 4 exhibit intermolecular hydrogen bonding which leads to the formation of two‐ and three‐dimensional supramolecular architectures, respectively. Spectrophotometric and computational investigations suggest that these compounds bind with DNA in minor groove binding such that Kb = 4.9 × 105 M−1 and Ksv = 3.4 × 105 M−1, and binding score of −5.26 kcal mol−1. The binding affinity of these complexes to calf thymus DNA is in the order 2 > 3 > 4 > 1. Methyl‐substituted thiophene ring increases the DNA binding affinity whereas unsubstituted thiophene ring DNA binding rate is reduced. The methyl group on the thiophene ring would sterically hinder π–π stacking of the ring with DNA base pairs, and subsequently they are involved in hydrophobic interaction with the DNA surface rather than partial intercalative interaction. Compounds 1–4 show pronounced activity against B16 mouse melanoma skin cancer cell lines as measured by MTT assay yielding IC50 values in the micromolar concentration range. The compounds could prove to be efficient anti‐cancer agents, since at a concentration as low as 2.1 μg ml−1 they exerted a significant cytotoxic effect in cancer cells whereas cell viability was not affected in normal cells.
Silane‐bridged diphosphine ligand for palladium‐catalyzed ethylene oligomerization
Authors: Huang YongWang , Wei Wei , Meng XueJiao , Zhang Le , Chen YanHui , Jiang Tao
Published: September 2017

In this study, bis(diphenylphosphinemethyl)dimethyl silane (L1) and its palladium(II) halide complex, L1/PdCl2 (C1), were synthesized and characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of the complex revealed bidentate coordination at the Pd center. In combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co‐catalyst, C1 exhibited excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for ethylene dimerization toward butene. The maximum catalytic activity obtained from the C1/MAO system for ethylene dimerization to yield butenes was 7.33 × 105 g/(molPd·h). The selectivity toward butene remained stable and high (> 96%) over the various conditions.
Mono‐ and tetranuclear copper(I) complexes with N‐heterocyclic chelating and triphenylphosphine ligands: Crystal structures, luminescent and heterogeneous catalytic properties
Authors: Xu Yuling , Shen Kesheng , Mao Shanshan , Shi Xinkui , Wu Huilu , Fan Xuyang
Published: September 2017

N‐heterocyclic chelating and triphenylphosphine ligands react with cuprous halide to form a variety of copper(I) complexes, namely, mononuclear [Cu(PBO)(PPh3)Br].CH2Cl2 (1) and [Cu(PBM)(PPh3)I] (2) (PBO = 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)benzoxazole, PBM = 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)benzimidazole, PPh3 = triphenylphosphine) and tetranuclear [Cu4(μ2‐I)2(μ3‐I)2(PPh3)4].2CH2Cl2 (3) have been synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are basically alike; both of them are mononuclear and four‐coordinated, possessing a slightly distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry. Complex 3 is tetranuclear and the coordination numbers of the two copper(I) atoms are three and four, Cu(1) forming an approximate trigonal planar coordination environment, while Cu(2) is a slightly distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry, resulting in a distorted chair‐like conformation. Complexes 1 and 2 are emissive in the solid state at ambient temperature, with the maxima at 552 and 602 nm, respectively, due to a MLCT excited state. Moreover, complex 3 manifests promising heterogeneous catalytic activities for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), with degradation efficiency of 99% under ambient light.
Assessing perceived organizational leadership styles through twitter text mining
Authors: La Bella Agostino , Fronzetti Colladon Andrea , Battistoni Elisa , Castellan Silvia , Francucci Matteo
Published: September 2017

We propose a text classification tool based on support vector machines for the assessment of organizational leadership styles, as appearing to Twitter users. We collected Twitter data over 51 days, related to the first 30 Italian organizations in the 2015 ranking of Forbes Global 2000—out of which we selected the five with the most relevant volumes of tweets. We analyzed the communication of the company leaders, together with the dialogue among the stakeholders of each company, to understand the association with perceived leadership styles and dimensions. To assess leadership profiles, we referred to the 10‐factor model developed by Barchiesi and La Bella in 2007. We maintain the distinctiveness of the approach we propose, as it allows a rapid assessment of the perceived leadership capabilities of an enterprise, as they emerge from its social media interactions. It can also be used to show how companies respond and manage their communication when specific events take place, and to assess their stakeholder's reactions.
Neural Network Dynamic Surface Backstepping Control for the Speed and Tension System of Reversible Cold Strip Rolling Mill
Authors: Liu Le , Han Yu , Fang Yiming , Lin Minghao , Shao Nuan
Published: September 2017

