bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in Glycogen Distribution among Freshwater Bivalve Tissues: Simplified Protocol and Implications
Authors: Vodáková Barbora , Douda Karel
Published: February 2019

Glycogen is a primary metabolic reserve in bivalves and can be suitable for the evaluation of bivalve condition and health status, but the use of glycogen as a diagnostic tool in aquaculture and biomonitoring is still relatively rare. A tissue biopsy combined with a simplified phenol–sulfuric acid method was used in this study to evaluate the inter- and intraindividual variation in the glycogen concentrations among several tissues (foot, mantle, gills, adductor muscle) of the unionid bivalve, the duck mussel Anodonta anatina. This short report documents that individual bivalves differ in the spatial distribution of glycogen among tissues. Sampling of different types of tissues can cause distinct results in the evaluation of energetic reserves at the individual level. At the same time, spatial variability in glycogen content has the potential to provide a more detailed evaluation of physiological conditions based on tissue-specific glycogen storage. The results obtained and the simplified methodology provide a new opportunity for researching the energetic reserves and health status of freshwater mussels in various applications.
Dose evaluation indices for total body irradiation using TomoDirect with different numbers of ports: A comparison with the TomoHelical method
Authors: Kasai Yuki , Fukuyama Yukihide , Terashima Hiromi , Nakamura Katsumasa , Sasaki Tomonari
Published: February 2019

TomoDirect has been reported to have some advantages over TomoHelical in delivering total body irradiation (TBI). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the number of ports and the dose evaluation indices in low‐dose TBI in TomoDirect mode using 2–12 ports and to compare these data with those for the TomoHelical mode in a simulation study. Thirteen patients underwent low‐dose TBI in TomoHelical mode from June 2015 to June 2016. We used the same computed tomography data sets for these patients to create new treatment plans for upper‐body parts using TomoDirect mode with 2–12 beam angles as well as TomoHelical mode. The prescription was 4 Gy in two equal fractions. For the TomoDirect data, we generated plans with 2–12 ports with approximately equally spaced angles; the modulation factor, field width, and pitch were 2.0, 5.0 cm, and 0.500, respectively. For the TomoHelical plans, the modulation factor, field width, and pitch were 2.0, 5.0 cm, and 0.397, respectively. D2, D98, D50, and the homogeneity index (HI) were evaluated to compare TomoDirect plans having 2–12 ports with the TomoHelical plan. Using TomoDirect plans, D2 with four ports or fewer, D98 with 10 ports or fewer, D50 with four ports or fewer and HI with five ports or fewer showed statistically significantly worse results than the TomoHelical plan. With the TomoDirect plans, D2 with seven ports or more, D50 with eight ports or more, and HI with eight ports or more showed statistically significant improvement compared with the TomoHelical plan. All of the dose evaluation indices of the TomoDirect plans showed a tendency to improve as the number of ports increased. TomoDirect plans showed statistically significant improvement of D2, D50, and HI compared with the TomoHelical plan. Therefore, we conclude that TomoDirect can provide better dose distribution in low‐dose TBI with TomoTherapy.
Fluorescence Anisotropy Reloaded—Emerging Polarization Microscopy Methods for Assessing Chromophores' Organization and Excitation Energy Transfer in Single Molecules, Particles, Films, and Beyond
Authors: Camacho Rafael , Täuber Daniela , Scheblykin Ivan G.
Published: February 2019

Fluorescence polarization is widely used to assess the orientation/rotation of molecules, and the excitation energy transfer between closely located chromophores. Emerging since the 1990s, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging stimulate the application of light polarization for studying molecular organization and energy transfer beyond ensemble averaging. Here, traditional fluorescence polarization and linear dichroism methods used for bulk samples are compared with techniques specially developed for, or inspired by, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. Techniques for assessing energy transfer in anisotropic samples, where the traditional fluorescence anisotropy framework is not readily applicable, are discussed in depth. It is shown that the concept of a polarization portrait and the single funnel approximation can lay the foundation for alternative energy transfer metrics. Examples ranging from fundamental studies of photoactive materials (conjugated polymers, light‐harvesting aggregates, and perovskite semiconductors) to Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET)‐based biomedical imaging are presented. Furthermore, novel uses of light polarization for super‐resolution optical imaging are mentioned as well as strategies for avoiding artifacts in polarization microscopy.
Superstructures of Multielement Colloidal Molecules: Efficient Pathways to Construct Reconfigurable Photonic and Phononic Crystals
Authors: Aryana Kiumars , Stahley James B. , Parvez Nishan , Kim Kristin , Zanjani Mehdi B.
Published: February 2019

Motivated by recent advances in synthesis and characterization of complex colloidal building blocks, the self‐assembly behavior and transport properties of novel superstructures of multielement colloidal molecules are explored with applications in areas such as phononics, photonics, and photovoltaics. Using an analytical/computational framework, the connectivity landscape of various shapes of colloidal molecules is examined to propose new multicomponent superstructure phases that can self‐assemble from binary mixtures of these building blocks. The identified superstructures are then investigated in terms of their tunable photonic/phononic properties. The dependence of photonic bandgaps on various features of the superstructures such as building block size and shape is studied. Each superstructure is composed of at least four different types of elements, which provides a desirable framework to obtain reconfigurable metamaterials. The calculations show that a binary superstructure of tetrahedral units can result in photonic bandgaps with sizes as large as 27% for material compositions with dielectric constant difference of 15. The new superstructures formed by colloidal molecules expand the existing self‐assembly paradigms for colloidal particles. This paper also promotes future experimental and theoretical work for discovering more complex colloidal phases with a higher number of degrees of freedom to be utilized for engineering desired functional materials.
Progress and Perspective: Soft Thermoelectric Materials for Wearable and Internet‐of‐Things Applications
Authors: Zaia Edmond W. , Gordon Madeleine P. , Yuan Pengyu , Urban Jeffrey J.
Published: February 2019

