bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Open Science in Lithuania
Authors: Dovidonytė Rasa
Published: August 2019

The number of open science policies being adopted in Europe by universities and research institutions is constantly increasing, however many European countries face difficulties while implementing open science practically. This publication reveals the Lithuanian landscape of open science policies and institutional involvement in open science practices. Prerequisites for sustainable and consistent open science implementation such as open science infrastructure, incentives for researchers, research assessment, and repositories' compliance with EC requirements on a national level are discussed.
Characteristics of Waste Pickers in Nakuru and Thika Municipal Dumpsites in Kenya
Authors: Kariuki Joseph Maina , Bates Margaret , Magana Adiel
Published: August 2019

Dumpsite waste picking is prevalent in many developing countries of which Kenya is one. Waste pickers play an important role in waste recycling by recovering and providing materials to the waste recycling industry.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to characterise the demographic and socio-economic factors of waste pickers in Nakuru and Thika municipal dumpsites.

Study Design: The research design was a cross-sectional social survey and the sample size was 167.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the largest dumpsite in Nakuru and Thika towns found in Nakuru and Kiambu counties respectively.

Methodology:  The data was collected by use of structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Analysis was by frequency tables, χ2 test and t-test at 95% level of confidence.

Results: The results show that there was parity by gender in Nakuru but in Thika the proportion of females was much higher than that of males. There was significant association between age and site of operation with waste pickers in Thika being on average younger than in Nakuru (χ = 12.605, d.f. = 3, p = 0.006).  Waste pickers in Thika had on average attained a higher level of education than in Nakuru (χ2 = 12.352, d.f. = 3, p = 0.006). Most of the waste pickers (96%) only picked from exclusively from the dumpsite. Waste pickers in Thika spent an average of 10.26±0.23 hours daily in waste picking which was significantly higher (t=-3.709, n=160, p<.001) than at Nakuru (8.97±0.27 hours). The mean number of years of waste picking in Thika was significantly less than in Nakuru (t=4.627, d.f.=158, p<.001).

Conclusion: In conclusion, waste pickers play an important role in waste recycling, with waste picking supporting hundreds of waste pickers in the study area, who are important in integrated waste management and need to be understood, appreciated and supported.
Habitat loss‐induced tipping points in metapopulations with facilitation
Authors: Sardanyés Josep , Piñero Jordi , Solé Ricard
Published: August 2019

Habitat loss is known to pervade extinction thresholds in metapopulations. Such thresholds result from a loss of stability that can eventually lead to collapse. Several models have been developed to understand the nature of these transitions and how they are affected by the locality of interactions, fluctuations or external drivers. Most models consider the impact of grazing or aridity as a control parameter that can trigger sudden shifts, once critical values are reached. Others explore instead the role played by habitat loss and fragmentation. Here we consider a minimal model incorporating facilitation between the individuals of the same species along with habitat destruction, with the aim of understanding how local cooperation and habitat loss interact with each other. A mathematical model incorporating facilitation and habitat destruction is derived, along with a spatially explicit simulation model. It is found that a catastrophic shift is expected for increasing levels of habitat loss, but the bifurcation becomes continuous when dispersal is local. Under these conditions, spatial patchiness is found and the qualitative change from discontinuous to continuous results are in agreement with previous studies on ecological systems. Our results suggest that species exhibiting facilitation and displaying short‐range dispersal will be markedly more capable of avoiding catastrophic tipping points.
On the nature of the optimal form of the holdase‐type chaperone stress response
Authors: Hall Damien
Published: August 2019

The holdase paradigm of chaperone action involves preferential binding by the chaperone to the unfolded protein state, thereby preventing it from either, associating with other unstable proteins (to form large dysfunctional aggregates), or being degraded by the proteolytic machinery of the cell/organism. In this paper, we examine the necessary physical constraints imposed upon the holdase chaperone response in a cell‐like environment and use these limitations to comment on the likely nature of the optimal form of chaperone response in vivo.
Emerging Scanning Probe–Based Setups for Advanced Nanoelectronic Research
Authors: Hui Fei , Wen Chao , Chen Shaochuan , Koren Elad , Dechter Rimma , Lewis David , Lanza Mario
Published: August 2019

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) refers to a family of techniques that have become essential to study many different properties of materials and devices at the nanoscale. All of them have in common that they use an ultrasharp probe tip to scan the surface of a sample. However, although many of these techniques are interrelated, some of them have become very sophisticated and require specific and deep study. While there are plenty of review articles available for most of these techniques, newer developments need to be carefully analyzed in a critical manner in order to promote their development. In this progress report, some of the newest SPM‐based developments that are expected to generate a larger impact in the field of nanoelectronics are discussed, and critical advice on how to improve each of them is provided. In particular, the combination of wear and electrical tests; scanning gate microscopy; the integration of conductive atomic force microscopy into scanning electron microscopy; and the integration of a scanning probe into transmission electron microscopy, multiprobe scanning tunneling microscopy, multiprobe atomic force microscopy, and fountain‐pen nanolithography are focused on.
Full‐Textile Wireless Flexible Humidity Sensor for Human Physiological Monitoring
Authors: Ma Liyun , Wu Ronghui , Patil Aniruddha , Zhu Shuihong , Meng Zhaohui , Meng Haiqiang , Hou Chen , Zhang Yifan , Liu Qiang , Yu Rui , Wang Jun , Lin Naibo , Liu Xiang Yang
Published: August 2019

