bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Materials for Tunable Diffractive Optics
Authors: Ryabchun Alexander , Bobrovsky Alexey
Published: June 2018

Modern optics and photonics constantly require break‐through materials and designs in order to achieve miniature, lightweight, highly tunable, and effective optical devices. One of the basic optical components is the diffraction grating (DG), widely used for the dispersion of light, beam steering, etc. This review gathers research efforts on diffractive optical elements based on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) materials with a supramolecular helical architecture. All main types and fabrication approaches of periodic diffractive structures from CLCs are classified and described. Key optical properties of DGs, their advantages and drawbacks are considered. Special attention is paid on the tunability of DGs including design principles and prospective chiral materials. The review consists of three parts divided according to the formation mechanism of diffractive structures: i) the spontaneously formed periodic structures from CLCs confined in cells with hybrid or homeotropic boundary conditions; ii) DGs generated by external electric field applied to CLCs layers; iii) light‐generated DGs (e.g., obtained by holography, mask exposure, photoalignment). The review also aims to initiate and gain collaborations between physicists, engineers and organic chemists to combine novel chiral photoswitches and molecular motors with sophisticated optical design paving the way towards novel smart optical materials.
A recyclable Ru(CO)Cl(H)(PPh3)3/PEG catalytic system for regio‐ and stereoselective hydroboration of terminal and internal alkynes
Authors: Szyling Jakub , Franczyk Adrian , Stefanowska Kinga , Walkowiak Jędrzej
Published: June 2018

This paper reports on the first repetitive batch selective hydroboration of terminal and internal alkynes in a series of poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs), used as solvents and media for the immobilization of a Ru(CO)Cl(H)(PPh3)3 catalyst. The system based on 2 mol% of Ru−H complex and poly(ethylene glycol) with α‐methyl/ω‐trimethylsilyl ending groups (Mw=2000) was found to be the most efficient, and was able to carry out over 19 complete runs with the Z‐addition of pinacolborane to the phenylacetylene. With the use of one portion of the developed catalytic system, the hydroboration of five different alkynes was performed consecutively, and led to five different products being obtained with high yields and purities. The developed strategy was characterized by high TON values and it was found to be the best recyclable protocol, leading to alkenyl boronates in all reported cases.

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Ligand‐Controlled Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Carbonylation of Alkynes: Syntheses of Indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins and Benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones
Authors: Ding Dong , Zhu Guohao , Jiang Xuefeng
Published: May 2018

Regiodivergent syntheses of indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins and benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones through a controllable palladium(II)‐catalyzed carbonylative cyclization are established. The chemo‐ and regioselectivity are exclusively tuned by the ligand on the palladium catalyst. The rigid framework of the electron‐deficient ligand promotes the O‐attack/N‐carbonylation cyclization leading to benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones, while a sterically bulky and electron‐rich ligand facilitates N‐attack/O‐carbonylation cyclization to generate indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins. Furthermore, various other nucleophiles are applicable for delivering a variety of indoloquinolinones, pyranoquinolones, and chromeno[3,4‐c]quinolinones in one step, and serves as a method for creating compound libraries for drug discovery.
Tetrabromtetraazapentacen: erhöhte Elektronenbeweglichkeit
Authors: Reiss Hilmar , Ji Lei , Han Jie , Koser Silke , Tverskoy Olena , Freudenberg Jan , Hinkel Felix , Moos Michael , Friedrich Alexandra , Krummenacher Ivo , Lambert Christoph , Braunschweig Holger , Dreuw Andreas , Marder Todd B. , Bunz Uwe H. F.
Published: May 2018

Ein TIPS‐ethinyl‐substituiertes Diamin wurde mit in situ erhaltenem 4,5‐Dibrom‐ortho‐chinon in einer Cyclokondensation zu Tetrabromtetraazapentacen (BrTAP) umgesetzt. BrTAP ist leicht zu seinem luftstabilen kristallinen Radikalanion zu reduzieren; in Dünnschichttransistoren erreicht BrTAP Elektronenbeweglichkeiten von >0.56 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Main‐chain benzoxazine oligomers: Effects of molecular weight on the thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties
Authors: Ručigaj Aleš , Štirn Žiga , Šebenik Urška , Krajnc Matjaž
Published: May 2018

With the intent to study materials processing properties during the curing process, oligomeric benzoxazines of different molecular weight and distribution were obtained from 4‐tert‐butylphenol, bisphenol A, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane and paraformaldehyde by varying the amounts of phenolic compounds. Average molecular weight and distribution of prepared mixtures of polybenzoxazine precursors were determined by gel permeation chromatography analysis. By knowing the molecular weight distribution of prepared mixtures of polybenzoxazine precursors its effect on thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of the resin during processing and polymerization could be investigated. Mixtures of polybenzoxazine precursors of higher average molecular weight and broader molecular weight distribution displayed faster curing, lower curing conversions, and higher crosslinking densities of cured resins leading to polybenzoxazines with improved properties. This investigation was oriented towards the material processing aspects with the focus on the effect of molecular weights and viscoelastic properties of starting materials on the proceeding of the curing, including changes in material properties, and sample molding. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46659.
Chelating Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Palladium‐Catalyzed Reactions
Authors: Liu Ji‐Quan , Gou Xing‐Xing , Han Ying‐Feng
Published: June 2018