Soft thermoelectric materials, including conjugated polymers and organic–inorganic hybrids, now demonstrate figures of merit approaching those of inorganic materials. These materials development breakthroughs enable the design of thermoelectric devices that exhibit appropriate efficiencies for commercial use, while simultaneously leveraging the unique processing and mechanical advantages of soft materials. Such a technology opens the door to a suite of new thermoelectric applications, including power generation for biomedical implants and the Internet of Things, or wearable heating and cooling devices. In order to realize deployment of such technologies, there is a fundamental need for deeper understanding of the complex transport physics underlying thermoelectric transport in soft materials. Here, the current state of the art in soft thermoelectrics materials is discussed, and outstanding challenges specific to organic and organic–inorganic hybrid systems are highlighted.
Recent Advances of Quantum Conductance in Memristors
Authors: Xue Wuhong , Gao Shuang , Shang Jie , Yi Xiaohui , Liu Gang , Li Run‐Wei
Published: February 2019

Memristors with the filamentary switching mechanism have been acknowledged as a leading candidate for next‐generation nonvolatile memory applications, primarily due to their excellent downscaling potential, fast operation speed, low power consumption, and high switching endurance. In particular, room‐temperature quantum conductance effect can emerge as the size of the conducting filaments is reduced down to atomic scale, offering great opportunities for the physical understanding of memristive switching phenomena and the realization of ultrahigh‐density storage, logic‐in‐memory circuits, atomic scale photodetectors, and etc. This review presents a timely and comprehensive summary of the recent advances in quantum conductance in memristors. After a brief description on the evolution dynamics of conducting filaments, the experimental phenomena, theoretical understanding, effective control, and promising applications of quantum conductance in memristors are summarized and discussed in detail. Finally, current challenges and future prospects concerning quantum conductance in memristors are presented.
High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells with Enhanced Environmental Stability Based on a (p‐FC6H4C2H4NH3)2[PbI4] Capping Layer
Authors: Zhou Qin , Liang Lusheng , Hu Junjie , Cao Bingbing , Yang Longkai , Wu Tingjun , Li Xin , Zhang Bao , Gao Peng
Published: February 2019

Supported by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, for the first time, a fluorinated aromatic cation, 2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)ethyl ammonium iodide (FPEAI), is introduced to grow in situ a low dimensional perovskite layer atop 3D perovskite film with excess PbI2. The resulted (p‐FC6H4C2H4NH3)2[PbI4] perovskite functions as a protective capping layer to protect the 3D perovskite from moisture. In the meantime, the thin layer facilitates charge transfer at the interfaces, thereby reducing the nonradiative recombination pathways. Laser scanning confocal microscopy unveils visually the distribution of the 2D perovskite layer on top of the 3D perovskite. When employing the 3D–2D perovskite as the absorbing layer in the photovoltaic cells, a high power conversion efficiency of 20.54% is realized. Superior device performance and moisture stability are observed with the modified perovskite over the whole stability test period.
Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome in diverse populations
Authors: Duffy Kelly A. , Sajorda Brian J. , Yu Alice C. , Hathaway Evan R. , Grand Katheryn L. , Deardorff Matthew A. , Kalish Jennifer M.
Published: February 2019

Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is the most common epigenetic overgrowth disorder and presents with patients affected by a variety of clinical features. Although genotype–phenotype correlations have been demonstrated in BWS and although BWS has been reported to occur equally among racial and ethnic backgrounds, no study to date has evaluated the frequency of findings in different backgrounds. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of clinical features and molecular diagnoses among patients with BWS in Caucasian, Mixed, and non‐Caucasian groups. These results suggest that clinical features and molecular diagnoses differ between race/ethnicity groups and raise the possibility of race and ethnicity effects on genotype–phenotype correlations in BWS.
Photoredox Defluorinative Alkylation of 1‐Trifluoromethyl Alkenes and 1,3‐Butadienes with 1,4‐Dihydropyridines as Alkylation Reagents
Authors: Chen Haoguo , Anand Devireddy , Zhou Lei
Published: February 2019

A radical defluorinative alkylation method of 1‐trifluoromethyl alkenes and 1,3‐butadienes with 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines under visible light irradiation is presented. Various alkylated 1,1‐difluoroalkenes and 1,1‐difluorodienes were obtained in moderate to high yields through a sequential C−C and C−F bond cleavage process.
Body size and social status in medieval Alba (Cuneo), Italy
Authors: Weiss Nicole M. , Vercellotti Giuseppe , Boano Rosa , Girotti Marilena , Stout Sam D.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Previous work by Vercellotti et al. in 2011 found significant status‐related differences in body size in males but not in females from the Italian bioarchaeological assemblage of San Michele di Trino (8th–14th centuries CE). The purpose of the present work is twofold: (a) to determine if status‐related body size differences could be observed in the nearby collection of San Lorenzo di Alba (7th–15th centuries CE) and (b) to add to the emerging narrative of medieval Italians.