To weaken the influences of uncertainties and system coupling items on the coordinated tracking control performance of the speed and tension system of a reversible cold strip rolling mill, a control strategy is proposed based on nonlinear disturbance observers (NDOs), dynamic surface backstepping control, and neural network adaptive approximation. First, the transformation form of the system model is given, and then NDOs are developed to counteract the unmatched uncertainties. Next, controllers for the speed and tension system are presented by combining backstepping with dynamic surface control. Again, the neural network adaptive method is used to approximate the matched uncertainties of the system, and the approximation values are introduced into the designed controllers for compensation. Finally, simulation research is carried out on the speed and tension system of a 1422 mm reversible cold strip rolling mill by using the actual data, and the results show the validity of the proposed control strategy in comparison with the decentralized overlapping control strategy.
Some results on information properties of coherent systems
Authors: Toomaj Abdolsaeed , Di Crescenzo Antonio , Doostparast Mahdi
Published: September 2017

This paper considers information properties of coherent systems when component lifetimes are independent and identically distributed. Some results on the entropy of coherent systems in terms of ordering properties of component distributions are proposed. Moreover, various sufficient conditions are given under which the entropy order among systems as well as the corresponding dual systems hold. Specifically, it is proved that under some conditions, the entropy order among component lifetimes is preserved under coherent system formations. The findings are based on system signatures as a useful measure from comparison purposes. Furthermore, some results on the system's entropy are derived when lifetimes of components are dependent and identically distributed. Several illustrative examples are also given.
Quantification through TLC‐densitometric analysis, repellency and anticholinesterase activity of the homemade extract of Indian cloves
Authors: Affonso Raphael S. , Lima Josélia A. , Lessa Bruno M. , Caetano João V. O. , Obara Marcos T. , Nóbrega Andréa B. , Nepovimova Eugenie , Musilek Kamil , Kuca Kamil , Slana Gláucia B. C. A. , França Tanos C. C.
Published: September 2017

The rise of the mosquitoes‐transmitted diseases, like dengue, zika and chikungunya in Brazil in the last years has increased concerns on protection against mosquitoes bites. However, the prohibitive prices of the commercially available repellents for the majority of the Brazilian population has provoked a search for cheaper solutions, like the use of the homemade ethanolic extract of Indian clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) as repellent, which has been reported as quite efficient by the local press. In order to verify this, we performed here the quantification of the main components of this extract through high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC)–densitometry and evaluated its efficiency as a repellent and its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition capacity. Our results have proved HPTLC–densitometry as an efficient and appropriate method for this quantification and confirmed the repellency activity, as well as its capacity of AChE inhibition.
The effect of preprocessing in dynamic functional network connectivity used to classify mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Vergara Victor M. , Mayer Andrew R. , Damaraju Eswar , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC), derived from magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), is an important technique in the search for biomarkers of brain diseases such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). At the individual level, mTBI can affect cognitive functions and change personality traits. Previous research aimed at detecting significant changes in the dFNC of mTBI subjects. However, one of the main concerns in dFNC analysis is the appropriateness of methods used to correct for subject movement. In this work, we focus on the effect that rearranging movement correction at different points of the processing pipeline has in dFNC analysis utilizing mTBI data.

Methods

The sample cohort consists of 50 mTBI patients and matched healthy controls. A 5‐min resting‐state run was completed by each participant. Data were preprocessed using different pipeline alternatives varying with the place where motion‐related variance was removed. In all pipelines, group‐independent component analysis (gICA) followed by dFNC analysis was performed. Additional tests were performed varying the detection of temporal spikes, the number of gICA components, and the sliding‐window size. A linear support vector machine was used to test how each pipeline affects classification accuracy.

Results

Results suggest that correction for motion variance before spatial smoothing, but leaving correction for spiky time courses after gICA produced the best mean classification performance. The number of gICA components and the sliding‐window size were also important in determining classification performance. Variance in spikes correction affected some pipelines more than others with fewer significant differences than the other parameters.

