bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of soil bacterial communities along a chronosequence of Eucalyptus plantation
Authors: Li Jiayu , Lin Jiayi , Pei Chenyu , Lai Kaitao , Jeffries Thomas C. , Tang Guangda
Published: September 2018

Eucalyptus is harvested for wood and fiber production in many tropical and sub-tropical habitats globally. Plantation has been controversial because of its influence on the surrounding environment, however, the influence of massive Eucalyptus planting on soil microbial communities is unclear. Here we applied high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to assess the microbial community composition and diversity of planting chronosequences, involving two, five and ten years of Eucalyptus plantation, comparing to that of secondary-forest in South China. We found that significant changes in the composition of soil bacteria occurred when the forests were converted from secondary-forest to Eucalyptus. The bacterial community structure was clearly distinct from control and five year samples after Eucalyptus was grown for 2 and 10 years, highlighting the influence of this plantation on local soil microbial communities. These groupings indicated a cycle of impact (2 and 10 year plantations) and low impact (5-year plantations) in this chronosequence of Eucalyptus plantation. Community patterns were underpinned by shifts in soil properties such as pH and phosphorus concentration. Concurrently, key soil taxonomic groups such as Actinobacteria showed abundance shifts, increasing in impacted plantations and decreasing in low impacted samples. Shifts in taxonomy were reflected in a shift in metabolic potential, including pathways for nutrient cycles such as carbon fixation, which changed in abundance over time following Eucalyptus plantation. Combined these results confirm that Eucalyptus plantation can change the community structure and diversity of soil microorganisms with strong implications for land-management and maintaining the health of these ecosystems.
Plurality in multi-disciplinary research: multiple institutional affiliations are associated with increased citations
Authors: Sanfilippo Paul , Hewitt Alex W. , Mackey David A.
Published: September 2018

Background

The institutional affiliations and associated collaborative networks that scientists foster during their research careers are salient in the production of high-quality science. The phenomenon of multiple institutional affiliations and its relationship to research output remains relatively unexplored in the literature.

Methods

We examined 27,612 scientific articles, modelling the normalized citation counts received against the number of authors and affiliations held.

Results

In agreement with previous research, we found that teamwork is an important factor in high impact papers, with average citations received increasing concordant with the number of co-authors listed. For articles with more than five co-authors, we noted an increase in average citations received when authors with more than one institutional affiliation contributed to the research.

Discussion

Multiple author affiliations may play a positive role in the production of high-impact science. This increased researcher mobility should be viewed by institutional boards as meritorious in the pursuit of scientific discovery.
Low intensity intimate partner aggression in Ghana: Support for the revised gender symmetry theory in an African country
Authors: Darko George , Björkqvist Kaj , Österman Karin
Published: September 2018

Sex differences in the perpetration and victimization of low intensity intimate partner aggression (IPA) were investigated in Ghana. The sample consisted of 1,204 adults (mean age 44.1 yrs., SD 13.5), 602 males and 602 females. IPA was measured with the DIAS‐Adult questionnaire, which measures perpetration and victimization of physical, indirect, nonverbal, cyber, and economic aggression in a relationship. Males scored higher than females on being victimized by their partner from physical, indirect, and nonverbal aggression, while females scored higher than males on being perpetrators of physical, indirect, nonverbal, and cyber aggression. A high educational level was positively associated with both perpetration and victimization of IPA. This is the second study to report men being more victimized by low intensity IPA than women in an African nation, thus finding support for Archer's (2018) revised gender symmetry theory of IPA not only in Western, but also in African countries.
Clinical and infarction patterns of PFO‐related cryptogenic strokes and a prediction model
Authors: He Dan , Shi Qiang , Xu Guangjing , Hu Zheng , Li Xuefei , Li Qian , Guo Yinping , Xu Shabei , Lin Yongbo , Yu Zhiyuan , Wang Wei , Luo Xiang
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The higher than expected PFO rate in CS patients has raised concerns that paradoxical embolism maybe the pathophysiologic mechanism for strokes. However, only a small proportion of pathogenic PFOs cause CS. Therefore, accurate recognition of patients with pathogenic PFOs among all CS patients could guide clinical decision making in selecting the most appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to devise a new algorithm to stratify cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients into pathogenic patent foramen ovale (p‐PFO)‐ and non‐p‐PFO‐related patients.

Methods

A total of 1201 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited from two different medical centers, and 253 CS patients were identified. Of the 253 patients, 111 were diagnosed with PFO using contrast transcranial Doppler. Data on medical histories, neuroimaging and laboratory tests were compared in CS patients with or without PFO.

Results

Compared with PFO‐negative CS patients, PFO‐positive CS patients showed younger onset age, lower incidence of hypertension and dyslipidemia, characteristic infarction pattern in magnetic resonance imaging and specifically altered platelet activity and coagulation function. Based on the above information, we constructed a PFO judgment formula (Hr‐PFOJ) by means of feature weight estimation and predictive performance evaluation to predict pathogenic PFO in CS patients with a sensitivity of 76.3% and a specificity of 66.5%.