N‐Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been widely employed in the construction of various metal complexes and applied in the field of catalysis. In this review, a series of palladium complexes comprising chelating bis(NHC) donors (Pd–bis(NHC) complexes) are outlined according to their application in homogeneous catalysis. Examples of metal–organic frameworks containing Pd–bis(NHC) moieties are briefly discussed, in terms of their use in heterogeneous catalysis. The catalytic applications of Pd–bis(NHC) complexes (or moieties in heterogeneous catalysts) are mainly focused on the Mizoroki–Heck, Suzuki–Miyaura, and Sonogashira coupling reactions. Another 14 types of reactions are also summarized beyond these three types of reactions.
Stimuli‐Responsive Metallogels for Synthesizing Ag Nanoparticles and Sensing Hazardous Gases
Authors: Biswas Protap , Ganguly Sumi , Dastidar Parthasarathi
Published: June 2018

A newly synthesized bis‐pyridyl ligand having a diphenyl ether backbone (LP6) displayed the ability to form crystalline coordination polymers (CP1‐CP6) which were fully characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Most of the resulting polymers were lattice‐occluded crystalline solids—a structural characteristic reminiscent to gels. The reactants of the coordination polymers produced metallogels in DMSO/water confirming the validity of the design principles with which the coordination polymers were synthesized. Some of the metallogels displayed material properties like in situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles and stimuli‐responsive gel–sol transition including sensing hazardous gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
Observer‐Based H∞ Synchronization Control for Input and Output Time‐Delays Coronary Artery System
Authors: Zhao Zhanshan , Du Yanan , Zhang Jing , Sun Liankun
Published: June 2018

The paper investigates the observer‐based H∞ synchronization for coronary artery time‐delay system under the state immeasurement and external uncertainty. A Luenberger‐like state observer, the observation system, is designed to realize the state reconstruction of the master system. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory and Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional (LKF), the observer‐based synchronization control condition is derived for a coronary artery system subjected to the external uncertainty bounded by L2 norm. By introducing the delay‐interval bounds and delay‐derivative limits in LKF, the time‐delays are handled by the delay‐range‐dependent strategy. The tighter upper bound of inequality can be obtained to reduce the conservation by employing further improved result of Jensen inequality and reciprocally convex approach. Furthermore, a decoupling technique is utilized to render the separate and simple controller and observer synthesis condition, which can be further solved by applying the cone complementary linearization approach respectively. Numerical simulations are listed to exhibit the effectiveness of the presented methodology.
Targeted Nucleotide Editing Technologies for Microbial Metabolic Engineering
Authors: Arazoe Takayuki , Kondo Akihiko , Nishida Keiji
Published: June 2018

Since the emergence of programmable RNA‐guided nucleases based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein (Cas) systems, genome editing technologies have become a simplified and versatile tool for genome editing in various organisms and cell types. Although genome editing enables efficient genome manipulations, such as gene disruptions, gene knockins, and chromosomal translocations via DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair in eukaryotes, DSBs induced by the CRISPR/Cas system are lethal or severely toxic to many microorganisms. Therefore, in many prokaryotes, including industrially useful microbes, the CRISPR/Cas system is often used as a negative selection component in combination with recombineering or other related strategies. Novel and revolutionary technologies have been recently developed to re‐write targeted nucleotides (C:G to T:A and A:T to G:C) without DSBs and donor DNA templates. These technologies rely on the recruitment of deaminases at specific target loci using the nuclease‐deficient CRISPR/Cas system. Here, the authors review and compare CRISPR‐based genome editing, current base editing platforms and their spectra. The authors discuss how these technologies can be applied in various aspects of microbial metabolic engineering to overcome barriers to cellular regulation in prokaryotes.
CRISPR/Cas9‐Multiplexed Editing of Chinese Hamster Ovary B4Gal‐T1, 2, 3, and 4 Tailors N‐Glycan Profiles of Therapeutics and Secreted Host Cell Proteins
Authors: Amann Thomas , Hansen Anders Holmgaard , Kol Stefan , Lee Gyun Min , Andersen Mikael Rørdam , Kildegaard Helene Faustrup
Published: June 2018

In production of recombinant proteins for biopharmaceuticals, N‐glycosylation is often important for protein efficacy and patient safety. IgG with agalactosylated (G0)‐N‐glycans can improve the activation of the lectin‐binding complement system and be advantageous in the therapy of lupus and virus diseases. In this study, the authors aimed to engineer CHO‐S cells for the production of proteins with G0‐N‐glycans by targeting B4Gal‐T isoform genes with CRISPR/Cas9. Indel mutations in genes encoding B4Gal‐T1, ‐T2, and ‐T3 with and without a disrupted B4Gal‐T4 sequence resulted in only ≈1% galactosylated N‐glycans on total secreted proteins of 3‐4 clones per genotype. The authors revealed that B4Gal‐T4 is not active in N‐glycan galactosylation in CHO‐S cells. In the triple‐KO clones, transiently expressed erythropoietin (EPO) and rituximab harbored only ≈6% and ≈3% galactosylated N‐glycans, respectively. However, simultaneous disruption of B4Gal‐T1 and ‐T3 may decrease cell growth. Altogether, the authors present the advantage of analyzing total secreted protein N‐glycans after disrupting galactosyltransferases, followed by expressing recombinant proteins in selected clones with desired N‐glycan profiles at a later stage. Furthermore, the authors provide a cell platform that prevalently glycosylates proteins with G0‐N‐glycans to further study the impact of agalactosylation on different in vitro and in vivo functions of recombinant proteins.
The pharmacokinetics study of ginkgolide A, B and the effect of food on bioavailability after oral administration of ginkgolide extracts in beagle dogs
Authors: Aa Lixiang , Fei Fei , Tan Zhaoyi , Aa Jiye , Wang Guangji , Liu Changxiao
Published: May 2018