Conclusion

The sequence of preprocessing steps motion regression, smoothing, gICA, and despiking produced data most suitable for differentiating mTBI from healthy subjects. However, the selection of optimal preprocessing parameters strongly affected the final results.
Bimetallic Co‐Mn Perovskite Fluorides as Highly‐Stable Electrode Materials for Supercapacitors
Authors: Shi Wei , Ding Rui , Li Xudong , Xu Qilei , Ying Danfeng , Huang Yongfa , Liu Enhui
Published: September 2017

Bimetallic Co−Mn perovskite fluorides (KCoxMn1−xF3, denoted as K‐Co‐Mn‐F) with various Co/Mn ratios (1:0, 12:1, 6:1, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1) were prepared through a one‐pot solvothermal strategy and further used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The optimal K‐Co‐Mn‐F candidate (Co/Mn=6:1) showed a size range of 0.1–1 μm and uniform elemental distribution; exhibiting small changes in XRD peaks and XPS binding energy in comparison to the bare K‐Co‐F and K‐Mn‐F, due to the structural/electronic effects. Owing to the stronger synergistic effect of Co/Mn redox species, the K‐Co‐Mn‐F (Co/Mn=6:1) electrode exhibited superior specific capacity and rate behavior (113–100 C g−1 at 1–16 Ag−1) together with excellent cycling stability (118 % for 5000 cycles at 8 Ag−1), and the activated carbon (AC)//K‐Co‐Mn‐F (Co/Mn=6:1) asymmetric capacitor showed superior energy and power densities (8.0–2.4 Wh kg−1 at 0.14–8.7 kW kg−1) along with high cycling stability (90 % for 10 000 cycles at 5 Ag−1).
Synergetic Metals on Carbocatalyst Shungite
Authors: Gusmão Rui , Sofer Zdeněk , Bouša Daniel , Pumera Martin
Published: September 2017

The naturally occurring Palaeoproterozoic carbon mineral shungite is a complex raw carbon microporous matrix, loaded with a wide range of elements. Shungite exhibits a disordered and amorphous structure with highly irregular building blocks. Shungite incorporates metals in its structure; typically catalytic elements such Fe and Ni are present, as well as the toxic elements Pb and As at mg g−1 levels. We show here that incorporation of the metals in the carbon matrix of shungite leads into synergistic catalytic effect. We investigate the application of shungite in energy related electrochemical catalytic reactions, such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). All elements have a synergetic effect, thus contributing for shungite′s interesting catalytic performance towards a different range of electrochemical reactions, outperforming other tested carbon allotropes, such as carbon black, metal loaded carbon nanotubes, fullerene, and glassy carbon. These findings have profound impact on the application of the natural carbon materials for catalysis.
Comparison of mid‐ to long‐term clinical outcomes between anatomical testing and usual care in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: A meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Hwang In‐Chang , Choi Sol Ji , Choi Ji Eun , Ko Eun‐Bi , Suh Jae Kyung , Choi Insun , Kang Hyun‐Jae , Kim Yong‐Jin , Kim Joo Youn
Published: September 2017

Background

Controversies remain regarding clinical outcomes following initial strategies of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) vs usual care with functional testing in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hypothesis

CCTA as initial diagnostic strategy results in better mid‐ to long‐term outcomes than usual care in patients with suspected CAD.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials comparing clinical outcomes during ≥6 months' follow‐up between initial anatomical testing by CCTA vs usual care with functional testing in patients with suspected CAD. Occurrence of all‐cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and use of invasive coronary angiography and coronary revascularization, were compared between the 2 diagnostic strategies.

Results

Twelve trials were included (20 014 patients; mean follow‐up, 20.5 months). Patients undergoing CCTA as initial noninvasive testing had lower risk of nonfatal MI compared with those treated with usual care (risk ratio [RR]: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52‐0.94, P = 0.02). There was a tendency for reduced MACE following initial CCTA strategy, but not for risk of all‐cause mortality. Compared with functional testing, the CCTA strategy increased use of invasive coronary angiography (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.12‐2.09, P = 0.007) and coronary revascularization (RR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.11‐2.00, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Anatomical testing with CCTA as the initial noninvasive diagnostic modality in patients with suspected CAD resulted in lower risk of nonfatal MI than usual care with functional testing, at the expense of more frequent use of invasive procedures.
Encapsulating Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Self‐Assembling Adamantanes with Short DNA Zippers
Authors: Griesser Helmut , Schwenger Alexander , Richert Clemens
Published: September 2017