Textile‐based electronic techniques that can in real‐time and noncontact detect the respiration rate and respiratory arrest are highly desired for human health monitoring. Yarn‐shaped humidity sensor is fabricated based on a sensitive fiber with relatively high specific surface area and abnormal cross‐section. The response and recovery time of the yarn‐shaped humidity sensor is only 3.5 and 4 s, respectively, with little hysteresis, because of the hydrophobic property of these functional fibers and the grooves on the surface of the fibers, which is much faster than those of the commercial polyimide materials. Moreover, a battery‐free LC wireless testing system combined with the yarn‐shaped sensor is fabricated, which is further successfully imbedded into the intelligent mask to detect human breath. Based on the detection of LC wireless testing system, the frequency of 50.25 MHz under the exhaled condition shifts to 50.86 MHz under the inhaled situation of humidity sensor. In essence, the functional yarns with proper structure, would be an excellent candidature to the yarn‐shaped humidity sensor, in which there are good performance and wide application possibilities, eventually offering a facile method for the wireless detection of human physiological signals in the field of electronic fabrics.
Synthesis of Functionalized Spirocyclic Indolines by Visible Light‐Induced One‐Pot Sequential Difluoromethylative Dearomatization, Hydroxylation, and Substitution Reactions
Authors: Wang Qiang , Qu Yi , Liu Yuxiu , Song Haibin , Wang Qingmin
Published: August 2019

Herein we describe an one‐pot protocol for visible light‐induced synthesis of functionalized spirocyclic indolines under mild conditions by means of a process involving sequential difluoromethylative dearomatization, hydroxylation, and substitution reactions of indole derivatives. The transformation proceeds via a hydroxylated “acetal pool” intermediate that can react with various nucleophiles. Several of the phosphine‐oxide and indole‐substituted products showed good fungicidal activity, suggesting that this protocol might be useful in the agrochemical field.

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Injectable and Conductive Granular Hydrogels for 3D Printing and Electroactive Tissue Support
Authors: Shin Mikyung , Song Kwang Hoon , Burrell Justin C. , Cullen D. Kacy , Burdick Jason A.
Published: August 2019

Conductive hydrogels are attractive to mimic electrophysiological environments of biological tissues and toward therapeutic applications. Injectable and conductive hydrogels are of particular interest for applications in 3D printing or for direct injection into tissues; however, current approaches to add conductivity to hydrogels are insufficient, leading to poor gelation, brittle properties, or insufficient conductivity. Here, an approach is developed using the jamming of microgels to form injectable granular hydrogels, where i) hydrogel microparticles (i.e., microgels) are formed with water‐in‐oil emulsions on microfluidics, ii) microgels are modified via an in situ metal reduction process, and iii) the microgels are jammed into a solid, permitting easy extrusion from a syringe. Due to the presence of metal nanoparticles at the jammed interface with high surface area in this unique design, the granular hydrogels have greater conductivity than non‐particle (i.e., bulk) hydrogels treated similarly or granular hydrogels either without metal nanoparticles or containing encapsulated nanoparticles. The conductivity of the granular hydrogels is easily modified through mixing conductive and non‐conductive microgels during fabrication and they can be applied to the 3D printing of lattices and to bridge muscle defects. The versatility of this conductive granular hydrogel will permit numerous applications where conductive materials are needed.
Hierarchically Porous N‐Doped Carbon Fibers as a Free‐Standing Anode for High‐Capacity Potassium‐Based Dual‐Ion Battery
Authors: Zhang Meng , Shoaib Muhammad , Fei Huilong , Wang Tao , Zhong Jiang , Fan Ling , Wang Lei , Luo Haiyan , Tan Shan , Wang Yaya , Zhu Jian , Hu Jiawen , Lu Bingan
Published: August 2019

Potassium‐based dual‐ion batteries (KDIBs) have emerged as a new generation of rechargeable batteries, due to their high cell voltage, low cost, and the natural abundance of potassium resources. However, the low capacity and poor cycling stability largely hinder the further development of KDIBs. Herein, the fabrication of hierarchically porous N‐doped carbon fibers (HPNCFs) as a free‐standing anode for high‐performance KDIBs is reported. With a free‐standing hierarchical structure (micro/meso/macropores and nanochannels) and high‐content of nitrogen doping, the HPNCFs not only provide intrinsic electron pathways and efficient ion transport channels, but also afford sufficient free space to tolerate the volume change during cycling. Consequently, the KDIBs made from a graphite cathode and an optimized HPNCFs anode deliver a high reversible capacity of 197 mAh g−1 at a specific current of 50 mA g−1, and excellent cycling stability (65 mAh g−1 after 346 cycles at a specific current of 100 mA g−1, the capacity calculation of the KDIBs is based on the mass of the anode). These results indicate that the properly designed HPNCFs can effectively improve the capacity and cycling stability of the KDIBs, indicating a great potential for applications in the field of high‐performance energy‐storage devices.
Facile Patterning of Laser‐Induced Graphene with Tailored Li Nucleation Kinetics for Stable Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Yi Jingsi , Chen Jiahua , Yang Zheng , Dai Yang , Li Weimin , Cui Jiang , Ciucci Francesco , Lu Ziheng , Yang Chunlei
Published: August 2019