Interpretations

Hr‐PFOJ judgment formula is a useful screening tool for identification of patients with pathogenic PFO who may benefit from PFO‐related treatment.
Chip‐Based Heat Stimulation for Modulating Signal Propagation in HL‐1 Cell Networks
Authors: Dang Ka My , Rinklin Philipp , Afanasenkau Dzmitry , Westmeyer Gil , Schürholz Tobias , Wiegand Simone , Wolfrum Bernhard
Published: September 2018

Signal propagation in cardiac cell networks can be modulated by heat stimulation. Here, the response of a connected HL‐1 cardiomyocyte cell network to the application of confined heat stimuli using Ca2+imaging is investigated. Localized temperature gradients are generated by resistive heating via microwire arrays on a chip surface, which serves as a substrate for growing a confluent cell network. It is demonstrated that upon heat stimulation, the velocity of the propagating Ca2+wave in the network is locally increased, leading to a deformation of the wavefront. Furthermore, evidence of a change in the signal propagation direction caused by a relocation of the pacemaker cell is shown. This effect might be used in future applications, where heat is employed as an alternative modality for cell stimulation protocols.
Microfluidics‐Assisted Fabrication of Microtissues with Tunable Physical Properties for Developing an In Vitro Multiplex Tissue Model
Authors: Lee Dongjin , Lee Kangseok , Cha Chaenyung
Published: September 2018

Herein, a new 3D hydrogel‐based co‐culture tissue model is developed to systematically examine the effect of mutual influence between two different cell types residing in separated but interactive zones. Microtissues containing macrophage as a model cell type are first developed by photo‐crosslinking cell‐laden droplets containing methacrylic gelatin (MGel), using a microfluidic flow‐focusing device. Regardless of the material conditions, the cell viability is well maintained, demonstrating the biocompatibility of the fabrication process as well as the 3D microenvironment provided by the microgels. More significantly, it is shown that the proliferation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced differentiation (Mφ polarization) of macrophages are heavily influenced by the mechanical properties of the microgels, controlled with MGel concentrations. Eventually, these macrophage microtissues are embedded into a larger tissue construct, containing either normal or cancer cells, to develop a co‐culture tissue model to study the mutual effects between macrophages in different stages of differentiation and the surrounding cells. It is expected that this “multiplex” tissue model would allow an effective platform for monitoring of complex interactions between two different cell types residing in adjacent, compartmentalized areas within a 3D tissue environment.
Development of Material‐Integrated Actuator‐Sensor‐Arrays for Obstacle Sensing
Authors: Dannemann Martin , Holeczek Klaudiusz , Modler Niels , Winkler Anja , Starke Eric , Weiß Manuel , Rupitsch Stefan J.
Published: September 2018

The specific manufacturing processes of fiber‐reinforced plastics (FRP) enable a seamless integration of sensors and actuators, allowing realization of tasks that are additional to the main load bearing functionality, for example, obstacle distance sensing. Through the integration of several distributed piezoelectric actuators into a FRP component and their time‐shifted actuation, a directional plate wave can be generated. The interaction of the plate wave with the surrounding medium induces a sound wave, which − reflected from an obstacle − returns toward the component and forms a plate wave, that is, detected by another integrated transducer array. Since the time between the generation of the initial wave and the reflected wave appearance is a linear function of the distance to the obstacle, an appropriate evaluation enables the realization of the obstacle distance sensing functionality. Presented experimental investigations are conducted to confirm the feasibility of the above described operational principle. It is shown that a directional generation of plate waves and their radiation in surrounding medium can be achieved using a suitable actuator‐sensor arrangement. The operating principle is successfully demonstrated for exemplary textile‐reinforced composite plate with integrated piezoceramic actuator‐sensor transducer arrays.
Metal–Organic Frameworks Encapsulating Active Nanoparticles as Emerging Composites for Catalysis: Recent Progress and Perspectives
Authors: Li Guodong , Zhao Shenlong , Zhang Yin , Tang Zhiyong
Published: September 2018

Beyond conventional porous materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have aroused great interest in the construction of nanocatalysts with the characteristics of catalytically active nanoparticles (NPs) confined into the cavities/channels of MOFs or surrounded by MOFs. The advantages of adopting MOFs as the encapsulating matrix are multifold: uniform and long‐range ordered cavities can effectively promote the mass transfer and diffusion of substrates and products, while the diverse metal nodes and tunable organic linkers may enable outstanding synergy functions with the encapsulated active NPs. Herein, some key issues related to MOFs for catalysis are discussed. Then, state‐of‐the art progress in the encapsulation of catalytically active NPs by MOFs as well as their synergy functions for enhanced catalytic performance in the fields of thermo‐, photo‐, and electrocatalysis are summarized. Notably, encapsulation‐structured nanocatalysts exhibit distinct advantages over conventional supported catalysts, especially in terms of the catalytic selectivity and stability. Finally, challenges and future developments in MOF‐based encapsulation‐structured nanocatalysts are proposed. The aim is to deliver better insight into the design of well‐defined nanocatalysts with atomically accurate structures and high performance in challenging reactions.
Large and Ultrastable All‐Inorganic CsPbBr3 Monocrystalline Films: Low‐Temperature Growth and Application for High‐Performance Photodetectors
Authors: Yang Zheng , Xu Qian , Wang Xiandi , Lu Junfeng , Wang Hui , Li Fangtao , Zhang Li , Hu Guofeng , Pan Caofeng
Published: September 2018

