bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iridium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Asymmetric Allylic Dearomatization of Benzene Derivatives
Authors: Yang Ze‐Peng , Jiang Ru , Wu Qing‐Feng , Huang Lin , Zheng Chao , You Shu‐Li
Published: October 2018

Guided by the mechanistic insights from computational studies, we have developed an Ir‐catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular allylic dearomatization reaction of benzene derivatives. Under the optimized conditions consisting of a readily available Ir catalyst, a series of spiro[4.5]cyclohexadiene compounds were delivered in reasonable yields (up to 79 %) with good enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). The introduction of a malonate diester‐type substituent serves as a key strategy to guide the nucleophilic reactivity of the benzene ring.
Isolation of a TMTAA‐Based Radical in Uranium bis‐TMTAA Complexes
Authors: Hohloch Stephan , Garner Mary E. , Booth Corwin H. , Lukens Wayne W. , Gould Colin A. , Lussier Daniel J. , Maron Laurent , Arnold John
Published: October 2018

We report the synthesis, characterization, and electronic structure studies of a series of thorium(IV) and uranium(IV) bis‐tetramethyltetraazaannulene complexes. These sandwich complexes show remarkable stability towards air and moisture, even at elevated temperatures. Electrochemical studies show the uranium complex to be stable in three different oxidation states; isolation of the oxidized species reveals a rare case of a non‐innocent tetramethyltetraazaannulene (TMTAA) ligand.
Tuning Cu/Cu2O Interfaces for the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Chang Xiaoxia , Wang Tuo , Zhao Zhi‐Jian , Yang Piaoping , Greeley Jeffrey , Mu Rentao , Zhang Gong , Gong Zhongmiao , Luo Zhibin , Chen Jun , Cui Yi , Ozin Geoffrey A. , Gong Jinlong
Published: October 2018

Artificial photosynthesis can be used to store solar energy and reduce CO2 into fuels to potentially alleviate global warming and the energy crisis. Compared to the generation of gaseous products, it remains a great challenge to tune the product distribution of artificial photosynthesis to liquid fuels, such as CH3OH, which are suitable for storage and transport. Herein, we describe the introduction of metallic Cu nanoparticles (NPs) on Cu2O films to change the product distribution from gaseous products on bare Cu2O to predominantly CH3OH by CO2 reduction in aqueous solutions. The specifically designed Cu/Cu2O interfaces balance the binding strengths of H* and CO* intermediates, which play critical roles in CH3OH production. With a TiO2 model photoanode to construct a photoelectrochemical cell, a Cu/Cu2O dark cathode exhibited a Faradaic efficiency of up to 53.6 % for CH3OH production. This work demonstrates the feasibility and mechanism of interface engineering to enhance the CH3OH production from CO2 reduction in aqueous electrolytes.
Recent Advances in Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells: Fabrication and Applications
Authors: Yang Dong , Yang Ruixia , Priya Shashank , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: October 2018

Flexible perovskite solar cells have attracted widespread research effort because of their potential in portable electronics. The efficiency has exceeded 18 % owing to the high‐quality perovskite film achieved by various low‐temperature fabrication methods and matching of the interface and electrode materials. This Review focuses on recent progress in flexible perovskite solar cells concerning low‐temperature fabrication methods to improve the properties of perovskite films, such as full coverage, uniform morphology, and good crystallinity; demonstrated interface layers used in flexible perovskite solar cells, considering key figures‐of‐merit such as high transmittance, high carrier mobility, suitable band gap, and easy fabrication via low‐temperature methods; flexible transparent electrode materials developed to enhance the mechanical stability of the devices; mechanical and long‐term environmental stability; an outlook of flexible perovskite solar cells in portable electronic devices; and perspectives of commercialization for flexible perovskite solar cells based on cost.
An Iron‐Containing Metal–Organic Framework as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Ozone Decomposition
Authors: Wang Hang , Rassu Pietro , Wang Xiao , Li Haiwei , Wang Xiaorui , Wang Xiaoqi , Feng Xiao , Yin Anxiang , Li Pengfei , Jin Xu , Chen Shi‐Lu , Ma Xiaojie , Wang Bo
Published: October 2018

We present an iron‐containing metal–organic framework, MIL‐100(Fe), for ozone removal. MIL‐100(Fe) exhibits long‐lasting ozone conversion efficiency of 100 % for over 100 h under a relative humidity of 45 % and space velocity of 1.9×105 h−1 at room temperature, which is well beyond the performance of most porous or metal catalysts such as activated carbon and α‐MnO2. We also investigated the impact of humidity level and elucidated the plausible reaction mechanism, which is further confirmed by DFT calculations. Furthermore, MIL‐100(Fe) can be processed into films and used as filtration layer in a mask to protect personnel against ozone contamination. This study demonstrates the promising potential of MOFs in ozone pollution control, and also offers new insights for the design of ozone decomposition catalysts.
Metal‐Free Radical Borylation of Alkyl and Aryl Iodides
Authors: Cheng Ying , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Studer Armido
Published: October 2018