A facile and scalable approach is reported to stabilize the lithium‐metal anode by regulating the Li nucleation and deposition kinetics with laser‐induced graphene (LIG). By processing polyimide (PI) films on copper foils with a laser, a 3D‐hierarchical composite material is constructed, consisting of a highly conductive copper substrate, a pillared array of flexible PI, and most importantly, porous LIG on the walls of the PI pillars. The high number of defects and heteroatoms present in LIG significantly lowers the Li nucleation barrier compared to the copper foil. An overpotential‐free Li nucleation process is identified at current densities lower than 0.2 mA cm−2. Theoretical computations reveal that the defects serve as nucleation centers during the heterogeneous nucleation of lithium. By adopting such composites, ultrastable lithium‐metal anodes are obtained with high Coulombic efficiencies of ≈99%. Full lithium‐metal cells based on LiFePO4 cathodes with a material loading of ≈15 mg cm−2 and a negative/positive ratio of 5/1 could be cycled over 250 times with a capacity loss of less than 10%. The current work highlights the importance of nucleation kinetics on the stability of metallic anodes and demonstrates a practical method toward long lasting Li‐metal batteries.
Ni/Fe Codoped In2S3 Nanosheet Arrays Boost Photo‐Electrochemical Performance of Planar Si Photocathodes
Authors: Meng Linxing , He Jinlu , Tian Wei , Wang Meng , Long Run , Li Liang
Published: August 2019

The photo‐electrochemical performance of the Si photocathode is seriously restricted by the severe charge recombination at the Si/electrolyte interface and sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics. Herein, a facile hydrothermal process is reported to integrate Ni/Fe codoped In2S3 nanosheet arrays onto the surface of unmodified a p‐Si photocathode for water reduction. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations indicate that the Ni and Fe codoping of In2S3 contributes to small surface transfer impedance, prolonged carrier lifetime, increased charge carrier concentration, and reduced overpotential for HER. Moreover, a p–n junction formed at the interface of Si and Ni/Fe:In2S3 promotes the photogenerated electron–hole separation and reduces the recombination in the bulk. As a result, the Si–Ni/Fe:In2S3 photocathode exhibits high performance with significantly enhanced photocurrent of −80.9 mA cm−2 at −1.3 VRHE and positive onset potential of 0.44 VRHE.
Astrocyte Subtype Vulnerability in Stem Cell Models of Vanishing White Matter
Authors: Leferink Prisca S. , Dooves Stephanie , Hillen Anne E. J. , Watanabe Kyoko , Jacobs Gerbren , Gasparotto Lisa , Cornelissen‐Steijger Paulien , van der Knaap Marjo S. , Heine Vivi M.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Astrocytes have gained attention as important players in neurological disease. In line with their heterogeneous character, defects in specific astrocyte subtypes have been identified. Leukodystrophy vanishing white matter (VWM) shows selective vulnerability in white matter astrocytes, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Induced pluripotent stem cell technology is being extensively explored in studies of pathophysiology and regenerative medicine. However, models for distinct astrocyte subtypes for VWM are lacking, thereby hampering identification of disease‐specific pathways.

Methods

Here, we characterize human and mouse pluripotent stem cell–derived gray and white matter astrocyte subtypes to generate an in vitro VWM model. We examined morphology and functionality, and used coculture methods, high‐content microscopy, and RNA sequencing to study VWM cultures.

Results

We found intrinsic vulnerability in specific astrocyte subpopulations in VWM. When comparing VWM and control cultures, white matter–like astrocytes inhibited oligodendrocyte maturation, and showed affected pathways in both human and mouse cultures, involving the immune system and extracellular matrix. Interestingly, human white matter–like astrocytes presented additional, human‐specific disease mechanisms, such as neuronal and mitochondrial functioning.

Interpretation

Astrocyte subtype cultures revealed disease‐specific pathways in VWM. Cross‐validation of human‐ and mouse‐derived protocols identified human‐specific disease aspects. This study provides new insights into VWM disease mechanisms, which helps the development of in vivo regenerative applications, and we further present strategies to study astrocyte subtype vulnerability in neurological disease. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:780–792
A High‐Efficiency All‐Fiber Laser Operated in High‐Order Mode using Ring‐Core Yb‐Doped Fiber
Authors: Li Hongxun , Zhang Yimin , Dong Zhipeng , Lv Jialiang , Gu Chun , Yao Peijun , Xu Lixin , Zhang Rui , Su Jingqin , Chen Wei , Zhu Yonggang , Zhan Qiwen
Published: August 2019