Ginkgolides are the primarily active components in Ginkgo products that are popular worldwide. However, few studies have evaluated the bioavailability of ginkgolides and the effects of food on it after oral administration of ginkgolides. In this article, pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of the primary components in ginkgolide extracts were evaluated in beagle dogs. For the first time, we showed that the fed dogs had significantly increased area under the concentration–time curve and peak concentration relative to the fasted dogs based on the data from both the prototype form and total lactones of ginkgolide A (GA) and ginkgolide B (GB). In terms of the free form of the prototype ginkgolides, the absolute bioavailabilities of GA and GB were 34.8 and 5.2% in the fasted dogs, respectively, which significantly increased to an average of 78.6 and 17.0%, respectively, in the fed dogs. In terms of acidified total lactones, the absolute bioavailabilities of GA and GB were 7.5 and 14.5% in the fed dogs, and the percentages declined to 4.1 and 3.7% in the fasted dogs, respectively. It was suggested that administration of ginkgolides after meals could promote the in vivo exposure and the bioavailability of GA and GB, and hence potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Rat astrocytes during anoxia: Secretome profile of cytokines and chemokines
Authors: Samy Zeinab Adel , Al‐Abdullah Lulwa , Turcani Marian , Craik James , Redzic Zoran
Published: June 2018

Introduction

The precise mechanisms of the inflammatory responses after cerebral ischemia in vivo are difficult to elucidate because of the complex nature of multiple series of interactions between cells and molecules. This study explored temporal patterns of secretion of 30 cytokines and chemokines from Sprague Dawley rat astrocytes in primary culture in order to elucidate signaling pathways that are triggered by astrocytes during anoxia.

Methods

Primary cultures of rat brain astrocytes were incubated for periods of 2–24 hr in the absence of oxygen (anoxia) or under normal partial pressure of oxygen (controls). Simultaneous detection of 29 cytokines and chemokines in the samples was performed using a rat cytokine array panel, while the temporal pattern of angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1) secretion was determined separately using ELISA. Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test was used to compare normoxic and anoxic samples and the Hodge–Lehman estimator with exact 95% confidence intervals was computed to assess the size of differences in cytokine secretion. The obtained data were imported into the Core Analysis tool of Ingenuity Pathways Analysis software in order to relate changes in secretion of cytokines and chemokines from astrocytes during anoxia to potential molecular signal networks.

Results

With the exception of Ang‐1, concentrations of all cytokines/chemokines in samples collected after anoxia exposure were either the same, or higher, than in control groups. No clear pattern of changes could be established for groups of cytokines with similar effects (i.e., pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory cytokines). The pattern of changes in cytokine secretion during anoxia was associated with the HIF‐1α‐mediated response, as well as cytokines IL‐1β and cathepsin S pathways, which are related to initiation of inflammation and antigen presentation, respectively, and to ciliary neurotrophic factor.

Conclusions

These in vitro findings suggest that astrocytes may play a role in triggering inflammation during anoxia/ischemia of the brain.
Acceptability of the Winangay Kinship Carer Assessment Tool
Authors: Blacklock Aunty Sue , Meiksans Jenna , Bonser Gillian , Hayden Paula , Menzies Karen , Arney Fiona
Published: May 2018

There is an urgent need for culturally appropriate ways of assessing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship carers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children entering into out‐of‐home care in the Australian statutory child protection system. The Winangay Aboriginal Kinship Carer Assessment Tool (the Winangay Tool) has been developed to address this need. A key factor in the success of new ways of working is the fit of the new practice within the context in which it is introduced.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the social and cultural acceptability of the Winangay Tool to practitioners responsible for assessing kinship carers.

‘Evaluate[s] the social and cultural acceptability of the Winangay Kinship Carer Assessment Tool to practitioners responsible for assessing kinship carers’

A total of 84 practitioners completed a questionnaire prior to training and 83 practitioners completed a questionnaire on completion of training in the use of the Winangay Tool. Responses on questionnaires completed pre‐ and post‐training in the Winangay Tool suggest a high level of acceptability to practitioners. Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Aboriginal practitioners rated the Winangay Tool as culturally appropriate and acceptable overall, describing it as user‐friendly, collaborative and innovative.

The favourability of the Winangay Tool to practitioners compared to their existing approach to assessment suggests that it is likely to be well endorsed and implemented by practitioners completing kinship carer assessments.