Materials and Methods

Osteometric data (maximum length for the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula; bicondylar length of the femur, condylo‐malleolar length of the tibia, foot height, maximum vertebral heights, and basion‐bregma height) were collected for 50 (20 female, 30 male) individuals from Alba, and Monte Carlo analysis was used to assess differences in skeletal element size, skeletal height, living stature, and body mass across sex and status.

Results

Significant differences were detected between high status and low status males in Alba for radial maximum length (p = 0.013), tibial maximum length (p = 0.011), tibial condylo‐malleolar length (p = 0.012), skeletal height estimated from condylo‐malleolar tibial length (p = 0.002), and stature estimated from condyle‐malleolar tibial length with the age component (p = 0.003). In contrast, no significant status‐based differences were observed between female subsamples (p > 0.05).

Discussion

The patterns of intrapopulation variation observed at Alba are similar but not as pronounced as those observed at Trino, suggesting that overall life conditions experienced by the two groups were comparable.
The blood pressure paradox in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Hong Lan , Cheng Xin , Lin Longting , Bivard Andrew , Ling Yifeng , Butcher Kenneth , Dong Qiang , Parsons Mark ,   on behalf of the INSPIRE Study Group
Published: February 2019

Objective

To explore the association of poststroke baseline blood pressure with cerebral collateral flow and functional outcome in acute ischemic patients with large vessel occlusion/stenosis.

Methods

Patients identified with large vessel occlusion/stenosis with baseline multimodal computed tomography, follow‐up imaging, and complete clinical profiles were included. A 90‐day modified Rankin Scale of 0–1 was defined as an excellent functional outcome. Cerebral collateral flow was quantified by the volume ratio of tissue within the delay time >3 seconds perfusion lesion with severely delayed contrast transit (delay time >3 seconds/delay time >6 seconds).

Results

There were 306 patients included in this study. With every increase of 10 mmHg in baseline systolic blood pressure, the odds of achieving an excellent functional outcome decreased by 12% in multivariate analysis (odds ratio = 0.88, p = 0.048). Conversely, increased baseline blood pressure was associated with better collateral flow. In subgroup analysis of patients with major reperfusion, higher blood pressure was associated with decreased infarct growth and a better clinical outcome, and vice versa in patients without reperfusion.

Interpretation

Higher baseline blood pressure in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion/stenosis was associated with better collateral flow. However, for patients without reperfusion, higher baseline blood pressure was associated with increased infarct growth, leading to an unfavorable clinical outcome. The relationship between blood pressure and outcomes is highly dependent on reperfusion, and active blood pressure–lowering treatment may be inappropriate in acute ischemic stroke patients prior to reperfusion treatment. ANN NEUROL 2019;85:331–339.
A Tetrasilicon Analogue of Bicyclo[1.1.0]but‐1(3)‐ene Containing a Si=Si Double Bond with an Inverted Geometry
Authors: Iwamoto Takeaki , Abe Takashi , Sugimoto Kunihisa , Hashizume Daisuke , Matsui Hiroshi , Kishi Ryohei , Nakano Masayoshi , Ishida Shintaro
Published: February 2019

Bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasil‐1(3)‐ene 1, a tetrasilicon analogue of bicyclo[1.1.0]but‐1(3)‐ene that contains a formal double bond between bridgehead silicon atoms in an inverted geometry, was synthesized and isolated in the form of thermally stable orange crystals. The distance between the bridgehead Si atoms in 1 is much longer than those in typical Si=Si bonds, but still shorter than that of a previously reported pentasila[1.1.1]propellane. DFT calculations suggest that the bridgehead bond in 1 comprises a σ bond with an inverted geometry and a π bond. This notion is supported by the UV/Vis spectrum of 1, which exhibits several absorption bands in the UV/Vis region. While 1 is stable toward typical trapping agents for Si=Si double bonds, 1 reacts with carbon tetrachloride to furnish a hexachlorotetrasilane.
Acetonitrile Activation: An Effective Two‐Carbon Unit for Cyclization
Authors: Qin Qixue , Luo Xiao , Wei Jialiang , Zhu Yuchao , Wen Xiaojin , Song Song , Jiao Ning
Published: February 2019

A novel activation of acetonitrile for the construction of cyclobutenones by [2+2] cyclization was developed. Acetonitrile is utilized for the first time as two‐carbon (C2) cyclization building block. The present protocol successfully inhibits the competitive cycloaddition with the C≡N bond of acetonitrile, but enables the in situ formation of an unsaturated carbon–carbon bond and the subsequent cycloaddition as a C2 unit. This chemistry features simple reaction conditions, high chemoselectivities, wide substrate scope, and offers a new and practical approach to cyclobutenones and cyclobuteneimines.
Preparation and application of zinc oxide/poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide) hybrid ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Sun Zhimeng , Chen Hao , Ren Xiaojing , Zhang Zhongguo , Guo Lugang , Zhang Fengshan , Cheng Hongshun
Published: February 2019