A metal‐free radical borylation of alkyl and aryl iodides with bis(catecholato)diboron (B2cat2) as the boron source under mild conditions is introduced. The borylation reaction is operationally easy to conduct and shows high functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope. Radical clock experiments and density functional theory calculations provide insights into the mechanism and rate constants for C‐radical borylation with B2cat2 are disclosed.
Carbon dot‐based fluorescent probes for sensitive and selective detection of luteolin through the inner filter effect
Authors: Sun Qianqian , Long Yuwei , Pan Shuang , Liu Hui , Yang Jidong , Hu Xiaoli
Published: October 2018

As a flavonoid, luteolin (LTL) has been universally studied due to its many advantages. Luteolin is a component in drugs and accurate detection is important to determine their LTL content and estimate their disposal effects. In our study, we found that the strong fluorescence of CDs made using ammonium citrate with the quantum yield (QY) of 8.8%, could be quenched sharply by LTL through the inner filter effect (IFE), and therefore a fluorescence assay for LTL detection using CDs as probes was devised. In this fluorescence assay, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.07 μmol L−1 with a dynamic range of 0.23–50.0 μmol L−1. The CDs also possessed excellent selectivity and achieved acceptable recovery and relative standard deviation (RSD). Importantly, for use of environmentally friendly and nontoxic CDs as fluorescent probes to detect LTL, its operation, instruments and materials are cheap and easy. Therefore, this study improved the ease of LTL detection, and can be used widely.
Multiparity affects conduction properties of pelvic floor nerves in rabbits
Authors: Castelán Francisco , López‐García Kenia , Moreno‐Pérez Suelem , Zempoalteca René , Corona‐Quintanilla Dora L. , Romero‐Ortega Mario I. , Jiménez‐Estrada Ismael , Martínez‐Gómez Margarita
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Women often develop pelvic floor dysfunction due to damage to the pelvic musculature during childbirth; however, the effect on pelvic floor nerves function is less understood. This study used adult rabbits to evaluate the electrophysiological and histological characteristics of the bulbospongiosus (Bsn) and pubococcygeus nerves (Pcn) in multiparity.

Methods

Compound nerve action potentials (CNAP) were compared between age‐matched nulliparous and multiparous animals and associated to the histological characteristics of myelinated axons from the Bsn and Pcn nerves. The extensor digitorum longus nerve (EDLn) was used as negative control. Data were analyzed with unpaired two‐tailed Student's t test or Mann–Whitney U test to determine significant differences between groups.

Results

The onset and peak latencies, duration, and conduction velocity of the motor fibers in these pelvic nerves were not significantly different between nulliparous and multiparous animals. However, the peak‐to‐peak amplitude and area of the CNAP in both Bsn and Pcn were reduced in multiparous rabbits. Histology showed a higher percentage of axons with myelin disorganization caused by multiparity in these pelvic nerves. Together, the data indicate a reduction in the number of functional pelvic axons due to multiparity. As expected, no effect of parity was observed in the EDLn controls.

Conclusions

Present findings demonstrated that multiparity affects myelination and consequently conduction properties in the small pelvic floor nerves.
Association ofMAPThaplotype‐tagging polymorphisms with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A preliminary study in a Croatian cohort
Authors: Babić Leko Mirjana , Willumsen Nanet , Nikolac Perković Matea , Klepac Nataša , Borovečki Fran , Hof Patrick R. , Sonicki Zdenko , Pivac Nela , de Silva Rohan , Šimić Goran
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the world leading cause of dementia. Early detection of AD is essential for faster and more efficacious usage of therapeutics and preventive measures. Even though it is well known that one ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene increases the risk for sporadic AD five times, and that two ε4 alleles increase the risk 20 times, reliable genetic markers for AD are not yet available. Previous studies have shown that microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) gene polymorphisms could be associated with increased risk for AD.

Methods

The present study included 113 AD patients and 53 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as well as nine healthy controls (HC) and 53 patients with other primary causes of dementia. The study assessed whether sixMAPThaplotype‐tagging polymorphisms (rs1467967, rs242557, rs3785883, rs2471738, del–In9, and rs7521) andMAPThaplotypes are associated with AD pathology, as measured by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers amyloid β1–42(Aβ1–42), total tau (t‐tau), tau phosphorylated at epitopes 181 (p‐tau181), 199 (p‐tau199), and 231 (p‐tau231), and visinin‐like protein 1 (VILIP‐1).

Results

Significant increases in t‐tau and p‐tau CSF levels were found in patients with AG and AAMAPTrs1467967 genotype, CCMAPTrs2471738 genotype and in patients with H1H2 or H2H2MAPThaplotype.

Conclusions

These results indicate thatMAPThaplotype‐tagging polymorphisms andMAPThaplotypes should be further tested as potential genetic biomarkers of AD.
Variability of the medullary arcuate nucleus in humans
Authors: Paradiso Beatrice , Ferrero Stefano , Thiene Gaetano , Lavezzi Anna Maria
Published: October 2018

Introduction

The arcuate nucleus is a component of the ventral medullary surface involved in chemoreception and breathing control. The hypoplasia of this nucleus is a very frequent finding in victims of sudden unexplained fetal and infant death (from the last weeks of pregnancy to the first year of life). On the contrary, this developmental alteration is rarely present in age‐matched controls who died of defined causes. These observations lead to hypothesize that a well‐developed and functional arcuate nucleus is generally required to sustain life. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the arcuate nucleus maintains the same supposed function throughout life.