Key Practitioner Messages

Preserving and enhancing the cultural identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care is fundamental to their wellbeing.

The Winangay Tool is designed to be a culturally appropriate method of assessment of Aboriginal kinship carers.

Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal assessors rate the Winangay Tool highly on cultural acceptability and see it as an improvement on existing mainstream approaches or tools.
Physics‐based trajectory optimization with automatic time warping
Authors: Han Daseong , Noh Junyong , Shin Joseph S.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a novel online model predictive control framework based on automatic time warping. In general, existing model predictive control frameworks employ reference motions with sampling time uniform and fixed. Unlike these, our framework allows to change the sampling time of a reference motion based on physics‐based simulation so that the character effectively responds to external forces unexpectedly applied to it. In order to do so, we formulate an optimal control problem, taking into account both optimal time warping and full‐body dynamics simultaneously. We adopt differential dynamic programming to produce an optimal control policy by solving the problem, which is used to compute the optimal feedback information for character motion and sampling time. We show the robustness of our framework to external perturbations through experiments. We also show the effectiveness of this framework for rhythmic motion synthesis.
Endothelial progenitor cells from aged subjects display decreased expression of sirtuin 1, angiogenic functions, and increased senescence
Authors: Kaur Impreet , Rawal Preety , Rohilla Sumati , Bhat Mohsin H. , Sharma Priyanka , Siddiqui Hamda , Kaur Savneet
Published: May 2018

Studies have demonstrated that aging is associated with a substantial decline in numbers and angiogenic activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). In view of senescence being an important regulator of age‐related cell survival and function, in the current study, we correlated EPCs numbers and functions with their senescence status and mechanisms in young and elderly subjects. Healthy young subjects (n = 30, below 60 y) and old subjects (n = 30, equal to or above 60 y) participated in the study. Subjects had no significant disease or risk factors of disease and aging was the only risk factor in the aged subjects. Enumeration of CD34‐vegfr2 dual positive EPCs was performed. The ex vivo culture of EPCs was done to study colony formation, migration, and senescence‐associated beta‐galactosidase activity. The expression of cell cycle and senescence regulatory proteins including, p53, p21, and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a deacetylase protein was studied in cultured EPCs by RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence staining. In vivo proliferation, ex vivo colonies, migration, and secretory ability of EPCs was significantly higher in young subjects than that in elderly subjects. EPCs in old subjects showed enhanced senescence and decreased expression of SIRT1 in comparison to that observed in young subjects. An inhibition of SIRT1 in EPCs of young subjects led to significant increase in senescence and reduction of cell differentiation. The study suggests that EPCs have decreased proliferation and functions in aged subjects due to increased senescence which may be attributable to decreased expression of SIRT1.
A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for K+ in Water Based on a Phenylaza‐18‐Crown‐6 Lariat Ether
Authors: Schwarze Thomas , Riemer Janine , Holdt Hans‐Jürgen
Published: June 2018

This work presents two molecular fluorescent probes 1 and 2 for the selective determination of physiologically relevant K+ levels in water based on a highly K+/Na+ selective building block, the o‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)phenylaza‐18‐crown‐6 lariat ether unit. Fluorescent probe 1 showed a high K+‐induced fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of 7.7 of the anthracenic emission and a dissociation constant (Kd) value of 38 mm in water. Further, for 2+K+, we observed a dual emission behavior at 405 and 505 nm. K+ increases the fluorescence intensity of 2 at 405 nm by a factor of approximately 4.6 and K+ decreases the fluorescence intensity at 505 nm by a factor of about 4.8. Fluorescent probe 2+K+ exhibited a Kd value of approximately 8 mm in Na+‐free solutions and in combined K+/Na+ solution a similar Kd value of about 9 mm was found, reflecting the high K+/Na+ selectivity of 2 in water. Therefore, 2 is a promising fluorescent tool to measure ratiometrically and selectively physiologically relevant K+ levels.
Cyclic Hexapeptide Mimics of the LEDGF Integrase Recognition Loop in Complex with HIV‐1 Integrase
Authors: Northfield Susan E. , Wielens Jerome , Headey Stephen J. , Williams‐Noonan Billy J. , Mulcair Mark , Scanlon Martin J. , Parker Michael W. , Thompson Philip E. , Chalmers David K.
Published: June 2018

The p75 splice variant of lens epithelium‐derived growth factor (LEDGF) is a 75 kDa protein, which is recruited by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to tether the pre‐integration complex to the host chromatin and promote integration of proviral DNA into the host genome. We designed a series of small cyclic peptides that are structural mimics of the LEDGF binding domain, which interact with integrase as potential binding inhibitors. Herein we present the X‐ray crystal structures, NMR studies, SPR analysis, and conformational studies of four cyclic peptides bound to the HIV‐1 integrase core domain. Although the X‐ray studies show that the peptides closely mimic the LEDGF binding loop, the measured affinities of the peptides are in the low millimolar range. Computational analysis using conformational searching and free energy calculations suggest that the low affinity of the peptides is due to mismatch between the low‐energy solution and bound conformations.
Targeting of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Protein with a Technetium‐99m Imaging Probe
Authors: Ferreira Vera F. C. , Oliveira Bruno L. , Santos João D. , Correia João D. G. , Farinha Carlos M. , Mendes Filipa
Published: June 2018