An all‐fiber laser generating a cylindrical vector beam is proposed and demonstrated using a home‐made ring‐core Yb‐doped fiber (RC‐YDF). In the RC‐YDF, not only annular doping but also ring‐type beam pump is realized. This is believed to be the first report describing the realization of annular doping and ring‐type beam pump in active fiber simultaneously, which can enhance the efficiency for high‐order mode oscillation. This laser operates in the high‐order mode stably with a slope efficiency of as high as 55.7%. Cylindrical vector modes can be obtained easily through adjusting the polarization controller. This work may have great potential for providing high‐efficiency and high‐power cylindrical vector beam and vortex beam sources.
Heteroleptic transition metal complexes of Schiff‐base‐derived ligands exert their antifungal activity by disrupting membrane integrity
Authors: Dar Ovas Ahmad , Lone Shabir Ahmad , Malik Manzoor Ahmad , Wani Mohmmad Younus , Talukdar Md Ikbal Ahmed , Al‐Bogami Abdullah Saad , Hashmi Athar Adil , Ahmad Aijaz
Published: August 2019

Development of new treatment strategies and chemotherapeutic agents is urgently needed to combat the growing multidrug resistant species of Candida. In this direction, a new series of Cu (II), Co (II), Ni (II) and Zn (II) heteroleptic complexes were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for antifungal activity. Based on spectral characterization and physical measurements, an octahedral geometry was assigned to [Co(L1)(L2)ClH2O] (C2), [Ni(L1)(L2)ClH2O] (C3), [Zn(L1)(L2)ClH2O] (C4) complexes, while a distorted octahedral geometry was assigned to [Cu(L1)(L2)ClH2O] (C1) complex. All the synthesized compounds were tested for antifungal activity against 11 Candida albicans isolates, including fluconazole (FLC)‐resistant isolates, by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC), following CLSI guidelines. The mechanism of their antifungal activity was assessed by studying their effect on the plasma membrane using flow cytometry and quantifying the ergosterol contents. All the test compounds showed varying levels of antifungal activity. Both the ligands showed moderate antifungal activity with a median MIC value of 100 μg/mL with no fungicidal activity. Compound C3 was the most potent compound with median MIC and MFC values of 0.10 and 1.60 μg/mL, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that these compounds at MFC values disrupt the cell membrane, resulting in propidium iodide entering the cells. These compounds also reduced a considerable amount of ergosterol content after treating the cells with MIC and sub‐MIC values. This study indicates that these compounds have high antifungal activity against C. albicans, and have the potential to be developed as novel antifungal drugs.
Data‐driven queries between medications and spontaneous preterm birth among 2.5 million pregnancies
Authors: Marić Ivana , Winn Virginia D. , Borisenko Evgeniya , Weber Kari A. , Wong Ronald J. , Aziz Natali , Blumenfeld Yair J. , El‐Sayed Yasser Y. , Stevenson David K. , Shaw Gary M.
Published: August 2019

Background

Our goal was to develop an approach that can systematically identify potential associations between medication prescribed in pregnancy and spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) by mining large administrative “claims” databases containing hundreds of medications. One such association that we illustrate emerged with antiviral medications used for herpes treatment.

Methods

IBM MarketScan® databases (2007–2016) were used. A pregnancy cohort was established using International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐9/10) codes. Multiple hypothesis testing and the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure that limited false discovery rate at 5% revealed, among 863 medications, five that showed odds ratios (ORs) <1. The statistically strongest was an association between antivirals and sPTB that we illustrate as a real example of our approach, specifically for treatment of genital herpes (GH). Three groups of women were identified based on diagnosis of GH and treatment during the first 36 weeks of pregnancy: (a) GH without treatment; (b) GH treated with antivirals; (c) no GH or treatment.

Results

We identified 2,538,255 deliveries. 0.98% women had a diagnosis of GH. Among them, 60.0% received antiviral treatment. Women with treated GH had OR < 1, (OR [95% CI] = 0.91 [0.85, 0.98]). In contrast, women with untreated GH had a small increased risk of sPTB (OR [95% CI] =1.22 [1.14, 1.32]).

Conclusions

Data‐driven approaches can effectively generate new hypotheses on associations between medications and sPTB. This analysis led us to examine the association with GH treatment. While unknown confounders may impact these findings, our results indicate that women with untreated GH have a modest increased risk of sPTB.
Polythiophene Grafted onto Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes through Oligo(ethylene oxide) Linkages for Supercapacitor Devices with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Zhou Minya , Li Yueqin , Gong Qiang , Xia Zongbiao , Yang Yong , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Jie , Gao Qinwei
Published: August 2019

Poly(3‐oligo(ethylene oxide))thiophene (PD2ET) with an ethanolamine terminal in the side chain was covalently grafted onto the surface of single‐walled carbon nanotube bundles (PD2ET‐g‐SWCNTs) by using an esterification reaction. The chemical bond between PD2ET and the SWCNTs is confirmed by using various techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The microstructural and morphological investigation revealed a good distribution of PD2ET on the surface of the SWCNTs, with a thickness of about 2–3 nm. As an electroactive material, the fabricated PD2ET‐g‐SWCNTs electrode demonstrated high capacitive performance in electrochemical tests, in which an efficient specific capacitance of 399 F/g at 1 A/g was obtained from galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques. Furthermore, the long‐term stability investigation of PD2ET‐g‐SWCNTs electrode showed that over 91 % capacitance retention could be retained after 8000 successive charge/discharge cycles. The integrated two‐electrode supercapacitor based on the PD2ET‐g‐SWCNTs hybrid exhibited a high energy density of 22.5 Wh/kg and a power density of 500 W/kg at 0.625 A/g. The enhanced electrochemical behavior of the PD2ET‐g‐SWCNTs hybrid can be ascribed to the contribution of oligo(ethylene oxide), which facilitates ion diffusion and enables a faster charge process, thus rendering high efficiency in supercapacitors.
Developing Dual‐Graphite Batteries with Pure 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Trifluoromethanesulfonate Ionic Liquid as the Electrolyte
Authors: Huang Yu , Xiao Rengui , Ma Zhiming , Zhu Weichen
Published: August 2019