A small molecular‐weight cut‐off (MWCO) of 6000 Da poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) embedded zinc oxide (ZnO) hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was synthesized via nonsolvent‐induced phase separation (NIPS). Tests of field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), capillary flow porometer (CPF), mechanical test, and pure water flux (PWF) for characterization of membranes were carried out. The EDX, FTIR, and TGA indicated the presence of ZnO in the polymer matrix. The hybrid membranes showed enhanced pore density, PWF by the presence of the particles. The contact angle and water flux of modified membrane with 0.03 wt % of nano‐ZnO were 47.7° and 52.58 L·m−2·h−1compared to 71.6° and 36.27 L·m−2·h−1respectively; Compared with the hydrophobic membrane, the PMIA membrane, with hydrophilicity, is supposed to exhibit good antifouling properties. Furthermore, the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the modified membranes were increased. Finally, the hybrid membrane was used in treating papermaking white wastewater and exhibited good separation and high water flux. The great properties of the ultrafiltration PMIA membranes indicate their potential for excellent performance in industrial applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47583.
Understanding ferroelectric performances of spin‐coated odd–odd nylon thin films
Authors: Tsutsumi Naoto , Kajimoto Nahoko , Kinashi Kenji , Sakai Wataru
Published: February 2019

Ferroelectric properties of organic odd–odd nylon spin‐coated thin films are investigated. Nylon 11‐11, 9‐13, and 11‐13 are prepared by melt polymerization of the nylon salt consisting of the corresponding dicarboxylic acid and diamine. The obtained nylon is spin coated to obtain thin films with the thicknesses in the range of 85–108 nm. After spin coating, the sample films are subjected to several thermal history procedures, namely the films are either melt quenched or thermally annealed at various temperatures. The melt‐quenched films are in the γ crystal phase that is directly related to the ferroelectricity of the sample thin films. Enhanced ferroelectricity is measured for the sample films that are thermally annealed at 165 °C. The remanent polarization is significantly affected by the crystallite size. Ferroelectric switching of the thin films is studied by applying a sinusoidal voltage with the frequencies of 1, 10, 100, 1 k, and 10 kHz. The switching speed is evaluated from the full width at half‐maximum of the switching current. A switching speed of 4.7 × 103 s−1 (switching time of 210 μs) is measured for 1 kHz switching. The remanent polarization is strongly decreased by increasing the switching frequency, whereas the coercive field is increased. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47595.
ZnII Complexes for Bioimaging and Correlated Applications
Authors: Tian Xiaohe , Hussain Sajid , de Pace Cesare , Ruiz‐Pérez Lorena , Battaglia Giuseppe
Published: February 2019

Zinc is a biocompatible element that exists as the second most abundant transition metal ion and an indispensable trace element in the human body. Compared to traditional metal‐organic complexes systems, d10 metal ZnII complexes not only exhibit a large Stokes shift and good photon stability but also possess strong emission and low cytotoxicity with a relatively small molecular weight. The use of ZnII complexes has emerged in the last decade as a versatile and convenient tool for numerous biological applications, including bioimaging, molecular and protein recognition, as well as photodynamic therapy. Herein, we review recent developments involving ZnII metal complexes applied as specific subcellular compartment imaging probes and their correlated utilizations.
Die Eh da‐Initiative
Authors: Künast Christoph , Deubert Mark , Künast Robert , Trapp Matthias
Published: February 2019

Die Eh da‐Initiative basiert auf dem Prinzip, dass es Flächen in Kulturlandschaften gibt, die eh da sind und das Potenzial zur ökologischen Aufwertung haben, ohne dass es zu nennenswerten Nutzungseinschränkungen kommt. Diese Flächen liegen in der offenen Landschaft, sie sind verkehrswegbegleitend, Zwickel in der Agrarlandschaft, Gemeinderasen und andere. Die Initiative verwendet geodatenbasierte Erfassungsmethoden, um Eh da‐Flächen zu detektieren und quantifizieren. Nach einer Geodatenanalyse in ausgewählten Landschaften umfassen Eh da‐Flächen mit 2–6 Prozent einen hohen Flächenanteil der Kommunen Deutschlands. Eh da‐Flächen sind meist schmal, longitudinal und durchziehen netzartig die Landschaft.

Vor allem Insekten können durch gezieltes Management von Lebensräumen auf Eh da‐Flächen gefördert werden. Diese können Korridore darstellen und entsprechend auf kommunaler Ebene in Projekte zum Biodiversitätsschutz integriert oder auch für separate Projekte verwendet werden. Kommunikation ist ein Kernelement jeder lokalen Initiative, wobei nicht nur die ökologischen Förderoptionen, sondern auch die kritischen Punkte (gegebenenfalls Förderung von Agrarschädlingen und Unkräutern, Neophyten, pyrrolizidinhaltigen oder allergenen Pflanzen) angesprochen werden sollen.
Nachrichten des Verbandes Biologie, Biowissenschaften & Biomedizin in Deutschland
Authors: Rohden Fabian
Published: February 2019

Wissenschaft & Gesellschaft

Genome Editing nach dem EuGH‐Urteil

Arbeitskreis BTA

34. Fachdidaktik – Tagung

Bundesdelegierten‐versammlung

Landesverbände

NRW
Batatasenol, a Major Triterpenol from Sweet Potato Skins
Authors: Giner José‐Luis
Published: February 2019