Methods

We carried out neuropathological examinations of brainstems obtained from 25 adult subjects, 18 males and 7 females, aged between 34 and 89 years, who died from various causes.

Results

For almost half of the cases (44%) microscopic examinations of serial histological sections of medulla oblongata showed a normal cytoarchitecture of the arcuate nucleus, extending along the pyramids. For the remaining 56% of cases, various degrees of hypodevelopment of this nucleus were observed, validated through the application of quantitative morphometric investigations, from decreased area, neuron number and volume, to full aplasia.

Conclusions

These unexpected findings indicate that the involvement of the arcuate nucleus in chemoreception in adulthood is questionable, given the possibility of living until late age without this nucleus. This opens new perspectives for researchers on the role and function of the arcuate nucleus in humans from birth to old age.
Amyloid Aggregation of Bacillus circulans Xylanase under Native Conditions and its Modulation by β‐Amyloid‐Derived Peptide Fragments
Authors: Charlton Timothy , Shah Vandan , Lynch Tonianna , Candreva Jason , Chau Edward , Yang YanXi , Kim Hyunjoo , Wood Amy , Kim Jin Ryoun
Published: October 2018

The aggregation of intrinsically disordered proteins into fibrils is implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. Amyloid aggregation is a generic property of proteins as evidenced by globular proteins that often form amyloid aggregates under partially denaturing conditions. Recently, multiple lines of evidence have suggested that the amyloid aggregation of globular proteins can also occur under native conditions. Unfortunately, amyloid aggregation under native conditions has been demonstrated in only a handful of cases. Engineering a globular protein's amyloid aggregation might benefit from its fusion to an amyloid‐derived fragment with reduced aggregation propensity. Unfortunately, the impacts of such fragments on the amyloid aggregation under native conditions have yet to be examined. In this study, we show that a globular protein, Bacillus circulans xylanase (BCX), can aggregate to form amyloid fibrils under native conditions. When BCX was mixed with or fused to the non‐self‐aggregating fragments, KLVFWAK and ELVFWAE—which were derived from β‐amyloid (Aβ)—they modulated the BCX amyloid aggregation to differing extents. This study also provides insight into a correlation between the kinetic stability and amyloid aggregation of BCX, and supports a view that Aβ‐derived fragments can be useful for the modulating amyloid aggregation of some, though not all, proteins.
NAIL‐MS in E. coli Determines the Source and Fate of Methylation in tRNA
Authors: Reichle Valentin F. , Weber Verena , Kellner Stefanie
Published: October 2018

In all domains of life, the nucleobases of tRNA can be methylated. These methylations are introduced either by enzymes or by the reaction of methylating agents with the nucleophilic centers of the nucleobases. Herein, we present a systematic approach to identify the methylation sites within RNA in vitro and in vivo. For discrimination between enzymatic tRNA methylation and tRNA methylation damage in bacteria, we used nucleic acid isotope labeling coupled mass spectrometry (NAIL‐MS). With NAIL‐MS, we clearly observed the formation of 7‐methylguanosine, 3‐methyluridine, and 6‐methyladenosine during exposure of bacteria to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in vivo. These damage products were not reported to form in tRNA in vivo, as they were masked by the enzymatically formed modified nucleosides in previous studies. In addition, we found formation of the known damage products 1‐methyladenosine and 3‐methylcytidine in vivo. With a dynamic NAIL‐MS setup, we observed tRNA repair by demethylation of these two RNA modifications in vivo. Furthermore, we saw the potential repair of 6‐methyladenosine but not 7‐methylguanosine in bacterial tRNA.
Effect of orbital atherectomy in calcified coronary artery lesions as assessed by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Yamamoto Myong Hwa , Maehara Akiko , Kim Sung Sik , Koyama Kohei , Kim Song‐Yi , Ishida Masaru , Fujino Akiko , Haag Elizabeth S. , Alexandru Dragos , Jeremias Allen , Sosa Fernando A. , Karimi Galougahi Keyvan , Kirtane Ajay J. , Moses Jeffrey W. , Ali Ziad A. , Mintz Gary S. , Shlofmitz Richard A.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

We sought to assess plaque modification and stent expansion following orbital atherectomy (OA) for calcified lesions using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Background

The efficacy of OA for treating calcified lesions is not well studied, especially using intravascular imaging in vivo.

Methods

OCT was performed preprocedure, post‐OA, and post‐stent (n = 58). Calcium modification after OA was defined as a round, concave, polished calcium surface. Calcium fracture was complete discontinuity of calcium.

Results

Comparing pre‐ vs post‐OA OCT (n = 29), calcium area was significantly decreased post‐OA (from 3.4 mm2 [2.4–4.7] to 2.9 mm2 [1.9–3.9], P < 0.001). Poststent percent calcium fracture (calcium fracture length/calcium length) correlated with post‐OA percent calcium modification (calcium modification length/calcium length) (r = 0.31, P = 0.01). Among 75 calcium fractures in 35 lesions, maximum calcium thickness at the fracture site was greater with vs without calcium modification (0.58 mm [0.50–0.66] vs 0.45 mm [0.38–0.52], P = 0.003). Final optimal stent expansion, defined as minimum stent area ≥6.1 mm2 or stent expansion ≥90% (medians of this cohort) at the maximum calcium angle site, was observed in 41 lesions. Larger post‐OA lumen area (odds ratio 2.64; 95% CI 1.21–5.76; P = 0.02) and the presence of calcium fracture (odds ratio 6.77; 95% CI 1.25–36.6; P = 0.03) were independent predictors for optimal stent expansion.