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common mutation, F508del, leads to almost total absence of CFTR at the plasma membrane, a defect potentially corrected via drug‐based therapies. Herein, we report the first proof‐of‐principle study of a noninvasive imaging probe able to detect CFTR at the plasma membrane. We radiolabeled the CFTR inhibitor, CFTRinh‐172a, with technetium‐99m via a pyrazolyl‐diamine chelating unit, yielding a novel 99mTc(CO)3 complex. A non‐radioactive surrogate showed that the structural modifications introduced in the inhibitor did not affect its activity. The radioactive complex was able to detect plasma membrane CFTR, shown by its significantly higher uptake in wild‐type versus mutated cells. Furthermore, assessment of F508del CFTR pharmacological correction in human cells using the radioactive complex revealed differences in corrector versus control uptake, recapitulating the biochemical correction observed for the protein.
Chemotherapy dosing and toxicity in a patient with muscular dystrophy
Authors: Lomma Chris , Ransom David
Published: June 2018

Background

Chemotherapy dosing has traditionally been based on a body surface area (BSA) calculation despite BSA dosing being problematic in a number of conditions, such as renal failure, liver failure, obesity, and sarcopenia. This case highlights another condition in which BSA dosing is problematic.

Case

A 57‐year‐old man with limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy presents with stage IIA inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. He is treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy with curative intent but develops significant chemotherapy related toxicity affecting chemotherapy scheduling and dosing. Later, his cancer progresses, and he is commenced on palliative chemotherapy resulting in further significant chemotherapy toxicity.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is known to increase risk of chemotherapy toxicity. This case postulates that changes in muscle mass seen in muscular dystrophy increases risk of chemotherapy toxicity, similar to sarcopenia.
Platinum Nanostructure/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Hybrid: Enhancing its Base Media HER/HOR Activity through Bi‐functionality of the Catalyst
Authors: Kundu Manas Kumar , Bhowmik Tanmay , Mishra Ranjit , Barman Sudip
Published: June 2018

The design and synthesis of an active catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction/hydrogen oxidation reaction (HER/HOR) are important for the development of hydrogen‐based renewable technologies. The synthesis of a hybrid of platinum nanostructures and nitrogen‐doped carbon [Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C] for HER/HOR applications is reported herein. The HER activity of this Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C catalyst is 4 and 6.5 times better than that of commercial Pt/C in acids and bases, respectively. The catalyst exhibits a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at overpotentials of 5 and 51 mV, with Tafel slopes of 29 and 64 mV dec−1 in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 0.5 m KOH. This catalyst also showed superior HOR activity at all pH values. The HER/HOR activity of Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C and PtOx‐free Pt‐nanostructures on carbon (PtNSs/C) catalysts are comparable in acid. The presence of PtOx in Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C makes this Pt catalyst more HER/HOR‐active in basic media. The activity of the Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C catalyst is fivefold higher than that of the PtNSs/C catalyst in basic medium, although their activity is comparable in acid. The hydrogen‐binding energy and oxophilicity are two equivalent descriptors for HER/HOR in basic media. A bifunctional mechanism for the enhanced alkaline HER/HOR activity of the Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C catalyst is proposed. In the bifunctional Pt‐(PtOx)‐NSs/C catalyst, PtOx provides an active site for OH− adsorption to form OHads, which reacts with hydrogen intermediate (Hads), present at neighbouring Pt sites to form H2O; this leads to enhancement of the HOR activity in basic medium. This work may provide an opportunity to develop catalysts for various renewable‐energy technologies.
Dual Modification of a BiVO4 Photoanode for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Gao Lili , Li Feng , Hu Haiguo , Long Xuefeng , Xu Na , Hu Yiping , Wei Shenqi , Wang Chenglong , Ma Jiantai , Jin Jun
Published: June 2018

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) has triggered extensive interest in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, owing to its narrow band gap and sufficiently positive valence band. However, some defects still exist to block the solar utilization efficiency and hydrogen evolution kinetics. Herein, the NiMoO4 semiconductor is combined with a BiVO4 photoanode, for the first time, and excellent PEC performance is achieved on the basis of heterojunction formation and favorable conductivity of NiMoO4. In addition, it has been demonstrated that NiMoO4 promotes the light absorption ability, charge separation efficiency, and surface charge‐transfer efficiency comprehensively. To further improve the photoconversion efficiency, cobalt phosphate, as an oxygen evolution reaction cocatalyst, is deposited on the above electrode and achieves a much enhanced utilization efficiency of 1.18 %, with a photocurrent density of 5.3 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode; this exceeds most results reported to date. This rational and unique photoanode construction provides a new thread for the photoelectrode designation.
A high‐speed MIMO FFT processor with full hardware utilization
Authors: Li Chien‐Sung , Wang Shuenn‐Shyang
Published: June 2018