Stability is a key problem that hinders the practical application of lead halide perovskite. Therefore, all‐inorganic perovskite CsPbX3 monocrystalline films are urgently needed to fabricate photoelectric devices. Herein, a low‐temperature and substrate‐independent growth method is demonstrated to grow millimeter‐level inorganic perovskite monocrystalline thin films. These films present good optical and electrical properties comparable to bulk ones. What is more, they exhibit excellent long‐term stability toward humidity and thermal treatment. The as‐grown CsPbBr3 monocrystalline films are then fabricated into photodetectors with high photodetection performance. These results demonstrate that the CsPbBr3 monocrystalline films have potential in fabricating high‐performance optoelectronic devices.
Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Using Low‐Cost Aniline‐Based Enamine Hole‐Transporting Materials
Authors: Vaitukaityte Deimante , Wang Zhiping , Malinauskas Tadas , Magomedov Artiom , Bubniene Giedre , Jankauskas Vygintas , Getautis Vytautas , Snaith Henry J.
Published: September 2018

Metal‐halide perovskites offer great potential to realize low‐cost and flexible next‐generation solar cells. Low‐temperature‐processed organic hole‐transporting layers play an important role in advancing device efficiencies and stabilities. Inexpensive and stable hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) are highly desirable toward the scaling up of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, a new group of aniline‐based enamine HTMs obtained via a one‐step synthesis procedure is reported, without using a transition metal catalyst, from very common and inexpensive aniline precursors. This results in a material cost reduction to less than 1/5 of that for the archetypal spiro‐OMeTAD. PSCs using an enamine V1091 HTM exhibit a champion power conversion efficiency of over 20%. Importantly, the unsealed devices with V1091 retain 96% of their original efficiency after storage in ambient air, with a relative humidity of 45% for over 800 h, while the devices fabricated using spiro‐OMeTAD dropped down to 42% of their original efficiency after aging. Additionally, these materials can be processed via both solution and vacuum processes, which is believed to open up new possibilities for interlayers used in large‐area all perovskite tandem cells, as well as many other optoelectronic device applications.
Atomic Modulation and Structure Design of Carbons for Bifunctional Electrocatalysis in Metal–Air Batteries
Authors: Huang Yiyin , Wang Yueqing , Tang Cheng , Wang Jun , Zhang Qiang , Wang Yaobing , Zhang Jintao
Published: September 2018

With the extensive research and development of renewable energy technologies, there is an increasing interest in developing metal‐free carbons as a new class of bifunctional electrocatalysts for boosting the performance of metal–air batteries. Along with significant understanding of the electrocatalytic nature and the rapid development of techniques, the activities of carbon electrocatalysts are well‐tailored by introducing particular dopants/defects and structure regulation. Herein, the recent advances regarding the rational design of carbon‐based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction are summarized, with a special focus on the bifunctional applications in Zn–air and Li–air batteries. Specifically, the atomic modulation strategies to regulate the electrocatalytic activities of carbons and structure modification are summarized to gain deep insights into bifunctional mechanisms and boost advanced Zn–air and Li–air batteries. The current challenges and future perspectives are also addressed to accelerate the exploration of promising bifunctional carbon catalysts for renewable energy technologies, particularly metal–air batteries.
Solid‐State TICT‐Emissive Cruciform: Aggregation‐Enhanced Emission, Deep‐Red to Near‐Infrared Piezochromism and Imaging In Vivo
Authors: Zhang Yujian , Zhang Jianxu , Shen Jiahao , Sun Jingwei , Wang Kai , Xie Zhigang , Gao Huiwen , Zou Bo
Published: September 2018

Near‐infrared piezochromic materials presenting fluorescence responses with clear color differences and good penetrability have important potential applications, but a few such organic compounds are developed. Twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) emission is versatile in solutions, especially for preparing bio/chem‐sensing materials due to the excellent sensitivity of the emission to alterations in the external environment. By analogy, the solid‐state TICT‐emissive chromophores are probably excellent candidates for the environmentally responsive material. Herein, X‐shaped π architectures that exhibit solid‐state TICT emission are developed, and their luminescent chromism and bioimaging properties are investigated. Initially, the cruciform fluorophore exhibits anomalous aggregation‐enhanced emission (AEE) and dual emission due to the existence of a TICT state. Interestingly, TICT emission is observed even in the aggregated state because the spacious environment around the bulky triphenylamine allows for rotation. During the compression process, the TICT‐based fluorophore demonstrates deep‐red to near‐infrared piezochromic behavior with a remarkable redshift (162 nm) and high sensitivity (15.1 nm GPa−1). The bioimaging performance of the TICT‐emissive dye suggests its potential utility as a fluorescent probe for biological applications.
Vectorial Fluorescence Emission from Microsphere Coupled to Gold Mirror
Authors: Vasista Adarsh B. , Tiwari Sunny , Sharma Deepak K. , Chaubey Shailendra K. , Kumar G. V. Pavan
Published: September 2018