Sweet potatoes (the tuber of Ipomoea batatas) are a major food crop globally. The sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius elegantulus) is a serious pest of this important crop. The triterpenol, boehmerol, has previously been found in the skin of the tuber where, as its acetate ester, it has been shown to signal oviposition by the weevil. A new triterpenol, batatasenol, was identified in two varieties of sweet potatoes, ‘Covington’ and ‘Purple Stokes’. In the ‘Covington’ variety, batatasenol was practically the only triterpenol present in the skins. In the ‘Purple Stokes’ variety, batatasenol was present along with boehmerol and several minor triterpenols. Based on the structures of the co‐occurring compounds, it is proposed that their biosynthesis involves an epoxysqualene cyclase which can carry out both all‐chair and B‐boat cyclizations.
Intravascular ultrasound of normal left main arteries: Insights for stent optimization and standardization
Authors: Chatterjee Arka , Leesar Massoud A. , Hillegass William B.
Published: February 2019

Key Points

Left main (LM) lumen diameters >4 mm are the norm and diameter >4.5 mm is present in almost 50% of patients by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Normal LM minimum lumen area averages 14.1 mm2 for women and 16.2 mm2 for men, requiring an area stenosis of 57–63% for LM lesion to be hemodynamically significant using the prevailing criterion of 6 mm2 as a cut‐off for revascularization.

Incomplete LM visualization with IVUS is common (68%) without dedicated and specific LM IVUS techniques.
Radiation protection for the echocardiographers: “To each their own”
Authors: Pfeiffer Michael , Chambers Charles
Published: February 2019

Key Points

This article illustrates the effectiveness of targeted radioprotective strategies for the interventional echocardiographer.

The reader should recognize the importance of engagement of all team members in the multifaceted process of radiation exposure mitigation.

Future efforts/studies should focus on the impact of team oriented training, lab design, and development of novel supplies and equipment to mitigate radiation exposure of all personnel in the cardiac catheterization lab, particularly during more complex interventional procedures.
Heparin, bivalirudin, or the best of both for STEMI interventions
Authors: Gilchrist Ian C.
Published: February 2019

Key Points

Whether heparin, bivalirudin, or bivalirudin delivered on the background of prior heparin therapy, during primary PCI therapy is associated with a better outcome is difficult to ascertain from any one study.

Meta‐analysis of available trials suggests that the use of bivalirudin on top of prior heparin therapy may be associated with the lowest all‐cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events while preserving much of the access site bleeding reduction of bivalirudin alone.

There may be a role for initial therapy of STEMI with a broad‐spectrum anticoagulant such as heparin that is then focused to a more specific direct‐thrombin inhibitor (bivalirudin) in primary PCI.
A Phosphorus Analogue of p‐Quinodimethane with a Planar P4 Ring: A Metal‐Free Diphosphorus Source
Authors: Rottschäfer Dennis , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Kishi Ryohei , Nakano Masayoshi , Ghadwal Rajendra S.
Published: February 2019

Para‐quinodimethane (pQDM) is a fundamental structural component in many π‐conjugated organic molecules and materials. The incorporation of phosphorus atom into π‐conjugated frameworks offers unique opportunities for controlling the properties of derived species. A phosphorus analogue of p‐quinodimethane (pQDM), (IPrC)2P4 [5, IPr=C{N(Ar)CH2}2; Ar=2,6‐iPr2C6H3] featuring a planar P4 ring, was readily accessible by KC8‐reduction of (IPrC)(PCl2)2 (2). Base‐mediated C−H functionalization of IPrCH2 (1) with PCl3 afforded 2. The formation of 5 was expected to occur through a dimerization of the transient 3H‐diphosphirene (IPrC)P2 (4), which was theoretically suggested to have an intermediate diradical character. Compound 5 underwent photo‐induced ring‐contraction reaction to form the singlet diradicaloid (IPrCP)2 VI and white phosphorus (P4). The formation of and VI and P4 suggested the formal diphosphorus (P2) elimination from 5. Indeed, photolysis of a mixture of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene (CHD) and 5 led to the formation of P2‐entrapped product (CHD)2P2 (6). The compound 5 represents the first organophosphorus species that functions as a P2 source.
Convenient Access to Chiral Cyclobutanes with Three Contiguous Stereocenters from Verbenone by Directed C(sp3)−H arylation
Authors: Schmitz Alexander J. , Ricke Alexander , Oschmann Michael , Verho Oscar
Published: February 2019

This work demonstrates how a series of complex, chiral cyclobutane derivatives can be accessed in four steps from the terpene verbenone through the application of a directed C−H functionalization approach. The developed synthetic route involved an 8‐aminoquinoline‐directed C(sp3)−H arylation as the key step, and this reaction could be carried out with a wide range of aryl and heteroaryl iodides to furnish a variety of cyclobutane products with three contiguous stereocenters. Moreover, it was shown that the 8‐aminoquinoline auxiliary could be effectively removed from the cyclobutane derivatives using an ozonolysis‐based cleavage method.
Electrochemical Radical Borylation of Aryl Iodides
Authors: Hong Junting , Liu Qianyi , Li Feng , Bai Guangcan , Liu Guoquan , Li Man , Nayal Onkar S. , Fu Xuefeng , Mo Fanyang
Published: February 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Herein, we report the first electrochemical strategy for the borylation of aryl iodides via a radical pathway using current as a driving force. A mild reaction condition allows an assorted range of readily available aryl iodides to be proficiently converted into synthetically valuable arylboronic esters under transition metal catalyst‐free conditions. Moreover, this method also shows good functional group tolerance. Initial control mechanistic experiments reveal the formation of aryl radical as a key intermediate and the current plays an important role in the generation of radical intermediate.
On the memory attribution problem: A solution and case study using MPI
Authors: Gutiérrez Samuel K. , Arnold Dorian C. , Davis Kei , McCormick Patrick
Published: February 2019