In this work, a novel dual‐graphite battery (DGB) based on a pure 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMImTfO) ionic liquid electrolyte is constructed. Within a charge/discharge voltage range of 1.0–3.9 V and at a current of 400 mA g−1, batteries with dual‐natural‐graphite electrodes exhibit a high discharge plateau above 3.0 V with an initial discharge capacity of 46.2 mAh g−1, delivering a capacity retention of 71.0 % after 100 cycles. Comparative studies between the natural graphite and the synthetic graphite (KS6) electrodes are also conducted. Charge‐discharge tests reveal that the dual natural‐graphite battery presents a higher discharge voltage plateau and better retention than the dual KS6‐graphite battery. To confirm the principle of the dual‐graphite systems, a cyclic voltammetry test is conducted. The results demonstrate that the EMIm+ cation exhibits an even more stable intercalation/de‐intercalation behavior than the TfO− anion. Further tests, including ex situ X‐ray diffraction and ex situ Raman spectroscopy, are performed to reveal the mechanism of TfO− and EMIm+ intercalation into graphite, both demonstrating a reversible process.
Inside Cover: A Computational Study on Iridium‐Catalyzed Production of Acetic Acid from Ethanol and Water Solution (Chin. J. Chem. 9/2019)
Authors: Yue Xin , Li Longfei , Li Pengjie , Luo Chenguang , Pu Min , Yang Zuoyin , Lei Ming
Published: August 2019

The inside cover picture shows the hydrogen transfer process of the production of acetic acid from ethanol and water mixture catalyzed by iridium catalyst owning bpyO ligand. A DFT mechanistic study indicates that the cooperation of the iridium center and bpyO ligand plays an important role in the catalytic activity, and that the hydrogen release process from the iridium center is the rate‐determining step. More details are discussed in the article by Lei et al. on page 883–886.

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Targeted therapy for colorectal cancer metastases: A review of current methods of molecularly targeted therapy and the use of tumor biomarkers in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Piawah Sorbarikor , Venook Alan P.
Published: August 2019

Despite recent advances in the management of colorectal cancer, metastatic disease remains challenging, and patients are rarely cured. However, a better understanding of the pathways implicated in the evolution and proliferation of cancer cells has led to the development of targeted therapies, that is, agents with action directed at these pathways/features. This approach is more specific to cells within which these pathways, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), are overactive; this is in contrast to the relatively indiscriminate mechanism by which cytotoxic chemotherapy tends to affect rapidly dividing cells, regardless of their role. Although factors unique to a given patient, such as the location of the primary tumor (sidedness) or the presence of mutations that confer resistance, may limit the utility of these agents, targeted therapies are now a part of the treatment paradigm for metastatic colorectal cancer, and survival outcomes have significantly improved. This review provides an overview of the role of targeted therapy in the management of patients with colorectal cancer metastases as well as a discussion of issues in patient selection, with a focus on inhibitors of angiogenesis, EGFR‐targeted therapy, BRAF mutation–targeted therapies, and other novel strategies, including immunotherapy.
Evaluating the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug(s) for relief of pain associated with temporomandibular joint disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Kulkarni Sachin , Thambar Samuel , Arora Himanshu
Published: August 2019

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to compile the latest evidence to assess the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug(s) (NSAID) in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) in relieving pain. TMDs are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint and/or masticatory muscles.

Methods

After a literature review, a comprehensive search was conducted via Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases with a systematic search strategy. The inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials in humans, published in the last 50 years evaluating the effect of NSAIDs on TMDs. Although this duration chosen would potentially identify studies that have utilised outdated treatments, research methodology, and TMDs diagnostic criteria, and this has been considered before making clinical recommendation, it was used to advise future methodological changes necessary. The included studies were subjected to full‐text review.

Results

Out of 646 studies initially identified through searches, 12 were selected for full‐text review of which 11 were included in the data synthesis. All 11 studies were randomised controlled trials. In total, 424 patients were included in this review. The earliest study included was 1996. Diagnostic criteria varied among all studies, and some did not specify enough signs and symptoms to construct a diagnosis. Intervention varied among all studies, as did the control. Nonspecific diagnosis, variable control groups, and heterogenous intervention protocols affected the outcome of this review. Despite the reduction of pain in the joint and/or masticatory muscles as well as improved range of motion, conclusive clinical recommendation could not be made.