The generation and momentum space distribution of fluorescence emission from individual SiO2 microsphere on dye‐coated Au mirror are reported here. The molecular fluorescence emission mediated via whispering gallery modes of the sphere is studied using polarization‐resolved optical energy–momentum microspectroscopy. The experiments of this study reveal intensity dependence of split modes of the cavity as a function of in‐plane wavevector and emission polarization in the far field. The exotic far‐field distribution can be understood by sphere–image sphere model that further reveals the polarization dependence of the split modes. The presented results reveal the potential of metallo‐dielectric soft microcavities to engineer molecular emission that can encode spin and orbital angular momentum states and can be further extrapolated to realize dye‐loaded active meta‐atoms and meta‐surfaces.
Continuous and selective separation of EGCG from tea polyphenols by fractional extraction: Experiment and simulation
Authors: Wang Wanru , Zhang Panliang , Tang Kewen , Xu Weifeng
Published: September 2018

A new and efficient method was explored to continuously separate (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) from tea polyphenols (TPs) by fractional extraction in centrifugal contactor separators (CCSs). The effects of different organic solvents on distribution behavior of monomers of TPs were studied, and two green extraction systems were established without reactive extractant. Based on phase equilibrium and the law of conservation of mass, a fractional extraction model was developed to investigate the influence of the process parameters such as phase ratio and the number of stages on extraction efficiency. By simulation and optimization, optimal parameters can be obtained for the separation of EGCG. EGCG can be separated by batch and continuous separation. Excellent results can be achieved by the two methods with high purity, high yield, and large output. Compared to the batch method, the continuous separation is more suitable for production in an industrial scale due to low‐cost and continuous separation. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 259–269, 2019
Designing amino‐based ionic liquids for improved carbon capture: One amine binds two CO2
Authors: Luo Xiao Y. , Lv Xiao Y. , Shi Gui L. , Meng Qin , Li Hao R. , Wang Cong M.
Published: September 2018

Generally, amine group captures CO2 according to 2:1 or 1:1 stoichiometry. Here, we report a kind of improved carbon capture using amino‐functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) through 1:2 stoichiometry. A serial of amino‐functionalized ILs various with basicity and steric hindrance of anion were designed, prepared, and applied in CO2 capture. Through a combination of absorption experiment, quantum chemical calculation, spectroscopic investigation and calorimetric method, the results indicated that one amine group could bind two CO2 through proton transfer (PT) process and intramolecular hydrogen bond formation, which leading to enhanced capacity that breaks through equimolar. The basicity and steric hindrance of anion play a significant role in promoting amine group to capture two CO2. [P66614]2[Asp] with dual anion was further designed and synthesized to promote PT process, which showed high capacity of 1.96 mol/mol IL at 30°C and 1 atm as well as excellent reversibility. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 230–238, 2019
Clinical utility of the guidelines for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: A case series from a medical center in central Taiwan
Authors: Liu Yen‐Chun , Lin Yen‐Chih , Su Wei‐Wen
Published: September 2018

Surgical resection is recommended for potential malignant or known malignant mucinous cystic neoplasm and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). The 2012 updated consensus guidelines proposed “high‐risk stigmata” and “worrisome features” as clinical predictors of malignancy. We present a series of six patients who were diagnosed with IPMN and evaluate the clinical utility of the 2006 and 2012 consensus guidelines with respect to treatment. By comparing the findings of imaging, dysplastic grade of IPMN, and disease outcomes, the dysplastic grade of the IPMN appears to be the most important predictor of patient outcomes. Disease recurrence with low‐to‐intermediate grade of IPMN is uncommon and affected only one of our patients. In summary, the application of the updated 2012 consensus guidelines and the precise assessment of the dysplastic grade and morphological type of IPMN before surgery could provide useful information for clinical disease management.
High‐Flux High‐Selectivity Metal–Organic Framework MIL‐160 Membrane for Xylene Isomer Separation by Pervaporation
Authors: Wu Xiaocao , Wei Wan , Jiang Jianwen , Caro Jürgen , Huang Aisheng
Published: September 2018