As parallel applications running on large‐scale computing systems become increasingly memory constrained, the ability to attribute memory usage to the various components of the application is becoming increasingly important. We present the design and implementation of memnesia, a novel memory usage profiler for parallel and distributed message‐passing applications. Our approach captures both application– and message‐passing library–specific memory usage statistics from unmodified binaries dynamically linked to a message‐passing communication library. Using microbenchmarks and proxy applications, we evaluated our profiler across three Message Passing Interface (MPI) implementations and two hardware platforms. The results show that our approach and the corresponding implementation can accurately quantify memory resource usage as a function of time, scale, communication workload, and software or hardware system architecture, clearly distinguishing between application and MPI library memory usage at a per‐process level. With this new capability, we show that job size, communication workload, and hardware/software architecture influence peak runtime memory usage. In practice, this tool provides a potentially valuable source of information for application developers seeking to measure and optimize memory usage.
Vacuum‐UV and Low‐Energy Electron‐Induced DNA Strand Breaks – Influence of the DNA Sequence and Substrate
Authors: Vogel Stefanie , Ebel Kenny , Schürmann Robin M. , Heck Christian , Meiling Till , Milosavljevic Aleksandar R. , Giuliani Alexandre , Bald Ilko
Published: February 2019

DNA is effectively damaged by radiation, which can on the one hand lead to cancer and is on the other hand directly exploited in the treatment of tumor tissue. DNA strand breaks are already induced by photons having an energy below the ionization energy of DNA. At high photon energies, most of the DNA strand breaks are induced by low‐energy secondary electrons. In the present study we quantified photon and electron induced DNA strand breaks in four different 12mer oligonucleotides. They are irradiated directly with 8.44 eV vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photons and 8.8 eV low energy electrons (LEE). By using Si instead of VUV transparent CaF2 as a substrate the VUV exposure leads to an additional release of LEEs, which have a maximum energy of 3.6 eV and can significantly enhance strand break cross sections. Atomic force microscopy is used to visualize strand breaks on DNA origami platforms and to determine absolute values for the strand break cross sections. Upon irradiation with 8.44 eV photons all the investigated sequences show very similar strand break cross sections in the range of 1.7–2.3×10−16 cm2. The strand break cross sections for LEE irradiation at 8.8 eV are one to two orders of magnitude larger than the ones for VUV photons, and a slight sequence dependence is observed. The sequence dependence is even more pronounced for LEEs with energies <3.6 eV. The present results help to assess DNA damage by photons and electrons close to the ionization threshold.
Enhanced Production of γ‐Valerolactone with an Internal Source of Hydrogen on Ca‐Modified TiO2 Supported Ru Catalysts
Authors: Wojciechowska Joanna , Jędrzejczyk Marcin , Grams Jacek , Keller Nicolas , Ruppert Agnieszka M.
Published: February 2019

Invited for this month's cover are the groups from Lodz University of Technology (Poland) and from the University of Strasbourg (France). The image shows the interest of a fine light‐driven tuning of the ruthenium nanoparticle size on titania supports for designing highly active and selective catalysts for biomass valorization. The Full paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201801947.
Use of hidden Markov capture–recapture models to estimate abundance in the presence of uncertainty: Application to the estimation of prevalence of hybrids in animal populations
Authors: Santostasi Nina Luisa , Ciucci Paolo , Caniglia Romolo , Fabbri Elena , Molinari Luigi , Reggioni Willy , Gimenez Olivier
Published: February 2019

Estimating the relative abundance (prevalence) of different population segments is a key step in addressing fundamental research questions in ecology, evolution, and conservation. The raw percentage of individuals in the sample (naive prevalence) is generally used for this purpose, but it is likely to be subject to two main sources of bias. First, the detectability of individuals is ignored; second, classification errors may occur due to some inherent limits of the diagnostic methods. We developed a hidden Markov (also known as multievent) capture–recapture model to estimate prevalence in free‐ranging populations accounting for imperfect detectability and uncertainty in individual's classification. We carried out a simulation study to compare naive and model‐based estimates of prevalence and assess the performance of our model under different sampling scenarios. We then illustrate our method with a real‐world case study of estimating the prevalence of wolf (Canis lupus) and dog (Canis lupus familiaris) hybrids in a wolf population in northern Italy. We showed that the prevalence of hybrids could be estimated while accounting for both detectability and classification uncertainty. Model‐based prevalence consistently had better performance than naive prevalence in the presence of differential detectability and assignment probability and was unbiased for sampling scenarios with high detectability. We also showed that ignoring detectability and uncertainty in the wolf case study would lead to underestimating the prevalence of hybrids. Our results underline the importance of a model‐based approach to obtain unbiased estimates of prevalence of different population segments. Our model can be adapted to any taxa, and it can be used to estimate absolute abundance and prevalence in a variety of cases involving imperfect detection and uncertainty in classification of individuals (e.g., sex ratio, proportion of breeders, and prevalence of infected individuals).
Estimating age‐dependent survival from age‐aggregated ringing data—extending the use of historical records
Authors: Jiménez‐Muñoz Marina , Cole Diana J. , Freeman Stephen N. , Robinson Robert A. , Baillie Stephen R. , Matechou Eleni
Published: February 2019