Formulating pharmaceutically active ingredients for drug delivery is a challenge. There is a need for new drug delivery systems that take up therapeutic molecules and release them into biological systems. We propose a novel mode of encapsulation that involves matrices formed through co‐assembly of drugs with adamantane hybrids that feature four CG dimers as sticky ends. Such adamantanes are accessible via inexpensive solution‐phase syntheses, and the resulting materials show attractive properties for controlled release. This is demonstrated for two different hybrids and a series of drugs, including anticancer drugs, antibiotics, and cyclosporin. Up to 20 molar equivalents of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are encapsulated in hybrid materials. Encapsulation is demonstrated for DNA‐binding and several non‐DNA binding compounds. Nanoparticles were detected that range in size from 114–835 nm average diameter, and ζ potentials were found to be between −29 and +28 mV. Release of doxorubicin into serum at near‐constant rates for 10 days was shown, demonstrating the potential for slow release. The encapsulation and release in self‐assembling matrices of dinucleotide‐bearing adamantanes appears to be broadly applicable and may thus lead to new drug delivery systems for APIs.
Semantic summary automatic generation in news event
Authors: Liu Weidong , Luo Xiangfeng , Zhang Jun , Xue Ruirong , Xu Richard Yi Da
Published: September 2017

How to generate summary with more novel and rich semantics is a challenging issue in the area of multi‐document automatic summary. In this paper, a core semantics extraction model (CSEM) is proposed to improve the novel and rich semantics of multi‐document summary. Firstly, for improving the rich semantics, semantic units, which are a group of association relations of keywords, are used to express texts' semantics. Secondly, for improving the novel semantics, an attenuation function is introduced to adjust the importance of semantic units according to the appearing times that semantic units in the candidate of summary sentences. Thirdly, in order to maximize the novel and rich semantics of summary, the generating process of summary is converted into the optimization process on how to find a set of sentences with a higher importance. Finally, CSEM extracts the least number of sentences to cover the most core semantics in corpus as summary. Experimental results on the benchmark DUC 2004 show that our model outperforms the state‐of‐art approaches (eg, OCCAMS_V, JS‐Gen‐2) under official metric. Especially, the recall of our model in ROUGE‐1 is 40.684%, which is better than other approaches (eg, OCCAMS_V 38.497% and JS‐Gen‐2 36.739%).
Oil Extraction in the Ecuadorian Amazon: Incorporating Conflict Resolution Theory and Practice
Authors: Hager Ann Marie , Larson James , Ugbah Nene Kumashe , Ramesh Vijay
Published: September 2017

Ecuador's Yasuní National Park and Biosphere Reserve is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world; it is home to numerous species of wildlife, indigenous communities, and approximately $7.6 billion of crude oil. Oil extraction has led to patterns of environmental and social damage, situating the government of Ecuador between their responsibilities to uphold indigenous rights and preserve the environment while advancing the nation's economy. The field of conflict resolution offers applicable strategies to the issues facing this dilemma. However, these strategies have been sparsely used thus far. We suggest that the implementation of forums, workshops, and grievance mechanisms will improve communication between stakeholders and build trust that could alleviate the conflicts in the Yasuní.
Enhanced formation of >C1 Products in Electroreduction of CO2 by Adding a CO2 Adsorption Component to a Gas‐Diffusion Layer‐Type Catalytic Electrode
Authors: Marepally Bhanu Chandra , Ampelli Claudio , Genovese Chiara , Saboo Tapish , Perathoner Siglinda , Wisser Florian M. , Veyre Laurent , Canivet Jérôme , Quadrelli Elsje Alessandra , Centi Gabriele
Published: September 2017

The addition of a CO2‐adsorption component (substituted imidazolate‐based SIM‐1 crystals) to a gas‐diffusion layer‐type catalytic electrode enhances the activity and especially the selectivity towards >C1 carbon chain products (ethanol, acetone, and isopropanol) of a Pt‐based electrocatalyst that is not able to form products of CO2 reduction involving C−C bond formation under conventional (liquid‐phase) conditions. This indicates that the increase of the effective CO2 concentration at the electrode active surface is the factor controlling the formation of >C1 products rather than only the intrinsic properties of the electrocatalyst.