Conclusions

Calcium modification by OA facilitates poststent calcium fracture even in thick calcium. Greater calcium modification correlated with greater calcium fracture, in turn resulting in better stent expansion.
Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Oil during Slurry‐Phase Hydrocracking
Authors: Quitian Alexander , Fernández Yatzirih , Ancheyta Jorge
Published: October 2018

The saturates, aromatics, and resins fractions of maltenes from upgraded oils obtained by slurry‐phase hydrocracking (SPH) under low‐severity reaction conditions using analytical‐grade and mineral catalysts were obtained by chromatographic separation. The reactions in the SPH at low severity with the catalysts used occur by free radicals, and their subsequent hydrogenation is from heavier fractions (asphaltenes and resins) to lighter fractions (aromatics, saturates, and light cuts). The degree of conversion depends on the type of catalyst used (Mo > Fe) and is also proportional to the active metal content of the catalyst. The enhanced conversion of aromatics and resins towards the saturates fraction depends on the hydrogenation capacity of the catalyst. The better flow properties of the maltenes are due to the conversion of heavier to lighter fractions and to the upgrading of the resins fraction properties.
Nitrogen‐Doped Metal‐Free Carbon Materials Derived from Cellulose as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Wütscher Annika , Eckhard Till , Hiltrop Dennis , Lotz Katrin , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Andronescu Corina , Muhler Martin
Published: October 2018

Development of metal‐free carbon‐based electrocatalysts for reducing oxygen to water (ORR), preferentially following a 4 electron transfer pathway, is of high importance. We present a two‐step synthesis of N‐doped carbon‐based ORR electrocatalysts by using an efficient thermal treatment of hydrothermally carbonized cellulose in ammonia combining devolatilization, reduction and nitrogen doping. The influence of the synthesis temperature as well as of the ammonia concentration used during the synthesis on the electrocatalytic ORR activity was analyzed using bulk‐ and surface‐sensitive techniques. Correlation of electrocatalytic activity with structural features of the catalysts provided deeper mechanistic understanding and enabled us to optimize the synthesis conditions. The nitrogen‐doped metal‐free catalyst originating from the treatment in 100 % NH3 at 800 °C achieved a current density of −1 mA cm−2 at 0.83 V vs. RHE positioning it among the most active noble‐metal free and biomass‐based ORR catalysts reported so far.
Citric Acid Assisted Solid State Synthesis of V2O3, V2O3/C and V2O3/Graphene Composites for Li‐ion Battery Anode Applications
Authors: Petnikota Shaikshavali , Toh Jun Jie , Li Jia Yang , Chua Rodney , Srinivasan Madhavi
Published: October 2018

A series of V2O3, V2O3/C and V2O3/G composite powders are prepared by simply annealing the reaction mixture containing ammonium metavanadate (0.1 M), reduced graphene oxide (rGO, 0.1 M) and citric acid (CA, 0.0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 M) at 500 °C for 8 h under Ar flow. A variety of characterization techniques are used to investigate the structural, physiochemical features and electrochemical performance of the powders. The reaction mixture without rGO led to the formation of V2O3 at 0.1 M of CA and V2O3/C at 0.3 and 0.5 M of CA. As anodes of lithium‐ion coin cell batteries, V2O3, V2O3/C and V2O3/G composite electrodes exhibit an increase in capacity with increasing concentrations of CA. The increase in capacity is mainly attributed to the carbonization of CA and the declining crystallinity of V2O3. V2O3/C and V2O3/G prepared at 0.5 M of CA outperformed all other control compounds. The V2O3/C and V2O3/G delivered reversible capacities of 585 and 420 mAh g−1 respectively, during the first cycle with a current density of 50 mA g−1. The respective capacities after few initial cycles continuously increased to 608 and 463 mAh g−1 at the end of the 100th cycle.
Porous Organic Polymer Gel Derived Electrocatalysts for Efficient Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Zhou Baolong , Liu Liangzhen , Yang Zongfan , Li Xiaoqiang , Wen Zhenhai , Chen Long
Published: October 2018

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), as one of the most critical but promising reactions for energy conversion, has attracted increasing research interest. Recent reports have evidenced that carbonization of heteroatoms doped porous organic polymers (POPs) is an effective approach toward highly efficient ORR electrocatalysts. We herein report a versatile ternary copolymerization strategy to synthesize stable POPs gel with tunable doping of heteroatoms (N, S, F) and Fe species, leading to significant enhancement in surface area and porosity. Carbonization of these POPs afford efficient ORR electrocatalyst with optimized composition, hierarchical porous structure and prominent catalytic activities in both alkaline and neutral conditions. The optimized catalyst (TF‐C‐900) exhibited an onset potential (Eonset) of 1.01 V and half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.88 V in 0.1 M KOH solution. These performance metrics are even comparable to those of the Pt/C (0.99 and 0.85). In addition, the TF‐C‐900 also showed superior stability and advantage of methanol tolerance, enabling them to be a competitive cathode electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cell.
Filtering the NMR Spectra of Complex Mixtures through Polymer‐Mediated Paramagnetic Spin Relaxation
Authors: Correa Juan , Pinto Luiz F. , Zhao Libo , Riguera Ricardo , Fernandez‐Megia Eduardo
Published: October 2018