The conventional way to design multi‐input‐multi‐output (MIMO) fast Fourier transform (FFT) processors for MIMO‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems is to adopt a parallel architecture which uses as many single‐input‐single‐output FFT processors as the number of transmit/receive antennas. These MIMO FFT processors can provide high throughput, but they perform with low hardware utilization when there are not all input sequences available. In this paper, we propose a high‐speed MIMO FFT processor which can work efficiently with high throughput and full hardware utilization for variable 1 to 4 input sequences. Our MIMO FFT processor is designed by reordering and distributing data sequences to all data paths and is constructed by some novel modules. Being synthesized by using UMC 0.18‐μm process demonstrates that our 64‐point 4 × 4 FFT can achieve high throughput with full hardware utilization and perform correctly up to 62.25 MHz with low power consumption for variable 1 to 4 input sequences.
Estimates of fish and coral larvae as nutrient subsidies to coral reef ecosystems
Authors: Allgeier Jacob E. , Speare Kelly E. , Burkepile Deron E.
Published: June 2018

Nutrient subsidies are essential for the functioning of many ecosystems. A long‐standing conundrum in coral reef ecology is how these systems can be among the most productive globally, but persist in nutrient‐poor conditions. Here, we investigate the importance of the larvae of fishes and corals and gametes of corals as nutrient subsidies for coral reefs. We provide evidence that fish larvae may be an ecologically important source of exogenous nutrients. We found that at the high end of mean estimates of fish larval supply rates, larvae can replace the nutrients in the entire fish community (estimated from Caribbean coral reefs) in 28 and 434 d for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus, respectively. Coral larvae, on the other hand, appear to represent only a fraction of the nutrients supplied by the larval fish community. In contrast, coral gametes provide substantial pulses of recycled nutrients during synchronous spawning events. Within a single night, gametes from coral spawning events can produce nutrient fluxes that represent 13 and 64 times the amount of N and carbon, respectively, stored in coral reef fish communities. Our analysis suggests that larvae and/or gametes of fishes and corals may represent an important, but previously underappreciated, source of nutrients to coral reefs that warrant inclusion into models of nutrient dynamics and ecosystem function.
Forecasting an invasive species’ distribution with global distribution data, local data, and physiological information
Authors: Jarnevich Catherine S. , Young Nicholas E. , Talbert Marian , Talbert Colin
Published: May 2018

Understanding invasive species distributions and potential invasions often requires broad‐scale information on the environmental tolerances of the species. Further, resource managers are often faced with knowing these broad‐scale relationships as well as nuanced environmental factors related to their landscape that influence where an invasive species occurs and potentially could occur. Using invasive buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), we developed global models and local models for Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA, based on location records and literature on physiological tolerances to environmental factors to investigate whether environmental relationships of a species at a global scale are also important at local scales. In addition to correlative models with five commonly used algorithms, we also developed a model using a priori user‐defined relationships between occurrence and environmental characteristics based on a literature review. All correlative models at both scales performed well based on statistical evaluations. The user‐defined curves closely matched those produced by the correlative models, indicating that the correlative models may be capturing mechanisms driving the distribution of buffelgrass. Given climate projections for the region, both global and local models indicate that conditions at Saguaro National Park may become more suitable for buffelgrass. Combining global and local data with correlative models and physiological information provided a holistic approach to forecasting invasive species distributions.
Aquatic insect functional diversity and nutrient content in urban streams in a medium‐sized city
Authors: Lundquist Matthew J. , Zhu Weixing
Published: May 2018

Aquatic insects play a large role in the processing of organic matter in headwater streams; however, anthropogenic disturbances associated with watershed urbanization can impact the biodiversity and abundance of these insects. Aquatic insects function on multiple trophic levels (i.e., shredders, collectors, scrapers, and predators) and interact in the nutrient cycling within lotic systems. The degradation or loss of any of these functional groups could disrupt stream biogeochemistry and the flow of energy in stream ecosystems. We used a paired reach site design to assess the insect functional group representation in five streams impacted by urbanization with downstream urban and upstream rural reach sites. We also sampled two non‐urban reference streams with rural upstream and rural downstream reach sites. We assessed functional group richness and abundance and measured insect biomass, insect body nitrogen (N) content, phosphorus (P) content, and N:P ratio. We found that collectors were numerically the most abundant and taxonomically the richest insect group in all site types. There were much fewer insects collected from urban sites than rural sites and individual insects were generally smaller in the urban sites. Collectors represented the most insect biomass in urban sites and predators the most insect biomass in rural sites. Insect N and P concentrations were not affected by urban landuse, ranging from 88.45 ± 12.50 to 121.74 ± 15.80 mg/g and 10.60 ± 2.10 to 18.36 ± 7.05 mg/g, respectively; and N:P ratios from 3.48 to 20.97. However, lower total insect biomass, particularly of predators and shredders, led to significantly lower total N and P mass in urban sites. Urbanization had clear effects on the diversity of functional groups, insect biomass, and their nutrient mass in this medium‐sized city.
Nanocomposites of Polyoxometalates and Chitosan‐Based Polymers as Tuneable Anticancer Agents
Authors: Croce Matteo , Conti Simona , Maake Caroline , Patzke Greta R.
Published: June 2018