Bird ring‐recovery data have been widely used to estimate demographic parameters such as survival probabilities since the mid‐20th century. However, while the total number of birds ringed each year is usually known, historical information on age at ringing is often not available. A standard ring‐recovery model, for which information on age at ringing is required, cannot be used when historical data are incomplete. We develop a new model to estimate age‐dependent survival probabilities from such historical data when age at ringing is not recorded; we call this the historical data model. This new model provides an extension to the model of Robinson, 2010, Ibis, 152, 651–795 by estimating the proportion of the ringed birds marked as juveniles as an additional parameter. We conduct a simulation study to examine the performance of the historical data model and compare it with other models including the standard and conditional ring‐recovery models. Simulation studies show that the approach of Robinson, 2010, Ibis, 152, 651–795 can cause bias in parameter estimates. In contrast, the historical data model yields similar parameter estimates to the standard model. Parameter redundancy results show that the newly developed historical data model is comparable to the standard ring‐recovery model, in terms of which parameters can be estimated, and has fewer identifiability issues than the conditional model. We illustrate the new proposed model using Blackbird and Sandwich Tern data. The new historical data model allows us to make full use of historical data and estimate the same parameters as the standard model with incomplete data, and in doing so, detect potential changes in demographic parameters further back in time.
Enantioselective Aza‐Henry Reaction of Seven‐Membered Cyclic Imines, Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines, by Bifunctional Organocatalysis
Authors: Shao You‐Dong , Han Dan‐Dan , Yang Xin‐Yuan , Zhou Di‐Di , Wang Tao , Cheng Dao‐Juan
Published: February 2019

In this study, we have successfully developed the first organocatalytic asymmetric aza‐Henry reaction of dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines as a representative class of unactivated seven‐membered cyclic imines with nitroalkanes. In the presence of a Cinchona alkaloid‐based thiourea catalyst, a range of structurally diverse nitrogen‐containing heterocycles were produced in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the ready transformation of the aza‐Henry products into enantioenriched 1,2‐diamine derivatives bode well for the potential applications of this route.
A New Species of Manglietia (Magnoliaceae) from Jiangxi, China
Authors: Liu Ren‐lin , Zhang Zhi‐xiang
Published: February 2019

Manglietia jinggangshanensis R.L. Liu et Z.X. Zhang, a new species of Magnoliaceae collected from Jiangxi Province in Central China, is described and illustrated. It can be distinguished from the other closely related species by its pruinose abaxial surface and revolute leaf margins, longer stipular scars (about 2/5~ 4/5 long of the petiole), partly reddish perianth, and lineate seed coat.
Glial TLR2‐driven innate immune responses and CD8+ T cell activation against brain tumor
Authors: Chang Chi Young , Jeon Sae‐Bom , Yoon Hee Jung , Choi Bum‐Kyu , Kim Sang Soo , Oshima Masanobu , Park Eun Jung
Published: February 2019

Growing interest has been focused on the roles of microglia as sentinels and effector cells that guard diverse pathological milieu in the brain. Here, it has been reported that microglial TLR2 is a crucial molecule that confers innate and adaptive immunity against brain tumor. TLR2 is preferentially expressed on microglia, brain‐resident immune cells, in the tumor‐bearing cerebral hemisphere of mouse and rat intracranial tumor models. Microglial TLR2 rapidly responds to brain tumor and modulates the inflammation‐associated immune responses including phagocytosis, which are markedly decreased in TLR2‐deficient mice. We further reveal that TLR2, but not TLR4, is essential for the tumor‐triggered increase of MHC I in microglia. in vitro co‐culture and in vivo experiments show that the glial TLR2‐MHC I axis contributes to the proliferation and activation of CD8+ T cells by brain tumor. In addition, brain tumor‐bearing β2m−/−, Tlr2−/−, or Rag2
−/−γc
−/− mice exhibit higher tumor volumes compared with WT mice with tumor. Survival analysis of GL26‐bearing MHC I‐defective mice also support the contribution of glial TLR2‐MHC I axis to brain tumor immunity. Moreover, using publicly available data sets of human brain tumor patients, we find that glioblastoma (GBM) tissues with high TLR2 level have similar co‐occurrence patterns with MHC I molecules, and the amounts and activity of infiltrating CD8+ T cells are correlated with TLR2 level in tissues from GBM patients. Collectively, our findings provide the importance of glial TLR2‐driven innate and adaptive immune responses in the brain tumor microenvironment.
Recreational use of GHB is associated with alterations of resting state functional connectivity of the central executive and default mode networks
Authors: Raposo Pereira Filipa , Zhutovsky Paul , Mcmaster Minni T.B. , Polderman Nikki , de Vries Yvon D.A.T. , van den Brink Wim , van Wingen Guido A.
Published: February 2019