A polymer‐mediated paramagnetic spin relaxation (PSR) filter is presented for the selective suppression of signals from polymer‐interacting species in the 1D and 2D NMR spectra of mixtures. The combined use of Gd3+ and a polymer with a high transverse relaxation enhancement (R2p, which gives a measure of the Gd3+‐complexing ability) results in the suppression of signals from any polymer‐interacting component in mixtures, irrespective of their R2p. By using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as a model system, we demonstrate selective filtering of the signals of typical low‐R2p species (insensitive to Gd3+), such as molecular/polymeric cations and non‐ionic polymers, which, through PAA recognition (electrostatic/hydrogen‐bonding interactions), become exposed to the paramagnetic effect of Gd3+, while leaving non‐PAA‐interacting species unaffected. Typical suppression conditions involve PAA (approximately equimolar amount with respect to the species to be filtered) accompanied by sub‐mm concentrations of Gd3+ and T2‐filters ≤100 ms. Overall, by exploiting the PSR principles and the recognition properties of polymers, selective NMR filtrations that are not attainable by diffusion, relaxation, or direct PSR filters, can be achieved.
Recent Advances in Carbon Nanomaterials for Cancer Phototherapy
Authors: Jiang Bang‐Ping , Zhou Bo , Lin Zhaoxing , Liang Hong , Shen Xing‐Can
Published: October 2018

Carbon nanomaterials have received great attention from the scientific community over the past few decades because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In this minireview, we will summarize the recent progress of the use of various carbon nanomaterials in the field of cancer phototherapy. The structural characteristics of each category and the surface functionalization strategies of these nanomaterials will be briefly introduced before focusing on their therapeutic applications. Recent advances on their use in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and combined phototherapies are presented. Moreover, a few challenges and perspectives on the development of carbon nanomaterials for future theranostics are also discussed.
Dynamic Nitroxide Functional Materials
Authors: Woehlk Hendrik , Lauer Andrea , Trouillet Vanessa , Welle Alexander , Barner Leonie , Blinco James P. , Fairfull‐Smith Kathryn E. , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: October 2018

A substrate‐independent and versatile coating platform for (spatially resolved) surface functionalization, based on nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions and the formation of thermo‐labile alkoxyamine functional groups, was introduced. Nitroxide‐decorated poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microspheres, obtained through bioinspired copolymer surface deposition using dopamine and a nitroxide functional dopamine derivative as monomers, were conjugated with small functional groups in a rewritable process. Reversible coding of the nitroxide functional microspheres by NRC and decoding through thermal alkoxyamine fission were monitored and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, this nitroxide coating system was exploited in “grafting‐to” polymer surface ligations of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate) (PTFEMA) in spatially confined areas. Polymer strands terminated with an Irgacure 2959 (2‐hydroxy‐4′‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐2‐methylpropiophenone) photoinitiator were obtained through chain‐transfer polymerization, and subsequently coupled to nitroxide‐immobilized poly(dopamine) (PDA)‐coated silicon substrates by using rapid photoclick NRC reactions. Light‐driven polymer surface coding was visualized by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) and XPS imaging.
Didehydroisobenzofuran: A New Reactive Intermediate for Construction of Isoacenofuran
Authors: Matsuoka Suguru , Jung Sunna , Miyakawa Kaoru , Chuda Yu , Sugimoto Ryo , Hamura Toshiyuki
Published: October 2018

An efficient generation method of didehydroisobenzofuran, a new heteroaryne species, was developed by bromine/lithium exchange of the dibromoisobenzofuran. The reactive intermediate, thus generated, was trapped by appropriate arynophile to give the [2+2], [2+3], and [2+4] cycloadducts, respectively. Moreover, the reaction could be applied to the syntheses of isoanthracenofurans (anthra[2,3‐c]furans), a new class of heteroacenes, with isoelectoronic structure to the corresponding acenoheteroles (anthra[2,3‐b]furans).
Survival and outcome of retinoblastoma treated by neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy in India
Authors: Gupta Sanjiv Kumar , Meshram Madhuri , Kumar Ajai , Verma Nishant , Agrawal Siddharth , Kumar Archana
Published: October 2018

Background

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy during infancy and childhood. The survival rate for children with retinoblastoma has improved significantly in developed countries; however, the outcome of the disease in developing countries remains dismal. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is useful in this clinical scenario and can improve the survival of these children in the developing and underdeveloped countries.

Aim

To study the outcome and related factors in retinoblastoma patients treated at a tertiary care hospital in northern India.

Methods and Results

A tertiary care center‐based retrospective study was done from the year 2009 to 2015. All patients underwent an examination under anesthesia and classified using International Classification of Retinoblastoma. All subjects received systemic chemotherapy and, additionally, local surgical therapy according to the stage of the disease. Extraocular presentation and/or residual/recurrent tumour was treated by radiotherapy. All the subjects who followed the treatment protocol were included in the study. Two hundred and forty‐seven eyes of 200 subjects were included after screening the records of 233 subjects, who presented with retinoblastoma from January 2009 until December 2015. Mortality rate was highest in Group E (n = 50, 42.0%) followed by Group D (n = 24, 33.8%), whereas there was no mortality in unilateral Group B and Group C. Total 126 (63.0%) patients were alive at the end of the study. Factors significantly associated with mortality were age at the time of diagnosis, latency in the diagnosis, and the stage of the disease at presentation.