Separation of p‐xylene (kinetic diameter ca. 0.58 nm) from its bulkier isomers (o‐xylene and m‐xylene, ca. 0.68 nm) is challenging, but important in the petrochemical industry. Herein, we developed a highly selective and stable metal–organic framework (MOF) MIL‐160 membrane for selective separation of p‐xylene from its isomers by pervaporation. The suitable pore size (0.5∼0.6 nm) of the MIL‐160 membrane selectively allows p‐xylene to pass through, while excluding the bulkier o‐xylene and m‐xylene. For the separation of equimolar binary p‐/o‐xylene mixtures at 75 °C, high p‐xylene flux of 467 g m−2 h−1 and p‐/o‐xylene selectivity of 38.5 could be achieved. The stability of MIL‐160, ensured the separation performance of the MIL‐160 membrane was unchanged over a 24 h measurement. The high separation performance combined with its high thermal and chemical stability makes the MIL‐160 membrane a promising candidate for the separation of xylene isomers.
La doped barium titanate/polyimide nanocomposites: A study of the effect of La doping and investigation on thermal, mechanical and high dielectric properties
Authors: Kumari Anuradha , Ghosh Barnali Dasgupta
Published: September 2018

This manuscript describes the enhanced dielectric properties of lanthanum doped barium titanate nanoparticles and Ba0.993La0.007TiO3 (BTL)/polyimide (PI) nanocomposites. A series of La doped barium titanate, Ba(1–x)La
xTiO3 where x = 0.0, 0.003, 0.005, and 0.007, were synthesized by sol–gel method. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constants were evaluated and the highest dielectric constant value (34363) was obtained for BTL at 1 Hz frequency. The Curie temperature of the ceramics was obtained in the range of 120–135 °C. The nanocomposites were prepared by adding 0–5 wt% BTL in poly(amic)acid by solution‐casting method and characterized thoroughly. The nanocomposites showed high thermal stability upto 524 °C with good mechanical properties. The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant values of nanocomposites were increased with the increase in BTL content. The highest dielectric constant value 25.05 was obtained for 5 wt% BTL/PI nanocomposite, which was about 7.75 times greater than that of the pure PI. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46826.
A new‐style poly(vinyl alcohol) gel prepared by automatic hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) emulsion
Authors: Li Yuanpeng , Deng Jianguo , Zhang Junhua
Published: September 2018

Totally different from traditional poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gel preparation methods, a new‐style PVA gel was prepared by automatic hydrolysis of a poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) emulsion during storage. First, a PVAc emulsion was obtained using potassium persulfate and sodium bisulfite as redox initiators in the presence of ferrous chloride. Ferrous chloride is helpful for reducing the redox polymerization temperature. The PVAc emulsion was sealed in a bottle for storage at room temperature. As time went on, it was found that a gel was slowly formed during the storage process. Research showed that a hydrolysis reaction slowly occurs and a crosslinked structure forms, and finally a PVA gel can be obtained. The mechanism for the formation of PVA gel was carefully investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and NMR. It was found that ferrous chloride has an important role not only in reducing the polymerization temperature, but also in catalyzing the automatic hydrolysis process of PVAc to form the PVA gel in this system. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46853.
Crystallinity and morphology of barium titanate filled poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites
Authors: Gong X. , Chen Y. , Tang C.‐Y. , Law W.‐C. , Chen L. , Wu C. , Hu T. , Tsui G. C. P.
Published: September 2018

In this study, crystallization behavior and micromorphology of barium titanate (BaTiO3, or BT) filled poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposites were investigated based on Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffractometry (XRD). BT/PVDF nanocomposite films with different concentrations of BT nanoparticles were prepared by solution casting method. The results revealed that the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of PVDF were improved by the incorporation BT nanoparticles. When 2 wt % of BT was loaded into the PVDF matrix, it mediated the β‐phase crystallization in PVDF. Furthermore, the β‐phase crystals could be transformed into α‐phase after the samples were isothermally crystallized at 155 °C for 20 min. The results of DSC and POM suggest that BT nanoparticles could act as nucleation agents, promoting the crystallization activity of PVDF in a nonisothermal crystallization process. The crystal phase is influential to the electrical properties of PVDF, therefore the findings of this study are useful for the development of new applications based on BT/PVDF nanocomposites, such as high‐performance thermoelectric devices or systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46877.
Structure and solubility of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) prepared by a gas–solid phase method
Authors: Yang Lu , Wang Juncheng , Luo Lizhong , Li Shifen , Zhao Jiruo , Feng Ying
Published: September 2018

Here, we modified the chlorination of a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) through a gas–solid phase method to prepare a highly soluble chlorinated PVC (CPVC). The structure of the CPVC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen‐1 nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and the effects of molecular structure [gel content and vinylidene chloride (CCl2) molecular weight and distribution] on the solubility of CPVC were investigated. Results showed that molecular structures, such as CCl2, double bond, gel, molecular weight, and distribution had an effect on solubility, and the solubility of CPVC decreased with the increase in CCl2 content, number of double bonds, amount of gel, molecular weight, and distribution. The greater the degree of Inhomogeneous chlorination PVC particles or hydrochloride removal on the molecular chain is, the worse the solubility of CPVC is. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46880.
Inhibition of silkworm vacuolar‐type ATPase activity by its inhibitor Bafilomycin A1 induces caspase‐dependent apoptosis in an embryonic cell line of silkworm
Authors: Tan Xiao‐Yin , Wang Xin , Liu Qing‐Song , Xie Xiao‐Qian , Li Yi , Li Bing‐Qian , Li Zhi‐Qing , Xia Qing‐You , Zhao Ping
Published: September 2018