Conclusion

Heterogeneity did not allow for definitive conclusion; however, there was some evidence to support the use of NSAIDs in patients with TMDs for relief of pain. Further studies with strict, consistent diagnostic criteria and treatment are required.
Quinalizarin induces cycle arrest and apoptosis via reactive oxygen species‐mediated signaling pathways in human melanoma A375 cells
Authors: Luo Ying‐Hua , Li Jin‐Qian , Zhang Yi , Wang Jia‐Ru , Xu Wan‐Ting , Zhang Yu , Feng Yu‐Chao , Li Shi‐Ze , Jin Cheng‐Hao
Published: August 2019

Quinalizarin, a bioactive and highly selective compound, is known to promote apoptosis in colon and lung cancer cells. However, studies evaluating quinalizarin‐induced apoptosis in melanoma cells have not been conducted. In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of antimelanoma activity of quinalizarin in human melanoma A375 cells. The MTT assay and Trypan blue staining were used to evaluate the cell viability. The flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western blot was used to detect the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis‐related proteins, MAPK, and STAT3. The results revealed a significant dose and time dependent effect of quinalizarin on inhibiting proliferation in three kinds of human melanoma cells, and had no significant toxic effects on normal cells. Moreover, quinalizarin triggered G2/M phase cell arrest by modulating the protein expression levels of CDK 1/2, cyclin A, cyclin B, p21 and p27, and induced apoptosis by down‐regulating the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2 and upregulating the proapoptotic protein BAD, leading to the activation of caspase‐3 and PARP in the caspase cascade in A375 cells. Quinalizarin treatment led to apoptosis of A375 cells via activation of MAPK and inhibition of STAT3 signaling pathways. In addition, quinalizarin increased the level of ROS, but ROS scavenger NAC inhibited quinalizarin‐induced apoptosis by regulating MAPK and STAT3 signaling pathways. In summary, quinalizarin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via ROS‐mediated MAPK and STAT3 signaling pathways in human melanoma A375 cells, and quinalizarin may be used as a novel and effective antimelanoma therapeutic.
High‐throughput droplet‐based microfluidics for directed evolution of enzymes
Authors: Chiu Flora W. Y. , Stavrakis Stavros
Published: August 2019

Natural enzymes have evolved over millions of years to allow for their effective operation within specific environments. However, it is significant to note that despite their wide structural and chemical diversity, relatively few natural enzymes have been successfully applied to industrial processes. To address this limitation, directed evolution (DE) (a method that mimics the process of natural selection to evolve proteins toward a user‐defined goal) coupled with droplet‐based microfluidics allows the detailed analysis of millions of enzyme variants on ultra‐short timescales, and thus the design of novel enzymes with bespoke properties. In this review, we aim at presenting the development of DE over the last years and highlighting the most important advancements in droplet‐based microfluidics, made in this context towards the high‐throughput demands of enzyme optimization. Specifically, an overview of the range of microfluidic unit operations available for the construction of DE platforms is provided, focusing on their suitability and benefits for cell‐based assays, as in the case of directed evolution experimentations.
Reduction Kinetics of Perovskite Oxides for Selective Hydrogen Combustion in the Context of Olefin Production
Authors: Dudek Ryan B. , Tian Yuan , Jin Gaochen , Blivin Millicent , Li Fanxing
Published: August 2019

Chemical looping represents a novel approach for generating light olefins in which thermal cracking or catalytic dehydrogenation is coupled with selective hydrogen combustion (SHC) by a metal oxide redox catalyst, which enables autothermal operation, increased per‐pass conversion, and greater‐than‐equilibrium yields. Recent studies indicate that Na2WO4‐promoted perovskite oxides are effective redox catalysts with high olefin selectivity. Herein, kinetic parameters, rates, and reaction models for the reduction of unpromoted and Na2WO4‐promoted CaMnO3 redox catalysts by H2, C2H4, and C2H6, is reported. Reduction rates of CaMnO3 under ethylene and ethane are significantly lower than under H2. Model fitting of reduction kinetics show good agreement with reaction order–controlled models for CaMnO3 reduction and predict greater oxygen site dependence and higher activation energy for CaMnO3 reduction by C2H4 as compared with H2. Avrami–Erofe'ev nucleation and growth models provide the best fit to the reduction of Na2WO4/CaMnO3 in H2 and in C2H4. After Na2WO4 promotion, the reduction rate of CaMnO3 is three orders of magnitude lower in ethylene in comparison to hydrogen, consistent with its superior selectivity to hydrogen combustion. The models developed can be applied toward reactor design and optimization in the context of enhanced olefin production via SHC under a cyclic redox scheme.
Cap‐and‐Invest Systems Critical to Achieving Emission Reductions and Technology Gains in Transportation Sector
Authors: Glitman Karen
Published: August 2019

The transportation sector is the greatest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, accounting for more than 30 percent of GHG emissions nationwide and well over 40 percent in many states, eclipsing emissions from the electricity sector and industry. Of these transportation emissions, approximately 59 percent come from the more than 272 million light‐duty vehicles most of us drive every day. Capping transportation GHG emissions and investing in programs that accelerate the just transition to clean, efficient, and affordable transportation is critical to achieving a healthier environment. Such market‐based GHG emissions‐reduction programs have the potential to catalyze the widespread adoption of electric vehicles by funding incentives for vehicle purchases and charging infrastructure.
MSH2 c.1022T>C, p.Leu341Pro is a founder pathogenic variation and a major cause of Lynch syndrome in the North of France
Authors: Vermaut Catherine , Leclerc Julie , Vasseur Francis , Wacrenier Agnes , Lovecchio Tonio , Boidin Denis , Rebergue Marie‐Helene , Cattan Stephane , Manouvrier Sylvie , Lejeune Sophie , Buisine Marie‐Pierre
Published: August 2019