Conclusions

Neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy shows promising results in terms of low recurrence rates. Latency in diagnosis, higher age at presentation, and advanced disease at presentation were associated with higher mortality. Subjects with early presentation had a favourable outcome, and cure was possible after completion of the therapy.
An adaptive virtual reality system for the treatment of adjustment disorder and complicated grief: 1‐year follow‐up efficacy data
Authors: Quero Soledad , Molés Mar , Campos Daniel , Andreu‐Mateu Sabrina , Baños Rosa M. , Botella Cristina
Published: October 2018

Adjustment disorder (AD) and complicated grief (CG) are serious mental conditions that have a high prevalence and are associated with significant impairments in social and work functioning. Recently, these categories have been better specified in the new ICD‐11 proposal. Empirical research on the efficacy of treatments for these problems is scarce. This study aims to offer long‐term efficacy data from a between‐groups controlled study that compares two treatment conditions (AD‐protocol applied in a traditional way: N = 18 and the same protocol supported by virtual reality (VR); VR‐protocol applied in a traditional way: N = 18) and a waiting list (WL) control group (N = 18). Both treatment conditions resulted in statistically significant improvements on both primary and secondary outcome measures, with large effect sizes, and this improvement did not occur in the WL. These changes were maintained in both treatment conditions in the medium (6‐month) and long‐term (12‐month follow‐up). Larger effect sizes were achieved in the VR condition in the long term. Furthermore, clinically significant change estimations on the primary outcome measures showed an advantage for the VR condition This is the first controlled study to compare a traditional face‐to‐face protocol for the treatment of stress‐related disorders with the same protocol supported by VR and a WL control group.
A step‐up/step‐down direct current to direct current converter for high‐power, high‐current applications
Authors: Henrique Feretti Paulo , Franco de Souza Alencar , Custódio Gomes Adjeferson , Silva de Morais Aniel , Tofoli Fernando Lessa
Published: October 2018

This work proposes the conception of a nonisolated direct current (DC)‐DC buck‐boost converter employing the three‐state switching cell. Similarly to interleaving, it is possible to achieve higher power levels than that regarding the classical buck‐boost converter, but prominent advantages over the interleaved approach result, ie, the input current is continuous for duty ratios higher than 0.5; good current sharing is achieved without the need of special control schemes; and the active switches are connected to the same reference node as the input voltage source, as there is no need to use isolated drive circuitry. A thorough quantitative and qualitative analysis is carried for the entire range of the duty cycle D, considering that the proposed converter presents distinct behaviors for D < 0.5 and D > 0.5. An experimental prototype is developed and evaluated, while the results are discussed in detail.
Immature Granulocytes: A Risk Factor of Infection after Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Daix Thomas , Guérin Estelle , Tavernier Elsa , Marsaud Jean‐Philippe , Hacan Adélaïde , Gauthier François , Piccardo Alessandro , Vignon Philippe , Feuillard Jean , François Bruno
Published: October 2018

Background

Similarly, to sepsis, cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces major changes in leukocyte subsets. Immature granulocytes (IGs) increase both in sepsis and after open‐heart surgery. Secondary infections are a major complication of cardiac surgery with CPB. We hypothesized that the assessment of leukocyte subsets with multicolor flow cytometry (FCM) could help the front‐line clinician to better identify patients at high risk of infectious complications in this clinical setting.

Methods

In this single‐center observational pilot study, we identified 26 leukocyte subsets using three combinations of antibodies (from 5 to 10 colors per combinations): one devoted to granulocytes, one to lymphocyte subpopulations and one for rare cells (plasma cells and dendritic cells). Blood samples were obtained preoperatively and immediately after open‐heart surgery under CPB in 59 patients without immuno‐depression, chronic or neoplastic inflammatory disease, and immunosuppressive treatment. Secondary infections during hospital stay were recorded.

Results

Patients exhibited postoperative NK and T‐cell lymphopenia, increased levels of IGs and monocytes with low levels of surface HLA DR. Twelve patients developed secondary infectious complications. Only immediate postoperative IG levels were significantly higher in these patient (6.6 [6; 7.39] G/L vs. 3.8 [2.67; 5.72] G/L, P = 0.01). Patients with immediate postoperative increase of IGs developed more frequently infectious complication (10/22 [46%] vs. 2/37 [5%]: P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study suggests that postoperative increase of IGs is related to postoperative organ failure and promises to help in early identification of patients at risk of infectious complications after open‐heart surgery under CPB. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
A facile microwave assisted fabrication of nano Ag2ZrO3: An efficient visible light harvesting photocatalyst
Authors: Warkhade Swapnil K. , Das Ranjita S. , Gaikwad G. S. , Pratap Umesh R. , Zodape Sangesh P. , Wankhade Atul V.
Published: October 2018