Vacuolar‐type ATPase (V‐ATPase) is a type of hydrogen ion transporter located in the vesicular membrane‐like system, which mediates active transport and intracellular acidification in various compartments. In mammals, V‐ATPase has been reported to play a key role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. The studies of V‐ATPase in silkworm mainly focus on the acidification regulation of midgut and silk gland and immune resistance. However, there are few reports about the function of silkworm V‐ATPase on cell proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis. Thus, the function of V‐ATPase in a cell line of Bombyx mori (BmE) was investigated by treating the cell line with bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of V‐ATPase. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and flow cytometry analysis showed that bafilomycin A1 treatment decreased the cell proliferation activity, affected the cell cycle progression and induced cell apoptosis. LysoTracker Red staining showed that the target of bafilomycin A1 is lysosome. The expression of all autophagy‐related genes (
BmATG5,
BmATG6, and
BmATG8) decreased, indicating that cell autophagy was inhibited. The analysis of the apoptosis pathway demonstrated that inhibiting the activity of V‐ATPase of BmE cells could promote mitochondria to release cytochrome C, inhibit the expression of
BmIAP, and activate the caspase cascade to induce apoptosis. All these findings systematically illustrate the effects of V‐ATPase on the proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis in BmE cells, and provide new ideas and a theoretical basis for further study on the function of V‐ATPase in BmE.
Do medical students who are multilingual have higher spatial and verbal intelligence and do they perform better in anatomy examinations?
Authors: Stephens Shiby , Moxham Bernard John
Published: September 2018

We have already reported that medical students who have prior knowledge of classical Greek and Latin perform better in anatomy examinations. It has also been shown that fluency in more than one language can influence spatial and verbal intelligence and here we hypothesize that medical students who have linguistic skills develop higher spatial and verbal intelligence compared with monolingual students, that there are gender differences, and that there are positive effects on performance in anatomy examinations. One hundred and seventy‐three second year medical students at Cardiff University responded to spatial and verbal intelligence questions that were adapted from the British MENSA website. This is a 63% response rate for the student cohort. The students were then categorized into different groups depending upon their linguistic knowledge and skills. Across all groups, no gender differences were discerned for either spatial or verbal intelligence. Students who were categorized as monolingual (with only skills in English) had lower spatial and verbal intelligence than those who were multilingual. Medical students who had fluency in English and non‐European languages showed greater spatial and verbal intelligence than other groups. However, there was no significant improvement in their examination marks for anatomy, although the examination performance might be complicated by cultural considerations. A further finding from our study was that, where an anatomy test required spatial recognition using cadaveric specimens, students with low spatial intelligence had significantly poorer performances. Furthermore, where tests used multiple choice questions, the level of spatial and verbal intelligences had no influence. We would advocate that, when all newly‐recruited medical students are tutored in medical terminologies to help them develop the extensive vocabulary required for their professional careers, they should also be made aware of any deficiencies in spatial and verbal skills that could affect their learning abilities. Given that we would expect students to benefit in their careers from developing spatial and verbal skills, we also recommend that examination tests in anatomy should avoid the exclusive use of multiple choice questions. Clin. Anat., 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HIV‐1 Tat‐induced bystander apoptosis in Jurkat cells involves unfolded protein responses
Authors: Campestrini Jéssica , Silveira Douglas Bardini , Pinto Aguinaldo Roberto
Published: September 2018

The HIV transactivator protein (Tat) is a multifunctional protein that plays a critical role in viral replication and contributes to several pathological symptoms of HIV‐1 infection, which has the loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes as one of its hallmark features. It has been shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, including viral infections, is implicated in cellular dysfunction and cell death through activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we demonstrate that the bystander stimulus of Tat on Jurkat cells resulted in time‐dependent overexpression of major UPR markers including ER chaperone BiP, ER stress sensors ATF6, PERK, and IRE1, as well as an increase in levels of downstream mediators eIF2α, ATF4, XBP‐1, and proapoptotic factors CHOP, GADD34, and BIM. This upregulation of UPR mediators was accompanied by decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis as evidenced by blue trypan dye exclusion and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Furthermore, we found that the Tat‐associated apoptosis of Jurkat cells led to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase‐12 and ‐3 activation. Taken together, these results suggest that the exposure of HIV‐1 Tat leads to ER stress/UPR triggering which in turn contributes to apoptotic death in Jurkat cells.