Representative polyoxometalates with proven bio‐active properties, namely {Sb9W21}, {P2W18} and {Mo7O24}, were encapsulated into chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) to afford nanoscale composites. The pristine POMs were characterized with a wide range of analytical techniques, including powder X‐ray diffraction as well as FT‐IR and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Size and morphology of their nanocomposites were determined within the 100–200 nm size range by dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods in combination with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Their stability was monitored by UV/Vis and DLS measurements over several days. The cytotoxicity of pristine and encapsulated POMs was investigated on HeLa and MRC‐5 cell lines, representing cancer and normal cell lines, respectively. Our results suggest that CMC encapsulation enhances the specificity towards cancer cells, especially in treatment approaches where a lower drug dose would be required. The anticancer activity of POMs emerged as a dynamic property that depends on manifold parameters, such as the POM structure, the polymeric drug carrier type, and the investigated cell line.
Ordered Mesoporous Carbons Loading on Graphene after Different Molten Salt Activations for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Chen Peng , Lu Suhui , Yang Chao , He Zi , Chen Xuli , Guo Kunkun
Published: June 2018

The molten salt activation containing different oxysalts are proposed to activate the ordered mesoporous carbons loading on graphene layers (OMC/G). The effects of different oxysalts activations on the structures of OMC/G are thoroughly investigated by scan electron microscopy (SEM), small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), Raman spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption‐desorption at 77 K. The structures of these carboneous materials are related with the oxidizing nature of these oxysalts. By using weak oxysalt of K2CO3, the original structure of OMC/G is almost kept together with the appearance of a lot of micropores and mesopores. The electrochemical performances of OMC/G after different oxysalts activation are also studied for supercapacitor applications. OMC/G after weak oxysalt of K2CO3 based electrode results in the highest specific capacitance up to 332.5 F g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1, which is higher than those after both KOH activation (276.8 F g−1) and the other three oxysalts activation. Moreover, OMC/G‐K2CO3 shows an excellent cycling stability with no capacitance loss over 5000 cycles. The molten salt activation would be potentially applied to activate the porous carbons for supercapacitor applications.
Evaluating Invariance in Test Performance for Adolescent Learners of English as a Foreign Language
Authors: Manna Venessa , Yoo Hanwook , Monfils Lora
Published: June 2018

In this study, we assessed the invariance in the factor structure underlying English‐language proficiency for two groups of adolescent learners in Japan: students in middle school (ages 13–15 years) and students in high school (ages 16–18 years). Language proficiency was measured using the TOEFL Junior® Comprehensive test, an assessment designed to measure the English skills of adolescent English learners in non‐English‐speaking countries. The study results indicate that a correlated 4‐factor model corresponding to the 4 language abilities of reading, listening, speaking, and writing best represents the nature of language proficiency in the 2 groups of adolescent English learners. Moreover, the factor structure is invariant across these 2 groups. However, there is a statistically significant difference in performance on the reading construct. The results are consistent across 2 random samples, thus providing confirmatory evidence of model invariance. This study provides empirical support for the current score‐reporting practices for the TOEFL Junior Comprehensive test and suggests that the test scores have the same meaning across test takers from middle school and high school.
Physical exercise increases involvement of motor networks as a compensatory mechanism during a cognitively challenging task
Authors: Ji Lanxin , Pearlson Godfrey D. , Zhang Xue , Steffens David C. , Ji Xiaoqing , Guo Hua , Wang Lihong
Published: May 2018

Objective

Neuroimaging studies suggest that older adults may compensate for declines in cognitive function through neural compensation and reorganization of neural resources. While neural compensation as a key component of cognitive reserve is an important factor that mediates cognitive decline, the field lacks a quantitative measure of neural compensatory ability, and little is known about factors that may modify compensation, such as physical exercise.

Methods

Twenty‐five healthy older adults participated in a 6‐week dance training exercise program. Gait speed, cognitive function, and functional magnetic resonance imaging during a challenging memory task were measured before and after the exercise program. In this study, we used a newly proposed data‐driven independent component analysis approach to measure neural compensatory ability and tested the effect of physical exercise on neural compensation through a longitudinal study.

Results

After the exercise program, participants showed significantly improved memory performance in Logical Memory Test (WMS(LM)) (P < .001) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (P = .001) and increased gait speed measured by the 6‐minute walking test (P = .01). Among all identified neural networks, only the motor cortices and cerebellum showed greater involvement during the memory task after exercise. Importantly, subjects who activated the motor network only after exercise (but not before exercise) showed WMS(LM) increases.

Conclusions

We conclude that physical exercise improved gait speed, cognitive function, and compensatory ability through increased involvement of motor‐related networks.
Association between missed appointment and related factors of patients with cancer in a tertiary hospital
Authors: Lee Ye Seol , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Juyeong
Published: June 2018

For the hospital administration, 1 major responsibility is to prevent the outflow of existing patients and minimize losses because of the failure of patients with cancer to attend appointments. We analyzed the association between no‐show rates and characteristics of patients with cancer at a tertiary hospital in Seoul using patient affair data. Among the 680 190 patients, no‐show rates were 4.39% and 3.37% for males and females, respectively. Male patients with colon and rectum, pancreas, and liver cancer had higher no‐show rates (5.81%, 5.8%, and 5.1%). Among females, pancreas, colon and rectum, and liver cancer were associated with high no‐show rates (5.65%, 5.44%, and 4.92%). For both males and females, liver (males: OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.68‐2.44; females: OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.60‐2.28) and pancreas (males: OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.57‐2.50; females: OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.61‐2.42) cancer were associated with high no‐show rates. To reduce the rate of no‐shows, hospitals should establish and enforce “missed appointment” policies as well as its effect upon health outcome.
A preliminary investigation into the effects of doxazosin on cognitive functioning in tobacco‐deprived and ‐satiated smokers
Authors: Roberts Walter , Verplaetse Terril L. , Moore Kelly E. , Oberleitner Lindsay M. , McKee Sherry A.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To test the effects of doxazosin, an α1 antagonist, on cognitive functioning during tobacco withdrawal in smokers.