Interpretation of missense variants remains a major challenge for genetic diagnosis, even in well‐known genes such as the DNA‐mismatch repair (MMR) genes involved in Lynch syndrome. We report the characterization of a variant in MSH2: c.1022T>C, which was identified in 20 apparently unrelated families living in the North of France. A total of 150 patients from 20 families were included in this study. Family segregation studies, tumor analyses and functional analyses at both the RNA and protein levels were performed. Founder effect was evaluated by haplotype analysis.We show that MSH2 c.1022T>C is a missense variant (p.Leu341Pro) that affects protein stability. This variant is frequent in the North of France (7.7% of pathogenic variations identified in MMR genes), and is located on an ancestral haplotype. It is associated with a high risk of a broad tumor spectrum including brain and cutaneous cancers. The MSH2 c.1022T>C variant is a pathogenic founder variation associated with a high risk of cancer. These findings have important implications for genetic counseling and management of variant carriers.
Numerical study of effective parameters on the drying process in a vertical porous channel
Authors: Gholami Hassan , Kouhikamali Ramin , Sharifi Navid
Published: August 2019

Comprehensive understanding of evaporation in porous channels is important for the design of modern heat exchangers and thermal systems such as heat pipes. This paper presents a numerical study of evaporation in a vertical porous channel. The volume of the fluid method was applied to capture the interface between phases. The multi‐dimensional limiter for explicit solution method, in which there are additional constraints based on the flux‐corrected transfer method, was used to solve the interface transfer equation. Pressure drop, Nusselt number, and the drying rate were considered as performance parameters. Comparing simulation results with experimental data showed that this new solver can precisely solve the thermal phase change in a porous medium. The influence of parameters effective on the drying process, such as porosity, permeability, the dynamic contact angle was investigated. Based on the results of the pressure profile in the final state, four different regions are visible. Because of the close fit of the wall temperature to the average cross‐sectional temperature, the Nusselt number increases sharply at transition points from the liquid to the vapor phase. By increasing the dynamic contact angle, the average drying rate in the channel is reduced.
Regioselective Arylboration of 1,3‐Butadiene
Authors: Bergmann Allison M. , Sardini Stephen R. , Smith Kevin B. , Brown M. Kevin
Published: August 2019

A method for the regioselective 1,2‐arylboration of 1,3‐butadiene, a feedstock chemical, is reported. The reactions result in the formation of products that can be easily elaborated to other structures. The mechanistic details of this process are also discussed.
Tackling Remote sp3 C−H Functionalization via Ni‐Catalyzed “chain‐walking” Reactions
Authors: Janssen‐Müller Daniel , Sahoo Basudev , Sun Shang‐Zheng , Martin Ruben
Published: August 2019

Nickel catalysts have recently played an important role for rapidly and reliably converting feedstock chemicals into valuable compounds of interest for both pharmaceutical and academic laboratories. Herein, we summarize the recent advances on the ability of nickel catalysts to trigger olefin isomerization via “chain‐walking”, causing a displacement of the nickel catalyst throughout the alkyl chain while opening up new grounds for forging C−C and C‐heteroatom linkages at remote, yet unfunctionalized, sp3 C−H bonds.
Product Line Engineering Comes to the Industrial Mainstream
Authors: Clements Paul C.
Published: August 2019

Product line engineering (PLE) is a systems engineering discipline to engineer a portfolio of related products in an efficient manner, taking full and ongoing advantage of the products’ similarities while respecting and managing their differences. Managing a portfolio as a variable single entity, as opposed to multiple separate products, brings enormous efficiencies in production and maintenance. This paper shows that PLE has now matured into a repeatable, industrial‐strength engineering discipline. We define and explore the concepts central to modern product line engineering and illustrate how it applies in two of the most challenging systems engineering domains: aerospace and defense, and automotive.
An Enterprise Feature Ontology for Feature‐Based Product Line Engineering
Authors: Krueger Charles , Clements Paul
Published: August 2019

Feature‐based software and systems product line engineering (feature‐based PLE) has emerged as a modern, repeatable, codified, and proven‐in‐practice specialization of generic product line engineering (PLE) practice. Feature‐based PLE involves an automation‐supported configuration of engineering and operations artifacts from across an enterprise to reflect the feature choices a product embodies. Configuration of artifacts based on feature choices is a powerful narrative, but what actually constitutes a feature? A feature is a distinguishing characteristic that sets products apart (Kang et al. 1990), but in practice this concept encompasses a broad spectrum of granularity. Stakeholders who are concerned with the finest‐grained differences are very different from those who care about the coarsest‐grained differences. This paper presents an ontology for features that is capable of supporting an entire enterprise of product line engineering and business operations, and shows how various stakeholders throughout the enterprise can interact with these different kinds of features.
Interval censored regression with fixed effects
Authors: Abrevaya Jason , Muris Chris
Published: August 2019