Significance of the study

In the present work, we provide a substantial insight into the link between ER impairment and apoptotic death following a bystander HIV Tat stimulus, revealing an underlying ER‐mediated apoptotic mechanism which could explain the continuous depletion of uninfected CD4+ T lymphocytes observed in HIV‐related disease. Our findings reinforce the relevance of ER stress molecular responses in the course of HIV infection and may afford valuable information for the development of new therapeutic strategies to avoid CD4+ T lymphocyte loss and other disorders induced by circulant Tat.
Catalytic Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Mannich Addition of TosMIC to Ketimines
Authors: Franchino Allegra , Chapman Jack , Funes‐Ardoiz Ignacio , Paton Robert S. , Dixon Darren J.
Published: September 2018

Chiral amines bearing a stereocenter in the α position are ubiquitous compounds with many applications in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors, as well as in catalysis. Catalytic asymmetric Mannich additions represent a valuable method to access such compounds in enantioenriched form. This work reports the first enantio‐ and diastereoselective addition of commercially available p‐toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) to ketimines, affording 2‐imidazolines bearing two contiguous stereocenters, one of which is fully‐substituted, with high yields and excellent stereocontrol. The reaction, catalyzed by silver oxide and a dihydroquinine‐derived N,P‐ligand, is broad in scope, operationally simple, and scalable. Derivatization of the products provides enantioenriched vicinal diamines, precursors to NHC ligands and sp3‐rich heterocyclic scaffolds. Computations are used to understand catalysis and rationalize stereoselectivity.
Design, Synthesis, and SAR Studies of Heteroarylpyrimidines and Heteroaryltriazines as CB2R Ligands
Authors: Qian Hai‐Yan , Wang Zhi‐Long , Chen Li‐Li , Pan You‐Lu , Xie Xiao‐Yu , Xie Xin , Chen Jian‐Zhong
Published: September 2018

Herein we describe the design and synthesis of a new series of heteroarylpyrimidine/heteroaryltriazine derivatives on the basis of quinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐diones as CB2R‐selective ligands using a bioisosterism strategy. An acetamide group was explored to displace the enamine linker of the lead compound for the purpose of stereoisomerism elimination and hydrophilicity increase. As a result, some of the synthesized compounds showed high bioactivity and selectivity for CB2R in calcium mobilization assays, and four displayed CB2R agonist activity, with EC50 values below 30 nm. The compound exhibiting the highest agonist activity toward CB2R (EC50=7.53±3.15 nm) had a selectivity over CB1R of more than 1328‐fold. Moreover, structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies indicated that the substituents on the nucleus play key roles in the functionality of a ligand, with one such example demonstrating CB2R antagonist activity. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were conducted with the aim of better understanding of these new derivatives in relation to the structural requirements for agonists/antagonists binding to CB2R.
Antibody Fragment and Affibody ImmunoPET Imaging Agents: Radiolabelling Strategies and Applications
Authors: Fu Ruisi , Carroll Laurence , Yahioglu Gokhan , Aboagye Eric O. , Miller Philip W.
Published: September 2018

Antibodies have long been recognised as potent vectors for carrying diagnostic medical radionuclides, contrast agents and optical probes to diseased tissue for imaging. The area of ImmunoPET combines the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with antibodies to improve the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of diseases. Recent developments in antibody engineering and PET radiochemistry have led to a new wave of experimental ImmunoPET imaging agents that are based on a range of antibody fragments and affibodies. In contrast to full antibodies, engineered affibody proteins and antibody fragments such as minibodies, diabodies, single‐chain variable region fragments (scFvs), and nanobodies are much smaller but retain the essential specificities and affinities of full antibodies in addition to more desirable pharmacokinetics for imaging. Herein, recent key developments in the PET radiolabelling strategies of antibody fragments and related affibody molecules are highlighted, along with the main PET imaging applications of overexpressed antigen‐associated tumours and immune cells.
Anisotropic Assembly during Heat‐Up: The Early Stage Hydrothermal Synthesis of TiO2 from a Complexed Precursor
Authors: Hinterberger Stephan , Tscheließnig Rupert , Jungbauer Alois
Published: September 2018

Hydrothermal synthesis is a widely used technique for the production of TiO2 in various shapes in several industries. In the hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 from a complexed precursor, the processes that occur during the heat‐up phase are not fully understood, especially those factors that affect the size and morphology of crystals. Here we report an in situ small angle x‐ray scattering analysis to gain insights into the mechanism of early‐stage hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 from a complexed precursor. We observed that the precursor molecules form elongated cuboid‐like shapes before they assemble and form the crystal nucleus. One of the edges grows with an exponential behaviour as a function of temperature, while the other two edges remain small. In the following stage, the precursor rods form a characteristic association with a fractal dimension of 2.0 to 2.2. In this stage small particles start to form very slowly within the preformed structures.
Monitoring Sphingolipid Trafficking in Cells using Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Sundberg Emma L. , Deng Yongqiang , Burd Christopher G.
Published: September 2018

Sphingolipids are structural components of organelle membranes that also participate in signal transduction pathways. Complex sphingolipids are trafficked from their site of synthesis in organelles of the early secretory pathway to the Golgi apparatus, the plasma membrane, and the endo‐lysosomal system. We have developed fluorescence microscopy–based methods to monitor sphingolipid trafficking in coordination with secretory protein sorting. A sphingomyelin binding protein fused to a fluorescent protein, which we term “EQ‐SM,” is implemented to monitor sphingomyelin trafficking from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane via secretory vesicles. A protocol is provided to determine if a query protein of interest is secreted from the cell via vesicles enriched in EQ‐SM, an indication that the vesicle membrane is enriched in sphingomyelin. A complementary protocol is described that implements a chemically modified form of sphingosine, a metabolic precursor to complex sphingolipids, to visualize ceramide and complex sphingolipids in fixed cells. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Light Influence on the Sheet Resistance of AlGaN/GaN Heterostructures Grown by MOVPE Technique
Authors: Pokryszka Piotr , Szymanski Tomasz , Paszkiewicz Bogdan
Published: September 2018