Spherical, mesoporous nano silver zirconate with enhanced visible light harvesting ability was successfully synthesized by an effective microwave‐assisted method. The authentication of synthesized material was carried by XRD, FE‐SEM, TEM, BET, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. To explore the wide photocatalytic potential of efficiently synthesized nano silver zirconate, the photo‐oxidation of aqueous methylene blue solution was studied spectrophotometrically. The nano silver zirconate synthesized by microwave irradiation shows superior photocatalytic efficiency as compared to our previously reported silver zirconate synthesized by the solid‐state method, Degussa P25, and other silver‐based photocatalyst. This as synthesized nano silver zirconate exhibits 99% photo‐degradation of 10−5 M aqueous methylene blue solution in 120 min of visible light irradiation. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13071, 2019
Experimental assessment of the seismic performance of hospital cabinets using shake table testing
Authors: Di Sarno Luigi , Magliulo Gennaro , D'Angela Danilo , Cosenza Edoardo
Published: October 2018

An experimental investigation of hospital building equipment is presented. Dynamic properties and seismic performance of typical ambulatory freestanding cabinets are assessed by unidirectional and bidirectional shake table tests, also considering the presence of internal partitions and cabinet contents. Vulnerability analysis is performed according to the most recent and reliable assessment methods, evaluating the influence of different parameters of the sample cabinets. The performance criteria referred within this research are the limit states reached by the specimens (ie, rocking and overturning) and by their contents (ie, overturning and breaking). Fragility curves are evaluated for the components and the contents, considering both acceleration and velocity intensity measures, and also using dimensionless intensity measures developed in recent studies. The outcomes of the present study confirm the findings of previous laboratory tests and numerical simulations carried out by the same authors and provide a further insight for the reliable seismic performance assessment of hospital cabinets and their contents.
Microplastics in the aquatic environment: Evidence for or against adverse impacts and major knowledge gaps
Authors: Burns Emily E. , Boxall Alistair B.A.
Published: October 2018

There is increasing scientific and public concern over the presence of microplastics in the natural environment. We present the results of a systematic review of the literature to assess the weight of evidence for microplastics causing environmental harm. We conclude that microplastics do occur in surface water and sediments. Fragments and fibers predominate, with beads making up only a small proportion of the detected microplastic types. Concentrations detected are orders of magnitude lower than those reported to affect endpoints such as biochemistry, feeding, reproduction, growth, tissue inflammation and mortality in organisms. The evidence for microplastics acting as a vector for hydrophobic organic compounds to accumulate in organisms is also weak. The available data therefore suggest that these materials are not causing harm to the environment. There is, however, a mismatch between the particle types, size ranges, and concentrations of microplastics used in laboratory tests and those measured in the environment. Select environmental compartments have also received limited attention. There is an urgent need for studies that address this mismatch by performing high quality and more holistic monitoring studies alongside more environmentally realistic effects studies. Only then will we be able to fully characterize risks of microplastics to the environment to support the introduction of regulatory controls that can make a real positive difference to environmental quality. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2776–2796. © 2018 SETAC

Abstract

Number of scientific studies identified over the past 8 yr with the word “microplastic” in the title, abstract, or keywords (extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases). Word clouds containing the 50 most frequently occurring words in abstracts from 2008 to 2011, from 2012 to 2014, and from 2015 to 2016 are overlaid.
Scale Aware Deep Pedestrian Detection
Authors: Choudhury Suman Kumar , Padhy Ram Prasad , Sangaiah Arun Kumar , Sa Pankaj Kumar , Muhammad Khan , Bakshi Sambit
Published: October 2018

In smart cities, traffic management is becoming a significant challenge owing to the rapid growth of population. In this regard, pedestrian detection and their safety are of the utmost importance for the city authorities. In this paper, a fully convolutional deep architecture is presented to detect pedestrians by automatically selecting the desired region proposals as well as learning the requisite feature representation with no need for any manual hand‐crafted feature design. The architecture facilitates end‐to‐end training and thereby improves the overall performance, eliminating the bottleneck caused by the multistage pipeline structure of conventional feature engineering. A state‐of‐the‐art deep framework, for general object detection, is suitably tailored for the task of pedestrian detection. A densely connected convolutional network is employed to learn the desired features. A two‐stage approach is proposed to separate the human‐look‐alike hard negative backgrounds from the true pedestrians. Besides, feature maps from multiple intermediate layers are taken into consideration to facilitate small‐scale detection. The proposed method alongside a few competent schemes is compared on the benchmark Caltech and INRIA datasets, where the log average miss rate is set as the performance metric. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of our approach in addressing the real‐world challenges.
Tectonic evolution of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt, Central China: Insights from metamafic rocks of the Songshugou Complex
Authors: Diwu Chunrong , Long Xiaoping
Published: October 2018