This paper considers identification and estimation of a fixed‐effects model with an interval‐censored dependent variable. In each time period, the researcher observes the interval (with known endpoints) in which the dependent variable lies but not the value of the dependent variable itself. Two versions of the model are considered: a parametric model with logistic errors and a semiparametric model with errors having an unspecified distribution. In both cases, the error disturbances can be heteroskedastic over cross‐sectional units as long as they are stationary within a cross‐sectional unit; the semiparametric model also allows for serial correlation of the error disturbances. A conditional‐logit‐type composite likelihood estimator is proposed for the logistic fixed‐effects model, and a composite maximum‐score‐type estimator is proposed for the semiparametric model. In general, the scale of the coefficient parameters is identified by these estimators, meaning that the causal effects of interest are estimated directly in cases where the latent dependent variable is of primary interest (e.g., pure data‐coding situations). Monte Carlo simulations and an empirical application to birthweight outcomes illustrate the performance of the parametric estimator.
Influence of the specific surface area and silver crystallite size of mesoporous Ag/SrTiO3 on the selectivity enhancement of ethylene oxide production
Authors: Adhami Shekoufeh , Esfahany Mohsen Nasr , Eränen Kari , Peurla Markus , Mäkilä Ermei , Murzin Dmitry Yu , Salmi Tapio
Published: August 2019

Background

Ethylene oxide, which is industrially produced by ethylene epoxidation, is an important versatile chemical intermediate, thus its selectivity enhancement can bring substantial economic profits. In this work, the effects of two important, but still debatable, factors, i.e. catalyst specific surface area and active phase crystallite size, on the catalyst selectivity enhancement were investigated. Surfactant assisted sol–gel method with good control ability on the pores structure was selected to produce mesoporous strontium titanate (SrTiO3) nanocrystals with various specific surface area. The SrTiO3 nanocrystals were used as the supports of silver (Ag) for ethylene epoxidation.

Results

The Ag/SrTiO3 catalysts with various surface areas were obtained by changing the surfactant‐alkoxide ratio and the calcination time. The ethylene oxide selectivity of the prepared catalysts was examined in a laboratory‐scale fixed bed reactor. The best performance was observed at the lowest surfactant–alkoxide ratio of 0.2 and calcination time of 4 h, with the surface area of 1.7 m2/g and Ag crystallite size of 15 nm.

Conclusion

The best catalyst selectivity was observed at the lowest surface area and the highest average Ag crystallite size. In this condition, the selectivity of the Ag/SrTiO3 catalyst without any modifier was superior to a commercial Ag/Al2O3 catalyst with 3.7m2/g surface area and alkaline earth metal modifiers. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Polycyclic Aromatic Heterocycles with a Benzo[c][1,2]azaborinine Core
Authors: de Lescure Louis R. , Jesse Talitha , Groziak Michael P. , Powers Xian B. , Olmstead Marilyn M.
Published: August 2019

2‐Formylphenylboronic acid condenses with active methylene reagents like α‐amino esters, ketones, and lactams directly to give benzo‐fused 1‐hydroxy‐2,1‐azaborines in good yields within minutes under microwave‐accelerated conditions. The new stable boron heterocycles prepared to demonstrate this approach were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Three members of a new diboron heteropentacyclic ring system, 5a,12a‐diaza‐5,12‐dibora‐5,12‐dihydroxypentacene‐6,13‐dione, were prepared, and one of these highly fluorescent compounds was characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Some key solid‐state structural features revealed by the X‐ray analysis provide a basis for explaining the limited solubility of these pentaheterocycles in common organic solvents.
Performance of laboratory tests used to measure blood phenylalanine for the monitoring of patients with phenylketonuria
Authors: Moat Stuart J. , Schulenburg‐Brand Danja , Lemonde Hugh , Bonham James R. , Weykamp Cas W. , Mei Joanne V. , Shortland Graham S. , Carling Rachel S.
Published: August 2019

Analysis of blood phenylalanine is central to the monitoring of patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) and age‐related phenylalanine target treatment‐ranges (0‐12 years; 120‐360 μmol/L, and >12 years; 120‐600 μmol/L) are recommended in order to prevent adverse neurological outcomes. These target treatment‐ranges are based upon plasma phenylalanine concentrations. However, patients are routinely monitored using dried bloodspot (DBS) specimens due to the convenience of collection. Significant differences exist between phenylalanine concentrations in plasma and DBS, with phenylalanine concentrations in DBS specimens analyzed by flow‐injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry reported to be 18% to 28% lower than paired plasma concentrations analyzed using ion‐exchange chromatography. DBS specimens with phenylalanine concentrations of 360 and 600 μmol/L, at the critical upper‐target treatment‐range thresholds would be plasma equivalents of 461 and 768 μmol/L, respectively, when a reported difference of 28% is taken into account. Furthermore, analytical test imprecision and bias in conjunction with pre‐analytical factors such as volume and quality of blood applied to filter paper collection devices to produce DBS specimens affect the final test results. Reporting of inaccurate patient results when comparing DBS results to target treatment‐ranges based on plasma concentrations, together with inter‐laboratory imprecision could have a significant impact on patient management resulting in inappropriate dietary change and potentially adverse patient outcomes. This review is intended to provide perspective on the issues related to the measurement of phenylalanine in blood specimens and to provide direction for the future needs of PKU patients to ensure reliable monitoring of metabolic control using the target treatment‐ranges.