Sheet resistance is the most commonly used electrical parameters of thin films; the special feature of sheet resistance is its scalability that is often used in the qualitative assessment of its usefulness. That is why it is so often used as an electrical parameter in the evaluation of created layers by various epitaxial methods. In materials based on AIIIN compounds, there is a built‐in electric field that disturbs the electrical charge inside the heterostructure. The perturbed distribution of electrical charge inside the heterostructure creates donor states on the surface that increase the surface resistance value. The paper presents the influence of UV radiation on surface states affecting the sheet resistance of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. Based on the presented method, influence of light on sheet resistance is examined and spectral characteristics of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure are obtained. Measurements are performed using the Hall Bar test structure fabricated in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy methods. The Hall bar test structures are investigated at room temperature under the light excitation in the range from 280 to 640 nm.
Understanding the Roles of NiOx in Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Performance of BiVO4 Photoanodes for Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Mengyuan , Antony Rajini P. , Chiam Sing Yang , Abdi Fatwa Firdaus , Wong Lydia Helena
Published: September 2018

Solar water oxidation is considered as a promising method for efficient utilization of solar energy and bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a potential photoanode. Catalyst loading on BiVO4 is often used to tackle the limitations of charge recombination and sluggish kinetics. In this study, amorphous nickel oxide (NiOx) is loaded onto Mo‐doped BiVO4 by photochemical metal–organic deposition method. The resulting NiOx/Mo:BiVO4 photoanodes demonstrate a two‐fold improvement in photocurrent density (2.44 mA cm−2) at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) compared with the uncatalyzed samples. After NiOx modification the charge‐separation and charge‐transfer efficiencies improve significantly across the entire potential range. It is further elucidated by open‐circuit photovoltage (OCP), time‐resolved‐microwave conductivity (TRMC), and rapid‐scan voltammetry (RSV) measurements that NiOx modification induces larger band bending and promotes efficient charge transfer on the surface of BiVO4. This work provides insight into designing BiVO4‐catalyst assemblies by using a simple surface‐modification route for efficient solar water oxidation.
Molecular and Synaptic Bases of CDKL5 Disorder
Authors: Zhu Yong‐Chuan , Xiong Zhi‐Qi
Published: September 2018

The X‐linked gene cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 (CDKL5) encodes a serine/threonine kinase abundantly expressed in the brain. Mutations in CDKL5 have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by early‐onset epileptic encephalopathy and severe intellectual disability, suggesting that CDKL5 plays important roles in brain development and function. Recent studies using cultured neurons, knockout mice, and human iPSC‐derived neurons have demonstrated that CDKL5 regulates axon outgrowth, dendritic morphogenesis, and synapse formation. The role of CDKL5 in maintaining synaptic function in the mature brain has also begun to emerge. Moreover, mouse models that are deficient for CDKL5 recapitulate some of the key clinical phenotypes in human patients. Here we review these findings related to the function of CDKL5 in the brain and discuss the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.
Using ring‐recovery and within‐season recapture data to estimate fecundity and population growth
Authors: Arnold Todd W.
Published: September 2018

Tag‐recovery data from organisms captured and marked post breeding are commonly used to estimate juvenile and adult survival. If annual fecundity could also be estimated, tagging studies such as European and North American bird‐ringing schemes could provide all parameters needed to estimate population growth. I modified existing tag‐recovery models to allow estimation of annual fecundity using age composition and recapture probabilities obtained during routine banding operations of northern pintails (Anas acuta) and dark‐eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), and I conducted simulations to assess estimator performance in relation to sample size. For pintails, population growth rate from band‐recovery data (λ = 0.93, SD: 0.06) was similar but less precise than count‐based estimates from the Waterfowl Breeding Pair and Habitat Survey (λ: 0.945, SE: 0.001). Models with temporal variation in vital rates indicated that annual population growth in pintails was driven primarily by variation in fecundity. Juncos had lower survival but greater fecundity, and their estimated population growth rate (λ: 1.01, SD: 0.19) was consistent with count‐based surveys (λ: 0.986). Simulations indicated that reliable (CV < 0.10) estimates of fecundity could be obtained with >1,000 within‐season live encounters. Although precision of survival estimates depended primarily on numbers of adult recoveries, estimates of fecundity and population growth were most sensitive to total number of live encounters. Synthesis and applications: Large‐scale ring‐recovery programs could be used to estimate annual fecundity in many species of birds, but the approach requires better data curation, including accurate assessment of age, better reporting of banding totals, and greater emphasis on obtaining and reporting within‐season live encounters.