High‐pressure (HP) and ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) rocks have been widely recognized in the North Qinling Orogenic Belt (NQOB). The nature and age of their protoliths can provide insights into the formation and evolution of the NQOB. The Songshugou Complex, which crops out along the Shangdan Suture Zone, mainly consists of high‐grade metamorphosed mafic and ultramafic rocks, and thus, this area is an important study site for understanding the tectonic evolution of the NQOB. The metamafic rocks that enclose the ultramafic rocks are overwhelmingly composed of amphibolites that primarily exhibit amphibolite‐facies metamorphism, and minor garnet amphibolites (retrograde eclogite) and HP mafic granulites occur as discontinuous lenses or blocks within these amphibolites. Laser inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICPMS) U–Pb dating on zircons yielded ages of 499 ± 6, 507 ± 5, and 504 ± 10 Ma for the HP mafic granulite, garnet amphibolite (retrograde eclogite), and amphibolite, respectively. Those ages were interpreted to represent timing of the HP granulite or amphibolite metamorphism that occurred during later exhumation. Relict omphacites discovered in both garnet and zircon as well as in the matrix of the garnet amphibolite indicate that the rock underwent eclogite‐facies metamorphism and subsequent rapid exhumation. However, the timing of the different metamorphic stages cannot be distinguished from the zircon ages obtained using the LA‐ICPMS technique. The protolith age of the complex is constrained to be the early Neoproterozoic. Geochemical data indicate that the protoliths of the Songshugou metamafic rocks are of continental origin. These Neoproterozoic continental mafic rocks most likely formed during the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia and were mainly derived from low‐degree partial melting of the asthenosphere with some lithospheric mantle contribution, within an extensional regime. All the available data reveal that the NQOB was one of the components of the Rodinia supercontinent and that it was likely involved in the Grenville orogenic belt and subsequently separated from the supercontinent at approximately 830–740 Ma.
Prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse is associated with suicidal ideation in older adults
Authors: Schepis Ty S. , Simoni‐Wastila Linda , McCabe Sean Esteban
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Suicide in older adults is a major public health issue. Past research across the US adult population has linked prescription medication misuse with suicidal ideation. No work has evaluated associations between prescription opioid or benzodiazepine misuse and suicidal ideation in older adults, and this work aimed to address that gap.

Methods/design

Data were from adults 50 years and older participating in the 2015 to 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 17 608). Design‐based logistic regression evaluated links between any past‐year prescription opioid or benzodiazepine use without misuse or prescription misuse and past‐year suicidal ideation, after controlling for sociodemographic, physical health, mental health, and substance use correlates associated with suicidal ideation.

Results

After controlling for all correlates, past‐year use without misuse of prescription opioids or benzodiazepines was not associated with past‐year suicidal ideation in older adults. In contrast, past‐year opioid misuse (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.07‐3.19) and benzodiazepine misuse (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.01‐3.94) were significantly associated with past‐year suicidal ideation, even after controlling for all covariates. While 2.2% of US older adults not engaged in either opioid or benzodiazepine misuse reported past‐year suicidal ideation, 25.4% of those who misused both medication classes endorsed such suicidality (AOR = 4.73, 95% CI = 2.07‐10.79).

Conclusions

Both past‐year prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse are associated with past‐year suicidal ideation in US older adults. Clinicians encountering older adult patients at‐risk for or engaged in prescription medication misuse also should screen for suicidality.
Regional brain volume reductions in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder: An analysis by voxel‐based morphometry
Authors: Niida Richi , Yamagata Bun , Matsuda Hiroshi , Niida Akira , Uechi Akihiko , Kito Shinsuke , Mimura Masaru
Published: October 2018

Objectives

The present study investigated the usefulness of evaluating the existence of volume reduction in brain regions using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) to dissociate major depressive disorder (MDD) from bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods/Design

This study enrolled 92 individuals with MDD, 32 individuals with BD, and 43 healthy controls (HCs). We focused on gray matter volume (GMV) of the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), subcallosal area (SCA), and hippocampus. The degree of volume reduction in these brain regions was calculated as the z score, and the differences of z scores in these regions were investigated among the MDD, BD, and HC groups. We then performed a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to dissociate the individuals with MDD and BD from the HCs based on the z scores in the GMV of these brain regions.

Results

While there were no significant differences in the z scores of the hippocampus among the three groups, the z score of the sgACC was significantly higher in the MDD group than in the BD and HC groups, and the SCA z score was significantly higher in the MDD and BD groups than in the HC group.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that VBM evaluation of GMV reduction in the sgACC may be useful as an objective adjunctive tool to distinguish between MDD and BD.
Intergenerational differences in social support for the community‐living elderly in Beijing, China
Authors: Cheng Yang , Xi Jing , Rosenberg Mark W. , Gao Siyao
Published: October 2018

Background and Aims

The combination of the rapid process of social‐economic development, urbanization, and population ageing brings many challenges for care providers and quality of life of the community‐living elderly in Beijing, China. This research aims to understand the intergenerational differences of social support for the elderly in the socio‐cultural context of Beijing.

Methods and Results

To answer this research question, we collected 30 semi‐structured in‐depth interviews from elders aged 60 and over in three communities in Beijing. The constant comparative method was used for analysis. The results show that the young‐old (people aged 60 to 74) received more formal social support and less informal social support compared to their parents' generation. The formal social support they received was not much different but they received less informal social support compared to the older‐old (people aged 75 and over) living in the same communities. The young‐old expect to receive more formal social support when they become the older‐old, as the informal social support from their children would be reduced due to the one‐child policy and socio‐cultural changes.

Conclusions

Intergenerational differences of social support for the elderly do exist in the form of instrumental, financial, and emotional support. The findings help us understand how socio‐economic development and urbanization processes affect the daily life and social support of the community‐living elderly from different age groups, and also provides knowledge for improving the quality of life for the elderly in Beijing.