Gamma‐hydroxybutyrate acid (GHB) is a recreational drug with a high addictive potential. Severe side effects such as GHB‐induced coma are common and linked to increased emergency room attendances. Task‐based functional‐imaging studies have revealed an association between the regular use of GHB and multiple GHB‐induced comas, and altered neurocognitive function. However the effects of multiple GHB‐induced comas and regular GHB‐use on intrinsic brain connectivity during rest remain unknown. The study population consisted of 23 GHB‐users with ≥4 GHB‐induced comas (GHB‐Coma), 22 GHB‐users who never experienced a GHB‐induced coma (GHB‐NoComa) and 24 polydrug users who never used GHB (No‐GHB). Resting‐state scans were collected to assess resting‐state functional‐connectivity within and between the default mode network (DMN), the bilateral central executive network (CEN) and the salience network (SN). The GHB‐NoComa group showed decreased rsFC of the right CEN with a region in the anterior cingulate cortex (pFWE = 0.048) and decreased rsFC between the right CEN and the DMN (pFWE = 0.048) when compared with the No‐GHB group. These results suggest that regular GHB‐use is associated with decreased rsFC within the right CEN and between the right CEN and the DMN. The presence of multiple GHB‐induced comas is not associated with (additional) alterations in rsFC.
The addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy did not reduce the rate of distant metastases in low‐risk HPV‐related oropharyngeal cancer in a real‐world setting
Authors: Hall Stephen F. , Griffiths Rebecca J. , O'Sullivan Brian , Liu Fei‐Fei
Published: February 2019

Background

Distant metastases (DM) are a leading cause of death for patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC). The objective of this study was to compare the rates of DM after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and radiotherapy alone (RT) in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and HPV‐negative OPSCC.

Method

In a retrospective population‐based study of 525 patients across Ontario, Canada, in 1998/99/03/04, we compared treatment effectiveness using cumulative incidence function curves and cause‐specific Cox regression models.

Results

Sixty of 525 patients developed DM. There was no difference in rates (overall 10%‐15%) between HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative patients or between CRT‐ and RT‐treated patients. CRT reduced the risk of DM for the 15% of all HPV‐positive patients with higher risk (T4 and/or N3) and not for HPV‐negative patients (hazard ratio, 1.82 [0.65‐5.07]).

Conclusion

The addition of platin‐based chemotherapy to conventional RT did not decrease the rates of DM in the majority of patients with HPV‐positive or in HPV‐negative OPSSC.
Quality of life after microvascular mandibular reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis—A prospective study
Authors: Danielsson Daniel , Munck‐Wikland Eva , Hagel Eva , Halle Martin
Published: February 2019

Background

Reconstructive surgery for mandibular osteoradionecrosis is increasing; however, evidence regarding the impact on health‐related quality of life is lacking. The current exploratory study prospectively investigates whether resection with reconstruction is associated with changes in HRQoL parameters for these patients.

Methods

Seventeen patients underwent microvascular reconstruction for mandibular osteoradionecrosis between 2012 and 2015, and 16 completed the EORTC quality of life questionnaires QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐H&N35 1 month before and 1 year after surgery.

Results

Increases in emotional (P = 0.01) and social functioning (P = 0.004) were observed, together with improvements in the fatigue (P = 0.04), appetite loss (P = 0.02) and pain (P = 0.02) scores, as evaluated by the QLQ‐C30. Pain reduction was further confirmed by the QLQ‐H&N35 (P = 0.04), which also showed improved scores for feeling ill (P = 0.001) and sexual difficulties (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

This exploratory study suggests that microvascular reconstruction after mandibular osteoradionecrosis may improve HRQoL, with an emphasis on pain reduction; however, further studies are needed.
Murine Liver Organoids as a Genetically Flexible System to Study Liver Cancer In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Saborowski Anna , Wolff Katharina , Spielberg Steffi , Beer Benedikt , Hartleben Björn , Erlangga Zulrahman , Becker Diana , Dow Lukas E. , Marhenke Silke , Woller Norman , Unger Kristian , Schirmacher Peter , Manns Michael P. , Marquardt Jens U. , Vogel Arndt , Saborowski Michael
Published: February 2019

The rising incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) coupled with a low 5‐year survival rate that remains below 10% delineates the urgent need for more effective treatment strategies. Although several recent studies provided detailed information on the genetic landscape of this fatal malignancy, versatile model systems to functionally dissect the immediate clinical relevance of the identified genetic alterations are still missing. To enhance our understanding of CCA pathophysiology and facilitate rapid functional annotation of putative CCA driver and tumor maintenance genes, we developed a tractable murine CCA model by combining the cyclization recombination (Cre)‐lox system, RNA interference, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology with liver organoids, followed by subsequent transplantation into immunocompetent, syngeneic mice. Histologically, resulting tumors displayed cytokeratin 19–positive ductal structures surrounded by a desmoplastic stroma—hallmark features of human CCAs. Despite their initial biliary phenotype in vitro, organoids retained the plasticity to induce a broader differentiation spectrum of primary liver cancers following transplantation into recipient mice, depending on their genetic context. Thus, the organoid system combines the advantage of using nontransformed, premalignant cells to recapitulate liver tumorigenesis as a multistep process, with the advantage of a reproducible and expandable cell culture system that abrogates the need for recurrent isolations of primary cells. Conclusion: Genetically modified liver organoids are able to transform into histologically accurate CCAs. Depending on the oncogenic context, they are also able to give rise to liver cancers that show features of hepatocellular carcinomas. The model can be used to functionally explore candidate cancer genes of primary liver cancers in immunocompetent animals and evaluate novel treatment regimens.