Methods

Participants (n = 35) were randomly assigned to receive placebo, 4‐mg/day, or 8‐mg/day doxazosin. They completed a continuous performance task and self‐reported their withdrawal symptoms at baseline and twice following a medication titration period: once in a tobacco‐deprived state and again in a nondeprived state. Ability to resist smoking was assessed using a laboratory smoking‐lapse paradigm.

Results

Participants showed poorer cognitive performance on most measures taken from the continuous performance task when tobacco deprived. Eight‐mg/day doxazosin improved inhibitory control during the nondeprivation session but did not affect sustained attention or reaction time. Participants receiving doxazosin reported fewer withdrawal symptoms during deprivation than those on placebo. Those showing the greatest improvement of inhibitory control under doxazosin were better able to resist smoking (i.e., latency to smoke) during a smoking lapse task. Self‐reported withdrawal symptoms also were negatively associated with time to smoking.

Conclusions

Doxazosin reduced symptoms of tobacco withdrawal according to self‐report and cognitive assessment and improved inhibitory control above predrug levels. This research identifies potential mechanisms by which doxazosin might improve smoking outcomes.
ADRENERGIC CONTROL OF SEROTONIN RELEASE FROM A MIDGUT CARCINOID TUMOUR
Authors: NILSSON O. , GRÖNSTAD K.-O. , GOLDSTEIN M. , SKOLNIK G. , DAHLSTRÖM A. , AHLMAN H.
Published: May 2018

A case of recurrent midgut carcinoid tumour with disseminated spread is described, in which the clinical diagnosis was supported by measurements of elevated basal serotonin (5‐HT) levels in peripheral blood and increased 5‐HT responses to pentagastrin provocation, despite normal urinary levels of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Preoperative diagnosis was obtained by concomitant determinations of 5‐HT in mesenteric and hepatic veins. The carcinoid tumour was studied immunocytochemically using antisera to tyrosine hydroxylase and 5‐HT. Neuroendocrine complexes between adrenergic nerve terminals and 5‐HT‐containing tumour cells could be demonstrated. 5‐HT release from tumour cells in suspension was studied in vitro after incubation with adrenoceptor agonists or pentagastrin. Tissue pieces from the tumour were also transplanted into the anterior eye chamber of Sprague‐Dawley rats, some of which were subjected to immunosuppression (Cyclosporin A 20 mg/kg s.c.). After 10 days in oculo the tumour transplants (with preserved immunocytochemical characteristics) were stimulated with adrenoceptor agonists. Tumour cells in suspension as well as tumour transplants released 5‐HT upon adrenoceptor stimulation but no release was induced by pentagastrin. The pentagastrin test is suggested to cause release of 5‐HT in carcinoid tumour patients via release of endogenous catecholamines, in turn activating adrenoreceptors on carcinoid tumour cells.
SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF ANTIBODIES TO THE ADULT T‐CELL LEUKEMIA VIRUS‐ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN (HTLV‐A) IN TAIWAN
Authors: KUO Tseng-tong , CHAN Heng-Leong , Su Ih-Jen , EIMOTO Tadaaki , MAEDA Yoshiaki , KIKUCHI Masahiro , CHEN Ming-Jing , KUAN Yeu-Zon , CHEN Wei-Jen , SUN Chien-Feng , SHIH Lee-Yung , CHEN Jong-Shuin , TAKESHITA Morishige
Published: May 2018

A serological survey of antibodies to the adult T‐cell leukemia virus‐associated antigen (HTLV‐A) conducted in Taiwan revealed 11 seropositive individuals among 2,565 serum donors tested, which included 1,187 hospital or free clinic patients, 1,065 blood donors and 313 aborigines. The overall prevalence rate was 0.43% and was 0.90% (9/995) for adults aged 40 years or over, which was similar to the rates observed in the non‐endemic areas in Japan. No highly prevalent area was demonstrated. The 11 seropositive individuals identified were 8 hospital or clinic patients, 1 blood donor and 2 aborigines. Among 108 various leukemia/lymphoma patients also studied, 7 were positive. These 7 anti‐HTLV‐A‐positive patients also had clinicopathologic features of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Among 21 relatives of 3 seropositive individuals in the epidemiologic study, 2 were positive; and among 25 relatives of 5 ATL patients, 6 were positive. Our data support the contention that horizontal familial transmission of human T‐cell leukemia virus (HTLV‐I) is an important route and HTLV‐1 infection can occur on a different genetic background. Furthermore, the antibody titer did not correlate with the manifestation or the state of the disease.